Journey to Insanity and Romance p 11

Disclaimer: I do not own Full Metal Panic or Robocop. Wish I did though.

Tuatha de Danaan and the Picture

Meanwhile, the helicopter carrying Tessa and Kalinin has started landing procedures onto the Tuatha de Danaan. Once they disembark the helicopter, Tessa softly smiles. As they reach the bridge, she sees Commander Mardukas go stiff.

"Attention on deck! Captain is on the bridge!"

"Stand easy, Commander. I even some news regarding Sgt. Sagara. It seems he has a cousin that looks just like him. Except for his scar."

"I see, Madam Captain. What was his reaction to the award and the news regarding his cousin?"

"I'd say it's pretty safe to say that he was very speechless. In shock, even. Miss Chidori sure enjoyed putting his Medal around his neck."

"I'm sure she did, Madam Captain." At that, Mardukas, Tessa and Kalinin return to the business at hand, intent on getting everything back onto routine business.

Tessa nods and says, "Helm, submerge to a depth of 500 feet and head South by Southeast at 30 knots."

Mardukas, following protocol, repeats it. "Helm, submerge to 5-0-0 and head South by Southeast at 3-0 knots."

"Aye, aye. Submerge to 5-0-0 and heading South by Southeast at 3-0 knots."

Tessa smiles in approval at the Helm's proficiency and says, "Let's go to Merida Island. I have some paperwork to catch up on in the meantime. I even have it waiting some more waiting for me on the island. I'm sure that Mithril High Command would appreciate the report regarding Sergeant Sagara's progress."

Kalinin chuckles at the thought and says, "He may be unpredictable, but at least he doesn't die so easily. If he was predictable, he'd be dead a thousand times over." That was the closest he could come to paternal pride for his destructive subordinate.

Mardukas nods and says, "As long as we're heading in that direction, you can take the time to catch up on your paperwork in your cabin, Madam Captain." As much as he disliked Sousuke in the past, he also found him to be very resourceful, even in the most trying times.

Back in Detroit, one hour later, Kaname, Ayame, Sousuke and Luke are in the break room when Sousuke sees a picture on Sheila's desk. He notices that one of the people in the picture looks nothing like Sheila.

A young woman with red hair, wearing a Maternity size wedding dress and very pregnant. With her is a young man wearing a Yarmulke and using a cane, with blond hair and an adoring smile on his face. Sousuke goes over to get a closer look at the picture, waking Sheila when he gets close to her.

Sheila grins and asks, "How's it going?"

"Pretty good, no problems here. Question. Who is this in the picture?"

Sheila smiles and replies, "Kimmy and Ron. They got married when Kimmy was seven months pregnant. Two months later, she gave birth to triplets."

"Why is Ron using a cane?"

"Ron was badly hurt by a villain during their last mission. His right knee was destroyed. Ever since then, 'Team Hawk' has taken over where 'Team Possible' left off."

Sousuke's mind reels as he recalls the name. "The 'Team Possible'? Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable got married? They look incredibly happy, Sheila."

"That they are, Sousuke. That they are."

"How long have you known them?"

"I've known them for about five years now, I think. We weren't always friends. I guess you could say we were sworn enemies. That was until my former boss got the idea to kill Ron. Just because he and Kimmy were engaged to be married. You see, I used to be Shego. That all changed for me when I found out about their joyous news and met my husband."

"That's great, Sheila." Sheila chuckles and grins at Sousuke, nodding her thanks to him.

She then gets up, stretches, claps Sousuke on the back and urges him back to the Break Room, where Kurz and Melissa had just returned from the Range to help the Police improve their gun-fighting skills. Without blowing their covers, of course.

Kurz gives Kaname and Luke a wink as he asks, "Sousuke, you wanna try shooting against one of Detroit's finest? After all, buddy, you're on stand-down now."

Sousuke looks over at Kaname and sees an enthusiastic grin on her face along with Ayame. He then turns to Luke.

When he sees Luke nod eagerly, he replies, "Affirmative. Who shall I be competing against?"

Melissa replies, "Robocop."

Sousuke frowns and says, "It wouldn't be fair to me. After all, he's got a targeting grid based on the information I had gleaned from the past news reports. I'd be at a severe disadvantage. The only way it'd be fair was if he was not to engage the grid."

He then hears Robocop say, "Good. I was hoping you'd say that. I've come to rely too heavily on my targeting grid. If it was to go down, I would need a back-up plan for gun battles. I'm in if you are."

Sousuke grins and replies, "Affirmative, sir. I've always wanted to go up against a top-notch marksman. Even if he has a targeting grid that can activate and deactivate at will."

Robocop gives Sousuke a light chuckle and says, "May the best shooter win."