Welcome to Gaia! ::

(introducing a new character and the beginnings of a new story. We'll clean up the first page later at this thing has started moving and developing more)

The waves lapped gently against the sand. At the worlds end an exquisite corpse could be seen. The ocean's waves played at it's crust. Flowing blue diamonds rolling against it. The water seemed endless. Here it seemed was a calm oasis of light and peace.

Out in the water and on the horizon the glow of white sails on ships moved out to catch the days harvest of fish.

James Acumen watched all of this quietly. He didn't know why but he felt more at home in Ocean City than anywhere else he had traveled to thus far. It was with a feeling of pain and mild sadness that he turned back to the city behind him. Where peace flowed looking at the waves, only confusion seemed to exist for the city itself. The tower had fell.

It had happened during the events of the second Summer of Love. Only a few weeks before, Ocean City had been the homestead of the planets tallest and arguably most prominent Tower city. Today though, the massive hundred story tower that had once housed an entire military/industrial community was nothing more than ruble scattered over a mile of broken and twisted land. The surrounding town that existed on the ocean side had survived and was now working hard to recollect themselves after such a massive ordeal.

James had been fortunate. On that cursed day, he and his daughter Rose had been away at a mining site. They had been helping to excavate three newly discovered archetypes. Somehow the cave had survived undamaged while the tower had not.

He returned to find his workshop still standing but no power or running water. These simple utilities had only been restored to the citizens of the town within the last day or so. Even still, water was being rationed and power was limited.

The landing strips near the docks had been put into heavier service during this time. Close to the waterway, the shipping industry used them to transport seafood to neighboring tower cities. Now a different type of vessel was sitting on the runway. One that James had never thought he would see again.

The Twilight. An armed LFO mecha, piloted by the young son of his dead friend, Huro Gearfried.

He watched quietly as his daughter Rose spotted the boy and cried out in joy.

James watched his daughter walk off with Reiku and smiled. She was happy and that made him happy as well. Hoping back in the truck he called out to Rose as she moved away.

"Rose," he said, "you and Reiku have a good time. I'll go ahead and get these Archetypes on there way. When you're done just head back to the garage and we'll find a place for Reiku to sleep." With a wink he put the big vehicle in drive and headed to the shop.

Once there the mechanics started to work cleaning them and taking measurements for the designers.

"Hey boss," one of the called out. "What's up with this little one?"

James walked over and looked at it again. He knew there would be questions. Of the three frames two were of good size and shape. They would make excellent frames for either LFO's or KLF's. Most likely something from the terminus type models. The third though was strange. Unlike the others it was strangely small and not much bigger than a human size. The frame was also hollow with large legs and arms but no head and a hollow area where a chest would be.

Laying down it only stretched out about nice feet from toe to top.

"Don't worry about it. I've got plans for that one." James said. "Just go ahead and get the thing cleaned up. I expect the MAT facility will be sending someone to buy it once it's ready."

"You know boss," the mechanic started, "The diggers usually don't waste there time with these little ones. I've seen them before and they usually get passed over. I heard a digger say one time that the normal size ones actually start out small like this and you have to leave them alone so that they'll mature. Sounds kinda funny to me though."

"Yeah I know," James replied, "But this is by request from the MAT director himself. Apparently that nut job thinks he can get them to work. I'm curious myself to see what good such a small archetype can do. But then, That Marcius guy does some good work and far be it from me to loss a sale. Just get it prepped and we'll see what happens from there."

With that he walked back towards his small office to do a little paper work.

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On a lonely stretch of road a young boy was driving towards Ocean City. He had traveled far and seen much. The MAT model motorcycle he was riding was running low on fuel and he knew he'd be lucky to find any in this damaged metropolis. Still though, he drove on hoping that something would work out to his advantage. The boys name was Topher Marcius.

As he neared the city he looked over the long rolling mess of metal and glass that had once been the great tower of this city. It seemed a shame that so much was lost and so many had died. He drove past it though, not stopping. To many had died before his eyes let it bother him now.

Topher rode in hard and began looking for a place to refuel the motorcycle.

The sound sputtered and spit and the motorcycle seemed to die. Rolling to a stop Topher opened the hatch and jumped out.

"Damit!" he yelled and leaped down to the ground. "Atleast I made it into town first."

Looked up he saw that the sun was going to be setting soon.

Turning around Topher looked at Reiku. His blue hair was a bit of a mess and there was a jacket tied around his waist. He grinned and rubbed the back of his head.

"Well, yeah kinda." he started,"I've been riding for awhile trying to reach this place and I ran out of gas. Do you know a place where I could get some. My mech won't be going anywhere til I do."

He put his hand out and there was a warn cheery look on his face. "My names Topher by the way."

opher looked at the rope and gave Reiku a thumbs up gesture.

"It's nice to meet you Rose." he said as he tied on the rope and knotted it good. "I really appreciate all you're doing Reiku. Hey... is that one of the terminus series? It looks awesome. What's with that cannon though. It doesn't look like it would shoot missiles? My dad told me that the recoil on a launcher required a fluctuating mount to absorb the vibration. That thing looks more laser based but without the secondary power supply harness. Um..."

He dusted off his hands and climbed up the side of his motorcycle. Instead of a seat it had a small cockpit in the middle and an empty mounting bracket near the top.

"Hey. I bet it's an EMP cannon isn't it? That's so cool. They're way safer than explosives and more humane." He grinned wide and dropped down in the seat of his machine. "My dad never would let me put weapons on mine. He said I didn't need them. Like he didn't trust me or something. anyway... if you pull I'll stay right behind you and keep the MAT from hitting you."

With the cockpit still open to hear he put the motorcycle in neutral so it could roll.

On the comm Topher's face seemed to wrinkle up. He scratched his head and mumbled something about a big mechanic.

"It nothing important really. We don't get along much." he said. "Hey, is this your garage? It's cool..."

Topher sat up straight when he saw the archetypes inside.

Rose's father heard Twilight pull into the hanger. He was glad to know she and Reiku had made it back before it got to late.

Stepping out of the door of the hangers office he saw Reiku walking towards him.

"Welcome back Reiku. Did you and Rose have a nice time in the town?" He smiled and then noticed Topher's MAT still tied to the back of Twilight.
"What's that?" he asked.

As Reiku and Rose left, Topher watched them and thanked them for their help. With a smile on his face he turned to James.

James was less happy. He walked over and looked at the young boy. He then looked at the motorcycle mecha. "hmm." he said simply.

"Umm.. sir." Topher started, "Reiku was nice enough to bring me here. My mecha has a drained power cell. I used it up making it here from the nearest city. I.. uh..." Topher tried to stay calm and friendly but James seemed only to grow more irritated.

"You say you're looking to recharge your fuel cell, son?" James said simply.

"Ye.. Yes sir. I'll pay you in any way I can. I don't have a lot of money but I could work for it." the boy said.

"Well that's surprising young man." James continued, “I’d imagine your father would have no problem paying your bill. You know. I happen to know the man and he's been looking for you for awhile."

Topher's eyes grew huge when he heard this. He took a step backwards and his first instinct was to get back in the MAT and leave. Realizing that wasn't possible he shook his head full of blue hair and clenched his fists. "You.. You know my dad.. um.. Maybe you've got me confused with someone else?" It seemed more like a plea than a statement.

"No, I doubt that Topher." James said simply. The harsh look was still in his eyes. "You look too much like him for it to be a mistake. Plus.. It’s not like there are many blue MAT's floating around out there. The normal color is green or orange. The only blue one I've ever seen was your fathers. Besides... only Voderak and Rich kids own these things and none of them are ever as young as you... or did you think all kids your age own machines of that caliber?"

Again Topher was having a hard time responding. "um.. sir.. I.."

"I'm calling your father." James said.

"NO! NO please you can't! I can't go back there!" Topher yelled.

"And just why not?" asked the older man.

"Well, because.. because I can't. I just. My dad... he.." Topher clenched his fists and his voiced seemed to change. "You know what. Fine... you don't want to help me recharge my fuel cell then forget it. I'll find someone who will. I'm not going back to my dad. I don't care what you say. It's my life and I won't help killers like the Voderak's Hand. NOT ANYMORE!"

The mechanics in the hanger were busy with pressure washers trying to get the last of the dirt off the new machines. They weren't really listening to the boy or the man talk. When Topher yelled though all seemed to hear and knew something was going on. They stopped and looked.

James noticed this and waved at the boy to calm down. "Okay, okay. Look I can understand you having a problem with them. After all they're not the nicest bunch of fanatics in the world but still. You have too go home to your-"

"I won't go. Just because he's my father doesn't mean I have to help him and give weapons to the-" Topher felt a rough hand pushed over his mouth.

James picked him up and made sure the boy couldn't finish the sentence. "Calm down son."

Topher started kicking instantly. He landed a punch right in James' side and almost brought the man to his knees. He carried the boy quickly into the office and dropped him on the floor.

"I said I'm not going back!" Topher yelled again,"I don't care what you do or what he does I'm not going to do it! I'll run. I'll run again. I'll leave without the Land Shark if I have to, but I won't be a part of his life anymore!"

"Okay, okay.. I get the picture." James said rubbing his side. "You've decided to make your own life without Tolly Marcius' help."

"Right!" Topher spit.

"Okay then.." James said and sat down on the edge of the desk. "Well, I guess I can't force a young man to be a boy can I? If you're really that determined then I won't turn you away. You say you're willing to pay. Then you can do that. I'll charge you the going rate for a power cell refuel in these parts."

The boy stared almost dumbstruck. Both of them were very quiet for several seconds. "You're trying to trick me. You'll call my dad as soon as I turn my back."

"No" James said. "No trick. I'll sell you the energy and you can leave as you want."

"No trick?"

"No trick."

Frowning Topher took a step backwards. "O-okay. Then that's what we'll do."

"Great," James exclaimed and threw his arms wide. "Then you just pay me 18,000 credits and I'll send you on your way with a fully charged power cell and motorcycle."

"18,000! That's outrageous! I don't have that kind of credits! That's not fair! Besides it shouldn't cost anywhere near that much!" Topher looked ready to swing a punch.

"You're wrong son. It's a very fair price. Since the fall of the tower in this city we have been in absolute darkness. Only the very rich and powerful have the amount of power and fuel that the common man could get just a few weeks ago. Fuel and clean drinking water are the two most precious things you can buy these days. You can thank that damn Dewey and the Corallian for that."

"But..I don't-"

"Don't have the credits" James interrupted, “I know I heard you. That's okay though. How about if I let you work for them?"

"Work.. Okay, I can do that, but 18,000 credits is a lot. I guess I… well. Okay fine... but only on one condition. Don't tell my dad I'm here or have anyone else tell him for you." Topher looked frustrated and mad but he was trying to stay calm.

"Smart boy." the man said laughing. "Alright, I won't tell him, nor will I have anyone else tell him for me. And in exchange you work for me to buy the fuel you need to be on your way."

"I'm not a boy sir. Like you said, you can't make a young man go back to being a boy. I'll do what you want and I'll get the work done." he spoke the words calmly but he eyes were telling a different story. Topher's eyes were red and piercing like needles.

James led him back out of the office and around to the other mechanics.

"Hey guys. I'm hiring this young man on to help in the hanger. He's new so make sure to teach him right. His name is Topher and the first thing I want him to do is get that paper weight of his out of the hanger’s front doors. Find a place to store it until you can get it running again."

"Yes sir. Mr. Mr... I didn't catch your name sir." Topher said as he went to move the MAT.

"It's James, James Acumen. For now just call me Mr. Acumen."