17:30GST July 21st 2125 AD SDCV Wolfram
"Whew," Dustine flopped onto a bench in the woman's locker room. She unclasped various points on her high gee suit and unzipped it. She sat back against a wall and sighed. "What a battle."
"Tell me about it," Erica Hartmann sighed as she tugged off her suit. "That was one hell of a battle."
"Yeah," Dustine nodded then blinked when a water bottle was offered. She reached out, took the bottle and took a sip. She phewed then looked over at the person then acked when she saw Excellen's impressive cleavage. "What did I tell you about underwear Excellen."
"But I chafe..." Excellen pouted.
"Ugh," Dustine sighed One day some poor emergency medic would get QUITE a shock.
"Have you sent the data over to tactical yet Dusty-chan?" Excellen asked as she sat next to Dustine.
"Yeah," Dustine nodded and took a sip. "I wonder how tactical's gonna respond to this?"
"AGENI!" Komilla yelled as she burst in.
"I think we'e gonna find out..." Dustine sighed.
"Thank goodness you're alive," Komilla surprised her by hugging her.
"I'm glad to be alive too..." Dustine nodded then frowned. "It was hectic out there."
"I can imagine," Komilia nodded then sighed as she pulled away. "Is it true? Are our gun pods inaffective against the Grel?"
"The current ammo for our 57 mm gun pods are actually," Dustine nodded then looked to Excellen who winked at Dustine. "But it seems that the oxtongue rifle and Rein Weiss's Howling Launcher did okay against them."
"So no penetration, and the standard rounds did no damage," Komilia confirmed. She scowled, "We'll have to upgrade round density and propellant. Maybe use penetrators or kinetic rounds this time."
"Yeah, we'll probably have to ramp up our beam weapons too," Erica nodded then sighed. "It was hard to dig through their armor."
"Hmm," KOmilia nodded then frowned."we'll have to upgrade energy capacitors, maybe even plug guns right into engines..."
"That'd be a bit of a drain on the engines," Erica noted.
"Its a thought anyway," Dustine nodded then sighed. "See what Shari can do for us, okay, Komilia?"
"Will do," Komilia nodded then winked. "Oh your teams been invited to the captains banquet room. She has a spread for you."
"Chat's over food? I'm game." Erica smiled.
"MOre like being grilled over dinner," Dustine predicted wisely. "AT least the food will be good."
"Aye," Komilia nodded then looked serious at the trio. "Better shower up and be ready. Dinners in 30 minutes."
"Yes ma'am," Dustine, Komilia and Excellen nodded.
"And Excellen, put some undies on," Komilia added.
"Awww." Excellen pouted.
Superdimensional Fortress Kaguya:Homefront
Written by Darkranger12 and Shanejayell
18:00GST SDCV Wolfram
"Wow...what a spread," Erica blinked at the platters of food on the banquet table. She was wearing a blue jumpsuit top over her dress uniform to which the hostess cleared her throat. Elia smirked, shaking her head at her blonde haired squadmate. Erica, meanwhile, chuckled then handed her the garment. "Sorry Rein. Here."
"Thank you," Rein, Hayate's Yeoman and hostess, gave her a look then glanced at everyone that was arriving. "Everyone please be seated. Dinner is about to be served."
"Hello, Rein," Dustine nodded pleasantly, her own dress togs nicely pressed. She looked good, even if she had rushed a bit to get ready.
"Hello, Dustine, its been a while," Rein nodded then blinked at the more stylish Excellen who was wearing a form hugging dress. "Did Hayate contact you too."
"Yup," Excellen sighed and clinged to Kyousuke who was wearing dark slacks, shoes a tie and suspsenders. "She contacted the both of us."
"Speaking of Hayate where is she?" Dustine asked.
Hayate came in, beaming. In what Dustine was SURE was a twentieth century tuxedo. Nanoah and Fate followed behind her wearing form hugging dresses too.
"Like what you see?" Hayate twirled a bit then gestured to Nanoha and Fate. "Or do you like what you see here."
"Uh...it looks good on you," Dustine noted bashfully then blushed a bit when she looked at Nanoha and Fate. "...as for you two...you guys look gorgeous."
"Thanks," Hayate, Nanoha and Fate nodded. Hayate then added. "That was nice but you should always compliment your boss anyway."
"You look gorgeous, Hayate-sama!" Fate exaggerated.
'I wonder if she just likes compliments,' Dustine thought to herself then glanced at Nanoha, Fate then at Excellen. "Am I the only one that just slipped into my dress uniform?"
"No, hayate just likes dressing up," Komilia sighed as she walked up to the group.
"Well there is that..." Hayate laughed.
"Wow, you guys look great," Excellen smiled at the pair.
"Hayate called us in and had her team stuff us in these dresses," Nanoha admitted then sighed. "I'd just be in my uniform if I could have gotten away with it."
"Agreed," Fate smiled wryly then blinked when viletta walked in wearing a pants suit. Aya trailed behind her wearing a unspacy uniform. Dustine hummed thoughtfully as Major Badim's second in command Irm, joined them as well. He was the pilot of the Grungust MK I Kai. A beast of a machine in its own right. Mei and Rei from lancer squad trailed after the SRX team and mingled with the rest of the squads.
"What is the meaning of this anyway?" Dustine sighed glancing at Hayate.
Hayate just shrugged. "Well, you're SO butch in uniform that we needed some pretty flowers to balance it out. However, some of the girls thought it would be best to support their leader too."
"Maybe Dustine should have dressed up too," Excellen giggled.
Hayate laughed while Dustine sighed. "Excellen."
"At any rate, takes your seats please, the rest of the guests should be showing up soon," Hayate gestured to the banquet table.
"Where should we sit though," Erica asked. The guests frowned then looked at each other.
"Don't do it by rank, just sit," Dustine added as everyone hesitated.
The group relaxed a bit and sat wherever they liked. Kyousuke and Excellen sat next to Dustine and Elia. Drinked were soon served and they soon fell into a light chatter as chefs brought appetizers out. They chatted over drinks and appetizers for a while, enjoying the atmosphere. Well mostly anyway.
"You've been quiet, Elia." Dustine noted.
"I'm not used to just hanging around officers." Elia sighed.
"Its fine," Dustine noted the smiled. "Do you wish Sanya was here too?"
"I do, but.. she needs her rest," Elia shrugged blushing cutely.
"SHE"S SO CUTE! I'M TAKING HER HOME WITH ME!" Excellen slipped over and huggled Elia.
Elia eeked and wriggled in her grasp as Excellen started to tug her out of her seat. "Hey! Stop it Excellen!"
"No! Kidnapping is bad, Excellen!" Nanoha chided her.
"Awww.." Excellen pouted then let go of her. Hayate laughed then smiled as the heroes from Langran arrived. Excellen perked up when Lune and her friends walked into the hall. "Hey Masa glad that you could..Wow! Lune! That's a nice dress there! It really suits you!"
"I hate it, actually. But eh, Hayate's orders." Lune Zoldark noted as she stood in a form hugging dress.
"I did NOT order." Hayate pouted. "Firmly suggest, yes. Order, no."
"Sounded like an order to me," Lune shrugged then sighed when Excellen glomped what appeared to be a very young girl and Mio. "Well at least Excellen hasn't changed."
"This group is as lively as ever," Masaki sighed as he watched the pair squirm in Excellen's embrace.
"Rein, we need drinks if things are going to stay this funny," Hayate ordered
"Aren't we here to talk about the Grel, ma'am," Rein glanced at her.
"Spoil sport," Hayate pouted.
Dustine snickered, "Thanks, Rein, for keeping her on track."
"I try, ma'am," the girl said with calm dignity.
"Someone has to anyway," Komilia sighed.
I get no respect," Hayate added then sighed. "All right, everyone, settle down. Business and food first, THEN booze."
"I'll drink to that," Lune grinned.
"All right," she said briskly, "Rein, bring the food in. Then we get to tlk about the Grel, whee fun."
"Yes ma'am," Rein nodded and strode into a side door. Moments later servers came in and removed the baskets of french bread and other finger foods.
"But I was eating that!" Excellen pouted.
"Hush, EXcellen. MOre coming." Dustine sighed as platters off food bowls filled with food were set in front of them. Dustine and the others felt their mouths water at the delicous smells wafting from the platters and bowl
"Hm. Not bad." Viletta noted.
"Not bad at all," Irm noted.
"Alright everyone dig in!" Hayate nodded.
"Don't mind if I do," Masaki Andoh noted happily and grabbed some noddles a potato and some beef from a bowl.
Dustine dished up her own serving, even as she looked over the assembled pilots. Viletta was chatting softly with Aya as they dished up their own servings while Irm was unsuccessfully trying to hit on Elia. Dustine smiled wryly at Irm then blinked when Erika and a pair of pilots wandered in. "Sis."
"I was called here too..." Erika Ageni noted as she sat on Hayate's and the Elemental Lords side.
"Looks like we're all here," Hayate nodded then looked at everyone. "So, what are your thoughts on the Grel? Speak freely."
"Vicious and fast as our allies have said," Kyousuke Nanbu noted.
"We need bigger guns, or better ammo," Dustine noted as she ate ravenously. It had been a LONG day.
"So its true?" Hayate asked frowning a bit. "Is their armor that tough."
"Very," Nanoha noted as she sipped on a beverage.
"I'm just glad we had the Steel Dragons us," Meia noted giving Lamia and her XO a thankful look. "Most of our conventional arms weren't enough to punch through."
"Sis showing up helped too," Dustine noted thoughtfully as she looked at Erika and the pair of pilots sitting with her.
"Yeah," Erika nodded then admitted. "But we were routed when we chased after them."
"Eh?" Dustine and the others gasped. "What happened?"
"They got the jump on us," Erika sighed.
"How many?" Hayate asked.
Ninety to a hunderd ships in all," Erika noted, took a sip of her beverage then sighed. "We had some help with allied patrols but they really took a bite out of us."
"I see," Dustine frowned. "What's frightening is that I think the force that jumped the trainees were just scouts."
"THAT is their idea of a scouting force?" Komilia frowned, looking incredulous. "That was fify to sixty ships in all."
"Looks like it. Just wait until they hit us in NUMBERS." Erika nodded then sighed. "I've already called for additional support from our various naval bases and a few of our buisness allies. "They should be here in a matter of days."
"Damn it," Dustine sighed then asked. "So none of the Grel ships were destroyed?"
"Quite a few of the scout ships, yes," Erika nodded then sighed. "But most of the assault force is still out there."
"Do you think they could link up with the Rogue Zentradi's in the area?" Hayate asked.
"No..." Erika shook her head then glanced at Hayate "As we retreated a rogue scout battlegroup approached the Grel fleet. Last we saw of them they were soundly defeating the rogues."
"Hell, maybe we should try to recruit the rogues. Enemy of my enemy and all that." Dustine noted.
Hayate snorted, "The Enemy of my enemy is STILL my enemy, thank you."
"Damn it," Dustine frowned.
"It was a good thought, but they could turn on us," Nanoha noted. "Heck, they WOULD turn on us, right after we won the other battle. Can't blame them, it's Zentradi instinct."
"Why would they chase after a rogue zentradi fleet though." Dustine wondered then frowned. "You'd think they'd either leave them alone or at least ally with them."
"We don't know," Erika shook her head then frowned. "Their behavior was...odd.
"I see," Hayate hummed then sat back. "Is their any good news out of this?"
"Some," Dustine nodded then mused. "High explosive ammo and micro missiles seem to have an affect and if we ramp up our capacitors a bit I think we'll be able to cut through their armor. As the others have said the Steel dragon team units and weapons were very effective against their armor."
"Is that so?" Hayate looked over at Kyousuke and Viletta.
"Yeah," Viletta nodded then frowned. "We didn't have any problems. We'll keep the toughness of their armor in consideration though."
"Nina's and Arika's Valkbeins did well under the extreme conditions of today's battle, ma'am," Kyousuke mused then nodded. "Their weapons were very effective against the Grel, not to mention their pilots abilities.
"Mmm," Erica hummed thoughtfully then looked at Shari. "I've heard about this here and there...but aren't the Valkbeins a part of the Armored Soldier Project?"
"Yeah. They're a part of the second phase of the project," Shari nodded then sat back a bit. "The problem is the Valkbeins are in limited production phase. We've worked the bugs out for a while now but its not ready to be mass produced yet."
"Indeed," Elia nodded then looked at Shari. "So far I'm pretty happy about how they preform, especially the weapon systems."
"As am I," Dustine nodded then sighed. "I just which we could mass produce them."
"Patience, patience," Hayate chided her gently then looked at shari. "Could we adapt the beamgunpods for valkyrie use?"
"I was actually going to suggest that," Shari mused then added. "It will take modifications, but it's doable."
"I'd hate to suggest itm but the swords and such actually were very useful, from what I saw," Fate noted.
"We need something better than the k-bar," Dustine conceded reluctantly. "But I think we can rule out beam swords. They'd be too power hungry."
"Our units use hatchets and axes at times," Erika noted. then looked at Dustine. "As you know."
"Hey I used the hatchet fair and square," Dustine pouted then looked at Hayate. "But yeah. It would be VERY nice to have a better weapon to fall back on when bullets fail. Especially if it utilizes our Pinpoint Barriers."
"I'll make a note of that," Hayate nodded
"Coat a sword with pinpoint barrier..." Shari muttered then started writing figures on a napkin.
"Leave her alone, she'll be at that awhile," Hayate noted when Fate held up a hand. "...and yes I think I know what you want."
Fate blushed and sat back. Nanoha smiled and patted her shoulder. "She REALLY likes axes doesn't she?"
"Yup." Hayate smiled then looked around. "Did anyone have any other problems."
"Just that, a well armed as we were we STILL underestimated their toughness." Viletta badim noted then frowned. "...and theres no telling what they might else have in their inventory."
"Yeah. WE need to step up our game," Lune agreed
"Oh that reminds me," Shari noted then smiled. "Some of the Arumean pilots and techs want to study Valsione R, Lune."
"Gah, not that again," Lune sighed as the other Elemental Lord pilots smiled contritely at her.
"What's that?" Dustine asked.
"One of the surviving pilots fangirled all over Valsione R, saying it was the cutest thing she ever saw," Lune sighed then shook her head. "...and as soon as we got to the fleet we've been getting requests for its data ever since."
"She fangirled all over Valsione?" Excellen snickered. "She must be like Ryusei."
"Nah, Ryusei wasn't as hyper as she was," Lune sighed.
"Considering how vicious they were, I'm surprised there were any arumean survivors," Hayate noted then looked thoughtful. "Why is that?"
"We think the Grel pilots were effected by the trainees songs, Commodore," Viletta Badim noted them mused. "...and Ithink their non lethal weaponry had an effect too."
"So they're effected by culture just like the zentradis ?" Hayate mused. "I see, well, that's good to know. Is there anything else that you want to discuss?"
"We tried capturing one for analysis but it self destructed," Nanoha noted then sighed. "Possibly by a remote signal."
"To bad, we really should find out what their armor is made of," Shari noted.
"We could somehow disrupt it," Dustine noted then hummed. "Or send a tight band emp pulse to disable the self destruct mechanism."
"That could work but you might fry the rest of their elecrtronics as well," Shari noted then looked at Hayate. "Still its something to consider. Right Commodore."
"Yean," Hayate nodded then mused. "I'll inform the rest of the fleet about our findings. Now lets finish the rest of our meal before it gets cold."
"I'll drink to that!" Dustine grinned.
**** 07:00 GST July 22nd 2125AD Hitsugi Amachi's ready room ****
"So that's the bad news," Hayate sighed as she sat with four other commadores as they briefed the combined fleet and their allies with their findings about the Grel. "The Grel has superior armor, firepower and more importantly numbers on their side.
"I'd argue about numbers," Helena said respectfully. "We can rally a LOT of forces if we need to."
"But their armor is far thicker than we anticipated, and their beam weapons match ours," Hayate noted then sighed. "...and in the short and medium term we're outnumbered. Their scout force was double compared to the standard zentradi scout units."
"I will enjoy the coming conflict," Jean Luc noted cheerfully.
"Sir, with all due respect we saw the Grel having rogues for lunch," Erika Ageni noted seriously. "...and their battle pods are fast very fast. They're probably the meanest things you will ever face."
"That is something to consider," Jean Luc noted then smiled. "But when have we ever ran from a fight."
"Never as I recall," Cornelia noted then looked at the others. "I do think we should increase our numbers, just in case."
"We can draw off forces from any nearby UN Spacy basesm so there's that." Hitsugi noted.
"Aye, we can do the same," Balalaika noted then hummed as she looked at the data. "We'll just need to find ways to crack their tough armor thats all."
"And we'll need to be careful. We can't steal too many forces, or we'll leave the commands helpless against attack." A young Isean captain noted.
"Indeed," Hayate nodded then sighed. "THe other problem will b integrating the pilots. No one will have trained together, so..."
"It'll be a bit chaotic to say the least," Helena noted. "At any rate, I'll have to inform the local council that the Grel have appeared in the system."
"They're going to have kittens I think," Hayate noted.
"Brace for panic."Cornelia agreed
"Its very possible yes," Helena nodded then mused. "I'll request a meeting with the council and see if I can rally them to our side."
"That'll be hard to do, considering they have their own issues," Hitsugi noted then hummed. "But I don't see why it couldn't hurt. Is there any questions on this matter."
The commanding officers of the combined fleet shook their head. Hitsugi looked to their allies whom also shook their head as well. "Very well this meeting is adjourned."
The monitors winked off, save cornelia's. The Britonnian smiled at Helena and tilted her head. "Care to have dinner over this matter."
"Only if its a double date," Helena frowned then confided. "Minmei wants to meet you."
"Very well," Cornelia sighed then shrugged her shoulders. "I suppose I could bring my consort, Euphemia, over..."
"Aren't you two sisters?" Helena blushed.
"Half sisters..." Cornelia conceded then shrugged her shoulders just a bit as she glanced at Helena. "Different world and society, different rules."
"Fair enough. I've heard good things about Euphie anyway," Helena added "Meet us at the the Concorde in Kaguya city at 19:00GST Sharp."
"Allright," Cornelia nodded then wondered. "Should I wear my best formal wear?"
"Up to you," Helena smiled, "it's casual, but people wear whatever they like."
"Very well, see you then," Cornelia nodded and gave her a wink.
"Why does she always flirt with me," Helena sighed.
**** Two hours later ****
"What are you doing to my bird?" Dustine frowned as she walked into the Wolfram's maintance bays underneath the main hangar deck. Wings were being pulled away from the fuselague and reaction turbines were being removed from the fighters engine nacelles.
"Overhauling the engines, what else does it look like," Shari shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.
"Since when does an overhaul of the engines include removing the wings," Dustine frowned gesturing to one of the wings being removed. Shari sighed and gave the crews a signal and pulled Dustine away as they rolled a few plastic tarps down to keep the fighter away from prying eyes. "Shari what's the meaning of this."
"Don't push, please," Shari sighed as she tugged the wary pilot away from the tarps. "You'll like it, I promise, Lt Colonel. Now, Go check on Fate and Nanoha, please. They're checking out the long arm Erika lent you as well as...well you'll see."
"Right," Dustine nodded, wandering off, looking a bit curious. Shari sighed and ducked under the tarp. As she and the others went to work on their new project Dustine walked past mass produced Wildshcweins, Huckbein Mk IIs and other machines. She glanced at them occasionally until reaching her friends which were standing around a rather interesting looking long arm which had two barrels and had a short clip at the back.
"Your nearly on time Dustine," Nanoha smiled wryly at her. Her wry smile turned a bit sympathetic as she asked. "Concerned about your bird?"
"Abit," Dustine nodded then sighed. "But I think that can wait. Now what's the situation?"
"We're thinking about adopting the Oxtongue rifle for our squadron as a back up weapon," Nanoha noted then hummed. "We've already passed a proposal on to Hayate and she's okay with it."
"I've heard stories about this weapon..." Dustine noted as she bent down and eyeballed it. "The only problem I have is the clip space for the slugs and rate of fire."
"I think the auto fire selection on the beam cannon offsets that worry," Fate noted then nodded. "...and the beam cannons single fire blasts does a lot more damage than the rapid fire blasts."
"So its a trade off," Dustine noted then hummed. "I guess we could talk to the techs about upgrading the clip and having a semi auto fire selection but those things might make the weapon heavier."
"Yeah," Nanoha nodded as she looked at the rifle. She looked up and snickered as she watched Dustine's face turn from thoughtful to conflicted. She reached out and patted Dustine's shoulder. "Relax. You don't have to decide now."
"Right," Dustine nodded then looked at Fate. "Shari mentioned something else that your working on."
"Well not us," Fate smiled contritely then turned to a console and called up an image. "The techs from both our fleet and La Gias are working on a modular weapon that could be stored on our Valkyries."
"An axe?" Dustine blinked then looked at Fate. "Why axes?"
"I used to train with them when I was younger," Fate smiled scratching her cheek a bit. "So I'm fond of them."
"Hmm," Dustine murmured thoughtfully then tapped a key or two. She blinked when the weapon transformed from an axe to an energy sycthe. "Is this energy blade constant?"
"Thats what we're thinking," Nanoha nodded.
"That's going to be costly to power." Dustine noted.
"Well our techs are working on that," Fate noted then mused as she gazed at the display. "...and I think some of the techs from La Gias are looking into that too. Is there anything else?"
"Theres a long blade function," Fate noted as she tapped away at the keyboard, the weapon compacting and changing shape from a pole arm to what looked like a samurai sword.
It then changed again to a gigantic blade "...and a collosal blade function."
"Thats...wow..." Dustine noted.
"Somehow...I think it fits Fate," Nanoha noted in a complimenting way.
"Nanoha," Fate blushed.
Nanoha chuckled once while looking at Fate.
Dustine snickered.
"Would you be able to use such a blade though?" Dustine asked.
Both looked at her as if she were a idiot. "GIANT SPACE SWORD, Dustine. Don't tell me you wouldn't want one."
Dustine considered it, now making a cute thoughtful face.
"What's everyone looking at..." Excellen peeked at the display. "Wow...that looks like the one Boss uses."
"Yeah..." Fate nodded.
"Boss?" Dustine asked.
"Major Zengar Zonbolt," Kyousuke noted. "Our old squad leader. Before..."
"The defection right?" Dustine asked then nodded.
"Yeah," Excellen nodded then sighed. "But he did it with good intentions."
"Very well," Dustine nodded and looked over at the display again. Considering it.
"Hehe. Does Dusty want to wield a collosal blade too?" Excellen teased her.
"Knock it off, Excellen," Dustine and Kyousuke sighed.
"Its something to consider..." Dustine noted then frowned. "Dunno if its my style though."
"Didn't you say that the combat knife wasn't as effective," Nanoha noted.
"Yeah, I did," Dustine nodded.
"THey are proposing a modified naginata design.. basically a energized knife on the end of a reinforced pole."
Nanoha noted then smiled when that sparked her interest. Fate also took notice then asked with a smile. "Do you like pole arms, Dustine?"
"I use to practice with them when I was younger," Dustine noted.
"Would you care to spar later?" Fate asked.
"Sure," Dustine agreed confidently
"Can we watch?" Excellen asked, eyes shimmering.
"Actually we have reports to write," Kyousuke sighed.
"Aww...kyousuke..." Excellen pouted.
"Come on..." Kyousuke tugged her away.
"Wow..." Dustine sighed.
"I think she just wants to watch you," Nanoha noted wryly.
"Gee ya think," Dustine sighed.
"So...lets get sparring," Nanoha smiled, closing the program on the monitor and pushed the pair away.
Thirty minutes later...
Dustine sighed as she waited in a white gi, with a simple staff in hand. Nanoha pouted sighed. "Aww, that's an old fashioned outfit. Why couldn't you wear the newer training outfits."
"Old fashioned?" Dustine blinked. "...and what do you mean by new training outfit."
Moments later, Fate walked out in a one piece black and silver sleeveless outfit, leggings and armored boots. In Fate's hand was a regular looking pole arm.
Dustine gaped at her and asked hesitantly. "I-Isn't that dangerous?"
"The suit has kinetic dampers which soften the blows," Fate explained as she walked up to Dustine. "Do you want to try one on? I have a spare that should fit you."
"I think I'll pass for now," Dustine blushed then asked. "Does everyone on Midchildia practice in those?"
"Not everyone," Fate shook her head. "Just the women in the elite guard."
"Can't see a man wearing that," dustine sighed.
"Eww," Nanoha agreed
"That and...we have long cloaks and uniforms too," Fate noted.
"Do you...have them?" Dustine asked.
"Not at the moment, no," Fate shook her head.
"Aww," Dustine pouted a bit then hummed. "You'd look good in that I think, Fate."
"Are you flirting?" Fate asked teasingly.
"Would I do that?" Dustine asked innocently
"I think you would," Fate teased.
"That's enough fate," Nanoha warned, snickered then reminded her. "I'm here remember?"
"Right right," Fate nodded and backed away from her friend. Dustine took a deep breath and then puffed it out then stood in a ready stance.
"Not that far away," Nanoha called teasingly. "Fate, beat her up!"
"Hey!" Dustine yelped.
"She's my girlfriend, of COURSE I root for her." Nanoha smiled. Dustine took in another deep breath and puffed into out before gazing evenly at Fate. Fate stood at the ready with her staff held behind her. "Any last requests?"
"Nothing printable. Let's do this." Dustine nodded. The pair gazed at each other for a tense moment then charged at each other. The pair swung their staffs, plastic clashing against plastic soundly. THe staffs came together in another clatter of sound, then Dustine swiftly pulled back, jabbing with her staff like a sword.
"Ooof!" Fate grunted as the end hit her squarely in the abdomen then parried another attack. Dustine grunted as Fate knocked her staff away then ducked a swipe then snarled when fate whumped her on the shoulder. They were annoyingly similar in skill, Dustine judged. They charged at each other again, staffs coming together in more clatters of sound as the pair continued to spar. And more worringly, Fate was a bit faster, Dustine noted to herself. In fact, the pilot found herself on the defensive more than once. Rather desperately Dustine tried to leg sweep Fate, but she hopped a bit over her.
Dustine found it interesting that Fate didn't try to attack with her feet but guessed the armored boots would really hurt. Or she just doesn't fight like that.
"Come on, Ageni!" Nanoha yelled, "Just give up already!"
The pair continued to spar, testing each other to the limits until Fate smacked the staff out of Dustines hands. Dustine ulped when Fate pointed the staff at her face then blinked when Fate stepped back and jabbed the other end solidly on the ground. "I think you owe us Dinner."
"What?!" Dustine blurted then gaped. "Dinner!?"
"Fate and I had a deal that whomever won would pay for dinner!" Nanoha smiled.
"But I didn't even get a say..." Dustine sighed.
"So..." Nanoha shrugged then smiled. "So...where are you gonna take us?"
"Oi..." Dustine sighed.
*later*
"You are very very sneaky, you two." Dustine sighed. Nanoha and Fate gave each other a look then grinned back at their friend. "This is VERY EXPENSIVE and exclusive you know."
"We know," Fate nodded then smiled. "Still I think its nice of you to treat us."
"Hmmph," Dustine grunted and took a sip of her beverage.
"That pants suit looks good on you," Nanoha complimented her then grinned at the amount of cleavage Dustine's showing. "Are you trying to seduce us?"
"No, this is pretty much required dress for this place," Dustine blushed as a woman in a Anna Millers like outfit walked by carrying a tray.
"Is this why you asked us to wear the outfits from yesterday?" Nanoha asked her friend then smiled as she teased Dustine just a bit. "Or do like what you see."
Dustine blushed and looked away. The pair smiled as she squirmed a bit in her seat. She coughed and then looked at them in a sideways glance. "I bet Hayate would love this place."
"She would I think," Nanoha noted. The pair watched her actions, shared a knowing smile then glanced at Dustine. "Is something wrong, Dustine."
"No..." Dustine shook her head then looked up at them bashfully, her cheeks darkened with a deep deep blush. "Its just that...well...how do I put this..."
"Yes?" Nanoha and Fate asked.
"I-I think," Dustine stammered a bit then pressed forward. "I think that both of you look very radiant and beautiful tonight."
"Thank you," Nanoha beamed at her bashful friend while Fate gave her a smpathetic smile. The brunette reached out and grasped Dustines hand with hers. "We think you look beautiful too."
"S-Stop it," Dustine muttered as she blushed hotly. "Y-Your making me blush even more."
"So, what would you like?" Dustine changed the subject as she picked up a menu. The pair smirked at her and Dustine blushed. "Not like THAT!"
Nanoha laughed, "You are SO easy to tease, Ageni."
Dustine ducked down a bit then peeked at the pair who were looking through their own menus. Fate watched her and shook her head. "Nanoha leave her alone for a bit."
"Aww but fate," nanoha pouted.
"Let her cool down for a bit," Fate advised then smiled. "We can tease her later."
"Gee thanks," Dustine rolled her eyes.
**** That same moment at the Concorde ******
"Sorry for the imposition," Utena apologized politely then sighed as Usagi warmly greeted Helena's Fiancee, Lynn Minmay. "But Usagi really wanted to see the four of you."
"Its all right," Cornelia sighed as her half sister and consort smiled beatifically as Usagi and Minmay exchanged pleasantries
"I've wanted to meet you all for awhile, so this works out quite well," Euphie beamed.
"Don't hit them up for money for charities yet, love," Cornelia advised her wife with a smile. She paused, "Wait for the booze to kick in first."
"That's not what I'm here for," Euphie whispered indignantly.
"Oh is that so," Cornelia teased her wife.
Usagi chuckled warmly.
"So, you intend to booze us up and take advantage?" Utena added.
the Grel bits.
"We didn't think of doing such a thing," Cornelia lied.
"Lets just sit," Helena sighed, clearly seeing what the pair wanted.
The sextet then sat down at the secluded boot and persused the menus. As they did Utena looked up at Helena. "Our advisors have informed us that we made contact with the Grel...is that correct?"
"Yes ma'am," Helena nodded then frowned. "Several of our teams made contact."
"Did we try to talk to them? I'm sure it must be a misunderstanding, or..." Usagi asked.
"I'm sorry, they attacked a training flight in a completely unprovoked attack." Helena shook her head. "Our teams acted appropriately and defended the trainees until reinforcments arrived.
"I see," Usagi looked a little sad then shook her head. "Poor things. Something must have happened to them to make them so angry."
Minmei took a drink to avoid saying something rude. She loved the innocence of a woman like Usagi, but occassionally she could be just wrong. There were evil things in the universe, period.
"Was the training flight a military one?" Utena asked.
"No..." Helena shook her head then turned to Minmei.
"It was one of 0048s training ships," Minmei informed them then sighed. "Somehow the girls songs were able to confuse the grel."
"So they're just like the Zentradi?" Utena asked.
"Well, at least similar in a lack of culture," Helena sighed then noted. "The training ship arrived at the Wolfram's battlegroup safe and sound...though it did take a beating."
"Did any remains get recovered?" Cornelia asked pragmatically
"Not yet..." Helena shook her head then sighed. "We're working on different techiques to capture either their remains or a live pilot."
"And their shot down mechs?" Utena asked
"Self destructed."
"Ah." Utena sighed thoughtfully, taking all the information before glancing up at Helena. "Well, keep us informed of any new developments, allright."
"Alright," Helena nodded then blinked when she heard Usagi's stomach rumble. usagi apologized wordlessly then beamed when Helena spoke up. "Thats enough chatter, lets gets something to eat before we all starve."
"I'll drink to that," Cornelia smiled.
EOF