Orange Star: A revised history

Commanding Officer Mel

Disclaimer: I still don't own the company that made Advance Wars but I do own a copy of the game as usual.

Author's note - And anything that is in Romanji or Pinyin and base Cantonese will be translated, or stated otherwise. Read And Review!

Time: Sometime early

Place: Alara region

"Is this all you left me to work with!?" Mel said eyeing the fresh troops.

"Unfortunately yes . . ."

"Good morning sir!" They saluted.

"Huh . . .at least they're trained . . ." He saluted back lazily. "Our first order of business is to eject Olaf's small squadron from this region. As long as we have the first strike, we shall emerge victorious." Mel said. "As well, one of you will not be returning to headquarters alive . . ." He said, pointing at each soldier. "That is all." He headed towards the command center.

"Okay, you heard the advisor, let's go." Nell said, ordering the troops.

"He's rather morbid isn't he?" The soldiers chatted among themselves.

"Yeah . . ."

"Enough talk men! Go!" Nell said, pointing to the incoming enemy.

Time: Within the month

Place: Vermilion Plains

Over time, Mel and Nell had managed to liberate much of the region, Mel proved to be a surprisingly effective strategist, utilizing surgical precision to strike through the Blue Moon forces. The entire country was regaining morale as the little victories started to add up.

". . .if you're trying to bore me, you're succeeding greatly." Mel mumbled his face down on the desk in the advisor's office.

"I'm sorry Mel, what did you say?"

". . .Olaf is a bloody idiot." Was all he said.

"That's not nice." She said.

"What? Are you in love with that guy or something?"

"Huh!? No!"

"So, he is an idiot. Fire the rockets."

'BOOM!'

"Target destroyed sir."

"Well, Nell. Considering all those slips you've made whenever I hear you talking about him, you're probably fond of badmouthing him as much as me. Hmm? It's raining."

". . .yes! That's good!" Nell said.

"Hmm . . .? Oh right, Olaf is screwed. All forces, attack." Mel said, his face rather pale.

"Are you all right Mel?" She said, looking worried.

"I'm still not in perfect condition, even with this wandering about." He pulled out a red colored towel and coughed into it. "(hack) (hack) (cough) (cough) Ugh . . .this towel used to be white." He said.

"Ew . . ."

"Yeah. Urk! Dammit!" He pulled out a brand new towel and started coughing violently.

"Oh God . . ." Nell groaned.

"Ugh . . .I need medication or something . . .I think." He threw the two blood stained towels into the trash can.

"Are you even getting better?"

"Slowly. Slowly." He stood up and used the sheath of the Destruction Blade for support. "I'm gonna get some air . . ."

"But it's raining."

"Rain heals the land, why can't it heal the body?" He said, stepping out of the command room.

"Are you sure you don't have tuberculosis or something? The way you hack up blood, it seems like it."

"Yep. Doc said I don't. It's something to do with an overuse of En, that's the only thing that's keeping me weak."

"How can you cure that?"

" . . .I have no clue. You probably can't." He headed out the door, just as the cheers of the technicians sounded, as Olaf was defeated again.

"Mel!"

"What?"

"We won!"

"Heh . . .that's great."

"There's one thing I have to tell you though."

"What now?"

"After the next sortie, I'm not gonna accompany you on your campaign. This'll be our last battle together."

"Works for me." Mel shrugged.

". . ." Nell gave him an odd look. Her eyes softened as she reached over and pulled him into a hug. "Thanks for coming back to Orange Star Mel." She said, letting go.

"Huh? Wha . . .I don't think Sami'll approve of that. You're lucky she isn't here to see that."

"Hmm. Think of it as between friends."

". . .if you say so." He said, shaking his head. He made his way along the empty hallways of the HQ and outside in the pouring rain. "It's never rained this much before . . ."

Time: The next day

Place: The Alarian border

Setting up in the fog, Orange Star's army was ready to end the Alarian takeover that Blue Moon started. They had also reached the outskirts of the capital, were the next rumored Blue Moon strike was.

"Have I ever told you how much I hate fog?" Nell said, squinting as she peered out the window.

"No." Mel said. His eyes remained closed as he leaned back, drinking some warm tea.

"Well I HATE IT."

"It's not that bad. My first battles were usually in fog."

"Maybe for you then."

"Well only thing I can't check on are those forests and reefs. Other than that, Olaf ain't got much left." Mel said, scanning the map.

"Probably."

"An artillery there, a rocket there, you know?"

"Yeah. Say, you're looking better than you did yesterday, did that hug do you any good?" Nell teased.

"I have no clue."

"Hmph."

"Well, let's just go and clean out the remaining Blue Moon units." Mel said. "Charge!"

Time: A few days later

Place: Orange Star HQ

"Got him!" Mel shouted, as the Blue Moon HQ was captured.

"Yes! We did it Mel!" Nell said, as the techs started to celebrate.

"It's good to do something for the country I guess."

"Hey, you've stopped coughing up blood lately, that's a good sign."

"Yeah . . .you're right."

"By the way, I'm staying to clean up what's left, I'll be sending reinforcements to you whenever I can. And . . .your partner has just arrived."

"Huh?"

"Come on in!" Nell shouted to someone on the other side of a closed door.

". . .hey Nell!"

". . Andy!?"

". . .Mel!?"

"That's why you were missing!" Mel said, giving his friend a high five.

"Yep, got enlisted."

"Where's your cousin." Mel said, looking worried.

". . .Sami? She enlisted too."

". . .Sami . . .Sami . . ." Nell said. "Oh that girl who's always getting letters and getting upset whenever she reads them. She's in the south region now. If I remember right, you're sending her the letters, right?"

"Yeah . . ."

"Well then, she misses you Mel." Nell said sadly.

"I can bet she does. No wonder why I don't get replies though . . ." Mel said, sighing.

Time: 6:00

Place: Southern Orange Star

Sami sat on her bed, all the letters she had received from Mel were neatly stacked in a box. Next to her sat a box of tissues.

"Mmm . . ."

"Commander?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you all right?"

"Huh? Yeah . . ." She lied.

"Oh, all right then."

"Just leave me alone for a bit." She blew her nose. 'Mel . . .Andy . . .I miss you guys. It's so lonely. And none of these people are my friends . . .' She wiped away a tear.

Time: Sometime later

Place: A transport to the capital city of Orange Star

"So you left the White Sun?"

"Yeah."

"How's Sonja?"

"You idiot." Mel had then punched Andy in the face.

"OW!"

"You don't write, you don't call, and you don't e-mail. How do you think the poor thing is?"

"Happy?" Andy said hopefully.

"BUZZ! WRONG ANSWER! She was crying and whining the whole time when I was there. And anytime she talked about you, she'd break down and cry again." Mel was visibly angry.

"Oh . . ." Usually Mel was cheerful, but now, the expression on his face was scary.

"So, officially, you're a cold-hearted bastard." Mel said bluntly.

". . ."

"Yeah . . .anyway, the reason I left, was cause I got sick."

"Sick?"

"I had a white towel to cough into to begin with. After the last campaign or so, it was deep red."

"Red?"

"You're awful slow aren't you?"

"Huh?"

"It was stained with blood."

"Sick."

"Did you just get more ignorant while I was gone?"

"Hey!"

"I'll that as a yes." Mel said, polishing his glasses.

"Grr . . ." Andy growled.

"Anyway, our next assignment it to protect the capital. You ready?"

"As ready as I can be Mel."

"Good. This is our first decisive blow together against Blue Moon!" Mel said, replacing his glasses.

"Woo! Let's take it to 'em!" The two officers headed towards Orange Star's field HQ.

Time: Meanwhile

Place: Blue Moon HQ

"Hmm? The capital is left unguarded? How unlike Nell." Olaf said to himself. "Perhaps they're training a new CO? Of course! After numerous losses, this time victory is MINE!"

Place: Orange Star HQ

"Systems online."

"Function green."

"Command input."

"Commander, Lau, Andy."

"Commander, Mah, Mel."

"Command input accepted."

"Status Green."

"Ready to commence assault."

"Affirmative."

". . .god this is boring." Mel said, as the techs talked among themselves, inputting various programs and data.

"Yeah." Andy said.

"Can we move already and kill Olaf?" Mel said abruptly.

"Uh . . .commander?" A tech asked.

"Yes?"

"We're actually gonna kill him?"

"You're awfully naïve, aren't you . . .I never caught your name. What was it again?" Mel said, his eyes boring into her skull.

". . .uh . . .Cassie . . ."

"Well then, of course we're not gonna kill him. That'd be no fun at all. Anyway, knowing that fat fraud, he'll make some stupid plan to escape. That and thumping his troops his good enough for me."

". . .oh. All right then sir."

"And also, calling me sir, will make anyone of you, and I mean anyone of you, to go on permanent leave." Mel said, without blinking an eye.

". . .(gulp)"

"Got it?"

"Yes . . .Mel." The techs replied.

"Hehe, that's great! Now let's move!" Mel motioned for the assault to commence. "Let's show Olaf what we're made of, snow or no snow!"

"Right!"

Time: October 4th

Place: Orange Star HQ

"Hmm." Mel noted the sky was acting strange. "It's gonna snow. I think I'll go get the cocoa . . ." He had already zipped his coat up and wrapped a white scarf around his neck.

"What are you up to Mel?" Andy asked, still in his short sleeved uniform. "Are you sick again?"

". . .nope. I'd say about in three . . .two . . .one . . ."

'FOOMP!'

". . .snow." Mel said, as a sudden chill fell across the entire region, causing the teeth of the technicians to chatter as they shivered.

". . .ugh! That's cold." Andy complained, him suffering the most, as his uniform was rather more suited for warmer climate battles. Mel's on the other hand was an annual one.

"I'll be right back with the hot cocoa." Mel said, shuffling off to the cafeteria of the HQ.

Time: A few days later

Orange Star troops had already started to close in on Blue Moon's Headquarters. Accompanying them were Andy and Mel. Andy had finally got some winter clothes, and Mel, still with his scarf wrapped around his face, headed straight for the front gate of the HQ.

"Mel! Are you crazy!?"

"Nope. I'm feeling a heck of a lot better right now than I did when I took on the Black Army. Blue Moon's goin' down." The guards at the front gate of the HQ stood in his way, guns at the ready.

"Psh, puh-leaze, you mock me." He said, the guns already aimed at his chest. "This'll be interesting."

"Don't move!"

"Give up already. We've taken out most of your troops as it is." Mel said.

"Never!"

"You guys never learn." Mel drew the Flat Brand and ran straight at the guards.

"FIRE!!!" They shouted, as Mel ran, without missing a beat, he leapt up and brought the flat side of the sword across the soldier's shoulder, dropping him straight to the ground.

"What!? Manley!?" The other guard had spun around and was face to face with the Advisor.

"It's not nice to point fully automatic weapons ya know?" He took his free hand and grabbed the barrel of the rifle, and as his hand went a glow, he bent the barrel ninety degrees up.

". . .what . . .what are you!? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!" The guard ran away screaming.

"Well what do you know, I still got it." Mel said, smiling.

"So you're not sick anymore?" Andy said, as him and the rest of the soldiers came out from hiding and joined Mel at the gate.

"I couldn't jump at least 10 feet in the air when I was sick. That and I would be too busy coughing up blood to even come with you. So I'm not sick."

"Good point."

"That and when I was sick, I couldn't even shoot a freaking En Flare. That's how sad my state of health was." Mel said.

"Wow . . ."

"And considering that I can . . ." He sheathed the Flat Brand and drew the Origin. He leapt up and slashed the gate. Putting away the sword, he simply kicked the gate, knocking it over. "Cut a metal barricaded gate in two now, I must be getting a lot better."

"Point taken." Andy said.

"Now let's pay Commander Olaf a visit." Mel said, leading the soldiers into the HQ.

Place: Blue Moon HQ

"What the!? I lost AGAIN!?" Olaf groaned. "And I was defeated by . . ."

"Us." Andy said. Following behind was Mel, his piercing eyes hidden behind his sunglasses.

". . .you . . .you two!"

"In the flesh commander Olaf." Mel said, removing the dark lens. "Now explain yourself." His sword was drawn.

" . . . but what are you and . . .what is that young upstart's name again?"

". . .my name is Andy! And Mel is the strategic advisor of the Orange Star army!"

"Advisor!? We never had need for an advisor back in my day."

"Well, they need one now. And considering that losing streak you suffered against Nell, that was thanks to me."

". . .that was because of YOU!?" Olaf said, aghast.

"Anyway, why did you choose Nell to take your place? Are you her father or something?" Andy said.

"Yes, I was Nell's . . .what!? No! This is what I get for being kind to you youngsters! It takes quite a bit to defeat me, I'll remember your names!" Olaf said, retreating.

". . .Damn. I let him get away." Mel said, sheathing his sword.

"Nah, it's all good. We won!" Andy said happily.

"That we did. Time to liberate the next region." Mel said, as he replaced his glasses.

"Woo hoo!" Andy shouted.

". . .right."

Time: That night

Place: Orange Star HQ

The two reunited friends sat in the officer's lounge, drinking soda.

"Say Andy . . ." Mel said.

"Yeah?"

"Have you ever even been in the Yellow Comet or White Sun Region?"

"Ever? Uh . . .Nope."

"Thought so."

"Why?"

"Because, YOU have been attacking us." Mel said, with an odd grin.

"Mel? You okay?" Andy waved his hand in front of his friend's face. "You smoking something weird since you came back?"

"No." Mel sipped his soda. "It was or so it seemed to be a clone that attacked us. Kinda weird. Gabe tore one in two with his bare hands."

" . . .Ew. Hey, you're looking pretty good right now, I guess you're not sick anymore then."

"Hey, you're right . . .maybe being with a familiar face helps." Mel said.

"So I'm a familiar face?"

"To a degree, yes."

"But about your White Sun friends?"

"Heh, the thing is, you remind me of Sami."

"Huh!?!?"

"You're her freaking cousin, that's why."

"Uh . . .right."

"Now, let's go and check around the capital. My house is somewhere there . . ." Mel said to himself.

"Haha . . .still as crazy as usual huh?"

"Yep."

"That's good to know."

"Well . . .yeah. Hear anything from Mi yet?"

"Nope." Andy shook his head.

"Darn." Mel sighed. "Oh well. There's always tomorrow. Let's get ready for the next assault."

Time: The next day

Place: Blue Moon

Grit paced the headquarters. He was obviously distressed.

"Dagnabit . . .I've betrayed Orange Star and helped them Blue Moon fellas get a huge hunk of Orange Star land too. Damn." He took a drag from his cigarette.

"Grit! Grit! Where are you!?" Came Olaf's voice on the communications screen.

"Easy there, I heard you the first time, O bearded one." Grit said, poking a finger in his ear.

"Bearded one!? Why you insolent . . ."

"A slip of the tongue, my apologies . . ."

"That's enough Grit. Listen, Orange Star's followed us and now are deployed in a region closest to your location. The commander is a fresh recruit, but he's not alone, he's got Orange Star's most dangerous recruit with him as well."

"Dangerous recruit? What are you goin' on about?" Grit said, confused.

"You know that young man that defeated the Man in Black?"

"Oh, that Mel fella." Grit said simply. "Wait . . .that. Mel . . .YOU TRYING TO GET ME KILLED!?"

"No. Now keep your guard up. I've got some artillery units for you to use. Now go see to it!"

"Me, go in there personally? Like, in person!?" Grit said, breaking a sweat.

"Why you lazy, no good . . .what do you think you're supposed to do when I enlisted you help?"

"All right. Keep your beard on. I don't like this at all, but I'll go." 'He didn't enlist my help, he almost had me shot in order to get my help.' Grit thought as his brow creased. He tilted his hat, and headed off to the command.

"Gone at last, that impudent rogue. But he is after all Orange Star's former master marksman. They'll never know what hit them, since he's believed to be MIA."

Time: 8:00 am

Place: Orange Star HQ

Mel sat at the table and he observed the field map.

"Something's funny."

"What?"

"Olaf wouldn't have such a large artillery battery around here." Mel said, pointing.

"Good point." Andy said.

"He'd have amassed tanks to try and 'crush' us."

"I see."

"See, here, here and here." Mel pointed to numerous artillery and rocket units.

"Yeah . . ." Andy said, just a com-link transmission came in.

"Mel! Andy! We've got good news and bad news."

"What?" Andy said.

"Good news is you've got bases at your disposal to deploy new units."

"Okay . . .that sounds good." Andy said.

"Bad news is that your foe isn't Olaf."

"Who is it then?" Mel said, looking up.

"I have no clue." Nell said rather disappointed. "I'll tell you as soon as we can scrounge up more Intel."

"All right then." Mel sighed. "Move out! We're gonna take the northern cities for some funds, and we'll keep that choke point in the mountains closed!"

Time: At the moment

Place: Blue Moon HQ

"Possum spit!" Grit said, hawking a loogie at a spittoon. "This ain't Blue Moon land! This here's Orange Star land. I even know that. Blue Moon is greedy. I reckon the bearded one has something to do with this, since Blue Moon never attacked until he left . . .fighting for them doesn't settle too well with me." He sighed. "Well then, I'll just go mosey on out and see what happens."

Time: The next day

Place: Orange Star HQ

"Mel! Andy! PICK UP!!!" Nell shouted at the com-link.

"(yawn) Morning Nell." Mel said, dragging a half-asleep Andy after him.

"Yeah . . .(yawn) What's the matter?"

"Grit's your opponent." She said, rather unhappy.

". . ." Mel remained momentarily silent. Then he exploded. "WHAT!? YOU'RE SAYING THAT GRIT IS THE ONE RAISING HELL!?"

". . .gulp. Yes."

"What's so great about Grit?" Andy asked.

". . .dang Andy, you stupid?" Mel said, "Grit was our fricking teacher for a bit. He's the one that shoots the rockets and missiles from extra long range."

". . .oh."

"We've got a situation then." Mel said.

"Yes we do Mel."

"Then I'll have to resort to unfair tactics . . ." Mel said. "Start amassing recon and tank units. Grit's not gonna turn us into Swiss cheese this time around."

". . . uh . . .can I interrupt you two?" Andy said.

"Yes?"

"How come you know so much about – mmph!" Mel just silenced him.

"Uh . . . never mind Andy, Nell. Just go. I'll handle it." Mel said.

"Okay . . .see you two. Nell out."

"What was that for!?" Andy said angrily.

"Grit was one of Nell's boyfriends."

". . . ONE!?"

"Max is the other you moron."

". . .oh."

"Anyway, I'll take care of it. We'll toss Grit out by his ear." Mel said, spinning the En Rifle about his finger.

"Heh. Sure, if you want command this time, I'll let you do it."

"Thanks Andy. It's good to be out on the battlefield again."

"All right everybody! Mel's in command this time around!" Andy shouted.

"Right!"

"You all heard Andy right? Now let's deploy those boys up to my specifications, then we'll rock and roll!" Mel said, sending out his men to capture the nearby neutral cities.

"Hey Mel?"

"Yeah?"

"What can you do against Grit?"

"As long as he can't hit me, I'll be fine." Mel said. "Because, once my men get close enough, I'll tear his troops a new hole." He stared out the window. "Those sorry idiots won't know what hit them."

Time: A few days into the battle

Place: Blue Moon HQ

"DAMMIT! DAMMIT! DAMMIT! There's no way that Andy kid can do that kind of damage!" Grit swore.

"Hey there cowboy." Came an incoming transmission.

". . .what the?" Grit looked in shock as a somewhat familiar and menacing face met him.

". . .is that how you greet you opponent?" Mel said.

"Uh . . .Mel? What are you doin' here?"

"If you haven't noticed, I'm commanding the troops, which may explain why your men and being smacked into the ground so easily. But that also explains why my men are being turned into road pizza by your artillery. But two can play that game." Mel said.

". . .hmph, you've left me no choice then. Snipe Attack!"

". . .oh crap." Mel said, as he watched the sky rain rockets and artillery shells.

"How'd you like that kiddo?"

". . .Impressive. But what should I do about your troops?" Mel said, feeling the En rage within him.

". . .what are you goin' at?"

"This." Mel pulled out the En Rifle and pointed it at Grit on the screen.

"What're you gonna do with that over-sized pea-shooter?"

"I'm gonna blow them rockets and medium tanks clean off the surface of the planet. You've pissed me off. Now good-bye."

". . . 'You've pissed me off'? I don't . . .Aw crap." Grit muttered, recollecting the destructive potential of Mel's CO attack.

Time: Within the minute

Place: Battlefield

The drivers of the rocket units were chatting amongst themselves.

"So, rations again eh Morgan?"

"Yup."

"What else is new?"

"Nothing."

"Ah well, the commander set off his power, we're all pumped up and we plugged some holes into the Orange Star troops."

"Yup."

"Say . . .what's that light?"

"What light?"

"The one coming straight for – " The soldier didn't finish as he and his companions were wiped clean off the surface of the planet.

Place: Orange Star HQ

Mel stood at the window, the barrel of the En rifle was smoking, and the remaining artillery units were gone. Blowing away the stream of smoke, Mel placed the weapon back in his coat, and surveyed the scene.

"Hmm . . .a more or less unprotected HQ." The only units that remained were some damaged tanks and infantry. "Prepare a transport to the Blue Moon HQ. Make sure it's escorted." Mel said over the intercom.

"Got it Mel!" Andy replied.

"Hmm . . .Grit . . .it's time to pay you a visit."

Time: A few days later

Place: Blue Moon HQ

Grit sat, looking rather dejected. He was beaten, and he knew any second that Orange Star would come a knocking on the door.

"Hey there Junior! And hello Mel."

"My name's not Junior! It's Andy!"

"Well that's the spirit. You're both in Orange Star's army now?"

"Yeah, so? How would you know?"

"Well now, that's 'cause I'm Grit! I was with Orange Star not too long ago, myself. So I'm pretty familiar with most of the military types. Well, y'all beat me this time. Who knows, maybe we'll see each other on the flip side. So long, Mel! You too, Junior!"

"Stop calling me – oof!" Andy was about to yell again as Mel elbowed him in the gut.

"Shut it. I've had about enough." Mel said, his eyes were full of wrath, as he saw Grit run off.

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place: Southern Orange Star HQ

Sami had almost had her fill of losses in the last month. Being pushed back constantly was rather depressing. After avoiding most of her subordinates, she had locked herself in her office for the each and every consecutive night. Only making sure that one of her techs would bring her dinner and knock on the door and leave. As she slid on her glasses, she thumbed absently through the ten-twenty odd letters that she had received. Some were rather confusing, as she didn't understand what Mel meant by he was fighting alongside with Andy. She sighed, put away the letter and sat up. Hearing the knock on the door, she opened it, and took the lunch tray, containing today's special. Rice and veggies, she picked at it with the fork and eventually ate it. Shaking her head, she reached for a pen and paper, but just trying to write to Mel was painful. She scrunched up the paper and tossed it into the trash.

"Mmm . . .I miss you too much." She said, resting her head on the desk. Looking at the clock, it was getting late already. "It's already ten . . ." She stripped off her uniform and pulled on a clean T-shirt, and slid into the bed. Playing with the now warm silver chain that hung around her neck, she stared blankly at the ceiling. "Tomorrow will be another unfamiliar ceiling . . ." She said, wishing she was at home. Putting away her glasses, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Time: ???

Place: Outskirts of Orange Star

Just as Eagle had promised, he and his men were wandering about in search of the attackers of his homeland.

"Grr . . .now who could it be?"

"Commander, an Orange Star battalion is headed this direction to regroup."

"Ah? Excellent, I'll entertain them for a while." Eagle said with a sinister grin.

"Of course sir."

"Prepare the troops!"

Time: 9:00 am

Place: Western Orange Star Outskirts

Andy carefully avoided Mel's wrath, as he just saw him rend the reinforced shell of a Blue Moon tank with his fist.

"DAMN!" Mel shouted. "This is just stupid. First Olaf, then Grit. What next? Eagle!?"

". . .uh . . ."

"Whatever it is, this is ANNOYING." He spotted a rock on the ground and kicked it, and watched as it flew and knocked down a bird.

". . .right."

"Ahem. Anyway, we're supposed to wait around here for someone or something."

"Uh . . . Mel?" Andy said, pointing at something.

"What?"

" . . .we've got company."

". . .didn't Nell say this area was clear?"

". . .yeah."

". . .well then, let's give them a warm Orange Star welcome." Mel said, looking at the incoming enemy.

Time: As the battle raged . . .

Place: Orange Star HQ

"Let's make this quick. We've dispatched of the main force, so our best bet is to go and capture the HQ." Mel said, as he carefully scanned the Intel. "It's poorly defended, and judging by our Green Earth foe, his forte is air combat. And since we've taken care of the skies, we're free to do as we please."

"Air combat? There's only one Green Earth CO like that." Andy said.

". . .Okay . . .it is Eagle then." Mel said, realizing what he said a few days ago. "Stupid Green Earth . . .what are they doing attacking allied forces?"

"I dunno."

"Whatever it is, he better have a good reason." Mel said, as the paper cup in his hand began to smolder.

Time: Two days later

Place: Green Earth HQ

"Explain yourself Eagle!" Mel said, as Eagle backed up slowly towards a door.

"Not until Andy explains himself!"

". . .huh? What the heck are you talking about? I've got nothing to explain." Andy said. "All I can say was I've been in field training for the last few months."

"Don't play dumb with me boy!"

". . .I'm not dumb, and I'm telling the truth."

". . .Grr. You'll rue the day you were born for messing with me!" Eagle said, as he ran out of the command room and retreated.

". . .what was all that about Mel?"

". . . I've got a bad feeling about this." Mel said.

"Huh?"

" . . .remember I asked if you were in White Sun?"

"Yeah?"

"Well I think that 'you' have been elsewhere too."

". . ." Andy remained silent as his eyes narrowed. "Someone pretending to be me, is causing havoc across Wars World?"

"Looks like it." Mel said. "Let me see if this communications channel still works." He contacted his friends in White Sun. "You go back and wait."

". . .kay." Andy left.

". . .huh? Someone's calling? Weird . . ." Came a voice on the other side.

"Alice?" Mel said, as he saw the dark haired girl look up from the screen.

"Hmm? Oh! Mel-kun! Hi!"

". . .hi."

"What's going on? You haven't called since you left!"

". . .uh . . .sorry."

"Anyway, shall I call those two?"

" . . .sure."

"Gabe! Gary! Mel-kun is on the screen!"

" . . .what?" Gabe peered at the com-link screen. ". . .Mel! Heya! We've managed to hold the fort while you were gone. That and we've managed to boot the 'Black army' from our lands as of now."

"Okay . . ."

"Soo, how's your . . .you're not on vacation are you?"

"Nope."

"So what're you doing? You're in no shape to command . . .unless."

"I'm commanding. Indirectly that is. And I'm better. A lot better." Mel said.

"Well, Mel's back! Sorta." Gary said as he appeared on the screen.

". . .how is everything?"

"Other than we killed another couple of them dang clones, nothing really."

"Well, I think the clones are everywhere else too now." Mel said.

"What!?"

"Seems like 'Andy' attacked Green Earth as well." He sighed.

"Why's that?"

"We just bumped into Eagle and he was pretty mad."

". . .woo."

"Anyway, how's Yellow Comet holding up?"

"They're managing. Haven't had much contact with them lately, but all's good."

"Okay. Take care you guys, I've got to investigate this further." Mel signed off and ran out the HQ and back to the waiting transport.

Time: The next day, currently late October

Place: Central Orange Star Region

Upon arrival there was a battalion awaiting them. Mel looked around, to find numerous medium and small tanks waiting about, as a large man in blue pants stood there. Andy grabbed a pair of binoculars to get a better view.

"Say . . .that looks like Max."

"Could be." Mel said.

"Let's go!" Andy shouted to the troops. "Let's check this out!"

"Yes sir!"

The first battalion of the Orange Star Liberation Forces had arrived in the Crimson Plain region. Mel saw as the other force started to move towards them.

"Hey! Sorry I got sidetracked a bit . . .but, Andy? Mel!?" Max said, surprised to see two of his own students were leading the force against Olaf. "You two freed most of Orange Star single-handedly!"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Mel said.

"Because of your victories, it gave the rest of the troops the morale to fight harder and push back. That and you've totally crushed Blue Moon morale."

". . .woo hoo!" Andy cheered.

"They've given up on trying to take over as of now, but clean up forces aren't doing so hot, so we're gonna give them some help first, then we'll continue to chase Olaf."

"Hmm. Who's in charge of the clean up forces?" Mel said.

"Some girl. Red haired, slight accent, rather sweet too."

". . .Sami!" Mel said with realization.

"You know her?"

"I'm dating her." Mel said frowning. "How's she doing?"

"Not too hot, they say she's got some sorta psychological issues or something. They're sending Rush in to provide some reinforcements."

". . .hmm." Mel shook his head. "I should have stayed here . . ."

"Sami . . .do you think we'll catch up with her?" Andy said.

"You never know kiddo." Max shrugged.

". . .hmm. Ah well. Mel! Who's in command this time?"

". . .huh? Oh . . .Max, your troops are still fresh right?"

"Yep."

"You've got command as of now. Let's clean up the Blue Moon trash then!"

"You betcha Mel!" Max cracked his knuckles. "You heard the Advisor. Move out to the north!"

End chapter.