Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Nightmare

     --Zyrian Mother Ship--

     In order to prove that the signal was indeed coming from the zergyx, Zoal had ordered his personal favorite warrior to bring out their prisoner. She was Xxionia, an alien princess the Zyrians had taken prisoner long ago, back when Zoal first witnessed the power of the zergyx weapon system. It was built by her people, a race of blue skinned humanoid beings called the Anoeamians, or "Blue Ghosts". Xxionia had to watch the deaths of both her parents and the destruction of her home planet, forever leaving a mental scar in her memory.

     She felt nothing but hatred towards the Zyrians, especially their cruel leader, Zoal.
For it seemed he felt no regret for those he killed, and took pleasure out of conquering other races. The zyrians were barbaric beings, who felt superior compared to the rest of life in the universe, and set out to prove this by destroying anyone they came in contact with, and then taking back with them anything they deemed valuable.

     The two zyrian guards entered the room with Xxionia and pushed her down to the floor, where she landed at Zoal's feet. She was frightened and started backing away, until one of the guards stopped her as he put his gun against her back. "Now you and I both know, you can't escape", Zoal smirked as he approached the wall and grabbed his sword off it. Xxionia remained silent and watched as he stepped closer to her, with the end of the blade in her face.
"You remember this sword, don't you?" Zoal said. Xxionia narrowed her eyes and nodded in response. "You remember it, because it was the very same sword that took the lives of your parents", Zoal continued.

     "The very same blade, that beheaded them before your very eyes", he grinned.
"And killed most of your own people, if I might add". Xxionia stared back at the blade, and began experiencing flashbacks of her horrible past. Bhor noticed Zoal standing over her with his sword and began to wonder what he was doing. "Surely, you're not going to kill her", Bhor asked. "I thought you needed her alive, in order to activate the zergyx?"
Zoal pulled the sword away from Xxionia's face and then turned his attention to Bhor. "Of course, I'm not going to kill her now", he replied. "I was merely scaring her, giving her a reason to fear me and my power". -"And what of the zergyx?" Bhor asked. "Weren't you going to interrogate her?"

     -"But of course", Zoal nodded. Xxionia did not speak their language, but she clearly understood what they were talking about. She knew they longed to obtain the powerful weapon system, and also knew they were going to use her to control its power.
"We've detected a signal", Zoal began to explain to her. "A strong signal, unlike any in the past, and what we'd like to know is if you feel any type of connection with it?"
Xxionia narrowed her eyes, and remained silent, hoping they would give up and return her to her dark chamber. "I know your people had a connection with that machine", he continued. "I saw it with my own eyes, they had to establish a connection in order to activate it, so you must feel something".

     Xxionia did feel something, but she wasn't quite sure what it was. The feeling made her feel numb and cold all over, but she didn't dare show any public reaction to it. "You do, don't you?" Zoal said as he knelt down. "You aren't fooling any of us, it is the zergyx isn't it?"
Xxionia let out a sigh, and nodded just to get over with it. She was tired and didn't feel like being interrogated any longer. "I knew it", Zoal exclaimed. "After all these years, we're finally going to get what we've been searching for". -"One would hope", Bhor added.
"Don't be a fool, Bhor", Zoal snapped. "It is the zergyx, her senses wouldn't lie".
- "I never said it wasn't", Bhor replied with a bow. "But forgive me, anyway my lord".
"Very well", Zoal nodded. "We must set our course in the direction of that signal, and now before we lose it!" - "Yes, my lord", Bhor replied. "I will see that it is done".

     --AMF Headquarters--

     Lynne sat in front of her computer with a puzzled expression across her face. She had been going through all the profiles of their registered soldiers, in order to acquire Justin Church's finger print data to input in their new lab security system. It would give him and the others she selected to be in on the secret project, with complete access to the facility. By now she had gone over nearly two hundred profiles, when she took note while looking at Stan Winston's data. "No finger print record", she said to herself. "How in the hell did he register in our system then?" Lynne suddenly heard a knock on the door, and Admiral Grant walked in.
"Busy?" He asked. -"A little", she sighed. "I'm having a hard time deciding who to include in this top secret project".

     "Funny", Grant remarked. "I thought you were only going to include Justin?"
-"I don't know now", Lynne sighed. "I'd like to have more help, so I've been looking through all the profiles, but I recently came across something odd". -"What would that be?" Admiral Grant asked. -"Well", Lynne replied, as she scratched her head. "It appears that Corporal Stan Winston does not have a finger print registered". -"Well, then I guess you'll have to have him register one", Grant replied. "But I must say, that is rather odd because none of our soldiers have access to anything without running a finger print scan". Lynne turned off the monitor and shrugged. "Well, it could just be a system error", she added. "We've been getting a lot of those recently, but just to be sure I'll have him come in and register again".

     It was getting late, and Maxwell Graham had finished collecting the profit the Card Shack made, preparing to send it to Morane's headquarters. He stacked it all in a brief case, and slammed it shut, then started heading out the doors. Outside it was dead silent, Maxwell took the keys out of his pocket and began locking the doors of the building when suddenly he felt someone grab him from behind and slam his body against the doors. He dropped the briefcase and looked up to see Stan glaring back at him. "You seem to have a problem with my friend", Stan snarled. "What the hell do you want?" Maxwell snapped back. "I want you to show some respect, is that so much to ask for? -"Your friend must be that obnoxious soldier", Maxwell smirked. "Tell me, Stan what exactly is a robot doing, socializing with the enemy, is Morane aware of this?"

     -"That's no business of yours", Stan replied as he grabbed Maxwell by the throat. "You think Morane gives a shit about you? You're nothing but a little errand boy, Maxwell".
-"Are you going to kill me, Stan?" Maxwell asked, as he struggled to breathe. "No", Stan replied as he released him. "But, I want to". -"Does your soldier buddy know the truth?" Maxwell asked. "Does he? Does he know you're nothing but a god damned machine!" Angered, Stan kicked Maxwell hard in the shin, and then stormed off. Maxwell winced in pain as he favored his wounded leg, and then got back to his feet and grabbed the briefcase. "That stupid robot", he groaned. "One day, I'm gonna disconnect his ass".

     At that same time, Lynne had contacted Stan and informed him that he needed to come in the next day and register his finger print. Stan was startled to find that he didn't have one on file, and knew that it would be impossible to pull off, so he reported to Morane to discuss the matter. "They say I don't have one on file", Stan explained. "And I agreed to report to them and register one, but how can I?" Morane sat in his chair, his face hidden by the shadows, only the glow of the cigar in his mouth was visible, and the smoke that surrounded it. "That does sound like a problem", he replied. "But never fear, I've got just the solution".
-"What exactly would that be?" Stan asked him. "It's a dirty job, but I know just the two who can do it".

     "You want us to what?" Victoria exclaimed in disgust. -"I want you to take this scanner and run a print scan on my deceased son", Morane explained. -"And out of all your men, you've chosen us?" Maxwell asked. -"My other guys are busy", Morane said. "Just like I'm going to be in a few". "Why in the world, do you need us to do this?" Maxwell continued. "Don't you still have all your son's info?" -"No, I don't", Morane replied. "After his death, I had it burned".
-"Well that was a smart move", Victoria replied with sarcasm. -"It was for a good reason", Morane smirked. "But anyway, I want you two to head on over to the cemetery and take care of it". -"And what if we refuse?" Victoria added. -"Well then", Morane said, the tone of his voice sounding deeper. "All the money going towards your future club, will belong to me".
-"And to make things worse for you, everything you own will belong to me, now have I made myself clear?" -"Crystal", Victoria remarked.

     Brian had just turned off his television set, and lay back on the couch, about to pass out from exhaustion. A lot of things were running through his mind, mainly memories of his brother and their parents, but also the events that had taken place the past two nights. He had met William Sterling, a soldier of the AMF, and at first he hated him, but began to realize that William was not a bad guy at all, and that he had to face the everyday ridicule from the civilians of Atlantis city. "I was wrong to harbor hatred against the soldiers", Brian thought to himself. "I don't even know why I started hating them in the first place". He had finally fallen asleep, but was unprepared for what he was about to see in his dreams.

     At first it was all a blur, but he heard the sounds of lasers and explosions, and saw what appeared to be a large saucer shaped craft, black in color with blood red lights. He tossed and turned, as the ship came closer, and soon it was close enough he could see the outline of a dark figure walking out towards him, with a sword. Brian opened his eyes and was relieved to find that it was only a dream, but an awful one at that. "I wonder if that was supposed to mean anything", he pondered. "Probably not, just my imagination". He fell back asleep, but didn't have anymore nightmares, instead he slept like a baby.

     Meanwhile, Maxwell and Victoria had arrived at the cemetery. It was a large fancy mausoleum that had been built a long time ago, and it even contained the bodies of the heroes from the past. The caretaker was no where in sight, so Maxwell assumed, he had left,
and much to their surprise the doors weren't locked, so they could right in.
Maxwell pulled out a flashlight and began searching for the marker. Victoria on the other hand, just whipped out her cigarette holder and started smoking, while looking at some of the graves.
"This wall is too damn long", Maxwell groaned. "Too many damn people buried here".
-"Oh stop your complaining, and find the damn marker", Victoria scolded. "I don't know about you, but I wanna get the hell outta here".

     -"You must think I want to stay, then?" Maxwell remarked. -"Well this is your ideal place", Victoria laughed. "You'd fit in with all the other stiffs here". Maxwell just rolled his eyes and continued his search. "I think I've found it", he announced. -"Well, it's about time". Victoria replied. -"Yep, this is the one", Maxwell nodded as he began to pull out the coffin.
It was as cold as ice, and it was sealed shut, locked with a security device that required an access code. Luckily Morane had written it down for them, and Maxwell began to punch it in.
"Get over here and help me", he called over to her. -"Just a minute", Victoria snapped. "I found Scott Bernard's marker". -"Oh, for crying out loud", Maxwell uttered in disappointment.

     Victoria approached the famous heroines, grave site and continued smoking her cigarette. "How you doin?" She asked as she eyed the portrait hanging above the marker. "You were quite the sheik in your day", she continued. "A real keen fella".
Maxwell struggled to get the coffin open, and noticed Victoria was still at the other end.
"Will you stop flirting with that dead man, and come give me a hand?"
-"Oh Dry up", She called back. "I was just havin a little chat is all, ya know? showing my appreciation for the deceased". -"Bloody, hell just get your ass over here!" Maxwell exclaimed in frustration.
-"I'm comin, I'm comin", victoria replied, as she dropped her fur coat on the ground.

     Maxwell finally got the coffin open, and reached in his pocket for the scanner, but it wasn't there. "Damn", he sighed. Suddenly Victoria appeared beside him, with the scanner in her hands. "Looking for this?" she scoffed. -"Cut it out", he snapped. "Now lift up the corpse's hand so I can scan the print". -"Hell no", Victoria snapped. "I ain't touchin that thing, you do it". -"But you had no problem, flirting with a dead man", Maxwell remarked. "Why can't you touch one?" -"There's a difference, you sap", she argued. -"Fine, I'll hold the hand up, you scan it", Maxwell grumbled. -"I think I hear someone coming", Victoria whispered.
-"Maybe it's Scott Bernard, coming to answer your call", Maxwell laughed. "Don't razz me", Victoria snapped. "I think maybe I was born in the wrong time period, I should of been around when all those RDF hunks were". -"Oh please", Maxwell rolled his eyes. "None of those respectable men would have anything to do with a flapper". -"Says you", Victoria replied with her nose in the air. Suddenly she heard what sounded like footsteps coming from outside. "I think I hear someone coming", she whispered. "We'd better hurry and get outta here, and fast!"

     Maxwell suddenly heard the footsteps as well. "You're right", he nodded.
-"Well hurry up", she scolded. "You want to get caught?" Maxwell grabbed a hold of the corpses hand and Victoria slid the scanner under the index finger. -"Well, did it work?" he asked. -"Yes, got it", she replied. -"Good riddance", Maxwell sighed. "Now to get outta here!".
Maxwell closed the coffin and pushed it back into the wall, and then both of them snuck out the back. The footsteps they had heard, happened to be Brian Smith, he had decided to come pay his brother's grave a visit. He walked through the doors, and noticed something lying on the floor. It was a fancy tan colored fur coat, Victoria had forgotten to grab it before she and Maxwell got away. Brian picked it up and caught a scent of the strong perfume combined with the smell of cigarette smoke, and knew right away who it belonged to.
"The hell, would she be doing here?" Brian asked himself.

     He started walking down the hall, and towards his brother's marker, but also kept an eye out for any sign of Victoria. He had found her coat, and wondered if maybe she were still there. "Miss Thompson?" he called out, as his voice echoed throughout the building. He heard nothing, and it was dead silent so he assumed she had left. He stood in front of his brothers grave , just staring at the engraved name. "Still can't believe you're gone", he sighed as he pulled out a cigarette and lit it. "But believe it or not, I've been okay in fact I think things are turning out for the best", he said. "I met a friend, a soldier, like you once were", he continued. "He's really nice, a swell guy to be around, you would of liked him. Meeting him has changed my view on the AMF soldiers, especially because I see how bad they've got it, I mean you can't help but sympathize with them, for being hated by the city folk."

     Brian felt like an idiot, believing he was talking to his brother when he knew his brother was dead and probably couldn't hear him. "Well, I feel as if I am talking to myself", Brian sighed. "But if you can hear me, just know that I miss you and always will". He felt himself tear up and decided to leave, instead of staying behind to cry. "So long", he said as he started leaving. "I'll be back again, later on I suppose". Brian had just gotten to the doors when he looked down at the coat on the ground again. "She might like to have it back", he thought to himself. "After all, it's gotta be worth thousands of clams". He picked it up and walked out the doors and towards the gates exit. He knew most of the city people were still awake and would give him a funny look since he was carrying a woman's coat, but he didn't care.

     Suddenly he thought of an idea to help his new William sterling out. "I could give him her coat, and he could give it to her", he thought. "That way, he could actually talk to her without making a fool of himself". He swung the coat over his shoulder and walked across the street to the apartment complex he stayed in. Once he got to the door, he punched in his code and walked through the doors and headed up the staircase.
With each step he took, he began to remember the nightmare he had earlier. He had seen a black alien ship and what appeared to be an alien soldier carrying a large sword.
The strange figure was staring right at him, with the coldest stare he had ever seen.
"Wonder if it means anything", he asked himself again. "I mean, I've never had such a dream before, one that felt so real and terrifying". He got inside his home and headed to the couch and dropped the coat over the back of it, and then lay down on his back, with his arms behind his head. He turned his head towards the wall clock on his right, and noticed it was now six in the morning. "It's never truly morning here", he said to himself. "No sunlight, just the darkness and colorful city lights, but that's all. Speaking of which, I wonder what it feels like to see the sun, hell I wonder if we'll ever see the real day light".