Re: Episode 6: Once More With Feeling
Horatio was just another person living on Dawn. In his case, he was a construction worker, a veteran of the entirety of the massive station's construction from beginning to end to repair and maintenance. He'd dealt with the aftermath of some Mishhu parasites infiltrating security, combing through the rubble for survivors and salvage, then erecting new buildings in the place of those lost. He'd even personally oversaw the repairs to a local hotel and onsen that had received damage too. And this old man and his merry men did it without the help of the new civilian model frames.
But now? They were being made in limited numbers, and their employers were kind enough to lend them a few. He stood off to the side, in awe of the massive machines, re-purposed from destroying to creating. He didn't like them. In fact, he was scared; the old man recognized something built for war, being a veteran himself, and even without weapons systems or real armor, he could have simply known without being told. No. He would have just felt it. "I don't like them. They're too...imposing for my taste."
"Look on the bright side gramps, at least they'll make the heavy lifting easier. Besides, its not like its pink or anything." one of his subordinates replied, recalling a glimpse of a battered pink and pink flame painted custom military model he saw come in to the station to dock.
"Haha! Very funny. Like anyone in their right mind would have one of these in pink." the old man laughed, slapping his leg at the mental image. "Anyways, I still don't like this." Horatio replied, voice serious again as he stared at the impassive metal face. "Its like, it's like it just wants to start walkin on its own, maybe grab me up in its hands and pop my head off or some - " The forman's words were cut short as the frame's visor lit up; it came to life and marched forward towards him. Horatio stumbled back, falling in terror as it neared, the wrist of his hand breaking as he tried to stop the drop. "Hurrrg!" The old man's good hand suddenly clutched at his heart as he landed flat on his back, the helmet absorbing the blow to the back of his head. A horrible pain lanced through his chest. As he lay there, his coworkers panicking and calling for an ambulance, Horatio looked up into the synthetic sky of Dawn as the war machine in sheep's clothing blasted off into the horizon.
'I almost miss those days.' he thought through teary eyes and gritted teeth. Pain briefly spiked. 'Almost.'
*****
The Ita-Car suddenly rose a few feet and attempted to slam into their car as Mark stuck his head out the window; that didn't happen, as Ged, the AI, was on the ball. Their car swerved off sharply to prevent the impact, saving the Mecha Pilot from being killed. "Shit man!" Kelly yelled in shock. "That bastard just tried to pop your head right off!" the dark skinned Nepleslian went on. The decorated car pulled ahead because of the evasive maneuver, but Lucien's car was still in hot pursuit as it barreled forward to pick up the slack, now leading the chase.
Their quarry quickly accelerated and came in low at street level, gunning its propulsion as it headed right for a school. At the worst possible moment, the bells in the distance rang, and students streamed out to get picked up by parents; the airspace was crowded, and this one wasn't even going to stop. "This is insane! He's going to get someone killed!" Kelly roared in range. As the Ita-car neared the crossing, something flickered in at the edge of the man's vision. A great yellow and black blur was coming right at them!
"Victoria, your other taxi has arrived." Ged commented, the construction frame accelerating towards them.