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CYBERTROOPERS VIRTUAL ON ORATORIO TANGRAM

By: Takehito Yukiko
Co-writer : Foong Jia Khang

Prelude

Operation Moongate

The era had been renewed to the Virtual Century (V.C.). The earth bloc was ruled by the Hyper Contents Providers mainly involved with the enormous media industry. It was in the chaos of Medieval Stagnation politically and culturally.

In 0084 V.C., a major turning point had come to the earth bloc embarrassed by the space colony such as Mars growing its power as a frontier. DN Co., which was one of the Hyper Contents Providers, discovered the Ruins which was a vestige of the supreme civilization far beyond the level of the existing scientific technology while probing the resources on the moon surface. The top executives of DN Co. schemed to conceal and monopolize the OT(Over Technology) of the Ruins. They intended to gain predominance over the other HCPs and the big organizations outside the earth.

They developed the new arms (VIRTUAROID) based on the OT as the advance guard, and strengthened the military power by organizing the troops equipped with VRs.

However, the times were going to the different direction from what they had expected. The confrontation among insiders got aggravated over the usage of OT represented by VRs. The intervention by outsiders were also intensified. Finally, in 00a0 V.C.(Virtual Century is notated in hexadecimal.), in the complicated situation, the Ruins itself ran out of control. In the worst condition, the powerful arms VIRTUAROID stood on the front stage of the history. People put the VRs into motion and executed the Operation Moon Gate to destroy the Ruins.

It was just an overture leading to the endless battle.

Oratorio Tangram

"Moon Gate's awakening was an unnatural happening, a gigantic farce." Using the DNA company, O.M.G. (Operation Moon Gate) became a weapon of vast destruction but from the disentangled DNA; RNA, (a force who were confronting them) gained a sudden increase in power. Both of them claimed right of ownership to the nine industrial plants from the strong point of their Virtuaroid development.

However, no one saw the signs of their convergence as they fought around the plants. In the year V.C.a4, the reality was that they were finally approaching the climax of their war. Suddenly however, the nineth plant which held the main system of the TANGRAM (Space Time Causation Control Mechanism) vanished from the normal space-time continuum!

Considering that it had the ability to operate the Moon Gate, the loss of this plant was the advent of catastrophic danger to Earth. The Cybertroopers must search for Tangram! The pilot who is able to discover and possess the missing nineth plant will certainly be able to seize the initiative in the war's stalemate situation.

Both factions, DNA and RNA posses Virtuaroid cybertroopers. However, every area of their comprehensive reorganisation has evolved on a scale that has never been seen before! Now the curtain has been ripped down and the act begins for a new battle!"

Relying on Operation Moon Gate's data, DNA summons the eleven most Virtual On positive players to Virtual Century to assist them in their hunt for Tangram.

So, to sum things up, DNA and RNA are at war, and whoever can recover the missing ninth plant "Tangram" first, will become victorious.

Chapter 1 : Recruitment

King Crown's arcade was open for business as usual on that busy Saturday in the heart of urban Tokyo, but that day happened to be unusually busy.

It was the annual Tokyo Virtual On championships compeitions where the best so-called cybertroopers in Tokyo gathered in hopes of winning the much esteemed Cybertrooper title.

The compeition had yet to begin, not in two hours, but the arcade was already packed, especially around the practice use Virtual On machines.

For sixteen year old Takehito Yuki, the famed Fei Yen Knight champion of Tokyo, it felt like another normal trip to the arcade.

A hand tugged at her sleeve urgently and suddenly.

" Look Yuki! There's Karin!" a voice next to her squealed.

Yuki sweatdropped as she turned to Ichiko.

" Ichiko…. ^^u"

Tokyo famed Angelan champion and Yuki's classmate, turned literal spastic on the spot. Yuki grinned as she swung an arm over Ichiko's shoulder.

" Ne ne! Kare ga daisuki ne…??" she teased.

Ichiko turned red at once.

" Ya…..yamete Yuki chan! "

" Ne ne….. " she continued, the silly grin still plastered onto her face. " I think he might be your future prince charming. "

Ichiko's reddness would have put any tomato to shame then.

" Na…..yamete Yuki chan, " she pouted.

" Hai hai, wakatta na. "

Yuki leaned back onto the side of a game machine as she watched Karin play. She noted that he had been taking part actively in the Virtual On events that were happenening in Tokyo for the two years.

Temjin…….. he's using a Temjin…… she thought silently to herself.

Fei's more or less a cheater chara too ne, Yuki…..

Excelling at using the Virtual On's fastest character, Fei Yen, Yuki was a virtual legend in Tokyo. King Crown's arcade Virtual On circle had their butts amply whipped by the sixteen year old when she had first played there. Until……….

" Yuki chan!! "

"Wha……what??"

Yuki jumped from her thoughts.

" Karin just creamed Shigeru chan's butt! " Ichiko exclaimed.

"E……?"

A look of mock surprise came into Yuki's eyes as the duo watch Karin leave the machine's seat.

" Su….goi………!!!!!" Ichiko squealed.

As if he knew they were talking about him, the Temjin champion turned his head in their direction. For a second, his eyes locked on with Yuki's. Yuki gave him a curt nod. Karin blinked once, straightened himself and smiled. Picking up his bag, he walked off to RNA's side of the game machine to watch another game bout.

" Waaaaaa……!!!! Yuki chan!!! He smiled at me!!!! " Ichiko suddenly squealed next.

Yuki sweatdropped majorly.

" I…..ichiko chan… ^^U"

"Ohayo…..my two beauties!!! "

An arm swung itself over Yuki's shoulder and the sixteen year old promptly reacted by catchin it and executed a throw.

" Wha……..waaaaahhhhh…..!!!!!! "

*thomp thud thud!!*

" Yuki chan………O_o uu "

It was Ichiko's turn to sweatdrop as she glanced around, VERY aware of the fact that hundreds pairs of eyes were looking at them.

" Eiiiya…………." groaned the unfortunate floored victim. " Nice way to greet a pal, Yuki. "

" Eh ?"

Yuki looked down.

Tokyo's Cypher champion Aoki Diann, lying on his side, a smug look on his face.

"Diann kun…..^^U "

Yuki extended a hand to him.

" I’m sorry. I didn't know it was you. "

"Yeah yeah….." muttered Diann as he caught her hand and pulled himself up. " Just don't try that again on an old man like me. "

Yuki made a face at him.

" Where's Kouji and Batou? "

" Getting signed up over there, " Diann replied half heartedly, jerking a thumb behind him as he dusted his Levis' jeans.

Ichiko glanced in the direction and saw the twins signing in their names for the compeition at the registration counter. She also caught sight of something interesting.

" Hrm…..guyz, guess what?? "

"What??" chorused Yuki and Diann together.

" You know that street thug , Kazuku? "

Yuki and Diann nodded mechanically.

" He's here."

" WHAT?????!!!!!! "

Their combined cries would have blown half the arcade away. Ichiko stood, stunned by the force of their combined yell.

Hanashito Kazuku, leader of the famed tokyo blading gang, also Specineff champion, made his grand appearance on his prized roller blades. No one said much mainly because Kazuku was famed and respected pretty much in this area. Not with Yuki though.

" Pah! Ano bakana…."

The other reason why Yuki was the only one who dared to call him names was because of the fact that her family was one of the martial arts champion in Japan. Kazuku had his ass, physically and gamely whipped by the sixteen year old once, when he had confronted her after a game. Since then, she had been one and only person in Tokyo Kazuku respected AND learnt not to meddle with.

Kazuku now approached the threesome, giving Diann and Ichiko a glare.

" Ne? Ready to get your ass whipped again? " Yuki taunted.

Kazuku fumed silently as he watched a grin spread across her face. However, as he saw, it was one of genuine friendship and not mockery.

" Ganbatte kudasai. " she continued, smiling.

" Y… yes…." he stammered, hurrying away.

Diann grinned.

" Wow, IF I could get Kazuku lolling after me like that! "

Ichiko gave him a Yuki equivilent of a "light" jab. Diann howled once, again catching the attention of others and promptly doubled over.

" Ichikooooooo…!!!! "

Ichiko laughed and made a face at him, while Yuki major sweatdropped at their sides.

" Minna sama…… ^^U "

And not too long after, the much awaited battle of the Cybertroopers began…

Diann gritted his teeth as his opponent, a RNA Temjin, played "hit and run" with him. The main battle Virtuaroid fired off his rail gun shots at him and scooted away. Immediately, the Cypher champion went after him.

" Run will you…?? Eat my four way homing laser..!! "

Diann hit the double turbo buttons hard as his index fingers pressed the left and right triggers simultaneously. Immediately, the maroon colored Virtuaroid crouched in and fired off four homing lasers. The unfortunate Temjin, who had exhausted his dash, could only stand there and a second later, Cypher's four way homing lasers met their targets. Diann sat back, enjoying the view of his enemy being destroyed and his own Virtuaroid doing its winning pose.

" Winner, DNA site Cypher, Aoki Diann Hikaru."

" YOSHA!!!!! "

Diann leapt out of his pilot seat, doing a little victory dance.

Yuki on the DNA side of the machine was squaring off with another Fei Yen KN player. The player, as she had sensed, came a long way to using the Virtuaroid.

" Heh, " she snickered. "Juu nen hayai dayo! "

She had suckered her opponent into Hyper mode and was doing a good job of avoiding the other party's shots.

" Time to roll up the fight, Fei ! "

She fanscied the opponent on the other side start as she dashed forward, running at maximum speed to her opponent. As she had expected, her opponent fired off a hyper heart beam towards her. Yuki jerked the flight sticks outwards and her Virtuaroid soared upwards, avoiding the heart beam completely. Hitting the flight sticks forward and double turbo buttons, DNA's Fei Yen KN dashly aerially towards her opponent. Timing herself, Yuki hit the left trigger and her virtuaroid came sailing down onto her opponent's head and slashed, hacking off her opponent's remaining life off.

The flashing word "Winner" on her screen told Yuki all that she need to know.

" Winner, DNA site Fei Yen KN, Yuki. "

Yuki grinned a little, as she peered next door, to see Ichiko "ice-slap" her opponent into KO mode.

" Winner DNA site Angelan, Iseki Ichiko. "

" Yatta! " Ichiko squealed, as her virtuaroid sprouted a pair of white angelic wings and soared into the air, the perfect winning pose of the magical ice force Virtuaroid.

Ichiko flashed a thumbs up at Yuki and grinned. Yuki grinned back and stuck her tongue at her friend. Both turned at the sound of Kouji singing.

" Tongfer tongfer tongfer…..tongfer aglore! Tongfie tongfie!! "

The two girls joined Diann and Batou, watching Kouji battle his opponent, a Cypher with his prized Apharmd B. As Kouji sang, his entire game screen filled with tongfers blows, swarming the game arena with it. The less well armoured Cypher, just completing a missed SLC dive, swarmed right into his battlelion of tongfer blows and Diann whistled, seeing the life bar of the Cypher sweep to zero immediately.

" Winner DNA site, Apharmd B, Kouji. "

" Heh, " Kouji snickered, " piece of cake. "

He got out of his seat, only to be amply rewarded with a squeal from Ichiko that nearly sent him back.

" Look!! It's Karin over there!! "

The entourage turned to the direction Ichiko pointed frantically at and squealing.

The Temjin champion sat calmly at his seat, his face completely drained of expressions as he methodically took out his opponent, a Dordray.

" Wow……he looks so cool, " Ichiko sighed.

King Crown's arcade would have been flooded, with the amount of sweatdrops the entourage had.

Having all advanced to final stage of the compeitition, the entourage sat back, relaxing and watched the other compeititors…..

Chapter 2 : The New Warriors

" Are these the people the head department wants? "

The figure, lurking in the darkness of the laboratories, spoke.

" Yes professor. "

The figure walked forward, adjusting her glasses as she did and looked into the monitor over the technician's shoulder. A small smile flashed crossed her face.

" Prepare Operation Moon Gate's teleportation field. " she ordered.

" Yes professor."

She straightened, and sighed a little.

" We finally found them…power levels ?"

"Charging at 97%, 98% 99% full power !"

The gravely overhead monitors came to life and showed their targets, the teleportation field generators beyond their forward window trembled with power as the techs readied themselves.....

Usually battling the AI Tangram wasn't much of a difficulty, but today, Karin felt unusually nervous.

It must be the breakfast I had this morning, he finally decided.

While dashing and avoiding Tangram's giant laser, he cast glances to his sides. His other compatriots were all busy battling the AI Tangram, hardly paying attention to anything else but the enemy itself.

" Sou sou………." he muttered to himself.

Time to get back to defeating Tangram….

" Operation Moon Gate link up successful. Teleportation Field ready! "

" Teleportation, countdown start! 10…9…8…7….6…."

Charette gripped her arms tight, creasing the white lab suit she was wearing.

We're counting on you……cybertroopers!

Kazuku dealt the final blow to his AI Tangram, and watched as the game graphics vibrated, signaling the end of Tangram. Turning to his left, he saw his other competitors fall back in their seat, some sighing in relief, others cheering.

And once again, he was Tokyo's Specineff champion. Kazuka leaned back heavily into his seat, closing his eyes.

A scream suddenly jerked him from his short rest. Pulling himself up, Kazuku turned, looking around frantically as the game screens suddenly lit up. All of them had the same words flashing on it.

THIS IS DNA VR REPOSITORY SYSTEM. ALL REGISTERED USERS WILL NOW BE TRANSFERRED TO THE DEPLOYED VIRTUAROID MEMORY SYSTEM BANK

" What the….?? AUGH……!!!!! "

Kazuku let out a scream of pure horror as he was being lifted from his seat by some strange force and suddenly slammed into the game screen. Surprisingly, he felt no pain from the impact. The words floated in front of his eyes and danced brightly before finally spinning away. He felt as his body lost all control and the world fragmented into a millions pieces around him. From nowhere, an alarm screamed through his head, shorting out his confused brains and it was only when he looked up that he realized that he had passed through the monitor and into some cyber space.

" What the f***?? "

Spiraling crazily above him, were the other players, each one just as puzzled and most probably as scared as he was too. The alarm is fainting away, echoing erring.

Kazuku felt himself gain velocity as he was being tugged towards a light source at he head of a tunnel. The gentle tug became a painful pull suddenly. It felt as if he was being compressed and his breathe is being forced out of his lungs.

The players went screaming, spinning uncontrollably towards the end of the dark forbidding tunnel. The light glowed brighter till it looked as bright as the furnace of the sun...

" We are expecting them to turn up anytime now, professor. "

As if the technician just uttered a magic spell, the teleportation field glowed lightly and the eleven teenagers fell in a messy heap at their feet. Weird electrical energy leaped around.

Diann shook off the stupor from his arrival first and found a stinking foot on his face.

" Eyaaaaa………" groaned Diann as he lay among a mess of tangled limbs. " Hey! Get ur stinkin foot outta my face! "

Diann untangled his arms, with much difficulty, and pushed Kazuku's foot away from his face. Well, it was quite easy to identify ANYTHING Kazuku wore anyway!

The movement caused the gang leader to be suddenly freed from the tangled mass and Kazuku tumbled backwards on the cold steel floor. Kazuku shot up the next instant.

"Hey u! "

" What?? " Diann reliated, having successfully freed himself.

" What the f*** did ya push me like that for???? " Kazuku nearly screamed.

Kenji, unfortunately standing in the middle of the brawl, winced lightly from the words the gang leader was using and partly cos Kazuku was screaming into his ear too.

" Hey! I dun like ANYONE's foot in my face, alrite??? "

" Did I look like I had a choice???? "

" Of course u did!!!!"

"Well, tell me how then!!! "

" U coulda land ur stinkin foot at someone else's face anyway! "

" Who's stinkin foot are ya talkin abt?!?!?!?!? "

Kazuku looked ready to explode.

" YOURS !!!!"

" Why you!!!!!! "

Kazuku raised a fist back, ready to strike Diann. Diann moved his face forward, deliberately taunting Kazuku.

" Um…..guys…..? "

Diann and Kazuku simultaneously felt someone tap their shoulders.

" What????? " Diann yelled into an unfortunate Shigeru's ear.

Ichiko much much later, swore she saw stars appear in Shigeru's eyes.

" Um…… that? "

Shigeru swung his finger in the other direction. Kazuku and Diann swung their eyes to the direction Shigeru pointed at and both jaws dropped.

A group of what seem to be like scientists, wearing white overalls, stared at them from the darkened end of a technologically advanced looking laboratory.

" Errrrrrrrrr………"

The usually talkative Diann was struck speechless for once.

Both parties stared at one another for a full minute. Then, one of the "scientists" moved. His hands danced on the console near him, and input a series of commands. The force field separating the teenagers from the other part of the lab disappeared.

" Welcome! We were expecting you! "

" Uh……" Batou started, " expecting us…..?"

The blinking monitors behind the scientists group cleared and a word flashed across it, followed by a series of commands.

DNA

MAIN MSB SYSTEM ACTIVATED

" D…….DNA ??? " Ichiko stammered in absolute shock.

" MSB system??? " Touji exclaimed.

" Impossible! " Diann nearly screamed again. " This can't be……!!! "

The "scientist" who had spoke first nodded solemnly.

" I am Head Commanding officer of DNA's tactical division, Charette Walren. Welcome to VC a4…..cybertroopers!"

" Uh oh…….." Diann started again. " This is NOT looking good……"

The man sitting behind the huge ancient oak desk, a prized procession, something which can no longer be bought with money anymore, slapped the file closed brutally and threw it on the table, causing some of the ornaments to be scattered on the floor.

" What is the meaning of this, Earle?? " he demanded.

The young woman officer standing in front of him started shivering a little. The light was dim, and she could not see her commander’s face clearly. But she knew that her report will not make this a pleasant encounter.

" Well Sir, we … we had information that DNA was going to br…bring in some Virtual On positive pilots, bu….but we didn't expect……"

" YOU DIDN'T EXPECT!!!! " the man bellowed, striking a fist on the table.

The lady officer was silent.

The man in the seat fumed silently a few minutes.

" Earle, as tactical commander of RNA, you should know very well that the nine industrial plants are of VAST importance to us! And with the recent disappearance of Tangram, the situation has become extremely complicated for us."

" Yes sir, I understand….."

" YOU UNDERSTAND! " he bellowed again. " If you did understand, then why did you not stop DNA from bringing those pilots in?? Did the thought that these eleven people might be the source of our destruction ever crossed your mind??? Did it ever occur to you that they might find tangram and control the nine plants even before u can say Boo?? Did you ? Did you ? You...arrghhh"

The man sat back further in his seat, never once taking his eyes off the officer in front of him. Her silence on further irked him. The tactical commander felt his burning eyes fixed on her. She hung her head low and wondered if she would live to see the day.

" I want RNA's best cybertroopers assembled and sent to take out those eleven pilots before DNA can do anything to them, understand? "

" Yes sir, "

"Dismissed. "

" Yes sir. Rest assured I will not fail in this. "

The officer spun around on her heels and walked out, taking care to shut the door carefully.

" Of course not…... you will not want me to come after your neck personally……..Earle… heh heh heh……"

" Hey, wadda mean we're in VC a4?? " Kazuku burst out as they were led away from the labs.

The technician leading them through the seemingly endless passageways did not mutter a single word nor did Charette. The tech’s slience doesn’t seems to help, but deepen the mystery that shrouds their arrival.

" This is getting really weird Yuki. " Ichiko whispered.

The sixteen year old didn't say a word nor gave an indication that she heard.

The other silent party, Karin, who had not said a single word since their arrival, walked side by side with her. Yuki casted a side glance at him. The long side fringes of his blue grey hair covered his eyes partially, making it hard for her to actually look into his eyes.

Hrmp….

They entered what seem like a changing room, or so, Kouji thought, looking at the rows of lockers on their left. Attendants carrying what seem to be neatly pressed red jumpsuits appraoched the entourage.

" Cybertroopers, change and assemble outside the changing rooms when you are done. Tech Guy, will bring u to your briefing room once you are finished. "

The attendants placed the clothes on the benches in front of them and returned to Charette's side.

" We will be waiting. Now excuse us. "

She spun round on those uniform boots and filed out of the room silently. Not sooner had the door closed behind her when Diann started talking again.

" Man…! They expect me to wear THIS??? "

Diann held up his jumpsuit and stared disbelievingly at it.

" I don't see anything wrong with it….. " Kenji commented quietly.

" Hey Ken! Wake up! Look at this! RED jumpsuit for GUYS! I hate red!! " Diann nearly screamed.

"And look at this! " Kazuku added, pulling up a pair of white boots. " BOOTS!! Ya tell me I gotta sacrifice my beautiful blades for this??? "

" Why don't we get over this as soon as possible?? " Mamoru groaned. " I have a date with my girl later! "

" Looking at the situation…." someone spoke, " I don't think you are gonna see your girl for quite some time. "

" Wha….?! " Mamoru's jaw dropped. " Hey, what do mean by that Karin? "

The entourage turned to Karin, who was unfolding his suit. This was probably the first time anyone heard him talk this much before, considering his anti-social treatment even as part of the Tokyo Virtual On Club. To everyone who knew him, Karin was cold, silent and anti-social…

He looked up at them with his jade green eyes. Mamoru shuddered.

" N……never mind… "

Diann sighed.

How cold Karin could get….. he wondered out aloud to himself.

At Ichiko's side, getting her suit and watching Karin disppear into one of the changing cubicles, Yuki thought about all she knew about him.

It's lonely to be all alone ……. Karin…..what secrets do you have that you will not open up to us? Secrets so terrible that changed you…?

"Heyyyy, this thing actually looks good on me! " Diann exclaimed as he sat down onto one of the chairs in the main comference room.

" Ah…..stop showing off, Diann. " Ichiko berated.

Diann made a face at her just as Charette and the other officers entered the room.

" Attention! " Guy suddenly commanded.

As if on cue, the entourage jumped from their chairs and stood at attention. Charette took the seat at the head of the table and gave everyone a curt nod. The entourage sat down, silent.

" Good morning cybertroopers. Firstly, let me introduce you to some of the officers you will be seeing really often here. Christopher Lavin, u can call him Chris, my assistant. Raye Harzen, battle tactical officer. Cartens Vorzmov, MSB system tactical analysis engineer. Olbans Jared, CIS analysis engineer. I just thought, you guys might just wanna say hi to one another. "

The entourage nodded silently, feeling somewhat sheepish.

" Now, on to serious matters……" Charette paused, then continued. " You do know why you are here don't you? "

"Uh….. actually, we don't…." Diann piped.

Charette looked at everyone for a full minute.

" Since our discovery of this advanced technology, leading to our experimental Virtuaroid, Bal Bas Bow, Earth's political parties have been spying on us. They have set up RNA, to combat with us DNA. The reason why is pretty obvious… they want to seize control of the colonies, but with out newfound Virtuaroid technology, it makes us hard to control. That is why we were constantly looking for new Virtuaroid pilots. In an attempt to hunt for them, we created a arcade version of our fight against RNA and sent them to earth. The machines are linked to our super computers on the moon base and we track all virtual on positive pilots through that way….."

"Operation Moon gate…..!! " Kouji uttered once under his breath.

" That's right, Kouji. Operation Moon Gate was the name of our project to hunt for virtual on positive pilots. We didn't expect the main computer to actually tag our projects and revolt. "

" Was the main computer's name…Z gradt….? " Ichiko asked, not daring to look up.

" Yes. "

Gasps of surprise rose up in the main conference room. However, they settled down as soon as their surprise had come.

" Z gradt computed the data of the pilots and found eventually that our plans was to destroy RNA. Through his program virus, Jagurandi, this data was twisted to US wanting to destroy earth. Z gradt shut out our staff from his main processor room and prepared to use our new weaponry, the Sun cannon, to destroy earth. Luckily, you people were able to stop him. "

" Us…….stopping Z gradt…." Diann repeated as in a daze.

"Following that, RNA started to invest in Virtuaroid technology, replacing their military units with it. To ensure our survival, we had to create more powerful virtuaroids to counter theirs. "

The room darked as the projection screen behind Charette lit up. Nine flashing triangles flashed around DNA's site.

" These are our nine industrial plants that RNA is eyeing for too. These nine industrial plants contain our individual Virtuaroid confidential data. Now, protecting these plants is easy work for us, but..! "

A single triangle on the screen stopped flashing and the screen zoomed in,

" This is our ninth plant, one that holds the main system of our Space time causation control mechanism, or TANGRAM. It disappeared one day from our space time continuum and since then, we have not been able to track down TANGRAM. "

"What's so strange about that..? " Kazuku piped.

" TANGRAM has the abillity to operate Operation Moon Gate. It was precisely one of the main systems involved in running the moon base. The loss of TANGRAM spells a dead end for earth. We must find TANGRAM and seize the lead in this fight against RNA. Only then will we be able to totally destroy RNA and regain peace for our colonies. Cybertroopers….. "

Charette leaned her arms on the table.

" We need your help. Will you help us..? "

" It is mankind's nature to fight……" Yuki said. " We have no say against that. "

" Yes, Yuki… it is our nature to fight. For our own survival, we have to. "

" ………….. "

" Well……? "

Diann looked down.

" Well, since we're all already here…."

" We might as well…." Kenji continued.

Charette moved back from the table, a smile on her face.

" Thank you cybertroopers. We will remember your help to us forever. "

" Save the thanks for laters, Charette san. " Diann said, waving a hand. " After all, we ARE the cybertroopers in Tokyo. "

Batou grinned at him from across the table.

" And now….. I will assume you will wish to view our Virtuaroids..? "

" Y…..you mean we can?? " Ichiko squealed, surprised.

Charette nodded.

" Oh yea!!!! " Diann cheered, high fiving Kouji.

The mention of Virtuaroids was somewhat able to lift the depression spirit over them.

" Let's go then…." she smiled.

Five minutes later, the cybertroopers were cruising on an conveyer belt like thingee which lead them into a dark tunnel, lit by orange colored lights at the sides.

" Man, u know….this is kinda creepy. " Diann said, looking around nervously.

Charette laughed.

" You ain't afraid of ghosts are you? " Kenji laughed.

" I………"

" Woooooooooo…….!!!! " Kouji wailed, in mimick of a ghost, and running a finger on Diann's shoulder.

" ARGH!!!!! "

Ichiko laughed, seeing the expression on Diann's face.

" Cybertroopers, look to your sides. I proudly present to you, DNA's Virtuaroids…! " Charette suddenly announced.

The dark tunnel suddenly burst forth in light and they were in the Virtuaroids hangar.

" Oh my god……….." Kenji suddenly said.

Nobody heard him, they were all too fascinated by what they saw to hear anything.

Virtuaroids…… he had only seen them in the game and models. The scene before him seem too unreal, and Karin rubbed his eyes again.

No shit….. that was his Temjin standing out there, in the middle of Angelan and Grys Vok. Karin stepped off the conveyer and onto the viewing platform unknowingly. Painted in blue and white, the shining ultra-techno giant stooded proudly at its bay. Several techs were making checks and adjustments to the machine.

Temjin…….

He walked up to his Virtuaroid. Stretching out a trembling hand, Karin slowly touched the main body of his Virtuaroid, afraid that it might disappear or he would wake up from this bizarre dream.

But no….. the thing he touched felt cold but yet strangely warm and close to him at the same time. And it was real.

" God……" he muttered and looked up.

His Virtuaroid's visors was flashing green, and gave an air of menace about it. And suddenly, Karin felt proud of his Virtuaroid. He was dying to pilot this metal machine immediately.

And his wish came true not too long after.

" Ne ne! Charette san! Can we test pilot this VRs?? " Ichiko suddenly squealed.

Charette smiled a little, apparently relishing on the fact that the cybertroopers were vastly interested in their Virtuaroids.

" Yea Charette san! " Diann yelled from across the other side of the viewing gallery where he was literally sitting on his Virtuaroid's shoulder. " Can we?? "

Charette turned to the head mechanic.

" Guy, are the Virtuaroids up at ready to go? "

" All Virtuaroids up at ready at 100% battle efficiency! " Guy reported, jumping into a smart salute.

" Good. Jared, Cartens, prepare pilot control room DN-05 ready for CIS dive and MSB start-up. "

" Yes Commander! " both tactical engineers jumped into a smart salute and dismissed themselves after Charette gave acknowledgement of their salute.

" Well, cybertroopers, " Charette began as she re-orientated herself to face the Tokyo gang who had gathered back at the viewing platform. " It's time to bash some baddies, what ya say? "

She winked.

" Oh yea!!! " Diann chorused. "Gimme a five, Kou! "

" Yea baby! We're goin VR piloting! Woohoo!!!! " Kouji cheered.

Charette smiled, touched at the entourage's enthuasism.

Maybe……….maybe DNA will win this war after all eh….?

"Whoa…… talk about high tech man…….." Diann began.

" Yea…….." Touji continued after him.

In front of them spawned 12 piloting seats, 6 on either side of the room. A suspension bridge under each one of them enabled pilots to dive in and out of the CIS with ease. Ichiko peered into the small cubicle like enviornment, which the suspension bridge seem to bring the command counch into and saw a mass of grids and complicated looking commands run around it.

" Impressed? " Charette asked, noticing Ichiko's expression. " That is our CIS environment. "

" Whoa…….." Shigeru piped. " Cooly cooly…."

Mamoru looked around, noticing that the code names of each Virtuaroid was lasered into the back of each command seat.

" I suppose this is for our reference? " he asked.

" Yes, of course. Each individual CIS here is linked to individual MSB system, each specially tailored to suit each Virtuaroid and pilot. Getting into a wrong piloting seat might end up killing you, so be real careful. "

Batou shivered a little.

" Sounds pretty scary. "

Charette laughed a little.

" Well, just be REAL careful then ok? Now then, shall we begin your first real test piloting skills? "

" Yes yes!!!! " Ichiko squealed, jumping around a little.

" Well…..let's go then. Following your Virtuaroids codenames, Angelan, Temjin, Grys Vok and Raiden on my left! Dordray, Fei Yen KN, Cypher, Apharmd B, Apharmd S and Specineff on my right! "

" Hrm… " Kazuku looked thoughtful. " It looks like we are being arranged to our Virutaroids arrangement in the hangar. "

" Pilots have a direct link to their virtuaroids from here. " Charette answered, watching everyone get into their seats. " And the Virtuaroids hangar is rite underneath this room., heh, and we won't wanna get a haggled mess of wires running left and right. "

" Uhh huh…." Shigeru muttered, watching a HUD sliding onto his lap. " And uh….what does this actually do? ^_^U "

" Put on your HUDs everyone. " was the next order.

" Uh……." Diann began, looking at his HUD quizzically. " Does this bite? "

Charette would have seen legs replacing the people that sat at their command couches if room allowed.

" On the contary, it doesn't. " she grinned. " These HUDs give you pilots direct links to the Virtuaroids. In other words, you act and think for your VR. "

" Coolllie…. " Kazuku muttered, tryin to adjust to his command couch and trying to get used to the heaviness on his head.

Geeeeee….this is worse than a safety helmet….

" Alright, is everyone ok in there? "

A simultaneous "yes!" rose from the entourage, followed by some wild cheers from the ever talkative Diann.

" Alright! I will monitor your progress and all from our operations now. Ganbatte cybertroopers! "

" Hai…..!! "

Chapter 3 : Test Flight

The engineers and Charette's assistant all jumped to attention as she entered the dimly lit room, labelled "DNA Tactical Operation Room DN-02."

" Everything ok? " she asked, casting off her heavy outer jacket and slung it over the command chair.

" The computers register that these pilots have an average neural synchronisation rate of 92% and average Virtual On positive reading of 97%. MSB individual check confirms they are all CIS positive too." Chris reported.

" Good. "

She reached for a microphone hanging next to her chair and slid the earpiece into her ear.

" Cybertroopers, do u hear me? " she tested.

" Yea yea, we hear you charette san, " Diann droned.

" Alright… now look, we're just gonna do some pre-dive hook up stuffs around on you ok, so don't get alarmed if something moves or something like that. "

" You mean this THING moves??" Ichiko nearly shrieked.

" Uh…….yes. Ok cybertroopers, relax back into your seats and place your hands by your sides and RELAX! "

" Hai hai……… " Mamoru muttered, more to himself than anyone.

" We will now prepare you to dive into CIS. "

" Uh huh! " Diann muttered.

" DNA Cyber Imaginary Space Program, launch successful for pilot control room DN-V43. Launching pilot operation gates. "

" SGV-417 launch ok! "

" MBV-707 launch OK! "

" SAV-326 launch ok! "

" HBV-502 launch ok! "

" RVR-87 launch ok! "

" RVR-33 launch ok! "

" RVR-39 launch ok! "

" RVR-42 launch ok!"

" RVR-14 launch ok! "

" RVR-68 launch ok! "

" CIS, program start! " Jared ordered.

The operations technician hit a red button under a plastic covering on his console. In cue, the polygonal mass of grids in front of the pilots glowed orange, blinked and turned green.

" Cyber Imaginary Space, program start successful. "

" Pilot hook up, hajime! "

Diann heard a weird sound coming from behind his seat and simultaneously felt something cold poke into his back. Then it went in. He felt the cold thing sneaking up his spine.

" EEEEEEEOWWWWW!!!!! " he howled, nearly jumping out from his seat.

The sudden yelps of surprise from other pilots' seats told him the same story.

" What the hell….?? " Shigeru cursed and turned around, feeling behind him.

" Wha on earth……..?? " Kazuku began and then stopped as his fingers traced seven spinal contacts embedded firmly into his spinal cord, through the fabric of his jumpsuit.

" Cybertroopers! Do NOT panic! "

" You're telling us NOT to panic! " Diann nearly yelled. " This IS killing me!!! "

" Relax cybertroopers! These spinal contacts will allow us to monitor you while you are in CIS. First time contact might be a little painful but subsequently, I can guarantee you won't feel the pain. "

" O…..K……what next? " Kouji muttered under his breath.

As if he just uttered another curse, more contact wires came into his view from the side of the seat.

" WHA…..????? " was all Kouji could say before they came to life and embedded themselves into his arms and neck.

" EEEEOOOOWWWWW!!!!! Kouji you jinx!!! " Diann howled again, reaching out an arm to whack Kouji over his head.

" OW!!! " Kouji yelped.

" Relax, cybertroopers, RELAX!! " Charette ordered.

" We should have warned them of this, " Jared commented, sticking a finger into his ear, signifying how loud Diann's voice was.

" It's too late now anyway, " Charette replied. " Cybertroopers, tell me what do you see through your visors now. "

" I see majordomo static, " Diann said. " OW, this thing hurts. "

" Same thing here, " Batou said.

Charette turned to Jared.

" Cybertroopers, all hooked up and ready for dive. "

" OK. Cybertroopers, sit back and relax and prepare to dive into CIS. "

" Uh huh!!! Is this gonna hurt ??? " Diann piped, looking around and squirming uncomfortably in his seat.

" You'll be glad to know it doesn't, " Charette replied, looking at Jared. " CIS, dive! "

" Ryokai! "

The suspension bridges under the pilot's seat began to retract, pulling them into the green polygonal grid environment.

" This had better be good….." Diann muttered, crossing his arm. "OW!! " howled a disdained Diann as he accidentally hit his elbow against the arm of his command couch.

" You know….." Chris said, turning to his superior. " You wondered why head office wanted this guy...... "

When they were fully into the green polygonal environment, a hiss was heard and a rush of cold air drifted past their faces.

" I still see majordomo static, " Diann commented looking around through his HUDs. " What kinda CIS and MSB is this??? "

As if the main CIS program could hear him, the vision before each one of them cleared, and flashed once green.

" CIS dive successful. Loading MSBS now….. 5…4…3….2…..1…. "

A beep was heard and the environment around them seem to clear into columnal swirls.

" Eeeepers…. " Ichiko muttered. " Talk about things that make u feel queasy. "

From the far end of the colomnal swirl, an image appeared and seem to swirl around wildly as the surroundings cleared. He could see indicators around his view and got lost trying to figure out what do they do.

" Whoa……………" Kenji whistled.

" I see Diann, " Kouji grinned as he mentally imagined his Virtuaroid kicking Diann's Cypher.

To his great horror, Apharmd Battler rose his military camouflage painted left leg and gave the maroon colored Cypher in front a mighty kick.

" EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOWWWWWWW!!!!!!! " Diann howled at once, his hands flying to his bottom at once. Warnings flashed across his visors as the virtuaroid was launched off its feet.

The Cypher fell forward, hitting the stationary Fei Yen Knight, who in turned fell onto a surprised Dordray who did not even flinched.

" OUCH!!! " Yuki yelped.

" Uh………" Kouji began and couldn't end.

He wasn't expecting that kind of reaction to both his Virtuaroid and Diann.

From their visors view, the other Virtuaroids could see across the viewing platform and the spectacle that was going on. *sweatdrop*

" Cybertroopers! Enough fooling around! " Charette's voice boomed from above.

" Sorry, " Kouji apologised. " I wasn't expecting……"

" My butt hurts!!!! " Diann whined. " And it's all your fault!!!! "

" Charette san? Why does Diann feel the pain when his VR is kicked ? " Kenji asked.

" And why does my Apharmd react to my thoughts??? "

The communications line was silent for a while.

" MSB systems sends your mind to the compact disc pack on the back on your virtuaroid which explains why you view your surroundings as if you are your VR. The HUDs and those contact wires transmit neural commands to your Virtuaroids, hence Apharmd's reaction to Kouji's thoughts. And because your are all so closely linked to your Virtuaroid, any damage that your Virtuaroid suffers, will be re-transmitted back to you in the form of physiological pain, hence why Diann feels the pain. "

" Complexities dun work for bal bal, " Shigeru grinned.

" Yea right, " Ichiko muttered, making a face at Shigeru. " You have one of the most complex weapon systems in this lot of us, so shut up."

Shigeru made a face at the angelan's back which he was sure, she couldn't see.

" Alright!!! " Charette announced. " Let's get some real piloting done! Cybertroopers, look down your command couch and note the two flight controls below. "

Karin leaned over, and saw the heads of the controls protruding out from somewhere at his knee level.

" Uh……we see em, er……. You don't mean we gotta lean over to pilot?? " Diann exclaimed.

" When you feel you are ready to launch off, pull the flight controls up, all the way up! This will raise your Virtuaroid to their respective launch off points. Your Virtuaroid will automatically launch off in 10 seconds after that. Do not worry about the controls slipping back to shutdown position. Our piloting locks system will auto lock the controls in place when the Virtuaroids are transferred to launch off pads. "

" That's a relief for one, " Yuki muttered.

" Well, everyone, you are much pretty on your own now. Good luck cybertroopers! "

The communications line above seem to go dead with a light buzz.

" Ok, " Touji began, " we're on our own now…. So….. "

" Let's go baby!!!! " Diann yelled, pulling his flight controls up.

A light hum and a click locked his flight controls in battle position. Diann felt a light bump as the Cypher's platform was freed from its safety locks and elevated into a red lit tunnel.

" Whoa…….it's exactly like the game!!! "

Karin was silent as he watched his surroundings change from darkness to a red lit tunnel. A sense of exhilaration suddenly washed over him.

" Yoshi yoshi! Ore wa ima ikuze!! " he exclaimed as his VR was raised lightly above the ground level of the launch off pad.

Temjin moved his legs slightly as he rose his left arm in a triumphant position. Leaning forward lightly and boosters open, Temjin jet thrusts off in a rush of hot air.

" Fei Yen Knight desu!!! Iki…masu!!! "

The Sailormoon look alike Virtuaroid jutted its butt behind as it drew its legs up with such force, anyone standing behind would definitely been hit into the wall and beyond.

Not that anyone was allowed into the launch off pad during Virtuaroids take off anyway.

Fei Yen KN jetted off in a rush of hot air as the Angelan was hoisted to her launch off pad.

The Virtuaroid turned her vampire staff around in a turn as she hopped on it, launching off via an angelic-witchy style.

Kazuku felt his own hands tighten automatically around his controls as his Virtuaroid was brought up to the launch pad. A sickening groan that signaled the sucking out of air from the tunnel turned Kazuku's stomach as he felt his VR being lifted slightly off ground.

" Good Jesus, help….meeeeeeeee!!!!! " he suddenly yelled as his VR propelled forward in a launch off.

" Eh…..?? " Diann teased, pretending to be surprised. " The Great Kazuku is actually scared of this? "

" Shut up!!! " Kazuku yelled from the other end. " I hate rides……aahh!!!! "

" Woohoo!!! " Diann continued, continuing to aggravate the gang leader. " I'm flying! Woooowhee!!! "

Meanwhile, Touji's Dordray went rolling out, with little control if any.

"Arrrggghhh !"

Indeed Cypher was for as soon as the Specineff emerged from the tunnel, the maroon colored Virtuaroid in jet mode, flew around him as if taunting him. In Kazuku's highly nauseaous state, the Cypher's face became Diann's and he saw "Diann" sticking his tongue at him.

" Diann!! " Kazuku screamed, as his Virtuaroid whipped its scythe up. " I'll get you for this!!!! "

The assassination Virtuaroid of death immediately engaged its jets and chased the Cypher, swiping its scythe wildly at him.

" Waaaa…!!!! Mad Virtuaroid on the loose!!! " Diann yelled as he "ran" for his life, with the death face VR behind him.

Cypher leaned forward and cut loss in all boosters, sending the distance meter increasing nearly by the hundreds. Specineff could not believe that his thrusters couldn’t match the winged demon!! All he could do was to watch Cypher leave a long blue trail of booster fire behind.

He is leaving me in his tail !

In his haste, the Cypher forgot about looking forward, as he laughed and looked at the Specineff he had left far behind. When he realized that he was locked in a collision course with Raiden and Dordray, he went into full retro. Although his thrusters were good, they were not this good! He couldn’t stop in time!!

White faced, he lifted his multi launcher to braced for impact and collided into the Raiden and Dordray, sending all three crashing back to the airstrip. It was fortunate for the poorly armoured Cypher that it had landed on top of the two more heavily armoured Virtuaroids, saving itself from being crushed. The ground shook as at the impact of the fall.

" Ooooo……….." Touji groaned, one hand going up to his HUDs. " What hit me? "

Starry eyed Kenji couldn't answer, having beared the weight of the other two Virtuariods on him, not to mentioned that he had landed head-first.

Angelan major sweatdropped as she hovered above on her vampire staff, looking at the comical pile of Virtuaroids on the runway. Then she started laughing and was followed by the rest.

All except the Temjin and Specineff.

Chapter 4 : First Blood

" Diann!!!" Kazuku screamed, standing poised over the fallen Cypher and raising his scythe. " I'll teach you to mess with me!! Shine!!!! "

Karin couldn't answer, and he vaguely recalled how attractive her blood red eyes were before he passed out.

Chapter 5 : Aftermath

CYBERTROOPERS VIRTUAL ON ORATORIO TANGRAM