Chapter 10

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="95" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 46 WIDTH="91"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="46" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="91" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Ultra Symphony</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Arial" >   </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Chapter 10: Houmen (Release)</div> <bR> <div> <I>*** Ultraman and all respective characters, likenesses and items are copyright © 1966-2002 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. Ultra Theresa is copyright © 2002 Wayne Koizumi, and used with permission This fan fiction is not an official sequel to Ultra Theresa and is not considered to be part of the original Ultra Theresa timeline or universe.Original characters are the property of Chibi Cel-Chan, except where specified, and are not to be used without permission.*** </I></div> <div> ***</div> <bR> <div> Masami stopped dead, frowning. She wasn't used to doubting her instincts, so when she thought she heard the sound of movement in the small operating room Moroboshi was sedated in, she immediately stopped her activity and began listening intently. </div> <bR> <div> She heard nothing, and shook her head. "Maybe I'm just tired.." she muttered, but deep inside, she doubted her words. She was never wrong about this kind of thing. She pulled her long hair behind her ears into a ponytail, then released it; sort of a nervous habit she'd developed sometime around her MEU cadet days. </div> <bR> <div> Just to be on the safe side, she decided, moving stealthily over to the door, she'd check and make sure the sedative wasn't wearing off. She felt a pang of fear, and knew it was due to the fact that not only was this man basically a case of the living dead, but he had actually had the nerve to attempt to attack Captain Zoffy. She doubted that he could be trusted..</div> <bR> <div> She slowly opened the door, the breeze from the air pressure blowing a small section of her hair. The room was dark and rather gloomy for a medical facility, she noted, as her eyes wandered around the room.</div> <bR> <div> They focused on the bed, where a shadowed figure lay. She frowned skeptically. The shape of the figure seemed a little off to her.. </div> <bR> <div> ***</div> <bR> <div> Mikono closed her eyes and took in the soft breeze from the slightly open window. The air smelled slightly like the smog from the city, slightly like the sea. It was a fascinating essence. She was only vaguely aware of the fact that Kakei was still talking, explaining all of the technical jargon of the base for what he'd called MEU. He explained how they supported Ultra Theresa and all that.. </div> <bR> <div> Mikono felt somewhat bad for not paying any attention, but she just couldn't take her eyes off the view. And besides, Kakei's voice was so nice to just listen to..</div> <bR> <div> "Mikono-san?"</div> <bR> <div> She broke off her reverie and turned to Kakei. "Hai?"</div> <bR> <div> "Did you hear me?"</div> <bR> <div> She silently cursed herself. "Ano...iie..."</div> <bR> <div> He smiled wryly and turned to look out the window as well. "It is quite a beautiful view, isn't it?"</div> <bR> <div> "Hai, Shinkannou-san.." She nodded. </div> <bR> <div> He then turned to her. "Mikono-san, I don't want to imply anything about Moroboushi-san. He was once an Ultra, the same way we are. He was an exemplory warrior, indispensible in many critical battles."</div> <bR> <div> Mikono could feel the "but" coming a mile away. She closed her eyes.</div> <bR> <div> "That was almost 30 years ago now, that Seven died.. and I'm afraid I don't know if Moroboshi can be trusted.. He willingly denounced his loyalty to our planet. Before, though.. he was a member of the Ultra Kyohdai, which consists of the most elite of the Ultra Warriors."</div> <bR> <div> Mikono looked at him. "So that's why he called you Oniisan?"</div> <bR> <div> He nodded sadly. "That's right."</div> <bR> <div> Mikono frowned. "Wait a minute.. he denounced his loyalty and lost his powers and stuff?"</div> <bR> <div> Kakei nodded. "When Seven was killed, he lost all his Ultra abilities, with the exception of Ultra Nenriki."</div> <bR> <div> "What's that?" Mikono was suddenly very interested, although she didn't quite know why,</div> <bR> <div> "It is a deep-rooted power that we've managed to merge with the human bodies of Ultra hosts, that serves as a crude-but-effective attack when the host is unable to transform. Unfortunately, it's powered by the host's inner energy, and thus has its limitations."</div> <bR> <div> "But then, why did Moroboshi use it, if he's got all that contempt for you.. um... the Ultras?" </div> <bR> <div> Kakei looked at her, amusement in his eyes. "That's interesting, isn't it?" He had a hint of contempt in his voice.</div> <bR> <div> Mikono simply swallowed. It was the first time since she'd awakened that she sensed anything even remotely resembling anger in Kakei. Sure, he'd been angry in an authoritative sense around Ikeda, and he'd been stern when he was going to go battle, but this was real anger, albeit restrained, revolving around a sense of weakness. His hair was still as fiercely pointed as it had been before. Mikono involuntarily wondered how long it took to get it like that. </div> <bR> <div> ***</div> <bR> <div> Masami's eyes narrowed. "Moroboshi-san?" She asked quietly, angry at how shaky her voice sounded. </div> <bR> <div> The room was silent.</div> <bR> <div> And suddenly, Ikeda was unable to breathe. She felt a force outside her own body spinning her around, and she found herself face to face with a shadowed figure. </div> <bR> <div> "Try to hold me here, and I will kill you." A barely audible voice threatened. </div> <bR> <div> Ikeda's heart was racing, but she kept her composure. "You have betrayed the Ultra family. Captain Zoffy saved your life even after you attempted to attack him."</div> <bR> <div> "I have betrayed no one but those I see unfit to defend justice."</div> <bR> <div> "Your idea of justice..."</div> <bR> <div> "My idea of justice is placing the needs of the innocent above the needs of your own." Moroboshi growled. </div> <bR> <div> "I have dedicated my life to defending this planet." She said, her confidence unfaltering. </div> <bR> <div> He growled deep in his throat and released her. "If what you say is so, then return to the site where your captain destroyed the monster. There is the body of a victim there."</div> <bR> <div> She frowned. "What for?"</div> <bR> <div> "He is one of you." Moroboshi whispered, opening the door. The light from the main medical room flooded the small room, revealing frayed IV tubes and rumpled, bloodstained bedclothing. Masami remained frozen in place as Moroboshi exited the room. </div> <bR> <div> ***</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id51.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 11"><U>Chapter 11</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ultra Symphony"><U>Back</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>