Chapter Three: Ignition

[Leo]

From what Jadyn had given me, they existed deep in Nomad space, shielded by a magnetic field of radiation. The station looked huge and complex from the blueprints I had been given. It was time I figured out how this skill of mine worked, from the enhanced sight to the detailed views that I could see when in the mode. I was piloting the ship close to several police cruisers when they scanned my ship. They went on about their business as I flew by.

I landed on Manhattan and flew to a secluded area of the planet, one still barren of buildings for my own training purposesso here is what I had figured out. The ability was turned on by some kind of melody from my childhood apparently. The tune was that of ups and down and a happy melody mixed with a sad one. As I thought about the tune, the melody began to play in my head and I saw the blue haze come over my field of vision. Immediately I heard the word ignition in my head again, and then the haze vanished and I returned to my previous thoughts. So the melody was the activator, and the word ignition was either a block, or what I used to shut the ability off. Interestingthe haze came back in full force this time, and my head felt like it was going to explode

--

The guards rushed me and my anger rose to incredible levels. The first guard rushed me and my arms moved just as I had been trained. Quickly I dismembered the first guard with the energy blade and his scream was cut short as I brought the blade into his chest. I withdrew the sword and swung it around quickly as the other guard came up close, before he could stop running; his head went tumbling to the floor, his body soon followed.

The remaining guards took a step back, both shocked, and confused on what to do next. I only smiled as the rest rushed me in full Nomad mode, their eyes glowing blue. I laughed as they came running towards me spinning the twin blades with fury and power. As my arms moved, killing them, I could see each person, rushing me; my arms were working without my brains orders. I was ducking in and out of the guards swings and moves, swinging my own blades quickly cutting their chests and arms as I went.

One of the larger guards tried to impale my neck on one of his own energy blades and I leaned back as he came in, missing my throat by mere inches and spun my right leg in-between his own two legs, knocking him off balance. I spun backwards releasing the blade into his right rib, and sending it through his heart and other lung. I quickly spun back around with the blade out and attacked another guard coming up by chopping both his legs off, and while he screamed, his head was removed. I rose to my feet slowly, all the guards dead or wounded. I looked up to the window, staring through it

Autumn I said, my voice sounding strange, almost like an echo.

I put the blades back on my hips-

--

I came back gasping, my head was on fire, and my brain felt like it was leaking out of my ears. I reached up to feel a large amount of blood leaking out. I stumbled to my feet and stared straight ahead. I wasnt done trying to figure this thing out yet. I focused on the song again, the blue haze coming back easier than it had the past few times. Now what? I had the ability on, but how did it work? What did I have to do to get the different modes to activate? Was this it? I heard ships passing low to the ground. Immediately my mind processed the sound and I knew the speed, altitude, and size of the ships. Three fighters, moving at twice cruise speed, low altitude. Words popped up in my field of view.

Exercise Caution, Fighters are equipped with heavy weaponry. Suggest seeking cover and hiding own ship. Priority Mark V.

Almost immediately my body worked on its own, getting in to the ship and moving it back into the tree line, I got back out and huddled down to the ground effectively stealth my entire body and person. The fighters did come in low and paused in the area I was in, they landed some thousand feet from my person and climbed out, scouting the clearing. I kept myself hidden well as they scouted the area I was in, using my ability.

Hes here. The lead one said. I recognized him quickly as Takashi. He was obviously irritated as he started mumbling something incomprehensible.

How do you know? Maybe hes figured out his implants and he heard us coming? You werent being the slightest bit quiet. said a little girl, but obviously in charge as she stared at Takashi.

Impossible Gwen, hes only a tool, something that Autumn wants as a little play thing.

And youre the one who hates him, isnt it pretty clear she would send you here to capture him, how ironic.

Shut up little girl.

The girl got agitated at this point and went Nomad mode and threw Takashi a good distance towards me.

You watch your tone, peasant! Hes my-
Yeah, yeah Gwen I know. Hes your want to be father right?

Father?

He is my father , so you watch your tone, peasant

Call me peasant one more time-

Peasant.

Takashi ground his teeth as she walked ahead searching the area.

Hes not here. We move on, hes disappeared again.

Autumn isnt going to be happy.

No **** Sherlock.

The two boarded the two fighters and the remaining guard got into his and took off, back in the direction of the city. I rose from the grass and watched them vanish over the horizon. So they were looking for me were they? Interestingmaybe I should milk this a little more to see if they come back. I focused again and switched over to Nomad mode again, the fighters banked hard right and turned around, and landed quickly. This time I didnt move. The two exited the ship and stood a few paces away from me.

Seems you were wrong Takashi. Said the girl named Gwen.

Seems he was. I replied.

You need to come back with us Leo. Theres been a situationAutumn-

Is still searching for me and wants me dead, did I hit the mark? Oh, and arent you supposed to be calling me daddy?

No. Takashi interjected to keep the girl from blowing up. Shes gone insane. Were off on our own. Weve been searching for you for a few days now. Shes delirious. Always has been, she took her own husband in for testing for crying out loud. He said pointing at me.

Is that why you left me for dead on that Outcast planet? I asked him.

He only grew quiet and looked around.

Im not going in with you, and if you come and try to force me, Im sure you know what will happen.

We knowLeo. The girl said again, calming down. My motherAutumntells me that youre my father. I hardly believe it, were two totally different people. Our DNA doesnt even match for crying out loud, I checked it.

How can you when its so corroded with Nomad DNA?

Youre being difficult. Takashi said again.

Im being perfectly reasonable for what you people have done to me. Rebels against Tainted or not, if you come after me I will make sure that you rue the day.

I turned around watching my back every few minutes; they werent pursuing but running their hands through their hair and looking at the ground. Gwen spoke up when I got about ten paces away.

They have Shan-Katacuchi.

I stopped in my tracks and turned to face her. She only stood there, looking somber.

They havent let up since they took her, shes suffering Leo. Her DNA doesnt work like Takashis does.

Takashi grew uncomfortable at her name being said. I found this odd, if he didnt remember his past, why would he grow upset at her name being spoken, I squinted my eyes down and decided to take the bait.

Why do you look so miserable when her name is said Takashi? You dont even remember her.

The hell I dont he said almost yelling at me. He drew back and looked at Gwen who told him to calm down. He quieted down and looked at me again, tears forming in his eyes, mixed with anger and sadness. Something told me he remembered bits and pieces of his memory but didnt say ****. This is why he was betraying Tainted, but for all I knew, this could be a ruse in itself, I determined to keep it to myself for now, until I figured out who was who and what was going on for certain.

Listenyou will stay away from me. If you or any other Tainted member comes within a few systems of me, I wont be held accountable for my actions.

We can teach you how to use your implants-Gwen tried to say again, I only turned my head as I walked to my ship.

Ill teach myself, you and your people have caused enough problems as it is.

With that I walked to my ship, to leave them to their own devices.

---

You fear oblivion. Yet you forget. The universe remembers every atom of your being. Even dust hums your name in the dark.
Starlight Research Consortium | The Banished Legion | Astral