Zero's Familiar: Unfortunate One
Baghdad Iraq, August 20th 2007 7:00 P.M. (Military Calender)
"…it ain't me, it ain't me! I ain't no military son! It ain't me, it ain't me! I ain't no fortunate one no…"
The music was blasted through the intercom system in the HMMWV as Pvt Jack Donnelly turned up the volume of his laptop computer. The laptop, a Christmas gift from his brother last year, was a top of the line Alienware gaming machine, but being out in Iraq left little in the way of keeping it up to date with the latest hardware now offered by Alienware. But the laptop faithfully did its job of playing games like Battlefield: Vietnam and Halo Combat Evolved. PFC Steve O'Conroy just looked over at him and smiled while Sgt John Demp handed over their identification to the night guard at the United States Combined Military base.
"I am surprised that you guys haven't been caught playing music that loudly over the intercom system. Guess its just luck." The night guard said.
"Luck nothin' pal. We gots us a pretty hip Sarge here who just so happens to like real music like some classic rock and roll." Donnelly shot back at the guard.
"You call that music? A bunch of sweaty, long haired dudes who scream into a microphone with voices like a girl? Hah!"
"Yeah well at least these guys actually sing, unlike that rap crap you listen to Tommy boy."
"Enough." Sarge cut in, "Listen I had a long boring day and I really don't need you guys to argue over who's music is better. Private O'Conroy, I believe it is your turn to return the Humvee to the motor pool tonight. Make it so. Then meet up with me and Jack here in the canteen. I would like to discuss tomorrows patrol route."
"Yes Sir!" both Jack and Steve responded.
Sarge and Jack got out of the vehicle and headed towards the canteen.
"Yo Jack! Don't you want your laptop?!" Steve yelled before they got too far away.
"Nah, leave it in there for tomorrow!" Jack yelled back.
Steve put the Humvee back in gear and started driving through the base towards the bases vehicle motor pool. A full six months into his tour of duty in Iraq and not a single thing has happened at all while he has been here. Not a single thing. Those stupid reporters on the evening news back home almost never told the full story. He had come here hoping to kick some terrorist ass but had done nothing more than listen to classic rock while drive around in a humvee all day. Nothing not a single damn thing…
BOOM!
An explosion 5 vehicles down from where Steve was rocked the base. He hit the brakes and just stared at the burning wreckage in total shock. Then the sound of small arms fire came from the other side of the base and he saw about 20 men wielding AK-47 Assault Rifles climb through the burning vehicles and open fire on him. So much for a quiet tour! He shoved the HMMVW down into low gear, stomped the gas and spun the vehicle around, burning rubber as though the Humvee were a racecar. He had to get away or they would annihilate him! He had heard the stories of what had happened to some of the unlucky men who were captured by terrorists. They were often tortured in ways you couldn't possibly imagine. And he was determined NOT to let that happen to him! As he sped away he looked in the driver side mirror to get a better look at his attackers, and that's the last thing he saw.
Tristian Academy of Magic
"What was that?"
"It sounded like Saito and Louise again didn't it Principal Osmond?"
The Principal of the Tristian Academy of Magic slowly turned his chair around to look out the huge window in his office. It gave him a great view of the school grounds, all the better to keep track of what is happening at his school.
"Hmm, I don't see any smoke or…well now, what's that?"
"What's what sir?"
"That wall on the lower right, it seems something has crashed into it. Would you be so kind as to go and investigate this disturbance Mrs. Lowell?"
"Yes sir, right away."
"I have a strange feeling about this event Motsognir."
Unknown Place, August 24th 2007 7:10 P.M. (Military Calender)
"Aye, aye, aye, my fucking head really hurts."
Private First Class Steve O'Conroy slowly pushed the door of the Humvee open. Then he unbuckled himself and grabbed his M16 A2 Assault Rifle from the passenger seat. He managed to slip out of the driver's seat and onto what appeared to be a well kept lawn. After lying on the grass for a few seconds his mind was working well enough for him to stand and assess his current situation. He looked around to see nothing but a green open plain with a forest in the distance behind the Humvee. And in front of the vehicle was a huge stone wall, 12 ft. high easy. So his half working mind concluded, he was
the victim of an automobile accident. But that didn't explain the environment surrounding him. Memory has a funny way of working. Up until now he had completely forgotten about the terrorist attack on his base. Shit.
He sat back in the driver's seat of the wrecked humvee, took a cigarette from his pack of Marlboro Reds and was just about to light it when he saw a middle aged woman in a long dark green dress with what appeared to be a cloak draped around her running towards him. Training kicked in from there. He dropped the lighter from his right hand while his left hand brought the M16 up. In less than a second he was aiming between her eyes.
"Stand back civilian! Or I will be forced to open fire!" O'Conroy shouted.
"Bonjour! Qui sont vous?" the woman yelled at him.
The woman still came closer too him, she appeared to be holding a small stick in her right hand. Bonjour, that word was the only thing going through his mind. Then it hit him! She spoke French! But that would mean that he was in France. How in the hell did he wind up here? Screw it, think about it later.
Tristian Academy of Magic
"Hello! Who are you?" Mrs. Lowell yelled again.
"Stand back civilian! Or I will be forced to open fire!" The strange man shouted while he pointed a strange looking wand at her.
By now Mrs. Lowell wasn't the only person arriving at the scene of this big commotion. This whole incident happened just as the students were going from one class to the next and there was a growing circle of children around her and this person who was leaning on what appeared to be a strange horse drawn carriage. She then turned to the students.
"Please stand back children. I will handle the current situation."
"Mrs. Lowell? What happened here?! And who is that man?"
That question came from Louise de la Valliere. And behind her was her ever faithful familiar Saito.
"I don't know Louise, but by judging from the look on that mans face he doesn't appear to be too happy right now. If only I could understand what he is saying."
"What do you mean if only you could understand what he is saying."
That came from Saito. But before Mrs. Lowell could answer the man spoke again.
"Does anyone here speak English?! Anyone!?"
Everybody continued to stare at the stranger that had ended up at their school, everyone except for Saito Hiraga. He actually started walking towards the man.
"Listen boy, I don't want to have to shoot you! Please stand back!" O'Conroy yelled
"You have no need to shoot me. Nobody here is will cause you any harm. So please put your gun down."
Steve was astonished. He quickly lowered his weapon. This boy spoke English, but with Japanese accent. This was making absolutely no sense to him whatsoever. But O'Conroy spoke again.
"I have just one question." Steve said. "And you better be able to answer it."
"Fine, ask your question." Saito said.
"What the hell is going on here?!"
Tristian Academy of Magic
"So this man is from your world is he not?"
"Yes Osmond. I think he might be an American."
"American? Saito, what is an American?"
"An American comes from the country of the United States of America. It is a country in my world. He is also a soldier."
"A soldier?"
"Yes, he is wearing what appears to be a uniform from their army. Plus he has a gun and a Humvee."
As Osmond let that information digest there was a knock at his door.
"Come in."
Mrs. Lowell, Louise, and the American, who now was handcuffed, came into the room.
"Nobody will cause me any harm eh? You're a fucking liar boy. These two women here did something to me when I tried to start my HMMVW and get away! One minute I am in my Humvee, trying to start it and the next, I am unconscious and in cuffs!"
Everybody in the room stared at the man as he spoke to Saito. Saito smiled nervously back at the man. He then had Mrs. Lowell remove the cuffs.
"There" Saito said "Is that better?"
"Yes" The man answered.
"Saito, you can understand this man?" Louise asked.
"Of course, he is speaking English. It is a well known language back in my world. His country and many others use it."
"Hmm, is that so?" Osmond asked.
"Yes, unfortunately I am still not very good at it. And I really don't want to act as a translator here." Saito answered."Hey, Louise."
"Yes?"
"Remember what you did to me, how you made me able to understand your language?"
"Yeah, but that was a mistake. I was actually trying to shut you up."
"So what? Do you think you could do it to this man?"
"I can try."
Saito then turned to the American "You may feel slightly discomfort able during this."
"During what?!" O'Conroy yelled?
He never got an answer, instead he got an explosion.
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU PEOPLE TRYING TO DO?! KILL ME?!" O'Conroy shouted.
For a second the room fell quite. Everybody stared at O'Conroy who was blackened from the explosion from Louise's wand. Then he reached for his belt and pulled out a large black Beretta M92 Handgun, aimed it at the ceiling and fired twice.
"Listen, I want some answers right now. Do not fuck with me. If any of you make a sudden move I will not hesitate to shoot!" O'Conroy yelled.
Again, everybody just stood and stared in amazement.
"Where do you want us to start?" Saito asked.
"Excuse me?"
"You said you wanted some answers. Where do you want us to start?"
"You gonna give me real answers? And not screw around?"
"Yeah, but only if you put the gun away."
"Oh, I've heard that one before. This gun stays right here in my hands. Just in case somebody tries to blow me up again."
"Ok, have it your way. Now what do you want answered?"
"Where the hell am I?"
Tristian Academy of Magic
"Well, I am at a total loss for words."
It had taken 45 minutes to explain everything to PFC Steve O'Conroy, where he was, what was going on, everything. But the end result was not unlike a very hard slap to the face.
"That is to be expected." Saito said. "That is exactly how I felt when I got here. You Mr. O'Conroy are just like me. Age set aside."
"But how did I get here?"
"I dunno know, Louise summoned me as a familiar, but you. I don't think we will find out why."
"And you are absolutely sure I can not go home?"
"Afraid so."
"So now what?"
That there was a question, a real hard question. Steve now had no home, no money, nothing. He might as well not even exist here. That was bad, he guessed. He was now in a world where he really did not belong. And not being able to go back brought tears to his eyes. Slowly, holding back the tears he looked up at the ceiling.
"I can no longer go home. I no longer have a home, I no longer have a life. So there is no reason for me to keep living."
In one quick motion he brought the Beretta that was in his left hand up and put the barrel in his mouth to the collective horror of those around him.
"NO!" Saito yelled. "You only have one life! Don't throw it away like this! Please! Put the gun down. We will think of something."
"What? How could death possibly be any worse than this?" He muttered.
Then he pulled the trigger. Well, he tried to anyways. His body wouldn't move. It was as though he were frozen. His mind was sending out the single to pull the trigger but his finger wouldn't respond. He frantically looked around the room and saw Osmond pointing his magic wand at him.
"Please, put your weapon down. I will personally assure you that we will work something out. In the meantime you can stay here at the academy."
O'Conroy took the gun out of his mouth
"You sure?"
"Yes. We will. Now, I must contact the Royal Court about this unprecedented set of circumstances that has befallen us. Saito, Louise, would you be so kind as to show our guest around? Make him feel at home."
"Of course Principal Osmond." They both replied.
As they walked back to where the Humvee to get Steve's belongings Saito couldn't help but ask about the current situation of Earth.
"Really nothing much has changed. At least not to my knowledge. You have to remember that I was in Iraq before I came here. I don't really think anything is happening to Japan right now other than the fact that the economy is faltering a little bit." Steve said as the walked through the yard.
"So you were in Iraq?" Saito asked. "What a stupid pointless war."
"Saito, shut up." Louise said. "I don't really think now is the time for one of your stupid comments. Sorry Mr. O'Conroy-"
"Please, just call me Steve."
"Sorry Steve, Saito here doesn't understand war at all."
"Of course I don't its just pointless killing!"
"You know what kid? It may be pointless killing in your eyes but not in mine. Yes, war is a bad thing, and no, war should never happen but sometimes it just has to. It doesn't matter why, it just has to. And I chose to become a soldier, to fight wars for my country. And before you say anything else, I will tell you why I joined the service. Around 120 years ago my family emigrated from Ireland to America in search of a better life. 120 years later we still have no wish to return back. America has given us so much, so I figured it was time for me to give back to my country. To repay our debts if you will for the wonderful life that we are allowed to live there."
"I see, sorry to push your buttons."
"No problem. You know what you can do to make up for it?"
"What?"
"Reach in the back of the humvee and grab that big green bag."
Saito opened the back door of the Humvee and tried to lift the bag but found that it was very difficult. This bag was extremely heavy! But after a few minutes of wrestling around with it he finally hoisted it up onto his shoulders and was ready to walk back to his and Louise's room. Osmond said that Steve should stay there, because both he and Saito come from the same world and Saito could answer any questions he had. By the time they got back to the room and he dropped the bag on the floor Saito's shoulders ached badly.
"Jeez, what do you have in that thing man?"
Steve strolled over the bag and unzipped it.
"Well let's see, we got my clothes, body armor, some spare clips for the Berretta and a couple of mags for the -16, Jack's laptop and a bunch of mangas."
"D-d-did you s-s-say, m-m-m-manga?!"
"Yeah why?"
"YES!! OH GOD THANK YOU! YOU HAVE BEEN THE ANSWER TO MY DREAMS!!"
Saito almost knocked Steve over as he ran to the bag.
"You have Bleach! Gasp! And Naruto?! Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Go ahead and have them. They were Jack's and I was gonna throw them out anyways."
"Um, what is a manga?" Louise asked.
"Well, a manga is like a picture book from Saito's country. They have been very popular in America in recent years."
"I see. And what is that thing right there?" Louise said as she pointed at the laptop sitting on the table.
"Oh that? That is a laptop computer. It is Jack's but I don't think he will ever be seeing it again."
"Laptop computer?"
"Oh, right you people don't have computers. A computer is a machine that can do all sorts of amazing things, like it can do math, you can write letters with it, create pictures, watch movies, play games or listen to music. This particular one right here use used mainly for playing games and music."
"Music? You mean that little box right there can play an instrument?"
"Play an instrument? Hahaha, but no. It plays music by, well um, how bout I just show you instead."
Steve opened the laptop and quickly opened iTunes and started playing some Def Leppard while Louise stared at the little machine in amazement."
"Step inside, walk this way, you and me babe, Hey, hey! Love is like a bomb, baby, c'mon get it on Livin' like a lover with a radar phone, Lookin' like a tramp, like a video vamp, Demolition woman, can I be your man? Razzle 'n' a dazzle 'n' a flash a little light, Television lover, baby, go all night, Sometime, anytime, sugar me sweet, little miss ah innocent sugar me, yeah. Hey! C'mon, take a bottle, shake it up! Break the bubble, break it up! Pour some sugar on me! Ooh, in the name of love! Pour some sugar on me! C'mon fire me up! Pour your sugar on me! Oh, I can't get enough..."
The music was blasted through the built in Bose speaker system and the room quickly filled with the sound of rock and roll. Steve closed his eyes and remembered his childhood, sitting in a car listening to this while driving home from high school. He then opened them and looked around the room. Saito was sitting in a chair reading through his new mangas, making up for the time he spent without them. Steve just looked at him. He appeared to be about 17. Only 6 years his junior, he then looked at Louise who was staring intensely at the computer screen, watching the visualization play. She appeared to be about 15 or 16. He then let out a sigh and closed his eyes. For some reason he actually felt, well, calm with maybe a bit of happiness. Slowly he drifted off to sleep.
Baghdad Iraq August 21st 2007 9:45 P.M.
"Sarge, we have finished securing the base. Unfortunately there are over 150 casualties and we are unable to account for at least 20 others."
"God dammit! Why the hell did this have to happen? 150 people dead, and 20 missing? Any body from my group on that list Private?"
"Um, yes sir. We cannot account for PFC Steve O'Conroy."
"Steve? He was supposed to be returning the Humvee to the motor pool before this."
"Sorry sir, but we are doing all we can."
"Fine, carry on private. I have got to report this to the higher ups. Boy are they gonna be pissed."
"Yes sir."
Tristian Academy of Magic August 21st 2007 9:45 P.M. (Military Calender)
The light from the morning sun filtered into the room through the window. The ray of light cast itself upon the closed eyes of PFC Steve O'Conroy who immediately bolted upright, pistol in hand and drenched in sweat. He made a quick sweep of the room, wondering where the hell he was. Then the rest of his mind came online and he remembered the events of the past 24 hours. He relaxed about and went over to Saito and tried to wake him.
"Oy, wake up. C'mon wake up already!"
"Mmph, dude, it's the Day of Nothing. Go back to sleep."
"Day of Nothing? What the hell are you talking about?"
"Just go back to sleep."
Irritated at the fact that Saito wouldn't get up, and he really didn't feel like disturbing Louise. Considering the stories he had heard from Saito about her temper he thought that letting her sleep would probably be a very good idea. He then went over to the laptop but the battery was dead. Stupid, he forgot to shut it off before going to bed, and the charger for it was still in the Humvee. With nothing better to do he decided he might as well go and take a look around this new place he was stranded in. He could even take a jog and do some push ups or sit ups, work up a sweat.
Steve walked down the hallways of the Academy, looking for an exit while he admired the architecture of the building. After bumbling around for a while he did find the exit and stepped outside onto the well kept lawn. It never really sank in until now that this place was huge. It was definitely bigger than the high school he went to as a child. Living in a town of only 300 people for most of your life did give you an appreciation of the size of other places. Judging by the size of this building there could easily be twice as many people here. Then a voice pulled him out of his mind and back into reality.
"Hey you, yes you by the door!"
Steve looked to his right and saw a girl running towards him, a well endowed girl at that, with a nice tan. He wondered what she could possibly want with him.
"Yes" he said "What do you want?"
"Aren't you the man who, um, "appeared" here yesterday?"
"Yes that would be me, now what do you want?"
"That would mean your from Saito's world then! Tell me your name!"
"Whoa, excuse me your highness! Perhaps the young lady wouldn't mind introducing herself first, before asking someone his name?"
"Her name is Kirche, Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt Zerbst, now who are you?"
"My name is Steve O'Conroy. Now may I as what it is you want with me?"
"You come from Saito's world is that right?"
"Yes it would seem. Why does that matter?"
"Could you tell me how I could get him to like me?"
"What!? Why would you want that?!"
"Well, you see, I love him. Yes me, in love with a commoner!"
"So, that's how it is?"
"Yes, I have always loved him since the day I laid my eyes on him."
"Ok, just let me try and remember what mama O'Conroy used to say about meddling in the affairs of others, especially when love is involved. Oh, that's right, she said to stay out of it. Sorry, I can't help you."
"But, but, you come from his world! You should know how I can get him to love me!"
"Yes I come from his world, but that doesn't mean I know anything about him. We come from different countries with different customs, plus we are both different men and no two people are alike."
"But-"
"No buts, I have made my answer final. Besides, you can use magic. Why not make a love potion or something?"
"You're right. Thanks!"
As Kirche ran off Steve started walking back to the Humvee
"Jeez, what the hell have I gotten myself into?"
Upon reaching the vehicle he decided to have a closer look at it. The front end was a little crumpled from hitting the wall but he had only been going about 15 miles an hour when he hit so it wasn't that bad and the rear end of the vehicle was just fine. On top of the machine the M60 Machine gun was still in place and ready to fire. He decided to unload it, just incase somebody decided to mess around with it. Then he looked at the tires. Again everything checked out. He decided to try and start it. He reached for the ignition and after a few tries the diesel engine was running smoothly. GM still knew how to make a good truck.
After driving around the grounds for a few minutes Steve started to feel depressed. So what if the Humvee started? He only had half a tank of fuel in it and after that then what? He was driving this thing only for the nostalgic feeling. After a few minutes Steve sort of stopped paying attention of where he was driving, not good. The only thing that brought him back was the scream from somebody in a maids uniform. He slammed on the brakes and cranked the steering wheel hard to the left, narrowly missing the person who was screaming. As soon as the vehicle stopped he put it in park and ran over to the maid.
"Oh shit! I'm so sorry! Miss, miss! Calm down, its ok."
"W-w-what is that thing!? It almost hit me!"
"I said I'm sorry, it was my fault I wasn't paying attention."
"Siesta! Siesta! Are you o.k.?" Saito shouted as he ran from the castle towards Steve and the maid.
"What did you do to her?!" He demanded.
"I, I almost ran her over." Steve answered. "I wasn't paying attention to where I was driving. I said I was sorry!"
"Next time pay attention to where you are going! You could kill someone with that thing!"
"Sorry ok? Also I don't think anybody is going to be driving anywhere after this."
"Why is that?"
Steve pointed to the Humvee, which was no longer on.
"Out of gas."
Saito looked over at the vehicle and saw that it was indeed out of fuel. Then he thought he might as well let Steve in on his secret. After making sure Siesta was o.k. Saito told Steve to follow him.
"Dude, you have got to be kidding me." Steve said upon arriving at their destination.
"Not at all, this plane is a WWII Zero fighter. Siesta's family had been keeping it for over 50 years." Saito explained
"So this is what a Zero looks like. My grandaddy always told me stories about how he had to fly his F4F Wildcat against these in the Pacific in WWII. But, why did you show me this?"
Saito walked over the a bunch of wooden barrels and opened one.
"Look."
"So what? Its just gasoline...wait, gasoline? Where did you get gasoline?!"
"Professor Colbert managed how to manufacture it after studying a small sample. Lucky for me he wrote down how before he died."
"Well thats all fine and dandy but I need diesel fuel not gasoline."
"Just get a small amount of diesel and the teaching staff will figure out how to make it."
"Really?! Alright! But, whats the point. It's not like my Humvee is of any use here."
"Wrong. You have no idea how useful this Zero has been to me. Several times I have had to use this thing for the purpose of fighting the war..."
"War? What war?"
"Oh nobody ever told you, but right now there is a war between Tristian and Albion. I'm not particularly happy about it but I had to use this Zero to go fight through a whole army of Dragon Knights. With its built in machine gun it went through Albion's army like a hot knife through butter."
"Really? There is a war going on here too?"
"Unfortunately. I also have a feeling that after the Royal Court has been made aware of your arrival and who you are I think they may use you as a soldier."
"Use me? But why? I have nothing to do with this war. It just sounds like another Vietnam."
"They would use you for the technology you brought with you. Like that rifle slung on your back, the pistol in your belt, or the machine gun on top of your truck."
Steve stopped to think about that. He had no problem with fighting a war, as long as there is good reason behind it. Plus his weapons would probably allow him to go through the enemy like Sherman through Georgia.
"Saito, if I were to help Tristian, what would I get out of it?"
"Wait, your actually considering fighting in this war?"
"Why not. I have nothing here. No home, no family, no purpose. But fighting in this war will give me a purpose, a reason to continue living here. While I am not exactly proud of it, the moment I stuck the barrel of this pistol into my mouth I actually pulled the trigger, well I tried to but my body wouldn't move. I guess what I am saying is that I need something to live for."
"Yeah but, why fight? You could do something else."
"Like what? Be a servant to somebody? Yeah right."
"True, you don't look like the kind of person who would serve another just because of social status."
Both Saito and Steve stood in silence as they compiled their thoughts, only to be interrupted by Louise.
"Saito! We are leaving! Princess Henrietta has personally requested our presence."
"What? Why?"Saito asked.
"I don't know but she wants us at the castle within the next 2 days."
Steve finally snapped out of his thoughts.
"Wait, Saito! How long would it take to have the teaching staff manufacture some diesel fuel?"
"A day or so, why?"
"How bout I drive you guys to the castle? I would give me something to do. Besides sit here and twiddle my thumbs."
"Drive?"Luise asked"What does he mean by drive?"
"He wants to give us a ride in his truck. The machine he came here in. I actually think it might be a good idea."
"Why?"
"Well, it is many times faster than a horse, plus it would be much more comfortable to ride in."
"Hey!"Steve interrupted "Are you going to keep talking or get someone to make me some diesel?"
Leaving Tristian Academy August 27th 2007 4:40 A.M.(Military Calender)
With everybody buckled and their luggage secure Steve starts the HMMWV and pulls out of the front gate of the Academy. He figured that if they left now the could get to the castle by noon. Most HMMWVs can only go around 50MPH but thats before the soldiers get their hands on them and modify them. If he wanted to Steve could have this thing cruise at 75MPH but the roads mandated no more than 55 to 60. He yawned looked up at the sky and saw the two moons of this land. For some reason it reminded him of the song Drops of Jupiter by Train. He wondered if Jack had it on his laptop. He could easily check when they stopped for lunch. Saito was asleep in the back seat, riding in a vehicle doing 60MPH was nothing new for him but Louise looked out the front passenger seat window in amazement as the scenery whipped by in the pre-dawn light.
"Wow"She said"Horses don't even have a chance against something this fast."
"Eh, in my world we have vehicles that can go 3 or 4 times faster than this. And in my country almost everyone has a car. The automobile replaced the horse about 80 years ago in my world."Steve stated.
"Really? Please tell me more about your world."
"Didn't Saito already tell you about it?"
"A little, but I wish to know more."
"Well, my world is more or less like this one, but the names and places are different. Also we have no Mages or Dragons or anything like that. We use technology to accomplish everything. We also have no such thing as Nobles or Commoners. Sure there are rich people but if you wanted to live like Royalty you had to earn it the hard way. Everybody is more or less equal in my world, especially in my country. Whether you are girl or boy, black or white, rich or poor you are guaranteed equal treatment under the law. It doesn't always work that way but thats the idea and in my opinion it is a good one."
"I see. That would definitely explain the way Saito behaved when he first arrived here."
"How did he behave?"
"Well, he had absolutely no respect for nobles whatsoever. He even fought a noble just because that person irritated him."
"Just because he irritated him? No other reason?"
"Well, he did say that he didn't care about Nobles or Commoners, he said that he would never lower his head to just anyone. Stupid."
"Not stupid, he is absolutely right in thinking that way. In our world EVERYBODY is equal. I should know, I am a soldier, I protect that equality. And if anybody has anything to say about it they can answer to my M16 here."
With that Steve raised his rifle and set it on the center console between him and Louise. It felt good he though, teaching what he knew to somebody who had never even heard of the United States. He always thought he would have been a good teacher if he tried but the cost of college made that a no go. But now that he was done he thought it was two quiet.
"Hey, Louise."
"Yes?"
"You remember the laptop computer?"
"Yeah?"
"How would you like to use it?"
"Really? But I wouldn't know how."
"Its easy, just follow my instructions. Your just going to make it play music."
Steve told her to grab the laptop from on top of the dashboard and turn it on. After it turned on he told Louise how to open iTunes and how to find music.
"Ok, now scroll down the list and click on the song Drops of Jupiter by Train."
"Um, I can't."
"Why not? You can't read or something?"
"Of course I can read! Just not your language."
Whoops, Steve forgot that the laptop was an American machine and therefore would be set to English. So he told her to set it on the center console facing him. He then used his right hand to navigate and eventually find the song he wanted. With a source of music the drive would go by much faster, even if only he and Saito could understand the lyrics at least it was something for everybody to listen to. And since they had a car and solar charger pack (yes, they do have solar chargers for laptops) he wouldn't have to worry about the battery going dead. With that taken care of he put both eyes back on the road. His mind then drifted to the events that would likely unfold later in the day. He wondered what the Princess would be more interested in - him, the Humvee, the laptop, or the his weapons. Probably the Humvee and the weapons he thought. Well, whatever, as long as he had a reason to live, even if it was a flimsy one.
Tristian Royal Castle August 27th 2007 12:17 P.M. (Military Calender)
Steve let the Humvee roll to a stop outside the main gate of the Royal Castle. The size of the place was so big it was on the point of overwhelming him. He looked ahead as the gate started to open, letting what appeared to be a security guard outside. The guard stared at the humvee, probably wondering what it was, before the yelling of Louise brought him over to the passenger side door. Louise explained who she was and her business here and the guard had the gates opened all the way. Steve drove the humvee up to the main steps of the castle, turned it off and got out.
"This place is freaking huge!" He said in amazement.
"Its nothing special." Louise said as she got out of the Humvee.
"Yea, its big. Don't get lost here though." Saito yawned. Amazing he could sleep through all those bumps and potholes on the ride over.
"Louise! Saito! Up here!" A young and beautiful woman shouted from the Balcony above the steps.
"Princess! We'll be right up!" Louise shouted back. "Come on, I don't want to keep Henrietta waiting."
The trio proceeded up the steps and into the room that led to the balcony. Princess Henrietta was sitting at a table, sipping from a cup of tea. She turned to look at her arriving guests. After seeing that there were three people and not the usual two her faced showed a bit of confusion.
"Who is he?" She asked.
"My name is Private First Class Steve O'Conroy of the United States Army, your highness." Steve answered.
The princess looked him up and down, obviously confused by the Army uniform, and the army he said he was from. She then looked to Louise and was about to ask a question but Louise already knew what it was.
"He appeared here about 3 days ago, at the academy. He says he is from the same world as Saito and Saito agrees with him. We still don't know how he got here." Louise said
"Really?"Henrietta said. "So you are from Saito's world?"
"Yeah, it would appear so."
"Well, I am glad to have you as a guest. Please, sit down and join us for tea."
"Sorry ma'am but I don't drink tea. I don't like the taste."
"Steve!" Louise yelled in shock. "You don't refuse something offered by the Queen of this land."
"Sorry, geez. I just don't like tea. Is there a problem with that?"
Louise looked like she was about to explode on Steve but lucky for him Henrietta spoke before she could do anything.
"Its o.k. we can get you something else to drink. How about water or maybe coffee?"
"Nah, I'd rather not princess. Besides I got a bottle of Coke in my backpack here."
Steve pulled the soft drink out of his back pack pocket, opened it and took a swig. It was warm. How unfortunate. Again everybody except Saito stared at him. He replaced the cap and took his seat at the table.
"Coke?" Henrietta asked.
"It's a drink from my world. Here try it." Steve said as he poured some out of his bottle and into an empty cup. "You'll probably like it. Unfortunately I only got one more bottle and thats down in the Humvee."
"Thank you." Henrietta said. She then turned to Louise. "Are you wondering why I called you here with such urgency?"
"Yes, somewhat."
"You see, although Albion's army was stopped because of Saito, they have been rebuilding and are now planning another attack on Tristian."
"What?! Your kidding right?"
"Sorry, but I am not. Several spies within Albion's government have said that their army has commenced training for an invasion along the western coast of Tristian, specifically through the village of Diminity. They also say that the invasion will make use of at least 2 battleships."
"And you want us to help in defense of the village?'
"Yes, if you would please. Our army is still recovering from our attack on Albion and we just don't have enough men to defend ourselves. That is why I want you and Saito to help. Saito has the Dragons Remaint, I mean Zero Fighter and you have Void Magic. Please, I would be extremely grateful if you could help me."
Everbody fell silent, thinking about what they had just heard. After a minute or so it was Steve who broke the silence.
"When does the enemy plan to attack?"
"2 weeks from now." Henrietta said.
"I don't know about Saito and Louise but I will fight for you. I am a soldier after all."
"Really? But what can you do?"
"Oh, princess, may I demonstrate what I can do?"
"Sure."
"Ok, but you might wanna cover your ears."
Steve grabbed his M16 and switched the fire selector from Safe to semi-automatic. Then he had Saito throw a plate into the air. Steve brought the stock of the rifle up to his cheek and looked down the sights. Time seemed to slow as he put the sights on the flying plate. He squeezed the trigger and BOOM! The plate exploded into a million pieces. Henrietta looked over at him.
"You have a musket?" She asked.
"No ma'am, this here is the M16 A2 Rifle, standard issue for all U.S. Infantry. It is much more accurate than your muskets and is capable of firing off 30 rounds in either single or 3 round burst without reloading."
"I will have the captain of the Gunpowder Squadron talk with you later about defending the village, they will be the ones in charge of this operation. Louise, Saito, will you also help?"
"Yes ma'am." They both replied.
Tristian Royal Castle (Driveway?)
"There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say. You remain, my power, my pleasure, my pain, baby. To me you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny. Won't you tell me is that healthy, baby? But did you know, that when it snows, my eyes become large and the light that you shine can be seen. Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grave. Ooh, the more I get of you stranger it feels, yeah. Now that your rose is in bloom. A light hits the gloom on the grave, I've been kissed by a rose on the grave, I've been kissed by a rose, I've been kissed by a rose on the grave, ...And if I should fall along the way I've been kissed by a rose...been kissed by a rose on the grave..."
Steve was lying in the back seat of the humvee, helmet pulled down to cover his eyes, listening to music from the laptop. He was so mellow at the moment that he nearly fell asleep. As dark of a song as "Kiss from a Rose" was it was also very soothing. And Steve knew that a good song can mellow you out as well as any cigarette. If it weren't for the loud yell of Captain Agnes he probably would have fallen asleep.
"Private First Class Steve O'Conroy!" Agnies shouted
"Wha? Oh um, over here!"
"The queen told me that you had some items that she thought would be useful to us. Is the strange machine your in one of them?"
"Oh this?" Steve asked as he got out of the Humvee. "Yes, I think you will find most of my equipment useful"
"Ok, gather your stuff and follow me."
"Yes ma'am."
Steve turned back to the Humvee and started grabbing equipment. He realized that he still had all the equipment for a three man patrol in here. He grabbed his M16 and a spare clip, the Beretta Handgun and a spare clip for that, Sarge's scoped M1903 Springfield Sniper Rifle (1 out of 3 still in service at the base) and an AT-4 disposable rocket launcher.