Kalia soared above the clouds, unaware she now had two sets of people looking for her. One wanted her. The other wanted her dead. Neither concerned the diminuitive Gynoid as she was off on a search of her own. A search for an unknown signal she'd sensed moments ago. It was an odd way of putting it considering she wasn't human, but really there was no other word for it.
The thing of it was, it didn't feel like she was any closer to it now than what she'd been before. Normally she wouldn't bother with something so trivial, but something about it left her feeling uneasy so she couldn't ignore it; especially not if it was a threat to her. Of course, that was assuming a bit much as, even in her current state, she was more than a match for most anyone.
Then again, it might've been nothing. Better to be sure. she asserted, remembering the one time in her life she'd been off guard. No way she was going to let that happen again. Still, try as she might, none of her sensors detected anything. Kalia stopped suddenly, righting herself in midair. Something wasn't right. She'd been searching for close to an hour and still hadn't found anything. Nor had she gotten any closer to it.
Was it moving? Or was it avoiding her sensors somehow? It was the only way she could see that happening. Either that or... "Or maybe I'm going about this the wrong way." she thought to herself as she cupped her chin in thought.
Closing her eyes, she slowly drew her arms and legs inward, then spread them out again as dozens of metallic spheroids ejected from her body; each the size of a steely. They spun about her once, gradually slowing to a fixed position around her body. The entire time, she remained absolutely still with her eyes closed.
Her peripheal vision was extended a thousand fold, enabling her to see and hear in all directions for miles around. It was one of a myriad of abilities affored her by the nature of her design and one she'd seldom used. If there was anything, no matter how small, or remote, there was no way it would escape detection. So she thought. The moment the nanopods were in place and had begun to transmit, the signal went dead. When Kalia reopened her eyes, her expression was downright murderous. Someone, somewhere was toying with her and she didn't like it.
Which meant that someone was going to pay.
The nanopods flew back into her body, instantly becoming one with her again. She had lost the signal she was looking for, but she had found something else that was mildly amusing and thought it might be fun to look into it. Besides, it was a shame to waste a bad mood. Kalia smirked, then grinned maliciously. Why not?
She redirected her attention back the way she came. By her count, there were four of them, though only two were worth bothering with. Hardly enough to satisfy her, but she supposed they'd have to do. Of course, there was always that other diversion. Kalia hadn't forgot about her. She was just waiting for the right time, meaning when she was back at full capacity.
Without a word, she turned and took flight again; leaving a yellow streak behind her.
___________________________________________________________________
It was a lie.
It had to be.
Either that or she was mistaken.
There was just no way.
When Ryoga'd first seen her she was being pursued, she'd been the victim. Those things were the bad ones. But, if what Afura'd just told him was the truth, which she insisted she was, that girl was a bigger threat than the Bugrom or anything else for that matter. Afura had called her ancient, a biological weapon of uniamginable evil and destructive power which dated back the days of their "Old World". If that were true, then that cute looking fifteen year old "girl" was old enough to be his great-great grandmother a couple hundred times removed.
Guess they really didn't build 'em like they used to.
"I know it's hard to believe." Afura was saying. "But I swear to you, it's the truth."
"I... I had no idea..." Ryoga said in disbelief.
"Perhaps it was best that you didn't." she answered matter of factly. "It might be what saved you."
"Maybe." Ryoga conceded. "But still... "
"If it's any consulation" she said, "you're not the first to to be deceived by her. Kalia fooled all of us. Fortunately, you didn't have to find out the way we did."
"Lucky me." Ryoga chuckled nervously. Afterward, he heaved a sigh and asked, "Is she really all that bad?"
"If you still need convincing, come with me."
"You mean...?" he asked her, pointing upward.
"You'd rather walk?" Afura countered, hands on her hips.
"Guess not." he said with a shrug. "So... where do I...?"
Afura's eyes narrowed a bit. "Just hold tight." she said. "And watch were you put your hands."
Fighting back his nose, yet again, he wrapped his arms around her waist and gave a nod that he was ready. When he felt her lift off the ground, he inadvertantly tightened his grip, causing her to wince in pain.
"Not so tight!" she snapped.
"Eh-heh. Sorry." he said with a sheepish grin.
Afura "hmphed" and levitated again. She allowed him a moment to adjust to the feeling being off the ground. Then rose high into the the air and took flight. For Ryoga, it was the second time, in as many days, he'd been this close to such a curvacious form. He just hoped his nose didn't get the better of him. If the fall didn't kill him, the nosebleed would.
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(Posted Thu, 04 Oct 2007 07:21)
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