Neguro, The Gureino Government

[Yurian]

Neguro, Gurei: The Glass Utopia. A small but densely populated city located next to the enormous Lake Yuki, Neguro is often recognized by the Daon Tower, an over 200 story pinnacle seemingly dissappearing into the sky. Although the city is extremely dense in population, the organization strictly emphasizes isolation; cleanliness, routine, efficiency, and safety are instituted at the cost of personal interaction, entertainment, holidays, and other social endeavors. Streets are narrow and separated according to profession while glass-white sky scrapers prevent outside interaction. Despite that, Neguro is still reknown as the most technologically advanced city in the world.

The Daon Tower, mentioned as one of the tallest of buildings within Second Earth, is the host of Gurei government activities and planning. Doubling as a hotel, it is used rather to suit incoming businessmen, politicians, and wealthy travelers. Although the city is strict in security - where incoming persons are starkly welcomed after thorough investigation, and outgoing persons are usually leaving incoming persons - the city still hosts a large amount of adventurers. Especially because of the prestigious May Tournament held each year.

EDIT: Ehe forgot. Neguro is the capitol of The Gureino Government.

[Devious]

Ok, so um, since my character is Gureino, I suppose I start here? Here we go. First time roleplaying, wish me luck.

"The Gureino Government is proud to present these awards of excellence to the following Gureino Junior Military Academy students, who have all been promoted accordingly," Announced Colonel Redro over the many loudspeakers positioned across the field, surrounding hundreds upon hundreds of GJMA graduates, side by side, in a stony salute. "For excellence in simulated front line warfare, Corporal Edward Adams!" Orderly applause followed. "For excellence in soul manipulation, Corporal Steven Luthur! For excellence in simulated covert assassination, Corporal Aton LeBlanc!"

Geez, would you get on with it? Thought Rev Isidar, standing in the same stoic position as his classmates, but at the head of the company. Can't wait to hear mine! He grinned, earning him a stern look from his instructor standing beside him.

"And finally," announced the Colonel, "For overall excellence in all areas of warfare, combat, and general ability, Master Sergeant Rev Isidar!" Applause yet again, as hollow and empty as ever.

yh my writing skillz suck now.

[Yurian]

"How is the Gracious Elexander?" Waan smiled, his scarless face pleasant but somewhat irking to Watari. The pair walked along the long corridor that led towards the elevator at the end. Their starkly different appearences - Waan lightly talkative, Watari darkly reserved - made them an odd couple to be talking to each other.

"He's fine," Watari returned curtly and impersonally. She frowned slightly, annoyed at the conversation's pointlessness and at Waan's excessive formality. He would be meeting Elexander this afternoon anyway. Despite that, Watari still held a surprised respect for the powerful man next to her. In contrast to his outwardly friendly and naive character, his ability to organize The Red Unity into its current golden age was a feat that not many could do.

He was still unnerving, however, because of his seeming lack of stress, and from that Watari thought him somewhat of an enigma.

Every few weeks or so, Synee Waan - Central Monarch of Vermilia and consequently ruler of The Red Unity - would come paying his respects to the powerful Hans Elexander - Supreme Overseer of The Gureino Government. The giant airplane would always land behind the Daon Tower, Waan would come out greeted by a variety of wealthy travelers, businessmen, etc., and then Watari would lead him to his designated room. It happened so often that it seemed now to be a routine. Watari thought it rather unnecessary that Waan would come so many times, but as seen by the neutral respect held between the two powerful countries, it apparently paid off.

The two approached the massive elevator door. Although the surface lacked any fancy patterns, the glass simplicity still called a great impression. Looking towards the top of the door, Watari focused into the soft red lazer light that briefly filled her eyes before turning off. Waan followed her, before they both stepped into the elevator.

Even in emergencies, this eye identification was standard throughout Neguro, and was probably estbalished in other Gurei cities as well. It was the guardian of stability, put on every entrance and allowing access only to those who had a call to its interior. In this case, not many peoples could enter Daon Tower, much less the elevator itself. To a narrower degree, not many could talk to Elexander either.

[Yurian]

Watari looked at Waan in the glassy elevator reflection. He was quiet now, but she sensed that he was thinking about many things.

"Oh. And here we are," Waan said optimistically. The steel door slid aside, and Watari led him towards the suite he stayed in every time. Located near the upper levels of the more than 200 story Daon Tower, the level of the suite signified the importance of the visitor.

As they neared the lodging, the same Eye-dentification procedure ocurred again - this time allowing only Waan to proceed.

"Thank you, Madame Watarirouka," the politician said cordially, before disappearing into the hotel suite. Watari just nodded, before turning to reenter the elevator.

Frankly, she didn't like the Daon Tower at all for some reason. Maybe it was the emptiness or the silence - she wasn't sure completely. It made her uneasy.

[Yurian]

"You look well, Your Excellence Elexander," Waan nodded pleasantly. Despite the comment, only an impatient sneer developed on the other side of the desk. Somehow this discussion seemed routine to both individuals, although they seemingly took it differently. It was, in fact, just a practice for their later presence in front of the public.

"I have no time for such idle discussions!" Elexander near yelled, shaking his fists underneath the folds of his green blanket. It was a strangely exaggerated behavior, almost as if it was coming from a child. His face briefly contorted into some hideous indescribable shape. "You can come here if you want, but I'm really annoyed by your constant presence! Seriously!"

"No need for such rudeness," Waan suddenly contorted, before reverting back to his faint never-ending smile. The man opposite him seemed to quiet, sulking into his shell of cloth. "It is a good relationship that we hold between us. The media will be here again tomorrow to review our growing bond, and in such we can continue to solidify our countries' ties." A pause ensued, then Waan continued. "The May Tournament is near approaching; I wish our nations' good fortune."

A silence continued, to which both persons sat unmoving. The large circular room, located at the top of the Daon Tower, was seemingly peaceful. Soft natural light poured in from the large panel-less windows. Below, the quietly organized city moved about like a singular machine.

"I thank you for Your Presence, Elexander," Waan nodded. He grunted as he stood up, picking up the mass of red heaviness that characterized his royal garments, and then exited the room.

[Yurian]

After years of accustoming herself to the stark city, Watari already realized that either 1) researchers within the city were preparing/stockpiling/conditioning some aspect of an upcoming experiment or 2) the Gurei army was preparing to be transported somewhere else.

As the organization and efficiency of the city was kept at utmost importance - stability was prime and civilian ignorance even more - she wouldn't have noticed anything unusual if her position was something different. It was the slight vibration of the walls in the Daon Tower, or maybe the ground; something was moving and approaching. To her, it was more of a gut feeling influenced by some slight change in the city atmosphere than an exact encounter or experience of a new knowledge.

The feeling of anxious but sterilized change had entered her mind several times before in her career, but she was yet to be involved in any incident before.

Either way, she should not and would not do anything besides stand as the posted guardsmen of the city borders. Just thinking was sufficient until action was required, asked or not asked.

[Halfmetal]

Hamza shuffled restlessly in his chair. He didn't want to be here. His bags were almost packed and he'd be ready to go soon. And yet he was here. Sitting quietly and applauding with the rest whilst awards were given in this large sterile hall. Why? He got his Award for excellence days ago. Why was he here? Why had Bernard made him come with him?

Looking up expectantly at his friend and colleague more than three times his age, Bernard looked back, and smiled. As if reading his mind Bernard pointed to a similarly restless soldier about his age sitting on the stage and whispered. “That’s Rev Isidar. He’s only 17 years old. Just one year younger than you. And he’s already graduated from Military Academy. They say he has amazing talent.”

Hamza turned his head as they announced Rev's name watched the man get up and take his award and shake the other man’s hand before sitting back down, looking rather pleased with himself. He wondered, if just one turning point decision away, that could’ve been him. Hamza shook his head. His grandfather and burn into him all the military stuff he could but he knew his career laid within the sciences. Hamza looked back at Bernard.
“And? Do you want to marry him or something? Why drag me here to show me him?”
Bernard frowned. “You’re the one who told me to watch out for important events like these, remember? Do told me they might be involved in future event.”

Hamza looked back at the people on the stage. He was right. He HAD told him that. But this was a bit too political for Hamza’s taste.
“That’s right. I told YOU to watch out for these things. Now if you don’t mind. I’ve still got a fair bit of packing to do back at the uni.”
And with that Hamza stood up and abruptly left the Ceremony with Bernard in it.

[Halfmetal]

Before he drove back to the University, Hamza had one more stop to make and made sure he’d make it. He made the left turn towards the Graveyard…

Many people would assume that Hamza, like others would come here to talk to their loved ones who passed away. But Hamza didn’t believe in that. He believed that this loved ones would be wherever he was, always listening to whatever he said. But Hamza knew the importance of visiting their graves. There stood three tombstones. Three tombstones that represented almost everything so meaningful to Hamza. His father, his mother, and his grandfather. They invoked powerful memories. They were mostly painful memories, but instead of trying to ignore them, he embraced them with open arms. Hamza wiped the tears from his eyes.

“Well, I’m here now. This’ll be the last time I visit your graves before I go. I’d like to tell you all that I’d be back in a year. We all know that may not be true. I don’t know when I’m coming back. But I will back some day. To visit your graves.” Hamza wiped more tears from his eyes. It was an empty promise and Hamza knew they knew it too. He didn’t know if he’d ever be back.

“Oh this is ridiculous. I know you’re all coming with me…but still, your tombstones are the only marks you’ve left on this world, for me to find. I’ll try, you know I will. But now I have to leave your marks for now. I’ve got to find my own home. Because I think….I think it’s not here.

[Halfmetal]

After finishing the packing, Hamza took a deep breath and surveyed his room. Things he would need or want on his journeys were in his bags. Things that weren’t were given to Bernard to look after. Any sign that Hamza had been here was gone now. It was empty.

“Come in”, Hamza replied to the knock on the door. Hamza turned his head to find Bernard stick his head through.
“Am I really allowed to come in or are you still a cranky little boy.”
Hamza grinned. “Sorry, but I had some where to be, you know.”
“I see…so you’ve finished packing, now. I can only assume that you’ll be going within the next few minutes.”
“I’m afraid so.”
Hamza could see the hesitation on Bernard’s face. Keen to break the awkward silence, Hamza opened his mouth to ask, but before he could speak, Bernard spoke.
“I don’t understand why, Hamza. Why are you taking this gap year?”
Hamza sighed. They had been through this before. “Bernard, I told you. I just need to go. I want to see the world. Meet new people, you know, before I start my work.”
That was partly true. Hamza never liked lying. He had never been good at it. That’s why instead of lying, he would make due with concealing the whole truth. Hamza felt this loophole was more honest, even though deep down, he knew he was still deceiving. But Hamza could never deceive Bernard. The answer didn’t satisfy him at all.
“Why do I get the feeling your not telling me the whole truth? Hamza please, I must know.”
Hamza looked down, clearly uncomfortable with all of this. He wanted to avoid this subject. He though he could. He should’ve known better. Hamza looked up to find Bernard looking determinedly back.
“Bernard, I just don’t feel right here. I feel as if I should be somewhere else. I just know that I’m not happy here. Please, don’t misunderstand me, Bernard, you are my friend, and you always will be. Me leaving has nothing to do with you. It’s just that…this place, this city. It all just seems to be so….suffocating.”
Although Hamza never intended it, Bernard looked affronted. “This suffocating city is my home, Hamza. I am content here.”
Hamza looked away. “I know that Bernard. It’s just that…I’m not. At least, not now.”
Bernard looked grave. “So…this isn’t a gap year then. You’re leaving for good?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. This has happened to me four times before.”
Hamza looked back startled, to find Bernard smiling sadly.
“And?”
“We keep in touch, often. Some times we have visits.”
“So you know it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I left.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t make things any easier.”
Bernard dropped the subject.

[Halfmetal]

OOC: The car I will be referring to is this car :
http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/4242/800pxlandroverdefenderfga7.jpg


IC:
Bernard helped Hamza carry his bags down the building towards the Hamza’s car. Hamza was grateful for the help but not for Bernard’s near-constant criticism of his means of transport, he had developed.
“We have perfectly good trains and planes–“
“And they’re no fun, Bernard.” Hamza cut him smoothly, “I prefer my car. It’s a good car”.
“It’s an old car”.
“But it’s a good car. If only I could get a better car. Those damn safety laws won’t let me drive those sleek small fast convertibles. Almost everyone has them now. Almost everyone can go 150 mph. My top speed is still 80.”
“Yes, well, almost everyone has been driving for more than 3 years with no claims. You’ve only been driving for just over 8 months now. They’re no better, though. I’d be even more worried about your safety if you were going around driving one of them. They crumple like tin cans at the slightest crash. There are rarely any accidents in Gureino, but I’m sure there are many outside.”
Arriving at the car park outside the University, Hamza opened the car boot and put his bags in the car after Bernard.
“Yes, well, you don’t have to worry. I just recently upgrade this thing. See, I’ve totally armor plated this beast on the outside, front, sides and back, with pure titanium, 3cm thick. Even the windows are stronger. They’re bullet-proof now.” Hamza replied happily, knocking his knuckles lightly on the car. Hamza decided not to mention that he wrought these changes himself, using his secret Alchemy. “It’s like a mini tank, expect without a massive barrel sticking out of it. That would be pretty cool though. Only problem now is that my top speed is now 70 mph.”
Bernard grinned.

“So, what will be your first destination? I’m sure you are going to want to visit the Auriel Monastery. You did say you wanted to find out more about their religion.”
“Yes, but I reckon my first stop should be at Rebel Viridia.”
Hamza couldn’t help but grin has Bernard looked at Hamza with shock, his mouth open, gawking.
“You can’t be seriously. You honestly want to find a home there? In such a barbarous nation?”
“What? Oh don’t be ridiculous, I’m not going to live there. Well, at least I don’t plan on living there. Besides, I’ve heard they’re ruled by a Democratic Government. It can’t be as bad this Government makes it out to be, surely.”
“Why on Earth would you want to go there anyway?!?”
“I’m just a little curious, that’s all. I want to know more about the country, the sites, not to mention find out where this anti-world peace idea came from. I can’t see the world without visiting the most interesting part.”
“Yes…well…but-“
“Just calm down, numbnuts why do you think I did all that stuff to my car. I know what I’m doing Bernard. You’ve got to trust me on this.”
After Bernard took a few deep breaths he spoke, calmly
“I suppose there’s nothing I can do to stop you anyway is there?”
“I suppose not,” Hamza replied, glad Bernard has calmed down.


After closing the car boot, Hamza made to get in the car, but Bernard stopped him before he could. His expression wasn’t pleasant and Hamza knew what was coming but could do nothing to stop. Bernard placed his hand on his shoulders making Hamza uncomfortable. Hamza never felt comfortable when people did that but bit back a response.
“I will miss you sorely, Hamza.”
“I might be back in a year, you know. Possibly even earlier.”
“I know. But I believe it would be wiser for me to say it now whilst I know I still have a chance.”
Hamza looked into Bernard’s old face. Into his brilliant blue eyes. Then looked away. He moved away from Bernard and after placing his hand on the handle of the door, Hamza looked back.
“I will miss you sorely, Bernard. Good bye old friend”
And with that, Hamza opened the car door and got inside. Once he put his seatbelt on and turned the car on, Hamza looked back at Bernard to find him waving and mouthing ‘Good-bye’ to Hamza. Hamza smiled and did the same, before driving off.

[Halfmetal]

It was tough to say goodbye. Hamza felt as if he had just about a thousand more things to say to Bernard. For a long time, Bernard had been a competent mentor to Hamza. Whenever, he screwed up, Bernard was quick to point out what was wrong without making Hamza feel utterly stupid. When he did well, Bernard was quick to praise him. Then Hamza graduated for some time they spent their days discussing science, destroying each others theories. Bernard was the better destroyer. Hamza knew he was right. He would sorely miss that destroyer. Hamza supposed it could only get better here. Goodbyes were always tough. The hard part was over. Now he could look for forward.

As Hamza drove past another monotonous row of those same glass-white skyscrapers and couldn’t help wondering how difficult it was to get out of Neguro. Well, he wasn’t surprise. Holidays weren’t exactly smiled upon. A safety thing. But hat only made Hamza want to leave even more. He never told the real reason why he decided not to travel by trains or planes, to Bernard. It would only upset him, and besides, it didn’t concern him anyway. Why should he bother his friend over something he didn’t need to know about? Hamza didn’t really lie. Travelling by car would be more fun. That’s why he never took it any further. Hamza was amenable to almost anything.

Hamza let out a long sigh as he reached the infamous exit/entry security. Getting in was easy, but getting out was the harder part.

"Going out?" The security guard asked coldly. He seemed a gruff fellow at around his middle-years. Round head, with a crooked nose that looked as if it had been broken. His hair was short and bushy but his long moustache seemed well kept. His most distinctive feature however was the goatee on his chin that ended with a curl. Hamza frowned at man as you would at an unruly child and responded in the same manner.
"Well, of course, Mr....erm,(and Hamza smiled as he finally got a good look at his badge on his shirt), Mr, Chicken. Any problem."
"No problem, but first we're going to have to ask you a few questions."
"Very well, fire away."
"Humph, well first I’m going to need your passport for identif - ."
"Here you are," Hamza cut in, smoothly.
Snatching the passport out of Hamza's hand, the guard studied the photo and the details unnecessarily slowly. After a few minutes, the guard handed it back.
"Thanks you," Hamza responded, sweetly, making the guard's rude behaviour look childish and immature.
"Now, where are you heading Dr, Halfmetal?"
"Where ever the wind blows."
"And why?"
"Because I want to."
The Guard’s moustache was quivering with rage, his face was going red and Hamza could distinctly see a blue vein popping out from nowhere on his forehead. It was a petty victory but Hamza knew his uninformative answers were pissing this man off. After a few moments of the guard trying to keep his temper from overflowing, he announced:
"I'm afraid those answers will not suffice with the Government. You don’t even have permission papers. You should just turn back and –“
“Oooooh! You wanted permission papers? Well why didn’t you say so, my portly friend? Here you are!”
After shoving his papers into the guards face, the guard snatched the papers out of his hands. Hamza flinched at the way the papers crumpled slightly in his grasp. He had spent a lot of time and money on those papers. The guard then announcing gruffly that he would need to ‘verify’, these papers and it may take a few seconds.

After what seemed like several life times, the Guard finally came out looking quite pleased with himself, handed back the papers and announced.
“Well, you can go. So long as you pay the required £100 fee.”
Hamza narrowed his eyes at the man. Slowly, he got out of the car and faced the bastard. Clearly, the guard looked as if wasn’t expecting Hamza to be so much taller than him, and looked intimidated. He supposed this man had never handled anyone that looked as murderously at him as Hamza did.
“£100 fee? I had no idea there was such a fee. Why don’t I call the University and see if they can verify this.”
Hamza was hoping that the security guard knew exactly who Dr. Halfmetal was and hoped he had enough power over this man. He knew his own University wouldn’t help him here, even though it was quite obvious that this son of a bitch was lying to him. Fortunately, the guard cracked.
“Oh, you don’t need to do that, man! Don’t you know I was just joking? You can go through, you can go through.”
Like lighting, Hamza’s expression turned from cold fury into bright happiness.
“Why thank you, my fat friend. Have a lovely day!” Hamza responded cheerfully.
And with that Hamza was out of the gates.

The Daon Tower. Hamza couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer size of that thing as he drove around it. It was the last building before Hamza was finally out and into the open road. Strangely the Tower was outside the borders. It was as if Neguro had rejected the tower and did not consider it part of the city. That was a shame. Hamza felt it was the most interesting part of the City. But it wasn’t even part of the city.

“What the hell?!?” Hamza cried as he quickly firmed his grip on the leather wheel before losing complete control. It was over. His heart pounding, Hamza decided to accelerate and drive quicker, exiting Neguro. But Hamza drove on. Now driving past monotonous field of farmed land, Hamza didn’t stop until he was a good distance away from Neguro, before checking the damage.

Hamza had distinctly heard bullets fired at his car. They hit the body with loud thuds and the windows with loud pings. Hamza was shocked. Someone tried to kill him. Evidently they never expected him to modify his car to make it bullet-proof and Hamza was extremely grateful it was. The only thing was that he never expected to be fired at in Neguro. Guns were illegal in Neguro. Well, that did quite prevent gun-crime completely. It just significantly lowered it. But why on earth would someone try to shoot him? Hamza racked his brains to find memory of deeply insulting someone. None came to him. At least none that deserved something like this. Hamza looked back at the tall glass-white buildings in the distance. No one was following him now. The road, as usual, was deserted, except for him. But Hamza felt a no so familiar feeling of foreboding. Hamza quickly got back into the car and drove off.

[Halfmetal]

Two days had passed and Hamza was making good time. He had passed possibly one of the most technological villages and spent the night there. Now he was back on the road, passing seemingly endless yellow fields of arable farming, with hedges and bushes bordering the road.. The weather was crisp. Nice and sunny, and not a cloud in the sky, so despite the recent scare, Hamza decided to drive with an open window.

Finally deciding the destination, Hamza drove south-west to Viridia. It was the smallest and so Hamza knew he would be left time to visit the other countries. He didn’t know quite what to expect, there. He had never really travelled and the only country Hamza was ever told stories about was Koral, by his Grandfather and his father.

Hamza jumped as there was suddenly a car behind him, in sight. Evidently he was used to it being so deserted; he had never expected anyone to be there. The last time he checked it was still deserted. Oddly the car behind him was driving up close to him. He could see it was man behind the wheel, and it was just him. The face however, was undistinguishable from where he was. The man was driving one of those, high speed convertibles, that, like Bernard said, would ‘crumple like a tin can’ at the slightest bump.

Squinting, he could just about make out that the man was doing something. He seemed to be….loading a gun. Hamza could tell it was one of those guns designed especially for piercing.

Hamza realised with sudden horror what was about to happen next. Hamza ducked as the man fired. The bullet went straight through the glass and straight through the seats head rest only to bounce of the glass with a sinister ping. With his head still down, the brakes were slammed down, and Hamza rocked back and forth violently as Hamza’s assassin’s car crashed into his. Hamza swung his head round to see the damage. He knew his car would barely be damaged. The assassin’s car was much worse off, but judging by the amount of damage, it still seemed drivable. But the man was no longer in the car. But he was aware of the assassin’s tactic. He was waiting for the Hamza to come out. Evidently, he thought Hamza was stupid.

Scared to death, Hamza instead slammed the pedal down, driving away from his assassin. As he did so, another bullet was fired, again, pierced the back window and flew just inches from Hamza’s head. But that was the last bullet to hit his car. Hamza survived.

[Halfmetal]

The sun had set just over an hour ago and it was, now, a chilly night. For five straight hours, Hamza, after his encounter, had driven on and on, passing villages and towns, terrified of what might happen if he stopped, terrified of the possibility that his assassin would be right behind him; terrified beyond reason. Eventually, his fears subsided and thinking emerged just as he reached another village. Making a left turn, he reached a car park he spotted and stopped.

Taking several deep breaths and wiping the sweat off his brow, Hamza began thinking. Who was he? Why was he after him? Why was he trying to kill him? He didn’t have answers to any of these tormenting questions, and even worse thoughts were beginning to emerge. How was he supposed to stop him? Could he? Would he die in a matter of days? Panic began to build inside him as he began to think of the worst, but Hamza came to his senses and silenced them, letting his reason to emerge again and offer him some hope. He was, at least, experienced at that much. What did he know so far? Well, he would have to assume that he was the same person that tried to shoot him when he was still in Neguro. If that was the case then it was likely that killing him was on his assassin’s priority list. Eventually, his assassin would come after him, and after, Hamza’s cowardly display, he would probably feel confident enough to come soon. Either that or killing him was high enough on his priority list. That seemed to be the case since he didn’t wait that long after his first try. So he could therefore, that his assassin would most likely come after him quite soon, so he didn’t have long to prepare.
“Wonderful,” Hamza whispered bitterly to himself. He was still far from reassured.

Hamza racked his brains to try and find what else he knew about the man. The man was unknown him. But seemed experienced at what he was doing, considering he was so well prepared the last time. That confirmed his immediate suspicions. This man was hit man. Doing this was his job.

Frowning at the revelation, Hamza then began banging his head against the steering wheel. He was getting nowhere. Worse, he was going backwards. His reaoning wasn't helping but making him more hopeless. He had no idea what to do from here. He could think of no plan. And because of that, he would die, much sooner than he expected.

For some time, Hamza let his worries dominate his mind, letting his feelings writhe inside him like snakes, hating the situation he was in and the fact that he could think of nothing to get out of it. Afterwards, he came to the only possible option left open to him that just might not get him killed. Buy some time until he figured out a plan.

[Halfmetal]

Defenceless was the last position Hamza wanted to be if his assassin ever caught up with him. He wasn’t going to allow that, so he opened one of his bags to retrieve his twin Dao’s, and fastened their sheaths onto his back before going any further

It was dark, and he was tired at this point, but Hamza forced himself to drive on, against the idea of resting at an inn. That could be the first place for his assassin to look. Eventually reaching the open road again, Hamza drove on. Later on he noticed a farm house near by and made a right turn to arrive at the front of the house.

Leaving his swords in his car Hamza reaching the doorstep rang the doorbell twice and waited. After a while the door opened and at the other end was an unshaven middle-age man, still in his pyjamas, with a bat ready in his hands. He looked strong but his comical and predictable pose assured him of the man’s lack of experience to wield his weapon well. It was an amusing sight and Hamza could have laughed but instead let out a yawn and spoke softly.

“I’m sorry to disturb your sleep, but is it okay if I park my car near yours? I don’t want it to be out in the open road when I sleep in it, and I certainly don’t want it to be in the town nearby. It’s a privacy thing.”
At first the man was baffled at the odd request but he could see his confusion turned to suspicion. He was trying to see if there was any way in which agreeing would do him harm, but already Hamza was silently praising the man. Hamza had expected the door to be slammed in his face. After a short time the man nodded curtly and then slammed the door in his face. That was enough for him.

After that Hamza got into his car and climbed into the back of the car where his bags where and deliberately positioned himself uncomfortably. Hamza could feel eyes watching him from one of those windows and tried not to so much as even glance back. Those watching eyes would protect him rather than anything else. His first priority now was to stay awake in case his assassin turned up.

Soon afterwards, Hamza fell asleep.

[Halfmetal]

Roaring, Hamza threw himself bolt upright, waking up. Only the amount of room covered by his bags meant there wasn’t enough space for him to sit up bolt upright and as a consequence, Hamza banged his head on the roof. Now he was just confused and angry. It took a while for Hamza to remember where he was, and once he could everything else came back to him.

Hamza rubbed his head but the dull throbbing was nothing compared to the sharp pain on the other side of the head, which was often the after-effect of Hamza’s familiar nightmare. Grunting with pain, Hamza searched through his bags before he found his medical kit and got out two tablets of aspirin, and swallowing them whole one after the other with a gulp of water from his water bottle in between.

After a while, the pain had ceased and Hamza could think more clearly about his nightmares. They weren’t as frequent anymore as they were after the fire. Back then, he’d have them almost daily. Now, it just less than once a month. But after almost seven years, they still came, to haunt him. Eventually they would have to fade away from his life at some point, he supposed. It was simply a matter of time. Right now he had other things to worry about.

After placing everything back, Hamza noticed the two small holes, in his back window that were caused by his assassin’s fire arm, and got out his amulet and held it on the window. Concentrating, Hamza used his alchemy to repair the damage and felt oddly satisfied on his work.

(OOC: Sorry, but homework’s starting to pile up, now, back at college. This is as much I can do for now)

[Halfmetal]

Feeling hungry, Hamza rummaged through bags, trying to find the fruit he had packed, until the door to the farmhouse, he parked his car next to, was unceremoniously flung open, with a red headed, small and plump shaped woman marched out furiously, followed by a worn out looking man, Hamza recognized, still unshaven and still in his pyjamas. And for all the reason in the world, Hamza ducked down so the exasperated woman couldn’t see him.

Hamza couldn’t help it. The look on her face, reminded him, strongly of his mother, when she was furious as something. His father would come out and smile at him, putting his finger on his lips and telling Hamza, his mother was having another one of those ‘moments’ she always had. Sometimes, she would burst out of the room in the same way that women did and Hamza always ran to his room and hide. It wasn’t as if his mother ever harmed him. Actually, looking back, it seemed his mother never even noticed him at such times. But being small, her ‘moments’ always terrified him, and now Hamza had discovered, it was a reflex.

Glad that no one had seen him in his cowardly act, Hamza pricked his ears to hear out the conversation the women, or rather, the angry rant, she was having.
“You don’t know, where he came from, or who he is, or why he came here! You don’t have a clue! You allowed a complete stranger to stay here, who could be capable of just about anything and then you tell ME to calm down! Is your brain addled or something? I’m not having this, Kyle! I’m not!”
“Elsie, please, just listen to me. I didn’t see what harm he could have done. The doors were all locked at well as the windows. I checked. What could he have possibly done?” the worn out man responded.
“Wooden doors and glass windows do not stop a man if he is persistent, Kyle. You’re lucky we’re having this conversation right now!
“Yes, I’m sure I am”. He replied quietly, but the women clearly heard him and that only made her more furious.

Evidently they were husband and wife. Well, if they were discussing him then it wouldn’t be for long. Hamza had no intention for staying any longer.


(OOC: Once again, sorry about the shortness)

[Yurian]

The scan flittered in her eyes, before opening.

A bright flash ensued as Watari suddenly drew her sword; the knife she blocked went harrowing through the air, before landing on the ground. Soon enough, Hans Elexander followed suit with another knife in his hand. Again, another flash and some sparks were sent flying as Watari quickly parried the suprising attack. She glided through the air, sent by Hans force, before landing on the ground.

"What are you doing...?" Although her eyes were wide, focused, but slightly surprised, her face remained silent. A small stream of blood dribbled down her hand, a result of clenching the weapon too tightly.

"SAVE ME!" Hans rushed forward again. His movements became a streaked green blur - ala the green blanket he wore - but his face was red and rabid. Like a dog, his mouth was wide open and drooling. It almost seemed like smoke was sizzling out of his hair.

Several continued clangs ensued. The bout was more one sided, like a dance: Hans leading the powerful offensive; Watari, submitting and holding on. Her face was still focused, however.

"SAVE ME!" the Supreme Overseer screeched again.

[Yurian]

The Overseer rushed forward again. The knife in his hand, though small, quickly turned into a rush of blurs - dangerous and chaotic. Piercing clangs shot through the top floor of the Daon Tower as the two seemed to dance along in a frantic kinetic frenzy. Soon enough, blood began to spurt into the air, floating amongst the clashes.

"Shit!" Watari parried a knife assault, only to find herself pummeled in the stomach with a kick. She flew backword, landing on her bac-

"SAVE ME!" Hans screeched. He pounced on top of Watari, holding the knife in his two hands. She was stunned, her shoulders pinned to the ground by his knees. The blanket wrapped around his neck floated above her, and Darkness seemed to descend upon-

"Hugh!" Machine guns. The crazed animal and its blanket was suddenly shot off and light returned.

"Suzuka: Are you okay?" A face appeared above her, and she nodded grimly. She could feel a rush of footsteps rush around her towards Hans.

"He's dead, Captain."

"Bring him up to the autopsy room," the face ordered, turning to look at the reporter. "Don't reveal the situation yet."

[Halfmetal]

Judging this moment to be his cue, Hamza opened the back door and slid out smoothly to face the angry woman. To his surprise there were two others beside the ragged man, much younger. One was man, he judged to be older than him. He resembled his father but looked as if he got up earlier as he was wearing the right clothes, was shaven and his short brown coloured hair was almost shiny in the sunlight. The other, was a rather beautiful women, which must have been about his age. She was wearing a turquoise blouse, with a lovely long, navy blue skirt. Her brown hair was almost waist length and her green eyes were staring inquisitively at him. Hamza judged them to be son and daughter to these parents.

Hamza opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, the angry women rounded on him and started to lecture him about manners and that apparently it was rude to ask such things as he did from people he didn’t know, leaving Hamza a bit lost for words.

From the corner of his eye he noticed that the young woman behind the angry mother was whispering something into her brother’s ears. The brother responded by smirking, nodding to her comment, and then whispering what he could only guess was the same comment to his father. The father looked rather surprised at his son’s comment and then looked at Hamza, smiling as if he just remembered something. He wasn’t so sure what the comment was but perhaps, it was-
“Are you even listening to a word I’m saying?!?” The mother hissed.
“Huh?”
“I thought as much. Didn’t your mother ever teach you any manners?”
Taking a step back, Hamza gathered his thoughts again and addressed her as politely as possible.
“I understand that I must have caused you offence, and for that I apologize. I’m sorry if I have caused you any trouble. I don’t intend on staying any longer. I assume you want me to leave immediately and I shall.”

Grinning at the fact that his sudden politeness had left the angry woman at lost for words, now, Hamza nodded politely to all of them before turning round and reaching the door handle to get back into his car.

(OOC: The shortness will probably be continuing for a long time, it seems.)

[Halfmetal]

“Wait!” The father called. Hamza turned round. “You’re that scientist, aren’t you? The youngest scientist in Gurie. Dr. Hamza Halfmetal. I believe?” He asked.
Hamza looked from one face to another. They were all regarding him as if he was some sort of celebrity. All except the mother, who had narrowed his eyes at him, obviously sceptical. Well, he couldn’t blame her. How scientists travel around in cheap ass cars and sleep in them like rare gypsies? How many scientists weren’t typical old, chin stokers with long white beards? Well, Hamza had grown a beard but it was short and black. Not very sciencey.

Hamza smiled and nodded. “Yes, it’s true. Well, now you know my name but-“
“And how are we supposed to believe you? You could be lying for all we know!” The mother cut in smoothly. “If you really are this Halfmetal then show me your passport!” She demanded. The others had cringed at her rudeness but none opposed her. Frowning, Hamza sent his hand into his coat and pulled out his passport and showed it to her. Her face went from a sceptical expression to pure shock. For a while there seemed to be an awkward silence until the woman asked gently. “Won’t you join us, for breakfast?”

Now it Hamza’s turn to be surprised. He opened his mouth to refuse the invitation but hesitated. Hamza didn’t want to see rude. He couldn’t see much harm it either. Just for while, and then he could leave. He had too. He had an assassin on his trail. Hamza smiled and nodded, which evidently pleased the family.

[Yurian]

"As far as we can tell, there's some sort of discrepancy within Han's antimatter flow. He basically went crazy after such an unnatural amount of foreign energy welled up in his head."

Although she was still completely in her uniform - even the blood hadn't been cleaned off - Suzuka lay in the hospital bed, the white sheets comfortably folded onto her. Beside her was Captain Fher, one of her superiors to whom she often compared Lawrence Terna. They were complete opposites, yet equally talented. Of course she preferred the first; in fact, she found him easy to talk to within the cold, indifferent skyscraper city.

Fher sighed, looking sideways at Suzuka. "We're using something we don't even understand," he exclaimed, referencing the 'something' to antimatter. He stood up and looked as if he was going to stretch. Instead, he just smiled wearily and left the room.

Suzuka turned her head away from his receding figure and looked at the cup of water on the night stand. She pretended for a moment that the water was enveloping her, letting it's cool touch bring her away from this chaos. Suddenly, that eye - Han's crazy irrational eye, green and dark to it's dilated core - zoomed up into her thoughts and she forced her lids open. His words - 'SAVE ME...SAVE ME!' - echoed in her head, bouncing around within her skull - what could it mean?

[Halfmetal]

At first it was unpleasantly awkward at the dining table when Hamza agreed to have breakfast, and Hamza almost regretted accepting the invitation until Rian, the son made a brave stab at a conversation which proved successful. Rian was twenty-two years old and was employed by his father, working in the farm. They mostly took care of the barley they produced but they also took care of a herd of cows for producing dairy products. Hamza was slightly disappointed when Amzi, who hadn’t spoken a single word, left early to go to college, but Hamza still had a pleasant conversation with Rian. Rian talkative nature meant that his mother was having a harm time trying to get into the conversation and ask him a few questions, which was a special bonus because he had a feeling he’d have a lot of explaining to do, which was something Hamza’s introverted nature never liked.

After breakfast, Hamza asked if they could teach him anything about farming. With great delight, Kyle and Rian showed him round the farm and talked about various inputs, processes and outputs. Hamza may have a PhD but it seemed he was almost completely ignorant in this particular area, and Hamza was keen to learn whilst it was still he was here. To all three’s surprise it was almost midday and Kyle had to get out the nitrogen fertiliser for all the barley, the seemingly endless field of yellow. Rian still had the job of repairing the roof of the small, broken tool shed beside the house so Hamza joined Kyle, and let him finish off the lesson.

When they were finished, and came back to the house, they found Rian and Amzi waiting for them. Hamza, Rian and Amzi sat in the living room and talked for a long time. Hamza was thrilled when he found out that Amzi was strongly interested in a career in the science, especially concerning Soul Siphons where there was still much left to uncover, and gave Amzi plenty of information before realising that her attention was forced and ended it quickly. He did want to her to think he was boring.

Afterwards, Amzi declared that she had homework to do and Rian and Kyle went to do more work and tend the cows, which to his horror, left him with Elsie. To be polite, Hamza asked if he could help around the house, and so they both started cleaning. Much to his annoyance, Elsie asked almost asked him about everything, from where he was going, how and why. It was quite frustrating, because Hamza never liked explaining things to anyone, unless it would be about a topic he’d enjoy discussing. Well, Hamza was at least grateful that Elsie wasn’t interrogating. In fact she was much more polite then last time.

After they were done cleaning, Elsie called everyone down for dinner, and Hamza gladly joined them, after being offered. They talked and discussed things. Sometimes, Hamza joined in, and at others he listened attentively. He was already enjoying their company. They reminded Hamza of the fact that a good life could be one that would make a boring story.

However, when Hamza noticed it was 10 O’clock, his stomach churned as he remembered. He had an assassin following him. Someone wanted to kill him and Hamza should have been long gone by now. Hamza considered his position. It would seem awfully weird, if he told them he’d have to leave so he could drive in the night time. Plus, he reasoned that he’d need some sleep if he really wanted to face this assassin. It would be better for him to stay here again for the night and leave in the morning. And with that, Hamza asked if he could stay for another night, which they gladly agreed to, before going back to his car and retiring for the night.

[Halfmetal]

Light was shining down brightly as Hamza was walking along in the golden field of grass. Kyle and Rian were driving slowly around Elsie, in the tractor whilst his wife was using the vacuum cleaner on grass. Hamza waved to them and they waved back. Bernard was there, behind a desk in middle the field with his lab coat on and safety goggles, setting up a Liebig Condenser. Hamza waved to him too. Bernard just smiled back.

Walking along, past all four, Hamza eventually reached a girl, wearing a lovely long navy blue skirt and a turquoise blouse. She was sitting at the bank of a meandering river, whistling a lovely tune. Her feet were bare, swinging over the rushing water. Hamza sat beside her and began whistling along, and the girl stopped to beam at him. She gently touched his cheek with her hand and moved forward. Their lips met.

Hamza woke up and the new revelation hit him like a truck. "Aw crap"

[Halfmetal]

The sun was only starting to rise when Hamza woke up. As the light crept up, all was quiet and calm. All except Hamza, who had been quite restless after his recent dream. After a while, Hamza took deep breaths and began to try and think logically about this new revelation.

Okay, so he liked her. The problem was what he was going to do about it. Was there anything he could do? If he were back at Neguro, he’d probably ask Bernard. He was a married man. He’d be able to give his some advice. It’d be bloody awkward to ask something like that, but at least he’d have some idea as to how to handle this little problem.

But was it a problem? Perhaps, there was nothing wrong with this at all. Perhaps it was just everything else that was making this so difficult. The travelling. He could stop. Perhaps, he could live in the village nearby. He already felt so at home with this family. Perhaps this was some sort of freaky supernatural sign that people often talked about. Perhaps he was supposed to stop here. That would end all his hopes off travel for now. Perhaps he was better off not going anyway.

Hamza jumped and banged his head on the roof of the car when he heard the knock. It was Elsie. She seemed to be mouthing something to him. Oh, was asking him to come inside for breakfast. Immediately, his mind switched to an image of Amzi at the dinner table, and Hamza nodded.

[Halfmetal]

Hamza decided against asking her at breakfast, for two main reasons. One, Rian, Elsie and Kyle were there and that was something he definitely did not want and two, whenever he would open his mouth, it would quickly go dry and whatever he was about to say seemed utterly stupid. So he gave it up, and hoped for a better chance, sometime later.

……

This time Hamza asked if he could help repair the shed. The roof was still broken in some bits so clearly Rian wasn’t able to finish the job yesterday. After Kyle told him precisely what to do and what tools to use, Hamza got to work. After about 5 minutes, he forgot almost everything Kyle told him, and not wanting them to think of him incompetent, started using his alchemy to repair the metalwork. He was careful to use his alchemy, only when he was sure they weren’t looking and so used it bit by bit. Both Rian and Hamza were able to repair the shed at a steady pace, and eventually finished the work in under two hours

After they finished, Kyle came to check the work, but she had a grim expression. After a while he turned to Rian.
“Good job, Rian. Just in time, too, because it looks as if my suspicion was right. One of the cows has been infected. Doesn’t look as if she’s got long, poor thing. I can already see the virus taking its toll. You know what to do. We have to separate her from the rest. She’ll be sleeping in this shed tonight. I doubt she’ll even last the night though.”
Rian’s expression darkened, which surprised Hamza, somewhat. He didn’t think Rian’s face could darken at all.
“That bad? Well I suppose there’s nothing we could’ve done about it anyway. S’shame though. That’s the second time this week.”
“I’ve checked with the Trell’s too. They told me that four of their herd have caught it too, this week. That’s not good. Let’s hope this doesn’t carry on.”
And so all three went on to do more work.

……

Rian and Hamza spent the evening watching television, with Rian switching from various channels trying desperately to find something to good watch. After enduring about half an hour of Rian’s futile attempt and particularly bad language, Hamza decided to try and escape by going to the bathroom.

When he reached the flight of stairs, however, Amzi was there. She was wearing an amazing dark blue dress, with a white mini-cardigan. She looked stunning. Amzi looked inquisitively at him and then giggled. It was only then that Hamza realized he was gawking at her. Hamza controlled his expression immediately and silently cursed himself.

Then Amzi’s parent’s came round the corner. Elsie looked at Amzi, up and down, and smiled, obviously pleased.
“Oh good, it looks like you all ready. Good timing, your boyfriends arrived.”

And there it was.
Amzi had a boyfriend. This was what it must have felt like to have your heart torn apart. Hamza looked towards Kyle. His arms were folded and his mouth was tight with disapproval but he said nothing, whilst Hamza felt as if he was going to be physically sick.

Hamza watched Amzi leave and then absent-mindedly walked back to the couch where Rian was and tried to force a grin on himself.
“So, apparently Amzi has a boyfriend?” He asked. Rian turned Hamza.
“Oh, didn’t I tell you? Yeah, Amzi’s got a boyfriend. They’ve been going out for ages too. God, almost a year, it’s been. S’shame too. I really hate that guy. I don’t know what it is about him. I think it’s just the way he talks. He sounds like a proper arrogant prick. Well, too bad. Amzi likes him so I have to put up with him, when he’s around. Oh FINALLY, something good on.”

He should have seen this coming. Why didn’t he? Of course she had a boyfriend. Why wouldn’t she? He was stupid to assume otherwise. Utterly, utterly stupid…

[Halfmetal]

It was another quiet night. The only sound that permeated the peace was the soft and gentle rustle of the wind, now and then. Hamza was at the back of his car. His eyes were wide open. He couldn’t sleep. No matter now much he tried to blank his mind, Amzi always popped into his head. That was followed by a clenching feeling in his stomach. What was worst of all was that Hamza had heard her come back. She came, Hamza guessed, in her boyfriend’s car. Once they stopped it seemed to last an eternity for her to get out and go back to her house. Hamza wasn’t watching. He was facing the other direction. But he could here the various noises quite easily. Not long had passed since then.

Hamza sighed and acknowledged defeat. He wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. Hamza put his coat on, got out of the car, for a walk. It was long ago when he discovered that solitary walks made him feel better. But now, the night was too chilly to make him feel any less worse then he felt now. After a while, Hamza found himself back at the house. He leaned back on the small shed, beside the house, and looked up. The sky was clear. The moon was a waning crescent. The starts were twinkling brightly at him. Hamza noted the various constellations he could see.

Closing his eyes, Hamza concentrated on the various noises, even the tiniest sounds. The dominant sound was the rustle of the wind. That was followed by the dull moaning he could here inside the small shed. The cow that had fallen ill was in there. No doubt it would not be able to sleep with the deadly virus taking its toll. What came next…he could just about here out a car driving by. But it had stopped.

Hamza opened his eyes, and peered round the corner of the shed to see if he could see the car or whatever it was nearby. It was a car, but it was far off. And Hamza shook in horror when he realises whose it was. His assassin was here.

[Halfmetal]

Hamza retreated away from the corner and into the shed. The cow raised its head lazily to acknowledge him. The assassin must have seen his car. It wasn’t exactly hard to miss. He found him. And in all the places he could have chosen from, Hamza decided to hide in this shed. The assassin would probably check here first. He had just effectively cornered himself. He should have run into his car and crash into his assassin’s car like last time, before driving off. And because of his stupidity, he was going to die. Despair threatened to engulf him.

Taking deep breaths, Hamza pushed it aside. He couldn’t let himself die a stricken mess of fear. If he was going to die, he was going to die with dignity. He was going to fight. Hamza felt his stomach sank as he realized that if he made any noise or forced his assassin to make any noise, Kyle might come out to investigate. And then the assassin would have to kill him, as well. He also realized that facing the assassin would end his life indefinitely. Both meant that he would have to surprise and ambush him. Ambush an assassin…

First, he needed a weapon. Hamza cursed himself silently. His twin Dao’s were in the car along with his amulet. Hamza looked around, until his eyes rested on the door handle. Hamza went over and put his hand over it. He didn’t have his amulet - his soul siphon. No matter, he’d just have to risk it. He fixed his concentration on the handle and, using his alchemy, transmuted it into a knife. There now he had a weapon.

Hamza shook all over as he heard footsteps.

Now he’d have to draw the assassin here. He had to make sure the assassin would stop to check here first. Unceremoniously, Hamza walked straight over towards the cow and kicked it hard in the stomach. It screeched, loudly. He felt sorry for it but only for a brief second. It had to be done. Then Hamza moved to the side of the door way, near the door’s hinges and forced himself to still and listen.

There was no going back now. Cautious footsteps were approaching. He had only one chance to do this. The door began to slowly open, the hinges groaning from the friction of the movement. Hamza focused Celerity on his legs and arms. An elongated gun barrel, a silencer, peered out and into sight. It was all or nothing. Hamza could now see a hand holding the gun.

Now.

Hamza stepped forward and took hold of the barrel with his right hand. The assassin was on his right. He moved his dagger towards the assassin’s throat. Only he missed. He had stabbed him in his left eye instead. The assassin let out a blood curling scream before stumbling back and collapsing on the floor, at the foot of the doorway. He remained there.

Hamza went pale. Had he killed the man? Slowly he moved towards him and, crouching down, checked for his vital signs. He was still alive. But blood was gushing out from his eye. It was only a matter of time before he died. But Hamza could heal him. Should he? What would the man do? Would he thank Hamza? Or would he just kill him?

But eventually, time had to decide, and after a while, Hamza felt no pulse. The man was dead. Just…dead. Killed. Hamza had killed him. He had seen dead bodies before. But Hamza had never ended the life that animated their bodies beforehand. He had ended this one.

Hamza heard approaching footsteps. He looked up and saw Kyle. At the sight of the dead man, his face paled in shock. “What happened?” He whispered.

[Halfmetal]

It had only been a couple of minutes, but to Hamza it felt like a life time had passed. Kyle, Elsie and Amzi where sitting around the kitchen table with him. The dead man had been left where he was, untouched. No one made the slightest sound. It was agonizing. Hamza couldn’t bear to meet any of them in the eyes, and he knew they were trying hard not to look at him. He knew what they must be thinking. That he was killer, and he was on the run. Could he blame them? Hopefully, Rian would come back with evidence that would clear him. It was incredible how just half an hour ago, Hamza was thinking about the pettiest things…

When Kyle had seen him with the dead man, he was absolutely terrified and backed away, but Hamza had told him everything, whilst apologizing over it all. That he was shot at after leaving Neguro. That this man had tried to kill him again and that Hamza was trying to hide from him, until he figured out what to do. Hamza even, though with great difficulty, forced out how he killed the man.

After that, Kyle became so much more reasonable. It simply astounded him that Kyle could still trust him after seeing him with a dead bloody man. After that, Kyle told Elsie, Rian and Amzi. They were all woken up by the scream, so he had to tell them now. After Kyle told them all Elsie and Amzi went pale and looked petrified when they saw him. Hamza thought they would scream and it looked as if Kyle thought so too, but thankfully they didn’t. Rian simply looked dumbfounded. Kyle asked Rian to go and check the man’s car for evidence that would confirm Hamza’s story. Hamza advised him to put some gloves on. Rian looked at him inquiringly but when Hamza just remained silent, he gave up and did as Hamza told him to do.

_______________

The door opened. It was Rian. To Hamza’s relief he smiled at Hamza, but weakly, before he laid some papers on the table. “Hamza was right. This guy…whoever he was, was an assassin, hired to kill him. And I don’t think Hamza hadn’t done anything. It says in these papers, ‘to make an example at out of him’ whatever the hell that means.”

Rian took some deep breaths before continuing. “But…well, you’re not gonna believe this but…” and Rian took another deep breath “…It says in these papers here that…this guy, this assassin…was working for the Gureino Government.”

[Halfmetal]

Hamza actually stood up. “The…the Gureino Government? But…I haven’t done anything. Why would they want me dead?” Hamza’s voice was shaking. “Why would they want to make an example out of me?”

Suddenly Hamza’s world was beginning to collapse around him. Everything was changing. The Gureino Government wanted him dead. The Gureino Government. He thought he’d managed to solve his problem. But now he discovered he was in an even bigger problem. But…why? Why was all this happening to him? Why did they want him dead?

Hamza turned his head towards the papers. Part of him was bursting to search through those papers. But a part of him was holding the other back. He couldn’t afford to make any rash moves. He turned to Rian and asked for the gloves, who responded quickly. Putting them on, Hamza snatched the papers and went through them. There had to be something in them, something that would tell him why they wanted to kill him. But there was nothing. It was exactly what Rian said. Just ‘to make an example out of him’ was all that was written for a reason. That was all.

In a fit of rage, Hamza tossed the papers aside, sank back into his seat and ran his hands through his hair. He didn’t understand what was happening. He couldn’t figure it out. He hadn’t done anything, had he?

Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up. It was Kyle. “What are you going to do?” He asked seriously. Hamza looked at the others. They all smiled at him. They all trusted him. They were all actually with him. It warmed his heart knowing that. But what was he going to do now?