28 Shades of Red

By Mokora

Prologue


The rust-haired boy looked about warily. He was tall and thin, 18-years-old, with a dusted pale complection. His eyes were ominous, empty, lined in ash. The centers were deep and cold, the color of raw metal and silver, glinting in the crisp morning's newborn sunlight. Indigo still stained the sky in the distance, the sun just now peeking over the speckled horizon. He flexed his arm muscles for a moment, sighing. He leaned forward, resting his arms on the cold railing, shifting his weight to his right leg. He looked lazily out at the horizon, the heavens' color filling his sleepy eyes. Running a hand through his shagged hair, he closed his eyes and rested his chin upon his arms. Choppy strands fell before his hidden eyes, the tranquil sound of waves filling his ears, then his mind. The chilly air nipped at his ears and nose.

"...Alex Greywood?"

He looked up, abruptly thrown from his peaceful trance back into warring reality, looking behind to locate who or what was beckoning to him. He saw a girl he didn't know, looking at him rather cautiously. "What's up?" He asked, not offering a smile or more formal greeting.

"Commander Corey has a request for you."

"Oh really? And what might that be?"

"I'm not sure. He wants you to report to the docks immediately."

"And if I don't?"

"...I'll wait."

He gave an unsurpressable smirk, his eyes twinkling with deviation. "Alright then. I take it you're coming with me?" He wondered aloud, pulling out a cigarette, lighting it promptly. She approached him, looking rather serious. She was quite a looker, he noticed. She had a nice figure in that female work uniform, which went along quite nicely with her pleasantly chop-layered golden-blonde hair and tan skin. Her eyes were a dazzling green, like emerald gems, he noted as he examined her more thoroughly. He'd always been one of those kinds of people; the ones that watch others, taking notes all the way, observing little traits and quirks. This was, in most cases, more entertaining than helpful.

"Yes, I'm coming with you. My name is Alice Clairemont, and I'll be working with you from here on out." She stated hurriedly, almost as if she'd rehearsed it so many times before. She then pulled the cigarette from his mouth with a disgusted look, tossing it onto the paved ground, stepping on it roughly with the flat sole of a high-heel. He looked at her, mouth open, ready to protest. "That's a horrible habit, sir." She stated flatly, silencing him. His gaze followed her as she walked away from him, now significantly annoyed. He shuffled along a ways behind her, wondering if she was always such a bitch.


Kino smiled for the first time in days. A single scarlet rose lay upon her little chestnut table in her crowded 1-bedroom apartment. She closed the door from which she'd just entered, removing her plaid berret and forest-green scarf. She strode toward the table slowly, a strange sadness pulling at her heart. She reached out, faultered for a moment, and then stroked one of the rose's leaves lightly. A drop of dew slid down onto the stem, where it trailed down until plopping onto the table. Her hand grasped the stem ever so gently, fearing its beauty might shatter at any moment. She lifted it closer to herself, examining its rich velvety petals, the little sparkles of dew resounding in the dim light. Newborn tears stung her painfully dry eyes as she turned the delicate flower in her hands. She gave a dreamy little sigh, lifting the rose to her mouth, kissing it softly. Her heart thudded peacefully within her.

"Hayami..."


The mocha-skinned man threw himself on the rickety old sofa, shaking the water from his matted grey-brown hair, curtosy of his previous shower. His apartment was rather depressing, he'd decided long before. The walls, a drab beige, were cluttered with photos, newspaper clippings, papers... Memories. Dust particles afloat, the furniture was scratched and stained, some rickety old pieces looking particularly untrustworthy. He stretched out, his thoughts straying to the gift, and what had become of it. Had she found it? He thought to himself for a moment, amused, sure she'd love it. But then he wondered, seeing as she wasn't like other girls, and didn't really seem like the type to enjoy flowers. Yes, much different than most girls. She was obedient, brave, outspoken, opinionated, well-natured, and more stubborn than anyone he'd ever met before. She was also very loud and demanding at times. With this thought, he chuckled to himself. All the better. He needed someone to kick his ass once in a while.
Alrighty! Well, I must say that I thoroughly adored all 4 episodes of Blue Submarine No. 6, which I watched just yesterday. I mean, talk about Sci-Fi thriller. I also loved the character variety, the jazzy music, and the characters themselves. Superb.

I especially liked the mutual relationship between Kino and Hayami. I loved the relationship's sequence, which began rough, in which Kino found herself saying she hated 'that man'. Slowly they became used to each other, apathy for each other slowly evolving into a friendship. Later, as Hayami's daring character tests Kino's heart and patience, she grows more fond of him. Eventually, she finds herself pleading with him, not to go out into battle alone, holding back tears. To no avail though, since he takes off anyway, leaving her to brood and be scolded for thinking about him so much by a friend.

When they both end up facing Zorndyke personally, Kino's reasons for joining the force become apparent. Hayami attempts to calm her, telling her it's not her place to kill him. She listens and backs off with difficulty, tears filling her eyes. She then does something which proves she's changed a lot towards him. She recoils to his arms for a comforting embrace, speaking the most controversial question she'd ever ask. "Why?"

He's shocked, but understands and places an arm on her back for support. He then aims his gun at Zorndyke, who could really care less about Kino's troubles or his own 'life', which doesn't exist anymore anyway.

Verg, in a fit of rage after discovering his 'Papa's' corpse being carried in a mourning line by various mutants, confronts the man who killed him: Hayami. Kino, in the ship, is dealing with other matters at the moment. Verg assaults Hayami, unable to control his anger. "You killed Papa!" He shouted, sending Hayami flying. He then lifted him with one hand, attempting to strang him. Kino, seeing this, jumps out immediately and runs over. She beats Verg, which has little to no effect, demanding that he put Hayami down. Verg, in whom I don't think could have really killed Hayami, due to his very own personal witnessing what terrible feelings death can bring, releases him. This is my favorite part in the whole series, I've come to find. Hayami is battered, victim to Zerg's overall massive size and power. Kino clings to his side, her arms tight around his neck, tears welling in her eyes. Verg nears and Hayami wraps his arm around Kino protectively, pushing himself forward, prepared to be hit instead of her. Verg reaches forward and catches one of Kino's tears on his claw. He examines it for a moment, and, just when we think he's realized that there is only pain with conflict, he tastes it. "Just salt water!" He hisses and hits Hayami once again, sending him backwards. He then retreats to the ocean, where he's greeted by Muteo. She comes forward and offers the large devastated beast an embrace. Verg accepts and Muteo wraps her arms around the beast that had hurt her before, both falling back into the ocean. This effected me deeply, proving that all the creatures created by Zorndyke thought of each other as brothers and sisters, understanding each other's pain. Muteo, despite the fact that Verg had beaten her ruthlessly before, forgave him and attempted to ease his sorrows.

Kino wraps her arms about Hayami again, thus ending episode 4 in a rather blunt cliffhanger.

It obvious that the attraction exists on a high level between the two crewmembers, and I'm here to carry it on with an extension, taking place 8 months after Zorndyke's death. I've also introduced new crewmembers, so tune in for that.

Please review and tell me what you think, since I greatly appreciate feedback! Thanks!