Beta Earth: Between Worlds 2.0 Edition (12 page)

Interception

Ivan snaps his fingers and one of the guards approaches Vin. He fights with the guard using the carbon staff. After a lengthy battle  he eventually manages to hit the guard in the leg, crippling him. He finishes the guard off with a rap on the head that knocks him out cold. Ivan simply observes Vin.

“I see he is formidable. However, he is tired and struggled against that one. All of you attack him at once. Leave him no room to recover.”

The Final Bloodline guards walk toward Vin. He backs up and prepares himself for a final fight. He wipes the sweat from his head and takes a few deep breaths. The guards charge and Vin defend himself.

He doesn’t focus on attack, just defense.
If I can hold out long enough to make it to a window.
Vin thinks. One of the guards hits Vin’s staff incredibly hard. The force causes Vin to hit himself in the side with his own staff. He yells in pain as he falls to one knee. The other guards attack.

Vin musters his strength and manages to throw his body out of the way. He slides along the ground and then tries to get up but he is now under full attack. Vin narrowly escapes the staff blows. Even the nicks and indirect blows make him cringe with pain and lose focus. The guards surround him.

Ivan watches as Vin desperately struggles against the onslaught. “Good, keep it up. He is losing consciousness.”Vin’s focus is failing.
If I use it now … I can’t concentrate … and I could end up anywhere … but if I don’t—
There is a loud clang, Vin realizes he has lost his staff. The guards surrounding him are poised to strike. “It’s now or never.” Vin says.

He closes his eyes and concentrates and a puff of smoke appears around him. Vin opens his eyes and finds himself in the same spot. “Damn.” Vin whispers disappointedly.

“Did you just—” Ivan steps in closer. “What did you just do?” The guards stand around confused by the situation.

Now!
Vin commands himself. Vin darts between the guards and jumps out of the window. The rain splashes on his face. He doesn’t look back but he can hear the guards following him. He is losing consciousness. Everything is becoming blurry. Vin doesn’t know where he is running. He is just going forward. The guards are getting closer. Vin can hear their flopping footsteps gaining on him.

“I must make it … I must—” Vin falls and slides along the wet ground. The guards approach him when a mobile unit pulls up in the middle of the street. Lana Mizrahi steps out of it. “What the hell is going on here?” Lana runs over to Vin. He is badly injured and breathing heavy.

“Keep moving. This isn’t your business.” One of the final bloodline guards says. Lana recognizes Vin from the video.

“The hell it isn’t!” She steps in between Vin and the guards. “Redemption Riot Control Unit.” Lana shows her ID.

“Leave now and I won’t ask any questions.” The Final Bloodline guards continue to approach Lana.

“Figured as much,” she says. Three guards attack her and she does her best to repel them. However, the guards overwhelm her. Lana backs up to Vin, who is starting to stand up.
This guy fought these guys and still has enough energy to move. Amazing!
Lana thinks.
I need more training.

Vin stands up and starts to run. Lana darts after him. “No!” Lana yells.

Vin, without realizing, falls down a steep hill. The guards watch him tumble down and get lost beyond some bushes. Ivan Freeland walks up and Lana is surrounded.

“
Not good.” Lana says to herself.

“Where is he?” Ivan asks his guards. One of the guards steps forward.

“He fell. Should we risk interception?” Ivan takes a look at Lana and notices her uniform. He shakes his head.

“Redemption is on to us here.” Ivan turns to head back to their base. “You two, take care of her.” Ivan orders. Lana over hears Ivan mention quietly.

“Tell the others. It’s time we head back to H.Q. on Beta Earth.” Two of the guards stay behind and face Lana. They crack their staffs on the ground. The pavement breaks under the pressure. Lana whips out her standard-issue R.C.U. baton and prepares herself for combat.

The guards charge Lana. She evades both of them, giving her the perfect vantage point for an attack. Lana cracks one of the guards over the head with the baton, causing him to fall. “Not bad.” the other guard comments. The remaining guard swings his staff at Lana. She tries to block the blow with her baton. As the staff connects with the baton, it breaks it and thuds against Lana’s shoulder. Lana grabs her shoulder and screams in pain.

The guard takes another swing at Lana. Hitting her directly in the stomach and winding her. The guard looms over Lana twirling his staff, whipping the rain around, preparing for the final blow. Lana regains her composure and kicks the guard in his shin, causing him to collapse.

She then rolls out of the way and grabs the unconscious guard’s staff. With a quick swing, Lana smashes the staff against the guard across the back, knocking him unconscious. Lana rests on the staff, breathing heavily. She holds her stomach and coughs.

A little blood comes out. Lana slowly walks over to the cliff where Vin fell. “I couldn’t protect him,” she says disappointedly. Lana looks at the guard’s staff and notices that it’s glowing. “Even these guys are skilled and equipped like that. This world is becoming very dangerous very fast.”

Meanwhile, Vin rests on the soft grass at the bottom of the hill as the rain beats down on him. He is not unconscious yet and ahead of him he sees a large, grassy field. “Well, well.” a voice says as two feet appear before him. Vin manages to look up. “You made it. Sorry I had to lure some of them away, but once I did, I came back and followed you.” Zero G says as he tries to help Vin get on his feet. Vin struggles. His entire body is in pain and he just wants to rest. “I know you wanna rest but this is not the place.” Zero G says.

“Vette.” Vin says weakly. Zero G looks at Vin.

“You know a place?”

“Yes.” Vin weakly replies.  

Dreams Pt. 1

Location: Sprawl 15—Vette’s place.

Vette is on the com with Faux Forsaken members. “Let me know the second you’ve heard from him, okay? Keep up the search.” She hears a knock at the door and walks over to answer it. “Keith, did you—” Vette is in shock as she looks at the stranger holding up Vin. He is injured, wet and fatigued. “Who are you? What’s happened to him?” Vette asks.

“It’s okay. He is …” Vin’s voice trails off as he loses consciousness. Vette helps Zero G bring him inside. They lay him down on the couch.

“I know he’s not critically injured but he does need some medical attention. Maybe we should—” Before Zero G can finish. Vette runs off. A moment later she returns with an advanced first aid kit.

“Ah, now I know why he wanted to come here.” Zero G says. Vette starts taking off Vin’s shirt and Zero G looks away. “Well, since you’ve got that covered. Do you have a place where I can dry off?”

“Bathroom.” Vette says without looking up. She is concentrating intensely on Vin.

“Thanks.” Zero G replies. “Maybe I can take a shower while I’m at it. That cult gave good food but had bad water pressure. I swear you would think a cult like that could—” Vette cuts him short.

“Don’t take too long. I need you to help me take off his pants.”

Zero G sighs.

“Right.” With Zero G’s help, Vette manages to bandage and dress most of Vin’s injuries. She leaves and returns with two cups of hot tea. “Mmmm, tea. They don’t have this where I’m from on B.E.” Zero G says as he accepts the tea. Vette sits down on a couch across from Vin. Zero G rests on the floor next to him.

“So, you’re from Beta Earth. um …” Vette realizes she doesn’t know his name. Zero G stands up to shake Vette’s hand.

“People call me Zero G.” She places her tea on the coffee table and shakes Zero G’s hand.

“Well, thanks. Mr. G.” Zero G shakes his head.

“Ugh! It kinda loses its spark unless you say the full thing. Just Zero G. if you please.”

“Sure. Thanks again for—” Vette looks over to Vin.

“Vin. He means a lot to us,” she says. Zero G looks at Vin, he seems to resting peacefully.

“Who is he?” Zero G asks.

“He is the leader of our sprawl gang, Faux Forsaken,” she says. A shocked expression crosses Zero G’s face.

“I … I didn’t know. I can’t believe he helped me.” Vette smiles. “That’s what we do and why we are so important. We all need him. He is a beacon of light in the dark zones.”

“I see.” Zero G stares at Vin.

“I like him. I hope to make a difference like him one day.”

“How did you find him?” Vette asks.

“Actually, he found me.” Zero G takes a sip of his tea. “Somehow he ended up in a cult’s base, where I was trapped. He rescued me.”

“Trapped?” Vette asks.

“Well, more like imprisoned.” Zero G takes another sip and places the glass down. “I was trying to steal some of their artifacts and they caught me.” Vette smiles at his candidness.

“Well, at least you’re an honest thief.” Zero G stands up.

“I’m not a thief! Usually … actually I’m the greatest Blitzball player that ever lived,” he says while making a victory pose.

“Blitzball?” Vette asks.

“It’s not popular yet but it’s catching on. That is why I came here to Earth … to join the underground league. However, someone stole my gear. The only thing I have left is my boots. So I figured I could snatch a few relics from that place and sell them ... but they caught me.”

“Can you play with just the boots?” she asks.

“Yeah and fortunately, I’m used to it. Oh, that’s right, you don’t know.” Zero G sits down and pulls a metallic case out of the bag he was holding. He opens the case, which reveals a pair of shiny boots. They rest securely inside in custom made groves.

“These boots let you fly and are an important part of the game. It’s kind of like capture the flag but on a grander scale.”

“They let you fly?” she asks.

“Yep. Propulsion for a short period of time. This technology was stolen from the United Fed. Now, underground street engineers and venders are trying to re-produce these for the Blitzball league. Without any armor, I gotta try not to get hit. Player will notice my lack of gear and gun for me.”

Vette watches Vin as he turns in his sleep. She walks over to him and rubs his forehead.

“Well. No Blitzball for you, right?” She says as she’s caring for Vin.

“Are you kidding?” Zero G puts away his boots and locks the case. “After watching Vin’s fall earlier, I got an idea. See, the armor weighs you down. If I can train without using the armor, then I can outmaneuver anyone on or off the field!”

“I’m sure Vin is glad he could help.” Vette says sarcastically as she sits back down on the couch. Zero G ignores her sarcasm and continues.

“I can see it now. This will be my claim to fame, my staple—speed and agility. I’ll make the perfect Blitzball striker.” Zero G yawns.

“Oh, if you want to rest—” Vette begins to say.

“I’ll just rest here.” Zero G replies as he makes himself comfortable on the floor by Vin’s feet.

“But—“

“It’s okay.” Zero G interrupts Vette. “You know, if everything else fails, I could always deliver packages … at top-notch speed.” Zero G falls asleep. Vette gets up and finds a sheet. She returns, covers Zero G and then sits back down and continues to watch Vin.
He’s a weird guy.
She thinks.
But I’m thankful he returned Vin to me.

Dreams Pt. 2

Zero G looks around. “I know this place.” He sees a group of kids running. One kid is faster than them all. “Hey, it’s a little me! This must be a dream.” Zero G sees teenagers skateboarding off of small cliffs and landing. One kid goes higher and farther than the rest of them.

“Man, I remember that. I got some sick air! It felt so good until—” Zero G sees a young man lying in a bed with a cast around his legs. “Marcus!” a woman’s voice shouts.

“Why don’t you ever slow down? This is why you are always getting hurt.”

“Ha!” a kid says.

“Marcus is just unlucky. Other kids do the same thing and never get hurt.”

“Marcus.” Zero G says. He looks up and is now in a packed stadium. Everyone is cheering at him, he can feel the crowds energy. Zero G smiles as he is being lowered out of a helicopter decked out in his Blitzball gear minus the armor padding.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” a synthetic female voice says. Zero G looks around for the voice. “Yeah. Is this a dream? It feels so real.”

“It’s the future.” the voice says.

“No way.” Zero G says as he continues to search for the voice. “Who are you?” he asks.

“I am
Red 42
, your partner.” the voice says. Zero G  is suddenly blazing down a steep ramp. He dodges the other Blitzball players and skillfully maneuvering his way to the opponent’s flag at lightning speed. As Zero G travels. He sees a red, cybernetic circle that almost looks like an eye. Zero G stops and time in his dream freezes.

“Red?” Zero G. says.

“Correct.” Red 42 replies.

“How am I here? I mean … what … I mean … umm.” Zero G is having trouble finding what to say. 

“Sorry, I’m not sure how to give you an explanation yet. It has to do with the person you are sleeping next to.” Red 42 replies.

“Vin.” Zero G says softly.

“Never mind that. All I wanted to say is train hard. Our journey is sure to be a tough one.” Red 42 says. Zero G is now in a battlefield. Explosions are detonating all around him. He covers his head as he watches the battle.

“A war? Between who?” he asks.

“I don’t know and it’s something you probably wouldn’t care about anyway.” Red 42 replies. Zero G puts his hand on his chin.

“Well, that’s true.” Zero G sees the faces of children and people affected by the war. “I don’t care about the war … but I feel like I could save them.” Zero G says.

“If I was a little faster. Just a little faster.” Zero G speeds through the battlefield. He’s dodging soldiers, machines, and tanks. All while racing toward the villagers in need.

“I just need to be a bit faster … a bit faster.”As Zero G is just about to save the villagers his boots cut out.

“You have to deliver the package first, Marcus.” Zero G is frozen in place and can see the villagers holding out their arms to him. They beg him for help.

“Train hard, Marcus.” Red 42 says. Zero G can see a red timer counting down fast. Red 42 begins to laugh.

“You’re gonna love me, partner.” Red 42’s laugh and voice becomes more and more distorted. “You’re … gonna … love … me.” Zero G wakes up abruptly and looks around. He then rubs his head. “What a weird dream … Red.”

Vin and Vette are sleeping. Zero G quietly gathers his items and looks back at Vin. “Good luck, buddy. Maybe I’ll see you in the future.” Zero G says softly as he leaves.