March 22nd 2125 AD
Dustine stoically kept the worry off her face as she strode through the cavernous pressurized hangar bay, passing by white VF-11's, white VF-19's, grey VF-22's and dark blue VF-171 fighter bombers. She walked on for a while until she reached a patch of VF-19's which had a hammer on their tails. She noticed that a few were missing and sighed, wondering if Minna's, Gertrud's and Shriley's fighters were scrapped.
She continued to keep the worry off her face as she strode up to her fighter and inspected it. Dustine finished her pre-flight walk around and puffed out a relieved sigh. While she was worried about her Advanced Excalibur, that wasn't her only concern. She was very worried this wasn't going to work out well, considering the teams had zilch practice time together.
'We're professionals,' she tried to reassure herself 'it'll be FINE.'
"Worried?" a voice asked from behind.
"AAH!" Dustine yelped, whirled around blindly, grabbed the person then threw her in a judo throw. The person who spoke up groaned, causing Dustine to glance back at her.
"Mental note. Do NOT sneak up behind you," Gasco noted from the ground.
"Wh! Gascogne!" Dustine grunted then frowned as she offered a hand. Gascogne smiled wearily and took it as Dustine helped the tan skinned muscular stand up. "Idiot. You shouldn't sneak up on a pilot like that."
"Right, thanks," Gascogne sighed then patted her shoulder as a familar brown haired woman with glasses walked up to the pair of women. "Don't worry, We took good care of your baby, Dustine."
"You and your teams are some of the best," Dustione acknowledged willingly.
"Yep thats Gascgo for you!" Shari noted as she joined the pair.
"That's Gascogne, Shari," The black haired mechanic sighed.
"You two played nice together?" Dustine asked.
Shari's grin widened, "You have NO idea."
"Huh?" Dustine blinked, cluelessly.
Gasco said, "Don't ask."
"All right," Dustine shrugged, blindly climbed up the ladder, ignoring an important feature of her VF-19 Advance.
"Look out for the new canopy!" Shari warned her then winced when she bonked her head. Fortunately there wasn't any damage to her or the canopy itself. However, it momentarily rattled Dustine causing her clutch her head and moan a bit. The brown haired woman sighed and climbed up the ladder as the veteran pilot flopped into her seat. "Are you okay? We had to make some alterations to the cockpit...but we had to make a new canopy to support it."
"Now you tell me," Dustine sighed. "Any OTHER changes I should know about?"
"We improved the emergency life support systems and beefed up the cockpit armor," Shari added seriously.
"After that, we swapped out old parts and upgraded where we could." Gascogne called out to her. "After all, I know you like that 'new car smell' for your fighter."
"Thanks," Dustine nodded, blushing a bit and belted into the VF-19Advances ejection system. She was about to put her teardropp shaped helmet on then glanced at Shari curiously. "Have you done the rest of the alterations to other fighters in the squadron as well?"
"We just got done with Sanya's earlier this morning," Shari nodded.
"Good," Dustine nodded and bent down a bit to put on the helmet. She heard a click, looked to Shari and gave the brown haired woman a nod. Shari gave her a thumbs up and climbed down the ladder leaving Dustine all to herself.
"It'll be fine," Dustine sighed, reassuring herself. "It'll be fine."
Super Dimensional Fortress Kaguya: Homefront
Chapter Five
A white and turqouise VF-19 Advance cruised past an allied battlegroup, waving its wings at a mixed squadron of personal troopers and armored modules as it surged towards its destination.A pair of heavily armored machines, blue and white machines raced after the Excalibur, forming up with the white and turqouise variable fighter minutes later. The Excalibur's pilot smiled and spoke up on the commline. "Nice timing, Lieutenants. Keep up with me and watch out for any contacts."
"Yes ma'am! Watching for contacts now!" The young man with fiery red hair and his silver haired wingmate spoke up. Both were wearing UN SPACY uniforms and tear dropped shaped helmets.
"Nice timing, too, guys," Dustine hummed thoughtfully as the rest of the squad lined next to the trio. She glanced at her read out, smiled grimly as five blips traveled in front of them then spoke up over the commline. "Hammer lead to gold flight, take formation alpha 13a and continue on course to the next waypoint. Kyousuke's team will be taking point. Over."
"Yes ma'am!" The pilots answered crisply then slipped into a Vee formation around the trio of machines. Erica sighed and glanced at the blue and white machines then frowned thoughtfully
'I should be protecting Dustine, not them,' The blonde haired pilot grumbled to herself inwardly.
"All right everyone, we'll reach the testing grounds soon," Dustine noted.
The 'testing grounds' were just a chunk of empty solar system, with warning buoys set up to keep civilian traffic out.
"What are we fighting, by the way," Aqua Centrum asked over the commline, her silver bangs falling just short of her eyebrows.
"QVF-11 test drones" Elia replied crisply, having seen the briefing papers. "They'll run simulated attack runs against our team."
"Understood." Hugo Medio answered over the commline as his Mass Production Cerebrus Ignite surged after her machine. "How many are there?"
"Thirty six in all," Dustine answered as they cruised towards area surrounded by warning buoys.
"Thirty six? Is that all? Nina Wong humphed her bulky looking machine cruised next to Eila's VF-19 Adavance. "If they attack all at once that might be a fair fight."
"Nina, don't get cocky... you don't know who programmed these things." Kyousuke Nanbu warned as they surged towards the warning bouys. Dustine smiled thoughtfully wondering how they would do against machines programmed with Max and Miriya's combat data.
****Later ****
Within a hour, her entire combined team was shot down and grumbling at each other. After taking a shower and writing an after action report the copper skinned pilot flopped into Hayates couch tiredly. She heard a chuckle and glared at the person who made the noise.
"Don't laugh. Please." Dustiune grumbled as she rubbed her forehead. "I have a headache now."
The person in question giggled again and retreated further into her office.
"Hard day?" Hayate asked minutes later, walking in with a tea set and some aspirin in hand.
"You have NO idea..." Dustine sighed, taking the offered tea and the aspirin. She took a sip of the tea, downed the aspirin then took another sip to wash the medicine down. "...the bodyguard plan is something we're all going to have to get used too. Really."
"Did you expect it to be easy?" Hayate grinned smugly at Dustine.
"I must admit I convinced myself that everyone would be professionals during the mission," Dustine sighed.
"Well, you DID use that combat data. I mean, those two are viscious." Hayate noted.
"Point," Dustine sighed, "but we had a major technical advantage. We should have won..."
"If you weren't getting in each other's way." Hayate pointed out as she sat next to Dustine.
"Exactly," Dustine sighed. "Do you still think this can work?"
"I think so..." Hayate nodded after thinking a bit. She then glanced at Dustine and gave her a gentler smile. "The combined teams just need to practice a bit more to get the kinks out."
Dustine thought a bit then nodded. "I think I'll dump them in the simulators for a bit...the brass hates live fire 'dummy round' exercises anyway."
"Agreed," Hayate nodded.
"Got any suggestions?" Dustine wondered.
"Get laid." Hayate smirked.
"NOT IN GENERAL, DAMN IT." Dustine growled. "In this case."
"Spoilsport." Hayate sighed then thought a bit then decided on a point that might help Dustine's squad. "Set the attackers to force them to cooperate...it might help them get over their issues."
"That could work," Dustine nodded then frowned.
"..any other tips?" Dustine asked.
Hayate thought about bringing up the jealousy and resentment Hartmann and Elia felt due to being shuffled around. On the other hand she didn't know what Dustine could DO about it...
Instead she said, "Don't push yourself TOO hard, Dustine. You won't fix this in a day."
"Your right of course," Dustine sighed then clenched a fist. "I'll fix it in a week."
Hayate nearly spat out her coffee, coughed a bit and looked at her plaintively "DUSTINE!"
"Joking," Dustine chuckled.
"Don't do that," Hayate sighed
Dustine smirked, glad to get her goat for once. "Sorry," she chuckled.
Hayate sighed and smiled wryly "Get out of here before I do something horrible to you."
"Promises promises," Dustine teased as she got up. "Thanks for the chat I needed it."
"Come to me anytime," Hayate nodded.
"You got it," Dustine agreed as she walked out.
That evening...
"Sounds like you had a tough time," Nanoha noted mildly as they sat in a corner booth of one of the fortress classes many officer clubs. Instead of a city, the extra large scale carrier used the space for factories and laboratories.
"Indeed," Fate noted philisophically as she sipped on her beverage.
"Yeah, Elia didn't like being away from Sanya and Erica was chaffing from having her duty nearly taken away from her," Dusitne asked, polished off her beverage then put the empty glass on the table. "Things got dicey between Erica and my guards and things went all down hill from there. So how'd it go with you're group."
"Our training mission was nearly a disaster too," Nanoha shook her head then sighed as a waiter picked up Dustine's glass and retreated to the bar. "If it were not for Viletta Badim's leadership and quick thinking we'd all be dead by now. Literally."
"We did finish the mission, despite everything," Fate added with a contrite smile.
"What happened?" Dustine asked sympathetically.
"Well, Signum didn't like being guarded, so when a good excuse came up she went off on her own," Nanoha sighed then shook her head. "Irm and Ring went after her in their machines trying to convince her to come back. Vita, not wanting to be left out, went after her."
"Which blew the formation," Dustine nodded then hummed as the waiter returned with another glass of scotch. "Signum spotted something didn't she."
"Yeah," Nanoha nodded then shook her head. "It was a squad of pirates using neo glaugs. We determined that it was bait, so we called off the training exercise and took up a defensive formation with Major Badim's squad taking point."
"And then you got jumped, right?" Dustine noted thoughtfully, having read the after action report, "Bet those pirates regretted running into you."
"Aye," Nanoha nodded and took a sip of her drink. "We did take them down, in a messy sort of way. Major Badims team was very helpful in the matter."
"But it was a lot messier than it should have been," Fate made a face.
"HOw much trouble are they in?" Dustine asked.
"We..uhm, haven't reported it to command," Fate noted quietly.
"WHAT?!" Dustine stared at them.
"It's under my misdirection as squadron leader," Nanoha said, gazing at her long time friend. She nodded and spoke up again with conviction in her eyes. "I'll make damned sure it doesn't happen again."
Dustine blinked in surprise at Nanoha swearing then smiled, holding back a laugh at how unusual that was for her friend. Fate looked at her knowingly, causing Dustine to clear her throat them nodded to her long time friend. "All right. I'll leave that to you. Keep me posted on your progress, okay."
"Will do," Nanoha nodded and polished off her drink, knowing that Dustine would be keeping a eye on things too. It was comforting, oddly.
"So, what next?" Fate asked mildly.
"WEll, I'm planning to whip my team into shape in the simulators. Do you think that would work with Signum?"
"That might work..." Nanoha mused thoughtfully, an odd smile creeping along her face.
"You're planning another training-from-hell session again, aren't you?" Fate asked her girlfriend fondly.
"Yeah," Nanoha nodded then glanced at Dustine. "We should have daily discussions about this. Fair."
"If you come up with anything really innovative," Dustine started.
"Or sadistic," Fate added."
"Let me know," Dustine finished.
"Will do..." Nanoha nodded.
Dustine smiled and polished off her drink.
April 22nd 2125 AD
Dustine's VF-19 Advance barrelled though a cloud of expanding gas, flame and debris and banked sharply to the right to go after another target. Moments later she was joined by Hugo's and Aqua's heavily armed blue and while MTA-08BW Cerebrus Ignites. The trio of machines blazed away at the target with a barrage of beam gun fire causing the target to erupt in a ball of flames.
"Yes!" Dustine hissed in satisfaction as a enemy exploded in a burst of expanding gasses.
"What was that ma'am?" Aqua asked over the commline.
Dustine jerked, ahemed, studied her screen then barked out an order as she banked to the right. "We've got multiple contacts bearing 451X4AB5Y. Move together tighter. Cover each other and engage the enemy contacts."
"Right!" several pilots chimed back, banked after her then alongside their wingmates as they surged towards two squadrons of battlesuits. The battlesuits were top of the line, moving in waves as they fired a fullisade of micro missiles at the combined squadron.
"All units! Scatter!" Dustine barked out an order over the commline before rolling to the right. The other units did as they were told, while the body guards sticked with the squad leaders.
Dustine grunted as Hugo and Aqua protected her using their pinpoint barriers and beam cannon fire. She used the shielding to snar back shots at the attackers, surprised at how much of an advantage it was to shoot back safely.
'I'd better not get used to this,' she noted as the enemy broke off momentarilly
"Can we PLEASE get clear now?" Aqua griped. "We can't stay like this for ever."
"Indeed, lets get out of here," Dustine answered crisply and banked to the right. Hugo and Aqua followed suit and surged towards the attackers. "Status update?"
"We're all fine here, darlin," Excellen purred as Rein-Weissritter dashed about then sniped at the micro missiles when they got too close. "Don'tcha worry about us, kay?"
"Knock it off, Excellen," Dustine sighed as she bobbed and weaved through a barrage of cannon fire, blazing away at a pair of targets with her 55 meter gunpod.
"Spoil sport," Excellen sighed as Kyousuke's and Ariels machines blazed away with their chainguns as the bobbed and weaved through the fulliside of micro-missiles.
"Eila how are you fairing?" Dustine asked.
"Other than being crowded by a pair of bulky machines, fine," Eila grumped as Yuuki and Carla's machines fired salvos from their linear cannons at the third wave of battlesuits. She studied her displays then noted to her commanding officer. "We can't stay here any longer. We've got to move...now!"
"Agreed, commencing counterattack." Dustine sighed and banked to the right. Kyousukes squad dove in first, punching a hole through the first and second wave with their extreme mechs. Dustine's squadron charged after Kyousuke's, blazing away at the targets and picking off the stragglers with their 55 meter gunpods.
Thanks," Elia sighed as she followed her in, then hummed thoughtfully as Hugo and Aqua zipped in, slammed a pair of pikes into one suit, slashed at the suit with blades then blasted it a powerful energy beam before dashing away. "Not bad."
'I wish I could do that, sometimes,' Dustine admitted. The combo left them open for a few moments, however, causing her to saturated the enemy with railgun fire to buy em some time. 'On the other hand, I don't have those disadvantages too.'
Outside, in the simulator control room Nanoha Takamachi and Fate Testarossa watched clinically as the attack unfolded, smiling thoughtfully to themselves, even as the simulator pods bobbed up and down and from side to side.
"Not bad." Fate noted.
"Yeah, not bad at all," Nanoha noted thoughtfully then smiled a bit coldly then flipped a few switches. "Lets see when happens when I throw a curveball into their ranks."
Fate looked at Nanoha as she saw what she was uploading. She shook her head and noted to her red-brown haired friend. "Love, you're evil."
Nanoha smiled sweetly, "I know."
Later
"You were having WAY too much fun trying to kill me." Dustine sighed.
"I wasn't THAT bad," Nanoha protested
"So the cruiser showing up and attacking us was part of the program?" Dustine asked wryly.
I like to keep a surprise at the end..."
Dustine sighed and put down the drink. "Like I said. You were having way to much fun trying to kill me."
"I noticed that the pilots were coordinating better," Fate nodded
"Yeah." Dustine nodded as she took a sip of her beverage. "We're making progress on the bodyguarding principle, assuming the simulations don't squish us flat."
"Adversity builds character. Nanoha shrugged
"Right..." Dustine sighed then glanced around, noticing that only women were in the particular section they were in. She looked back at her friends and murmured quietly to the couple"Is it me or are there more women in this section than the rest of the club."
"THis wing of the club is women only..." Fate noted, shaking her head. there was a incident with a drunk officer hitting on a commander, so we asked for this."
"Then why do the booths have privacy curtains?" Dustine blinked.
"Actually they're security screens if senior officers need to have classified discussions." Nanoha noted
"Classified discussions...right..." Dustine smiled wryly as two women left a booth holding hands.
"Well, that's the official reason," she winked
Dustine snickered softly. "And why do you two know this place so well?"
Tellingly, Fate blushed.
"Uh huh," Dustine snickered.
"Anyway, you're one to talk," Nanoha laughed then glanced at her friend. "What was up with throwing a swarm of Invid fighters at us?"
"Turnabout is fair play." Dustine shrugged.
Hayate peeked at the trio from a private booth, smiling thoughtfully, then frowned when someone cleared her throat. She smiled apologetically to the blondes and the brunette who was sitting with her in the booth. "Sorry. I just find those three interesting."
"But you should pay attention to us," Shamal Yagami pouted at her.
"Shamals' right," Shizuka Marikawa pouted at her as the brunette sipped her beverage, covertly peeking at the copper skinned woman. "You should pay attention to us."
"Actually, I'm more interested in her right now," The brunette hummed thoughtfully then smiled at the trio. "I think I'll go pay her a visit."
Before Shamal could stop her, Hayate piped up happily. "You do that Yuuko. She needs all the relief she can get."
Yuuko Sagiri smiled and winked at Hayate and slipped out of the booth. Shamal gave Hayate a pained look as Yuuko Sagiri sauntered over to Nanoha's, Fate's and Dustine's booth. Hayate rolled her eyes. "Oh c'mon! Don't give me that look! Look at her! Wouldn't you agree that Dustine needs to blow off some steam."
"She does, I'll admit," Shamal sighed, shook her head with a worried expression on her face. "I'm just worried that Yuuko might go too far and jump poor Dustine right on the spot."
"Oh, come now," The other blonde doctor smiled a bit to sweetly "Yuuko-san wouldn't do that. Right?"
Shamal gave the other blonde a pained look then rolled her eyes when Hayate peeked out again. "Stop that. What if someone sees you."
"I just want to see if she's rejected or not," Hayate waved her off, watched on for a bit then gave them a big thumbs up as Yuuko lead Dustine to a private booth. "Score on for Yuuko!"
Shamal facepalmed while the other blonde just sat with a goofy grin on her face.
***** The next day ******
"So tell me, Dustine," Hayate smiled wrly at the copper skinned woman as they chatted over cups of coffee in the Commodore's office. "How was your night with Dr. Sagiri?"
"How did you know about that?" Dustine asked.
"I was in the womens only section of the Aerie." Hayate noted.
'Funny,' Dustine frowned. 'Didn't see her there.'
"We just chatted and got buzzed, nothing more," Dustine rolled her eyes at the knowing grin on the brown haired woman's face. "She was good company, though, I'll admit. She kept up with me quite well."
'That...wasn't the answer that I was expecting...but at least its a start,' Hayate thought to herself then smiled at the woman. "What did the two of you talk about?"
"Shop, mostly," Dustine shrugged then blushed a bit as she took a sip of her coffee. "Problem was Yuuko was always hitting on me and flirting with me. It kinda made me uncomfortable really."
"So what happened." Hayate asked her.
"Well..."
***** 12 hours earlier. *****
Dustine slowly sipped her burboun in the private booth then made a face as someone stroked her right calf with a panty hosed foot. Dustine glanced up at the one whow as caressing her leg and grumbled. "If you don't stop playing footsie, I am gonna hurt you."
"Awww." Yuuko pouted. "But your so cute."
"Not interested," Dustine said with a blush, looking away.
"All right, a dare then," Yuuko stated crisply
"Oh?" Dustine looked at her, interest slightly piqued.
"Match me shot for shot. I win, I get a kiss."
"And if I win?" Dustine asked dryly.
"I'll leave you alone," she offered reluctantly.
"What the hell..." Dustine shrugged and flagged a waitress over to the private booth.
***** Present day *****
"So who won the dare?" Hayate smirked.
"Damn if I know. We were both so bombed I don't remember..." Dustine admitted.
Hayate laughed fondly, causing Dustine to arch an eyebrow at her. Hayate laughed some more and waved her off. When she got control of herself Hayate beamed at her. "I think Dr Sagiri likes you."
"How can you tell?" Dustine blushed.
"Yuuko was flirting with you, right?" Hayate grinned knowingly at the copper skinned pilot. "That means she likes you. Most of the time, Yuuko will flirt with any woman that she likes or is attracted to."
"So she's a slut..." Dustine joked.
"Don't be mean!" Hayate laughed then shook her head. "No, she doesn't carry through, if you know what I mean."
"Ah I see..." Dustine hummed then took a sip of her coffee. Thank GOD for anti-hangover medicines. She only felt half dead, not dead. She sighed and shook her head. "Why can't they completely cure hangovers?"
"They probably can, but want you to LEARN from your mistakes," Hayate noted, emphasizing the word learn, causing Dustine to wince.
"Ouch. Stop being so LOUD." Dustine grumped causing Hayate to smile smugly at Dustine. Dustine shook her head again and murmured to herself as she took another sip of her coffee. "I wonder how Yuuki's doing."
"Probably recovering from the hangover," Hayate noted thoughtfully, wondering if they should conduct the weekly meeting now or save it for later. She considered holding it off but decided against it. "Lets start the meeting shall we..."
"You're evil," Dustine grumbled.
**** that same moment *****
"I feel like I'm going to die..." Yuuko Sagiri moaned.
"That's what you get for trying outdrink a pilot under the table." Miki sighed. Miki sighed as she handed her some anti hang over pills. "Here, take this with lots of water. It'll help."
"Ugh," Yuuko made herself choke the pills down. She wasn't worried about throwing up, she had already expelled last night's dinner. She washed last pill down with a few gulps of water then slumped back onto the couch's arm rest
"You look like death warmed over." Miki noted
"Gee, thanks." Yuuko sighed.
"So who was she...?" Miki asked.
"I was drinking with the Steel Ace." Yuuko noted.
"You were trying to beat AGENI!?" Miki gaped.
"Not so loud Miki..." Yuuko sighed.
"Why would you even try to challenge her?" Miki sighed then shook her head. "Everyone on board knows that Steel Ace Ageni can match the White Devil shot per shot in a drinking contest."
"It was for a kiss." Yuuko answered reluctantly.
"Idiot," MIki said firmly. She hesitated then HAD to ask, "Who won?"
"Damn if I know. I don't remember..." Yuuko sighed.
Miki snorted with amusement. "What are you gonna do when you see Ageni again?" she wondered.
"Oh lord," Yuuko whimpered as she thought of their next encounter. "I really hadn't considered that, really."
"Smart," MIki said with amusement. "Want some breakfast?"
"Ugh, NO. Not now. Maybe in a little while. " Yuuko shook her head then looked up at her. "I don't think I can come into work either."
"Then you better get to calling and finding someone who can do your shift," Miki noted mercilessly.
"Fine, fine," Yuuko groaned then grumbled under her breath. "Bitch."
"You know it," Miki smirked.
Yuuko got up and headed for the coffee brewer, hit the switch and sighed as it swiftly poured out her usual blend. She gulped the first cup down, not caring if she scalded her mouth a bit, then made up another. This time she sipped it slowly. She tried to savor the taste, but her mind was elsewhere. She continued to drink her coffee, feeling it perk her up some. When she was done with that cup, Yuuko filled the mug up again and turned her attention to the phone sitting in her living room. She straightened her hair a bit as she keyed in Shamal's code on the viewer. She'd normally try to look neater, but Shamal had seen her last night. She probably knew her condition this morning, anyway. Moments later, Shamal's face appeared on the screen.
"Hi, boss," Yuuko smiled weakly.
"Ah, Yuuko. I take it you're not going to be in?" Shamal TRIED to look serious, but a smile tugged at her lips.
"No, I'm not," Yuuko sighed.
"Gee, what will we do?" Shamal sighed dramatically.
Yuuko rolled her eyes. "Boss, I'm WAY too hung over for this..."
Shamal looked amused, "All right, all right. We'll rearrange things."
"I will need to put Dr House on your rounds, however."
"Oh god. Are you interested in torturing my patients..." Yuuko paled.
"Look on the bright side: They'll be VERY happy to see you after that." Shamal winked.
"You...have a point." Yuuko nodded then sighed. "Good day Shamal and thank you."
"You too. And last night? I was VERY impressed."
"Have a nice day," Shamal said and signed off.
"Just what did we do...?" Yuuko groaned. Sadly she felt too miserable to dwell on it, and crawled back into bed.
Later.
Dustine sighed as she strode down the hallway towards her next destination. Modern medicine was wonderful, but she still had a headache and was a bit shaky. Once again she swore NEVER to do that again. She nodded to non combat officers, pilots and crewmen as she walked past them in the corridor. One such non combat officer grinned at there then slapped the copper skinned woman on the back as she walked past.
"Ack!" Dustine blinked then glared at the woman who had long wavy blonde hair. "Hey! what was that all about!?"
"I never knew you had it in you, Lt. Colonel." Lilith winked at Dustine then continued to flirt with her beloved, Hazuki
'What the hell did we DO?' Dustine wondered. She REALLY wanted to chase them down, but if she did she'd be late. Instead the woman continued to walk down the corridor until she reached a briefing room with a emblem depicting a Tiger's head and pair of rapiers below it. 'The 541st Armored corps. I hope they're as professional as Hayate says.'
Dustine grabbed the door handle, yanked it open and strode inside. Almost immediately a purple haired and tan skinned meltran shot up from her seat and saluted her. "Attention."
The rest of the group shot from their seats and saluted the copper skinned woman.
"At ease," Dustine returned their salute, smiling faintly as they sat back down in their seats. She glanced over the company of metrandi warriors coughed then nodded to them. "I'm Lt. Colonel Ageni, acting wing commander of the 501st JFW. I'll be in charge of your unit for the time being."
"I'm Captain Miku Honda, ma'am," A meltran with long green hair blushed charmingly while the purple haired and tan skinned meltran glared at her. The green haired captain continued to gush happily, making the tan skinned woman more irritable. "It's a honor to meet you, Lt. Colonel. Your reputation preceeds you."
"Yeah, yeah," The tan skinned woman grumbled. "Lets get on with it."
Miku kicked her her foot causing the tan skinned woman to wince and glare at the green haired Captain "Oww! What was that for Miku."
"Be respectful." The half zentradi frowned at her companion. "She's a Lieutenant Colonel!"
"Yes ma'am," Rhada sighed.
Dustine found herself wondering how these women managed to stay in the navy...
"At any rate..." Dustine coughed then called up an image. "Starting tommorrow your going to be using some new equipment. I take it you've all been trained to use Military grade EX-Gears?"
"Damn right." Rhada nodded
"Ahem."
"Yes, ma'am," she corrected
"Good," Dustine nodded then gestured to the diagram. "The Ex Gear has been selected by UN SPACY as the next light powered suit and it will have high powered weaponry to go with it."
"Oooh." A girl with glasses and short blonde hair grinned. "Nice upgrade."
Yay!" Another one, this time with short pink hair squealed happily as she gazed upon the image with hearts in her eyes. "Our old ones were getting worn out and beat up..."
"Hush, Oro," A dusky skinned black haired meltran grumbled loudly as she sat in the back.
"But its the truth, Mu," Oro Riku whined, glancing back at the meltran warrior. She then glanced back at the screen. "With the EX Gear, we have more mobility than the clunky Dragoon MK II suits."
"That may be so," Mu frowned, crossing her legs dramatically and folding her arms underneath her chest. "But for that speed and mobility it forgoes armor in the abdominal region. I'm not sure if I like that."
"I'm TOLD the speed makes up for the lessened armor..." Oro noted "The undersuit is that new cloth-mesh armor. Not as good as the heavy armor, but it'll stop standard projectiles."
"Indeed..." Dustine nodded.
"I'm looking forward to using the upgrades... the engines are much better," another pilot noted.
"They'll be perfect for extraction missions as well." Miku Honda added.
"That's us," Rhada grinned. "The few, the proud, the very sneaky."
"Damn right. We can steal yoiur SHOES if we need to." Oro smiled proudly.
'These girls are definitely trouble...but they're an interesting bunch too,' Dustine smiled ruefully at the bunch. She looked at her datapadd. "You all have an impressive record...but I'd like to see the real thing in action. No VR simulations...just full on flying in training area 3B. Are you all ready for that, ladies?"
"Yes ma'am!" The group shot up, saluted then trotted out.
"Not bad," Dustine blinked then murmured. "But why didn't they act surprised when I gave that order."
"Actually, we planned a demo for you..." Miku Honda noted with a smile on her face.
"Oh?" Dustine blinked.
"Come on..." Miku tugged Dustine out the door.
***** A short time later *****
"Oh dear GOD.." Dustine muttered as two squads dove and weaved together through the air. They were less than a foot apart at times as they pulled off a few loops and barrell rolls in the large training area.
"What do you think?" as they continued their impressive display of control, dexterity and timing in the air.
"Impressed. Also, mildly terrified." Dustine admitted.
"Did you know they're doing this by eye only?" Miku asked her
"Eh!?" Dustine blinked, looked back at the insane acrobatics, then looked back at the green haired Captian. "You are FUCKING kidding me! You mean they're not using any visual cues."
"Really?" Dustine blinked.
"Yeah." Rhada nodded smiling proudly at Dustine. "They're just using their basic helmet and flying by eye."
"Wow...Just...wow." Dustine muttered.
"So what do you think of our unit?" Miku asked. "We train for this to minimize reliance on electronics. In enemy territory you want to generate the least electromagnetic signature you can..."
"You guys are crazy," Dustine noted then smirked. "But I think I like your company."
"Good. So far, you measure up too, boss." Rhada grinned at Dustine.
"Ah, thanks," Dustine blushed.
"Especially with what you did last night," Miku blushed then smiled. "You were so daring and yet so good. I didn't know you had it in you, Lt. Colonel. Do you think you will do it again?"
"Um...well..." Dustine stammered.
"Oh, c'mon," Miku pressed, stepping forward, causing Dustine to step back with a worried expression on her face. "I think you make a cute couple."
"That's enough, Miku, your scaring her," Rhada sighed, laying a hand on the captain's shoulder.
"Aww," Miku pouted.
'Just what the hell did Yuuko and I DO last night?!' Dustine thought.
*****That night. *****
Dustine sighed as she settled down at a table in the hot spring area. She was idly wondering if anyone else would tease her about what whatever she did last night when she heard someone call out to her. Dustine perked up at the voice and smiled at Nanoha and Fate who where walking up with a tray of drinks in hand. "Oh hey you too."
"Hey yourself," Nanoha smiled wryly as she tossed a bottle of Pocari Sweet at her. Dustine deflty caught it then blinked as the pair sat on either side of her. Dustine looked puzzled,
causing Nanoha to giggle. "You really don't remember what happened last night, do you?"
"No..." Dustine shook her head.
"You sang a couple of duets with Dr. Yuuko Sagiri in the Aerie's karoeoke bar," Nanoha informed her with a grin on her face. "...and the two of you sang quite well, for amateurs."
"No way...we sang...really?" Dustine blushed heavily.
"Don't believe me?" Nanoha smiled then glanced at Fate. "Show her the footage, Fate-chan."
"Right," Fate nodded and produced a digital camera from her purse. She hit the play button and showed her the footage of her and Yuuko bumping their hips and lightly grinding against each others back.
"What 'bout my starrrr!" a buzzed Dustine and Yuuko sang merrily into a pair of wireless microphones. The copper skinned palmed her face as she watched the footage, noting how red their cheeks were with alcohol as they continued to sing the chorus of a familiar song. "What 'bout my starrrr! What 'bout my starrrr!"
"PLease tell me that is the only recording?" Dustine begged
"Sorry. It was posted on a message board last night.. uhm, it's probably all over the system by now." Nanoha admitted.
"Oh god..." Dustine whimpered.
"There you are Dustine..." Hayate smiled "Can I have your autograph?"
"Shut up, smart ass." Dustine grumbled and sipped her water.
"Sorry, not going to happen," Hayate smirked at her, then continued to tease her. "Did you know that several studios are already making inquiries about you and your lady friend?" "Who?" Dustine asked.
"AKB Studios and Project Idolmaster." Hayate grinned.
"Aren't I a little to old for both?" Dustine made a face.
"I'd say that they're more suited as a sexy idol duo," Fate noted, joining in.
"Fate..." Dustine sighed.
"They'd probably be the next "Panty and Stocking." Fate grinned.
"And how do you know about THEM?" Hayate asked.
"Hey, the music is good!" Fate humphed, blushing faintly. Nanoha just looked amused, interestingly.
"Any chance I can kill the recordings?" Dustine asked plaintively.
"It's hit the web. No way in hell." Hayate grinned and shook her head..
"Damn it..." Dustine sighed.
"Something just occured to me," Hayate noted, tapping her chin, then grinned back at Dustine. "HOw's your family gonna react to seeing this?"
Dustine blinked a bit then palmed her face. "Oh crap..."
*Meanwhile on Eden*
Erica frowned as she watched Dustine grind against the brown haired woman while singing the melody. She checked a display and say the stocks ticking downwards at sharp rate and palmed her face. "I'm going to KILL her."
"Oh my," Janice blinked and covertly made a copy.
"Can we get this off the net?" Erica demanded flatly. She did NOT want to think of how this made their company look.
"Its not like she's wearing a Archangel patch." Another Ageni sibling noted.
"She's been in the news enough locally she will be recognzed." Erica pointed out. "This will not bode well for our stocks."
"NOt much we can do," Janice shook her head, sighing. She thought a bit then glanced at her older sister. "Should we pUt out a statement? Saying something like..."Young women occassionally have lapses in judgement and so on, nothing to hang her or us for..."
"Pretty much," Erica conceded *Seconds later on the Wolfram*
"My sisters going to kill me..." Dustine sighed.
"Look on the bright side, you're out of their reach out here."
"Yay. So I never go home again?"
"Point..." Nanoha smiled contritely. "They'll forgive you. Eventually." she added
"Riiight." Dustine groaned as she rubbed the side of her head feeling a migrane coming on.
Meanwhile at another table, a bunette and a dark haired woman gazed at Dustine thoughtfully.
"Say...Tsubasa." A red brown haired woman asked.
"What?"
"Do you think we should recruit her?" Kanade asked.
"That's our managements job..." Tsubasa noted then shook her head.. "...and she'd kill us."
"But she's good! And a great pilot too!" Kanade noted.
"Shes also in the kind of mood where she'd beat us to death," Tsubasa said dryly. "She trains MARINES, remember. I do not want her cranky with me."
"Aww, c'mon, Tsubasa," Kanade nudged her arm.
"Do you want to loose a friend?" Tsubasa sighed.
"Well...no..." Kanade shook her head then thought back a bit. 'She did save our life back then...even when she lost so much already. Isis at Komarr III and her foster sisters in AKB0048.'
"Then we agree to drop it?" Tsubasa asked her partner.
"We'll drop it," Kanade conceded, glanced at Dustine as Nanoha and Fate comforted the suffering woman then glanced back at her lover and friend. "So who gets to intercept Hibiki-chan, Chris-chan and Miku-chan if they see her."
"Way ahead of you..." Tsubasa noted as she grabbed her mobile device and started to tap out a message to their younger proteges. "I'll send a note for those three not to bother her."
"Good." Kanade nodded smiling wryly at her friend and lover. "God knows those three can be trouble."
"Indeed," Tsubasa sighed as she covertly checked on the trio who was chatting merrily away with a blonde and a sandy brown haired girl in a small circular bath. She smiled as they continued to chat away with the pair then turned to Kanade with another topic in mind. "Say...Kanade."
"Mm?" Kanade blinked sipping on a bottle of water.
"What do you think of...marriage?" Tsubasa asked quietly.
Kanade sighed then hummed. "...I wouldn't mind it, really. But the question is..."
"Hmm?"
"Who would want to marry me?" she joked.
Oh you!" Tsubasa hit her in the arm.
Kanade laughed. "Seriously? I've thought about it a few times. Never really seemed like the right moment or person though."
"I see..." Tsubasa mused.
"Why were you asking?" Kanade wondered
Tsubasa blushed a bit. "Just curious."
"Uh huh," Kanade gave her a look, but decided not to press. The redhead tilted her head a bit and asked with a slight smirk on her face. "Shall we head back to our quarters?"
"Yeah, it's probably about time," Tsubasa agreed
"Who gets to round up the girls this time?" Kanade grinned as she gathered her things.
"I did it last," Tsubasa sighed as she slipped out her chair.
"Damn it," Kanade sighed and plodded over to the group of girls. Tsubasa chuckled to herself as the others whined, then smiled to herself as Kanade used a motherly tone with the girls. 'Kanade really would be a good mother, now that I think of it.'
Tsubasa blushed at the thought and swept to the back of her mind as the small group of women made their way out of the Wolfram's community bath.
EOF