Advanced Wars: Chaotic Ultimatum
Chapter 6: Wrenches and Romance
Andy was eager to test out his new invention. By nature, he had never been much of an inventor. Repairs were his forte. But, when a good idea came into his head, Andy brought it to life in a matter of hours, with some help from the Orange Star scientists. He had once invented a new jet propulsion system that had helped them win numerous battles. Another time it had been an inconspicuous yet mobile recon buoy that helped monitor the situations on the seas surrounding Orange Star. This time it was a combat simulator. In order to prepare for the battles at hand, Andy thought it would be good for a CO to be able to keep their skills sharp during the "calms in the storm". He had finished it only minutes before, and was gazing upon it in admiration. It was a booth, sort of like what one could find in an arcade. It played like a videogame too. It was designed to copy the attack patterns Black Hole had shown in the past, and present a challenge on a variety of maps. All one had to do was select a map, select yourself from the list of COs, and then set up allies and enemies. After that you chose how much money you started off with, the weather on the field, whether or not the CO powers could be accessed, etc. (sound familiar to anyone? lol). Then the battle started. Andy was ready to test it, but his imagination went wild again, and he stopped admiring and began updating. About an hour later, Sami appeared in the doorway overlooking Andy's workshop.
"Hey Andy." Andy looked up.
"Oh, hey Sami. What's up?" Sami walked down the steps and jumped up onto a pile of tank parts.
"Nothing much. What're you working on this time?"
"This Sami is my combat simulator! We can use it to practice when Black Hole's ugly mug isn't showing itself." Sami looked surprised.
"Wow! Andy that's a great idea!" Andy blushed and shuffled his feet.
"Do you really think so?" Sami jumped down from her perch, looking excited.
"Yeah! Where'd you get the idea for it?" Andy looked up at her and smiled.
"Well, I kept thinking about how a way topractice our CO skills would be of real use right now. Then I also thought about how, before I joined Orange Star, I used to love to play videogames. After that, the idea for a simulator just formed in my-"
"Is it ready?"
"Huh?"
"Well, if it's okay with you, I'd like to help you test it out." Andy just looked at her. "Not that it needs to be tested!" Sami said quickly. "I'm sure it works fine! I just… well I…" Sami faded, blushing profusely.
'Oh no! It's not that! I just didn't know if… I mean, do you really want to? It's okay if you don't…" Andy did the same. Both were silent for a few seconds. Finally, Sami broke the silence.
"I'd love to! Is it ready?" Andy, relieved that Sami had spoken, smiled and felt better.
"Well, not exactly. I have a few more adjustments to make. I decided to install a virtual reality chamber. It can fit 4 people at once with ample arm and leg room for each." Sami looked like Christmas had come early.
"Wow! Andy, you have the coolest ideas. I mean that. Orange Star wouldn't be the same without you." Andy was the color of a tomato.
"Re-really? Wow, thanks Sami…" Andy fell silent, the pride seeping through him. Then he came to his senses. "… I should probably get back to working on this thing." Andy turned to continue working on the simulator, but he felt Sami's hand on his shoulder. She looked embarrassed.
"Can… can I help? I don't really know much about this stuff, but you can give me directions and I'll do what you tell me." Andy thought about it. "Opportunities like this don't come often," Andy thought to himself. "And this is the perfect time to ask her out on a-" Andy mentally slapped himself back into focus.
"Yeah, sure Sami. I'd love your help. It'll go faster if we work together." Sami's eyes lit up.
"Great! Just tell me what to do."
"Alright. You can help with that wiring over there. Just match the colored wires with the corresponding sockets."
"Yes sir!" Sami saluted playfully, and the two of them laughed. It went on like this for hours. It actually took longer than normal, but the two of them were having fun doing it together. Finally though, it was done.
"Looks good! Everything is set. Thanks for the help Sami." Sami smiled happily.
"You're welcome Andy. That was fun! Now that it's done, can we test it out?"
"Yeah! Why not! I'll just set up the program and-"
"Hey. What're you guys doing in here?" The two looked up to see Max walking in wearing pajamas and yawning. Andy and Sami took one look and began laughing hysterically.
"Max, why are you wearing pajamas?" Andy sniggered.
"…With little footballs on them?" Sami giggled. Max looked at them like they were crazy.
"Well, about the footballs… well I just like football. As for the pajamas… well most people are wearing these at 1:00 in the morning." Andy and Sami stopped laughing.
"1:00 in the morning!?" They yelled in unison.
"Yeah. You woke me up. My room is just down the hall after all." Max yawned again.
"Oh, sorry Max. I guess we lost track of time. We'll finish up. You go back to bed." Sami smiled at him.
"You don't have to tell me twice." Max turned, his eyes already closed. "G'night guys." The two said goodnight, and Max left the room.
"Well, I guess we'll just have to test my simulator tomorrow. You go to bed too Sami, I'll clean up." Now that she knew what time it was, Sami was too tired to argue.
"Alright Andy, thanks."
"You're welcome. I'll see you tomor-" Andy went dead silent as he received a kiss on the cheek. Sami wasn't blushing, but she seemed really pleased with herself.
"Goodnight Andy." Sami paused for a moment, and then walked up the stairs.
"Good… goodnight Sami." Sami smiled again and left the room.
Andy returned to the task of cleaning up the tools, thinking about what had just happened. She had kissed him. It was only a kiss on the cheek, but it was the first step. Andy was still buried in thoughts as he switched off the light and walked to his room. Could this mean she felt the same way? This was running through his mind as he changed out of his clothes and got into bed. Finally, as he shut off the light on his nightstand, these thoughts settled on a conclusion in his mind, and it comforted him and gave him new confidence.
"Goodnight my goddess." said Andy as he slipped into an unconscious dream world.
