NF Season 2 Ep 2 pt 3

Nova Force Season 2 Episode 2: part 2

A blue waterscape slipped below the ship as they raced towards the coast opposite of Kikata's home. "Here we are." Kikata said, her chest feeling heavy under a fresh wave of nervousness. Her eyes focused on a rapidly approaching landmass, the Cho's home land and the last place she saw Prila.

Richard glanced back towards Kikata, the concern was obvious across her brow and lips. "You feeling okay?"

Kikata nodded, "Yes, I'll be okay." Her eyes fell onto him, "We will go to Prila's house first, see if we can't find some pieces to this puzzle." She leaned back into her pilots seat, "Should we tell Issac?"

Richard shook his head, "Not until we have too. We'll just say we have some official business."

Kikata nodded, "I agree I guess. Don't want to scare him so early on."

"Have you talked to Atrix?"

"I sent her a message, but I haven't gotten a response...she knows we're coming."

"Typical quiet Atrix. That girls more of a mystery than Prila." Richard said as he rose to his feet, his platform starting to lower towards the human hallway, "I'm going to let Issac know we're heading out."

~ ~ ~ ~

"Issac?" The voice of Richard called through the sliding door.

"Busy." Issac called back.

Despite the warning Richard opened the door, squinting as his eyes were met by bright flashing lights within the dark room, the sounds of booming and clattering pelting his ears, "Jesus Issac, the hell are you doing?"

"Working." Issac said, his eyes intently focused on his screen, the image of a digital broken cityscape filling the screen.

"You're just playing conflict." Richard said, "How is that working?"

"Richata is my opponent." Issac replied.

"So we're teaching the computer to play violent computer games?" Richard asked as his arms folded over his chest. His eyes adjusted to the screen which displayed a first person perspective of an early 21st century soldier maneuvering through the ruins of some European city.

"It's all just numbers to Richata." Issac mumbled.

Richard scratched his head, "I still don't see the point. Haven't computer games figured out their own artificial intelligence?"

Issac sighed deeply, "I'm not training her to play the game. I'm training her to think." He glanced over his shoulder to see Richard still staring at him skeptically. "Okay. Let's see if I can get you to understand. About an hour ago when we started Richata first had to get over the technical hurdles. Controlling her character, figuring out what pieces of equipment did what. Then she set up equations to try and figure out the most mathematically logical way to win."

"She any good?" Richard asked.

"Technically, yes. If you were to run into her face to face you would stand no chance. She's simply too perfect with her speed and accuracy. But the problem was that she is still playing like a computer. She goes for the shortest distance between herself and where she has calculated that I will be. But of course I don't play mathematically."

"So you still beat her?"

"Mostly. Whenever I find her character I win nine times out of ten. Only way she kills me is if we face off with no cover somewhere. She hasn't quite grasped the idea of ducking down to let health regenerate."

"Sounds like she's just bad at the game."

Issac shrugged, "She just plays like a computer. Her mind is set on the end goal, eliminating me, she has to start thinking."

"Oh. Well, I came down here to let you know me and Kikata have a little business to attend too. Best you hang around the ship for now."

"We're at Teralist already?" Issac said, his eyes transfixed on the screen still as he lobbed a digital grenade into an ally way. A line of text flashed across his screen telling him he had killed another player. The screen when dark before transitioning to a post game listing of the scores.

"I do not like this game anymore. My ratings are far below acceptable. Oh, hello Richard."

"Hey Richata, don't get too distracted by the game to land the ship now."

"I don't follow your logic." Richata replied. "We will be touching down at the location in one minute and forty five seconds."

"She's a computer Richard, her mind doesn't focus on tasks like we do."

Richard shook his head, "Well alright. We'll be back for you once we're finished and you can take a look around Teralist."

"Okay, awesome." Issac said.

"Good. Well. See ya' in a few hours."

Issac watched as Richard exited the room, "You're still relying too much on your equations. I am telling you there is no math problem that will win you the game."

"But I do not understand." Richated continued to pout, "During my initial testing I was presented with games and I was successful at a rate near one hundred precent. But this game my ratings are below twenty."

Issac chewed on the tip of his thumb for a moment, "Richata, what is the objective of this game?"

"To eliminate the players marked on the opposing team."

"And how are you eliminating these players?"

"By using the tools the developers implemented that send out digital signal-"

"No, no, no." Issac said, "You are looking at the game the wrong way. Visualize the information. Instead of a tool implemented by the developer see the weapon in your hand. This isn't a math puzzle game."

"It's a simulation?"

"Yeah. Basically."

"I see."

"Think you can do better?"

Her voice became almost more strained, "I...think...maybe. But this game is difficult and it is making me...I'm not sure. I would like to push forward but...it is as if...I cannot move as quickly as I could before..."

"You're tired?" Issac asked.

"Tired." She repeated, as if she had never heard the word before.

"Incredible..." Issac whispered. "Okay, we'll take a break. What do you want to do?"

"Nothing, Issac. I'd like to do nothing."

~ ~ ~ ~

They landed the ship at the closest pad which resided just outside of the city limits. Like many of the ancient European cities of earth the Cho city was filled with aging, narrow streets. Personal transport vehicles must be small and most of the visitors and residents travel by foot. The city itself was wrapped around the cost line of a large bay that flowed through massive towers of stone cliffs that jutted from the water. These natural towers were pocketed with buildings and interconnected by long bridges. As Kikata and Richard rode within a public transport vessel the architecture began to become more and more Classical Cho design. The stone walls were of natural hues of gray and tan, only broken by the colorful banners of various buildings and stores. Not completely unlike Kikata's home city, the buildings often came to rounded edges, though were much more flat and wide to the ground like stone hills.  

Finally their transport came to a halt. They had nearly arrived at the coastline, this is where Prila lived. Kikata, with Richard secure upon her shoulder, made her way towards the entrance of a large set of buildings. In the Cho culture families all lived within the same area, especially when these families are deeply rooted in the martial arts. They would very rarely move from their original homes once they become old enough to have a house of their own. And when they passed on, their bodies would be entombed within the walls of what was once their living home, the entrance being blocked off with with sacred stones. As they made their way through the hallways they passed many of these blocked off rooms, each marking the life of one of Prila's ancestors. Some of these buildings have tombs that span for miles, though Prila's family was not so large.

"Here we are." Kikata finally said, a small weight had been lifted from her chest to see that there was still a door, rather than stone like so many of the rooms they had passed. Her fingers grasped a small handle, which she pressed inwards, rotating it ninety degrees to the left before the door pushed open. She stood back hesitantly and let the door swing open on its own, her eyes falling upon her living room.

Prila's home was decorated much more vibrantly than most individuals within her culture. The walls were covered with so many shelves, pictures, paintings, and other ornaments that there was hardly any stone wall visible behind them. Likewise her tables were hardly ever kept neatly organized, it appeared as though everything was right in its disorganized place.

"We should not stay here long." Kikata said in a half whisper, "Richard, look around for any notes or anything on this table while I check the rest of the house." She said as she lent down and placed Richard on the table which was matted with drawing paper. While most artists preferred digital formats, Prila always emphasized the connection she held with paper. Much like her training in the Cho style, pen and paper required more accuracy and mistakes were not so forgiving.

Kikata straightened her back, Prila was so disorganized sometimes that it would be hard to tell whether or not a mess was signs of a struggle or simply Prila's apathy towards tidiness. She left the living room and entered a small hallway where she could reach Prila's bedroom, as well as several guest rooms. Like the living room, the hallway was also adorned with many pictures, as well as video frames that came alive as Kikata neared them, displaying old scenes such as a recording of Prila working on Richard's back tattoo, or a peaceful evening on the beach. Something was missing from the atmosphere though, and it put Kikata on edge. Her spine tingled as her nostrils breathed in empty air that only carried the scent of the walls, floor and furniture. When Prila was here there would always be a vibrant aroma of food wafting into every corner of the house from the kitchen. The house also rang a morbid, silent tune. Kikata's footsteps were the only muffled sounds that reached her ears which twitched and tingled, adding to the nervousness that plagued her mind. Any creak might be an assassin, and though Kikata was not one to be superstitious, she had seen things in her past that made her frightened that beyond the door that she now approached she might be met by some sort of-

ghost

Her eyes widened as her fingers barely brushed the door to the bedroom before it opened wide before her. Her eyes fell upon white hair and a gray gaze and disappeared nearly as soon as she laid her eyes upon it. A sudden pressure surrounded her legs and her body was thrust downward beyond her control. She let out a shriek before an unseen hand choked it away from her throat. Then as suddenly as the attack came the phantom released her.

Panting Kikata rolled to her back, her neck arching to stare up at the one who had assaulted her, "A-Atrix?" She gasped.

Above her stood a relatively short Fela girl. She had very distinctive white hair that was tied back behind her head in a traditional wooden clasp. She knelt down, offering a slender hand to a still startled Kikata. Her eyes were also a very unique feature, they were gray. The hair and eyes could be attributed to a genetic anomaly that was very rare among the Neko. Her face did not offer any signs of apology until her mouth opened and spoke, "Sorry."

"What are you doing here?" Kikata asked as she got to her feet.

"I knew you would come here first."

"Could you not call?" Kikata asked as she rubbed her leg. The Cho style often sought to seek out pain even in simple maneuvers.

Atrix shrugged and turned towards the bedroom, "This might interest you."

Kikata huffed a sigh and followed the girl into the room, her eyes immediately falling upon scattered paper and desk drawers on the ground. "Oh no." Kikata muttered, imagining the sort of fight that must have gone on here.

"There was no struggle." Atrix said, immediately contradicting Kikata's first thoughts. Her finger pointed towards the walls and other tables within the room, "When Prila first came up missing I went straight here, none of these papers had been touched. Someone came here after. Someone who was looking for something."

~ ~ ~ ~

Richard stood nervously upon the plateau Kikata had left him on. He had heard a scream that was quickly silenced by the loud boom of Kikata being thrown to the ground. But that had subsided quickly and now he heard voices speaking in the Neko language, a language which he had nearly full understanding of now. It seemed as though Kikata was okay so he hesitantly returned to his search across the table, though it seemed that the only things he could see were random sketches and doodles that Prila had done in her spare time. Along with her mastery of the Cho style, Prila was also a highly admired artist among her community, her specialty being tattoos. Richard smirked to himself as he recalled the day that he was inked...

several years ago...

Richard and Kikata had completed a section of training under Prila during an extended vacation period while in transition from the Guard to the new hybrid forces. And as customary of any Cho student they would receive tattoo's, or in Richard's case a single tattoo, for their accomplishment. Kikata had gotten hers first in a standard procedure. However no human had ever completed a Cho school of training, and likewise no human had ever received an honorary tattoo. And to Richard and Kikata's initial protest, Prila insisted that she should be the one to do it. They only gave in to Prila when she had somehow managed to get her hands onto a tattooing instrument that fitted a human sized needle(it should be noted that most tattoos this day in age were applied by a special laser).

So Richard finally mustered the courage to climb upon a block of wood that was cushioned by some sort of fabric Prila had lying around the house. He glanced over his shoulder to see Prila smiling widely, her eyes locked upon him from behind special spectacles that would allow her to zoom in and work with near robotic precision.

"Okay Richard you will feel some stinging, but you gotta' stay still for me okay?" Prila said, her voice was so cheerful that if the situation had not involved needles wielded by some giant women, it might have calmed his nerves.

"You're the boss." He called up to her before placing his hands upon folded arms. He could now see his beautiful love looking down at him, a slightly more cautious smile spread upon her lips. This is the only thing that could have calmed him. As Prila lowered the massive instrument mere centimeters from his back his eyes remained locked on Kikata, her golden eyes and luscious curves doing their best to mask the pain that burned upon his back...


the present...

Richard's warm daydream was interrupted by the sudden pounding of feet. Though these feet did not come from the hallway, but the table! He spun in time to see a lumbering mass of fur. Dark eyes stared at him at nearly his own eye level and his chest was suddenly pushed upon by paws larger than his hands. He yelped and fell backwards, the sound of a somewhat high pitch yodel filling his ears as the creature reared backwards from its own tackle.

It took a few moments for Richard to piece together what had happened. The creature stared at him crookedly as if expecting a reaction from him. The creature was Prila's beloved pet. A tiny species to the Neko it resembled some sort of giant hamster or hedgehog to a human. Standing on all fours the creature stood as tall as a human, and on its hind legs a little taller. It was purely vegetarian and posed little to no threat to Richard, kind of like a friendly bear with no fangs or sharp claws.

"Jo, no!" a familiar voice called out.

Richard turned and looked upwards to see Atrix coming to the table. She placed her hand down and the small creature bounded into it. "Atrix?" Richard called up.

"Hello." She said backing away from the table and sitting down into a comfortable couch.

"Someone else has been here." Kikata said.

"What was with the screaming?" Richard asked.

"Sorry." Atrix muttered quietly.

"It was nothing." Kiakta said, "But it appears someone other than us has been going through Prila's stuff. I still can't piece together why. Atrix has told me that the last she had heard from Prila was that she was going to visit La'ala."

"I guess that means we are going to find La'ala next." Richard said.

"Right." Kikata replied with a nod. "Atrix, will you be okay here?"

"I am going with you to find her." Atrix replied.

"I don't think that's possible...wont you be missed?"

Atrix eyed Kiakta sternly, "I am going with you. Very easily or by force. You will not stop me, nor would you be able to resist me."

Kikata knew very well that Atrix meant what she said. Atrix was more than a girl with rare hair and eyes. She was beyond even the status of a prodigy. Her skills in the Cho style was greater than anyone who still had breath in their lungs. Prila was her instructor yet even she would not be able to best the girl in a fight, even an unfair one.

"She's got a point." Richard said with a shrug.

~ ~ ~ ~

Issac stared out the window in a mixed state of awe and disbelief. He continued to tell himself that the world outside was not his own. The trees that stood scattered in the mostly brown, dry landscape must have been the size of sky scrapers, and any individual that walked upon the landing pads below were all the same towering behemoths that Kikata was. But from up on the ship they seemed no larger than a human, his mind simply did not allow him to believe that rather than a twenty foot drop to the ground below, it was really several hundred feet.

His pocket vibrated with the message that Richard was on his way back, yet this time they brought one more. His eyes focused on two figures on the pad below, a ringing sounded throughout the ship to alert him that the landing ramp was lowering. The new figure was a girl, from afar it was hard to determine her age, only that she had shining white hair and a slightly more tan complexion than Kikata's. Her pants were gray in color and reached down to her knees while her shirt was white and seemed to be composed of several strips of cloth that left areas of her sides exposed as well as most of her lean stomach.

His pocket continued to vibrate so he lifted his computer and answered a call, "Yeah?"

"Hey are you still playing that game? We're back at the ship."

"No I was watching you guys walk in, who is the new person?"

"An old friend. She'll probably be tagging along with us. Look we'll explain later, come meet us in the community quarters."

Issac ended the call. He gave a final look out the window before making his way to the shuttle. An excited rush filled him as he hoped he would get to make his first steps onto an alien world soon.