Part 25 – When Duty Calls
Six months later…
Sasuke awoke to the sound of seagulls flapping their wings, he looked over, and Sakura was asleep next to him, it wasn't two months ago they celebrated her twentieth birthday, and boy did she enjoy it.
Sasuke swung his feet off of the bed, straightened out the legs on his night pants, and retrieved a white tank-top.
As looked over to his bed-side table, he found there was a call waiting for him on his communicator.
Sasuke picked up his communicator, and flipped it open as he walked it out onto the balcony.
"Go ahead." He said.
"Hey there bro," Naruto said over the other line.
"What's up?" Sasuke asked.
"Headline from Konoha," Naruto said as he looked down at the newspaper in his lap, "Amidst rumors circulating that Team 7 might be dead, Councilor Hatake took the stand claiming he gave the team a paid vacation, but refused to say where."
"What do you think?" Sasuke asked.
"They're alive," Naruto said, "I have faith that they are."
"Yea," Sasuke said, "Any further ideas about our business?"
"I think we should think about relocating," Naruto said, "Maybe to Konoha."
"Probably," Sasuke said as he heard there was one more call waiting for him, "I'm getting another call, I'll call you back," as Sasuke switched he answered, "Talk to me."
"Hey," a voice on the other side of the line Sasuke recognized as Kakashi, "It's your uncle."
"Uncle," Sasuke said, "It's been way too long."
"It has," Kakashi said, "Why don't we create a holo-conference with your brothers?"
"Of course, uncle," Sasuke said as he walked into his room where Sakura was getting dressed for the day.
Sasuke closed the doors to the outside, shut the blinds, and signaled Sakura to pull up the holo-conference.
As Sakura pulled the small holo-conference device out of their luggage, Sasuke pulled his long wig off, and straightened his hair.
Sakura pulled hers off, and they stood at attention as the holo-conference began.
As the holo-conference turned on, the team showed up all around the room with the Councilor, "Good to see you again Team 7." Kakashi said.
"Councilor." Sasuke said.
"I'd hate to cut your vacation short but there's a situation brewing that we can't ignore any further." Councilor Hatake said.
"The BRD." Sasuke said.
"The council is recalling all squads to Konoha," Councilor Hatake said, "War is coming, and we need our soldiers."
"We'll be on the next transport back to Konoha." Sasuke said.
"See you on Konoha soldiers." Kakashi said.
As the team walked into the spaceport, and checked in they found an escort of Legion soldiers waiting to escort the ships.
As Sasuke approached, he knew the Commander recognized him, being as the Commander was his fellow selection graduate, Logan Paul who had somehow advanced to the rank of General Sergeant.
"Expecting trouble Sergeant," Sasuke asked as he showed Logan his passport.
"Councilor's orders Mr. … Gold," Logan said and gestured to the ship, "You and your wife can continue."
Logan had been made a member of the Civilian Protection Corps, one of most important, and well-loved divisions in the entire Legion. During the Great War, the Civilian Protection Corps was solely responsible for the rescue of over several hundred million civilian lives. The Council was defiantly planning something bigger than just war if they were sending the CPC to defend a civilian transport.
As the team took their seats in their private cabins, the ship cleared all moorings, and departed the Moon for Konoha.
The private cabins on big cruise-ship-like vessels had become the pinnacle of luxury travel: carpet floors, wooden-accented walls, large beds and bathrooms, and complete privacy.
While Sasuke and Sakura were sitting around, there was a knock at the door, Sasuke slid the blinds open to reveal Logan standing outside.
Sasuke opened the door, and ushered Logan into the cabin, "Hey there RichBoy." He said.
"Hey Lo," Sasuke said as he and Logan embraced, then pulled apart, "You look good."
"So do you," Logan said, "You seem to be doing well for yourself," he then looked at Sakura, "And keeping fine company," he walked over to Sakura, and held out his hand, Sakura took his hand, and Logan kissed her hand, "What might your name be Ms. Universe?"
"Her name is Sakura Haruno." Sasuke said.
"Councilor Tsunade's daughter," Logan said, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Logan," Sasuke said, "She has a boyfriend."
"And who might that be?" Logan asked.
"Turn around." Sasuke said.
Logan awkwardly let go of Sakura's hand, and then sat on the opposite side from her, "Sorry about that." He said.
"So," Sasuke said as he sat next to Sakura, "What have you been up to?"
"Just defending transports," Logan said, "I was recently named the hero of the Orinoco."
"That was you on the Orinoco," Sasuke asked, "I knew only someone like you would by dumb enough to try and play chicken with a Death-Raider Cruiser."
"And I won," Logan said, "I'm surprised you heard about that."
"I'm the CO of Team Seven," Sasuke said, "Being brought up to speed on certain classifications comes with the territory."
"Only twenty years old," Logan said, "And yet you're on top of the world. You've got a job you love," he then pointed at Sakura, "A beautiful girl on your arm," he pointed at the room, "Wealth. What more can a guy ask for?"
"A safe place to stay," Sasuke said, "Everywhere we go when we're not on leave, everything gets more and more complicated."
"That's why you're on your way back to Konoha," Logan said, "Something big is coming isn't it?"
"I can neither confirm nor deny that," Sasuke said before pointing at his sidearm, "But if I were you, I'd keep a round in that sidearm at all time."
"Of course," Logan said, "It was good to see you again."
"You too." Sasuke said.
Once they were alone, Sakura leaned against Sasuke, "Did he do that when you were in selection?" Sakura asked.
"Do what?" Sasuke asked
"Flirt with every girl in the squad." Sakura said.
"No," Sasuke said, "Then again, it's been over a year so…"
"A year sure can change a man." Sakura said.
Sasuke just sat back, and through about how right she was.
Three days later…
As the ship arrived at Konoha, Sasuke and his team were led by Logan's squad to the Council's hanger to see Councilor Hatake waiting for them.
"Councilor," Sasuke said as him and his team approached, and saluted him.
"Commander," Councilor Hatake said, "Welcome back."
"Thank you, sir," Sasuke said, "So is this it?"
"Yes," Councilor Hatake said, "Come on, we have an important meeting to get to," he then pointed to their uniforms, "But first, you might want to get changed."
The team looked down to see they were all dressed in civilian clothes, Councilor Hatake was right.
After getting dressed, Team 7 joined their colleagues, "Commander Uchiha," Colonel Ibiki Morino said as he walked up to shake Sasuke's hand.
Colonel Morino was head of the Legion's Prisoner Capture & Interrogation Special Forces Unit, otherwise known as the Brass Knuckles. During the Great War the number of people tortured by their hands was double the number of people who died on Pearl Harbor.
"Colonel," Sasuke said as he shook Ibiki's hand, and then saluted him, "It's an honor."
"The honor's mine Commander," Ibiki said, "I heard about your excursions against the Resistance and the BRD, we owe you a lot on those."
"I've heard about some of your achievements too Colonel," Sasuke said, "Fine work on Titanus Six."
"You've done some pretty good work yourself," Ibiki said, "Good working taking down General Malone on Tangu."
"Did you know him?" Sasuke asked.
"Once," Ibiki said, "I was stationed on Tangu for a while to interrogate the rebels brought in to find out if everything we could, when we found enough I was recalled."
"Or what General Malone thought was enough." Sasuke said.
"Very good deduction skills," Ibiki said, "Well done."
"Indeed," Kakashi said as he entered with Councilor Tsunade, and the Tribal Leader of Dastian (also known as a Watcher), Mei Terumī.
"ATTENTION!" Sasuke yelled.
The soldiers shot into attention, and faced them, "Thank you Commander," Kakashi said as he began pacing in front of the gathered audience of thousands of Special Forces soldiers, "As you all heard, thanks to Team 7, the Beacon Solar System still exists. But the BRD isn't reacting well, they sent diplomatic envoys a few days ago demanding that we turn over the soldiers that destroyed their superweapon. We refused, and they didn't take that well. Right now, they're holding our outlying colonies hostage. A new release will be sent in a few days to every corner of the Legion… we are at war with the BRD."
Everyone in the room began chattering like crazy, war with the BRD could possibly mean another Great War.
"Sir," Ibiki said as he looked at Kakashi, "Neither of our factions are prepared for war."
"I know," Kakashi said as he ushered towards Watcher Terumī, "Boys and girls, meet Watcher Terumī, leader of Dastian who has agreed to lend support in the war."
"What kind of support, Councilor?" Sasuke asked.
"Full support," Kakashi said, "Over the past six months the Council have been conducting secret negotiations with Dastian. In return for some territories taken from the tribes at the end of the Great War they've pledged their full support in our war against the BRD."
There was a great commotion in support, "So," Councilor Tsunade said, silencing the crowd, "Tomorrow, we begin the biggest invasion in Legion and Dastian History," she then ushered the squads to follow them.
The squads arrived in a large IMAX-theatre-like room, "This is where it begins," Kakashi said as everyone was seated, he pointed towards the screen where an image of several Legion ships lined up along the border of the Legion and Dastian, "Our advance will begin in two thrusts from both the border the BRD shares with the Legion and the border the BRD shares with Dastian," the ships then moved across the border, and began attacking various BRD ships across the border, "We then move in to attack the ships moving in on our lines. Further details will be discussed upon your arrival at the border. Wheels up in twenty, dismissed."
"Good luck," Mei said.
As the teams were leaving, Kakashi spoke up, "Team Seven, please stay a minute."
"You have a special assignment for us Councilor," Sasuke asked.
"As a matter a fact," Kakashi said, "Yes."
"What do we need to do," Sasuke asked.
"The war begins tomorrow," Kakashi said, "And we need good soldiers," he then looked over at Sasuke, "Sasuke, you're job while you're on the lines will be to help train those recruits. I'm very sorry to say this Sasuke, but as of this moment you are no longer in charge of the Independence."
"You're assigning the Independence to someone else," Sasuke asked.
"Yes," Kakashi said, "The Independence is being reassigned to Colonel Ibuku of the Legion's 292nd Shock Troops."
"What about us," Sasuke asked, "Where are we going to be assigned?"
"We're giving you command of a ship that can help you train those new recruits," Kakashi said as he held out a small holographic generator, when he activated it there was the image of a Kensworth-Class Carrier, "You are now in command of the L.O.I.V. Retribution. Stationed there alongside you will be the Legion's 135th Fighter Squadron, the 98th Infantry Regiment, and the 85th Tank Brigade."
"We're in charge of all of them," Naruto asked.
"In charge of the ship mostly," Kakashi said, "The Commanding Officers of the squads will be in charge of those divisions. But as the senior officers on board, it'll be your job to maintain the squads. I'm sorry it has to be this way, but the Legion thinks the Mississippi would be better for your squads needs than the Independence. Your personal belongings have already been transferred. She awaits you Commander."
As the team walked out of the briefing room, and took the tram to the launching bay, as they passed by the window, Sasuke looked outside to see the Independence.
Sakura walked up to her boyfriend, and put a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Seems only yesterday you gave me my own quarters on that ship," she said.
"She's been our home for the last year," Sasuke said, "Now we're being reassigned to a carrier."
"Probably won't get as much privacy," Sakura said.
"Yep," Sasuke said as the tram arrived in the hanger.
As they walked into the hanger, a pair of familiar faces appeared at the other end of the hanger: it was Chōji and Karui, "Commander Uchiha," Chōji said as he saluted Sasuke as the team walked up to them.
"Lieutenant Akimichi," Sasuke said.
"Actually its Captain now," Chōji said, "Our actions in the Battle of the Harvester got us promotions," he put his hand on Karui's shoulder, "My wife got promoted to Second Lieutenant."
"You guys here to pick up troops," Sasuke asked.
"Actually," Chōji said, "We received orders that we're to take you and your team to the Retribution."
"Let's go then," Sasuke said.
As Chōji and Karui were taking the team to the Retribution, Sasuke looked out the window to see their home for the rest of the war…
The L.O.I.V. Retribution, a Kensworth-Class Carrier with a length from stem to stern of 640 meters (almost 2100 feet) and a height of 75 feet, one flight deck coming off of the upper deck on the port side, and two out of the lower deck going from the right below where the first flight deck started. Twenty port and starboard anti-aircraft ports, twelve anti-ship ports, and one top-deck mounted Excalibur cannon.
"VTOL Rubicon you are on approach," the flight-deck officer on board the Retribution said over the comm, "State your business."
"This is VTOL Rubicon requesting permission to land," Chōji said, "We have Team 7 waiting for the welcoming party."
"Verifying," the flight-deck officer said before coming back on the comm, "VTOL Rubicon, you are cleared to land on runway 1-Alpha."
"Copy that," Chōji said as he accelerated the VTOL towards the Retribution, "1-Alpha. Coming in now."
As the VTOL cruised towards the runway the flight-deck officer came back on the comm, "Hold vector for lock," he said, "Stand by," a small drone flew up to the nose of the VTOL, and locked into place before firing four jets over the top of the VTOL, slowing the VTOL down, "Good lock. We'll take it from here."
"Rubicon copies all," Chōji said as he switched off the controls.
As the VTOL climbed to the top deck, Sasuke took a deep breath, and slid his beret on his head.
"Big shoes to fill," Naruto said as he looked over at Sasuke.
"Damn straight," Sasuke said as he looked at Naruto, "So do you as my First Officer. You ready Number One?"
"Of course, Captain," Naruto said as he slid his own beret on.
"Alright team," Sasuke said, "Berets on, let's show the crew what Spec Ops is made of."
As the door opened on the top deck of Retribution's hangar, the door opened to reveal the hanger master waiting there, "Captain on deck," he exclaimed as everyone present shot into attention.
"At ease," Sasuke said as he waved his hand, and walked up to the flight-deck officer, he was human, roughly five foot nine, Japanese, and had a haircut that said every time he went to the barber he asked, "Can you make me of my ethnicity please?"
"Commander Uchiha, sir," he said, "Third-Class Sergeant Rock Lee, flight-deck officer for Retribution."
"Good to meet you," Sasuke said as he shook his hand and moved on to the hanger commander.
"Commander Uchiha," he said he almost looked like a taller, more muscular, and more mature version of Rock, Sasuke could swear they could have been father-son, "General-Sergeant Might Guy, hanger commander for Retribution."
"Good to have you," Sasuke said, "I'd like to see my team's quarters."
"This way please," GS Guy said as he ushered Sasuke and the team toward the hanger elevator.
"Talk to me about Retribution," Sasuke said.
"Retribution was christened about twenty five years ago," GS Guy said, "She's seen action in many conflicts, even in the ongoing Saline War. I've been hanger commander for about seven years now. She currently houses the 135th Dragon Tails, 98th Timber Wolves, and 85th Camel Spiders."
They soon arrived at deck 23: Crew Quarters, "Tell me about the Crew Quarters," Sasuke said.
"The Crew Quarters is split into several sections," GS Guy said, "Each unit has their own area. Each soldier has their own bed or bunk. In this case, since you've taken command of the ship the Bridge Officers' Quarters have been especially reserved for your team. Your personal effects have been brought over from your last ship. No one will have access to your Quarters except for you and your team."
"Good," Sasuke said as Guy pointed to the door that was labeled Bridge Officers, "How do we get in?"
"It's programmed to your dog tags," Might Guy said as he pointed at his own dog tags, "Just swipe it."
Sasuke walked up, pulling his dog tags out of the front of his jacket, and swiped them across the scanner on the wall next to the door.
The door split open, and as they walked in, they were greeted by a large common area very similar to the one back on the Independence.
"Very nice," Sasuke said.
"Glad you approve Commander," Might Guy said, "I'll leave you too it."
"See you on the bridge," Sasuke said.
"This is weird," Naruto said as they sat down on one of the couches inside the room.
"Not being in the Independence," Sasuke asked.
"Yes," Naruto said, "That ship has been a very nice home."
"This is home now," Sasuke said, "At least until we can get her back."
"Then let's make it our mission," Naruto said, "Finishing the war quickly, and returning to the Independence."
"Here, here," Garra said.
Sorry it's taken thing long, school and everything…