Orange Star: A seed of destruction... a tree of hope
Commanding Officer Mel
Disclaimer: I still don't own the company that made Advance Wars but I do own a copy of the game as usual. However... I own my dossier style in Orange Star: A revised history and the characters I have created. As well as any concepts/ideas for the stories.
Note: If something is said in full italics like this, it means the characters aren't speaking in English
Chapter 4: Sami's debut!
Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Orange Star HQ Command Room
Pacing about the room furiously, Mel was reading the intel files, and tried to make out what was going on outside. Sadly, the fog obscured everything in the distance, save a few enemy battle copter units floundering about.
"Knowing Green Earth and Eagle, he's bound to have a bigger air force than that..." Mel muttered. "A lot bigger..."
"Really?" Sami asked. "You're exaggerating right?"
"Trust me, no one but Eagle will have an air force that big. I can bet you he's got a few bombers and fighters waiting in the wings."
"All right...but it shouldn't be too hard." She swallowed nervously. "Ahem."
"Let's hope not... for our sake anyway. We don't need Green Earth getting in our way again." He groaned.
"Hmm..." Sami looked at the battlefield. "Let's see... what do you suggest anyway?"
"Knock out the copters, group up the troops again, and then rush his HQ. But I have a bad feeling about this..." Mel said.
"All right...what though?"
"It seems too simple...or it could just be that simple..." He thought aloud. "Whatever it is, I'll leave it up to you." With that, Mel left the Command room to avoid any further distractions.
"Huh? Okay." Sami turned to her intel officers. "All right everybody! You heard him! I'm in command for now!"
"Yes ma'am!" They replied.
'Ugh... not again...' She moaned. 'Not old dammit! Not even close! Ugh...'
Time: 3 days later
Place: Green Earth Field HQ
Eagle glared at the screen showing the areas cut off by fog, and the few Orange Star units he did see, he intended to blast off the face of the earth.
"Grr...Andy and his ilk are proving to be more than trying my patience..." Eagle grumbled, crossing his arms.
"Ah, sir! Your CO energy is overflowing!" One of his subordinates informed him.
"Very well then! I shall pull no punches! This will be the end of you Andy!" Eagle laughed to himself. "Hahaha!"
Bombers and copters were rejuvenated with a burst of En and they rushed headlong into the Orange Star forces, blowing them away.
Time: Meanwhile
Place: Orange Star HQ
"WHAT? NO FAIR!" Sami cried out, watching her troops getting massacred. "Mel! Get your butt here and give me some help!" She screamed.
"...(yawn). What's the matter?" He sauntered over, disinterested.
"Eagle's not playing fair!" She complained.
"What?" He asked.
"He's attacking twice! That's not normal!" Sami pointed out.
"Bah. All's fair in love and war or something. Speaking of which, I believe that was the Lightning Strike he's so fond of using in bombing raids. Too bad he hasn't mastered it yet." He commented. "There's a glaring weakness..."
"What?" She asked.
"The thing is, his units lose defense and offense in order to do that, so therefore, you can turn it against him and turn his units into Swiss cheese."
"Huh?" Sami stared blankly at him. "What should I..."
"Just shoot them down already..." Mel waved dismissively.
"Oh! I'll do that... uh... but I refuse to respect your authority to call you sir though." She mumbled the last part.
"That's fine. You don't need to call me sir. I don't like it anyway." He answered as he walked away. "Makes me feel old..."
"Huh?"
"Whatever Sami." He chuckled. "Anyway, just get to it and capture that HQ."
"Grr... fine...Mel. Whatever." She grit her teeth and gave her commands to counterattack. "You heard him! All units! Return fire!"
Time: 4 days later
Place: Green Earth Field HQ Command Room.
The Orange Star COs had marched into the Green Earth HQ with their troops. Sami was exceptionally mad, and she stormed right up to Eagle. Andy and Mel followed behind her.
"I, the great Eagle lost, again? To Andy no less?" He groaned, not paying attention to the enemy officers approaching him.
"Hey listen up buddy!" Sami said, grabbing the front of his shirt. "Who the hell are you calling Andy? Do I look like a boy to you?" She grit her teeth and was about to deck him across the face with her free hand.
"To a degree...yes." Eagle admitted, looking down at whoever was grabbing his collar. "Wait what? A girl?"
"Grr...you know what? I don't think you're ready to go and fight a war." She let go of his shirt and shoved him away. "Not even worth the energy." She scowled at him.
"Hmph, who are you?" He asked.
"I'm Sami, an Orange Star CO. And according to tall, pale and scary over there... you've met already." She pointed her thumb at Mel.
"Hey!" Mel shouted. "I'm not that pale!"
"Hmph... yes so?" Eagle asked again. "I already know about Andy. And that other fellow."
"...I see you've already met Orange Star's strategic advisor and Andy." Sami said.
"Yes, so I have. But strategic advisor? I remember now, there would have been no way Andy would have won against me the first time if it weren't for you!" He pointed accusingly at Mel.
"...huh. Man, I didn't think you were that petty." Mel's eyebrow went up. "How about you shut the fuck up and shove it? I would considering gutting and rearranging your organs in a heartbeat... if it weren't for the fact that you're not worth the effort. Go back to basic training and shape up first you cocky piece of shit." The younger CO shot Eagle a hellish glare. "...then maybe, just maybe I would consider you a worthy target."
"Who the hell do you think you are talking to me like that?"
"I don't think I need to tell some rank and file loser who I am if he can't hold his own and keep his cool like you." Even though Mel stood a few a inches taller than Eagle, he still seemed to tower over the pilot with his presence. "...although if you keep talking I'll change my mind and shut you up myself. And I'm not bluffing."
Eagle stared back blankly as thoughts raced through his mind. He realized he was acting rather... stupid. He also realized that the person in front of him could have probably killed him ten times over in the past thirty seconds. Standing down was the preferable option right now.
"Uh... I... Sami and Mel, right?" He changed his tone rather suddenly, bordering on respectful.
"Yeah?" Mel raised an eyebrow.
"Yes?" Sami followed suit. "What?"
"I would like to apologize for my behavior, it was inappropriate." Eagle said, bowing slightly.
"Hmph, that's good. Now then... do you have anything else you want to say?" Mel shrugged.
"I vow by my lucky goggles that the next time we meet, I will do better. Now I will take my leave. Farewell!" Eagle turned and walked out of the base with the rest of his men.
"Hey! Wait a sec! I didn't say you could leave like that! Get back here... ! He seemed like an okay guy..." Sami said. "Kinda. Sorta. Hmm."
"Case depending. I've heard about him for a bit too long. I still don't like him." Mel muttered. "Don't think I ever will like him."
"You're probably right. But now, I need to take a break..." She sighed. "Sounds like a plan, no?"
"Hmm...all right then. Back to base, we're gonna rest up first, then head to Yellow Comet!" Mel said as he motioned for everyone to head back to their base.
"Wait... why are we... right. Pursuing Olaf." Sami shook her head and followed after them. "...ugh, I'm getting tired." She groaned again. 'I need a bath... a nice long bath...'
Time: Later that day; 4:30 pm
Place: Orange Star Field HQ: Advisor's office
Sami sat in the bathtub, soaking in the hot water. The bathtub in question, however was in the quarters/office, of a certain male strategic advisor/visiting CO.
"Ahh... this feels nice, after a whole week of showering...with barely heated water." She sighed contently. "Why didn't I try to find the this earlier..."
"Hmm? There's someone in my room?" She heard Mel's voice and approaching footsteps as the door opened.
"Uh oh..." Sami gasped. "I must've gotten the wrong room or something..."
"Eh? Of for the love of..." Mel muttered, spying a uniform tossed on the ground next to the bathroom door. "Sami? Is that you?"
"Hmm... yeah?"
"What the hell are you doing in my office?" He asked as he came into the bathroom. 'Wait a second. Where... oh for fuck's sake." Mel realized she was sitting in the tub.
"Um... the other rooms didn't have a bathtub, so I asked around, and they said the only rooms with a bathtub in all Orange Star HQs are the Advisor's quarters..." There was a small amount of fear in her voice, mainly because she was sitting naked in the tub. "Um..." She carefully peered at him from behind the shower curtain, only her eyes were showing. "...so... uh..."
"So?" Mel asked, visibly annoyed.
"I really, really, really, really, really, needed to take a nice hot bath okay? I'm full of knots and I really am not up to arguing with you right now. Now leave me alone!" The sound of water splashing around was heard. "Hmph! Please!"
"Uh... right." He walked away and sat at his desk. "God, it must be that time of month or something..." Mel muttered. "I need an iced coffee. Or two. Or three. I better hit up Hachi's shop..." He groaned, heading downstairs to the supply shop..
Time: 20 minutes later
Place: Advisor's Office
Mel headed up the stairs and back into his office. After about a half dozen cans of cold caffeine, he felt a lot better. Or at least that would have been the case until he ran into Sami again, as his mood immediately soured and he felt like the coffee had curdled in his stomach.
"Hmm, hmm, hmm..." Sami hummed to herself as she stepped out of the bathroom. "Much better..." She was wrapped in a towel as she walked around. "Nnn..."
"...gah! What are you still doing here?" Mel demanded.
"Eek! Mel! Get outta here!" Her face turned red. "I'm not dressed yet!"
"Whaddya mean 'get outta here'? This is my office! You get outta here!" With that, he ran up behind her, shoved her out of the room and locked the door.
"...that's one way of doing it..." She said to herself, until she realized she still wasn't decent yet. "Wait a sec. Mel! Gimme my clothes back!" She screamed banging on the door.
"Go. Away." He said sharply. "If you want your clothes, go get 'em outside the HQ."
"Huh?"
"..." There was a silence, then a rustling as Mel took the pile of clothing, opened his window and tossed them outside. "There." He then unlocked the door and let her back in.
"Where are my clothes?" She said, frantically looking around the office.
"Like I said. Outside the HQ." He pointed out the window he had opened.
"...seriously...?" Sami groaned. "Really...?"
"Whatever. We're moving out soon, so I really recommend you either... oops. Looks like someone stole your panties..." Mel said, trying to stifle his laughter. "By accident."
"They what?" She screeched, looking out the window. "Andy! I'll kill him!" With that, she dashed off to her room to get some fresh clothes, she then went outside to chase after Andy and beat him within an inch of his life for 'panty theft'.
"Oh well. To Yellow Comet we go." Mel shrugged, as he ignored Andy's impending plight. "Well... after this particular scene unfolds anyway." He chuckled as he walked over to the window and watched.
Time: A few days later; morning
Place: Imperial Yellow Comet HQ
Kanbei stood in his throne room, sword in hand as he watched the horizon.
"Ah! Orange Star like a plague comes. Not content with their own lands, they've come to seize mine! Kanbei will not allow this!" The Emperor muttered to himself.
"Daddy? What are you going on about?" A slight female voice asked. Sonja stood a fair distance behind him as she approached, head tilted to the side.
"Oh my dear Sonja!" He said warmly, "The Orange Star Army has arrived again and now I shall go beat them back!" Kanbei smiled at his young daughter.
"That's nice." She nodded. 'Uh oh. This is never good.' Sonja thought to herself.
"Wish me luck!" With that, Kanbei headed towards the battle field. "Men! We ride!"
"...good luck father." The girl turned around and peered out the window of the headquarters. "I wonder if Sami is there. Or even anyone else that's nice..."
Place: Yellow Comet territory; Orange Star Forces
After Andy had received a rather brutal beating and yelling at from Sami, they finally reached Yellow Comet, in one piece, more or less. It had taken a few days to travel there by sea but either way, they made it.
"Damn Mel. We weren't supposed to get to Yellow Comet." Andy groaned. "I mean... I was pretty sure we shouldn't be passing through here..."
"Yeah, but Olaf's 'rumored' to have passed through, so let's just roll through, find him and kick his sorry fat ass." Mel said in response. "Even if we shouldn't be here..."
"Yeah, works for me!" Max said, cracking his knuckles.
"Ooh... I thought you said that we'd just have to pass through." Sami moaned. "Emperor Kanbei's Imperial forces are in the way though..." She pointed at the waiting enemy forces in the distance. "Look..."
"Emperor Kanbei, you say?" Mel asked. 'What's my teacher up to...?' He scowled.
"Looks like it." She answered. "I mean... who else is there?"
"Who's Kanbei? And what are the Imperial forces?" Andy asked.
"Good grief. Not again." Mel sighed. "Those troops out there that we can see are even better trained than mine. Well...not exactly. They're better trained in the facets of offense and defense. Mine are just trained mainly on offense. Anyway, they're not exactly cost efficient, but they can simply tear you a new hole in a matter of seconds."
"Uh-huh. But since they cost so much more, they're hard to maintain." Sami nodded in agreement.
"And that's the reason why no one messes with Yellow Comet. That's because that nut-case samurai hangs around and – urk!" Max was interrupted by a hand lifting him up by the neck.
"I really wish you'd stop strangling Max like that, Mel." Sami sighed. It had been the twentieth time during their trip that Max had said something stupid to annoy the younger officer.
"Can't help it. Kanbei was my teacher, no matter how rash he may seem, but he is still a very well respected and powerful CO." With that, he let go of Max and dropped him on the ground. "Stow it Max."
"(gasp, gasp) Sorry." The big man apologized.
"It's all good. Now you guys! Let's get ready to break through the Yellow Comet border!" Mel said.
"Sure thing!" Andy whooped. "What's the plan?"
"Either way though, we'll need to be careful, those forces are very well trained and we need to get through this blockade as fast as possible to keep his tanks from getting into our half of this region!"
"What about Kanbei's CO Power? What does that do?" Sami asked.
"...it's the 'Morale Boost'. Even trying to attack his units during that surge of energy is completely pointless." Mel answered.
"Why's that?"
"Since his men are already so well trained and equipped, his power increases their offense and defense to such a level, it makes them practically invincible." Mel said. 'However, they may be invincible, but compared to my attack, they'll become road pizza...but my defense on the other hand bites. Soo...it's fair game.' He thought to himself.
"Hmph, you seem to know a lot about the other commanders don't you Mel?" Sami asked.
"Not like its hard Sami. All the countries have files on various COs across the world. That way you know whom you're up against. However, I've never bothered looking up your dossier yet." He shrugged. 'Actually, that's a lie, I have already.'
"Grr..." Sami grumbled. 'Does he have to be so mean...?' She thought.
"Whatever Sami. Max, commence the attack, take out the rockets and then we'll be able to fight against Kanbei's troops on even conditions. Hopefully."
"Gotcha." Max turned to the troops. "Let's go!"
"Anyway, everybody else can stay cool for the time being...and Sami, get lost."
"Mmph, lousy Mel." Sami muttered, storming off to her room.
"I heard that." Mel said, not looking back.
"Hmph!" She turned up her nose and kept going.
"What on earth did you do to get her panties in such a huge knot?" Andy asked, nursing his still slightly swollen jaw. "Ow... jaw still hurts..."
"You know why your jaw is swollen?" Mel asked.
"She beat me up." The younger CO pointed towards the direction where Sami had left.
"Do you know why she beat you up?" Mel asked again.
"Because her panties hit me in the face... for some strange unknown reason."
"You know why her freaking panties hit you in the face?"
"No..." Andy shook his head.
"I tossed those and the rest of her clothes out the window when she was 'using' my room as her private bath."
"...no wonder." Andy groaned. "It was your fault..."
"Heh. Sorry about that." Mel apologized.
"It's cool. Just... yeah, didn't see that coming... for miles... in more ways than one..."
"Hey! You two! Stop yapping and give me a hand." Max shouted.
"Sure, sure. What now? Hmm..." Mel scanned the screen. "Hold your position, and let his tanks come. That way, with what little indirect range you have, we can turn those yellow tanks into hunks of cheese."
"Hmm...that sounds good. Hold your position! Everybody, prepare for an assault tomorrow!"
"Yes sir!" The troops replied.
"Heh, this is gonna work... right?" Max asked Mel.
"As long as I'm here to make up the crazy strategies, yes." Mel nodded. "At least, if everything goes to friggin' plan. I hope."
"Great. Now what?"
"We keep watch and so on. Then we'll make sure to beat him back in eight days."
"Are you serious Mel?" The big man's eyebrow rose. "That seems pretty quick..."
"I'd say less, but that'd be bragging. Well 'I' could anyways...except my troops aren't even here yet...where are they?" He sighed. "They said they'd keep in contact... but noo... and they're late to boot."
"Your troops?" Max asked. "Ah, you mean the White Sun."
"Yeah. Can't a guy help his home country?" Mel asked in reply. "I requested reinforcements after we took care of Grit in Blue Moon... but they're taking their sweet time though..."
"Uh...yeah. Right."
"Oh well. So much for hoping." Mel shrugged.
"Okay."
"You mean those two weird lookin' dudes we saw when you used the Blue Moon computer as a communication device?" Andy asked, recalling what happened back then.
"No. Those are my subordinates. My troops are 'troops'." He said, rather annoyed at Andy's ignorance. "Either way, we have a week to hold our territory here, and then we'll move on."
"You're pretty sure of yourself." Max stated.
"Considering all he's doing is sending them straight into enemy fire, you should be sure of yourself too Max." Mel said. "I mean... Emperor or not... I don't know what's going on over on their end."
"Good point."
"Those of you who aren't on duty, get some rest." Mel said, "We've got a long week ahead of us."
"Gotcha." Max nodded. "All right boys, let's see how this goes..."
Time: 4 days later
Place: Yellow Comet HQ
"They dare trifle with Kanbei? I shall teach them a lesson they shall not soon forget! Morale Boost!" The emperor swung his sword, and sent a wave of energy into his men. "Attack my soldiers! To victory! CRUSH THEM."
Time: Meanwhile
Place: Orange Star HQ
Mel felt the wave of energy and smirked. He realized Kanbei had unleashed his CO Power, but it wouldn't do him any good at this stage in the battle.
"Hmm? Oh that... heh. Useless." Mel snickered. "It's no good to use one's power when you can't reach your foe." He then sighed. 'Teacher... what the heck are you doing?'
"Really?" Max asked.
"Yeah, look. We've reduced him to a pile of tanks and all he's doing in charging headlong into the rocket strike and attempting to capture properties." Mel said, crossing his arms. "Where's that crazy girl?"
"I'd appreciate it if you called me by my name Mel." Sami said walking up behind him and tapped his shoulder. "Hmph. Right here."
"Huh? Oh sorry Sami." He gave her a twisted grin. "I still think you're crazy though."
"Mmm..." She ignored his last comment and stared at the screen. "Kanbei's pretty persistent ain't he?" She pointed at where the Yellow Comet troops were gathering.
"Very." Mel said.
"Well, we should be able to finish them off soon." She noted. "Right?"
"Soon enough." Max said. "Here I go! Activate Max Force!"
"And let the fireworks fly." Mel said, pulling a chocolate bar from his coat.
"...! Is that chocolate?" Sami said looking at the bar in his hand.
"...uh yeah." He nodded, raising an eyebrow.
"Can I have some? Please?" She gave him a pleading look.
"...I don't see why not." Mel shrugged. He broke off half of the bar for her.
"Thank you!" She took a bite. "Mm. I haven't had chocolate in such a long time."
"...why's that?"
"...they never have anything good at the Field HQs. I'm surprised that you have some."
"...uh Hachi sold it to me." Mel said, pointing over in the general direction of the old merchant's supply shop.
"He what!?" She looked at him in surprise. "Then again, I didn't see him around until I joined up with you guys.
"He sold it to me. The chocolate." Mel explained.
"You can buy food at this HQ?" Her eyes were wide in surprise.
"Uh yeah. This one anyway. Like...when we're around I mean..."
"...what!? Show me!" She started to shake Mel by the arms.
"Gah! Gah! I'll show you! Stop that!" Mel brushed her off.
"Kids these days. They never – urk!" Max said, until Mel started to choke him.
"Dammit! Don't call me a kid!" Mel yelled. He then dropped him. "That's better."
"...note to self, never piss off Mel." Max groaned.
"... note taken." Andy said, holding Max's tape recorder. "You've got an awful lot of those notes here. Let's see."
"Beep ~ Note to self, kill Grit. Note to self, work out, Note to self, clean Grit's clock, Note to self, clean room, Note to self, beat up Andy, Note to self, hide chocolate, Note to self, eat chocolate, Note to self, lie to Sami about the chocolate, Note to self..." The recorder continued to replay Max's personal 'notes'.
"Ack! Turn that damn thing off Andy! And where the hell did you find it?"
"You left it on the cafeteria table." The young mechanic shrugged. "You've got some pretty weird notes on it though. Hahaha!" He ran off with it.
"Andy! Give that back!" Max roared as he chased after the boy.
Time: Another 4 days after
Place: Orange Star HQ
"Woo! Who said it would take eight days? I said it would take eight days!" Mel said, doing a victory dance in the Command room. "Hahaha!"
"...uh ...he must be short on the caffeine this morning..." Sami said, shaking her head. "Wow... didn't know he could dance... or whatever."
"If I didn't know better, Mel has gone crazy. Must be your fault Sami." Andy said obnoxiously.
"What did you say?" She smashed the younger boy's head into the console top.
"OUCH!" He groaned as he stumbled over toward Mel's direction, away from Sami.
"Hoo yeah! Next stop victoly!" Mel shouted in a bad Yellow Cometan accent.
"Uh...you can calm down now Mel, we have to move to the next region..., and yeah." Max said. "And watch out for - oops."
"Whatever! Move out then!" He made a wide gesture, knocking Andy straight into the floor. "Sorry Andy!" Mel apologized.
"Ow." Andy groaned. "Why me...?"
Time: Meanwhile
Place: Yellow Comet HQ
Faced with bitter defeat, Kanbei was livid as his men prepared to retreat.
"Impossible! How can it be my troops have been defeated so quickly by second-rate Orange Star troops?" Kanbei raged.
"Uh...father?" Sonja started.
"Yes Sonja?" He immediately calmed down as soon as his daughter started talking.
"It appears Orange Star has one rumored factor we might have not considered."
"It does!? Tell me!" Her father demanded.
"...the Commander of the White Sun army has arrived and joined the ranks of the Orange Star army... and he is noted to be one of Wars World's most dangerous and powerful offensive COs." She said. 'I don't need to tell him that it's Mel-nii though...or else he'll get upset...'
"So!?"
"He is also my equal in brilliant strategy." She said. 'That's true though. But... well...'
"...then what are we to do Sonja?" Kanbei was distraught.
"...Don't worry, I have a plan father." She nodded. 'I'm sorry...but this'll be a bad plan as well... we have to lose on purpose...'
"I do hope so, for I would enjoy carving a nice hole into Orange Star right about now." Kanbei laughed. "Vengeance will be mine!"
Time: 1 hour after debriefing
Place: Orange Star Field HQ
The Orange Star COs were sitting around chatting among themselves in the lounge. Mel was with them.
"I just realized something." Mel said abruptly, interrupting the small talk.
"What?" Max asked from his drink.
"We may have just started to annoy the beans out of Kanbei. Well... more than that even."
"Really?"
"This is the Yellow Cometan Emperor here. I don't think he'll take getting smashed by 'second rate' commanders very lightly." Mel simply said. "As he would put it..."
"Second rate!?" Max was visibly pissed.
"...that's what he'll call everyone but his own COs." Mel shrugged in reply. "Or everyone else in general..."
"...great." The big man rolled his eyes.
"You guys done yet?" Sami shouted from outside the lounge.
"Yeah!" Andy nodded.
"Good! Let's go then!" She said.
"Sure, sure. But shouldn't we take a break first?" Mel said. "It's been quite the fight and everyone's tired now. We might be in for a hell of a lot more in the next few battles. Actually, I guarantee it..."
"Hmm." Sami tilted her head to the side. "...good point."
"That and Kanbei might try and rend us new holes..." He shuddered. 'Must instill fear of teacher into them. Must instill... constantly.' Mel thought.
"...that's a bit scary Mel." Sami said. 'Although... Sonja's dad wasn't that scary...'
"But it's true..." He said.
"If you insist." She nodded. 'He's either crazy or making stuff up. Or had a bad experience with the Emperor or something...'
"...we still have to be careful."
"Whatever. If we're gonna stay, can I use your room's bath?" She asked, changing the subject rather suddenly.
"No." Mel said bluntly.
"Hmph! Fine! Be that way!" She stomped off to her own room.
"What's your deal with her?" Andy asked.
"...crazy bitch." Mel muttered.
"Apparently, from what I've seen, you two must either have a long hateful history, or you just don't like each other in general." Max said.
"I'm not gonna even explain at length... But one thing I will say... she was the one I got stuck on that island with. You know, from that time I mentioned before."
"... Sami was!?" Andy and Max said, aghast. "...shit."
Time: 10 minutes later
Place: Mel's room
Mel sat on his bunk, reading an old book. A creaking of the door was then heard.
"Hmm?" He looked up and saw a pair of socked feet move in. He tossed a throw pillow at the unwanted visitor without looking. "Out! Shoo! Scram! Get lost!"
"Ouch!" A yelp was heard. "...wait, a pillow?" It was a girl's voice.
"What do you want Sami?" He asked, realizing who it was from the voice.
"I wanna take a bath." She said meekly. She peered into the doorway and saw Mel glaring in her general direction.
"Honestly, what's with you and wanting to take a bath?"
"I'm a girl. Duh." Sami rolled her eyes.
"Indeed. You are such a girl." He mumbled.
"Hmm? What are you reading?" She kicked the pillow back at him, and moved over to peer at the book he was leafing through.
"Huh? Oh, my old academy yearbook. Heh, I found your picture. And the picture of Sonja from Yellow Comet. I was reminiscing and found some... familiar faces."
"My picture? And Sonja's?" She looked at the page he was on.
"Yep, rather interesting."
"I've never seen your picture." She said. "Or... well, paid attention." She admitted.
"It's right here." He pointed on the page.
"Really?" Sami looked again.
"Right there." He poked his picture again.
"...I've never noticed. Huh. Weird." She was slightly taken aback with surprise. 'Then why didn't I recognize him from before...? He was in the same class too... then again, he probably graduated earlier than me... which makes sense.'
"Well, that's too bad. Then again, I've never seen you before back then, but meh... I didn't pay attention to faces that much back then."
"Hmm. You look the same as you did a few years ago. Well.. except younger."
"And you're not any different. Kind of." He noted that her hair was much longer in that particular picture. "Well... except your hair."
"What did you expect?" She asked. "Had to cut it because of my position..." Sami frowned.
"Nothing. Ah right, one more thing. You're in charge of the next few sorties against Kanbei as of now."
"Me?" She asked in surprise. "Really?"
"Yes. You." He pointed at her.
"Why?"
"Because. Max and Andy already had their share of the fights, now it's your turn. The only thing you've accomplished is completely annoy me." He said. "Now shoo." He directed her out of his room and into the hallway. "Out."
"W-wait! Damn. I really needed a nice long bath."
"Too bad. Take a shower like everyone else! Including me!" He then shut the door and locked it.
"...Mel! Hey! C'mon! Hey! Tch, dammit."
"Go. Away." He said from the other side.
"Not again..." She sighed, walking off dejectedly. "I really did want to take a bath..."
"Finally...she's gone. She's all right at times, but..." Mel mused to himself. '...bah. Whatever.'
"He seems nice, but I don't think he thinks very highly of me..." Sami muttered as she walked off. 'At least I think he's nice to the other two... most of the time.' She thought. 'So why do I get the short end of the stick? Well... minus any corporal punishment that he gives them... I guess I should be grateful for that part...'
Time: Two days later
Place: At the Yellow Comet HQ
The Emperor was in shock. As usual. He looked at the lay of the land and was troubled.
"What on earth shall we do Sonja?" Kanbei was at a loss for strategy.
"What are the conditions, father?" Sonja asked.
"The what?" He looked at his dear daughter, as if she was speaking another language. An alien language he couldn't understand. Ever.
"The battle conditions daddy." She said again. Slowly. "You know... how everything will... go. In terms... of... conditions."
"I... ah."
"Daddy, this is so like you. You have to have Intel in order to win. What are you trying to do when you don't even know what you're up against? I bet even Mel knows better than you."
"Intel, yes...quite." He didn't even realize that Sonja had mentioned the name of his old student.
"...I'll give you what I know then father. Here, is where the small Orange Star contingent is deployed." She pointed on the map.
"Right there? Excellent! I shall crush them like bugs!" The Emperor shouted.
"Wait! Wait! Daddy! You've got to deploy troops in an area with bases. If the Orange Star army gets them before you arrive... Daddy? He's gone. What are you trying to prove daddy?" Sonja sighed. "Hmm? What's this? An Orange Star communiqué?"
'Good morning Sonja, hope you're having fun trying to help your father and all. Please be kind enough to say hello soon. That and please say good-bye to your loyal troops. I apologize beforehand that we have to do this. Mel-nii.'
"Oh! So it is true! Mel is with Orange Star and he's trying to raise havoc by going straight through. But does he know...? Perhaps he does know..." She said to herself. "Hmm... huh?"
'Bzz, bzz, crackle.' The communications system went off.
"Eh?" Sonja looked over at the com-screen. "Huh. It's going to sound-only mode."
"Hello!" A voice said.
"Uh... hello?" Sonja replied warily.
"Guess who?" The voice asked.
"...I don't know." Sonja said. "This isn't the time for - "
"...you should try harder than that Sonja." There was a familiar hint of sarcasm and warmth in the voice.
"...! Ah! You!"
"...the answer I was looking for was 'Mel-nii', but 'ah you' will do for now." Mel sighed on the other end. "Hello?"
"...Mel? Mel! Now you've proven to me that you are with the Orange Star army! Now what the heck are you doing there?" She asked.
"Helpin' Orange Star. What's it to you?" He answered flippantly.
"...nothing really." She shrugged. "I was just wondering if it really was you."
"Good. Now I'm just telling you something interesting. Something has gone amiss with this war."
"...I've noticed." She nodded.
"This so-called 'Orange Star' force attacked my men a while back. I came by to check it out."
"Uh huh, so were we." Sonja said. "They attacked unexpectedly. And then... left."
"Now, I figured that you might know something, since all the countries were attacked by 'Orange Star'. Even that idiot, Eagle said something." Mel spoke quickly.
"Yeah. That's true." She nodded.
"...do you have any other Intel on this?" He asked her.
"No... but Grit is checking it out for me as we speak." Sonja said.
"Grit Masterson?" Mel asked in surprise. "Really?"
"Yes. One of Blue Moon's commanders. Well... formerly Orange Star, but he is doing some sneaking around for me."
"...so that's why he left without a word to Max or Nell..." Mel said, thinking to himself.
"We believe that it doesn't lie in Blue Moon, but someone is using Olaf as a puppet." Sonja replied. "I'm not sure who though..."
"I noticed. Olaf always muttered something about paying 'him' a visit. No idea who 'he' is though."
"All right Mel-nii. Thanks for the information." Sonja said.
"Uh oh...I'll have to cut you off, they're coming back!" Mel quickly changed the frequency and made it look like he was calling White Sun. "Bye!"
"...Mel-nii, you just might have made my search for the truth a lot easier..." Sonja said to herself, as she looked out the window. "Good... this clears things up. A lot of things."
Time: Meanwhile
Place: Orange Star Field HQ
"Gah! Uh...guys? Damn...they're not there." Mel was pretending he was making a call back to his comrades. "Tch."
"Who's not there?" Andy asked.
"The White Sun officers." Mel lied.
"Oh... okay." The younger CO shrugged.
"Oh well, let's see what we're up against." Mel said turning his attentions to the battle.
"What the?" Sami said in surprise. "Where are the units?" She pointed to the tiny battalion they had on the map.
"...sorry Sami. Nell called and said she needed some troops and yeah, we sent them back and all we can do is just deploy some here." Max said. "We've got factories and stuff." He pointed at the bases that Orange Star had occupied.
"...ooh, not good." Sami frowned. "Whatever then. I'll make do with what we have." She said.
"This should prove interesting." Mel said. "We're surrounded on both fronts and Kanbei's decided to stop goofing around and is bringing in the big guns... and lots of them."
"...well, we can always hold the bridge, which should give us half an advantage." Sami said.
"We have two bridges to hold mind you." Mel said, observing the map.
"...what? Crap, you're right."
"Well...we can always distract him and take the HQ." He suggested. "Either way, we need to keep both the east and south bridges clear..."
"That works..." Sami nodded.
"Well then! Prepare to capture whatever we can and hold on until we can make a break for it!"
"Okay. Hear that everyone? Let's hold the eastern bridge and get ready to assault the HQ via the southern one!"
Time: 3rd day of battle
Place: Yellow Comet HQ
As usual, Orange Star had dealt another blow to Kanbei's pride by occupying his country.
"Grr...they anger me." Kanbei muttered. "Now they shall pay for their insolence! Hear me my men! Cut them to shreds!" He shouted, swinging his katana dangerously.
"Ah! Careful your Highness!" One of his soldiers said, dodging his swings.
"Those Orange Star fools have yet to comprehend my might!" The emperor continued to swing his sword angrily.
Place: Orange Star HQ
"Ai-yai-yai-yai-yai!" Mel shouted, watching as the Morale Boost was invoked. "Stay on the defensive Sami!"
"...eep." Was all she managed as Orange Star units were being smashed to bits by Kanbei's units. "...bad, bad, bad."
"Oh he's gonna pay for that one!" Mel said. "I'm giving him seven more days."
"Are you serious?" Sami asked.
"Wanna make a bet Sami?" He asked suddenly.
"...depends. What's in it for me?" Sami glanced warily at him. She had a feeling that making a bet with Mel would end poorly. Or so she thought.
"I'll give you ten pounds of chocolate bars if I'm right." He said.
"...and if not?" This seemed somewhat interesting to her. And very backward.
"I won't give you a thing." He shrugged.
"...so I win either way, sort of?" She was confused. "What a weird bet."
"Yes. That it is." He pushed his glasses up. "Hmm... well? What do you say?" Mel offered her his hand.
"Okay! You're on!" She shook his hand.
"Right then! Kanbei! You're going down!" Mel said. 'Oh dear... my apologies teacher...' He sighed. 'I'll make amends with him later...'
Time: 4 days later
Place: Orange Star Field HQ
Orange Star had successfully held the Eastern Bridge, even under heavy artillery barrages. Mel was tense as he was preparing the final rush, down through the southern region. The Yellow Comet tanks were sitting in wait in the North-eastern region and they just kept moving in filling the spaces that their destroyed comrades left.
"We gotta destroy those tanks completely, that way we have free run of taking his HQ." Mel said, crushing an empty can of iced coffee in this fist.
"Gotcha." Sami said. "Aw man! That hurts really bad!" She tried to not count their losses, but the continued attack from the Yellow Comet forces wasn't making it any better.
"Damn, that Morale Boost really hits hard..." Mel said. "Too bad he doesn't have a lick of strategy. All his tanks are just sitting there, waiting to be picked off."
"Yeah..." Sami frowned. 'What is the emperor doing? Marching his men to their deaths like that...?'
"Now prepare to storm the HQ!" The advisor shouted.
Time: Within the hour
Place: Yellow Comet HQ
"Commander! Commander!" A Yellow Comet soldier ran into the command room.
"What is it?" Kanbei asked.
"Our southern fortification is falling!"
"So?" The Emperor was oblivious. "What does that have to do with anything? The enemy is to the North!"
"All our troops are concentrated in the North!" The soldier tried to explain. "We've lost our forces to the South!"
"And? Continue to press the attack then."
"Despite your Morale Boost, it isn't enough to break through their defenses!"
"Keep trying then!" Kanbei shouted.
"Yes sir!" The officer sighed. The Emperor's command was absolute, even if it didn't make sense. 'We're doomed...'
Time: Three final days
Place: Orange Star Field HQ; Command Room
"And finish capturing it now!" Mel shouted.
"What's done is done!" Sami said, cheering along with the rest of her men. "We did it! With time to spare!"
"Yep. In your face Kanbei!" Mel shouted. 'And... sorry again teacher.' He winced on the inside each time he had to 'insult' Kanbei out loud.
"...ooh Mel." Sami said, her hand open.
"What?" He asked, not sure what she was asking for.
"Remember our bet?" She hinted.
"...right." He smacked himself in the forehead. "Here's fifty Gold, go knock yourself silly." He handed her a 50 G bill from his wallet.
"Thank you!" She dashed off to find Hachi. "Jackpot!"
Time: In the mean time...
Place: Yellow Comet Field HQ
"...they got into our HQ? Retreat!" Kanbei shouted, as his men and intel officers scrambled out into the escape units to their next secure region.
"Oh dear father...they just beat you again...badly. But it's not your fault, they were simply too strong..." Sonja said, trying to console Kanbei as they retreated. 'Not really, but as long as you're following my 'bad' advice... everything is going according to plan.' She thought. '...although it really is a bad plan... you would think that daddy would notice though...'
"Hmph. I shall see to it that they shall pay dearly for taking over our country!"
"Indeed you will father. Maybe perhaps this time we shall get some territory with bases..." Sonja said.
"Of course! I, Kanbei will find some bases!" The Emperor declared.
"...I do hope he knows what he's doing." Sonja said, wiping her glasses on a piece of cloth. "I need some time to think..." She sighed.
Time: 9:00 am
Place: Yellow Sea region; Orange Star forces
The Orange Star army had arrived to yet another battlefield in Yellow Comet territory. They prepared their field HQ as the Intel was being sent to them.
"...what the hell are we supposed to do?" Mel asked, just finishing his coffee.
"We're supposed to secure this area's territories and boot Kanbei out." Sami said. "...man, it looks like we're the invaders now... I feel kind of bad..."
"Heh. Good thing I put you in charge then Sami." He laughed. "You'll be able to grab those territories in no time flat."
"...I hope this is the last battle in Yellow Comet." She sighed.
"Yeah, but there's one thing...I haven't seen Sonja yet." Mel said. "This is kind of disturbing."
"Why?" She asked. "Wait, how do you know... oh right. You know her as well. Same class."
"If her father is here, she should be as well." He reasoned.
"Yeah, so?"
"...whatever, let's just go and make fun of Kanbei and his poorly deployed base." He pointed on the map to one particularly lonely island. 'Again... I'm sorry teacher.'
"Hmm... whatever." Sami shrugged. "Men, prepare to move out!"
Time: Meanwhile
Place: Yellow Comet Field HQ
"Hohoho! Kanbei has found a base! Now I shall deploy a mountain of troops!" Kanbei was smiling ear to ear. Somewhat needlessly. And pointlessly.
"...uh father..." Sonja looked at the ill placed factory. "..." She kept her mouth shut. 'Never mind... this is the point after all. We have to lose. That's terrible.'
"No time to talk Sonja! I shall drive out Orange Star!"
"...but..." She rubbed her temples and groaned. "Father...you never listen." Pouting she walked off. 'Let's make sure this works...'
Time: A few days later
Place: Orange Star Field HQ; Command room
Sami and Mel stood in the command room and looked at the map, confused.
"...he has no sense of strategy what so ever." Mel said. 'And... sorry again.' He continued to make a mental note of how many times he had to 'insult' Kanbei. He was starting to lose count at this point.
"Yeah, but he still outnumbers us." Sami said, pointing to the map.
"But he can't reach anything as long as we have enough air units to knock them out of the sky."
"Good point. Just a question, but where are Max and Andy?" She asked.
"...I dunno." Mel shrugged. He had brought his guitar down with him and was plunking away at the strings; attempting to tune it. "Probably snarfing cheeseburgers or that artificial Spam ration stuff."
"Uh huh, that's nice." She turned her attention to the map. "Uh oh...Kanbei's getting mad again."
"Considering you shot down a fighter, a bomber and a couple battle copters? I wonder. Of course he'd get mad. Most people would I think. Then they would respond... with... crap."
Place: Yellow Comet HQ
"Grr. I'll show them!" Kanbei said, activating his power. "Come back when you've matured some!" He shouted at them, through the communications channel.
Place: Orange Star HQ
Mel had only caught a hint of what Kanbei had shouted to them as he wasn't paying attention. At least only the beginning; he was still tuning his guitar.
"What'd he say?" Mel asked.
"Something about maturing." Sami said. "Or being too early..."
"Like in TEN years!" Kanbei finished.
'...That. Prick. Teacher. I've matured plenty dammit.' Mel thought. "...kick his ass Sami."
"Will do! Uh...but isn't it a bad idea to attack him when he's, you know?" She asked.
"Just as long as we stay on our half of the region and keep him on his half, we should be just fine."
"Okay!" She nodded. "Let's see... hold positions boys!"
Time: The twelfth day
Place: Yellow Comet HQ
The Orange Star COs made it into the Yellow Comet HQ. They confronted the Emperor.
"Okay Kanbei, give it up." Mel sighed. "Teacher... please just... stop. It's embarrassing..." He realized that the emperor wasn't even paying attention to him.
"By my sword! How can it be that you have defeated me so quickly?" Kanbei muttered.
"...uh, you're talking to him." Mel said, rather annoyed. "Teacher...we're not trying to take over Yellow Comet... really. Listen to me! Hey!"
"Indeed, this is quite a dire strait for me!" The emperor continued to mutter. "Wait... Mel? But Mel if you're not attempting to take us over, why is it that you attacked us much earlier this year?" Kanbei asked. "Or... Orange Star at least. Now... now you're just invading!"
"We didn't attack you though...we were holding off Blue Moon..." Mel explained. "At least, that's what I thought Orange Star was doing... right?"
"Yeah, that's right." The other Orange Star COs agreed with Mel. "No reason to attack Yellow Comet..."
"Odd..." Kanbei frowned.
"Father?" Came a slight voice. "May I have a word?" Sonja motioned for her father to come over.
"Hm? Oh, excuse me for a moment." The Emperor stepped out and into a room in the back. "Yes Sonja?"
"Perhaps you'll allow me to have a go against them? I want to check something." She asked.
"Absolutely not." Kanbei shook his head.
"I'm begging you father, give me a chance to prove it to you!" Sonja put her hands together in a 'please' motion.
"..." He scowled.
"I'll retreat as soon as it gets dicey." She pleaded.
"...very well. Be careful." He embraced the girl. "How are you going to separate them?"
"The tea is drugged." She whispered. "This was already done beforehand."
"...I see. But... such means... are...underhanded."
"I know it's a bit cowardly, but it's the only way that will work... however... Mel probably won't drink it. So I'll leave dealing with him to you."
"Hmm. Understood daughter..." The Emperor nodded as he readied his sword.
Meanwhile, as the Orange Star officers sat in the room, drinking their tea, Andy started dozing off.
"Didn't get enough sleep?" Mel noticed.
"...no. I slept in the whole week." The boy said. "Yawn... excuse me."
"...why are you so tired then?" Mel asked. His glass remained untouched.
"Probably goofed off too much." Max chuckled. "Haha!"
"Huh, so like you Andy." Sami said. "Hmm..."
"I dunno...(yawn)" He soon fell asleep.
"Now that you mention, I feel kinda tired too." Sami mumbled, stretching. "Ooh..."
"Hm...this is kinda weird." Mel said.
"I don't know about you, but I could use a power nap." Max said, his eyes drooping.
"..." Mel stared at his teacup. It was too hot to drink at the beginning, so he left it there. He was about to take a sip until Andy said he was tired. "...shit." He reached into his coat and was about to pull out his gun, but a sharp blow to the back his head rendered him unconscious...
End of Chapter.