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Coincidence	By : Kiba Category: +. to F > Ai no Kusabi Views: 9481 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Ai no Kusabi, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 24
- 25
- 26
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All spelling and grammatical errors are the responsibility of the beta.*

*Well, you know my opinion about this.
Author's note: Please note that the text in italics with apostrophises indicates mental speech or communication.
To cocoke5: Neither Raoul nor Raven forgot. That's one of the things Kris worries about. Raven and Raoul will meet soon. Feel free to ask questions! I appreciate them as much as your reviewing.

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Chapter 25: Choices II

'If I decide on letting him live, you hand Eos over, freely and without further conditions?'

'Freely.'

The Elite wasn't easy to fool and Raven didn't expect him to take the bait. Well, he didn't.

'I suggest we move on to the conditions.'

A shiver went through the mental room, scarcely perceptible but distinct enough to enjoin Raven to caution. He could not let his guard down especially when he had to deal with the double aspects of the Elite simultaneously. The physical Ajax had linked himself to the system. While he lacked the ability to act in his own person here, he was sensitive to everything. More importantly, he blended with his mental counterpart. The mongrel wasn't entirely sure, if he was still able to appeal to this form of being Ajax .

The change in the Elite became apparent a while ago but it already started the first time mental Ajax got a hold on Raven in his mental cage. The interest he regarded the boy with, was like a thorn driven into the Elite's union. It was wedge between the two aspects of the Elite that should have been blended perfectly. The mental part welcomed Raven, the outer part, coming from a different point of view, brought odium on him. Unable to settle the difference but equally unable to even accept the idea of partition both became more and more twisted and capricious . Raven sensed the fragile equilibrium maintained by the two duelling aspects of the Elite. The questioned remained as to which of the two would win for total dominance.

Six months ago they shut themselves into the system, unreachable, even for Raven or Nyet, leaving Lucius point without administration and in utter discomfort. Taking over within was relatively easy, it was another cup of tea to deal with the federalists. Putting them of from day to day outdated after the second week. In the end remained no option but to fool them in a risky play. Jasper, the eldest dreamer and most similar in appearance to Ajax , became, pretending to be his brother, his proxy for the entire time of twelve weeks.

Without noticing, thus gave Ajax the mongrel a most impudent idea and moreover enough time to put it into action. The Elite's not all-to-consensual attitude adjustment proved to be a piece of luck for Raven for it provided the steppingstone to surpass the Elite and turn tables.

Ajax moved from his seat, deliberately ignoring his observing counterpart, surrounded the table and closed the fingers of his right hand around Raven's chin, the thumb brushing over the mongrel's lips in a coaxing, teasing, and playful manner.

'There is little I would deny you, my black beauty. Tell me, what is it you want?'
Raven moved his head away maintaining eye contact, when he answered, 'Not this!'

The rebuff affected the Elite far more than to be expected after three years. A wave of disappointment and sadness flashed back at the mongrel but even though, the hunger Ajax chose to express in his eyes didn't fade away and his voice remained soft.

'I can't agree, if you don't tell me.'

The majority of Elites loved mind games and this specimen was no exception to the law. Raven rolled his eyes. Time to put my cards on the table.

'I want two years.'

'So as to do what?'

'Bring Sister to completion.'

Ajax displayed a knowing smile, leaning back against the table.

'Before we proceed talking about your creature, I would like to know, why do you think the federalists would agree to this?'

The federalists. They willingly dirtied their hands to get rid of the self-appointed god Jupiter but they didn't agree to loosing luxury, money or influence, not seldom owed entirely to Tanagura's biotechnology and electronic knowledge. These were the two prized commodities that Amoi had to offer aside from trade in the flesh, trade in sex slaves. Amoi had no natural resources it could boast off proudly. Everything was synthetically manufactured or imported from other planetary systems. Not daring to realize their foolishly believing in powers of their own, they twisted with the dilemma of the solid position, Jupiter had built for itself. They generally agreed to wanting the god gone, but the dependency on its guts made the conspirators faltering. In the end appetite got the better sense of the federalists and they demanded the installation of a second AI.

Ajax private system had limited resources. It couldn't contain Jupiter's memory bank. The new AI could for the prize of gaining awareness and there lay the initial problem.

'I was never content with the federalists. ... A blond child for a delegate, high quality pets for others, unreported healing from sexual diseases.'
Raven gave him a disgusted look, 'Is there even one of them who doesn't owe you?'

'One or two. Well, let's stop beating around the bush. You were neither content with the federalists nor I, especially not the AI but you grew quite fond of it and I want to know why.'

It must have killed the Elite to say that. Ajax rarely admitted his limitations. Everything the dreamers didn't share remained hidden from him. There was no way; he could have a glue on Raven's addition to the Sister-system.

'Ajax, did you really think, I would allow to lay the entire burden of responsibility for this world on the infant's shoulders?'

'They are fit out for the task, but we are beating around the bush again. Spit it out already, would you?'

'I redesigned the plug-system to contain a human implement.'

A human implement; ridiculous and yet a simple safeguard against the creation of another Jupiter. Raven half expected from Ajax to literally shred his mind but the hand around his throat felt very real and the Elite, though shocked, still leaned against the table. It took Raven precious seconds to realize the assault leveled indeed from the outside. He had missed the subtle change in the mental room and now he was in to meet his Waterloo by the hand of the very physical Ajax .

"You get away with everything!"

The tall man sat across his chest. He pressed painfully against his throat with both hands, cutting of his air. Raven pushed back against him. He tried to remove Ajax ' fingers, before his brain short circuited. Unfortunately mongrels have never been known to be a match for Elites, especially not when infuriated.

"I should have killed you long ago. I told him it was a failure to let you run unobserved but wouldn't he listen? No. He's obsessed with you, obsessed with his natural born dreamer, his black beauty. ... I hate you with a passion, you freak of nature!"

Raven wasn't ready to take his leave but there was less he could do. The lack of oxygen and energy incapacitated him completely. The last thing he saw was Kris, coming up behind Ajax and shooting the elite down with a Shock Eye.
~~

The mongrel eyed his reflection in the mirror with mixed feelings. Dark bruises in the shape of fingers adorned his throat. His head hurt too and his skin felt hypersensitive, probably from his share of the Shock Eye.

"That was close, Raven."

The mongrel turned around and walked on shaky legs to the young redhead. Kris gave him the most earnest expression, he'd ever seen on his face.

"I'm sorry, love. I didn't see it coming."

"What happened?"

"I told Ajax about the implement."

"He didn't take it well."

The Feron moved to pour himself a glass of water from the faucet. Raven knew him well enough to realize he was not only angry but had reached his limit for worrying. He touched his fingers in a fleeting caress but Kris moved his hand away, somewhere finding the energy to fight the urge to cry.

"Why are we here, Raven?"

"When I saw the infants, I couldn't step aside."

"Liam."

"Not only Liam. Yes, he piqued my interest but, look Kris, none of the dreamers is standing alone. They are decals of Ajax . Maybe I considered it a good idea to put something different into the mix."

"You will go to Eos, with Sister. Am I right?"

"It doesn't necessarily have to be me."; A lame reply and Raven knew it. Kris finally turned to face him. Raven took note of the little Feron's stance. Determination burned in those eyes that took on Raven’s own, no hesitation came through in the clear calm voice that left no room for argument, "No matter what, where you lead I follow."
~~

Kris words singing in his ears, Raven made his way to the lab. Nyet informed him ; they had taken Ajax to sleep and prepared a hydroflation chamber.

In this drug induced state, the Elite looked peaceful. Raven sat down on the bed beside him. Sighing heavily, he took Ajax`s hand in his own. The situation was trying, the whole day was. An awkward silence filled the room, even the heart-monitor seemed afraid to make noises.

'Black beauty.'

'Ajax ...'

What's to say in such a situation?

'I didn't see it coming. I should have, but I didn't.'

'Ajax, don't...'

'It's alright but as you see I can't grant you the requested years. Whatsoever, I have now a rather keen interest in your Blondie.'

'Ajax, I never intended...'

'I don't blame you. Tell me, do you trust him? Really trust him?'

'With all of my heart.'

Silence...

'In that case, you may go.'
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Coincidence