Symphony of Metal Chapters 1-8 (WIP)

7/29/2019 Symphony of Metal Chapters 1-8 (WIP)

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nim

Connor Unfried

Kawaii Period

12/12/12

Symphony of Metal

Chapter 1: Parallel Thoughts

Connor wiped the sweat from his forehead. The arc welders required to

phsyically weld the bonds for the GAM-ax-13's arms (otherwise known as the gamma

thirteen, as everyone called it in the shop) were blistering. Heat was good, though.

Connor was not thinking about comfort, rather he was distressed over the fact the fourth

girl had shot down when he had asked her to lunch.

The GAM-ax-13 was Connor's magnum opus. He wrote the schematics and

plans, except due to a particular lack of foresight the original plan's head and the legs

were unusable for the current model. Connor was a young adult of about 18 and had

short blonde hair. You could rarely tell though because most of the time he had it slicked

back. His eyes were a bland shade of blue and his favorite pair of jeans were still too

long for him and the ends of the hem were ragged because he kept stepping on the back

part which perpetually covered his heel. His current shirt was a normal tee with some rap

artist on it. Rap really wasn't the preferred music of the 30th

century.

An excitable young lady who had bright red hair and even brighter green eyes


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shouted out to Connor. "Come on, all you think about is that dumb mech anyways. Why

don't you do anything with me?" Her features shone in the soft light of the welder. She

was about sixteen. The poorly lit warehouse hardly supported the cheap light fixtures up

top and sometimes if it was dark, workers would bring flashlights. It is worth noting that

she was rather short, but her features slightly curvaceous and well rounded.

Connor lifted his face mask showing his scowl. "What are you doing around

here."

Nej smiled wickedly. "I just asked where can Connor's girlfriend find him about

now."

Connor threw the welder aside and set the platform to move to the floor, away

from the arm which was nearing completion. The GAM-ax-13 was a tall imposing robot

with only two arms (an almost unheard of setback for any serious builder). The arms

were set with long blades which could fold out and create a long curved blade which

could slice through some of the best protected battling machines. Connor also knew the

skeleton featured a system of small screws capable of pivoting so the arms can become

wings. The legs did not function on this system and the plans needed redrafting from the

bottom.

Connor was still walking forward, when Nej punched him on the shoulder.

"Well? Where to?" she whined.

"Home."

Nej's eyes flared defiantly, she huffed "No we're going to do something. Maybe

you think you can just work on the stupid tin can all day and be alone? You think that

will do you any good you jerk?" She started shaking. "What about me? You know you're


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so dumb. All I want is to talk."

Connor seemed unaffected by any of this. He was walking to the door. He held

the door open, waiting for Nej.

Nej shuddered and lunged at Connor, punching him in the stomach. She ran away,

Connor didn't have to guess, she was probably tearing up or at least about to and

controlling it, she was overemotional at times.

Connor crumpled easily against the wall. He went limp, he didn't want to be fine

after that hit, he didn't want to feel like he can chase after her, he just wanted to lie down.

Connor cried.

Chapter 2: God's Disciples

The alarm buzzed loudly. Connor grunted and sat up in his bed. He swung his

legs over and got up, clicking the alarm off as he did so. The room was a little messy

trove of robot models and posters of random little things like music records and cartoon

Japanese television shows. It was still a bit stuffy because he left the window closed last

night. His phone vibrated. Connor checked it, just a text from Jeff.

The text was (as Connor read it) Get the hell over here got some punk scrappers

wanting to have at it Connor tossed the phone on the bed and got out of the room.

The arena was just solid concrete and steel lining the floor. It was impossibly

large, enough to dwarf the giant machines that regularly fought in it. Despite the size, the

stands were still protected by a new technological innovation of clear metal, expensive,

but these arenas were a giant source of revenue and recovering the investment was simple

once the safety of the viewer was guaranteed (for the most part).

So how about it, Hans, was it? How about that fight you think your little girl can


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handle the cold knight of Pasadena Electronics, Connor Deirfnu? Jeff said with a

wolfish grin. He was an average sized man with well trimmed sideburns and short spiked

hair. He was dressed differently from the rest of the crew surrounding the GAM-ax-12,

as where they had full protective gear (Large white jumpsuits internally padded with solid

rubber); he was just dressed in a sweatshirt and a pair of jeans. His brown eyes burned

with passion.

Hans returned the grin, except his eyes were cold. He spoke mildly with a thick

icelandic accent Keep talkin' big... I can't even think of what your name was. You lack

have the newest Euphemia-Z-11:behind you. You're just another weakling about to get

crushed. You and your Connor of Pasadena are just a pair of shits looking to have a

pissing contest, I'm glad you display your shitty tin can on camera, so everyone can see

that you can't even replace a single fuckin' eye.

Jeff raised an eyebrow and backed away. Hands raised. He added All right, well

the fight's about to get under way, Connor will show in a bit.

The GAM-ax-12 belonged to a rich, successful crew. Oddly enough the support

crew didn't have docks or on-ship magnetic catapults so even though the massive arena

was the size of an island (the glass metal had tiny nano robots to magnify the action and

zoom away, this was professionally handled by trained cameramen and always caught the

action perfectly) it had to be dropped off of their freighter class ship on a platform,

kneeling.

The GAM-ax-12 was a tall imposing machine but once again despite their wealth

and a month of maintenance the machine had imperfections everywhere. Some dents

were still showing and it was missing the second O-ho-12 camera. The reason for this


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was that a camera cost as much as an armory for any recent mech (this is because it's

custom made to the complicated weapon systems and piloting style of Connor so that it

had ridiculous demands for wiring and basic circuit lay out), and this would not settle

when Connor was a designer first, pilot second. He needed as much funds as possible for

the GAM-ax-13. With a missing Camera he only had his left side open with a full

targeting system and had the battery drain faster so the single camera can still provide a

full 180 degrees of vision. It's design was akin to that of an evil knight. The gamma

twelve was fully cloaked. The cloth was strong enough to deflect minor laser fire and

could absorb a high energy blast. Although it was expensive to create, and it held little

benefits, the fans loved it dearly and heralded Connor as the cold knight. A black knight

searching for a suitable opponent.

The Euphemia-Z-11: was from a fairly well funded company and unlike

Connor's, they flaunted what money they had. A full top of the line ship, gleaming with 4

operational catapult systems. They did their work inside so Hans simply stood out on the

meeting pad which was a small gazebo in the exact center of the arena where pregame

talk and interviews occurred, with his personal ship parked nearby and the crew ship out

in the distance.

Jeff cleared his throat, the interviewer in the middle immediately turned to him.

He told him to wait to say something as the cameras still aren't rolling. Jeff simply

shrugged and said All I was about to say we're ready.

The sound of a motorcycle running heralded the appearance of Connor, who sped

over to the mech and met with the battle crew. They handed Connor a headset and some

gear, he threw on the jumpsuit and headset and got inside the GAM-ax-13. The cockpit


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lied in the back and it featured a roomy chair. Connor grimaced as he got in, he used to

think himself special and privileged as the cockpit was littered with small controls that a

designer would deem unnecessary, but someone like a pilot would find invaluable.

Though Connor's GAM-ax-13 has a completely redesigned cockpit. This mech was far

behind his creations these days.

He stood up and took off, the boosters blazed as the gazebo went underneath a hatch and

the arena's great metal plates descended and ascended back into place, parks of terrain

replaced the once bare metal plates. A cross of desert and ridiculously tall forest arose

from those parts and the concrete was either covered in sand or kudzu.

A glint came from Hans' crewship and the Euphemia-Z-11: was prepped on the

magnetic catapult, a simple mechanism that guided the robot along like a rail gun where

magnets propelled it along to assist in aerial launch. It was a simple slender frame of

green and gold. It did not feature many weapons set on itself and it was standard, it's

appearance mimicked the body of a young girl. The euphemia boosted gracefully along,

as if it was dancing. It charged out like a force of beauty from the catapult as it

approached to meet the knight of steel, the gamma twelve, which charged forward like a

rocket. Only the GAM-ax-12's head and cloak were visible as it neared the Euphemia

omega...

Chapter 3: Cost of Dedication

The gamma twelve met the euphemia in the air, uncloaking itself and revealing

four arms, covered in a bright red paint, there was no finish on them and they looked

battered. They had no armaments.


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A voice came over Connor's speaker (and the audience heard all communications

radio, it was a part of the entertainment). High pitched, maybe Icelandic, a girl's voice

came over It seems you've gained a knack for cheap tricks. Especially those pieces of

trash connected to your chest. She said laughing Then will you realize that you might

as well finish production on your only decent mech before you accept challenges from

superior fighters!

Connor flipped a switch and muttered You'd do well to review the situation

you're in before you gloat, Alexandra.

The Gam-ax-12 grabbed at the smaller machine and restrained the arms by

grabbing it by the arm and chest at the same time, although since the arms lacked any real

horsepower he had to use all four. Any long time spectator would know that any

grappling robot that went to the air tended to get wrecked, so the audience went silence in

confusion, because he didn't even leave the two spare arms to defend his grapple.

Alexandra's high pitched laugh came over the radio. Connor never really did like

it when he heard a foreigner laugh, it always came off of as odd sounding.

The euphemia omega bought a slender leg up and kicked off the arms easily.

Connor got a glint in his eye as he smiled triumphantly, as he moved in a burst of

action, pressing buttons madly.

The Gam-ax-12's eye glinted fiercely as it flashed. The arms still held on tightly

(despite being severed). Nobody got this either, any long time viewer would recognize

the pressure locking fingers, which cost a pretty penny to have installed on even the most

basic of appendages. The Gam-ax-12 shed both shoulders and revealed a booster on each


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side instead, except they faced backwards. Normally extra boosters meant extra speed

and maneuverability was provided by the air gliders or something not as extreme. The

boosters fired and the force knocked the Gamma backwards and the legs kicked it's old

arms against the chest and pushed off, much like a swimmer preparing to perform a

backstroke, and boosted off.

A firestorm erupted from the arms and high energy explosives maimed the

Euphemia, as the escape pod ejected back to the ship in the distance, and the Gam-ax-12

entered free fall, as it lacked gliders, it simply used a parachute from the chest.

Jeff's voice was over over the radio at that moment. He was talking in a joking

tone Man, I'm going to hate hearing the feedback for this match. Jeff took a breath and

in an impression of the announcers he introduced the gam-ax-12 The knight of knaves,

the vassal of vagrants! The junk fighter with an extra pair of sleeves and aces, Connor

Unfried with the Gam-ax-12!

Connor laughed, the desperate tactics he employed recently were dangerously

close to become his trademark and ruining his reputation. He really did put it all on the

line to finish his Gam-ax-13 to perfection.

Chapter 4: The Knight of Misfortune

Jennifer raised an eyebrow at her date. He went off to stare at some models in a

toy store, he was pretty strange. It was some weird greaser guy, probably an audiophile .

He had a real knack for music. It was all he talked about, really. He was a nice enough


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guy too, just was way too strange. Jennifer stood around the entrance to the toy store at

the mall, it was midday summer, and the mall was designed so that the interior was well

lit and always shaded, not to mention temperate. The stores lined up plentifully and it was

still packed despite all of the room. The plaza was the only place that someone could

relax. Even homes tended to be filled unless the owner was wealthy.

Maybe Jen, you can just go turn around while he's screwing around and call your

girlfriend, maybe go for some bubble tea. Jennifer thought to herself while she was

sipping on a smoothie, watching him mess around checking his wallet to see if he could

buy one.Man, maybe I can offer Connor some professional help. She thought as she

walked away to get some bubble tea with her friend.

Connor looked outside after he bought the model, it was a toy Gam-ax-11,

completely out of date for clearance. He never did buy any of the models after the first

ten, he looked forward to building it. Jennifer wasn't around.

Sighing, Connor considered that she probably left him. Calling her would just get

him promptly ignored. It was all his fault, he didn't even tell her anything. He didn't

explain his love for robots or his life passion, she just didn't know.

His phone received another text, which was from Mali. Mali was his co-ordinator

and business manager. Co-ordinators organize a fighter's life and their matches. It also

wasn't rare for a co-ordinator to be in charge of the machine, the accounting and all other

territories. Connor still managed all of this, despite the trend and the stress of it. The text

read as

Connor! Good news, Reach Mechanics has accepted the challenge! The match is


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tomorrow, come over soon so we can tune up the machine and practice the new controls

some more!

-Mali

Connor winced. Mali didn't get the dynamics and Jeff barely understood the

situation either. Connor didn't have much time to ponder on that, he did have a match

coming up. It was normally suicide to challenge a match that quickly. Connor didn't get

their thinking.

Connor was running late, he had to buy some spare parts for after the match (as

they submitted the mech's condition to the committee to be screened) it was already dark.

Hans was waiting in their living room, holding Alexandra in his arm next to him.

The living room was a roomy, comfortable place with a kitchen by it. They ate meals in

this room or the kitchen. (Connor often ate alone in his room, since he tended to busy

himself) a bar separated the room in the halfway and it was a heart warming light red that

clashes pleasantly with an ocean blue. The light hues with a slightly warm temperature

set made it fairly atmospheric for a pleasant experience. Alexandra's and Hans' features

more apparent, now that they stood before him, Connor remembered meeting Alexandra

many times in celebrity interviews, training and examinations. Hans was a new face

though, his tightly drawn features with a look of a serious old man contradicted his pre-

game attitude. It also contradicted him as a father.

He was kind and gracious, he always had to have dinner with the loser the day

after, he reasoned that it was only fair that they help pay feed him and his daughter. No

one ever dare refuse this, as he was a notoriously good man to dine with and always had a


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rare vintage handy. Alexandra had soft features and was considerably attractive, despite

her somewhat high pitched voice. Although she was a tad tall for Connor's tastes.

Walking past the new dinner guests, Connor called for Mali who promptly

appeared. He was an average height man with a colored complexion. He was a cross

between all of the darker colors, Hispanic, African, Filipino. In fact it was more common

after 10 centuries of cheap transportation to have crossbred populations, Connor was a

rarity, being almost purely West and Central European. Even Jeff had some distinct Asian

traits about him.

Mali coughed Well, Connor, we might want to skip tuning and practice tonight, I

mean with the esteemed--

Connor glared at him. It's fine, I'll go alone. You keep Hans and Alexandra

company with the rest of the crew. Connor walked out of the main living room and

moved on to the back room. The large Gam-ax-13 was a giant chest, no visible head and

the cameras were hidden. It's limbs were just long appendages with no clear hands or

feet, rather then ended in a folded blade. The only familiar part of the machine to the

average human anatomy were shoulders, and the left shoulder there was GAM and on the

right shoulder was a bold print of 13. The garage door was closed but the window on

top of the warehouse let the moonlight in, casting a ghostly light on the 13. The

warehouse was large, but the walls were just cement. The light on top (for the well

insulated roof, which was a finer mix made for topping buildings) was just some simple

lamps which barely lit the room so Connor decided that he'd just leave them off, he

wasn't even training. The twin to the gam-ax-13 was outside, as it was visible through the

window. A giant ship, connor's design too. Though it had to be built somewhere else. As


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Connor can't weld together a ship on the spot like the robots.

Pulling out his pack of cigarettes Connor looked down at it. He wasn't a fan of

smoking, but he used it to relieve stress and there was a smoking rewards program to cut

down on overpopulation. Connor lit the cigarette and smoked thoughtfully as he stared at

the ominous omen, as he thought it. The number thirteen ten centuries ago was the target

of a grave fear, and a deep rooted superstition. His thirteenth gamma was also the last

one. The mechnot to be cloaked this time, a first in his famous line.

A knocking came from behind Connor, and Alexandra walked through to enter the

dark warehouse. Do you always brood in the dark before a match? Does it help you get

in the mood or something?

Connor had dropped the cigarette as soon as he heard her enter but no doubt she

could smell it. Still, Connor didn't find it right to smoke in a lady's presence. He cleared

his throat as he tried to speak and realized that it must have been awhile since he last

spoke. Not exactly tradition, but it does help, I've found.

Alexandra walked up to Connor boldly, speaking in an agitated Cut the crap,

how insanely lonely do you have to be. You rarely spend any time with anyone. I've seen

your 'dates', they last five minutes before they leave you or they just refuse in the first

place. To be fair I'm rather worried about you. I always admired you so, and looked

forward to my match with you, but it seems your loneliness has made you sunk even low

enough to avoid fighting altogether! She spat. You know there was a time when you

were glorious, and provided the arenas with more money than they knew what to do with,

now you're already done with? Before you're even twenty?


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Connor sighed If you could take your eyes off me, look ahead. Connor ran his

hand through his hair and stared somberly at her That's my pride. That's what's been

worth my degradation. If you truly want to face me, then reissue a challenge next month.

You'll fight toe to toe with me. then he got up from lying up against the wall and walked

back into the living quarters. Show me what the Euphemia can do, Alex. I've always had

my eye on you

Alexandra blushed, thankful for the low light setting and simply followed after

him for a time so she could rejoin the dinner table.

Connor strode through the apartment, it was unlike the living room. The rest of

the apartment was cold and white, the walls and the ceiling had an unsettling effect on

Connor, since they were so perfectly white. The doors were unpainted stainless steel

which only opened up from the outside with a passcode. The apartment was connected to

the warehouse, so it was an exceptional effort on the landowner's part to build the

apartments considering the warehouse was more of an extremely large shack (when

compared to the other housings for the machines). He jumped into bed after performing

his routine preparations and waited for the abyss to take him for another eight hours...

Connor woke up in his room again. He got up in his bed and grabbed his phone

from the bedside table. Probably the last he'll see of it. He called up a storage agent to

collect the valuables in case he was robbed. The new vessel that Connor had built was

enough to house his crew, although the in-ship storage was small and was smaller than

the warehouse. When Connor thought on it, he decided he'd miss the big room. He didn't

need much space anyways. The twelve other Gammas were bought for the first

commemorative museum dedicated to the robot battling sport. Connor got a text again.


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Although at that time it said it was from Connor's father. Nicholas Deirfnu. The famous

inventor who created the GAM system that allowed his son to build the battling machines

to become successful. Connor had a face of disgust, must be something business related.

My father's own number to get me, huh? I'll just have to get them back sooner or

later. Connor thought.

The text read as

Hey Connor! Seems you have issues responding to me when you're about to fight

me. Come to think of it, I can't believe you're the one who challenged me this time. See

you soon!


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Reginald rushed hurriedly to Connor, the new captain for Connor's new ship.

Reginald had sharp eyes, and he was a young man of about twenty five years. He had his

hair in sort of a bedhead look and he spoke discipline and preparedness. The kind of

captain Connor didn't want. He seemed exhausted and took a second to catch his breath

from the run. When he regained his breath, Reginald said Excuse me, Connor, but your

layout is... concerning me. He paused You see I'm not...--

Connor immediately responded You're not used to it. Well get used to it, this is

the only strip I could afford and land is expensive. Very, very expensive. Make use of my

investment and pilot the ship for practice beforehand.

Reginald nodded promptly and left in a sullen manner.

Connor sat down on the couch in the room. There was a simple TV and radio

across from it. He looked down at the coffee table and noticed a cup of orange juice and

scrambled eggs with bacon. Warm breakfast that didn't come from pre-prepared food was

a rarity for anyone who lived here.

Mali came from behind the bar, wearing a pink apron with the text #1 Mom

with a broad smile on his face. You know, sometimes I do feel like your mom though.

Eat up, I made that for you to commemorate the day we move out of this area and finally

have a ship like any normal rank one participant!( When the competition starts for the

season, each team is given grant money to build a machine, and then they play matches

against each other to gain money. Even the losing side will make a small profit as

everyone participating is salary. The more money, the better the robot, the higher the

league. There are ten leagues. Each league isn't required but it's the only way to keep

competition fair once all the participants play enough matches and their robots vary too


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greatly. - The Mech Arena for Dummies, Zenk Rederet)

Connor smirked, he added graciously All thanks to everyone here. Right Mali?

We've worked hard to get here.

Mali nodded, but then returned the grin with a deep smile and replied Ah we've

all did our share, but not as much as you have. This is your labor, your ship. Your

machine. Enjoy it, Connor.

Connor nodded, his mind whirled. He could only think of Nej and their upcoming

fight... He had some theories but nothing solid. Connor pulled out a small pocket diary,

which contained specs and models.It... Shouldn't be but I believe it is... There... As he

flipped through the pages quickly he found the schematics for the mech...Ah there is is,

project unkown... Wait! Connor stopped and pulled out a pack of cigarettes.

Jeff scratched his chin, there was getting to be a stubble and he was dangerously

approaching a beard instead of just sideburns. He asked in a concerned voice, Hey man,

what's got you down. That's not like you.

Mali was stunned when he saw Connor pull out the pack.

Connor raised an eyebrow and nodded as he lit the smoke. Change in plan, I'm

making three routine flights to adapt to the machine. Connor grabbed his radio from the

desk housing all of his plans open for review by the engineers in their spare time. He was

hoarse over it, obviously trying to show his urgency. Land the damn ship, you're gonna

wing it when we take off, I need to do practice flights...

Connor walked out of the living room and looked at the grassy steppe. The

apartment was somewhere around what was Russia, but cheap and fast transportation


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made countries lose their identity. It was flat and the grass was long and tough. It must

have been around fall because it was fairly cold, but not the harsh winters. It was still

morning but Connor found his palms covered in sweat anyways.

Connor focused ahead, now in the cockpit looking out at the arena, the Gazebo

was already up, although it was a tiny dot. The catapult was a small runway with a

platform meant for holding the Gam-Ax-13, it shot forward because of magnetics to

launch a mech prepared to boost ahead out. Connor put the chair back a bit forward, he

liked the discomfort.

Meanwhile at the Gazebo, Jeff was sitting in a chair with a famous interviewer

who was known as Jerid The Grill Kempf. He was known for his work in comedy

sketches and interesting pre-game for most sporting events. Although now he had a

serious look about him. Jerid's features were simple. He had an average face with dull

brown eyes, his hair was slicked back, although it was kept tightly down unlike Connor's,

which was slightly teased up. He wore a simple black suit with a white rose in it.

As where there was another face who sat on Jerid's other side. He was a giant of a

man with features, piercing. Green eyes and short red hair. He was muscular and wore a

suit, but was clearly uncomfortable in the plain suit which was of a cheap make, clearly

not his regular attire.

Jerid nodded once the cameraman announced the film was rolling. He spoke

smoothly, as he had rehearsed these lines. Even I can't make light of this match. Reach

Mechanics vs. Pasadena Electronics. Impressive, impressive. I've heard Connor has a

new mech from this from the committee themselves. I hear it's the final one in the line

too, the GAM-ax-13! Is this all correct, Jeff?


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Jeff nodded in agreement. Totally. Reach mechanics has a new pilot and a new

mech?

Jerid raised an eyebrow. Surprised you know, but yes, indeed.

The mysterious man in a poor suit leaned forward and said Yes. Indeed, I tire of

talk these interviews are always the same. Let's just fight! and with that, the brute of the

man pressed the button to let down the Gazebo and start the match.

Jerid paled and shouted No Zeke! Stop! What the he--and then the feed was cut.

Connor got the go ahead and launched the GAM-ax-13 with the approval of his

operator, Ashley.

Ashley's voice came over the headset Alright! The GAM-ax-13 is currently a fair

bit of miles away from the enemy craft. Can't tell you anything yet, will you want regular

reports as information becomes available, Connor?

The GAM-ax-13 finally came forth from the catapult, bursting like a giant X, the

appendage blades folded out and the folded in. It was a fearsome flight mode because it's

speed was unparalleled at that time in this form. Easily bursting forward creating an array

of light greens and dark reds, as the air gliders and boosters mixed.

Connor pondered on if everyone still lost this horribly if airship crews allowed

you to have an operator for your fights. Connor pressed a button and spoke into the

headset. Any information will do. Please inform me, and do not check if I understand or

anything. I'll need my full focus and it's enough that I need to focus on news.

Ashley's voice came over again Understood.

Connor nodded to himself and burst ahead. The black GAM-ax-13 shone with a


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terrible light and white marks lined the blades and appendages. There was still no visible

manipulators or head.

The giant red mech came into view. It was a demon in appearance, and it shared

traits of the GAM-ax-1. A red demon with a slender frame and the trademark cloak that

started it all.

Connor reached for the radio but a voice came over already.

Nej's voice came over straight this time, she sounded controlled. Connor could

imagine her face right now. Her features re-entered his mind, he cursed under his breath

that he couldn't smoke in the cockpit as she spoke over the radio. Connor, it seems you

followed that ambitious design through... really a work of art among all of these other tin

cans. Are you surprised I'm the one you're fighting?

Connor kicked a pedal, to meet her in combat faster and spoke over the radio No,

Nej, you gave me enough to know. You're the only person who could have gotten those

blueprints and you are licensed to pilot battle machines... Why though?

Nej's voice came over trembling. ... I wanted to get in a mech that I knew was

stronger than anything you'd have, your dad gave me that option. I will destroy any

machine that you get into. I won't let you live your passion, I fight for love, Connor. You

really are worth it, you're all I've learned to care about. I won't let you stand up and fight

for your own interests! her voice was shaking badly at this point.

Connor nodded to himself again. Alright, you've said enough.

His mech charged past the demon that nej piloted, missile pods launching from

the wings to attack.


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The GAM-ax-13 spun around instantly, the air gliders flaring creating a bust of

yellow and green behind it. The appendage blades flew back, hands and feet came forth.

The mech's back opened up revealing a full booster pack on the back, the pack took over

the airgliders job as the primary source of propulsion, and the GAM-ax-13 drew a

vibration saber. Vibration weapons were melee weapons that vibrated at high speeds to

deliver cut to reinforced metals.

Connor grimaced. To himself he added quietly, You really have said enough...

You think you're the only one hurting, but I'm the one who's being torn apart...

Connor cried.

END OF BEGINNING

CHAPTER 6: GO GAMMA! SHED YOUR SINS! BECOME

THE SAVIOR OF HUMANITY!

Nej grunted, the controls were more than she expected. Connor and his father

thought exactly alike, the machine was not made for ease of use...

The missiles exploded prior to contact with the red mech. The demon (as Connor

was testing) did indeed carry anti-missile weaponry. The red demon mech drew a beam


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saber. Expensive, meaning the mech didn't have many other weapons. Beam sabers had

massive energy requirements and depleted fairly quickly. Though they still trumped

Vibration blades in combat despite this limitation.

Connor grimaced.My father never added weapons to any of his designs, did Nej

think up of all this? She never showed any interest in the sport... Connor ground his teeth

as he reached for the advanced control panel.

The GAM-ax-13 threw the vibration sword above him, after a short while air

gliders turned on and the sword moved around as if it had free will, dodging around the

demon suit. The GAM-ax-13 drew what looked like a brass knuckle, except painted red

and it covered the back of his hand rather than the knuckle area. With a hissing sound, a

large red beam barrier came out. It was a grand shield, and the first of it's kind. The

GAM-ax-13 also flicked it's wrist and another vibro blade came out. The machine

charged forward, shield covering the advance. The vibro blade drawn back, ready to

strike once he entered range.

The vibro blade currently gliding around also turned to flank Nej.

One sword isn't going to be enough, asshole.Nej thought to herself.

The demon quickly brough the beam sword up to slash the vibro sword just barely

enough to damage the motor, and spun the sword hand so the saber was brought down on

the front of the shield, causing the GAM-ax-13 to lose it's balance and recover into a

defensive stance.

Nej's voice came on the radio You should realize eventually that you can't win.

You might as well be fighting your own father.


22/41

Connor grinned to himself, the tears still falling down his cheeks. If that's really

all my father had to give me to fight, I'm disappointed... Connor's hand moved under the

control panel. Nej... I hope you didn't bank it all on that outdated machine... Connor

felt the radio switch, then the loudspeaker switch.

The GAM-ax-13's sleek voice came over for the first time. It was a programmed

response once the loudspeaker came on. Voice recognition enabled came the response.

Connor brushed a tear away and dramatically spoke. When the dark ages end... I

will exist in the RENAISSANCE! Activate, RENAISSANCE system!

The GAM-ax-13 threw the beamshield, catching the red demon off guard and

throwing it back. The machine flashed bright red and the black was all gone, so where the

white stripes. All that remained was a glorious bright light red, and from the top of the

chest, now there lay a cavity where a head came up. The head looked beautiful and the

visor shone in the artificial light.

Connor's seat went below the machine's floor and the panels slid under, revealing

only his surroundings around him perfectly. His arms and where strapped into an

apparatus while he was standing and then the floor collapsed to form a perfect dome of

vision. Connor finally noticed the environment below was all jungle, an odd pick. The

artificial atmosphere was a bright blue, brighter than the faded blue of the sky that

surrounded earth during these times. He barely glanced at all of this, because even if the

pilot was Nej, the mechanical menace he faced was far greater than any other he dared to

challenge.

The new light red that shone with a brilliant power, compared to the dark blood


23/41

red of his father's original design contrasted greatly to his son's invention.

Connor grunted and took up a fighting stance, sword readied for a lunge attack.

First to himself, Connor muttered Well here goes nothing... and then with the

loudspeaker on he shouted Saint's Straight!

With blinding speed the new transformed machine made one more change, large

ethereal angel wings sprouted from the boosters, and the air gliders worked far beyond

specified capacity, without weapon the new improved GAM charged through weaponless

at the recovering red demon.

Nej laughed. Transformation or not, he was weaponless.Just a simple parry from

the beam saber...

The red demon was torn apart. The GAM-ax-13 landed it's hands on the body of

the demon before the hand even had time to react. With a loud straining sound the body

was torn in half and the cockpit was revealed. (Typically a trap door in the back was used

for cockpit release but since the body was torn in half the cockpit could easily boost out)

the cockpit's mini thrusters took off and the craft zipped off back to the ship. Nej bit her

thumb as she sat in the cockpit, it was a bit frustrating because the cockpit didn't contain

the main power source so there was a red flashing light now and an alarm was sounding.

It's always so hopeless... Just dumb luck... Connor... Connor...Nej was a bit choked up,

and pulled out her phone. She said Zeke, I have an idea... she was smiling

Connor glided back into the hatch, landing in humanoid form. Jeff and Mali

waited there (as they were the only people who can stand idle after a match) staring at it

slack jawed.


24/41

Connor jumped out. The hatch room was just filled with the mechs, all GAMs and

GAM prototypes for the other pilots in the company. The room was dark and a bit stiff,

the crew members were working diligently to bring the GAM-ax-13 in and make the

repairs and restore anything lost.

Jeff broke the silence with a laugh. He said in a joking tone Man, that was some

secret you kept. Hell, I didn't even know you gave it hands! The wings just about killed

me. You some kind of angel now?

Connor nodded. ...Was some secret. He said quietly. Connor ran his hand

through his hair. Excuse me, gonna go get some rest. he added.

Mali looked concerned but then seemed to think better about asking anything and

just said Well you just show up for dinner, we're gonna have a real feast for the debut

match. You know I slave over a hot stove every time you win for a reason!

Connor nodded. Connor turned around and set off to his room. Connor walked

through the ship, he didn't design the dcor for the interior and he didn't have an interior

designer so it was cold and gray all over the ship. The design of the interior build wise

was very luxurious though, Connor had some taste for architecture. Once he got to his

room he lay on his bed, no new texts this time, a blessing.

Connor cried.

CHAPTER 7: CAN'T WIN THEM ALL!

It was an afternoon at the mall. Christian swung the bag over his shoulder again, it


25/41

was heavy but he had to make the deliveries. The sun was blazing and the temperature at

the mall wasn't regulated like other malls, since the area was poorer. Christian sighed, he

was a 13 year old boy with brown hair and a freckled face. He wondered what life was

like for kids that didn't have to work all day and sometimes.

There was a man strolling around the mall. He found the kid with the sack. He

seemed very laid back, his face had features one could only describe as lazy and he wore

his hair in a loose ponytail. He shouted over at Chris. Hey kid, I'm twenty-nine-fourty.

That's mine.

Chris checked, sure enough he was the one. Chris nodded and prepared to hand

the man his bag.

The mysterious laid back man immediately grabbed Christian and put a rag to his

mouth and nose, Christian was out in seconds after a struggle. The crowd didn't care, they

had their own issues, a kid getting drugged and kidnapped didn't mean anything.

Connor looked on, he stopped by to resupply and watched the boy getting

kidnapped. Ain't worth a damn credit, ain't nobody going to save him... Although I can't

say anything.

Christian woke up. His mind was in a fog, his head swam. He looked around but

nothing made sense, it was just a gathering of bright lights. A voice came over the headset

(Christian didn't notice it was on him until the voice came on) Christian, you were the

hardest bargain all day, five hundred thousand credits. Your mom and pa can live in space

now. Christian smiled as it all fell together for him. He was choking up. His throat made

odd sounds.I'm... a slave? Well at least... they don't have to starve anymore. Countless


26/41

needles penetrated Christian. Christian was unfazed, any kid from the slums had more

needles than a desperate junky.

Christian cried.

The needles contained a solution which made Christian's veins tingle. He

suddenly became aware of everything. The cockpit was fairly streamlined and the

controls were simple. Christian actually felt the machine move with his thoughts, more

than the controls moved the machine. The controls consisted of 6 simple buttons and

movement was controlled with a pair of movable panels, how this functioned Christian

had no clue. Christian wiped his tears and surveyed his surroundings.

He was in some ship's hold. He could tell he was in the maintenance block

because the mechanics surrounded everything but his machine. He couldn't really discern

what they were doing...

Wait... A magnetic catapult? Christian's eyes grew wide. They expect me to fight

in this thing? Christian's mind raced rapidly, no longer able to process the situation.

Christian didn't have to process the situation, though. The voice came back over.

Alright kid, you fight to live. You don't fight we kill you the second that cockpit comes

back, and you'll be a disgrace. You put up a good effort and manage a draw we'll just

teach you a lesson. You. Can't. Lose the radio shut off immediately. The radio didn't

have a button to respond with.

Alexandra was in the cockpit of the Euphemia, ready to go.

Alexandra reached for the control panel, releasing movement locks. She spoke

into the headset Euphemia, ready to launch.


27/41

Her operator Jaufry came over, his Germanic accent thick. Ja. Catapult five

loaded and ready to fire, synced with gazebo.

Hans looked over, the interviewer was a newbie this time and a small tender man

sat on the couch on the opposite end. He had long hair and seemed rather new, smiling

sheepishly. He has truly soft, almost baby-like features. Though he was handsome, it was

more cute. He purchased a mech arena team just a month ago and he had a rank one line-

up.

The interviewer was just a simple man used to luxury. A taper cut styled in a

manly short cut, his features contrasted the new team leader as he was the epitome of

what a real man should look like. He coughed as said Well Blanc, it seems your new

team is shaping up brilliantly, although this time I understand it's a test pilot who wishes

to remain anonymous? Why not use someone like Tybalt?

The young boyish man smiled nervously. When he spoke up, it was a quiet

response. Can't always play your t-t-trump card too early, right? I f-f-figured I'd let this

experimental model prove itself he stuttered amateurishly as he was rarely asked the

questions in interviews until now. That's the second time I got put on the spot...

The gazebo is setting... I have until it disappears. Focus Chris... Focus godammit!

Christian's palms were slick with sweat once the magnetic catapult fired and Christian

launched. Christian froze... He didn't know why. There was seemingly nothing wrong at

that point in time. He sat there, frozen in terror, as he charged forward to nothing, as he

could see. The night was dark and his machine didn't have the lights turned on. Then it hit

Christian... He felt the wind.


28/41

A high pitched voice came over the radio You're a newbie, aren't you? No lights

and you're barely moving at all, so you can't have night vision like me. I guess I'll have

some fun seeing the look on rich boy's face... Christian panicked and jolted the controls

to the side.

It felt like his arm had exploded. Christian couldn't see anything but the pain in

his arm was real.

The euphemia charged in the pitch of the artificial night and struck the robot's left

arm. The girlish robot squarely struck the limb and it should have been torn clean...

Alexandra smiled as the ghastly robot made the counter attack. She thought to

herselfI've never seen anything so... creepy. It's like a walking spider, except the extra

legs are boosters and gliders. Ugh, a freak probably pilots it.

The robot grabbed the Euphemiaand the spider based robot got a grapple through.

The commentators were shocked that the Euphemia let this happen twice, trying to trade

blows with a clear grappling machine after losing a robot to Connor?

Alexandra smiled widely, she's been waiting for this chance.

The euphemia now being held still by the spider struggling in the air as the

euphemia cut her boosters with the air gliders not functioning since they require smooth

movements to catch currents to ride. The euphemia had a pulse of green energy and a

long energy blade came out and sliced off the limbs with quick precision.

Alexandra's voice came over the radio Fall for the same thing twice? Don't make

me laugh!

Christian cried out. The pain was too much, both of his arms were cut off leaving


29/41

the boosters. It was no use, Christian had no clue what to do, no training.

Can't win em all, can ya, Christian? Was bad luck, really all that I got to say. Bad

luck, man... Ugh maybe I can...? Screw it, I'll die...

It's all hopeless, ain't it? All I got waiting for me is another fight and another

fight. Living? Who would want to live anyways. I'm glad I didn't win...

Christian cried.

CHAPTER 8: OR CAN YOU?

Connor moved through the town, the experience at the mall earlier that day

bugged him. Further more, this was the last town that used skyscrapers instead of

underground facilities. Connor was paranoid despite having spent the day here, afraid that

one of them would fall over. Why would they let such tall buildings crowd the city? Still

in the poverty struck region of Philidelphia, the buildings towered in the night sky, the

smoke rolled through the streets as a waywardly breeze tossed the fumes through the city.

The trench coat Connor wore fit him nicely, although the price didn't. The price in credits

could have been enough for some spare wires and maybe a good tool... Ridiculous,

Connor though to himself.

The stores lined up among their giant companions, they were all for cheap foods.

Mexican, Asian, European, all sorts of restaurants lined the streets. Connor sighed and

decided on a sushi bar. The small joint was fairly tightly packed, eyes glued on the

screen. Connor made his order, not even paying attention to what he ordered and watched

the game. The lighting was poor but the camera caught the action well enough.


30/41

Connor was thinking as he watched the match.Damn, that's a scary machine...

Spiders always gave me the creeps. Euphemia going in? It's planning on grappling,

Alexandra has something nasty planned.

Sure enough, as if on queue the Euphemia revealed a green bust of energy, like a

speedy Chinese dragon chasing around the machine. The opponent lost 2 limbs and

almost lost the match right then and there.

The ads rolled and the commentators talked about the system and how it revealed

a lining for it all over the machine so that limbs could be cut off in a grapple. It even had

a guiding system particularly for the kind of enemies it was designed for (to avoid a

repeat mistake with Connor)

The waiter came to Connor with his order once he found a spare seat. Nobody

was by him, this was fine. Eating alone at a bar watching a friend do something was kind

of depressing though, but he definitely wasn't wasting his time... At any time now...

The Euphemia backed away after slicing off the limbs, it went back to reengage

with the mysterious robot as Connor prepared to eat the first roll, but then the Spider

robot snapped as if it was snapping into attention and one of it's eyes flashed a brilliant

light, it charged forward, arms still falling at it's sides to the bottom of the arena, at the

Euphemia and...

The TV went out. Connor let out an exasperated gasp and finished his meal

hastily, preparing to run out to deliver the message early so he can get back on ship with

the materials and see the replays later...

The man in the ponytail that Connor saw kidnapping the kid earlier came up to

him. I'm here for the message...


31/41

Connor grimaced, his hand immediately going for his knife. Connor took a few

steps back and asked politely Can I get a code then, sir?

The man with a lazy face responded quickly Five-oh-four-two-one

Connor grabbed the parcel from his trench coat pocket and held it up. The pay,

sir? Connor said, holding tight to the message.

The man threw Connor a card, it had the right amount of credits marked with a

tracking device to the owner if it wasn't. The tracking device followed the owner directly

since the trackers were in his bloodstream.

Connor backed away slowly, the man backed away too, and once out of each

others vision they simply walked away. Connor wiped sweat from his forehead. He

thought to himself God damn what the hell is up with that guy? Connor opened his cell

and sent a text alert to Mali so he can pick him up, the deed was done.

Mali spun the car around the curb, the car was a vintage model, remade more

times and for more generations than he could count, it was his pride and joy. A black

sports car. It was rare because it still utilized wheels, Mali enjoyed taking advantage of

the paved road in poorer towns.

Connor got into the Car, interior was leather. A very respectable method of

transportation. The ride was uneventful and Connor flicked out another cigarette butt

once they neared the ship.

Mali smiled You think of anything? You were smoking like a fiend the whole

time.

Connor responded cryptically. The next fight.

Mali sighed and they both got out of the car, the main hold for the ship as dull as


32/41

ever.

Connor went back to his room and pulled out his phoneInterior designer for hire

huh? He thought to himself.I'll hire that one lady, she had an apprentice too...

CHAPTER 9: CONVICTION CURRENTS

The Gazebo was once again out in the center of the arena, with the gentle faced

Blanc to the left, and Jeff to the right. There was no banter.

Jeff yawned and suggested Alright just bring out the freak mech. It'll get

crushed. Can't fight on the same arena twice anyways.

Blanc smirked Yes, let's get on with it. The Genein is ready. The match isn't even

worth commentating

Jeff raised an eyebrow I remember people talking down the GAM line. Maybe

you don't remember the legendary Dr.Deirfnu. You're going against the man who changed

the era, in effect.

The interviewer pressed the Gazebo button, the time ran out. He let out an

exasperated sigh because most of the time was wasted on a technical difficulties report

and an emergency news flash over the air.

Connor checked out his system, this time starting out in RENAISSANCE mode.

The catapult clicked, and the GAM was off. The gazebo fell through and the

Arena filled with water...

Connor sighed as he had to activate the headset Prepared to roll back for aquatic

combat, Ashley. Please prepare the standard kit.

Ashley's voice came over, this time she seemed confused. Well, uh, you see...


33/41

The standard kit is currently in repair. Let me see which ones are available...

Connor smashed his hand into the control panel What? What happened?

Ashley responded promptly Well according to the aquatics division there were

tiny spiders applying metal rotting chemicals to the parts... Hm... Ah, we have bombadier,

sniper, torpedo, and steel wind available for use, and we have an allowance to prepare

one to ship.

Connor raised an eyebrow. That's a bit tacky of the opponent, making it so

obvious. We don't have a vibro master set available?

Nope, there are no Vibro blades available either

Connor kicked back and waited for the adjustments Bombadier, prepare steel

wind. Launch on command

Confirmed. Prepare to launch in 10 seconds, attachments being added.

Then sliding boxes came to the catapult lane side and waterproofed the mech and

adding pieces of armor and weaponry.

The appendage blades were covered in black boxes, and the booster and air glider

areas were water propellers. The boxes slid away after adding a final black box strapped

to the GAM's chest.

Ashley reported the situation neatly Initializing take off on catapult 5-A, tighten

hatch entry and all spare holes, prepare for submersion! GAM launches in 3... 2... 1!

Connor braced himself as he dashed forward, the artificial lake still was not full

so he free fell into the water... This time the water was fairly murky, compared to what he

was used to. The machine was using something to darken the environment, maybe it's

aquatic form used ink to continuously darken an area until it diffuses... Connor thought to


34/41

himself.

The Geinen appeared as if from nowhere and charged the GAM as it stood in the

center of the cloud of ink.

Christian charged into the ink bomb area, this time he felt like he was moving

through the water himself... He was unpleasantly surprised with himself, but it was

getting a bit fun... The movement and the game intoxicated him as a spectator but now as

a player he could see the GAM before him.I've never seen the GAM! I could only afford

to watch rank 9 matches in arena and I had to hear about it over the radio... What a

great mech... Why is he just standing there?

The Geinen struck at the GAM. The strike seemed strong and calculated, a certain

win for the Geinen if it landed. The perfect reflexes and limitless movement of the

machine surprised Connor. It just didn't move like a robot.

Game over. Christian thought to himself.

The GAM before the Geinen was ethereal, it held no phsyical form, and then the

ink warped about in front and the GAM seemed to bend with it slightly...

Christian threw his head up, the drugs long term effects allowed him to directly

see through the camera. Although now he required a nerve connection to the machine.

There was a burst of motion in the ink cloud above him. The GAM returned the Geinen's

stare.

Connor smiled widely, looking down at the Geinen from the RENAISSANCE

cockpit. Posed with appendage blades out, fully drawn, pointing towards the Geinen.

Oxygen bubbles rose from the new bulky boxes and holes riddled the forms, propelled

bombs and mines scattered everywhere below him the massive display of the deathly


35/41

array was impossibly large, bombs littered the area by the hundreds.

The Geinen speedily threw itself away and avoided most of the barrage as he kept

his front propellers fired slowly. A bold waste of energy, as rotors took a lot of power to

spin fast enough to propel the mechs. Fourteen homing missiles came toward the Geinen,

who used his booster leg (as the boosters on the Geinen's backpack had legs on them) to

fire at them. 12 of them went down but two hit his legs, immediately crippling Christian.

Christian gripped his controls as the pain flowed through him. He was frantically

looking about to find the GAM.

The GAM was nowhere to be found, as it returned to cover in the ink fog.

The Geinen put it's hand forward and started spraying a thick stringed substance

around, it seemed to halt and Christian started weaving a web.

The web was a band of six strings when the GAM charged forward colliding

with it.

Connor's controls seized up, the GAM...

Christian clearly saw the GAM and it didn't look like it did last time, instead of

the heavy black breastplate covered in lenses with the giant black boxes it now was

covered in slender blades of a metal alloy that gleamed even in the inky environment.

The GAM was in flight form when beam swords formed around the ending of the

drawn appendage. Immediately slicing the mysterious cord, as where not even a vibro

blade could slice it.

Since the bottom legs had the function too, Connor's camera went temporarily

blind with oxygen bubbles from the boiled water.

The GAM transformed so it could move backwards and prepare for combat, but...


36/41

The Geinen didn't move, but now it had two weapons on each hand, when fired

harpoons shot out towards the GAM.

The GAM tried to dodge down but the Harpoons followed his trajectory slightly.

Connor grimaced and prepared the loud speaker. Connor passionately yelled

Revolution Cut!

The harpoons landed, but a transformation was taking place. The GAM instead of

forming an X shape now merged two sets of it's appendage and it became a giant beam

saber, charging with the added speed of the harpoons.

Christian had a single tear come to his eye. He wasn't sure how he would win, but

without thinking he jerked the left panel.

The Geinen boosted with everything left, pulling with the charging blade in tow.

Connor's eyes widened, the Geinen was glowing red. It moved at least twice as

fast than previously.I got careless, huh? Damn.

The Geinen dropped the harpoons, the chest now gleamed and right before the

Geinen was sliced in twain, a massive blast came from it's breastplate. The GAM was

pushed back and Connor transformed into humanoid, the slender blade-like design

remaining.

Christian sighed a breath of relief, although it was then he noticed, the GAM was

still moving. What? Is he cheating? The power should be out and there's no batteries

affordable to maintain that much energy... What?

Connor sat in the cockpit. He could only see directly in front of him down the

middle, a tiny room of camera. The rest was shut off.

Connor also turned off lower extremity function in reserve.


37/41

Connor grimaced in the RENAISSANCE cockpit, bathed in an unusual darkness.

Connor started focusing his breath.

Ashley came over the headset The Geinen is planning on evading again, due to

changes in water currents...

Shut up.

Connor pressed the radio Draw your damn sword

The Geinen's multiple eyes lit a dark red, the hue reflecting on the quickly

diffusing cloud of ink.

Connor was holding the radio button Come on.

The Geinen grabbed a leg attached to the booster and upon drawing the limb, it

straightened out into a spear, the blade was black and green, it seemed almost completely

hidden, were the cloud thicker it would have been completely invisible.

Connor spoke in an admonishing tone. You might want to have used that

earlier... I don't understand why you'd make such a simple mistake, it's like you don't

want to risk anything.

Christian made a rueful smile, knowing the mistake. You... Are so lucky. You can

gamble and win... Who cares if you lose, who cares. Christian started shaking Go to

hell... With his and the Geinen's gaze focused on the GAM (arguably they shared the

same gaze) blood covered one eye and his mouth was warped through the deep emotion

and pain, no longer a budding youth striving to save his family.

The Geinen trembled momentarily as it charged forward, Spear ready to run the

GAM straight through the body.

Go to hell.


38/41

The GAM did not stir. It simply floated there as air bubbles gently caressed the

frame and the inky cloud cleared up more.

Go to hell!

The Geinen's ghastly spear almost made contact with the GAM.

The GAM sprung into action, reaching out.

GO TO HELL!

The Geinen feinted and pulled the spear back, ready to deliver the final blow, a

wide sweep across the GAM's now slender frame.

The GAM connected, grabbing the back, and seemingly ripping something off.

There's nothing to grab on the body, what is he doing... Christian thought to

himself again.Even if there was something to grab it's over...

The GAM closed it's fist. A massive explosion erupted and Chris felt extreme pain

in his back, blood ran down the slender steel nerve cables.

Jeff's voice was audible now, since experienced fighters (and long time

spectators) often tuned out the voice of the announcers. His tone professional We

commandeer the Geinen and hire the pilot for our crew under articles 14h and 2v of the

Mech Arena rules, in other words, the Anti-slavery and psycho-synthetic technology

clauses.

A giant wire shot from the GAM-xa-1 (The name of the ship as it came to be once

the blueprints released) and it hooked on to the GAM, putting it in tow, hanging on to the

disabled Geinen with one arm, as the other arm was not spared by the vicious spear

attack.

The towing system was slowly pulling in the two machines as the crowd roared in


39/41

disgust and rage, the richer class did care about slavery, their morals in place

comparatively. The monitors and the screens (now that the fight was over) went to normal

television, Christian's portrait was displayed before everyone, gasps filled the stands. It

was just a kid, luckily it was his school portrait, saving the arena from answering for his

current condition. Blood soaked and twisted in pain, his tender young body hooked up to

a large metallic chair, in a dark, faintly glowing room lit by a soft red light. There was

also a fecal matter facility, and a protein paste dispenser. Christian had lived in the grim

room for the two months that he fought and won consistently.

Blanc smashed his cigarette butt on the ground. The man on the phone had a slick

voice, his dialogue was witty and filled with deceit.

Blanc smiled as he talked into the phone Ah, another hundred million credits, I

don't even supply the repair money for all of the underground betting, black market mech

gambling... It's a shame you didn't take up this craft.

The voice on the phone returned this statement Hardly a craft, you lack talent. In

any event don't bother showing up to court, we'll just fill you in with email transcripts etc.

etc. you'll walk away just giving the parents more money. The slave boy can gain nothing

once we show his petty theft totals and criminal history... Stuck in limbo.

Blanc laughed Ah well I cheated the parents out of some credits, they can have

it. The poor bastards

The phone line was cut, Blanc checked the amount of time the call lasted. What

an arrogant Lawyer, does he expect me to notice that he cut off the call exactly before he

charged another hour?

The soaked Geinen and GAM crashed, they were thoroughly totaled, to the floor


40/41

of the hatch once the tow cleared them a couple thousand feet to bring them to the ship.

Connor jumped out of the GAM's cockpit door located in the chest. The red jumpsuit

stuck out even more now that the GAM's frame was covered in steel plating.

Jeff and Mali once again waited to greet Connor.

Jeff raised an eyebrow at Connor, and asked politely What, not going to meet

mysterious slave boy?

Connor pulled out a smoke. Not that lunch wasn't good, I'd rather I didn't have to

taste it again. He said in a cryptic tone as he walked off to his room to organize some

plans and manage the crew a bit.

Mali nodded. He steeled himself, the med kit he held in his hand was certainly not

an idle addition. A group of engineers followed them as the walked over to the Geinen

and opened the hatch door. The rotten flesh scent filled their nostrils, along with the fecal

matter systems failing, the stench was near unbearable and the engineers entered with

their tools. Christian proved difficult to remove, and the engineers didn't touch his face.

They didn't want to see what lied under the long locks of disheveled hair. The brown was

a faded tone and the only discernible feature was a long string of saliva that hung below

his hair.

The engineers called in professional medics to help remove the nerve system, he

still bled copiously at the disconnection and was shortly paralyzed. It was predicted the

paralysis would wear off soon. Giant holes riddled Christian's back. His limp, pale figure

was dragged through the cockpit as a suitable stretcher for the patient would not fit...

When a doctor pulled back Christian's hair to check him, tears were still

streaming down his cheeks.


41/41

Chrstian cried this time, but it was not sorrow that overtook his tear ducts. Rather

it was bliss.Mom... Dad... Maybe I can forgive and... and things will be alright...

Christian thought in his pseudo conscious as he passed in and out of awareness, feeling

no pain and incapable of sight... Just him alone to his own thoughts. The Geinen's

awareness removed... The demon left him, and there was a terrible hollowness remaining.

Christian pondered as his thoughts lay intact, maybe the Geinen was really his friend the

whole time... There was times he imagined the Geinen talked to him in the middle of the

day when he was given time to view recreational material... The Geinen in particular

seemed to share it's happiness with Christian when they would watch movies about the

old extinct spiders of the old days...

Come back, please... I miss you

Tears continued to stream down Christian's comatose face.

CHAPTER 9: A TAG TEAM MATCH?

Connor

Symphony of Metal Chapters 1-8 (WIP)

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