Chapter 13

Kito stood in shocked silence as Jinpei was led away in restraints.

"Our timetable has been moved up." Lord Katse announced. "If the Swallow is here, it is likely that the rest of the Science Ninja Team knows about Arachnotron as well. We will launch our attack immediately!"

"Yes, Sire." the men surrounding the Galactor leader all bowed.

"However, Captain Jenkins is no longer able to fulfill his duties." Katse grimaced. He looked around at the soldiers and officers surrounding him.

"Men, what are your sizes?"

Calling off in order, the men shouted out the requested information.

"38L, Sire!"

"40R, Sire!"

and every other variety possible. Kito was confused, but when his turn came, he shouted out his answer as well.

"36L, Sire!"

When they had all finished, Lord Katse smirked, turning to Kito.

"Well, Sergeant Abbott, it appears that you are being promoted. Congratulations Captain."

"Captain?" Kito was astounded. "Me? But why?"

"Well, you built Arachnotron, so no one knows more about this mecha than you do. And you're the one who came up with this plan to defeat the Science Ninja Team in the first place."

Kito smiled. He was being recognized for his talents.

"But most importantly," Katse added, "you fit the uniform."

Two soldiers rushed in, carrying the late Captain Jenkins' uniform. As with most Mecha Captain uniforms, it was designed to match the mecha under his command. Kito stared, horrified, at the garment displayed before him.

"You mean… I have to wear that?"

Mocking laughter erupted from Lord Katse's throat.

"It was your idea to make this mecha in the shape of a spider, Captain Abbott." Katse reminded him.

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Kito got dressed, once the mecha had left the base and was on its way to San Frangeles, its target of attack.

The costume looked worse on him, than it did on the hangar. In keeping with the spider theme, the top half of Kito's face was covered by a black mask; with two eyeholes covered by some kind of red fabric that made everything look as if he were seeing it in a bloody haze. The mask stopped just below his nose, with eight long spider 'legs' dangling down, to cover his mouth. He looked like a bank robber sporting an out-of-control mustache.

The absurdity didn't end there. The rest of Kito was covered in a tight, black bodysuit, with an additional eight 'legs' sprouting from his waist, down past his knees, giving the effect of a hairy black hula skirt. When Kito pulled on the thigh high boots and above-the-elbow gloves, he realized that they were made of a glittery red 'webbing'.

The overall effect was hideous, and grotesque.

It was the perfect Mecha Captain's uniform.

Suddenly, Kito found himself wishing that Captain Jenkins had not been defeated by the Swallow.

With a sigh, Kito opened the door from his 'office', and walked into the corridor. He was excited about one thing: he was going to be the one to command Arachnotron: the mecha he had built. This time, he wouldn't have to worry about an idiot Captain forgetting to turn on shields, or not truly understanding the mecha's strengths and weaknesses.

And he had Jinpei to thank for that.

Jinpei… Kito felt terrible that Jinpei had been captured… and all because of his own clumsiness. He felt that he should apologize to the Swallow, for getting him in such a predicament.

It turned out that the young ninja had been placed in one of Arachnotron's holding cells. Kito made his way to the detention area, soldiers saluting him as he went.

Despite the ridiculous appearance of his costume, it obviously engendered respect from the Galactor troops. Kito smiled underneath his spider-leg mustache. He could get used to this.

When he approached the holding cell, he dismissed the two men standing guard, instructing them to wait at the end of the corridor, some fifty feet away. The soldiers obeyed without question.

The Swallow sat sullenly, in a corner of the cell, his back to the bars. However, Kito didn't doubt that Jinpei was aware of his presence. This was confirmed when the young ninja spoke.

"What the hell do you want?" he asked angrily.

"I… I came to apologize." Kito said quietly.

"What?" Jinpei whirled around, looking at Kito skeptically. "Why?"

"It's me…" Kito explained. "Sergeant Abbott… only… I got a promotion."

"A promotion?" Jinpei laughed harshly, gesturing to Kito's uniform. "Are you sure? It looks to me like you're being punished."

"It is pretty awful, isn't it?" Kito said ruefully, lifting a couple of the spider-legs on his hula skirt, and letting them drop. "It comes with the job."

"I've seen a lot of Galactor costumes," Jinpei smirked, "but that one takes the cake."

"I think you mean, takes the web." Kito replied.

Jinpei laughed, but this time, it was a genuine sound.

"It's pretty crappy, that's for sure." he said, a little more warmly. He looked curiously at Kito.

"Why are you apologizing to me?" he asked.

"I… I didn't mean for you to get captured." Kito tried to explain. "I just tripped…"

"I know that!" Jinpei brushed off his apology. "The Great Swallow would never have been caught, otherwise."

Now it was Kito's turn to laugh.

"Not very modest, are you, Jinpei?" he asked.

"How do you know my name?" Jinpei frowned. "And why are you apologizing? You don't seem like any other Galactor I've ever met."

Kito supposed he should have expected this question, but he hadn't really prepared for it. He fumbled with his thoughts for a moment, then tried to explain.

"I used to know your… sister… a long time ago." he said.

"My sister?" Jinpei's voice had a strange undertone that Kito couldn't identify.

"Jun." Kito said quietly. "We… we were at the Mt. Jupiter orphanage… you were too, but you were so small, I doubt you remember."

"No…" Jinpei shook his head, "I don't remember."

"I don't really want to see you hurt." Kito tried to explain.

"But, you're commanding this mecha, and you plan to destroy the God Phoenix with it, don't you?" Jinpei pointed out.

"Yes, but…" Kito laughed at the incongruity of his situation. He hadn't really thought about it that way before.

"I guess, you're right." he shrugged. "I don't really have much of a choice, though."

"Why not?" Jinpei asked, just as the two guards came running down the corridor.

"Captain!" they called. "The God Phoenix has been spotted nearby! It's heading for our position!"

"How did they know where we were?" asked Kito. He glanced over at Jinpei, who merely smiled, and shrugged.

"Move out! We're taking Arachnotron into the ocean!" Kito ordered.

One of the guards accessed a comm station, relaying Kito's instructions, while the other accompanied him to the bridge.

"We'll have to continue this conversation, later!" he shouted to Jinpei, as he left.

"Assuming there is a later." Jinpei smirked.