StevieBond: Hi there folks, new chapter for you.

Arnold: Oh yay! Finally, I've been stuck in that White Moon for six months!

Chitose: Excuse me, is there a reason why I'm here?

StevieBond: Why yes, say hello to everyone who's reading this story, you're the newcomer after all.

Chitose: Uhhh hello to anyone who's reading this, just to say that StevieBond does not owe Galaxy Angel, okay?

StevieBond: Now on with the story!


On The Road Again

It had been a few days since Chitose joined the Angel Wing and we all began to know her a bit more. Today was the day that she would be getting her uniform and when she put it on, she did look like one of us. On a team member role, she has strong potential but on a personal note, she seemed quite tense and perhaps a bit too serious.

I was in the firing range with my Desert Eagle that I remember Forte giving to me all those months ago with a small box of bullets, I hadn't used it except for when I was here and my aiming was getting better all the time. Chitose then turned up with a bow and arrow and walked over to the target on the far left that was wooden.

"Hi Chitose." I said.

"Hello lieutenant Williams." She replied.

I sighed with a smile. "No, it's Arnold. You don't need to call me by my surname."

"Then shall we come to a compromise?"

"Sure, name it."

"How about Mr. Arnold?"

"Well I could do without the Mr, but for now, it'll do." I nodded.

She smiled. "Thank you for understanding."

"So anyways, what's the bow and arrow for?"

"It's my hobby, I call it archery."

I scratched my head. "Archery? I don't think I've seen that before."

"Well if you like, I can give you a demonstration."

"Sure, show me how it's done."

"Alright, over here."

I walked with her till we got to a spot. I looked to see the wooden target far away, she set up the arrow on her bow, lifting them up and took aim. It flew off as she let go and the arrow flew almost right in the centre of the target.

"Wow!" I commented. "That was impressive."

Chitose smiled. "Thanks…I've been doing this hobby ever since I picked up my first bow. It gives me a free moment of peace when I have something troublesome in my mind."

"Troublesome, how come if you don't mind me asking?"

Chitose's smiled faded. "Well, you see…seven years ago, my father was a commander of one of the fleets. He was proclaimed a hero when he once helped his crew to safety to get away from his ship that was heavily damaged by attackers. When he was the only one left on the ship…he didn't make it."

Oh goodness, so she lost her father all those years ago. I felt really bad for her then.

"Oh my…sorry, I didn't mean to intrude on something personal."

"No it's alright, Mr. Arnold. At the time I was deeply upset, the only thing I remember was when I had a teddy bear given to me by a member of the army, but I never knew that man's name."

"And you've kept it with you since that day?"

"Yes, sometimes at night, I look at it and cherish on the memories of my father. It's a personal reason why I don't want to let anyone down now that I am a member of the Angel Wing."

I smiled. "Well let me tell you, Chitose." She looked at me. "I cannot imagine what it's like to lose someone important to you. It's a different story compared to my family…actually, I never even thought of my family at all."

"At all, if you don't mind me asking in return, do you have a family?"

I shook my head. "I'm not even sure if I do, it's been so long since I started from the bottom and working hard to where I am now that I've completely forgotten about my family."

"I'm sure you cherish them, don't you?"

"If I remembered who they were, I would for all they're worth." I felt a little down. "But there is a silver lining to this. The friends I have made since I started the climb I consider them as close to a family and that makes me smile."

Chitose smiled. "Oh yes, there is that claim that's genuine to make when you've known someone or others for a long time. Somehow, talking to you makes me feel a bit better about myself. Is that what Forte meant?"

"About how we work together and stay together as one? Yes, it's why she's our ring leader of this group." I smiled at her. "I believe that you are going to be just amazing as we are."

"Well I thank you for that, but I have a very long way to go before then."

"That is okay, I better let you get back to your archery. We'll speak again soon."

She smiled and I left the target range with my gun and ammo safely packed away and walked to my room and putting them away secretly.

Now I felt a little down again, wondering about my family and if I really had one…or was I an orphan, it's a question that's playing on my mind. But I had to shake it off, I had more important matters. I know, maybe seeing Milfie on her own will cheer me up.

I walked to her room and tapped on her door before opening it. I walked on in but there was no sign of her. "Hello, you in here?" I asked. No reply, but I did notice a door on the left side that was slightly open and there was a bit of steam coming out.

"Uh oh!" I said with a shocked look. "Looks like Milfie is in the middle of her shower, now what do I do. I guess I can come back later…or I could just sit on her bed and wait for her...no that wouldn't be right either."

I decided to leave in the end and come back in ten minutes time. A quick trip to the vending machine should solve it. Ahhh, can't beat the taste of the White Moons soft drinks, now made with clear water, imported from Transbaal.

After my drink, I walked back and knocked on her door again and opened it and this time, Milfie was in the room, she had just put on her uniform jacket.

"Hi Arnold." She said, putting the pink wreath on her hair. "What's up?"

I blushed and I couldn't help it. "Oh, I was a feeling a little down, I was wondering if you could show me your love."

"Awww, my man, come here!" I walked to her and we shared a quick kiss.

"That did the trick, my Milfie." I replied happily, taking her hand and sitting together on the bed. "I didn't wanna say it in front of the others, but it's also been over six months since we got together."

She put her arm around my back with her head on my shoulder. "Yeah and we're only just getting started, right?"

"Of course, the way we show our love is only the beginning, there is going to be loads of amazing and beautiful moments for the two of us coming up."

We shared a slower and romantic kiss, each one sending shivers of love to my mind. Good thing I like eating minty stuff so my breath stays fresh.

Just then a beep went off.

Angel Wing, please report to the White Moon throne room, Lady Shatyarn requests your presence!

"Lady Shatyarn?" I asked. "Sounds urgent."

"We better go, we'll talk along the way." Milfie replied as we left her room. "By the way, how it's going with Chitose?"

"She seems to be opening up to us so far. I learnt today that she does archery in her spare time and she's very good at it."

"Wow, that's sounds cool. I wish I was good at archery."

"Me too, but cooking is your true calling, well besides piloting an Emblem Frame."

"You pilot one too, I'm not letting you off the hook on that one."

We shared our laughter until we made it to the throne room. Lady Shatyarn saw us as we noticed Forte, Mint, Vanilla and Chitose already present.

"Oh, sorry we're late." I apologised. "We got stuck in people traffic."

"That's the best you can come up with?" Forte teased.

Milfie tried to help me. "No it's true, there was too many people and-"

"Ahhh, we know you too well." Mint interrupted. "But that can wait."

"Right now, we have an important matter." Vanilla said.

Chitose nodded. "Yes…Lady Shatyarn, it is a great honour to be standing in your presence."

Lady Shatyarn smiled. "Well hello to you Angels, I am glad to hear you are all doing well. Chitose, your kind words reach me with ease. Now I must discuss something urgent."

"Of course, what is the situation?" I asked.

Lady Shatyarn looked serious and explained. "My scouts have returned with disturbing information. There have been reports on raids that have taken place across the Lena system, traces of these attacks are increasing and spreading to other areas of the galaxy."

"Increasing?"

"If they were to continue, the attacks could get within reach of Transbaal and The White Moon."

"That does sound bad." Mint said.

"Which is why I am entrusting you with two mission objectives. But that's not the only issue. Due to the still lacking numbers of allied fleets, we need your help to reinforce and repel the attacks."

"Where have the attacks been happening now?" Forte asked.

"There was a military base off the Lena system that was destroyed by the attackers. All we could gain from its last transmission was a static image of a few…automated ships."

"Automated ships…you mean the ships that Eonia used in the last war?" I asked.

"Yes. Now for your mission objectives. Prime minster Luft wants you to split into two groups of three. One group must rendezvous with the allied fleet that Luft has prepared, you are to go to this location here and assist this important military base from any attacks."

We all nodded.

"The second group must travel to the South West, I hear that The Elsior has returned from the frontier search and will be landing at the Koaha planet for resupplies."

"The Elsior…man it's been a while since we were on that." I replied.

"Now you must decide which three will be in the two groups, Luft wants you all to think about it carefully."

"Well as the Angels Wing leader, it would be best if we form two groups that allows us to use our main strengths." Forte advised.

"Power and speed are two different traits." I added. "If a group is needed to provide defence from all sides of attack, then a group with firepower, support and close hand repair would be the best chance of success. So Forte, Mint and Vanilla, what do you think?"

"Sharp and focused on the ball as always." Forte praised.

"That leaves the other group with the best chance of speed and getting to a destination whilst able to defend in case of trouble along the way is a wise choice of strategy, so Milfie, Chitose and myself would be the other group that stands the best chance."

Chitose looked surprised. "You have a lot of tactical knowledge. I shall write that in my diary."

"Then Lady Shatyarn, our two groups have been decided." Mint said.

"Very well." Lady Shatyarn replied. "Forte, you will lead Mint and Vanilla to help Luft's allied ships with reinforcements. Arnold, I want you to be in charge of your group as you, Milfie and Chitose are to join up with The Elsior as quick as you can."

"Understood, I shall do my best." I replied, giving a quick salute.

"May the White Moon watch over you, you may leave now, your Emblem Frames are ready and on standby."

We nodded, leaving the throne room and rushing over to one of the huge hangers, where our Emblem Frames were sitting. We haven't used these for a while, but we were ready to get back into action.

I strapped myself into mine and I watched Chitose get into hers. I heard that hers was called the Sharp Shooter and her range is apparently greater than Mint's, it's equipped with a Vulcan cannon, missiles and a small rail gun that shoots at a long range. Its special attack is Fatal Arrow and it launches four distant powerful shots that can take down even a battleship! It was even coloured purple too, a perfect fit for Chitose.

"One word of advice." Forte said on my screen. "Keep your mind focused at all times and always watch over your members. Milfie and Chitose will be depending on you as you travel through the galaxy."

"You can count on me, Forte." I assured. "With my group's speed, we'll get there with as little combat as possible." I called for the other girls who were on my screen. "Alright girls. Let's do this!"

We nodded as one by one we left the hanger of the White Moon. Forte's group travelled away from us to their destination whilst I flew in the opposite direction with Milfie and Chitose as we were given coordinates to where the Elsior is.

Hold on Tact Mayers, we're on our way!