-1Chapter 8- The first strike
"What the hell was that?" Yelled Holland. What felt like a giant earthquake had just jarred him from his sleep.
"Holland get to the bridge now!" said Talho over the intercom. "We're under attack! Multipule LFO units are surrounding the area!"
"Hang tight! I'm on my way!" he replied. "Man, this sure is one heck of a wake-up call." he muttered to himself. A few minutes later he had somehow managed to get himself to the bridge despite the wild maneuvers that Doggie was using to avoid and dodge the attacks.
"Hows the situation?" asked Holland.
"Tight at the moment. It was a surprise attack." Talho replied.
"How many LFO's are out there?"
"About ten right now. Not sure if there are any more reinforcements on the way or not."
"Are our LFO's ready for launch?"
"Yes they are leader!" Gidget replied. "The 606, 808, Venturion, and Nirvash are ready to go!"
"Roger that! Talho, get the catapult lowered and ready for launch!"
"Roger!" she replied.
"Ken-goh, try to keep those things off of us until we can get the LFO's in the air!"
"I'm trying!" he replied. "Those upgrades that they got are making it hard to keep up with them!"
"Holland, the catapault is ready to go!" yelled Talho.
"Roger that! Launch the LFO's now!" Holland replied.
"606, heading out!" yelled Hilda. Within a second of saying that the catapault sent her out into the battle.
"808 launching now!" yelled Matthieu as his LFO jetted off the catapault.
"Venturion, keep the Nirvash as protected as you can!" said Holland over the radio.
"Roger that! Launching now!" Anemone replied as her LFO took off.
"Renton, Eureka, you know what to do." said Holland.
"Roger!" they replied. "Nirvash launching now!" Yelled Renton. And with that they were off into the battle.
"Leader, five more rebel LFO's have shown up on the radar!" yelled Woz.
"Dammit can they handle that many at once?" asked Holland.
"They have to we have no choice." Talho replied.
"Nirvash- two down!" said Eureka over the radio.
"They got two already?" said Holland.
"That's what she said." Talho replied.
"Venturion, one down, still on Nirvash's right, just a little below them!"
"Roger that! Thanks Anemone!" said Renton.
"Thank me later! Pay attention to the situation!" she replied.
"Roger! Sorry!"
"Nirvash, on your left!" yelled Hilda on the radio.
Suddenly the Nirvash quickly dodged to the right, avoiding the incoming LFO as it launched multipule missles. After losing the missiles with a series of turns, dances, and a little luck, it quickly dived down and took out the LFO with it's scythe blade.
"Another one down!" said Renton.
"Ok that's four! Eleven to go!" replied Matthieu over the radio.
"808 above you!" said Hilda
"Roger that I got'em!" he replied. As the monsoono dived down on him, he dodged to the left, turned back to the right, dived back down on him and took him out with the laser. "Scratch one! Man if they upgraded these things they should have upgraded their pilots!"
"Enough with the jokes Matthieu!" said Hilda.
"Hilda, two coming in from behind you!"
"Roger!" she replied. As the two units closed in on her, the 606 soared skyward, did a cut back drop turn, avoided their laser attacks and took both units out with hers. "Scratch two!" she said.
"Nine to go!" said Renton. "Venturion, two on the left, one right! How does a little double team action sound?"
"Sounds like fun let's do it!" Anemone replied.
"Alright then let's go!" said Renton. What happened next took everyone off guard. The compact drives of both the Venturion and the Nirvash lit up with that ever familiar green light. At that point in time, the two units had somehow become interconnected with each other, like they were in some sort of mental union.
"Renton, what's going on?" asked Eureka.
"I don't know! Anemone, is your compact drive reacting?"
"Roger! It's like the two units are talking to each other somehow!"
"Well, if they are lets see what they can do!"
"Alright let's do it!" Anemone replied.
"What is this?" asked Matthieu over the radio.
"I have no idea!" Hilda replied. "I've never seen fighting skills like this before!" As the two watched in amazement, they couldn't believe what was happening before their eyes.
Somehow in some unbelievable event, the Nirvash and Venturions powers had both increased together along with their maneuverability and fighting capabilities. The speed of the units was something else also. They had never seen LFO's move as fast as these two did. The monsoono squad that had attacked them just a little bit ago suddenly didn't have a chance and were quickly defeated within a matter of minutes. Even as advanced as the new monsoono units were, they still weren't able to keep up with the speed of the two LFO's.
"Leader, all confirmed rebel units now confirmed gone." said Woz.
"Confirm that." said Talho. "Holland, what was that?"
"I'm not sure." he replied. "Gidget, get them on the radio so we can make sure they're ok."
"Roger!" she replied and within a matter of seconds had them both online with the Gekko.
"Venturion, Nirvash, you guys alright?" asked Holland.
"Roger!" they all replied.
"We're fine here!" said Renton.
"We're good here also!" Anemone replied. "Even though I think Dominic almost lost his breakfast."
"Good to hear." said Holland. "So what happened out there?"
"Not sure." said Renton. "It's like the two LFO's connected to each other somehow."
"So it was nothing between you guys at all?"
"Negative." said Anemone. "It was strictly the LFO's only."
"You sure?" Holland replied.
"Positive." said Eureka.
"Alright then. Everyone come on home. We'll discuss this later."
"Roger!" they all replied and the radio went silent.
"Gidget, open the landing bay. They should be here any second. Once they're secure, let's leave this airspace for a bit."
"Roger that." she replied.
"Talho, keep an eye on things for a bit. I'll be in our room if you need anything."
"You ok Holland?"
"Yeah I'm fine. Just have to try to figure out what happened here today."
"Roger that." she replied.
"606, 808, Venturion, and Nirvash confirmed landed and secured." said Gidget.
"Ok, close her up and lets get out of here." said Talho.
"Roger that." said Doggie. He then fired up the boosters of the ship and left the airspace that they had just been attacked in.
A few minutes later, Holland called Dominic, Anemone, Eureka, and Renton to his room to find out what had actually happened.
"So Renton, when you and Eureka activated the compact drive unit, you say the one on the Venturion reacted also?"
"Yes Holland." said Renton. "I've never seen or felt anything like it before."
"Yeah no kidding." replied Anemone. "The power was just absolutely immense."
"And it didn't affect any of you mentally at all?" asked Holland.
"No it didn't Holland, not even physically." Eureka replied.
"Well, except for Dominic who almost lost his Breakfast." said Anemone.
"You're telling me." he replied. "Those maneuvers were beyond anything a normal human could do."
"But you're alright now right?" asked Holland.
"Yes I am thank you." Dominic replied.
"So basically the two units activated as one as soon as Renton and Eureka activated their compact drive, causing both of them to increase in power, maneuverability, accuracy, and speed while not affecting anyone mentally or physically?"
"That's the story." said Renton.
"Strangest thing I've ever seen." Holland replied. "And you four didn't feel in danger at all?"
"Negative sir." replied Dominic.
"I see." said Holland. "Alright, I'll go over the reports with Talho and Mischa and try to figure this whole thing out. I don't believe Mischa will do any testing since what happened didn't effect any of you at all, but be prepared if she does."
"Ok Holland." Eureka replied. "Anything else?"
"No that's all." he replied. "You're all free for the rest of the day, but are still on call. So be ready for anything. Dismissed."
"Roger." they all replied and left the room.
"What the hell is going on here." Holland muttered to himself after the group left. "This was bigger than the seventh swell effect, and the amita drive wasn't even used. How are those two LFO's connected?" He then hung his head and said "Well, I better go give the reports to Talho and Mischa. I bet they're gonna love this." He then got up, walked out of their room and headed towards the bridge.
While Holland headed towards the bridge, the two young couples went to the dining room to get some lunch. The battle they just had worked up a little bit of an appetite in all of them.
"So Eureka, what do you think of the whole situation?" asked Anemome as they sat down to eat.
"I'm not sure." she replied. "I didn't think the LFO's would react like that."
"Yeah, it is strange." Renton continued. "and that wasn't with the amita drive activated either."
"But doesn't that activate automatically?" asked Dominic.
"No, only when we pull up on the compact drives lever does it activate." Eureka replied.
"I see." he replied. "So the full power of the Nirvash was never used."
"Exactly." said Renton.
"I wonder what would have happened if you did then." said Anemone.
"I don't know." Renton replied. "and we're not going to find out anytime soon. Lets get used to this level of power first before we do anything."
"Agreed." said Dominic. "It wouldn't make any sense to put ourselves in any danger, especially with Eureka being pregnant and all."
"Dominic, you getting soft on me?" asked Anemone jokingly and with a giggle.
"No, I'm just saying." he replied.
"It's ok, thanks Dominic." said Renton with a laugh.
"Yes, thank you for caring Dominic." Eureka replied.
"Anytime you two." said Dominic. "I feel I owe it to you after you helped show Anemone what caring and love was all about. If it wasn't for that, me and her wouldn't be here with each other right now."
"Dominic, she already knew what all of that was." Eureka replied. "We just had to show her that she couldn't give up on it, that there was always hope that she would be with you again."
"Well, I still think I owe you for it."
"You don't owe us a thing, Dominic." Renton replied. "Just you two being our friends is all the thanks we need."
"Thanks you two."
"Your welcome Dominic." Eureka replied.
"So, do you two have anything else planned for the rest of the day?" asked Anemone.
"The usual." said Renton.
"The usual?" Dominic replied.
"That means spending time with ourselves and the children." Eureka replied.
"Is there a chance that we can join you so we can get to know the kids?" asked Anemone.
"Sure, I'm sure they'll like that." said Eureka. "What do you think Renton?"
"I think it's fine, dear." he replied. "It'll be a good experience for you two."
"Great!!" said Anemone enthusiastically. "Where would they be right now?"
"One of many places." said Renton with a laugh. "But the most likely places are either in the lounge playing or spending time with Hilda."
"Well, lets finish eating and find them! I'm dying to get to know them!" said Anemone.
"Ok, let's hurry and go then." said Renton. The group then finished their lunch and went to go look for the kids.
Meanwhile at a rebel military base, word of the squadrons defeat soon spread like wildfire.
"BUT HOW?!" We had them outnumbered by ten LFO units compared to their four LFO's and the ship! There shouldn't have been any way for them to defeat us!" said lietenant Jensen.
"I understand that sir." replied captain Jonston. "But they ran into two LFO's we weren't planning on."
"Just two?" asked Jensen.
"Yes sir. One seemed to resemble the type zero, the other unknown sir. It must have been built by the federation without us knowing." Jonston replied.
"They type zero has returned?"
"It seems that way sir."
"And the federation has a new LFO and it also flies with the Gekkostate?"
"Yes lieutenant."
"Hmmm, this was definitely something we didn't plan on." he replied.
"No sir." Jonston replied. "The two units are going to prove to a problem sir."
"I see that." said Jensen. "Well, do we know where the Gekkostate went?"
"Negative sir. They left the area shortly after the battle and haven't been seen on any of our radars since."
"Alright then. Have any patrol units that are available get up in the air and keep an eye out for them. Most likely they went back to federation airspace to get either refueled or resupplied. And if or when they come back, we'll be ready for them."
"Yes sir!" said Jonston. He then went out to the bases barracs and Hangars to give all the pilots their orders.
Back on the Gekko, the two young couples were having a hard time finding the kids. Apparently they were no where to be found.
"Where could they be?" asked Renton. "We've been all over this ship and still can't find them."
"I know, it's strange. We even checked with Holland and Talho in their room and they weren't there either." said Eureka.
"We checked their room right?"
"Yes, twice." she replied. It was then that Dominic and Anemome came walking up the hallway. "Any luck you two?"
"No." said Anemone. "It's like they know we're looking for them."
"I'd say." said Dominic. "My legs are killing me from all the walking. It was then that Rentons eyes lit up and got large.
"Guys, follow me. I think I know where they are, but you have to be quiet." The three then headed down the hall to Dominic and Anemone's quarters.
"But why?" asked Dominic in a whisper.
"They like hiding in places that they think we'd never look." Renton replied. "and since you two are new, you wouldn't think they'd hide in your room."
"I see." said Dominic with a smile.
"Ok, on the count of three, we rush in, ok?" The three nodded in agreement with large smiles on their faces. "Ok then, one, two, three, NOW!! And the four rushed into the room finding the kids hiding on the far side of the bed on the floor.
"Got you children!" said Eureka with a laugh.
"Awww, mom." they all replied laughing and giggling.
"Well, I guess you were right Renton." said Dominic.
"You just have to know them." Renton replied. "You'll figure that out soon enough."
"I guess so." Dominic replied with a laugh as he watched Anemone and Eureka goof off and play with the kids on their bed.
The rest of the day was spent playing and spending time with the kids so that Anemone and and Dominic could get to know them. By the end of the evening, the young couple were just plain worn out from all the running around that they did just to keep up with them. They couldn't believe all the energy that those kids had. When the two got to their room at the end of the night, they finally realized what it was like having kids around on the ship.
"That was great!!" said Anemone as they got ready for bed. "I've never had so much fun!"
"It was awesome wasn't it?" he replied. "I guess having kids around isn't so bad after all."
"No it isn't. I really enjoyed it."
"Almost makes me want to have kids now." Dominic replied.
"Really?" said Anemone with anxious eyes.
Dominic then laugh for a few seconds and said "Yeah, really."
"When?" she asked.
"Not sure yet. But when we're sure that we're ready to handle it, then we'll try."
"Thank you Dominic, you have no idea how happy that makes me."
"No problem dear. Now lets get some sleep. We had a long day and I'm totally tuckered out."
"Alright. See you in the morning?"
"Always." he replied with a smile. They then gave each other a slow good nights kiss and fell into a deep, comfortable sleep.
Chapter 9- the new federation army
A week later after the battle, the Gekkostate landed back at the Tresor research facilities to make any necessary repairs after the battle since the ship took some moderate hits. Any upgrades to the ship and the LFO units were also done while they took care of restocking on supplies like weapons, food, and other things that were needed for everyday living. They also got in contact with captain Jurgens to tell him about the recent attack on them.
"So they finally made the first move eh?" said Jurgens
"Yeah and unfortunately it was against us when we were least expecting it." Talho replied.
"Are you guys ok though?" asked Jurgens.
"Yeah we're fine. We got some moderate damage from what we can tell so far but that's about it." said Holland.
"That's good. Are Anemone and Dominic doing ok over there?" asked Jurgens.
"Yeah they're doing good so far. It's a good thing you sent them here." said Talho.
"Why's that?" asked Jurgens.
"You wouldn't believe us if we told you." Holland replied.
"Oh really?"
"Yeah really." said Holland. "Anyways, is there any way we can set up a meeting with you sometime?"
"Sure. Where are you guys located at right now?"
"We're landed at Tresor facilities for supplies and repairs. We may be here for a few days but we're not sure yet." Talho replied.
"Roger that. Is there anything else I need to know at this time?"
"Not at the moment." said Holland. "We do have a piece of news for you, but we'll tell you about it when you get here. How long will it be before you are able to get here?"
"Possibly a few days yet. I've gotten some reports of rebel activity that I need to check out first before I do anything."
"Roger that." said Holland. "We'll lay low here for now. The ship is in the hangar locked up and secure so we won't be seen."
"Alright good job." said Jurgens. "We'll see you in a few days then. Izumo out."
"Gekko out." Holland replied and the radio went silent.
"Looks like we'll be here for a bit." said Talho who was standing behind him.
"Looks that way." Holland replied. "Better let the crew know. Have them meet us in the lounge in ten minutes."
"Roger that." she replied. She then got onto the paging system to tell the crew to meet them there. While she did this, Holland started walking towards the lounge to start the meeting. Ten minutes later everyone was in the lounge waiting for the meeting to begin.
"Everyone, it looks like we'll be here for a little bit due to repairs and upgrades that have to be done to both the ship and the LFO's. Also, I have set up a meeting with Jurgens over the radio in three days. We'll continue to lay low until then. We are also going to make it official from here on out- We're going to join up with the new federation army."
"What!?" said Matthieu.
"You're kidding!" Hilda replied.
"That's impossible!" said Hap. "When was this decision made?"
"A while ago." Holland replied. "Don't you remember?"
"Oh, yeah, sorry. I totally forgot about that day."
"It's alright." Holland replied.
"Does that mean we have to start going by rank now?" asked Renton. Holland laughed for a few seconds and said "No, things will stay the same as before, maybe just a little stricter, that's all."
"Ok, that I can handle." Renton replied with a laugh.
"Anyways, everyone will be helping with loading up the supplies. The staff here at Tresor will be handling the repairs and upgrades, so don't worry about helping them unless they ask." said Holland.
"Also, we'll be working in shifts since it won't hopefully take too long to re-supply." said Talho. "So don't rush yourselves. It'll take longer to do the repairs than anything else."
"So anyways, you all get some downtime to yourselves. Be grateful you got it. Also, you all have orders to stay on base in either the hangars or the barracks or the main building since we don't want to be seen by any rebel forces." Holland continued.
"Roger that." they all replied.
"Alright then, dismissed."
"Ok everyone, let's go. We have a lot of work to do." said Hilda.
"Awwww." everyone groaned as they all got up. They all knew too well how much work was waiting for them.
For the next several days after that, the work load was bigger than Talho and Holland had expected. They hadn't realized how much that the Gekko needed after all. At the end of the last supply day, everyone was thoroughly exhausted and worn out, especially since they all had to work around all the repair and technical crews. Anemone and Dominic felt it the worst, since they never had to re-supply a ship before. By the time they were done, they were both ready to collapse.
"Ok everyone, that's enough." said Holland. "We're done here. We still have a few more days yet for repairs, so let the tech's handle that. Take the next few days off, but don't leave the barracks or hangars. Dismissed!"
"Hooray!!" they all yelled as they ran out of the ship.
"Wow, I've never seen them run so fast." said Talho while she laughed.
"Can't say I blame them." Holland replied. "But we have work to do ourselves- Jurgens is waiting for us."
"Alright, lets go." said Talho. Several minutes later, they were in the main meeting room of the Tresor facility. Jurgens was sitting there waiting for them with his co-captain by his side.
"Jurgens." said Holland. "Good to see you again. I just wish it was under better circumstances."
"Yeah no kidding." Jurgens replied. "So, what did you want to meet with me about?"
"We're going to join you and the new federation army to fight off these new forces." said Holland. "We figured it was the only way we could stay ahead of them."
"I see." said Jurgens. "A perfectly fine request. I should be able to get it approved with no problems what so ever."
"That's good to hear." said Talho.
"Now about the new LFO. How is it responding to Anemone and Dominic?"
"Better than you could ever believe." Holland replied.
"And how is that?" asked Jurgens.
"Whenever it fights along the Nirvash's side, it responds to the compact drive of it and it then fights like it's one with it."
"How is that even possible?"
"We're not sure yet. We have yet to still figure that out. All we know is that it's an advantage to all of us."
"I see." Jurgens replied. "I won't ask any further on that one then. Now, how are the other two doing?"
"If you're meaning Renton and Eureka, we have to protect them with all our might now. Not only are they still the only hope that this world has, but they are also bringing in their own hope, their own little miracle." said Talho.
"You mean they're bearing a child!?" said Jurgens.
"Yes." said Talho. "Which is why we have to keep them as safe as possible now."
"Is it even possible with those two?" asked Jurgens.
"If it wasn't we wouldn't be telling you this." Holland replied.
"Alright then, I'll have a few LFO units from my squadron helping out at all times. If there's anything else you need, just let us know."
"Thanks Jurgens we will. We'll be here for a few more days yet due to the repairs and upgrades that we needed. We'll then be taking off from here and try to keep as much of the rebel alliance down as we can." Holland replied.
"You do that." said Jurgens. "They made the first strike and now it's our turn."
"Yes it is, and we're doing it for them." said Holland with determined eyes.
"And our world." said Talho.
"Alright then, I'll be seeing you two soon enough then. Go and get some rest. It looks like you could use it."
"Thanks Jurgens, we will." said Talho. They all then left the room afterwards.
Later on in the barracks, everyone had chosen to take a room in there for the night since it was too loud on the ship due to all the repairs that were being done. But since it was still early in the evening, they all decided to hang out in the lounge of the ship anyways.
"Man, I almost forgot what relaxing felt like." said Hilda with a laugh.
"No kidding, it feels great believe me." Anemone replied.
"You two looked like you were ready to drop dead after we got done." said Hap.
"Close to it." Dominic replied. "One more box and you would've been picking me up off the floor."
"I'll second that opinion." said Anemone with a giggle.
"Well, speaking of relaxing, where are Renton and Eureka?" asked Talho. "I haven't seen them in a while."
"The last time I checked on them they were in their room sleeping like babies." Hilda replied.
"They're able to sleep in all this noise? How is that possible?" asked Matthieu.
"It's not that hard when you're that comfortable with each other." Talho replied.
"I guess not." said Hilda. "It must be nice."
"We'll leave them be." said Holland. "Those two deserve some quiet time to themselves."
"Yeah I guess we can keep it down for them. Especially for Eureka. I mean, it's bad enough she has to work in her condition let alone fight in the Nirvash." said Hilda.
"True." Anemone replied. "I'm sure Renton worries about her quite a bit also."
"It worries all of us." said Talho. "Which is why we're trying to protect those two and keep them safe while they're with us."
"Exactly." Hilda replied. "Without them, there is no future or world for us out there."
"Are you sure about that?" asked Dominic.
"Pretty sure." Holland replied. "If that's not true, then all the better. But right now we're not willing to take that chance."
"Yeah I guess that's understandable after the second summer of love incident." said Dominic.
"Yes it is." Holland replied. "But anyways, we should all go to the barracks and get some rest. It's been a long day and I'm sure all of you could use some sleep. So lets get to our rooms and we'll start out fresh tomorrow morning ok?"
"Roger." they all replied. They all then left the Gekko and went to their rooms in the barracks for the night.
The next morning, Eureka and Renton were woken up by the sounds of industry as the repairs and upgrades were on their final leg to being completed. The noise in Renton's opinion was loud enough to wake the dead.
"Oh man, what a headache. Now I know we should've stayed in the barracks last night." he muttered to himself.
"Renton, dear, are you ok?" Eureka asked with a worried look on her face.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just a small headache that's all. A couple of aspirin will take care of it with no problem."
"Ok, that's good." she replied softly. The expression on her face then went from a worried one to that of a person who was well rested. "Did you sleep ok though?"
"Yeah I slept great other than the wakeup call we got." Renton replied.
"Me too." she replied. "How about we get dressed and head down to the dining hall in the main building to get some breakfast?"
"Sounds good to me." he replied. "I'm starving anyways."
"Sounds good to me also." Eureka replied. All of a sudden as she sat there on their bed her eyes got wide and her hand covered her mouth. She then got up and ran to the bathroom and slammed the door. About ten minutes later, she finally emerged looking a little worn out, but fine otherwise.
"Morning sickness hit you a little hard this time?" asked Renton.
"Yeah but I'm fine." she replied. "Are you ready to go then?"
Renton laughs and says "Yeah I am but you're not yet." Eureka then looked down and realized that she still had her nightgown on.
"Oh, sorry." she said with a smile. "I totally forgot about that."
"It's ok Eureka. I'll wait for you, no hurry." Renton replied.
"Ok I'll be ready shortly." she replied. She then got her clothes out for the day and went into the bathroom to get changed.
A little while later, the young couple arrived at the facilities dining hall. To their surprise, everyone was already up and eating.
"Good morning you two." said Hilda. "How was your night on the ship?"
"Great." said Eureka.
"Yeah, other than the noise this morning." said Renton.
"We could have warned you about that." Talho replied. "But you two looked so cute sleeping there that we left you alone."
"Well next time don't ok?" said Renton with a laugh.
"Don't worry next time we'll come in there and wake you up with horns blaring." Holland replied laughing.
"Yeah, right." said Renton. "Anyways, when will all the work be done?"
"Well, if we're lucky, it'll actually be today. Things are going better than we had planned." Talho replied.
"That's good." said Eureka.
"In a way yes, in another no." said Dominic.
"And why is that?" asked Eureka.
"Because, Eureka, after we take off from here, we'll be in constant battle from that point on."
"Against the rebels I'm guessing." Renton replied.
"Yes." said Holland. "But we're now joined with the New Federation Army, so we have allies with us at all times."
"Along with some extra LFO units that will be us in each different patrol section that we go through." said Talho. "So you two along with the ship will be protected at all times."
"Thanks, you guys, for everything." said Renton.
"No problem." said Holland. "Ok then, everyone hurry up and finish your breakfasts. We're going back to the ship to help finish the repairs and upgrades. We are launching today!!"
"Roger!" they all replied. They all then finished their breakfast and headed back to the ship to help take care of the final details on the repairs and upgrades.