Chapter 1: The Hunt Begins

Trevor had leads, and he knew where the Gauntlet was, more or less. Yeah, more or less was for certain. No more than five minutes after embarking on his journey, Trevor realized he had almost no idea where he was going.

Alright, Lee, think. You know she's a Knight, and you know she's nobility, or at least seems to be. That's enough to start with, Trevor thought to himself. His console beeped to alert him to his arrival, and a moment later, he left the Ethernet and was back in normal space, still a distance from the Imperial system, probably another six hours. Normally, he would've just ended his link in the system, but the goal was to not draw attention to himself, and being inconspicuous was something Ethernet hops were no damn good at. Entering the coordinates into his computer and setting an alarm, Trevor put his ship, the Taipan, on auto-pilot and tried to get in a short nap. Normally, six hours would be something no pilot would want to deal with, but then again, Trevor didn't have to worry about running out of fuel.

Six hours later, the alarm woke Trevor up, letting him know he was now in the Imperial system. Six hours was not really what Trevor considered a nap, but he supposed it was best he was well rested. As he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, he patched into a nearby communications satellite and hacked into a random database, searching for places to gather info. When he realized he had hacked into a convenience store, he promptly left and found a more useful source, glad that no one could see his folly.

Locating a planet with a suitable port, Trevor requested clearance to land, and was given permission, pulling into dock 6. After exiting and securing his baby, he strolled about the streets for a bit, getting a feel for the atmosphere. It was a nicer city, filled with more middle and upper class citizens. This would be a good place to go sleuthing for nobility. He managed to locate the pub he had researched earlier, and entered. It was more of an upper class club than a pub, filled with tasteful decorations and expensive liquor. Inhaling the cool, refined atmosphere, Trevor immediately closed the door before he attracted attention by holding it opened and hung his coat up, acting like he was supposed to be in there. He was worried about his mesh, fishnet-like shirt drawing attention, as it probably made him look like a star of some sort, someone who could afford to dress however they wanted and still frequent a place like this. The lack of a bar indicated that only the wealthier patrons drank here.

Striding over to a table, Trevor sat himself down, removing the sunglasses he almost never took off, hanging them from his shirt collar. A few of the patrons shot a glance at him, but for the most part ignored him returning to their own conversations. A waitress in a fine looking kimono eventually came to him with a menu, which he immediately handed back, telling her that he would like to have some sake, in flowing Imperial. She gave him a slightly odd look, but complied. "Anything you want," someone commented from behind him, "And you have sake?"

Trevor turned about, coming to face a petite, feminine, well groomed, and wealthy-looking feline. "I like sake," was his reply, "Do you intend to stand there until you finish your drink?"

She chuckled slightly, and sat down in the chair across from him. "I suppose I shall start," she said, "My name is Deyama, Megumi. Who might you be?"

"I am Makino, Shinta," Trevor lied smoothly, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Deyama." He could vaguely sense that she had a mild interest in him (hey, just because you're trained to kill doesn't mean you can't read others).

"So then Mr. Makino, what brings you to this locale. I don't recall seeing you here before, and those who are normally here do not seem, ah, liberal enough, to have invited you," Megumi stated, "Did you really think that no one would notice you?"

"Part of the reason I'm here is to be noticed. I'm trying to find a friend of mine," Trevor replied as his sake arrived.

"I see. Is she nobility?"

"I knew you were expecting an answer along those lines, but no, she is not nobility herself, although she is in their service. I received a message from her stating that her lord had recently been attacked by..." Trevor glanced around just slightly, and leaned in closer to whisper, "By a Knight, she said."

Megumi was taken aback. "A Knight? Was her lord alright?" she asked in a hushed shout.

"Oh, he survived more or less unhurt, as did she, but as you can imagine, I was worried regardless. I returned here immediately, and along the way, I realized that she had never told me whom she served, and thus, my current attendance." He wore an expression full of worry, although he knew it was full of crap, and Megumi couldn't tell.

"Well," she said after a minute or two, "There is a rumor circulating that Lord Kiyoshi of White Star castle was attacked by a Knight, but that occurred some months ago."

Trevor sighed. "I know. My profession requires that I travel frequently, and I'm amazed her message reached me at all..."

"Will you leave immediately?" Megumi asked after a moment of silence.

Trevor thought about it, and then decided not right away. "I rather enjoy the atmosphere here, so I think it would at least be polite for me to drink my sake." And so, he did, making small talk with Megumi the entire time. When he finally did leave, he kicked himself. Shit Trevor, he thought to himself, You just told her four lies that might have to be true. Hopefully, he'd never have to worry about it. Nevertheless, he climbed into his ship, and left the port, heading directly for White Star castle.

Chapter 2: Cocky

"Well, there it is," Trevor said to himself. White Star castle was more of a space station really, and thus, Trevor didn't quite know how he was going to get inside. Thinking quickly, he formulated a plan. And he thought of it not a moment too soon.

"Unidentified craft, you have entered our airspace. Please identify yourself," came the voice over his comm system.

"This is Makino, Shinta, pilot of the Death Adder. I have a malfunction with my navigational system. May I land so that it may be inspected?"

Several tense moments passed, and finally, "Makino, Shinta, you may land only to have your navigational system inspected. Once it is operational, you are to leave. Is that understood?"

"That is understood. Death Adder out," Trevor said, killing his comm. Makino, Shinta was the name he registered his fighter under, and even that had been registered falsely. if anything happened, they would be searching for the Death Adder and Makino, Shinta. Not the Taipan and Trevor Lee.

He contacted them again, saying that since his navigation system was not operational, he would need guidance to land. After they "aided" in his finding a suitable dock, he climbed out to greet the engineers who believed they would be repairing his ship. He noticed that they were accompanied by four armed, robotic soldiers, probably in the event he tried anything foolish. He also noticed that they were armed only with swords. And he knew that was foolish. "Good day, Mr. Makino," the lead engineer said. Before anyone could react, Trevor had given him a powerful head butt, knocking him unconscious. A swift left backhand disabled the second, while the third was taken out with a sweeping kick followed by a debilitating blow to the ribs. The robots decided to get into the action, drawing their weapons and charging. Trevor got a hold of the first and threw it over his shoulder, stealing its sword in the process. He caught the second with the point of the sword and flung it after its accompanying unit, drawing and activating his saber in the process. The remaining two were swiftly diced in a whirlwind of slashes as Trevor wielded both weapons expertly. Satisfied, he discarded the sword and proceeded deeper into the castle.

Trevor didn't quite know where he was going, and soon found himself running through an absolutely beautiful garden area. Unable to resist, he slowed to a walk and stowed his saber, enjoying the scenery. It was serene, and Trevor liked it that way. At least, until a few living samurai warrior, accompanied by more of those robots, rushed inside in an attempt to detain him. Not wanting this beautiful area to be damaged, Trevor ran from the garden, leading his pursuers away. They entered what appeared to be a dining hall, for there was large table with steaming food still resting on it. Trevor wasted no time, jumping up in a flip and landing on the table. Using his momentum, he delivered a crippling kick to the chin of the samurai who had leapt up after him, knocking him out and possibly breaking his jaw. Reorienting himself to his opponents, Trevor saw four of the robots rushing forward, while the samurai appeared to have the sense to hang back and wait for him to be softened up.

The Slayer dropped into action, jumping off the table and into the robots. Using the head of the first as a stepping stone, he kicked it aside and repeated the process until he ran out of heads, whereupon he landed on the ground. The remaining two robots charged, along with the samurai, although the sentient fighters stay towards the back of the charge. With a swift kick, Trevor disarmed the first 'bot, and then sent it into the other with a powerful roundhouse kick. With plenty of kinetic energy left, Trevor continued his spin, smashing the front-most samurai with a right hook, sprawling him on the floor. The second attempted a diagonal slash, which Trevor predicted perfectly and knocked aside with an inward crescent kick. A third had his thrust knocked aside, and Trevor then used his head as a stand when the fourth tried to get his legs. The one that had acted as a support for Trevor took on a look of horror when his own sword slammed into his chest.

"Good thing this is the dull side," Trevor taunted. The 'bots tried again, and Trevor used his new buddy's sword to fend off their strikes. When both attempted a horizontal decapitation move, seemingly unable to recognize their ally in danger, both Trevor and the samurai dropped, although the latter fell on his side and was forcibly kicked. Trevor's reward for that was a resounding "Crak!" and the samurai flying up and into the 'bots, knocking them all down. Two of the other samurai charged him again while the third circled around back. Trevor caught the first in a joint lock, at least until his arm bent in a new direction. He flipped the second over his shoulder and caught him with a snap kick, sending him further and taking him down as well. The third was flipped off the ground, and Trevor's outward crescent kick sent him into the wall. The six 'bots had regained their senses and charged, only to all be decapitated by six swift slices of Trevor's saber. Finished, he deactivated his weapon and replaced it on his belt, and continued his trek. Until...

MOVE!!! Trevor's senses screamed, and he rolled his body just in time to avoid a laser bolt. Unfortunately, this also left him somewhat vulnerable and lying on the ground, and he kicked himself to the side in time to avoid another bolt. His saber was out again, and he deflected a third shot, spying a rhinoceros in the distance with a pistol. He ducked another shot, and charged at him with supernatural speed. Swinging his saber like a baseball bat, he knocked away two more bolts, and was upon him. An upward slice destroyed the weapon, while a reverse spinning side kick dealt heavy damage despite the plated skin. The rhino doubled over and was unconscious. One more opponent.

Trevor glanced back over his shoulder, and spied a rabbit, white fur, short in stature, and dressed as a samurai. Not female, so not who he was looking for, and wielding what appeared to be a variant katana, so probably not even a Knight.

"Well, I hope you're quite proud of yourself," the samurai said, "You have managed the destruction of ten samuroids, and crippled three engineers, four samurai, and our informant."

"Proud-ish, considering that I almost died today," Trevor responded, "Now, there are two ways we can do this: Either you can tell me what I want now, or I can beat the snot out of you, and then you can tell me what I want to know."

"Normally, I would be more than happy to give you information if it would make you leave, but since you've already causes quite a mess here, I'm afraid that is out of the question."

Trevor sighed. "Very well. Let us begin this duel with introductions. I'm sure you've already guessed, but I am Makino, Shinta."

"And thus, you expect me to give you my name?"

"Well, it would be polite, that way I can put you name in the 'Get Well' card I intend to send you." Trevor noticed that the rabbit seemed slightly agitated by that remark.

"If it will make you shut up, I am Miyamoto Usagi. Now, are you done chatting?"

"Perhaps. I recall hearing on a Knight called Miyamoto Mariko. Any relation?" Trevor asked.

The rabbit was now visibly angry. "If there was, what makes you think I would tell you!"

"Your body language gave it away, and you're thinking rather loudly too. Does she have the Gauntlet?"

Usagi screamed in anger, and rushed Trevor, ready to impale him. Too easy, Trevor thought. His plan was simply to side-step and trip his opponent. He would probably be more willing to talk with a saber at his throat. However, this was not as easy as Trevor though it would be. When he swept, Usagi leaped over his foot, and Trevor was so surprised, he almost didn't block the downward slice. The Slayer quickly put distance between himself and his foe, which was then quickly closed as Usagi charged again. Trevor tried to deflect the strike with his saber, certainly ruining the samurai's weapon in the process, but was stunned again when both weapons remained intact. A Surge katana! Trevor knew that no amount of swordplay would disarm this energetic bugger. Swinging his saber quickly, Trevor knocked the surge katana away, releasing his own weapon in the process. He caught Usagi with a right cross, and then rained punches on his face, ending with an uppercut destined to put the insolent fool down.

Indeed, Usagi went down, and when he tried to get back up, he found the intruder's saber at his throat. Death had come for him at last. "Your reactions confirmed what I wanted to ask you. Where is Miyamoto Mariko?"

"I'll tell you after you kill me!"

The Knight smiled, and deactivated his weapon. "I've managed to leave everyone alive thus far. Why break the streak now?" A blur, and then there was a nearly identical saber in his other hand. he had two, but only fought with one at a time? Unique. "The Gauntlet she has is too dangerous for anyone to possess. It needs to be destroyed." The Knight said once again.

"You're insane. Mariko conquered the Gauntlet. She's in complete control of it."

"The Gauntlet is a power beyond mortal comprehension. It's something to unpredictable to be allowed free reign in this realm. It must be destroyed, even if it means that I must drop it to the molten rivers of Hell itself."

Usagi considered him for a moment. "Regardless of you devotion, I will not endanger my sister."

Trevor sighed again. "Then we'll have to do this the hard way..." He dashed forward, and Usagi had not the time to react before he was struck unconscious. Though certainly not as skilled as even a Warrior, Trevor still managed to delve into the rabbit's mind. The information he collected was not easy to decipher, but he had what he needed. New Atlantis. That is where he would find Miyamoto. Having what he needed, he turned and left White Star castle. Perhaps a bit cocky of him to attempt such a daring assault, but successful regardless.

Punching in the coordinates, he began his Ethernet hop, drawing ever closer to his goal.

Chapter 3: Nearing Conclusion

"What!" Mariko exclaimed. She has just received an emergency message from Usagi explaining what had just happened. This could only have been done by a very experienced Rogue, or a Slayer, two such occurrences in the past week. And unfortunately, the lack of death seemed to indicate a Slayer. Although Mariko was thankful that everyone, especially her brother, was alive, she was also disheartened to hear that a Slayer was after her and the Gauntlet. The logical choice would be to run to another system, but that would cut of their primary source of funding. A conflict with this Slayer seemed inevitable.

However, Mariko also took note that the Slayer not only left everyone alive, if somewhat crippled, he also seemed more than willing to ask Usagi for information rather than forcibly extract it from him. She realized that the inevitable may not be a conflict, but simply a meeting. She wasn't looking forward to either: a Slayer, regardless of how open and reasonable, is still a Slayer. Mariko would've liked to have collected more information about her foe from Usagi, but a live broadcast message was impossible at this range. A message like Usagi had sent would take a day to travel between locations. The Slayer would most certainly be in the Mortega system and possibly even onboard the New Atlantis by the time Usagi received the message.

Sighing, Mariko decided that the best course of action was to try and reason with the Slayer. Closing the message she received, she tried to think about how she would inform the others...

"So, you're telling us that a Knight Slayer, bent on finding you, will be here within a day, and you want to talk to him?" Ariel said, rephrasing what Mariko had just told them.

"Well, in a nutshell, yes."

Even Wolf was certain she'd lost her mind. "Alright everyone," the lupine began, "All who think that Mariko has gone off the deep end, say 'Aye'."

Everyone except Mariko agreed with him. "We should just get the hell out of this system Mariko. Remember what you told me about running away from Slayers?" Shade stated.

"Shade, were you ever actually planning to follow that advice?" Mariko asked him. The Somali quickly withdrew his remark. "We still have some control over where he meets us," Mariko said, "We can force him to be in an environment where we have the advantage."

"'We'? What's this 'we' all of a sudden?" Wolf joked. He shut up the instant he saw the look Ariel gave him. They all agreed with Mariko at last, however. The Slayer had found them once, with relatively little trouble as well. There would be nothing to stop him from finding them again, as he no doubt had a fairly extensive network of information available to him. Mariko wouldn't be surprised if some of his informants were Rogues he had intimidated into behaving. Her options were running thin.

It seemed that her fate had arrived as quickly and unexpectedly as a thunderclap...