Episode One: Wake Up
The girls screamed as they banked skyward, though it was clear they were enjoying themselves. Marcus chuckled deviously before suddenly inverting the refboard. They then screamed in terror while they descended into a half-loop that shot them pass the others and back into the sky. The girls cheered after catching their breaths. Marcus steered them towards the control tower and circled it in a wide banking right turn. The three waved at the personal inside, which begrudgingly waved back. After coming in over the Gekko, they came about and landed facing the hanger. The girls were elated as they stepped off and greeted their two sisters with joyous vigor and high-fives. Everyone wore big smiles; except Valkyrie, who stood away from her sisters, arms crossed and looking rather annoyed.
"Come on, love," offered Marcus, "Special trip, just you and me."
"I have little interest in the sport," Valkyrie huffed.
"Now, don't spit the dummy," pleaded Marcus, "Even Britannia was grinnin' like a shot fox."
"I don't have the time to waste," rebutted Valkyrie.
"Yet you'll can gladly fritter away just watchin' me mope about?" countered Marcus, "Don't be a piker. Squizz, just give it a burl; one round to prove me wrong."
"...alright, fine," accepted Valkyrie begrudgingly as she slowly walked over.
Her sisters gathered around each other and began to whisper. Marcus could feel her hands trembling while he helped her onto the refboard.
"Hey, there's nothin' to be scared of," ensured Marcus quietly, "Good ol' Marcus won't let ya fall."
She did not respond and with a composed face, closed her eyes. He started off slow and held her gently as they began to ascend.
"You're not scared of heights, are ya?" he inquired.
Valkyrie shook her head.
"Then what's got ya all shakin' in your boots?" asked Marcus as he smoothly banked left and right.
Valkyrie suddenly crouched down, holding tightly to his legs. Marcus had to steady himself.
"Squizz, you don't have to be afraid," assured Marcus, crouching down with her, "The view's ace. Why don't ya wanna see it?"
"I-I'm scared," admitted Valkyrie finally.
"Well, I can see that," smiled Marcus, lifting his sunglasses, "But what of, love?"
"I-I'm scared of... falling," Valkyrie revealed finally.
"So that's it, huh?" sighed Marcus, "No worries; long as I'm 'ere, you won't fall; you have my word."
Valkyrie looked back at him and stared into his eyes as he lifted his sunglasses. A gentle and understanding smile greeted her. With a nod and a wink, the two slowly stood back up.
"There's a lass," complimented Marcus, "Now see why I've fallen for liftin'; heh, no pun intended."
Valkyrie looked across the countryside. They has ascended quite high but were still over the research complex. The fractured green landscape below was breathtaking. Skyfish could be seen in the distance as a recovering Feres City rose up in the background.
"It's... it's beautiful," remarked Valkyrie in wonder.
"You can stare outta window or at photo paper, but there's nothin' like bein' up 'ere for yourself," explained Marcus, "Never thought I'd be so happy in the skies, but I dare say I might rethink all that."
"I-I think I understand now," smiled Valkyrie.
"That's the spirit," chuckled Marcus, "Wanna go back now? We can stay longer if ya like."
"Yes, but... I want to try something first," explained Valkyrie reluctantly.
"I'm all ears, lass," acknowledged Marcus.
"Well, I-I want to feel what it's like to fall without getting hurt," elaborated Valkyrie, "Guess that's what I really fear."
"We all fear that in a way," laughed Marcus, "It's never the fall that gets ya, it's the abrupt stop. I'll do it, but this is a mighty big step; you sure 'bout this? You don't gotta if you don't wanna."
"I need to be strong," explained Valkyrie, "For myself; for the Swallowtails; for the Captain."
"Right then," nodded Marcus, putting his sunglasses back on, "If you insist. Let's do this; together."
Marcus gently took her hands as her arms spread. He then stalled the refboard. Letting gravity take hold, the two began falling backwards. Marcus turned them around so Valkyrie could see the ground below her. Fear filled her eyes as she tightened her grip; but soon elation overcame her, evident by her growing smile. When they neared the ground, he reactivated his refboard, turned skyward, and used the trapar jets to slow their descent before finally landing upright to the cheers of the others. Valkyrie jumped off the board and into the waiting arms of her sisters, who congratulated her efforts. Marcus flipped his board up, laid it down beside his pack, and sat back down with a giddy grin and a chuckle.
"Thank you so much!" smiled Valkyrie as she embraced him lovingly, "That was so much fun!"
Her sisters soon joined her in a group hug of thanks before sitting around him. Meanwhile, on the opposite end of the Gekko, a group of onlookers watched over them.
"Can't say I've ever seen them response to anyone quite like that," remarked Captain Jürgens, tipping his cover up, "For all I've done, I feared Dewey's legacy was too strong. Maybe now things will finally start improving again."
"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself," encouraged Holland, "You've done one hell of a job, all things considered. Didn't think they'd ever be truth-worthy but they've come a long way."
"They'll never have the normal life you'd like to give them," remarked Stoner as he snapped photos, "But they're still young; and if there's a reason Marcus came to us when he did, this just might be it. Who's to say? So long as they're happy in whatever life they chose, you still win."
"I hoped to be retired by now so I could raise them properly," Captain Jürgens sighed, "But with this damn pseudo-civil war dragging on, I don't know what else to do. The Armada is no place for children; though I concede Dewey's training keeps them an asset to the fleet."
"Their attitudes have certainly improved," commented Dr. Morita, "And they show a legitimate desire to transcend their past; Marcus can only improve their chances. In the end, I think they'll do alright."
"The girls have only had father figures in their lives as of late and haven't experienced the guidance of an older sibling or maternal figure to balance that input," added Dr. Egan as Marcus and the girls laughed, "This is a welcomed development in their rehabilitation. Likewise, it's good to see Marcus interacting with others in such a positive manner. When he does confront his person losses, furthering these relations should help him find the choice to continue with his new life more than worthwhile."
"He seems so happy just knowing what reality is again," Stoner noted, "Wasn't sure what to make of him when he came onboard but being put on the spot like that would clam anyone up."
"I kind of feel bad keeping him under surveillance," said Holland, "But his situation just doesn't sit right with me. It's too… convenient."
"In a world already ripe with rumors and uncertainty, he's just another complication," snorted Captain Jürgens, "But if he can do the girls well, then I'll give him a chance."
"So, the good Doc says I need to catch up on me history," explained Marcus, "Reckon he's right. You loves know of any libraries I could Captain Cook?"
"Everything you need to learn can be found in the Super Izumo's database," smiled Britannia.
"We can help you if you want," offered Lattonia.
"The more the merrier, 'cause ten-thousand plus years of history is a lot to cover," chuckled Marcus.
"In return, will you teach us how to lift?" asked Columbia.
"You got it!" grinned Marcus before his stomach rumbled, "But first, need to find me some tucker."
"The mess hall is still serving food," informed Bharat while Marcus collected his things.
"Sounds ace, love," nodded Marcus, "Lead on!"
The group got up and proceeded to the hanger where the Super Izumo resided. The Swallowtails gave Marcus a tour of the super carrier, its compliment of Mon-Soono Wyverns, which were being upgraded with the new C.F.S. interface, and Mon-Soono type20s, and formally introduced to the crew. After eating a hearty meal in the mess hall, he spent the rest of the afternoon taking a crash-course in post-scub coral human history from the Swallowtails. The lesson carried on late into the evening, by the end of which the girls wore themselves out and fell asleep where they sat. With the help of the Captain and First Officer Maria Schneider, Marcus gently carried Valkyrie and her sisters to their beds. Captain Jürgens then escorted him back to the Gekko.
"You got a place to sleep?" asked Captain Jürgens as they exited the hanger.
"Nope," replied Marcus, "Figure Gekko might have an empty corner to crash in; or I'll dream under the moonlight. Boss said somethin' 'bout puttin' me up someplace but don't know where. Crikey, the sky's ace; never had that back in my day; though the stars looks rather queer."
"I'm still getting use to it myself," chuckled Captain Jürgens, lighting a cigarette, "The halo's only been around a year, believe it or not. Remember, too, we're in the northern hemisphere."
He paused, "I want to thank you for working with the girls today. It's been a battle getting Dewey's manipulation out of them. You've done more in one day than anyone to date; and that's saying a lot."
"So what's with all that?" asked Marcus, "My crash-course never did explain it directly; just somethin' 'bout Dewey choosin' 'em for the Ageha Project and its failure."
"Not surprised," sighed Captain Jürgens, "They don't like talking about their past; few do anymore."
"That bad, huh?" asked Marcus as they walked across the tarmac, "Bloody shame for ones so young."
"They were picked at random from refugee camps in Warsaw, the Predgio Tower state Dominic, Anemone, and I are from," began Captain Jürgens, "Torn by civil war, only within the last few years has some semblance of peace been reestablished. Dominic and I lost our entire families in that damn war. While Anemone has no memories of her past, we've assumed the same. The girls were victims of ethnic cleansing, the root of the war. Propaganda convinced them their bodies were filthy and lives meaningless. Dewey, for his credit, said otherwise and treated them kindly; even had them educated in advanced studies. Naturally, they followed him without question and were truly devoted to his cause. They gleefully directed operations that resulted in thousands of civilian deaths, all to please him."
"Far suck of the sav, ten-thousand years and humanity is still that bloody feral?" remarked Marcus as they neared the Gekko, "Guess this world is not so different from mine. Wouldn't think it of 'em; but as they say, a child's scorn knows no bound."
"True," agreed Captain Jürgens, "In the wake of the Second Summer of Love, my crew detained the girls and the surviving crew from Dewey's flagship. They swore to continue his plans for a new world order. In the end, they cursed the world as he did. Seeing them like that convinced me to adopt them as atonement for my part in creating a world where lunatics could rule supreme. While we gained the loyalty of the other detainees, the girls refused to cooperate. It was not feasible to keep them locked up indefinitely and with their hunger strike shortly thereafter, I was at a loss. Then I remembered what Valkyrie said, that they were beautiful despite having filthy bodies according to Dewey. I realized they believed no one saw them as human. Taking a chance, I sat down and talked to them about my own losses in Warsaw and how I felt about the genocide; then I offered to adopt them."
"It's enough to make a bloke get off his face," sighed Marcus, sitting on the Gekko's hanger ramp.
"My proposal seemed daft and they were not convinced of my intent," continued Captain Jürgens, lighting another cigarette, "Valkyrie asked why. I admitted for all his faults, Dewey had been right about their true self-worth, so I couldn't sit idly by while such beautiful girls wasted their lives on cant and ruse. This touched them most and shortly thereafter, they requested to join us. I tried giving them benefit of doubt but remained wary of their intent; but as the weeks passed, it was clear they truly wanted to move on; though Dewey's influence was still evident. My hopes were furthered after we oversaw the Warsaw Pact annex. Without my knowledge, they acquired adoption papers and presented them to me. Naturally, I was beside myself. As you might have guessed, their current names are not their first. They requested me to find them new ones upon adoption."
"Was wonderin' 'bout that," remarked Marcus, "Ace names but they seemed somewhat outta place."
"Their old names carried too many bad memories," explained Captain Jürgens, "So I looked up some old references to Earth and found suitable new ones for them. Thankfully, they liked them."
"Dare say you earned your quid, Cap'n," smiled Marcus, "Recognize 'em all. Grouse work!"
"Glad to hear it," nodded Captain Jürgens, "Unable to retire and nurture them in peace, the girls became my tactical advisors; a role they surprisingly enjoy. Their interaction with my crew improved as their attitudes matured; but with all this, we've remained distant as a family. They always refer to me as Captain or Father Jürgens; until today. While tutoring you, Valkyrie stepped out and gave me a hug; something none of them have ever done before. She said it was in gratitude for what I had done. She then called me papa before returning to your studies. I had to sit down; it was so unlike her. She's always been their leader and not prone to being emotional, so I'm sure the others feel similar."
"Guess me meddlin's done some good," shrugged Marcus, "Kind of makes all this worthwhile…"
"More than you'll ever know," smiled Captain Jürgens, "When Dominic informed us about finding you on that island, we were naturally surprised; but when Anemone mentioned your eyes, this immediately caught the girl's attention. Ever since, they've been your caretakers. I've never seen them so enthralled with anyone or anything outside Dewey and their responsibilities. In two days, you've done more to help them that anyone else has or could; and again, I can't thank you enough. Hope is all too elusive in this day and age, but you've given it to them; and to me."
"Just doin' what I do, Cap'n," chuckled Marcus, "Bein' an older brother is a piece of piss compared to a father. Such duty I avoid like the plague; but if I can help 'em, then I'll do my best. If anything, they gave me reason to smile; by 'n by, the girls requested I teach 'em to lift. I can show 'em the basics but I'll need some help teachin' the lot of 'em; just wanted to get your nod before I grab some offsiders."
"Sure," granted Captain Jürgens, his cigarette nearly exhausted, "They've needed a hobby; and to be honest, I'd rather have them learn the sport from someone like you. Just be smart about it."
"No doubts," smiled Marcus, standing up, "Well, thanks for your hospitality and all. Hooroo, Cap'n!"
Captain Jürgens nodded as Marcus climbed the ramp and entered the Gekko. There he met Ken-Goh, who was securing the ship. He followed him about and the two talked causally until they got to the bridge. Yawning, Marcus sat at the oval table with curved booth seating at the base of the stairs behind the captain's chair while Ken-Goh did his lock-down procedures. The table had a strange ivory-vanilla three-sided centerpiece with a blue top and displays with green symbols on each side that showed a single point of light, made of a red and blue light that pulsed slowly in harmony. Marcus started at the centerpiece for a moment, before opening his backpack and pulling out a black photo album. Inside were pictures of his family and past life. He soon became lost in thought as he browsed it.
"You look tired," remarked Ken-Goh, walking over, "We have a better place to sleep if you want."
"N-no thanks," Marcus replied, slightly startled, "Not that tired; just reminiscing. I'll crash elsewhere if ya fancy but all the same, I'll take a smoko here. I like its isolation."
"Well when you do, one of us will be up all night," informed Ken-Goh, looking up the stairs briefly, "The Bridge is locked down now so you don't have to worry about touching anything, not that I think you would. Anyway, I'm off watch tonight so I'll see you in the morning."
He stared to walk up the stairs before pausing and looking back, "Hey, I can't say I understood all that Dr. Bear said today but I will tell you this, respect here is not given but earned. I'm sure you already know this so do us proud. You have friends in your corner; remember that."
"I will," nodded Marcus, "And thank you, Boss; means the world to me."
Shortly after Ken-Goh left, Marcus took out a pair of black speakers and a portable rectangular music player, protected by a black rubber cover. It had white headphones, which he unplugged and replaced with the speakers. Turning on the device, which displayed various options, he selected Shuffle. The player, named "Oni of Aaru", began to play "Transatlanticism" by Death Cab for Cutie. Turning the pages of his book, memories of his past filled his mind; and slowly, tears filled his eyes. As the reality of his new life sank in, the tears began to flow down his cheeks. Unable to continue his browsing, he leaned back and turned his eyes towards the ceiling as more tears stung his eyes and stained his neck. He soon began to lip the lyrics "I need you so much closer", though no words came. Unbeknown to him, Talho had been watching from the staircase since Ken-Goh left. When she saw his growing pain, her heart went out and was soon compelled to help. Descending, she walked over and sat to his right. He did not notice her at first and appeared lost in the moment.
"It's just... so surreal," sniffled Marcus, after a moment, "It's a nightmare; never wakin' up and seein' 'em again. Thought I was apples with things. I had people who cared for me. I could handle this... but-but I can't take it no more. I-I hate this world! I hate this life. I hate feelin' so very alone! M-me family was… my life. I-I don't deserve to live… I don't wanna..."
"I can't even begin to comprehend what you must be feeling right now," consoled Talho as best she could, placing her hands on his, "And though it means nothing now, everyone on the Gekko is behind you; even Holland. You are not alone anymore. You have friends here; and to whatever end you decide to live your new life, we'll be there to help."
"How-how can I?" cried Marcus as more tears stained his face, "My family... I failed 'em. I-I let 'em die. They didn't desire… Why me? Why did me-why like this? It's… too much. The pain... it's-it's..."
"Then let them go," strongly suggested Talho in a caring voice, "I know it must be impossibly hard but you have to let go. You can't live in the past; or a fantasy world. You only fail when you let their death become yours. To carry on their memory, you must carry on; and that means letting go."
"Mums... Pops... Sis... I-I..." he stuttered, before collapsing into her arms and weeping bitterly.
She held him close and closed her eyes as he poured his pain into the dim room. When the song finally finished, she discretely turned off the player and gently ran her fingers through his hair. Marcus released his fear, pain, and guilt for what seemed like forever to him. In time, he finally cried himself to sleep. Gently laying his head down, Talho got up and retrieved a blanket and pillow. After covering him up, she stood and watched over him until Holland walked down with a sleeping Vernon in hand.
"How's he doing?" he whispered as she kissed his check.
"I think he's finally come to terms with the loss of his family," smiled Talho softly.
"That's good," remarked Holland, "You think his story's the real deal then?"
"After what I saw tonight, I know it is," replied Talho confidently, taking the sleeping Vernon in her arms, "His tears were genuine and his pain was great. He's just a scared and lost little boy. If there is anything more to him than that, I doubt he's even aware of it. I just wish I could do more."
"You've done all you can," acknowledged Holland, "I hate to keep him under suspicion any longer than we have to; but I can't chance the safety of the Gekko either. There's still too many unanswered question about him. All we can do now is let him prove himself."
"Vernon seems to like him," reminded Talho, watching her little one sleep, "As do the Swallowtails; and they do say children are the best judge of character. I think he'll be fine and I bet he understands."
"Well, let's hope so," Holland sighed, putting his arms around her waist, "Guess we add another vagabond to our mismatched family? It's been growing again as of late…"
"With Dominic and Anemone back, it certainly is," smiled Talho, "It's been nice seeing them again. Now if only two more children would finally come home."
"They will," assured Holland, looking towards the two slowly pulsing lights, "They have too much waiting for them. Besides, he knows better than to keep me waiting."
"Speaking of which, when will we be picking up their kids?" asked Talho.
"Still waiting for Axel's call," answered Holland, "Though I think he's enjoying having them around. Anyway, it will do them good to be together."
"It's been what now, a month since we dropped them off?" thought Talho aloud.
"Yeah, something like that," recounted Holland, "Just in time for their adoption papers, too. So much has changed since we last saw those two. How much more must change before we see them again?"
"All in good time," assured Talho, "They may not come home to stay, but they won't forget where they came from. Now, let's get some rest while the munchkin's still asleep."
Holland chuckled as he followed her up the staircase. The night passed quietly and remained uneventful while the crews of the Gekko and Super Izumo rested for the new day to come.