Joe Mage

Man, I know that it's been awhile; but I've been tryin' ta buy a house and get evrythin' set up and it's been keepin' me quite busy. But I'm back in the saddle again and I thank evry1 for their patience. So w/o further ado...

"Commander Shadow!" shouted a technician from the cockpit of the Berserk, "We have the latest readings on the data that we pulled from the computer systems of the Berserk. We should be able ta apply the rest of it with the data that we've already compiled and that should be able to allow us to finish The End's upgrade."

"Very good," Said Commander Shadow, "What about the analysis of the armor components?"

"We've already analyzed the components and sent the data to the space station Farbauti. They've already made the necessary adaptations to the End and we will have the components before the end of the week." Replied the technician.

"All of you really have your act together!" Said Commander Shadow with a sly snicker.

"All for the glory of an independent Mars, sir." Replied the technician.

"Of course!" Replied Commander Shadow, "Be sure to finish your analysis soon, the enemy may send units to retrieve this precious commodity that is ours now. We need to have it ready for use as soon as possible."

"Yes sir!" Replied the technician who then saluted to the commander.

The commander returned the salute and then floated out of the hangar and towards the elevator down the hall. As he entered the elevator he touched a control panel on the wall and said, "Take me to the research facility."

Upon arriving there a lab assistant arrive to escort him the rest of the way saying, "This way Commander. The professor is awaiting your arrival for the report."

"Very good," Replied Commander Shadow as they walked down the hall to the double doors. Upon entering, Commander Shadow looked to the professor and said, "I have arrived Professor Hermod. I'd like to hear your report now."

"Yes," Replied Professor Hermod as he handed the commander a chart, "Let's begin. I had put him through many rigorous tests and the results are astounding. His reaction time is incredible and his ability to ascertain and adapt to different and difficult combat scenarios is mind-blowing!"

"Incredible," Replied Commander Shadow, "These readings are off the charts."

"Yes," Said Professor Hermod, "The only person able to score this high was you, commander."

Commander Shadow threw his head back and laughed aloud, then he looked at the professor and said, "I'm very flattered, professor, but you give me far too much credit. I'm afraid that I'm not that good."

"You're far too modest, commander. You aren't our ace mobile suit pilot for nothing, after all." Said the professor in response, to which the commander merely smiled.

"Is he ready to go?" The commander asked.

"He can leave at any time." Came the reply.

"Good." Said Commander Shadow, who then looked to the young man sitting in the training chair and said, "Second Lieutenaut Tyrius Baldran, it's time to go."

The apparatus over the Tyrius's head lifted up and he got out of the chair and he said as he leaped from the chair, "Yes, sir!"

The two walked to the elevator and Shadow said as they walked in, "We should have the Berserk ready for you by tomorrow at the latest. In the meantime, I want you to relax for now and wait on stand by."

"Yes, sir," Replied Lt. Tyrius, "Will you be heading for the bridge?"

"No," The commander said in response, "I'll be making a report to our lord Bane Zoldrake, so I'll be in my private quarters if you need me."

"Yes, sir." Replied the lieutenaut as the elevator stopped and the commander exited the opened doors. He immediately made for his quarters and as he entered he pressed a switch to turn on the lights. He then went to his monitor and pressed another switch nearby as he took a seat in his chair, "Patch me through to Lord Bane at the capital of Vidar on a private channel."

"Yes, sir." Crackled the response.

Then an image of Lord Bane appeared on the monitor and the commander said in response, "All hail Lord Bane Zoldrake of Mars and heir-apparent to the empire."

"No need for us to be formal, commander." The voice of Bane crackled through the screen, "After all, we are good friends."

"Yes of course." Responded the commander.

"How was the newest addition to your crew?" Asked Bane.

"He performed as well as you have said," Said the commander, "Very exceptional and gifted young man. We should have the Berserk made available to him tommorow."

"What about the data? Are we able to adapt it to your own machine, the End?" Bane asked.

"Yes," Replied the commander, "We've adapted all the data to the End and Farbauti will be sending upgraded weapons and armor for it based on the data that we've sent them before the end of the week. Then we should have the upgraded End up and running very soon."

"Very good," Said Bane, "I have heard that the Feddies have developed a Gamma-fusion Generator to power that suit as well as beam weapondry comparable, in power, to many battle-space cruisers. This cannot be true?"

"It is," Said the commander, "Not only have the Feddies caught up to us in developing mobile suits, but it seems as though they have also surpassed us by several years."

"This is not the kind of news that will be well recieved by my father, but that can't be help," Said Bane, "At least our incredible 'Commander Shadowed Thunder' has once again done the impossible and captured one of their suits to allow us to be able to keep up with them, technologically. You're work shall be commended."

"You're words are too kind..." The commander started to respond.

"And you are too modest," Said Bane cutting him off and then bellowing a hearty laugh, "Please continue to bring us victory and I wish you the best of luck all of you endeavors."

"Thank you, lord." Replied the commander, "Commander Shadow out."

Bane then reached over and turned the monitor off as a pair of delicate hands gently reached over his chair and began to rub down his chest.

"Seems we've made an important discovery," A feminine voice purred from behind Lord Bane, "I wonder what your father will make of this?"

"It hardly matters what anyone thinks at this point, Lady Cheshelia," Replied Lord Bane, "My father isn't nearly as blind and as dundering a fool as many of his opponents make him out to be. He knows that if the Federation is capable of this, that we will need to increase our strength as soon as possible if we are to even match theirs. I have no doubt that he'll approve of my plans..."

To be continued...

The plot thickens like a bowl of pea soup... Had ta kinda cut it shorter than I intended, we've got a storm comin' in and I didn' want ta get cut off while in the middle of writin' the story. I'll write some more real soon, that is if nothin' comes up ta ruin my plans. Later.

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"Believe in yourself, if in nothing else."
My myspace page: www.myspace.com/joemage

LordCastigator

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