Chapter 21 'The 3 Captains Come To Call' or 'Guardians Rise To the Occasion'
DISCLAIMER: Hiya! I'm Gina Phillips, Edie's pal, ya know? First et's get this required junk over and done with huh? OK Mr Stiles. Alright, Todd, if you insist, sir. Read what is on the TV screen. Folks, I know it's a vidscreen monitor but this is AD 2255 and these clowns are from AD 1962!
Hi there er folks. Is this danged thing on, Miss or is it Miz? OK. Gina it is. No Buzz, I dunno if she's got a sister! First we wanna thank the Angels' creator Mr Haruka-San Takachiho, did I say it right? You shoulda picked Buzz (Murdoch) for this, lady. He's a whiz with Oriental lingo! Thanks Mr T! We also wanna thank all the other folks whose creations we may have used and we give credit where it be due.
It goes without saying- then why say it, Ginny?- that anyone who wants to can use our creations with the same proviso, shouldn't that read as provision? OK! Just give us the same credit we are according- who wrote this crap, Gin?- you fine folks. How was that, Ginny? Honey? Are you married? Have a boyfriend? No? Wanna go out with me then? Why do ya want us to look out the window?
Holy Christ! Buzz! We're in space! For real, man! OK. So when does this floating car or whatever get to some planet, star, asteroid, space depot? Huh? Six weeks? Look, Buzz and me are pretty good with engines so how about we tweak it up a bit to get ya some more speed?
"Mr Stiles, Mr Murdoch? Isn't thirty-five times the speed of light fast enough for you two? Eric! Put us on 'George' quick and get your ass back here! They both fainted!" I yelled and the big Lothario came bounding back with the smelly salts. It hadn't been all that long ago that Eric DePree had been the one passed out on the deck!
Gotta straighten out the ending of Chapter 20. Edie was dog tired and accidentally made it seem like she had Todd and Buzz aboard Rig 10 instead of the fact that Eric and I have both them and their chariot, a white 1962 Corvette Stingray convertible aboard Rig 2.
By the by, the new order for the return trip from Talaxia to Eos Dawn XI is the Lovely Angel 2, Rigs 10 to 1 with the Emerald Queen trailing us for interference. We are protected on both flanks by three shuttles- Raphael, Michaelangelo and Leonardo on the port or left side and the Donnatella, Yellow Sapphire and Red Ruby to starboard or the right side of our space convoy.
Edie has some top secret passengers aboard with her, Margo Lane and Will. Tomorrow Captains of the Seretai (Soul Society's capitol) Head Captain/Squad 1 Captain Yamamoto, Squad 13 Captain Ukitake and former Squad 12 Captain Uruhara will meet with Margo, Will and our own Captain Edna (Edie) Jordan to discuss strategies and tactics. Why you ask?
This area is lawless space where not even our law is recognized. We are also damned bloody close to the Starfleet/Romulan 'Neutral Zone' and that's no fun as Captain Kiva Nerese (USS Coriander of Starfleet Command) has told me many times when she was in her cups at our bar or in our suite aboard the Angel 2.
OK we all caught up now? Then it is now morning and just an hour from D-Day for poor Edie on number ten! Without further chitchat, here is Chapter 21. Enjoy, my friends-
Let us travel forward to Rig 10-
"Captain! Captain Jordan! Aw c'mon Edie, it's time to rise and shine darn it! Ten-Shun!" yelled Nikita the rig's computer programming unit and newly promoted Captain Jordan leaped to her feet and saluted the bulkhead! Milady Edna Jordan was standing there half awake wearing very brief grey shortie PJs!
I felt like a baka idiot until I realized that Niki had had strict orders not to awaken me before 0900 (9 AM) and the old chromo on the wall now read exactly 0700! Huh? Two bloody hours early? I was furious! I needed my sleep and all I was getting were blasted cat naps!
"Niki! Why have you decided to wake me up at this un-Kami (god)-ly hour! If I could do it, I'd bust you down to Sub-Ensign 4th Class dammit!" I howled and repped up my morning mocha java pick-me-up. I fumed while I drank it down in three quick gulps.
"Sorry Honey but I deemed it prudent to awaken you now rather than later. Er, your guests are waiting for you in the break room and er they are getting a mite restless. I-" explained Niki before I cut her off.
"The captains three are here? Already? Didn't I say ten hundred hours? Belay that. OK. I'll be in as soon as I morph into a uniform. Dismissed." I said abruptly.
"Edie? There aren't just three of them. They brought-" began Niki again.
"Not just three? Who else is here?" I asked quietly. Guess I'm picking up our fearless leader's habits.
"Old Man Yama's got Rukia Kutschski and Lt Renji Abari insisted on accompanying her. Ukitake has Ichigo Kurosaki and Kon. He came thinking we have Nozomi/Kagerosa aboard. Kiske Uruhara has former captain Yoruichi and Captain of Squad 2 Soi Fon with him and Captain of Squad 10 Hisugaya is here with Captain of Squad 11 Kenpachi Zaraki and-" stammered Niki.
"Never mind. I need a Hydroxylein capsule. Rep up more mocha java for me, please." I said an morphed into a flight suit. Then I yanked on deck boots and strapped on my gunsash. The heavy Mark XIII was weighing down my right hip and I felt like crap! I swallowed hard and walked out to the main break room or should I say the Hall of Chaos?
"I want more saki dammit!"; "I need a bigger chair!"; "Is there anybody here we can kill?"; "Be quiet, Kenny! Wanna get thrown into space?"; "Kon, leave that lady alone!"; "Where's Nozomi?"; "Why is our hostess late, Uruhara?"; "Unhand Rukia, sir or Sakemoto will roar!"; "Tell me the truth! You cannot lie, sir, while I have my lariat around you."; "Yoruichi, don't turn into a cat dammit!"; "Madam, cover yourself!" and like phrases were filling the air until I struck the table with my gloved fist.
"That is enough out of all of you! Ladies and gentlemen! Behave yourselves or I swear I'll have you confined to my bays until we reach Eos Dawn! Head Captain Yamamoto, sir? Would you kindly explain this fracas? Margo! It's after seven! Put on a kimono!" I roared and then sat down heavily. At a sign and a nod from me, Diana released poor Ukitake.
Soi Fon had led a half clad Yoruichi into one of the bedrooms and Rukia had strong-armed both Renji and Will who had both tried to follow the ladies. Margo was standing on Kon's chest and rocking back and forth while Ichigo helped her into a kimono. As usual, Margo Lane was quite tipsy. Finally Santa Claus Yamamoto cleared his throat and the room went as quiet as a tomb.
"I apologize, my dear girl, for my officers. Everyone will now sit down! That is an order! That includes you as well, Captain Soi Fon and Miss Yoruichi if she has decided not to morph into a neko (cat) and is respectably attired once more. We are here because your superiors have reason to believe that this convoy is in danger of imminent attack." said Yamamoto and Will dropped his mug of java right into Lt Momo's lap! She seemed to be in shock and didn't even seem to care that her lovely 'gi' outfit was becoming soaked where we females are quite delicate!
"Who?" I breathed and I dreaded to hear the answer.
"Have you ever heard of a man named Zorin Oakenshield?" he asked quietly and puzzled looks answered him.
"ZO, sir? Are you quite sure, sir?" asked Rukia.
"You are certain that there could be no mistake, Old Man?" demanded Ichigo.
"There is no mistake, Substitute Soul Reaper. I am quite sure, Third Sword Kutschski. It is indeed Zorin Oakenshield who plans to attack this convoy. Captain Jordan? (He had turned to face me) You were chosen to lead this mission because, of all of the 3WA officers in these carriages, you are the only officer who has never had dealings with this fiend. Does this news cause you fear, my dear child?" asked the older gentleman and I nodded.
"Then the Imperial Grand Marshall O'Halloran hath indeed chosen wisely. Only a fool has no fear when he is facing an unknown enemy. I know your father quite well and I knew your dear mother, Miss Jordan. (I did a double take) I say all of this because there is a certain person known quite well to you who is traveling with Mr Oakenshield. (Now I was really confused) My dear? The fellow's name is Poe, Elliot Poe. You must not allow your wits to be addled by this news. Your chance for vengeance will come or it will not, dear warrior maiden. That is for Fate to determine." said the Head Captain.
"What he's trying to tell ya, Sweetie, is not to let your heart rule your head or your hands. The mission comes first." said the green hatted clown-faced buffoon, Kiske Uruhara who was playing an old-fashioned game of jacks while Diana watched him closely.
I knew what he meant but I was in shock nonetheless. Not even ther Boss knew this bitter secret. Just Dad, Dr Cueball and a few select others in our department! I had no idea it was common knowledge in the Seretai! I got mad and I opened by big mouth the same way I was always warning Rio DelCroix to avoid!
"Dammit all! Does everyone know my family history? Since Santy Claus seems to know all about it, I may as well make a clean breast of it! Elliot Poe murdered Sharon Jordan! Sharon Jordan was my mother! Sure it hurts to know this fiend has slipped through our mitts many times but I'd never do anything to jeopardize a mission! I am a tro-con, a 3WA officer of the law and I took the Galactic Oath dammit! If anyone is questioning my loyalty to the corps (I began removing my silver railrod tracks) then I'll resign right here and now!" I yelled and I angrily tossed down Mar's precious double silver bars!
Kiske began to clap his hands together.
"Bravo! Old Man Yama? I told you our Katie the Gaelic colleen would choose her leaders well, didn't I?" he chuckled and even Yamamoto grinned. Renji and Ichigo and Kon were leading the cheering and Diana shoved my bars back over to my side of the table. My tantrum over, I resumed my bars and I apologized profusely for my outburst of emotion so uncharacteristic of me!
"Where is he, sir? Zorin, not Elliot Poe, is whom I mean." I asked quietly and I began munching on a cherry Danish. As if this was a signal of some sort, everyone grabbed a pastry from my box!
"Oh do help yourselves, by all means! Again I must apologize for my officers, Madam. (I waved off the apologies) Lt Momo! Go to the rest rooms and make yourself presentable in public! Why? You have coffee spilled all over your, ahem, genitals region, my dear child. To answer your query, Miss, Mr Oakenshield's starship the Aviator is five lightyears behind us." said the old man very quietly and he looked every one of his many thousands of years or centuries old I'd been told was his true age.
"Five lightys? That's all?" I shouted and maybe now's a good time to mention that this meeting was being vidcomm relayed to all of our rigs, the Queen, the Angel and all of our shuttles. Many faces looked worried. Many 3WA faces, that is, folks! Everone else, of course, did not understand that five lightyears meant that Zorin and Poe were less than a single solar day's journey from our flotilla!
"We will defend this precious cargo to the death if need be, Madam Captain!" shouted Lt Abari. Then he looked like the proverbial cat who had just eaten the proverbial canary. I was certain when Kiske missed a jack and Mr Yamamoto harumphed at him. Ukitake looked sick but then again, like Rukia told me, when didn't this guy look sick?
Margo Lane had sobered up enough by this time to have helped up Kon upon whom she'd been standing and then she had changed from PJs and kimono to a very smart looking red business suit, circa early 1920s Terra complete with black pullover and scarlet skirt. The skirt must have been quite daring back then because it showed all of her shapely knees now encased in nylon.
"Dammit! Enough of this secret stuff! You guys know something you ain't telling! I think that as you have accepted Edie as your commander (Several captain's eyes went wide as well as a few lieutenant's) the time has come to spill the ebans and let the kitty outta the sack! What exactly are we carrying? I am sure we are all dying to know! Well, Grand-Dad?" she demanded and she blew out a cloud of acrid blue smoke. What the Hell was she smoking? Dilythium maybe?
The captains decided it was time for a huddle which both Yoruichi and Kiske joined. It reminded me of our last football game on the holodecks! At last it was decided and Old Man Yama stepped forward to speak.
"Mostly you're carying whatever junk Talaxia and Eos Dawny had kicking around! Your rig though, girlie, has the priviledge of carrying the mysterious 'AllSpark' bauble. Old Man Yama says that Zorro's only three lightys behind us now and he's gaining ground. Oh yeah and Blondie? (I suddenly remembered that I was wearing Fllay Allster's Kurisumasu (Christmas) prezzie on my head, a yellow wig) It seems that somone aboard this train ride gone wild's got a big mouth 'cause Poe knows where the 'AllSpark' trinket is and I'll bet even you dunno where it's hidden, do ya? Yo Pinkie, ya ready for some killing?" shouted Captain Zaraki and he had brought along his own cheerleader, a pink-haired freak on his shoulder who looked smaller than Artemisor even Luna!
Old Man Yamamoto was clearly pissed off to have been trumped by this loud-mouthed lunatic. He cleared his throat.
"Yes. A rather unorthodox way of delivering the news but Captain Zaraki is quite correct. This 'AllSpark' is quite similar to Genesis that Mr Khan was trying to get his hands on all those centuries ago. Simply put (About damned time, Old Geezer was heard) this device creates life from nothingness, however, if it is used on a populated world, it will destroy all life already there in order to replace that life with its own new life.
"This convoy is a diversion. In fact, after you successfully deliver this trifle to Eos Dawn XI's leaders for use on a barren moon of their planet's, this mission will end. Mr Oakenshield, of course, intends to use it to destroy some strange world called 'Shimougou' I believe!" explained the Seretai's leader.
That sure as Hell sobered up all of us non-Soul Societal soul reapers although many of the Terrans still looked clueless! I had risen to my feet and I now collapsed into my chair, all the wind outta my sails. Before I could speak-
"That place, sire, is the 3WA's home world near Mars. We are here, Edie, because ZO has 'Black Ghost' with him. This guy has sworn to ZO that he can easily duplicate this 'AllSpark' as many times as he wishes. Zorro O intends to hold all the Universes to hostage until they all surrender to him and address him as 'Zorin the Merciful' and allow him to rule all things- past, present and yet to come. To do so, he must destroy our world and the world of the living. The time jockeys of Gallifrey will arrive Friday. Reds needed a cool head at the helm and one that could think rationally. Marlene Angel, Yuri Donovan and we captains immediately suggested you, Edie. The High Councils of Gallifrey and Kurestan at Alderaan concurred. We had the flash step and the fastest ship so we got here first. That's all there is to it, kiddo." explained the green hatted Mad Hatter of the Seretai.
I fainted outright I am sorry to have to admit while several folks used words that, had Granny Rockabelle been here, would have rated many soapy mouths! Di applied the smelly salts and I was once more as right as rain. Why was everyone in the room staring at me I wondered? Kiske Uruhara chuckled and Kenpach Zaraki guffawed.
"They are awaiting Milady Edie's orders, mum." explained Kiske.
"Yeah, what he said! Now point me at the bad guys! Ia in't killed nobody in a whole damned week and a half dammit!" shouted the Captain of Squad Eleven.
"Kenny! You promised no more killing unless Auntie Edie said it was OK! I'm hungry!" complained his pink cheering section.
"Again? You just ate the rest of those pastries, Yachiru Kusajishi!" grumbled the red-headed Lt Rangiku Matsumoto.
"She's a growing girl, Rangi." put in her Captain of Squad Ten, Toshiro Hitsugaya with a grin.
"Well, you'd know all about that, I guess, kid." she replied while Yachiru laughed.
"You will address me as Captain Hitsugaya, Lt Matsumoto! I am not a kid!" he shouted angrily. Toshi did look like a 10 year old human boy but he was, in fact, close to 175 years old! Rangiku was no spring chicken either. With reapers, looks are almost always quite deceiving!
"Children! Stop this inane bickering! This is a serious business. I believe we should withdraw to the 'Flying Falcon' conveyance and allow the Captain to mull over her next move." said the head captain.
"Only don't sit on your ass too long, Edie! Zorro's only two and a half lightys behind us!" growled Lt Renji Abari. Strange that Rukia was here but not her adopted brother, Squad 6 Captain Byakuya Kutschski. OK. Rukie was an adopted, well, street urchin from the Rukkan District or the slums of the Soul Society but she had worked hard to become Third Sword in Squad 13.
I glanced at my wristchromo.
"Return here at 0830 hours (8:30 AM) and I will give you my orders, Head Captain. Better bring the whole damned shootin' match with you. You are all dismissed." I said with finality and I returned their salutes before I sat down again to mull this mess over in my mixed-up hodge podge mind!
END of Chapter 21. Chapter 22 'Edie Lays A Ghost' or 'Who's Got the AllSpark?' to follow soon.
Welcome back, Cliffhanger Endings! Think you know what Edie's up to? Think again! What would you do if you were not yet seventeen years old and you were facing a decision that could possibly unmake life itself for all times and in all Universes? I know I was glad that the Boss didn't choose Gina Phillips as her mission leader, that I surely was! Later gang- Gina P.