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Disclaimer: No, I'm not any closer to owning anything from Star Ocean 3. Here's chapter 4!

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In the ship's conference room, Fayt and co. had assembled, and were now waiting for the two Elicoorians to arrive (and a certain young menodix). Only Fayt and Sophia seemed to be worried about Nel and the missing Roger. Maria just wanted them to show up so they could get going with their vacation plans. She needed everyone's input.

Minutes later, Nel entered the room, followed by Albel, who appeared to have been running. Both were unharmed, although Albel had an angry expression and was holding the limp form of Roger in one hand.

"See? Told ya they'd be fine." Cliff told Fayt triumphantly. Fayt sighed. "…"

Maria shook her head. "Albel, please put Roger down." It seemed there were going to be some minor problems, most involving Albel.

Albel frowned in disappointment, before dropping the menodix none to gently to the ground.

Nel sat down in a chair as far away from Albel as she could. Albel leaned against the wall nearest the door, feigning indifference. Roger lay prone on the ground, still unconscious.

Once everyone had settled down, Maria spoke up with a smile upon her lips. Everyone would enjoy Albel's reaction. He still had no idea why he had been brought aboard the ship.

"Since everyone is here now, we can…" Maria began, but was interrupted by Sophia.

"Where's Adray, Maria?" Sophia asked.

"He has some duties to attend to, so he is unable to come with us." Maria replied. She glanced around the room. "Any more questions?" Receiving no answer, Maria continued. "As I was saying, since everyone is here, we can now decide where we want to go on vacation. If you have an idea, please speak up." Maria hoped everything would run smoothly. She was worried that Albel might blow up on them all. His expression was hard to decipher.

Everyone in the room began to call out places they would like to go. Everyone, except for Maria, Roger (who was still out) and Albel.

Albel stared up at the ceiling in despair. "So that's why you've brought me here?" No response. Albel drew his katana and slashed the air around him. "Answer me worms!" No answer again. It took all of Albel's willpower not to unleash his wrath on all of them. He sheathed the katana and closed his eyes, listening as the destinations dwindled down to a few choices.

Roger was awake by now, and seemed quite happy about the possible destinations.

Vanguard III

Earth

Gemity

Elicoor II

Hearing that his home planet was a possibility, Albel opened his eyes and growled. "We had better not go there; otherwise I'll have been brought here for nothing!" Once again, he was ignored. "Maggots…" Albel muttered sullenly.

Maria took a vote, and the choices were down to three.

Vanguard III

Earth

Elicoor II

After a heated argument about some possible problems with a vacation on Earth, another vote was taken. Only two choices remained.

Vanguard III

Elicoor II

Albel sighed unhappily, and began to pace. He was unsuccessfully trying to ignore Roger, who was making rude gestures at him from across the room. Apparently Roger hadn't learned his lesson. Before Albel could begin to form a pre-meditated murder of a certain young menodix, the rest of the group came to an agreement. Albel glanced at Maria as she spoke.

"So we won't have to keep arguing, we'll go to Vanguard III for the first half of vacation, then spend the rest on Elicoor II. Everyone's free to do whatever they'd like on the ship until we arrive at our destination. It will take approximately one week." Maria explained. She caught Fayt sneaking out, so she added. "And no excessive Battle Simulator playing."

Fayt gave Maria a pout, as Sophia hurried over to him and latched onto his right arm. "Come on Fayt! You promised you'd go to the shop with me, remember?" With one last desperate look at Maria, he allowed Sophia to lead him away. His expression looked like he was being led to his death. No one seemed to be very sympathetic.

Albel stalked out of the room in a nasty mood, only momentarily amused at the sight of the fool (Fayt) being dragged off by the maggot (Sophia). Once they were out of sight, Albel's bad mood came back, and he proceeded to pace the ship. This made the crew members very nervous, especially when Albel cast evil looks their way as he passed by.

The other blue-haired fool (Maria) had said something about it taking a week to reach Vanguard III. Albel refused to stay that long on a spaceship surrounded by fools, worms, and maggots.

As he headed towards the transporter room, Albel overheard a crew member saying that the it was going to be shut off. Albel hurried to the room. That was his only hope for escape! Albel attempted to get into the room, only to be scolded harshly and sent away.

A minute later, loitering near the room, Albel saw two people exit. He sighed unhappily as the worms (Steeg and Marietta) told the fool (Maria) that the transporter had been successfully turned off, but would be ready to use in emergencies.

Albel resumed his prowl around the ship, amused that he was still scaring people and making them carry their weapons now.

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In the kitchen, Roger and Peppita were arguing over who would get to cook lunch. The chefs had left, not wanting to hear the banter.

Albel ignored them for the moment, intent on getting something to eat. He hadn't had dinner the night Cliff and Mirage decided to abduct him.

In the middle of an argument about height, Roger tripped and the mixing bowl he had been holding landed directly on Albel's head (Roger had been standing on a counter).

Fortunately for Roger, the mixing bowl only contained water. He and Peppita stifled giggles. Unfortunately for them, Albel wasn't remotely amused. He locked eyes with Roger, the ruby color seeming to promise excruciating pain upon capture. Albel dropped the mixing bowl to the ground, before approaching the pair slowly, his hair dripping wet.

Peppita and Roger exchanged quick glances, before they ran off screaming with an extremely furious Albel pursuing them.

"Just you wait little maggots! You'll regret this!" Albel roared after the two small retreating figures.

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Cliff and Mirage were just passing by, and happened to see Peppita and Roger rush by. They had terrified looks stamped on their faces, as if a demon were pursuing them. Albel ran by next, his hair dripping wet, wearing a look of pure malice on his face. Cliff glanced over to Mirage casually. "Should we stop Albel from murdering those two?"

"Only if he actually tries to kill them," Mirage answered.

Seconds later, a frightened, high-pitch shriek rang out.

Cliff and Mirage looked at each other, before racing towards the source of the scream.

Inside the conference room, Roger was huddled beneath the table, avoiding Albel's searching katana. Albel was grinning evilly, apparently enjoying Roger's cries. He hoped he may even get a few scratches on the menodix, if not more.

Cliff quickly got Albel's attention by aiming a quick punch at him, while Mirage got Peppita and Roger out of the immediate area. That left Cliff alone with a murderous-looking Albel. "Uhh… maybe you should go take a bath or something?" Cliff suggested, not relaxing, just in case Albel decided to attack him. It seemed very possible at the moment.

Albel snorted and sheathed his katana. Giving Cliff an irritated glance, he walked off, a muttered "Maggot" audible.

Cliff relaxed, surprised that Albel hadn't fought with him. Maybe the incident at the inn was still bugging Albel, and he was merely taking time to plan his revenge. Shrugging, Cliff left the conference room, deciding he'd go see what Mirage was up to.

Albel wandered around the ship, wondering where he could find a room with a bathtub. He really needed a break from everyone and everything. After frightening a few more crewmembers, Albel found a rather large room with an enormous bathtub (It was more like a hot tub, which could fit 2-3 people). Albel fiddled around with the tub's handles, and soon managed to fill the tub with water, and bubbles (Albel had no idea where the bubbles had come from).

Albel began unwrapping his hair ties as he glanced around the room. Albel hoped no one would wonder where he was. 'Who would care anyway?' Albel thought bitterly. He decided that his gauntlet would come off last.

Outside the room, further down the hall…

Nel walked along slowly, going over the possibilities of what she could do on the spaceship other than avoiding Albel. Nel stretched wearily. All she needed right now was a nice, long, relaxing bath, and a very peaceful long rest in bed before deciding how to deal with Albel. Nel's hand rested on the door's handle (She knew this room had a great bathtub that was very nice to relax in for a long period of time). Nel quickly checked up and down the hall. Satisfied that no one was there, Nel opened the door. The last thing she needed was for Albel to find her taking a bath…

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Please review on any aspect of the story, it can be about anything as long as there is no flaming. I'd love to know what you guys think about this story. The next chapter will be up within a couple of days, as long as I have no internet problems.