Superdimesional Fortress Kaguya :Homefront
Chapter Seven: Girls night out
May 23rd 2125AD
Nanoha watched Dustine sleepily slurp coffee with amusement. The three women sitting at their usual spot in the port side cafeteria, a large expansive facility which served half of the ships compliment. As Dustine took a sip of her coffee, she took in the crowds. Tired people coming in for dinner, perky people mid-day grabbing lunch, and the lurching undead seeking coffee. Like her. THe scents of various dishes wafted by, whether it be eggs and toast, sandwiches or tempura prepared for the various people coming on or off shift. Nanoha watched her for a bit then spoke up. "So, did you apologize?"
"Are you my mother or something?" Dustine sighed sleepily then slurped her coffee some more.
"She'd make a good mom," Fate said loyally.
"Hush, dear," Nanoha told Fate. She looked at Dustine, "Well?"
"Yes, MOM. I apologized." Dustine grumbled, causing Fate to snicker. Nanoha gave her a look but Dustine didn't back down from her remark. "I did apologize. Really. Its just that...I dunno...Something just seemed a bit...off. Like they wanted something...more from me."
Fate hid a sigh. GOD Dustine could be clueless.
"I think they miss their stern but cool teacher, maybe?" Fate suggested.
Dustine gave her a flat look. "Yeah, right."
Nanoha giggled a bit. She rather suspect it was more...basic than that, but she wasn't sure that Dustine was ready to hear that.
"By the way, I'm coming up with a new training plan," Dustine noted.
"Oh?" Nanoha blinked.
"Yeah...as you know, when we tried working with the singer pilots there were some mishaps that nearly got us shot down," Dustine noted. "So I'm thinking we should run co-ordinated training sessions next time."
"Mixing up the pilots I assume?" Fate wondered
"Yeah..." Dustine nodded
""How dangerous of a virtual threat?" Nanoha wondered, already plotting it out in her head.
"I'm thinking gradually escalating the danger," Dustine murmured with a sigh then glanced at Nanoha. "Nothing too insane like last time, please."
"Was the monitor too much?" Nanoha asked.
"A bit..." Dustine sighed.
"Still,it was you who decided to go on that kamikaze run," Nanoha pointed out then sat back with an odd expression on her face. "We didn't think you would go that far, to be honest."
Dustine put her cup down with a thump. "So what would you have me do, smart-ass? We were faced with an extreme situation."
"Dustine...!" Fate said crisply.
Nanoha raised a hand stopping Fate from interjecting.
"No, she's got a point," she conceded then noted thoughtfully. "However, in that situation, it might have been better to take two team mates with you. You might have even come out alive during that scenario."
Fate nodded, "Or you could have gotten as many pilots together as possible and do a mass missile launch. Saturate the monitor's defenses."
Dustine considered both, nodding thoughtfully. She was about to speak up when a cheerful three toned chime rang from the cafeteria's overhead speakers
"May I have your attention please..." A woman announced cheerfully. "The 146th expiditonary fleet will be arriving later today, as previously scheduled. Shore leave is authorized for officers and enlisted. That is all."
"Thank goodness..." Nanoha sighed then looked at Dustine. "We're going to hit the city, then."
"Huh? What if I don't want to go?" Dustine grunted.
"I'll get Hayate to order you to." Nanoha gazed evenly at her friend.
Dustine urked then added with a sigh. "You would wouldn't you."
"Yup!" Nanoha smiled.
"I'll go, I'll go, jeez,"" Dustine pouted.
Nanoha and Fate shared a smile then patted Dustine's shoulder and head.
"I'm not a puppy damn it..." Dustine grumbled, pouting a bit. Fate smirked. It had been sort of a bluff, though if they had to, they could get Shamal to sign off on a medical order for Dustine to take leave.
Later that day...
"Whoa..." Dustine murmured as they stepped out of the groundcar. The holographic sky gave the illusion of limitless horizons, as did the sprawling city around them. She glanced around her then noddded. "Not bad. Not bad at all."
"Ready?" Nanoha smiled as Fate and she slipped out of the groundcar too.
"I don't even know where we're going yet," Dustine complained as they walked away from the ground vehicle.
"First we're going to get some real drinks in us, rather than the watered down stuff we get in the officer's club," Nanoha nodded then turned to Dustine. "Then we're going to see if we can find you a lady friend."
"EH? WHY SO SUDDEN?!" Dustine blurted.
"Isn't it obvious?" Nanoha cocked an eyebrow.
"No it is NOT." Dustine growled.
"You clearly need to get laid," Hayate noted as she trotted up.
"Hayate?! Your on this too?!" Dustine blurted.
"Yeah, I dumped everything on the commander." Hayate said without any guilt.
"Poor Captain Jenny..." Dustine sighed.
"Eh, she likes it. Besides, I promised to cover for her tomorrow when she brings her girlfriend over here too."
"Jenny and Lynn do need some times to themselves." Nanoha noted.
"Indeed," Fate nodded.
"As does our friend here," Hayate laid a hand on Dustine's shoulder.
"Hey..." Dustine sweatdropped.
"And Jenny is.. uhm, kind of driven. I bet Hayate had to order her to take a day off." Nanoha noted.
"Actually I tricked her into it," Hayate admitted.
"Oh?" Dustine had to ask.
"I told Jenny that we had a crewmemnber showing obvious signs of stress fatigue, but they wouldn't take leave."
Dustine smiled, "I see where this is going."
"Jenny promptly said she would order the officer to take leave, then I explained it was her," Hayate smirked.
"Thats a bit dirty, Hayate," Dustine noted.
"I know," Hayate smiled.
They walked on for a while until they found themselves standing in front of a seemingly nondiscript building. Dustine looked puzzled her trio of friends as they rounded the corner of the building then walked down a flight of steps. A tough looking lady glanced up at them and smiled at her friends. "Ah Nanoha, Fate, good to see you again."
"Hello, Sumika," Nanoha and Fate nodded.
"Hello," She nodded then frowned when she noticed Hayate. "I see you have Yagami with you."
"Hello, Sumika," Hayate smiled apologetically at the tough looking woman. "Still mad that I accidentally stripped Ushio."
"Damn right I am," Sumika nodded as Dustine looked at the others in shock. Nanoha and Fate waved it off, causing Sumika to glance warily up at Dustine. "...and who is this?"
"She's a friend," Nanoha nodded. Sumika didn't let on she recognized the other pilot from news broadcasts. If Whispered Words prided itself on anything, it was discression.
"Very well, just don't start trouble, do you hear me," Sumika gazed evenly at the pilot.
"Loud and clear," Dustine nodded, feeling a bit of pressure from the other woman.
"Good," Sumika nodded and opened the door for them. "You may enter."
"Thank you," The group chorused and filtered inside the establishment. They were almost immediately greeted by delicious smells, a subdued atmosphere and, to dustine's suprise, a small group of girls wearing french maid outfits. The greeters smiled and politely bowed to the group. "Welcome home, Master."
"Is this some sort of...underground Maid cafe?" Dustine blinked, looking around. It certainly seemed that way.
"Haha, well..." Nanoha laughed at how cutely clueless Dustine was.
"Lets just say this club entertains a certain...clientele..." Hayate offered then smiled. "You'll probably find yourself right at home in this place, since we all know what your preferences are, Dustine."
"A certain clientele, huh," Dustine hummed as she looked around. Waitresses wearing french maid outfits walked to and from the bar, serving drinks to female customers and their companions who are sitting in comfortable looking booths. The companions, who were also female, were dressed in costumes, making Dustine wonder what sort of club this was. A server with short black hair walked past the quartet and towards a booth which had a curtain pulled across it. The server knocked on the booth's frame to announce her arrival and pulled the curtain aside slightly. Dustine watched as the waitress served them their drinks then smiled knowingly as the server walked past with a blush on her face "I noticed that the customers are women and the companions are too."
"Yes," Hayate nodded then smiled as a woman with shouler length brown hair walked up to them. "Ah, Ushio, its been a while."
The girl had a very impressive bust, which her low cut dress made quite visible. She was sweetly good looking, kinda reminding one of a country girl...
"Yes it has," Ushio Kazama smiled at the group then noticed the copper skinned pilot. "Oh...is this a friend of yours?"
"Dustine Ageni," Hayate said, "meet Ushio, the sweetest madam you'll ever meet."
"I am NOT!" Ushio swatted Hayate's arm.
"Don't beat the customers," Hayate pretended to cower then addressed Dustine, "But yeah, this isn't that kinda place."
"So its not a brothrel..." Dustine blinked.
"No its not," Ushio cleared her throat then looked up at Dustine. "The customers only pay for companions company. What goes on between the customer and their companion is strictly between them."
"I see," Dustine nodded then hummed looking around. "Why costumes though?"
"Why not?" Ushio smiled.
"Actually I suggested the idea," Hayate smiled.
'It figures...' Dustine thought, still looking around.
"At any rate, we're here to unwind and find Dustine a lady friend," Hayate smiled.
"Will you stop saying that," Dustine sighed.
"So, Ushio, who would you suggest?" Fate asked curiously.
"What type of girl would you like?" Ushio asked Dustine.
"Well..." Dustine was momentarily distracted by a girl in... devil girl outfit, more or less. Very busty, and apparently NOT wearing a bra.
"Eyes front, Ageni," Nanoha teased.
"Sorry," Dustine apologized.
Ushio nodded thoughtfully, "Likes 'em busty, check."
"Hey!" Dustine blushed then pouted. "I couldn't help it. She was chasing after another girl."
"Is that so..." Ushio laughed and, noticing that they were blocking traffic, tugged her over to the bar. Nanoha and Fate followed while Hayate spotted two of her close friends at a table Signum was in uniform, while Shamal was in her doctor gear. Both were drawing QUITE a few admiring glances. "I think that poor girl wants Shamal to play doctor with her."
"Better tell her she' not on staff..." Ushio sighed wryly
"PLease, dominate me!" a meek looking girl begged Signum.
"Uhm, I'm not on staff." Signum blushed.
"Oh, sorry to bother you..." the woman wandered off.
Ushio then glanced at Hayate with a knowing look. "Please tell me you didn't tell them to cosplay today."
"Well..." Hayate smiled.
"Go rescue them," Ushio sighed, shooing her off, then turned to her friends as Hayate trotted off to the booth with a smile on her face.. "I swear that woman..."
"She'd be a real terror if she was a co-owner of this place, I'd bet," Dustine noted. Ushio didn't mention that Hayate was one of her backers. It wasn't anyone's buisiness anyway.
"Anyway...lets get back on topic...what kind of type do you like Dustine."Ushio asked.
"What type do I like..." Dustine blushed thinking of her last girlfriend then sighed. "Someone who is quiet, yet speaks her mind. Someome who is thoughtful and gentle...
but also...a tigress in bed."
"I see," Ushio hummed as Nanoha and Fate smiled knowingly at Dustine who was blushing hotly. Ushio nodded quickly as she considered who was available tonight and who might be well matched with Dustine.
"I think I may have a girl for you..." The brunette nodded then turned to a girl who was chatting with a woman who had long wavy blonde hair and a nother girl with long brown hair. "Fuji...could you come over here?"
"Yes..." Fuji nodded and glided over to them. Dustine noticed that she was wrapped up in a kimono that suited her quite well. She had the oddest red tinted eyes, and her smile was warm and gentle when she greeted Dustine. "...hello and welcome."
"Fuji Hime, I would like you to meet Dustine Ageni." Ushio getsured to Dustine.
"Its...a pleasure..." Dustine nodded, noting how cute Fuji Hime was.
"Like wise," Fuji nodded, smiling warmly, then offered politely. "Would you care to join me in a drink?"
"Yes," Dustine nodded.
"Then come with me," Fuji nodded as she turned towards the interior of the club. Dustine trailed after the brown haired woman, caught up with her, then slipped into a corner booth with her.
"I hope she finds happiness, this time," Fate noted.
"Indeed," Nanoha nodded then sighed. "Now...I need a drink."
"Lets leave them be," Fate nodded then waved the bartender over. Meanwhile in the booth, Dustine blinked as Fuji sat opposite of her.
"Why are you sitting opposite of me..." Dustine had to ask.
A delicate foot slid out of her kimono and up Dustine's left calf. "Oh...lots of reasons."
"Oooh," Dustine gasped softly then jokingly scolded the brown haired woman. "Bad girl!"
Fuji winked. "I have hidden depths," she admitted impishly. She flagged down a pretty waitress with short brown hair. "How may I serve you today?"
"Hello Akemiya," Fuji smiled. "I could use a bit of sake, please."
"...and I'll have scotch on the rocks, please," Dustine added.
"Sake and Scotch on the rocks, right," Akemiya nodded then trotted off.
"Is Akemyia a regular staff member?" Dustine wondered.
"Yes, nice guy too," Fuji noted as 'she' left.
"Guy...?!" Dustine yelped.
"Yes," Fuji nodded then smiled. "We take in some crossdressers too."
"Huh," Dustine said, looking at the shapely girl bemusedly.
"There are girls with those interests..." Fuji noted
"I see..." Dustine nodded, glancing around. Fuji grinned knowingly at Dustine's curiousity then smiled gratefully as Akemiya returned and served them their drinks.
"Are you one of those girls?" Fuji asked her.
Dustine was sipping her drink as Fuji asked and nearly choked.
"Eh?! Me?!" Dustine blinked then shook her head. "No way! Now way!"
"I see...just checking." Fuji smiled
"Don't joke about that, please," Dustine whined.
Fuji chuckled at Dustine's answer then sighed, noticing a few things about the copper skinned pilot. As much as she tried to put up a good front, there was a well of deep sadness in the woman. She wondered why she was so sad and wondered what she could do about it. Silently Fuji vowed to try to banish that sorrow from her eyes...at least for tonight. "Are you a pilot like Nanoha-san and Fate-san?"
"No," Dustine deadpanned, "I'm from the janitorial squad. Very important work, that."
"I see..." Fuji chuckled, knowing that she was joking.
"Yes, I run a squadron," Dustine admitted.
"It must be hard, at times," Fuji noted, putting a hand on Dustine's.
"Sometimes, but... it's rewarding, too. Protecting others, all that." Dustine shrugged her shoulders.
"I see," Fuji nodded and took a sip of her sake. She noticed how grim Dustine's face looked then shook her head. "But enough about your work. Tell me what you do
for fun."
"What do I do for fun?" Dustine blinked then tilted her head. "Well sometimes I play poker and sometimes I like to read...but other than that...um..."
"I enjoy reading too,: Fuji agreed warmly, "fiction? Nn-fiction?"
"Some non fiction, mostly fiction," Dustine nodded then blushed. "...and well...manga."
Fuji brightened and smiled. "Oh I love reading Manga too."
"Some non fiction, mostly fiction," Dustine nodded then blushed. "...and well...manga."
Fuji brightened and smiled. "Oh I love reading Manga too."
"You do?" Dustine asked.
"There's such a variety of story," Fuji said eagerly. "Do you have a favorite type?"
"Science fiction mostly..." Dustine nodded then blushed.
"Oh! I love that type! My homeworld was VERY backward," Fuji confided, "reading manga let me imagine I was out having adventures."
"How backward was you homeworld?" Dustine blinked.
"We had only recently regained contact with space," Fuji revealed, "why, just because of a solar eclipse when I was born, I was named Hime."
"I see..." Dustine nodded then asked her curiously as she took a sip of her scotch. "so how did you end up here?"
"That's... a bit of a long story," Fuji admitted.
"I'd like to hear that story sometime," Dustine noted, deciding that she shouldn't press at that time.
Fuji smiled and took another drink of her Sake. They chatted a bit more and drank, becoming more buzzed as the night progressed. Fuji eventually migrated over to her side and snuggled with the pilot.
"You know, this isn't very comfy." Fuji noted thoughtfully after awhile
"Got a better idea?" Dustine asked.
"There are some nice rooms to rent..." Fuji noted
"I like the way you think," Dustine noted
"Lets go then," Fuji nodded and uneasily slipped out of the booth. Dustine was surprised she was a bit wobbly getting up, but then again she had been sipping drinks all evening. Fuji smiled and supported her as much as they could then helped her over to the bar. Both were giggling as they swayed along.
Hayate watched them go over to the bar, smirking to herself. Signum watched on too, frowning a bit. "Hayate..."
"They'll be fine," Hayate raised a hand. "I think they're going to rent a room.
"Even so..." Signum noted. "Dustine is giggling. She NEVER giggles. Clearly something is wrong."
"Indeed," Shamal nodded.
"Stick in the mud," Hayate laughed. Then watched them slip away from the bar, followed a server who guided them along and headed to a back corridor. "The back rooms. Score one for Dustine."
"Or they're just to drunk to go home," Shamal Shamal noted reasonably.
"Spoil sport," Hayate said.
Two days later...
Dustine murmured a morning as she settled next to her friends in a local cafe with a coffee mug in hand. She slurped her coffee a bit, looking a little more relaxed.
Nanoha and Fate noticed this, looked at each other, smiled abit, then looked back at her friend. Nanoha cocked her head, looking at Dustine thoughtfully. "Say...Dustine?"
"Hmm?" Dustine looked at them. "Yes what is it?"
"You certainly look relaxed." Nanoha noted, smiling knowingly "Did something happen?"
Fate smiled, "I guess you and Fuji got along well?"
"You could say that yes," Dustine nodded, blushing brightly.
Nanoha and Fate giggled a bit then Nanoha spoke up, smiling happily at her. "Good. We were worried about you. Do you think you'll go back to her?"
Dustine blushed and nodded again. "Y-Yes. She's good company."
"Well well," A familiar voice called out from the side. Dustine grunted then looked over her shoulder to see a woman with long red brown hair and a tanned skinned dark haired girl walking up to them. "Someone is looking better today. Did you get laid, ma'am?"
"Shirley!?" Dustine gasped then blushed through a frown. "Have you been released from the hospital?!"
"Yeah but I can't fly as of yet," Shriley shook her head, tugging her shirt back to reveal that she's all bandaged up. "So the doctors have restricted me to desk duty until my bones heal."
"Which will probably be for four more months," Dustine noted thoughtfully.
"Yep, the same goes for Barkhorn," Francesca Lucchini nodded.
"I'll have to keep an eye on her," Dustine sighed.
"She'd try to get in a fighter anyway." Francesca giggled.
"Where have I heard that before?" Dustine rolled her eyes.
"Minna wants to talk to you, by the way," Shirley noted.
"About?" Dustine asked.
"Your little stunt in the simulator a few days ago." Shirley mused.
"Damn it..." Dustine sighed.
"Am I ever gonna live that down?"
"No?" Shirley shrugged.
"Ugh." Dustine sighed. Francesca smiled a bit too smugly at Dustine. Served her right.
Nanoha looked amused too, as did Fate.
"GO easy on her," Fate noted. "she's having some issues..."
"Like...?" Francesca asked.
"Its a long story..." Dustine sighed.
"A bit too long to go into now." Nanoha nodded.
"Aww," Francesca pouted but let it go, for now.
"On the other hand...I think one problem has been resolved," Shirley smirked as they joined the trio. The red brown haired girl smirked and rested her hand on her cheek. "So who is she?"
"None of your business," Dustine said, blushing a bit.
"Aww, c'mon, dish," Shirley whined playfully. "We haven't seen you like this in ages. Your pragmatically glowing."
"S...Stop it," Dustine blushed harder.
"Leave her be," Nanoha giggled.
Fate nodded," A gentleman never kisses and tells."
"Dusty is a gentleman?" Francesca teased.
"Well, close enough..." Nanoha giggled
"Oh hush," Dustine rolled her eyes.
Shirley giggled.
Later that day, Dustine got out of the transport and, along with several soldiers, headed into the hiospital. She strode through the corridors, made her way up a flight of stairs, walked down another corridor until she found herself in front of a familiar door. With flowers in hand, she knocked then heard Minna answer her.
"Come in. But don't mind the nurses." Minna called out.
Dustine blinked then opened the door to find Mio settling back in her bed, while several nurses gathered up basins for washing and left, chattering happily and blushing a bit.
"Sponge bath," Mio explained sheepishly.
"You'd be surprised how often the nurses find a excuse to do that," Minna noted wryly.
"Indeed," Dustine nodded and handed her some flowers. "These are for you."
Minna took them into her arms, sniffed then looked up at her with piercing eyes. "Are these a part of your apology?"
"Gh..." Dustine grunted.
"Sort of?" she admitted.
"What the hell were you THINKING?" Minna growled at her.
"Saving the..." Dustine began but was interrupted by Minna.
"DON'T EVEN START WITH THAT...!" Minna blurted angrily, tears welling up. "I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR INTENT WAS! IF THAT WAS A REAL MISSION YOU'D BE DEAD AND GONE FOR SURE! I WON'T HAVE THAT! GOT ME!?"
"B-But..." Dustine stammered taken aback.
Mio reached out and put a hand on Minna's arm, then looked at Dustine. "You scared the hell out of us."
"Have you at least apologized to the rest of the crew yet?" Minna asked her, angry tears streaming down her face.
"I have... mostly," Dustine admitted.
Mio rolled her eyes, then shook her head. "You had better options in that fight, Ageni. Don't be so damn eager to be a martyr again."
"Yes ma'am," Dustine nodded. "It won't happen again, ma'am."
"Better not, or I'll kick your ass." Mio growled.
"Make sure it doesn't happen again, all right," Minna sighed glanced at her a bit. She hummed thoughtfully then gave her a faint smile. "On the upside...you look a bit better than you did after loosing Isis."
"I'm seeing a therapist now, a real one, and..." Dustine nodded then admitted. "I went out and had a good time with Nanoha and Fate the other day."
Minna and Mio exchanged glanced, smiled then looked back up at her.
"Good, you needed to loosen up a bit." Mio nodded "Keep at it and keep your options open."
"We'll see," Dustine said mildly. The two rolled their eyes privately hoping that something would knock Dustine to her senses. Minna reminded herself to taljk to Hayate later. She probably knew what happened. Meanwhile, Mio reminded herself to keep on Dustine about tactics and such.
"How is training going," Minna asked her.
"Tough," Dustine admitted. "Its been...difficult to get the PT team and the Valkyrie team to work together."
"I can imagine," Mio admitted. "It's hard enough coordinating two military squads."
"Especially when your wing mate knows she's supposed to protect you," Minna nodded.
"Yeah, Erica's been griping about that," Dustine sighed.
"The whole bodyguard thing isn't flying?" Minna joked.
"Hayate hopes it'll hold for now," Dustine shruged.
"Mm," Mio nodded thoughtfully then glanced at Dustine. "But they are listening to you, right?"
"Yes," Dustine nodded then hummed. "Its good to have back up...and I value their assistance."
'She doesn't see them as expendable cannon fodder, good,' Minna smiled inwardly then decided to change the topic "How is the reconstruction of our fighters coming along."
Dustine gulped then sighed. "Its been slow...but at least our unit and at least two more have been converted."
"...and our own fighters?" Minna asked.
"Ah...they were a loss, I'm sorry," Dustine admitted.
Mio sighed, then brightened a bit. "Does that mean we're next in line for the new units?"
"No, we're giving you used ones," Dustine deadpanned. Mio pouted.
"Yes. We're next in line for the VF-25 Messiahs," Dustine nodded with a laugh. "I may have your units painted pink."
"Don't you dare..." Both MInna and Mio looked offended at that idea, then realized she was joking,
"Red might be better," Minna noted.
"I'll consider it..." Dustine nodded then hummed. "Any special armaments or equipment?"
"Swords." Mio noted.
"Yeah, Mio, I guessed that..." Dustine nodded, thought a bit then grinned at her. "You're a little TOO into the cutty things, you know. Someone might think you're compensating for something."
"Oh be quiet," Mio rolled her eyes.
Minna giggled at that then looked at Dustine. "Make sure I'll have space for my Mk.57 squad support gunpod, okay?"
"I don't think it'll be a problem," she reassured her. Dustine checked her padd, scrolling through data casually. "I'm guessing Trudie will want to put her support gunpods in the charlie configuration..."
"There's no kill like overkill," MInna agreed.
"Anything else," Dustine asked.
"Break us out of here early?"
"No, sorry." Dustine shook her head.
"Damn it..." Mio sighed. "I'm so BORED!"
"What, the nurses not keeping you occupied?" Dustine grinned wryly, causing Mio to blush. Dustine laughed then walked out of the room with a wave.
Four weeks later...
Hayate slurped her tea as she sat on the bridge, then sighed. There was a disquieting calmness on the bridge, with the usual chatter between the bridge offiers in the background. If asked, Hayate would call this the calm of the storm, and she had experienced it many times on this bridge.
They were on their way to area 17, a highly contested region of space between The Republic of Ares and the Kingdom of Cardair, on a peace keeping mission. But recent reports have indicated that hostilities between Ares and Cardair have increased to dangerous levels and both have been massing their fleets in orbit, which is why the 146th expiditonary fleet was joining them in their mission. "This is gonna be messy," Jenny noted
"Indeed," Hayate replied quietly.
Jenny sighed and hummed thoughtfully as she sat with the commodore. "Say. ma'am?"
"Mm?
"Do we have to be facing the aft of the Kaguya class ship?"
"Not liking looking up her 'skirt' so to speak?" Hayate asked, grinning.
"Kinky," Lynn smirked then noted thoughtfully as she sat at her station. "We're docked with them at the starboard docking joint. Can't be helped."
"Look on the bright side," Hayate noted. "At least we're not facing down like the UNS Yagami."
"I feel sorry for Commodore Makibi," Lynn noted.
"Isn't she assigned to a Battle class Stealth Space Attack Carrier," Jenny asked.
"She is," Hayate nodded.
"...and thats a variable class ship too," Marika Katou noted, hummed thoughtfully then grinned at the others. "Too bad we're not in a old fashioned mecha show. If we could We could combine our ships and become a giant robo. With the Kaguya class as the main body, or something."
Everyone looked at Marika and the pink haired girl shut up.
"The older Macross Class ships could and so can the new battle classes," Hayate noted shaking her head. "But the fortress, Ticonderoga and the Tarawa class assault carriers can't."
"Neither the could the Kaguya," Jenny remarked then shook her head. "A 4000 meter ship would be too unwieldy and succeptable to attacks at the joints."
"Like those Macross Cannons in the Macross II movie," Lynn noted then sighed. "I always thought that was odd, strapping quartet of Zentradi ships to a macross style ship."
"I dunno they were kinda cool," Marika nodded.
"You saw Macross II?" Lynn asked then arched her eyebrow. "Everyone panned that movie."
"I liked it," Hayate said loyally.
"Yes, but we all know you have horrible taste in movies." Lynn jabbed at her wryly, causing Hayate to humph quietly. Lynn chuckled inwardly then changed the subject "In all seriousness though, Are we actually gonna be expected to just get between both navies?"
"Well, negotiation is the idea..." Hayate nodded. "...and I'd rather have both sides reach an understanding than beating each other senseless."
"HOw dangerous are their navies?" Marika asked the woman standing at the fighter command station. "I mean, compaired to us?"
"They're decent sized, at lease 1000 ships per world," Komilia Sterling noted as she stood at her fighter command post.
"Worrying," Jenny noted, "but on the plus side they don't have the latest armor or vweapons."
"Both Ares and Cardair have Mid 21st century armor and fighters," Komilia noted then nodded with a frown. "If they had VF-19s or better then we'd really be worried."
"Still the VF-6 would be challenging for some pilots," Chiaki noted calmly, then nodded. "It's a old warhorse, but it still has teeth."
"Their battlesuits are the same way," Lynn noted.
"And I've heard rumors they've got some more exotic technology," Chiaki noted calmly. No one pressed where she got such information, everyone knowing about her father's shady connections.
"The MIYU system, huh," Jenny hummed thoughtfully.
"Isn't that a knock off of Earl's OTOME system," Lynn asked.
"Indeed it is," Chiaki nodded.
"But cheaper," Jenny note as she gazed at the mainscreen, with Ares and its system of moons ahead of the fleet. "Any movenment from Ares defensive fleet so far?"
"Just the usual patrols, nothing out of the ordinary," Lynn shook her head as she studied the holographic globe in front of her. She hummed then frowned thoughtfully.
"Wait...this is odd."
"What is?" Jenny blinked.
"They're massing some battlegroups in the western quadrant," Lynn frowned.
"Which is facing us at this point," Jenny noted then frowned. "This is not good news."
"Our advanced patrols are also detecting a massive surge of fighters in the western quadrant too," Komilia noted. Hayate frowned thoughtfully, not liking this situation one bit, Ares was indeed an ally, but they might not want UN SPACY intervening. Hayate was about to say something when a alert 2 warning sign appeared on the main screen. Hayate smiled wryly. "Looks like Rear Admiral Amachi is making her move. Marika, make an announcement."
"May I have your attention please! This ship and its battlegroup, along with the flagship, is now at level two alert! All combat units please report to your stations immediately. All sailors, Shore leaves are now canceled. PLease report to your positions immediately."
Consideringly Marika added, "PLease make sure you are properly dressed and sober. Thank you."
"Did you REALLY have to add the last bit?" Jenny asked her.
"Yes, actually. Several maintenence officers turned up pantless last time." Marika shrugged. Lynn looked amused, having ALSO heard the story.
"Very well," Jenny sighed.
Moments earlier, in Sasameki Koto.
"Oooh," Fuji sighed, squirming in a booth seat, Dustine nowhere to be seen. She was blushing brightly, and her hands were between her legs. Someome was obviously pleasing her but where was this person. She gasped and groaned as the person pleasured her more and more, bucking her hips a bit.
"May I have your attention please! This ship and its battlegroup, along with the flagship, is now at level two alert! All combat units please report to your stations immediately." Marika announced, startling her and and Hime's customer. The customer jumped bumping her head while biting down on some sensitive flesh. Hime writhed shivered a lot then sighed when she came down from her orgasm. "All sailors, Shore leaves are now canceled. PLease report to your positions immediately."
"You've got to be kidding," Him whimpered.
"Oww..." Dustine groaned, crawled out from under the table, rubbing her head then looks up at the brown haired woman. "Look, Hime, I'm..."
"I understand," Hime nodded gazing solemnly at her. "You have to go back to your ship yes?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry, Dustine sighed as she gathered her things in the booth. She slipped her jacket on as Hime pouted a bit. Dustine noticed the dissapointed look on Hime's face and leaned over to kiss her forehead. "I owe you one. Okay?"
"I'm looking forward to it," Hime nodded sighed as Dustine slipped out of the booth. Hime sat there for a bit then slipped out of the booth a short time later. "Jeez.
Why does this always happen?"
"Sorry, kid," Ushio patted her on the shoulder, "this does kind of happen when dating pilots."
"I guess so," Hime pouted and glanced at the exit. "Please come back safely Lt Colonel."
Meanwhile, Dustine Ageni was cramming herself into a transport loaded with troops heading back to the shgip, ALL of which were bitching about leave being cancelled.
The copper skinned pilot sighed then mmphed when she was squished between two female pilots when they made a sharp turn on the road.
"Hmm, is that a gun in your pocket or are you happy to see me?"
"It's a gun," Dustine growled, not in the mood.
"Awww," The female pilot pouted playfully.
"Watch it Miyuki, that's a Colonel," the other woman warned her.
Miyuki paled. "Sorry Ma'am."
"It's fine," Dustine sighed. "Anyone hear why we were called back?"
"Unusual activity in Ares's western quadrant," The other pilot noted.
"What sort of unusual activity?" Dustine asked.
"Ships. LOTS of ships," the woman noted.
"That's not good," Dustine frowned.
"Your telling me," Miyuki sighed. THe transport rumbled through the docking tube, then they were quickly dumped so that they could go back for another load.
"Good luck," Miyuki yelled as she raced to her division,
"You too," Dustine agreed as she hurried off. Dustine made her way through the corridors until she reached the ready room, only to find it crammed with pilots.
"Boss! You made it!" Excellen Browning called out, smiling.
"It was a mess out there." Dustine sighed, "Settle down, I'm going to try to find out what's going on." With that she headed into the small office by the ready room, where she used her access codes to download the latest tactical information. Dustine studied the data then frowned. The pilots were right, ships were massing in the western quadrant, and directly in their projected path. Not enough ships to be a serious threat, yet, but clearly enough to send a message: stay out.
'We'll probably have to adjust our course if we want to clash with our allies,' Dustine thought with a frown on her face.
Moments later, another update popped up. "Wh...the Katiyusha left port thirty minutes ago?! Its destination is the planet Ares? Why!?"
Dustine glanced through the details then sighed. "A system wide tour? Really? Gah. This is going to be troublesome!"
DEciding she had enough data for now, she logged out then headed back into the ready room.
"Siddown and shut up!" a pilot barked, "the boss is back!"
"At ease," Dustine said as she headed to the podium.
"All right folks, there's a new wrinkle to our peacekeeping tour," Dustine told them, "Ares is moving forces to try to block us."
"What? Why?" A pilot frowned.
"Do I look like a mind reader?" Dustine shrugged
"What's the plan, boss?"
"Be prepared to move out if needed," Dustine nodded then frowned. "Rules of Engagement is as follows, do not fire until fired upon...and try to disable their units. "Most of their stock in trade are vf-6 Crusader IIIs and Palladin class battlesuits so your eyes on your wing mates at all times."
"What if pirates or raiders jump in?" Another pilot asked.
"Lethal force authorized, but be DAMN sure they are raiders and pirates." Dustine nodded then frowned. "If they try to mess with our allies try to help them. Ensure them that we're still their allies even though they want us to stay out of their fight with Cardair."
"Anything else ma'am?" The pilot asked.
Dustine was about to mention the Katiyusha's departure when a warning klaxon sounded twice. "Attention all units! Unidentified ships have defolded near area 16! I repeat unidentified ships have defolded near area 16. All units prepare to sortie. Hammer squadron. Your on guard duty. Protect the princesses who are enroute to Ares. I repeat. Protect the princesses! That is all!"
Dustine frowned. That was code for guarding the Katiyusha. Dustine whirled around and gestured to the door. "You heard the lady, get your asses out there!"
"Right!" they filed out fast, but in a orderly fashion.
Dustine sighed and trotted out after them, running through the hallway quickly yet carefully towards her first destination, the locker rooms. When she reached the locker room, she quickly slipped into a dark blue and gold flight jumpsuit then pulled on her flight suit over it. She zipped the suit up, made sure that everything was fastened in place then pulled on her helmet. As soon as she heard a click-hiss she slammed her locker shut and dashed off to the hangar with the rest of her pilots.
They each hurried to the ladders leading up to their fighters, racing up then climbing in to the open cockpits. THey locked themselves in to the seats, then started running through the shorter, combat pre-flight check list.
Dustine climbed into her cockpit, sighing as she flipped a few switches. A technician climbed up her ladder and poked her head in.
"Yes?" Dustine asked as she ran through her pre-flight checks.
"Just checking on you," Shari noted, having heard about Dustine's kamakaze run. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. And don't you have WORK to do?" Dustine shook her head.
"JUst a minute... do you want any special load outs for your fighter?"
Dustine considered her previous simulated battles, what they were facing then nodded. "Get the squad loaded with shock-gel munitions, at least 25% of what they're carrying. And load up some added armor modules for me..."
"Shock Gel?" Shari blinked then smiled. "A wise choice concidering who were going up against."
"Damn right. Anything you'd suggest." Dustine nodded.
"How about the double barreled fast pack on the left wing, right wing normal and a pair of micro missile launchers on the out board pylons." Shari suggested.
"I like it. LOad 'em up."
"Yes ma'am," Shari nodded and pointed at her. "Stay safe out there, OKAY?"
"Yeah, yeah..." Dustine grumbled. Shari chuckled and stepped down from the ladder and went to work. Moments later, Waldoes attached the fast packs and armor to the variable fighter then retracted to apply equipment to the next fighter. Dustine cycled her canopy down, went through the combat pre-flight checklist, nodded, then flicked a few switches beneath the left display screen. She smiled when she heard the turbines spool up then glanced to Shari. She shared a brief conversation with the technician, nodded then saluted her. The technician saluted back and stepped away from the fighter as it taxied out of its space and towards an elevator. Once there, she stopped, waited then smiled as she was lifted up to the top deck.
Dustine smiled grimly as her gaze fell upon the long deck of the Fortress class carrier then watched on as various officers trotted around her craft. Deckhands watched on as the last touches, a pair of micro-missile launchers, were added to the outer pylons by automated Systems. Once done the deck hands waved her into position and the pilot did she was told until she reached a linear catapult. She stopped, waited for a bit then smiled abit when Komilia spoke up over the commline. "Hammer lead. Are you ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be," Dustine answered crisply.
"Good," Komilia nodded then spoke up. "Good hunting and stay safe out there."
"Right," Dustine sighed.
To be continued.