Hey everyone. Thought i let you know that this is still chapter one, but i just separated the one big chapter into two smaller ones. So, you have already read this. Sorry to disappoint you, but i'm currently trying to work on chapter 3. Hope i'll get it done soon, but my mind hasn't been in writing lately. So, i'll try to update as soon as possible. Thank you.
The sky started getting darker, as storm clouds started to roll in. Lightning occasionally discharged in the sky, only to show that the storm was on its way. I knew rain was coming, kinda felt like a bad omen to me. The moment we leave, rain was on its way.
Since none of us had the proper shuttle just yet, we all walked to our designated fighters. It had been a while since I saw my ship. Though, the last thing I did before I left was change its call-sign. It was no longer the Zlogon Je. It was now called the Excalibur.
I loaded my luggage into the cargo bay of the ship, when someone approached me from behind. I figured it would be Krystal, it ended up being Fara. "Yeah, Fara. What's up?"
"I know its been years since we reunited our friendship, but I just wanted to tell you that I'm glad we're friends again." I couldn't help, but laugh, as the way she said it. It just made her cute.
"Oh Fara. You're too cute. But so am I. I'm glad we're friends again. I don't think I would survive another arrow through the heart if we met again under those circumstances." "Shut up, Fox. Don't make me feel even worse about that. I still haven't forgiven myself."
"I'm sorry." I said, wrapping my arms around her, pulling her in for a hug. She wrapped her arms around me and we shared a five second hug, before I let go of her. "Alright. Before others get suspicious, let's get moving. I'll meet you on the Matchitehew." "Sounds good."
I watched her walk away towards her Wolfen, before I turned around towards the cargo bay of the Excalibur. I grabbed the door and closed it, locking it to make sure it wouldn't open during mid-flight.
I looked back up at the sky, the storm was now over us, and I could swear I felt a drop of rain. I hurried up and climbed up the ladder, hopping in the cockpit, closing the canopy as fast as possible.
As soon as the canopy closed, hissing to ensure a tight seal, the rain started, immediately turning into a downpour. I flipped the switches, turning on the life-support systems and then the engines.
It had been a while since I had fired them so I kept the switch raised, until I heard a loud boom behind me. When I turned around, a saw a stack of barrels collapse. All I could do was laugh.
"Cornerian Base. This is Excalibur, ready for liftoff." "Roger, Excalibur. We have you and your team cleared for liftoff. Good hunting." "Thank you, Corneria. Enjoy the storm." I said, before flipping the frequency of the radio.
"Alright everyone. The tower has given us clearance to take off. See you all on the Matchitehew." "It's gonna be good to get back there. I miss that ship of your's." Ryan said, already adding power to his Wolfen, giving it the ability to hover before he took off.
"Yeah, McCloud. I'm glad that ship wasn't destroyed. Felt like home once I started considering you as a friend." Adrian said, sounding serious, but I knew he was smiling.
"Wow, Adrian. That's one of the nicest things you ever said to me…..or about my ship." "Be quiet. It won't happen again." "Wow, Adrian. You're such a hard-ass. Not as much as Fox was when we thought he was Krieger." Miyu chimed in, giggling in the background after she spoke.
"You're saying like Krieger was a bad guy, Miyu. I thought Fox was a real gentlemen." "Fay. It's amazing how much you are like Cooper." "Hey. What's wrong with me?"
"Oh, nothing. You just don't know how to keep your mouth shut." "But I never said anything." I hesitated, he had a point. "Fay. You don't know how to keep your mouth shut." "But I never really talk. I let Ryan get in trouble."
I just growled in frustration. "Holy shit. You guys are out-smarting, Fox. This is unbelievable. I was never able to beat him in situations like this. You should know that, right Electra? I told you all my academy days with him."
"Yeah, Fox. I never thought you would lose in a debate." No response. "Fox? You okay, sweetie?" No response. "He's mad. Right, pup?" No response. "Wow. We really got Fox mad. You all better watch out." Bill said, laughing.
I just pushed the throttle forward, allowing the ship to takeoff at maximum speed. Everyone else followed, except for Ryan, who seemed to have took off like a minute before me.
I just shook my head in disgust, it wasn't the matter that I lost in a debate. I'm just too lazy to pursue a victory. I'll let them have their moment to shine for now. Bastards. Seems that these days, all they want to do is get the best of me.
The Matchitehew looked beautiful, just like the day it first came out of dry-dock, everything hasn't been tested yet. Felt like something would short circuit the moment I tried to activate it. Basically everything on the ship was new.
The Excalibur landed softly in the hanger, the floors looked like they had been shined and waxed. When I took a look around when I opened the canopy, I could swear things looked even brighter than they were before.
It felt good to be back here, I could sense everyone was feeling the same as me. I jumped onto the floor, stretching out my arms, trying to loosen them up. I was greeted by Krystal, who wrapped her arms around me.
"Welcome home." I said, planting a kiss on hers. She just smiled and returned the favor. I took glances at everyone looking around the newly rebuilt hanger. "Natasha. All preparations made for departure?"
"Yes, Fox. I'm ready to leave on your command." "Take us out, quarter thrust." "One moment, Fox." I stared at the nearest intercom, confused. She never hesitated before. "I'm sorry, Fox, but someone wants to land on the ship. Should I allow him?
"What does he want?" "He won't say. Just insists that he is able to land immediately." I turned my head towards Krystal, she was as confused as I was. What harm could come to this? "Alright. Tell him he has permission." "Of course."
I walked over to the cargo bay, opening up the door to grab my duffle bag. Everyone did the same, but we all met in an open area of the hanger bay. Waiting for this mysterious guest to show up.
I waited for about five minutes before I saw a black object flying towards us. I could only hope it was him. As the ship approached us, I couldn't help, but notice the unique design of the fighter.
It was black, yes, but it didn't look like any fighter I ever seen. It looked sort of, out of date. Like it flew centuries ago. It landed softly on the hanger floor, hearing it shutdown in the process.
I looked at the ship, it had four sets of wings. Two in front, which seemed to change the pitch of the ship. The longer wings, angled towards the front of the ship, looked like it was used for steering. The remaining four wings seemed stationary. Just there for stability. (I based this ship off the fighter, SU-47.)
The canopy opened, revealing a…..green wolf? He jumped the short distance from the canopy to the floor, landing gracefully on his feet. He looked up at us, particularly at me. He must know who I was.
He started to make his way towards us, stopping a short distance between him and the group. "Styx Omega, right?" He said, in a deep voice. Sounded like his body was filled with pain and sorrow.
"Yeah. I'm Fox McCloud and you are?" He just turned his head, looking at each individual person, taking an extra moment to look at Zeria, before he fixated his eyes back on me.
"I hear you guys are going after Randall Cain. I want to tag along." "What makes you think you can come with us, just like that?" Wolf said, annoyed with the new wolf.
"When I found out you guys were going after Randall Cain. I knew I had to be part of it. This bounty of your's is personal to me. His drugs killed my woman." Everyone just stared at the green wolf, tears starting to fill his eyes.
"You're Jeff Meiners, aren't you?" He just nodded, staring straight at me. "What makes it worse is that his boys let her die and she ended up dying in my arms. I need payback for her death."
Everyone stared at him, feeling sympathy for him. I just looked at the green wolf, I knew what I had to do. It was the right thing. "There should be an extra room. It's yours."
"Thank you. I'll try not to get in the way." "Zeria? Take him to a guest room." Jeff began to scan the group, to figure out which one was Zeria. When he found out it was the silver vixen, I could sense he was a bit nervous.
We watched them starting to walk away, we took this time to talk about the new wolf. "What you think, Krystal?" "His anger and sadness is helping him developing a pretty good mental block, but from what I felt. He seems loving, kind, but he's just very angry right now."
"Can't say I don't blame the wolf. I would want this kind of revenge too. But that's just me talking. I don't know if all of you feel the same." Wolf said, wrapping his arm around Fara.
"No. I definitely would try to do the same." Adrian responded back. "Poor pup, though. I don't think he has anyone, other than himself now. That Samantha Temple was probably the only thing left he loved." I said, watching the wolf and vixen disappearing behind the door, leaving the hanger.
"Why do you think he's green, like that? Kinda of a Kelly Green, with a yellowish hue to it as well. Kinda weird." Ryan said, turning away from the doors to finish grabbing his luggage out of his cargo hold of his Wolfen.
"Also. Did all of you by any chance notice that he took an extra long look at Zeria?" Ryan said, turning his head back towards the group. "You saw that too?" Fay said, locking down her fighter.
"This ought to be interesting for the both of them." I mumbled to myself, Krystal was close enough to hear it.
All I could hear was the tapping of our feet as we walked across the metal floor. I couldn't help, but look around, it was as if the ship was just remade. Though, I watched this ship fight before, three years ago. Was it because it just got out of being rebuilt. It had to have been.
We past the mess hall and I couldn't help, but stop and walk inside. That silver vixen, if I recall, her name was Zeria. That's rather unusual, but still rather pretty. There's something about her that makes her mysterious. I wonder how she came aboard.
I shook my head from thoughts and entered the kitchen, taking notice of the three large pantries, the new stoves, refrigerators, the large liquor cabinet. I couldn't help, but smile a little, but then again. I didn't like drinking.
A whooshing noise from behind caught my attention, revealing the young silver vixen. I stared at her, as she looked back at me, confused. "Sorry. I had to take a look at this. Caught my attention."
She looked back at me, but smiled. "I was the same way when I first came aboard. Everyone else seemed to be….umm… shit what's that word? Hypnotized!" I just stared back at her, she smiled and giggled.
"There are still some words I still remembering to use." "You talk like you haven't spoken a word in your life." "Something like that." I stared at her, a confused look with a cocked eyebrow. "What you mean?"
"Well. How about we start walking and I'll tell you along the way?" I nodded at her, walking towards the kitchen doors. "You're the boss. Lead the way."
We exited the mess hall and continued our journey towards the guest rooms. "So? What's the story with you?" "Like how I came aboard here?" "Precisely."
"Well. I was alone most of my life. I found myself on a planet, basically lifeless of any contact with people like us. I guess you could say I was the most……smartest person on that planet." "What planet?" "I don't know. I don't think anyone knew."
"Anyway. I remained on this planet for many years. I think like ten. It was just me and I became a pretty good hunter and healer with the types of medicines I created while down on this planet, but I was still alone. It hurt me inside."
"I know the feeling." "You do?" "You finish and I'll tell you my story." "Okay. Well, that day changed, when I heard a loud sound, like thunder. I ran towards that sound, seeing a large black ship. It was the fighter you saw in the hanger bay. Fox's fighter."
"Oh okay. Makes sense. What was he doing on your planet?" "Hold your horses. Let me talk." I smiled at her, and laughed as I raised my hand, allowing her to continue. She smiled, but proceeded.
"I found Fox, standing next to a river, drinking water with his hands. He stopped, then yelled in pain. As he was drinking, he picked up a tadpole, but are very poisonous. It had bit him. The poison started coursing through his body, he fell unconscious a moment later. When he woke up a few hours later, I just finished creating my medicine. It cured him, but he fell unconscious once again."
"Sounds like he had a rough day." I stated, causing Zeria to laugh, as she continued. "Well. When he woke up the next day, he discovered me staring at him, in close proximity. Scared the fuck out of both of us. I was just fascinated by his metal face. Anyway, we started talking and he discovered that during my time in….." "Isolation?"
"Yes! Thank you. I had forgotten how to talk. He showed me how and he was my first friend in over ten years. I developed a crush on him, but I think it was just because he was the first person I've seen in such a long time like me. He brought me aboard, he taught me to fly, shoot, talk. He's like a father to me, but he's also my best friend. He made me feel like I was at home, with a family."
I couldn't help, but smile at the young vixen. From what I could tell, she seemed very timid back during her isolation. Now, she acted normal. If this took place during the Lector incident, that was three years ago. She's come across a long way since then.
"Now it's your turn." I looked up at her, then nodded before starting. "Well. My family died when I was eight. I was basically by myself, same as you. I had to get by, but with all the emotional strain on my mind. It turned me into a person people didn't like. They stayed away from me. Leaving me in MY own world of isolation."
"That's horrible." "When I was nineteen, I was working at a nuclear plant over on Macbeth. It was having a meltdown. I went into the reactor, in attempt to stop it. I succeeded, but it was killing me. A crew recovered me and brought me to Corneria, where I could be properly cured."
"You're very brave, you know that?" "Other's didn't think like you. When they heard about my actions and remembered what kind of person I was, they just saw me as a person with a death wish. Even though I saved thousands of people that day, my reputation was shattered even more for now people seeing me with a death wish. I grew angry and I basically shielded myself from everyone. My reputation was now, 'the guy with a death wish, and he'll bring you with him.' People feared me and were scared to be around or even near me."
"What? That's horrible. How could they do that to you?" "Anyway. So, here I am. I'm twenty-one, minding my own business in a grocery store. People knew who I was, because by this time. The mutation that was occurring inside of me was completed. The radiation built inside my body, altering some of my physical features. That's why I'm green."
Zeria looked at me, scanning my fur, then fixated on my eyes. My eyes were the only things that hadn't changed. If anything, a little yellow were brought out with the green.
"Anyway, I'm in this store and people saw me and hid from me. Others, took a different approach. I walked past this group of people, and they were making fun of me. I couldn't help, but try to ignore them the best I could. I was tempted to kill them right there. In the background though, I could hear one voice go, "Oh, grow up!"
"I didn't bother to look around because I figured it was my mind telling me what I wanted to hear. I stopped when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and it was a silver vixen. Just like you. She apologized for her friends treating me like that. I just waved it off, saying that it was okay. I just walked away from her, not wanting to speak anymore, but she said something I couldn't believe I heard. She asked out for coffee."
I stopped walking for a moment, turning my body towards Zeria, who did the same. "I couldn't believe I heard right. So, we did. She ended becoming my best friend. Her name was Samantha Temple. We ended up falling in love and so on and so forth. We went to a club, one being owned by Randall Cain. His drugs put her into a comatose, until finally she died in my arms in an alleyway. We were thrown there, after I did my best to try to convince the guards to help her. I fought, I took down two guys before one slammed a chair in my face. Why I have scars here, and on my chest."
I pointed out the scars that ran across my eye and cheek. Then a few gashes on my chest after they had beaten me. "I vowed that I have her death avenged, and every time I look at you. I see her. Your fur. Your eyes. Your hair. You look exactly like her. It's amazing."
Zeria blushed a little, and hid her hands behind her back. "You're not falling in love with me, are you?" "I don't know. I don't know anything anymore." I said, continuing to walk down the hall, Zeria chasing after me.
We stopped in front of a door, it being one of the guest rooms. I looked all over the door and frame. Trying to figure out how this thing opens. No doorknob. No keypad or anything like that. What the hell?
Zeria smiled at my struggle, as she walked up next to me, opened a door, revealing a palm pad. I eyed it, then back at her. "Thanks." "No prob." I placed my hand on there, it took a moment to scan my hand.
A confirming beep was heard, as the pad now registered me as the owner of this room. I already was starting to feel at home. The door opened, sliding upward, I took a step in.
There wasn't too much too it. A nice couch with a moderate size television, a separate room for the bedroom. A bathroom was right next to the bedroom, a fridge. "Is this okay for you?"
I took a moment to look over the room again, then turned to Zeria. "This is better than my apartment. Thank you." "Don't mention it. Here. I'm sure Fox would've given this to you eventually. It's our phone numbers." I smiled at her, and I accepted the card.
"Well. You need anything. Give any of us a call. Bye Jeff." "Bye, Zeria." I watched her leave the room, then I just dropped my bag on the floor. I walked over to the couch and took a seat upon it.
I thought for a moment, someone in particular was wandering my mind. Things were starting to get a little clearer now. I felt like I belonged somewhere now. Though, this person I was really missing. "I miss you, Sam."
I laid on my bed, watching Krystal trying on different kinds of jewelry. I smiled when I saw her put her platinum band with the green gem back on her head. I remember the day I bought that for her. It was just before we left on the new refitted Great Fox back before the Aparoid Invasion.
She grabbed two gold bracelets and put them on her wrists. Followed by two anklets. She then did a turn in the mirror, looking at every inch of herself in her clothing. She was wearing a white tank top with a black skirt. I couldn't stop staring.
"I know I look sexy for only being twenty-six, but you make it too obvious." I couldn't help, but laugh. "So wait. You saying I don't look good for being thirty-four?" She turned around to look at me. "Well, you do have a distinguishing look about you."
"I can only cover up so much. It's the face that makes it hard. The sunglasses only hide a very small portion of my face. This freaking scar extends from my forehead all the way to above my mouth."
"I can still taste your lips. That's all that matters." She got on top of me, as we laid on the bed together. I smiled at her, as she did the same. "Oh good. I was beginning to worry I tasted like nothing."
"Oh shut up." She said, placing her lips on mine, as we shared a romantic kiss. It was however broken, ten seconds later, when there was a knocking at the door. "Just my luck." I said, gently pushing Krystal off of me, as I got up to get the door.
When it opened, it revealed Zeria, to my surprise. "Zeria? What brings you here?" "I just wanted to let you know that Jeff is settled in and he has our numbers." "Oh good. You saved me the trouble of doing that. Thank you."
She smiled, as Krystal offered her a seat. "You want anything?" I asked her, as I walked over to the fridge, pulling out a Mountain Dew. "No. I'm good." She took a seat where Krystal offered her, and she took a seat next to her.
"So Zeria. What you think of him? We're all still trying to figure him out." Zeria took a moment to think, blushing at the thought of him. "He's….he's……I think people misunderstand him a lot. Which is why he's like this." "What you mean?" I said, taking a seat in the chair across from them.
Zeria told us Jeff's story of his life and Krystal and I couldn't help, but shake our heads in disbelief. "He saves lives and people brand him as a person with a death wish. And Samantha was the first to see him as he wants to be seen. No wonder he's filled with so much sorrow and sadness and anger." Krystal said, a tear starting to form in her eye.
"Why did he take such a bigger liking to you than anyone else?" I asked Zeria, as she shifted her gaze towards me. "He says I look exactly like his girlfriend. Fur. Eyes. Hair. Everything."
"That's pretty understandable. Your both at that age too." "What you mean by that Fox?" Krystal said, looking at me, with a mischievous smirk. I just looked back and forth between the two vixens, before I just got up. "I…Uhh…got to go check something on the bridge." Making quick haste to get out of the room.
Krystal and Zeria laughed as they watched me leave the room. "Listen. I don't know how you feel about him, but out of all of us right now. You're going to be the one that he'll trust most. Try and be a good friend to him. We'll all do the same, but he'll open up to you the most."
"What makes you so sure?" "He's already told you about his life and how much you remind him of his girlfriend. I think he's already developing a crush on you." "So soon?"
"Zeria." Krystal said, laughing a little. "Guys are a tricky thing. I still don't know Fox completely. Men are very different and always have wandering minds. Just because that his first love is dead. Doesn't mean that his interests are moving on."
"But won't Samantha get angry?" "What she wants is for him to move on. As long as he remembers and loves her. That's all she asks of him." "Do you miss Panther?" "Not a chance." Krystal laughed, as she wrapped an arm around Zeria and hugged her, kissing her forehead.
I sat in the captain's chair on the bridge, just going over the flight path we were taking to Metropolis. Seemed like the first place we should go because it was the one planet where it had the most people.
I wasn't aware that Adrian walked onto the bridge, I was startled when he started talking. "So where are we heading?" "Metropolis. Seems like the best place to start." He nodded, as he stood next to me, with his arms crossed.
"What else is on your mind?" "I don't like this Jeff guy. There's something off about him." Adrian said, shaking his head. "I just had a talk with Zeria about the conversation those two had. You judge him by looks. You learn what he had to deal with, you would understand him."
"What don't I understand?" "People think of him as suicidal basically. A guy with a death wish and that's what people branded him as." "What? Why?" "Because he risked his life trying to save others. This is how they repay him."
Adrian shook his head, unable to believe what he just heard. "That why he's green?" "Yep." "What else about him don't I know?" "He has no family. No friends now. This, Samantha Temple, was the only person who actually saw him the way he wanted to be seen. Now that she's dead. He's gone back to his ways. Kinda sad to think about."
"Yeah, it is. The strain this puts on the mind, when you have to deal with this kind of bullshit. Poor guy. I was wrong about him." "He seems to have taken an interest in Zeria, though."
Adrian laughed, "Really?" "She thinks it's because she looks exactly like Sam, but I think there's more to it than that. They are both at that age. If it's meant to be. I'm gonna say I won't be surprised."
"What are you talking about? We all just met the guy and you are already predicting that those two are going to get hitched. That's a pretty risky assumption if you ask me." Adrian said, continuing to laugh.
"Eh, blow me…. On second thought. I'll have Krystal do that." "Yeah. Not a chance I would."
I sat in the mess hall, eating a small sandwich and drinking some water. No one was around me so I felt kinda lonely. I felt out of place, sometimes. Even though I just got here, I feel like I shouldn't be here. I feel like I would get in the way somehow.
A walking couple past, I didn't know who they were, but they were a husky and a doberman. I couldn't help, but look at the similarities. Tattoos, piercings and she had a bit of gothic makeup on, but I couldn't help but notice that she was rather attractive.
"Hey! This seat taken?" The husky said, acting friendly towards me. Just so I could be a smart-ass, I scanned the mess hall, seeing if there was anyone around. "I think they're free."
The husky laughed, as he took a seat, with the doberman next to him. "I'm Bill. This is Electra. I saw you and thought you needed someone to talk to." "Appreciate that. The only one that seems to enjoy my company so far is that Zeria girl."
"You better be careful with her. Fox treats her like a daughter. He found her, you know." "Yeah, she told me about that." "So. How about you? What's the story with you?" "Short or long version?" "I got time."
"And there you have it." Bill just stared at me, Electra looked very sad. "Oh, Jeff. That's terrible. How could they treat you like that?" Electra said, a look of sympathy cast towards me.
"I guess I brought it on myself, but how would you feel if your parents died?" "Tell you that you got one thing in common with Fox." "Yeah. I know about that." Our attention was brought back to the door, when another husky and a spaniel walked in.
"Hey! I'll be with you guys in just one sec. I need my Jager!" Ryan yelled, as he walked into the kitchen. Fay just walked towards the group. "Hey. I'm Fay. That's Ryan. He loves Jager."
I just laughed a little, "Yeah, I noticed. Do you need me to tell you my story too?" "No. We heard it from Zeria. You poor thing." Fay said, embracing me in a hug. "The word is getting out, friend. Don't worry. I don't think you need to tell you story anymore." Ryan said, emerging out of the kitchen.
"Damn. I won't be the center of attention anymore." "So? Besides your line of work at that plant on Macbeth. What else have you done with yourself?" Bill asked, as he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.
"Joined the academy, became a pilot. Nothing special. I also became a pretty good marksman. Worked at my share of stores, restaurants, that stuff." "Ever thought of doing bounty hunter work?"
"It's crossed my mind." "Well. I can tell you Fox gave me a hard time when we first met. Matter of fact, he still gives me a hard time." "That's just because you bring it on yourself, Cooper." "Shut up."
I laughed, then finished the rest of my water. "There a gym or something like that around here?" "Yeah. Down the hall and take the stairs one floor down. First door on the right." Electra said, answering me. "Thank you. And thank you, all of you. For making me feel welcome around here." "No prob. Glad we're getting to know you." Fay said, as I waved goodbye.
Zeria was walking through the hall, just walking, nothing more. She heard grunting as she approached the gym. When she peeked her head through the barely opened door, she was amazed at what she saw.
I was performing ancient sword techniques, with my specially made sword. My moves were flawless, precise and she was amazed that she was watching someone do this kind of fighting.
As I performed a slice, I fell to the ground, grabbing the back of my leg as it was now starting to cramp. I groaned in pain, as I tried to free the muscles. By this time, Zeria had ran up to me.
"You okay?" When I stopped to look at her, I swear my heart skipped a beat. I thought for a moment it was Sam, but something told me it wasn't. The scent of her. It was different and it made remember that it was Zeria.
"My leg is cramped is all. Haven't been drinking enough water. Just had one glass." I said, rubbing the area of the cramp. She soon started helping me rub the cramp. I stopped to stare at her.
"Better?" "Yes, thank you." I said, starting to stand up once again. "I have never seen a sword like that." Zeria said, pointing at my weapon. I looked down to stare at it, turning it, watching the light reflect off of it.
"A special made weapon, hand-crafted to perfection. The wave designed was my idea, thought it would look cool, but the metal consists of both platinum and titanium, but miraculously. You combine the two metals together, makes a metal so strong, but yet so light. Try." I said, handing her the weapon.
She accepted it in her hand and was amazed at how light it was. Had to have been only ten pounds. She stared at the handle, looked like it was made from solid gold. The grip was a tacky leather that provided excellent grip. A remarkable weapon.
She gave it back to me and I slid it into its sheath, she was amazed at the sheath curve perfectly with the blade. All she did was smile.
"What brings you here anyway?" I asked her, as I gently placed the sword on the ground. "Well. I heard noises and I was wondering what they were." "Well. You found out it was me. Now someone knows I'm an excellent swordsman. I'll tell the others eventually." "But I already know."
We both looked up, seeing Fox walking through the door, a smirk on his face. "Didn't expect that from you, kid." "You shouldn't assume then." Fox laughed, as he patted my shoulder. "I guess I shouldn't."
I started to gather all my things, and we all walked out of the gym together. "Do you have a gun on you as well?" I stopped to look at the older vulpine, then I dropped my back and kneeled next to it, unzipping it.
When I pulled it out, Fox just laughed. "Subtle. And very discreet." "I know, right?" Zeria just looked back and forth between us, confused. "That's not very discreet. You have to hold it with both hands."
Fox turned to look at her, then wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Oh, Zeria. You still need a little work on sarcasm." She just looked at her father-figure, then back at the weapon I was holding. "What kind of gun is that?"
"This is the SAW. The M249. Mine has been modified to have extreme accuracy, fires from a one hundred round belt, laser-sight. Though it takes a few seconds to reload."
"You got a sidearm?" "Yeah, a big one. How about you?" Fox just laughed. "Smartass. Though, don't get too cute with me." I stared at him, trying to stop joking with him, as I pulled out my sidearm.
"A Taurus PT99?" "Yep. Served me pretty well when I'm unable to use my SAW. I hear you use a pretty badass revolver."
"Yep. I do." Fox said, pulling out his gun. He gave it to me, just so I could take a close look at it. "I love how you set this thing to have a plasma or bullet setting. Cool idea." I said, handing him back the gun. "I thought so. Now, I actually was walking around looking for you. When we arrive at Metropolis, I want you to stay close to us. And make sure you don't walk around with that big of a weapon."
"Why? People will fear me if I do." "You could end up getting shot." "I don't care." "With that kind of attitude, you won't be alive long to avenge Sam." "I said I don't care if I get shot. I'm not going to die."
Fox just stared at me. "Arrogant punk, aren't you?" "I guess so." "Just don't get shot." Fox said, walking away. Zeria decided to follow him, as she waved goodbye. I just nodded my head at her, as I turned the opposite direction.
"How many hours till we reach Metropolis, Natasha?" "Approximately two hours, Fox." "Thank you." "You are welcome."
Fox stretched in his captain's chair, as we had entered the anti-warp bubble about seven hours ago. Krystal stood next to me, stroking the hair on the back of my head. I purred, which made her giggle.
"My God. This is taking forever. I hate this area. We would've arrived at Metropolis like five hours ago." "Come on, Fox. Here you are just sitting on the bridge. Imagine the alone time we could be having right now."
I stopped for a moment to think about it. It would be like eleven right now. Most likely everyone is in their rooms. "Alright. That's good enough for me. Let's go." I said, rising out of my chair and running toward our running, practically dragging Krystal behind me.
Zeria laid in her bed, mixed emotions swarming through her. Her main thought right now was towards me. She thought that no matter what, Fox would always be her main crush, but since she's met me. She's not so sure.
She rose from her laying down position and started to make her way out of the room. Before she did that, she made sure she was properly covered. That being a simple tank top and shorts.
She walked out into the hall, looking both ways, hearing, but silence, which was very disturbing to her. She began to walk down the hall, go figure it was in the direction of my room.
When she got to my room, she stopped in front of it, but remained in the middle of the hall. She looked up at, thinking rather or not she should knock.
"You were going to be there a rather long time because not a chance I would open the door if I'm out here." A voice said from down the hall. Zeria shot a quick glance down the direction the voice came from, seeing me standing at an intersection.
"I….I just wanted to see…." "Before you say anything. Go back to your room and think. You better make sure you are sure this is what you want."
Zeria just stared at me, confused. "Krystal was right. You guys are a tricky thing." "Not as complicated as women." She laughed, as she turned around. "I just want to make sure you have feelings, Zeria, and this isn't some sort of crush like you have with Fox."
She her body, facing me. "Love is a complicated thing. It's not a game. It's a serious deal." "How will I know if this is serious?" "Trust your heart. It always knows."
Zeria nodded at me, as she started walking down the hall. "Goodnight." She turned her head around, hearing me saying goodnight to her. "Night, Jeff. Thanks for the advice." "If it means anything. You're a better person than I will ever be."
She wanted to rebuttal that, but I had already disappeared behind my bedroom door. She stood there for a moment, before she just walked back to her room, and hope a good night's sleep will put this behind us.