Fallen Angel: Lol, you're probably right about the description of Link's injuries. The thought of Navi and Zelda having a confrontation in the future is an interesting prospect and I'll see if I can work it in.
Cjon: Thanks for the suggestion, I'll put them in bold and italicize them. Before I used to use "" those thingies to denote a heading but for some reason they never showed up
Oni: That part is coming in the future, although I don't know how soon.
Hero o Donuts: Yes, Link getting beat up is quite the hilarious thought, although in his defense he was fatigued. As for Marth, I haven't figured out his future yet although I have several possibilities which are quite interesting.
Terachi Kaishaku: Yes, he really does. Unfortunately there aren't many big round things to be blown up yet, but I'll try to figure out something spectacular. Hopefully you can get around to updating your story soon as I have been waiting eagerly for quite a while.
Janus Kamaren: lol, I would be skeptical too if I was reading this story for the first time as it is quite unusual. There will be more Marth-Zelda and Link interactions later on, but I wont say more. I have taken the opportunity to read your story and review, and just for emphasis sake, it is extremely well written.
While we're on the subject of Marth, I need to take a brief poll. Do you guys think he should be somewhat evil and egotistic, or just egotistic, because a future part of the storyline depends on it.
Still looking for an artist who would be willing to do character illustrations for this fic, it would be much appreciated.
Character and Technical Database has been updated, please go and take a look.
Transit Spacelane to Nayru Lunar Base
The wounded Pride and Cry were limping towards the base which sent out further reinforcements to discourage further pursuit. Upon nearing the perimeter of the base, the escort ships broke off for other tasks. Meanwhile, in one of the large craters below, a gigantic set of metal doors retracted revealing a massive hangar space underneath the surface of the moon.
Inside the massive hangar were several warships resting on docking cradles. On the far side, workers were swarming over the frameworks of several warships under construction while in other areas newly constructed ships awaited their crews and final adjustments. Under the guidance from a controller, the Cry was directed to a vacant docking cradle.
Bridge, H.C.N.S Freedom's Cry
Nabooru let go a relieved sigh as her ship finally docked in the haven of the hangar. After so many nerve grating days she had finally brought her ship to a relative place of safety.
"Impa, I want you to prepare a list of repairs that are most important and submit them to the techs. I'll be conferring with the command staff to see what they have in mind for us next." Nabooru ordered before stepping off the bridge.
A walkway had been brought up to one of the port side hatches and stepped down it to find an officer awaiting her.
"Lieutenant Commander Nabooru?" the officer inquired to which Nabooru replied with a nod.
"This way ma'am." The officer said beginning to lead Nabooru through hangar. Now was the first time that Nabooru had seen her ship form the outside for quite a while. What she saw surprised her. Massive holes had been blown in some parts of the hull. The bow was missing a large chunk, where a missiles barrage had blown out several forwards storerooms. Black burn marks scored the once pristine hull.
"Don't worry, the mechanics here are some of the best. They'll have your ship in fighting shape in no time." The officer said reading Nabooru's mind.
The two headed for one of the many doorways dotting the walls and were soon striding down a hallway. After an elevator ride up, and a few more turns Nabooru found herself at the door of the base's command center where the officer led her in.
"Greetings Lieutenant Commander." The Admiral in command of the base, a female fairy, greeted from a large electronic map table where he was conversing with his aides.
"Reporting as ordered ma'am." Nabooru replied.
"At ease Commander, I just wanted to debrief you a bit before you get sent out again." The admiral stated. "I must say your record so far has been quite commendable." She praised.
"Thank you ma'am." Nabooru said.
"Your maneuvers in the last skirmish allowed the Pride to survive until reinforcements could arrive. This was made all the more important as the Senator was able to survive the encounter which he might not have otherwise."
"Thank you ma'am. I have a crewmember who would be quite relieved to hear that information ma'am." Nabooru put forth.
"Of course you must be speaking about the Senator's daughter. I will have a messenger sent right away." The Admiral agreed.
"Now, as you can see commander there are several more ships of your class under construction and I would like to know how yours fared in battle." She inquired.
"The Cry is a fine ship ma'am. She's quite fast and maneuverable. She might be smaller than the other battleships but she still packs a punch. The new compartmentalization helped to minimize damage. The only thing I felt was lacking was adequate fighter support. With all due respect ma'am, I don't think six is en ough." Nabooru voiced.
"A very good assessment commander. Yes, your action reports do seem to indicate that and steps are being taken to remedy that. All subsequent ships of the Freedom's Cry's class will be built to carry ten fighters and as we speak your is being refitted now to do the same." The admiral indicated to the outline of the Cry through one of the large pane glass windows that looked out into the hangar.
"Thank you ma'am." Nabooru replied gratefully.
"Now, as for your orders." The Admiral mused while looking at the map.
"As you can see Lieutenant Commander, we're being pressed in both space and on Hyrule itself. Right now high command thinks its best if we stabilize the planetary situation first. Over here you can see Onogoro Island which lies in the ocean off the coast of the Northeast Continent. Recently IFC forces have resumed their offensive across the planet. The front is solidifying but here we have a problem. Onogoro is the only installation standing in the way of an advance on the Northeast continent from this direction. The IFC is beginning to mass forces for an assault on our installation there. We want you and several other ships to pre-empt their strike by hitting their main marshalling point for their forces here at their Uroboros Base. You will leave for the planet in two days." The Admiral said indicating what she was speaking about on the map.
"Yes ma'am."
"One more think, I believe a promotion is in order, Captain." The Admiral said with a smile emphasizing her last word and holding out the silver bars of a Captain in her hand.
"Thank you ma'am." Nabooru managed to say.
"That is all Captain, dismissed." The Admiral replied with a salute which Nabooru returned before stepping out to find the officer who had led her here earlier to take her back to her ship.
Sick Bay, H.C.N.S Freedom's Cry
Link was lying on a bed in the infirmary when he finally regained consciousness.
"Where am I?" he said in a dazed voice, blinking his eyes several times to get rid of his blurry vision..
"You're in the ship's infirmary." Navi replied from the side of the bed.
"What happened?" Link queried, still not sure what events had taken place.
"Zelda, jumped you, remember?"
"Oh, right." Link groaned as a wave of pain cascaded through the left side of the body.
"She gave you quite a working over." Navi quipped dryly.
"Damn, it hurts really bad." He moaned.
"Well just be glad you don't have a mirror, your face is like almost one large bruise." Navi teased.
"It feels like it." Link lamented.
"The doctor says you can leave tomorrow." Navi informed her friend.
"Good, I hate hospitals." Link grumbled.
"Well next time learn how to duck." Navi teased.
Link grabbed an extra pillow and threw it at her friend who deftly caught it.
"Watch it, or you might find yourself staying here forever." She shot back teasingly. "Well I really must go now, but perhaps I'll come visit again later." Navi said as a means of farewell before she left, leaving Link alone again.
Naval Hospital, Nayru Lunar Base
Zelda strode quickly through the white halls of the hospital facilities of the base having received the message that her father was alive but was in the hospital. She went through the hallways at a near run, pushing aside carts and ignoring nurses along the way who urged her to slow down. Finally, she came to the room she was looking for and went in.
"Father! Are you alright?" she exclaimed upon seeing her father.
The senator struggled to prop himself up on his pillow so that he could face his daughter with a wan smile.
"Yes, the doctors say most of the injuries are superficial and I will be out and about in two or three days." He replied. "How are you doing with your new duties Zelda?"
"Oh, its all right. Its been quite the excitement." She remarked.
"Yes, I would imagine so. Zelda, you know as your father I would be the last person to demean you. However, I've been hearing stories about you on your ship. Most of them describe you acting as aloof from other crewmembers and verbally attacking those who get in your way." He said gently.
"Those are just stories father. They must be just jealous or something of the sort." Zelda tried to respond dismissively.
"That's exactly the sort of thing I've heard, where you believe yourself above the level of mistakes and such. Zelda, you might have had the privilege to be born into a well to do family, but that does not necessarily mean that you are a better person than everyone. Rather they are your equals and you must treat them as such." The senator said, gently rebuking his daughter.
"But they're of such a low class." Zelda said back becoming a little frustrated again.
"Like I've said Zelda, class does not indicate quality personality. In fact I can testify personally to that." Her father said reminiscently.
"What do you mean?" Zelda asked, still curious.
"Zelda, you know your mother died giving birth to you. Unfortunately as my work has always kept me busy I've never had the time to tell you much about her other than what bits you might hear from others."
Zelda felt a slight pang of guilt for having led her father to bring up such memories.
"What everyone says about your mother was true, she was beautiful, smart, loving, and generous. However there is something that is always glazed over. Zelda, as you know I came from a very prominent family. Your mother on the other hand was from an impoverished family. After we became married, there were many who did not approve of the fact that one so high born married a girl of such low class. Yet, your mother was the most amazing woman I had ever seen. She was by far the kindest woman I had met and definitely kinder than the other high born ladies that I was expected to marry."
Zelda merely nodded, not quite accepting yet what her father had to say, while still deeply moved by her father's recounting.
"Now, Zelda I know you must leave soon, but there is one more issue I believe that you must address. Your commanding officer has informed me that you've had an encounter that did involve a degree of physical violence with a crewmember. However, she said that under the circumstances that your actions while not the best, were somewhat justified. That might be the end of the affair, but I believe you must apologize to this person whoever it might be for your actions."
"But…" Zelda protested before being cut off
"No buts Zelda. You must do this not because I have told you to do so, but because it is what is right. Your actions were rash and caused the suffering of another who did not deserve it." He stated.
Zelda was filled with resent for what she felt as having to debase herself by apologizing, but because she loved her father dearly and would do anything he asked, she consented.
"Good, now you must be running along as you can't stay here forever." The senator said more cheerfully. After a few more good-byes and an embrace between father and daughter, Zelda left to return to the ship.
A/N Sorry it took so long to update. Well Zelda's not too bad, she's still a very caring daughter and she's loyal to her father. Her father does tell her to change and she does acknowledge that, but as we all know change takes time, hehe. Please, please, please review.
Next time on Legend of Zelda Freedom's Cry:
Repairs are completed on the Freedom's Cry and the ship heads for the planet's surface to carry out its vital mission. The Northeast continent braces for the assault as personnel on Onogoro Island watch wearily seawards for sign of the imminent invasion.