February 24 , 1999 Disclaimer: JQ not mine. Non-JQ characters and storyline mine. No money made. All for fun... Category: Alternate Reality, Dark, Episodic Rating: This entire series is for mature readers with a tolerance to slight netiquette language violators, implied violence (You have been Warned!) Archivers: If you want it... Summary: note: Do not attempt to read this part if you haven't read the earlier installments. Well, you can, but I don't advise it... I'm pretty sure you'll get the gist of the storyline, but it's not the same as reading it from the beginning... So if you wanna know the whole story... Go to http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/psycho/66 to see this fic and others written by me and my friends. ^_^. Don't 4-get to sign my guestbook as well... Or you can send me a note, demanding to send you the copies of the parts you want at: inachan2@ican.net ******************************************************************** Geneva, 1987... it started when the world's most ambitious effort for global peace ended in a massacre. A tragedy that lead to the rise of the "New Order"... the Zin Empire. Ten years later, in the year of our Lord 1997, the children of the fallen generation has come of age. Now it begins. The brave journey to bring light... Into the Valley of Darkness Chapter 6 Act 2: Disillusionment of Faith "You will be my true disciples if you keep my word. Then you will know the truth and the truth will make you free." --- John 8:31-32 "Are you sure you want to do this now?" Race Bannon's voice broke through the silent hum of the ascending elevator "You have been pestering me to get a vacation for months," Dr. Quest replied "Vacation. As in a relaxing absence of leave," Race sighed, "Of course only you would consider this a vacation." His voice dropping into a more serious note, "You know that Geneva is neutral ground." "I know," Dr. Quest smiled weakly, "You also know why I have to do this every year." "There's no way we can protect you if Zin---" "This isn't going to be like London, Race," Dr. Quest said reassuringly, "...Or San Martin." Dr. Quest chuckled, "Besides, if something does happen, I know you'll figure something out. You owe me one." Race shook his head in exasperation, "Why do you have to keep up with this immortal God complex?" "I'm a scientist. It comes with the job description." "Oh really?" Race said, returning to his serious demeanor, "Have you considered his feelings?" Dr. Quest paused before closing his eyes in defeat, "I think it would be best... for the both of us... if we didn't see each other right away." "This can't go on forever, you know." "I know." The melodious ring of the chime announced the hoist's arrival to their destination. The door opened and the scientist stepped out. "Benton," The young commander called out as he put a restraining hand on the doors to keep it from closing. Dr. Quest stopped and turned his head around. "You never told me exactly what you did... I am still upset that you're leaving me out in the dark here... Though, I have a feeling that it would be for the best if I didn't know..." Dr. Quest simply raised an amused eyebrow as he watched his friend stammer awkwardly... struggling between his role as a military officer and his role as a grateful friend. Finally, the other man gave up the struggle, stepped back and removed his hand. "Thank you." Race's voice filtered through the closing elevator doors. *** There was no turning back now. His suspicions were aroused the moment they recovered from the excitement of their escape. She knew exactly where to hit... Then again... if two high school boys can sneak in without being detected... what more of the infamous Jezebel Jade? Even though she never saw this woman before in his life... there's something else about her... It is as if she knows exactly how the New Order thinks. There was something familiar with the calm collected way she brushed off Jessie's animosity... And he knew he didn't imagine that knowing look she gave him... Then there was that surprising incident last night. He ground his teeth in annoyance at the memory. If it weren't for Khau-lun surprising him, he wouldn't have been discovered. So now, he finds another complication to the mystery. How is Blu connected to all of this? He needed to know... He couldn't explain what his instincts were trying to tell him, he only knew that he had to solve the enigma that surrounds this mysterious woman. It almost felt like... no... she's a key to that incomprehensible answer he's searching for. He made a quick side sweep glance to make sure that the woman's Chinese companion was no where in sight. Kind as she was, it almost as if the meek woman's sole purpose in life is to appear at the most inappropriate moments. Seeing his course clear, he then took a deep breath and stepped into the small kitchen that housed a portable communication system, to face the figure bent over it. She didn't look up, but he knew she was aware of his presence. He waited until she finished scribbling down what she was listening intently to in her head set. "I need to talk to you." "Take a number sweetheart," Jade replied without bothering to turn to him He leaned on the table to try to meet the level of her eyes. "This is very important." "This is important too," Still refusing to acknowledge him Hadji narrowed his eyes in annoyance, "You will talk to me now." The woman chuckled, "Don't use that tone on me, your highness. I'm not your subordinate." By this time, he knew only had one option to resort to. He only wished that he was right... and that she wouldn't deny it, "Even if circumstances were the same as they were five years ago, your seniority would not have applied to me either, would it? ... Fai Ming Liu." It was as if time stood still as the young man's words hung heavily in the air. She froze for a moment before returning to her task at a slower pace. All at once, he knew, "It is you." "The little one was right, you are a very perceptive young man Chottay Shehzade," Jade said softly. Smiling a bit as the young man flinched instinctively at her words, "But you are mistaken. That woman died five years ago." "Why did you leave?" Hadji maintained. He will get his answers. "I think the question you really want to ask is..." Jade reclined lazily on her seat as she pulled a cigarette from a pack on the table and lighted it, before giving the young man a leveled look, "Why did YOU leave?" "I just want to know the truth." "Liar," Jade laughed as she turned her gaze knowingly to the general direction outside the room, "Its because of her." She took a long puff before tapping the ashes in a nearby ashtray, "Six years ago, I also had my own eye opening encounter with another Bannon. But unlike you, I spent a year trying to prove him wrong before I followed MY own truth." Her eyes fixed themselves on his face, "Before you go any further, have you asked yourself if you're ready to face yours?" Hadji felt his throat tighten. His hand clasped instinctively over an object he felt on the table as he forced himself to ask the question he feared in his heart, "Were we responsible for Geneva?" Her emerald eyes searched his for an eternity, before giving his feared reply. "Yes." The young man staggered backwards as if reacting to a physical blow. The room suddenly felt like a box, and the air stuffy and heavy. Fighting the overwhelming wave of nausea washing through his being, he ran blindly and pushed through two figures that suddenly blocked his path. "Hadji!" Jessie's concerned voice rang hollowly through his ears as he locked the lavatory door behind him. He desperately leaned on the sink for support while spasms racked through his body and the bitter taste of bile pushed its way to his throat. It was a lie. Everything he held sacred was a lie. Everything he valued above his own life was a lie. Everything he loved dearly was a lie. He looked at the mirror and saw a pale stranger staring back at him. "Are you ready to face your truth Hadji?" He asked the figure before him, echoing the woman's earlier words. His image simply stared back at him. Frightened... tired... betrayed... How was it possible that in a few moments, a person would suddenly feel and look as if one had aged 10 years? He pulled his gaze away from the mirror to turn on the tap, then froze. It was only then he realized what it was he was clutching in his hand from before. The sharp blade of the small knife glinted menacingly in the dim bathroom light. He watched the water swirl through the sink basin before disappearing into the void of the drain. He clutched the knife tightly in his hand before turning back to face the stranger in the mirror. "Are you ready to face your truth?" Again, his image simply stared back at him silently. But in his mind, he knew that he had already made this decision a long time ago. ... in New Delhi. (To Be Continued) written by: Ina-chan comments, criticisms, bricks to inachan2@ican.net Author's Squawk: As you can tell by now, I'm setting the stage for two major countries here. I kept the theory that "Jade" is really an alias than a real name. AND I sorta created a Chinese name for Jade (though it does not necessarily mean she's Chinese herself. Just an acknowledgement of her connection to Hong Kong in the CJQ series... that she may have adopted a Chinese name for herself.) If you have been paying attention in the earlier chapters, you'll get a hint on why I'm doing this. Go ahead! I challenge you! See if you can guess what I'm up to! ^_^. Though more will be revealed on the next act. Actually, things are EXACTLY going along as planned. Looks like the end to this story draws very near! ^_^. Until next the next act... Ja matta ne! Ina-chan ************************************************************************** Quote of the Moment: "Kill one man, your a murderer. Kill many, and you're a conqueror. Kill them all, you're a god." --Megadeth ~@@@~ Ina-chan inachan2@ican.net main: http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/psycho/66 W.A.R.: http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Set/1986 ICQ:13667820 ******************************************************************** * The Jonny Quest mailinglist jq@edc.ml.org * ******************************************************************** * To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to: majordomo@edc.ml.org * * with the message: unsubscribe jq subject is ignored * ********************************************************************