-1Chapter 21- Love and pain
Two weeks had went by and the GekkoState was fighting harder than they had ever had before. With Eureka now seven months in with her pregnancy she was no longer able to fight. Miraculously though Renton was still able to pilot the Nirvash without her since part of her spirit resided within it. She was always able to tell when Renton was safe and when he was in danger.
Anemone and Dominic were getting along better than ever during those days and were also fighting harder than they had ever done so before also. The battles had been getting rougher and tougher ever since they had rescued Avriana from the rebel base over two weeks ago. The rebel forces had sworn to themselves that they would get her back no matter what the cost. Anemone was now a month in herself with her pregnancy and was enjoying every minute of it. Her checkups with Mischa were going well even though Mischa noticed something different with it, but didn't say anything until she knew for sure what it was.
"Talho, how's our progress so far?" asked Holland.
"So far so good. Rebel strength has gained a tad but it's leveled off."
"Sounds good. How are we looking supplies wise?"
"We're ok at the moment. We'll need a grocery run in about another week or so. Weapons levels are still good. We have enough to last another two weeks if we can stretch it that far considering how many battles we've been in."
"I see. How about maintenance? Do we need any?"
"Not at the moment that I know of. Axel has been doing great keeping up with things in that area. Looks like it's tiring him out though."
"Put him on two days off then. Tell him to take it easy for now."
"Who will take care of things then?"
"Put Renton on it for now."
"Alright then, can do. Anything else?"
"Yeah. Where's Stephen?"
"STEPHEN!!" yelled Talho. Her and Holland had been having a hard time watching him ever since he started walking.
"Now where'd he go?" asked Holland as they left their room.
"Now Stephen, what are you doing down here?" asked Eureka gently with a smile. "Did you get away from mom and dad again?" All he did was smile and giggle while he motioned her to pick him up. "Ok ok, let's go find mom and dad." She then picked him up and began walking towards Holland and Talho's room.
"Hilda, have you seen Stephen?" asked Talho.
"No I haven't. Why? Did he get away from you again?"
"Yes he did. He's about as much trouble as his father is."
"I believe it." Hilda replied with a laugh. "Good luck in your search."
"Yeah, thanks." Talho then left her room and headed towards the bridge. As she did, she heard Eureka yell "Mom!" from behind her. "What's the matter Eureka?" she asked as she turned around. "Oh, never mind. I see you found who I was looking for. Where was he?"
"Down by our room. I was getting ready to go find Renton when I saw him wandering the hallways."
"Well thanks for bringing him down here for me. Did you need Renton for something?"
"No. I just haven't seen him all day and I wanted to see what he was doing that's all."
"Well that certainly is strange of him, but ok. I'll see you at dinner then?"
"I'll be there. See you later!"
"Renton, can you throw me a wrench down here?" asked Dominic. He and Renton were in the hangar working on Matthieu's 606.
"Sure thing!" Renton replied. "Watch your head!" he yelled as he tossed it down to him.
"OW!! It wasn't my head I should worry about. More like my KNEES!!"
"Sorry! You ok though?"
"Yeah I am. Thanks."
"No problem. Hey, I'm going to the shop for a soda. Want one?"
"Sure."
"Alright, be back in a few." Renton replied as he climbed off the 606. As he climbed up the stairs to leave the hangar, he unfortunately failed to notice a toy that the kids had left behind from when they were playing earlier. Eureka was in the doorway when she saw him go flying and tumbling down the stairs.
"RENTON!!" she yelled as he continued to tumble down the stairs. When he finally got to the bottom, she and Dominic immediately ran to his side. "Oh my dear Renton! Is he ok Dominic?"
"I don't know, he's out cold. Stay here with him and hold his head still. I'll go get help."
"Please hurry Dominic." she replied with tears in her eyes.
"I will don't worry, so hang tight."
"Ok." she said. Five minutes later, Mischa, Nadia, Holland, Talho, Hilda, and Dominic rushed into the hangar.
"What happened?" asked Mischa.
"I don't know. I was walking into the hangar as he fell." she replied as she was crying. "Will he be ok?"
"Can't tell yet. Nadia, put the neck brace on him. Holland, Hilda, you two carefully put him on the backboard." As all of this was going on, Talho was investigating the area to see what happened. As she carefully reached the top of the stairs, she eventually found what caused Rentons accident. As she picked up the toy ball the kids left on the stairs, she turned to see Holland and Hilda getting ready to carry Renton up the stairs. "Ok you two. One, two, three, and lift!" said Mischa. As the two carried him up the stairs, Dominic held Eureka who was crying hard at the bottom of the stairs.
"Come on Eureka. You need to be with him right now. Mischa and Nadia will take care of him, don't worry."
"I know they will!!" she exclaimed. "I just wish I knew what caused him to fall like that."
"I can tell you that." said Talho as she walked down the stairs. "Your kids must have accidentally left their ball sitting on the stairs earlier."
"They did? How could they be so careless!?" Eureka yelled.
"Relax Eureka. It was only an accident. They didn't mean to do it. Now lets go to Mischa's office so you can be by Rentons side ok?"
"Ok mom." she replied.
Meanwhile in the medical room, Nadia and Mischa were rushing around Renton trying to establish his injuries.
"Nadia, get the x-ray machine over here!" yelled Mischa.
"Right! How's his pulse and blood pressure?"
"They're both stable and normal, so we're good there."
"Great. Any other injuries that you can see?"
"Not at the moment. All I can see so far are cuts, bumps, bruises, and a severely sprained right ankle."
"Alright, x-ray machine is ready. So clear the room for a minute." The two then went into the next room to do the x-rays. When they were complete, they went back into the medical room. A few minutes later, the pictures were ready.
"Well, it seems he broke his left arm also." said Nadia. "That isn't good. It means the Nirvash is completely grounded now."
"Seems that way. Holland won't like that at all, but we have no choice. Nirvash is now officially grounded."
"Alright, I'll go alert Holland then." A few minutes after she left, Talho and Eureka walked into the room.
"How is he Mischa?" asked Eureka with tears in her eyes as she looked at him.
"He's ok for the most part." Mischa replied.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Talho.
"His right ankle is severely sprained and the fall he took broke his left arm."
"Oh man. Anything else?"
"Other than cuts, bumps, and bruises no. He should make a full recovery in about four to eight weeks."
"But me and Renton will be going home in that time." said Eureka.
"Say what?" Talho replied.
"Holland didn't tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"He said Renton and I could go home on my final month."
"Oh he did eh? I'll have to talk to him about that decision."
"You won't change our minds mom. We're still going home. You said before that we could if we wanted to."
"Yeah you're right, but I'm still mad at him for not telling me. Anyways, when will Renton be released?"
"Probably within the next twenty four to forty eight hours. He'll have to stay off his feet for at least a week or two. He'll be fine after that, but his piloting is done for a while."
"You're grounding the Nirvash?" asked Eureka.
"Yes I am. There's just no way around it dear. I'm sorry."
"It's alright." said Talho. "Come on Eureka, let Renton get some rest. I'll make you dinner ok?"
"Ok." Eureka replied sadly.
On the bridge, Nadia was alerting everyone else of Renton's situation.
"So Renton will have to stay off his feet for a couple of weeks and will no longer be able to pilot the Nirvash."
"Is he ok though otherwise?" asked Hap.
"Seems to be. He's still sleeping at the moment. We should hopefully know more by either today or tomorrow."
"How is Eureka?" asked Gidget.
"She's visibly shaken and upset right now. Talho is with her trying to keep her calm and relaxed."
"How long will his recovery take?" asked Holland.
"Complete recovery will take four to eight weeks."
"Man, that's pushing it, but I guess it can't be helped. Thanks for the update Nadia. Keep us posted on his condition ok?"
"Will do. See you all later!" Nadia replied. She then left the bridge and headed back towards the medical room.
"Well, what do we do next?" asked Hap.
"We continue on." Holland replied. "We still have four good LFO's plus one for extreme emergencies only. We re-supply in one week so continue on with your duties. It's about dinner time so a few of you go eat now. The rest can eat after they get back ok?"
"Roger that." they all replied.
"Ok, I'll see you all later then." Holland replied. He then left the bridge and headed towards the dining hall.
At the same time, Talho and Eureka were just getting ready to sit down and eat when the kids walked into the dining hall.
"Hi Momma!" said Maeter happily. Eureka just looked at them with an angry scowl and didn't say a word. She then went back to eating her food.
"Momma, what's wrong?" asked Linck in a worried tone.
"She's upset at you guys." Talho replied.
"Why? What did we do?" asked Maeter.
"Were you guys playing in the hangar earlier today while Renton and Dominic were working?"
"Yeah we were. Papa said we could if we were careful in there."
"Well you weren't careful enough." Talho then tossed them their toy ball.
"My blue bouncy ball! I was looking for that!"
"You left it on the stairs in the hangar and your father tripped on it."
"Is he ok?" asked Maurice.
"No he's not. When he fell down the stairs he broke his left arm and severely sprained his left ankle."
"Not Papa!" said Linck as he started to cry.
"Is he with Mischa then?" asked Maurice.
"Yes he is. Her and Nadia are watching over him right now. He should be out in a day or two."
"Papa." said Maeter with tears in her eyes and her head hung low. By this time all three of them were crying an were visibly upset about what happened to their father. Eureka saw this and realized Talho was right earlier. It was an accident. The kids always managed to leave a toy laying around her or there around the ship, but no one ever got hurt until now. Eureka then looked up at their kids and said "Come over here kids." They then all ran over to her and cuddled close while they cried. Talho sat there with them and took Maeter in her arms to help comfort her. "I'm sorry Momma. I didn't mean to." she said while she cried.
"It's ok dear." Eureka replied. "It was only an accident. From now on let's try to keep your toys in your rooms unless you're going to play with them ok?"
"Ok Momma." she replied.
"Do you kids want to go see him?" asked Talho calmly as she gently held Maeter.
"Can we?" asked Maeter.
"Sure, why not." Eureka replied. "Let's go children." The kids along with Talho and their mom then left the dining hall and headed towards the medical room. When they got there, Renton was awake but very groggy.
"Renton?" asked Eureka as they walked in.
"Hi dear." he replied very quietly.
"How are you doing?"
"Tired and extremely sore, but fine otherwise. How about you?"
"Worried about you at the moment, I'm ok otherwise."
"That's good. Hi kids."
"Hi Papa." they all replied.
"I'm sorry about everything that happened Papa." said Maeter. "I didn't mean to leave my ball there."
"It's ok." he replied. "I know it was only an accident so don't worry about it."
"Are you sure Papa?"
"Of course Maeter. Come here." he replied gently. She then slowly walked up to him. When she got next to him, he took her in a gentle hug with his right arm. He then said "I love you guys no matter what happens ok?"
"Ok Papa." she replied in a calm, happy tone.
"Mischa said you should be out in a day or two Renton." said Talho. "But the Nirvash is officially grounded this time."
"I guess that's unavoidable, but it's alright. Some things happen for a reason."
"That they do. But listen, get some sleep now. We'll all see you tomorrow ok?"
"That's fine. Bye kids."
"Goodnight Papa." they all replied.
"Goodnight dear." said Eureka.
"Goodnight Eureka. You sleep tight ok?"
"I will knowing you're ok, so don't worry." She then gave him a gentle kiss and they all left the room while he fell asleep.
Two days later as promised, Renton was released from Mischa's office and was put in his room to recuperate. Holland and Matthieu helped him hobble to his room and onto their bed. Eureka and the kids were happy and relieved to see him up and awake as well as ok, even though he was a little battered. Since Eureka wasn't exactly in shape to be helping him with anything, Dominic and Anemone helped with whatever they needed. Avriana did too as she also watched and learned what they did. They were pleased to see her learn as fast as she did, as well as everyone else.
"Ok, we need to re-supply in two days. Where's the nearest city?" asked Holland. Him, Talho, Hap, Doggie, Hilda, Matthieu, Gidget, and Ken-Goh had all met in the meeting room.
"From what our calculated path is, Dawson City will be the best one to re-supply in. It's the only one in the area that's in neutral territory and has an airport where we can also get the ship filled with water and fuel." said Hap.
"Neutral territory eh? That should be a first. What all do we need other than food, fuel, and water?"
"Renton and Eureka are requesting some new clothes for Avriana since she has to keep trying to share with Maeter. Mischa and Nadia need medical supplies also. Otherwise all we need are everyday living supplies." said Hilda.
"Sounds good." Holland replied. "Hap, you and Nadia go with Avriana and get her what she needs. Me, Talho, Hilda, Matthieu, Anemone, and Dominic will take care of everything else. Gidget, can you watch Stephen for us?"
"Sure!! I'd be happy to!" she replied.
"Great. Thanks Gidget." said Talho.
"Sure Talho! Anytime!" she replied.
"Wait a minute! Why do I have to go shopping with Nadia and Avriana?" asked Hap.
"Because I want someone around them that is strong enough to protect them if needed and you're the only one who can do it. Besides, it'll be a good experience for you since you have a girlfriend now." Everyone in the room snickered and laughed uncontrollably at Holland's last comment.
"Ok, alright, I get it already." he replied. "What about Renton and Eureka? Do they or the kids need anything?"
"Not that I know of." Talho replied. "Wait a minute! I know what we can do! But only if it's ok with you Holland."
"What's your idea?" he asked.
"Let's get them baby supplies!! I know they're keeping the gender of their baby a surprise, but that doesn't mean we cant' get them anything. We can get a crib, toys, changing station, diapers, bottles, and maybe a few other things."
"I think we can do that, but under one condition though."
"And what's that?"
"We keep it a surprise until just before the baby comes."
"My dear husband, you've got a deal."
"Good, it's settled then. Alright, everyone get back to work. We land in two days."
"Roger that." they all replied.
Two days later as planned, the GekkoState arrived in Dawson city. Before they landed, Anemone was finishing up on her latest checkup with Mischa.
"Everything looks great you two." said Mischa. "But now I know what that inconsistency was that I kept seeing."
"What inconsistency?" asked Anemone. "Is our baby ok?"
"They're both fine dear."
"Say what?"
"I said they're both ok."
"Are you saying what I think you are Mischa?" asked Dominic.
"Yes I am. Congratulations you two. You're having twins." All you could hear afterwards was a crash as Dominic fainted backwards onto the floor.
"DOMINIC!!" yelled Anemone.
Shortly afterwards, the GekkoState landed safely in Dawson City. As the crew split off, Dominic looked a little drained.
"Are you ok Dominic?" asked Talho. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I did. Two of them." he replied.
"Say what?"
"Don't mind him." said Anemone. "He just found out he's going to be the father of twins."
"You're having twins?!" said Talho.
"Yes we are. We just found out from Mischa a little bit ago after my checkup."
"Wow, looks like you two will need a bigger place other than your small apartment in Bellforest."
"We'll see. If they're identical then no, if not then yes. You're not trying to chase us off the Gekko are you?"
"Of course not Anemone. Why would I do that to my daughter? Come on now."
"Yeah, you're right. Sorry about that."
"It's ok dear. So Dominic, are you ready to be a father of two now?"
"Yeah, I am, even though I'm still a little surprised at what I heard today."
"I would be too." said Holland. "Anyways, here's your share of the list. We'll all meet at the front of the store in two hours."
"Sounds good. Let's go dear." said Dominic.
"Alright." Anemone replied.
Meanwhile at a local child's boutique, Hap, Nadia, and Avriana were looking for clothes for Avriana to wear since Maeter's clothes didn't really fit her.
"You enjoying yourself hap?" asked Nadia.
"Not really. I've never done this before, even with Eureka's kids. So I really have no idea what I'm doing."
"Well thankfully I do. We need shirts, pants, undergarments, shoes, socks, dresses, and sandals. Come on Avriana dear, we'll get you all taken care of."
"Ok." she replied happily.
"And don't try hiding Hap. You're helping too."
"Oh ok, if you say so."
"I do say so. And we're going to lunch afterwards, my treat." she then gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek as they began their shopping.
Two hours later, the first group of six finished their shopping at the local department and grocery stores.
"Everyone get what they needed?" asked Talho as they all met up.
"I know we did." said Anemone.
"Good. How about you Hilda and Matthieu?"
"We're all set and good to go." Hilda replied.
"Good, so are we. What's next Holland?"
"The baby supply store for Renton and Eureka. Has anyone seen Hap, Nadia, or Avriana yet?"
"Nope, not yet." said Dominic.
"Ok, one second then." said Holland as he pulled out a pocket communicator. "Hap, this is Holland. Do you copy?"
"Yeah I copy. What's up?"
"How's your progress so far?"
"We're getting ready to check out in a few minutes. Nadia is taking us to lunch on her after we're done here."
"Roger that. We're done here at the grocery and department stores. We're heading to the baby supply store next. When you're done, head back to the ship and let us know when you get there."
"Sounds good. See you soon. Hap out."
"Holland out." he replied. "Ok team, lets go get some baby supplies."
Back at the boutique, Hap, Nadia, and Avriana were finally checking out.
"Cute girl you have there." said the clerk. "Is she yours?"
"No, we're more like her foster parents, even though we were thinking about adopting her as our own." Nadia replied as she carefully nudged Hap, motioning him to play along.
"Yes we were." said Hap. "She's our little bundle of joy in our hectic lives."
"That's nice to hear." the clerk replied. "Good luck to all of you on that. That'll be two hundred and seventy six dollars and eighty cents please." Nadia then paid the woman and they gathered their things. "Have a good day now!"
"You too." said Nadia as they left. "See Hap, that wasn't so bad now was it?"
"Nope, I can't say it was. I actually enjoyed myself. Now let's go eat."
"Thanks for all the wonderful clothes Nadia." said Avriana as they walked along.
"Sure Avriana, anytime. Now you got some nice clothes to wear."
"Thank you too Hap."
"Sure thing kid. Now where's the food? I'm starving."
"There's a small restaurant up ahead that we passed earlier. We'll eat there before we go back to the ship."
"Sounds great. Let's go."
Fifteen minutes later, the rest of the group arrived at a local baby boutique. Holland and Talho had them all look for furniture that was kind of rustic looking so that it would match their cabin home. As they looked around, a certain furniture set caught Anemone's eyes.
"Holland, Talho! How does this look?" she asked. The furniture set she found had a medium knotty pine finish. It included the crib, changing table, dresser, and even a matching rocker. It was reasonably priced since it was on clearance.
"Good job Anemone, this is perfect." said Talho as she looked at everything. "Is this the best price you can do?" she asked the clerk.
"I may be able to take off a little more if you buy it as a group." the clerk replied.
"Does it include the mattress for the crib?"
"No, that's separate."
"How long have you had this set here?"
"A while now. This kind of look is hard to sell in this town for some reason."
"I'll tell you what then. If you can throw in a mattress, an ottoman for the rocker, and knock the price down as a group set, we'll have a deal. We'll even take it off your hands right now."
"I don't know. That's a hard bargain you drive ma'am."
"Take it or leave it. We're paying cash up front."
"Ok, ok. You have a deal. You sure know how to make a deal lady."
"It's only natural. With the rest of the baby stuff included, how much do we owe you?"
"Let's see. With taxes that'll be seven hundred and sixty two dollars and thirty cents."
"Sounds great." Talho replied as she paid the clerk. "Alright everyone, let's load up and go home."
"Right!!" they all replied.
Back at the restaurant, Hap, Nadia, and Avriana were just finishing up there lunches.
"That was great." said Hap. "Thanks for lunch Nadia."
"You're welcome Hap. How was your lunch Avriana?"
"It was awesome! I've never had spaghetti before. I'd have more if I wasn't so full."
"That's great to hear Avriana. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."
"Hey Nadia, can I ask you something?"
"Sure Avriana. What is it?"
"What does adopting mean?"
"Well, it means to legally adopt a child who has no parents or home to go to. Children like that typically stay in orphanages or foster homes since they have no one to look over them. Why do you ask?"
"Do I have any parents or a home?"
"Well, the GekkoState is your home, but unfortunately you really don't have any parents to look over you right now."
"I see." Avriana replied sadly. "Could you be my parent?"
"ME?! Boy, I don't know dear. I've never had kids before, but I did use to baby sit when I was a teenager."
"Are you saying that you can't?" asked Avriana sadly, almost with tears in her eyes. Nadia saw this and knew she couldn't turn her down. Just the thought of her growing up without a family was too terrible a thought. Nadia then looked at Avriana with a warm smile and said "You know what? I'll do it, I'll be your mother. Just thinking of you not living with one is too hard and terrible to think about."
"Are you sure about that Nadia?" asked Hap.
"Sure, why not? Every child does deserve to have a parent in their lives."
"Yeah, I guess you're right Nadia. So you want to know what? I'll support you the entire time."
"You will? Thank you!!" What happened next surprised both of them. Nadia scooted over by Hap and kissed him for the very first time. Nadia then slowly backed up and said "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that."
"It's ok Nadia. You can do that anytime you want." Nadia's face just blushed as she got a somewhat shy look on her face. "Is this love? My heart is racing and I got butterflies in my stomach." she thought to herself as she smiled. "Nadia, are you ok?" asked Hap as they sat there.
"Yeah, I'm great. Let's head back to the ship now."
"Sounds like a plan to me."
"Come on Avriana, let's go home."
"Nadia, does that mean that I can call you mom like Eureka does with Talho?" asked Avriana.
"Well, I guess you can if you want to dear."
"OK! Lets go home mom!!" Avriana replied happily. The three then gathered their things, took each others hands, and walked back towards the Gekko.
Meanwhile at the ship, Holland, Talho, Hilda, Matthieu, Dominic, and Anemone were unloading their things into the ship from a rented moving van.
"Wow, we beat Hap, Nadia, and Avriana. I thought they'd be here first." said Matthieu.
"Yeah, that is weird. I'm sure they're fine though." Hilda replied.
"You're probably right. Hap wouldn't let any of them get hurt knowing him."
"No doubt." said Talho as she grabbed the mirror to Renton and Eureka's new baby dresser. "He'd protect them with his life if it came down to it."
"Like I would you?" said Holland as he walked by her with the rocking chair and kissed her.
"Yes like you would me." she replied with a smile.
"You're lucky to have him mom." said Anemone with a giggle.
"Yeah, I am, even though he's still a big baby like he was before we got married."
"I HEARD THAT!!" yelled Holland from the hangar. Everyone just laughed hysterically at his reaction. At that time, Hap, Nadia, and Avriana arrived at the ships hangar port.
"Welcome back you guys." said Dominic.
"Thanks." said Hap. "What's so funny? We heard you guys laughing from around the corner."
"Oh, that. The ladies were just picking on Holland."
"I see." he replied with a chuckle. "Looks like you guys bought out the town today."
"Looks like you didn't do too bad yourself." said Hilda.
"Nope we didn't. Everything went well." Nadia replied.
"Mom, can I go try on my new clothes?" asked Avriana.
"Sure, go on ahead." Avriana then smiled and ran into the ship.
"MOM??" said everyone in the hangar.
"Oh, yeah, about that." Nadia replied. "Avriana asked what adoption was when we were out earlier. Me and Hap told a clerk that we were thinking about adopting her to keep ourselves covered. When we explained what it was, she got sad and upset because she didn't have a family who could love her. So being the kind person that I am, I took her under my wing when she asked if I could be her mom."
"And I'm supporting her the entire way through." Hap added. "I guess you could almost call me her father."
"Well congratulations you two." said Talho. "I'm sure you'll do an excellent job."
"I hope so. I'm really nervous about it though." said Nadia.
"We'll help you out so don't worry." Hilda replied.
"Thanks Hilda."
"Hey Hap, can you help with this dresser?" asked Holland.
"Sure!" he replied. "See you in a bit Nadia."
"Ok Hap." she replied as she kissed him. This also left the group in awe as they watched. "Oh, that. Me and Hap kissed for the first time today." she said while blushing.
"Wow, a lot of things happened today." said Anemone. "Do you think it's love?"
"I'm not sure. When we first kissed my heart raced, I got butterflies in my stomach and I couldn't stop blushing."
"It's love." said Anemone, Talho, and Hilda with a smile.
"Yeah, I guess it is. Hey, do you guys need help carrying things in?"
"Could you?" asked Talho.
"Sure." she replied as she joined them.
The next day, the Gekko was back up into the skies above. All the restocking was done and Eureka and Renton's baby surprise was carefully hidden away so that it wouldn't be seen. News of Nadia's taking Avriana in spread like wildfire amongst the rest of the crew and she kept getting praise left and right, even about her and Hap's first kiss. Avriana was happy too knowing that she had someone who would love and care for her for the rest of her life.
Renton was still on bed rest for the time being, even though Mischa had went out and got a wheelchair in case he wanted to move around the ship a bit. Eureka and the kids helped him move around whenever they needed to. Anemone and Dominic were always right there with them getting his meals or reports since that was all he could to at the time.
Two days later, Hap, Hilda, and Talho were down sick with a severe case of the flu. Battles were once again hard fought for the team.
"Matthieu, watch your rear!!" yelled Hilda over the radio. Against orders, she had went out to help out in the battle anyways.
"Roger that!" he replied. The crew was once again in battle with multiple KLF units. Hilda and Matthieu were engaged with five of them while the 909 and Venturion were engaged with four each.
"Dammit! They keep coming out of the woodwork! Gekko, can you help cover?" asked Holland.
"Negative! We're engaged as well! You're on your own!"
"Roger that! Venturion, can you get up to full strength at all?"
"Not without the Nirvash! Scratch two!" Anemone replied.
"I guess we'll have to rely on pure skill then. Alright, let's go team!"
"Roger that!"
Back on the ship, Maurice and Avriana were sitting in the ships lounge cuddled close trying to protect each other.
"Are you ok Avriana?" asked Maurice.
"I'm fine thank you. I'm just worried about the others. They can't keep up much longer."
"Yeah I know. Momma and Papa can't do anything either."
"What should we do then?" With a look of sheer determination on his face, Maurice said "We're heading out to help them."
"But Maurice, we're not allowed to!!"
"Avriana, it's either that or let our friends and family get hurt and die out there." Avriana looked at him with understanding eyes and said "Ok, let's go help our family."
"Leader, I'm out of ammo!!" yelled Matthieu.
"I'm running low too!" said Anemone.
"Hilda, can you help cover out here?" asked Holland desperately.
"Negative!" she replied. "Scratch two!"
"Dammit! We can't keep up with these guys! Can't anyone help?" just then multiple laser fire flew by him taking out several KLF's. "Who in the hell was that?" Right after he asked that, the Newhope flew right past him. "Maurice, Avriana, get back on the ship!" he yelled.
"Sorry Holland, but not this time!" Maurice replied.
"Crap! Alright, everyone keep them covered! Lets finish this thing!"
"Right!"
"Maurice, we've got two on our right!" said Avriana.
"Alright, I got them!" he replied. As Maurice turned back to face them head on, the eyes on the new hope glowed an intense green. To the rebels, it was almost alien like.
"Take it out now!" said the second of two units who were chasing after them. "It's only one LFO for gods sake!"
"Don't you think I'm trying?" the first unit responded as he fired his remaining missiles at them.
"Maurice, watch out!!" yelled Avriana.
"I'm on it!" Maurice yelled as he fired at the incoming missiles. It took him several shots and a lot of dodging moves to avoid them, but he eventually got them. He then turned head on at them once again and engaged both of them with their scythe blade. "Come on Avriana! Lets finish these guys off like my parents would!"
"OK!" she replied. The two then charged in at full speed taking out both of the KLF's boards and weapons. "Good job Maurice." said Avriana calmly and happily as she took his hand. Just then Holland came over the radio. "Everyone retreat! We've acquired too much damage to the ships and we're low on ammo! Head back to the ship now!"
"But Holland!" said Maurice.
"I'm sorry Maurice, but we have to, so get moving!" he replied. "Gekko, once everyone is back on board, do an emergency trajectory flight!!"
"Roger that! Preparing for trajectory flight now!!" Doggie replied. Ten intense minutes later all the LFO's were landed and secured back into the ship. "Doggie, get us out of here now!!" yelled Holland when he got to the bridge.
"Right!" said Doggie.
"I'm sorry everyone." said Holland to himself with a heavy heart as they took off towards the atmosphere. "This is the most painful thing I've ever had to do in my military career."