Resolution
I don't own Full Metal Panic or any of its characters.
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"Speech"
"Thoughts"
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Chapter 9: Not really good apprehension A.K.A. You brought back the wrong one you twerp!
While the police were going wild in NY City, on the other side of the planet Tokyo was experiencing another peaceful night that was to be soon disturbed. Kurtz was gazing out on the window of the safe-house watching the window of Kaname's apartment. He just couldn't believe the order that he and Mao received from high command. He had no problem with kidnapping people if needed, but kidnapping little girls was something completely different. And there was the fact that the girl he'll kidnap is the sister of a good friend of his.
He slowly moved over to Melissa, who was still busy talking with the De Dannan. "Are you sure you heard right?" he asked the woman. She simply nodded while listening to whatever was said on the other end. "Are you even listening Mao? Do you know what Kaname will do to us if she finds out that we kidnapped her little sister."
"It's not if, but WHEN she will find out." answered Melissa covering her microphone so her word won't be heard on by their superiors. "And yes, I have a good idea. She'll rip our heads off! That's what she'll do!"
"I was afraid you'll say that!" responded Kurtz not so enthusiastically.
"Understood! Over!" responded Mao calmly before turning off the communication system. Once she was sure that the people on the sub won't hear her opinion, her attitude immediately changed for the opposite. With a harsh movement, she tore the headphone from her skull and threw it against the panel. "Who do these guys think they are?" she yelled angrily. "Do they know what they are asking us to do???"
"That's what I've been talking about the entire time!" remarked Kurtz.
"Oh shut up!" warned Melissa.
A small smile appeared on the blond guy's face and he moved closer to the woman "It's all right Mao we have time to do this till tomorrow. Let me help you relax a bit." Kurtz placed his hands on Melissa's shoulders and started a massage them with tender movements. A normal woman would have easily succumbed to this, but Melissa was someone who already got used to his advances. After a few seconds of calm toleration, she leaned forward as if giving in, however instead of that she did that so she'll have a better access to his head. Kurtz was also shocked when he felt both of Melissa's hands getting a hold on him.
The next thing he could remember was that with a small move she took him from the ground and onto her back. The sniper knew what will come after this. The attack was used too many times on him. Seconds later, he had a temporal feeling of weightlessness just before he came into closer contact with solid ground than he preferred.
"I'm really not in the mood so you better lay off!" warned Melissa. "Now get moving! The sooner we get this over with the better!" she yelled switching off the electronics that were surveying the Chidori house. She knew that she won't be able to do it if she hears anymore from there. If she didn't knew any better, she would say that Shunya Chidori is just an every day father. Turning off the electronics was a huge mistake because neither soldier noticed that in the very same second a teenaged girl named Kyouko Tokiwa moved into the flat with the goal to visit the two Chidories.
About twenty minutes later Kurtz was already standing in front of the door of Kaname's place. He was dressed in full battle gear, the only thing missing was the mask. The reason for that was simple. He and Mao both agreed that it's better if they try to do it without any violence if possible. Even though both of them knew that Shunya most probably won't come along peacefully. He shook his head still not liking the order and lifted his walky-talky to his ear. "Here Urzu 6, I'm in position." he reported.
Outside of the flat, a suspicious looking figure was climbing down on the side of the building using a rope. It made huge leaps as she kept mowing down. Normally such an action would be really spectacular and draw a crowd, but the darkness of the night and the experience of the figure were enough to cover the act, to add to this thanks to Sousuke's activities it wasn't the first time something like this happened. So for short even if someone noticed they wouldn't really care. "Here Urzu 2 I'm getting into position. Please stand by!" responded the person.
"Understood!" came the retail from the speaker of her communicator. Seconds later the figure stopped at the balcony of an apartment and climbed in carefull not to make any noise.
"Urzu 6 I'm in position!" she reported pulling out her weapon. "You are allowed to move in! Just don't forget no shooting, and no breaking down doors. I want this done without a peep!"
"Calm down Urzu 2. I'm not stupid you know. Besides If I remember correctly it was you who started the shoot 'em up the last time." joked the male soldier.
"Shut up and start working!" warned Melissa barely being able to keep herself from yelling.
"All right, all right! Chill girl! We both want this to be done without blood!" responded Kurtz hoping to make peace. Over the years, he learned to feel it when he reaches the boundary of Melissa's tolerance and he just did. He rung the bell and waited patiently, silently hoping that the female soldier won't attack him once they meet.
Chidori Shunya immediately stiffened when he heard the bell ringing. He immediately turned to Kyouko, who also became wary when she heard the sound. "I knew we shouldn't have trusted you!" growled Shunya, reaching for his gun that none of the two girls knew he head.
"But Mr. Chidori nobody knows that you're here!" defended Kyouko forgetting all about the pleasant conversation she was leading with Ayame. "I told my parents that Kaname's hamster is sick. You better hide and I'll answer the door. Maybe it's just my mother. She's very overprotective of me."
Shunya didn't want to believe the girl, but she did so much for him and his daughter that he managed to force his mind to believe her words. But he still couldn't be sure who was outside of the door. He nodded seemingly agreeing with the girl's suggestion. Kyouko didn't need any other signal and started to move towards the door. At the same time, Shunya started to drag Ayame towards the balcony where he hoped to make a getaway. "We're getting out of here!" he informed the litle girl.
Ayame looked at her father with disbelief in her eyes. "But dad she's a really nice girl I'm sure she won't do anything to us."
The male Chidori looked at Ayame with apologetic eyes. "I'm sorry my princes, but What if she was forced to speak. There are thousands of ways to persuade people. If someone would threaten her family I bet that she'd give us away in an instant." he responded opening the balcony door. He stepped out, but came to an abrupt hold when he spotted a woman standing right next to him.
"Mr. Chidori I have to talk with you." started Melissa speaking calmly hoping that the man will cooperate. At first it seemed like he'll do so, but then Melissa saw as Shunya reached for something, and she had quite a good hunch what that something is. "Oh fuck!" she yelled seeing the gun in the man's hand and attacked.
Kurtz was waiting patiently at the entrance of Kaname's residence for someone to open the door. However when that finally happened he wished the person never did that. Dread crawled all over his body and his jaw was close to falling from its place. "Kyouko!" he stammered "What the hell are you doing here?" he asked.
Kyouko was also shocked, not because of the visitor, but rather because what he was wearing. He looked at her with apologetic eyes, but he couldn't dare to open his mouth to speak. "Kurtz what the hell are you doing her?" she asked completely stunned by his sudden appearence.
The soldier shook his head in dismay "Kyouko why on Earth do you have to be here?" he asked.
The girl didn't understand at first, but then she noticed that the Kurtz was holding a naked gun in his hand, to her everything fell into place. She took a huge gulp and started to back away from him. "What do you want?" she asked with fear evident in her features.
"I'm sorry." he answered "But you'll have to come with us for your own safety." responded Kurtz in a quiet voice. He knew it well that the girl will interpret it all wrong but he had no better idea. At least he was telling the truth. Of course, the girl in front of him immediately panicked. Getting kidnapped wasn't on her to do list for the day. Kurtz stepped forward and Kyouko prepared to defend herself. "I warn you I've been taking karate lessons." she said with shaky voice. Of course, it was no use. The soldier knew well that it was a lie. It was then that the sound of a gunshot ripped into the silence of the night. Kyouko forgot every coherent thought that was left in her head and charged at the man in front of her.
"Please Kyouko I don't want to hurt you!" pleaded Kurtz hoping that somehow he'll be able to make the girl listen soon he had to admit that it was no use. The girl kept on screaming and struggling against the man. At the same time, Kurtz was getting more, and more nervous he was really concerned because of Mao's safety and wanted to push forward as fast as possible. He knew it well that it wasn't Mao's gun that went off but he couldn't let the schoolgirl get away she knew too much. "Kyouko listen to me!" he pleaded. Kyouko stared at him grimly with determination in her eyes, she actually had to fight to keep from spitting into his face.
"And I thought that you're my friend!" she snapped. Kurtz didn't have any time to deal with Kyouko so he simply grabbed the girl and dragged her in the direction of the balcony. The problem was that she was putting up quite a fight thus it would be certainly some time before she finally gives up. Kurtz wanted to get to the balcony badly to see what happened there, but at the same time, he couldn't let Kyouko get away. If that would happen, that could cause tremendous harm to Mithril.
"Kyouko! Try to understand we won't do anything to you. But Mr. Chidori did incredibly bad things. Do you think I'm doing this for my own fun?" he yelled at the girl trying to calm her rage. He didn't get too far with his words. After a few seconds of thinking, she resumed her struggles with added force.
"I don't care you are just a slimy jerk who likes to take advantage of people who can't defend themselves." she yelled. Kurtz wanted to slap Kyouko for the words she just said. She insulted him in the possible worst way, but he swallowed his anger. She knew nothing of his work to begin with and assumed the worst possible thing.
Another shot could be heard and this one was followed the loud chatter of china and glass braking. Kurtz stiffened, he knew that the sounds meant that someone was definitely hit this time. He tightened his hold on Kyouko and managed to drag her in the correct direction a bit faster, but at the same time, he forgot a very important thing.
The girl in his hold wasn't stupid and she immediately recognised her chance. Seconds later, she utilized one of the oldest, but at the same time most efficient defence that a woman has against a man. With a slight, but swift movement of her knee, she planted a firm hit in the soldier's most tender part. A high pitched yelp left the sniper's mouth as he fell to the ground holding the spot between his legs. Kyouko saw her chance and made a run for it. She didn't get far; the sound of a side arm being fired off made her come to a halt.
She saw the spot where the bullet came into contact with the wall and imbedded itself into it. It was just like some-kind of trans that she fell into. She wanted to get away so desperately, but at the same time, she didn't dare to move an inch. She heard as the man behind her back slowly got to his feet and started to walk towards her, she saw the shadow that warned her that the person behind her is indeed keeping her on gunpoint.
"I'm really sorry." apologised Kurtz "I don't want to do this, but this is for your own safety." Kyouko was trembling because of the fear. Then she saw a hand holding a white cloth entering her line of sight. At this point, her rage completely vanished, and was replaced by fear. "Please don't fight it." soothed Kurtz. "Everything will be all right." The hand brought the cloth over her mouth and nose; she saw enough crime movies to know what will happen to her within a few seconds. Actually, she didn't mind it much. At least she'll be spared from a few things. Still as she felt more and more light-headed, she felt that her sight blurred not only because of the chloroform, but also because of her tears that were now running freely.
Kurtz was already feeling like an ass to begin with but when he felt the girl's tears he just wanted to run, but there was no more turning back. Seconds later, he felt that the girl's body relaxed and she collapsed into his hands. He let out a sigh and looked up. To his luck. He looked right into a mirror and saw an exta male in it who was also holding a gun. Thanks to the years of experience, Kurtz jumped aside out of reflex, barely avoiding a shot and scrambled for cover making sure that Kyouko's safe.
"Let me pass or your friend at the balcony is done for!" warned Shunya's voice. "I won't let you hurt my daughter!"
"Calm down sir! We are Mithril agents we mean no harm!" responded Kurtz hoping to create some-kind of dialogue. He wasn't lucky. Soon he heard the sound of a door being slammed shut and the sounds made by two pairs of feet getting fainter as the two Chidories made their escape.
Kurtz couldn't care less about that. He quickly checked if Kyouko is all right and charged into the living room in search for Mao. He soon found her, lying on the ground, surrounded by broken glass, with a fresh bloodstain right under her. Kurtz panicked and practically leaped to her side. He immediately started to undress her with the goal to look for her injury, but he didn't get further than her jacket because he received a fist into his face. The force of the punch was so big that he was thrown away from Melissa.
"Keep your hands to yourself pervert!" she warned slowly getting up.
"I though you were dying!" answered Kurtz.
"Well I'm not. What do you think the bullet proof vests are for? But I have a splitting headache! That Ayame may be just a little brat, but she handles the bat like a pro! Let's get out of here!" she said slowly getting to her feet and starting to move towards the door.
"There's one more thing. Kyouko is here! I had to knock her out!" added Kurtz.
"I heard her." responded Melissa. "We can't leave her here."
"I feared that you'll say that. The captain is so gonna kill us!" responded Kurtz and moved forward to get the girl from the storage room to where he retreated earlier. Five minutes later half of Tokyo's police force arrived at the house only a few seconds after Mao and Kurtz took off.
A hundred miles away Teresa Testarossa, captain of the Thuatha De Dannan was sitting in her office going trough the usual paperwork that she had to deal with in her position. She really didn't like this part of the job, and today she had even more paper on her hand than usually. There was a huge fight in the mess hall in the morning and thus a considerate part of the carrier-submarine's crew was either in the prisoners' hold or in the sickbay. Only because the result of a football match. All in all the day turned out to be quite rotten. Then to add to this she received a direct order from the admiral to capture Chidori Shunya, and since Chidori Ayame was with him, there was no other possible way but to bring the girl along for the ride.
She threw the papers on her desk and stretched trying to get the sore feeling from her tired muscles. "It's been almost a year since I had a little rest. Maybe I could give a little visit to my friends in Chofu after this cruise is over." she mused aloud. "A few days as a normal teen would feel really good right now."
The young captain's thoughts were brought to an end by a beeping sound that was coming from her computer. She gave her chair a little push and rolled over to the left corner of her desk. She pushed a few buttons and made a few clicks and she was already reading the message that informed her of the assault on Kaname's place. Then after the first few sentences, her face turned utterly grim. She held herself back from destroying anything in her vicinity, then she did something the she rarely does startling several people around her quarters. "This day really SUCKS!!! And that's official." she yelled.
The very same words went through the heads of Melissa and Kurtz as the sun appeared over the horizon finding them on their way to the De Dannan. The small helicopter was speeding towards its destination only a few feet above the ground. Although it was making quite a racket with its turbines, it was almost impossible to locate it because of its camouflage system that rendered it invisible to the human eye. "So what was your longest time in lockup?" asked Kurtz trying to lighten the mood.
"Oh shut up!" warned Melissa.
"Come on Mao if we are about to get the biggest detention of our military life we might as well have a laugh about it." he reasoned. The woman glanced over to Kurtz then turned away.
"Come on Mao I'm only trying to lighten the mood." half whined Kurtz, trying to persuade Melissa to his cause. He didn't make any progress. He was about to continue his attempts when he heard a moan from the direction of Kyouko who was sitting across of them cuffed to her seat.
"Are you all right?" asked Melissa immediately moving over to the girl. Her only answer was only long moan.
"Don't worry pretty lady we'll be there soon. Sorry for the cuffs we didn't know how you'll react when you wake up." added Kurtz. His words were like a bucket of cold water to Kyouko's numb senses and she immediately woke up. The first thing that got registered in her brain was that her hands are held in place behind her with something metallic. Then she remembered what happened the day before and she panicked. He eyes snapped open and she scanned the area around her. She immediately knew that she's on a helicopter somewhere in the open sea.
"What do you want with me?" she asked, fighting with her binds, desperately trying to get free.
"We are sorry but we can't tell you anything." responded Melissa. "But don't worry nothing is going to happen to you."
"Tell that to someone who believes!" snapped Kyouko.
"Actually it's me and Mao who are in trouble here." responded Kurtz. "We goofed our order and we are delivering a civilian who has nothing to do with the entire thing except that..."
"Hold it there Kurtz!" warned Melissa. "Don't say a word without the captain allowing you. We'll be already lucky if we only end up in boot camp for a few weeks."
"Yeah you're right. Kalinin told me over the com, that he never heard Anthaz cursing like that before." agreed Kurtz.
"And just who the hell is this "Anthaz."?" asked Kyouko with dismay.
"Our captain." answered the two soldiers at the same time.
"You're what?" asked Kyouko.
"You have three guesses to what we are doing here out in the open sea sweetie!" explained Kurtz. Kyouko didn't answer she knew well what he meant.
"So you are taking me to some-kind of warship?" she asked warily after a minute of silence "Good at least now I know that they won't kill me." she thought relaxing a bit.
"Bingo and that ship has a mad captain on board out for our hides." explained Kurtz
"And she'll tear our heads off for kidnapping the wrong person." added Melissa.
"She's not like that Mao, and you know that." remarked Kurtz. "She'll just throw us out on the air lock a thousand feet under and use what's left of us to fish for sharks."
As the two soldiers kept on debating their fate, Kyouko started to get nervous once again. The first few sentences however were already enough for her. The fact alone that the captain of this enigmatic ship was a woman made her shudder. In the mind of Kyouko, the captains of warships were men in their forties, rugged and strong built. She could only guess what kind of woman was needed to keep at least a hundred seamen in check.
Then there was the example of a female soldier in front of her in the form of Melissa. The captain of such a ship must be at least ten times tougher than the young sergeant. This was only strengthened by Kurtz's returning remark of how this captain will use his and Melissa's guts to fish for sharks.
The debate soon came to an end when one of the helicopter's pilots turned to the trio. "We're there!" he reported. "We'll be landing shortly."
Kyouko looked out on the window searching for a ship so at least she can have a look at her prison but she saw nothing but the clear waters of the ocean. "Where is it?" she asked starting to get nervous.
"Don't worry Kyouko you'll see it soon enough." answered Melissa trying to calm the girl down who was once again starting to panic. At the same time, Kurtz opened the door to look out. Kyouko panicked.
"I should have known it!" she hollered trying to break free. "You only wanted me to be quiet till you get far enough to throw me out!" she yelled with full force.
"That's no true!" soothed Melissa. Kyouko didn't respond instead she used her free legs to knock Melissa down. Mao landed with a hard thump on the floor and barely managed to avoid the next kick that was meant for her.
When Kurtz saw this he immediately jumped into action and grabbed one of Kyouko's legs only to receive the girl's other foot into his face. "Mao! Will you help me?" he yelled. Successfully avoiding the second kick, and getting past her only defence. "Kyouko listen to me!" he said to the girl leaning close to her face. "We won't do anything to you. Even if we wanted, we wouldn't do it. Getting ourselves in front of a firing squad isn't part of our short term plans." he reasoned.
Kyouko looked at him with anger and despair on her face, she couldn't hold it anymore, and spat into the soldier's face and kept on struggling.
"Kyouko!" yelled Melissa trying to reach the girl without much success. "Have you ever thought that the ship we are taking you might be able to travel under water." she yelled hoping that the schoolgirl understands.
When the words registered in Kyouko's mind, she immediately came to a hold. It never crossed her mind that maybe she'll be taken to a submarine. The soldiers relaxed and let go of her backing away from the girl.
Kyouko looked to the side in embarrassment. She should have known that Kurtz and Melissa will do nothing to her they were her friends after all. It was in the very same moment that she saw something moving under the surface. Something very big. Seconds later the gigantic form of the De Dannan broke the surface. The girl couldn't believe what she saw. The ship had at least the size of a smaller aircraft carrier. Then the figure of the deadly ship captain once again appeared in her mind, it was worse that ever before. Kyouko didn't even dare to imagine what kind of a captain had the command over such a colossus. The figure that by now held a resemblance to a medieval pirate, now even received an eye-patch. Kyouko was so consumed in her thoughts that she never even noticed as Melissa unlocked the cuffs holding her in place.
"Which country built this monster?" she asked herself, but received no answer. The top of the huge ship started to open up revealing the interior and the helicopter started to descend onto the monster's body. "All right so maybe I would have preferred if you throw me into the sea." remarked Kyouko.
"It's too late now. Maybe next time." joked Kurtz.
"Don't worry Kyouko the captain is really nice. It's us who need to be saved." added Melissa.
"Then why did Kurtz talk about "fishing for sharks"?" asked Kyouko.
Kurtz turned to the little girl with a nervous face. "Because she usually never curses... Kyouko please try to smile. This may be the last time I see a girl's beautiful face in my life."
"Oh shut up Kurtz and stop hitting on her!" warned Melissa.
"Sorry Mao I completely forgot about you!" apologised Kurtz.
"Give me a break will you? Besides she's only 17, what are you thinking?" warned Melissa.
"Ah come on she's 17 and I'm 20 there's nothing bad in that!" countered the blonde man.
"But she's a civilian to add." interrupted a third male voice. When the soldiers turned around both of them stiffened, it was Kalinin. He was standing right next to the aircraft that just placed it's wheels on the floor of the lift that slowly started to descend to the interior of the ship. The man's face didn't look angry but the two soldiers knew it perfectly that he was not satisfied with them at all. "You two! Do you know what you just did?" he asked. "Our only available witness is on the run because of you! The captain is steaming, high command wants your heads on a platter and I better don't talk about the first mate."
"We know it, the duke probably wants us dead and ten feet under." answered Melissa knowing well the way how Mardukas' head was working.
Kyouko once again shuddered. This Russian looked totally calm on the outside but even she could clearly feel the anger radiating from his body. And whoever this iceman was he sounded really dangerous. At least a minute passed without any words, only the humming voice of the lift and the sounds of work in the hangar could be heard as they kept getting closer to their destination. Then just before the lift came to a stop Kalinin spoke again. "Now get moving! The captain probably wants to speak with you. After her I'll be having my turn!" he yelled, both Kurtz and Melissa sped up pulling Kyouko along. They didn't even dare to look back as they headed out of the hangar.
"Now you understand what we've been talking about?" asked Kurtz.
Kyouko nodded starting to get it from where the soldiers were coming from. "Guys I know that you are really in trouble, but why the hell did you want to capture Kaname's father? I mean I know that he did bad things, but what does the army have to do with him?"
Kurtz looked at Melissa as if asking for permission. The woman stared back at him for a few seconds then shook her head. "It's your funeral. But the captain will probably tell her everything so just go ahead."
"Wait..." interrupted Kyouko. "Just tell me is your captain really that scary?"
"Only when she's really mad. You don't have to worry you already know her, she won't do anything to you maybe except ask for every small detail that happen in Chofu the last year." responded Kurtz with a smile.
"Huh?" was the only sound that came from the schoolgirl. "I know her? From where?"
"You'll soon understand!" answered Melissa. The sergeant major took her eyes from Kyouko's form and looked forward to see the form of Mardukas. She immediately came to a stop, as did Kurtz who however still had his full attention on Kyouko.
Melissa took a deep breath trying to calm herself while she nudged Kurtz with her arm to warn him. Of course the playboy didn't even notice her warning as he kept on flirting. "Sergeant!" came the deep voice from Commander Mardukas. Kurtz immediately stiffened and turned his head to see the last person he wanted to see in this second.
"Umm... good morning commander." he said meekly presenting a quick salute "We're having some nice weather today don't we?"
"I'm not here to talk about the weather. The captain wants to speak with our guest. Once you escorted the miss to her quarters you are to report at my office." he said strictly not letting any space for an argument. "Is that clear?" he yelled.
"Yes sir!" responded the soldiers.
Once Mardukas was satisfied with the reaction he received from his charges he turned to Kyouko with his facial expression softening a little bit. Still Kyouko saw that this man has nerves made of steel. "I'm really sorry for what happened miss. Apparently our soldiers weren't careful enough with their approach." Kyouko didn't dare to look up and she stared at the floor not knowing how to respond. "Hopefully we'll get over with this quickly and you'll be able to return to your family." declared the commander before moving on. The schoolgirl shuddered, a bit as Mardukas moved passed her. In her opinion this man was almost a giant in more than one way.
Then her thoughts went back to the ship's captain. "What kind of woman could be strong enough to keep such people in check. Kurtz said that I already know her. But from where?" mused Kyouko. "Could it be Kaname?" she thought, but almost immediately threw the idea away. No matter how she turned and twisted she couldn't remember one person who would be able to command such a ship.
Then she noticed that her escorts came to a hold at a steel door. "Well we're there!" declared Melissa.
"Wish us luck we're going to need it. Pretty one!" added Kurtz while opening the door.
Kyouko stepped into the room looking around for any sign from what she came to label the most dangerous person on earth. The room was huge especially considering that it was the office of a submarine captain. But there was no captain in it. However she quickly noticed a half open door on the left side a bit behind the office desk thanks to the sounds of a running shower. Kurtz also heard the sound and as the form of a naked Testarossa appeared in his mind he completely forgot how much he likes his life along with the fact that he was in quite a trouble. He started to move towards the entrance to the captain's private chamber, but his advance was stopped by a seat slamming onto his head.
"Don't even think about that you pervert." yelled Melissa. Kurtz on the other hand didn't really care about his comrade's yelling he was more concerned in avoiding the very painful contact with the hard floor that he was about to experience. Considering it wasn't the first time Melissa decided that he needs a good beating he knew how to react and thanks to his quick reaction he managed to stop his fall in time. Once again he could forget about the dream of seeing the petite young captain naked.
This was further proved by the fact that mere seconds after the battle cry of Melissa the sound of the running shower stopped. "I'm right there!" called Tessa from her bath. "Melissa, Kurtz! Commander Mardukas and Lt. Commander Kalinin want to talk with you so you can leave!" she added. "I'll speak with you later!"
"Yes ma'am!" responded Mao dragging Kurtz along as she was heading out. As for the playboy, having partially recovered from his daze he once again attempted to press forward, but he couldn't bring up the strength to fight Mao thanks to his dazed state.