Bubblegum Crisis Post 2040 Fanfic Series

Bubblegum Crisis Post 2040 File 1: Dominant Species

Part 4: Hunger

Chapter 50: Champions of Justice

by P. Kristen Enos (bgcpost2040@aol.com)

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A Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 English Dub Version Fanfic. All rights belong to AIC, ADV Films and the other creative powers that be. I just want credit for writing the story. Contains spoilers! Rated PG13. Yuri warning! Nothing in here should be a shock if you've watched the episodes and paid attention. All I'm doing is filling in the gaps with my own interpretation of events! Special thanks to Greenegret for betaing!

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Sylia gingerly sat down in the couch, her hand protectively over her wound area as was her current habit.

"How are you feeling?" Nene asked as she sat down next to her.

Priss and Sylvie sat down on each of the other two couches.

"I'm actually feeling a bit better than I had been eventhough I'm still quite tender. Sleeping through most of yesterday helped tremendously. Thank you for asking," Sylia responded to the younger woman before turning her attention to her guests as a whole. "I had called Linna to tell her about this discussion but she's needing some sleep as well. However, she did give me her personal input in case a vote needs to happen... So as you can imagine, we're kind of in an unusual position right now. One that I certainly never envisioned or intended to happen when I originally formed the Knight Sabers: Do we remain active in a non-rogue boomer world?"

"I say we do," Nene immediately stated. "We went into action yesterday because our abilities and skills were needed. And you've said yourself that we have to be ready for whatever Genom's planning next."

"True. And the public response to us has been quite interesting. I've been watching the commentaries and reading the editorials. The bottom line Is that people like having us around, not just for boomer incidents but for anything our technology might be able to help with."

"Such as?" Priss prompted. Although her face was as passive as usual, there was a noticeable tone of curiosity in her words.

Nene jumped in and said, "Well, the most obvious area of need is being a back-up to the NTC Police combat unit given how poorly they performed. They're getting a new commander but she's not arriving until next week. Plus, she's just one person. It's going to take some time to get that team into shape. And given the kinds of cases that we're coming across, I can assure you that the technology some of the criminals are creating or have access to may just require us to get involved on occasion, whether or not the combat team wants our help."

Priss actually grinned. "Well, that'll just bring back the good old days."

"As the most obvious possibility, we could help the NTC Police with other high-tech cases, which would be filtered through Daley and Nene. But there are other mission scenarios that we could selectively choose to participate in," Sylia said. "such as helping with major accidents or in extreme weather conditions, such as during typhoon season and earthquakes. The possibilities are endless."

"I think we should!" Nene blurted. "That's so cool!"

Priss snorted and remarked, "So we'd really be super heroes after all. I'm sure Linna would be pleased."

Sylia smiled at her. "She did tell me to tell you that she wants a cape added to her hardsuit... So who's in or out for this? I'm assuming that despite your answer, you would still be on call for regular boomer instances."

"Count me in!" Nene declared.

Knowing that all eyes were now on her, Priss dropped her gaze as a dark frown suddenly fell over her features.

"Sylvie?" Sylia prompted, trying to steer some attention away from the other woman. "Would you like to be part of this?"

The boomer looked noticeably hesitant. "I - I'm not certain if I would perform adequately in such situations. I'm programmed for combat. I know what to do when there's an enemy involved. But this sounds extremely... undefined."

"Glad that you shared that," Sylia responded. "We'll make certain you're never dispatched alone. And you would just have to take the lead of whoever is partnered with you at the time. I'm certain your confidence will increase over time to take care of missions alone."

"I'll do it if she does it," Priss said softly, not looking up, surprising the other woman with her response. "I mean, if I'm going to do something like this, then I want to do it as a team. When Linna's recovered then, Sylvie, you don't have to do it anymore if you feel like it still doesn't work for you. I just like the idea of... us watching each other's back."

"Then count me in as well," Sylvie responded with a noticeably pleased look.

Sylia just arched her eyebrow curiously as her glance shifted between the other two women.

"Wait a minute," Nene suddenly said. "Is Sylvie a regular member now? I mean, I knew she was a last resort option but I didn't know she was now part of the regular team."

"Sylia asked me if I would like to be," Sylvie answered, "but I admit I still haven't given a response yet. I feel uncomfortable committing due to the preprogrammed commands that have not yet been purged. I would be glad to reevaluate my options once I know they've been taken care of. Until then, I know that Linna's membership has priority over mine."

"Out of curiosity, Sylvie," Sylia said, "If you were to become a regular team member, what color would you like your hardsuit to be? After all, I will want to reclaim mine when I get back to active duty status myself."

The boomer thought it over for a moment and then answered brightly, "I like the color pink."

An awkward silence settled in the room after her response, which caused her to look at them in puzzlement.

Then Sylia broke out into a giggle and said, "I actually like the idea of seeing the expressions of the more macho members of the NTC combat unit if they saw they were bested by a Knight Saber in a much more... delicate color scheme."

The other two Knight Sabers chose to remain quiet.

"Well, it seems that we're all in agreement to increase our scope of responsibility," Sylia summarized. "And that includes Linna's input. Nigel and Mackey are also committed to helping. Naturally, this will change the way we operate. I'm going to remain out of active status for as long as my injury keeps me from being fully functional; however I will still manage the entire team, including calling you for assignments where I think we could provide valuable assistance. Nigel and I have already identified some key enhancements to the hardsuits that we'll add as soon as possible. And in case you were wondering, you will be receiving duty pay."

Priss looked noticeably surprised. "So you're financing us again?"

Sylia actually grinned and said, "Not quite. Hardware and operational costs, yes. Your service pay is actually coming out of Nigel's royalties account from his work on boomer cores for the white noise issue. Consider it a form of poetic justice."

With a broad smile, Priss declared, "If that's the case, then I'm definitely in."

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"So, um, Priss," Nene began hesitantly as they raided Sylia's fridge for something to drink, "how are you doing? I mean, with Leon and all."

Priss didn't answer at first as she fished out some coffee drinks and handed one to her. She finally sighed and said, "Nene, I know you want to help, but this is one area that I'm asking you not to stick your nose into."

Nene frowned and said, "Look, you're both friends of mine. And he's really hurting. You either don't care or you're doing a really good job of reverting back to the cool and distant Priss from four years ago. After all, you agreed to marry him only a couple of days ago!"

Priss stared at her coolly for a moment. "I assure you that I care."

"Then just call him. Talk to him a little bit so he's got something to look forward to."

The other woman narrowed her eyes at her and asked, "Did he ask you to approach me or are you doing this on your own?"

She held up her hand in an oath. "I swear this is just me. He hasn't made one comment to me about trying to plead his case."

"Then, Nene, I think you should take that as a direct hint from him to not get involved. And calling him now isn't going to help anyway because I wouldn't say anything he wants to hear."

Nene looked noticeably stunned. "Then you really are sticking with the idea of breaking up with him?"

Priss gave her a silent look and then just walked away.

-- End Chapter 50 --

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