1Chapter 6 Kagaku Ninja Tai Gatchaman
Disclaimer: (sigh) Here we go again. The KNT and all related characters belong to Tatsunoko Productions.
Ken pulled up to the hanger at the airfield and parked his bike with a sigh. It had been long day already, and it was only mid-afternoon. His mind was still half at the J, concerned over his teammate; what in the world had gotten her so upset? It wasn't like Jun to just break down crying like that. Then to have Joe stomp in, more surly than usual and immediately demand a hard drink as well as to see Jun hand it over without question, only added to his confusion. Joe had won his race today, they'd seen the report on the afternoon news. So what the hell was his problem? And Jun rarely gave in to that demand from any of them without questioning the reason behind it. What the hell was going on? He sighed once more, it was days like this that he really wished he could read his teammates' minds. It would make things a whole lot simpler.
He'd pocketed the keys to the bike and was about to head to the house when he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Someone was watching him. Spinning on one heel, hands already in fists, he scanned the hanger yard before his gaze homed in on the familiar silhouette standing in the shadow of the house. For a brief moment a wild thought went through his mind as he registered the familiar shape of the flight helmet, 'Otosan?' He shook off the thought and approached the figure, finally recognizing Masaki's slightly grizzled features as he stepped from the shadows. Nodding slightly in greeting to his father's old comrade, he questioned, "What are you doing here?"
The older man chuckled a bit, "Came here to give you something, young one. Your father left these with us, and he wanted you to have them." Masaki handed the now startled young commander a pair of identical envelopes, "He wrote those the day before he died, told us to give them to you today. Take care of yourself Ken, we'll see you around."
Ken started to call after him as he walked back into the shadows and disappeared, but instead bit his tongue to keep the questions inside. Instead he studied the envelopes he now held. The handwriting was unfamiliar, in his memory he'd never seen his father's writing before. The front of one carried his name in a heavy masculine script, the other simply read 'Kagaku Ninja Tai.' His brow furrowed in thought as he made his way back into the house, and sat down, feet up on the radio table as he continued to stare at the missives, half lost in thought. A part of him longed to open them, to see what his father had written that last evening. And another part of him feared those same words. He'd finally come to terms with his parent's death, and did not want to reopen any of the wounds he'd finally managed to patch up; they were still raw and easily reopened. So for the moment, he did nothing but look at the envelopes, at least until a familiar beeping broke though his reverie, "G1 here."
Nambu's voice came through the link, and to Ken's ear even his sounded off today, "There's been an attack on our uranium storage facility in Indonesia. Nothing was stolen, but the facility was heavily damaged. You are to find the mecha and destroy it at once."
His usual cool demeanor already in place, Ken replied with the standard, "Roger. G1 out." He pulled on his flight gloves as he raced to his plane, not noticing that he had subconsciously scooped up the envelopes on his way out the door. Once in the air and above the clouds he gave the familiar command, "Bird Go!" Time for action.
Hours later, he climbed out of the cockpit of his jet aboard great Phoenix, and sighed as he made his way to the bridge. Another mission accomplished, and hopefully, a large blow delivered to Galactor. Unfortunately, Katse had escaped their grasp once again. He took his seat in the command chair at the front of the ship as Ryu set the coordinates into the computer to return them to Crescent Coral for debriefing. He was brought out of his thoughts as their youngest team member piped up from behind him, "Hey aniki, what's that in your hand?"
He glanced down and realized that he was holding the letters from his father. He must have picked them up on his way out of the jet. He tucked the one addressed to him alone into the back of his uniform belt, then turned in his seat to face the rest of his team, "I had a visit from Masaki earlier today just before we were called. My father left us all a letter before he died and he gave it to me today." He failed to notice that Joe and Jun did not look at all surprised by this announcement, unlike the other two. His gaze focused on the envelope once more as his brain somewhat registered the half heartedly sarcastic comment Jinpei made about 'wonder what that ol' jerk had to say' and the resulting helmet slap that could have only come from Joe. He smiled faintly at the boy's obvious curiosity and Joe's unusual step in subduing him. He slipped a gloved finger under the flap to break the seal as Ryu set the ship on auto pilot for the time being and the four gathered around to silently listen as he read the letter aloud.
Hello Ninjas,
Well, this is sayonara kids. I've done my share of pissing you all off, and you've all come out the better for it, whether you want to admit it or not. But it's time for someone else to take over that role now. However, I will leave you all with some advice.
Ryu, you're one of the best pilots I've met of any age. Don't doubt yourself or your abilities. Your teammates believe in you, as do Nambu and I. All you have to do is believe in yourself.
Ryu flushed a bit under his visor and looked down, slightly embarrassed. Jun gave his shoulder a light squeeze and a smile as Ken continued to read.
Jinpei, you're growing up to be a fine young ninja, as well as a young man who's doing very well in the adult world he's been made to see way too soon. A small piece of advice, if you act mature, you'll be treated that way much faster. I know it isn't easy, being the youngest, but give it a try. You might be surprised.
The Swallow's chest puffed up a bit at the praise, before his face took on a slightly confused look, wondering if he should take that last part as an insult. Another light bop to the helmet had him looking up at Joe's smirk, "Just take it at face value kid."
"Be quiet, Joe-aniki. Wonder what he had to say to you."
"Shut up and listen then."
Ken rolled his eyes and continued reading, glancing up at Jun in mild curiosity as he read the next line;
Jun, remember what I said. Try to keep the boys in line, hit them in necessary. Hard.
That got a muffled giggle from Jun as well as a threatening glare in Joe's direction. He backed away a bit, not willing to be the first victim of that order.
Joe, try not to kill Nambu just yet. I want him to live to see Ken's kids.
At this Ken flushed a bit, as did Jun, while Joe began to roar with laughter. The other two boys' snickers had Ken hurrying to continue, before he got any redder and someone noticed it under his visor tinting.
Ken, don't make the same mistakes I did. Devotion to duty is an honorable thing, but try to remember to allow yourself to be a human being as well.
He filed that comment in the back of his mind to consider later as he read the closing.
Take care of yourselves and each other. I'm proud of you all. Fly safe, I'll be watching over you.
Kentaro
The five stood for a few minutes, each in their own thoughts regarding the letter's words and advice. The silence was broken by the auto pilot's signal of their approach to the Crescent base, and they resumed their usual positions for the docking. As they disembarked, Jinpei risked a question, "Hey aniki, what was the other envelope?" only to be hushed by his sister with an admonishment to mind his own business. Ken rubbed the boy's helmet but did not reply as they made their way up to Nambu's office for debriefing. The letter remained in his belt. He would think about that later. Maybe.
A/N: Arigato for your patience minna-san. Sorry this took so long, Kentaro decided he needed a mid winter break and then school caught up with me. I hope to finish this one off soon, so I can concentrate on my other stories. Ja ne.
Gold Angel: As always, your words of encouragement helped me get through this chapter. You made me blush this time. And yes, I think that a stand off between Kentaro and Joe would have turned into one of the biggest stalemates in history. Talk to you soon.
BrennaM:Thank you so much. Hope this lived up to standard.
Female Heero Yuy: Thanks! Kentaro surprised me with a bit of humor in that chapter and again in this one. Hope you liked.
Faux Fox: If my writing sends anyone back to their DVDs, then I have accomplished my goal! lol. Hope you had fun at the convention. Sorry this took so long.
Dyrne-Faemne: Thank you. Ken's is going to be the hardest one. And I haven't forgotten you, real life has just kept me hopping lately. I'll email you ASAP.
Moonjava: Glad you're enjoying the story. Please hang in, one chapter left to go.
Denise Allen: Thanks for the support. I'll have to look for that fic after I finish this one. Bar Red deciding to leave me in the lurch again, Ken's should be up soon. Ja.