Chapter Eleven

A couple days later, Selena was up and around-within reason, Ray trying to make sure she didn't overdo herself too much. Currently she was exploring the fortifications near the hospital, stopping at one of the edge of one wall to look out at the ocean and just experience the feel of the sea air on her face, her friend and colleague watching from nearby. "Has anything been heard from the human Navy?" she asked finally, turning to him and watching him shake his head. "Not that I've heard of save the warrant for your arrest," was the reply. "Your father is not pleased-plus we both know that Taggart isn't going to give up."

"Sounds like this man needs his eyes opened," a voice said, Selena glancing up and spotting a male silver-haired Model in a black suit and an admiral's coat that had come up. He looked her over, watching her blush faintly before walking to her side and taking her hand, kissing the back of it gently. "I am Vice-Admiral Zao Ma'am," he said, letting go. "I take it you are the Model for the Seleene?"

Selena nodded. "Yes-I am Selena, Vice-Admiral." She said. "I am your new Fleet Admiral, and this is my second, Admiral Ray Parker."

Zao studied him. "He is human...yet follows you of his own volition-you must inspire a great amount of loyalty."

She sat down on a bench, looking at him. "What can I do for you Vice-Admiral?" she asked.

"Please, call me Zao-and I bring a bit of news. A small fleet of human ships fired at me but kept going-they were heading up toward the Western Coast of the U.S. and seemed to be in quite a hurry."

The young woman raised an eyebrow before rubbing her temples. "Taggart..." she said. "That idiot. Can you explain the attack and how it occurred?"

"I had just passed in front of him and was targeted from behind." Was the reply. "I didn't even target them-merely fired a warning shot before it happened. I take it this...human has wronged you previously?"

"Jonathan Taggart was our captain for a time before Ray and I joined the Fog," Selena explained. "Now he's trying to arrest me for being a traitor on behalf of his country's president-who seems to have changed it to an 'alive or dead' order-probably offering a sizable reward to whomever does it too. The fools do not realize they will start a war if these actions continue-something I'm trying to avoid right now."

Zao stared at her, taking in what she had said. 'Just what is this woman?' he thought. 'She has to be a Model, and yet...' he shook his head. "I find myself confused Ma'am-you are a Mental Model, and yet you just said you served on a human ship. Can you explain?"

"I'm only half-Model Zao," was the reply. "My mother is Takao...and my father is Admiral Gunzou Chihaya."

"You're...Takao's daughter?" he gasped, swallowing nervously. "What am I getting myself into?" he muttered under his breath.

"You know my mother? I can see her coming up the path if you want to say hello."

Zao stared at her before turning, watching Takao walk up to them and glare. "Vice-Admiral Zao..." she said, looking at him with folded arms. "Why am I not surprised to find you here-it's been a long time."

Ray stared. "Hey Selena?" he asked, watching the two Models stare at each other. "Is it me, or is the Vice-Admiral actually afraid of your mom?" he leaned close to her ear. "Also, was he coming onto you there?"

Selena stared at her friend, flushing red. "Ray!" she hissed, her mother raising an eyebrow. "Something I should know about?" she asked, her daughter blanching. "N-No Mom-I'm good. Zao just had some information for me-that's all."

The reply was a wicked smirk. "Maybe I should bring your father up here," she said, watching her bury her face in her hands. "Damnit Mom...will you stop?!"

Zao watched the two, clearing his throat. "She speaks true Takao," he said. "I did have some info for her regarding someone that attacked me."

She looked over. "Zao, be glad it was me and not Kongou...she would have ordered a photon cannon shot aimed at your rear end had she caught you flirting-keep that in mind."

Selena looked up after her mother walked off, sighing. "Talk about awkward," she muttered. "Zao, I sincerely apologize-I had no idea that would happen."

He looked at her, blinking at her blush and noticed Ray watching him. "Selena, I meant in no way to make you feel uncomfortable," he said finally, getting up. "I will be around for several days-we can talk more later."

The pair watched him go, the young man realizing that the Vice-Admiral had most likely misread something and stood, taking Selena's hand and helping her to her feet. "Come on, let's head down." He said, watching her huff. "I want to explore Ray," she said. "Not be cooped up in a hospital room."

"I might be able to help with that," someone replied, Kongou coming up the hill. "Why don't you take a break Ray," she smiled at him, knowing something was on his mind. "I'll stay with my niece for now."

Ray nodded. "Thank you, Kongou," he said politely, bowing before hurrying off. He threaded his way through the streets, finding who he was looking for at a small table with a glass of bourbon and a bottle of the liquor in front of him. "Would you mind if I sat here?" he asked, watching the male look up and nod warily as a second glass was brought over and he poured himself some, sipping. "I am sorry if I came between you and her," Zao said finally, looking at him. "I was unaware there was a relationship between you two."

Ray ran his hand through his spiky bangs, sighing. "I had a feeling that was the issue due to your rather...hasty departure," he said. "Zao, Selena is my best friend-there is no relationship between me and her besides that. You misread what you saw and Takao's comments didn't help matters either. I just want to protect her from those that seek to harm her-does that include you? I don't know yet. Keep in mind we've been protecting each other since we ended up on the Aurora, and now with Taggart running around the oceans wanting to sink her, even though that's highly unlikely..."

Zao had lifted his glass and took a drink, staring at the other male. "I understand Ray," came the reply. "I just...there's something about her-she has a natural grace and beauty and I just..."

"Couldn't help yourself?" Ray drained his glass, refilling both of them half-way. "While Selena is new to being the Fleet Admiral, she's not new to the Fog itself. She sees a lot of potential here and what can be accomplished."

"Where is Selena anyways?"

"Perfectly safe with her Aunt Kongou-she could see I needed some time and so took over keeping an eye on her niece. I wanted to find you to clear the air between us." He held out his hand, watching Zao raise an eyebrow before taking it firmly. "Thank you Admiral," he said formally, watching him smirk as they let go. "What is it?"

"Oh, just the fact Selena's going to be moved out of the hospital and into a room within the Headquarters here," was the reply. "I think it will be better for her to be honest-I've noticed she dislikes being in such places."

"Then I will stop by later." Zao drained his glass, getting up and bowing. "For now, I will make some rounds and see if any other ships ran into that 'fleet'. Until later Admiral."

Ray watched him leave, chuckling as he finished his drink and stuck some money under the bottle as he had seen other humans do as he got up. Sure, he knew that he didn't really need to, but it had been very good bourbon. He gave a smile to the workers, nodding his head before moving off to the Fog Headquarters.

~*Elsewhere*~

Selena walked with her aunt, staring around her at the shops as they moved along. Kongou chuckled, remembering the last time she was here and leading the way to a small jewelry shop. "You would look good with earrings Selena," she said, watching her come over and raise an eyebrow. "I think two necklaces are enough Aunt Kongou," she said. "I never understood the reason women deck themselves out like that." She looked at the jewelry, something catching her eye. "However...those earrings there-abalone shell and pearl right?"

The shop owner blinked and brought them over, nodding. "Locally found-I made them myself. Not one for jewelry unless it catches your eye, eh Ma'am?"

The young woman looked at the earrings, surprised at the workmanship and the design work-the pearl dangling from the shell carved in a pattern of a circle with arrows 90 degrees from each other and smaller circles in the middle. She glanced at the old man, smiling warmly. "You craft with care and expertise," she said, taking some money from her pocket and setting it in his hand. "I know, but such workmanship deserves a reward." Kongou chuckled, looking at him. "Serge," she said, watching him look at her in recognition. "Thank you-I had a feeling my niece would enjoy your shop."

It is good to see you again Kongou," he replied, watching as Selena put the earrings on and smiled at both of them. "They suit you well," he added, handing her a mirror and watching her look at her reflection and smile before setting the mirror down, taking his hand in hers and bowing. "Thank you, my friend." She said, watching him bow his head before she let go and left, her aunt smirking. "Serge does good work," she said. "He made the pendant I gave you-I had it created back after you were born...back when I could still come and go at leisure."

The reply was a nod as they walked towards the Fog Headquarters building, going inside and finding Ray waiting for them. It looks like we have an entire wing to ourselves," he said, watching her raise an eyebrow. "There were enough rooms for your friends and family to have a place to relax-plus, I think Kirishima was cooking a bit ago."

Selena smiled before moving off, finding her room and blinking at the bed inside, feeling the softness of the mattress as her mind turned back to the meeting with Zao. 'I wonder what Mom's issue with him is?' she thought. 'They clearly know each other, so it's a safe bet Aunt Kongou knows him too.' She headed out of the room and down the hall, finding a veranda overlooking a fenced-in garden with steps leading to it, walking down them and looking at the flowers, stopping at a small pool. The young woman eased herself down onto the grass next to it, realizing how much walking she had done as her leg chose that moment to start throbbing and she leaned back, looking up in the clouds. She wasn't sure how long she was there before she heard her name being called, Makie coming out into the garden and finding her. "Here you are Selena," she said, watching her look over at her. "I came to tell you dinner is ready." She reached down with her hand, watching her take it and get to her feet. "It is beautiful here, isn't it?"

"Yes," came the reply as she smiled, brushing the grass off her jacket and feeling her visor in its pocket on the front. The pair went inside, the young girl leading the way to the dining room. Selena stared around the large room in awe, walking over and sitting down as Kirishima brought over a plate of fish, the others already eating. "We didn't know where you were so we kinda started without you," she explained, watching her niece grin. "It's all right Aunt Kiri," was the reply as she started in herself, nodding. "Excellent as always." She added after swallowing.

The meal was eaten amidst light conversation, the young woman finishing up and getting to her feet before heading into the main office, looking over the screens and seeing a large digital map on one of them showing the locations of all ships currently out and began to study it, her hands behind her back. She took out her visor and put it on, gesturing to an area and viewing the West Coast of the U.S., calculating the distance between where Zao had been fired upon to a certain point, nodding. "Taggart will have reached San Diego by this time," she mused before pulling up what Fog ships were in the area and tapping her lip, nodding. She seated herself behind her desk, willing herself into the Concept Comm and waiting, a young teen with deep blue hair wearing a dark jacket-like top with a skirt to match appearing and looking at her, raising an eyebrow. "Well, this is a surprise," she said, her light purple eyes focused on her. "You're Selena right? Takao's daughter?"

Selena sighed. "Yes Suzuya," she said. "I am also your Fleet Admiral."

Suzuya waved her hand before sizing her up. "I heard-just wasn't expecting to meet you here." She leaned against a pillar. "What is it you need, Admiral Selena?"

"You are closest to San Diego-I need you to keep an eye on someone and see if any info can be gotten." She pulled up an image. "This is Jonathan Taggart-he tried to take me after the battle and was stopped by my Second. If he hears anything or leaves there, I want to know what it is and where he is heading." She closed the window, looking at her. "Be careful, he will fire at you, so stay out of sight and strike only if you have to."

The Model nodded. "You got it Selena," she said before disappearing, Selena came back to herself, opening her eyes and glancing up at her mom. "Yeah Mom?"

"What are you doing Selena?" Takao asked, glancing at the map behind her before returning her gaze to her daughter, who smiled benignly. "I just sent Suzuya to keep an eye on Taggart if possible-she was closest to the San Diego area."

"Smart idea-that guy is just dangerous."

~*Elsewhere*~

Taggart sat in his office in San Diego staring at the phone. "I suppose I should get this over with," he said, sighing before picking up the receiver and dialing, hearing the call be picked up. "Speak," a female voice said.

"Madam President?" he said," It's Jonathan Taggart."

"Ah, Taggart," she said. "To what do I owe this call-I take it you caught the little traitor? No, you would have told me that right away-you failed, didn't you?"

"Ma'am, I wasn't given much of a choice..."

"If you're not going to be strong enough to take what you must, then you are not worth my time." The call disconnected, Taggart staring at the receiver in his hand before slamming it down. "Damn her!" he snarled, his hands balling up. "Damn both of them." He slammed his fists down on his desk. "No!" he yelled. "She was supposed to be mine!" he got up, leaving his office and rounding up his crew. "They're not getting her...if they're going to shut me out of this I'll make sure they don't get her." He went to the dockyard, the group commandeering a ship and disabling the tracker before taking off. "Take us out and head for where the battle was-we'll start there."

(A.N.: Normally don't run two 'Elsewhere' in a story, but it worked out in this case. Taggart's finally lost it-he wants to be the one to take down Selena and is obsessed with doing so. How far will the obsession go? That remains to be seen. As for Zao, he's going to have a very big part in the story-plus I'm waiting to see if anyone figures out who I based him off in looks. Selena is settling into her new role, but she's worried if she can handle it.)