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Blue Drop: Seeds of Hope Chapter 3
Sending Hagino Home
The following Friday, late in the evening, Hagino crawled into bed with Mari. By now she's learned to set her gravity control to a kind of neutral buoyancy so when she gets pushed out of bed in the middle of the night she just winds up floating above the floor instead of falling down to it. Just as she got comfortably snuggled up against Mari there's a knock at the window. Hagino rolled her head over to see Azanael floating outside the window. Excited about the news she might have she jumped out of bed to open the window. "Come in... come in.", she said.
"My, you two sure looked cozy. Am I interrupting something?"
Hagino blushed slightly and said, "No, not at all. Have you found a ship?"
"Well, yes and no. The fact is I haven't seen many smaller ships with emil-force drives at all and certainly none on regular routes. I think we may have to alter our plan a bit. I think we're going to have to take one of the large gosta drop ships. On the up side with the amount of traffic in the area being as low as it's been it'll be easier to get the escape pod close enough than we thought."
Hagino stuck her head out the window and looked up at the moon which was showing just a sliver and said, "Looks like their moon will be totally dark in a few days. That will be when this planets nights are at their darkest. The perfect time to slip in unnoticed. Meet us on the roof again tomorrow. We'll have another meeting and fill in the rest. In fact, why don't you stay. I've not been using that bed and you look like you could use a comfortable nights sleep."
"Are you sure? I don't want to be in the way."
"Of course. Please, make yourself comfortable.", said Hagino.
"Thank you, I've been sleeping in my fighter's cockpit." Azanael then closed the window and laid back on the bed with her hands clasped behind her head and looking up at the ceiling she said, "Well, it's not quite the same as an Arume bed but it sure beats the seat in my cockpit. Thank you, Ekaril and good night."
"You're welcome and good night to you too." Hagino replied snuggling up to Mari again.
The following morning Mari is the first to wake. Before opening her eyes she rolled over and dropped her arm on nobody. With her eyes still closed she patted the empty space in the bed next to her in random locations and not feeling another body she opened her eyes to see Hagino floating in the middle of the room. "Oh boy, I did it again." She thought to herself. Mari got out of bed and stood and noticed Azanael in Hagino's bed. "I bet there's an interesting explanation behind that. I wonder if she found a ship.", she thought. She then knelt down beside Hagino and said, "Good morning.", before kissing her on the cheek.
Hagino's eyes popped open and she suddenly fell with her head landing in Mari's lap.
Mari burst out in laughter and said, "ha ha I'm… Sorry..ha ha" and leaned over to give Hagino another good morning kiss.
This time Hagino met it with her lips kissing back and said, "Good morning Mari."
"I noticed we have a guest. Did she find a ship?", asked Mari.
"Well, sort of. We'll have another rooftop meeting today and talk about it in detail then. I invited her to stay last night because she didn't look like she'd been getting much sleep. She said she'd been sleeping in her fighter's cockpit. She's probably Hungry too. I wonder what she's been eating."
"We'll just have to bring her some breakfast.", said Mari.
"Yeah, Let's let her sleep for now. Breakfast in bed will be quite a treat for her after roughing it the way she has been this past week.", said Hagino.
"Good call.", said Mari and with that the two get dressed and headed down for breakfast.
-10-
Down in the dining room Mari and Hagino are surprised to see Akane doing the cooking this morning. "Akane? Why are you cooking?", Mari said.
"The regular cook called out sick today so I'm filling in.", said Akane.
"I hope she's okay.", said Mari.
"Could we have three breakfasts please? We're going to eat in our room this morning.", said Hagino.
"You know you're not supposed to bring the trays and dishes to your room. And why do you want three?", asked Akane who, while she knew she wasn't the best student, was pretty sure she could count to three.
"Azanael showed up late last night so she spent the night and the third breakfast is for her. We were trying to figure out how to sneak her up a breakfast but since the regular cook isn't here I guess we don't have to sneak it.", said Mari.
"We'll bring the trays back down and help you with clean up in a little while.", said Hagino.
"Oh, Okay thanks.", said Akane.
"Oh and of course this also means we'll be having another rooftop meeting at lunch time today so pass that on to Miss Kozuki and Miss Funatsumaru when you see them please.", said Hagino.
"Sure thing and I'll call Miss Sugawara too. Enjoy your breakfast.", said Akane.
-11-
Back in Mari and Hagino's room Azanael is still sound asleep when the two return with food.
Mari, set her tray down on her desk and had a seat.
Hagino carrying two trays set one down on her desk and at this point Azanael's nose twitched a bit.
Sniff... sniff... Azanael's eyes opened and she said, "Well, something smells rather good."
"Sit up.", Hagino said then placing the tray in her lap after she sat upright. "Did you sleep well?" Hagino said sitting down to her own meal.
"Yes, that was the best night's sleep I've had in a while and now ending with breakfast in bed? You're spoiling me Ekaril."
"Don't be silly. You've earned it and more.", said Hagino.
Azanael took a few bites making yum sounds with every bite and said, "Wow, this is really quite good."
"Yes, we were fortunate this morning. While the regular cook calling out sick is a bit troubling our friend Miss Kawashima is quite skilled in the kitchen."
"What have you been eating for the past week Azanael?", asked Mari.
Azanael, took a moment to finish her current mouthful and then replied," Well, I've been able to move about fairly freely among the Arume troops. As long as they don't ask me too many questions I'm just another Arume so I've been able to grab a few free meals at eating establishments that have been taken over by Arume to feed the troops. Unfortunately the food has been barely tolerable as it's been prepared by Arume cooks working with forime ingredients and forime equipment. They have no idea what they're doing. But that aside, there is one last thing I could ask for that would make me feel right as rain again."
"What's that?", asked Hagino.
"A shower... a shower... My planet for a shower! Please.", Azanael said half jokingly.
Hagino chuckled and said, "Of course. Mari why don't you show Azanael to the showers while I take these trays back down and start helping Miss kawashima with the clean up."
"Sure, and I'll be right behind you to help with the clean up.", said Mari.
-12-
Later on the roof while eating their lunches Azanael, just as impressed with her lunch as she was with breakfast said, "Miss Kawashima, I must compliment your cooking. This food is excellent as was the breakfast this morning. The food I've been eating this past week has been absolute rubbish by comparison so this is quite a treat for me. Thank you."
Mari adds, "Yeah, You rock Akane!" The rest of the group enthusiastically voices their agreement.
Akane blushing says, "Gee, thanks you guys."
With lunch out of the way Hagino kicked off the meeting with, "That settled we have some other matters to discuss. Azanael and I will be commandeering a ship this Wednesday evening. If all goes well I'll be going back to Arume that night."
"So soon? Take me with you!", said Mari overcome with dread.
"Don't you mean 'we'?", said a confused Tsubael.
"I can't Mari. As much as I would love to it's far too dangerous on Arume for a forime with current attitudes being what they are and you still have another year of school to finish. I'm sorry."
"You promised you wouldn't leave me!", Mari said with her eyes filled with tears.
Hagino's eyes a bit glossy as well said, "Mari, look at me. Every time I've said I was coming back I came back didn't I? And even once when I didn't say it I still managed to come back to you. I will be back."
Mari wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "I know and I understand why you have to go but I'm just going to miss you so much."
Hagino wrapped her arms around Mari and pulled her close and said, "I know Mari. I'm going to miss you too but we do still have a few days together before then."
"And us? You're not going to leave Azanael and I behind are you?", said Tsubael.
"I can't give orders but I must ask this favor of both of you. I'll likely be gone for several months at least while I try to sort this all out on Arume and I'd feel much better if I knew you and Azanael were here to watch over Mari and her friends. Keep them safe for me please."
Tsubael sadly acquiesces with "Of course Commander."
Azanael simply nods silently agreeing.
"There is another matter. Is there any way we can get Azanael set up with a room here as well?", asked Hagino.
"Well, I suppose if she takes on a human name and disguise like Tsubael but we might be pushing our luck with two non students living here.", said Hiroko.
"Oh no, Actually that's not a problem at all. The Headmaster already told me he was going to start taking in locals that have been displaced from their homes by the invasion so we should get her in while there's still room.", said Sugawara.
"I don't have a roomy yet. I can take her.", said Akane.
Azanael excitedly said, "Wow, I get to sleep with the cook?"
"Whoa.. whoa... You get to sleep in the same room with the cook. You don't get to sleep 'with' the cook.", Akane clarified.
Tsubael burst into laughter.
Azanael blushing said, "Well, Of course that's what I meant. And you shut up you second rate gunner!"
"You shut up you sorry excuse for a pilot!", shouted Tsubael.
"You two will never change.", Hagino said laughing. Then everyone started laughing.
"Geez, get a room you two. ha ha", said Mari.
Azanael and Tsubael both grin and blush being sure to avoid making eye contact with each other.
"Oh, One more thing. Miss Sugawara, Have you been able to make contact with your superiors yet?", said Hagino.
"No, I've had no contact with them at all since before the invasion began. I can only assume they were forced to relocate their base of operations if they're still functioning at all. All I can do is stay where I am until they contact me."
"Understood. If you do manage to make contact while I'm gone be sure to tell them that you've met at least one arume sympathetic to their cause that has gone back to Arume to try and turn things around. Also make sure they understand that this will take some time and not to expect results too quickly. I'll leave what ever else you decide to tell them to your own discretion."
"Understood.", said Sugawara.
"Okay, I think that about does it. Does anyone else have anything they need to say while we're all still here?"
A few shake their heads in decline and no one speaks up.
"Okay then, meeting adjourned.", said Hagino and with that they all shuffle back into to the dorm to carry on with their day.
-13-
Tuesday evening as Mari and Hagino cuddle into bed together Hagino said, "Mari..."
"Yeah?", replied Mari.
"Wanna skip school tomorrow?"
Mari, a little stunned that she just heard the top student suggest skipping school but understanding why replied, "What did you have in mind?"
"Well, It's going to be our last day together for a long time so I thought we might take the train back into town and spend the day at that amusement park together. We can ride the Ferris wheel again."
"Sounds perfect."
"But this time we'll take the train back too.", said Hagino.
"hehe, agreed.", said Mari remembering how her brilliant plan to walk back worked out the last time.
-14-
The next day time flies by as it does when one is having as much fun as Mari and Hagino have been and they're on the Ferris wheel, their last ride of the day before heading back to the dorm. This time they're sitting on the same side holding each other causing the car to be tilted a bit.
"I sure wish I was going with you.", said Mari.
"I do too. One day when this is all over... When you're done with School and our peoples are finally coexisting peacefully I will take you back to Arume with me. I promise."
"I love you so much.", said Mari.
"I love you too.", said Hagino tightening her embrace.
-15-
Late Wednesday night Azanael is standing on the pier waiting anxiously for Ekaril to show up. Finally, after about an hour of waiting past the agreed upon time Ekaril comes floating over in full dress. "It's about time you showed up.", said an annoyed Azanael.
"Sorry, Saying goodbye to Mari was tougher than I thought."
"How'd she take it?", asked Azanael.
"As well as can be expected I suppose." And with that Ekaril gave a twist of her wrist band and her escape pod surfaced right where she left it. "It's going to be cramped with two of us in there and you're taller so why don't you take the seat and do the flying and I'll squeeze in behind the seat.", she said.
"Agreed, I'll need to be in this seat to do the job once we get there anyway.", said Azanael. And with that they both climbed in and headed off into the darkness.
-16-
Target in sight Azanael points at one of the large saucer-ish shaped ships that dropped so many gosta the day of the invasion and said, "See that one directly above that high-rise? That's our target. The roof of that high-rise building directly underneath it gives us a perfect landing spot that's close enough for me to hack their system. Now we just have to get there without being spotted."
"No, that's crazy. Their sensors are sure to pick us up when we approach.", said Ekaril.
"Only if they're actually looking at their screens while we're on them which will only be for a few minutes and the forime have put up so little resistance it's very likely the crew have become complacent and aren't even paying attention. Is it a gamble? Yeah, sure. But I think the odds are in our favor and besides we don't really have a choice.", explains Azanael.
"Yes... That's true. Okay then, ready when you are.", said Ekaril.
"Okay, Now once we land on the roof we'll disappear from their sensors blending in with the various other equipment the forime have mounted on their rooftops so to spend as little time on their screens as possible we'll go in as fast as we can and I'm not going to slow down until the last possible second so this landing might be a little rough." and with that Azanael starts in as fast as she can which being just an escape pod doesn't really say much. Now within a few meters of the roof she gives full reverse thrust and Ekaril is pushed forward against Azanael's seat while they come to a stop directly over the roof. Then Azanael sets the escape down quickly and kills the engines.
"Okay, now let's just sit and watch for a few moments to see if there's any signs that they've spotted us. If they have we should see a couple of fighters launch to investigate.", said Azanael.
"How will we know when the last of the crew has gotten off and it's safe to board?" Asks Ekaril.
"Well, Once I've got control I'll also have access to their internal sensors so I'll know exactly when the last crew member gets out."
"Now I'm seeing a lot of these ships near by. Won't they suspect something and come to investigate when they see everyone abandoning this ship?"
"Oh... Good point. I'm glad you said something before I started or this could have ended badly.", said Azanael. "I'll just have to create a more elaborate illusion so the shielding breach shows up on the other ships sensors as well."
"Well, it doesn't look like they've spotted us so I guess I'm ready when you are.", said Ekaril.
"Okay, the first part is hacking in and I'll get to a point when I'll need you to enter your command codes to get complete control and I'll need you to do it quickly so I can then move on to creating the illusion so be ready."
Ekaril then shifted her position forward along side the seat so she can reach the console quickly but without being in Azanael's way. "Okay, I'm ready." she said.
Azanael took a deep breath and exhaled sharply then wiggled all of her fingers to loosen up and said, "Okay, here we go." Azanael started franticly working the keypad not unlike Tsubael did on a regular basis. A few seconds later she said' "Okay, NOW!", as she pulled her own arms out of the way to let Ekaril do her part.
Ekaril quickly entered here command codes and then backed away from the console and said, "Done."
Azanael said, "And now for the illusion.", and resumed frantically hitting keys,
A few seconds later hordes of arume come pouring out of the ship. Every fighter in it's bay launched in seconds, some arume just floating away in a panic and all the other large ships in the area started heading away at high speed with some just shifting out of sight completely.
Azanael started laughing hysterically at the sight of all the panicked Arume. "HAHAHA... Look at em run like scared rats. You gotta love it... ha ha."
"Is that it then? Are we good?" asked Ekaril
"Hang on. Let me just check their internal sensors... Yup we're good. She's all yours Commander." And with that Azanael flew the escape pod up and docked it in one of the ships now empty bays.
"You go ahead on to the bridge Commander. I'll stay here in the pod. Just make a slight detour for me and shift back over to the pier before heading back to Arume."
"Of course Azanael and Thank you so much. I couldn't have done it without you. And since this is the last time we'll see each other for a while... I guess this is goodbye."
"Goodbye and good luck Commander. It's been an honor.", said Azanael standing up in the pod to give a proper salute.
"Wait, one last thing... Why all of the sudden have you been calling me Commander instead of Ekaril? I've never been your Commander."
"Well, perhaps part of me wishes you were. I'm starting to understand why Onomil liked you.", said Azanael.
Ekaril blushed and said, "We'll meet again.", and returned Azanael's salute before heading off to the bridge.
-17-
A moment later back at the pier a large ship appeared in the sky but only for a few seconds and then disappeared as suddenly as it arrived. A few seconds after that Azanael lands Ekaril's escape pod in the water next to the pier. After getting out and closing the canopy she realized, "Oh crap. I can't submerge it. Well, it can't be helped. It'll just have to sit there until morning when Tsubael can do it."