another mech story: chap 2

You were not exactly off-sleep at the same time as she was..

...they wanted you to last for the next Time..

"HOTSHOT!"

His Armour would have been sliced in two if his leader had not blast the enemy off - and if he was not in a simulated battle. He had been in the same spot since the beginning of training.

"Kei.." Embarrassed that he uttered the name out loud, he looked around, glancing from the corner of his eyes as he hoped that no one would hear it.

"Mozzie quit your Strikon reflexes! CEASE FIRING! IT'S ME!"

Akirn chuckled at Ben's Armour. It was waving its arms up and down as it tried to stop the red Armour.

"Akirn." Ailey's voice came over the console.

"Yes, Mother."

"Status report."

-------------------------

"Are they to your expectations, Mother?"

A sigh responded.

"Mother?"

A voice verbrated through the practice field. "My apologies, everyone. Let's call it a day."

"Keilem, is it, Mother?"

Akirn felt a silent confirmation.

"Akirn."

"Yes, Mother."

--------------------------

"Keilem?"

"Akrin."

"May I speak with you?"

"Sure, nephew."

The bespectacled youth could swear he heard a grin over the console much to his irritation. "A word with you. In your Armour."

"Yes, father." Came the same grinning voice.

--------------------------

"And stop calling me 'father'." He frowned. "Wipe that grin off."

Keilem was well away from his sight as all he could see was the back of the seat. He felt himself flush but tried to regain composure as he saw Keilem glancing at him from the corner of his eye, "Akirn.."

The bespectacled youth could not hide his flush anymore. "Uncle.."

"Keilem, Kei, Kel, blahblahblah."

"Kei.."

"Good boy."

"I-" he cleared his throat. "Mother sent me."

The back of the seat had changed position: Keilem's face was hard-set.

"Your Armour's chosen."

"As expected."

Akirn flinched. "I'm sorry."

"No, it's mine." With a sigh, Keilem rose from his seat. "Have you always wondered why wars are fought?"

Akirn knew the answer.

"Desire. Progression. Power. Are we fighting on the wrong side?"

"Kei.."

He sighed once more. "Noia."

In response the lights dimmed before they were surrounded by total darkness. Keilem thought he felt a weight on his arm. System: Master acknowledged.

The response was as clear in Keilem's head.

Akirn thought he felt a weight around him.

Collaboration sequence completed.

Akirn felt the weight slipped off him as he heard the words.

"Well done." Keilem acknowledged, hiding his weariness as he comforted a tired bespectacled youth in his embrace.