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: Some days later

Place: Neutral Zone

After their conquest of Yellow Comet, the crew found their way to Green Earth. Stopping within a neutral area, they decided to take a much needed break for a few days. However, there seemed to be more to it than even being able to have a nice break. . .

Mel groaned and climbed out of his bunk, shaking off the remnants of a somewhat blissful sleep.

". . .blah. . .it's fricking hot in here. . ." He shuffled off to the bathroom and turned on the cold water tap. Letting it run a bit and splashing some on his face, he then looked down and saw that the water had stopped. . . "What the? Aw man. . ." He grumbled, and tried to flick on the lights. . .nothing. ". . .!? Neh?" He grumbled some more and looked at the switch. "Hmm. . .power out?"

"Eek!!!" Came a scream from the room down the hall. Sami had woken up earlier than Mel, and was in the middle of taking a shower. Both the lights and the water had apparently gone out in the entire HQ. "Mel!!! What the heck is going on in this base!?"

"Coming! Coming!" He quickly made his way through to her room. "What's the matter?"

"I was showering, then all the lights and water went off!" She moaned from the bathroom. "And now I can't see a thing and I'm still covered with soap to boot!"

". . .great. . ." Mel sighed.

"I'm sitting on the floor of the shower, now if you mind, can you toss me a towel and leave a light here or something?" She whined.

"Fine, fine." He tossed her a towel and he walked out of the room and searched for a flashlight.

"Mel?"

"Uh huh?"

"Um . . .did you find one yet?"

"Nope."

"Darn . . .ooh. . .now what am I gonna do? I'm still covered in soap. . ."

"I'll go heat some bottled water or something. Just wait." He headed downstairs for the mess hall of the HQ and went in search of water. He ended up finding a few cold bottles. "Eh!? This is it? Just great. . ." He came back and then unceremoniously dumped it on Sami, who was standing in the bathroom.

"Eek! Hey!"

"There we go."

"Mmm. . ." She whined.

"Neh. No more water left either."

"What!?"

"At least the soap is gone now."

"Hmph!" She pouted and stormed off to her room. "This stinks. Just when everything seemed just fine."

"Ah . . .what a day this is gonna be . . .phew . . .even I think it's hot . . .what a lousy break."

Time: Moments later

"Ugh . . .Mel . . ." Sami whined. She was still wrapped in her towel.

"What?"

"I feel icky."

"Isn't that just because you're covered in soap residue or something?"

"Yes . . .but it still feels icky."

"Do I look like I can do anything? It's too damn hot to do anything anyway . . ."

"Hmph. But . . ."

"Well just sit like that or something. It's probably better than wearing your uniform or something."

"Ah . . .I wish I could just find some stupid pond or lake or something to jump in . . ."

"Hmm . . .but those usually are pretty gross during this time."

"Aw . . ."

"I'll see if I can find any more water. If I can, then you can go dump it over yourself or something."

"Okay." She nodded.

Place: Mess Hall

"Yo, anymore bottled water?" Mel asked.

"Huh? Yeah . . .should be some in the supply crates that just arrived."

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

Place: Supply Drop Zone

". . .well let's see . . .oh. That looks like it." Mel said as he examined the open boxes. "Yup . . .I'll take this entire case then." He heaved it back with him.

Place: Sami's room

"I'm back."

"That was fast." Sami said, without looking up from the couch.

"It's not that hard to look for water here."

"Oh?"

"Well . . .here you are."

"Hmm? Thanks!"

"Guh . . .I hope the power and stuff gets normal again. It's a pain like this."

"Yeah . . ." Sami got up. "Mel, can you take the water in the bathroom? There's no way I'm lifting it in this kind of heat."

"Huh? Oh fine."

"You're a sweetheart."

"Oh?" Mel said as he placed it in the bathroom.

"Well then, I'll see you later."

"Hmm? Okay."

Time: Afternoon

"Ugh . . .so . . .humid . . .so . . .hot . . ." Andy groaned as he fanned himself with their latest set of orders.

"Can't be that bad . . ." Max said as he emptied the contents of another bottle of water over his head.

"Ugh . . .it is." Andy said as he unbuttoned his jacket and tossed it onto the floor.

"Where are the other two?"

"Mel and Sami?"

"Yeah."

"Well . . .I think Mel fell asleep somewhere and Sami's lying on the ground in her swimsuit or something."

"How can Mel sleep in this heat?"

"Who knows? He's probably exhausted or something."

"Yeah . . ."

"How are the troops doing?"

"Huh? Just fine I think. There shouldn't be any problems other than this sticky heat."

"Ugh . . ."

Place: Mel's room

Mel had fallen asleep on the floor under his desk because it was the only place with a decent amount of shade.

"Now where is he?" Sami said as she walked in. "Hmm . . .weird . . .no one else saw him leave this room . . .and I doubt he'd be stupid enough to jump out the window in his state."

"Hmm . . .?" Came a moan.

"Huh? Mel? Where are you?"

". . .desk . . .underneath . . .sleep . . ."

"Wha?" Sami walked over and peered under Mel's desk. "What the . . ."

"It's the shadiest place I could find without moving a long distance."

". . .oh."

"What are you doing in a swimsuit?"

"It's too hot to wear anything else . . .and there's no way in hell I'm gonna wander around naked."

"Like you didn't do that at home."

"That doesn't count!" She said defensively as her face went red.

"Well if you insist." Mel yawned.

"Um . . .are you hungry or anything?"

"Nope."

"Okay."

"What are you going to do? Nothing works right now and there's far too much heat . . ."

"I'll see."

"Well . . .I'm gonna go lie down on the couch."

"Go ahead."

Time: Evening

"What . .. do . . .we . . .do . . .now?" Andy groaned.

"Pray that someone fixes the power." Max mumbled.

". . .wait a second . . ."

"What is it Mel?"

". . .can't ANDY fix the power?" Mel said pointing at the mechanic in front of him.

"Uh . . .yeah." Sami said.

". . .why didn't I think of that EARLIER!? ANDY! Move your ass and fix it now!"

"But I don't wanna . . ."

"Move or we'll all beat you into a pulp."

". . .eep . . .!" With that, Andy ran off.

"Do you think it's going to work afterwards?" Sami asked.

"I hope so . . .or else it's a whole lot of government funding wasted on a stupid mechanic that is incapable of doing a thing."

"Haha . . ."

Time: The next morning

Fortunately, Andy did manage to fix the power last night, so everything went back to normal, as they prepared to leave to their next destination.

"And away we go." Max said bored.

"So what are we up against now?"

"Well . . .probably Green Earth's navy Andy." Max replied.

"Cool. That seems interesting."

"Well . . .we'll see soon enough. Okay . . .so who's in command Mel?"

"Hmm? Oh . . .whoever."

"Fine. I've got it." Max said.

"Sure. Have fun."

"You're not too enthusiastic . . ."

"Well . . .of course not." Mel said yawning. "Stupid oppressive Green Earth heat . . .it's not only hot . . .but stupidly humid as well."

"I agree . . ." Sami said. "And black is not the best color for a car in this situation. Right Mel?"

"Sad but true. I'm having the car being transported back home. We're stuck going by the military transports."

"Well . . .anything but an APC. I hate those." Sami said.

"Okay . . .recon it is." Mel said. "I guess we'll just . . .go then."

Time: 8:00 p.m.

After finally getting used to the heat, the Orange Star forces had made it to a rather . . .remote region of Green Earth.

"Islands . . .islands and more islands . . .how can the people here live?" Mel asked as he tried to peer through the Fog with his binoculars.

"Let me see." Sami said as she took them from his hands. "Wow . . .looks pretty boring."

"Like I said. Islands . . ."

"Hmph. At least the weather's . . .kinda nice. The Fog does make it a bit cooler in this region."

"So what are we up against Mel?"

"I dunno . . .looks like Captain Drake's navy."

"Well that definitely made my job harder." Max said.

"Well stop complaining and we'll find out soon enough. But first things first . . .let's set up HQ and get some rest before taking them on."

"Yeah . . .sounds good." They agreed.

Time: Morning

Sami sat at the foot of her bunk. She kicked her feet gently as she hummed quietly. Tugging her headband loose and tossing it aside, she flopped down onto the stiff mattress with a sigh.

"What's the matter?" Mel said as he walked in.

"Nothing. I'm just tired again."

"You getting enough sleep?" Mel asked, sitting on her bunk.

"No."

"Why?"

"I didn't feel like it." She said. Her left sock was on the floor, and the other one was part way off.

"Hmm . . ." He pulled off the other sock. "Then get some sleep."

"But . . ."

"Don't worry, Max has it covered."

"Hmm . . ."

"Just get some sleep then. I'll wake you up later."

"But . . ."

"I'll call you when it's dinner or something."

"If it's okay with you . . .I'll sleep then."

"Sure it's fine." Mel said closing the door behind him.

"Ah . . .I guess he's right . . .I really haven't gotten enough sleep in this stuffy weather." With that, she threw the rest of her uniform to the ground and slid beneath the sheets.

Time: Later

There was a knock on the door, and it caused Sami to stir slightly.

"Hmm . . .?"

"Come on, wake up."

"Mmph." She pressed her face into a pillow. "Don't wanna."

"Don't make me come in there."

"Fine . . .fine." Sami slowly got up and partially opened the door. She stuck her head out.

"Aren't you coming out?"

"Perhaps . . .AFTER I get some clothing on?" She said sticking her tongue out at him.

"Oh!" His face went red. "Sorry."

"Ah . . .it's okay. It's not like you haven't seen me in my underwear before." She blushed. "Just wait a second 'kay?" She left the door open and pulled on some casual clothes. "Okay." Mel had turned away to face the outside of the room. "You know, I don't mind if you look Mel."

"Oh?"

"That is just as long as you don't ever tell anyone what color my panties are." She said glaring.

". . ."

"Just kidding! But . . .seriously, don't tell okay?"

"Haha . . .all right."

"But just to make sure this time around . . .what color are my panties?"

"WHAT!?"

"Well . . .did you peek or not?"

"Um . . ."

"Then what color are they?"

". . .powder blue?"

"Wrong! Are you lying?"

"Um . . .no."

"Oh good!" She gave him a hug, then she whispered into his ear. "Actually, they're white today."

". . ." Mel's face burned bright red. "Um . . ."

"Well then . . .let's go!"

'Help me someone . . .' Mel thought silently to himself.

Place: Mess hall

"Ah . . .so how is it going Andy?"

"Hmm? How's what going?"

"The battle."

"Well no action yet . . .I think we're just trying to size each other up."

"Well that's just boring."

"I know."

"Hmm . . .what's the weather gonna be?"

"I dunno, but it might rain or something."

"Well I guess rain is better than what we have now."

"Yeah . . ." Andy said absently.

"You know Andy, there's something weird."

"What's that Sami?"

"You know everyone's been attacking us right?"

"Yeah . . ."

"Well . . .what are you gonna do after you find the one who's been framing you?"

"I'm gonna beat him down so bad that . . ."

"That's if we manage to find him." Mel cut in.

"Huh . . .right." Andy sighed. "Oh . . .say . . .just outta curiosity . .. but how come Sami's always outta uniform lately?"

"Hmm? Oh that." Mel said. "She's got my permission."

"What? Isn't that a bit unfair?"

"Well, do you wanna complain to me about it or something?" Mel asked.

"Um . . .no."

"Well then leave it at that. She can dress more or less however she wants as long as I'm around."

"Ah . . .can I do that?"

"Denied."

"But . . ."

"I can't do that for everyone."

". . .isn't this a double standard or something . . .?" Andy muttered.

"You still sure you wanna argue it with me?"

"Um . . .no."

"Good . . .we'll leave it at that."

Time: The next day

"Bleh . . .it's rainy." Sami said staring out Mel's window.

"Oh?"

"Yeah . . .and I wanted to go out and take a look . . ."

"Well don't. You'll just get wet."

"Hmm . . .okay . . ." She nodded.

"What's Max doing right now?"

"He's currently moving our naval forces to meet Drake's."

"Oh . . .okay."

"Why?"

"Just wondering."

"Okay then Mel."

"Ah . . .stop staring out the window and sit down or something. You're making me nervous."

"Hmm? Okay." Sami said taking a seat next to Mel. "Mmm."

"What?"

"Ooh . . ." She gave a small yawn.

"Not enough sleep again?"

"Sorta."

"You're gonna get sick if you keep that up."

"Well what about you? Whenever I come over to your room and check on you, you're always star-gazing."

"Oh . . .I have my excuses."

"Hmph."

"But still . . .I think it's best you stay concentrated at what's at hand. Going about checking if I'm asleep isn't good for you. You should just stay in your room, okay?"

"Ah . . .fine."

"You can go bother me in my room all you want after this is all done, okay?"

"Aw . . ."

"Well . . .I guess I'll just go and see how Max is doing."

"Okay."

Time: The next sunny day

"Ah . . .it looks nice out. I think I'll go take a look." Sami said to Mel as she made her way out the HQ.

"Hmm? Oh sure. You do that." Mel said raising his head from his desk.

"See ya."

"Yeah . . ." Mel's head hit the desk with a thud. He was still rather worn out after his ordeal at White Sun.

'Hey!" came Andy's voice.

"Huh . . .?"

"You just gonna sit there?"

"Yeah."

Hmm . . ."

"Well . . .what now?"

"I don't know . . .but something's weird about the atmosphere . . ."

"Oh?"

"FIRE . . .um . .. WATER IN THE HOLE!!!" Came the loudspeakers.

"Huh . . ." Mel stared out the window. "Crap."

"What?"

"Tsunami."

"Oh . . .that again." Andy said.

"Did 'mi just go out – " He was cut off by a shrill scream followed by water smashing downwards. ". . .OH! SAMI!!!" Mel leapt up from his seat and jumped out via his window.

". . .he always does that . . ." Andy sighed, as he made his way down the stairs to the outside.

Place: OS HQ Compound

Lying face down on the ground, sopping wet, was Sami.

"Ugh . . ."

"Whoa!" Mel landed on the soggy ground a few meters from her. "Note to self, don't defy laws of nature and physics after a tidal wave . . .ground is icky."

"Ooh . . ." Sami groaned.

"You all right?"

"A-a-a-achoo!" She sneezed.

I told you that you'd get sick . . ."

"It was cold . . ." She said wringing out her top.

"Are you hurt?"

"Nope. I kinda dove for ground first. Then it was kinda like a wave pool . . .cept with high pressure.

"Nothing's broken then?"

"No . . .a-a-a-achoo! Ugh . . .I'm cold though . . ." She shivered.

"Let's get you back inside then." He had her put on his coat and take off her wet clothes.

"A-a-a . . .achoo!"

"Okay . . .back to bed with you and you're not doing a thing until you get some more sleep and get better."

"But . . .a-a-achoo!"

"No buts. You're toweling off and staying in your room for the rest of this week."

"Ooh . . ." She whined. "Achoo!"

"Now go. I'll wring out your clothes."

"Mm-kay." She clutched the coat closer to her body and quickly made her way upstairs.

"Ugh . . .I knew she'd get sick . . .just not the moment she'd get sick . . ." Mel muttered to himself as he squeezed every drop of water out of the white top. "These clothes are gonna shrink if I don't get them washed." He finished twisting out most of the water and tossed the clothing into the laundry hatch.

Making his way back upstairs, Mel found Sami in her pajamas, blow drying her hair.

"Mmm . . .if you're looking for your coat, it's in your room drying."

"Thanks Sami."

"I didn't get it too wet."

"Don't worry. Just get to bed, and I'll get a medic to check you later."

"Okay." She shivered again.

"Later 'mi."

"Kay." She sneezed again. "Oogh . . .I don't remember the last time I got sick . . .oh . . .no . . .wait . . .that was during spring . . .ugh . . ." She plopped onto her bed. "Mmm . . ." She let out a whine. "A-a-a-choo! Bleh . . .I hate this."

Time: Afterwards

Mel made sure that she was not to leave her room, by simply placing himself in the way of the door from the inside.

"But . . .Mel . . ."

"Like I said . . .you're staying."

"I'm hungry though . . ."

"Well . . .I'll get Andy or someone to bring up some food."

"Achoo! Ooh . . .I hate being sick."

"Hmm." He gave her a bemused grin and laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"I still remember how much trouble you caused me last time you got sick."

"Eh? You still remember?"

"Yeah . . .and you decided to get sick just before exams. Geez."

"Heehee . . ."

"Well it's a good thing you got better really quickly."

"Yeah . . ."

"Well . . .I doubt Max'll need my help . . .so I'll stick around."

"Okay."

"Is it really that easy for you to get sick?"

"Hmm? Yeah." She nodded.

"Poor thing. You do get better right?"

"Hey! I did last time didn't I?"

"Yeah . .. after about three weeks of slave labor on my part . . ."

"Hmph."

"Just teasing."

"Mmph." She pouted.

"Ah don't do that . . .you're not a little kid . . .even though you act like one at times."

"But Mel . . ."

"I know you're more mature that."

"I am . . .but you do know I blame you."

"Haha . . .yeah."

Time: Meanwhile

Place: ???

Sonja made her way to the now empty enemy HQ.

"I've got to find out what's going on . . .I've got to find out where these clones are coming from . . .and who's pretending to be Andy . . ."

Place: ???

Grit stood with his gun at ready.

"Tell me who sent you varmint."

"Black . . .Maelstrom . . .rising . . ."

"Wrong answer!" He shot the clone's foot.

"Black . . .Maelstrom . . ." Came it's pained reply.

"Dammit!" Grit said getting fed up. He shrugged and simply finished the clone off with a shot to the head. "I'll check out this darned computer instead . . .I've had better luck communicating with a brick wall either way . . ."

Place: OS HQ

"Achoo!"

"Bless you."

"Thank you." Sami wrapped the sheets around her. She sneezed again.

"Bless you."

"Thanks . . .can I get some hot cocoa or something?"

"Huh . . .sure. I'll just get Andy to do it." Mel said lifting up his transmitter. "Yo! Get your cousin a hot chocolate."

"All right." Came the reply.

"Thanks Mel." Sami said leaning against him.

"Your welcome."

"Mmph. This is what . . .still the second day right?"

"Sadly, yes."

"Ooh . . .I hate this."

"You've been sick for less than twelve hours and you're already whining? That must be a new record for you."

"Nya." She stuck out her tongue at him.

"Do you really have to be so . . .immature?"

"Yes."

"Fine . . .fine . . ." Mel closed his eyes and leaned against the wall.

"Um . . ."

"Yeah?"

"I've been wondering . . .how come most countries only seem to have a few commanding officers. How come we've got the most?"

"I dunno."

"Well . . .don't the other countries have more commanders?"

"Not that I remotely know of."

"Oh . . ."

"But I recall that there used to be Kanbei's teacher or something like that."

"Oh?"

"I'm not too sure . . .but yeah."

"Hmm. Achoo!"

"Bless you again."

"Bleah . . ." She sniffled.

"Room service!" Andy said chuckling as he opened the door. "You okay Sami?"

"Yeah . . ."

"Here ya go."

"Thanks Andy."

"Well then, I'm off to see what Max is doing. See ya."

"(sniff) Mmm. This is good." Sami said sipping her drink.

"Well that's good to know."

"Mel?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you gonna really stay here all day?"

"Yeah."

"Won't you get sick?"

"Ah . . .you just probably have the sniffles or something. You should be fine in a couple days."

"Oh."

"And I probably won't catch it."

"Hmm."

"Don't even think about trying to think up a way of giving it to me though. I'll be quite annoyed."

". . .aw phooey. How'd you know I would try something like that?" "Because you're you and I'm me."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Absolutely nothing." He laughed.

". . .okay . . ."

"Well . . .I guess that should be enough."

"Enough what?"

"Time spent wasted for the time being. Just finish your drink and go to sleep okay?"

"Kay."

'Well . . .she does behave very well for you doesn't she?'

' . . .you again.'

'But of course.'

'What do you want this time?'

'Nothing really.'

'Then why are you – '

'I just want to see her 'cute' face, like when she listens to you and stuff.'

' . . .oh.'

'And I must say, her cute face is quite . . .cute.'

'Hmm.'

'Well . . .I shouldn't be bothering you. You have important things to do, don't you?'

'Not really.'

'Oh. What a bore.'

'Well that's my life. Live with it.'

'Hmm . . .sometimes I wonder. But oh well . . .I guess this is pretty good.'

"What is?'

'Your life.'

'Oh.'

'So good luck with that then Mel.' Dark said.

'Ah . . .sure.'

'Bye.'

"Mel?"

"Huh? Yeah?"

"G'night." She said. "I guess I might as well try to get some more sleep."

"That's good." Mel said. "Well . . .if you need anything . . .I'll be on the floor."

". . .sounds like you'll sleep on almost anything but a bed Mel." Sami said, laughing weakly.

"Very funny."

Time: Two days later

"Almost . . .there . . ." Max said.

"We're gonna win this one!"

"Well . . .here's hoping. Finish him off!" Max shouted, as the submarines fired at the last battleship.

"And he's sunk . . ."

"Looks like we've won this round."

"A message from the Green Earth HQ."

"A job well done. You've won this round." Drake said.

". . .huh? So it was you Captain."

"Aye, t'was me."

"Then . . .do you know what's going on?"

"Nay . . .I wanted to find some answers this way . . .but I've just found myself more questions. I'll be seeing you all again. Say . . .where's the red haired lass and that . . .psychopath?"

"You mean Sami and Mel?" Andy asked in reply.

"Aye, those two."

"Um . . .I think Sami caught a cold and Mel's with her or something."

"Oh . . .that's quite interesting. Anyway . . .farewell lad."

Place: Sami's room

"Did we win?" The girl asked.

"Huh . . .judging by the looks of it . . .yeah."

"Yay . . ."

"Don't seem too happy about."

"I know the people of Green Earth are good people . . .there's just something bugging me about why they'd attack us . . .after all, doesn't Orange Star have a treaty with them or something?"

"Well technically yes we did . . .however 'we' broke the treaty first. So that gives them the right to come and attack us."

"Well . . .so much for tact and diplomacy . . ." Sami sighed.

"Yup. Say . . .you look a lot better today."

"Hmm? Guess so."

"Well . . .do you feel okay?"

"Huh? Yeah." She nodded.

"Well . . .we'd better get a move on. You can manage right?"

"Yes . . . I think so."

"I don't want to push you too far though."

"I'll be fine." She said making a face.

"If you say so." Mel nodded. "Well . . .I've already finished packing our stuff either way. So . . .good to go then?"

"Hmm . . .I guess, since we won't be able to find anything else if we don't go."

Time: The next day

They had reached their next objective point and had set up HQ that night. As morning arrived . . .

"Hmm . . ." Mel made his way over to Sami's room to wake her up as usual. Quietly opening the door, he was shocked to find her in a state of undress. He had opened the door and found her in the middle of pulling off her nightshirt.

'Good morning . . .euh!?" He then ran out of the room and slammed the door shut.

"Good . . .hmm?" Sami still shaking off the effects of her case of the sniffles squinted her eyes sleepily. "I could have sworn that was Mel's voice . . ." She shrugged and fumbled a bit, tossing off the shirt and pulling on another. After getting dressed, she opened the door and found Mel sitting against the wall, his face incredibly red. "Um . . .morning? Was that you just a second ago?"

". . .ah . . .yeah, sorry about that." Mel said.

"About what?"

"I kinda saw . . ."

"Oh . . .oh. So?"

"Yeah . . .um . . ."

"You don't have to apologize."

"Hmm . . ."

"Like it matters Mel, you've seen me naked who knows how many times by accident on my part anyway." She said giggling.

" . . ."

"Oh well." She sat next to him on the ground.

"Hmm."

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Did you like what you saw?"

"Um . . .I'd like to refrain from answering that question."

"You're no fun you know?" She said pouting.

"Ah . . .your hair is kind of back to normal." Mel said playing with her red locks.

"Huh?"

"Yeah, it's grown back a bit."

"Oh!" She ran to go take a look in the mirror. "You're right!" Her red locks had grown back to almost their original length.

"Yeah."

"I'm not gonna cut it this time around."

"Why not?"

"Because you can overrule their orders."

"Abusing military power are we?" Mel laughed.

"Hey!" She said crossly.

"Sorry, couldn't help it."

"Hmph."

"Just teasing." Mel said as he got up and headed downstairs. "Come on, let's get to work. I wonder what's next?"

"Kay! Let's go!"

Time: Later

Place: Mess Hall

They sat at the table chatting. Mel silently sipped his coffee as he leafed through their orders as Sami argued with Max and Andy about something trivial.

"Hmm . . .interesting." Mel mumbled to himself.

"What is?"

"Well . . .army's having supply issues again . . ."

"So?"

"We're in for some trouble I guess . . ." Mel shrugged.

"Bleh." Sami made a face.

"Well . . .can't be helped." He stood up. "Okay . . .Sami, wanna take a go at it?"

"Um . . .do I have to?" She didn't look too happy.

"It'd be preferable."

"But . . ."

"Ah . . .I'll cover for you for a little bit."

"Okay. So what are we up against?"

"Drake's armada . . .again."

"Well . . .okay."

"Our mission is to take the Green Earth HQ . . .and protect some landers or something . . ."

"Landers? Not one?"

"Ah . . .I think there's two or something."

"Bleh . . ." She made another face.

"Still . . .this is lame." Mel sighed.

"I agree."

"Well, we've got our orders . . .let's move."

Time: Noon, some days later

"Bleh, can't see a thing in this fog." Sami said.

"Hmm?" Mel looked up from his game.

". . .must you play that?"

"Yep."

". . .what are you playing?"

"A strategy game."

"Oh?"

"It's a little war game where you have little people going about killing other little people."

". . .how . . .interesting." Sami said with distaste.

"I know. Oh . . .I feel something."

"What?"

". . .I can't put my finger on it . . .but it feels like a huge En build up . . ."

". . .wait a sec . . .huge En build up?"

"Yeah."

". . .eep."

"Huh?"

"Everyone hang on!" Sami yelled. "It's coming!"

". . .ah dammit . . ." Mel muttered as he put away his game. "Incoming tidal wave!"

"Whoa!" All the occupants of the room braced for the impact as the windows shattered when the wave hit, and water began rushing into the room.

". . .is it over?" Sami asked.

". . .gah . . .soaking wet again. I should stick to the upstairs rooms . . .it's not as bad."

"Guess it is over . . ."

"Let's just get this over with!"

"Understood!"

"Prepare all troops for head quarter capture."

Time: Week and some days later, midst of battle

Place: Further into Green Earth

Mel had taken command in the battle against Eagle. And after much deliberation, Orange Star emerged victorious.

"Eagle!"

"Mel! What do you think you're doing protecting Andy!?"

"He didn't do it!"

"Prove it!"

"Ah . . .it won't matter . . .you won't believe me either way Eagle."

"Fine . . .humor me."

"Well . . .during Andy's so called assault on everyone else, Orange Star was being attacked by Blue Moon, so therefore, by using normal logic and common sense, it'd be obvious that Andy couldn't be able to pull off such an attack on Green Earth, whilst holding off Blue Moon."

"Hmm . . ." Eagle looked thoughtful. "Interesting . . .but if that's not enough to completely convince me. I still think you were up to something. If you were lying, you'll curse the day you were born . . ."

"Whatever fly-boy . . .we're outta here." Mel said cutting the connection.

Time: The next day

Place: Green Earth

". . .hmm . . .I can't figure it out . . .but . . ."

"Hello there Eagle." Sonja said.

". . .huh? Oh . . .Miss Sonja . . .how are you?"

"Like Mel and his friends said . . .Andy didn't do it."

"Do you know anything about this?"

"Perhaps . . .I did some digging, and there is a relationship with the man in black a year or so ago as well as the Christmas incident the year before . . ."

"Oh?"

"Come along with me . . .I'll tell you what I know."

"But . . .what about Green Earth?"

"I'll handle it Eagle." Drake said.

"Very well, thank you Drake."

"I'll take a close look at our young friends from Orange Star."

Place: Orange Star outpost

"And we're off." Andy said.

"So . . .who's up this time?" Sami asked.

"Andy." Mel said yawning.

"Oh?"

"Do it in a week Andy."

"But . . ."

"I don't care how you do it, just do it." Mel stated.

"Damn. Fine . . .uh . . .what're we supposed to do?"

"Track down a lone lander in the region. Then blow it up."

"Is that all?"

"Yup."

"Okay . . .I can do that!"

"Mel . . ."

"Yeah 'mi?"

"I'm gonna take a break okay?"

"Sure thing." Mel nodded. "Max, you too."

"Gotcha."

Time: A week later . . .

"Arrgh . . .you got me!" Drake groaned.

". . .well . . .I hope that's it . . ." Mel said looking into the distance. "Ah . . .this stupid fog has finally cleared up."

"Yeah . . .it has." Sami said.

". . .huh? What the hell is that island? I've never seen that before . . ." Mel said.

"Really?"

"Yeah . . ."

"Hmm . . ."

"Well . . .it's best we go see what the heck it is . . .then deal with it."

"Oh!" Sami exclaimed.

"What's wrong?" Mel asked her.

". . .there seems to be . . ." She peered through her binoculars. "Some sort of fighting going on there!"

". . .well . . .let's go then. I think there's something amiss."

"Then let's check it out Mel!"

"Gotcha!"

End of Chapter