Affinity Chapter 1: We Were soldiers
(Disclaimer!)
Cross was walking around the industrial district doing his thing.
"Man I never get tired of this city," he said to himself.
He heard somebody talking. It was Elma
It sounded like she was talking about certain technology ideas.
"Alright, in the meantime I'll prepare some more ideas for later," said Elma.
She turned around to see Cross.
"Oh hey Cross, I didn't see you there," she said, "I was just having a conversation about NLA's defenses… which you probably heard."
"I heard some of it," said Cross, "But don't you think you're pushing yourself too…. Never mind, its none of my business."
Elma giggled and said, "I appreciate your concern Cross, but there's no need to worry. I find this as a relaxing way to chill down after a long day of combat out in the field."
She got a look at Cross' new armor.
"Where'd you get that new armor from?" asked Elma.
"I did a job from Mission Control and decided to use the payment to get some new duds," said Cross, "As the commander would say 'You can't do a damn fine job without some damn fine armor'."
Both of them laughed at that.
"It's a good thing that you're learning to hone your skills and use them for the greater good of NLA," said Elma.
"It's a great life," said Cross, "Being a Blade isn't the only way, there's so much more we can do."
"Exactly," said Elma, "Though I should say the same about you not pushing yourself. I know you wanna get better, but even we need to relax when its necessary."
Cross smiled.
"You've been very kind to me," he said.
"Well you're somebody that I can trust," said Elma, "If that weren't the case I wouldn't have personally chose you."
Elma's comm device rang.
"Yes Lin?" she asked.
"You should find Cross and get to the Barracks ASAP," said Lin, "Commander Vandham is here."
"On our way," said Elma.
At the Barracks they saw Vandham waiting for them.
"You guys busy?" he asked, "Monty's team botched a job and it looks like they need a cleanup crew quickly."
"So is this a reclaimer mission?" asked Cross.
"That's right Rook, you sure do learn fast," said Vandham, "They found chunks of the White Whale."
"So what you're saying is you want us to go round them all up?" asked Elma.
"Correct," said Vandham, "Think you can do it."
"It would be an honor," said Cross, "Just because I'm in one division doesn't mean I can't help another division out."
"Well I think you'll enjoy it because there's some indigens out there trying to fight them as well," said Vandham.
"Well they'll be no match for Team Elma," said Cross.
"Let me just pinpoint their location," said Lin, "Got them!"
They started to head out to Northpointe Beach where the White Whale pieces were.
"Those indigens won't stand a chance against us," said Cross, "Well at least the ones that are bad anyway."
"I've never seen Cross so eager," said Lin, "He's not like the other blades we've seen."
"Well that's a good thing," said Elma, "He's got a good attitude for the long road ahead."
Cross saw the 3 pieces in a triangle.
"Well this is convenient," said Cross, "Let's get moving."
The 3 of them took each White Whale piece.
"Looks like that's everything," said Elma, "Let's start looking for Monty."
"Looks like they beat us to th punch," said someone.
It was Doug and his team.
"You must be the other team that Vandham sent out," said Elma.
"Thought we had a pretty good time too, but then again you were always one step ahead," said Doug.
"That's right," said Elma.
"Back on Earth, that one skell fought off all those aliens, and guess who that was?" Asked Doug.
"That was you?" asked Cross.
"Yea," said Elma.
"Wait weren't you with…" asked Doug before his comm device rang.
"Irina!" said Doug, "She's in trouble."
"And she's not far!" said Elma.
"Well if there's an indigen out there, its time to get out there and kick some ass," said Cross.
"Whoa, buddy who said you were coming along?" asked Doug.
"Well I am part of Elma's team and I chose the interceptor division," said Cross.
"So what?" asked Doug.
"So as an interceptor, I deem it the responsibility to take down any indigen that threatens our allies," said Cross pulling out his longsword.
"The indigen's ass is mine," said Doug.
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Lin.
"This is a serious job," said Doug, "We don't have time for a rookie to get in the way, so go back to NLA and let a professional deal with it."
Cross took that offensively.
"Hey Flat-Top, this is NOT a request!" said Cross.
Doug turned around.
"You want the indigen taken down right, so what's the deal?" he asked as he walked away.
"Who spit in his Fried Chicken?" Cross asked.
"Don't worry about him, he's been through a lot since Earth," said Elma, "Let's head back."
"I can't," said Cross, "Somebody's in trouble and I can't just turn my back on them."
Elma grinned.
"That was a test Rook, and you passed," said Elma.
"C'mon guys, let's hussle," said Cross.
They started heading to the destination where the indigen was.
"Hold up guys look," said Lin.
They were all looking at a giant Simius.
"That looks like the indigen," said Elma.
Cross put on his new scouter.
"Scan for indigen appendages," he said.
On the scouter he saw the appendages that make the Simius.
"Ok, I got the tail," said Cross, "Lin you take the arms with Elma."
"Good strategy," said Elma, "Let's do it."
They all charged at it.
"They're off guard rook!" said Elma, "Stagger them with a melee attack!"
"Got it," said Cross.
He did the assault hammer staggering and toppling the Simius.
He then did the Rising Blade on the tail cutting it off.
Elma did the sliding slinger technique on one of its arms disabling it.
Cross helped her by doing a Maximum Edge.
The simius knocked Cross out the way with a fire fist.
"Rook!" said Elma as she ran to him.
The simius turned and grabbed Elma.
"Put me down!" said Elma.
Cross got back up and got his sword back.
"Get your stinking hands off her you damn dirty ape!" said Cross.
He jumped up and slashed the Simius in the face and it fell down.
Cross put his sword back and helped Elma up.
"You alright?" he asked.
"Guess that's two I owe you," said Elma.
Lin saw something that belonged to Irina.
"You don't think she fell down there do you?" she asked.
"We should go and find out," said Elma as she jumped down.
The others joined her.
Irina was sitting there with Doug.
"Thanks for the help back there Elma," said Doug.
"How's Irina?" asked Elma.
"I'm fine thanks to the key repairs Doug did," said Irina.
"Its Elma you should be thanking, since she kicked some indigen ass," said Doug.
"It was actually Rook who did," said Elma, "He made a good plan of attack and we followed his league."
"Modest are we?" asked Doug.
"She's telling the truth," said Cross.
"You dropped this," said Elma giving Irina her comm device, "You had everybody worried."
"LIEUTENANT!" shouted someone.
It was Gwin.
"Well look who decided to show up," said Doug.
"Sorry, I just heard about what happened and…" said Gwin.
"And you're late," said Lin.
"Cut him some slack, he probably hauled ass over here," said Irina, "I don't care if you weren't here first Gwin, I'm just glad you're here."
"Same, cause now you can carry the lieutenant all the way to NLA for us," said Doug as he headed back.
"Yes sir," said Gwin.
"Wait," said Irina, "Cross, I saw you up there saving the lieutenant. She picked a good soldier to be part of her team."
Cross smiled.
They headed back to the barracks to debrief Vandham.
"Awesome work out there you 3," said Vandham, "As we speak, the parts are being looked over."
"You'll tell us if you notice anything right?" asked Elma.
"You bet your ass," said Vandham, "Though I'm surprised that you found the parts AND rescued Irina."
Cross grinned.
"More like disappointed in the other teams," said Vandham, "They got a lot of push-ups coming."
He looked at Cross.
"More importantly, I'm amazed that you managed to take on a fully grown Simius and live to tell the tale," said Vandham, "Everybody will get their payment, but you will get double the payment."
"Sweet!" said Cross, "But don't forget, that it was the TEAM that put in a lot of effort, and if not for Elma's guidance, I don't know what I'd do."
Elma smiled.
"You're becoming a fine Blade," said Elma, "I'm proud of you."
"Sooooooo does this mean you can stop calling me Rook now?" asked Cross.
Everybody laughed.
