AN: Sorry for not updating in a while, but I've been busy with a ton of
stuff (school, projects, applying for college, watching anime, writing and
reviewing other fanfiction, etc.). By the way, since italics don't come out
in fanfiction.net, I will now put thoughts in parenthesis. Well, here's the
next chapter I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: Do I look like I own ZOE? I only own Crim and this story.
Chapter 7: Disaster
Leo sat in the lobby of the ship, waiting for Celvice's group to come back. According to the schedule, the group would arrive back at the ship in fifteen more minutes, during which Leo just sat there alone with his thoughts.
(Why did I react like that anyway?) Leo asked himself. (And how am I going to answer that question that Crim asked me when I don't even know the answer myself. Why was I so concerned about Celvice?)
Suddenly, a voice in the back of his mind seemed to answer.
"I think that the answer is obvious." It said. "You're in love with her, pal."
Leo looked around to be sure that it wasn't just Crim playing some kind of trick on him.
(Great, now I'm starting to hear voices.) Leo thought. (It's official; I'm losing it.)
Leo sat where he was for a few more minutes before glancing at his watch. There were still ten more minutes until the group's arrival. He sat back and tried to relax without any success; what that voice had told him kept on nagging him.
(Crim, you bastard!) Leo thought at his friend, blaming him for the current problem. (If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be debating with myself if I were in love with Celvice or not.)
Almost as if on cue, the memory of the kiss that he'd had with Celvice entered his mind, causing Leo's face to redden considerably.
(Now why did I suddenly think of that?) Leo thought.
Suddenly, the door to the lobby burst open to reveal a distraught Thunderheart.
"Leo, you need to get to the bridge now." Thunderheart said. "The groups have all come back, but Celvice isn't with any of them."
Leo stood up, a sinking feeling in his chest. He ran out of the lobby and didn't stop until he got to the bridge. When he got there, he found Elena shouting at a man who Leo assumed was in charge of the group Celvice had been with. Leo also saw Crim standing next to Elena, looking at the man like he wanted to beat him up.
"What do you mean that you didn't bother looking for her when she didn't show up at the scheduled meeting time?!" Elena shouted angrily. "I should have you court marshaled for such carelessness as well as irresponsibility!"
"We thought that she'd gone back earlier with another group." The man explained nervously. " A lot of our guys did that, so I didn't think-."
"You obviously didn't think." Elena commented sarcastically. "Did you even bother to ask the departing groups about who else was leaving with them besides their own?"
The man was silent.
Elena then noticed that had arrived, she then turned back to the man who she had just spoken to.
"I'm placing you under temporary suspension until I can find a suitable penalty for your actions." She said coldly. "You may only leave your quarters to eat. Is that understood?"
"Yes maam." The man answered quickly.
"Good, now report to your quarters, you're dismissed." Elena said and the man quickly left.
Elena then turned to Leo.
"Leo, I'm sorry." She said. "But as you probably know, Celvice has gone missing."
"Well, aren't you going to assemble search party or something to try and find her?" Leo asked, the feeling that he'd had when Elena had informed him about Anubis earlier creeping back into him.
"We're working on that." Elena answered. "Right now, we're assuming that her group just left her behind. We can't just jump to conclusions."
At that moment, Thunderheart entered the bridge, his face strangely pale.
"What's wrong?" Crim asked. "Have you found something out?"
Thunderheart nodded and motioned for Crim, Leo, and Elena to follow him, indicating that what he had to say was for them to hear only.
"Well, what is it?" Elena asked.
"I just received a message addressed to Leo on my computer." Thunderheart answered. "It was- well, you'd better have a look at it yourself."
They then followed Thunderheart to his cabin and then entered it to find that the computer was already on. Thunderheart opened the message and then Leo stepped in to read it. What he found chilled him to the core.
________________________________________________________________________ The message:
Good day Mr. Stenbuck,
I have recently come into possession of something that I believe is of great value to you. If you wish it to be returned, please come to the following coordinates attached to this message within the next twenty-four hours. If you do not arrive within the appropriate time, I will assume that you do not desire the item in question and will have it disposed of. Do come alone.
Thank you,
Col. Nohman
PS: A very close friend of mine would like to see a sibling who happens to be a very close friend of yours. I believe that since we have a scheduled meeting today, a sibling reunion should be in order.
Crim's fist struck the wall.
"Damn that bastard!" He cursed. "Celvice doesn't have anything to do with this, but he's using her as a hostage."
"I'm going to go meet him." Leo stated suddenly. "I'm going to bring Celvice back."
Elena turned to Leo.
"Leo, you know that this is a trap. If you do as that man asks, you're going to get killed. I know Celvice means a lot to you but-."
"So you're telling me that I should just abandon her?" Leo shouted angrily. "And let that bastard kill her? I thought you UNSF people were better than that!"
"I never said anything like that!" Elena argued. "I'm only saying that you shouldn't rush into this. If you do, you'll put Celvice in danger as well as yourself."
"I am aware of the danger." Leo answered as he checked the coordinates attached to the message. "But even so, Celvice is already in danger and I'm not going to just sit here while someone I care for is in harms way." And with that Leo got up to leave.
"Wait," Elena said causing Leo to turn around. "Look, I know that I can't stop you from going, but please be careful. I don't want to lose two crewmates."
"Neither do I, kid." Thunderheart added.
Leo's gaze softened.
"I'm sorry for what I just said earlier." He said. "Don't worry, I will come back with Celvice, I promise." And he started to leave.
"I'll be right behind you, Leo." Crim said as he started to follow Leo.
"No, Crim." Leo said. "I'm going alone."
"What?" Crim exclaimed in surprise. "Are you crazy? You can't take on Anubis by yourself!"
"Maybe, but I know that I can rescue Celvice." Leo replied. "Besides, the message told me to come alone. I know Nohman probably has a lot of LEVs with him to attack me, but ADA and I can handle them. Also, I think that you should remain behind to help defend the ship in case BAHRAM attacks the Atlantis while I'm away."
"Well at least let me escort you to the place that you're supposed to meet with-."
"Crim, you are to remain behind and that is an order." Elena said. "And before you say any objections, consider what could happen if Nohman's demands aren't met."
Crim sighed in defeat. "Fine, I'll stay behind."
"Leo, before you go, there's something that you should know." Thunderheart said. "In a hostage situation, a person's life depends solely on every action you make. If you can't control your emotions, especially if the hostage is someone dear to you, then fear will set in. And if you can't control your fear, then it will end in tragedy. Remember that."
"I will." Leo said and then he ran towards the LEV hangar. The feeling of the possible loss of Celvice having a heavy burden in his heart.
10 Minutes Later:
(Why can't I shake the feeling that something isn't right with this whole situation?) Crim thought as he walked down one of the ship's hallways. (I know that it's got something to do with that Nohman guy, but what is it?)
When he reached his quarters, Crim turned on his computer and checked some e-mails that he had previously relieved from an old friend. When he found the one that he was looking for and read it, a feeling of pure dread entered his mind.
Crim ran out of his quarters and raced to the bridge. When he entered he walked over to the person in charge of the radar.
"I want you to have a look at these coordinates." Crim said handing the written down coordinates of where Leo was to meet with Nohman. "Try to detect an energy reading similar to Jehuty's."
"I'm sorry, sir, but I don't think that-." The man was cut off when Crim shoved him out of his seat.
"Then I'll do it!" Crim said and he began to type in various directions to the ship's computer.
"Crim! What do you think you're doing?" Elena asked as she walked up to him.
"I don't have any time to explain this, Elena." Crim replied quickly as he kept on typing. "Let's just say that this is a matter of life and death, so don't interrupt me."
Suddenly, the screen showed the area Crim was looking for as well as two red dots.
"Oh God, I should have known." Crim said as his suspicions were confirmed. He quickly got up from his seat and turned to Elena. "You'll have to let Thunderheart be the ship's defender as an OF pilot, I need to go and help Leo."
"Wait a minute!" Elena shouted in attempt to stop Crim.
"Look, I know I'm disobeying a direct order, but if I don't, two of my friends will die or one of them will wish that they had. You can court marshal me or whatever when I get back." And Crim ran towards the LEV hangar.
A few minutes later, one of the bridge members turned to Elena.
"The LEV hangar doors are opening." He reported. "Should I close them?"
"No." Elena said. "Of what Crim said was true, then he's probably doing more good than harm in disobeying my orders." She then turned to the person in charge of the intercom. "Call Thunderheart and have him on standby."
Meanwhile:
Crim sat in the cockpit of his orbital frame as it sped towards its destination.
(Let's hope I reach Leo before he fights Anubis.) Crim thought. (If I don't get there in time, that game of Nohman's will destroy Leo utterly.)
AN: Another cliffhanger ending! Don't worry, I'll update as soon as possible, and in the next chapter, prepare for more mecha-action! Please review!
Anime Quote of the Day:
"That's it, I'm done! I'm just an extra in this show anyway..." (Yuhi Aogiri to no one in particular when he runs into a mutated person) (Ceres: Celestial Legend Vol. 4)(Manga)
Disclaimer: Do I look like I own ZOE? I only own Crim and this story.
Chapter 7: Disaster
Leo sat in the lobby of the ship, waiting for Celvice's group to come back. According to the schedule, the group would arrive back at the ship in fifteen more minutes, during which Leo just sat there alone with his thoughts.
(Why did I react like that anyway?) Leo asked himself. (And how am I going to answer that question that Crim asked me when I don't even know the answer myself. Why was I so concerned about Celvice?)
Suddenly, a voice in the back of his mind seemed to answer.
"I think that the answer is obvious." It said. "You're in love with her, pal."
Leo looked around to be sure that it wasn't just Crim playing some kind of trick on him.
(Great, now I'm starting to hear voices.) Leo thought. (It's official; I'm losing it.)
Leo sat where he was for a few more minutes before glancing at his watch. There were still ten more minutes until the group's arrival. He sat back and tried to relax without any success; what that voice had told him kept on nagging him.
(Crim, you bastard!) Leo thought at his friend, blaming him for the current problem. (If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be debating with myself if I were in love with Celvice or not.)
Almost as if on cue, the memory of the kiss that he'd had with Celvice entered his mind, causing Leo's face to redden considerably.
(Now why did I suddenly think of that?) Leo thought.
Suddenly, the door to the lobby burst open to reveal a distraught Thunderheart.
"Leo, you need to get to the bridge now." Thunderheart said. "The groups have all come back, but Celvice isn't with any of them."
Leo stood up, a sinking feeling in his chest. He ran out of the lobby and didn't stop until he got to the bridge. When he got there, he found Elena shouting at a man who Leo assumed was in charge of the group Celvice had been with. Leo also saw Crim standing next to Elena, looking at the man like he wanted to beat him up.
"What do you mean that you didn't bother looking for her when she didn't show up at the scheduled meeting time?!" Elena shouted angrily. "I should have you court marshaled for such carelessness as well as irresponsibility!"
"We thought that she'd gone back earlier with another group." The man explained nervously. " A lot of our guys did that, so I didn't think-."
"You obviously didn't think." Elena commented sarcastically. "Did you even bother to ask the departing groups about who else was leaving with them besides their own?"
The man was silent.
Elena then noticed that had arrived, she then turned back to the man who she had just spoken to.
"I'm placing you under temporary suspension until I can find a suitable penalty for your actions." She said coldly. "You may only leave your quarters to eat. Is that understood?"
"Yes maam." The man answered quickly.
"Good, now report to your quarters, you're dismissed." Elena said and the man quickly left.
Elena then turned to Leo.
"Leo, I'm sorry." She said. "But as you probably know, Celvice has gone missing."
"Well, aren't you going to assemble search party or something to try and find her?" Leo asked, the feeling that he'd had when Elena had informed him about Anubis earlier creeping back into him.
"We're working on that." Elena answered. "Right now, we're assuming that her group just left her behind. We can't just jump to conclusions."
At that moment, Thunderheart entered the bridge, his face strangely pale.
"What's wrong?" Crim asked. "Have you found something out?"
Thunderheart nodded and motioned for Crim, Leo, and Elena to follow him, indicating that what he had to say was for them to hear only.
"Well, what is it?" Elena asked.
"I just received a message addressed to Leo on my computer." Thunderheart answered. "It was- well, you'd better have a look at it yourself."
They then followed Thunderheart to his cabin and then entered it to find that the computer was already on. Thunderheart opened the message and then Leo stepped in to read it. What he found chilled him to the core.
________________________________________________________________________ The message:
Good day Mr. Stenbuck,
I have recently come into possession of something that I believe is of great value to you. If you wish it to be returned, please come to the following coordinates attached to this message within the next twenty-four hours. If you do not arrive within the appropriate time, I will assume that you do not desire the item in question and will have it disposed of. Do come alone.
Thank you,
Col. Nohman
PS: A very close friend of mine would like to see a sibling who happens to be a very close friend of yours. I believe that since we have a scheduled meeting today, a sibling reunion should be in order.
Crim's fist struck the wall.
"Damn that bastard!" He cursed. "Celvice doesn't have anything to do with this, but he's using her as a hostage."
"I'm going to go meet him." Leo stated suddenly. "I'm going to bring Celvice back."
Elena turned to Leo.
"Leo, you know that this is a trap. If you do as that man asks, you're going to get killed. I know Celvice means a lot to you but-."
"So you're telling me that I should just abandon her?" Leo shouted angrily. "And let that bastard kill her? I thought you UNSF people were better than that!"
"I never said anything like that!" Elena argued. "I'm only saying that you shouldn't rush into this. If you do, you'll put Celvice in danger as well as yourself."
"I am aware of the danger." Leo answered as he checked the coordinates attached to the message. "But even so, Celvice is already in danger and I'm not going to just sit here while someone I care for is in harms way." And with that Leo got up to leave.
"Wait," Elena said causing Leo to turn around. "Look, I know that I can't stop you from going, but please be careful. I don't want to lose two crewmates."
"Neither do I, kid." Thunderheart added.
Leo's gaze softened.
"I'm sorry for what I just said earlier." He said. "Don't worry, I will come back with Celvice, I promise." And he started to leave.
"I'll be right behind you, Leo." Crim said as he started to follow Leo.
"No, Crim." Leo said. "I'm going alone."
"What?" Crim exclaimed in surprise. "Are you crazy? You can't take on Anubis by yourself!"
"Maybe, but I know that I can rescue Celvice." Leo replied. "Besides, the message told me to come alone. I know Nohman probably has a lot of LEVs with him to attack me, but ADA and I can handle them. Also, I think that you should remain behind to help defend the ship in case BAHRAM attacks the Atlantis while I'm away."
"Well at least let me escort you to the place that you're supposed to meet with-."
"Crim, you are to remain behind and that is an order." Elena said. "And before you say any objections, consider what could happen if Nohman's demands aren't met."
Crim sighed in defeat. "Fine, I'll stay behind."
"Leo, before you go, there's something that you should know." Thunderheart said. "In a hostage situation, a person's life depends solely on every action you make. If you can't control your emotions, especially if the hostage is someone dear to you, then fear will set in. And if you can't control your fear, then it will end in tragedy. Remember that."
"I will." Leo said and then he ran towards the LEV hangar. The feeling of the possible loss of Celvice having a heavy burden in his heart.
10 Minutes Later:
(Why can't I shake the feeling that something isn't right with this whole situation?) Crim thought as he walked down one of the ship's hallways. (I know that it's got something to do with that Nohman guy, but what is it?)
When he reached his quarters, Crim turned on his computer and checked some e-mails that he had previously relieved from an old friend. When he found the one that he was looking for and read it, a feeling of pure dread entered his mind.
Crim ran out of his quarters and raced to the bridge. When he entered he walked over to the person in charge of the radar.
"I want you to have a look at these coordinates." Crim said handing the written down coordinates of where Leo was to meet with Nohman. "Try to detect an energy reading similar to Jehuty's."
"I'm sorry, sir, but I don't think that-." The man was cut off when Crim shoved him out of his seat.
"Then I'll do it!" Crim said and he began to type in various directions to the ship's computer.
"Crim! What do you think you're doing?" Elena asked as she walked up to him.
"I don't have any time to explain this, Elena." Crim replied quickly as he kept on typing. "Let's just say that this is a matter of life and death, so don't interrupt me."
Suddenly, the screen showed the area Crim was looking for as well as two red dots.
"Oh God, I should have known." Crim said as his suspicions were confirmed. He quickly got up from his seat and turned to Elena. "You'll have to let Thunderheart be the ship's defender as an OF pilot, I need to go and help Leo."
"Wait a minute!" Elena shouted in attempt to stop Crim.
"Look, I know I'm disobeying a direct order, but if I don't, two of my friends will die or one of them will wish that they had. You can court marshal me or whatever when I get back." And Crim ran towards the LEV hangar.
A few minutes later, one of the bridge members turned to Elena.
"The LEV hangar doors are opening." He reported. "Should I close them?"
"No." Elena said. "Of what Crim said was true, then he's probably doing more good than harm in disobeying my orders." She then turned to the person in charge of the intercom. "Call Thunderheart and have him on standby."
Meanwhile:
Crim sat in the cockpit of his orbital frame as it sped towards its destination.
(Let's hope I reach Leo before he fights Anubis.) Crim thought. (If I don't get there in time, that game of Nohman's will destroy Leo utterly.)
AN: Another cliffhanger ending! Don't worry, I'll update as soon as possible, and in the next chapter, prepare for more mecha-action! Please review!
Anime Quote of the Day:
"That's it, I'm done! I'm just an extra in this show anyway..." (Yuhi Aogiri to no one in particular when he runs into a mutated person) (Ceres: Celestial Legend Vol. 4)(Manga)