Jaid: Hi guys! Well, after a very long absence, I am back. Here is chapter 7 for you all.
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"Harry!"
The young man turned to see Mary waving at him. Beside her, were his parents. Harry sighed. It was time for the inevitable. Leena, who had been talking to Bit and Jamie, tugged on his arm.
"Come on, what'd you stop for?" she asked.
"I have to go, Leena." He said.
"Why?"
Harry nodded his head to the Champ trio near the door.
"Oh." Leena said in a flat tone. She looked at him. "Well, see you later." She let go of his arm and walked away with the rest of the Blitz team. Harry sighed. He'd half hoped that she'd offer to come with him, but he supposed it was too much to expect. Turning, he walked towards his family.
Aiden and Leila Champ were both very handsome for their age. Aiden was tall, like his son, though at little more broad of build. He had hazel eyes that could seem golden, and black hair streaked with gray. A dignified goatee and mustache were also streaked with gray. He had a stern look about him, as if he were someone very much used to getting his own way and could be very imposing.
Leila Champ was blonde, like her daughter, with blue eyes. She somewhat resembled a fading flower; still beautiful, but out of her prime. Small and frail looking, she was of the weepy sort. It had been a long time before Harry became immune to her fits of emotion.
Mary naturally took after their mother, except that she was taller and infinitely more cheerful. Harry had turned out being the bridge between his parents with his neutral sandy hair and green eyes. Be that as it may, everyone agreed that he resembled his mother's side of the family, except for the famous Champ height.
"Hello, Mother, Father, Mary." He said dully, knowing exactly what was coming. "Nice to see you."
"And you." Aiden said, though his tone did not carry that conviction. "I wish to discuss some things with you, Harry. Perhaps over some lunch?"
"As you wish." Harry answered, as they began to move to the hotel's restaurant.
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"You are joking." Mai moaned. Across from her sat twins, Daytona and Jim Brooks. Both were average height, slender, with black hair, dark blue eyes and olive skin. Daytona wore a red shirt, black pants and boots, a tan colored trench coat and a white scarf around her neck. Jim wore all black, except for blood red fingerless gloves and a dark blue trench coat.
"Afraid not." Jim said.
"What are we going to do about this?" Mai asked. "We can't just have people drop out of the blue like that."
"We know." Daytona said. "But we have no leads. It seems as if Jack Hanson and Rachel Hughes did just drop out of the blue."
"Any ideas?"
The twins exchanged looks, then looked back at Mai.
"We were thinking of an agent going under cover." She admitted.
"Isn't that risky?" Mai asked.
"Very." Jim said quietly. "But it might be our only option right now."
"Without warrants, we can't look at any sort of records that the Backdraft might leave." Daytona said. "I'm afraid this is our only hope."
"Well, who is that agent going to be?" Mai asked.
The twins shared a glance.
"I've volunteered." Jim admitted quietly. Mai looked at him in shock.
"You?" she asked. "No offense, Jim, but you'd last two minutes."
"Maybe in a Zoid battle, but I'm much better at cloak and dagger sort of stuff." Jim responded with a smile.
"You're going to let him do this?" Mai looked at Daytona in shock. The young woman had a frown on her face.
"He insists." She growled.
"I'll be fine." Jim said. "Really, Daytona, sometimes you'd think I was two years old or something."
The usually impassive Daytona glanced at her brother and Mai saw her fear and anxiety that Jim would not return.
"What about me, Dinah and Keema?" she suddenly said.
"All three of you?" Jim asked
"Keema?" Daytona blankly echoed. "You're suggesting sending Keema?"
"Under Dinah's and mine supervision."
"No." Jim shook her head. "Keema has her purposes, but we've already established that she can't last for long under rigorous interrogation."
"So why let her become an agent in the first place?" Mia asked.
"Because you insisted." Daytona shot back. "You promised to take care of her. No offense, Mai but Keema-"
"Isn't really what is needed for this type of mission." Jim finished diplomatically, while shooting his sister a small glare. "Besides, you three have been assigned to the rally. If I don't go, then we have to choose between Peter, Mara, Emily, Seth, or Jackson. Peter is still very inexperienced to take this on. Mara's busy back in Terron City with the gang war. Emily and Seth are still recovering from that same assignment and Jackson…" he broke off with a sigh.
"Disappeared again." Daytona commented dryly. "Peter's ready to blow his top. I sent Channa and Salina to look for him."
Mai rubbed her temples, feeling like she was getting a headache. "Okay, whatever. You guys are the bosses, you decide." She stood. "Thanks for the heads up. I'm going back to the rally. I have to find Keema anyway."
"She's probably in the food court." Daytona commented dryly. Mai made a face.
"We just wanted you to know." Jim cut in before the two of them started to argue. "Be careful, Mai."
"You're telling me?" Mia snorted. "Take your own advice, Brooks."
Jim smiled softly and nodded his good-bye as she walked away.
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"Where'd Harry go?" Jamie asked Leena.
"His parents are here and he has to go talk to them." She explained. "Your girlfriend's here, Bit."
Bit rolled his eyes, but smiled when he saw Jade walking up with Sky and Kirin.
"Hi." Jade said, giving him a hug. "How'd you do?"
"You weren't watching?" Bit asked. Jade shook her head.
"Emergency repairs."
"Oh. Well, pretty good actually. Hey, Brad." The blonde said, putting his arm around Jade's shoulders, as the long-haired mercenary walked up.
"Hey." Brad answered. "Has anyone seen the Doc?"
"No, not since our last fight." Jamie answered.
"He's over there." Sky pointed.
"Thanks." Brad said, then hurried over to the older man. The others frowned at each other.
"What was that about?" Leena wondered, then looked at Jamie. "Jamie, you okay?"
Realizing that his mouth was opened, Jamie shut it. "Yeah, peachy. I'm going to my room now." With that, he scuttled away. Leena scowled and then they all looked over to where Tauros and Brad stood…with a very attractive, very familiar turquoise haired woman.
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"Beat again." Omari sighed. "Kirkland, this is getting depressing."
Kirkland didn't answer. Lineback was eyeing the snack food bar.
"I'm hungry." He said.
"Come to think of it, so am I." Omari agreed. "Kirkland?"
"Let's go."
They walked over to the popcorn stand. A cute, slightly chubby girl stood there. She was about average height, with hazel eyes and short, punkish styled jewel tone pink hair. She was wearing a blue cropped T, a long gray vest and hip hugging bell bottoms. Various punk-like bracelets, rings and necklaces were on her, and her ears held more than ten earrings each. She caught them staring and sent them a cheery smile.
"Hi." She chirped. "Lovely day."
"Yeah." Lineback answered. Kirkland groaned inwardly. He sounded smitten.
"Keema!" Two women approached. The one who had shouted was tall and slender, with chin length light blue hair that had a pair of sunglasses perched on top. She had wine pink eyes and sharp features. She wore a plum colored tank top, and long fingerless gloves that were the same color. She also wore black pants and hiking boots. The second girl looked vaguely oriental, with her warm skin color and almond shaped black eyes. She was short and appeared to be slim. She wore a short black dress and knee length black boots, as well as a navy blue trench coat. She wore a black choker and a heavy silver cross on a black cord, as well as large, slender silver hoops and several silver rings on her fingers. Her hair was longer than the other girls' and black, except for the tips and bangs that framed her heart shaped face; they were an odd shade of purplish-pink.
"Keema, we don't have time for food." The blue haired girl fairly snapped. "We've got to leave, now."
"Ahh." Keema moaned. "But I just bought it."
"Tough."
"But Mai-"
"But Mai nothing." The blue haired girl said, grabbing Keema's wrist. Keema pouted, but then glanced at Lineback who was still staring at her. Pulling away from Mai, she walked up to Lineback and gave him a cute smile.
"Here." She handed him the popcorn. "No sense in letting it go to waste."
"Thanks." Linkeback said with his usual eloquence. Keema smiled even more brightly and was pulled away by Mai.
"Dude, how'd you do that?" Omari wondered. Lineback was still staring in Keema's direction.
"Quick, grab it before he drools all over." Kirkland muttered.
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The meal had been an uneasy one, though Harry had been privately thankful that his parents had refrained from heavy discussion until they were finished. Now, it was time for the inevitable.
"Son," Aiden began. "Your mother and I have been very concerned over your behavior over the past few years."
"I know." Harry said, trying not to sound disrespectful. He was beginning to get a migraine.
"It's entirely improper to be chasing after a woman so below your station." Leila said, sounding as if she were on the verge of tears (which was how she usually sounded). Harry's jaw tightened over the slight on Leena, but a kick in the ankle startled him out of anger. He met Mary's eyes and she gave the barest nod. Harry nodded slightly back in return and pretended to listen as his parents launched into the reasons why he should give up and go home speech. His migraine grew worse.
"So, you want me to come home because all of our peers are laughing at you behind your backs and it's my fault." He said, after they were finished.
"Not exactly." Aiden commented dryly. "I'm doubly worried, especially after that…incident."
"Father, that was not Leena's or anybody's fault, except for the people who attacked us. Battles are not usually so destructive."
"Barring that, we would like for you to come home before something worse happens." Aiden said.
Leila nodded emphatically. "Please Harry. You're our only son."
Harry was about to make some scathing comment, when he caught the look in his parents' eyes. There was real concern there and it shocked him a little to find that they really did care, even if it was buried under all the ceremony and silliness of aristocratic life.
"I would come home if I could." He said softly. "But I can't."
Aiden raised his eyebrows questioningly.
"Father, I don't know how to explain this, but I know Leena is the woman I will marry. Frankly, I don't give a damn that she might be a social disaster or beneath me. But…" he took a breath. "I don't know what Mary has told you. I will admit that Leena has not been so friendly towards me in the past, but she and I are…after the incident, as you call it, something happened. I think we both grew up in some way. And while she is far from loving me, she has offered friendship and I just can't let that go. It's too precious to me."
He met Mary's eyes and she gave him a slight smile, as if congratulating him. He looked back at his parents.
"Please, just think-"
"Harry!"
He looked up to see Leena herself grinning down at him. "Are you going to introduce me or what?"
"Uh, Mother, Father this is Leena Tauros. Leena, these are my parents, Leila and Aiden Champ."
"Hiya!" Leena said cheerfully. "Oh, hi Mary." She addressed the young man once again. "Harry, are you going to be done soon? I really need to talk to you."
"I'm not sure." He said. Leena scowled.
"Well, all right. I'm going to Jade's hangar. Meet me there. It was nice meeting you all, bye!" And she was gone.
"That is Leena?" Leila blinked. "My dear, she is more than a social disaster, she will be social catastrophe!"
Harry grimaced, the pounding in his head worse.
"She is something of a barbarian." Mary agreed, speaking for the first time. "But, Harry is exceptionally fond of her, so she must have some redeeming qualities."
Harry looked up surprised.
"Perhaps, but not enough." Leila sniffed. "Aiden?"
Aiden was looking at Harry with an odd look in his eye. "I think it's a bit early to make a call, but I believe your mother is right."
"Then maybe society needs a catastrophe." Harry grumbled.
"Harry!" Leila said in shock.
"I mean it, Mother. Have you even looked at the girls in those families? One half are a conniving bunch of wenches who try to marry the most money they can and the other half are giggling airheads with not enough sense to be found among the lot of them!"
Leila gasped.
"Harry, I will thank you not to address your Mother in that tone." Aiden said sternly.
"I think that girl has had an adverse affect on you, Harry." Leila said tearfully.
"Well, maybe it was a good thing." Harry snapped.
"Harry." Aiden said sharply. The young man glanced at him.
"I'm sorry, Father, but I can't go back. I can't be the young man I was. Too many things have changed in me. If you think things are bad now, it would be worse if I came home. I…" he trailed off helplessly, unsure of how to tell his parents what he felt. The migraine came back, full force. He rubbed his temples.
"Perhaps we should discuss this later." Mary suggested brightly. "Mother, you must be exhausted after all that traveling. Don't you think so Father?"
Aiden nodded and helped his wife to her feet. They left to book a room.
"Thank you." Harry mumbled. Mary dropped a container of pain killer on his plate.
"I want them back." She said.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Because I get headaches too, silly."
"No." Harry swallowed four of the pills. "Why did you help me?"
Mary took back the container. "Because you're my brother." She said, then walked away. Harry stared after her.
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Jade sighed, as she leaned against Bit. They were sitting on the floor, backs against the leg of Jade's Command Wolf.
"What's wrong?"
"Tired." She answered softly. Leena came breezing in.
"I met Harry's parents!" she called as she went by.
"We're thrilled." Bit mumbled. Jade smiled.
"We just can't afford it." Sky said looking at papers spread over a makeshift desk. Kirin sighed grumpily.
"That stinks."
"I know." Sky smiled. "Don't worry, we get back out on the battlefield, get into a higher class and we'll be okay."
Kirin grinned at her. "Yeah, I guess so."
"Hey guys." Leena said coming into the back room. "Jade and Bit are having private time, so I decided to see how you guys were."
"Private time?" Kirin rumbled dangerously. Without another word, he strode out of the office.
"Thanks, Leena." Sky said sarcastically. Leena giggled as she flopped into the chair Kirin had vacated.
"But it's such fun to see him on the prowl." She said. Sky shook her head, a lost look suddenly coming into her eyes.
"Cloud!"
Bit looked at Kirin. "Shh!" he admonished. "She's asleep."
"Yeah," Kirin said in a low, but still rather dangerous, voice. "In your arms."
Bit rolled sea-green eyes and stood, carefully picking up Jade. "Whatever."
"Hey."
They both turned as Harry came in.
"Leena here?"
"In the office, with Sky." Kirin said, not taking his eyes off Bit.
"Right." Harry said, noting the tension. He made tracks for the study.
"You want her?" Bit asked. Kirin glared, stared at his sister, then back at Bit.
"I don't want her to wake up." He mumbled. "Come on."
"Where are we going?" Bit asked.
"The hotel, nitwit." Kirin snapped.
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"Any thing?" Mai asked.
"No." Dinah frowned. "I don't understand it, Mai. There was a whole squadron of Strom Sworders there. They can't have just disappeared."
Mai's lips pursed. She didn't like the sound of this.
"Things have gotten a bit far." She admitted, sitting on a chair next to Dinah's computer. "And it's getting worse. Daytona and Jim told me that Seth and Emily were sent back to recover."
"Are we going to be re-stationed in Terron?" Dinah asked, still typing.
"I don't know." Mai leaned back in her chair. "Jim's going under cover in Backdraft."
"Well, he's a good actor. I'm sure he'll play the part of a revolutionary quite well." Dinah said with obvious restraint.
"Yeah, I guess." Mai rolled her head from side to side. She sighed.
"What's wrong?" Dinah asked.
"Nothing. Just tired." Mai answered, before leaving the room.
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Reviewer Responses:
Thunderstorm – Here is an update for you! I'm sorry it took so long.
Nabooru - …Hope you still like it…*sheepish grin*
Mookie Neko – Thank you very much for all the compliments! I always feel nice after your reviews lol. I love the Fuzzy Pandas, but I haven't seen much of them; their parts in this story are due too Wolfcking's Anizoid story; because I actually wasn't going to have them in at all.
Saiyan Princess – Erm, well, sorry about that, but I always try to have chapters six to seven pages long. If you don't have time to read a story right away, you could copy and paste it to a word document and read it later; that's what I do.
Capt. Wolf – Glad you like! Oh, well, I can't promise anything, but I'll try my best.
Ario – I'll try my best; Doc is a little hard for me to handle realistically though.