((Logged 7/12/2000 by Citan))

Bart's Hideout, Residential Walkway NW

Ryukumu has arrived.

Ryukumu walks up from the southern area, looking bored.

Citan seems to have found a quiet niche in the bustle of the base, settled down 
upon a chair scavaged from the dining hall. His book is spread open upon his 
lap, and he tugs distractedly at the end of his ponytail as he reads.

Ryukumu nods and says, "Hey Doc."  Glances over to see what the book is.

Citan glances up and nods, smiling. "Hello, Ryukumu." Seeing his interest, he 
leans up the cover for a moment to reveal the title. It is still the Nisan tome, 
large enough to provide any interested theologian with a few weeks of delving.

Ryukumu leans over while glancing at the cover of the book.  "Oh, so that's what 
you're reading..."  He stands back up at full posture and says while shrugging, 
"Guess it's something to do..."

Citan brushes his hand over one of the open pages to smooth it down again, 
lowering the book. He slides the bookmark into the niche of the spine, should he 
have to close it for conversation. "How have you been lately?"

Ryukumu says, "Can't really complain... it's been kinda boring around here since 
I got back.  I'd rather be bored around here than bored up in Solaris though, 
that's or sure."

Citan closes the book, leaning back in his chair. "Your mother had spoken to me 
of your return. It is indeed fortunate that you were able to do so. Let me 
express my congratulations." Nodding to himself as he considers boredom between 
Solaris and the surface, he rests his hands upon the leather cover.

Ryukumu shrugs again, "It wasn't easy..."
Ryukumu sighs, "I owe a friend a BIG favor now...  if it's not too late."  
Leaning against a wall he says, "It's kinda like the idea that for one person to 
improve somehow another has to get worse..."

Elly walks down the hallway quietly.  She's holding her gloves in her left hand 
and looking at her right hand, looking rather annoyed at the burn on it.  
"...sometimes I don't even know why I bother trying to use these....antiques..."  
She sighs dissappointedly and shakes her head very lightly.

Citan nudges up his glasses with one finger. "The idea that all things exist in 
a set matrix, and for a positive change to occur in one location, it must be 
negative at another?" He glances over, acknowledging both Elly's arrival and her 
accurate annoyance at less advanced technology. The burn causes him to frown 
slightly. "Hello, Elly. Are you all right?"

Ryukumu nods and says to Citan, "Yeah, that thing.  When I was escaping, I was 
being followed by some Gears...  both of which were at the very least 
significantly stronger than my Duermod.  One of 'em even had aerods!  I sent out 
a distress signal and luckily Sirus was in the area...  the Solarian gears that 
were chasing me turned their attention to him.  I took advantage of the 
situation and escaped..."  Sighs and shakes his head in shame...  He thinks to 
himself, "(If my head hadn't been screwed around with my judgement would've made 
me go and help him... man, this sucks.)"

Elly looks up at Citan, "Oh...hello Citan.  I'm alright really, I just had an 
unfortunate accident involving that 'old' stove..."  Sighs, as much as she hates 
to admit it...sometimes she misses Solaris.  "It's nothing really.  Oh and hi 
Ryukumu."  she says while putting on a slight smile.

Ryukumu nods to Elly in response, but doesn't say anything else.  Leave it to 
him to get himself in a bad mood.

Citan straightens his glasses again, studying what little he can see of the burn 
from his seated position. But he nods, quietly sympathetic in his manner as he, 
too, comes to odds at times with the severe technology gap between Solaris and 
the surface. Turning back to Ryukumu, he taps the cover of the book. "Having 
been there, you know what circumstances your friend must be in. I wish him the 
best." Trailing off, he turns his palm upwards to demonstrate that there is 
little else he can do.

Ryukumu nods.  "Yeah..."

Elly stands quietly while nursing her hand, glancing back and forth between 
Citan and Ryukumu patiently while wondering what they're talking about.  Of 
course it may be rude to ask so she just won't.

Citan extends his hand to Elly, beckoning her into the conversation. "Please 
join us, Elly. If it is fine with you, Ryukumu?" He turns a questioning glance 
to the young man.

Ryukumu nods.  "Right..."  His mind seems to be occupied.  He mutters something 
barely audible under his breath about 'having so much unfinished business up 
there'

Elly smiles a bit, "Oh...um...alright.  But actually I was really on my way to 
look for some medicine...or whatever it is that we have to use on cuts and 
burns."

Citan nods, chiding himself quietly for not addressing that sooner. "I believe 
there is burn cream with the nurse. Although it might be expected, the supply is 
well-used..." He taps the book distractedly. "Is she in the infirmary?"

Elly nods, "Alright, I'll go check there then..."  She begins walking in the 
direction of the infirmary.  Just remembering something, she glances back over 
at Citan.  "Oh, Citan...have you seen Fei lately?"

Citan turns to Elly. "Yes, I saw him the other day. But..." he waves her towards 
the direction where a salve for her hand waits. "He seems well. We can always 
speak later--for now, tend to the burn." Smiling, he nods a farewell.

Elly nods and leaves the scene, "Thanks Citan..."

There is a low rumbling as if something were landing outside.

Ryukumu blinks.  "Anyone else hear that?"

Citan glances up as the vibrations sound even to the depths of the hideout's 
caves. "Were we expecting someone?" He looks to Ryukumu, and then stands, 
setting the book down upon his chair. "Shall we go see?"

Ryukumu nods.  "Right..."
Ryukumu has left.

Bart's Hideout, Foot Entrance
Contents:
Saul
Ryukumu
Hiryousei

Saul is holding his broadsword ready to strike downward on a guard that was 
backed into a corner.

Ryukumu walks in and stops once he sees Saul.  Narrows his eyes-- it's painfully 
obvious that he is NOT happy to see Saul.  He clenches his left fist in anger.

Citan assesses the situation and drops into a rolling motion of his walk, even 
more fluid than his normal demeanor. But he remains calm, barely raising his 
voice as he says quickly, "Please stop." He walks closer, carefully circling so 
that he faces the stranger. "May we help you?"

Saul starts to slash downward at the cowering guard but stops once he hears 
Citan speak.  He glances over and notices that he's attracted a crowd.  The 
guard seizes the opportunity and runs away from Saul.  Saul turns to face the 
group and says, "My business is with the boy there..."  Points his sword towards 
Ryukumu.  The sword then vanishes into thin air; it's apparent that he doesn't 
intend to fight, but judging by the hole blown into the heavy door that would 
normally block entry it's clear that he's able to if needs be.

Ryukumu steps forward towards Saul and says in an angered tone, "Just what the 
hell do YOU want?"  Normally Ryukumu isn't nearly this rash in even the most 
critical of situations.

Anna has arrived.

Citan lifts a hand, casting his own eyes around as residents and guards within 
the hideout begin to gather and panic. "Perhaps we should move this outside..." 
he murmers, unwilling to let a conflict erupt within the halls. As a patrol 
regroups and peers in from the outside, he waves for them to step back, clearing 
a space away from the Gebler.

Anna walks in after hearing a bit of ruckus from the adjacent dining room (think 
of the floorplan).  "What's going on... here..."  She looks over and notices 
Saul.  She covers her mouth with her hands in shock.  "!!!"

Saul says in a stoic tone to Citan, "It makes no difference to me."  Looks over 
to Ryukumu and replies, "YOu'll see."
Saul completely ignores Anna.

Ryukumu glances to the side noticing that Anna has entered, but he doesn't say 
anything.

Saul walks towards the exit ahead of the rest of the group.
Saul has left.

The Aveh Desert, Outside of Bart's Hideout
Contents:
Saul
Nirvana (Gear)
Large Tent
Zecks
Anna has arrived.
Ryukumu has arrived.

Ryukumu walks out muttering something under his breath

Saul walks over to his Gear but stays on the ground, making no effort to board 
his Gear.

Ryukumu says, "So what are you doing here, Saul?"

Anna runs out following the others, she starts running over to Saul avoiding 
Ryukumu and Citan

Citan motions as he exits for the guards to stand away again, although they keep 
to attention. Some, having already tried to stop Saul's progress inside, move 
into the hideout in search of medical attention. Citan folds his arms, waiting 
patiently for the situation to unfold while hoping to minimize damages.

Saul says to Ryukumu, arms crossed, "You caused quite a ruckus when you left."  
He notices Anna running up to him, but his stance remains the same.

Ryukumu shrugs, "I know, I know.  Kiara told me when she came by.  Believe me, -
I- didn't want to."  He pulls out the computer disk from his shirt pocket and 
says, "The real me, that is."  He puts away the disk.

Anna continues running towards Saul, tears beginning to run down her face.  Once 
she reaches Saul she extends her arms and hugs him.

Saul says to Ryukumu, "You say that, but-"  Stops midsentance once he is hugged 
by Anna.  "..."  Now acknowledging Anna's presence he winces, ambivalent 
regarding this display of affection

Citan frowns slightly, uncrossing his arms as he sees Anna reach Saul. Still he 
remains silent, patiently there only to provide a note of reason should violence 
erupt.

Anna says to Saul while crying in joy, "You're back...  finally...  I'm so 
glad..."

Ryukumu shakes his head and mutters something under his breath seeing Anna reach 
Saul.  "You're wasting your time..."

Saul gently grabs Anna's shoulders and pushes her away slowly.  He closes his 
eyes and shakes his head.

Anna blinks and looks up at Saul's eyes waiting for an answer at being pushed 
away.

Saul opens his mouth to say something but can't manage to say anything.

Citan turns his head as the desert winds pick up, glasses shielding his eyes 
from the tiny particles of grit which batter his face. He looks out into the 
vast spans of the desert, shaking his head while a train of thought unfolds on 
its way.

Ryukumu says to Anna, "...he's dead, Mom."

Saul looks at Ryukumu glaring at that comment.

Ryukumu shrugs.  "It's like I told you Saul, Lazarus as Mom and I knew him is 
dead.  Whatever Solaris made you into is all that's left."

Anna says to Ryukumu, "How can you say that?!"

Ryukumu says to Anna, "I don't like it either, Mom.  But look at him:  Take a 
good long look.  Tell me that's Dad."

Saul walks over to Ryukumu still glaring.  "You..."

Ryukumu waits for Saul to come to him.

Saul glares looking at Ryukumu and says, "You dare say that to me?"

Ryukumu looks up at the taller man and says, "Tell me I'm wrong.  I -dare- you."  
This tone is almost hostile.

Saul extends his arm to the side and his sword appears in his hand kind of 
'fading' into this plane.

Anna says to Saul, "Lazarus, stop!"

Ryukumu narrows his eyes looking at Saul.  "Get out of here, Saul.  You've got 
no business here.  I'm pretty sure that you weren't ordered to come here either.  
I'm just a rebel 'lamb' to Solaris, right?"

Citan coughs politely, folding his arms again. "Gentlemen." He nods to Ryukumu, 
saying mildly. "Think carefully if this is a tendancy within yourself that you 
wish to retain." Anna's words cause him to look back to the woman, concerned if 
she should come between the two if they fight.

Ryukumu winces looking over to Citan, realizing that Citan has a point.  
"...right..."  He looks back at Saul and says, "Either way I'm not coming back 
up there.  You're crazy if you think I'll go back up there willingly."

Saul raises his sword upward to strike downward.  He says to Ryukumu, "You 
realize that your rebellion will not be tolerated.  True you are just a rebel, 
as is everyone at this insignificant base, but not many rebels have caused as 
much damage as you have."

Anna calls out again, "Stop!"

Ryukumu chuckles, not flinching in cowardice at all when Saul raises his sword.  
One of the few altered traits he actually appreciates: added courage in general.  
"Uh huh.  So?"

Saul ignores Anna's plea; if he's going to stop it'll either be by his own will 
or physical interference.

Citan says quietly, with the same speed and intensity he used earlier, "Lazarus. 
You will hurt your wife if you strike. You will hurt your son." And, to Ryukumu 
he murmers, "Although if you truly wish to provoke him into combat, then that is 
your choice. But you will -hurt- -your- -mother-."

Saul lowers his sword hearing Citan's words.  "..."

Ryukumu says to Citan, "...he's not worth the effort."

Saul walks away from Ryukumu back towards his Gear.  He says to the group while 
walking away, "Ryukumu, you've chosen to do this the hard way.  I will not 
resort to foul tactics; I will bring you in under my own power."

Ryukumu shrugs and says to Saul, "Bring it on, Saul.  At this point I don't 
really care, I've heard it all before.  Plus I've made enough mistakes that I 
probably deserve every one of them."

Anna waits still standing by Nirvana for Saul to get closer.

Citan watches Anna's response, again concerned for her reaction in the midst of 
the confrontation.

Saul is now walking right past Anna.

Anna says to Saul, "...Lazarus?"

Saul stops and says to Anna, "Anna...  I'm sorry.  Now that I know the truth I 
truely don't know what to think of it.  I've lived as the one called 'Saul' for 
so long that I've forgotten how to live otherwise."  He grabs the handle on the 
end of a cord that winds up pulling Saul up to the cockpit chamber.  "Farewell, 
Anna."

Anna looks down and says, "...so that's it...  just 'farewell'?  After being 
gone for so long all you have to say to me is 'farewell'?"

Saul enters the cockpit chamber of Nirvana.  "I don't know what else to say."  
He presses a button in the cockpit closing the cockpit hatch.
Saul has left.

Anna is silent, slowly walks back towards the entrance to the hideout past 
Ryukumu and Citan.  "...Lazarus..."

Nirvana (Gear) walks away from the hideout, once a safe distance it activates 
it's flight thrusters and takes off into the sky.
Nirvana (Gear) has left.

Ryukumu sighs in disgust.  "...geez."

Citan holds still a moment longer, watching the pattern of the three people. He 
does not follow Anna after the Gear departs, but stands in the doorway and 
glances at Ryukumu for a moment.

Anna continues being silent walking through the door into the base.
Anna has left.

Ryukumu watches Anna walk into the base.  Sighs and shrugs, "Well, what can I 
say... she doesn't get it."

Citan takes a step away from the base, turning his eyes upon the desert again. 
The winds rise up again, stir trails of sand around his shoes. Quietly, head 
shaking in faint disapproval--but of what, exactly, is uncertain--he finally 
says, "Does she not?"

Ryukumu says, "He's pathetic.  Don't you see it?"

Citan uncrosses his arms, lowering his hands in half-open rest at his sides. 
After another long moment, he replies, voice uncondemning despite the words, "Is 
that what you see when you look at him? Or is that how Solaris taught you to 
see?"

Ryukumu shakes his head and says, "I doubt they'd want me to see him like that."

Citan stands like a statue against the night, silhoutted to stars. "To wish to 
start a fight where innocents could be harmed inside the base? To again provoke 
him while outside, when your mother could easily be hurt physically--much less 
emotionally--by the conflict between the two of you? To only see him with so 
much hatred? From what I know of Solaris... that is exactly what they would 
want." Turning, he begins to walk quietly into the base.

Ryukumu shakes his head and says, "I was his subordinate, they wouldn't want me 
to think of him badly.  Plus they couldn't care less about Mom...  far as they 
know, they've already done the damage."

Citan halts at the door. "Solaris teaches hatred, Ryukumu. Perhaps it is a 
lesson you do not wish yet to shake." And then he is gone, murmering 
instructions to the guards as he passes to begin repairs on what Saul had 
destroyed.