Chapter 2: The Landing

Talho marched over to her pilot seat, glaring at Holland with such ferocity he cringed unwillingly. Settling herself into the seat, Hilda gave her an encouraging smile in which Talho grumbled in response.

"Ready, Talho?" Holland asked, recovering from fear and attempting to assert his authority as head of the Gekkostate.

Menacingly, "Yessir, prepared to land in Ignoramus-Jerk-Testosterone-Filled-Son-of-a-Gigolo-with-Death-on-his-Mind-because-he-is-a-Selfish-Jackass—ville."

"Talho." He responded sternly. This was not only an agreed-upon mission, but also for Eureka, and that was all that mattered.

"I'm on it." She muttered.

They were obviously having some problems. Talho's solution to these issues was to make sure this was the bumpiest and most painful landing she could harbor; turned out to be a complete success.

"We need some supplies from town before we begin wrecking havoc and destruction to it. Though I would like to complete the mission right away, if we want our getaway-vehicle to get away, a refuelment is in order." He paused, scanning his crews' drawn faces and added, "You guys need some rest too."

"I'm glad to see you're thinking of someone other than yourself for a change." Talho replied snidely.

Sighing, Holland continued "I am giving us less than two days to do this. The faster we do it, the better." Looking Talho straight in the eyes, "Agreed?"

The members of the Gekko mumbled in agreement and Talho, feeling defeated and depressed nodded her head slightly, adjusting her sight so Holland was out of her vision.

Hilda put a reassuring hand on Talho's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze, "I was thinking we'd go into town and have a shopping spree. I have money left over from that job I did four weeks ago and no idea what to spend it on…"

Talho smiled weakly at Hilda's attempt to lighten her heavy heart, both knowing however that it would never work.

"Sure. I have nothing better to do," other than worry mused Talho.

"Hey Gidget, you game?" Hilda inquired.

Sniffling and wiping her nose with the back of her hand, "Owwwww, I want to. But I feel like I've been hit by your LFO way too many times. Rain check, please."

Hilda shrugs and turns to a pale, fragile figure, "Eureka?"

Eureka glances at Holland and Renton then faces her inquirer "No thanks."

Talho laughs in an I-am-not-laughing-at-you-because-you-are-funny way, but because I think you are the most cruel, insensitive, snobbish, cold, and ugliest, damned creature I have ever laid eyes upon. Everyone in the room shudders, fingering the bumps and bruises they have from her heavy landing. When she stops laughing, most make an attempt to leave the room except she eyes Holland with new vigor, and he knows better than to disobey her.

Hilda walks past the two left in the room and says to Talho "We leave in ten, okay?"

"Sure" Talho responds, not taking her gaze off of Holland.

Talho waits until she hears the sound of the door close and Hilda's already distant footsteps cease.

Sighing Holland begins "Look, Talho, I…"

"Save it. I just want you to know that what you are doing is stupid and irresponsible. Not only are you putting yourself at risk, but Renton." She pauses, struggling to get to the heart of what she is really feeling, but knowing it is something she can never say. Clenching her fists she finishes, "I will never forgive you if Renton gets hurt. Or if you do," just for the sake of her, she thought.

Before Holland can react, Talho pushes him hard and then wraps her arms around his neck, holding him with much more force than with her attempt at violence.

She reluctantly lets go as she feels Holland relax and senses he may speak. Talho knows she cannot bear to hear anything he has to say right now; first she needs a strong dose of intense shopping.

Quickly she says "I'll see you later" and exits the room, leaving Holland slightly confused and conflicted. He sighs and whispers, "Talho" with emotion.

Talho hopes that once she returns, Holland and she may talk things through, though Holland never was the greatest speaker. Hopping into the vehicle where Hilda sat at the wheel, Talho said "Drive."

"Bankruptcy, here we come!" Hilda cried humorously, reminded that once Talho began spending, she never seemed to stop, despite empty pockets.

Laughing lightly she responds, "Yeah, and--" ending abruptly in midsentence, Talho notices someone in the rearview mirror.

"Eureka?"

Oh, this should be fun.