Chapter 9: Hot Spring
June 26th 2125 AD 07:30 GST
A fast transport surged towards Ares, carrying an important person. That important person was dressed in a buisness suit and wearing a tan trench coat with a UN SPACY logo on it. Dustine sighed, wondering why she had to go on this errand for her family when she could be on patrols or training her troops. She puffed out a breath and shrugged her shoulders resignedly.
"Minnie Mmay Hopkins," Dustine noted then hummed looking at her picture. "I wonder what she's like now."
Three hours later, the fast transport arrived at the space port, where Dustine saw the woman in the picture.
'Damn it, she looks like a teenager,' Dustine thought, faintly annoyed then conceded to herself/ 'Well It can't be any worse...I'm still stuck in my twenties.'
"Miss Hopkins?" Dustine asked.
"Just call me May!" The blonde said happily as they shook hands. "You must be Dustine, right?"
"Yeah, I'm her," Dustine nodded.
"Geeze, you look just like Erika! Do you have the same mole on your..." Minnie asked.
"I do NOT want to know about Erika's moles." Dustine sighed. Minne May pouted then blinked at the sound of laughter of to the side. The laughter also reached Dustine's ears, causing her to blink and glance over her shoulder. She grinned wryly as a black haired bombshell walk up to her. "Well well..."
"Who's that?" Minnie blinked, wide eyed.
"Another family friend." Dustine replied then nodded. "Hello Isaka. Is Reiko Kano well."
"Mistress Reiko is very well indeed, Dustine," Isaka smiled, turned to Minnie May and bowed, showing off a bit of cleavage to the girl. "It is a honor, Miss Hopkins. Your reputation precedes you."
"Thanks, I think," Minnie smiled at Isaka
"Don't look so sheepish," Isaka smiled then winked. "I know very well that you helped our families deal with Black Mesa, long long ago."
"Oh you had a hand in that?" Dustine blinked.
"Yeah...we did," Minnie smiled. "Lets go revive a friend of mine. Okay?"
"Yeah, lets go," Dustine nodded.
The three woman took transport, the city whizzing by as they headed for the facility. Ares City was a sprawling place, and it was easy to get distracted by everything going on. It was even hard to remember that two of her old squad mates practically ran this world, let alone the city that she now in.
"So, Miss Hopkins.. what do you do, exactly?" Isaka asked.
"I'm a professional escort, actually. With a sideline in demolitions." Minnie winked.
Demolitions?" Isaka hummed thoughtfully.
"Yeah," Minnie nodded then winked. "It's a hobby I get a real bang out of."
"Oh god not puns," Dustine whimpered then blushed. "...and when you meant proffesional escort...erm...you meant bodyguarding right?"
"Nope," May took a card from her coat and passed it, "I'm a member in good standing with the courtesan's guild."
Dustine took the card, read it then looked down at Minnie with a slight blush on her cheeks. "So you're THAT kind of escort, eh?"
"Yup," Minnie nodded then winked at her.
Dustine scanned the digital readout. She recognized SOME of the offerings, but... what did 'No scat play' mean? She leaned over to ask Isaka what that meant. Isaka blushed then whispered back. Dustine looked HORRIFIED.
Minnie noticing the look then smiled sheepishly. "You gotta draw the line SOMEWHERE."
Dustine nodded, pocketing the card.
Isaka looked amused, "Do you do threesomes? My primary mate likes variety occassionally."
"Why, yes," Minnie smiled. "How many partners do you have?"
"Oh, it's a group marriage. Five adults, and we're raising the kids together."
"Doesn't the fifth person get left out?" Dustine had to ask
Minnie smirked, "Not f you're creative."
"Creative, huh," Dustine murmured wondering a group marriage would be like with her. For a moment Dustine imagined herself, and brown haired woman and a blond...then banished THAT thought. 'Focus Ageni! Focus! Remember why your here!'
"Problem?" Minnie asked.
"No. I'm fine." Dustine sighed.
"You sure?" Minnie asked. "Cause you blushed after Isaka talked about her group marriage."
"I was a nerd. Nose to the grindstone, as my grandmother used to say." Dustine explained.
Minnie smiled sympathetically, "You remind me of Rally. Body to die for but GEEZE was she reprssed.
"I did explore a little bit during my first tour of duty." Dustine explained, blushing. "With female officers."
"You swing that way?" Minnie asked.
Dustine blushed then looked away. Isaka smiled sympathetically at Dustine while Minnie smiled knowingly at her. 'Maybe I should offer my services later. It could be interesting!'
They didn't get to see the cryo revival procedure, instead they were kept in a waiting room. The pamplet Dustine read described how the chamber was cracked, then the individual within thawed. They were then placed in a revival pod filled with nutrients and medical nanites to feed and repair cellular damage induced by the freeze.
Then the brain and the heart was jumpstarted and upon successful restart the was moved to a different location.
There was a click, thump sound, then a rather messy looking mam with a cane entered. "Is Ageni or Hopkins here? Your corpsickle is ready."
"Rally is not a corpsickle." Minnie pouted.
'Whoa...bad bedside manners much,' Dustine thought, frowning, then nodded. "We're here..."
"Come on, then," House said, "we've unpacked her and started her heart and brain up."
"Good," Dustine nodded then glanced to Isaka. "Wait here."
"Right," Isaka agreed greatfully.
"We've got her in a regular patient cubacle, because you do NOT want to wake up in the cryobays. It's pretty damn unpoleasant in there," House noted as he lead them down the hall.
"I suspect so," Dustine nodded.
They reached a single bed cubicle and were allowed to enter. Dustine pulled a curtain back to see the patient. She was slender, had dark hair and had dusky skin. She looked sound asleep, and was hooked up to various machines.
"I'll leave you two alone," Greg House droned then shambled down the hall on his cane.
"Ah, you're here, A sexy looking nurse smiled at the pair. She had long elfen like ears and a pair of horns adorning her head. "We'll bring her out of the induced slumber."
"Okay." Dustine nodded.
The nurse pressed a small device to Rally's temple, there was a soft beep then Rally shifted slightly. Her eyes opened, and she blinked slightly in confusion.
Minnie was next to her bed in an instant, kneeling next to her. Dustine hung back, allowing the pair to get re-aquainted.
"Rally? Minnie asked.
"M-Minnie May?"
"Yeah!" Minnie May said tearfully.
"Hey now don't cry," Rally smiled weakly, laying a hand on her left cheek.
"Are you okay?" Minnie asked her.
"I think so..." Rally nodded then glanced over in Dustine's direction. "Erika? What the hell is she doing here?"
"Ah. No no. I'm her little sister, Dustine," The copper skinned pilot nodded. "I wasn't even a year old when you met my sister."
"I...see," Rally nodded, sighing then noticed the patch on her trenchcoat. She sat up and gazed directly at the pilot. "UN SPACY, huh? Did the invasion happen? What year is it?"
Dustine looked at Minnie then nodded. Minnie turned to Rally then smiled contritely. "Rally, there is a lot we have to tell you. So just bear with us. Okay?"
Rally frowned then shrugged. "Okay. Start with the date, time and place. I feel like I've been sleeping forever."
"Its 2125 AD, its nearly 11 AM Galactic Standard time, " Minnie stated crisply. "Your on Ares, in the Earl system. Your cryo pod was moved a couple of times due several facilities being opened and closed down."
Rally blinked after hearing that. She sighed and glanced at Dustine. "What about Earth?"
"Boldoza's fleet did a planet wide bombardmant on December 1st 2016 AD," Dustine sighed. "All of the old cities were wiped out in an instant. Fortunately the place of your initial storage was not harmed due to it being a part of grand cannon number 5. We won, but the cost of life was high. After that, we spread through out the galaxy to ensure that humanity and its allies wouldn't get wiped out by another attack...and that's why we're now on Ares."
Rally blinked then flopped down on the bed.
"Rally?" Minnie blinked.
"Give me some time to think okay?" Rally sighed, covering her eyes with an arm. The former bounty hunter blushed when her stomach rumbled loudly, causing Minnie to giggle contritely under a hand.
A short time later.
Dustine sat on the porch of a popular resturant, chewing on a hamburger while Isaka and Minnie were dining on a meal. Their other companion was quietly sipping on a beverage. Dustine covertly observed the woman opposite her as she dined on her burger, waiting for any sudden outbursts or rash actions. The other woman had been, until six hours ago, in an induced cold sleep for the last 113 years. After a series of questions and answers about the fate of the Earth, humanity and its allies the woman fell silent.
Until now.
"Don't worry about me, Ageni," Rally Vincent said as she put the glass down next to her plate filled with food. "I'm fine. It'll take time for me to digest. That's all."
"Oh bull," Dustine answered, "you're in shock. Which is understandable."
Rally snorted, then smiled faintly. "Rally, take your time," Minnie advised.
"It IS a lot to take in," Rally conceded.
Minnie gave her a amused look, "Hey, you slept through it. I was awake for everything to go down."
"Like..." Rally asked.
"Well, Goldie got her just deserts," Minnie remembered.
Rally eagerly asked, "Did they bust her for murder? Drug running?"
"Tax evasion." Minnie shook her head.
"Huh..." Rally sighed then looked at her friend. "What about Becky and Misty."
"Becky retired pretty wealthy...," Minnie related, "last I heard she owned her own planetoid."
"Is she still around?" Rally blinked.
"No. She passed away not long ago. " Minnie sighed then shook her head. "Same with Misty. I'm sorry Rally we're the only ones left."
Rally sighed and flagged down a waitress who looked a bit like the nurse that revived her. "God I could use a beer."
"No, not for a day after revival." Dustine shook her head.
"Yeah, no booze," Minnie said, "your system's had enough of a shock."
Rally grumbled softly. "Not fair."
She frowned, thought a bit then looked at Dustine. "Hold it. You said you weren't even a year old when I met your sister, right?"
"That's right," Dustine nodded, knowing full well what she's going to ask next.
"So then why are you still alive?" Rally asked.
"Medical nanomachines," Dustine nodded
Even as Minnie said sardonically, "Maaagic."
"Minnie," Dustine sighed
"What? I can't explain how the heck it works..." Minnie sighed.
"Basically everyone is now loaded with microscopic machines that repair us constantly," Dustine explained. "Even Erika and my other sisters have them flowing in their bodies."
"Microscopic machines..." Rally blinked then looked warily at Dustine. "Do I have them, too?"
"Only the ones that repaired you from the revival process," Minnie replied then smiled. "...and those are rather short term."
"I'm not sure I want something like that in my body," Rally admitted.
"Yeah I was kinda wary too at first," Dustine nodded.
"Why'd you change your mind?" Rally asked.
"Medical Regulations," Dustine sighed then shrugged. "...and I grew to accept them...and took part of the life extension program."
"Why?" Rally frowned.
"Ohh. Lots of reasons, I guess," Dustine murmured thoughtfully. She then smiled contritely. "I guess you could say that I want to live long enough to see what humanity can achieve...and protect those who are trying to achieve those things."
"Hmmmm," Rally murmured frowning thoughtfully, gazing at the pilot. She took a sip of her beverage, put it down on the table then smiled sardonically at the copper skinned woman. "So what are you doing here, Miss UN SPACY pilot? Are you here to recruit me?"
"Eh?!" Dustine blinked then shook her head. "Ah...n-no no. I'm hear as a representative of Archangel Securties. My sisters are busy elsewhere and they wanted me to be a witness of your revival. That's all."
"Huh," Rally wondered then asked Dustine. "So where's your sisters then?"
"They're quite busy tending to another matter in orbit right now," Isaka noted with a smile. "Once when they're through, Erika will pay you a visit on the ground."
'That is IF the truce hold steady between Ares and Cardair,' Dustine thought glumly.
"Whats going on in orbit?" Rally blinked then frowned. "Please tell me we're not in a conflict again. I don't want to be put back in a cryo pod. That would really really suck."
"No no," Isaka smiled contritely. "Its just that she, other buisness leaders and several heads of state are engaged in diplomatic meeting with another race from the other side of the galactic center."
"They arrived several days ago and now we're in negotiations with them," Dustine noted then shrugged her shoulders. "It gave us a chance to get some leave time on Ares."
"Hmmm," Rally frowned then glanced at the pair supsiciously. "There's something that your not telling me. Isn't there?"
"Welllll..." Dustine hesitated then trailed off, blinking as a waitress walked up with several members of the Interstellar Police Force and two members of UN SPACY's intelligence division. She recognized one of the ISP officers then frowned. "Ririka? What's this about?"
"I'm sorry to disturb your meal but we need ask the lot of you a few questions," Captain Ririka Kato smiled contritely at Dustine then frowned a bit as the waitress left them, giving them some space. "Its about a few old cases that our bosses want closed, thats all."
"Which cases, officer?" Isaka asked.
"The incident on earth in 2005," Ririka Kato looked at Rally and Minnie then at Dustine. "...and the abduction incident in 2023 on Olympus, Eden's forested moon."
"Abuction?" Minnie May and Rally said at the same time then looked at Dustine. They glanced at her warily. Rally frowned then asked her. "Just what is going on here. Ageni."
"Its...Its not what you think," Dustine blushed then looked away as Isaka smiled sadly at the copper skinned pilot. "Something happened to ME and a few members of my family...on that day."
"Ageni..." Rally murmured.
Ririka coughed then smiled. "Now then, if you could all quietly leave with us quietly we'll head down to the station. Otherwise we'll have to haul the lot of you in in cuffs."
"We'd better do what she says," Dustine sighed as she tosses a few bills on the table before she slipped out of her chair. The rest did the same and walked out of the bar with the officers in question.
***Sometime later***
Dustine sighed as she walked out of the station, mulling over what she had talked about with the officers. A ground vehicle pulled up to the curb, catching Dustine's eye. "Hmm?"
Moments later, two doors opened, allowing Signum and Nanoha to slipped out of the vehicle. Nanoha smiled sympathetically at Dustine while Signum nodded then spoke to her as she walked up to the vehicle. "We're here to pick you up, Lt Colonel."
"Did something happen in orbit?" Dustine asked seriously.
"Nothing of the sort," Nanoha shook her head, still smiling sympathetically. Signum waved Dustine over and the pink haired woman murmured into Dustine's ear.
"This has nothing to do with what's going on in orbit..." Signum noted quietly to her commanding officer. "...and more to do with what happened during the Olympus incident,
ma'am."
Dustine blushed then looked away. "I told the officers nothing really happened during that incident."
"I know," Nanoha agreed then gestured into the vehicle. "Lets go. We'll chat mor about this on our way to our next destination. Okay?"
"Where are we going?" Dustine asked.
"Its a secret," Nanoha winked.
Dustine shrugged then slipped inside. Fate was sitting in the far right hand seat, also smiling sympathetically at Dustine. "Fate?"
"We've heard," Fate continued to smile at the copper skinned woman.. "And no, I'm not telling where we're going."
"Some friend you are," Dustine bitched jokingly as she sat next to her. Nanoha climbed in and gave her a comforting hug which Dustine begrudgingly leaned into.
Signum climbed into the front passenger seat and nodded to the woman with long blue hair. "Lets go."
"Yes ma'am," Ginga Nakajima nodded to her and pulled away from the corner. Dustine sighed and sat back in her seat. Nanoha and Fate continued to smile at her as she sat, brooding a bit.
"Do you want to talk about it..." Nanoha asked her gently.
"I don't know..." Dustine said after a while then growled. "I think I've been talking about it TOO DAMN MUCH."
"OKay, let's talk about something else," Fate offered quickly.
Dustine chuckled ruefully. "Sorry...didn't mean to snap at you."
"That's okay..." Nanoha smiled at her then asked. "Is this topic really sensitive for you?"
"NO it's...it's just so...weird." Dustine shook her head, then shrugged her shoulders. "I mean...how often do you have a first contact with a race of amazonian beauties who turn out to be hermaphrodites?"
"Not...very much...I suspect," Fate smiled blushing a bit at that.
Nanoha snickered. "The Arume are kinda similar too."
"I wonder what would happen if those two races come in contact with each other?" Fate asked.
"Dunno..." Dustine sighed and looked out of a window, still blushing. Nanoha and Fate sympathetically patted her shoulder still smiling. THey cruised out of the city as they chatted quietly talking about this or that. An hour later they reached a set of hills dwarfed by a single volcano. The hills were home to a sprawling japanese villages as well as several hot springs. They made their way into village, eventually pulling up to a large property surrounded by a thick fence.
"Here?" Dustine asked.
"Yes," Nanoha nodded and waved her on. "C'mon c'mon. Everyone's waiting."
"Everyone?" Dustine blinked as she followed them into the gate and into a two story building.
A cute woman greeted them with a smile. "My name is Hotaru Narusugawa, welcome to the Hinata Spring resort!"
"A hot spring?" Dustine asked.
"Yes," Signum nodded and murmured softly to Dustine as Nanoha and Fate smiled at her. "We figured you might want to unwind after recounting your encounter with the Stellvians, ma'am."
"Thanks," Dustine smiled gratefully, frowned thoughtfully then asked them. "Does EVERYONE in your squadron know?"
"Not everyone, but Hayate does," Nanoha smiled contritely.
"Oh god, I bet she has questions," Dustine whimpered.
Nanoha patted her shoulder and led her to a changing area. Fate dutifully followed behind them, giving Dustine quiet support as always. Once in the changing room, the trio slipped out of their clothes, wrapped towels around their forms and padded out of a door leading to an open air hot spring bath. The spring was quiet large and was populated humans, solonoids, meltrans and various female races from midguard. Nanoha and Fate led Dustine away from the crowd to a group of familiar faces.
"Good evening!" Subaru nodded smiled cheerfully.
"Good evening, ma'am," Teana Lanster nodded.
"Good evening," Dustine nodded to the pair and the rest of Nanoha's squadron then sighed as she settled into the hot water. Nanoha and Fate sat on either side of her flanking the copper skinned pilot.
"Its always like this isn't it," Shamal smiled at the trio, handing glasses filled with iced tea to them. "The two of you, flanking her."
"Not all the times," Nanoha smiled contritely.
"I think its cute," Subaru smiled appreciatevly at the trio. "Its as if you really like her."
"We've been friends for quite some time," Nanoha smiled back at her. "So of course we really like her. We do fight at times but generally she's good company to be around with. Right Fate?"
"Yes, of course," Fate nodded loyally.
"So...is she like Tea is to me to the both of you?" Subaru asked.
Tea nearly spat out her drink.
"SUBARU!" she growled.
"What?" Subaru said in a cute whine.
Nanoha facepalmed.
"No, no she isn't," Fate said patiently.
"Aww," Subaru pouted.
Tea calmly plotted embarassing revenge against Subaru. Sadly, Subaru didn't really embarrass so easily.
'Oh lord,' Dustine blushed, letting herself sink under water a bit. Shamal bit back a chuckle, relaxing. Anyway, blushing was good for the circulation. Nanoha reached down and patted Dustine's head comfortingly. Dustine smiled gratefully at that, happy to be off of the topic of the Stellvians, at least.
She remained sunk in the water for a bit then as the conversation turn to other matters, resurfaced. She waved down a server, "Could I get a fruit drink?"
"Sure, Ageni-sama!" the girl chirped happily.
"Sama?" Shamal looked amused.
They're barely twenty, some hero worship is to be expected," Nanoha noted
"I see," Shamal smiled as the girl returned with a fruit drink.
"Here you are, Ageni-sama," The girl nodded returning with a fruit drink.
"Thanks," Dustine nodded then looked curious. "Akari. Is it? Thanks. I needed this"
"Your welcome," Akari nodded, long hair flowing behind her.
Kris, meanwhile, was fending off another lady. "Ma'am, I do not date on the job," the blue haired girl noted.
"Aww," The customer pouted.
"Sorry," Akari told the group, "I need to go rescue my girlfriend."
"That's...quite all right," Nanoha smiled contritely.
Dustine chuckled as she watched. "Ah, kids," she mused
"We're too damn old," Fate sighed.
"You are NOT," Teana protested loyally.
"We're not even past 300, thats pretty old," Dustine noted.
"Dustine, you're not helping," Nanoha noted.
"Ack..." Dustine grunted then smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."
Nanoha smiled and patted her shoulder.
"You're only as old as you feel!" Subaru added. She then squeezed one of Teana's breasts. "And these feel pretty perky!"
"SUBARU!" Teana yelped.
Nanoha and Fate blushed while Dustine laughed a little merrily, causing Nanoha and Fate to smile.
Hayate finally broke away from the Nakajimas and waded over to Dustine. Hayate smiled as she nodded to her subbordinate "Dustine, can I talk with you a bit?
There's something I'm curious about."
"Is it about the Stellvians?" Dustine asked.
"Yes..." Hayate nodded, still smiling.
"Hayate, she's still not ready to talk about..." Nanoha said in a warning tone then blinked when her old friend stood up. "Dustine?"
"Its fine," Dustine sighed resignedly then pointed to a rocky alcove which was devoid of people. "Lets chat over there. It much more private there. Okay."
"Okay!" Hayate nodded and waded over to the rocky alcove.
Dustine glanced over at her friends then blushed. "Um...I may need some moral support still though...so could you..."
Nanoha and Fate smiled half fondly and half contritely at Dustine. "Sure!"
The pair trailed after her to the alcove then sat on either side of her again. Fate gave Hayate a warning glance while Nanoha just waved at her as if to say don't bother her too much.
"I've read the debriefs," Hayate said then hummed thoughtfully. "and they'e pretty comprehensive. But I could ask you of your personal impressions of the Stellvians? For reference of course."
"They weren't cold, they were quite friendly," Dustine noted then blushed. "They were also very curious about human females. They did every exam and even more so."
"No probes, then?" Hayate quirked a eyebrow.
Dustine got it a second later. "Hayate..."
"Sorry, sorry," Hayate smiled apologetically then asked her. "What do think of their technology?"
"I think even then they surpassed us in many ways," Dustine noted. "Sonic showers, safe anti gravity technology, advanced medical scanners, beam weapons and lances. They even had gravity controlled mecha at that point."
"One wonders what they have now..." Hayate hummed then smiled. "Socially how are they?"
"They're friendly and open as I said," Dustine noted then hummed. "They're curious about races and other cultures...and they're quite open about their bodies."
"How so?" Hayate asked.
"Um...the tend to wander around their ships in bodysuits." Dustine noted.
Hayate nodded. "Tight?"
"I pretty much saw everything yeah...and um...when Therese...thats the one that courted me...entered the shower she wasn't wearing anything...and thats when I saw..." Dustine trailed off uncomfortably, and Hayate reached out to pat her hand.
"We were fine until then," Dustine blushed.
"How do they take rejection?" Hayate asked curiously.
"Very well," Dustine said, "she backed off immediately."
"So you two didn't make love then," Hayate asked.
"No," Dustine shook her head, "she picked up on my discomfort, I think."
"Did they ask about your orientation?" Hayate asked.
"Yeah," Dustine nodded, shaking her head wrly. "she quized me later about sexual orientation when we were strolling through the ship. It made me quite uncomfortable at times."
"I'm sure," Hayate nodded. "What are they like...sexually I mean."
"As far as I can tell, all Stellvians are functionally bisexual," Dustine said, "they... I think she thought I was mentally ill to be fixated on just women."
"So they DO have men?" Hayate asked.
"From what I can tell...yes," Dustine nodded then frowned. "Though it seemed that the Females are the dominant gender of the sex."
"Interesting," Hayate hummed then asked. "Were there any men onboard?"
"None that I could see, as I recall," Dustine noted.
"Are they familiar with exclusive partnerships?" Hayate probed.
"I asked them about exclusive relationships...they didn't get it at all," Dustine shook her head. She hummed thoughtfully then looked at Hayate. "However hey did seem to have a sense of community and had what appeared to have civil unions with their partners."
"I see," Hayate noted then sat back. "So we have an effectively bisexual race who has advanced technology that we're only now starting to work with. If we ever do make contact with them...We'll have to keep a eye on them; to see how they interact with pilots, officers and others. Alright?"
"Yeah," Dustine nodded.
"All in all it sounds interesting," Hayate noted then smiled.
"That smile wories me, Hayate." Nanoha sighed.
"I'm a innocent little lamb," Hayate batted her eyes.
"Oh god, that creeps me out worse..." Nanoha sighed.
"Meanie," Hayate pouted.
"Would you...?" Dustine asked.
"She has Signum, Shamal, Vita and Zafira..." Fate noted, blushing charmingly.
"Zafira too?" Dustine blinked.
"Yup!" Hayate smiled.
"Yeah she'd be right at home with the Stellvians," Dustine sweatdropped.
***The next day 20:00 GST.***
Dustine relaxed in a lounge chair near the open air hot spring. She glanced around, watching friends and team mates chat with each other. She smiled faintly as Vivio and Einhart held hands as they waded to another spot. Nanoha was chatting with Fate and Hayate while Signum, Vita and Shamal were catching up with each other. Dustine looked off to her right and watched Teana an Subaru who were also lying back in lounge chairs. The pair looked so happy, enjoying the soft banter with each other and the scenery. Dustine gazed away from her friends then up at the sky, now lost in thought. She thought about yesterday's events and wondered if she should take Minnie up on her offer...or wait to see Fuji when she returns to the ship in a few days.
Though she looked lost in thought, she wasn't entirely oblivious to the world around her. She felt as if someone was looking over her shoulder...and it was bothering her. She grunted when she realized what it was then frowned angrily. "I know you're there Nahlah. Step out in the open."
Moments later, a grey skinned humanoid with long elfen ears emerged from a shadow. "Lost in thought and you still sensed me? Tch. I must be loosing my touch. I wonder if its old age?"
"Nahlah, your only 500 years old," Dustine rolled her eyes at the dark haired Drow.
"And I feel every year," the woman joked mildly.
Dustine smiled a bit sympathetically at he
"Looking after the younger races is a great burden," she added dryly.
"We aren't young." Dustine noted loyaly.
"You are by OUR standards, child..." Nahlah sniffed cooly.
"Fair enough," Dustine nodded then asked her. "Anything to report?"
"We'd best not talk about it in the open." Nahlah leaned in to whisper into her ear. "Captain Salah is waiting to speak with you."
"Got it," She agreed. Dustine slipped out of her lounge chair, stretching casually. She walked off, heading towards the bar, then diverted to a secluded alcove not too far away.
There, in the alcove, sat a group of women similiar to Nahlah and the rest of the Nakajima's
Salah smiled faintly, "Colonel, take a seat."
"Thanks, Salah," Dustine nodded to the silver haired and dusky skinned Drow. "What's going on?"
"Our last reconnasince sweep detected a group of rogue zentradi ships, ma'am," Salah noted.
Of course we did," Nove Nakajima rolled her eyes.
"Nove, hush," A silver haired girl with an eye patch sighed.
"Yes, Cinque," Nove sighed. There were only a few of the members of the Nakajima's there, the rest of the 'family' of clones were back in the hot spring, relaxing with friends.
"The Zentradi we picked up are VERY far out, at this point," Nove added
"How far out," Dustine asked.
"Past Cardair's orbit...but they're heading suggests that they're on a course for Ares, ma'am," Cinque noted.
"Do you think they see us," Dustine asked.
"How many are there...do you think they see us?" Dustine asked.
"50 in all ma'am," Cinque noted "One battleship two tankers fourty or more scouts and a couple of monitor ships...
"That sounds like a scout group," Dustine noted thoughtfully.
"Aye," Salah nodded then frowned. "I can't say for sure we've been scanned, but we DID detect something that could be a wideband sensor sweep."
"Or just background radiation," another pointed out reasonably.
"I don't like having them out there," Quattro noted, "we should destroy them, just to be safe."
"You ALWAYS say that." Nove rolled her eyes.
"Because it's always true!" Quattro retorted.
"That's enough quattro," Cinque sighed. "You too Nove."
"Yes ma'am," Both girls sighed.
"IN any case, we need to keep track of where they are," Dustine noted.
"Yes ma'am," The group nodded.
"Is there anything else to report?" Dustine asked.
"Several of our advanced battlegroups have shifted positions," Salah noted and brought up two images. "While it seems that the Juraian ships are on the move."
"What have I said about spying on our allies?" Dustine sighed
"Don't get caught?" Nahalh smirked.
"Right. OTHER than that..." Dustine rolled her eyes then asked. "What are they doing...?"
"It seems that they're moving towards our fleet." Salah noted.
"Maybe..." Dustine hummed thoughtfully. "Maybe they're too damaged and the higher ups decided to circle around the Juraian ships."
"Or planning to assist them if the Grel hit." Cinque mused.
"Hmmmm," Dustine murmured then sighed. "Okay, keep a eye on it. Descretely."
"Aww. I wanted to fly up and say hello." Nove pouted.
"Sorry, no," Dustine shook her head.
"Stop being a smart ass, Nove," Dustine rolled her eyes.
"Hmmmph," Nove folded her arms.
"Anything else," Dustine looked at them.
"That's all we have to report," Cinque nodded.
"Aye," Salah nodded, glanced at Dustine momentarily, "Aside from my assistant, the rest of you may leave. Lt. Colonel. Stay a moment?"
The others blinked then noddded, following her orders.
"What's up?" Dustine sighed.
"You're disposition is tenser than usual, child," Salah mused. "Is it because of retelling your encounter with the Stellvians?"
"Who told you?" Dustine sighed.
Dustine growled, "Why does EVERYONE keep bringing this up..."
"We're concerned, child," Salah noted.
'...and its great gossip!" Salah's assistant noted
Dustine rolled her eyes. "Yes, it's bringing up some memories I'm not entirely comfortable with. But I'm handling it."
"Are you sure," Salah asked.
shanejayell
"YES, I am sure."
"Methinks thou dost protest too much..." Erin noted
"If you quote Shakespeare at me again, I will beat you bloody." Dustine frowned.
"May I suggest something else other than assaulting my assistant, child," Salah noted.
"Like what..." Dustine frowned. "...and I hope you're not thinking of anything...carnal."
"No, Massages,Salah shook her head then gestured to the blonde haired woman. "I can even have Erin assist me."
"So...how about it?" Erin, another dusky skinned drow mused.
"Well..." Dustine hesitated.
"Oh don't worry everything will be fine. Erin chuckled and slipped behind her, and rubbed her shoulders to test her out. She then blinked. "Oh my...you have such tense shoulders."
Dustine actually moaned in rellef...
"Shall we continue this...elsewhere?" Salah noted when a passerby gawked at the pair of women.
"Yeah, lets," Erin nodded.
"Oh sure, don't ask me..." Dustine bitched a bit.
"We find it's better that way. Asking you complicates things. Dustine rolled her eyes but followed anyway
They lead her down the hall and to a small suite. Erin opened the door for her. "Here you go. Your massage awaits."
Dustine blushed, at first unsure then relented, wondering how bad it could be. Dustine walked over the threshold and knelt in the middle of the room.
Salah closed the door as Erin quickly sat behind her. The blonde eyed Dustine's hair which was pulled into a a long and thick braid. Erin grasped it gently and ran two fingers down its length them murmured. "May I undo your braid first?"
"Must you?" Dustine sighed.
"Oh, just indulge her," Salah smiled as she sat close to them.
"Very well, you may," Dustine nodded.
Erin grinned a bit, went to work undoing the braid, then ran her hands through Dustines hair before letting it cascade down her back. The hair fell past her waist and puddled on the floor. Erin grinned and ran her fingers through her hair, admiring it a bit. She ran two fingers fingers through long shock of hair until reaching the end, still admiring her hair. However, the blonde noticed something then peered closely at the tips of her hair.
The blonde haired woman blinked then frowned. "Split...ends?"
"Hmm?" Dustine blinked then eeped when Erin loomed ominously over her. "Erin...what..."
"Child, you definitely have to take better care of your hair," Erin growled.
"Oh c'mon," Dustine laughed uneasily. "Its just hair really."
"Just hair?" Erin blinked then glared at her "JUST HAIR?!"
"Erin...you're starting to scare m..." Dustine began then acked when Erin dragged her towards the bathroom.
A week later...
Kaguya Hime City Superdimensional Fortress Kaguya-Hime
Miki and Eri shared amused glances with each other as they sat opposite of their older half sister. While her attire was nothing special, the way her long raven black hair was. She had, as suggested by Erin, her waist length black hair pulled into a side ponytail. Dustine frowned at the pair, knowing what they were smirking at. The copper skinned woman took a sip of her drink then put it down on the table.
She scowled then glanced between the two girls. "What are you two smiling at?"
"N-nothing really," Eri stammered trying not the laugh.
"That's a new look Big sister," Miki grinned then asked her. "Are you trying to copy your long time friend."
"Y-You look so cute!" Eri laughed.
"Hahaha, yuck it up," Dustine rolled her eyes. "Erin insisted and I couldn't really say no, after she went to all the trouble."
"You look matronly like that big sis," Eri grinned.
"Oh, you are ASKING for a ass kicking..." Dustine rolled her eyes, "I'm not ready to be a mother."
"But its true," Miki grinned.
"Are you two trying to start something?!" Dustine growled.
Moments later, a beverage was placed in front of her. Dustine blinked then looked up at the waiter. "Excuse me...I didn't ask for this."
"Its from the table over there," The waitress smiled, gesturing to a table occupied by three blondes. One of the blondes was Fuji, the other was Lilith and another blonde who looked exactly like Fuji."
Fuji raised her glass while Lilith winked at her.
"Not bad," Eri mused then smirked. "HOw do you know them?"
"That's my.. relaxation therapist."
"Relaxation therapist?" Miki gave her a look. "Really?"
"Yeah." Dustine nodded
"That's odd," Miki noted. "Because I've seen her around, and she works at Whispered Words..."
"All of them do, really," Eri noted.
Dustine went beet red and took a sip of the drink given to her.
"And how do you two know about Whispered Words?"
Eri smirked.
Dustine quickly added, "No, no, I do NOT want to know..."
Miki and Eri grinned at Dustine then laughed a bit. As Dustine braved their teasing, A pair of women walked into a dimly lit resturant arm in arm. One was a blonde and the other was a brunette wearing her hair down. They were greeted by a pretty waitress and led to a table. The brunette turned to her friend who had her hair piled up into a poor boys hat.
"Should we be seen like this, Alicia?" The blondes friend asked nervously . "We haven't made our debut yet."
"It should be alright, Natsumi," The blonde noted keeping the brim of her cap low as they walked through the resturant. "They shouldn't recognize us wearing these clothes."
"Still..." Natsumi frowned as they reached a table, then blinked when she thought she saw a familiar figure. Eri and Miki Amano Ageni were sitting opposite of her, frowning at something that she had just said."...wait there Alicia. I see my sister."
"Eh?!" Alicia blinked as Natsumi snuck up behind that person.
"Surprise, onee-chan!" Natsumi said cheerfully, unaware of who it really is.
Dustine instinctively twisted around and grabbed her would be attacker. Natsumi gasped in surprise as the taller woman got her in a submission hold.
"Eeep!" Natsumi yelped. Alicia rushed to her aid and frowned intensely at Dustine. "Let Natsumi go, Ageni. She mistook you for her elder sister."
"Eh?" Dustine blinked then gulped when she felt another pressence behind them. Dustine looked back and saw Nanoha gazing evenly at her.
"She jumped me from behind! It was a reflex," Dustine protested, letting the girl go, only to jump when she felt another hand on her shoulder. This time she knew this hand and looked warily over her shoulder. Nanoha had a grim smile on her face while Fate gazed evenly at the pair. That same smile she'd give anyone if she was about to 'cool their head down a bit' as she liked to say. Dustine felt a bit of relief as she duirected that stare at her little sister too.
"What happened, exactly?" Nanoha asked impatiently
"I thought she was you and I thought I would surprise her," Natsumi looked apologetically.
"You shouldn't do that to just anyone, Natsumi," Nanoha frowned. "You could have gotten hurt."
"Yes ma'am," Natsumi nodded.
"I'm really sorry," Dustine said quickly, "reflexes just kicked in."
Fate slipped over to them and gestured to a booth. "We have a booth to ourselves. Lets go over there so we won't make more of a scene."
"All of us?" Dustine asked.
"Aye," Fate nodded.
A short time later, Nanoha touched Dustine's side ponytail causing the copper skinned woman to blush a bit "So this was the culprit eh?"
"Yeah, it was," Dustine nodded. "Erin from Salah's group insisted that I keep it that way. Little did I know that it would cause a slight commotion in the resturant."
"Hmm. Well, it IS cute. But..." Fate hummed thoughtfully as she rearranged her hair a bit. She pulled the hair ribbon free, ran her hands through her hair a bit then tied the ribbon into a triangle shaped bow near the nape of her neck.
"You're so GOOD at that." Eri smiled
"Who do you think does Nanoha's hair?" Fate smiled then showed Dustine in a compact mirror. "Is this okay?"
Dustine fussed with her bangs a bit, then blushed as Fate helped her, as if she knew what Dustine wanted to do. Dustine pulled her hands away a few minutes later then looked left and right while looking in the mirror. Satisfied, she turned and nodded to her friend who was sitting very close to her "Yeah. That looks good. Thanks, Fate."
"Your welcome," Fate nodded. The group chatted quietly as a girl with horns wandered over to their booth. Dustine felt a odd...chill, one that she couldn't explain. The pink haired woman with long hair smiled shyly, "Oh, I'm sorry! I was just looking for Fate-sama."
"Oh. Carrie. What is it?" Fate blinked.
Carrie held out a datapad. "I'm sorry but we really need your signature on these reports."
"I'll get it done at the office," Fate smiled sheepishly.
"Uhm... it's kind of urgent," the girl said apologetically. "Now, Fate-sama."
"Ugh," Fate took the pad and started signing with her thumb print.
"Fate is a very good commander but," Carrie shrugged apologetically to Dustine.
"That's...quite all right," Dustine sighed, still feeling the odd chill. "S...Say...have we met before?
"I don't think so," Carrie smiled as Fate continued her paperwork
"Odd," Dustine frowned.
"My species is pretty rare," Carrie admitted, "we've only really been in human space for a century or so."
"I...see..." Dustine nodded. Nanoha watched her, frowning thoughtfully.
Fate finished up and passed the tablet back, "Sorry Carrie, I shouldn't have let the paperwork slip."
Carrie shrugged, "This isn't the worst place I've followed you into."
"Oh?" Dustine grinned
"Don't tell her," Fate said quickly.
"Sorry, Fate-sama," Carrie nodded.
Dustine blinked, then shrugged.
"I'm SURE I've met her somewhere before..." Dustine muttered
"It'll come to you eventually, I suppose," Fate said casually.
"Really?" Dustine hummed thoughtfully.
"Really," Fate nodded.
Dustine shrugged, then sipped her drink.
Later that night. Dustine flew up out of bed, gasping for breath. It was another nightmare, but this time it was different. She was actually security officer standing off stage, protecting the 57th generation, and she was on edge.
Just like last time the boomers burst in but... why pink hair? And horns? And... somehow, they ripped people apart. With no hands?! It was scary. So scary. There was nothing she could do.
Dustine considered calling Sae, but the only thing she would do is probably give her general advise. So, instead she did some paperwork that was still on her desk.
Haruhi peeked her head in, her long hair pulled into a ponytail. "Shouldn't you be sleeping?"
"Sorry, can't sleep," Dustine sighed.
"Was it another nightmare?" Haruhi asked.
"No, I was dreaming of those damn ponies again..." Dustine rolled her eyes.
"Sarcasm is so immature." Haruhi humphed, frowning. "You really need your sleep. Do you want me to wake your therapist? Or do you want some sleeping pills."
"I HATE sleeping pills," Dustine grumped, "they make me groggy as hell. No thanks."
"Then should I call Sae?" Haruhi offered.
"I hate waking her.." Dustine admitted
"But maybe you should talk to her..." Haruhi noted then frowned. "If anything it'd calm your fears...what ever they may be."
"Yeah, yeah," Dustine sighed, knowing Haruhi would nag her until she did something. "Call her and apologize for the late night call, Suzumiya."
Haruhi nodded, wordlessly patting Dustine's shoulder. Dustine smiled weakly at that. Haruhi may he a nag. But she was also compassionate. She just had an odd way of showing it.
The next day
Dustine yawned as she sat in the cafeteria. After a exhaustive session with Sae she HAD fallen back to sleep, thankfully. She had gotten enough sleep to not feel groggy in the morning, yet she was still yawning damn it.
"Uhm, Colonel Ageni?" the private smiled, "I have your coffee."
"I didn't ask..."
"Well, you looked sleepy," the young woman blushed.
"here," she put it on the table and fled.
"Odd," Dustine sighed and took a sip of her coffee.
"That was nice of her..." Nanoha noted as Fate and she joined Dustine at the table.
"She was probably a fangirl..." Dustine noted.
"Hm," Nanoha nodded then noticed Dustine's half lidded eyes.
"Didn't sleep well?" Fate asked curiously
"I had another nightmare..." Dustine sighed.
"Are you okay?" Nanoha asked.
"I'm fine now..." Dustine shrugged then frowned. "It was just...different from the last one."
"How so?" Fate asked.
"Ponies. LOTS and LOTS of ponies." Dustine shrugged.
"Stop messing with us..." Nanoha demanded.
Dustine stuck her tounge out. "It's either laugh at it or..."
Hmm," Fate nodded.
"So what was it like...really?" Nanoha asked.
Dustine sighed and sat back. "It started out as it usually does...but..." Dustine murmured then leaned in to whisper the contents of the dream to her friends. They did their best to hide their shock.
"And you have these every other night? I'm impressed you sleep at all," Nanoha noted.
"No no...they're usually just assassin boomers and only assassin boomers," Dustine shook her head. "The girls with pink hair and horns are new. But why has the dream changed so suddenly."
"Something happened in your life to make it change?" Fate offered.
"Hmm. That IS what Sae thinks..." Dustine hummed, making a face "But what...was that? What happened in my life that would change my nightmare so suddenly like that."
"It'll come to you eventually," Nanoha noted, patting her shoulder. "Don't worry about it."
"Yeah, yeah. ALSO what Sae said. Are you two reading her notes?" Dustine frowned.
"You do realize Sae would kick our asses for trying that?" Fate noted.
"Point..." Dustine nodded and sipped her cup of coffeee.
EOF.
Authors notes: Minnie May Hopkins and Rally Vincent are from Gunsmith Cats. Ririka Kato is from Bodacious Space Pirates. Also the Stellvians are loosely based on the nameless aliens from Yui Toshiki's My Two Wings. They're hermaphrodites and I thought it would be kind of fun to cover Dustine's reaction to them. However, if this subject and or lesbians bothers you that this fan fiction is not for you.