IS Virus: Episode 2-2 - Cross

Part 1: Wrinkle-B-Gone

-FALSE CREEK, BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCE-

Vancouver. The sun rising over the city skyline. The perfect setting for a brisk swim in the pond. Or not, if you're into a more thrilling fulfilling. Which was exactly what Sokoto got the instant he hit the water. He felt the chill surging throughout his body, recharges rging his cells and pumping his morale. This was what he needed to wake up to. And he used his wake up to leap out of the water and onto the boat, where he was greeted by metal fists and streaming bullets. He blocked all of them then threw his shield at a pilot, who dodged it and charged a fist at him. He swerved around it and roundhouse kicked her head before landing in a crouching stance and catching his shield. Which inadvertently caught a heel from someone. That woman flipped backwards and landed in front of the steering wheel, alongside another pilot.

"Not bad for an early morning warm up, eh?" She said.

"Not at all," Sokoto stretched, "So I take it you're UN?"

"Yep, and we have orders," she pointed beside her, "At least you got an audience."

Sokoto looked that direction and winced at the sudden cheering fan club. He turned back, "So, easy way or hard way..."

"Hard way," she leaned back and kicked up a sword hilt to her hips.

"Autumn's in that giant stadium thingy," Sokoto pointed, "Madoka's...near it? I dunno, I think she's close by..."

The woman, apparently the squad leader, winked at the pilots, who took off towards their respective boss battles, fully aware of how psycho their targets are.

"You seem quite friendly with hostiles," the leader noted.

"I make it a point to get to know everyone, friend or foe," Sokoto quipped.

"Well, no wonder why everyone here likes you," the leader unsheathed her CROSSGUARD LIGHTSABER?! Oh, I give up. "At least we can end your adventure on a satisfying note."

The area suddenly became a field all its own. People gathered around to witness the renegade in action. Cars have been redirected to the BC Place. Phones and cameras were let loose on the ensuing fight.

"Well, we've done a good job so far of forgetting all of our troubles in the first place," Sokoto said, "Let's remind us of that unnecessary bullshit." He took the first attack, flinging his shield at her. She swatted it away. She twirled her saber into an underhanded grip and punched his incoming kick. He was forced backwards in midair, but he could see her running with him and leaping up to strike. Luckily, his shield came back to his arm in time to block the incoming slash. The flying sparks temporarily blinded him, so he couldn't see himself hitting the floor hard. But he could sense her swinging her sword down, so he bounced the shield from the floor to her, making her slash the shield instead, planting her side on his fist. She was rocketed back a couple feet but recovered to an immediate stop, flashing her hair and putting her hand on her side. He caught his shield again and marveled at how that gut punch did nothing to her.

"Not bad, little hero," she said.

"Ick," Sokoto whispered, "I can't tell if she's toying or flirting with me..."

"May I have your name?"

Name? Normally, he'd be all for it to spread word about him, but judging from her aura... "Give me your name, and I shall give you mine."

"Very well," she spun her sword and put it on her back, and crouched down a bit to prepare to rush him again, "I'm Stephanie Pfeiffer. And you?"

He took his fighting stance, "Sokoto Fukuyama." When he finished, his shield was suddenly struck aside by Stephanie.

"Pleasure," she said as she kicked him off the boat.

-BC PLACE-

Autumn somehow managed to avoid total annihilation from the drones. She sat on the ground, playing with the rocks until she saw something approaching from the sky. She guessed it was a lost missile and tried to blow it up with her wings' wind blades. To her amazement, that thing withdrew her IS and twirled around to dodge the blades, then redeployed her IS to continue pursuit.

"Alright!" Autumn got excited, "Now we're talking!" She fully deployed her Shinomure and caught the pilot's blades. The raw speed carried them both into the lounge area. The damage caused collapsed part of the upper floor and felled the stands to the lower level. When the dust cleared, the UN pilot threw Autumn down and plunged her sword downward. Autumn blew her off target with her wind blades and punched her back. They quickly recovered and charged each other, colliding elbows and holding each other in a deadlock.

"What are you doing here anyway?" The pilot asked.

"Dunno. Ask the renegade," Autumn snarked.

The pilot raised her sword to catch Autumn off guard. But Autumn leaned back and allowed the pilot forward, leaving a massive opening. She kicked the pilot upward and blasted her and the stands to the roof. She looked up and waited for the pilot's next move. The pilot snatched one of the Olympic Rings, the blue one, and flung it towards Autumn.

"Yes, thank you!" Autumn exclaimed, "Finally, someone gets it!" She kicked the ring out into the field, but lost some energy because of it. And the kick's recoil left a huge opening for the pilot to pound down.

-ACROSS THE SKY-

Meanwhile, Madoka has her own problems. The supposed strongest, most lethal woman in Phantom Task can't even land a glancing hit on a measly UN agent. They were zigzagging all over the sky, trying to get a solid hit on each other. It wasn't because Madoka was slow. It was because her opponent was too fast. Her IS was clearly made for pursuits and races, so weak defensive capabilities mean next to nothing. Madoka's frustration evolved into uncontrollable rage. Each swing missed was a giant laser tag on the streets. Each successful hit was outright blocked. She had never been toyed with like this before. She got really angry. Her casket was fully blown off when she saw Sokoto fighting a UN squad leader. She beelined towards the boat.

And he felt it, "No, wait wait WAIT I CAN EXPLAIN-"

She crashed into the boat, ripping it in half. The leader safely landed on another boat, while Madoka rattled Sokoto.

"CAN'T I GO ONE DAY WITHOUT HAVING TO PICK UP AFTER YOU?!" She shook.

"Short answer, nope!" Sokoto pointed behind her. The pilot got a solid hit on Madoka's shoulder, but couldn't escape the Twin Lance blast. Madoka turned back around and charged at Stephanie. She kept swinging at her, but Stephanie deflected every strike with her saber. Sokoto threw his shield at her, and she slid under it on her knees. He rushed to her and tried to hammer kick her, but she struck him. He reeled around and rolled back against the wheel. Madoka was about to critically injure her when Autumn suddenly crashed into her mid strike. Madoka got Autumn's target, and Autumn somehow got Madoka's target.

"I'm sorry!" Sokoto shouted, "QUELLE COÏNCIDENCE?!"

Madoka quickly got back up and helped Autumn to her feet, "Open your eyes next time..."

"And give myself PTSD?" Autumn looked at the oncoming threats circling them, "No fucking thanks."

-QUÉBEC PROVINCE-

And the battle was broadcast live...via everything social media.

"Dear me," Cecilia said, "It's as if you wanted to be found."

Cecilia was taxied on her way to the Québec Institute of Research and couldn't resist checking on the chaos the renegade let on, per usual circumstances. She already swore she would have him before anyone else, so she was confident that they would overpower the UN people. She closed everything off and looked out the window, as brim and proper as ever. But she couldn't help but wonder about the renegade's facial expressions. They looked like he was having the time of his life, not on a rampaging murder streak. Though, really, he couldn't help himself sometimes. But all trains of thought stopped as soon as she saw the bright pillar of the Institute.

She gasped, "How do they not have pilots, but have this giant thing?..."

After she cleared the security gate, she was greeted by two leading scientists.

"Welcome, Miss Alcott," one of them shook her hand, "We've been expecting you."

"So you got my message about the Maple Slinger," Cecilia said.

"Yes, come inside. We have much to discuss."

The inside resembled a majestic mecha castle, with pillars pulsing strobe lights and bright glossy walls. The windows opened to the view of the research and testing labs, where the 6th Generation Maple Slinger was being finalized. They walked in and approached the Slinger with great pride.

"So, this is the thing we'll bring to the showcase..." Cecilia rubbed her hands on the surface, feeling the raw power hum throughout the unit.

"Yes," a lead scientist said, "We will feature this alongside another IS that Rachel's team is bringing."

"Wait-RACHEL?!" Cecilia hated everything already, "What happened to Chelsea?!"

"She was called away due to family matters."

"Oh, poppycock..." she thought of Chelsea as her warden and torturer now.

"Do we need anything else to ensure safe arrival?"

"No... I assume you have already obtained permission from the Prime Minister and President?"

"In letters, both signed and sealed." They gave her the letters to post to the public.

"Ok," she breathed, "Let's get this thing rolling."

They spent the day planning the demo. The first part was perfecting the IS, drawing out and fixing problems with functionality. They got into a small test, making sure that everything ran smoothly. Once that was done, then came the headaches.

"And to what do I owe the dishonor of having you?" It was Rachel Weaver.

"Just get me Blackett," Cecilia griped.

"Can't. She went to Vienna to give her two cents to the EU. Besides, why would she want to associate with the likes of you, anyway?"

At that point, Cecilia gave up, "Look. It's no secret we hate each other, but we're dealing with something bigger than our own hissy fit. Can we just please put aside our own personal issues aside for just one week?"

Rachel pretended to think about it before she said, "Why don't we make a deal?"

"Oh, boy," Cecilia wagged at a worker, "Get the camera."

"No cameras!" Rachel protested, "No recordings, or no deal!"

"Well, they caught that "why don't we make a deal" part. And I was able to save some of my fortune. And the Queen knows how much you hate my guts."

"As does my own father..." Rachel growled, "It's not THAT kind of deal, Alcott. Just stay away from the renegade and let my team take care of him. Do this, and we'll bring it over."

"Oh..." Cecilia was disappointed at the rapidly built tension that led nowhere, but decided to go along with it, "Fine. Deal."

"Very well," Rachel said, "We're settled...for now." Disconnected.

"Oh boy...that was rough..." Cecilia wiped the sweat from her brow.

"And quick," someone said, "Do you two have bad blood?"

"Yes," Cecilia said, "But no one bothers to explain why...At any rate, we have the necessary components to make this event happen. Do we have any transport for this thing?"

"We'll need to accommodate security during and after."

"Ok. Let's contact the local populace and let them know what's going on."

They got on it. They informed the mayor of Montreal on what's going on, who informed the lieutenant governor of Québec, who announced it online. The people were at a frenzy. Not only did they just witness an epic fight between two clashing forces, but there was now a search for the third force to arise. No compatibility test needed, just come down to Mount Royal Park, place your hands on the ISs, try to move it, and then take a survey. The sudden flaring of the rumors that the renegade and the former Rep Candidate of England will clash eventually crashed the website. By sunset, Canada was holding Cecilia, Sokoto, and the U.K. to their word.

Luckily, preparations for transportation were completed before the internet was able to jump ship. Cecilia was helping the very heavy Slinger when she caught wind of what happened online.

"What happened to the morale of the..." Cecilia dropped her purse on someone who had already fainted, "Is Canada really that needy?"

"It's not that we can't develop our own ISs," a worker said, "It's that we haven't had one since the 2nd Generation."

"Why not? I know I ask that a lot, and I have gotten many answers, but I can't seem to get a straight answer."

"Well, there was one. But this doesn't circulate outside of the development section of the IS."

"Really? Who?"

"You know the name Squall?"

"Squall Meusel?! The Phantom Task agent?!"

"Yep. She was born with 4/5ths Canadian blood. She managed to escape her abusive father to America and flourished out of his hands. But I guess the trauma and stress was too much for her, so she snapped." (If only...)

"Well, that's news to me. Still doesn't excuse the way she attacked all those people."

"I know. If I had to guess, and this I know is stretching it, but someone must've found out about her true origins, so that person is trying very hard to prevent another Squall."

"Extreme measures? Why would they take it that far?"

"Beats me. Hey, help me strap this on her."

"Right," Cecilia deployed her IS and yanked the bungee string down to secure the truck.

Once the truck was ready, everyone celebrated with an outdoor dinner. It was a much needed relaxation time to counter the hectic pace of the sudden arrivals and situations that don't know the meaning of the word breathe. Lively brawls and sprawls were had, complete with the utter embarrassment felt only by Cecilia during a game of Blind Man's Bluff. After the celebration, she waved goodbye as she was taxied back to her hotel. She was confident that everything would go exactly as planned. Just two hitches.

One involved the lead scientist, who got an anonymous message that read, "Did she stop by?" The lead texted back, "The event will proceed. Everything is going as planned."

The other involved... "What the hell did you do?!"

"I did what I thought was right, Blanket. And for your information, I was duly informed that you were attending to UN business."

"Yes, I was. But flaring an entire country on an empty promise?! Have you lost it?!"

"Why should I be bothered by you, anyway?! Goodbye." Disconnected. Contact blocked. Why...

-RITZ-CARLTON MONTREAL-

Cecilia finished her shower and lounged around in the living room. She decided to kick back when she saw the news:

"Earlier today, the UN squadron failed to rein in Phantom Task over False Creek. The battle lasted under an hour-"

She wasn't surprised. He managed to outlast Tabane after all. Which reminded her, she needed to text Tatenashi about something. She checked her phone for any messages, and she got one from her:

-We were right! The renegade's a total idiot! IT'S ;3 TIME!

She responded, "Lure him to me." And she went back to her makeup desk to clear her lipstick. When she looked in the mirror, she noticed a few of her forehead wrinkles clearing up already.

She was amazed, "My...looks like that money really was a waste..." She gently brushed off her lips and her cheeks, caressing every inch of her now soften skin. She marveled. This was what she needed to lure the renegade to her. She immediately went to her bedroom to prepare.

-SOUTH OF MOUNT CRICKMER, BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCE-

Phantom Task were once again on the road, reflecting their time in the province as one of the best adventures they've ever had. Well, two of them.

Madoka was tuckered out. This trip forced her to interact in ways she thought belittling to herself. And by the end of it, she was exhausted from the number of times she danced, fought, ran with people, from people, etc.

"I think it's safe to say that Nyadoka's the real loser," Autumn drove and pointed the mirror to the hibernating kitty.

"I am still shocked she gave me her number," Sokoto said while looking at the UN agent's business card, which had been S.W.A.K.'d, "You sure this ain't just so the UN can track us?"

"If anything, I'll bet tracking us would be a side benefit to them," Autumn said while admiring the view of the mountain.

"Are they really that starved for a pilot?"

"Yep. What else would you expect when you can't use the very things you make?"

"Huh..."

"Still...I'm surprised she let you go."

"Let me go? Uhhhh..." he thought back to the moment when Stephanie did a sudden sword rain attack, and he managed to block it long enough to expose a weak spot in the center of the attack. He jumped on the opportunity and punched through. And it looked like it would've connected, had she not purposefully moved her chest to create a moment 1-to-1 reminiscent of his first encounter with Cecilia.

"We gotta find Canada a pilot..." he was embarrassed, "before the fervor gets outta hand and I get another infection..."

"That might be a problem..." Autumn projected an image she had saved earlier. The image came from a Facebook page, Canada's Next Top Gun, an event showcasing two 6th Generation models and a search for whoever can make them move. All were invited, as the event will be hosted by not only the Prime Minister, but also Cecilia Alcott.

"COOTIE WOMAN!" he shouted, "So, that's why she's spreading her cootie-riddled fleabag all over! She's daring me to waltz right in and let her haul me away to parts unknown!"

"Hundred bucks says trap."

"Thousand bucks says I can bust that bear trap wide unclosable!"

"Oh, good luck with that," Autumn shook her head and looked up. The Auroral Borealis were coming out to play again. Sokoto's bracelet pulsated its glow with the rhythm of the Borealis. He tinkered with it a little before starting his rant. And he dragged Autumn into this.

"Hey, Sil. Me again. Just wanted to talk. I got Autumn here with me! Say hi, Autumn!"

"Uh...I can't, I-I-I'm driving here..."

"I know that, just a wave and a hi is all!"

"Uh...hi...Silvia-HOLY SHIT!"

"Waaahaaahahhahaaaa!"

"Nope, just kidding."

"YOU COULDA MADE ME CRAP MYSELF!"

"But you didn't, that's the most important thing. Now let me find a way out of here."

"Fine...so, things are getting crazy here in maple country. The UN and the fans here are absolutely-"

"Did you seriously say maple country?"

"Yeah, what about?"

"Canada has more than maple syrup, ok? It also has that stadium thing I almost totaled."

"And it also has that guy who died before the thing even started."

"Oh, yeah, hahahahaa! Ah, that's rich."

"And we're wrapping up our stay in British Columbia on a triumphant note. And we're going to Québec. Because COOTIE WOMAN! Is there waiting for us. With her evil little henchmen and her devious traps. Possibly trying to find another pilot is nearly impossible. Me going to England...why? Rabbit girl and Ponyboy...double why? And Squall-I said I ran into her father the other day. Had a real tough time getting over the loss. Yeah...still feels like Squall's still around. At least I was able to redeem her at the last minute...but, I'm still bummed out."

"That was his father?!"

"Uh...yeah..."

"How did..."

"It'll take a while. The thing is, we gotta do more of that."

"Of what?"

"Helping people. Y'know, lifting them up, finding lost people, absolutely raining down the fire of judgment ON ALL WHO WOULD DARE TO INFRINGE UPON THE RIGHT TO LIFE! AND RIP THEIR MINDS FROM THEIR SOULS AND THEN-"

"Ok, horn dog."

"Hey, what are you-"

"This guy's too much. I don't know how you put up with him."

"Hey, buzz off, peanut!"

"Him loco pico!"

"I ain't loco! Anyway...we gotta find Claire, this girl's long lost mother. We gotta find a new pilot. We gotta fend off the UN peeps. We got so much to do, it drained Madoka of all her energy. We have to stick together now more than ever."

"If we can keep up with your ungodly fast ass."

"Hey, I don't slow down for no one. Neither does the world."

"Yeah...and so ends another day on our seemingly pointless escort mission."

"We'll be back when things start to pick up, eh?"

"Hey, no copying other people's customs!"

"And end!" Sokoto said as his bracelet stopped glowing, "Mmmmm! Thanks for that, Autumn!"

"Uh...sure thing, kid," Autumn acted shyly, "but it was just a rant. Nothing to thank over."

"Yeah, but you gotta do it once in a while," Sokoto stretched and put on his new earbuds, "get your mind off the tension."

"Ok, then. Pick something else to be thankful for."

Sokoto thought about it for a second, then said, "How about the time you two worked together to bail me out?"

Autumn flinched. She was suddenly reminded of the time in Japan she warned Madoka of the giant sphere of death, and again most recently at the boat battle. They rushed over the instant it opened and successfully coordinated a rescue attack. Together. Normally, they would find that word repulsive. But now, it seemed...welcoming.

"No...problem..." Autumn said. When she got no response, she looked at him. He was sleeping to, funny enough, Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day. His bracelet was glowing again, but it was pulsating its glow to the rhythm of the song. She let it go. They needed the rest. But she was already used to the hectic pace of life, so she could carry on the rest of the team with little effort. She simply concentrated on the road ahead, still enjoying the scenery while blocking out all unnecessary distractions.

Unfortunately, and unknowingly, she also blocked out the girl with the kanji fan, who was sitting atop Mount Crickmer, "Ughhhh...these clothes are so musty! How do Eskimos stand this type of thick wool?!" Tatenashi tore off her jacket and suddenly eyed the truck. "Oh?" She looked through her binoculars and saw the sleeping tiger, "I spy with my little eye someone in dire need of an education." She sent texts to Cecilia, "I'm leaving BC. Byie!", a UN lead, "Target entering Alberta from Highway 1", and a third contact, "Целевая поездка в Альберту с шоссе 1". She sighed. Being a double agent is one thing. Juggling three missions is a completely different world. She would've been content with taking on two, but then she heard her Russian superiors celebrating over Cecilia's breakdown. She took it upon herself to make her clean her mess, whatever it took. Even if it meant revisiting the very thing that permanently severed Ichika's friendship with her. Actually, no. It meant exactly that, because Cecilia was never one to let go of her targets either. She took her fan out and checked its symbol. The word "traitor" has not disappeared since yesterday.

"You don't have to tell me twice," she stood up and stretched her body out. She looked up at the dancing lights, then back at the truck, now distant from her view. "Welp...Eh, I'm over it already. Let's get me back in it." She deployed her Mysterious Lady and gently floated down the mountain.