The Vindictus is docked at a space station overlooking the gate as the Imperial navy negotiates through the tunnel. There's a school of wiggling light nesting on the gate. "Takuto," I point to the strange school of creatures.

Takuto is mopping the deck of the bridge," Hmm? Oh, those are cell-fish. They're harmless."

The cell-fish looked something like flying worms, they floated around the debris of our previous battle then return to stick their heads into the rings of the gate. "What are they doing to the gate?"

"Hmm, that's right.. No one told you about NEUE's ecosystem. Those critters are eating the metal. When they're full they'll spit the goop into the gate. It keeps the form of the portal for a while until the next time the ring falls apart."

"Urgh, sorry I asked," I stick my tongue out.

"Now, now. It's not that bad, those critters keep the gate running so we never have to repair it. Soldum came up with the idea and those things have been around.. Ever since..," his eyes reminisce. "I'm busy right now, why don't you visit the other Angels?"

"Does it involve sweeping the floor?" I press the elevator console.

"And the floors under this one."

"You have too much free time on your hands," I shake my head.

I leave for the game room. The room was empty that day except for a the older crew. They were sitting by the tv and the patio. No one was playing the game machines or the pool tables today.

Maybe they have my favorite arcade game, if Blanmanche owns the local store anything's possible. I approach the women by the counter.

She was tending the drinks and checking the register oblivious of me. "Excuse me."

"Oi, Rico, you've got to be assertive," she mutters to herself while wiping the insides of the glass. "Excuse me."

"Oh," she jumps up and almost drops her glass. She catches it mid-air luckily. "Sorry, do you need anything?"

"Do you have an Air Combat 25 here? I brought some coins."

"Air combat? We have a few slot machines, they're pretty sophisticated." I checked my uniform. Do I look like a maid to her? Well I am wearing my uniform like usual. "

"Um, do you have any arcade games with flight-simulating?"

She thinks for a second, "Sorry, there is Super Plumber and Legend of Zoro."

I groan, "Are you sure? I really like Air Combat, I'd thought they have it here..," I was about to leave disappointed but then I heard someone screaming in agony.

"What was that?" It was close, I turn and run to the source. The other side of the gaming room Fleur is pounding a slot machine. "I've tried everything, at this rate I won't be able to beat beginner's luck."

"What's going on, you were gambling?" I don't get it, why is he in so much pain.

The girl called Rico came in, "Oh, did you break the machine again?" she's sighing, "Why are you trying so hard to beat sister?"

"Sister?"

Rico nods. Fleur kicks the chair. "This machine is broken. The lever must be faulty."

Rico pouts, "Hey, now. Milfie won't play if you act aggressive again."

"So what? Even if I do, she will visit her sister. I doubt she won't."

They exchange a few words in a heated argument. Wait..this is over a game? I shake my head. Well, maybe they have arcade games somewhere. Oh there in the corner. Air Combat 24 is there.. Close enough.

"You're awful! I can't believe you would act like this! What would the commander say when they see you being so rowdy outside the troupe over a silly game!"

I raise my hand, but she smacks me in the face.

"Game? Madame, it is more than that. It is an aristocratic trade. Loss and gains. I am not a loser, I am a winner," he flips his cane. A wave pulsates into the machines and all the machines pour out coins.

"And now you're cheating, ugh. I'm getting the commander," she takes off her apron.

"Uhh.. I'm right here."

She was about to leave the room, "Hmm?" She turns around embarrassed, "Oh, I'm sorry! You're the commander? I didn't see you here!"

"I didn't tour the whole ship, sorry."

"You- You heard all of that, didn't you?" she bows, "I'm sorry."

I shrug, "It's not a problem. But.."

Fleur practices on the slot machines and travels to the poker board, nudging fellow crew members to the table. "What's going on.."

"Since the navy came he's been practicing his skills."

"Does he have this much money to be gambling?"

He wins the round, "Hahahah!" he pulls in a small mountain of money. This won't end too well for him if he goes up against her.

"We're going to run out of money if he keeps this up..."

I pat Rico on the back, "Maybe I should go talk to him?"

"Eh.. Of course," she nods bowing apologetically. She was flexing her arm in a short spasm. "Eh..," I take my hand off and approach Fleur. "I'll talk to him. Don't worry, he won't be anywhere near the game room when I'm done."

"Hahhahahah! Victory will be mine!" he laughs maniacally hugging his treasure.

I sit beside him, "Hey, Christophe. You look like you're having..fun. I think."

"Yes, I'm dominating! I'll win droves of money."

"That's great," I eye the money he's accumulating on the poker table and the depressed, groaning players seated next to him. "Say..is there something you play just for fun?"

"Fun?"

"Like.. Just to relax."

"Hmm.. Yes."

I nod, happy. I motion for him to proceed.

"I play 13 sometimes with a few staff in my casino. We bet about a few pennies. Since their salary forbids a very competitive match."

I shake my head. Not what I wanted to hear. "Um.. How about outside gambling?"

"Oh no. I couldn't possibly, do that, madame...," he shuffles his deck of cards. Rico covers her eyes. The players begin to sweat, one even prayed. "Wait!" I jump up and take the cards.

"What possibly do you want that is worthy of interrupting this test of good fortune?"

"Um.. I remember Kazuya is going to play against them tonight," I lie. I mout a few words to Rico and she salutes me, then runs off.

"It's his Poker Night. The game might take all night.. Uh, do you want to maybe do something else for fun? Like the arcade? Or-"

Christophe's face lights up, "Why yes," he wraps his arm around my shoulder. Eh...I felt like shrieking. "Shh..do you fancy walks?"

"Uh.. Yes, actually. We can do walks."

He stokes his long locks of blonde hair and carries me forward. "My, you can walk the walk well. Rico would slap me about now."

"Yes.." I'd personally shove my boot up your-

"This way!" he brings me to the elevator.

You owe me a lot, Rico. I sigh. I can't believe she didn't recognize me as commander though, is it not normal for a girl to be in charge? Come to think of it she's an angel too..

The door shuts.

For an hour or so, he showed me around the park, a bit after that he stops and brings me to an observatory room with a clear view of the system's sun. "Argh," I rest on a bench. The light of the sun reflects off the Imperial navy ships docked at their space stations and create a sort of rainbow.

"It's quite breathtaking, isn't it, Madame?"

"I nod."

"So..," he sits beside, "Tell me," he scoots closer. "Well..," I scoot to the left, "I was a farmer."

He leans back, "Modest profession. You see plenty of wondrous sights on your home planet, then?"

"It's a small world."

"You asked me, what I do for fun..may I ask now what you do when you have free time?"

"Hmm...right. Me and Lisa played Air Combat 24. I was looking for it in the game room earlier."

"Air comabat, they offer gaming machines on your home planet?"

"It was kind of cheap, a shed, but it was pretty fun."

He bites his lip, "So it was dirty.."

"Kind of, there was no carpet, but I didn't mind. They had a fan."

"Quite modest, indeed. Tell me more."

"We played against each other, as legendary aces, Takuto and Eonia. It was awesome. We blasted aliens and blew up the mega-stars! Ah.. Lisa always got a higher score though.."

"So she always bested you..," he laments.

"I miss playing with her.. We grew up together and everything. It's a shame she's gone now. Those were the days."

He's dumb-founded. Fleur fiddles with his hand, "I'm sorry for your loss..well you can play now. They have the machine in the game room, untouched."

Rico wouldn't be pleased if I bring him back to the game room. "It's not fun without Lisa."

"The feeling of beating the game should be enough, no?"

"I felt better when I was playing against someone, especially Lisa."

"I.. See. This feeling of losing is fun."

"No, the feeling of playing against someone."

He rubs his chin, "Well. Perhaps we can face each other on the system then. My skill should suffice."

"Well..," I think.

"Don't worry about, Rico. I won't lose my temper." He offers my hand, "You have my word, and my fortune."

I hesitate, "Sure.."

We go back to the room a few minutes later. Rico steps back, shaking. "Oh, welcome back.. Fleur."

"Don't mind me, Rico," he salutes, "I'm going to play.. What is it.. Air Combat?"

"That's right."

Rico sways her head to the right, as if she was going to say, are you sure? Really? "Wait, give me a second," she runs over with two chairs, "Here, and..." Click She inserts two coins. She dropped a bag, "If you need anymore coins.. You can ask me."

The system played some techno music and directed us to the character selection menu.

"So many choices...well, I suppose Luft will do, like old times, no?"

"You bet!"

I choose Takuto and the game begins with our battleships on the left. "I'm going to beat you!" I smash the buttons and pull the joystick.

Christophe panics and presses buttons randomly to figure out how the game works. "I'm far behind..," he smashes the buttons and maneuvers forward.

"Shouldn't you pick up the power-ups, it could help instead of trying to kill everything on the screen at once."

"What, I did not know that was a feature, odd."

The boss comes up, it's a 8-bit version of a black moon.

"Race you, first one that kills the boss gets the change left."

We're inserting our coins randomly into the slots and spamming the continue button.

Fleur swiftly strokes the buttons like a dancer using his fingers.

"You're getting good at this..."

He's not paying attention, instead he stares at the screen and deals a couple extra blows to the enemy. Heh, he must be distracted by the game that's good. His health bar is at 25%. Time to use my special that I've been saving the whole time. I push the bottom red button and disintegrate him with one massive laser.

"Whoo," I raise my hands in the air.

Clap Clap Clap. Rico is behind us, she must have been watching the whole time."Yay, that looked fun."

Fleur flexes his wrists. "Well, that was..indeed entertaining."

"Maybe when we play next time, you might actually beat me. That was real close!" I pat him on the back, "Not bad at all for a beginner."

"I'm skilled, naturally. Well, I might arrange for it another time."

"That's great."

Rico nods, "Oh, Mori, Takuto wants you to report to the bridge with Christophe."

Odd, he didn't tell me through the PA. Well, no use arguing over that. "Hey, Rico there's one thing I have to ask first. How come you're not in any emblem frames?"

"Oh that..lately.. The Emblem Frames have been acting up. "That's too bad, where's everyone else, too. They've wrote so much about you and they didn't bother to say where you've been. It's like a letdown ending.. Has that happened before?" I shrug, "Oh well. You'll be joining us, some day, won't you?"

"Well..."

"Madame, the charades can wait another day, for now the bridge."

"Right."

I don't get it though.. Why wouldn't they be using their Emblem frames. Rico's just sitting here behind a maid and the rest, well I don't know what the rest are up to. Did something happen to them? They did disappear from the radar a while ago.

The ship kicks into motion, the sound of light and the engines vibrating follow. We passed by the observatory, where the lights straight from a reen lava lamp were painting the ship.

"That light, is it.. What I think it is."

"Chrono strings, we're traveling at the speed of the light."

"Just like the previous Lost Technology.. We found this in the NEUE system.,, of all places.. That worries me."

They brought a cloaking battleship before, traveled all the way to the capitol, I bet Lucious is far from done there.

At the bridge Takuto's tapping the map on the holocron. "We're close..." Kazuya sits beside him eagerly.

"We're on schedule. Christophe will be happy."

They continue to plot on the map, sucked away into another world. "Sir," I salute them.

"Oh you're quick. Sayaka, we've heard you bonded with Fleur, is that true?"

"Well, sir.."

"Yeah, I heard.. Well.. You were walking together and he was holding you around the shoulder, like something serious happened between-"

"That didn't happen, it wasn't like that-"

"Nano-Nano thought you two looked cute!"

"It's not what you think."

Fleur just stands smugly. I bump him, "Say something."

"I was just being a gentlemen and showing her around, she was lost."

Takuto is confused, "Wait, I thought Kazuya-"

"That's not important- she's here and let's get to business."

He shrugs, "Right.. Fleur we've got an emergency signal from your home planet New Vega."

He rushes to the forward end of the bridge, "Show me, comrades."

"Wait, homeplanet?"

Takuto nods, "The Planet New Vega."

"New Vega.. So he's from there."

"Play the video."

A city street comes onto the screen with a soldier crouched beside a man in a torn tuxedo. The sweat was searing out of his armpits and there were evident cuts.

"Fleur, is that you?"

"Lobby boy! Adrian!" his hands grip onto the rail. While the operators below monotonously adjust the buttons and dials to maintain the quality of the communication.

Adrian's sweating embarrassed, "Well it's good to see you again, you never change."

"Adrian, tell me where you are."

An explosion goes off somewhere in the distance. "Shouldn't we start with how am I? What am I doing?"

"Quit jesting."

"They've attacked the North District. Sorry, we tried to keep them away from your casino but- they broke through anyway.."

"What of the city? How is the front doing?"

"Don't worry, we're fighting as hard as we can. Held out for some time. But.. Take care of yourself Fleur..."

The screen went black and all he had to look at was space. "Adrian! Adrian!" He went over to the wall.

"Fluer..," I step in front of him.

"We're sorry.. For your loss," Kazuya stands intently.

Takuto brings up the map. "Any reunion you might have had, is spoiled. Well, Mori. It's time I give you your next mission. Our orders, were to refuel and stay on standby. That's the truth. But there's more to it, you see."

I look at Fleur, he's leaning against the wall, praying. For someone so.. Obscene. "Why didn't you tell me this before, Takuto."

"Sorry.. Specific orders. This whole campaign has been pretty secret. I have to keep it like this."

"And what about the Rune Angel member, Rico? How come I've never seen her on the battlefield."

Takuto scratches his head, then falls into a chair, "You picked up a lot. You are familiar with Nano-Nano, too?"

"Yes, I read she quit, but the others.."

"They all follow the army voluntarily. They've had experience on board Luxiole. However, I cannot put them in direct danger or take them away from their retirement plan. As for the Emblem Frames, they're out of service. That's all I can say," he winks.

Hmm? What did he wink for just now?

Kazuya is deciding what to say next, mouthing his words and whispering.

"Was there something you wanted to say, Kazuya?"

He nods and taps on the planet New Vega. A gray, industrialized planet with several spots of light.

"New Vega, under a Seldorian government wouldn't have been able to be the planet it is today. However, during the golden age, Seldor and Transbaal formed co-op project to commercialize New Vega."

"So New Vega is a rich country that pumps money to both countries..why would they attack this planet of all places..," I ask.

"That we don't understand...," Takuto sighs, troubled by the information given.

"Fleur Christophe.. was the first to hop onto the project. According to recent treaties, the planet is to continue to be cooperatively operated. Our forces would have rested here. However due to circumstances, we must take action."

I read the maps, the enemy arrows are facing on the northern hemisphere of the planet. Some craters were evident, anything that survived the hits wouldn't have lived for long. "Kazuya, after briefing all this, are you sure you want to bring your fiance along?"

"We have to see this through, besides.. She doesn't want to leave my side."

I turn to Fleur, who is very seriously glancing over the battle map. He gets up, "We will be supported by the navy, right?"

"Yeah, a detachment... Commander Milfeulle is present I believe."

"I see, then my objective is clear, I understand my orders. Kazuya, be sure to brief the rest of the troupe, I will be leaving."

His feet step into the elevator. It hisses, shutting.

"Did I say something?"

"Don't worry about it, Kaz. It's a personal thing for him."

At the hangar, the mechanics are working hard to fuel and arm the Emblem Frames for their next mission. I walk in view of the Alexander where the chief engineer hammers the hull.

"How are the repairs I ask?"

She turns around, her hair fluffs into an afro, "This machine is odd.. We found a few empty payloads for the fighter. And some attachments in the databank, too."

"What do you mean by attachments.. Exactly?"

"Some sort of module, something you can download in the weapons system. We're going to remove them for now and study them."

"Odd...I learn something new everyday. Well, have you seen Christophe around?"

"He's ready for take-off, actually. If you wanted to see him, you're late."

Dissappointed, I put my gear on and prepare for the mission. "Hey, what's your name? I've seen you around before.."

"Creta."

I slip into my coat and helmet. "It's a pleasure to meet you then, Creta." The machine flashes green in the cockpit. "Alright, you're good to go."

Once I got into my fighter, we assumed our formations, then we were shot out into space. I try to get in contact with Christophe through the comm but he isn't picking up. It was just me and the rest of the troupe now.

"Yo, Fleur. When we liberate this planet, can we get a discount at your place? ..Fleur?"

He spoke after a brief five seconds, "Perhaps..."

Takuto jumps in, "No discounts until the mission's can make bets though. Milfeulle's fleet should be arriving in.."

"Well let's get this mission started then. We don't have all day, right, John?"

"If you say so."

PTOOM PTOOM PTOOM

The Imperial fleet arrive on schedule. They brought cruiser boards and missiles destroyers, coordinated by the bow and guns of the main battleship. The wings sprung out and adjustments were made to cruise at regular speed.

The voice of someone familiar comes from the Vindictus,"Coco reporting from the bridge, how's the troupe doing so far?"

"We're doing fine, thanks. Fleur though.."

She interrupts me, "That's fine." Her image comes onto the screen, wearing her glasses, beret and cape, she must be a commander judging by the rank.

BOOM. A shuttle roars to life and rears us. "I'm here to give you the details of your next mission. Is that alright?"

"But what about Takut-"

"He'll be moving to the south district right away. While that happens please take care of Milfie's fleet."

The admiral of the ship appears, she waves and smiles while reading the map, "Heyy. Fleur is that you? I haven't seen you since we last played poker."

"Urgh...," Fleur shouts, "Wait, what of the North District?"

"Nervous around the luckiest girl in the universe? What do you call it, ah yeah. Disgraceful."

"Silence, Baron."

"We have to stem the advance forces before we can move on the capitol. I'm sorry, but the planet will have to sustain more damage until we can accomplish our objectives."

"You want me to baby-sit her? She can take care of herself. We have to liberate North-District now."

"We've already had one angel disobey orders, Fleur and things didn't go well last time. Orders have to be followed without question if we want to survive."

"Yeah, yeah. Let's get this over with."

The Vindictus passes over us and enters the orbit of the planet New Vega. The lights below are still flickering, despite the heavy explosions clouds I could see from all the way up here. It didn't look good for the city. Charred smoke trails and fires were consuming the equator.

"Fleur..," my eyes travel around the cabin, "How did you know.., Ms. Sakuraba?"

"Relations. The mistress proved to be a skilled girl. Beat me many times in my own proprietorship."

I repeat the words slowly, "Pro-prie-"

"Business. All those hours I spent establishing a profitable casino will not go to waste. It's good she's aiding me in the liberation of my town."

"It's like her luck is brushing off on you," I joke. He doesn't laugh, instead he scowls. "There's no such thing as luck."

The fleet positions itself in the stratosphere of the planet, the outer border of the planet, still vaguely breathable, and where the stars and clouds touch. "Thank you, for guiding me, Fleur. It's great to see you again. How have you been?"

"Much obliged.. Much satisfied."

"Hmm? What does that mean, nephew? You're always talking in riddles..."

"No, I'm just using old English, a fancy language...," he anxiously moves about on the screen.

Milfeulle was very chatty and Fleur nods and stare out into space. His frustration, I can understand. The hours pass by, while this goes on Coco is speaking in the background on her shuttle.

"Miss Sakuraba," he shouts, fed up with her talking.

"Don't call me that, it's too much. Just call me Aunty Milfie."

Ahahahahaha, Baron pounds the panel, trying to breath as he has his laughing fit.

I giggle a bit. Fleur stares at me. "Sorry.."

"Nevermind," he hangs up.

"Fleur? Hmm. Did I say something wrong?"

I press a few buttons to get through to him but he doesn't pick up. "Don't mind him, he'll be back. Though.. The mission is going to take a while."

"Yeah, Takuto has to fight the defenses on the ground.. I wonder if he's alright.. I saw that video when Adrien..I hope he's alright. If not, I don't know what Fleur will do. Me either, now that I think about it."

"What do you mean?"

"We're like a family. Me and Fleur. He was so small back then."

So they're related. I'm not surprised Milfeulle, a casino owner. It runs in the blood, but..She continues on.

"His parents didn't talk to him a lot, so aunt Milfie took good care of him. By playing poker!"

Seriously? That's what I would have said if I wanted to be a jerk. No.. I shook my head and asked, "W-Why did you let him gamble at a young age?"

"They said he was like me. I usually don't have many people to play with, they always lose."

"But didn't you beat him a lot?"

"Huh? No, sometimes we had draws. Or he would beat me, Fleur always wantd to win now that I think about it and I wanted to have fun. Maybe we could switch places," she laughs. "I'm happy to be his aunt, I don't think he feels the same though.."

Is Fleur still listening? I don't think he is, he's been too quiet. But, I felt like he is listening, like some sort of pain is coming over him. I must be crazy to think that. That cane and the desire to win, he's been pushing himself to impress his aunt.

I bet that's why he's in the army. Heh, it's a worthy gamble to assume that. He would be impressed. That reminds me, his cane caused the slot machines to explode earlier. How did he get that?

"Milfie, how did he get the-"

On the bridge, Milfie is resting her eyes. She must be worn out. I turn to Coco and she simply shrugs and laughs it off.

"Don't worry," she whispers and gives me a wink, "The staff will wake her up when the time is right. For now, just hang tight."

The radar beeps periodically. "Hey, I have a reading."

"That women.. Sleeping already."

"Hey, don't talk about your aunt like that. It makes her sad."

"Perhaps.. Forgive me, then. For so many years, I've tried to match her luck, her skill. Last time we bet, we bankrupted the reserves.. My dear mother and father have always had a hint of favoritism toward her as the oldest of the family.."

"Don't talk like that. You're family, remember. Milfie isn't the smartest tool in the shed either. That's something you have, a lucky and smart guy is something you don't see everyday."

He doesn't speak.

WHOOOSH.

A fleet emerges out of chrono-string. They carry the Seldorian Order Cross.

"The enemy, Fleur-"

"Hold your fire," Coco orders. "This is the Transbaal navy, please identify yourself."

The crew is shaking Ms. Sakuraba awake, but she doesn't move. She's still as a rock. Dammit, why did we let her rest?

The Seldorians don't respond on the link.

"So.. They won't respond. Coco, we should engage."

Baron unlocks his missiles and lock on them. The cruisers and destroyers position themselves on the flank.

"No.. We should warn them first. We should avoid fighting on a neutral planet. Seldorian fleet, we are here to protect the New Vega commercial districts. Please, understand that this planet was a cooperative project between the two of us. Even if we fight.. The planet should have the right to not be involved in our affairs."

The Seldor fleet as if acknowledge lock-down their ship engines and deploy force-fields around, then line up against each other in vertical columns. A nervous squire. in white and black cross comes on the screen, "Transbaal navy, we acknowledge your request however..," he chokes up.

"However.."

Another voice boomed over him, finishing his sentence, "However, we have orders to invade," he's brushed aside by a metallic claw. A hybrid.. Thing appears before us, with flesh and metal juxtaposing head to toe his entire body.

He clenched his cold fists, "The New Vega planet is to be converted into an industrial factory for the war effort."

This robot looks familiar, even if his face was badly deformed and his eyes cybernetic, I think I recognized his cape and uniform. That's right.. They're the colors of the Transbaal!

"Who are you?" I command.

"Oh?" he raises an eyebrow at me, disappointed then proceeds to ignore me. "Takuto isn't here? And where are the angels?"

"Mmm," Milfeulle yawns, "Sorry, I fell-," her eyes open wide at the sight of the machine, "Ahh! Eonia?!"

Eonia? The man who led a coup against Transbaal? I thought he died. How did he come back to life? Everyone else was as baffled as me.

"...They put a broad like you in charge? And who is this little girl?" he stares closely at the screen.

"Oh wait.. It's you.. Takuto Meyers put you in charge? Hmm. I won't forgive him."

He knows who I am? This creep scares me.

Coco adds one last warning message, but he merely shrugs it off. "I am going to attack New Vega. Orders are orders. It was nice running into you again though. Now kindly step aside."

"Hey, Hey! We won't let you take New Vega without a fight!"

"Right."

"Really?"

We all launch our missiles into the air, spend our ammo into the barrage of detonated explosions. The lasers pierce into the cloud. Nothing recognizable could be seen through the smoke, but we continued firing.

His second chance at life, would have probably ended shortly. However, as the smoke cleared, the Seldorian fleet emerged, untouched by the attack.

"No fair, he's using shields!"

"We can't help it, they're using force shields."

"What are we going to do?" Miss Sakuraba panics.

"Stay calm, we're going to have hold out. The shield should have a weak point somewhere. I'll scan. Do not engage until then."

The Seldorians launch their fighters. Hundreds, thousands of them assemble in the stars and swarm the imperial fleet.

"Okay! I' found the weak spot, it's at the center ship, the huge battleship."

We can see it, it was a wide arc with oars on the side.

An explosions makes the ship pivot.

"Right! I'll prepare the hyper cannons."

BAM

"Aim your guns slightly left.."

"I'm trying.."

Whrrrrr The 25 meter guns snap into place.

"There! Now we can shoo-"

"No, you don't," Fleur suddenly kicks higher into space and flies toward the enemy fleet. "hey! What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Bring him back, he's entering the danger zone! NOW!" Coco screams over the comms!

"Wait, why?"

"I've just analyzed the shileds. They are designed to vaporize everything on contact within a given time. What could he possibly be thinking closing in on them!"

I shake my head, "Idiot." My fighter plane pursues after him. Baron and John lag behind.

"It's just us, the fleet is busy engaging the tangos... We might not make it to him in time."

"That's more than enough," Baron smirks, "Now's a good time.. Coco, emergency protocol, danger close?"

"Y-Yes! Be careful!"

Hmm? I scratch my head. A fighter flies sucidally toward me with its sharp nose. "Whoa," I jerk right. "Lancer class battleships..Alright, Mori. Now's a good time to tell you. We have emergency firepower in our emblem frames. It can cause a lot of casualties, which is why we avoid using it in some situations. Today's your lucky day, we're ready to fire our load anytime."

"Sounds good..," I open up my map. A herd of flashing lights were descending on us from above at a flat angle. "Baron, can you take them out?"

"I'll do more than that," he drops his a box of missiles. They click and open, they fly after the enemy and ignite in a cluster of bright lights. An eruption of white clouds blot out the stars. "Good, let's keep moving.

Enemy fighters gathered in a column, one after another.

Whoosh. Whoosh Whoosh.

They formed a wall and threw javelins at us.

THUMP THUMP THUMP

"Our Emblem Frames won't last.. John?"

"On it!"

Click. Vooom.. Vooom..

A wave of green light ripples through space. The glass that had craked on my fighter were filling up. Alexander starts to ethereally glow.

"You can't take damage. It is safe to fly through."

"Roger that!"

Our guns revolve and spin then flash. Steams of bullets tear through the ships. The wall breaks and fall apart.

"Now!" At the right time we hyper-drive through the wall. Fleur is already at the stern of Ark's mast.

"Fleur Christophe!"

"You made it, my colleagues!"

He jumps over a Lancer class and pummels Red Masque through a fighter wall.

"Don't talk to us so casually after what you did! We need to get back to Coco!

There's too many of them. The battleships begin to notice us breaking through turn on us... Too late.

BEEP

Someone's calling me? I answer.

It's Coco, "Mori, you have to damage the oars! Somewhere in the arc, there's an engine you have to destroy!"

"But what about Milfie's famous hyper-cannon? It could pierce through the Ark.

She shakes her head, angry, "You're too close. Since Fleur got you this far, it's all up to you now!"

Coco hangs up.

"Dammit, Fleur. We have to aim at an oar. Which one?"

"This- This-," he hesitates.

"Pick, quickly."

"I can't decide.."

"What do you mean, you can't decide? You came this far, do it!"

"I-I-.. I don't know. I might fail.."

"Who cares? We have no choice, but to try and try!"

Fleur closes his eyes.

Hurryy... Alexander's console flashes and a text scrolls through the screen.

"Activate Emergency Protocol... Activating."

Cables launch from Alexander and attach to Fleur's Red Masque.

"Argh, what the devil? Mori!"

"I don't know what's going on.."

Random mess of numbers jump on the screen..

10817301839200381830182381093809182038198301283098 10381208300128309128301820398012983091823098109830 29830918203980293801823098210380128309180810283080 12893... Use Fleur's luck? [Y/N]

What the-, Wait that's right. "Fleur! Use the emergency payload!'

"Here of all places?"

"It's now or never do it!" I slam on the Y key.

"Right!" Fleur obeys. Red Masque charges up.

Whhrrr. A collosal barrel rolls out of his front nose.

He pulls the trigger, and the lasers fires one stream through space. They divide into clusters and bounce like pinballs all over the Ark. The ship's oars fall off and the battleship is left inoperable.

Eonia slams his seat, "Dammit! What did you do, Mori?"

"Just follow orders, Fleur let's get out of here!" We retreat back to Milfie's fleet.

"Damn you! All forces, protect the Ark! We are retreating!"

After the battle, we had to report to the bridge to an angry Takuto and disappointed Milfie.

"And that's what happened," I explained.

"So, Eonia's back," he turns to Fleur walks up to him and glares. "Your actions are unacceptable on board this ship. The next time this incident happens, someone will face a court martial," he groans, "Being jealous of Commander Sakuraba is one thing, but-"

"Hey, go easy on him, Takuto.. He did beat Eonia.. Without him.. I don't know what would have happened to New Vega.."

Takuto's expression returns to a casual smirk. "Well..I guess you're right. Just don't let this happen again. And Mori, I'm counting on you to keep everyone in check..," he steps along the bridge floor.

Coco hands him a cup of coffee. "And, Fleur.. I met Adrien down there.. He's all right."

Fluer salutes him, "Thank you, sir."

"It's no big deal. From here on, you're not allowed in the game room for a few more weeks. Okay?"

He frowns, "Yes.. Takuto."

Around nightime I found Fleur's room. I sat outside, waiting for him to answer me. Rico found me in the hall way, too. "Oh, you're waiting for Fleur? Can I sit here?"

"Sure."

We wait for a while, "So.. Rico, how did he possess such good luck?"

Apricot shakes her head, "I'm not sure.. Sister might know.."

"That's right," I remembered, "You're Ms. Sakuraba's sister..Fleur must be. Your uncle then? Must be a big family."

"Yeah, it is. Sister's the greatest.."

"I heard that from Fleur, too. Is she.. The favorite one?"

She nods, "Nephew Fleur is the smallest in the family. When other people aren't around he's timid. One time me and sister found him clinging on the magic cane alone..."

"Magic cane? So that thing he's holding on to.."

"Fleur is a nice guy. I wish he and oni-chan could just get along like they used to.. He's always busy.."

"Maybe you can," I got up.

Knock Knock Knock.

"I'm preoccupied."

"That's not true, listen.. Rico is here.. Can we come in?"

"No. I'm excluded from gambling, madame. My pride is wounded."

"Forget about your pride, it's your family you should be worried about. Ms. Sakuraba might not be here for long. She's going to leave for her duties"

"Good riddance. My jealously would only hinder our cause."

"Screw jealousy, she's family. Forget about her being better than you. Just meet her one last time to relax. You're both well liked, and notable as far as I know-" Milfeulle pats my back.

"Now, now. Fleur needs some time alone. We should just let him have that."

"Milfeulle?" he opens the door, "What are you doing here?"

"I was worried, I wanted to give you something to eat.. But I found out you don't like me.. Soo I'll drop this here," she hands him a plate of cake.

"My favorite...strawberry."

"Bye, bye Fleur it was nice meeting you. I'm sorry.. About everything. It must be really hard running that casino without mom and dad now.."

"Wait..," he stops her. "I have free time and I have a deck of cards.."

"Oh boy. I can't watch-" Apricot closes her eyes.

"How about we play.. A game? Just for fun."

"A game?" I roll my eyes, "Isn't it an aristocratic-"

"No, just a game. Want to join? I can teach you. Me and Sakuraba are the best."

"Why the sudden change?"

"It's much worse when you can't play.. Even if you lose, it's enjoyable because of the company you are with, not the rewards or the title. I learned that now.. Much like you did," he winks, "Isn't that right, Madame?"

"Why yes, so who wants to shuffle?"

Milfeulle raises her hand, "Me, me!"

We all sit down and face each other. Fleur makes his first move.