Chapter Nine: Next Strike

Godeshen

Shin was in his black guymelef learning how to use it and pretty quickly too. Reed was impressed at how quickly and easily Shin learned. He grew more confident every day that Shin was the right choice. Before Shin, Reed was looking for someone, anyone who would be bloodthirsty enough to start mayhem and chaos on Gaea once again. They were rebuilding weapons from Dornkirk's old notes and constructing new ones that Shin was helping to build.

Two men came into Reed's work area as he was working on the new prototype. "Sir?" one of the men asked. Reed turned around and saw the two men.

"Were you successful in you mission to kill the girl?" Reed asked wiping his hands off. The men looked at each other then back at Reed.

"She was injured but not killed. They appear to be stronger than we had originally thought"

"What about you weapon survey?"

"There weapons appear to be low. They have a few guymelefs and floating ships. Nothing we couldn't handle sir"

"Good, they probably know of us now. We should post look outs. The girl is probably well guarded as are most of the cities. We should strike as soon as possible before the can make more weapons" Reed said walking up to his new creations. "I can't wait to test these out."

Godeshen: Practice Field

"Master Shin! Reed wishes to speak with you immediately" a man yelled from bellow. Shin couldn't really make out who he was.

"Tell him I'll be there in a few minutes. I'm having too much fun. This guymelefs needs something" Shin said as he dismounted the guymelef and walked towards the main structure.

Palace: Hitomi's room

Hitomi was resting peacefully in her room with a dozen guards at the door. Merle stayed by her side while Van was out talking to Allen about certain matters.

Palace: Meeting room

"What are you saying Van?" Gaddes asked in an abrupt tone.

"I'm going back to Fenalia to awaken Escaflowne. It one of the most powerful guymelefs on Gaea. What other choice do I have?" Van said in an angry tone.

"We still have Scherazade and the Crusade to help us. We don't need Escaflowne just yet. Well have to prepare the other guymelef units since they haven't been used in awhile" Allen said mostly just pointing out the facts.

"We must strike back soon. Their likely to know that we know about them and if they're as smart as I think the are, their going to make their move quickly before we have a chance to defend ourselves" Van said growing more irritated.

Allen and Gaddes sighed. Van had a point and he was very stubborn. When he had his mind set their was no way they could change it. Allen looked at Gaddes and shrugged his shoulders. "You make a very good point Van. Well do as you say. You can go back to Fenalia and get Escaflowne but what about Hitomi? She can't move in her state, and who will protect Fenalia once your gone?" Allen asked moving closer to Van.

"I trust my men to take care of Fenalia. Palace is the most likeliest place to be attacked. There are more resources her to take then in Fenalia. The matter of Hitomi... She can stay here with Merle. I'll only be gone a day or two" Van said looking outside. His heart hurt when he though of Hitomi in the state she was in. Why? Why couldn't of he have noticed that it was a trap. Everything was against him that night. The rain prevented him from flying, the rain would of soak up into his wings making them to heavy to fly. He had tried it once before and he had failed.

Allen noticed the look in Van's eyes and decided to change the subject. "You should be off soon. The sooner you leave the sooner you'll be back. While you are out we'll spread word to all that Gaea is being threaten by an unknown force" Allen said rising from the table. He pick up Van's sword and handed it to him. "Be quick like the wind Van. Their attack will be swift. Well prepare the guymelefs for them."

Before Van would leave he went to see Hitomi in her bed room. He passed the guards and entered her room. He saw Merle sitting beside Hitomi who was perched up against the head board of the bed. Hitomi looked at him and gave him a gentle smile. "Lord Van your here!" Merle shouted as she ran up to him giggling as she usually did. Van ignored Merle and walked up to Hitomi's bed and sat beside her.

"I'm leaving back to Fenalia to get Escaflowne Hitomi" Van said as Hitomi eyes suddenly went wide.

"B-but Van? What about what you said to me before I left? You said you wanted to see the world as your brother wanted to, without weapons or war" Hitomi said sitting up. She winced from the pain of her shoulder. Van put his hand on Hitomi's good shoulder and pushed her gently back down so that she wouldn't hurt herself.

"Well it too late for that wouldn't you say? A war is breaking out whether or not we want it too and we need the help of Escaflowne. Hitomi, Allen will be here to protect you while I'm gone. Take care of yourself, I'll be back in a few short days" Van said trying to be as brief as he could. Van lifted Hitomi's hand and kissed it gentle. He then departed from the room then the palace to Fenalia.

Godeshen: The Castle

Shin walked into the poorly lit room where Reed was awaiting him with a bottle of wine. "What is it you wanted Reed? I was just learning how to use the cloaking mechanism" Shin said is a calm tone of voice. He sat down beside Reed and poured himself a glass of blood wine.

"The weapons report of Palace was satisfying. They don't even compare to our forces, but that Hitomi girl seems to be harder to kill than we'd expected. She and her companions took out a few of our good men" Reed said disappointed. Shin still looked calm then suddenly he threw his glass against the wall with a loud crash.

"If these men can't even take out one girl and her group of goody goodies. Then how do you expect them to fight a war and win it? They need to train harder! I think we need to take them on a field exercise to see what their really made of" Shin said as a flame flickered in his eyes.

"Then shale our first fields exercise be annihilating Palace? That would be a pretty big step" Reed said pouring another glass of wine for Shin.

"This is the time when we separate the boys from the men Reed. The stronger will prevail. We need to strike now so that we'll have an easier chance of winning. Once Palace is out of the picture the other countries will be absolutely frightened of us and that's where we want them" Shin said taking a knife from his pocket and stabbing it onto a map. The knife was directly in the middle of Palace their next target.

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Angel: I hope this chapter is better. I took your question and comments into consideration and incorporated them into it. I hope you like this chapter. Thanks for all your nice reviews. I appreciate them. :o)