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 10: Black Hole Rising: Fall of Macroland
Time: The time span between January 200X+1 to June 200X+1
As time passed slowly, the countries had managed to rebuild their war torn cities, borders were restored, territories were demilitarized and so on. The Cosmo Land territory was peaceful once again.
The people had their troubles, and their triumphs.
As the days went by, turning to months, time was being kind to the inhabitants of Wars World.
Month: January
Place: Green Earth Central Headquarters; Eagle's Office
Eagle sat at his desk as he read the repair reports. The injuries that he had received from Mel during the last war had mostly healed, save for the few teeth that were still missing. He kept his mouth closed as he smiled while he read through the numerous files.
"...heh. Everything's good as new back in our territory... that's good to hear." He said to himself. "...maybe I should find some time to visit the dentist..." He felt around his mouth with his tongue. "...then again, these should be a reminder of the stupid mistakes that I made during the last war... although I probably should get that... ow! Shit... and get those broken bits yanked out." Eagle muttered as he tasted blood. "Oops..."
"Ahoy Eagle!" Drake knocked on the open door to Eagle's office. "How are you this fine morning?"
"Hmm? Just fine Drake." He replied. "Just debating if I should get my teeth checked... how go the repairs?"
"Well, seein' as you're reading the reports, everything is going fine. We'll be in ship-shape in no time!" Drake grinned from ear to ear.
"Good to hear old friend." Eagle said grinning as well.
"Aye. Oh my." The captain looked at Eagle's smile in surprise. "You weren't kiddin' about needing to see a dentist. You really should. Maybe get those missing ones replaced?"
"Heh. I'll just get the broken ones pulled out. The missing ones are going to be a reminder of the mistakes I made.."
"...that's a terrible reminder to have Eagle." Drake scolded. "But... whatever. Do what you want. You are your own man after all."
"Hahaha, I'm grateful for you concern old friend, but it's all right."
"...huh. If you say so Eagle." The Captain sighed as he took a seat across from the pilot. "Now then... ah, right. Since you missed the new year's celebrations thanks to all the work we had to do..."
"Hmm?" Eagle looked up. "What's that you've got there Drake?"
"A little something I picked up while going port to port." Drake placed a bottle of whiskey on Eagle's desk. "It's over thirty years old, never opened. We never had a chance to have a celebratory drink or two, nay? I mean since you were on that crazy pain-killer cocktail for your injuries... and considering how well those go well with booze... it's been kind of rough, don't ya think?"
"...heh. Thanks Drake." The pilot laughed. "You're right, I still haven't had a celebratory drink with you since our victory." He reached behind his desk and pulled two rocks glasses off the nearby counter. "I've got some ice somewhere in this fridge here..." Eagle muttered as he pulled the ice tray out of the mini fridge under his desk. "Yup. Here we go." He said as he placed the tray onto his desk and gave it a twist.
"Good to see you're just as prepared as your old man was Eagle."
"That much is true. Of course I'm still nowhere near as good as he was." Eagle admitted.
"Hush. You and your pop are and always will be different. You should know that."
"...hah." He placed some ice in each of the glasses, the cubes clinked noisily. "I'll catch up to him someday." Eagle said.
"Someday old friend." Drake said as he opened up the bottle and poured some whiskey in each glass. "Bottoms up shipmate!" He lifted his glass to Eagle. "To victory!"
"Cheers Drake." Eagle did likewise as they emptied their glasses. "Whoa. That is good stuff."
"Glad you like it. Like I said, it's something special." The Captain grinned. "One more for the road, aye?" He refilled their glasses.
"Sure why not." The pilot shrugged. "It's been a long time since I've had a drink with you."
"What else are shipmates for eh?" Drake laughed as he finished his drink. "Well... this old sailor's gonna take off for a bit. Will you be okay Eagle?" He got up onto his feet.
"I'll be fine. Don't you worry." The younger man nodded. "Thanks for the drinks Drake."
"No worries Eagle. I need to go see that wife o' mine. She'll have my head if I keep telling her I've been too busy to come home. I've spent far too many nights at the dorms as of late, and she was wonderin' if I was dead."
"Good luck with that." Eagle said as he sipped his drink. "I'll keep an eye on things here."
"Aye... that's good to hear." Drake smiled. "Well, I'm off." With that, the Captain headed out.
"See you later Drake." Eagle glanced over at the bottle on his desk, he could see his reflection on the glass. "...hmm." He opened his mouth and looked at the places where he was missing teeth. '...I should make an appointment with the military dentist or something... seeing as I have time now... maybe I should get some false ones too for when I'm eating...' He thought. 'It'll make life easier.' Eagle turned to the computer on his desk. "I'll just go bug one of my Intel officers and have them set it up for me..." He said as he typed up an e-mail to one of the administrators.
Month: March
Place: Yellow Comet Imperial Palace
Sonja was making good progress with the rehabilitation of the injuries she had received from Sturm. It had taken a few months, but she was finally out of the wheelchair and she was slowly half-shuffling and half-walking her way around the Palace. Her left arm was also out of its cast and most of the minor injuries that she had suffered had healed, leaving a few small scars. Thanks to the Orange Star medics and their speedy intervention, she didn't have to worry about any of the larger or nastier scars remaining on her body.
Her father on the other hand kept worrying as he followed her about the Palace, making sure she needed everything and anything. Getting fed up of this, she tried to shoo him away, telling Kanbei that she would manage on her own just fine.
"Honestly daddy... I'll be fine." She sighed.
"But..." Kanbei started until she cut him off.
"Really. Look, I'm not limping... much. I'm not in that stupid wheelchair... I can move my arm... mostly. I'm still missing some range of motion... but that's past the point... the physical therapists have been great and it doesn't hurt as much as it used to!" Sonja reasoned.
"But... Sonja..." Kanbei protested.
"Daddy... no. Honestly!" She even jumped up and down a little. "Look! It's fine! Mostly. Kind of. Really!" Sonja winced as her feet hit the ground. 'Oh my God that hurt.'
"Sonja..."
"Daddy..." Sonja shook her head. "Look... just... just worry about ruling the country okay? I'll be fine! Really! They said I'm back to at least seventy percent of my original motion! That's very good considering the amount of time that has passed!" In Sonja's case, having medical support twenty-four-seven was a privilege of being the Princess of Yellow Comet; as this made a very large difference in how quickly she healed. "Really! I mean yes, we're not sparing any expense to help me... but I will be fine!"
"...ugh..." Kanbei groaned. "But... but..."
"No more buts! Daddy, I'll be fine. Just... let me be! Please!" She pleaded.
"..." Her father remained silent. "Very well Sonja..." He sighed. "You're just like your mother... you know that right?"
"...daddy." Sonja smiled. "Do you know what mother used to tell me?" She held her father's hand. "Your father's a bit silly, but he'll always be there when you need him."
"...you're the very image of Hayase..." Kanbei smiled as well. "You truly are."
"...honestly... what would Mel-nii say if he saw you like this?" She hugged her father. "Geez daddy."
"Sonja... no... Asuka." He called her by her middle name. "You do not know just how worried I was for you..."
"...I haven't been called that in a long time... not since mom was still alive..." Sonja sighed. "...we should visit her grave again sometime."
"...indeed we should." Kanbei nodded.
"...anyway... I need to do my exercises daddy."
"Oh. Ah, for your recovery?"
"Yes." She nodded. "Now if you'll excuse me..." Sonja turned and slowly headed back to her room. "I'll see you later then daddy. Please go back to your work."
"...very well my dear." Kanbei smiled as she walked off. 'Hayase... our daughter is growing into a fine woman... just like you...' He thought.
Sonja half-walked, half hopped as she felt a twinge of pain in her legs.
"Owowow. Dammit... I am so glad Mel-nii busted up the guy who did this to me..." She muttered as she took the elevator to the floor on the palace where her room was. "And I am so glad that daddy thought having elevators in the palace was a good idea. Especially right now." Sonja waited as the elevator went up and dinged. "...it's funny though... daddy hasn't called me Asuka for a long, long time." She smiled wistfully. "Hmm... ow." Another twinge of pain, this time in her left arm. "Urk." Sonja winced. "...hrm... it still hurts though..." She sighed and headed into her quarters.
Sonja slowly walked over to her desk and sat down on the upholstered chair.
"Nnn-sho-to." She eased herself onto the soft cushioning. "Aah..." She exhaled in relief. "I feel like an old lady." She laughed. "Now then..." Her gaze wandered to some framed photographs on her desk. Smiling she picked up the nearest one. "Oh... these... it's been a while."
A colorful photograph. It was taken more than ten years ago. Two girls in colorful kimonos stood next to each other. The older girl, who was about ten, was taller and had long, bright red hair. The younger one, eight years old had dark brown hair tied in twin pigtails and round glasses. The two of them were posing in front of one of the local shrines during a festival. Sonja looked at it and flipped it over, reading the neatly written label on the back.
'Sami - Age 11. Sonja - Age 8. Children's Festival'
"...I can't believe it's been so long now." Sonja laughed. "...we both grew up... and both ended up joining the military. Not to mention... she got a lot bigger..." She frowned. "...we grew up eating the same stuff... so how come only she grew there...?" Sonja looked down at her flat chest. "...hmph." Replacing the photo on her desk, she laughed. "...not to mention that time when I knocked them out... hmph. It's not fair!" Sonja pouted. "Ah well... she is older than me... but you'd think I'd have my growth spurt by now..."
She continued to lament about the lack of growth she had in her chest.
"...whatever. No time to get hung up over that." She turned her attention to the other photograph. "...heh... even after all these years, he still has that grouchy expression on his face..."
This photo was slightly older than the previous one. A boy wearing a hakama over a dojo gi was carrying a wooden sword. He had a rather severe expression on his face for a kid who looked like he belonged in an elementary school classroom. Clutching to one of the legs of his hakama was a small girl in a kimono, still a toddler. Her eyes were wide with innocence. Standing behind the children were two adults, a woman who strongly resembled Sonja, in her late-twenties and a man with a rather scruffy beard and mustache in his early-thirties; Sonja's parents.
"...heeheehee! I can't believe just how grouchy he still is sometimes!" Sonja giggled. "Poor Mel-nii. Probably getting smacked around so much made his personality so twisted." She looked at the back of the frame of the picture. "Kanbei, Hayase, Asuka and Mel." The date on it was from fourteen years ago. "...mom. It's been a while since you passed away." Sonja smiled as she wiped a tear out of the corner of her eye. "I miss you..." The smile on her face was a sad one as she placed the picture frame back where it belonged. "...daddy misses you too. But I've got such good friends now... they're... as well as daddy.. they're always going to be there for me now..."
Sonja grabbed a tissue and wiped at her eyes. She sniffed once more and got up.
"Okay! That's enough reminiscing! I need to exercise all that bad scar tissue away!" She said as she walked over to her closet. "Now then... where are my... ah there." She pulled out her sweatpants and a tank-top. "...hmm. I wonder how bad the scarring is..."
Sonja looked over at the full-length mirror on her wall. The girl in the mirror stared back at her. She looked over her reflection. Five foot one. Skinny. Long dark brown hair tied in twin-pigtails, parted to one side, held up by two silver clips. Big round glasses that rested on her nose; behind the glass lenses were dark brown eyes. A round child-like face.
'...this isn't bad at all.' She smiled, noting that her general appearance was still in very good condition. 'I still look cute. A bit childish... but I'm still cute. Now... let's see...' Sonja put her glasses on her bed as she got undressed, unbuttoning her shirt and throwing it aside, revealing the pink camisole she wore under it. She picked her glasses back up and put them on. '...hmm.' She unzipped her skirt and let that fall as well. '...ack.' Her eyes narrowed as she spotted the few scars on her legs. '...just how bad is it... I wonder...' She pulled off her camisole as well, and looked carefully at her underwear clad figure.
Pale pink porcelain colored skin. Definitely skinny for sure. A rather flat chest and a slender figure, while nowhere near as curvy as Sami's, still had a slight hourglass-like shape to it. A few scars along her arms and legs from her recent injuries. Some pale discoloration along her chest from the burns she had received. Some yellowish discoloring from the bruising remained along her ribcage. She turned around and looked at her back. More small scars, also more yellow bruising. There were also a few fresh, large round purple bruises she had from cupping treatment on her back. Sonja sighed as she got into her workout clothes.
"...dammit. I guess those scars won't be going away any time soon." She frowned as she undid her pigtails and tied her hair back in a ponytail. "...I should get some of that scar fading lotion..." She stretched side to side, feeling her back crack and crunch loudly. "...ow! Ow! Nnn... damn." Sonja winced. "Dammit... that... ugh." She bent forward and back a few times, feeling the crunching get louder. "Owowow. Haa... man." Sonja sighed as she sat down on her bed and put on a pair of running shoes. "Remember... all this pain... is worth it... so... very worth it..." She groaned. "No surgery. Never ever. No way am I letting them cut me open... I'll heal my own way..." Sonja got up and walked out of her room. "Now then... a few hours of gentle exercise... then I'll go check my e-mail... and take a nice long bath..."
Sonja headed towards the elevator and pushed the button to the main floor where the gym was located.
"...this certainly beats going outside since we have practically everything in the palace..." She said to herself. As the elevator reached the main floor, she got out and padded over to the gym. "...I guess not everyone's as lucky as I am... but still..." Sonja made her way to the treadmill and hopped on. "...huh. Doing all this makes me feel like I'm pretending to be Sami." She tried to stifle a giggle. "...oh well." She started the machine up. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger after all." She shrugged as she began a slow jog.
Kanbei stood by himself in a room with a rather elaborate memorial altar. The room had tatami matting and shoji screen doors. He was carrying some fresh flowers from the garden as well as some incense.
"...my dear Hayase... it has been a while..." He said, addressing an ornate black wooden funerary tablet. "Our daughter has grown into a strong young woman... just like you." Kanbei bowed towards the altar. "...I've done my best to take care of her and watch her grow..." He smiled. "...but I don't think I can let go just yet... don't you think so my dear...?"
Kanbei looked over at the portrait of his wife that hung above the altar and tablet. Sonja's resemblance to the late Empress was uncanny. Considering his daughter's current age and that his wife had passed away in her early thirties, they could have passed for siblings.
"...I still don't know who took you from us... but... as long as you continue to watch over us... that is all that matters." He said, placing the flowers and lit incense on the altar. "...how many years has it been?" He bowed once more towards the portrait. "...our daughter... the two of us will come visit your grave soon." Kanbei continued his one-sided conversation. "...I'm also grateful for our daughter's friends... she... she has such good friends..." Tears streamed down the Emperor's face. "...they are... they are so amazing... those young people... I am... I am so proud of them... so grateful to them... my dear... please... please continue to watch over our daughter..." Kanbei turned away. "...I... I will come back again another time... my dear Hayase." He sniffed. "...there is much work to do..." The Emperor left the room.
Time: A few hours later...
Sonja had finished her exercises as well as her bath. She changed into a yukata and went in search of her father.
"Hmm-hmm-hmm... that was nice... got some exercise and took a bath too... the only thing missing is a cold bottle of coffee milk..." Sonja hummed as she made her way to the kitchens. "Hmm-hmm-hmm. Ko-hii-mi-ru-ku-wa-u-ma-i-sou-de-su..." She sang.
As she shuffled her way to the kitchen, she passed her father's office.
"...wha." She peered inside and noticed that Kanbei was trying to figure out how to use the computer that she had requisitioned for him. "...daddy? What are you... doing?" She asked.
"Ah, Sonja! I'm... trying to use this... computer." Kanbei answered awkwardly. He looked flustered and frustrated, not to mention he was pointing his sword at it.
"...I've never seen anyone use a computer by pointing a sword at it..." Sonja felt one of her eyebrows go up in confusion. '...well except for Mel-nii that one time... but that's an exception... and a bad one at that.' She thought to herself.
"The... the screen said... 'hit any key'." The Emperor reasoned, sword still pointed at the computer.
"Daddy... computers are expensive... when it says 'hit any key' it doesn't mean you should swing your sword at it." She looked down at the keyboard. Thankfully her father had not hit the machine yet.
"But..."
"There is no such thing as the 'any' key daddy... honestly." She shook her head.
"...I think I should just leave all this modern technology to you Sonja..." Kanbei sighed in defeat.
"...you haven't done anything to it yet, right?"
"No, nothing at all." He answered.
"Good." She tapped the space bar. "You know what daddy? Go back to your calligraphy brush and parchment... it suits you better." Sonja turned her attention to the computer and powered it down. "There."
"Of course my dear."
"...hee." Sonja giggled. "Okay then. I'm going to the kitchen to get some milk. Should we have dinner soon?"
"Oh? Oh yes of course."
"It's been a while, but I think I'll prepare dinner for us tonight. Is that all right daddy?" She asked.
"...but... but of course Sonja!" Her father was overjoyed. "Do you require any assistance?"
"...we'll see." Sonja smiled. "I haven't cooked for a while... so let's see how my body holds up to regular chores. I'll let you know if I need any help." She left her father's office and headed back to her original destination. "How does salt roasted mackerel, miso soup, some boiled vegetables and rice sound?" Sonja asked as she walked down the hall.
"It sounds absolutely delightful!" Kanbei replied.
"M'kay." Sonja acknowledged her father's answer and continued to walk to the kitchen.
"...oh Hayase..." Her father sighed. "...she is such a wonderful child..."
Month: April
Place: Blue Moon Central Headquarters
As always, it was cold and snowy in Blue Moon. No matter what time of year it was... it would be cold. And snowy. Save for the few months that it actually seemed like Spring and Summer. Seemed being the main problem.
Grit stood in a large field that was a short walk away from the main headquarters building. Reaching into his coat, he pulled out a package of cigarettes and tapped one of them out. He held onto it loosely with his teeth and lit a match.
"Shucks... it's cold today. Just like every other day. Even now." He looked up at the sun. "...sure the plants and crops are growin'... but it's still damn cold out here. Maybe I shouldn't have left Orange Star... it's actually warm there during Spring." He muttered as he puffed his cigarette. "At least I got my old buddy nicotine to keep me warm..." Grit shivered as he buttoned up his long duster jacket. "Phew... I hope it warms up soon... it's already April dammit."
He took another drag out of his cigarette and looked around.
"Haa. Damn, I miss that ol' fashioned Orange Star grub... a nice juicy steak... fired up on the grill to a nice pink rare..." He licked his lips. "Not to mention some cornbread and butter... oh and a nice huge serving of maple syrup baked beans... man... that's the stuff..." Grit felt himself drool a little bit thinking about it. "Oops. Rats... made myself all hungry..."
Glancing around, Grit looked at the grain fields nearby that swayed with the cold morning wind.
"Tch... I'm glad that they can grow more than just potatoes here in Blue Moon... otherwise I'd have to learn how to drink that vodka crap." He muttered. "And have to learn how to enjoy it!" Grit laughed. "...well, it ain't a complete frozen wasteland here... that's for sure." He finished his cigarette and dropped the butt on the ground. "Yup. Wait, can't let that just burn like that." Grit said as he ground his heel onto the butt. "Yep... now then... I guess I should check up on Olaf and make sure the bearded one is stayin' outta trouble..." He slowly sauntered back to headquarters. "Yep-yep... another frosty mornin' in Blue Moon... hmm... I could go for some bacon and taters... that'd hit the spot this mornin'... yup. Mm-mmm. Especially after a smoke... that's the stuff..." Grit continued to mutter to himself about his upcoming meal plans.
Olaf looked around the base. Grit was nowhere to be seen.
"Grit! Grit! Where is that lout?" He bellowed.
"There's no need to shout bearded one... " Grit groaned as he made his way into the compound.
"...there you are! What were you doing?" Olaf demanded.
"Just having my mornin' smoke, O Commander." The thin man answered.
"Hmph! Very well. How goes the reconstruction?" The bearded one asked.
"Fine sir... just fine... " Grit turned away as he felt his stomach growl. 'Shucks... I need some grub...' He thought.
"That's good. Now then – "
"Whatever Olaf... " Grit mumbled as he sauntered off again. "I reckon I need a bite to eat... I'll chat with you later." He waved.
"Hey! Grit! Just wait a... who said you could - GRIT! GRIT!" Olaf shouted as the tall, lanky man walked off. "Get back here right this... GRIT!"
"Later, later." Grit shouted back.
Grit sat at a table in the mess hall, which was much warmer than the outside.
"Shucks... doesn't the old man get tired of yelling at me like that every day?" He muttered. "He's still pretty spry for someone his size and age... that's for sure." Grit snickered. "Now then... let's take a look-see."
Grit eyed the plate in front of him. Slices of thickly cut bacon, a mountain of seasoned fried potatoes, fried eggs, some buttered toast. Next to it sat a mug of hot black coffee.
"...now this is the stuff." He nodded in approval. "Meat and potatoes. Eggs and toast. Coffee! I guess if the grub here is always gonna be this good... there's no reason to leave!" Grit was about to dig in until he was interrupted. By Olaf. Again.
"Grit! Grit! Where are - there you are!" Olaf shouted at him.
"...for... oh for cryin' out loud." The cowboy groaned as Olaf stormed up to where he was seated. "Really boss-man? Can't... can't a guy have his breakfast first before he gets harassed? Really!"
"Now just a..." His commander glared at him. "...you've got a good point. A good CO starts his day with a hearty meal!" Olaf stomped off to get himself some breakfast as well.
"...thank goodness..." Grit sighed in relief. "Hopefully the bearded one will be in a better mood once he deals with his case of the munchies..." He started to dig in. "Oh sweet fanciful Moses. This is the stuff. If this ain't the stuff, may the almighty strike me down right here right now!" He was obviously enjoying his meal. "Mm-mmm. Forget goin' home. I think I'll stay for a long, long time." Grit continued eat.
"Grit! I see you're enjoying yourself! You've got a good head on your shoulders! A real CO enjoys his meals!" Olaf sat down at the same table, with an even larger tray of food that Grit's.
"You've got that right Olaf." Grit grinned. "Glad to see that your appetite is still healthy as ever."
"One can't fight a war on an empty stomach!" His commander said, puffing up his chest.
"...well... that's great and all Frosty, but we ain't fighting a war anymore... remember?" He reminded him.
"That was a figure of speech you lout!" Olaf berated him.
"Huh. Okay. Whatever you say boss." Grit shrugged and kept eating. "So boss, what's goin' on now? I mean... what're we doin' next?"
"Hmm? Oh yes. We're going to do a quick tour of the country and see how things are doing, then we'll be coming back to the Capital."
"...how long d'you reckon that'll take?" Grit asked.
"Oh probably a month or so." Olaf answered as he continued to eat. "Mmm. What do you think Grit? You seem like the kind of man who appreciates good food!" He changed the subject.
"Shucks boss... I'll admit the grub here is A-plus... but I do miss having myself a big juicy steak, don't ya know? Just like back in Orange Star."
"...oh I know what you mean." The bearded man nodded. "The cattle from Orange Star were excellent. The cows here just aren't the same! That marbling! I know! We'll give Nell a call sometime and ask if she'd be willing to fly some in for us!"
"...I like your thinking boss!" Grit grinned. "That's usin' the old noggin!"
"Hohoho! Indeed! We shall dine on steak! Just like the old days when I was in charge there!"
"But you're in charge here now."
"No matter! We'll have steak everyday!" Olaf continued to laugh.
"Shucks boss, that's mighty generous of you."
"But of course! No one's more generous than me!"
"...hahahaha!" Grit started to laugh at, not with his Commander. 'Hoo-boy... haven't had a good laugh like that in ages... not to mention old Olaf's completely off his rocker. Heh. Well... what's done is done. Hopefully I can get myself a nice juicy steak soon!' He thought. 'But first... let's finish up all the vittles here.'
Olaf and Grit sat at their table, satisfied with their large breakfasts.
"Hey Frosty..." Grit muttered sleepily.
"Mmm?" The old man grunted.
"I always meant to ask ya... but if you were from Blue Moon to begin with... what possessed you to join up with Orange Star in the first place?" He asked.
"...hmm. That's a very good question Grit!" Olaf said, stroking his beard.
"Do tell."
"I thought it would be a good idea to get experience from all over, so I started out in Blue Moon... and then I transferred to Orange Star... back when we were still on good terms with them!"
"...huh. So... right. I get it now." Grit nodded. "So then Black Hole came along, gave you fake promises and tricked you. And somehow you ended up becoming the big boss in Blue Moon... cause of Black Hole. Or somethin'. Right?"
"I'm ashamed to admit it... but that's more or less how it ended." Olaf sighed.
"...it takes a big man to admit he was wrong... especially in an international incident like that." Grit patted the Olaf on the shoulder. "As long as you understood you were in wrong... then Blue Moon's in good hands... don't ya think?"
"...Grit... you're absolutely right!"
"Of course I am boss." He smirked. "After all... you're the boss now and everything's okay now."
"I could never have done it without you Grit!"
"...whatever you say boss." Grit smiled. 'Ya know... it all was worth it in the end... everything ended up like it meant to be... '
"So Grit... we should start our tour of the country soon enough! Perhaps even today!"
"...eh. Oh! Right that. Um... lemme go have a smoke first. Or two. Or three. Then I'll catch up with ya real quick. You know... after you rally the troops and all that shit. I mean... we're not going to tour just by ourselves... right?"
"Oh of course not! You're right! I'll go rally the troops and we'll march! March with pride that is! We'll give the people of Blue Moon a show of force that they'd be proud of! Don't you think that's a marvelous idea Grit? Don't the rest of you think so as well!?" Olaf shouted to the men who happened to be standing around listening to their Commander have his 'moment'.
"Sir yes sir!" They shouted in response. "That's a great idea Commander!"
"Excellent! All right men! Let's get ready! We don't have time to waste!" Olaf dashed off, with troops in tow.
"...heh." Grit chuckled as he remained seated. "...have to admit... it takes real charisma to lead like that... and the boss... he's a real charmer... now I'll just leave all that annoyin' work to him... and I'll have myself a nice break..." He slowly got up and pulled his pack of cigarettes out of his coat pocket. "Mm-hmm. Have a nice long puff or two... and just coast along once they've gotten all good and ready to mosey out... mm-hmm. Yup. That's a great idea..."
Grit adjusted his wide-brimmed hat and snuck out another exit.
"Yup-yup. That's how everything should be. Nice and easy." He lit his cigarette and leaned against a wall outside. "A-yup. I wonder when he'll notice I'm not taggin' along? Heh... I'll give him a few hours or so... I can probably even fit in a quick nap while I'm at it." He continued to puff away. "...guess I should get packed up though... that'd be a good start... after I'm done here of course..."
Month: Early June – late afternoon
Place: Orange Star Central Headquarters; Mess Hall
It was a warm Orange Star summer. Training had picked up again and the COs were back to work.
Sami walked around the base carrying some files and textbooks.
"Hmm?" She spotted Andy sitting at one of the long mess tables, slacking off. "Hey... wait just a..." She walked over to where he was sitting. "Andy! Andy! You idiot! Stop playing with that!" She shouted at him.
"But, but... " Andy protested as Sami grabbed the electronic game system in his hands. "I... at least let me save the game first!"
"Mou..." Sami frowned. "Honestly, how come you can't be more like the others?" She lectured him. "We don't have time for this... can't you act your rank at least...?" She continued.
"...but... "
"I swear... " Sami sighed in annoyance. "Just because you got that promotion doesn't mean you can slack off..."
"Look! A dead body! And it's walking around!" Andy pointed behind Sami.
"Huh? Eek!" Sami ran off, dropping the game system back his lap, along with the rest of her things.
"Heh... works every time." Andy snickered. "What's worse is that she falls for it each time... you'd think she'd catch on..."
"Yo! Kid! Help me out with this tank here!" Max shouted as he walked into the mess hall.
"Aww... do I have to?" The mechanic groaned.
"Yeah, Nell's orders. Now stop playing around and get to work!"
"Phooey. I hate working when I'm playing games..." Andy grumbled. "Okay... lemme save first... Yup. Saving... saving... done" He muttered as he shoved it back in one of his pockets.
"Well you're not even supposed to be playing, Andy... " Max said, tapping his foot on the floor impatiently. "Hurry up... those tanks aren't gonna fix themselves."
"...well bleah, like I care... Sturm's gone and stuff, it's not like we're all gonna get smashed straight into the ground Max... "
"...Andy!" Sami shrieked at him as she came storming back into the mess hall, her face red with anger and embarrassment. "I hope you're ready for the beating I have for you!"
"Uh-oh... " Andy groaned.
"What'd you pull this time Andy?" Max asked.
"...the dead body one again." He replied.
"You know how much she hates it when you scare her... " Max sighed. "I mean... she is kind of gullible... but it's not nice to pull that one on her... and she also outranks you too you know."
"I know... but it's fun." Andy got up from his seat.
"Well whatever, it's your head, not mine, so I don't care... " The big man sighed. "Huh. You better start running. You know damn well she can catch you ya know."
"...yeah... I forgot... " The mechanic groaned as he got up and started to run away from Sami. "Crap...! She's gotten faster!" Andy moaned as he realized that the head start he would have each time was decreasing, and exponentially. "Crapcrapcrapcrapcrap!"
After a few minutes of dashing around the base, Sami had caught up to Andy and was now sitting on top of his prone form, which was lying face down on the ground.
"...do you really think you can escape from me?" She asked. "Like... honestly? Don't you know I can outrun you any day of the week?" Sami crossed one leg over the other. "Not to mention... I can't believe I fall for that stupid trick every single time... fool me once shame on you... fool me twice shame on me..." She sighed. "Are we clear?"
"Ugh... but... but... you keep falling for - ow!" Andy tried to reason until she punched him.
"I know I should stop falling for it... I mean it's so stupid!" She complained as the other troops and officers carefully avoided the two of them.
They had gotten use to Andy saying something stupid to Sami, the consequential chase around HQ, and then the imminent beating that would occur. The troops had decided not to say anything and paid them no mind as it happened fairly often in the past few months.
"And another thing... can't you think of something new to use to fool me with? Honestly Andy! Or are your brains made of mush? I mean yes they are mush but still! You could come up with a new trick or two!"
"...oh god..." He groaned. 'She's gonna lecture me until I puke or something...' Andy thought as Sami continued to hit him as she sat on him. "Ow. Ow. Ow."
"Maybe if you study more instead of sleeping in, you could come up with some newer material! Then I wouldn't beat you up as badly because it'd be something different!"
"...are... are you done yet Sami?" He asked, groaning.
"No! Why can't you be more like Mel or something? I mean he doesn't resort to such juvenile antics!"
"...Mel's completely insane..." Andy mumbled. "That's the difference... owch!"
"You're not allowed to say that about him! Only I am!" She hit him again. "Honestly!"
"...that's not fair..." He muttered. '...I think my only consolation right now is the fact that her ass is soft... but it doesn't help me that she punches harder and harder each time...'
"I mean sloppiness like this is going to get us all in trouble Andy! Shape up!"
"...can... can I please go now...? Those... those tanks need fixing..." Andy said.
"...hmm? Oh right. The tanks. Sure." She got up off his back and dusted herself off. "Get to work then Andy."
"...thanks..." He groaned as he peeled himself off the ground. "...don't... don't you have work to do Sami...?" Andy asked as he got up.
"Huh? Oh right. This is all your fault. You completely derailed my train of thought earlier." She continued to nag at him.
"Augh! Okay, okay I'm sorry! I'll get back to work right away!" He ran off.
"...hmph." Sami crossed her arms. "...hmm. I... just... hmm." She blinked a few times. "...just what the hell was I supposed to be doing anyway...? Damn. Whatever. I'll just blame Andy for it later if I get in trouble." She headed back to the mess hall.
Sami looked around and spotted her things which were now neatly arranged on the table, and Nell who was standing there, arms crossed, a vein in her forehead throbbing.
"Cap-tain Sa-Mi Ro-se Mu-i..." The blonde commander punctuated each syllable of Sami's full name and rank. "...just what were you doing leaving a mess on the floor like that...?"
"...eep." Sami felt a lump in her throat. "Er... um... it..."
"I realize this probably was Andy's fault... but it's not an excuse for you to goof around as well... even if you were... 'educating' him." Nell scolded her.
"...sorry. I'm really sorry! Sorry!" The redhead bowed repeatedly. "It'll never happen again! Honest! Cross my heart!" She walked over to pick up her things and run off, except Nell grabbed her by the back of her tank top. "Eek! Don't yank on my top like that!" Sami squealed. "You'll pull it off! Stop! Stop! I can feel it coming off!"
"Not-so-fast." The blonde growled. "You're not going anywhere."
"But... but..." Sami weakly protested. "Work... I have..."
"I have no idea what weird shit you guys got into when Mel was overseeing the Cosmo Land campaign here... but if this is what happened while I was keeping watch in Orange Star... you guys are in a world of trouble..."
"...nonononononono! Nothing of the sort! Really! Absolutely not! We behaved! Honest! Please let... please... let me go..." Sami tried to escape as she thrashed around helplessly. Nell's grip, was surprisingly strong.
"...really now...?"
"Really, really, really!" Sami nodded.
"...you know... be glad that Mel was very thorough in all the reports he sent me. Or at least I hope he was... because there was no mention whatsoever about this kind of behavior."
"...really?" Sami felt a faint glimmer of hope. '...he neglected to mention any of this?' She thought. 'Thank god!'
"Unless you can prove otherwise that he was lying to me." Nell glared at her. "He wasn't lying... was he?"
"...nonononononono! Whatever he wrote was the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!"
"...good." The blonde let go of Sami. "Now get back to work."
"Yes ma'am Thank you ma'am! See you later ma'am!" Sami ran off with her things back to her office. 'Nell's... scary when she's mad!' She thought as she didn't look back as she tore through the hallways.
Sami dashed into her office and slammed the door behind her. She proceeded in leaning against the door and collapsing to the floor, panting.
"...oh-my-god... I've never been so terrified of Nell in my life..." She gasped. "I mean... the three times that Mel nearly killed me were really scary... but... this is a close second..." Sami dropped her books and files on the ground. "...I didn't think she'd get so mad..." Slowly, she got up to her feet. "...chocolate... need to calm my nerves..." She stumbled over to her desk and opened the drawer. "...oh thank goodness..." Sami sighed in relief as she took a seat. "...there's... chocolate in here..."
Sami had taken over the office that used to belong to Mel during the Cosmo Land incident. None of the others wanted to use it as they associated that particular office as 'that psycho commander's office'. Sami on the other hand had no problem with that and started using it without a word of complaint. The fact that the others avoided it like the plague benefited her greatly as she could use the bath in it with no interruptions.
Looking in the drawer, there was a box of chocolates, namely some of the ones she had received at Christmas from the very same psycho commander.
"...thanks Mel..." She whispered. "You're a lifesaver..." She picked up the box of chocolate and took the lid off. "...I didn't think that the chocolate would last this long... but I am so glad it is..." Sami grabbed one of the assorted candies and popped it in her mouth. "Mmm... hmm...?" Her phone vibrated in her pocket. "Nnn?" Pulling it out, she saw a notification for a message. "...huh." She unlocked the screen and looked at the message.
Sender: Mel M
A few minutes ago, I had a weird sneezing fit suddenly. Is this somehow your fault or your friends in Orange Star's fault?
"...that... idiot." Sami groaned. "... how... just how does he sense things like this? Does he have an amazing sixth sense or - eep!" Her phone vibrated again noisily.
Sender: Mel M
For some reason it started up again. What the hell are you guys doing there!?
"...oh my god." She felt her jaw drop. 'That...idiot... just...' She typed in a reply.
Just how the hell are you figuring out that we're talking about you like that!? You're hundreds of miles away or something, aren't you? Are you psychic or something!?
"And send." She said, hitting the button.
Sender: Mel M
...so you are talking about me behind my back. Thanks. Really. My friends were looking at me like I was crazy when I just started sneezing non-stop. They wanted to send me to the medics to get a check-up. For no reason. At least not a good one.
Sami scowled as she replied.
This is not my fault you idiot! Honest! It was Nell and Andy!
Send.
Sender: Mel M
Huh... is that so? Whatever then. Don't you have work to do instead of screwing around replying to me? You said your leave was over.
"...idiot." She sighed.
Shut up you idiot. I got sidetracked because of Andy's stupidity. And Nell getting mad at me for getting mad at Andy. Is that a good enough explanation for you?
Send.
Sender: Mel M
...seriously? Wow. That's messed up. Well good luck with that. I'll leave you to your work then. Later.
"...that's it?" Sami raised an eyebrow. "...well... huh."
Okay... thanks. I'll bug you later then. Bye-bye.
Send.
"...ugh." Sami grabbed another chocolate and popped it in her mouth. "Mmm... yummy." She got up from her chair. "...just... what time is it...?" She looked at her watch. "Seven already... crap. How much time did I waste on lecturing Andy...?" She groaned. "Crap... dammit... you know what... I'll just call it a day then. I'll go back to my dorm... get cleaned up, eat dinner, get some sleep... and try again tomorrow." Sami gathered up her belongings and headed back to the dorms.
Sami gave a tired sigh as she unlocked the door to her dorm.
"...uuuugh. Fuck my life." She groaned as she locked the door. "Fuck... fuck... fuck." Undoing her laces, she kicked off her boots and flopped face down onto her bed. "Nnn... why me... nnn..." She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, deciding that some venting to someone was necessary.
M-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-l... work was shitty today.
Send. She waited momentarily as she got a reply.
Sender: Mel M
...huh. Okay. That's... not good. Eat some chocolate or something.
"...idiot." She muttered as she put in her reply.
I did that already... if I eat anymore I'll get fat. Idiot.
Send.
Sender: Mel M
Then take a bath or something. Geez.
"...that's a better idea." Sami realized. "...a lot better in fact."
...that's a good idea. Thanks.
Send.
Sender: Mel M
You're welcome Your Highness.
"...man, I can see the sarcasm dripping from my phone..." She tried not to laugh. "...that idiot." Sami smiled.
Good job peon.
Send.
Sender: Mel M
...really, I've been demoted to peon now? Sure, fine, whatever you say Your Excellency.
"...pfft... oh god..." Sami tried to stifle her laughter. "Heeheehee! What goes on in that thick skull of his!? Honestly!"
...thanks... really. I needed a good laugh. Honest.
Send.
Sender: Mel M
Glad I could help. Have a good evening then. I need to get back to work before everyone else starts to wonder what the hell I'm doing, fiddling around with my phone. Call me tomorrow or something. Bye.
"...that idiot." Sami felt her face go red. "...ah... right. Bath. Bath. I should take a bath... and... yeah. Maybe just stay in bed for the rest of the day." She sighed. "Let's see... pajamas..." Sami grabbed the worn white shirt she had hung on the back of her chair. "And... fresh underwear..." She knelt down and grabbed the first pair out of her dresser. "...man... what a rough day... maybe I shouldn't have chased after Andy..."
After spending a few minutes filling up the tub with water and getting undressed, Sami breathed a loud sigh of relief as she sunk into the hot water.
"...this... is... amazing." She said as she felt her troubles melt away. "...paradise even..."
Sami lounged back into the bathtub and continued to sigh contently as she soaked.
"...have to admit... a good bath is all a girl needs when the day goes to hell... that and some chocolate. Chocolate makes everything better."
Closing her eyes, she leaned against the wall and tried to empty her mind.
'...hmm... nothing to think about... nothing to worry about... nothing to... wait.' Sami sat back up. "...nope. Can't just go blank like I want to... too much other crap to worry about... like work." After rubbing at her temples, she leaned with her arms out of the tub. "Nnn... it's no good..." She groaned loudly. "...too much on my mind... maybe I'll just try to lie down for a bit..." Sami was about to get out of the tub and grab her towel, but changed her mind. "Dammit...not even a bath will fix it..." Another groan. "Nnn... dammit... just... a bit longer..." She decided to stay in the tub until her fingers started to get wrinkly.
Sami dried off and got dressed. She stared at the mirror, sighed and brushed her teeth.
'...ugh... what'd I do to deserve such a crappy day...?' She thought, annoyed. "I didn't think today was a bad start to the week... argh!" Sami cried out in frustration. "...nnn. I don't care what that idiot said... I'm calling him to whine." She grumbled as she walked back to her bed and picked up her phone.
It was currently ten in the evening, White Sun time.
Mel sat at a four-sided table, a headphone bud in one ear as he listened to some music. Sitting on the other sides of the table were his subordinates. They were playing a game of mahjong in the break room next to the Commander General's office. He slouched in his seat as he looked at his hand. Which happened to be utter crap at the moment. He was currently playing against Gabe, Gary and Alice. Eriko was sitting on a nearby couch.
Their coats were hung up along the wall, the five of them were obviously no longer on duty at the moment. Side tables next to the mahjong table had assorted drinks and snacks laid out on them.
"Hmm...?" He picked up his next tile. "...fuck." He sighed as he discarded it. "What the hell?" Mel slammed it down on the table.
"Not a good run this round huh boss?" Gabe commented as he drew and discarded.
"Shut up." Mel grumbled as he reached for the side table that had numerous cans of iced coffee stacked on it. "Today just isn't my day." He said as he grabbed a can.
"That's what you get for beating us silly during training." Gary said. "Karmic retribution from the mahjong deities!"
"...hmph." He shrugged as he opened the can with one hand and started downing the contents. "Whatever."
"Eriko, can you get us more rice crackers?" The sniper asked. "And some green tea please?"
"Hmm? Sure whatever." The Intel officer looked up from her spot on the couch. She was watching a television drama on DVD. "Anyone else want anything?" She asked.
"Beer... and squid jerky!" Gabe shouted. "Alice, do you want anything?" He asked the girl next to him.
"Sake." Alice replied as she played her tile. "And some steamed meat buns."
"Commander Mel... are you okay with what you have there?" Eriko asked. "All you have is coffee..."
"You wouldn't mind ordering some pizza or something?" Mel asked. "All meat, extra cheese. Pepperoni. Barbecue chicken..."
"...huh. Okay sure whatever. You're paying for it right?"
"Yeah, yeah sure whatever. Oi! Pon!" He shouted at Gabe.
"Gaaah! You had those!?" The ninja groaned.
"Duh." Mel replied. "Eriko, you might as well order something so we can have dinner tonight... just have it delivered to the base." He said to her.
"Sure." She nodded. "I'll order the pizza online then."
"Huh? Oh. Phone call. Excuse me." Mel said as he poked the screen of his phone and spoke into the headset. "Hello?"
"M-e-e-e-e-e-e-l." Came Sami's voice on the other end. She didn't sound too pleased, and this was the first time she had actually bothered to call him directly on his phone.
"Wha!?" Mel bolted upright in surprise. "S-S-S-Sami!? What... wait. I said call tomorrow, didn't I?"
"But I want to complain to someone..." She moaned. "Now..."
"...I'm kind of busy right now Sami..." He muttered.
"...what on earth could you be busy doing? Isn't it late right now?"
"It's only eight-ish. I'm trying... to win... money..." Was his reply. "The hard way..."
"...don't they pay you enough already as it is?" Sami asked.
"...playing mahjong..." He replied. "Busy..."
"...you're kidding right? And I thought you said you were working."
"No." Mel continued to play as he conversed with her. Eriko came up next to him with her palm open. "I just finished work and it's down time for the rest of the evening."
"Commander, money for dinner." The Intel officer mouthed at him. "I'll charge it to my account."
"Yes, yes, yes, whatever." Mel mouthed back as he reached into his wallet, pulled out a few twenty Gold bills and handed them over to her. "Order enough food for everyone while you're at it!" He said to her. Eriko nodded and walked away to make the orders for their supper. "Sorry about that Sami... where were we?"
"...are you sure you're playing mahjong...?" Sami asked. "It sounds like you're having a party or something..."
"...kind of sort of." He replied. "Look was your day really that shitty - augh! Dammit!" He slammed down his latest tile. "Piece of junk!"
"...um... are you paying attention?" She asked on the other end. "...well?"
"Barely. Sorry. Pon!" He called another tile, this time from Gary.
"Nuuuuuuuuuu!" Gary groaned. "You had those too!?"
"...okay, it really does sound like you guys are playing mahjong there. I can hear the tiles clicking together." Sami admitted. "...well, can you at least listen to me piss and moan about how crappy today was?"
"I'll try to listen, but don't expect me to reply then." Mel said. "Just ignore any swearing or cursing."
"...huh. Never mind then." She said.
"...I said I'll listen... are you all right?" He asked.
"Mel, I... well... actually you know what? I'll call tomorrow then. Good night. Idiot." She hung up.
"...huh? Wait, just a sec - gah. She hung up." Mel groaned as he saw the call end on the screen. He had also let go of the tile had he just picked up in mild shock. "...Sami, just what... guh."
"Ah! That's the one Mel! Ron!" Alice said happily. "I win!"
"...fuck." He swore. "So much for turning this hand around." Mel sighed as he handed over some point sticks to her.
"So... what was all that about boss?" Gabe asked. "You usually don't get phone calls this late in the day... especially during mahjong nights. Not to mention personal calls..."
"...Sami wanted to vent about a shitty day or something." Mel shrugged as he opened another can of coffee.
"...oh Red again. Huh. But she usually never calls."
"Yeah. I thought that was kind of weird."
"So what's the deal with you two anyway?" Gary asked. "All you guys do is write and communicate via your phones."
"Beats me." Mel shrugged again. "I guess we're friends or something now."
"..." His four subordinates looked at him in horrified silence. 'Oi... oi... he's kidding right...?' They all thought.
"...what?" He asked, looking back at them, confused.
"...never mind boss." Gabe sighed. "Well, let's start the next round!"
"Yeah, let's." Gary nodded. "Eriko, how long will it be for all the food to arrive?" He asked her.
"Another twenty to thirty minutes or so. I'll have someone go fetch it for us at the gate." She replied, turning her attention back to the TV. "We're having... pizza, dim sum, take-out sushi, fried chicken... all sorts of unhealthy stuff. Oh right. Beverages." Eriko walked over to the bar area and pulled a case of beer from the fridge. "Beer for Gabe, sake for Alice... and I'll get some hot water for tea. Oh and here are the random snacks too. Rice crackers and squid jerky."
"Thanks Eri." They all replied.
"What would guys do if I weren't around?" She asked.
"...starve while playing mahjong." Was their reply. "Then eventually pass out."
"...okay, that's just sad." Eriko sighed as she cleaned her glasses.
"You're the best Eri." They all said.
"...you guys..." She groaned as she sat back down on the couch and continued watching her drama as the others started their game again. "Whatever. If I have to babysit you guys, fine. At least I'm paid for it."
Sami looked at her phone in annoyance and plugged in the charger, leaving it on her nightstand.
"...idiot." She grumbled as she sat down on her bed. "...I guess that was my own fault though... he said to call tomorrow..." She sighed. "...ugh."
Sami looked over at the clock on her nightstand and sighed again. It was still early in the evening... around 8:00 pm.
"...it's not even late yet... going to bed is pointless. Even if I want to sulk." She grabbed a pillow and hugged it. "...I'm not having a good day..." Sami groaned as she plopped the pillow over her face and kicked her legs aimlessly. "...nnn... it's no good... I'm just going lie here..." She reached for the light switch and clicked it off. "Nnn. That dummy." She sulked and curled up into a ball on her bed.
Back in White Sun Central Headquarters, Mel attempted to stare holes into his mahjong tiles.
"...god... damn... shit..." He swore, his eyes narrowing. "Mahjong deities, why have you forsaken me!?" Mel directed his plea towards the ceiling and beyond.
"That's what you get boss. Karmic punishment." Gabe laughed. "Tenchu!"
"...what the hell did I do!?"
"...oh I dunno. Sounds like you ticked off a pretty girl." His subordinate shrugged.
"...what does that have to do anything?" Mel asked.
'...wow... his clueless-ness is legendary.' Gabe thought. 'No wonder why she hung up on him like that... '
"...well?" Mel asked again, as Gabe remained silent.
"Huh? Wha? Oh, never mind boss, it's nothing." He played his tile.
"Pon." Gary said, snagging it. "Thanks sucker."
"...hey!" Gabe shouted. "Just... argh!"
"..." Mel remained silent as he looked as his tiles. '...this hand sucks. But I can probably turn it around...' He sighed as he picked up another can of coffee and tipped the contents into his mouth. "...gaaaaah. Eriko... has the food arrived yet?" He asked the Intel officer who had returned to lying on the neighboring couch, still watching TV.
"Nope. Not yet." She replied, extending her arm over the couch and waving 'no'. "Another five minutes or so..." Eriko opened up her hand, showing all five fingers. "Just wait..." She chided.
"...ugh." He groaned. "...ah. Pon." Mel took the tile that Gabe discarded. "Thank you."
"God dammit! What's with you two sniping all my tiles!?" The ninja muttered.
"Stop discarding them then." Both Mel and Gary replied in stereo.
"...rrrgh..." Gabe growled as he discarded another. "Wait. Don't tell me - damn you!" He said as Mel's hand grabbed it.
"Pon." Mel said as he exchanged his tile. "Oh yeah, I've been meaning to ask, but how is the rest of our old unit doing?" He asked. "I haven't seen them in ages."
"Hmm? The others? They're fine. They're busy with guard detail around the Capital's defenses... since you were the one who approved the paperwork..." Gabe answered
"...I did...? Oh wait. That huge..." He thought for a moment.
"The one I sent you a while back." Alice piped up. "You signed and stamped it in a hurry. I bet you probably skimmed over each one. As usual." She said discarding a tile.
"Probably." Mel's eyebrow went up. "Ah that's the one. Emerald Green." He said, calling his win. "Yakuman. Thirty-two thousand points."
"...is this supposed to be some kind of disproportionate amount of revenge for the last win I called on you...?" Alice moaned. "That was a cheap win too..."
"Something like that." He shrugged. "Pay up."
"I can't believe this..." She sighed as she handed over a large handful of point sticks to Mel. "Now I'm in the negatives..."
"Talk about no mercy boss." Gabe laughed. "Don't worry Alice, I'll avenge your lost points next round!"
"...I'd rather avenge them myself..." She grumbled as they started to shuffle the tiles again. "Losses come out of my pocket if I'm in the negatives."
"Heeey... the food's here." Eriko said as she got up, looking at her phone. "Take a break guys."
"...huh?" They all looked up from the table.
"I said the food's here. Take a break." She repeated. "Look, I'll have them put it on the big table there. We can eat first, then you guys can go back to whatever." Opening the door, two soldiers came in carrying the delivered food.
"Commanders, we'll place all this here. That's fine right?" One of them asked.
"Yeah." Mel answered as he got up from his seat. "Thanks boys."
"No problem Commander Mel." The men saluted as they left. "Enjoy whatever it is you guys do."
"Well then..." Mel rolled up his sleeves. "I guess we should eat then. What'd you order again Eriko?"
"Pizza, dim sum, sushi, fried chicken. I still need another twenty or so Gold from you Mel." Eriko replied.
"...tch. Eighty wasn't enough?" He sighed.
"I also ordered drinks." She pointed to the assorted soda and alcohol on the table. "Soda, wine, beer. After all, we eat and drink a lot during mahjong nights. We need to restock the break room."
"...fuck. I mean good work." Mel shook his head as he pulled out his wallet again. "Do I need to pay for everyone's snacks too...?" He asked as he handed her a few more bills.
"...you didn't really strike me as the stingy type, Mel." Eriko reasoned.
"...bah whatever. Bill my account later for whatever junk food, drinks and booze we need in the break room. Just make the order or something. I'll have it expensed later."
"Yes sir." She giggled. "I'll do it tomorrow."
"...bah. You guys are going to pay for it the next few times then." Mel sighed to his subordinates. "Each of you. It's not all going onto my free spending account you know..."
"...urk." They all collectively twitched. Compared to Mel, they actually used their free spending budgets. He didn't, and if he did it was usually very rarely, which was unfortunate for them as his account had the largest amount due to his rank.
"Any-way..." He pushed his glasses up. "Dinner." Walking over to the table where the soldiers had left the food, he grabbed a slice of pizza and bit into it. "...I'll say one thing... the food in White Sun's always decent... as long as it's not from the base."
"Tell me about it boss... you should get some better cooks working in the mess halls." Gabe commented as he reached for the sushi.
"I second that." Gary nodded, picking up the bucket of fried chicken. "It's kind of sad that we either spend more time cooking for ourselves... or ordering out. I mean couldn't we hire some good chefs or cooks for a change?"
"Yeah, yeah... working on that." Mel sighed. "But whatever. This is just as good, no? We all have money after all..."
"...I guess." They all shrugged as they started to eat. '...only when you pay for it...'
"To another boring, peaceful day then." Gabe said, lifting his can of beer. "Cheers."
"Another boring, peaceful day." The others lifted their drinks as well. The clinking sound of glasses, cans and bottles signified another daily toast between the five highest ranking members of the White Sun military.
Mel breathed a sigh of relief after he finished his drink.
"...well... it's good and fine... but you know..." He started.
"Don't even say it Mel." Gary muttered.
"Yeah boss. We all know what you're going to say." Gabe said as well.
"...fuck." Mel swore. "C'mon let me say it..."
"You say it every other day. 'He'll be back'." The ninja pointed out. "I mean... if he does come back... we'll just kick the shit out of him again. Or at least you will."
"...bah. My memory must be getting bad or something if I keep repeating myself." Mel sighed as he reached for another coffee.
"You probably drink too much of that stuff and it has fried your brain." Gary said.
"If you're talking about brains getting fried, you should tell Gabe to stop drinking then." Mel pointed to the beer in his subordinate's hand.
"...meh, it's not like I drink a lot of it at once." Gabe shrugged. "Just once in a while."
"...you mean like whenever we start playing mahjong until we all end up passing out on the couches..." He pointed out. "...cuz we stay up late. Well and those of you who are actually actively getting wasted."
"...meh. Nothing new..."
"...fair enough." Mel turned his attention to his food. "Well, let's finish eating and get back to our game. I don't think my wallet is going to get thicker unless I beat you guys into the poorhouse first."
"...says the guy that makes way too much money just by sitting around..." Gabe muttered.
"Shut up."
"...why don't you actually... I dunno... spend it?" His subordinate asked.
"...I've already used some to pay off my mortgages, thanks." Mel retorted.
"...pay off your mortgages...? Don't you mean like... buy a few apartment complexes or something?"
"...say what you want, it's not like I want to buy another house..."
"...how many places do you own then?" Gabe asked.
"...I have my place in Orange Star... and my apartment here." Mel replied. "Both fully paid off."
"...huh. I'd expect you to have a vacation home or something in the other countries as well." Gabe admitted.
"...frankly, I don't really like going to Blue Moon and Green Earth..." Mel sighed. "And I have a place to stay when I go to Yellow Comet anyway... under normal circumstances... like when the world is at peace and not everybody is trying to kill each other. Or me for that matter. Although probably buying a place there would be a good idea... I'll have to figure out that later."
"...so why don't you just buy an island or something...? Like the one you hide out on near Orange Star?" The ninja suggested.
"...huh. Good point. Decorate it a bit and maybe put some buildings on it..." Mel thought aloud. "...beats sleeping in that cave every time I want to hide."
"...you... seriously... every time you hang out in that cave?"
"Yep." Mel nodded.
"...at least build a beach house or something... you could use the cave as a secret entrance or a grotto."
"...I'll think about it." He shrugged as he turned attention from the pizza to the sushi. "At least the fish is fresh this time."
"Yup. I made sure they were sending us the good stuff." Eriko nodded.
"Hmm." Mel sighed. "Well... no sense in worrying about stuff for the time being."
The five of them spent the rest of the night eating and continuing their game of mahjong late into the night.
Time: The next morning – 7:00 am
Place: Commander General's office – Nap Room
A cell phone alarm blipped noisily, causing Mel to groan loudly.
"Gah. Gah. Fuck. Argh." He swore as he groped around blearily for his phone. "Where... is... ack." He rolled off the bed and onto the ground. "Ow." Mel reached around for a bit more and found his glasses on the nightstand. "Okay.. now I can see... so where... dammit." He spotted his coat lying on the couch, where the offending noise was coming from. "...geez. Bloody long lasting batteries..." Muttering, he searched through his pockets and pulled out his phone. "And shut up!" He said, hitting the button. "...man... how long were we playing for...?" Checking his wallet, he noted that its contents had increased a fair amount. "...long enough for me to win... at least a few thousand Gold... good enough."
Mel tossed his wallet onto the couch. He yawned and stretched, feeling his back pop noisily. Wincing, he shuffled over to the bathroom and glanced at the mirror.
"...man, I slept in my clothes again? Damn it. Guess I should clean myself up and see what new crap I have to deal with today..."
After showering, brushing his teeth and shaving Mel walked over to the closet and pulled out a fresh set of clothes and got dressed.
"...and only 7:30. Not too bad of a record..." He muttered as he looked for his shoes. "Well... back to work, back to work..."
Mel sat at his desk, staring at the latest set of documents he had to look over and approve. Or reject.
"Good morning Mel." Alice said from the communications screen. "Would you care for some breakfast?"
"Morning Alice. Uh... yeah, sure. Skipping breakfast is bad after all."
"The usual then?" She asked.
"I've been making my own coffee for a while, so you can change that part of the order." He looked over at the French press sitting on his desk and he could smell the Orange Star coffee slowly percolating in it.
"Understood. It'll be ready in the mess hall as usual." Alice nodded.
"...you're seriously making me walk all the way there?" He asked.
"You are the Commander General... you should see the troops more often you know. It reminds them that you're not... dead."
"It also reminds them that I'm probably younger than most of them and also makes them wonder just how I managed to get this particular rank."
"Oh hush. Everyone knows that story already. Also, this is revenge for cleaning us out last night."
"Hmph. Fine, I'll go." Mel gave a resigned sigh and looked around his desk for his travel mug.
"Your breakfast should be ready in fifteen minutes."
"It'll take at least five to make my way there..." He said as he poured his coffee into the mug. "Where are the others?"
"Still not up yet." She replied. "Despite what little sleep you get sometimes, it's impressive as usual that you still get up for work."
"Force of habit I guess." Mel said as he took a sip of his coffee. "Well thanks for getting that all sorted out. I'll see you in a bit."
"Of course." Alice nodded as she ended the communication.
Mel got up from his seat and looked at the massive doors at the opposite end of his office.
"Seriously, there are days that I wonder whoever decided that having the Commander General's office this huge was a good idea. If I could travel in time, I'd go back and give them the beating of their lives..."
A few hours later, the others had woken up and they had all convened in the main war room.
"So... what the hell am I looking at?" Mel asked, pointing to two rather large folders that were sitting in front of him.
"The schematics and simulation results for two new prototype units that R&D wanted you to approve so they would be built in preparation for any... new incidents." Eriko replied.
"...muh." Mel rubbed at the spot between his eyebrows. "...do I look like I have enough time to go through both of these?"
"Yes, wait. No, not really." She replied.
"I thought so." He looked over at the covers of each folder. "Hmm. One aerial unit and a naval one. Well this makes my job easier. You two." He addressed Gabe and Gary.
"Huh? What's up boss?"
"Wait... you want us to deal with them, don't you?" Gary asked.
"...yep. Gabe you take this... stealth fighter one. Gary, you've got the aircraft carrier." He slid the files over to his men. "If it looks good to you guys, approve it... well, let me know you want it approved and I'll sign it later."
"Sure thing boss." Gabe said picking up his folder. "Well... it sounds neat at least. Anything else for me?"
"Nope. Get to work."
"Gotcha." He nodded. "Alice, let's go."
"Right behind you." She followed after him to his office.
Gary looked through his set of documents.
"...sounds like a handy thing to have. No objections on my end. I'll give it a once over and have it back at your desk later today."
"Efficient as always." Mel nodded.
"But of course." The sniper said. "Eriko, let's give this a look-see and send it back to Mel once everything sounds good."
"At least give it two readings instead of just once..." She sighed, following after him. "Right, Commander, there's the usual other documents for you to follow up on... just sign and stamp those."
"Sure thing." Mel nodded. He turned to one of the lower ranking Intelligence officers. "Anything new to report?"
"Nothing worth talking about Commander. We've received reports from the four commanders that have been patrolling the Capital that all has been clear since."
"Anything from the Shadow Corps?" He asked.
"Both commanders of that particular unit said that the Western borders are all clear as well."
"Good. Any requests from the government?"
"Well... nothing in particular. Probably to shore up the defenses in case of any other incidents." The officer replied.
"Hmm. Has there been any strange activity lately? Like... in the other countries?"
"...well... our scouts that are patrolling around the countries haven't really noticed anything in particular... although..."
"Although?"
"We've lost contact with one of our Intel squads here..." The officer pointed at a small land mass to the Northeast of Orange Star."
"...that's... Macro Land, isn't it?"
"That's right Commander."
"...was it a temporary loss of contact, or a kill signal?" Mel asked.
"...we're going with kill signal."
"...hmm. Prepare a new order. Have my subordinates and their men head to the Eastern shores. I'll feel less worried if we're patrolling that area."
"Understood Commander."
"Good. I'm getting ready then."
Place: Orange Star Main Headquarters
Sami stood outside in the main compound, overseeing the men as they trained.
"Nnn... sleepy..." She mumbled as she stifled a yawn. "I overslept last night.. and it's too sunny..."
"Somebody's cranky today." Nell commented as she walked over and stood next to Sami. "I thought you'd be a bit better off today after a good night's sleep."
"...hmm? Oh Nell." Sami greeted the blonde commander. "Sorry, my mood got worse last night..."
"That time of the month?"
"...nope. A certain idiot's fault." She shook her head. "...also for the record, I don't get that cranky when it's that time of the month."
"Hmm." Nell smiled. "Take a break or something for a bit Sami. I'll take care of things from here."
"Are you sure Nell?" Sami asked.
"Go ahead."
"Thanks." The redhead nodded as she headed back into the main building. 'I guess I have some free time... I'll give that idiot a call...' She thought as she reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. "Now where was his number...?"
Mel's phone rang in his pocket and vibrated loudly against the other odds and ends he had in his jacket.
"Huh." He glanced at the screen. "Oh. I think I probably should answer this one..." Mel said to himself as he looked at the name on the screen. "This is Mel."
"Ah, you actually answered." Sami said, a hint of surprise in her voice. "Hey."
"Why do you sound surprised...?" He asked.
"...well... actually... you did say for me to call today... I guess... um..."
"Well, good to hear from you either way." Mel said.
"So, what are you doing anyway?"
"Work. Well, signing documents. Running an army. Stuff."
"Huuuh. Sounds boring."
"Says the infantry commander."
"At least I'm doing field work." She countered.
"Fair enough." Mel sighed. "So... how are you?"
"Could be better. Sorry, I was in kind of a crappy mood last night."
"I noticed. Better today?" He asked.
"A little bit. I'm just taking a break from field training right now."
"That's good."
"So are you busy in White Sun?"
"Surprisingly." Mel replied. "Hmm. Oh, could you do me a favor?"
"Mmm?"
"Can you pick up a few more bags of that coffee for me? I'm running low."
"Oh, sure thing." Sami said. "Should I just have it shipped to you?"
"Yeah, that'll work. I'll pay you back for it."
"Okay."
"Thanks Sami." He said. "Look, I have some more stuff to take care of. Just send me a message or a letter or something next time. Nice talking to you though."
"Likewise. Later Mel."
"Bye Sami." He said, hanging up. "Now then..." Mel looked at the document he was in the middle of signing. "Hmm. Right new orders." He signed and stamped it, tossing it into the chute. "And I'm packed and good to go. Let's see when those idiots are back..."
Mel spent the next few hours clearing up the paperwork at his desk.
"And that takes care of that. Where are the others?" He called up Alice on the communications screen. "Alice!"
"Yes Commander?" She replied immediately.
"Are they done going over those documents I gave them?"
"Actually yes. I just got them, so I'll send those your way."
"Good. Tell everyone to get ready, we're heading out." Mel said, as he stood up.
"Oh, those new orders right? Understood. The troops are on standby and are ready to move when you are."
"Excellent. How about you guys then?"
"Good to go. We packed up our stuff while the guys were looking through the R&D documents." As she said that, both sets of documents shot out of the delivery chute. Mel reflexively snatched them out of the air and slammed them onto his desk. "And... good catch."
"Sitting here in the office for the past few months has been kind of boring... and I've had practice now... I'd rather be on the field, but whatever." He looked at the notes attached to both files. "Approve. Also approve. No problems for either design?" Mel asked.
"All good to go. Just sign and stamp them please. I'll have them sent to R&D and they'll start production."
"Whatever." He stamped and signed both packages and tossed them back into the outgoing chute. "Right. I'm heading to compound then. "Advise the Eastern base that we're going to be on our way"
"Understood." She nodded. "I'll let the others know then."
"Good. Thanks Alice. I'll meet everyone as we get ready for departure." Mel ended the communication. "Now then... let's see if my gut feeling was right or not..."
Time: Unknown
Place: Macro Land Capital
"Who... who are you?" The man who was the current president of Macro Land demanded as squads of black-clad soldiers stormed into his office and trained their weapons on him and the rest of his cabinet. "What do you want?"
The soldiers remained silent.
"Your country put up a surprising amount of resistance..." A new voice spoke up from the doorway. A tall man in a black overcoat stepped inside. "Well what do you have to say for yourself? Do you surrender? Or will you die like a dog?"
"...ugh... just... who are you?"
"We are the Black Hole army." The man replied. "Now then... choose your fate."
"...this is unacceptable! No man in his right mind would just surrender his country and government like that!" The president shouted back.
"You're in no position to make demands. We've crippled your military might and have taken over most of your country. Isn't that right?"
"Hss... yes, but of course. Why are we still parleying with this fool? Let's get this over with." A thin pale man sidled up to the man in the black coat. "There's really no sense in this fool's errand."
"True. Choose. Now." The man in the coat said again. "You have ten seconds."
"...fine. Fine, we surrender. Macro Land is yours to do as you please..." The president said, his face in agony. "...so now what?"
"...now? Now you die. Men, open fire." The man ordered. "Let us report back to Lord Sturm."
"What? You bast – argh!" The president and his cabinet were about to raise dissent, but they were gunned down immediately.
"Good work. Clean up the mess, we need to get this place ready for our Lord."
"Yes sir." The soldiers nodded as they began gathering up the bodies.
Place: Eastern White Sun Field Headquarters
The main unit of the White Sun army had arrived at the Eastern shores.
"...so... why are we here anyway?" Gabe asked.
"Because the boss thinks there's something fishy going on." Gary replied.
"...huh."
"Yup." Gary nodded.
"Just a random hunch?" Gabe asked.
"...maybe?" A shrug.
"...whatever."
"Pretty much."
The two of them stood looking around. The men were already getting themselves into position and were setting out on their patrol routes.
"...guess we should just get settled for the time being then, eh?" Gabe suggested.
"Sounds like it. We're just reinforcing the area anyway..."
"...hmm. Okay. Well, let's head to the base and check things out. It looks like we'll be staying here for a while."
"Yup." Gary picked up his suitcase and headed into the building.
"Let's hope the dorms here are at least half decent."
"Hopefully." They headed inside.
Place: Macro Land Capital
A large figure sat at the desk of the former president.
"Hmm. Good work you four. You made short work of the forces here and Macro Land is now ours."
"Thank you Lord Sturm." The man in the coat spoke up for the rest.
"Now then... Cosmo Land... they really thought they could get rid of me? They'll rue that day for as long as they live. That is if I let them live. Hawke, Adder, Lash, Flak. Prepare the troops. We have things to deal with in order to fulfill our destiny as the rulers of Wars World."
"Yes Lord Sturm." The four of them nodded.
"Now listen to me. We shall strike first at the country that proves most dangerous to us. We shall break into the sacred lands of the En Masters... the country of White Sun." Sturm said to his underlings. "Once preparations have been made under their noses, we shall strike."
"Why there Lord Sturm?" Adder asked.
"Simply because... that trouble maker belongs to that country." Sturm said, anger in his voice.
"What trouble maker?" The pale man asked.
"The commander that aided those worms to victory... the one who took my right arm." A new robotic arm was in place of the one that he had lost to Mel. Even his metallic mask had been upgraded to be more fearsome.
"...interesting... " Adder nodded.
"Well then, you four shall deal with it correct? Through your combined might, the White Sun should fall."
"Yes Lord Sturm." Hawke said.
"Good. I leave it in your capable hands. I have preparations to make against the rest of Cosmo Land."
"Leave it to us my Lord." Hawke nodded. "Let's move."
"Right behind you Hawke." His three subordinates followed after him.
Time: Late June
Place: White Sun Eastern Field Headquarters
The Eastern base of operations sat quietly, until the klaxons started blaring and explosions rocked the compound.
"...and I was right." Mel sighed as he got up from his seat, sword in hand. "I fucking hate when I'm right about shit like this." He swore. "Gabe, Gary! Let's move. We have squatters to evict."
"Good grief, they were actually fucking stupid enough to attack us?" Gabe asked.
"Change that to 'really fucking stupid' and that's probably why." Gary replied.
"Wait a sec, so who is that stupid anyway?" The ninja asked.
"...that stupid fucking alien." Mel said, his eyes narrowing. "All right Black Hole Army. You brought the fight to us this time? Worst mistake you've made ever. And if I have anything to say about it, the last mistake you fuckers will ever make!"
Place: Black Hole Strike Force
The Black Hole army base camp wasn't too far from the Eastern field headquarters. The four Black Hole COs stood, grinning smugly as their surprise attack was commencing.
"Get them! Kill them all!" Flak laughed brutishly. "Harharhar!"
"Teehee! This is fun!" Lash squealed happily as she watched the troops pour into the mountainous regions.
"Well calm down you two... I don't know why... but there has to be a reason that Lord Sturm would send all four of us to this place... " Adder hissed.
"Well, he did say the 'trouble maker' was here." Hawke said, calmly sipping a mug of black coffee.
"Still... all this power for one person? How much trouble could he be?" Adder wasn't convinced.
"Lord Sturm demanded it... apparently, there was a group of officers here that are known as the White Night, and they are highly trained and capable. I did some research and tried to hack into their files... but they've been highly protected... quite obvious for a country so secretive... " Lash said leafing through a folder.
"Well that's fine... Let us make sure that they don't have a chance to strike back then." Hawke simply stated. "They shouldn't have realized that we... hmm?" The white haired man noticed that his coffee mug was now missing and all he had in his hand was the handle. "Odd."
"Very well... it shouldn't be long before this base is taken – " Adder was interrupted by an explosion that struck a bit too close to where they were standing.
Mel stood on the roof of the Eastern Headquarters, the gun in his left hand still smoking from blasting an En-infused round.
"First one's a warning shot assholes." He said, watching them scrambled away through his binoculars. "I won't miss with the next few shots."
"What's the word Mel?" Gary asked.
"Well... looks like whoever I shot at were the ones in charge of this little... violation of our borders... they looked important enough anyway."
"Why didn't you just kill them out-right then?"
"I'm pretty sure if they're COs they can probably take a hit or two..." Mel replied. "Anyhow... Gabe and I will lead the charge. Take care of the HQ here." He holstered his gun and stowed the binoculars back into his coat. "I think it's time to declare a state of martial law."
"...you do realize El Presidente won't like that... right?" Gary asked.
"Well he has to realize that A: the country is under attack and B: Our job is to fix this by blowing shit up and killing people. Also C: I'm the frigging Commander General of the White Sun Military."
"...good point."
"Don't forget D!" Gabe said.
"And what might that be?" Mel and Gary asked at the same time.
"You'll just assassinate his ass at some point if he keeps trying to micromanage us!"
"...right. Also true." Mel nodded. "Well then. Gary you know the drill. Show these idiots why people haven't invaded the country of White Sun for centuries. Gabe, let's go raise hell."
"Got it." The two of them headed back towards the ground floor, leaving Gary on the roof of the headquarters building.
"Right-o. Eriko! You've got everything ready?" Gary spoke into his headset.
"The floor is yours."
"I'll stay as our eye in the sky for the time being." He said as he began assembling his sniper rifle. "Let me know if we have any approaching hostiles."
"Understood. We've got a five man... um... men being a loose term... heading towards the base."
"Got it. I'll take care of them soon enough. Get our indirect units in position. We're going to start raining explosives on them as they draw closer."
"I'll be bringing you a nav and com system so you can see what's going on in the battlefield as you take shots from up there."
"Thanks Eri."
"Think nothing of it. Also, get rid of those hostiles already! They're getting closer than I would like them to!"
"Yeah I got it. Let's see now... group of five... coming towards the HQ... I see 'em.." Gary said as he lined up the first target in the scope of his rifle. "One shot one kill. Let's party!"
End of Chapter.