Arion: Hi y'all. Welcome back to yet another edition of Arion's Project Twilight.
Angel: ...Ahem...*Taps foot impatiently*
Arion: And this is my lackey, Yoru no Angel. And her Tom plushie.
Angel: Oh well...konnichiwa minna-san! *Hugs Tom plushie* ^o^
Arion: First off, we wish to thank all our reviewers! Please, continue to support us!
Angel: Wai~! Everyone is sooo nice!
Arion: I wanna thank ordance11 for his kind comments, and for his interest in my *shameless plug* own fic, Starting Over *end shameless plug*... Read on, there's something that might interest you ^^
Angel: I just wanna thank everyone! 'Cause...um...yeah ^^;
Arion: Don't mind her folks, she's like that. I also wanna thank RVD for his wonderfully articulated reviews, PersonaJXT and Wild Goose for their support as well! Hope this chapter is worth the wait!
Angel: Yeah! So...read on and please keep on supporting us!
Arion: ...and remember, all your base are belong to us! Launch all zig!
Angel: Um...what he said...
Arion: Enjoy! Chapter 5: Divided We StandBy Yoru no Angel and Arion Wong
The Hikarigumi arrived at the hospital minutes later.
Their morale couldn't have been lowered any further than it already was. What happened out there in the battlefield couldn't even be considered a victory! With their machine damaged and their teammate injured…the Hikarigumi felt more than ashamed.
No words were exchanged as the infirmary nurse Sarah Arquette ushered them into the waiting room. She gestured for the team to sit own and they hesitantly did so.
"All right…" Sarah said in a kindly manner, "For now, please rest here as Brian and I tend to your friend's injuries…after Mr. Thomas is stable, we'll then tend to your minor wounds."
Half of them barely nodded in confirmation.
Sarah frowned and turned on heel, heading down a long corridor.
The Hikarigumi remained completely silent, making the extra effort to not connect gazes with each other.
Nobody could tell what Veraiho was thinking. She sat silently in one of the wooden chairs around the room, her legs crossed in front of her. As usual, the Russian woman was pensively staring off into a faraway distance but this time her purple eyes seemed a little blank.
Katrina was seated directly opposite the Russian. Her eyes were closed as if she was buried deep in thought and her arms folded neatly around her chest; she winced a little every time she moved.
Abigail paced are the waiting room, observing the various paintings hung up on the walls in boredom. Occasionally, she'd glance over at Isaac, her red eyebrows contracting together a little more each time.
Isaac's head was lowered and his face was buried in his hands in absolute shame. He just couldn't face looking into the faces of his other teammates. It was as if he was mentally punishing himself for allowing Thomas to get injured like that, but even his state couldn't compare to Siti's.
Siti was an absolute mess. Her cheeks were stained with tears and blood from a small cut below her eye but it was like she didn't care at all; the sixteen-year-old just stared straight ahead of her, her dark eyes empty of all emotion.
"…Siti."
At once, every head turned towards the direction of Isaac's voice.
Isaac was staring fixedly at the younger girl thought his messy dark brown bangs. Abigail was clearly fighting the urge to go comfort him.
"…This isn't your fault."
His words lingered in the air for a few minutes. The rest of the present Hikarigumi waited for Siti's reaction.
Slowly but surely, the Malaysian girl's head slowly began to rise, she opened her mouth to speak but all she could manage to get out was a sob.
"…Y-Yes it is!" She cried, burying her face deeply into her hands, "I-If it wasn't f-for m-m-me, T-Tom would never h-have g-gotten hurt!"
"I-It's…I-It's all my f-fault…"
---
Half an hour later, the bespectacled Sarah emerged from down the hall followed closely by the scruffy looking doctor, Brian Russell. At the sight of the doctor and nurse duo, the Hikarigumi's spirits lifted to some extent, although there still could have been a terrible outcome from this accident, especially when the normally noisy and argumentative duo was unusually solemn as they approached.
Brian looked around at the Hikarigumi, his unshaven face in a vague smile, "Well, your friend's going to be okay…he was knocked around a little and his arm was broken in three places but other than that, he'll be fine and out of the hospital in a few days…"
Isaac laughed weakly to ease his nerves, "That…troublemaker…" He uttered, his shoulders heaving with a great sigh.
"Humph…" Katrina snorted, "That kid…making us, I mean, you worry like that…" She scowled, although there was the faintest of smiles on her lips.
Abigail turned away, facing the wall haughtily; her arms folded across her chest, "Idiot…wasting our time like that…" She muttered to herself.
Veraiho was still silent; she exhaled deeply out of relief. Her eyes were no longer empty.
"C-Can I see him??" Siti asked eagerly. The sixteen-year-old had risen to her feet. Her cheeks were still wet from the tears and blood, but now her face was smiling and cheerful.
"Let's leave Mr. Thomas to sleep off the anaesthesia for now…" Sarah said, "Besides, the rest of you need a little cleaning up too…"
The Hikarigumi nodded. Brian began to head down the hall again and he gestured for them to follow.
"Excuse me…" a timid voice called out, causing everyone to turn around.
Standing behind them was Mika Sorenson, looking extremely uncomfortable just to be there. She kept her head bowed so that her hair draped down to avoid their stares; otherwise they could see that she was very worried.
"Well well, Mika! What a surprise to see you down here. Anything I can do, hmm?" Brian asked as he brushed past the surprised Hikarigumi. As his rapid steps approached the young Swedish girl, a lecherous look came upon his face and his hands stretched open wide to grab her in a hug.
In a swift movement that did not even make Mika look up, she easily sidestepped the doctor and left one leg trailing, causing him to trip over and fall flat on his face. All the while, she maintained her fidgeting, troubled look.
"I'm sorry, everyone," she said hesitantly, wringing her hands in anxiety, "but the commander wishes to see all of you in the briefing room now."
The Hikarigumi stared at her incredulously, ignoring the sprawled and unconscious doctor.
"But, but we just got back!" Abigail whined.
Isaac frowned as his disenchantment with Lauranna Dornen grew even more. "She said debriefing would be in two hours," he said, dissatisfied.
"I'm sorry," Mika apologized again even though it was no fault of her own. "But the commander told me to get all of you immediately."
"She is just living up to her name," Veraiho muttered underneath her breath. 'A thorn indeed... a painful thorn in the side.'
"Can't she wait? I still want to see Tom first…" Siti pleaded. To her dismay, Mika shook her head sadly.
"I'm sorry, it's a direct order," Mika said. "I knew this would be hard, that is why I personally came down to tell you instead of using the PA."
"Very well, let's get this over with," Isaac said heavily. The Hikarigumi tightened their lips and resigned to follow him.
---
"Report," Lauranna said brusquely as soon as the Hikarigumi filed in and gave their salute. She sat at the head of the table; fingers locked together on the table, her lowered military cap casting a sinisterly shadow over her face and highlighted the whites on her eyes.
She did not offer them to be seated. Standing behind Lauranna, the second-in-command Henry Glory stood up straight with his chin raised, eyes looking up and away imperiously, as if the Hikarigumi were like insects beneath his notice.
Still feeling bruised from knocks suffered from the battle, the Hikarigumi glared sullenly at her. The steely-eyed German colonel ignored their vibes of hostility and easily glared back them.
Katrina saw that the others were not in the mood to answer immediately. Her sense of military discipline kicked in, although she was inwardly bristling at the way the colonel was handling the situation, her sense of duty prevailed.
"We encountered a large number of… enemy units. They were led by a woman named Iveria, who claimed to be following orders from a faction known as the Forgotten Ones," Katrina said in clipped tones.
"What was the situation that caused the severe damage to your machines?" Lauranna asked, not batting an eye at the new information.
"We were outnumbered by at least four to one, what do you expect?" Abigail replied, tapping her foot a little testily. Katrina shot her a glance but the American heiress took no notice.
"Oh really," Lauranna said icily. "Then why did all of you break formation and attacked as individuals?"
The Hikarigumi stayed silent. Abigail's impatient foot tapping stopped.
"I know what happened," Lauranna continued. She raised her head a little and gave them a contemptuous sneer. "Each of you thought that you were too good for the team. And look what your own actions have caused. Those machines will be unavailable for sorties for at least a week. The entire city will be defenceless until then."
Isaac felt an onrushing of blood to his face. "What do you expect of us?" he said harshly. His tone surprised his colleagues. For a moment, he felt their stares focusing on him and he faltered. 'Can't fall back now,' he thought, realizing that he was committed.
"You threw us into battle without a leader. This is your fault as much as it is ours," Isaac said righteously.
Lauranna's sneer grew longer. "Do you expect me to hold your hand and lead you children to cross the street?" she said mockingly. She seemed to consider her own question for a moment, and then she shook her head.
"If I knew that all of you were so helpless, I would have done so. Do not forget why you are all here. I handpicked each of you. That means I thought each of you would have the skills and the brains to do what it is required," she said.
The German colonel leaned back on her seat and sighed. "But it seems that I was wrong. You are all mere sheep."
"What the hell do you mean by that!?" Abigail screeched. "You dragged me all the way from America and now you're insulting me here?!"
"I'm sorry, Miss Sinclair," Lauranna replied, her voice not sorry at all. "I didn't mean to include you in the brains department. I was directing those words to Mr Williams, Miss Steiner and Miss Dimitrovich. I apologize to have made you feel much more important than you really are."
Abigail Sinclair, heiress of Sinclair Oils; couldn't believe that someone had the temerity to insult her repeatedly to her face. She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, visibly shaking with anger.
Lauranna spoke again before Abigail could declare that she quit. "If you feel that you're not up to the challenge, Miss Sinclair, feel free to leave. Go back to America and enjoy your pathetic… I mean… peaceful life."
Lauranna's sneer turned vicious when she recognized that Abigail would not back down. 'Now she won't quit until she proves me wrong,' she thought knowingly.
"What do you mean by directing those words to us?" Veraiho asked suddenly. She was standing away from the Hikarigumi, arms crossed and leaning back on the wall. The Russian girl had kept her silence most of the time while she was in the group, earning herself an enigmatic reputation.
Lauranna obliged her by pointing at her, Katrina and Isaac in turn as she spoke. "Veraiho Dimitrovich: trained by a well known revolutionist. You went on form your own career by enlisting in the Russian Special Branch while your sister remained in the army. You are noted in operations involving small squads and solo missions."
Veraiho visibly flinched when Lauranna mentioned the revolutionist and her sister. Her purple eyes narrowed dangerously, wondering just how much of her past did the commander knew.
"Katrina Steiner: daughter of a German military officer. After your father's death, you joined the army and duly received fair and equal training as male soldiers. You fought tooth and nail and had taken the officer evaluation trials several times, each time you were turned down by dubious reasons cited by the examination officials. They say you are fit to lead women only."
Katrina seethed when reminded of that. She remembered how sexist the examination officials were. Despite her testing scores were much higher than anyone else's, she was denied of a promotion time and time again. Katrina knew that it was those disappointments that fuelled her anger to lash out.
"And finally, Isaac Williams. Son of a noble family. Graduated from the distinguished Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was immediately granted a position in the 21st Light Cavalry Unit, nicknamed the 'Red Dragons'. You took command and led them admirably into several battles after most of the senior officers were killed in battle. But you relaxed your guard and your unit was almost destroyed by an enemy night raid. When you returned home, you were granted high honours, but your brothers used your military history against you and you lost your inheritance."
Isaac's face went white as he recalled the horror he had experienced during the war. His men dying all around him… He remembered how his superiors had tried to comfort him, tried to talk him out of discharging from military service. 'They didn't understand... it was my fault... it was my error that got those men killed...'
Lauranna glared at the three of them. "When I said that I will appoint a team leader later, I did not expect you three to actually wait for me to do so. I recruited outstanding individuals to fight life-risking battles, not to coddle them like babies. All three of you are natural leaders or at the very least, possessed the qualities to be one. And yet, you three did nothing."
The colonel stood up and folded her arms in a show of contempt. "You know this is a combat team. You know that a battle against the unknown enemy will happen at any moment. You know your own abilities and yet none of you took the initiative to step up and take charge of the situation."
She pointed back at Veraiho. "I know from your attitude that you prefer to work alone, that you do not wish to lead. Fine. But you also did nothing to push for the others to be the leader. You were too selfish, only caring for your own self. As long as you had no responsibilities, you feel fine."
For a moment, Veraiho actually considered walking out of the room. But she decided against it, it would be a sign of weakness and if anything, Veraiho was not weak. She had that determination instilled within her a very long time ago.
'Besides... she's right,' Veraiho admitted to herself. She did not want the responsibilities. She cared not for any of the Hikarigumi. True, they were in the same team, but they have no real bonds yet. They were… strangers.
Lauranna then focused her criticism onto Katrina and Isaac. "What about you two? I know that Miss Steiner here wants to be a leader. Perhaps you have been following orders for too long to actually give them?"
Katrina actually raised a fist. It was trembling with rage. "No! That's not it!" she yelled.
"Is that so?" Lauranna said sceptically, crossing her arms again. "Explain."
Lowering her fist, Katrina lowered her head. "I am a soldier, first and foremost. I have trained all my life to be one. I will follow every order to the letter," she said solemnly. Then she looked at Lauranna in the eye. "I learnt that from my father. So when you said you will appoint a leader, then I will wait until you do. It is not a soldier's prerogative to determine what her superiors are thinking."
"So, if I order you to be the leader, will you do it?" Lauranna demanded.
"Yes," Katrina replied without hesitation, her eyes hardening with resolve.
"What if I order you to get yourself killed? Will you obey it?" Lauranna continued.
"Then I will try to get myself killed in the process of killing you," Katrina said with a vicious grin on her face. A similar grin appeared on Lauranna's face.
'She is nobody's fool. Her father trained her well,' Lauranna thought, knowing that the two women understood each other. She shifted her attentions on Isaac Williams, who was uncharacteristically pale. Lauranna frowned when she saw that the young Englishman was actually biting his lower lip, a sure sign of anxiety.
'So it's true. He's still shaken from the Great War. The stigma of surviving while the majority of his troops died must still be with him. Can he really be a leader once more?' Lauranna analysed coldly.
"Mr Williams. Do you have anything to say?" she asked with an arched eyebrow.
"No… no I don't…" Isaac said quietly.
"Are you that afraid of your past, Mr Williams? I expect you to be much stronger."
"Perhaps I am no longer the man I once am," Isaac said bitterly.
Lauranna smirked mercilessly. "I am sure that much is true. Just remember, there are people who are still living that are depending on you. Do not forget your duty, Mr Williams."
She then gave them a casual flick of the wrist. "Now get out of my sight. You will be told of my decision on the leader soon."
As they sullenly filed out of the room, Lauranna added maliciously: "Unless of course, you children get your act together and choose a leader yourselves."
She made sure they could hear her chuckling as they left. As the doors closed, Lauranna dropped her façade and clutched her forehead, grimacing in a show of pain.
"You realize you're not making anything better," Henry leaned over to say in a low voice.
"Things will get worse before they will get better, Henry," Lauranna replied through gritted teeth.
Henry frowned. "You're not exactly doing your best to win any popularity contests with your style," he said disapprovingly.
"If getting them to hate me will make them a stronger and better team, so be it. I care not if they curse me in their dreams, as long as they do the job of protecting this city."
"You're too much of a patriot, Lauranna…" Henry shook his head.
"Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious," Lauranna quoted.
---
If Lauranna could see through walls, she would have seen the looks on the faces of the Hikarigumi. They had a mix of emotions, but for certain, they were all mightily annoyed with the way they had been treated.
"Can you believe the nerve of that woman?" Abigail hissed angrily. Her eyes searched for support from her colleagues.
There were none. Isaac was distracted, unsettled… Veraiho showing her usual disinterested face… Katrina cupping her chin in a thoughtful gesture and Siti's eyes were looking far away.
"Oh for…. Fine bunch of bananas you all are!" Abigail snapped, irritated by their indifference. She tossed her hair and turned to head towards her room.
"Wait. We need to talk, all of us," Katrina spoke up suddenly.
Abigail stopped in her tracks and folded her arms. "Well?" she demanded with a raised eyebrow, "What is it?"
Katrina gave her an exasperated look. She opened her arms wide to draw attention to their surroundings.
"Not out here in the hallway, you fool," Katrina said, "let's gather at the common room."
"...Can't you say it here and be done with it?" Veraiho muttered with a look of boredom on her face.
Katrina focused her eyes on the sleepy-faced Russian. "You don't have anything better to do anyway."
Veraiho smirked lazily. "Unlike you, I'd like a bath after a battle. I suggest you try it sometime."
"Come on, I'm sure this will be important," Isaac interrupted before Katrina could explode in anger.
"Oh all right, let's get this over with," Abigail grumbled.
"Um… do I need to go? I want to visit Tom first…" Siti said slowly. She shrank back in fear when Katrina turned to look at her. For a moment, the young Malay girl thought that the longhaired woman would scold her.
"Fine, you can leave. You don't have much to say anyway," Katrina said instead, much to everyone's surprise. Siti bowed in gratitude and quickly left before the German woman could change her mind.
"That's very gracious of you, Katrina," Isaac said.
"I am not without sensitivities. Let's get going," Katrina replied, studiously ignoring Isaac's face.
As soon as they reached the common room, Abigail plopped herself down on one of the luxurious chairs. The common room was a place of relaxation for the Hikarigumi, not that they had much chance to use it in between their training and rehearsals. Shelves of filled bookcases lined the walls, a long oak table dominating the centre of the room.
"Well, what is it?" Abigail asked as she made herself comfortable.
Katrina swept her eyes over the room. Veraiho lazily sat down and propped her head with an elbow on the table.
"Hurry up," she drawled.
At the far side of the room, Isaac brushed his fingers over the books absent-mindedly. "Yes Katrina… what is it that you wish to say?"
Katrina couldn't believe her eyes. "Are you all stupid? Didn't any of you hear what the commander said? We should elect a team leader now."
The troubled look on Isaac's face only deepened. "Shouldn't everyone have a say in this? Siti and Tom-"
"They are too young," Katrina interrupted, brushing aside his doubts.
Veraiho covered her yawning mouth with a fist. "Let's just leave it to the commander. She can make her own choice since she looks down on us so much," she said languidly.
The mention of Lauranna Dornen made Abigail narrow her eyes. "I can't stand that woman!" she hissed, "Treating me the way she does, how dare she!"
Katrina placed her fists at her hips and stared at the American with distaste. "Stop being so disrespectful! She's the commander."
"And you're her pet poodle, is that it? So very obedient," Abigail sneered in reply, causing Veraiho to snicker.
Katrina actually took several steps threateningly towards Abigail, her fists trembling with rage. "What!? You take that back or I will-"
"Or you'll what!?" Abigail challenged as she shot to her feet.
Isaac swiftly stood between them. "Calm down, both of you... Katrina has a point. We do need a leader. We all have seen what happened in the battle."
Abigail instantly became all sugar and cream with the Englishman standing so close to her. "Oh, whatever you say, Mr. Williams…" she said softly.
Katrina folded her arms to prevent herself from inadvertently strangling the American girl. "Well now, do you have a suggestion?" she asked, her voice snarling between her gritted teeth.
Abigail did not miss a beat. "Mr. Williams, naturally..." she said coyly.
Seemingly startled by her suggestion, Isaac faltered. "Miss Abigail-"
"Why not?" Abigail pleaded. "You certainly have the skill and poise… and so polite too! You're the perfect gentleman," she added with a sigh.
Katrina closed her eyes, her face grimacing at Abigail's sugary voice and flowery language. However, she did agree with her suggestion, that Isaac was a good choice for the team leader. 'Still, she could have said it without needing to embroider her words… it makes me sick!' Katrina thought.
But Abigail wrongly interpreted the look on Katrina's face. 'Hah! She thinks –she's- going to be the leader. Not in a million years while I'm around, Katty!' the girl crowed inwardly.
"Honestly Mr Williams, you will make a better leader than that pit viper of a woman there," Abigail said, enjoying the look on Katrina's face.
From her seat, Veraiho chuckled again; very amused from the verbal barbs thrown by the American girl. But she was not spared either.
"Miss Sleepy-Head here won't make a good choice either," Abigail added, her dislike of the Russian only increasing with her quiet chuckle. She did not trust Veraiho, always so quiet, always so content to stay in the background.
Veraiho's slight, lazy smile remained, but Katrina could see that her purple eyes flashed for a moment. It was the first time that Katrina had seen a sign of irritation from the unfathomable woman.
"So, Mr Williams, what say you?" Abigail asked.
Isaac shook his head slowly. "I am sorry, but I cannot accept it... I just cannot do it."
A look of intense dismay came over Abigail's face. "But whyyy, Mr. Williams? Why?" she asked. Veraiho and Katrina had looks of puzzlement as well.
"The commander mentioned that you lost your men in battle, is that it?" Katrina asked bluntly.
Isaac's composure faltered, his colour paled and he actually took a step back. "I am... I am sorry, please, forgive me," he stuttered, abruptly turning away and left for his own room quickly.
"Mr Williams?" Abigail called, reaching out a hand to no avail. She curled her lower lip in a pout. "Oh... what is his problem?"
Katrina folded her arms and smirked. "Maybe it's you," she sneered, earning her a glare from the American.
Before another argument could happen, Veraiho interrupted. "No, I don't think so," she said, shaking her head, "It must be related to his past. I've heard of the Red Dragons."
"So have I," Katrina nodded, "it was a famous unit, earning respect even among its enemies. There were many stories about their bravery."
Abigail was mightily impressed. "Really. What have you heard?" she asked interestedly.
"It's a royal cavalry unit, with a history dating back to the 1700s. It was one of England's premier fighting forces, always at the forefront of battles," Katrina explained.
Veraiho eyes looked far away. "But the Red Dragons were so decimated by their losses in the previous war that the entire unit was disbanded. It was never formed again."
Abigail eyes widened with shock.
The Russian girl nodded and continued grimly: "Yes. Isaac Williams is responsible for the death of the unit and its entire military history."
---
The birds outside Isaac Williams' window chirped merrily in the sunlight. The twenty-one-year-old man watched as the winged animals hopped from one branch from another, whistling a happy song. Isaac felt the tiniest of smile begin to crawl across his features but his grin soon faded as a beautiful chestnut brown horse pulling a carriage strolled down the road.
Again, his thoughts wandered back to the past he was trying so desperately to forget about. He could never forget about it though, not after his hands were stained so deeply with the blood from so many of his friends.
Isaac closed his eyes. He started to remember.
'I tried Father…I honestly did…'
It was almost like it happened yesterday.
Isaac Williams, a promising young eighteen-year-old stood before the many high ranked officials of Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, feeling his heart throb loudly in his chest as the officers read out the list of graduates.
His father swelled with pride, watching his youngest son receive the highest distinction any military graduate could receive. His mother watched on with the same pride her husband had. Even the sullen looks on his brothers' faces couldn't ruin Isaac's excellent mood.
Isaac dreamt of this day; he would soon be travelling the world, protecting the name and glory of his country.
His dream was quickly becoming reality. During his time with the Red Dragoons, he earned the unofficial title 'the youngest and best soldier in a century.'
'And of course…' For a second, Isaac reopened his eyes and a bitter laugh escaped his lips, 'Like all good things, they must eventually come to an end…'
Isaac Williams and the Red Dragons had earned themselves a highly respected name all throughout the United Kingdom. Life was almost perfect.
Until that one battle, that one fateful day.
'If I hadn't been so stupid…If I hadn't let down my guard…' Isaac felt tears sting at his eyes, 'All of them…they'd still be here today…'
That battle was clear in his mind. Almost all those promising young men were slaughtered in cold blood. The cries and pleas of the wounded still rang loudly in Isaacs's ears; he could see himself, his own two hands covered in the blood from his friends…
That was the day the night sky rained blood.
Nobody could believe that thirty of England's finest soldiers were killed that night and nobody could believe that the youngest of the troops was one of the few who survived.
From there onwards, Isaac Williams name was honoured but Isaac didn't, he couldn't, accept that honor. At the first possible chance, he resigned much to the disappointment of many of his senior officers. They tried desperately to talk him out of it, but his mind was made up.
There was no way he would be changing his decision.
The memory suddenly faded from Isaac's mind, 'I didn't deserve to live…I should've been the one who was killed…I should have paid for my mistake…'
A single, solitary tear dripped down the young man's cheek.
---
A burning sensation.
'What the he-? What in the world is this?'
Surrounded by the fiery heat. The scarlet flames…
'Why is this…familiar?'
Inhaling smoke…smoke so thick…can't breathe…
'N-Not again…help…can't…'
A man. He comes through the fire. He saved, he rescued…but…he had been injured severely injured.
'My fault…all my fault…why…?'
The teenager tossed and turned restlessly in his slumber. The girl beside him watched with increasing anxiety; she reached out, gently placing a hand upon his shoulder. Her dark eyebrows connected in a look of worry.
"T-Tom?" Siti uttered, giving the fifteen-year-old's shoulder a little shake, "Thomas? Wake up…"
Thomas' eyes snapped open straight away. The first thing that came into view was the whiteness of the ceiling. For a moment, he had no idea where he was of what had happened; it was as if his mind was veiled by a thick murky cloud.
"Are you all right?" The Malay girl questioned softly, "Were you having a nightmare…?"
"Y-Yeah…" The boy coughed out, "Nightmare…Yeah…"
"D'you…want to…talk about it?" Siti queried tentatively.
"Not really…" He mumbled.
"Oh? Why don't you want to tell me?" The girl said, giving him a very suspicious look, "…It's not one of those dreams, is it?"
"N-No!" Tom said quickly, "I-It was just…Katrina in a dress alright? It was…frightening…"
Siti raised an eyebrow, "Oh." She said briskly, "Humph…trust men to have such awful fantasies."
Thomas felt his mouth droop open in surprise, "Wha-no!! Not that kind of dress!" He tried to explain quickly, "Argh…!"
The older girl unexpectedly smiled and muffled a giggle with her palm, "I'm only joking Tom!" She said teasingly.
Thomas groaned, lifting a hand up to his forehead. His head was suddenly beginning to throb, "H-Hey…Siti…w-what happened?"
Siti looked rather confused, "Don't you remember?"
Tom shook his head no, "Remember…remember everything turning black…" He murmured quietly, "Then a sharp pain…in my arm- ouch!"
He winced as he tried to move his left arm, "Sorry…" Tom grunted through the pain, "Don't remember much after that…"
"D-Don't try to move…" Siti said timidly, "During the battle, when we were ambushed…Y-You broke your arm…in three places. It was my fault…if I had more control over-"
He looked vaguely surprised, "But…we…won the battle didn't we?" He said, interrupting her words.
"Yes but it's still my-"
Thomas shrugged it off, "Well, it's okay then."
Siti looked as if she was about to speak again but Thomas gave her a stern look that told her not to implore on the matter any longer, "Siti, everyone makes mistakes…we are all human."
An awkward silence suddenly fell over the duo.
"…Miss Lauranna is going to choose a captain soon…" Siti reported, "But…Miss Katrina thinks we should choose a captain ourselves…"
Thomas raised a fair eyebrow, "She does? When was she talking about this?"
"Just before I left…" Siti spoke.
Thomas nodded but he didn't say a word. He didn't elaborate on his feelings either. "You know Siti…" The teenager said suddenly as he surveyed the Malay girl by his side, "You remind me of one of my friends I had when I lived in France…"
Siti felt her cheeks grow warm, "I do…?" She murmured.
"Yeah…" He said softly, "You're just like her…sweet, kind…and pretty cute too!" He chuckled.
Siti blushed an even deeper shade of red and she laughed nervously, "I-I'd…I'd better be getting b-back…" She uttered.
"Alright…" Tom said, "Take care then…"
The dark haired girl nodded and gave the fifteen-year-old one last smile before leaving. Thomas leant back on his pillow, staring up at the white ceiling once again, 'I wonder how Erica's doing now…' He thought, 'Well…maybe one day, I'll meet up with her again…'
---
In her room after a refreshing shower, Veraiho was about to go to sleep when she was interrupted by a knock at her door.
For a moment, she considered reaching for her Luger pistol, but she quickly dismissed the notion. Annoyed with her own paranoid self, she quickly went to the door.
"Who is it?" she said, as she opened the door, not bothering to wait for an answer.
To her surprise, it was Katrina Efeu Steiner.
"Dimitrovich," the German woman said as a greeting.
"Steiner," Veraiho replied in kind. She stood with one hand on the door, barring the way to her room, eyeing Katrina with an arched eyebrow.
Steiner stared back at her. After a moment of silence had passed, Katrina's foot tapped the floor impatiently.
"Aren't you inviting me in?" she asked with annoyance.
"You didn't say you wanted to," Veraiho replied. Katrina glared at her and placed her fists at her hips.
"We need to talk," Katrina hissed through gritted teeth.
"…What, again?" Veraiho asked easily. When she saw that the German's mood getting darker, she chuckled quietly and gestured her to come in.
With the barest of a 'Thank you', Katrina marched into the room in long strides. Immediately her nose picked up the faint smell of gunpowder in the room.
Narrowing her eyes, Katrina took a quick glance around, noting the almost Spartan nature of Veraiho's room. There was a wooden table and chair and a simple single bed. The wooden closet cabinet had one door open, and Katrina could see several clothes hung nicely while others were messily about on the floor. Incongruously, there was a sock draped halfway into a wastepaper basket, as if the owner had considered throwing it away.
"Your room's a mess," Katrina said frankly, a little surprised. She had thought a soldier like Veraiho would be more neat and tidy.
"Thank you, I always strive for that effect," Veraiho replied.
"What?"
"It's for camouflage. If there's any attacker who intruded into my room I can easily hide myself in the mess," Veraiho explained in a deadpan voice.
Seeing the look on Katrina's face made Veraiho snicker. "Your sense of humour leaves something to be desired," the Russian smirked.
Katrina struggled not to blush. She was aware that her no nonsense life had made her somewhat… slow… to respond to jokes and sarcastic humour. "I could say the same thing to you," she growled in reply, covering up her drawback by expressing disapproval.
Veraiho easily waved off the comment. "Have a seat. What is it you want to talk about?" she said instead.
Katrina headed to the table, pulled out the wooden chair and sat on it reversed, so that she was resting her crossed arms on top of the backrest. As she did so, she noted with interest of an ashtray, a matchbox, a pair of small pliers and several bullets on the table, the source of the gunpowder smell that she had detected. Some of the bullets had their casings pulled off, and the ashtray had a small lump of blackened, burnt powder.
"What were you doing here?" she asked as she sat.
"Aroma therapy," Veraiho said simply and stretched on her bed, hands behind her head as she looked at the German, her purple eyes challenging her to ask more.
Katrina declined. They had only been acquainted for a short while, but Katrina knew that the Russian girl was perhaps the single most dangerous person in the entire unit. Until recently, Isaac would be a worthy challenge, but seeing his emotional fragility made her respect for the Englishman decrease. Tom, Siti and Abigail were all too young to be in battle, let alone to lead all of them into battle. She wondered if Veraiho came to the same conclusion as well…
"I want to know about you," Katrina said instead. That frank statement apparently caught Veraiho by surprise. Then those purplish eyes took on a mischievous slant.
"I'm flattered," Veraiho said with a chuckle, "but unfortunately, I don't go that way."
Katrina flushed crimson even as she tried to keep her anger in check. "I apologize," she growled, "I did not mean it that way. I want to know why you are in this unit."
Veraiho cocked her head questioningly. "Why do you want to know?"
"The commander mentioned the three of us as possible leaders. I want to know if you are indeed as worthy as she said," Katrina replied.
"You can forget it then," Veraiho smirked, "For I have zero interest in being the leader of this outfit."
"Your selfish motivation doesn't matter," Katrina said.
Veraiho frowned. "Why are you so persistent? Go bother the English if you want a leader."
"Isaac Williams will not make a good leader in his condition,' Katrina scoffed. "He can't even help himself, let alone lead all of us into battle."
"Why not one of the others?" Veraiho asked, referring to Tom, Siti and Abigail. She herself wouldn't consider them as leadership material, but she was interested to hear Katrina's own words.
"They are too young. You have seen what happened to McPherson. I do not want the others to suffer the same fate. We will need a strong leader."
Veraiho noted that statement, seeing another side of the German girl. "Then I guess you're it," Veraiho pointed out.
"Unless you're better than me," Katrina responded.
In her eyes, Veraiho could see that the young German woman wasn't boasting or challenging her. It was a statement of fact.
"Are you saying that unless you can prove yourself better than me, you won't take up the leadership?" Veraiho asked dubiously.
"It is only logical," Katrina said and nodded.
Veraiho rolled her eyes. "Don't be stupid. You said Isaac is not a choice. And I said that I have no interest in it, so that leaves you. What's the problem?"
"I want the best to be the leader. I don't want it to be gifted to me," Katrina replied in all seriousness.
'Gods, I want to laugh, but then we would have a fight on our hands,' Veraiho thought to herself. "So, you want duel or something?" she smirked.
That offer took Katrina aback. "What? No…" she said, "I only want to know your reasons for being here. And if you are truly worthy to be a leader."
"But you said you wanted the best to be the leader."
"I'd rather settle this peacefully. The last battle cost us an injury to McPherson. If another one of us got injured in a duel, I will never forgive myself for diminishing the team's capabilities," Katrina explained.
Veraiho studied her serious face for a moment. Then she chuckled.
"Why are you laughing?" Katrina demanded.
"Nothing. Go away, you're disturbing my sleeping timetable," Veraiho said.
"But you haven't answered my question," the German soldier insisted.
"You have answered it yourself, you don't know it yet," Veraiho said.
"What?"
"I will tell you tomorrow or something," Veraiho said offhandedly.
Katrina stood up frowning. "If you say so. Time is something we don't have," she reminded her as she left the room.
---
The next two days, Veraiho managed to elude her, much to Katrina's exasperation. Always one step behind, Katrina's patience was running thin. She could hardly ask Veraiho about the matter during training or mealtimes, with everyone else about. The Russian girl conveniently disappeared during opportune times...
Katrina was stomping down the hallway, her mind considering stalking Veraiho in the showers when she thought that she heard a voice calling for her. She tried to ignore it but it eventually got louder and more irritating.
"What?!" she demanded as she whirled around.
She had startled Thomas McPherson, who had one arm in a sling. He was still dressed in loose-fitting pyjamas.
"Geez, nice to see you too," the young man said sarcastically.
"Sorry," Katrina muttered, "I was busy thinking."
"Isn't that dangerous?" Tom joked, earning him a blazing glare from her.
"I see you have recovered your sense of humour," Katrina said darkly.
"Hey, it's my arm that's broken, not my head," Tom said flippantly.
"Pity it wasn't your mouth," Katrina mumbled
Not quite catching her comment, Tom smirked. "So, what is it you're thinking about? I bet it's about the leader thing right?"
Before she could answer, Mika Sorenson arrived. "Miss Katrina, Mister McPherson…" she started to say.
"Call me Tom," Thomas interrupted, giving her a rakish grin as he combed through his hair. Mika blushed timidly, causing Katrina to roll her eyes.
"What is it, Miss Sorenson?" Katrina asked formally. At first, she didn't like the idea of the very young Sorenson sisters being in charge of so much detail in the base and concert hall. But Mika's dedication was plain to see, and even if Lena's dubious nature cast a shadow somewhat, Katrina found out that they did their jobs admirably.
"The commander has returned from her meeting at High Command, and she wants all of you to gather in the briefing room immediately," Mika replied.
That reminded Katrina that they haven't seen Lauranna Dornen after that caustic post-battle debriefing. Apparently, rumours abound that the Hikarigumi's mixed fortunes were drawing unwanted attention from the brass in High Command.
'Those pencil pushers. Let them be in our shoes for a battle and let's see how they will like it!' Katrina snarled inwardly, unaware that Lauranna was also thinking the same thing during her own meeting earlier. Perhaps if the Hikarigumi were aware how much Lauranna had fought to show that the unit was a respectable, useful defence of the city, they would appreciate her better.
But they don't know, so there was still some ill will towards her when they had gathered in the briefing room.
"Ah, McPherson, I see you are good enough to walk about now," Lauranna said the moment Tom appeared. Behind her, her giant assistant Mr. Henry Glory gave him a beaming smile.
Grinning easily, Tom shrugged. "Ah, can't bloody well let my friends down, can I?" he said. Beside him, Siti was smiling as well.
"Oh, so they are your friends?" Lauranna asked sarcastically. Katrina's eyes twitched when she heard her superior's tone.
"Well, yeah…"
"Did you know that your injury was caused by friendly fire?" Lauranna asked further, drumming her fingers on the table.
"Commander…" Isaac began to protest.
"Am I lying?" Lauranna demanded, cutting him off.
Taken aback, Tom's eyes widened. He glanced at his teammates, who were ashamed. Veraiho raised a hand and grimaced.
"It was me. You suddenly came into my field of fire. Sorry," she said.
Tom blinked. "Ah, well, no worries. At least I'm still alive and kicking eh?" he said with a smile.
"A little bit more and she could have blown off your entire arm McPherson, and making you a useless cripple," the colonel noted.
"Commander!"
Everyone looked at Katrina, who was surprised by her own outburst as well.
"Anything wrong?" Lauranna asked, staring down at her.
"Nothing sir," Katrina said through gritted teeth, inwardly rebuking herself for daring to speak up against a superior officer.
"Well then, thank you for wasting my time. I have called all of you here to announce your team leader," Lauranna said.
Veraiho raised her hand again.
"Yes, Dimitrovich?"
"Commander, I wish to nominate Katrina Efeu Steiner as the leader," Veraiho said, much to the surprise of everybody. Katrina threw her an angry look. 'She's still being selfish!' Katrina thought scathingly.
"I hope you are not doing this to avoid leadership responsibilities yourself," Lauranna drawled, asking the same question that was in Katrina's mind.
"Partially," Veraiho grinned. "But I am convinced that Steiner is the person to lead us."
"Do tell," Lauranna said.
"I believe that she is truly concerned with the welfare of the city that we protect. Thus, she will do everything in her power to keep this unit on its toes to perform the best it can," Veraiho explained.
"Really."
"Yes," Veraiho nodded with conviction. "And I also believe that she cares for each of the Hikarigumi for than she herself knows."
Veraiho went on to explain how Katrina had expressed concern over the well being of the younger Hikarigumi members, conveniently forgetting to mention how fleetingly that comment was said. Katrina found her earlier words to Veraiho were efficiently taken out of context to paint her a picture of a stern-but-caring person.
There was a collective of shocked faces, gasps and various degrees of surprised reactions from the Hikarigumi. Privately, they each thought the words 'Katrina' and 'caring' could never co-exist in a sentence.
For her part, Katrina could feel her ears burning. 'How dare she embarrass me like that!' Katrina seethed. But what could she say? That Veraiho was lying? That would be the same as to say that Katrina was a self-centred, uncaring machine.
"I appreciate your nomination," Lauranna said, hushing the Hikarigumi. "But, after a consultation, High Command too had named their suggestion for a leader."
She motioned at Henry, who stepped forward with an envelope. Lauranna reached out for Henry to give her the envelope, keeping her eyes on the attentive Hikarigumi.
After a moment, Lauranna frowned. Henry was oblivious to her hand and kept the envelope in his huge paws.
Lauranna sighed. "The envelope please."
Grinning, Henry handed over the envelope with a grand gesture, causing the Hikarigumi to snicker amongst themselves.
With a swift swipe from a letter-opener, Lauranna pulled out the letter and quickly scanned the contents. Then she carefully refolded the letter.
She smirked as she saw that the Hikarigumi were looking at her intently.
"Looks like you're it," Lauranna said, her icy eyes staring right at the very startled Katrina Efeu Steiner.
--End Chapter 5: Divided We Stand--
Endnotes:
[1] Eagle-eyed readers will notice Isaac's words are very similar to those said by one of our reviewers, ordnance11. (That's something for you ^^ - Arion)
[2] Royal Military Academy Sandhurst – an actual British military academy with a long history. It's also known for being the military academy of choice for the royalty of the United Kingdoms.
[3] 'Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious' is a famous quote by Oscar Wilde. It was also quoted by Sean Connery's character in the movie 'The Rock'.