Chapter 16: New Regime
As the mayhem continues on the bridge B.C. finds himself slowly lowering his body into the Captain's chair with his head hung low in remores and respect and his hands on both arm rests, palms open and turned down as to be resting on top of the chair arms. As everyone on the bridge is preoccupied with one thing or another Renz is the only one to see anything. So barely noticing, but also being the only one to take any notice Renz gradually releases Meia from his grasp and glances over to B.C. and he nods slowly as he salutes.
" Captain Buzon! We await your orders!" Renz standing straight and tall his arm perfectly propped into the Taraak military salute as he stares confidently towards the still shaky new leader. Hearing Renz's voice and the words that were spoken, everyone slowly looks up from whatever they may have been doing to gaze over at the Captain's chair, and it's new resident.
B.C. slowly looks up to see the number one soldier doing exactly what he needs to do. Playing the part to help attempt to reorganize the ship and give B.C. a small jolt of confidence to regroup and focus.
A small yet very familiar smirk crosses B.C.'s face as he looks directly at Renz and nods. " Tagino… you really are a life size cut out of the military code of conduct aren't you?" Renz grins still saluting but addressing B.C. without the brashness and formality of military tone. " Just doing my part to try and put the pieces back together sir. We need a leader and direction at this time. Cause even though we are in mourning, we are also on high alert and susceptible to enemy attack at any moment. Our victory on the field will only buy us so much time. So, I'm afraid with how relentless the enemy's attack was… we would not have a sufficient amount of time to go at a leisurely pace." After his speech Meia wraps her arms around Renz's waist lovingly and looks towards B.C.
" He's right Buzon… we don't have enough time to mourn Magno's death along with completely fixing a ship, plus the repairs on the Dreads and Vanguards to battle such dreadful opponents. We need to regroup so we can act quickly and efficiently." B.C. looks around and sees the rest of the crew nod in unison and look towards their new Captain eagerly awaiting something, anything… just a sign that things are back on track.
B.C. smiles and stands up sharply and looks about, " Alright then people, we have a ship to run! Duelo and Paiway, I want you both to scour the entire ship aiding all who need it. I expect all injured members to be treated in five hours. Hibiki and Jukkai, I want you to go to the medical quarters and get a sheet and a stretcher. Place Magno's corpse upon it and take her body to an escape pod. Once everyone is accounted for we will give her a ceremony fit not only for a pirate, but for a Queen!" With the momentary pause to let that all sink in, cheers erupt from the crew in memory of Magno and in support of B.C.
Quickly jumping up from his spot on the ground Hibiki states, " No problem B.C. we'll take the old woman to an escape pod and when the time comes I'll make sure she hears my loud mouth wherever she may be!" said in his usual loud, arrogant and oddly up tempo way, he runs off to the medical quarters to fetch the things followed shortly after by a slightly amused Jukkai.
B.C. then averts his gaze towards the bridge and Parfait toiling away, " Parfait and Ezra, I want you both to do your best to get the bridge up and running and get Peksis working to at least 50 percent capabilities in three hours. Understood ladies?" Parfait nods sharply as Ezra turns to the console and looks at the beat up controls.
" Parfait, do you think that's possible? I mean, I commend everyone on trying to get everything under control again… but, it might be asking too much." Parfait looks at Ezra and smiles reassuringly, " Ezra, we can do it if we try our hardest."
A sweat drop slowly slides down the side of Ezra's face as she quirks a brow in disbelief, " So what book did you read that one out of?" Parfait glares at Ezra a bit and says through her teeth, " Just start reconnecting wires and complain less alright? We don't have much of a choice, I'd rather try to put up a fight then be killed like dogs." Ezra's eyes widen a little but she nods and starts working.
Duelo finishes splinting Gasco's arm and leg and sighs, " Well I hope the rest aren't as bad off as you were, because I'll need more then five hours to do this kind of work on everyone."
After saying that Duelo glances over towards Paiway who is still just sitting their, limp and sobbing. Unable to come up with any words Gasco props herself up and leans against the wall and begins hobbling towards Paiway. " PAIWAY! You were given an order from you Captain… collect yourself and do your job!" Paiway once again doesn't budge an inch and just cries harder. Duelo is watching in shock with how angry Gasco is with Paiway and also because he's repressing the urge to tell her to stay off of her feet. But after more consideration he decides it's best to not comment and just watch, lest he wants to get smacked.
Finally making her way to Paiway Gasco grabs her by her pigtails and twirls her around. Paiway's eyes grow large still filled with tears as she looks at Gasco's face and just cries more, " I – I – I can't Gascogne… this… this is too much! I want to go to bed and wake up! This is all just a bad dream! I – I – I- " before she can finish her tear soaked statement Gasco releases her hair and smacks Paiway straight across her left cheek.
" We must be strong now, Paiway… I know your young, but we need you. Duelo can't do it all by himself and you're the only other available person we have qualified to assist the others. So Paiway, if not for us, and if not for yourself… do it for Magno. She wouldn't want you to be weak, she'd want you to do all you could and get those bastards back. Understand?" Paiway's hand slowly comes up to her cheek to feel the welt… but she stops crying and she smiles.
" Thanks Gasco… you're right, we all need to do our part, and I need to be strong." She turns quickly to Duelo and forces another smile. " Come on Duelo! Let's go help everyone so we can beat the crap out of those freakish Zoo animals!" So with that Paiway picks up a small med kit and runs down the hall to find people to help. As Duelo just watches amazed at how Gasco can get through to people in very unexpected ways. " You will never cease to amaze me Gasco. I'm glad we didn't lose you, you are far too important for us to be without."
Gasco just smirks and waves her hand, " That's nice doc… but shouldn't you be on your way too?" Duelo blushes slightly and realizes that he should really catch up with Paiway, so he collects his things and begins down the hall after his young protégée.
B.C. takes a deep breath and looks over to Gascogne, " You know he was right… without you the girls would be lost and operations would seemingly fall apart. So I want you to take my old place as second in command. Will you accept?" Gasco stretches a little and plays with her splints slightly as she smiles, " I suppose I could… but you know what? I think I deserve a raise, ya know the extra authority and all." B.C. smiles and laughs slightly and throws his hands into the air, " Well with the repair bills I'm not sure… but if you're out of our budget I can always find someone else…"
Gasco shakes her head, " Well chill out, I accept your offer. I mean really, you don't need to break my arm about it." The collective in the bridge let out a groan followed by a slight chuckle as Alexei just shakes his head, " So corny…"
Barnette steps up to Buzon and salutes, " Captain what would you like me to do?" Not expecting the questions B.C. surveys the area and sees Renz, Meia and Alexei free while it seems like Bart and Jura are working on the central core.
" Barnette, Alexei, Meia and Renz… I want you all to go to the Dread and Vanguard hangar, fix what you can to the best of you abilities, I wish you luck." With that B.C. stands and looks out to the rest of the crew, " Everyone else who can stand and make themselves useful, assist in cleaning and getting the ship back up to working capacity. We might get a day to work… but don't count on it. This is a make or break situation for all of us! Even if we lose, let's make sure to give them one hell of a fight!" The crew lets out a loud cheer as the ones assigned to the hangar head off and the rest try their hardest to stand and make themselves worth something.
As B.C. starts sitting Gasco hobbles over and places her hand on B.C.'s shoulder, " You're doing well… they respect you and won't disappoint you Buzon." B.C. smirks and nods his head, " I know Gasco… I know…"
To Be Continued…