Chapter 28

In Between

"Did you say Ciudades del Cielo..." began Eureka. "And Controrado?" Renton finished. The two looked terrified. People from their past lived in both cities and they loved them dearly. The technician replied grimly. "Yes. I'm afraid so." Renton and Eureka turned to face their leader. "It's happening again isn't it Holland?" He sighed and nodded. "Yeah but this time I won't ask either of you to fight. We don't want you to be involved in another war. Let us handle this one. You and Eureka just need to take care of your family." Holland stated. "No." Eureka and Renton firmly told him. "What?" demanded GekkoState. "We're going to fight. Fight to protect our family and everyone we hold dear to us. We'll show them a combat style all our own!" they said with fire in their eyes. "But Eureka's pregnant Renton! It's too dangerous. Please, try to be reasonable." Holland protested. "Holland do you, yourself, truly believe there is anywhere safe for us?" Eureka questioned. Holland sighed while Talho said, "Sound familiar?" He replied, "Yeah, it's deja vu."

"I am thinking about Eureka, Holland. I promised her a long time ago that no matter what, I will protect her. That's why we're not backing down." Renton told him. "Because when we're together, there's nothing we can't accomplish!" Eureka and Renton shouted together. "There's nothing we can say that would change your minds is there?" Holland asked. They shock their heads. Dominic and Anemone approached their friends. "And we'll be right beside you." said Anemone. "After that little speech you just gave don't even think of trying to make us reconsider either." Dominic said. "So will we. We'll help every step along the way." replied the Jurgens family. Eureka and Renton stood there looking at the expressions of everyone around them. Expressions showing hope, courage, determination, compassion, and above all...friendship. "Everyone, thank you." Eureka and Renton said with a bow. GekkoState and Moonlight Shadow had already made their decision. All of them would fight this war together as one.

The two Nirvashs, Guardian series typeA606, typeA808, and typeA909 as well as the Terminus typeX202 "Angelfish", Terminus typeR505 Kai Spec-2, and Azure Flestnia Spec-2 were loaded onboard the Gekko. While the SS20s and the two remaining Guardian typeA505 LFOs were loaded onboard the Super Izumo. "Attention all crew members! Return to the Izumo at once!" Capt. Jurgens ordered over his ship's intercom. "We'll be making an emergency launch. Drop what you're doing in there and get your asses back to the airship. Anyone not here manning their stations within the next 10 minutes will be left behind!" Holland looked at him. "What?" Michael asked. "Damn Jurgens I see you're just as ruthless to your crew as ever." Holland said. " I'm still a military man Holland and my crew are still soldiers." Michael told him. "Yeah that's true. I guess some things never change." said Holland. "Well, some things do." Michael replied looking at his wife and their adopted kids.

"We'll take Ciudades del Cielo. We owe the Vodarac that much." Holland said. "I understand. You feel it's the least you can do to redeem yourself. Am I right Holland?" Jurgens inquired. Holland's head sank low. "Alright, in that case the Izumo will head to Controrado." said Michael. Just as he was about to return to his ship Renton pulled him aside for a moment. "Capt. Jurgens I have an uncle in Controrado. His name is Yucatan Iglasias." Renton told him. "Could you please find and bring him back here safely." Michael looked Renton straight in the eye. "You have my word. I promise that I'll bring your uncle back to you safe and sound Renton." he firmly told him. Renton smiled. "Thank you captain." "Not a problem." replied Jurgens. "Just take care of yourselves." "We will." Holland said as they waved farewell. Mischa cradled Norb as she and her husband Greg also boarded the Gekko. Mischa knew GekkoState needed a medical doctor onboard the ship. Not only for Eureka's sake but the rest of the crew too. War always had it's casualties. Renton tried to convince his grandpa to remain at Tresoir but it was to no avail. Axel turned to Holland. "Never beg and earn by winning or else you won't get anything. I'm not letting my family out of my sight again." Holland sighed. "He right Renton. Besides we'll need a good LFO mechanic and Axel... well he's the best." Axel smirked. "Grandpa's still stubborn as ever." Renton thought to Eureka. Eureka giggled. Axel cocked his eyebrow. Were they talking about him?

The crews boarded their respective airships. "Initiate launch sequence. Our destination is Ciudades del Cielo. Hap plot our flight path." ordered Holland. "Roger Holland." Hap responded. "Jobs how are our engines?" Holland inquired. "Engines are nominal." Jobs replied. "Begin countdown." said Talho. Sumner and Ruri, "Ten." Matthieu and Hilda, "Nine." Jobs and Woz, "Eight." Mischa and Greg, "Seven." Doggie and Gidget, "Six." Dominic and Anemone, "Five." Hap and Ken-Goh, "Four." Stoner, "Three." Eureka, Renton, and their children, "Two." Axel thought "Eh, I might as well join in." "One." went Axel. "Engage!" Talho ordered. The ship's boosters ignited and the Gekko roared off Tresoir's runway launching itself into the sky. The Super Izumo followed soon after. Once the ships reached the layline they went their separate directions. GekkoState headed to Ciudades del Cielo while Moonlight Shadow unit flew to Controrado.

Renton still looked a bit concerned. Eureka and their children were sitting beside him. He was thinking of his uncle. "I'm sure that Capt. Jurgens fella' will reach Yucatan in time Renton." Axel said to his grandson. "You really think so grandpa?" he asked. "Yeah, I do." Axel answered with a smile. But the smile was somewhat fake. Even though Axel was still doubtful himself he didn't want his family to worry. "I hope Ms. Tiptory is alright too." Renton said. Eureka leaned against him while their children hugged them. "Don't worry we'll reach Tiptory soon enough you guys." Holland told the Thurstons. They smiled.

Axel took the children to their room. Eureka had said there was something she wanted to discus privately with Renton in their room. Anemone mischievously decided to follow them. She was curious about what they wanted to discus. Dominic followed quietly while trying to talk her out of it. After Eureka and Renton entered their room Anemone crept up next to the door. "Renton when we see Ms. Tiptory again there is something I wanted to ask of her." she began. "What?" he asked. Eureka paused for a moment. " I want to ask her if she'll marry us." Eureka requested. Renton smiled. "Of course Eureka. I'm sure Ms. Tiptory will be happy to." He brushed his hand over her wings and kissed her. There was a knock at their door. "Come in." Eureka said. Anemone entered the room followed by Dominic. "First I'd like to apologize to you. Anemone was being her mischievous self again and overheard your conversation." said Dominic. "Do you think Tiptory would mind marrying Dominic and I too?" Anemone asked them. "Anemone don't you think you're being a little rude?" Dominic stated. She glared at him. Eureka giggled. "Yikes Dominic I think you better do what she wants." Renton suggested. "Are you even going to try backing me up when matters like this come up?" Dominic asked him. "Hey it's not really up to us anyway. It's up to Ms. Tiptory." Renton replied a-matter-of-factually. Anemone and Eureka chuckled at their boyfriends. "What's so funny?" they asked. "Oh nothing." their girlfriends responded. Dominic and Renton didn't realize how completely ridiculous their bickering sounded.

The couples decided to head down to the LFO hanger. Renton and Eureka walked over to typeHOPE and placed their hands on the mech. "Hello again Nirvash." they said addressing the archetype. It was just like old times for them. Spending their free time around the typeZERO/typeHOPE. Anemone and Dominic approached their LFO, typeTheBEGINNING, too. The once menacing black LFO new soothing grey shade made it feel welcoming. "Hello TheBEGINNING." Anemone said placing her hand on the mech. Like Eureka, Anemone had a minor understanding of LFOs. However, Anemone's was only partial. It was nothing compared to Eureka's (and now Renton's) connection. Anemone couldn't hear the archetype's voice like them. Dominic didn't fully understand these things himself. Never the less, he place his hand on their LFO as well, looked at Anemone, and smiled. He wanted to always be a part of Anemone's experiences no matter what they might be. Sumner and Ruri who were secretly observing the couples from the hanger's entrance door looked at one another. "Kinda reminds you of us in a way doesn't it?" said Ruri. "Yeah, it sure does Ruri." Sumner replied.

NEXT CHAPTER: THE GEKKO ARRIVES IN CIUDADES DEL CIELO AND DESPERATELY TRIES TO REPEL NAS FORCES. THE BOY AND THE GIRL FIGHT THEIR WAY THOUGH THE CITY TO FIND THEIR OLD FRIEND. CHAPTER 29: WAR