For the first time in his life, Michael felt as his life was fulfilled, that he has a purpose, and that in the future, even happiness might dwell in his heart, replacing hatred and anger. And Michael was not an insane man, he knew that is what he is looking for, not pointless killing, but happiness, to once again live in this world without shame. But as he moved away from the Liner, from Luxuria, once again, his mind struggled, a sharp and long lasting pain crawled up his head, drilling all that is good in his mind and replacing it with dark thoughts, the lust for revenge, drawing Michael back into the abyss he so much wanted to escape. Michael fell to his knees, grabbing his head with both his hands and his body continued to slope down to the floor. The pain was too strong for him to handle it, like a high pitched sound it slaughtered all of his thoughts, leaving him in pain on the floor, unable to think, feel, even breathe.
Michael's breaths were slow, he barely managed to catch some air as the pain weakened, and he got up on his knees, placing his hands on his head and began crying. Why him, why all this pain, what did he ever did to deserve it he wondered, and no answer came, not even from deep inside him, nothing, only silence, and shadows. Michael's mind was calmer, and he could think more clearly, when all of a sudden, a burst of memories rushed in his head. Demons from the past, devils from the future, nothing from the present. All of his life, short and painful, speeded through his mind, reminding him of his suffering and sorrow. Caroline's evil laugh as she was with her clients, The Old Man's drinking and his fists that hurt Michael's feelings more the his body, Arthur's betrayal, his Angel leaving him in the cold night, alone in the dark, alone to his destiny. All that he ever knew left him, not caring bit what would happen to him. Never did he feel love other then that from his Angel, who still left him in the rain alone. He screamed from the top of his lungs calling Luxuria's name, he hated her, and loved her. Michael knew that he needed to find her, as she is the only one that he ever loved, and she can save him from the eternal damnation. His mind was tearing itself up, and haste was desired.
The pain was stopping, the sounds Michael was hearing in his head silenced, and the memories were once again forgotten, leaving him with the bitter taste of hatred, and the will for vengeance. Michael shook his head and stood up from the floor, rubbing his pants to clear the dust that was on them. Finally he moved the hair that covered his face to the side, his face looked distorted from pain and anger, but he was getting ahold of himself. Michael's eye color returned to sky blue instead of the dark blue, almost black color they had as he was being torn up by the constant pain in his head. Michael sat in the pilot seat of his ship and opened the navigational charts, plotting a course for New London as he knew the best way to search for Luxuria is there, as that is where they first met, and that is how he remembers her best.
Michael landed his ship on the surface of New London in the place where he always kept his ship hidden from unwanted eyes. He changed his clothes to look more suitable for the environment he was about to enter, and he wanted to look as least suspicious as one can look surrounded by the scum of New London, the lowest of the low. Michael stepped off his ship and code locked the doors, and finally began walking slowly in the direction of the city. It was dusk when Michael arrived into the city and immediately did the foul smell of the city reminded him of his past, the time he spent here after he escaped from the Institute. Again did the pain return, stopping Michael in his steps, forcing him to lean on the nearby wall as he nearly fell down. Michael took another deep breath of the city in his lungs, trying to calm himself down. It worked, as the rigorous pain weakened, but was still present, never leaving him and following him like a shadow. The memories of this place also remained, as Michael knew exactly where he was.
He moved around the back alleys like he never left this place, turning around corners without even looking where he was going. Avoiding eye contact with anyone there, no need to get into trouble before the search even begun. Left, right, left, straight, left and there it was, the same pub that Michael ventured in after he escape from the torture known as the Institute. He approached the door, and reached for the handle, thinking twice on what he was about to do. He shook his head as he knew that there are no options and this is what must be done, he twisted the handle and entered the pub. Michael kept his head downed, glancing his eyes around to determine his surroundings. The pub was empty as before, only having five people inside. The bartender that didn't change, and still has scars after Michael broke his jaw, what made Michael chuckle with pride, and a strange man sitting in the same corner as Luxuria was before. The same three thugs that beat him up those years ago were still there, and the tattooed one seemed even bigger now. Michael had nothing to lose, and he wanted to test them. His arrogance was great, and the lust for a fight even greater, so he looked the three thugs and nodded to them receiving no response. Michael thought it was a shame they didn't recognize him as he was dying for a fight, but then again this will make his job a lot easier.
Michael slowly approached the bartender, and asked for a drink immediately throwing 20 credits on the bar.
"How's the jaw?" - Michael asked the bartender as he began sipping his drink, and chuckling inside the glass, "What? Good. Better." - The bartender answered while spitting all over the bar and the drinks due to the broken jaw, what made Michael laugh even louder. "I need to find someone specific. I am willing to pay a great deal for it because this certain someone is of great importance to me." - Michael said as he stopped chuckling, dropping a thousand credits onto the bar and pushed them towards the bartender, "So, who am I looking for that knows his way around shady people."
The bartender stood there a little while cleaning the glasses one by one, and finally looked up to Michael and pointed his look towards the man in the corner, the strange man that Michael was scared of from some reason. He took the thousand credits and once again pointed to the man in the corner continuing to clean his glass.
Little time did Michael lose, he stood up from the chair, nearly knocking the chair over deliberately to draw attention from the thugs and the man in the corner, as Michael wanted for the man to see him approaching. Michael walked up to the man's table, and turned the chair around sitting on it and placing his drink on the table that he carried from the bar. The man was silent, and was looking at Michael with a curious expression in his eyes. Curious, but at the same time expected, almost as he was waiting for Michael to come to him. As Michael was about to speak, the pub's doors opened, and a tall man wearing a hood entered. Michael turned his eyes to him, checking him from his head to feet, as he was suspicious of anyone coming into this type of pub wearing a coat as fine as that one. The tall man's handling was that of a gentleman what rose Michael's suspicion even more. Finally the man took of his coat, and a gun mark could be seen on his shirt, as he had a gun right under it and it imprinted itself onto the shirt. A thug Michael thought, a rich one, but a thug nonetheless. He then turned to the man at the table again, and began speaking.
"I was told..." - Michael took a sip of his drink, "That you are the guy I need to talk to about finding....Someone." - He lowered the drink and awaited for the man's response. "Yes, I can help, for a price." - The man said as he leaned forwards to Michael showing him his face, that was scared from the bottom up, but at the same time looked like a face of a good man.
"Of course, everything has a pice. Luxuria, that is all that I have on him." - Michael deliberately said that Luxuria was a man, to see if the stranger knew anything about the matter, "A she. And yes, I know of her." - The man replied and chuckled a little. "Excellent. I need to find her." - Michael said and laughed a bit to the stranger correcting him about Luxuria's gender as he handed over ten thousand credits to the stranger, on which he just shook his head as a sign of negation, "Credits will not do here. I need....A favor." - The stranger leaned even more towards Michael pulling out a datapad from his pocket, "This, is what you need, contains information about The Reaper Luxuria. But..." - He said as he pulled away the datapad, and pointed to the man that entered the pub just earlier, "That man, is a murderer, and I need him gone. Because, you see, I am a business man, I deal in information." - He leaned back into the sofa and took a sip of his drink, "And he is on my tail, wants me dead for some reason, and I want to kill him before he kills me.
Michael turned his head to look to the tall man, then looked back to the stranger. His mind was processing information fast, as he needed to make a decision fast. Reaper Luxuria, he thought about that, is it possible, or is he just lying. What could one more kill mean for him, but then again all of Bretonia's finest would be after him. And just as Michael was going to refuse the offer, his greed showed the best of him, the wish to find Luxuria, to satisfy his love towards her, even more important, his hate towards all that is human and reminding him of his suffering, "He is gone. But I'll need that data before I make him disappear." - Michael spoke with an angry and demanding voice, "A deal." - The man said as he handed Michael over the datapad, and continued, "I already arranged it all, as you leave this pub, he will follow you, and you do what needs to be done. And please, do not ask me how I knew." - The man said as he once again pointed to the tall man that Michael needs to kill. Michael turned around towards the door, then looked back to the man at his table, but he was gone, like a ghost, a genie. Michael thought about reading the datapad, and leaving the man alone, but it was all arranged, and he will follow Michael. Not much can be done to prevent it, but Michael didn't want to prevent it, he felt the urge to kill him, to shed some blood, so he stood up, and slowly walked towards the door noticing the tall man putting on his coat, and leaving credits on the table for the drink and following Michael outside.
Michael walked down the street with his hands in his pockets, holding the datapad tightly with one hand, and the butterfly knife with the other. He was planning what to do next, what step to take, making sure he doesn't take a wrong one, or all of this could end up badly for Michael. A simple plan was conceived in his head. Michael knew the streets around here and the perfect place for a strike was not too far away, and Michael quickened his pace knowing that the man behind him will follow. As he approached the alley he planned to enter, with one quick step Michael disappeared in it, hiding in the shadows behind a dumpster. The tall man stepped into the alley, pulling out his gun, and slowly walking forward while his eyes were checking each side for blind spots. But Michael was good, the killing skills he gained on the Liner, and before while combating his victims made him a capable killer. He rolled to the side from behind the dumpster and with one quick swing threw the butterfly knife that flew directly towards the man. Blood sprayed Michael and the side walls of the alley while the man fell down onto the floor, into a small puddle of yesterday's rain. Michael approached him and the knife was sticking out from the man's eye and blood was dripping and flowing from his head into the puddle. Michael drew the man over the floor to behind the dumpster, and checked his body for some identification. He never did that before, but this time, he felt the need to who he killed. What Michael found, was no little surprise, an MI6 badge with the name William Lowsley on it. An agent! Bretonia will be all over Michael now, and Michael quickly realized it was a setup, but by whom, and for what, he failed to see. He searched the dead body quickly once again, finding a small datapad on him, taking it and running away from the crime scene in fear and panic.
As Michael was running he suddenly realized that he had the datapad with Luxuria's information, and stopped in his tracks. He was catching his breath as he opened the datapad and ran a search for Luxuria. The picture of his Angel appeared, with the words CLASSIFIED decorating her name and profile. Michael began reading as he hid behind a wall, leaning on the wall and almost sitting on the floor, keeping his body in the air with his legs.
Tears began dripping from Michael's eyes. tears of compassion, tears of sorrow and love. As he now knew that he is not the only one in this dreadful world that has suffered greatly, but there is another one. The one he wishes to protect from suffering any more and show her he is here for her. But how could she leave him, how does she not love him as he loves her. That is what troubled Michael's mind, that made him cry. She rejected him, and he only has love for her, nothing more. Then it hit Michael, it was only because she wishes to suffer no more, and does not know what Michael has been through, does not know what he can offer her, she is blind for Michael and his love. Michael fell to the floor, crying, weak. But his mind played with him again, how could she leave him in the rain, alone in the dark! He stood up and wiped the tears from his eyes, "I hate you!!" - He yelled as hard as he can with hatred in his eyes, Michael was not thinking straight, and his mind was tortured, "No...Noo..I am sorry! I love you!" - Soon did he realize his mistake and he screamed to his Angel, in hope she will hear him, and in fear she heard him the first time. He shook his head, and began running into the dark once again. No time to lose, he must leave this place as fast as he can and find the Theatre mentioned in the information. The Police, and even worse the MI6 will be looking for him and he must not be found before he can learn more about his love.
Michael was running into the dark as he reached a wall, a dead end alley, with nowhere to go but back, and upwards by the stairs that were near him that lead to the roof of a tall building. He placed the datapads in his pockets, and grabbed the old and rusted stairs with his hands, slowly but safely climbing up to the roof of the building. As he got up, he raised his head to see the view from the building. One of the most beautiful views he has ever seen, the dark city that shun with light, as a lone star guiding a sailor in the night. Michael sat down and opened the wallet of the agent he killed once again looking at his name, running his fingers over the MI6 badge. Quickly did he remember the datapad he found on the agent's body, so he showed his hand into the pocked and took it out. A different datapad then the first one, as it had no buttons on it. It is one of the datapads that contain information on only one subject, often being used for undercover agents to hide their traces, and to simplify their mission. Also removing all responsibility from the company that hired him by making this the only copy, only available to the agent at hand. The company here being MI6, but Michael knew there is a slim chance that this is the only copy when dealing with a agency such as this. He opened the datapad and it began playing a video feed.
It was of little surprise when Michael found out that the datapad was about him! His name, his picture, his profile! From his childhood, to his time in the institute, Caroline, Old Man, all was here!
"Michael was a student of the Winston Private School, on the Planet New London. The teachers of that school describe him as a child with incredible instincts and reflexes. They also speak of this boy being extremely quiet and shy, who hadn't had many friends while growing up. He is also noted as very smart and talented young boy, who excelled in school, especially in subjects such as mathematics, logistics, and politics. And as an opposition to other children his age, was never fond of school subjects such as physical education. He always preferred using his mind and wit instead of his physical attributes."
"Michael was sent to the juvenile correctional institution on New London with the age of 17. He was showing increased aggression towards children his age, and was beginning to experience sever trauma. What crossed the line is Michael attacking and beating up an elderly man that visited his mother. He accused him of being her "client" and his mother of prostitution. Michael broke the man's nose and this one sued him, and he was sentenced to six months in the correctional institution. From there, he was sent home, and at the age of 18 he ended up in the Psychiatric Institute of New London because of constant accusations of his mother, as well as increased aggression towards all."
"Michael seems to be suffering from a sever trauma and a strong depression. The actions that caused the trauma are unknown as of yet, and the depression that he has been suffering for 2 years now according to his mother is also a mystery as what caused it. His words are to be weighted carefully, since they can be a twisted version of the truth. It may seem as the truth in Michael's eyes, but he is living in his own world right now. In the third week of his stay there he broke one of the doctor's nose for which the reason is quite odd, the doctor said to Michael that it must have been difficult to live with such a bitch, and he lost his temper, jumping over the table and punching the doctor. What is even weirder are Michael's words. He said, and I quote "No one can call her a bitch but ME!"."
Michael stopped the video feed, his eyes were filled with hate and fear at the same time. What is happening to him, why all of this? Why do they wish him suffer even more. Why can't they leave him alone?
The dark and stale night of London was drifting away, the Star scattered its rays over the horizon, dawn was coming. Michael was lying still on the roof of the building, staring at the sky, observing the stars in the distance. The stars that were as distant as his goals, unreachable. Every now and then Michael rose his hand, trying to reach them and closed one eye to focus better on the stars in the night. Each time his hand fell down to the ground as Michael lost hope, but he kept trying constantly almost as the stars were calling him, showing him the way he was unable to see and understand. A light breeze was blowing through the night, carrying the odor air through the sky and flittered his hair, and his eyes, his crystal blue eyes were blazing with tears in them. Tears shed out of pain, and sorrow, tears that poured because of the cruel world, that Michael never understood, and will never be able to understand. Why is there so much pain, who decides that a small child has to suffer for the sins of its parents. Where is the justice, where is the compassion? Is there none that will fight to change the world, to bring purpose to it. Who will force the people to change, to redeem their sins through pain that they cause themselves. Michael questioned his purpose in this world, but he knew deep inside him that he was destined to reap through humanity with the scythe of memories and vengeance. They shall not be forgiven until their souls ask for forgiveness, and their blood touches the very ground he was forced to walk with suffering consuming his heart. Michael slowly sat on the roof, with the breeze drifting through his hair, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, smelling the guilt and impiety of London. It reeks with sin. As the Star came above the horizon, shining over Michael's face, he opened his eyes, and soreness is what could be saw as he stared in the Star's direction. Sorrow, but deep inside him, malice, and the thirst for revenge.
Slowly did Michael stood up by bracing his body up with his right hand while holding the two datapads in his left hand. Once again did he look the pads, thinking about the future, and the consequences. What will happen next, why are they after him. Little did Michael understand his wrongdoings, quickly did he forget all the people he killed in his rage. And the law has no understanding for his pain, even less for murderers. But in Michael's eyes he was the innocent one, only giving people what they deserved. Does it have to do with Luxuria? But why? Who is she, or better yet what is she? Michael refused to think about it, as he loved her, and no one will tarnish his memories of her. Then it suddenly hit him, like a fast lightning in a summer night, she is in danger and no one will lay a hand on her as long as Michael is alive. He took the datapad with his profile in it and with a swift and powerful throw he let the data disappear in the never ending villainy of London. He chafed his eyes with his hand, whipping away the tears, leaving only anger and hate in them and ran towards the stairs leading down to the alley he came from. The alley was still dark as the Star's light hasn't reached it yet. The bad smell was even worse in here and Michael moved out of the alley with a fast pace and into the open street. Many people were there, rich, poor, pretty, ugly, all were here and all had similar problems, human problems, and inhuman solutions. He took out the datapad on Luxuria, and began reading it with care, trying to figure how to find her, and no easy task will that be.
As Michael was walking down the street reading the information in the datapad, the Star was shining stronger, the day was beautiful, a rare sight in London, as the rain is the most common sight on the planet. He realized that the key in finding his love was the strange man that gave Michael Luxuria's profile and her dossier. But how to find a man that does not want to be found, that Michael didn't knew the name of, even better, didn't know what the stranger looked like. The pub, the pub was the key Michael thought and stopped in his tracks. The pub was the other way and Michael ran up the street in long continuos paces. The people on the street gave him strange looks, the looks of scared people, as Michael had blood marks on his clothes that he didn't notice, and his face was dirty from the rain that was falling during the night. But he care little about the opinions of others, all that he felt deep inside him is the wish to kill all who looked at him with despise. But there was no time, as his love was in danger. Soon Michael saw a familiar sight, the pub where he met Luxuria the first time, where he nearly got killed the first time, and where he agreed to kill someone for the first time. He stopped before the entrance, catching his breath and then entered the pub which was unusually full. It was morning and all the local drunkards came for their morning shots. Good, the same bartender as always, the one that Michael broke his jaw all those years ago, and the thought of which still made Michael laugh.
Michael shouldered his way to the bartender, who remembered him from the night before and smiled at him, knowing that Michael is carrying a lot of credits. Immediately the bartender took a clean glass from the cabinet and placed it on the bar, pouring Michael a drink.
"Good, you think fast." - Michael told the bartender as he drank the whole glass in one sip, shaking his head from the strength of the alcoholic drink, "Come closer." - He continued and hand gestured the bartender to approach him and lean towards him while handing over a thousand credits to him. This was for his ears only, "Yes Sir, can I help you?" - The bartender responded in a polite and courteous voice while taking the credits and placing them in his pocket. He knew Michael has plenty of money and one can always use more credits, "Yes, the man I talked to yesterday, where can I find him?" - Michael questioned the bartender while observing his surroundings carefully, "I don't know Sir." - The bartender responded and lowered his head continuing to clean the glasses. Michael realized he was lying even before the bartender opened his mouth and handed over another thousand credits to him, "What about now? And careful, you tread on thin ground now." - Michael clearly threatened him, and the bartender was obviously scared although he didn't know why, "He left this....Here...Take it." - The bartender spoke with a frightened voice and handed Michael over a business card that had his name and address on it.
Inspector James Gold
New London, 101, Elizabeth Street
Michael was walking down the same street again, thinking what was going on. Another inspector? Why did he wanted the other one dead? What was going on? Michael was confused, and with good reason as the situation was getting more complicated, and the solution was nowhere to be seen. Michael knew the only way to even possibly solve, and find his love, is to find this James Gold. Elizabeth Street, Michael knew where it was, the rich part of London, where he never ventured in but learned about Elizabeth in school as a child. And he remembered that the street was called after her. It took Michael some time to reach that part of the City, and he traveled through the streets where little ventured, as he wanted to avoid being seen. He lurked where the scum of the scum hang out. But he managed to reach Elizabeth Street faster then he anticipated. Now to find apartment 101, and Michael was hoping that this was his private apartment, and not the Precinct where he worked, or at least Michael thought he worked. Michael asked the people on the street about this 101, but no one wanted to help him because he was judged by his appearance. He was angry, but had to remain calm, for his love, for the future. Finally he spotted a poor looking man walking down the street who was avoided by everyone else, just like Michael. He approached him.
"Hello old man, tell me, do you know who this James Gold is? And where can I find him? 101 is the address." - Michael spoke to the old man. He looked at Michael with his old eyes, clearly he had gone through a lot in life, "Leave me alone boy, I do not need you making fun of me as well." - The old man shouted and pushed Michael away. A long time has passed since Michael met someone like him, and he felt not anger towards the old man, but compassion, as he was as well rejected by the world and tortured, "Listen old man, I mean you no harm, and I will certainly not make fun of you. As I know how that can hurt." - Michael said to the old man and he stopped, looking at Michael who seemed sad, and had a doleful look in his eyes. The old man approached him and placed his hand on Michael's shoulder. His hand had many scars, and it was dirty, nails uncut. A homeless man. Where is the justice in that? Having a homeless man even now, "Boy, I believe you. And I see you have gone through a lot in life. There. Go there. And take care." - The old man nodded towards a large glass building at the end of the street and began walking away. Michael rushed to him and gave him some credits, "Old man, enjoy it while you can. And remember, the world will suffer for its sins."
Michael looked towards the large building and proceeded to it with little thinking. As he walked into the shadow of the beast he saw the number 101 on it, clearly it was the place he was looking for. At the entrance there was a list, of all who lived there. Clearly the was an apartment building, and many lived here. Rich, but many. Michael ran his finger through the list, looking for the name James Gold. There were a lot of names, but finally Michael noticed it, Private Investigator James Gold. That is the one he thought to himself and rang at the bell next to the name and awaited for a response. Soon the door opened without any response, and Michael entered the building with no questions asked. He entered the elevator and pressed the button to floor 78, where James had his PI office. An old lady entered the elevator with Michael. A rich and snobby woman as Michael could see by her jewelry and by the looks she gave Michael. She looked him with despise and abhorrence what made Michael mad, and he wanted to hurt her so badly. But Luxuria was in his head, and he needs to find her, everything else is not important now. Floor 78 was next, and Michael exited the elevator spitting on the floor in front of the old woman on purpose. Michael walked through the corridors, looking for the name James Gold, until suddenly he saw it. A large wooden door with golden garnishes. A private investigator with a snobby attitude he judged. Michael didn't know, but simply entered the room, and sounds of television could be heard inside, and he moved towards the sounds. Little time passed when he was a man sitting in his leather chair laughing at some show on the TV. Michael assumed it was Gold, and he assumed correctly. He approached the investigator from the back and overturned the chair what made Gold fall from it onto the glass table nearby, cutting his skin and his face. Michael cared little for what happened, as he had little time to lose, and hatred, anger, and revenge is what took over his heart.
"How did you track me in the pub!?! How did you know I would come to you!?" - Michael asked in anger as he punched Gold in the face with his fists several times, breaking his nose causing it to bleed all over him. Michael hit him in the ribs with his feet and Gold started to spit blood from his mouth, "Speeaaak!!!!" - Michael shouted and continued to hit him, "I don't.....Know...." - Gold said as he grasped in pain and coughed out blood, "I got an anonymous call....He said....You'll be there." - Gold stopped talking as blood filled his mouth. He spat it out, "Who called you?!?!" - Michael raged and continued to hit him in the head, he even elbowed him a few times what cause his skull to crack a little, and Gold bled even more, "Stop....Please....Stop." - Gold lay down in a pool of blood, and began crying out of desperation and pain, "Stop." - Once again he asked Michael and Michael paused, "I will ask you one more time!! Who called you mother ****er and from where do you know about Luxuria?!?!" - Michael asked and he couldn't restrain himself, as his fist flew towards Gold, but James managed to say something, "Winston.....Heartridge." - Gold said, but Michael couldn't and didn't want to stop, and he punched him the final time, splitting his skull open, and nearly breaking his own fingers. But Michael was berserk, and none could resist him now, "Winston Heartridge. I know you ****er.The Old Man's associate on Cambridge Research Institute. Guess that is where I'll be going next." - Michael said as he whipped his fist on Gold's clothes, the parts that were still clean that is. He stood up from the shards of glass on the floor, and left James rot in his own pool of blood, and proceeded to his ship on the outskirts of London.
"Approaching Planet Cambridge" was heard from the autopilot of Michael's Sabre, and he immediately turned the AI off, and transferred to manual flight. The station known as Cambridge Research Station was just outside of Planet Cambridge, not even five thousand kilometers away and soon Michael came into visual range of the station. A hail came from the Planet, as the authorities check all who wish to land on the complex, "Unknown vessel, unknown vessel, this is Cambridge Flight Control, identify yourself immediately and send recognition codes." - Michael was smart, and The Old Man though him many things, how to mask his recognition signature was one of them. Changing the frequencies of his transponder was easy, and Cryer Pharmaceuticals is what the transponder was transmitting, "Flight Control, this is James Gold bringing testing samples to Doctor Winston Heartridge. Requesting permission to land on the complex." - Michael lied to the Flight Control in hopes they will buy it and allow him to land. The Flight Control had little reason to doubt his words, and they granted him permission to land, "Stupid fools." - Michael said as he turned off the communication system and proceeded to land on the Research Institute. The landing went in order, and as soon as his ship touched the landing platforms Michael changed his clothes, and tidied himself up a little, to avoid suspicion. He exited the ship carrying his case where he hid his blade, convincing the people in the landing bays that it is the shipment case for Doctor Winston. Michael carried the butterfly knife that Luxuria gave to him in his pocket, and he never parted from it, as it always saved him in trouble. And it reminded him of his love.
Michael was wandering through the countless and endless hallways of the Institute. They so reminded him of the Psychiatry he was in when he was younger, making him restless and scared. It was fairly easy to locate Winston, as this is a Research Institute, not a military base, and they do not hide their scientists like a snake hides its legs. The visitors map that he took in one of the hallways, took him to Winston's private laboratory where he waited for the Doctor to come. Michael sat down on a chair in the laboratory, with the lights turned off. He toyed with the butterfly knife in his pocket, closed his eyes, and wandered in past to seek calmness. A few hours passed when the laboratory doors opened, and the lights were turned on. A gray man with a long beard entered. Surely that was Winston Michael thought, and he was correct, as on the name tag of the man in a doctor's robe said Dr. Winston Heartridge. Michael stood up, showing himself to the doctor, on what Winston was clearly scared to death. A strange man waiting for him in the dark. Michael approached him, and Winston was unable to say a word. Michael closed the doors behind him, and locked them.
"Now Doctor." - Michael said as he pushed to doctor to sit on a chair, and crouched in front of him, looking him straight in the eyes, "How do you know about Luxuria? And where can I find her?" - Michael asked him with a deranged expression on his face, while toying with the knife in his pocket, "Luxuria...I don't know.....Don't.....What are you talking about. Please, you have to believe me!" - Winston answered in fear for his life, as Michael came here with only one goal, to find out where he knew Luxuria from, and how can he find her, and of course, leave no witnesses, "Do not lie to me Doctor!" - Michael shouted as he stood up and punched the doctor in the head with the knife in his hand to increase the power of the punch. Blood sprayed over the old man's beard. The Doctor reminded Michael of his Old Man, whom he hated more then life, "You remember Lewis? The ****er who worked with you?" - Michael asked Winston, "Yes, yes I know him! Please stop!" - The doctor said as he spat blood on the floor, and whipping his lips, he was clearly shook from the punch, "Oh you know him? Good, good. Well.....I am his son. And I hate his guts!!!!" - Michael yelled and punched the doctor once again with the knife in his hand creating a large cut over Winston's right eye. "Now...Luxuria?! How do you know of her? And where can I find her?!?!" - Michael asked the old man and grabbed him by his shoulders and shook him a few times trying to scare him with his deranged expression on his face, "Your name was mentioned by James....James Gold! And he said you gave him the information about Luxuria?!" - Michael asked the old man while backing down a little, allowing him to talk, "No....You were tricked." - Winston said and tried to catch his breath, "I never gave anything to anyone! And I know of no Luxuria! Please, you have to believe me!!" - For some strange and unexplainable reason, Michael knew the old man was telling the truth, and looking at Winston grasping in pain and coughing up blood, Michael realized he was fooled. James would tell anything in hope that it can save him his life, "Pathetic *******! ****ing liar! Arhhhggggghhhhhh!" - Michael screamed in anger and began tossing things in the laboratory all over, "Please...I know nothing....Let me go...Please." - The old man begged Michael with a beaten look in his eyes, "No. I cannot leave witnesses old man. And someone will pay for this treachery! No one makes a fool out of me!!" - Michael said and the old man started crying. Michael took out the butterfly knife from his pocket, getting ready to butcher the doctor in his seat. He was fooled, and it made him angry. Someone has to pay he thought. Michael approached the doctor getting ready for the final strike, and Winston continued crying knowing his long and prosperous life was coming to an end. And such an end it will be, being killed for something he knew nothing about, and had nothing to do with. But Michael cared little for who is guilty, he was tricked, made a fool of, and someone has to pay for that. In his mind, it doesn't matter who, he only wishes to cut their hearts so sin can be seen by the world. In a swift move Michael cut through Winston's neck, opening the artery there and blood sprayed all over the room. Winston's head was shaking as the knife struck his nerves what made the blood spray even farther. Michael was just standing there, with a dull look on his face. He was proud of what he did, but sad as another man's life is destroyed by his hand. How many more lives will he need to destroy for people to see how much he suffered, how much anger does he need to release to find his love. As Winston was bleeding, he finally fell down from his chair, and the dead body hit the floor, resting for eternity in his own blood. Michael's mind darkened once again, as the pain was too great. Will he have to spread his hate forever, or will his love be the end of it, and the beginning of a beautiful life. Michael was out of control, anger consumed him, "Why!!?!?" Where are you love!?!" - He screamed in the laboratory while knocking over tables, computer consoles, papers, nothing was important. Michael cut himself on the hand when he grabbed a monitor and threw it into the impermeable glass, and screamed from the pain. He grabbed his hand with the other one, trying to stop the bleeding, but with no use, blood just kept dripping on the papers near his legs. In all the pain he was in, he saw something, that soothed his mind. An oasis in the desert of pain. Luxuria's picture was there, amidst the million of papers, "Is this possible?! Am I imagining this? Is that you love?!" - Michael asked in desperation as he fell on his knees grabbing hold of the paper on the floor. Only a picture of her was there, no names, no nothing. Some hidden by the blood from his hand, some simply not written. Why is it hidden, and what is her name, will she only be known as Luxuria to Michael for the rest of his life. Suddenly a strong knock was heard on the door, "Dr. Winston, are you alright? Dr. Winston!" - The security banged on the door as they were about to override the security code and enter. Michael realized this is not a fight he wishes to fight, and he quickly took the papers with Luxuria's picture on it, and several others that were near it and fled towards the back entrance of the lab, quickly running to the landing pads to escape from this dreadful place.
The knock on the door of the laboratory struck Michael like a lightning in a clear night, little did he expect for them to come to the laboratory so swiftly. They forced him to leave in a hurry, but he managed to grab the paper with Luxuria's picture on it, and several others. All were tainted by blood that was slowly dripping from his hand. Michael was breathing heavily as he was running towards the hangar bay. The alarm blared as they surely found Winston dead, lying in his own blood. The security will be looking for the killer, and probably shut down all traffic going in and out of the station. Michael needed to make haste, as time was of the essence. The sight of freedom was ahead of him as he approached the station's hangar bay, where he landed his ship. Everything was still in order, his security code still functioned and the doors opened normally. Fear shrouded his mind as Michael feared the escape will not be an easy one. He is bleeding and they will know he was the killer immediately as they lay their eyes on him, but strangely enough, there was no security in the hangar bay, what proved that Michael was being followed by lady luck recently. He ran into the hangar bay, and approached the landing platform his ship was on. The encoded console was there, but in such a hurry Michael forgot the code to open the doors, and in all his nervousness he couldn't remember the code.
"Come on Michael you stupid ****! There is no time!!" - He screamed at himself while banging his head, trying to remember the code. The console had blood prints on it from Michael's hand, what made typing even harder for him, and rising his anger. Suddenly the papers from his hand fell on the floor, and Luxuria's picture was looking straight at Michael, and his mind calmed down, his heart started beating normally, "Thank you love." - Michael said as he picked up the papers from the floor, and typed ANGEL onto the console what made the doors open. The security lockdown began, and Michael managed to slip past that in the last few seconds, as he flew out of the hangar while the doors closed behind him.
Michael was sitting in his Sabre, reading through the papers about Luxuria, but there was nothing there besides her picture, all was erased, and some was covered in his own blood. Michael kept staring at her picture, asking himself, "When love? If ever?" - His face was saddened, his eyes wet from tears shed because of it. There was no hope, all leads he had were leading nowhere, nothing more did he have on her, nothing more then a mere memory and a stale feeling of love in his heart. But she will never be forgotten, no matter where is she now, he will always love her. Is there any more reason to continue living, or is it better to dive into the abyss and mark his love for eternity. Michael was troubled, and he had little knowledge on what to do next. Is there any purpose in continuing his quest, will he ever be happy again. Luxuria was the closest in his heart, but the farthest in his mind, "I need to think." - Michael muttered into his chin with sadness in his eyes, with sorrow in his eyes, and darkness in his mind. Without much thinking, perhaps even acting on instinct or guided by destiny and fate, he entered the AI coordinates to planet New London, where it all began, and where all will end.
Michael landed his ship on the outskirts of London, where he always landed, far from the eyes of law. Walking with his hands in his pockets, toying with the knife Luxuria gave him when she kissed him on the cheek. Michael touched his cheek with his hand, remembering the day he meet her, when she saved his life and cared for him, when she imprinted her kindness and love into Michael's heart. Michael opened the door to the bar, remembering all that went on in here, remembering Luxuria's face in the dark corner, and her blue eyes lighting the place. The pub was empty, and Michael sat on a chair, ordered a drink, and lowered his head onto the desk while his hands hanged under the table, toying with the butterfly knife, the only true reason he had to remain hope in finding hapiness. He wanted the world to leave him in peace, as he had no reason to live in it anymore.