"The military…? Why in the world would he want us to join the military?" Victoria asked.

I scratched my forehead. "He thinks Travis and I are some of the most skilled swordsmen he's ever seen. And he likes your skill with note artes."

Victoria and I were both sitting on the front porch to her house. Travis sat at the edge of the lake, staring out at the night sky.

There was a long silence before I finally asked: "So, what do you think?"

Victoria wrapped her arms around her knees. "I don't know…my parents both served Rhythm in The Rhyme War, but…"

'They were both dead,' I though to myself.

"Hey, I'm in as long as it pays," Travis said approaching us. "So how about it, Vinny? You gonna join?"

I looked at Victoria who nodded. "I'll do it…"

"All right then, let's go see the general," I said. "He told us to come to the military base at the northeast corner of town with our decision."

Victoria stood up. "It's for the better of the community, so"-

Travis slapped her shoulder. "Oh yeah, and not to mention it pays as well."

"You're the only one who'd do it solely for the money" Victoria sighed.

The moon cast it's silver light down. We walked towards the military base, following a path through the city. It was really noisy even at this time of night. Well obviously, it was a city after all. Outdoor cafes were open everywhere, bustling with people drinking and laughing away.

Travis caught a glimpse of a sign near a pub. "Hey! Six-packs are half off! I'm going to go get one"-

Victoria grabbed him by the shoulder. "Oh no, you're not going anywhere. Besides, I don't want you throwing up all over my floor."

Travis narrowed his eyes. "Who said I'd drink in your house…?"

We continued to move towards the base. We were nearly there when a woman approached us. "Hmm…Travis Stephen. Didn't think I'd ever see your sorry ass again."

She seemed very pretty…

Her skin was pale and soft, her hair long and red, and her eyes sparkling green. She wore a black leather jacket and pants. Her breasts were absolutely humongous…

"Oh, h-hey Newo" Travis walked towards her and grinned. "What are you doing here?"

She frowned. "I should ask you the same thing. So, have you finally decided to give me my gald back?"

Travis walked closer. "Hey, I'll give it to ya, babe just"-

WHOCK

Newo had slammed her fist straight into Travis' jaw, causing him to kneel down in pain. "I had to work in the military just to earn that money back," she said, "I lost my house, my business, everything. Just what do you plan to do about that?"

Travis clutched his bleeding jaw. "I'll return it to ya babe, just give me some more time."

"It's been two years, Travis!" Newo yelled. She turned and walked away. "Just get your sorry-ass out of here you scum!"

I slowly walked toward Travis who was still clutching his jaw, wincing from pain.

"Heh, she really packs a punch, eh?" he asked me.

Victoria frowned at him. "Serves you right, borrowing gald and never returning it!"

Travis' eyes widened. "H-Hey, don't you be like that too!"

I gave him a bandage to wrap around his jaw from my pouch. "Just what did you do?" I asked.

He frowned and stood up. "It's a long story. I'd rather not talk about it, okay? Let's just go to the military base."

I shrugged. "Okay, whatever."

Two soldiers saluted us when we approached the entrance. They were the same ones who were running away from the Gerudas. "Vincent, Victoria, Travis! General Carmine is waiting inside!"

I nodded and went in. We walked into the conference room, where Carmine waited.

He sat at a long round table with…

"What the? I thought I told you to get lost, you scum!"

It was none other than that woman we had seen earlier, Newo. She glared at Travis angrily.

"Sit down, Newo" Carmine ordered.

"B-But General"-

"Come on, lass." He looked at us. "I didn't know you guys had met before."

Travis grinned nervously. "Well yeah, me and Newy go way back."

Newo continued to glare angrily.

"Now then," Carmine lit a cigar and plopped it into his mouth. "I don't know what your guy's past relationship is. But I want you to join regardless."

Newo slammed her hands onto the table. "G-General! You can't be serious!"

"I am. Why the hell do you look so surprised?" he asked. "These were the guys I kept telling you about."

Newo frowned. "Well, I didn't know that scum over there was one of them!" She stared at Travis with frustration.

Carmine burnt his cigar out and lit another one. "Scum or not, that kid is one fine-ass swordsman! I want him and his friends in my military, and that's that!"

Travis laughed. "Thanks General."

Newo slammed her fists onto the table. "Damn it…"

"Go get some sleep, Newo. I want you to get comfortable with Travis and his pals, 'cause from now on you're working with them."

Newo bowed her head and stood up to leave.

"Well, great working with ya, Newy" Travis said to her as she walked out of the door.

Newo merely glared at him and proceeded to her room.

"You kids had better go rest to. We'll start your training tomorrow," Carmine bellowed out.

I nodded. "See you in the morning, General."

So we were soldiers of the military now…

We headed back to Victoria's house, Travis silent all the way. "He probably just needs some time to collect his thoughts" Victoria had whispered to me.

When we reached her house, Victoria laid a futon on the floor of her living room. "Sorry Travis, but I only have two bedrooms. You're going to have to sleep on the floor. It's not that I don't like you or anything, it's just"-

Travis scratched his back and grinned. "I-It's okay. Thanks, Vicky."

Victoria's eyes twitched. "Vicky?"

"Well, g'night" I said, yawning and walking towards my room.

"Night, Vinny."

Tomorrow was a big day. I finally had a purpose. But I somehow felt empty…like I was missing something…