Chapter Six - Secrets of the Past

Location: Tokyo, Japan (Alt)
Time: AD 2030, 22 August, 19:55

    "So, what do you think?" Yuki said twirling about in her formal
yukata. She grinned and flashing her fan gave a sultry look in Nami's
direction. "Am I sexy enough?"
    Nami laughed, "watch out! Huntress Yuki is on the prowl."
    "Grrrr," Yuki growled and then giggled. Flashing her fan again she
looked around at the others.
    "Where are we meeting Katsumi again?" Sam asked as she made some
final adjustments to her own formal looking garment.
    "At Ueno Park," Nami replied. "I've ordered a taxi to take us to
Kototoi-Dori where we get off at the Arts University. Lum and Lebia
have arranged to meet us there. It's only a short walk from the Uni to
the park."
    "And we finally get to meet this famous boyfriend that Katsumi's
so hot on," Sam said with a smile. "What's his name..."
    "Robert," Nami supplied. "He's some sort of detective with the
police. From what I gather it's getting to quite serious between the
two of them."
    "You mean no flirting with him?" Yuki muttered looking
disappointed.
    "Not unless you want Katsumi to REALLY get on your case," Nami
sternly replied. "She was speaking of Robert as being 'the one' - if
you get my drift. I think we are talking possible marriage."
    Yuki whistled, "Gods... That's serious stuff... makes me feel
quite old."
    "We all ready then," Linna said emerging from the kitchen and
turning off the various lights. "The taxi should be here in a couple
of minutes."
    "All set," Yuki replied and Nami nodded.
    Linna took a deep breath. She looked at Yuki who smiled and
twitched her fan in the direction of Sam.
    "Sam?" Linna asked offering her arm. "Join me?" She looked at the
redhead with a pleading expression in her eyes.
    Sam was dressed in a dark blue yukata that was patterned with
leaves and other floral designs. For the first time that Linna had
ever seen her the teenager's short red hair was gathered up into a
single ponytail. The overall effect made Linna want to...
    Sam looked at the offered arm and opened her fan. She flashed a
petulant look at Linna and her pale lips opened to give vent to a
harsh retort.
    "Sam..." Yuki gazed at her warningly and Nami nodded her agreement
with Linna's request.
    Sam's face flushed. "All right," she said and put her arm on
Linna's. "I know when I am outvoted."
    "Thank you," Linna said with a smile of relief. First stage -
confirmed as a go.
    Five minutes later the taxi pulled up outside the cafe and they
got in. It would take a good 20-30 minutes to reach Ueno even at this
time of night so they settled down for the ride. Linna noticed that
Sam had not yet removed her arm and tightened her grip slightly. Maybe
tonight would go well after all.

    The park was a riot of colour, smells, sounds and laughter as the
seven women and two men slowly made their way around the various
attractions. Katsumi had introduced Robert, or Roy, as he asked them
to call him and Lebia introduced her unannounced date - a work college
of Roy's called Haru. Yuki, feeling a bit left out, began to amuse
herself by flirting outrageously with some of the young men hanging
around. Shortly afterwards the group's size had swelled to twelve as
both Yuki, Nami and young Lum used their natural talents to ensure
themselves suitable partners for the evening.
    Throughout the entrapment process begun by Yuki Linna kept a close
grip on Sam's arm. She glared blue murder at the stragglers that Yuki
and the others had rejected and who now seemed intent on trying to
pair up with either her or Sam. Sam herself did not comment at this
behavior but meekly followed as Linna swept her along with a faint
smile of amusement on her face. The ground on which they walked was
dry and even so the girls had no difficulty with the formal wear that
was unfortunately a requirement for this type of outing. As they all
proceeded around the various attractions Linna began to feel more and
more relaxed. She noticed with a faint thrill that the figure on her
arm was fairly regularly and unconsciously pushing against her as the
redhead was excitedly taking in everything that was going on around
them.
    Eventually after 20 minutes or so the group stopped at a store
selling various candied treats. Roy and Haru, after a little
persuasion from their respective partners, bought all of the girls a
snack before they restarted on their slow journey around the fair.
    "This is fun," Linna finally risked starting a casual conversation
with Sam. "Isn't it?"
    "Umm," Sam nodded biting a chunk off her toffee apple. "Not...
umm... bad..."
    Success! Linna thought gleefully. We have contact!
    "Would you like me to buy you a little paper hat?" Linna continued
moving the conversation onto the ridiculous as she pointed over at a
giggling Yuki. "It seems that our Mistress Yuki is being treated to
one."
    Sam looked disdainfully at the giggling woman and then rolled her
eyes melodramatically.
    "Do...mmmm... I... mmmm...Sorry..." she swallowed to clear her
mouth of the apple. "Do I look like a little kid?"
    "No," Linna replied gazing thoughtfully at Sam's body. "You most
certainly do not."
    Sam giggled at the expression on Linna's face and allowed the
brunette to pull her closer.
    "Sam... I... I really am sorry," Linna said softly turning to look
at the girl snuggling up against her. "I did not mean..."
    Sam's eyes went flat and Linna tensed for a moment. The girl
however just gave a sad little sigh and then spoke. "You really hurt
me Linna," Sam looked the brunette straight in the eyes. "You have no
idea what it can be like to live and watch those you love age and die
around you. And know that you have to face the same thing time and
time again. No idea what..." her voice slowly faded away.
    "No I don't," Linna confirmed. "And I cannot even begin to imagine
what life must be like for you. All I can say is that I am sorry, that
I love you, and that as long as I live I will try and be there for
you." Linna smiled to try and add a little jolity into her words.
"Hey! I may not be immortal but I certainly intend to give it a good
go."
    Sam was speechless. All she could do was nod dumbly in reply.
    Linna took hold of Sam's startled white face in her hands and
gazed into the wide verdant green eyes. "I will always be here for you
Sam. Always. While I am alive I promise that you will never be alone."
    Sam's face flushed and her eyes blinked. "Promise?" she said
hesitantly to Linna.
    Linna smiled and kissed the tempting lips. "Promise," she swore.
"I will stay with you forever - I swear it." Linna's face grew rueful,
"well... As long as I live anyway. I'm not immortal, unlike you."
    Sam giggled nervously, "that would be interesting."
    "Forgive me?" Linna said wrapping her arm around Sam's shoulder.
    "Just don't do it again," Sam replied and leaned her head against
Linna. "And you can buy me a sparkler. Then, I will think about it..."
    An evil grin came to Linna's face and she nodded. "Of course, and
while I'm at it I'll get you a nice little nice paper hat as well."
Linna started pulling Sam over to the booth where Yuki and her date
were. "It will make you look sooo kawaiii...."
    "Meow," Sam said and submitted to the hat Linna put on her head.
"Come on, let's get back to the others."

    Around midnight huge bonfires were lit and ceremonially dressed
drummers came out and started to play the large Odaiko drums and the
smaller Wadaiko that had been laid out. With much excitement groups of
people formed up and as the drummers began to play they started the
formal steps of the ritualistic dances.
    Linna could see a positively glowing Katsumi and Roy pair off and
absorbed in each others eyes go through the stately steps together.
Nami, Yuki and Lebia joined them until only Linna and Sam were left
watching from the sidelines. Lum and her companion had already
disappeared and somehow Linna doubted that they would be back. She
pulled on Sam's arm and said, "come on - let's join the others."
    Sam repositioned her hat and grinned up at Linna. "Let's not," she
said. "I can think of something much more interesting to do than dance
around all night."
    Linna felt a surge of desire surge through her as she looked down
at those amused green eyes. "You know," she said with a grin. "So can
I - isn't that amazing. Come on!"
    "What about the others?" Sam said as Linna began to yank her by
the arm.
    "They can find their own lovers," Linna exclaimed anxiously
pulling Sam away. "You are taken."

    Much later Linna was roused by the sound of the door downstairs
opening and drunken, excited giggling. Linna blinked and slowly sat
up. Her movement awakened Sam and with a surprised grunt the girl sat
up as well.
    "What's up?" she sleepily asked.
    "Shh..." Linna hissed. "Listen..."
    The sound of giggling downstairs paused and then moved on as the
front door closed.
    "It's just Yuki and that bloke she was with," Sam muttered with a
yawn. "Go back to sleep."
    "You can tell that from here?" Linna was surprised.
    "Umm..." Sam gurgled already halfway back to her dream. "Nig..."
    The giggling downstairs was accompanied by a deeper more male
sound and Linna grinned. "Good for you Yuki," she muttered settling
down next to her lover.
    After a moment she rolled over and looked possessively at the
sleeping redhead. "Sam," she said.
    "zzzzz..." was the reply and Linna sighed.
    "Sam!" Linna shook the girl - hard.
    "What!? What!?" Sam bolted up right as she awoke with a shock. She
blinked a couple of times. "What's... Oh, Linna... Please let's not
start that again!"
    "No," Linna said in an annoyed tone as the pulled the startled
girl down into her embrace. "Come here, I just wanted to ask you
something that's been on my mind for a while..."
    "What?" Sam said as she rested her head on Linna's chest.
    "When are you taking us back home?"
    Sam was silent for a moment and then she sighed, "don't you like
it here?"
    "Yes, I do," Linna replied. "But it is not home. I think all the
people here are great... but..."
    "But you miss Priss and you want to go back," Sam sat up and
looked down at Linna. "That's it isn't it."
    Linna paused and then nodded. "I miss them," she said. "Even
Sylia."
    Sam's lips tightened and she looked away. "I'm sorry Linna," she
said. "But I can't take us back. Not until I know it is safe."
    "Safe?" Linna asked surprised. "Safe from wh... Oh, I remember,
those people. You're talking about those people aren't you?"
    Sam nodded, "I think I managed to trick them but I don't know for
sure yet. And besides, deflecting that attack and bringing us here
safely just about took everything I had. I couldn't get us back yet
even if I wanted to."
    Linna's eyes narrowed as she suddenly realized something.
"Magic... You can use magic..."
    "Not exactly," Sam started. "It's... Oh, scrap that - now is not
the time to try and explain. Let's just say it will be a while before
I feel both strong and sure enough to return."
    "How long?" Linna asked but somehow she had the feeling it was not
going to be anytime soon.
    "A month or so to regain my strength but... Linna I..." Sam was
hesitant to say what she wanted to say next.
    "But what?" Linna replied with a sinking feeling.
    "I told you that I can't die. That death refuses to accept me. The
Council doesn't seem to want understand the implications of that fact.
If I return they will just attack me again... and Linna, that last
attack was the equivalent to a small nuclear tactical strike. I
managed to save us... but..."
    "What?"
    "There was no way I could stop the overflow of that power Linna.
Imagine it, a nuclear strike in the..."
    "Tokyo... Oh Gods..." Linna suddenly realized with horror what Sam
was saying. "How... how... could they..."
    "Very simply," Sam replied quietly. "They don't care about your
kind. Why should they? They are Nobles. The death of a few thousand
mortals means nothing to them. Why should it? Your kind are like the
fleas to them. If I were to attempt to return..." she left it hanging.
    "They will try again, only worst," Linna was horrified. "That's
what you're saying isn't it?"
    Sam nodded slowly, "I can't take that risk Linna. Would you want
me to?"
    "So we are stuck here, that's what you're saying isn't it."
    Sam nodded, "yes. If I try and open a portal - they will know I
survived... They will come... " she did not need to finish the
sentence.
    "For how long?" Linna muttered despondently. "Forever?"
    "No, of course not," Sam replied patting Linna's arm. "Only a
couple of years or so. By that time, they should have dropped their
guard enough for me to open a Gateway back to your realm and let us
slip through unnoticed. If you still want to go of course..."
    "And what's that mean?" Linna asked.
    "This world could be good for us Linna," Sam said earnestly. "We
could stay here with Yuki and Nami. Build up this café into a place..
a home we could..."
    "Sam," Linna said touching her lover's face. "It wouldn't work.
We..."
    "Why not?" Sam said stubbornly. "Money will not be a problem - I
can see to that."
    "Because..." Linna stopped. She could not think of a reason except
one. "Priss..."
    Sam looked at her sadly and she shook her head. "Priss needs to
grow Linna. She needs to heal and she cannot do that with you hanging
over her protecting her from every sharp edge. You're not helping her.
You're slowly killing her piece by piece. You have..."
    "What!" Linna jerked up. "I'm not..."
    "Think Linna, please," Sam said catching Linna's hands in her own.
"How much has Priss come along in the last 7 months when compared to
the last 2 years. Is it a coincidence that your interest in me has
given Priss room to breathe? You have been suffocating her Linna. With
trying to protect her from the world you have been killing her with
kindness. Let her go - please."
    "I..." Linna did not know what to say. "How could I..."
    "Shh..." Sam kissed her. "Let her go, let her live. I am deep
enough for you to smother. I can take it she cannot. Let me take her
place. Let her be free - she is far stronger than you imagine. Believe
me, I know."
    Linna felt wetness around her eyes and nodded. "Imp..." she
whispered. "Have I been so wrong? Have I..."
    "Linna," Sam put a finger to the brunette's lips. "The desire to
protect your sister is only natural. You did absolutely nothing wrong
- nothing!"
    "The voice of experience eh?" Linna gave the redhead a twisted
grin.
    "Experience?" Sam coughed. "I'll show you experience..."
    "Oh?" Linna lay back and stretched. She gave the redhead an
expectant look, "well? Amaze me..."
    "Playtime," Sam grinned and began to prove to Linna the true
delights that came with LOTS of practice.

        *       *       *       *

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Time: AD 2040, 25th September, 10:02

    Sylia watched intently as the cells she irradiated slowly ruptured
and burst as she had expected. Checking the monitor for the results
she made a note and instructed the computer to proceed with the next
set of samples. The small sample table turned and inserted the next
set of cells into the path of the gamma beam. Sylia held her breath
and watched the bio-scan of the cells as the power flowing from the
beam slowly went through its preprogrammed sequence. Sylia's eyes
widened in amazement. Unlike the control sample she had just used
these cells remained perfectly intact and functional, even under the
assault of deadly radiation.
    "Sam truly was immortal," she muttered as the test cycle finished
and the machine shutdown. Sylia turned her attention to the console
and waited briefly while the computer analyzed the results from the
sample.
    "This is..." Sylia shook her head as words failed her. If she
could believe what she was seeing the cells had not only survived the
experience but were actually stronger as a result. The rate of cell
mitosis had increased and the cells were actually regenerating right
before her very eyes. It was absolutely...
    Sylia sat back and smiled. She had done it. She had cloned the
cell samples that she had taken unknowingly from Sam and combined them
with ordinary human cells to produce a hybrid that was almost as good
as Sam's original samples. If she applied this same technique to the
clones she was growing then her new Knights would be unstoppable...
    Sylia returned to the computer and earnestly began to type.

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Time: AD 2040, 3rd November, 23:02

    "YEAH!!" Priss screamed out loud as she and the others rushed
forward to swamp the band that had just finished their final set. They
were FUCKEN BRILLIANT!!
    Kelly winced at the sound of all the yelling. What madness had
possessed her to let Priss talk her into coming to this concert? This
screaming and incoherent music WERE NOT her impression of having a
good time! She stumbled as the crowd surged forward and she was
crushed against those in front of her.
    "Shit... Fuck..." she whimpered as the life was being slowly
crushed from her. How the hell did these people like this!?!
    "Aren't they GREAT!!" Priss turned excitedly and yelled at Kelly.
    Kelly did not bother to answer. She was just waiting for this
torture to end!
    When she got no answer Priss simply turned back and cheered.
Kelly's ordeal of endurance lasted for another 15 minutes until at
last the crowds began to quieten down enough for people to start to
leave. Kelly almost wanted to shout her relief as the two of them
slowly began to make their way out of the pit in which they had been
standing for the last 2 hours. Kelly rubbed her sore limbs. Gods! Had
could these mortals stand it.
    "Kelly! You coming or what!" Priss grabbed hold of her roommate's
arm and dragged her towards the stream of people making their way out.
"If we hurry we might be able to get an autograph..."
    Kelly sighed and followed as Priss yanked her through the crowds.
Then suddenly a _rush_ of alien sensations flooded her senses. It
caught her completely unawares and she tripped and fell pulling Priss
with her. Kelly floundered about on the ground for a moment and then
scrambled to her feet looking wildly about. That _rush_ had been
incredibly powerful - far stronger than anything she had ever
encountered. Somewhere very close by was one of her own Clan - another
of Sam's "children". From the strength of the feeling it was someone
who was both far older and far stronger than she was.
    - So, you are what our Mistress is currently indulging herself
with - an amused voice ran through Kelly's mind. - How typical... -
    Kelly looked desperately about but she could see no one. - Who are
you? Where are you? What are you? -
    "Kelly what the hell is up with you?" Priss swore picking herself
up and trying to avoid getting stampled beneath the rush of people
attempting to leave. "Kelly?" Priss looked around and frowned. Kelly
was gone. Priss swung around but she could see no sign of her roommate
whatsoever.
    "What the hell is going on here?" Priss cursed to herself. Kelly
had only been here a moment ago. Why would she suddenly just leave
without a word? Priss took a moment to think but she came up blank.
This did not make any sense at all.
    "Get out of the bloody way woman!" a man swore at her. "You're
holding up the queue!"
    Before Priss could answer she was pushed out of the way and off
balance as people tried to get out passed her. She yelped in pain as
she was thrown to one side and the crowd surged passed. She had to
scramble to the wall and flatten herself against it to avoid being
crushed. She closed her eyes and hung on for dear life while the
hoards flooded past. Then suddenly the jostling and the noise just
stopped. It all just stopped - everything.
    Priss opened her eyes and blinked in disbelief. The crowds of
people leaving the packed auditorium were gone. Everything was
completely empty and silent. Priss slowly let go of the viselike grip
she had on the wall and looked around. She could see no one.
    "What the fuck...." she whispered incredulously as she realized
that not only had everyone else disappeared but that all the rubbish,
the empty drink cans, everything that had been here a moment before
was gone as well. It was almost as if in a second of time all trace of
the concert that had just happened had been erased.
    Priss wondered for a moment if she was going mad or just dreaming.
Maybe she had been kicked and had a concussion. She reached up a hand
and pinched herself hard. "Ahh!!" Pain flooded through her body but
nothing changed.
    "Hello?" Priss called out down the silent exit passage. Nothing.
Priss swallowed and began to feel worried. She slowly entered the
passage and followed it.
    "The lights are still on," she muttered to herself as she emerged
into the main ticket hall. "So where the hell is everyone?" She drew a
breath and shouted, "HELLOO!!" The cry echoed around the large hall
and Priss waited. No one came to see what the source of the sound was.
"HELP!!" Priss shouted again but similarly nothing happened.
    "Oh Gods..." Priss said as she began to realize that something
completely insane had happened. Her heart began to beat faster and her
breath came in shorter gasps as she hurried over to the street exit.
Outside the night air was warm and peaceful. Priss looked wildly
around. What should have been a busy Tokyo street bustling with people
and vehicles was silent. There was nothing, no cars, no sounds and no
people.
    "HELLOO!!" Priss screamed out. Now she really was beginning to
feel afraid. "PLEASE!!!"
    Priss chose a direction at random and began to run. There had to
be someone around! She could not be here all alone! That was
impossible! The panic that she was now beginning to feel added an
almost desperate strength to her body as she ran down the empty silent
streets.
    "No... No....Please..." Priss wheezed as she ran. "Not... not...
alone...." She could not accept it. There had to be someone....
Anyone...
    Finally she came wheezing to a stop her body could not run
anymore. The sweat from her mad dash dripped from her face and her
sides were in pain from severe stitch. Priss dragged in great gulps of
air and raised to head to look around. She was standing in another
empty and silent street.
    "No... No..." she gasped. "Please.... Someone... anyone...." She
was alone. She was all alone.... Alone...
    "NOO!!!" Priss screamed.

    Kelly took a moment to orientate herself. The abrupt change of
scenery from 2040 Tokyo to a blackened dead and ancient world took her
slightly by surprise. She blinked and looked around. She had a nasty
feeling she had not been bought here for a social visit.
    "Well, well, well," a voice said from all around her. "And what
does my dear little Sam see in something like you? She must be getting
really bored..."
    Kelly ignored the implied insult and put her hands on her hips. "I
satisfy her," she simply said. She had to remain calm. She had Sam's
favor - she had to remember that. However powerful this other "sister"
was they all came from the same source. She knew from Loria that Sam
rarely gave a shit about what her "children" did, even to each other.
However, Kelly doubted that Sam would let this other "sister" kill her
- at least that was what she hoped. Sam could be malicious at times.
    "Why don't you show yourself?" Kelly spoke boldly out. "I'm
getting tired talking to thin air."
    The voice giggled childishly for a moment and then a figure
appeared wrapped in living Darkness. Kelly swallowed as she felt the
strength of the Power emanating from the cloaked figure. It put even
the strength of Loria to shame. This was someone who had been around
for a VERY long time. And someone to whom Sam had obviously been VERY
affectionate with.
    "Satisfy her?" the voice giggled again. "Somehow I doubt that. It
takes far more than you can possibly imagine to really satisfy our
Mistress."
    Keep calm, Kelly told herself. "What do you want of me? I object
to being just pulled out here to..."
    "Want of you?" the voice queried surprised. "Nothing."
    "Then why did you bring me here?" Kelly frowned.
    "I didn't," the voice said simply.
    "What do you mean?" Kelly said getting annoyed. "I have no time
for Games. What do you want of me?"
    The voice giggled, "you are a naive innocent, aren't you little
one? Now I can see what dearest Sam finds so amusing about you. She
always enjoys... educating the innocent...."
    "What do you mean?" Kelly felt a cold shudder pass through her.
What was this figure talking about? She knew that Sam was...
    "A Corrupter?" the voice said in amusement. "That hardly begins
to..." The voice broke off with a laugh. "Well, why spoil the fun.
You'll find out in time. Sam is not Sam. Sam IS Samantha."
    Kelly was utterly confused. She had absolutely no idea what this
nutter was going on about. Of course she knew Sam was Samantha.
    "Oh child," the voice said warmly. "She has found a rare one in
you, hasn't she. If you were not hers already I would take you
myself..."
    Kelly opened her mouth to reply and was suddenly being pushed by a
crowd of people trying to leave the Hikyosha Arena.
    "Bloody hell woman!" a man cursed and grabbed hold of Kelly's arm
before she was stampled. "Get a grip on yourself!"
    Kelly froze Time and in the peaceful stillness that followed she
took a moment to calm herself. What the heck had all that been about?
What had just happened to her? Who had that Being been? And what had
she meant? Sam was Samantha? Kelly shook her head slightly. She had
hundreds of questions but no answers. She had the feeling that she had
just been told something very important, but what? Maybe she should
ask Sam...
    "No..." Kelly said out loud as somehow that did not sound a very
good idea. She might... Kelly swallowed and decided that somethings
were best left unsaid. She looked around and realized that she could
not detect the presence of Priss anywhere.
    "Priss?" she said to herself looking around. "Where are you?"

        *       *       *       *

    Samantha smiled as the screams of pain and sounds of wet tearing
bought some life back to this dead and barren world. She giggled as
her pets amused themselves with the leftovers of what had once been
one of her dearest companions.
    "Really," Samantha said to the still living remains. "I would have
thought you knew better than to interfere in my Games old friend." She
sighed dramatically, "but then maybe you are getting forgetful in your
old age." She giggled maliciously and then continued, "don't worry
lover I don't intend to let them have you for too long, just enough to
remind you of a few basic rules."
    Her pets twittered in anticipation and slowly caressed the
quivering form. Samantha knelt down and touched her lover's ruined
face. She smiled, "soon my dear they will let you come back to me...
Then, oh yes, then what fun we shall have! Just like the grand old
days..."
    Samantha giggled and stood up. Turning to her truest children she
said, "be gentle with my precious." Then she was gone and the Darkness
twittered gleefully as it slowly began to "look after" its Mistress's
beloved child - just like she had asked as it

        *       *       *       *

Location: Tokyo, Japan (Alt)
Time: AD 2030, 21st October, 09:30

    Nami shot Sam a look. The redhead was doing it again - giggling to
herself. "Sam!" she exclaimed. "Will you please stop that damned
noise!"
    "Oh," Sam's head shot up. "Sorry, Nami." She flashed a grin at the
other girl. "I was just thinking about something and forgot where I
was."
    "Yeah whatever...." Nami muttered and returned to preparing the
bentos for the deliveryman.
    "Nami?" Sam said as she slaved over the lunchtime meals.
    "What?"
    "Did you see Yuki last night?"
    "No," Nami packaged up the last of the pre-prepared meals. "Why?"
    "'Cause last night was the third time this week she has been out
until the small hours," Sam turned and winked at Nami. "I think little
old Yuki has a steady boyfriend."
    "Yuki?" Nami said with surprise.
    "Yip!" Sam grinned. "And I think I know who it is."
    "Who what is?" Yuki asked walking into the kitchen carrying a
stack of soiled dishes.
    "Nothing," Sam said with a quick look at Nami, then she saw the
plates. "Gods Yuki, just how many more dirty dishes are there?"
    "This is the last lot," Yuki said putting the stack down and
giving the grinning Nami an odd look.
    "Bloody glad of that," Sam commented looking at the large stack of
used cutlery that had been steadily growing by the sink. "I hope you
lot aren't expecting me to do all that."
    Yuki raised her eyebrows hopefully and looked at Nami who just
shook her head in response. Yuki sighed, "no, it's my turn. The
outside is... Sam? Sam!"
    Sam was suddenly grasping hold of the side of the bench and
gasping as the _rush_ of sensation overcame her.
    "Sam!" Nami and Yuki ran over to her as the redhead swayed
drunkenly. "Are you okay?"
    "Ye... Yes," Sam recovered herself and flashed a smile at the two
mortals. "Yes, I am fine. Sorry, don't know what happened there. I
just felt faint all of a sudden."
    "You do look a bit pale," Yuki said helping to steady her old
friend. "Why don't you go..."
    "SAM! SAM!" Linna came running in. She looked like she had just
seen a ghost. "I..."
    Sam held up her hand, "I know - Loria's here."
    Linna's face went goggle-eyed. "How the hell did you know?"
    Sam looked passed Linna at the gorgeous black woman who was
standing just behind her. Sam smiled in greeting, "took you long
enough to find me."
    Loria laughed, "try not hiding so well next time."
    "What are you doing here anyway?" Sam walked over to hug her OLD
friend. "I thought I asked you to keep an eye..."
    "Kelly's doing it," Loria hurriedly put in.
    "Is she?" Samantha commented with a small smile. "Are you sure?"
    Before Loria could reply Linna grabbed her and pulled her around.
"Don't tell me you are one of them as well as Sam?"
    Loria's eyes rose and then she nodded, "not quite but I do have
the same sort of... skills shall we say." She took a good look at
Linna and then glanced over at Sam. "Still the same..."
    "Aren't you going to introduce us Sam?" Yuki and Nami came over to
stand by Linna.
    "Ah... of course," Sam grinned. "Loria, this is..."
    "Yuki and Nami," Loria nodded. "How do you do? My name is Loria.
I'm an old friend of Sam and Linna's from the States."
    "Oh," Yuki smiled and held out her hand. "Nice to meet you."
    Loria returned the smile and shook the offered hands, "likewise."
    "So," Sam said. "Is this a social call or are you here for a
reason?"
    "A social call mostly," Loria began to say but the sound of the
front door opening and the associated small bell caused Linna to rush
out.
    - You have not Claimed her yet Sam - Loria sent. - I am surprised.
You must be holding a hell of a lot back from your sleeping
arrangements. -
    Sam snorted and turned from the three women to go back to watch
her lunch efforts. "Loria, while you are here why don't you make
yourself useful and give Nami a hand. We are trying to get ready for
the luncheon rush."
    "Sam!" Nami turned surprised at the request. "She is our guest!
You can't..."
    "Don't worry about me," Loria said stepping forward. "I am use to
Sam's manners, or lack of them. And besides, I will be glad to help."
    - So why are you really here? - Sam asked curiously.
    - You don't know? - Loria began to put on an apron.
    - I don't investigate every aspect of people's lives unless I have
to. - Sam replied. - It tends to be too boring. However, I can if you
wish me to... -
    - No thank you. I prefer my privacy. - She paused and began to
chop and gut some fish. - I assume you are keeping track of your Game-
    - Of course - Sam replied. - My little Alex-chan is reacting
exactly as I expected with Yuki and... -
    - Not that one! - Loria sniffed. - I meant... -
    - Sylia is almost ready to make her first debut. Sophia is STILL
considering whether or not to help Michael and Linna is... well...
most absorbing... - Sam looked at the various bubbling pots. "Yes,
everything is coming together quite nicely."
    "Master chef at work," Loria commented.
    Sam looked over at her and flashed a half grin. "No, just an
experienced one."
    "Sam," Linna came in. "Do we have any European continental
breakfasts made up?"
    "How many do you need?" Sam brushed off her wet hands and moved
over to the refrigerator.
    "Six," Linna replied. "A group of tourists just popped in."
    "Five minutes," Sam replied and began to grab the necessaries out
of the shelves.
    Loria watched Sam for a moment. - You enjoy this don't you? -
    Sam cut open a number of bagels and turned on the toaster. - It
keeps me entertained - she commented. - There is only so much Demon
and God bashing one can do before it gets boring. I leave that to the
younger Others now. -
    - I'm sure Ao and his colleagues would argue with that - Loria
commented snidely remembering a Game Samantha had Played in a reality
not to different from this one.
    - That was different - Sam corrected feeling that she had to stand
up for Samantha. - Ao and the others needed to be reminded just who
and what I am. Besides, I don't often get involved at that kind of
level. The implications are to far reaching.-
    - I'm sure that would be of great relief to all those Realms your
pets consumed in that little... ah... lesson...-
    - Don't start that again Loria! I know I over reacted! - Samantha
slammed the bagels into the toaster and her eyes sparkled dangerously
at Loria.
    Loria swallowed and returned to her fish. Wrong subject to talk
about. Sometimes she did tend to forget about Samantha.
    "So," Nami picked up the faint tension in the room and tried to
fill in the silence. "How long are you visiting Loria - if you don't
mind me asking?"
    "Just for a few hours I'm afraid," Loria looked up. "I merely
popped in to drop off a message to Sam about the activities of an old
friend of hers."
    "Anyone I know?" Nami asked curiously.
    "Not in this reality," Loria commented oddly.
    "Stop teasing her Loria," Sam ordered curtly as she cut the
oranges in preparation for squeezing. "She's just a child. They are
too simple to understand."
    "Hai wakaru," Loria said using the impolite form of the verb.
    "What?" Nami put her hand on her hip and turned to glare at the
redhead. "Excuse me, what was that you just said?"
    Sam ignored her and began to squeeze the oranges.
    "Hey!" Nami crossed over to the redhead. "I asked you a question!"
    "I heard you," Sam replied pouring the squeezed juice into a jug.
"I just don't consider it worth the effort of answering." She frowned
at the pitiful amount of juice in the jug. "Oranges... need more
oranges..."
    "Sam!" Nami grabbed the redhead's shoulder and Loria groaned.
    Sam slowly turned and looked at Nami an annoyed expression on her
face. "I said the truth Nami. You are a child. You are just too simple
to understand what Loria is teasing you about. Why? Do you have a
problem with that?"
    "Yes I do," Nami said as her ire was beginning to rise. "You are
insulting me! That is what I have a damned problem with."
    A mischievous smile slowly crossed Samantha's face and she
giggled. "Ah, dear Nami..."
    "Sam, is it ready yet?" Linna asked walking into the kitchen. The
two figures of Sam and Loria turned to face her.
    "Yes, just finished," Sam commented pointing to the six laid out
trays.
    "That was fast," Linna congratulated her moving over to pick them
up. She paused by the door, "by the way that girl is here about the
interview. She's waiting outside. Do you want me to send her through?"
    "Oh great!" Sam said nodding enthusiastically wiping her hands on
her apron. "Yes, please. It will be good to finally get some help in
here."
    Loria sighed and turned back to the fish as Sam and the other girl
began to talk about the details of the position. She shook her head
slightly. There were times when Samantha really did just carry a joke
too far...

    "So," Linna said as she slowly brushed Sam's still damp fiery
hair. "What's the story with Loria?"
    "What do you mean?" Sam asked turning her head to look up at
Linna.
    "Stop that!" Linna commanded and pushed Sam's head back down.
    "Oh sorry," Sam smiled and pulled her legs up. Crossing them she
shifted her position on the bed to make herself more comfortable..
    "Sam," Linna complained. "Will you stop moving!"
    "Yes mother," Sam giggled and obediently sat still while Linna
continued with the brush.
    After a few moments Linna picked up the theme again. "About
Loria?" she prompted.
    "What would you like know?" Sam replied keeping her head still
this time.
    "Well, who is she would be a good start," Linna commented. "She is
obviously not just a human."
    "No," Sam confirmed. "That she definitely isn't."
    "Then who is she?"
    "Why? Jealous?" Sam chuckled in amusement and then she grimaced.
"Ouch!"
    Linna sniffed as she worked through a knot in Sam's hair that had
just conveniently appeared.
    "Who is she?" Linna repeated.
    Sam muttered something under her breath to which Linna rewarded
her with the appearance of yet another knot.
    "Who?"
    "Humans..." Sam sighed knowing she was defeated. "You remember I
spoke of the ShadowLands? And the Council?"
    "The Council..." Linna paused in her brushing. "Yes, I remember
you mentioned something about them but you never did explain who they
were."
    "Didn't I?" Sam said innocently. "Well, as I said the ShadowLands
is where those whom the Multiverse has rejected usually end up. Well,
overtime this number slowly built up. In the beginning this was fine I
actually liked the company even if they did not tend to last as long
as me. However, a very long time ago the ShadowLands were suddenly
flooded by a whole host of... Beings... which..." Sam paused as she
became lost in dark memories.
    "Yes..." Linna prompted her lover swapping the brush for a small
comb.
    Sam took a deep breath and calmed herself. She pulled her shaking
hands out of the sight of Linna. She was... disturbed at how those
memories still affected her. She tried to get a grip and forced
herself to continue. "I will not bore you with the details but
these... new inhabitants were not content with either being pushed out
or with each other. They fought both the rejection and themselves. It
was not a pretty time...." Sam suddenly shuddered and pulled her legs
protectively up to her chest.
    "Sam?" Linna stopped the brushing and was surprised to see her
immortal lover shaking. Linna dropped the comb and wrapped her arms
around the girl. "What is it? What is wrong?"
    Sam did not answer but simply held onto her legs lost in her
memories of THAT time and... THAT INCIDENT. Linna eyes widened as her
the small form in her arms abruptly went as stiff as a board.
    "Sam! Wha... YAA!" Linna was suddenly thrown back by a force that
lifted her clear off the bed. It took a moment for her to clear her
head from the force of the impact. However, when she had she looked up
and her mouth struck the floor.
    The girl on the bed was... glowing... Linna blinked and stared
incredulously at the... aura... the black aura... It was almost like
pitch-black flames.... Linna got to her feet and just stared. She
could almost feel the soul crushing POWER that was... She took a step
forward and then she suddenly screamed and fell writhing to the floor.
The scream was torn from the base of her soul and was filled with
insane pain, horror and torment. Linna's sanity was gone. That which
had been Linna Yamazaki was shredded before something that no human
could comprehend.
    The sound of the mortal's insane gibbering scream shot through the
form on the bed and Samantha brutally repressed THAT memory. With a
hiss that was drawn from dimensions become comprehension Samantha
opened her black eyes and with a final effort bought herself back to
this time. The past was the past! She had to...
    Samantha looked down at her deathlessly white hands and legs and
stood up. She took a deep breath and calmed herself. The time would
come when she would pay HIM back, but she HAD to control herself. That
time, that reason for her existence, was still an infinity away. She
clamped down on the insane rage and HATRED that threatened to bubble
over and destroy yet another...
    "Enough," she said in a voice that had made even Him pause just
before...
    "No! That is enough! I WILL survive this!" Her eyes slowly turned
back to green and Sam was back in control of her senses as Samantha
retreated into the Darkness. She sighed when she saw the insanely
gibbering figure of Linna and knew that her accidental loss of control
had had a similar affect on...
    "Enough!" Sam twisted Time.
    "Yes..." Linna prompted her lover swapping the brush for a small
comb.
    "The times that followed that incident were not pretty. These
beings had Power and they followed one who was a... light..." Sam
forced herself to go on. "Initially they accepted their fate. They
transformed the ShadowLands from a void to a place of... joy. The
strength of it was such that even I came out from the Shadows and
joined them. They reminded me of times from my own past." Her mouth
was dry and Sam's hand began to shake, even Samantha could not take
all the memories of that time from her.
    "Sam?" Linna asked with an expression of warm concern on her face.
"Are you okay?"
    "Yes, of course," Sam said hurriedly. "Now, where was I..."
    "You joined them..."
    "Right," Samantha picked up the story line. "The times of peace
did not last for long. They had been rejected for a reason and I did
not see it." She giggled and there was an edge to the sound that
caused Linna to cringe, "silly little old me did not see it.... Until
that reason... Well, let's just say that there was.... an incident...
between... And what followed was a Rebellion that led to a war and the
founding of the Council."
    Linna could tell that the redhead was leaving a hell of a lot
unsaid but she did not push. She could feel the tremors that were
running through the slender form in front of her. Linna put her hands
on Sam's shoulders and slowly began to massage them. "So what is the
Council?" she asked softly.
    "The side that lost," Sam numbly replied. "Or at least that's what
it was. Now..."
    "Hmm..." Linna pulled the underwear-clad girl to her. "And..."
    Sam submitted to the warmth emanating from the human and
continued. "Now, the Council just seems to want to make me the
scapegoat for all their troubles."
    "Why you?
    "Because I was the reason that got them originally kicked out of
their little Paradise I suppose."
    "You..."
    "Linna," Sam looked up and into the warm blue eyes. "Can we drop
this subject. I'm sorry but... There are things about my past that I
prefer not to have to go into. Can you understand that?"
    Linna looked down at the white face and remembered an incident
from just over three years ago. "Yes, I can. But one final question -
what did Loria come here for?"
    Sam smiled, back to the Game. "She has been keeping an eye on
things for me. Checking up on Priss and the others."
    "How is she?" Linna asked excitedly.
    "Working for Sophia still," Sam began. "She's..."
    "Is she missing me?" Linna interrupted.
    Sam paused for a moment, "she thinks we are both dead Linna. She
has lived with that knowledge for almost a year now."
    "Dead..."
    "The force of a nuclear strike remember," Sam said taking hold of
Linna's arm. "She mourned but as I told you she was strong enough to
move on."
    "I have to go..."
    "No," Sam said shaking her head. "It's too late for that now. You
cannot simply reappear after a year and..."
    "A year?!" Linna exclaimed. "But it's only been a couple of
months..."
    "Here," Sam agreed. "But here is not there. Time is not a
universal constant. The flow here is not the same as it is there."
    "You never said that before!" Linna burst out.
    "You never asked," Sam simply replied.
    A knock on the door cut off any further comment as Yuki popped her
head in. "I'm off out for the evening," she said. "If you two go out
can you ensure to lock up and set the alarm."
    "Okay," Sam replied. "Enjoy yourself."
    "Oh," Yuki smiled. "Don't worry I will. By the way, how was that
girl who came about the job? Did she know her stuff?"
    "Iris," Sam nodded. "Yes, I asked her to start next week if that's
okay with you?"
    Yuki shrugged, "you're the chef not me. If it's fine by you then
hire her. Well, goodnight you two - have fun." She smiled once more
and pulled the door closed.
    "I think its beginning to get serious between her and Aru," Sam
commented. "What do you think?"
    "I think you should have told me about this time thingy," Linna
said.
    "Why?" Sam said leaning back into Linna. "What difference would it
have made? I told you I couldn't go back. Not for..."
    "But I can," Linna said quietly. "You can send me back."
    Sam went still for a moment and then she stood up. "You want to
leave me then?" she said in an equally soft tone.
    "No I don't but..."
    "I'm sorry Linna," Sam said. "I'm sorry I involved you and Priss
in my troubles. I am usually not quite so..."
    "Sam," Linna got up. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm, well, just
having a hard time adjusting to these things that's all. I said I
would never leave you - I meant it."
    "Of course you did," Sam said with a grin as she opened the door.
"I never thought otherwise. And I'm sorry Linna. Sorry I did not tell
you earlier. I really thought that you would not mind." The grin
became rueful and the pale shoulders shrugged, "but that's just silly
little old me getting it wrong again, eh?"

        *       *       *       *

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Time: AD 2040, 12th November, 03:02

    Sophia opened her eyes and slowly sat up. She had felt the ancient
alien presence in her private apartment the moment it had appeared. In
fact, she had been expecting it for sometime.
    "Hello Sam," she said as she caused the lights to come on. "I was
almost wondering where you had got to."
    The unassuming figure that stood at the opposite end of the study
did not reply to the salutation. It merely stood there watching and
waiting.
    "Is this a social call?" Sophia asked in a light tone. The figure
still did not reply and Sophia noted that the Corrupter had assumed
the alien garb in which Sophia had first met It.
    The silent dragged on until finally the figure whispered softly,
"you are part of the Holding Sophia."
    "Ah," Sophia grinned. "A business call."
    "You are part of the Holding Sophia," the figure replied slowly as
it purposely walked across the room towards her.
    "Yes," Sophia said calmly. "I am, and yes, I knew of the order."
    "An order of that kind requires a full consensus," the white faced
figure whispered.
    "Yes, it does," Sophia confirmed.
    The lights went out and the room was dark once more.
    "Then you agreed to the order," the white faced figure said as it
pushed down its velvet black hood.
    "Yes, I did," Sophia said standing up and looking at the green
eyes of the figure opposite.
    "Why?" Sam asked with a hurt look. "I thought you were my friend."
    "And I am," Sophia sent a silent summons. "But sometimes there are
other considerations above and beyond friendship."
    "Such as..." Sam queried ignoring the creatures that arrived at
Sophia's summons.
    "Stability for one," Sophia commented causing the lights to
reappear. "Sanity for another. I told you Sam that the Council is
beginning to pull itself apart. I can't allow that to happen, even out
of friendship. The results of that in fighting would be unimaginable -
for all of us."
    "Really?" Samantha smiled as her eyes glittered in dark amusement.
"You have little imagination then. I could show you..."
    "Let me guess - Destruction? Chaos? Death? Or complete insanity
perhaps?" Sophia finished for her. "Yes, Samantha - I'm sure you
could. I'm sure you could unleash horrors that would consume
everything that the Council has ever tried to build. But then that
seems to be all you are ever wanting to do. Kill, destroy, mock and
corrupt." The smile on the Corrupter's face deepened and a mad joy
sparkled in Its eyes. Sophia took a step forward and as she looked at
the white figure her own expression grew disgusted.
    "All trace of the Sam I once knew and loved has gone - hasn't it?
All there is left now is just Samantha. Is that not the case 'Sam'?"
    The figure did not reply. It just stood watching Sophia with a
face that had once been so warm.
    "Why could you have not just let it go love?" Sophia whispered.
"We could have helped heal you. We loved you. We all loved you. That
was why we rose up to fight HIM - out of love." Sophia's face grew
hard, "but no, you turned away. You started down this road until all
that was the Sam we loved was consumed by Samantha. And now it is too
late - isn't it Samantha?"
    The Corrupter twitched and suddenly her body shuddered as if
wracked by a great and horrible pain.
    "He RAPED ME!!" Sam suddenly broke through and howled in a
tortured voice at her old friend. "He TOOK ME and USED ME in front of
half OF THE FUCKING COURT!! THEY DID NOTHING!! THEY ALL JUST STOOD AND
WATCHED HIM! THROUGH OUT IT ALL - THEY JUST WATCHED HIM!! HOW THE HELL
DO YOU WANT ME TO FEEL!?! HAPPY?!? LOVING?!? FORGIVING?!?"
    Sophia felt the HATRED and the INSANE RAGE smash against the Wards
she had erected around the room. The sheer POWER of it made her wince.
She took a fearful step back as she looked at the Darkness that was
flowing like an insane Corruption from the totally enraged figure. The
members of her Clan she had called were consumed almost immediately by
the gibbering Darkness and the liquid corruption licked teasingly
against her Wards.
    "Enough!" Sophia exclaimed and exerted her full strength. The
living insanity of the Darkness was frozen in place. Sophia did not
even pretend to herself that she had the strength to stop it, but
here, in this place, she could at least contain it.
    "I know what He did to you Samantha... Sam. I know the torture
that He put you through and I know how long He made it last. But
THIS..." Sophia gestured towards the gibbering Darkness "...IS NOT THE
ANSWER!"
    "And what is?" Samantha said back in control of herself. "What old
friend?" the Corrupter took a step forward. "Forgive Him? Forget it
ever happened? Or perhaps you would suggest I do something to Him
instead?" She giggled as she looked searchingly around the room, "but
what? Its not like I can do the same to Him now is it? So, what do you
suggest - _Sophia_?" She smiled mockingly, "go up and give Him a slap
on the hand and call Him a bad boy?"
    "Of course not Sam," Sophia said gently with tears in her eyes.
Sam's pain hurt her even now. Slowly she raised her arms and held them
out towards the slender figure. "I still love you. I can help you. Let
me try... please... Please Sam - let me try..." Sophia took a step
forward as tears ran slowly down her face. She could see, could feel,
the Being that she had once loved so much burning somewhere in those
deep green eyes.
    "Let me," she said slowly. "Let all of us help you. We can make it
better. We can stop the pain. We can..."
    "Control me?" Samantha giggled stepping back. "Stop me? Is that
the kind of help I need Sophia? Is it?"
    "Sam..."
    "Oh, poor Sophia... Grieving for her poor little lost Sam..." the
Corrupter straightened and now her face was completely insane. "I have
my own answer thank you. I don't need any help - at least not that
kind of help..." Samantha looked up at the frozen Darkness and smiled.
The writhing Corruption twittered in response and a small part broke
off and headed lazily towards Sophia.
    Sophia attempted to destroy it, attempted to flee, attempted to do
anything but she found she could not move. A sick insane horror filled
her as she finally realized why Samantha had come here. Why Samantha
had returned from her self imposed exile.
    "That's right my dear old friend," Samantha giggled in amusement
as she saw the panicked understanding flood through Sophia's eyes.
"Michael maybe merely a pawn to me but he still needs allies if he is
to Play my Game. And so my dear Sophia - you will indeed help me. You
will be the first of the allies I need for this new fun little
'Rebellion'." She giggled as her black eyes bored into Sophia's
horrified face. "Or at least part of you will be. The rest I am afraid
will be..."
    Sophia tried to scream, tried to run, tried to summon her Power
but she was completely helpless. She could only watch fatalistically
as the living Darkness came twittering closer and closer. Samantha
hummed and watched with an amused expression on her face as the
Darkness slowly entered her old friend and a new child was born.

        *       *       *       *

Location: Tokyo, Japan (Alt)
Time: AD 2030, 25th December, 05:34

    "Happy Christmas Linna!" Sam exclaimed and wrapped her arms around
the still sleeping form.
    "Wh... What?!" Linna came sharply awake as the giggling immortal
teenager kissed her full on the lips.
    "Mmmm... Tasty..." Sam broke off the kiss and jumped out of bed.
She ran over to the wardrobe where she rummaged around inside and
grabbed a small wrapped box before she came back. "Love you," she said
presenting the gift to the still blinking brunette.
    "Sam..." Linna groaned as she sat up. "What time is it?"
    "About 05:34 I believe," Sam said brightly. "Come on, aren't you
going to open it?"
    Linna smiled and scratched her head. "Come here you," she said and
reaching over pulled the redhead to her. "Happy Christmas Samantha
De'Naime," she whispered and gave the slender girl a kiss on the
forehead.
    "Linna..." Sam pulled back and her white face was even more pale
than usual. "Call me Sam... I... I don't want you to call me
Samantha... Not you..."
    Linna's expression was confused but she nodded and smiled, "okay
Sam. If that's what you want..." She kissed the whitened lips on the
strangely sober face and whispered, "happy Christmas my dear, darling
little Sam..."
    Sam giggled and pulled back with a contented sigh folding her legs
as she sat back down on the bed. "Open it!" she commanded putting the
Christmas gift-wrapped box under Linna's nose.
    "Imp," Linna laughed and taking the present slowly opened it.
"Oh... Sam..."
    "Do you like it?" Sam said hesitantly. "I was not sure if..."
    Linna turned to the redhead with moist eyes. "Oh, you..." she
grabbed the girl and held her tight. "I love you," she said.
    "Then you like it?" Sam asked.
    "I love it," Linna replied still holding the chilly form of her
lover. "Oh Sam..." she held on for a moment trying to put into that
hold the surge of intense emotions she was feeling. Finally she
reluctantly let go and turned her attention back to the gift.
    "Sam, put it on me - will you?" she pulled back the covers and
presented her naked back to the redhead.
    "Hai, Linna-chan!" Sam sharply replied with a salute. She picked
up the thin necklace of braided red and black hair from which two
small gems hung - one emerald and one sapphire. Teasingly she pushed
the black hair away from Linna's neck and gently clipped the gift in
place. Taking her time she stroked the fragrant hair back down and
leaning close to Linna's ear whispered, "let me see sexy..."
    Linna obediently did as she was bid and knelt naked on the bed
except for the small necklace. She proudly raised her head and smiled
coyly, "how do I look?"
    Sam's eyes traveled hungrily over the naked form. "Grrr -
lunch..." she replied.
    "My exact thoughts," Linna giggled and reached for the slender
redhead.
    A sudden knocking at the door caused both of them to turn their
heads. Their faces were flushed with passion and their eyes wide with
surprise at the interruption.
    "You two decent?" a male voice queried as the door was pushed
speedily open.
    "Yaaa!" Sam shrieked and scrambled for the cover of the bed.
    "Get out!" Linna yelled diving under the covers as Aru entered the
bedroom with a large smile on his face.
    "Ah well," he said with a careless shrug at the sight of pale
limbs rapidly disappearing under cover. "Guess not." Pushing the door
the rest of the way open he ignored the murderous stares that Sam and
Linna both threw at him and walked up to the bed. He took a moment to
watch the two try to recover something of their dignity before he
placed the large breakfast tray down on the dresser table.
    "Merry Christmas ladies," he said rubbing his hands together.
    "Don't you dare!" Linna swore in horror pulling the covers around
herself and Sam. She just KNEW what Yuki's hentai pervert was going to
try next.
    Aru did not answer but merely smiled as he grabbed a corner of the
bed. "Time to get up girls!"
    Yuki was just putting the final touches to the Christmas cake she
had made last night with Sam when two loud thumps sounded from
upstairs. It was immediately followed by two sets of high-pitched
shrieks and roaring baritone laughter.
    "Not again!" Yuki cursed as she ran for the stairs as fast as she
could yelling, "Aru! For Christ's sake  - leave those two alone!!"

    "Kompai!" the seven glasses came together with a bang. "Merry
Christmas!"
    "And congratulations to the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. DeVice," Linna
gleefully toasted Katsumi and her fiancé. "Only two weeks to go!"
    "Oh shut up Linna," Katsumi said going red while Roy laughed.
    "Linna's arranged a very special gift for your bridal shower on
Thursday," Sam piped up. "A nice big hairy..."
    "Sam! Shut up!" Linna swore grabbing the grinning girl in a
headlock and then proceeded to throttle the life out of her.
    "Now you see why I just can't help myself," Aru commented with a
grin to Roy and Yuki. "They are both just so... kawaii...."
    "Are they like this all the time?" Roy asked with a frown.
    "Unfortunately most of the time - yes," Yuki replied with an
embarrassed nod.
    "I object to that statement!" Linna stopped strangling Sam and
butted in. "I am quite a serious person at heart. It's the influence
of this devil in human form here which is corrupting me."
    "Pardon me for living," the demon muttered from its captive
position.
    "And so for the sake of humanity I must..."
    "Linna," Lum broke in before the brunette started off down the
path of her own virtue. "Act your age will you just this once and let
Sam go. I for one would like lunch sometime before the end of the
year."
    "I second that motion," the devil timidly offered. Linna gave a
long-suffering sigh and with a promise filled look of what was going
to happen later released the cook.
    "Freedom!" Sam grinned and broke for the kitchen. "Oh," she halted
just outside the entrance to her domain. "Yuki? Can you give me a hand
with this? Linna is just far too..."
    "Coming," Yuki interrupted before Sam could say anymore. Once
these two got going they never bloody stopped!
    Five minutes later Sam and Yuki emerged carrying trays stacked
full of various steaming items of interest. Yuki carefully placed her
trays at one end of the table while Sam placed hers at the other.
    "That's for starters," Sam said as she went to sit meekly down
next to Linna. "The venison I managed to lay my hands on still needs
about another 30 minutes."
    "So," Lum said as they all began to pile the exotic smelling items
on to various plates. "Are we holding the shower here then?"
    "Yip," Linna replied pulling her napkin from the front of Sam's
tee shirt. "Starting at 20:00. Lebia, you, me, Sam, Yuki and of course
- the guest of honor."
    "And Iris," Sam butted in grabbing Linna's cutlery. "She's coming
as well."
    "Is she?" Linna queried waving the napkin about Sam teasingly. "I
thought she could not make it."
    "She will do," Sam replied trying to retrieve the offered prize.
"I just haven't got around to convincing her yet."
    "Oh right," Linna said as she began to get some food with Sam's
fork. "You know, this will be the first shower I have ever attended. I
am quite looking forward to it."
    "Well," Yuki said casually reaching for her food. "You can arrange
mine in January if you like.".
    It took a moment for her statement to sink in.
    "Yuki!" Katsumi exclaimed. "Do you mean..."
    "Yip," Yuki said with a big grin. "Aru asked me this morning..."
    "Yuki!" Lum yelled in delight and jumping up ran over to embrace
her friend. She was rapidly followed by Katsumi, Linna and finally
Sam.
    "I suppose this means that you'll be picking on us every morning,"
Linna asked the grinning Aru. "Doesn't it?"
    Aru did not answer the question. He was continued to grin.
    Linna's face reddened as she remembered this morning. The jokes
that this hentai had been pulling were slowly getting worst and the
grin promised... Linna turned to the girl beside her.
    "Remind me to get a lock for the door ASAP."
    "Done," Sam earnestly nodded in agreement. "I'll get it tomorrow."

    "Who would have imagined it," Linna muttered to herself later that
night. "Yuki - of all people..."
    "Why not?" Sam rolled over and looked up at Linna. "It seemed to
be pretty inevitable when that hentai baka moved in last month."
    "But its only been a couple of months since they met," Linna
answered. "I am...."
    "Yuki's pregnant," Sam commented in passing. "That's why the
rush."
    "What?" Linna hissed in surprise. "How do you know?"
    "Ha!" Sam answered rolling back over. "That is a secret."
    "You're sure?" Linna said absentmindedly stroking Sam's back. "I
just can't believe how things are changing. It's just so... quick."
    "Mmm..." Sam purred in response.
    "Come on Sam," Linna pulled closer and pinched a rather sensitive
nub of flesh. "You're joking right?"
    "Argghh..." was the gurgled reply
    "Answer slave!" Linna command tightening her grip.
    "Hai! Hai!" Sam squeaked in a much higher voice than usual.
"Mistress! Please!"
    Linna took a moment to savor the sensation of power and then had
mercy and let go. "You're sure Yuki is pregnant?"
    Sam muttered something under her breath as she rubbed her aching
breast. "Of course," she answered the Mistress disdainfully. "Its not
difficult to see."
    "Well, I can't," Linna said.
    "You're a human," Sam said as if that explained everything. "I am
not."
    "Simple as that, eh?"
    "Certainly is," Sam replied. "But don't worry I won't hold it
against you."
    "Thanks..."
    After a few moments had passed Sam spoke up again. "So, do you
like it here now Linna? Do you feel at home on this world?"
    "Yes, of course I do," Linna replied confused at the direction
this conversation was taking. "Yuki and the others are like a family
to me. Why?"
    "It's just that I could send you back now if you really wanted.
You could go back to Priss and the others..."
    Linna smiled and ran a finger down her lover's cool white face.
"No," she whispered with complete certainty. "I belong here now."
    "Really?" Sam asked pressing the point. "Are you sure?"
    "Yes," Linna replied with a small nod. "I am sure. For the first
time in a long while I am sure - of everything."
    "Finally..." Samantha smiled and moved her hand down to ...
    "Ahhh!!" Linna suddenly sucked in a gulp of air as the roles of
Mistress and slave were reversed. "Saammm..." she moaned in pleasure.
"You... ahhhaa... little... Fuck! Fuck!" She shuddered as the
perverted fingers of the redheaded devil went to work, "Mistress!
AHHH..."

        *       *       *       *

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Time: AD 2040, 10th December, 09:02

    "Your name is Kelly - isn't it," the redhead asked the brunette
who answered the door to the ramshackle caravan.
    The brunette nodded her head, "and you must be Nene Stingray -
wife of Mackie and mother of Nina."
    The harried looking woman ducked her head in response. "Can... can
I come in..."
    "Of course," Kelly stood back and pushed the door wide open.
"Enter freely."
    "Thank you," Nene took a couple of furtive looks around.
    "Don't worry," Kelly said in a reassuring tone. "You have not been
followed."
    Nene looked surprised at the certainty in the statement but did
not comment as she entered. The inside of the caravan was much the
same as she remembered but it was cleaner. "I need to see Priss!
Please!" she exclaimed almost the instant she was inside and the door
was closed.
    The woman called Kelly sighed and her face dropped slightly. "You
aren't the only one," she said sadly.
    Nene was shocked and the fear jumped into her throat. "What do you
mean? Where is she?"
    Kelly shrugged, "I don't know Nene. I really do not know. Someone
has hidden her beyond my ability to find her."
    Nene went cold. "Sylia..." she whispered.
    Kelly burst out laughing and that sound shocked Nene more than
anything. "Why are you laughing?" she demanded. "I thought you are
Priss's friend? How can you be..." Her voice suddenly left her and she
found she was unable to speak.
    "Sit down child," Kelly said softly and waited while the human did
as she was told. "You do not need to worry about Sylia child," Kelly
began. "If Priss was in the hands of Sylia then I would not be so
worried. At least then I would know."
    "Then Priss is okay?" Nene started her concern for her friend
putting all her other worries temporarily aside.
    "No, she is not," Kelly said and for the first time Nene could see
a similar worry reflected on the brunette's face. "But the problem is
I can do nothing to help her. So," Kelly looked at Nene with a
troubled expression, "I am in much the same position as you I am
afraid. Priss, wherever she is, is on her own."
    Nene did not know how to respond to that. Her thoughts were a
confused whirlpool. First Linna, then Mackie and now Priss. Was she
the only one left to deal with Sylia? All the self-confidence that she
had built up over the years was suddenly no longer enough and her
fassard broke.
    Kelly looked at the quietly sobbing woman and for a moment the
mortal's plight almost touched her. Unlike Loria and Sam she knew what
it was to be mortal. She could remember what it was like - the fears,
the concerns and the worries.
    "Damn this for a laugh..." she whispered and coming to a decision
went over to embrace the weeping woman. She gently rocked the redhead
until the crying storm had passed and Nene had regained something of
her composure. Kelly knew it was dangerous but she would dare Sam's
anger and maybe play a little Game of her own. Letting go of Nene she
stood up and took a deep breath.
    "Mackie is alive child," she said as calmly as she could. "And so
is Linna. You are not as alone as you think."
    Nene's head shot up in disbelief and her incredulous green eyes
focused on the brunette.
    So like Sam's... Kelly thought with a shudder and continued before
her nerve left her. "Of Linna I cannot speak. Of Priss all I can tell
you is that she is currently hidden from me but with Mackie... With
Mackie I can help."

        *       *       *       *

Location: Tokyo, Japan (Alt)
Time: AD 2031, 10th July, 10:34

    Yuki looked on in amazement while Sam and Linna went through their
gymnastic routines on the floor of the health club. From the graceful
way the two moved and the difficulty of the flips and kicks that they
made in unison it was almost impossible to believe that neither of
them were not extremely proficient at this. Yuki knew that Linna said
she had been a dancer but this... Yuki shook her head.
    "Ouch!" a kick from the extra passenger she was carrying told her
that she was not the only one who thought so.
    "The monster kicking again is he?" Katsumi came over.
    "You can talk..." Yuki replied with a pointed look at the
similarly burdened woman beside her.
    Katsumi smiled and put a hand tenderly on her rather extended
front. "Shay is much more quiet than your brute. Just like a good
little girl should be."
    "Suppose," Yuki commented as she eased herself down onto the
padded bench. She looked enviously over at the dancing figures. "It is
good to see that at least some of us are still active though..."
    "Now you see why I thought you might like to come down here for
once," Katsumi replied. "They are rather good aren't they?"
    "That's a bit of an understatement," Yuki replied. "I never
suspected either of them had that much talent."
    "You weren't the only one," Katsumi laughed as she remembered the
rather stunned expression of Allan, the American owner of the gym,
when he had first seen the two practice. He had almost demanded that
Katsumi introduce him to the two women and after she had the American
had been bothering them every since.
    "I hate to see talent go to waste in the young," he had once
moaned to Katsumi as they had watched the two lithe figures go through
their routines together. "It is criminal. Why are the young so
difficult..." It was fast becoming one of his favorite sayings.
    Katsumi smiled at the thought. The young were always difficult.
That was part of what they did. She frowned as she looked over at
Linna and Sam. What was she thinking? She was young! Having a child
did not make her an old lady for Heaven's sake! It was then that an
extremely odd thought struck her.
    "Yuki," she said turning to the friend beside her. "Linna's
supposed to be about 28 isn't she?"
    "Something like that I believe," Yuki commented. "Why?"
    "It just struck me," Katsumi said thoughtfully pointing towards
the dancing figures. "How old does she actually look? She sure as hell
doesn't look 28 to me. In fact, now that I think about it, she looks
younger now than when we first met her..."
    "She's just getting more fit," Yuki said dismissively.
    "Not to that extent," Katsumi shook her head. "If I did not know
her I would say she was only in her early twenties..." And then
another weirdo thought struck her. "Sam... Yuki, we have known Sam for
almost four years now haven't we. Ever since we all first met after
that incident at Cheyenne Industries. She's supposed to be twenty
years old now isn't she?"
    "Yeah," Yuki was confused. "Why? What are you trying to say?"
    "Yuki," Katsumi pointed towards the elfin redhead. "Look at her,
and I mean look at her. She has not changed - at all."
    "Of course she has!" Yuki exclaimed as she looked at the slender
elfin like figure dancing happily along side Linna. Yuki stared again
and a faint frown crossed her face. Sam's face, the slender body, the
hair, they were the same Sam she had always known... Always.
    "What the hell..."
    "Exactly," Katsumi concluded.
    "What the hell does it mean?" Yuki asked as she continued to
stare.
    "Damned if I know," Katsumi replied with a shrug. "Maybe the
saying love keeps you young really does work."
    "Well," Yuki grinned dismissing the odd issue as irrelevant. "I
have nothing to worry about with wrinkles then."
    Their attention was suddenly refocused on the two figures in
question by the sporadic applause that broke out when the two woman,
or perhaps girls, had finished their routines. Sam and Linna made a
few flourished bows before picking up their towels and running back
over to where the two women were discussing them.
    "Gods that felt good!" Sam exclaimed wiping the sweat from her
face.
    "I'll second that!" Linna replied with a big grin on her face. "I
honestly think we could run rings around Sylia now! I haven't felt
this supple in years!"
    "Here," Yuki said handing over a bottle of water to the two
exhausted figures. "The both of you look like you need a drink."
    "You two really are good out there," Katsumi said passing Linna a
tee shirt to put over her leotard. "And I mean REALLY good."
    "Thanks!" Linna grinned at the praise and using her towel rubbed
the sweat from her face and hair. She grabbed the tee shirt and put it
on over her head. "It's bloody hard work I can tell you that but it
sure helps to release the stress."
    "What stress?" Yuki asked with a grin. "The cafe is more than
paying its own way now and since the two of you are only working there
part time - what's this stress you're referring to?"
    "I think she's talking about the stress of middle management," Sam
spoke up putting on her dark blue tee shirt and picking up her bag.
"Trying to keep that hentai joker of a husband of yours in line is
enough to age anyone into an early grave."
    "Possibly," Katsumi tentatively agreed. "Except that Linna seems
to be bearing up to the strain rather well. Sometimes I think that..."
    "Linna, how about a nice little coffee break?" Sam suddenly
interrupted with a nod towards an approaching figure. "I think Allan
is going to try to make his sales pitch again."
    "Damn," Linna grabbed her bag. "I do wish he would lay off. Come
on, let's grab a shower."
    "See you later mums," Sam waved to Yuki and Katsumi as she and
Linna bid a hasty retreat.
    Katsumi watched the two lovers melt into the scenery as the
aforementioned Allan came to a stop by her. She eased herself up off
the bench and turned to greet her old friend.
    "I'm afraid they saw you coming," she said with a smile.
    "I thought it might be something like that," the large American
said with a sigh. He turned and bowed slightly towards her. "It is
good to see you again Katsumi-san. How are you doing?"
    Katsumi dipped her head in response. "Me and my package are doing
very well thank you Allan. And if I may, let me introduce you to one
of my dearest friends - Yazaki Yuki. Yuki, please meet the owner of
this disreputable gym - Allan Alexander."
    "Dozo yoroshiku, Yazaki-san," Allan bowed slightly.
    "Dozo yoroshiku," Yuki replied with as much of a bow as her
current condition would allow her.
    Allan looked back at Katsumi. "It still seems that they do not
want to take me up on my offer does it?"
    "I think that was the general idea," Katsumi shrugged. "A shame
but..."
    "It is more than a shame," Allan sighed. "It is a gross waste of
talent. You have seen them. They are literally bringing people in
through the doors. I have actually been asked how much they charge for
tutoring by some of the more serious gymnasts here. I mean people
think they actually work for me."
    "I'm sorry," Katsumi said with an apologetic shrug. "There is
nothing I can do about it."
    "The young - what a waste," Allan shook his head with disgust.
"Will you at least tell them that I am more than willing to pay them
for their time - even if it is just a couple of hours a week."
    "I will, but..."
    Allan sighed and then nodded his head. "Well, I hope you enjoy
your sessions ladies. If you need anything..."
    "I'll call," Katsumi and Yuki nodded as Allan grinned and left.
    "Nice chap," Yuki commented.
    "He is that and more," Katsumi slowly picked up her bag. "Well, it
is our turn now. Come on, let's show them how it should be done."
    "Yeah right..." Yuki commented as the two walked out to join the
other mums to be on the mats.

    "So, what do you want to do today?" Sam asked as she daintily
attacked her chocolate cake.
    "Don't know," Linna said. "Apart from another dancing session or
perhaps taking a part a boomer."
    "That energetic are we?" Sam giggled and raised an eyebrow.
    "Not _that_ energetic my girl," Linna said waving a fork in Sam's
direction. "Maybe by tonight but certainly not now. Besides, it's our
day off - lets enjoy it."
    "That's what I was thinking of," Sam smiled suggestively.
    "No, I was thinking of something else - apart from that."
    "Oh," Sam looked slightly crestfallen. "What would you suggest
then?"
    "Like I said I don't really know. Shopping?"
    "Excitement City," was Sam's appraisal of that idea.
    "Well, you suggest something then," Linna finished her strawberry
tart and washed it down with the remainder of her coffee.
    "How about a ride on the space elevator?" Sam proposed. "Katsumi
says it's supposed to be great."
    "Too expensive," Linna replied.
    Sam shrugged, "about the same as a day out shopping with you.
Besides, we are not exactly poor these days. You would enjoy it you
know. Watching cruisers depart from a space port can be very
relaxing." She leaned forward to whisper, "even if they are as
primitive and as clumsy as those here."
    "Primitive?" Linna smiled jokingly. "So you're an expert on space
as well now?"
    Sam took another bite of the rather over sweet cake, "I know a few
things," she said. "After all, the Multiverse is a BIG place and I
have been around for a LONG time."
    "That may be so but..."
    Linna was well into making her point when she noticed that the
redhead was not even listening to her. The teenager was simply staring
out of the window as if she were lost in thought about something.
    "Sam?" Linna looked at the sad wistful expression on her lover's
face and tapped the redhead's hand with her fork. "Hello...".
    "What?" Sam blinked and refocused on the brunette. "Sorry, I was
just remembering something. What did you say?"
    "What were you thinking about love?" Linna asked. "It must have
been quite something to make you blank out like that."
    "Naa," Sam dismissed it. "Just the mention of ships... Forget it.
So what about my suggestion?"
    "Answer me Sam. You've got me curious now."
    Sam sighed, "the Elsian-AaTor war. The mention of ships just
reminded me of the D'lar-Tor and my combat..." Sam's voice faded as
she saw the totally blank look on Linna's face. "Forget it. It was
a... Anyway what about my idea of the space elevator?"
    Linna blinked. She had just been given an abrupt reminder of some
of the realities of her situation. In the day to day bustles of the
life the two had made for themselves it was easy for Linna to forget
such things. However, with moments like this Linna had to face the
sharp truth of the life she was living - and it was sharp.
    "Linna?" Sam said licking the remains of the chocolate from her
fingers. "What's up? Don't you like the idea?"
    "When are you going to leave me Sam?" Linna said quietly looking
down at her plate.
    Sam stopped licked her fingers looked at the brunette in surprise.
She did not understand, "leave you?"
    "10 years? 20 years? When I look like your mother? Your
grandmother?" Linna's blue eyes focused intently on Sam's green eyes
as they widened with understanding. "When Sam?"
    "Linna," Sam tentatively put out her hand and closed it around
Linna's. She knew what was going to come next. She had been through
this defining moment with so many other partners before. The true
moment of acceptance of what a relationship actually meant, to both
sides. "I..."
    "Sam, I'm nearly thirty now," Linna continued calmly. "Another
five years or so and I will be old enough to physically be your
mother. Another 10 years and you'll be waking up to a graying woman.
Another 15 and... Oh Sam..." Linna suddenly grabbed the girl's
perpetually young hand and her voice cracked. "I don't think I could
stand that..."
    Sam held the still young hand tightly and just looked sadly at the
brunette. "I..." she took a deep breath. "I love you Linna, and the
only answer I can give you is that as long as you want me I will be
here. But it never gets any easier Linna  - that's the simple truth.
It only ever gets harder, one way or another."
    "How can you stand it?" Linna said pulling her lover's hand to
her. "Time and time again... How can you stand it..."
    The green eyes looked down. "It's the price I have to pay for what
I am," Samantha said simply. She looked up and locked Linna's warm
blue eyes with her own. "I told you once what I am and what I must
face. I have two simple choices. Either I remain totally apart or I
take what little life and love that I can, when I can." Sam's face
grew miserable, "I'll be truthful with you Linna. When you die I will
mourn your passing for a long time but in the end I will carry on.
There will eventually be another whom I will love and..." The verdant
eyes closed in pain. "And so it will go on, time and time again. I
cannot change what I am and... and I cannot stand the thought of being
so completely alone..." Her moist eyes opened and focused on Linna's
face. "You must accept this Linna. If you want to stay with me then
you must accept it all - both the bitter and the sweet. If you
don't..."
    "Sam... I..." Linna did not know what to say. How could she...
    "You have to accept it Linna," Sam pushed on. "Or there can be no
us. If you walk away now while you are still young enough then... You
can still build yourself a life, have a family. You can still find
someone to love that you can grow old and die with. The only thing I
can offer you is a life of pain that will get worst as the years roll
on." Sam smiled a bittersweet expression on her face. "Go Linna, be
free, be happy. Keep the memories of us that you have and go and build
new ones. I will always love you but the choice must be yours. As will
the consequences of that choice." Sam slowly let go of Linna's hand
and stood up. She looked down and wiped her eyes. "Be free..." she
whispered one last time. "Don't follow my path - make your own."
Without a further word the girl turned and left.
    Linna could only sit stunned as Sam left the cafe. Her thoughts
were whirling and then abruptly clarified. The choice that Sam had
spoken of was here and now. If she just sat here then in less than 20
seconds Sam would be gone and Linna knew that this time it would be
forever.
    Five seconds...
    As Sam had said all she could offer Linna was a life of pain. One
that would get more burdensome as the years passed.
    Ten seconds...
    She could still find someone, have a family, a daughter like
Nina...
    Fifteen seconds...
    All she had to do was...
    "SAM!!" Linna screamed and bolted for the door.
    "SAMM!!" She tripped and bowled over a waiter causing him to
collapse onto a table. Linna did not even care. She scrambled to her
feet and ignoring everything else ran for the door. "SSAAMM!!"
    She burst through the exit onto the busy street outside and wildly
looked left and right but she could see no sign of the... No! There!
Linna spotted the distinctive red mane of Sam some distance across the
street. Ignoring the shouts from behind her Linna screamed. "SSAMM!!"
She ran out into the street her mind focused on nothing else but that
distance red hair.
    "SAMM!!"
    Sam heard the scream of her name and turned. Her eyes widened and
the expression of joy on her face was frozen forever onto Linna's
memory; just as was her wonder at why that white face suddenly changed
to an expression of utter horror.
    "LINNAA!!! NO!!"
    Sam screamed a moment just before the car struck the human full on
with a sickening crunch. "NOOO!!"
    And Linna knew nothing more.

    Sera watched with satisfaction as the car ran down the human and
at the ensuing panic that followed. She saw the redheaded figure of
Samantha run towards her pawn screaming uncharacteristically and
smiled.
    Move and counter move. It looked like this Game was very nearly
hers. The only thing left was to ensure that Samantha never found out
who it was who had Played the Corrupter for nothing more than a simple
pawn. One thing Sera did not want, ever, was to have to go one on one
with THAT THING. Or indeed any other way.
    "Subtly..." she whispered as she turned away. "That is always the
key to a successful Move my dear Samantha, subtly... I am surprised
you forgot that..."

        *       *       *       *

(Very rough draft chapter 7)

Chapter Seven - Family matters

Location: Tokyo, Japan (Alt)
Time: AD 2031, 13th July, 01:02

    "Sam, get some rest," Yuki said laying her hand on the ashen faced
redhead's shoulder. "I'll let you know if there any changes."
    Sam looked up and two faded eyes looked at Yuki for a moment. Then
she shook her head and turned her attention back to the ICU ward and
the figure laying in it.
    "Sam..." Yuki tried again but the redhead was not even paying her
any attention. Yuki sighed and gave Sam's head a pat before turning
and leaving the girl to her vigil. She needed rest herself and her
baby thought so to from the more agitated kicking it had been giving
her. She glanced down at her watch, 01:01. Aru would be here in an
hour and then Yuki could try and get some sleep. She doubted she would
be very successful but at least she could try. She walked across the
room to the Perspex glass and looked in. Linna was wired up to so many
machines she looked almost like an extension of them rather than a
human being. But at least she was alive. That was the main thing. Yuki
sighed and ignored the pain from another kick. She needed some air.
Sam would not be going anywhere so Yuki quietly slipped out.
    Sam was fraught with worry over Linna while Samantha was simply
furious. Someone was Playing with her, using Sera as a pawn and
Samantha did not know who. First the boomer and now Sera. Both attacks
had been focused at Linna and her current Game. Why the hell would
anyone be interested in Linna, or insane enough to challenge Her.
Samantha was uncertain what to do next. She could not Play when she
did not know what the Game was and if she made a move without
understanding the rules... So, for the moment she Played the only
strategy she could - a waiting Game.
    In the meantime Sam was left worrying about Linna. She was not
worried about Linna dying. She could deal with that very simply. What
she was worried about was who exactly was threatening her lover and
why? Samantha might worry about the bigger picture but Sam was
concerned with was how to keep Linna safe. There were somethings not
even she could stop. If, Sam shuddered, He was involved in this
then... Linna...
    Sam shook slightly as she forced the... fear... to one side. She
had to keep control. She had to... Samantha looked up and stared
intently through the glass at the unconscious form of her lover. She
had made sure the human remained alive and also ensured that the human
remain in a critical condition. She could do that much for now at
least. She doubted that the unknown Player wanted the human dead, or
they would not have Played Sera. If Linna remained in this condition
than Samantha could buy both of them time. And time was what she
needed more than anything at the moment - not Time but just simple
time. She had to pick up the pieces and plan a new stratagem. It
looked like the importance of this Game was far more than she had
originally planned. If Players who were capable of hiding their
movements from her were involved then she had to tread very
cautiously. However, that was one thing the Darkness was very good at
- hiding things. Samantha knew that sometime soon her opponent(s)
would make a move and when they did... She almost smiled with
anticipation. But until that time she had to keep these Players off
balance, uncertain...
    "Unpredictable..." Samantha muttered as she got up and walked over
to the window and pressed her face against the cold substance. "Oh
Linna..." she whispered sadly. Sam did love Linna, as did Samantha in
her own fashion. Linna was hers, just as Kelly and Loria were hers.
Sam loved them just like she loved Linna. It hurt her that the only
thing she could do now was just sit and wait. But until Samantha knew
the rules waiting was all she could really do.
    "Sam..." a voice said timidly behind her and a hand gently pulled
her from the cold glass and into a warm embrace, a human embrace. Sam
let the tender human love wash over her as she submitted to Katsumi's
hold. As the woman instinctively tried to soothe what she perceived as
Sam's distress Sam could feel the pulse of warm life that flowed
through Katsumi's unborn child. It had a purity, an innocence that bad
Sam almost want to weep. It reminded her... no... not that path. Sam
concentrated on the life within that child, she followed it as a
master weaver through the future warps and wefts of the child's life.
In an instance she knew with crystal clarity all that twists and turns
that this child's fate would take
    "Oh Katsumi..." Sam said sadly as she rested in Katsumi's arms.
    "Its all right Sam," Katsumi said softly. "Linna will be fine I am
sure of it..."
    Sam did not answer and after a time Katsumi slowly pushed the
teenager back and looked down into her sad emerald eyes. "Sam, it will
be all right. The doctors say she will be fine..."
    "Yeah right," Sam muttered in a dead voice then she pulled away
and turned back to the glass. "I'm sorry Kastumi.... I just don't
really feel much like talking at the moment. I sort of have other
things on my mind..."
    Katsumi slowly let she hands drop, "Sam..." She could not think of
much else to say so she just nodded and left the redhead alone. A
slight cough at the entrance to the room announced the return of Yuki.
Katsumi nodded her head in greeting and walked over to speak with her.
At the same time another group of anxious people entered the small ICU
waiting room. Sam gave them a little glance before she turned her
attention back to Linna. She had more pressing worries than the goings
on around her. She had to.... A yawn caught her by totally by surprise
and she suddenly realised how tired she felt. The form she was
currently so fond of was still organic and as such had its needs as
well. And after nearly two days of completely ignoring them those
needs pushed for attention with avengence.
    An arm caught her as she swayed slightly and a tired voice said,
"are you all right Miss?" Sam regained her balance and silently cursed
herself for being so careless. She pulled back from the human and
turned.
    "I am sorry - thank you..."
    "That does it Ssm," Katsumi said as she and Yuki crossed over to
stand by her and the stranger. "You are coming home with me now. I
don't care anymore you need sleep. Sitting here hours on end watching
Linna is not going to do either of you any good." She turned and bowed
slightly to the old man. "Thank you. I must apologise for..."
    The old man smiled and waved a hand dismissively, "there is
nothing to thank me for just doing my job." He looked at the three
figures, "forgive me for asking but aren't you Katsumi Liquer?"
    Even despite the circumstances of the moment Katusmi could not
help but flush at being recognised. "I was," she said. "I am Katsumi
DeVice now." Her hand went unconsciously to touch her adoman. "My
presenting days are behind me now, Father."
    The man's hand went up to touch the white band around his neck as
if to acknowledge the salutation. "I provide what little comfort I can
to those who need it." His voice dropped aware of the discomfort his
next question might bring. "Do you have a reason for being here Mrs.
DeVice?"
    Katsumi turned to look at the glass viewing screen. "Yes," she
said softly. "A very dear friend was involved in a very serious
accident about two days ago. She's still on the critical list..."
    "Ah," the man replied and paused for a moment before continuing.
"Would you like to talk about it?"
    Katsumi was slightly embarrassed by the question but she turned
and put her hands on Sam's shoulders and pulled the underdeveloped
redhead to her. "It is not me you would need to ask Father. Sam here
is the one that question is best directed at." She pushed Sam slightly
in the direction of the old man.
    "Katsumi..." Sam said and resisted the push.
    Father Masato looked down at the white face and smiled. "You are
not comfortable with talking to me are you?"
    Sam did not answered, what was the point?
    "Sam," Katsumi prompted her.
    "No," Sam replied. "I am not comfortable speaking with you, and
forgive me for being rude, but I have no desire to."
    "Why may I ask?" Masato said seeing an anger sparkling in the
redhead's eyes that he had seen many times before but... His breath
caught slightly. Those eyes were of a depth and clarity he had never
seen before. If it were ever possible to say a soul was reflected in a
persons eyes then this was the time. Those eyes... they showed...
anger and something else - something that was almost... He took a
moment before he continued. "Do you blame God for your friend's
situation?"
    At the mention of Linna's name Sam glanced back at the glass. Her
eyes broke contact with the man and focused instead on the figure in
the next room. "You have no idea...." she replied and pulling herself
out of Katsumi's hands she stalked off.
    "Sam..." Katsumi began but then thought better of it. Sam had to
sort this one out herself. She turned back to the priest. "I am sorry
Father but I do not think this is a good time." He nodded and
shrugged.
    "I'll go and get Roy," Yuki said in the silent that followed. "I
think you were right. Sam needs to get some sleep. And I don't think
Labyrthn would be the right place at the moment. Do you mind looking
after her Katsumi? At least until Sam is a bit more..." she left it
hanging.
    "Of course," Katsumi nodded and Yuki nodded her head in thanks and
then went to find back Roy and Sam. Katsumi turned her attention back
to the old man.
    "Once more I must apologise for Sam's rudest but considering what
the last few days have been like I must also take part of the blame. I
hope you can understand."
    "There is nothing to forgive but..." Masato wondered if he should
mention what he had also seen in those green eyes.
    "Father?" Katsumi asked politely.
    "Nothing," Father Masato replied shaking his head. "Nothing..."

        *       *       *       *

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Time: AD 2041, 2nd July, 21:37

    The green eyed brunette sat and observed her mark. She could
almost smell the alcohol that the man was drinking and the cheap
perfume that his date was wearing. The cheap scent bought a memory to
Mina of a time that she had never personally experience and yet a
memory that was clear as day to her. A memory of a party in which a
young man smiled at her and called her by a name that was not hers.
Mina examined this new memory with interest. She was fascinated with
the life that her mother had lived. It had been so much fuller than
many other people and Mina was honoured that she had been given them.
She knew that she owed her existence to her mentor Sylia but she
always thought of herself as primarily the daughter of the woman who
had been called Linna. Sylia had told her of her mother's death, or
possible death, and Mina was hopeful that one day just possibly she
might be able to meet her.
    "Mina," a voice said faintly through the pickup in her ear. "Any
action yet?"
    Mina smiled at the enthusiasm in Rina's voice. This was her
sister's first real mission and the excitement that the auburn haired
girl felt was obvious. "Calm down sis," she whispered. "He's doing
nothing just sitting and drinking."
    "Well I bloody hope he hurries up!" an annoyed voice followed
Rin's acknowledgement. "I'm freezing my butt of out here!"
    Mina sighed, Celine had the exact same temperament of her mother.
The same temperament that Mina's mother remembered so fondly. "Calm
down Cel," she murmured. "Remember why we are here..."
    "Then I wish this contact would move it..."
    Mina could almost see her pale faced, chestnut haired sister's
delicate face redden with anger at having to stay on watch outside.
However, as field commander for this mission Mina could not allow that
reaction to affect her priorities. Priss's children were always very
loyal but they tended to overreact and be to unstable for command
duties. Which was why usually Mina and her sisters or Sylia's children
were usually responsible for missions. There were exceptions, Darline
for example, was an excellent strategist and commander. She had
inherited her mother's flair for action but it was tempered with a
brilliance that had completely surprised even Sylia. Sylvie had
explained it to her once - something about how the first three months
of initial life and the experiences caused by it subtly moulded their
imprinted engrams creating unique individuals. Each of her extended
family had the same core of memory and experiences but at the same
time each was a distinctive individual - a unique life with a soul.
That was why the brutal and senseless murder of Eline and Leina had
affected all their family so hard.
    Elina and Leina had been the first of Sylia's family to exist
truly independent in the outside world. Sylia had enrolled them as
students at the prestigious private school - Omniu. The two girls had
been extraordinarily bright and wonderfully gifted far beyond their
respective mothers original talents. They had been the bright stars of
the family and Sylia had decided that those gifts would best be served
being nurtured in an environment where such talents were prized. Mina
could still remember the farewell party that had been thrown only four
months ago. She could still remember the deep pain that all of them
had felt when they had learnt that the two had been senselessly killed
in a terrorist attack on an ambassador of the UN. It had been a
senseless case of the two students being in the wrong place at the
wrong time. Mina and her family were extremely difficult to kill.
Their bodies usually could withstand a great deal of abuse and their
regenerative abilities were nearly miraculous. But what had been left
of the two girls when the bomb had exploded under the ambassador's car
as they walked by was beyond even the gifts that had been bestowed on
them by their most mysterious mother's genes. The two had died hard
and in great pain. And for that all of Sylia's family had agreed the
perpetrators must pay.
    As a result of the attack Sylia had called a halt to all the
non-critical current missions her family had been pursuing and focused
on discovering who had been responsible and who they would pay back.
The result of those investigations had bought Mina here. The group
that had claimed responsibility for the attack had called themselves
simply the "The Culture". Who they were and what they wanted no one
knew. Before the attack no one had ever heard of them and even now no
one knew anything about them. Sylia had only managed to get the name
of this man they were observing because of her own extensive contacts
with the underworld. Even then the only thing she had managed to get
was the name of the contact from which the explosives had been bought.
The name of the contact that they now had under observation. Sylia
felt that since they had used the contact once it was more than
possible that they would use him again. She believed that this
"Culture" whatever their objective would be unlikely to just stop
after one hit. After all, why strike at a little known ambassador
without some of reason. Mina personally thought Sylia was reaching but
given the fact that this was the only chance that they had it was
something they had to follow.
    Mina finished off the last of her fruit juice, a great love of
which all her family oddly shared, and looked at her watch. The
display read 21:56. Mina sighed, for the moment she was of a similar
mind to Celine. They knew that this man would be making contact with
someone some time tonight. They did not know who it was or if it was
even some totally unconnected with Culture, but as Sylia had said -
this was the only lead that they had.
    "Waitress," Mina held up her hand and a very beautiful looking
black gaijin came over.
    "Your fruit juice Miss," the woman said with a smile. "If I maybe
so bold I have prepared a blend which I know you will love."
    Mina frowned but something about the woman's smile made her trust
her so she tasted the blend the waitress had bought. As soon as the
first sip passed her lips her senses exploded with delight and Mina's
eyes opened wide. "That's...."
    "Good?" the woman asked with a smile. Mina could do nothing but
nod.
    "Just like her," the woman commented before responding to yet
another call of Waitress.
    "Mina! Mina!" The sound of Cel's voice in her ear
    "What is it Cel?" Mina responded.
    "I think something is happening. One of our friend's goons has
just bought his car around. Get ready I think he maybe getting ready
to leave."
    "That can't be right," Mina hissed. "He's only been here 45
minutes and he hasn't seen anyone yet!"
    "Maybe he's meeting them at a different location?" Rina said. "Or
maybe the information was wrong?"
    "Question is what do we do?" Cel asked. "Do we follow them?"
    "I don't want to have to do that unless it is really necessary,"
Mina muttered.
    "We may have to sis," Rina commented. "Look."
    Mina looked up and swore slightly. Rina was right. One of the
contact's security boomers had walked in. That meant that the man was
leaving. She had to make a decision what they were going to do now.
Did she dare follow them? If she did and they got into trouble then
they would not be covered. If on the other hand they didn't and the
contact met someone then the whole stakeout was pointless.
    "We are going to follow them," Mina said after a moment to
consider their options. "I don't think we really have that much choice
this this."
    "You sure sis?" Rina asked. "We'll be on our own. We don't have
time to arrange any backup?"
    "Just like THAT time..." Mina murmured.
    Rina did not answer. All of her sisters were aware of what THAT
time was. It was the mission that had marked the end of their mother's
association with the Knight Sabers. It was also the point that marked
the last memory engrams that Sylia had ever made of their mother. From
that point on the intimate connection that they had to her was gone.
Everything that she had learnt, experience or been after THAT single
event was lost to her children. The same was true for Priss's
children, but as it was Linna who had actually killed...
    "Can't be helped," Mina concluded. "We are following them. Cel
notify Sylia about the change in plan. We might not be able to arrange
cover but at least we can let the family know."
    "Hai," Cel commanded and Mina got up. For a moment her eyes
wondered over the full glass of nectar from the Gods that she was
leaving not drunk and cursed silently. If only...
    "Sis they are going!"
    Mina sighed and left the glass untouched as she carefully followed
the leaving arms dealer out. Maybe if she was lucky she could come
back later and ask that gorgeous waitress her secret. Her face
twitched slightly in a odd half smile. Maybe she would just come back
for that waitress anyway and damn the drink. With that amusing thought
she turned and left following her mark.

    On the other side of the city Kelly sat watching Priss finish her
set piece and frowned. Over the past few months the nature of the club
had slowly been changing. It was almost as if there had been a slight
change in the nature and atmosphere of the place. It was becoming a
far more serious place, although Kelly was not sure if serious was the
right word. Intense was perhaps slightly better. It was almost as if
something was beginning to happen and Kelly could only detect the
faintest edges of it.
    Kelly joined the sporadic applause for Priss mark II as Kelly was
privately calling her creation. She had given up trying to locate the
original. Since that odd one off encounter with her older "sister"
Priss had gone missing and despite all her efforts Kelly had no idea
what had been done to the human. Since neither Loria or Sam seemed to
be answering her calls she had had little alternative but to put in a
substitute. Maybe when Sam or Loria finally did turn up then she might
be able to get the original back. Those two had a lot more experience
with the subtleties of the Power than Kelly did. That was something
that came with age.
    In the meantime Kelly was left holding down the fort so to speak.
To be honest she was beginning to get annoyed with the cavalier
fashion Loria had dumped this duty on her. This world was completely
and utterly boring! It had a few redeeming features such as the
presence of a few members of the Council but on the whole it reflected
the dead end nature of its location. While that quiet nature might
interest some of the Nobleborn it did not interest Kelly. However,
since the head of her own Family had an interest in this world there
was little she could do but remain.
    "So," Priss came over and grabbing a chair sat down next to her
still slightly sweaty from the exertion of the performance. "How was
I?"
    Kelly shrugged, "I am not the one to judge. I just cannot get into
that sort of music I'm afraid."
    Priss pouted for a moment and then sighed. "Well, there's no
accounting for taste in some people." She grabbed Kelly's
half-finished glass and drowned the contents. "Ahh... I needed that.
Must be my age but it seems I'm losing my touch. The audience here
seems to be getting steadily more hostile. I was giving it my all
tonight and it was like singing to a void. I was getting no response
from the audience whatsoever, no form of feedback at all. It was
almost as if they did not care. There was a time when I could read an
audience but with this lot..." She shook her head, "maybe I am just
getting old."
    Kelly raised an eyebrow. So even her human was detecting the
change. If it was that obvious then something was up and Kelly would
be extremely surprised if others had not noticed it as well. Sophia
must be up to something and publicly broadcasting the fact that she
was. The question was - what and why? Kelly shook her head
despondently - all these damned Games! What did those such as Sam see
in them! Surely there had to be better and more effective ways of
getting what you wanted. Sure, sometimes it could be fun, such as with
Sylia, but the lengths that some Players went to was just plain
stupid. Loria had told her of Players who had nurtured who
civilisations just so that they could be involved in some little move
in some greater Game - crazy... Surely that time and effort could be
better invested in other more productive activities.
    "Kelly?" Priss repeated. "Will you stop ignoring me. I asked you
what you thought."
    "Eh?" Kelly turned her attention back to Priss. "Sorry, what was
it you were just saying?"
    "Why do I bother?" Priss muttered. "I asked you if it was just me
or did you notice that things have changed in here?"
    "Yes, it has changed," Kelly replied. "And I am not sure I like
it."
    "Neither am I," Priss commented. "But its my job so I'm stuck with
it. Look, I'm finished for tonight so why don't we go and get a burger
or something. I really do appreciate you coming down now and then,"
she smiled. "Even if you can't stand my music."
    "You're my friend," Kelly said simply. "And Loria asked me to keep
an eye out for you."
    "Have you heard from her recently? It's been... God knows how long
since she left?"
    "Well over a year," Kelly said in an annoyed tone. "And no she has
not been in contact at all."
    "Is that usual for her?" Priss queried. "The impression she gave
me when she left was that it would only be a while. Do you think she's
okay? Should we try and ring her or something?"
    "I have tried to contact her but I am getting no reply. It is
possible that she has moved I suppose. Loria does tend to lose track
of time fairly easily. I can..." The rest of her comment was dropped
as four youngish teenagers suddenly came up to the table and stood
looking worshipfully at Pirss.
    Priss looked at the four set of young faces and the wide eyed
stares that they threw at her and felt slightly uncomfortable. The
twin sets of brown and blue eyes looked at her as if she were some
sort of Goddess and for a moment she was uncertain what to do.
    "Ahh... May I help you? she said. The four girls blushed at the
words and one of them at some prompting from the others slowly took a
step forward.
    "May... May we get... your autograph please?" she began and then
her face lit up with an excited smile and all four erupted into
babble. "We just loved your singing. You are really good!"
    "Are you putting out any new records soon?" "
    "We have all your old ones and play them again and again but
we..."
    "All our family love you! Do..."
    "Please, please..." Priss held up a hand and immediately all the
girls went silent. Priss smiled and stood up. It was amazing! She
still had it!
    "I would love to give you an autograph," Priss turned to the
browned-eyed chestnut haired girl first. "Please why don't the four of
you sit down. Would you like anything to drink? Soda?" For a moment
the girls looked like they were in heaven and then as one they all
obediently sat down.
    "Could we... could we have some orange juice please?" the leader
of the four asked timidly. "If you really don't mind us..."
    "Orange juice?" Priss smiled. "Is that all? For all of you?
Nothing a bit stronger?"
    "Please, orange juice will be fine..."
    Priss shrugged. It had been different in her day but she signalled
one of the familiar waiters over and requested the drinks.
    "Do you want anything else? Something to eat perhaps?"
    The chestnut haired girl blinked and then glancing at the other
three said hopefully, "maybe a burger?"
    Kelly smiled to herself and spoke up. "Priss and I were just
thinking of going out to have one. We would happy to treat you if you
would like along."
    "Really?" All four faces looked startled at first then their
expressions changed to wonderment.
    "I think I can take that as a yes," Kelly commented. She held out
her hand, "my name is Kelly. I am pleased to meet you."
    "My name is Mayline," the chestnut haired girl stand taking
Kelly's hand in her own fair skinned one. "I am really pleased to met
you... and... Priss..."
    "I'm Arline..."
    "And I'm Reina..."
    "Daina..."
    "And we are really, really pleased to met you..."
    Priss blinked under the rush of names and exuberant energy
following from these 16 year olds. She took a moment to look at them.
They were all slender, athletic and had faces that were thrown in the
same delicate cast. Their hair was ranging from black to russet brown
and all of them looked at Priss as if she....
    "Well, if you would like to come then I'd be happy to buy you
dinner," she said and all four heads nodded in unison.
    "Your drinks," the waiter said as he placed the four glasses down.
"Will there be anything else?"
    "No thanks," Priss paid the bill and sat back while the four girls
attacked their fruit juices.
    "We'll have to go to that joint about 20 minutes walk from here -
'Rayo'," Kelly said looking at the others. "It's probably the easiest
at this time of night. That sound okay?" All four heads nodded again.
    "By the way," Kelly said. "You girls look a bit young to be out at
this time of night are you sure you have transport back home? I don't
want to take you out if..."
    "No! No! That's fine!" Mayline burst out. "We have someone picking
us up here at 01:00. It's not a problem really. Besides we don't..."
    "Mayline!" Reina nudged her and gave her a stern look.
    Mayline blushed and returned to her juice embarrassed.
    "We'll be find thank you Kelly," Reina said with a smile.

    Mio Amano looked up as the odd looking group walked into the bar.
Two women in their mid to late twenties and four teenagers - an odd
mix indeed. She watched them for a moment as they sat down and started
to look through the menu. Although no longer an ADP officer Mio still
found it difficult to curb her instincts and those instincts found
this group odd. However, that was not her job any longer. She ran a
hand self consciously down the cybernetic leg and arm that she now had
on her left side. No, she shuddered. Ever since that impossible night.
A rush of fear ran through her as she still remembered the dead,
cloying smell of the nightmare that had killed her partner and nearly
her. She gulped down some of the drink as her right hand shook. The
smell, the screams, the sounds of wet tearing...
    Kelly and the others looked up as the woman at the bar suddenly
sobbed with fright and stumbling to the door ran out into the night.
    "Weirdo...." Priss commented. "Must be a vagrant or something."
    "Yeah," Kelly commented before turning back to the menu. "Well,
let me guess that you four would probably like something spicy. That's
what I usually have. And I can guarantee the ones here are... mmmm....
How about a double chilly burger with extra peppers and..." Her voiced
faded with amusement as four almost drooling faces looked at her. She
grinned and stood up, "let me order. Its Priss you really wanted to
talk to."
    "How can you eat that stuff?" Priss looked at the four. "Its
revolting."
    Reina looked at Mayline. "We love it," she said apologetically.
"But our Guardian does not approve of what she calls junk food so..."
    "Almost as bad as Sam was," Priss commented. "She had appalling
tastes for spicy food as well when she could get hold of it." It had
been long enough now that Priss could talk about both Sam and Linna
without getting to emotional.
    "Was Sam an old friend of yours?" Mayline said very carefully.
Like the others she desperately wanted to know more about the mother
for which they had no memories at all but from which they had gain so
much.
    "Yeah," Priss said with a smile. She was so caught up in her
memories that she did not notice the almost hungry expressions on the
young faces. "Sam was a friend I had who died over a year ago in that
bomb attack that destroyed the north western sectors. She was a real
character, about your age and..." Priss's voice faded away as the
memories overcame her.
    "And..." Mayline gently prompted her mother. This Priss that they
were seeing was the one that Mayline knew was only shown to a very
few. This was the Priss that Mayline privately aspired to the most.
The one who had been so kind to the boy Sho, the Priss who had put her
heart into those few friendships that she had ever made, the one that
Mayline simply called mother.
    "And she was one of the best friends I ever had," Priss said
softly feeling her eyes beginning to mist with tears. "And I miss
her..."
    "Here we all go," Kelly suddenly broke the mood by placing a tray
of warm crisp smelling buns down on the table. "I hope... Priss?
What's wrong?" Kelly saw the misted brown eyes and reached over to her
human.
    "Nothing, nothing," Priss said rubbing her eyes. "Just me being
silly." She turned her attention to the tray, "smells interesting. Did
you get me my usual?"
    Kelly pulled back her hand and sat down, "yeah its there. A simple
old fashion beef burger. Or perhaps it would be better to call it a
soya burger as the price of the real stuff is far beyond our
paycheques." She looked at the four clones and gestured, "tuck in
girls. They are just getting cold."
    "Thank you," Reina said followed by the others as they took the
warm burgers. Only Mayline held back as she looked at Priss.
    "I'm sorry I made you sad," she said as warmly as she could. "I
did not mean to."
    Priss blinked. That was no exactly what she had been expecting for
a teenager to say. And not with such feeling behind it. "That's all
right," she smiled at the earnest girl. "Death is something we all
have to cope with in the end. It's just that I seem to have
encountered far more of it than anyone else I know. Just my fate I
suppose." She reached over to get her burger but she met Mayline's
hand instead.
    "I'm sorry Priss," the girl's warm blue eyes focused on her. "I
really am sorry. If I can do anything for you... anything..."
    Priss flushed and was lost for words. What she saw in the girl's
face...
    Kelly felt a faint _rush_ coming from the blue eyed girl and her
eyes narrowed slightly. She could feel the faint emergence of the
Power from the girl opposite - the Power and the Darkness that
accompanied it. So this was the true legacy that had come from the
most unique of these girls "mothers". And the reason why Sam had
probably let Sylia have some cell samples - but why? Sam was obvious
planning something and these... Kelly suddenly realised these were her
sisters. They were members of the Family! Sam was extending the
Family! These troopers that Sylia was using, developing, were troopers
for Sam.... Sam was using Sylia to create Enforcers! But why? Why do
something that she had never done before...
    She felt the Darkness at the core of her own being stir and send a
rush of coldness through her. Kelly took a deep breath. Sam was
telling her to leave it alone. This was something which was none of
Kelly's business and Kelly just had to let it drop. This also put
Kelly in a difficult situation. Enforcers had a rather unique position
in a Family. They were the Voice and Law of the Master - Samantha.
What they said went - fullstop. Their word was absolute Law and apart
from the Master all the Family had to obey them, even Consorts like
Kelly. While Kelly had the Power to wipe these budding Enforcers off
the face of the planet she couldn't touch them. She would obey them -
HAD to obey them. She would have no choice and neither would the human
she had created.
    "Oh joy..." she whispered as she saw the expression on Mayline's
face. "Just what I need..."