Part 21 – Crysto IV
Point Blood was damaged, but standing when Team 7 left the Percep system.
Sasuke was in the middle of writing his report in a simulated version of Air Force One when Councilor Hatake walked in, "Hello there Major," he said as he walked in to see Sasuke dressed in a pair of black Italian leather shoes, black suit pants, and a button-up white shirt.
"Councilor," Sasuke said as he continued typing his report, "I wasn't expecting you till I submitted my report."
"I came to ask," Councilor Hatake said as he put a newspaper from the Invictus Times in front of Sasuke, "How does it feel to be on the cover of every newspaper in the Legion?"
Sasuke put his report down, picked up the newspaper, and couldn't believe his eyes, it showed him when he and his team raising the Legion's flag at the end of the battle: the headline on the page read, "A Real Legionnaire," the description of the picture below the picture said, "Major Sasuke Uchiha and his squad Team Seven raise the Legion's flag at the end of the battle for Point Blood which was known as New Angeles before the Saline took over half the planet."
The story went, "Major Sasuke Uchiha, son of billionaire Fugaku Uchiha, along with his squad, Team Seven, and a force of nearly twelve thousand soldiers stormed Point Blood, which has been renamed New Angeles, after yesterday's victory over the Saline forces that took over the city three years ago. When asked how he thinks his plan succeeded, Colonel Cesare, the commander-in-charge of Operation Sting corrected journalist Michael Conic by saying, 'The plan was all Major Uchiha's idea. He's an exemplary soldier with a real talent. The universe and the Legion need more men like him.' Unfortunately, Major Uchiha had to leave the planet in regards to what Councilor Kakashi Hatake said would be, 'An operation for the good of the Legion.' Hopefully Conic will be able to sit down for an interview with Major Uchiha when the operation is over."
"That's not so bad." Sasuke said.
"I'm afraid it gets worse," Councilor Hatake said as he flipped the newspaper to page eight.
The story on that page was sort of a continuation from the first page on the Financial Times which read, "As a result of Major Sasuke Uchiha's good press, from the victory over the Saline in Operation Sting, stock prices in Uchiha Enterprises in every Marking Center from Wall Street on Earth to Trader's Corner on Konoha, skyrocketed, and Fugaku Uchiha's net worth rose from three hundred and seventy five billion to three hundred and eighty two billion. When asked about his son, Fugaku Uchiha said, "'Of course his mother, his siblings, and I are very proud of him. We hope that he comes home safely, and we can meet this mystery girl of his.'"
"Great," Sasuke said as he tossed the newspaper aside, "He's now started the rumor about me and Sakura. Now everyone's going to try and figure out who this 'mystery girl' is. Not to mention when Tsunade finds out," Sasuke's head slammed into the table, "Oh fuck, what happens when Tsunade finds out I'm dating her foster-daughter."
"You don't need to worry," Councilor Hatake said, "She knows."
Sasuke's head shot up from the table, and when he looked at Kakashi, Kakashi wondered whether or not Sasuke was about to have a heart-attack, or a seizure.
"Don't tell me you told her." Sasuke said.
"No," Kakashi said, "Colonel Cesare saw you two, and mentioned it to Tsunade. She in turn said to never mention it to anyone else."
"Do I hand in my belt now?" Sasuke asked.
"You're not going anywhere," Kakashi said, "She's not mad that you're dating Sakura, and Naruto is dating Hinata. She's mad because she had to figure out from a Colonel who saw your team while you were eating creamed corn and corned beef. She said when you get back you're taking her shopping."
"Did she ask if you knew?" Sasuke asked.
"She did," Kakashi said, "I told her I did, but I only learned about it recently. While Tsunade's not mad, I'd mind your father, he might use this as an excuse to increase his bottom line."
"Good point," Sasuke said, "I won't tell him yet. Right now we need to focus on the station. I've already brought Sai up to speed on the station, and he's begun work on Excalibur. He thinks he can be finished by the end of the month."
"Good," Councilor Hatake said, "By the way, I know about Thorak's revolver. It's a great souvenir, make sure you have it in a safe place. Once this is operation is over, I have big things planed for you and your team."
"I'll look forward to it," Sasuke said as he finished writing his report, and handed it to Councilor Hatake.
"Indeed," Councilor Hatake said, "Have a good rest."
Sasuke left the holosuite to see his team playing a game of baccarat, "There he is," Naruto said as he looked up, "How'd the holo conference go?"
"Councilor Hatake contacted me," Sasuke said as he jumped over the back of the couch to land next to Sakura, "Tsunade knows."
Naruto, Sakura, and Hinata dropped their cards in their laps, "She knows," Naruto said, "Should we turn in our belts know?"
"She's not mad at me and you for dating her girls," Sasuke said as he looped his arms around Sakura's shoulders, "She's mad because she leaned about it when Colonel Cesare saw us."
Sakura flopped back onto the couch, "That's the one thing mom always hated," Sakura said, "Learning about something from someone else."
"The good news is we're in the clear with Tsunade," Sasuke said as he tapped on the table, which turned on the touch-screen, typed in, "Legion Times," and the news story about the New Angeles Victory came up.
"Oh boy," Sakura said as she read the story, "This is crazy."
"That's not bad," Sasuke said as he tapped on the number eight, and it pulled up the Financial Times which showed the team the story did on Uchiha Enterprises, "This is bad."
"This is bad alright," Sakura said, "Your father's created problems for all of us."
"Just the four of you really," Tenten said as she leaned back against Shino, "Me and Shino here are just fine."
"Yes, yes," Sasuke said, "Rub it in. I think when this job is over we need to lay low for a while."
"I agree," Naruto said as he placed his cards down, "Four."
Hinata dropped her cards, "Three." She said.
"Nothing." Shino said.
"Nothing." Tenten said.
"Two." Sai said.
"Two." Sakura said.
"I win," Naruto said as he brought the winnings close to him.
"Deal me in," Sasuke said as he closed the article on the table.
The team played five rounds, shared some drinks, and half way through Sasuke's third drink, and Sakura had fallen asleep on him.
"She looks tired," Naruto said as Hinata looked up at him, "Looks like we need to take care of our women."
"Yep," Sasuke said as he turned to Sakura, and scooped her up in his arms, "Let's see if we can get them to bed."
Sasuke carried Sakura into his bedroom, set her down on the bed, and climbed in next to her.
Naruto brought Naruto to his room, set her down in bed, and climbed in next to her.
A few hours later, Hinata awoke to see her boyfriend asleep next to her, she smiled, and scooted closer to him.
The next morning Naruto awoke to Hinata looking up at him, "Hello." He said.
"Hello," Hinata said as she leaned up to kiss Naruto, when they pulled away she smiled.
"What?" Naruto asked.
"Just thanking whatever power brought me into your arms." Hinata said.
"I know," Naruto said, "I'm glad we found each other."
"So do I," Hinata said, "I love you."
"You love me?" Naruto asked.
"I'm sorry," Hinata said, "I spoke too…"
"No, no," Naruto said, "You just caught me off guard. I love you too Hinata."
That afternoon, Sai was working on the Excalibur, and looked up to see Sasuke standing over him, "What can I do for you, boss?" Sai asked.
"How go the improvements?" Sasuke asked as he knelt down to get a better view of Sai's work.
"Not bad," Sai said as he grabbed another tool, and went back to work, "The Independence is quite an amazing ship. This Excalibur though is very simple in its design. Upgrading it is going to take a little while."
"Hopefully not too long." Sasuke said.
"Why?" Sai asked.
"I just got off the line with Councilor Hatake," Sasuke said, "The C.O.I. Agents we have close to Orochimaru report the Harvester is closer to being complete that we originally realized. And Orochimaru has selected a target… he's chosen the star that serves as the sun for the Beacon Solar System."
"But the Beacon Solar System is the same system where…" Sai began.
"Metropolis is located," Sasuke said, "I know. He also revealed what it is. The Harvester is designed to syphon solar energy."
"Syphoning solar energy is one of the most dangerous idea ever conceived," Sai said, "The technology is untested, and if syphoned incorrectly…" he stopped when he thought of the idea, and shuttered.
"I know," Sasuke said, "If he unleashes that thing on that star the entire system is," he then snapped, and then opened his hand to represent an explosion.
It took the Independence another three days to arrive at the Crysto System, the Legion and the Saline were not engaged in a space battle like the Percep System because the Saline had set up a command-post on Crysto VI where their ships had parked, the Legion had set up a blockade around the four planets they controlled.
On the bridge, Sasuke saw the L.O.I.V. New York was contacting them, and opened a channel, "Legion vessel approaching Crysto One, this is the Captain Jason D. Hammond of the L.O.I.V. New York," Captain Hammond said over the line, "Identify yourself."
"This is Major Sasuke O. Uchiha of the L.O.I.V. Independence," Sasuke said, "We are here on orders from Councilor Hatake. Access code 5-5-6-A-2-D-1, priority Alpha."
"Orders confirmed Major," Captain Hammond said, "You may proceed."
Half an hour later, the Independence came in for a landing at the space port of Crysto One's capital city of Metso named after the Planet's founder explorer James W. Metso.
As the team departed the Independence, they were met by Corporal First Class Ino Yamanaka, a five-foot-five Tigra-Snow female with long blonde hair tied up in a ponytail.
As I said before the Tigra species is primarily made up of four different races the Tiger or Tigress which are Tigra with a Tiger-skin patter, the Cheetrah who have a Cheetah-skin patter, the Lion or Lioness which have a solid blondish Lion-skin color, and Ino's race, the Snow, a race of Tigra with a White Bengal Tiger skin color.
Ino saluted Sasuke, "Corporal First Class Ino Yamanaka reporting for duty," she said.
"At ease Corporal," Sasuke said, "Can you show us to your station?"
Ino brought the team to her station which was a greenhouse perched on a balcony of the Legion's seventy-five story recruitment office.
"You work here?" Sai asked.
"Yes," Ino said as she went to work on a set of plants, "Being a structural engineer is my job, but plants are my passion. I'm medically trained, and I'm allowed to make new medicine. So what can I do for you Major?"
Sasuke looked back at his team and nodded who spread out, Sai closed and locked the door, Shino, Tenten, Hinata, and Sakura, kept watch, and Naruto closed the curtains, "What I'm about to say Corporal cannot be spoken off outside of this room or my ship. The Legion is facing the greatest danger to its survival since the last Great War," Sasuke said as he held out a small picture to Ino who took it, "Meet the Harvester. The BRD designed it to drain solar energy from stars."
"This isn't a concept," Ino asked, "They made this?"
"They gave C.O.I. Agents tours two days ago," Sasuke said, "We need the best structural engineer in the Legion, and your name came up. We're adding to the strength of Team Seven, and I want you on this team."
"I'd be honored," Ino said as she held the picture over the open flame she had going, "When can we get started?"
"You need to prove yourself," Sasuke said, "You're good, but I need to know where your skills are. What better way than with a little covert operation."
"When?" Ino asked.
"Tonight," Sasuke said, "Strictly Recon."
That night on Crysto V, the Saline were patrolling the caves that spanned the depths of the planet when the plasma in their suits went gushing out of their helmets.
Sasuke and his team stepped out into the light of the chamber they were in with their weapons drawn.
Ino carried a suppressed UEA Spectre M4 with a folding stock, and a red-dot sight, her sidearm was a UEA PX4 Storm.
"You got to love these crystals," Ino said as she walked up, and tapped on one of the crystals, "They only react when any trace of metal comes close."
"Good for us," Sasuke said, "They can tell us when the Saline are close."
"And tell the Saline when we get close." Naruto said.
"I wouldn't worry about that," Sasuke said, "Right now, let's just finish up here, and get out."
One hour later, the team had walked by the same area they killed the Saline, "I think these calculations are wrong," Sai said as he checked his wrist-computer.
Shino walked over to one of the crystals, and pulled out his knife, and tapped it against the crystals, "Of course," he said as he rubbed his forehead.
"You ok?" Sasuke asked.
"Yea," Shino said, "We Technophiles operate very similarly to most mechanical things, and we tend to operate slightly sluggishly in the presence of positively-charged electromagnetic crystals. That's the reason we filled the crystal caves on our homeworld with negatively-charged water or rocks."
"So we have to do this the old fashion way," Sasuke said as he pulled out his knife, and drew an 'X' on the wall opposite the crystal where they could see it, "Let's move."
The team moved through the tunnels, and came upon something they weren't expecting, a cave-dwelling Minosata, a very friendly triceratops-like animal with three horns that look like they're made of blue kyanite, skin that looks like grey rocks, and four eyes.
The Minosata race itself is very friendly to anyone, even the Saline, unless you turn their weapons on them, especially when their pregnant or have their young with them, not that they need it though, the horns and the hide on the Minosata can stop up to a .45 ACP, 7.62, and 10 gauge.
The Minosata noticed them, and walked up to Sakura who holstered her EVO3.
Sakura stroked the Minosata across the crest of its head between the middle and left horn, "Hey," she said, "How are you baby girl?"
"How do you know she's a girl," Sasuke asked as he walked up next to Sakura.
"You can always tell with Minosata," Sakura said as she pointed to the lines on the creature's head, "These lines run almost perfectly smooth down her head. A male's is more jagged and uneven," she looked back, and notice something, "Also," Sakura pointed at the discoloration in the Minosata's center horn, "She's pregnant."
The Minosata grunted happily, and nudged against Sakura like a dog or a cat, then Sasuke, and bowed.
"She must smell our pheromones on each other." Sakura said.
"Animals do have their ways," Naruto said, "She's beautiful."
"Yea," Sasuke said, then realized something, "And, she knows her way around the caves, I bet she knows how to get to the Saline," Sasuke pointed back toward the cavern, "Naruto, go back, and grab one of those Saline helmets. If my guess is right," he then pointed at the Minosata, "She can track them like a bloodhound."
Naruto left, and came back carrying the Saline helmet, Sasuke took the helmet, and held it up to the Minosata, "Well girl," Sakura asked, "Can you track?"
The Minosata sniffed the helmet twice, and motioned the team to follow her.
The animal led them to a large area where the Saline were busy working on what appeared to be an experimental aircraft, and were filling it with Saline plasma.
"What is that," Sakura asked.
"I've been having a look at the intelligence reports," Sasuke said, "Thermal imaging from the telescopes at home base have spotted similarly shaped objects in orbit around Crysto."
"You think that's what these are?" Sakura asked.
"It's an idea," Sasuke said, "Snap some pictures, and let's get home."
"You sure we should leave them," Hinata asked, "If we were to get the data from their computers, we would be able to track their drones in flight."
"It would greatly hinder their intelligence-gathering operations," Sasuke said, "Good idea Hinata."
Once the drone had left the cave, the Saline retreated back into the caves, with the team in pursuit.
It took about thirty minutes for the team to arrive, it seemed to be a large autonomous computer the Saline simply plugged a small device into.
As they left, the team walked up to the computer, and as the team covered the exits, Sasuke walked up to the computer, placed his M16 down next to the computer, and started typing.
"What are you doing," Naruto asked, "You can't possible do that."
Sasuke held up one finger toward Naruto, and went back to work, "I've just bypassed their security subroutines," Sasuke said as he pulled a small memory card out of his pocket, and inserted it into the computer.
"You understand the Saline language," Hinata asked, "That shit is incomprehensible."
"Not to me," Sasuke said, "I was part of the 91st Mobilized Recon Division since I first joined."
"You were a Clone," Naruto asked, "So you've dealt with the Saline before?"
"Yes." Sasuke said.
The 91st Mobilized Recon Division or the Clones are a mobile recon division of the Legion Army, they are called the Clones because each member wears armor that is perfectly identical, and every time one of them dies, another soldier joins, and he/she wears the same armor as his/her brothers/sisters.
"When?" Shino asked.
"During the Caldwell Campaign," Sasuke said, "We found a Saline datapad, brought it back to camp, and spent the next few months learning the language, we can't speak it, but we can read it," he hit one final command, and all the files were downloaded onto the chip, "I got it," he ejected the chip, and slid it into his pocket, "Let's move!"
The team returned to the area the Saline were originally in to see the Minosata was still where they left her.
"Hey girl," Sakura said, "Come on, let's go."
The team walked away from the site, and made it back to where there transport was waiting only to have the Minosata scream in pain as a Saline shotgun hit her through her left hind leg, and sent her to the ground.
When the team saw the Saline, Sasuke, Sakura, Ino, and Hinata dropped to a crouch, and opened full auto on the Saline.
Once the Saline laid dead on the ground in a puddle of plasma, Sasuke and Sakura ran up to the Minosata, "Shh, shh," Sasuke whispered as he stroked the animal across the crest of his forehead, "Sakura, what does it look like?"
"The bullet got her lower lumbar, right lung, and lower atrium," Sakura said as she felt around the animal's back, "She's dying."
"What about the youngling?" Hinata asked.
"If she dies, the youngling dies," Sakura said, then looked at the lines of the face, "I think the gestation is long enough, we should be able to extract the baby."
"You want to perform an emergency C-section on this animal?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes," Sakura said she looked at her boyfriend, and then back at the Minosata to say, "We'll going to take good care of your baby."
The Minosata nudged Sakura as she pulled out a Relaxitive shot, and handed it to Sasuke, "This will help with the pain," Sasuke said as he patted the animal on the stomach.
He injected the drug into the animal's arm, her breathing steadied, and gave Sakura room to operate.
"You sure you can do this?" Hinata asked.
"Yes," Sakura said as she felt around for the womb, "Alright, knife," she held her hand out to Hinata who handed Sakura her kunai.
"OK," Sakura said as she touched the tip of the knife against the edge of the animal's stomach, "I'm sorry," she swiftly cut the animal's stomach open, causing her to scream in pain, but as soon as the section was open, Sakura reached in, found the baby, and removed it.
The baby was still attached to the umbilical cord, as it came out screaming, Sasuke walked over, and using his brother's knife, cut the cord.
"Get me something to wrap this baby in," Sakura exclaimed as he looked up at Naruto who came running with a small poncho.
Sakura wrapped the baby up in the poncho, and looked at the child, "It's a boy," Sasuke said, "Show her, her son."
Sakura carried the baby around to the Minosata, "It's a boy," she said as she held the baby up to the dying animal.
The Minosata smiled, nudged her baby's forehead, and then collapsed.
"She's gone," Sakura said as she hugged the baby tighter to herself.
Sasuke put his arm around Sakura, and brought their foreheads together.
On their way back to Crysto IV, Sasuke walked up to Ino, "You showed great skill," he said, "Lot of engineers talk, few are up for the moment. Welcome to Team 7."
"It's an honor sir." Ino said.
Sasuke walked up over to Sakura who was rocking the youngling Minosata, "Look at this little animal," Sakura said, "So innocent, so was his mother, and now this youngling is an orphan."
"It doesn't have to be," Sasuke said as he put his hand over Sakura's, "I know a good family on Metropolis whose children need to learn some responsibility."
Sakura looked up at Sasuke, "You want to send a baby Minosata several billion lightyears to Metropolis to live with your family?" Sakura asked.
"It's where he's safe," Sasuke said, "Besides, it gives us an excuse to be on Metropolis."
Sakura then pointed at Sasuke, "I see what you're doing there," she said, "Good idea."
When the team left Crysto IV, Sasuke was in the middle of a holo-conference with Councilor Hatake.
The simulation was a dining room on a 1920's Ocean Liner, Sasuke and Kakashi were dressed like English gentlemen, black leather shoes, and black suits and ties.
"So this youngling Minosata is going to be your alibi for traveling to Metropolis?" Kakashi asked.
"Yes," Sasuke said as he kept eating, "Once the operation begins, we proceed to Metropolis to leave the youngling at my family's doorstep, and then go to destroy the Harvester."
"Alright," Kakashi said as he swallowed a bite of his steak, "Kind of an unorthodox method, but if it works, who am I to complain?"
"Of course sir," Sasuke said, "Have you located the Draven, Garra?"
"Yes," Kakashi said, "He's currently incarcerated on Prison 6-12."
"The flying prison ship." Sasuke said.
"Yes," Kakashi said, "I've sorted things out with the warden, and he's agreed to give you Garra. Just proceed there, pick him up, and that's it."
"Finally, an easy task." Sasuke said.
"Good luck with that youngling," Kakashi said as he held up his glass, "I wish you well."
"Thank you sir," Sasuke said as he tapped his glass against Kakashi's.
After leaving the holo room, he saw his team standing around the youngling Minosata who was feeding from a bottle Sakura was holding.
Sasuke knelt over Sakura's shoulder, "He's cute." He said.
"I know," Sakura said, "I think your siblings will make great guardians."
"I know they will," Sasuke said as he kissed Sakura on the forehead, "We've found Garra, and I say we get the final piece of our team's puzzle."
"I agree." Sakura said.
Take a wild guess at what happens next…