Ch 8: Memories

Disclaimer: Dun own PR!

Dearest readers,

This chap is dedicated to Coz' I don't know your names,Mony19, garnetred, sye04, BlueEyedDragonGirl, BrandonB, redandblackand to the rest of you who reviewed. A big thank you to all of you. You have all been very nice.

Also, here's to all doggie lovers out there, this one for you. To those who reviewed, a big thank you to you. And to the rest of you, please read and review.

Luv ya all...

The party started promptly at eight. Sydney was dressed in her pink uniform, smart and pretty. Cruger started the event by giving a long and sound speech commemorating his former B-squad, now Special Force A Squad, did glory by defeating Grumm. Right now they were important assets to S.P.D.

Next, he congratulated Sydney whose position has been reinstated as Special Force A Squad Pink. She was called upon to stage to receive her badge. Sydney posed with Commander Cruger; her new badge pinned on her uniform. Everyone clapped.

As soon as Cruger's speech was over, everyone began crowding Sydney for photo taking. She put on her best smile and started moving around the ballroom, whispering thanks much to the delight of the single and available males present. Sydney hadn't had much chance to speak to Bridge and Z, though they were nowhere in sight. She wondered where they were.

Later on in the evening, Sydney excused herself to her quarters. She was exhausted after an afternoon of patrolling with Sky. She sat down on her bed and sighed. Sydney picked up a photo frame. A picture of Jack grinned back to her. That was Jack before his haircut. She obviously preferred his shorter haircut now. Sydney felt warmth creep through her veins and steal up her cheeks as she remembered his handsome, tanned face and the way his smile had glinted and softened his features as he looked at her.

It's been a month already. Why hadn't Jack send a note to her yet? Doesn't he know that by giving him that photo of her meant anything at all? She was willing to give him a chance. The whole month without Jack talking to her, whispering love to her ears had left her feeling empty.

Sydney had waited for Jack at the beach on the day of his departure. She thought that after he saw her gift for him, he would come to her at the beach, where he claimed he proposed to her. Evidently, the wait was fruitless. Sydney bit her lips, trying to fight back the sudden urge to cry.

She swept up the pink satin gown from her bed and slipped it on, trying to forget about Jack. It was her night today. No point greeting them with tears. Sydney took a deep breath, just concentrate on tonight and dwell about everything else later. She chose this one gown, which wasby far the most alluring of them all, panels of red silk drafted from a flattened bow upon her left shoulder bare.

Despite the fact that the gown was little more than a straight tube of silk, it flattered her figure, emphasizing her breasts and hinting at the narrow waist beneath. Pink diamond earrings adorned both her ears and she gave a finishing touch with pink blusher and lipstick as well as a pair of pink matching stilettos.

Sydney heard a soft knock at her door. "Come on in, the door's not locked."

Sydney turned and saw Sky standing a few feet away from her door. He wore a blue three-piece black and white suit and was looking strikingly handsome as ever. As usual, he would no doubt toss many female heads, just like he did this afternoon.

"Hi, Sky."

"Hi, yourself. Looking as gorgeous as ever, Syd." Her glossy golden hair was swept back off her forehead and held in place with a shiny pink clip, then left to fall artlessly about her shoulders and midway down her back, where it ended in luxurious waves and curls that would no doubt gleam brightly under the moonlight. Beneath gracefully winged brows and long, curly lashes her glowing baby blue eyes were neither sapphire nor aquamarine, but a startling color somewhere in between.

"Ready?" Sky asked lifting his hand.

"As ready as can be." Sydney placed her arm beneath his and taking a deep breath, walked towards the ballroom.

XXX

"Have you all checked properly—caves and trenches? I don't expect him to run far." Jack asked in his usual commanding tone when at work. "Contact the Mexico government. I want to speak to them as soon as possible."

"Yes, Sir. All of it has been checked thoroughly but no sign of Qudamah." One of his men reported.

"Damn, this is the last thing we need now."

"And sir," a guy spoke timidly. Jack turned his attention to him. "Some of the weapons are missing as well, grenades and all." He answered nervously and swallowed hard. They respected Jack as much as they feared his temper.

Jack barked out orders to his military men, "Seal all harbor and gates. Alert the navy. Tell the air force people to get ready. The rest of you into position. I want Qudamah found even if it means turning this place upside down." Both arms on his hips. Jack had wanted this to end as plan so he could return to New Tech City as soon as possible.

"Colonel?" Miranda stood forward.

"What?" Jack asked, furious and frowning. "Sorry, I'm just tired. Never expected this." They can't afford to fail this mission. It's been a long year already.

Miranda handed Jack a bottle of water. "None of us had known Qudamah would've escaped. It seemed he had seen this coming that is he could've already planned his escape route. I highly suspect that it would be an insider job."

"That's the worst I fear. On top of that, our covers are blown already." Jack punched his fist onto a tree. "Miranda, get ready my firearms. I'm tearing this place down myself. You wait for the guys at the tent, alert me on the cell the minute anyone find a trace."

Miranda nodded. Jack threaded through the dampened forest floor. It was already nighttime. Hot humid air was redolent with honeysuckle, all mingled with rich odor of the earth and rotting vegetables as well as the crisp green scent of the leaves. The wood at night was noisy, filled with rustles as the nocturnal animals went about their business.

Jack whipped out his GPS and a torch trying to pick up any signal. This was one of the days where his morpher can be put to good use. But damn, he shouldn't have rejected Cruger's offer.

XXX

Back at the ballroom, everyone changed his or her attire as well except for some of course. Almost all the heads turned when they caught sight of Sky and Sydney walking down the stairs. They make a handsome and perfect match. Males stared at Sydney longingly while the female cadets only had eyes for Sky, their superior who did not so much as cast them a second look.

There were whisperings among the cadets.

"They make a stunning couple, you see."

"I'm not blind."

"How I wish I was holding her hands."

"Wishful thinking, guys." A female cadet smacked his head.

Sky made a face as they—Sydney and he, approached them. The cadets fell a step behind. Sydney giggled softly.

"You make a grand entrance, Syd." Sky murmured into her left ear.

"I think it's you who did. Look at the girls at that corner. They are staring at you." She chided.

"Jealous?"

"No way. Do I even need to when you are clutching my waist so tightly?" Sky blushed a little and let go of his grip slightly. Did she need to spell it out?

Both of them laughed. Sydney had successfully placed Jack off her mind and was enjoying herself at the second. Just take pleasure at present and forget the past for the time being, after all her memory was still loss right. Sydney didn't see a point to ponder.

As Sky led Sydney towards the salad bar, Sydney heard a soft, faint bark coming from behind. As soon as she turned, the faint bark grew louder. A smaller version of R.I.C padded towards her.

Bridge, Z and Boom rushed forward to chase little R.I.C while Sydney stared at them in astonishment. Sky grimaced at the sight. Boom spells trouble, as always.

"Guys?" Sydney questioned, clearly astounded. "Any of you would like to explain?" She asked the three of them who stood in front of her, still in their officer uniforms.

Bridge smiled sheepishly. "Allow me to present puppy R.I.C, version two-point-one-o." Boom and Z were smiling apologetically at each other.

"Puppy R.I.C?" Sydney repeated to herself and looked at Sky who shrugged. "Two-point-one-o? What's that for?"

By then, the party came to a halt. Sydney was once again the limelight. Puppy R.I.C jumped to Sydney like any ordinary pups would want their owner's cuddle. Sydney staggered back a couple of steps before cradling the robot pup in both her arms. "Oh, you cute puppy," Sydney crooned.

Z smiled, "Puppy's too eager to be hugged, Bridge. That's wonderful."

"Yeah, it recognizes its owner quickly. We didn't even have to introduce them."

"Just like good'ol R.I.C, its mama." Boom said, hanky in his hand.

"Hey, I didn't program it to be a female." Bridge argued.

"Doesn't matter, Bridge." Z touched his back.

"Puppy, it's mine?" Sydney asked the trio.

"Of course." Z affirmed.

"But we already have R.I.C."

"It's yours, Syd. Go on, acknowledge puppy." Cruger stepped forward coaxing her.

"But why? Not that I don't like R.I.C but…"

"For your safety as well as your companion. It's also a gift from S.P.D." Cruger explained.

Sky spoke softly, "Go ahead and claimed it your own. Everyone's waiting, Syd." Sky's warm smile assured her.

"Thank you, guys. I love him. Can I name him, Baby?"

"Of course. It's your puppy."

Puppy barked happily, having taken a liking for its new name already.

Cruger ordered Bridge to explain Baby's technical details.

"Okay, check out those skills." Boom enthused.

"All things same as R.I.C, those entertainment additions plus a modified version of a global position system built in with a totally new faster speed processor. On top of that, it's not power hungry at all. Rest assured on that, well except for it being a little more playful.

"Boom engineered the weapons system of R.I.C while I upgraded its surveillance capability as well as its sensor. Definitely faster than good'ol R.I.C." Bridge finished proudly.

"Good job, Bridge and Boom." Cruger complimented.

"Okay, so how is it that Baby's related to R.I.C?" Sydney asked.

"Let me explain that." Z offered. "Bridge took out a part from R.I.C and placed it into Baby. The memory is pretty much the same too which explains why it developed a liking for you when it sees you, just like good'ol R.I.C. Just be careful it doesn't run off with your soft toy, Peanuts."

Sydney laughed. Z had told her that Peanuts was her prized possession, much more than her cosmetics before.

"Okay. I'll take note of that."

XXX

For the next few days, Sydney spent most of her time playing with Baby. It followed her wherever she went and barked at whomever it thought was a threat when she went patrolling out in the city without Sky.

It was a good companion and a friend. Sydney was glad to have own him. This day when Sydney reported off duty and was ready for a bath, Commander Cruger called her into the command center.

Baby followed her dutifully into the command center. It barked and wagged its tail fondly when Baby saw Cruger. "Good dog, Baby." Cruger patted its head.

"I see Baby and you are doing well, Syd."

"Yes Commander, thank you for letting me have Baby. I didn't really have a chance to thank you formally last night."

Cruger nodded. "That wasn't what I call you here for, Syd. There's something I'm going to tell you."

Puppy moved around the command center, looking for something to entertain itself.

"Commander?"

"Here's your ring. Rightfully belong to Jack's. I believe you two exchanged vows and it became yours."

As soon as Sydney took the ring and stared at it intently, she got a sudden headache. Her head throbbed. Bits of memories started filling her head. The memories came and went quickly.

"Where did you find it, Commander? I thought it was lost that day I got hit."

"It was. A man sent it over just now. It was because of the S.P.D logo that he recognized, thus the reason for sending it over."

Sydney nodded in understanding. She was about to whistle to Baby when Cruger said, "Wait. There's just one more thing I need to discuss with you."

"About Jack?" Sydney asked.

Cruger shook his head. "It's about your parents. They are back to claim you."

XXX

TBC-Pls R&R