Revolution Machine

Chapter 4

"Leaving so soon, Darling~?"

Tech didn't even have to turn around, the look on Average's face explained it all. The Bassist was paler than a ghost, and he almost dropped his guitar. Tech reached for his gun, slowly turning around. 

The first thing he noticed was the smile. That wicked, flashy grin that looked more suited for monster than man. Next, those piercing pink eyes, glaring ever so sharply at Average. Her long, blueish hair that went down to her thighs. In her hand looked to be a blade, but it was segmented. Her arms were crossed under her bosom, and her glare softened the longer she looked at Average. The bassist, now out of his fearful trance, shuffled a bit behind Tech, a hateful look in his eye. Tech looked back from Average, then back to the intruder. She still looked so calm... so collected.

"Uh... whate'er yer sellin', lady, we don' want any. Now get out." Tech, being the logical fellow he was, pulled out his revolver and pointed it at the intruder. In a flash, however, it was skittering across the floor, and Tech felt like he was lashed on the wrist. The intruder giggled, her once-segmented sword now apart, looking more a serrated whip.

"My, such poor manners. Black Heart said you were much more... Well-trained. Lucky for you, however, I'm not here for you. Now, Darling..." Average remained silent, Tech holding his wrist before looking at Average.

"Aight, who in the Sam Hell is this, Av? Ol' ex o' yers? Can't e'en-- Wait, Black Heart?!" Tech whirled around, taking a step closer to their guest. Her smile grew wider. She knew about Black Heart! Maybe... Maybe she could help him get back? 

"Why, yes, Tech. Black Heart told me all about you. Say, maybe I could... relay a message for you. I know just how much you yearn to speak to your beloved goddess..." Tech brightened, his eyes widening along with his smile. Though, after a moment of thought, he scrunched his nose, his gaze narrowed.

"...An' what would I have to give ya? I don't believe in free stuff, lady." Tech took a precautionary step back, noticing that Average wasn't directly behind him anymore. He shrugged it off, his eyes locked on the visitor's. She hummed, as if thinking about a response.

"...I am Iris Heart, sitting CPU of Planeptune. And I believe, you have something that belongs to me. Isn't that right, Darling?" Iris Heart looked over to Average, licking her lips hungrily. Average stood in front of the still sleeping Neptune, his still-hateful glare still locked on Iris Heart.

"To think, my darling little bird would escape from his cage oh so easily... Don't you miss singing sweet songs to me, Darling~?" Iris Heart's voice seethed venom, and Tech knew that. He was beginning to like this CPU less and less. Average seemed to be regaining his footing, still holding his guitar tight. His knuckles were white, and Tech could have sworn there was an... Unholy fury hidden behind his eye. With a sneer, Average lightly plucked at his guitar strings, his spited frown slowly curving into a coy grin.

"You know, I find it funny how you bring up birds, Iris... Why don't you make like a bird and..."

"FLOCK OFF!"

With a roar of defiance, Average gave his guitar a mighty strum, the instrument sending a wave of force throughout the building. Iris Heart seemed little effected, but she didn't look happy with the response. The force from the music shattered the windows and send Tech to the ground. It even woke up Neptune! With a defeated snarl, Iris Heart regained her footing. A sly smile crossed her face. 

"Oh, I love how you play hard to get, Darling. Don't worry, you and I will be reunited soon enough..." With that, Iris Heart darted out of the now-broken window, flying off towards the Basilicom. Tech pushed himself to his feet, looking at Average with both awe and concern. He was breathing heavy, rubbing his temples. Neptune was patting his head, though it was lazy movements due to her still only being barely awake. Tech pulled a chair out, looking at Average.

"So, y'gonna explain to me what that was? An' I mean more than just that wicked guitar solo." Tech snickered, though he knew his humor was falling on deaf ears. Average shook his head.

"That's Iris Heart, the CPU that overthrew Neptune. She's got an iron grip on this city. That's who we're up against." Average checked over his guitar, seeing if the force used had damaged any of the strings. Tech let his mind wander a bit. Well, even if that was the bare bones of the situation, there was some more... underlying motivation for Average, at least. What Tech did know, was that there is a past between the two, and not a pretty one in the slightest. With a huff, Tech pushed himself off of the chair, rolling his neck. 

"Look, Av. I don't know the drama between y'an' Iris Heart, but don' go gettin' lily-livered on me when we end up scufflin' with her." Tech shook his head. "...I know the feelin' o' wantin' to go easy on a special gal, an' while she may not be too special to y'now, those feelings don' easily go away, y'know?" Tech thought back to Noire, his only friend. Sure, there probably wasn't any underlying romantic connection between the two, but Tech would always go easy on her, despite her never asking him to. Quite the opposite, she'd get mad if she caught him being lax. Average simply shook his head, strumming on his guitar. Neptune had fallen asleep on his head, her arms crossed and laying on them with a light snore.

"Trust me, what connection there was between me and that... that sadist is long gone. I just want to get out of here the moment I can. We finish this mission, I can finally relax for once. I just..." Average, wanted to look back at Neptune, but he didn't move much as to not wake her. A small smile crossed his lips, before he went back to his guitar. Tech smiled. While he and Average might have different, almost polar opposites of personalities... It was a blessing to Tech to have a genuine person there.

"Though, y'gotta admit... That Iris was a real beauty... Oh, I'd pay millions to get crushed by 'em long legs..."