Heart of the Machine
Chapter 1
Prologue
A prestigious IS Engineer is sent from STASIS, the sub-division of an organization called FRACTURE, to the IS Academy to form an alliance. But he can't use an IS. And the sad thing is, he's a war-torn soldier. Another sad thing: He's only 17. OC x Laura
I do not own Infinite Stratos... Though I would love own one.
... Yeah yeah, I'm doing this alright. You may hate me, but I'll get my other stories' chapters up too...
THE FIRST OC X SOMEBODY FIC FOR INFINITE STRATOS!
THE FIRST LAURA BODEWIG FIC! She will not be classified as OOC when she interacts with the OC. Besides, everybody does act different to different people. Though she will act accordingly to the canon characters. Keeping it in character.
POSSIBLY SLIGHT AU too. Depends on remainder of events in canon.
You people vote on who Ichika is with. I don't know who to choose without alienating some other fanbase.
Author's Minor Rant:
Forgive my addiction to K lettered names. And the war-torn soldier theme... I just had to, when I looked up the definition for the names, and the plot. And I can think of a lot of cool plot elements.
Now, let's rock.
(Opening Theme (OP): [Luka, GUMI], Speed) Trust me, this fits. Find the English subbed version.
My name... Is Kyuukai Tokiwa. And I am a survivor.
The introduction of Infinite Stratos to the world, wrought chaos among every single nation. A single exoskeleton could take down hundreds upon hundreds armies. Countries brought up arms, and war dawned upon the country of Japan, threatening the stability of an already strained peace.
Then it snapped. The coast of northern Japan became a battlefield. The First Conflict. And it was devastating. Cities once grand, were torn up by this once harmless technology. Now, they are broken, some vaporized. Others just vanished. Then came The Great Leak.
A fallen IS was captured. It was experimented on, along with the dead pilot. Then the results of the experiments came to fruition. They were sold, reproduced, manufactured, and the result: An apocalyptic war dawned on the world. Then, when the world reached a critical point, was the foundation of FRACTURE.
FReedom ACTion Unity Redemption Elimination. FRACTURE.
A coalition of high influencing powers, feared the aftermaths of such a great war, founded the paramilitary movement that would change the world. They created a massive army, armed to the core with hundreds of IS and a hand deep in the already growing world of weapons utilizing IS technology.
After pressuring the world powers back, both sides fearing of losses, they signed a treaty, permanently forbidding the use of IS in conflict and war, not including the self defense of home and country, and only for the uses of self-development and recreation.
The Alaska Treaty.
But what a load of utter bullshit.
They handed out the IS technology to every country known to man to prevent one country from "dominating" the other.
Because of that, there were constantly people abusing the laws set for IS, International "Competitions" be damned. People still used IS as a weapon, other than a tool. Used them for gain. Used them for power. Used them for murder.
FRACTURE, the paramilitary organization responsible for all control over IS, and it's leading partner, Tabane Shinonono, the creator of Infinite Stratos, they regulated the users, Infinite Stratos Cores, and any technology to do with IS in general. They caught wind of these continuous abusers, and created the military subdivision, the STASIS squads.
Subjugation and Termination of Abusive Sectors of Infinite Stratos. STASIS.
This is where I come in.
I am an orphan. But even today, my family still lives. They are my comrades. They are my brothers and my sisters. My commander, is my father, who cares for me, and provides for me, both with both sustenance and emotion. My mother, she's my teacher, my helper, and she loves me, and I love her.
Her name is Tabane Shinonono.
She taught me everything I know about Infinite Stratos. From the age of 5, I would spend my time around my mother's workspace, feebly trying to activate an IS, to feel that sense of power flowing through my veins. If I could, I would, if not for the long fleshy thing under my pants. Then she would pull me from her latest creation, cradle me in her arms, and with my father beside her, she would teach me of the miracles she would build every day.
At the age of 10, I built my first conventional IS. The Seraphim. It was a simple model. Created specifically for children and beginners to IS. Decked in silver and white, it was a popular model that would fly through the sky, like the delicate angel from which its name detailed. My mom and dad were so proud.
At the age of 12, I built my first combatant IS. Reaper. With custom made energy wings, which doubled as guns and swords, this was a one of a kind IS. With a fearsome slick mask, and it's destructive capabilities, it was the epitome of my male instinct. My dad was so proud. My mom went ballistic.
Hey, it's not like I can use it anyway, it catches dust every few hours after I polish it.
At the age of 13, I trained with my father and his STASIS squad. I learned how to use IS technology weapons from the experts. To be in a STASIS squad, you have to either be a pretty damn good IS pilot, or can go against an IS head to head with just instinct and weaponry. To take down an IS with only instinct and weaponry, is one hell of a feat.
At the age of 13, I went on my first combat operation. I took down my first IS with a pistol and rail gun. I killed for the first time. When I came home, I cried into my mother's arms for hours on end.
At the age of 14, my father died. Vaporized by a gravitational cannon. We didn't even have anything to bury. He taught me about our way of life. In the midst of battle, there is nothing but you, your weapon, and your enemy. So I didn't even have tears to shed. But after the battle, I locked myself in my workspace, listening to my mother pleading for me to open the door.
As I cried myself to sleep.
At the age of 14, I became the leader of a STASIS squad. Because I took down the most IS in the group. The Suicide Squadron, we were called. After every single sortie, at least a few of us die.
At the age of 15, I fought in The Second Conflict. With the sudden spike in the development of illegal parts and weapons, their use completely violating the Alaska Treaty and its regulations, FRACTURE demanded their immediate destruction. When STASIS came to confiscate the parts from the offending companies, the companies fought back.
Dozens of squads never made it home.
Battles raged among the urban environments of the world.
At the age of 16, I fought against the company VEIL in London. Vernon Electric Industrial Legion. As the base for illegal manufacturing in Eurasia, they manufactured and processed all the parts. So we met them head on in their headquarters on our own.
No help whatsoever from the government, as they were also trying to reap the benefits of the illegal parts.
The resulting battle leveled half of London. It carved a crater into the ground, and my name into history. My IS designs were the ones mainly used by STASIS, and when pitted against the unbearably strong illegal parts, coming out victorious, they became famous. So FRACTURE temporarily suspended me from active duty, and made me travel around the world to keep the regulations up, and to forge ties with the government.
In other words, bribe them with the good stuff to keep them in line, whip them around a bit with your money, fame and influence, and then tell them, "We are big. We are powerful. And we will fuck with you if you will fuck with us."
Now I'm 17.
I am going to the IS Academy in Japan to study and maintain the IS they have there, and teach a new generation about IS. So another Conflict doesn't happen between some power hungry bastards. And I'm also supposed to study the IS that I maintain to get some new data for Mom and her research crew. At least she's kinda happy about this whole thing, as she gets new ideas for work. But she's still ballistic.
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE RESEARCH, MY BOY IS NOT GOING TO THAT SCHOOL!"
"But it's-"
"INTERNATIONAL TIES MY ASS! I DON'T WANT MY BOY AROUND THAT MANY WOMEN! WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY WILL DO THERE!"
"As much of a lucky bastard he may be-"
SLAP.
"DON'T CALL MY SON A BASTARD! IT'S ALREADY GIVEN ME ONE HELL OF A MIGRANE WHEN HE STARTED BUILDING COMBAT SUITS, AND ENOUGH WEIGHT ON MY SHOULDERS THAT HE'S GONE TO WAR, BUT THE LAST THING I NEED IS HIM HAVING GIRL ISSUES AND THEN A PREGNANT GIRL ON OUR DOORSTEPS!"
The Commander sighed, rubbing his red cheek.
"You know how Kai is, but we have no real choice. The higher ups want him there to gather that new data of all those 3rd generation IS that are coming to the Academy. And both they and Kai want to meet Dunoa and Orimura."
Tabane gritted her teeth, and then shouted, "Fine! But I blame you for anything that happens to him!"
She stormed out of the room, leaving the dazed Commander behind in his office. Marching straight to the training zone, she came across a STASIS squad room. Slamming open the door, she found her son twirling a knife while doing statistics on a comrade's IS. He threw the knife at a target taped to the wall, striking the bullseye. He noticed Tabane.
"Oh Mom, I-"
She grabbed him by the ear, and dragged him out of the room, oblivious to the snickering soldiers in their way.
She pulled him to the Commander's office, throwing him into a chair.
"We're sending you to Parad-er-IS Academy." He flinched under Tabane's glare.
"…"
"Kyuu?" Tabane waved a hand in front of his face, expecting a reaction from his childish nickname.
"Kai? Are you alright?"
"I think we broke him…"
So that's how I ended up on a nearly empty train to IS Academy. Sitting down, laptop on my lap, I listened to the news.
"To build ties between FRACTURE and the Academy, FRACTURE has sent Kyuukai Tokiwa, the esteemed engineer, soldier of STASIS, and rumored to be the pupil of both the former Commander of STASIS and Tabane Shinonono, to the Academy to maintain and test all the IS situated there. This has caused a massive commotion, due to his fame and the fact that he is third person of the male gender to "enter" the Academy."
I could swear the guy muttered "lucky bastard" under his breath.
Though I have a strange ominous feeling about things to come…
And they are amplified by my only companion on my trip: A one-eyed, white haired girl sitting beside me. She's shot down any attempt I've made for conversation.
The train stopped, and we stepped off into the large, white campus. I made my way through the grounds, going to my destination. And that white haired girl kept following me.
I turned around to look at her. "Why are you following me?"
"That's my business." She shot back.
Cold, isn't she?
"And what is your business?"
She didn't answer. So I turned my back on her.
"Stop!"
"Why?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"You might be a pervert here to disrupt the peace!"
"Peace, huh, haven't experienced that for a while." I whisper while I continue walking.
My left wrist is jerked back. I turn my head to see the same white haired girl gripping it.
"… I'm going with you." She muttered.
"You're lost, aren't you?"
"I-I'm just making sure you don't do anything suspicious…"
She's lost.
"Where are you going then?" I asked.
Her pale cheek slightly tinted with red at being figured out. But as a trained soldier, I could notice such a subtle change.
"R-Room 1-1…" She whispered.
"Alright, let's go."
We walked along, with the girl still gripping on my wrist. I eyed her eye patch. Then I thought of a less pleasant time. But that made me think of my objective. The unmanned drone that attacked the Academy… I needed access to that thing IMMEDIATELY. That abomination was meant to fight, destroy, and kill as much as possible.
An aberration to the Alaska Treaty.
From the videos I saw of that thing, the technology required would probably drain a country of its resources, so it was probably the worst outcome possible.
This was a joint attack.
I sighed, and turned to the girl.
"What's your name?"
"Laura. Laura Bodewig." She replied.
"Nice to meet you."
"What's your name?" She asked.
"Kyuukai. Kyuukai Tokiwa."
She "eeped" and her grip on my wrist lessened slightly. I sighed again. Fame is a pain up my ass. Just like a long-ranged IS.
"Y-Y-You-"
"Yes I know…"
We made it to the plaza. Then the screaming started. People recognized my face. Not to mention that it was projected on holoscreen of the main building.
"IT'S HIM!"
"HE'S SO CUTE!"
"MARRY ME!"
An onslaught of girls began to surround us.
"Only one thing to do in this situation…"
"And that is…" Laura asked.
"RUN LIKE HELL!"
Sweeping Laura into my arms, I set off running.
"AFTER THEM!"
The girls gave chase, on foot and on IS.
"You alright?" I asked a still startled Laura.
"W-Wha…?"
"Hold that thought."
I turned around, and raised my free hand at the oncoming wave of girls. On the middle three fingers were silver, black and gold rings.
"Reaper's Sonata." The black ring on my index finger lit up.
In a short burst of light, a black rifle appeared in my hands.
With painted gold wings along half of the barrel and the sides of the chambers, and finally, a threatening-looking barrel, I held it one handed at the rushing torrent of female instinct. (Kind of like a GOW Lancer minus the chainsaw, colored completely black other than the golden wings.)
"It's on stun, don't worry." I assured a shocked Laura.
Then I opened fire…
We looked out onto the sea of unconscious girls.
"I wonder if that Orimura guy has these problems…" I mutter as I vanish the gun.
"H-How…" Laura stammered, looking at the rings.
"I can't wear the suit, but I can use the weapons."
"A-As expected for a soldier of your caliber." She tried to set herself straight, as she latched on to my wrist. We continued walking.
"But how can you use-"
"A weapon is only a tool. It is not a part of you. But as soon as you use it, it becomes an extension of yourself… That's why I can use the technology… And the fact that FRACTURE is the only organization in the world that can produce Anti-IS weapons…"
She gave a curt nod in understanding.
"Here's your stop."
She blinked, and then looked at the door to 1-1.
"I'll see you around then?"
"You will." She gave a barely noticeable smile.
She entered the room.
As the door closed behind her, I heard a very distinct slap.
"You made it."
Right behind me was Chifuyu Orimura.
"These students are crazy…" I mutter, as we walk off to the storage warehouses.
"Ah, your little outburst at the plaza… That was entertaining."
After unlocking a few heavy duty doors, they came across the drone. Lying on a mechanical operating table with a big hole through its chest, I sit down on the computer and read the analysis.
"So, what can you make of this?"
A frown burrowed itself onto my face.
"This IS core… This is completely violates the Alaska Treaty… This is the kind of thing that was used in the Second Conflict, with only one purpose… To kill as many things as possible."
She frowned.
"So do you know anything about the company that made it?" She asked.
"Not company… Companies, hell, countries…"
Her eyes widened.
"I can see numerous parts in here, this drone was put together, against all regulations, not just the legal ones… The ones that make the IS an IS. The group that made this put together a mismatch of highly powered parts, and then hoped for the best, like a misshapen Frankenstein if you will. The energy weapons were probably manufactured here in Japan, the leading producer in that field... The frame was probably made in the Eurasian area, I recognize the designs that were popular with VEIL and a few other companies... The legs, probably in Canada, these are made for all sorts of terrain... The drone…"
There! In the corner of my eye, I see a familiar glint in the hole of the drone's chest.
Against Chifuyu's demands, I leap over the fencing, and run over to the drone. Reaching into the hole, I grasp a spherical looking mechanism. I pull on it with all of my might. With a sickening groan, the metal gave way, releasing the sphere.
And in my hands, is the illegal core of the IS.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!" Chifuyu shouts at me.
"Found some evidence…"
We stare at the little sphere. And on the side, was the symbol for FRACTURE.
"This core is from FRACTURE… One of the ones we confiscated from VEIL… That's why it was unregistered… But why is it in here? Was it stolen…? Or was it sold?"
"This is too much to take in… I need a drink." She muttered, rubbing her forehead.
We left the storage room, deep in our own thoughts. The small sphere is still in my pocket. Chifuyu left for her room, and I walk off into the dusk. Finding a bench, I sit down to cool my thoughts.
Fiddling with the little core in my hands, I turn my head towards the sunset. There's still battles being fought out there… My comrades are still dying… And I would give anything to go fight with them and for them.
If I have anything left to fight for.
A familiar girl with white hair stormed past the bench.
"Laura!"
The girl turned her head, and her eyes widened as they met mine. She latched onto my wrist again.
"You're lost again, aren't you."
"No…" She grumbled, turning slightly red.
We began to walk toward the dorms.
"THAT ORIMURA IS SO INFURIATING!"
I listened to her rant for the remainder of the "trip".
"… Where do I sleep?"
I flicked up my cell phone, and called Chifuyu.
"Oi… What is it now…" A drowsy voice replied.
"Are… Are you drunk?" I ask, the worry evident in my voice.
"No… Not at all…"
"Where do I sleep?"
"In the girls' dorms… There's no more space for a solo room, and Dunoa and Ichika are already sharing a dorm… You're with a girl… Don't do anything rash, or she will kill you. Your room is 418… Enjoy." The phone buzzed off.
"…" Crazy bitch.
"You're being forced to sleep here to?"
I nod.
She slapped me in the face.
Damn, that hurt.
"W-what was that for?" I ask, rubbing my cheek.
"In case you're a pervert." She stated.
She detached from my wrist, and we walked into the dorms.
As we step into the elevator, I notice her eyes widen at the press of 4.
She went deep red as she noticed that I walked down the same hallway as her.
A small drop of red dripped onto her pale skin as we stopped at 418.
"…"
"…"
Inside my head: (OH SHIT, OH SHIT, OH SHIT, OH SHIT!)
"We're-"
"Sharing a room…"
When I open the door, I'm greeted by a homey looking room with a wide outcropping view of the Academy's grounds.
After discussing bathing terms and the like, we both washed up and headed for bed. But lingering darkly in my head, is how I noticed the uniformity of our procedures… I could understand, I was a soldier… But what about her?
Halfway through the night, I hear shuddering, and whimpers.
I notice on the other bed, Laura's curled figure.
I guess she's having a nightmare.
I still do.
As I walk over, I see her shudder violently. I inch the blankets off of her, and I see her gripped, pained face. So with a slight push of the shoulder, I wake her up.
She literally jumps out of bed, and latches herself around me.
She whimpers and lightly cries in my arms.
Sitting down on the bed, I pat her back.
"Are you okay?"
She finally notices who she's grabbing.
"I'm fine…"
She lets go.
"Did you have a bad dream?"
She nodded.
I wipe away a few of her tears with my hand. I notice the soaked patch, and make a move to move it.
She slapped my hand away.
God, that was stupid.
I probably seem like an insensitive jerk.
"Well… Good night." I stand up, and start to walk to my bed.
"Wait!"
There's a sharp tug on my wrist.
"Don't go…" Laura whispers.
I sit down again on the bed as she grasps my arm.
"I don't want to be alone again…"
You know what? Neither do I.
I try to get my arm away from her, but she refuses to budge. Now that I notice it, she seems so vulnerable around me… Why is that? Is it because I'm approachable? Nah, probably not… Is it because of familiarity? I don't think so either… Is it because we have something in common?
That's what scares me the most.
What has this girl gone through?
Now about how the hell am I gonna get some sleep…
"Umm…" I raise an eyebrow at her.
She refused to budge.
"Laura?"
She was asleep.
I dropped myself into her bed, cradling her in my arms...
I'm gonna face hell in the morning, aren't I?
But I can ascertain one thing for today…
I've got something else to fight for.
Chapter 1 Complete! Not much to say here… Vote for who Ichika ends up with…!And so, R/R, enjoy life, read great fiction, and let the creative juices flow. And not only for you lemon writers. Aw well. – EthernalRain