As Claude hastily viewed the maps and charts laid out on the meeting desk, he felt tired. Since he would have to participate in the battle to defeat the Ten Wise Men again, he saw it wise to review information he had been taught when in the Earth Federation, as he had forgotten most of it in the past three years.
Just then, there was a soft knock on the door.
"Come in," Claude called as he wiped his sweaty brow and stood up from his chair and stretched.
"It's getting late, Commander Kenni," a beautiful woman walked in carrying a tray with a steaming teapot and teacups. "Perhaps you should save this work for tomorrow and get some rest now."
"Thanks, Christa," Claude approached the woman and took the tea service from her, and set it on the desk.
Christa Brice was an assistant on the Tolden, working in the ship's infirmary, kitchen, standing watch on the bridge, or doing any odd jobs that needed to be done. She could do anything. While Claude was on the Tolden, Christa would be his personal assistant. A funny thing though, because Commander Rachel, Claude's aunt, had designated Christa to be Claude's assistant for a certain reason.
When Claude was just a child, and starting in the Earth Federation, a young girl was in the same school as his. The girl's name was Christa Brice, and she decided, at that age, that she loved Claude. When Claude trained in the Earth Federation, Christa followed him, but took a path that suited her hobbies and skills. When she heard that Claude's father had died and then Claude died, Christa was heartbroken, and dedicated her work to her lost love. But once Commander Rachel had found Claude, Christa was ecstatic, and begged Rachel to let her assist Claude in his ventures. Commander Rachel decided to let Christa help Claude -- she wanted the new Commander to forget about what he had done on Expel, and to now stay with the Earth Federation.
Christa was very pretty and recently turned 21 years old. She had full, shoulder-length brunette hair, and curious blue eyes. She was talented in everything. She adored Claude with all her heart, and would probably do anything to be with him. Though she was very excited that she would be serving Claude, Christa restrained herself and acted calm around the man she loved. She often fantasized about what Claude would say to her when she finally told him her true feelings. She believed that Claude loved her, but was to shy to admit how he felt. She had no idea that Claude had already married and would soon be a father.
"Has something been bothering you, sir?" Christa began to pour tea for the both of them.
"No, not really," Claude shrugged her question away.
"If it pleases you, Commander Kenni," Christa politely began, "I could be someone who you could confide in. You can trust me with any troubles you have, and I will offer advice," Christa gingerly handed him a cup of the hot tea.
Claude took a long sip of the drink, and felt it's warmth against his lips. He closed his eyes, and imagined that the warmth he felt was instead from a kiss he and Rena were sharing.
"Sir?" Christa prompted him.
Claude slowly returned to reality. "Oh, I guess so......"
Christa tried not to ecstatically agree. "Okay then," she calmly said, "well, is there anything on your mind?"
Claude turned and sat down at the comfy chair at his desk. "As a matter of fact, there is," Claude sighed. "Have a seat," Claude motioned for Christa to sit at the empty chair on the other side of the desk.
Christa nervously took the chair. "Um, so, what do you have to say?"
Claude turned his attention to the single glove on his right hand. It was the mate of a pair he had always worn. But somehow, he lost the left one, and suspected that it may have dropped to the Shingo Forest floor during his struggle with his aunt Rachel's minions. "How would you feel when something you cherished was taken away from you?" he finally asked. He just couldn't stop thinking of Rena.
Christa thought silently to herself for a moment. 'Could he be afraid that I may be hurt in the battle?' She believed that Claude was truly in love with her.
"Christa?"
"Oh! Well, I would be devasted, I'm sure. I wouldn't be able to cope with the thought that something I loved was far away."
"I see........"
"Has something gone wrong in your life?"
Claude tried not to cry. He felt that he had taken the right path in life, with Rena, and for that he felt joy. But when he thought of the force that tore him away from his beloved, he felt sorrow. With that occurrence, he didn't know if it was what fate had in store for him. "I'm not sure," Claude finally replied.
Christa stayed silent for a moment, then asked the question she had been longing to know the answer to ever since Claude returned to the Earth Federation, "If you don't mind telling me, sir, I'd like to know how you could have survived on that planet these past few years."
A smile crossed Claude's face, "Just call me Claude."
"Okay." Christa quickly agreed then waited patiently for him to tell his story.
Claude thought quietly for a minute. "It was not survival."
Christa was confused. "Oh. Then, how were you able to live on that planet for so long?"
"When I was there, I took part in a quest to save the universe."
Christa didn't really believe him, but she was interested in what he had to say, so she acted as if she had no idea what he meant. "Do you have a story to tell?"
Claude told Christa the entire account of he and Rena's quest for the Sorcery Globe, down to the last detail. Christa was intrigued and infatuated with his heroism, but she didn't really like the fact that this 'Rena' girl arose frequently throughout the tale.
"So, according to you story," Christa said once he was finished, "that journey of yours had finished over three years ago. How and why would you continue to stay on Expel instead of contacting Earth to bring you home?"
Claude lost concentration and fell into a trance much like the kind a teen boy would fall into once he fell in love. "Rena," Claude finally breathed.
"What!?" Christa gasped.
"O-oh!" Claude snapped back to sophistication. "Nothing."
Christa reached for Claude's hands. "Please, I'd really like to know." as she stroked his knuckles with her hands, she felt something hard on a finger on his left hand. She looked down at it and saw a gold band on his ring finger. Surprised, she quickly pulled away.
Claude saw the reason for her quick actions, and acknowledged the ring by turning it round the base of his finger.
"Y-you're married!?" Christa gaped.
Claude smiled and chuckled a bit. "Yeah. I never would've thought that I'd find someone who loved me as much as I loved her. And I never thought we'd marry either!" he laughed out loud.
"Who is she!?" Christa demanded while gritting her teeth.
Claude heard her hate. "What's wrong with you?"
Christa regained her senses and composed herself. "What I mean is, who is the lucky lady?" she politely asked.
Claude saw through her. "Are you jealous?"
"What!? Why would I be?"
Claude got up from his seat and turned away.
Christa had failed in keeping her feelings towards him a secret. So she changed the subject. "What do you plan to do to defeat the enemy forces on Milocinia, Claude?"
Claude remained silent.
Christa tried another question. "Well, when do you plan to take charge of the
Calnus II?"
Claude spun around. "The Calnus!?"
"No, no, silly," Christa tried to laugh as she got up from her seat and approached him. "The Calnus II. The craft you are to command during the battle."
"Oh, yes, the Calnus II," Claude recalled what Commander Rachel had told him. "I guess I should get to it as soon as possible, if I am to end this horrible battle before it gets any worse."
"I see," Christa reluctantly agreed. She knew that if Claude left, she would no longer be in his service.
"I suppose I should leave right now; as time progresses, the enemy gets stronger, minimizing my chances of defeating them. Report to Commander Rachel right away, as I prepare what necessities I will need to take with me to the Calnus II," Claude told Christa.
"Yes, sir," Christa put the teacups back on the tray and carried it with her as she left.
Claude turned back to the array of papers strewn out across his desk. He sat down and examined them once more.
As Christa lightly navigated her way back to the ship's kitchen, thoughts of Claude flew around her. Jealously boiled what sense of confidence she had left. "He's married! God damn that girl! She probably doesn't treat him properly! She must've cast some sort of spell on him to make him love her! If she didn't, Claude would love me! I'll have to try and break the spell! But how........?" Christa was convinced that Claude would love her if he hadn't married.
Suddenly, someone entered the corridor from the ship's study. It was Commander Rachel.
"Oh, hello Christa," Claude's aunt warmly greeted her.
"Good evening, Commander Rachel," Christa pushed all her dark feelings away as she kindly smiled at her superior.
"How is Commander Kenni?" Rachel asked.
"He has decided to leave immediately for the Calnus II," Christa reluctantly told her.
"He has?"
"Yes. He believes it wise to leave now, to end this battle as soon as possible before it gets any worse for the Earth Federation."
"Very well, I will have a transport craft prepared for him to leave now," Rachel turned to leave.
"Commander Rachel!" an idea struck Christa.
"Yes, Christa?"
"I have served as your assistant on the Tolden for a long time. In my short time serving Commander Kenni, I have found that he does not have a good grip on the rules and important knowledge he will need to know when he serves the Earth Federation. I believe that I would be of great assistance to Commander Kenni, and I see that the crew on the Tolden needs my skills less and less. Therefore, I would like to be in Commander Kenni's service while he fights in the battle, and am requesting the permission to do so from you, Commander Rachel," Christa politely asked.
Commander Rachel stood silent for a moment, pondering Christa's request and Claude's capabilities. 'Perhaps she doesn't want Claude to be alone, and her love for him gives her this desire,' Rachel thought silently to herself.
Christa silently waited patiently for Rachel's answer.
"Of course you can go with Commander Claude to the Calnus II, Christa. I know that he will need your help."
"Thank you, Commander Rachel," Christa calmly expressed her gratitude.
"But be very careful, Christa. It is dangerous to be involved in a battle and you have never experienced one before. The Calnus II is in a rough environment. Take care of yourself and Commander Claude. He will need much help, so use your skills to their full potential, as you have done for me on the Tolden," Rachel wished Christa good luck.
"I will, Commander Rachel, thank you."
"I recommend you gather your belongings and then come down to the hold. I will have a ship prepared to take you and Commander Kenni to the Calnus II. Second Commander Saunders will be going as well. I will alert Second Commander Saunders that he will be going now, and will retrieve Commander Kenni. You should go now," Rachel told Christa.
"Yes, of course," Christa bowed her head to Rachel, then quickly left the kitchen to go to her own quarters and gather what was hers.
Commander Rachel left and got one of the small transport crafts ready. Once it was all prepared, Claude assisted Second Commander Saunders on board, then got in himself. The pilot got in and everyone was ready to go.
"Everyone's on, pilot, we should go now," Claude told him.
"Wait!" a feminine voice yelled out.
Claude turned in the direction of the voice.
Clambering down the metal staircase leading into the hold, and dragging a suitcase behind her, was Christa.
Christa ran up to the craft and began to climb up the steel ladder into it.
"What are you doing!?" Claude demanded.
Christa sat down in the seat beside Claude. "Commander Rachel wishes for me to continue my service to you, and so has told me to go with you to the Calnus II," Christa buckled up her seatbelt as she politely explained the situation.
"I don't need your help!" Claude raged at her as he recalled how Christa had treated him earlier when he told her that he was married.
"Commander Kenni?" Second Commander Saunders was appalled by Claude's anger.
Claude calmed down and composed himself. "What I mean to say, Christa, is that your skills will not be needed on my mission. It is best if you stay on the Tolden, and continue to serve Commander Rachel."
"With all due respect, Commander Kenni," Christa sweetly retorted, "my skills are best used to assist one who has not been with the Earth Federation for some time. My assistance is no longer needed on the Tolden. Therefore, Commander Rachel saw it wise for me to help you, as you have just returned to the Earth Federation and need to know what recent changes have occurred, as well as information you may have forgotten over these past few years."
Claude, sensing that the argument would not end in his favour, just gave in. "Very well then, Christa, if Commander Rachel has ordered you to work on the Calnus II, then that is what you will do."
Christa tried to hold in her pride at winning the dispute. "Yes sir, Commander Kenni!"
"Well, if everything is ready then we'd better get going," Second Commander Saunders said.
"Of course," Claude agreed.
The pilot of the small craft turned on the engines, and a crew member in the hold opened the release hatch so that the transport ship could leave.
As the transport craft left the Tolden, it hovered in space for a few moments while its engines warmed up.
Claude looked out the window into the vastness of space, and thought of the emptiness that waited to swallow them when they would speed away from the Tolden. His eyes wandered everywhere that his sight could see, and eventually, he found himself staring at the vast planet that was hanging just below the Tolden. Expel. The planet of Claude's beloved wife, Rena. He looked deep through the atmosphere and tried to see through the clouds the land and waters of Expel. But he could not see through the white spirals that surrounded the planet. Sadly, Claude turned his thoughts to the task at hand -- defeating the Ten Wise Men. But when he thought about it, he remembered having to defeat the Ten Wise Men during the Sorcery Globe quest, and therefore recalled journeying with Rena. No matter what Claude tried to think of, his thoughts always wandered back to Rena.
Suddenly, Claude saw a small dark object zip through the clouds of Expel. It appeared to be some sort of rocket ship, one he had seen before. 'But where have I seen it?' he demanded to know from himself. Because he couldn't find an explanation for the feeling he had that he had seen the rocket before, Claude turned away and shook his head, hoping that if the rocket were an illusion, it would disappear by the time he looked back towards Expel. When he turned back to view the planet, he didn't see the rocket, but Expel was moving. Then he realized that the transport craft he was on was the reason Expel was moving, as its engines had warmed up and the little craft was flying away. Away from the Tolden, and Expel. Far away he was going to be, and fighting in a battle.
"I promise to return to you, Rena," Claude whispered to himself as the craft sped off into the vast darkness of space, away from the world of his love.
Just then, there was a soft knock on the door.
"Come in," Claude called as he wiped his sweaty brow and stood up from his chair and stretched.
"It's getting late, Commander Kenni," a beautiful woman walked in carrying a tray with a steaming teapot and teacups. "Perhaps you should save this work for tomorrow and get some rest now."
"Thanks, Christa," Claude approached the woman and took the tea service from her, and set it on the desk.
Christa Brice was an assistant on the Tolden, working in the ship's infirmary, kitchen, standing watch on the bridge, or doing any odd jobs that needed to be done. She could do anything. While Claude was on the Tolden, Christa would be his personal assistant. A funny thing though, because Commander Rachel, Claude's aunt, had designated Christa to be Claude's assistant for a certain reason.
When Claude was just a child, and starting in the Earth Federation, a young girl was in the same school as his. The girl's name was Christa Brice, and she decided, at that age, that she loved Claude. When Claude trained in the Earth Federation, Christa followed him, but took a path that suited her hobbies and skills. When she heard that Claude's father had died and then Claude died, Christa was heartbroken, and dedicated her work to her lost love. But once Commander Rachel had found Claude, Christa was ecstatic, and begged Rachel to let her assist Claude in his ventures. Commander Rachel decided to let Christa help Claude -- she wanted the new Commander to forget about what he had done on Expel, and to now stay with the Earth Federation.
Christa was very pretty and recently turned 21 years old. She had full, shoulder-length brunette hair, and curious blue eyes. She was talented in everything. She adored Claude with all her heart, and would probably do anything to be with him. Though she was very excited that she would be serving Claude, Christa restrained herself and acted calm around the man she loved. She often fantasized about what Claude would say to her when she finally told him her true feelings. She believed that Claude loved her, but was to shy to admit how he felt. She had no idea that Claude had already married and would soon be a father.
"Has something been bothering you, sir?" Christa began to pour tea for the both of them.
"No, not really," Claude shrugged her question away.
"If it pleases you, Commander Kenni," Christa politely began, "I could be someone who you could confide in. You can trust me with any troubles you have, and I will offer advice," Christa gingerly handed him a cup of the hot tea.
Claude took a long sip of the drink, and felt it's warmth against his lips. He closed his eyes, and imagined that the warmth he felt was instead from a kiss he and Rena were sharing.
"Sir?" Christa prompted him.
Claude slowly returned to reality. "Oh, I guess so......"
Christa tried not to ecstatically agree. "Okay then," she calmly said, "well, is there anything on your mind?"
Claude turned and sat down at the comfy chair at his desk. "As a matter of fact, there is," Claude sighed. "Have a seat," Claude motioned for Christa to sit at the empty chair on the other side of the desk.
Christa nervously took the chair. "Um, so, what do you have to say?"
Claude turned his attention to the single glove on his right hand. It was the mate of a pair he had always worn. But somehow, he lost the left one, and suspected that it may have dropped to the Shingo Forest floor during his struggle with his aunt Rachel's minions. "How would you feel when something you cherished was taken away from you?" he finally asked. He just couldn't stop thinking of Rena.
Christa thought silently to herself for a moment. 'Could he be afraid that I may be hurt in the battle?' She believed that Claude was truly in love with her.
"Christa?"
"Oh! Well, I would be devasted, I'm sure. I wouldn't be able to cope with the thought that something I loved was far away."
"I see........"
"Has something gone wrong in your life?"
Claude tried not to cry. He felt that he had taken the right path in life, with Rena, and for that he felt joy. But when he thought of the force that tore him away from his beloved, he felt sorrow. With that occurrence, he didn't know if it was what fate had in store for him. "I'm not sure," Claude finally replied.
Christa stayed silent for a moment, then asked the question she had been longing to know the answer to ever since Claude returned to the Earth Federation, "If you don't mind telling me, sir, I'd like to know how you could have survived on that planet these past few years."
A smile crossed Claude's face, "Just call me Claude."
"Okay." Christa quickly agreed then waited patiently for him to tell his story.
Claude thought quietly for a minute. "It was not survival."
Christa was confused. "Oh. Then, how were you able to live on that planet for so long?"
"When I was there, I took part in a quest to save the universe."
Christa didn't really believe him, but she was interested in what he had to say, so she acted as if she had no idea what he meant. "Do you have a story to tell?"
Claude told Christa the entire account of he and Rena's quest for the Sorcery Globe, down to the last detail. Christa was intrigued and infatuated with his heroism, but she didn't really like the fact that this 'Rena' girl arose frequently throughout the tale.
"So, according to you story," Christa said once he was finished, "that journey of yours had finished over three years ago. How and why would you continue to stay on Expel instead of contacting Earth to bring you home?"
Claude lost concentration and fell into a trance much like the kind a teen boy would fall into once he fell in love. "Rena," Claude finally breathed.
"What!?" Christa gasped.
"O-oh!" Claude snapped back to sophistication. "Nothing."
Christa reached for Claude's hands. "Please, I'd really like to know." as she stroked his knuckles with her hands, she felt something hard on a finger on his left hand. She looked down at it and saw a gold band on his ring finger. Surprised, she quickly pulled away.
Claude saw the reason for her quick actions, and acknowledged the ring by turning it round the base of his finger.
"Y-you're married!?" Christa gaped.
Claude smiled and chuckled a bit. "Yeah. I never would've thought that I'd find someone who loved me as much as I loved her. And I never thought we'd marry either!" he laughed out loud.
"Who is she!?" Christa demanded while gritting her teeth.
Claude heard her hate. "What's wrong with you?"
Christa regained her senses and composed herself. "What I mean is, who is the lucky lady?" she politely asked.
Claude saw through her. "Are you jealous?"
"What!? Why would I be?"
Claude got up from his seat and turned away.
Christa had failed in keeping her feelings towards him a secret. So she changed the subject. "What do you plan to do to defeat the enemy forces on Milocinia, Claude?"
Claude remained silent.
Christa tried another question. "Well, when do you plan to take charge of the
Calnus II?"
Claude spun around. "The Calnus!?"
"No, no, silly," Christa tried to laugh as she got up from her seat and approached him. "The Calnus II. The craft you are to command during the battle."
"Oh, yes, the Calnus II," Claude recalled what Commander Rachel had told him. "I guess I should get to it as soon as possible, if I am to end this horrible battle before it gets any worse."
"I see," Christa reluctantly agreed. She knew that if Claude left, she would no longer be in his service.
"I suppose I should leave right now; as time progresses, the enemy gets stronger, minimizing my chances of defeating them. Report to Commander Rachel right away, as I prepare what necessities I will need to take with me to the Calnus II," Claude told Christa.
"Yes, sir," Christa put the teacups back on the tray and carried it with her as she left.
Claude turned back to the array of papers strewn out across his desk. He sat down and examined them once more.
As Christa lightly navigated her way back to the ship's kitchen, thoughts of Claude flew around her. Jealously boiled what sense of confidence she had left. "He's married! God damn that girl! She probably doesn't treat him properly! She must've cast some sort of spell on him to make him love her! If she didn't, Claude would love me! I'll have to try and break the spell! But how........?" Christa was convinced that Claude would love her if he hadn't married.
Suddenly, someone entered the corridor from the ship's study. It was Commander Rachel.
"Oh, hello Christa," Claude's aunt warmly greeted her.
"Good evening, Commander Rachel," Christa pushed all her dark feelings away as she kindly smiled at her superior.
"How is Commander Kenni?" Rachel asked.
"He has decided to leave immediately for the Calnus II," Christa reluctantly told her.
"He has?"
"Yes. He believes it wise to leave now, to end this battle as soon as possible before it gets any worse for the Earth Federation."
"Very well, I will have a transport craft prepared for him to leave now," Rachel turned to leave.
"Commander Rachel!" an idea struck Christa.
"Yes, Christa?"
"I have served as your assistant on the Tolden for a long time. In my short time serving Commander Kenni, I have found that he does not have a good grip on the rules and important knowledge he will need to know when he serves the Earth Federation. I believe that I would be of great assistance to Commander Kenni, and I see that the crew on the Tolden needs my skills less and less. Therefore, I would like to be in Commander Kenni's service while he fights in the battle, and am requesting the permission to do so from you, Commander Rachel," Christa politely asked.
Commander Rachel stood silent for a moment, pondering Christa's request and Claude's capabilities. 'Perhaps she doesn't want Claude to be alone, and her love for him gives her this desire,' Rachel thought silently to herself.
Christa silently waited patiently for Rachel's answer.
"Of course you can go with Commander Claude to the Calnus II, Christa. I know that he will need your help."
"Thank you, Commander Rachel," Christa calmly expressed her gratitude.
"But be very careful, Christa. It is dangerous to be involved in a battle and you have never experienced one before. The Calnus II is in a rough environment. Take care of yourself and Commander Claude. He will need much help, so use your skills to their full potential, as you have done for me on the Tolden," Rachel wished Christa good luck.
"I will, Commander Rachel, thank you."
"I recommend you gather your belongings and then come down to the hold. I will have a ship prepared to take you and Commander Kenni to the Calnus II. Second Commander Saunders will be going as well. I will alert Second Commander Saunders that he will be going now, and will retrieve Commander Kenni. You should go now," Rachel told Christa.
"Yes, of course," Christa bowed her head to Rachel, then quickly left the kitchen to go to her own quarters and gather what was hers.
Commander Rachel left and got one of the small transport crafts ready. Once it was all prepared, Claude assisted Second Commander Saunders on board, then got in himself. The pilot got in and everyone was ready to go.
"Everyone's on, pilot, we should go now," Claude told him.
"Wait!" a feminine voice yelled out.
Claude turned in the direction of the voice.
Clambering down the metal staircase leading into the hold, and dragging a suitcase behind her, was Christa.
Christa ran up to the craft and began to climb up the steel ladder into it.
"What are you doing!?" Claude demanded.
Christa sat down in the seat beside Claude. "Commander Rachel wishes for me to continue my service to you, and so has told me to go with you to the Calnus II," Christa buckled up her seatbelt as she politely explained the situation.
"I don't need your help!" Claude raged at her as he recalled how Christa had treated him earlier when he told her that he was married.
"Commander Kenni?" Second Commander Saunders was appalled by Claude's anger.
Claude calmed down and composed himself. "What I mean to say, Christa, is that your skills will not be needed on my mission. It is best if you stay on the Tolden, and continue to serve Commander Rachel."
"With all due respect, Commander Kenni," Christa sweetly retorted, "my skills are best used to assist one who has not been with the Earth Federation for some time. My assistance is no longer needed on the Tolden. Therefore, Commander Rachel saw it wise for me to help you, as you have just returned to the Earth Federation and need to know what recent changes have occurred, as well as information you may have forgotten over these past few years."
Claude, sensing that the argument would not end in his favour, just gave in. "Very well then, Christa, if Commander Rachel has ordered you to work on the Calnus II, then that is what you will do."
Christa tried to hold in her pride at winning the dispute. "Yes sir, Commander Kenni!"
"Well, if everything is ready then we'd better get going," Second Commander Saunders said.
"Of course," Claude agreed.
The pilot of the small craft turned on the engines, and a crew member in the hold opened the release hatch so that the transport ship could leave.
As the transport craft left the Tolden, it hovered in space for a few moments while its engines warmed up.
Claude looked out the window into the vastness of space, and thought of the emptiness that waited to swallow them when they would speed away from the Tolden. His eyes wandered everywhere that his sight could see, and eventually, he found himself staring at the vast planet that was hanging just below the Tolden. Expel. The planet of Claude's beloved wife, Rena. He looked deep through the atmosphere and tried to see through the clouds the land and waters of Expel. But he could not see through the white spirals that surrounded the planet. Sadly, Claude turned his thoughts to the task at hand -- defeating the Ten Wise Men. But when he thought about it, he remembered having to defeat the Ten Wise Men during the Sorcery Globe quest, and therefore recalled journeying with Rena. No matter what Claude tried to think of, his thoughts always wandered back to Rena.
Suddenly, Claude saw a small dark object zip through the clouds of Expel. It appeared to be some sort of rocket ship, one he had seen before. 'But where have I seen it?' he demanded to know from himself. Because he couldn't find an explanation for the feeling he had that he had seen the rocket before, Claude turned away and shook his head, hoping that if the rocket were an illusion, it would disappear by the time he looked back towards Expel. When he turned back to view the planet, he didn't see the rocket, but Expel was moving. Then he realized that the transport craft he was on was the reason Expel was moving, as its engines had warmed up and the little craft was flying away. Away from the Tolden, and Expel. Far away he was going to be, and fighting in a battle.
"I promise to return to you, Rena," Claude whispered to himself as the craft sped off into the vast darkness of space, away from the world of his love.