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: A day later

Place: Orange Star HQ at the Green Earth – Blue Moon border

"Oi . . .what the hell is going on?" Mel muttered as he kicked his feet up onto his desk.

"Eh . . .stupid stragglers, don't worry, our reinforcements will take care of 'em." Andy said.

"Works for me Andy." The white clad advisor said as he sipped his drink.

". . .who do you reckon the new officer is?"

"From what I understand, from my conversation with Nell . . .it's Sami."

"Eh!? Sami!?"

"Bingo."

"What . . .what the HECK is she doing coming here!?"

"Luck of the draw I figure." Mel shrugged. The sound of tank treads and marching was nearing.

"Hmm . . .must be them."

"Most likely . . .go greet 'em or something Andy."

"Haha . . .yes sir!"

"Call me sir again Andy, then I'll shoot you in the arse."

". . .yikes!" The boy ran off.

Time: Meanwhile

Place: Outside

"Ooh . . .what am I doing here? This is POINTLESS!" Sami whined.

"Miss? Uh . . .what are our orders miss?"

"Hmm? Right, at ease everyone, we've arrived. I'll go talk to whoever's in charge there. The red head mumbled as she opened the door to the HQ. "Hello? Anyone?"

"Mel was right! Sami!" Andy shouted.

"Eh? Andy!?"

"How are you?"

"Other than the crappyness factor of being homesick and missing Mel . . .oh I'm just DANDY." She said, looking incredibly weary.

". . .oh."

"Andy . . ." She sighed as she hugged him.

"Gah! Get off me! Get off me! Hug Mel or something!"

"Don't tease me . . .he's not here . . ." She said tearing up.

"Whaddya mean!? Don't ya know? He's the advisor in Orange Star."

". . .huh!?"

"Hello 'mi." Came a mellow voice.

". . .!"

"Miss me?" Mel said as he walked over and ruffled her hair.

"Mel!" She practically jumped on top of him and took him to the ground.

"I'll take that as a definite yes." Mel groaned from the floor.

"Ooh, what are you doing here?" She asked sitting on his chest.

"I'm the Advisor . . ."

"Meaning?"

"I get to boss you guys around."

"Mel!" She scolded.

"Eh, sorry, but it's true."

". . .oh what!?

"Hmm . . .you didn't know I went back to Orange Star?"

"No . . ."

"I put it in my letter to you." He frowned.

". . .which one? Each one made me cry . . ."

". . .uh . . .the blood soaked one." Mel said.

". . .ooh, that one. I kinda got that one really wet on one part so I couldn't read it anymore and thought it wasn't important . . ."

". . .Sa – mi . . .almost EVERY one of the paragraphs in my letters to you WERE important . . ."

". . .ooh sorry . . ." She whined softly.

". . .it's okay . . ."

"Uh . . .are you two quite done yet?" Andy said.

". . .hmm? Oh. Yeah. Sami, off, now." Mel said pushing the girl off him. "Ugh . . .did you gain weight!?"

'SMACK!'

"Damn that felt good!" Sami said.

". . .sorry I asked . . ."

"And no I didn't gain weight Mel."

". . .then WHY did you just slap me?" He asked holding his cheek. "Ow . . ."

"I really needed to hit something . . ." Sami admitted.

". . .you hit your boyfriend the second he asks something personal?"

". . .I haven't seen you for such a long time, and I was frustrated . . .sorry." She said.

"Right. Let's just get your stuff and get set to move soon."

"Well . . .okay." She nodded. "Just one note . . .Olaf's headed towards Yellow Comet just to let you know."

"I see . . ."

"Another thing . . .SOMEONE is blocking our way."

"Someone?"

"Looks like Green Earth . . ." Sami said.

". . .Green Earth!? What are they doing here!?" Mel said jumping up.

"I'm not sure . . ."

". . .whatever it is, I intend to get them out of my way!" He reached into his coat and was about to pull out his gun.

"Wait . . ." Sami grabbed his arm.

"Huh? No Sami, let me deal with Eagle."

"No Mel . . .let me." She grinned. "I'll show you that I've improved over the last few months!"

"But . . .your reports . . ."

"That's because you weren't there. But since you're here now . . .let me prove it to you that those are wrong!" She insisted

". . .whoa . . .okay, if you say so . . ." Mel was slightly shocked.

"Another thing, if I need your help, I'm going to tell you! So don't think you can just barge in a play hero all of a sudden!"

". . .right."

"Well then, I'm off!" She ran off to the command center.

"Ugh . . ." Mel groaned as he fell into his chair. "What . . .just happened!?"

"Looks like Sami just backed you into a corner again . . ." Andy said.

". . .as usual . . ." The advisor sighed. "Why me?"

". . .because you were the one who managed to actually beat her in a sim battle?"

"Don't remind me . . ." He mumbled. "It pisses her off anytime I mention it . . ."

"Oh . . ."

"Ah well . . .let her do her thing . . .I'm going to get a caffeine jolt . . ." He stood up and headed off to his office.

Time: Evening . . .

Place: Cafeteria

"Mel, Mel, Mel, Mel, Mel!"

"What, what, what, what, what!?"

"I missed you!"

" . . .I noticed . . ." Mel said as Sami was practically hugging him to death. "Ack . . . 'mi . . ."

"Mmm." She kept her deathgrip around the young man.

". . .aiya . . ."

"Ooh it was soo horrible! It was cold and lonely and boring and . . ."

" . . ."

"What?"

". . .could you please let go of my neck?" He gasped.

". . .oops! Sorry!" She loosened her grip.

"Sami, I know you're . . .uh . . . slightly unbalanced at the moment, so just please sit down and calm down . . ." He said raising his eyebrow.

"Mmph . . . that's no fun . . ."

"What? All losses and no Mel make Sami a very unhappy person?"

"Basically." She nodded.

". . .Oi." He sighed.

"Uh huh, now . . .we really need to catch up!"

". . .do we?"

"Well . . .yeah, I think so." She leaned against him.

". . .heh . . .fine Sami." He nodded. "So how'd today's fight go?"

"Well . . .considering the lousy fog outside today . . .I can't really say . . ." She said.

"I see . . ."

"Well, has anything else interesting happened lately?"

"Not remotely."

"Phooey."

"What?"

"Usually you have something interesting to say."

"No I don't . . ."

". . .ah well. So what have you been up to lately?"

". . .nothing really other than sitting at home, then hanging around Orange Star . . ."

"Ah . . .you're boring Mel."

"I know I am."

"Well . . .geez." She wrapped her arms around him. "I better find something to make you less boring."

". . .hmm."

"Mel . . ."

"Yeah?"

"Don't ever leave again."

". . .I won't."

"Thanks, that means a lot to me." She said wiping away a stray tear.

"Your welcome." He smiled. "Come on. No more tears, I'm here . . ."

". . .mmm." She leaned on him.

Time: Later

Place: OS HQ

"Any signs of enemy movement?" Mel asked.

"No sir . . ."

" . . .apparently you're new here. You don't know the rules yet huh newbie?" Mel said giving the female technician a death glare.

". . .what . . .what do you mean?" She asked. Just then, one of Andy's techs grabbed her by the collar and dragged her off. "Yeek!"

"I'll just explain it to you once Anne." He said.

"Explain what!?"

"Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever call Mel 'Sir'."

"Why?"

"Because he'll hang you upside down and toss pop cans at you."

" . . ."

"No I'm serious. Ask Jake there."

" . . ."

"Now back to work."

"Heh." Mel chuckled. "All good as usual . . ."

". . .are all the techs this scared of you Mel?" Sami asked giving him a wry smile.

"I'm not sure. What do you think?"

"Very much so."

"Exactly."

"Can't they like sue for harassment or something?"

"Nah. They still love me to bits."

". . .really?"

"Hey, they've won HOW many battles with my help?"

". . .a lot?"

"Basically."

"Will I win battles with your help?" Sami asked.

". . .most likely."

"Good. You know I hate to lose."

". . .ah . . .no comment." Mel said remembering some various details.

". . .fine. So now what? Are we . . .off duty for now?"

"I guess so." Mel said wiping his brow. "I'm off." He headed out.

"Hey wait up!" Sami ran after him.

". . .what?"

"You're gonna go to bed aren't you?"

" . . .yeah." He yawned.

". . .well then. I'm coming too!"

". . .hmm? Mel not understanding here."

". . .show me who has which room Mel!"

" . . .eh. All right."

Time: The next day

Place: OS HQ

Mel blinked as the light struck his eyes. Trying to move off his bed, he felt something weigh him down.

". . .hmm?" He mumbled.

". . .zzz . . ."

". . .ah." Using his usual Sami removal measures, he simply reached down and poked her in the ribs, causing her to squeak with surprise and jump off the bed and onto the floor.

"Ow!" She complained rubbing her sore bottom.

". . .morning." He said sitting up.

"You really didn't have to do that!" She whined.

". . .sorry." He then looked at her oddly.

". . .why are you looking at me like that?" She said peering through her glasses.

". . .there's something weird . . ."

"What?"

". . .I can't put my finger on it . . .but . . ."

"Hmm?"

" . . .oh! Right. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOUR HAIR!?" He yelled.

"Eek! Don't do that!" She said covering her ears.

". . .sorry. But I can't help it. Your face seems empty . . ."

". . .they made me cut it . . ." She sighed.

". . .grr."

"Don't hold a grudge over it . . .it'll grow back." She said.

". . .hmm. Fine." Mel then eyed her again.

"What now!?"

" . . .why are you in my room?" He asked.

"Uh . . ."

"Exactly."

". . .I missed you . . .that's all. You don't have to get all . . ."

"Indignant?"

"Yeah!"

" . . .sorry." He said shaking his head.

"What's wrong?"

". . .nothing yet. But I can feel it . . ."

"Hmm."

" . . .ah well . . .hope it really is just nothing." Mel said.

". . .hmm."

Place: Green Earth's HQ

Eagle muttered as he paced the room. Drake was worried his friend would pass out from walking in circles.

"Dammit! Why are they here!? And most of all . . .who's commanding them!?" He swore as he continued his circle.

"Uh . . .maybe you should stop going around like that, you're likely to get seasick . . ." Drake said.

"Dammit Drake! Don't interrupt me! I'll show those Orange Star dogs who's boss!"

"But I could have sworn it wasn't them that attacked Green Earth . . .their units were black."

"Big deal Drake! It's called PAINT."

"But . . ."

"And I SAW Andy with my own two EYES! I know it's them!"

". . .very well Eagle . . .shoot away . . ." Drake muttered as he headed out. "I know it that those Orange Star boys aren't up to no good. I wager something's fishy."

"Ah, Captain Drake?"

"Aye matey?"

"There's a communiqué for you."

"Oh. Thank you." He headed to the communications room. "Hmm . . .who would want to speak to me?"

"Hello? Hello?" Came a female voice.

". . .who's there?"

"This is Sonja from Yellow Comet!"

" . . .ah . . .hello there missy."

"Captain Drake? Oh good, it is you."

"Yes it is I. What's the matter?"

"There's something funny . . ."

"Really now?"

"Yes . . .apparently . . .someone that looks like Andy has been attacking the other countries lately . . .and well, that's rather fishy. Also Mel and his friends have confirmed it, as they have captured, then killed on of these . . . 'clones' as you will."

". . .Mel? Here!?"

"You look pale Captain." Sonja said.

". . .hmm. That means Eagle is in for some trouble isn't he?"

". . .basically yes."

". . .well then . . .I'll say nothing to him as of now."

". . .good idea Captain . . ." Sonja nodded. "Good bye."

"Goodbye Sonja." Drake did likewise. "Be careful now in your searching."

"I will. Don't worry." She said.

"Now I think I'll go back to Green Earth and get ready . . .aye, that's the ticket." He headed off.

Place: Orange Star HQ

Mel blinked as he tried to look through the constantly shifting En Fog.

"Gah . . .stupid, stupid, stupid." He groaned.

"What's the matter?"

"How the heck can we hit what we can't see!?" He said.

". . .I dunno."

"Exactly!" Mel said as he started to rant on mindlessly.

". . .uh oh." Sami said to herself. "He's lost it again."

"And then the bombers come flying in kicking ass and then the MMPH!" He was suddenly interrupted.

"Ssh." Sami said after removing her lips from his. "It's no good if you start raving on idiotically."

". . .uh . . ." Mel turned slightly red.

"Another thing . . ." She said licking her lips. "Try not to use too much toothpaste . . .it takes like some sort of funky peppermint."

". . .heh." He nodded. "Fine."

"Now hold still . . .I think I may have missed a spot." She was about to give him another peck on the cheek just as Andy walked in.

"Oy! Get a room you two!" He shouted. That triggered the usual response.

". . . ANDY!"

" . . . ANDY!"

"Uh oh." He said worried.

"DIE!" The two chased him out of the room and caught him, beat him up and then shoved him into a nearby trashcan.

"That's better." Sami said.

"Uh huh." Mel nodded satisfied with their handiwork. "Ah well, back to work huh 'mi?"

"Yeah . . .let's kick Eagle's butt and get this over with. I wanna go home."

". . .already?"

"Yeah . . .I miss my nice comfy bed." She sighed.

". . .more like the nice comfy bed at my house."

". . .same difference." She said giggling, then her face went serious. "Honestly though . . .I wish this stupid war was over, it really seems to be something horrible right now, with all the death and destruction. Don't you feel the same?"

". . .yeah."

"Mmm." She sighed softly as she rested her head on his shoulder.

". . .what's the matter 'mi?"

"You know . . ."

"What?"

" . . .nothing . . .I'm glad to see you."

"Oh . . .uh . . .one thing . . ."

"Hmm?"

"Ahem . . ." Mel motioned to her pressing closer against him. "You have a JOB to do right now."

"Oh . . .right!" She moved away from him as her face reddened. "Sorry!"

"It's okay . . ."

"Ah . . .right! Okay everybody! Let's move!"

Time: Jan 4, two days later

Place: Orange Star

". . .zzz . . ." Sami snored softly on the couch in Mel's office.

". . .wha? She's here again." Mel said raising an eyebrow. "Hey! 'mi!"

" . . .mmm."

"Morning sleepyhead."

". . .meanie."

". . .what?"

". . .you woke me."

". . .but . . .it's . . ."

"I don't care right now. I'm tired." She curled up into a fetal position and pulled the sheets over her head.

". . .but it's our anniversary . . ." Mel said. "Ah . . .happy anniversary 'mi." He said as he pulled the sheets down.

"Wha . . .?"

". . .you forgot OUR anniversary!?"

". . .hmm?"

". . .I can't believe you." Mel said as he gave her a small kiss on the cheek.

". . .thank you . . ." She said.

". . .are you gonna stay sleeping there?"

". . .yep." She said shifting. "Take over for today or something . . ." She said yawning.

". . ." Mel sat on his bed and thought for a moment. 'How does one get one's cute, yet irritable girlfriend off the couch and back to work?'

". . .mmm. Not like home, but comfy nonetheless." She said nestling deeper into the couch cushions.

". . .Sami . . .please wake up!"

". . .no. Sleepy."

". . .don't make me use unorthodox methods!"

". . .blah."

". . .c'mon! Please!?"

". . .no."

". . ." He sighed. "Might as well take some photos . . ." He reached into his bag for his camera. "Cheese 'mi." He snapped a picture of her half-asleep on the couch.

". . .wha . . .? What was that?"

"A camera. Polaroid. Hmm . . ." He pulled out the picture as it developed. "Cute."

". . .huh?"

"You look cute." Mel said. "Especially how you curl up like that so that your underwear shows."

". . .eek! You!" She said blushing furiously as she pulled her shirt down to cover herself up.

". . .ah . . .see?" He showed her the photo.

"Mel!" She continued to blush.

" . . .meh." He shrugged. "Time to get to work Sami."

"But . . .but I'm TIRED!"

"I know . . ." He said raising an eyebrow. "But since you forgot, I'm not giving you that present I had gotten earlier." He teased.

"Eh!? No fair!" She pouted.

". . .how about this? You go and do your job and then I'll think about it."

" . . .mmm." She stood up and walked over to him.

"Hmm?"

"You . . ." She leaned over and gave him a kiss. "How about now?

". . .what do you mean now?"

"Can I have it please?"

". . .haha. Fine." He opened his bag and pulled out a wrapped object. "Here."

". . .ooh. What is it?"

"I'm not sure if it'll be any good around now . . .but you never know. I thought it looked nice."

"Hmm?" She carefully tore open the wrapping. "Eh? Mel . . ."

"What?"

"You're crazy!" She said holding up the dress.

"Why?"

"I've always wanted one like this."

". . .oh."

"Thanks." She smiled.

"Your welcome. Now can we get back to work?" He asked.

"Yes sir Commander Mel sir!" She said giving him a grin and off balance salute.

". . . ah . . .you're terrible." He said laughing.

Time: Within a week's time

Place: Green Earth HQ

"Hehe." Mel chuckled sinisterly as he let go of the side of the Transport Copter.

"Whoa! The enemy's made it to our base! Stop them at all costs!" The Green Earth Guards shouted.

"It's not gonna be easy for you guys to stop us!" Mel said. "Catch this!" He tossed a smoke grenade over at them, and ran into the cloud.

". . .! Where is he!?"

"I dunno! (cough) I can't see a thing! That jerk!"

"I'll find him! I'll – oof!" The guard fell down into the pavement.

"What the? Respond! We need back – argh!"

"Haha! Got your pass cards!" Mel was the only one standing as he grinned crookedly in front of the gate.

"Good job Mel!" Sami said hopping out of the copter and headed over to the gate.

"Too easy. Last time, gate breaking meant actually blowing it up." He shrugged.

"And what's so different this time around?"

"The guards have these." He handed her a key card.

"Ooh. How convenient for us." She said.

"Exactly."

"Okay . . .let's go. I want to have a word with Commander Eagle."

"As do I . . ."

Time: Moments later

Place: Command Central of Green Earth

"Eagle . . ."

" . . .you two!"

". . .what are you doing attacking us?" Mel demanded, not noticing as his voice grew louder and darker with each word.

". . .because . . ."

"Because what?" Mel had already grabbed the Green Earth commander by the lapels and his sword was dangerously hovering over his throat.

". . .I have my reasons boy! Lightning Strike!" He managed to shake Mel loose as electricity jolted through him.

"Urk . . .you!" Mel readied his sword as his eyes glowed red. "I'll cut you to pieces!" He lunged at Eagle and smashed him into a wall. "DIE!" he continued to repeatedly smash Eagle into the metal wall, leaving a large dent.

"MEL! Stop!" Sami screamed.

". . .S . . .Sami?"

". . .stop . . .just stop . . .can't you see he's had enough?" She said pointing to Eagle.

". . .ah . . .right . . .so he has . . ." Mel said, his voice eerie and disturbing. " . . .very well . . .I'll let you go this time around Eagle . . ." Mel then collapsed face down onto the ground.

". . .what just happened to him?" Eagle said looking slightly freaked.

". . .I have no clue." Sami said.

". . .interesting . . .but it doesn't concern me. I shall be off! I swear if we meet again, it won't be the same!" Eagle limped off.

". . .ah . . .Mel you're useless." Sami muttered as she dragged her boyfriend out of the base.

Time: Later that day

Place: Mel's office

". . .Mel?" Sami asked sitting on a chair.

"Huh? Yeah?" Mel said groaning.

"Out of curiosity . . ."

"Yeah?"

". . .do you have some sort of multi-personality disorder or something?"

"Eh? Why?"

"Because sometimes . . .you're well you . . .then others you're completely psycho and want to kill things."

". . .huh!?"

"Hmm . . .you're not sure?"

"Kinda . . ."

"But you just did it when you . . .weird."

"Did I pass out or something? I don't remember a thing." He said rubbing his head.

"Yeah! You did pass out after you beat Eagle senseless."

". . .eh!?"

"You were gonna cut him in two after he gave you a shock."

". . .uh!?"

". . .you have NO clue whatsoever!?"

"Uh . . .nope."

"Hmm . . .so you probably are suffering from it . . ."

". . .hmm." Mel thought carefully. "I'm not too sure."

Later . . .

After Sami had left, Mel sat by himself and decided to see if there was something in his head.

"Hmm . . ." 'Anyone in there?'

'Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees?' Came a voice in his head.

"Whoa! What the!?"

'Do be quiet! I can't have you going about screaming like a maniac every time you 'talk' to me.'

'Who are you?'

'I dunno.'

'Really now?' Mel was unconvinced.

'Not really. I just can't tell you.'

'Damn.'

'Sorry.' The voice muttered.

'Tell me.'

'I'll tell you when you NEED to know. Not when you WANT to know.'

' . . .hmph.'

'Sorry Mel.'

'So am I crazy now?'

'Nope. I am though.'

'Huh?'

'I take it you do know you go berserk right?'

'Yeah.'

'That's me taking over.'

' . . .what . . .are . . .you?'

'Like I said, can't tell you . . .yet.'

'Why?'

'Like I said before.'

'Damn.'

'Ooh, looks like Sami's coming.' The voice said.

'Eh?'

'She's the cutie whose butt I kicked through you that first time around.'

'You remember it!?' Mel was surprised.

'Yup. She has a cute body.'

'But I thought . . .'

'She's cute, you're very lucky Mel.'

'But . . .' Mel cut himself off.

'Oh well . . .back to mindlessness . . .'

'Huh? What do you mean?'

'By going into 'my' state, I drain your energy . . .a LOT of your energy.'

' . . .is that true?'

'Yeah . . .like that fight with the 'man in black', hoo . . .I used LOTS of your En, as well you used a LOT to start with already.'

'No wonder I got ill . . .'

'Yeah . . .but seeing your friends did make you get better over time as you didn't have to command.'

'But what about all that blood I coughed up?'

'Oh . . .that, my bad . . .I was forced to use internal stored En just to survive and . . .well that might have caused slight damage to your body.'

'You call puking blood 'slight' damage!?' Mel asked in disgust.

' . . .yeah.'

'Hmph.'

'Ah . . .oh? Sami's not in her underwear?' The voice was disappointed.

'Pervert.'

'That's the last time I saw her . . .and that's the last thing she was wearing. Heh. Pink if I recall correctly.'

'Hmm . . .'

'You should have seen me before however.'

'When?'

'Your friends happened to tape you . . .or 'me' fighting that time.'

'Ooh yeah. I remember . . .that was you.'

'Yep . . .now goodbye, I need to rest Mel.'

'Wait! Wait!' "Damn! He's gone!" Mel said out loud.

"Who is?" Sami asked walking in.

"Huh . . .? Oh nothing really."

". . .right." She walked over and placed a hand on his forehead. "Hmm . . .not even remotely feverish."

". . .what?"

". . .are you absolutely sure you're okay?" She said looking worried.

". . .yeah."

"All right then." She walked off. "I'll be in the cafeteria if you need me."

". . .kay 'mi."

Time: The next morning

Place: Mel's room

Packing up his belongings and luggage again, Mel got ready to set off to their next target, Yellow Comet.

"Ah . . .it's a good day." He turned to see Sami half-asleep on the couch. ". . .eh?"

"Mmm . . ."

". . .morning."

" . . .huh? Oh . . .morning Mel." She yawned as she stretched.

"We're setting off soon."

". . .oh." She smoothed down her shirt. "Okay . . .now shoo! I need to get changed.

"Fine . . .geez . . .you still sleep an awful lot don't you?"

"Nya." She stuck out her tongue. "I happen to like my sleep."

"Very well . . .I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Okay!" She waved to him as he walked out.

End of Chapter

A/N: Uh . . .yeah same as last time . . .I was on major hiatus . . .sorry. And . . .does anyone really care to read about these anyway? (shrugs) Oh well. Might as well finish the story . . .