A/N: *On knees before all readers bent over so face is on floor* I am so so so so so sorry for the length of time it took me to update this story. I know I am usually a slow writer for this fic, but this is far from my normal speed. I have stated before that I have a few health problems and this is what has kept me from writing and updating. However I will have another chapter up very soon.

I must admit that these will be the last chapters as I feel I have taken a turn for the worse in the story line and have written myself into a corner I can not seem to get out of. Where I like what I have written, I recognize I'm reaching into territory that may not be fun for my readers.

Please enjoy, and thanks for joining me on the ride.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Full Metal Panic? or it's subsidiaries.

Chapter 10

Sergeant Major Melissa Mao strode through the hanger seconds after the helo landed heading straight for the X-O's office. Ben grabbed her arm to slow her down, she frowned as she looked at him to see him pointing to the side.

"Commander!" They both said with sharp salutes. He returned the salute and motioned for several people to come forward.

"These Doctors are from KRD," he said with a soft growl. Mardukas wasn't happy with the group sending in more people to take over his ship. "You will comply with their evaluations and then report to me," he ordered. Mao and Clouseau nodded and went with the KRD doctors.

Mardukas shook his head as the KRD representative Kayla stepped forward from the shadows; she wasn't smiling at him - a small comfort for him since it meant she understood how seriously he was taking the whole situation.

"Commander Mardukas, I appreciate your working with us despite your misgivings," she said sincerely.

"Your people proved they had a better handle on the situation than we did," he begrudgingly answered. "Do you have any information on the leaks Deathrax was speaking about?" he asked her, not really expecting an answer.

"That will actually depend on what Sgt. Major Mao has to say when you debrief her," Kayla told him. He looked at her sharply.

"Meaning?" he asked.

"Meaning that so far it's been inconclusive," she sighed and handed him a tablet. He quickly went through the information that was presented and sighed himself in response.

"There has to be another explanation," he insisted and she shrugged.

"I certainly hope so," she replied as she took the device back. "I will hate having to break that to Captain Testarossa," she admitted. Mardukas was left speechless as she walked away. She meant that, she would be telling the Captain and not leaving it up to someone else. Then he closed his eyes and mumbled curses to himself. They had to be wrong.

Melissa was more than angry; these medics weren't allowing her to drink anything more than water and wouldn't let her have a cigarette. She was also hungry and they seemed to be ignoring her grumbling stomach.

"Sgt Major, please stop fidgeting," A tall blond man with an olive complexion said to her with humor. "You've only been in here for ten minutes." She narrowed her chocolate brown eyes at the man with rancor.

"And you are?" she demanded.

"Yama," he answered, unruffled by her derision. "So far it looks like the drug is mostly out of your system," he informed her.

"Since I no longer feel the need to have sex," she started to say with venom, but he interrupted her.

"I said mostly," he repeated and that stopped her rant. "That means that you're not leaving the ship until we figure out a way to neutralize it," he told her. When she opened her mouth he continued as if he hadn't seen it.

"We aren't sure what exactly AMALGAM is looking for or why they worked so hard to put this particular drug into weapons grade gas form," he informed her reasonably. She snapped her mouth closed and listened to him, albeit she was highly reluctant to let her complaint go.

"We can't be sure they won't find a way to use it against you," he let her think about that for a moment and when her eyes widened slightly at the first thought that came to mind he nodded.

"Testarossa and Chidori's safety has to come first," he told her and she nodded her agreement. "Now that you understand the gravity of the situation, please stop fighting us," he repeated, and this time she grudgingly agreed.

"Will someone please get the Sergeant something to eat, her stomach is growling loudly enough to drown out the sound of the choppers," he then shouted to the medical crew, giving her a wink as he turned away.

The tall blond man walked to where Clouseau was being examined and took a quick look at the reports. He frowned then looked up at the dark skinned African mercenary.

"You have no traces of the drug in you," he said; and although he didn't say it loudly the major slashed his hand sharply to make him speak even more softly. "Explain?"

"Captain Testarossa called me in as back up three days ago," he said. "She wouldn't tell me why but she wanted me shadowing their movements through Japan as they searched for Kailnin," he began to frown as he gave the report; which he knew he would have to repeat to Mardukas in private since Mao wasn't supposed to know about his involvement.

"Go on."

"I got just as suspicious as the Captain when I began getting the exact same reports, and I was utilizing different resources," he explained before Yama could interrupt.

"I had just gotten to the safe house when I heard the explosion; Testarossa was only able to send a brief message and it was garbled. I opted to stay put," he said.

"The gas didn't hit your safe house," Yama concluded and Ben nodded. "The four of them weren't that far from the safe house when they split up; which was the best decision they could have made," he went on earnestly.

"Explain."

"Mao was so out of it she didn't even see me in the safe house. She spoke as if she were checking the defenses; but in reality she was standing in front of the only window - masturbating with her gun," he shivered at the memory.

"I grabbed her and got the gun away from her and she literally shredded my clothes," he narrowed his eyes at the older man for a brief second. "She can't know," he said softly. "She can't," Yama narrowed his own eyes at the Major. "You don't know her," he insisted. "If she knew she was that out of control," Ben shook his head insistently.

"It would destroy her," he said to the blond. Yama sighed as he thought about what the major was telling him.

"She deserves to know," he started to say. Again, Ben shook his head.

"She would call it rape," Ben insisted. "And what happened wouldn't have if I hadn't let it," he said. "I am quite capable of subduing a woman who is out of her mind and control," he told the KRD representative. "I had a chance to be with her," he said. He stopped there, and Yama nodded his understanding.

"Very well," Yama said. He noticed the medical personnel nodding their approval. He mentally rolled his eyes; but they were trained to understand the psychological as well as physiological needs of the Tuatha's crew.

"Make your report to Mardukas," Yama said. "You want us to keep it quiet, you won't be leaving the ship anytime soon," he told the mercenary.

"Take the time to help your friend as best you can," he looked back at the dark haired woman who was currently devouring an extremely large cheeseburger. "There is a good chance she will test positive for pregnancy in the next few weeks," Yama told the man.

"What?"

"There is a small chance," one of the doctors said as he finished disconnecting him from the monitors. "The gas was heavy on fertility inducing chemicals," the man said. Ben frowned as he thought about it then shuddered.

"Now there is a good chance that since you weren't dosed with the gas she won't be pregnant; but we have to be sure," the doctor said before walking away. Ben thought about what that would mean to his friend and visibly deflated.

"You'll be there for her?" Yama asked. Ben nodded once sharply before pulling his shirt back on and heading out the medbay.

Andrey Kalinin cursed under his breath as he watched Leonard Testarossa and his personal arm slaves get off the helicopter. He disliked the young man so much more every time he dealt with him. Teletha was harder to manipulate, yes; but she was more pleasant to deal with. Leonard Testarossa's ego made being around him a trial.

"Andrey," the young man sneered as he entered the penthouse room of the Omni Tokyo. The old commander simply continued to look out over the city from his spot by the window.

"Commander," the younger man said with that same sneer. Still, Kalinin didn't answer. The boy had fouled up the whole project with his rash decision to use the gas the way he did. Decades of research and planning made pointless due to this boy's impatience.

"Sir?" the boy said after several more minutes had passed; this time with respect in his tone. Still the gray haired man waited. The boy thought his placement as the one in charge of AMALGAM meant he was far more important than he was.

The boy was not in competition with his sister, despite what he thought. This latest foo-fa-reaux proved he'd never match his sister's wit.

"Commander Kalinin, Sir!" the boy finally said with actual respect, so Kalinin turned to look sideways at the boy.

"Explain, please, your decision to 'test' the gas as you did," the older man requested; and although his tone was pleasant it was clear he was very angry.

"I saw a chance to get both Teletha and Kaname; to put them to good use, finally."

Andrey closed his eyes and his jaw flexed.

"I believe," he said to the seventeen year old psychotic Whispered. "That we had a plan in place to retrieve Chidori shortly." Leonard's silver eyes flashed with rage.

"She is becoming attached to Sagara; and you promised her to me," the boy snarled. Kalinin simply looked at him, forcing the boy to back down.

"I have my reasons for allowing it, Leonard," he said; although he gave no further explanation. "Forcing her to breed without supervision was never part of the plan," the Commander snapped; and this time Testarossa flinched.

"My men were supposed to be in place to retrieve her," he grudgingly admitted. "They did not anticipate her managing to escape the gas' radius," Kalinin snorted.

"Clearly." The boy's pale skin enhanced the glow of his embarrassment. "Had you stuck with the plan," he went on. "She would actually be in your grasp and in your bed," he shook his head turned away from the child. His right hand had been in his pocket the whole conversation; now he flexed his fingers and there was a very soft click and whir.

Leonard Testarossa was quite surprised when his personal arm slaves grabbed his arms and took the gun he had drawn from him.

"Now, however, I will simply put you to other uses," Kailnin sighed as he turned back to the boy. The young man's eyes widened in terror when the older man picked up a syringe.

"Hey, Otaku boy! You still with the secretary?" Urzu Two said into his cell phone. He looked young enough to still be in high school; although he was actually in his thirties.

"Do not call me Otaku boy; yes," Sousuke said in reply. He smiled when he heard Kaname's laugh. He knew she had been the one to start the nickname for him; he had to admit that it had helped improve his cover. He turned to check she was ready to depart, and nodded in satisfaction. She was wearing a pair of loose fitting jeans, boyfriend jeans he thought they were called. Then he realized they were actually a pair of his jeans; he sighed at the thought of what she would do to them. The blouse she was wearing was clearly hers; however, and he nodded in satisfaction when he saw she was wearing the faux combat boots he had bought her a few weeks past. They weren't actually capable of holding any weapons, as his were, but they would keep her ankles safe and also had steel toes for durability.

"Yes, Zutu," he replied to the squad leader on the other end. "We'll be at the coffee shop in ten," he said. He didn't try to alter his own speech patterns as he knew anyone listening would find that odd. He was known among AMALGAM as being very militant, so he didn't bother trying to pretend he wasn't. Kaname smiled cheekily at him as she slid next to him and spoke into the phone.

"Keep your shorts on, Zutu...sheesh," she gave a light laugh as she hit end on the touchscreen. Sousuke caught her mouth open when he captured it for a kiss. She sighed as she leaned into him as she returned it.

"I should call Junior," she said suddenly, briefly confusing him.

"Yes, hopefully he hasn't had any trouble," Sousuke agreed.

'Hi, this is Chidori! Sorry I can't answer right now but the homework has really piled up,' Kaname rolled her eyes at the sound of her own voice coming from her old fashioned answering machine. It was the one thing she had indulged her father in. He didn't actually trust Caller ID on phones. Since he worked in security she guessed she couldn't blame him.

"Hey, Junior, pick up!" she called. There was a click on the other end and a very relieved sounding AI answered.

"Mot-ma-Kaname?" he stuttered and Kaname frowned. He almost called her mother. "Is everything alright?" he asked hurriedly. Then in a rush and clearly not in a machine's tone. "I was frightened when you and fat-Ser-Sousuke didn't come home after school, or for the last three days; please say you're okay!" Kaname's heart seemed to stutter in concern. He was truly frightened. He was a machine, she herself had built him, but he was really afraid.

"Yes, Junior, we're okay," she said reassuringly. "Are you okay?" she asked him; making sure he could hear her concern.

"I would be better if I could see you and fat-Sousuke," he said. His voice sounded so small; like that of a child. She thought furiously, how could she get him to her and Sosuke without giving away their plans.

"Junior, do you remember where the Summer Court is?" she asked him. Sousuke; who had already been frowning while listening to her end of the conversation, snapped his face towards her sharply. She shook her head and held up a finger. He snorted, but waited.

"Yes, I remember," came the hesitant reply.

"Meet us there in thirty minutes, okay?" She waited for what seemed like an hour before the small Arbalest answered.

"Yes, moth-Kaname. In thirty minutes." it said, then hung up the phone. Kaname quickly explained to Sousuke why she had done that. He too was concerned at the turn of events with the machine; he also knew she would sleep better aboard the Tuatha with the miniature Arbalest on board as well.

Kurz Weber woke with a start, drawing his weapon while he rolled behind the cot, pulling it up as a shield. When he was satisfied there were no enemies in the room, he took stock. Then he remembered what had woken him. A thought that rang through his dream like a death knell.

They weren't safe in this bunker. So far neither of them had used the radio and both had turned off their cell phones; but he just knew they weren't safe here and he needed to get her out.

To that end Weber took stock of what clothes were available and grunted in disgust. He couldn't be sure the clothes weren't tagged and they were all clearly military issue. He pulled on the clothes he'd been wearing four days ago and ran to his Captain's door.

"Captain, we need to talk," he said with unmistakable urgency. She cracked the door open and he winced when he saw the rash that had formed on her skin from his stubble. He forced himself to keep his hands to himself; however and focus on the issue at hand.

"What is it, Major?" she asked in her typically gentle voice.

"We were following Kalinin, ma'am." he said, hoping he didn't have to spell it out for her.

"What of it?"

"His call sign was never Oberon," he ground out. Her eyes widened and she nodded her understanding. "We can't leave in the clothes that are here, and you need something that is not so military," he said softly. Her purple eyes began to narrow as she realized what he was saying.

"You can't leave me here," she whispered.

"I don't want to, Ma'am, but I have to get you different clothing. If I'm not back in thirty minutes, you put on your skirt and blouse and head for the rendezvous without me," he told her. He then gave her no chance to countermand him and took off. He wasn't planning on buying anything so it shouldn't take too long to find what he was looking for.

Teletha Testarossa went to the mirror in the room she had chosen and stared at her face for what felt like the thousandth time.

She wanted to hate Major Weber for being her first; but she couldn't. Neither of them had been in control. It hadn't taken her long to guess what AMALGAM had wanted to do with the gas; and Weber was right. As much as it pained her there was a very good chance that Andrey had betrayed her trust. "More like manipulated me," she amended aloud.

She could see faint bruises on her arms, shoulders, ribcage and hips from the sexual marathon she and Weber had undergone. She was still sore in places; although she had never felt more relaxed. She allowed herself to think of the things that Weber had done and was amazed that she didn't blush; although she did get rather warm.

She shook herself out of her reverie and checked the time. Weber had been gone five minutes. She quickly showered and dried off. She went through the clothing in the room she was in and came to the same conclusion the major had. It was too risky to wear them. She then had a thought that gave her pause and she ran, still naked, from the room.

When she made it to the radio room she went over every single piece of equipment, ending up dirtier than she had been before her shower. She was; however, satisfied that there was no way anyone knew where they were.

"Um, Captain?" She spun in shock to face an extremely red faced German. He kept his eyes on her face by sheer dint of will, it seemed. Instead of being embarrassed, the platinum blond allowed her own gaze to wander to his dick. Her question answered, even without the drug in his system he found her attractive.

"Captain, perhaps you should shower and put these on," he said to her; forestalling her when she opened her mouth. He had a sinking feeling that the drug wasn't completely out of her system; his either for that matter. The sooner they got back to the Tuatha De Danann the better.

XO Mardukas collapsed into his chair behind a closed door an hour after the Captain was back on board. Had Major Weber not looked as if he had been raked over the coals by his own conscience; and Mardukas had to admit it looked like he hadn't gotten any more sleep than the others who had been caught in the gas.

From what the medical team had told him, there was a good chance that the two of them were more than likely going to succumb once again. He could tell from the major's protective stance he was worried about his Captain; and that was the other reason he hadn't killed the man on sight.

"XO Mardukas," he was startled out of his fuming by his Captain's soft voice. She was like a daughter to him, she had managed to bring him out of a very dark place and he would be forever grateful to the girl who believed in an old salty dog like himself.

"Captain," he started to rise, but she waved him back down and sat down in a seat across from him.

"I think it would be best if I handed command over to you for the time being, Mr. Mardukas," she said. He could see the tears that were welling up in her deep amethyst eyes from the admission. His first instinct was to deny that she needed to; but they both knew she had been compromised and may not be fit for duty. This was a woman who would never ask her crew to do something she couldn't or wouldn't. She also knew that if she expected her crew to follow regulations, then she had to follow them as well.

"I won't say I am against the notion, Captain," he replied frankly. She nodded; for one long moment he thought his Captain was going to break down. She raised her chin and nodded once more before excusing herself and leaving.

An hour passed as Richard Mardukas went over the reports that he had gotten from Mao, Weber, Sagara and even Testarossa when there was a brisk knock on his door.

"Enter!"

"You sent for us, Sir?" Mao asked. It was clear she was unused to being in a 'civilian' status.

"Go over it, from the top," he ordered after waving them to chairs. Tessa was conspicuous in her absence, but there were things she had done they didn't need to know about.

Their verbal reports matched their written, with minor variations.

"It was odd," Weber said suddenly, causing the other three to look at him curiously.

"What was?" Mao asked the blond. She was trying to keep the anger and hurt out of her voice, but was having a hard time.

"Commander Kalinin said 'Oberon in the Winter Court'," Mardukas was the first to recognize the problem. Sagara and Mao got it at the same time.

"So that's why you didn't try and contact anyone while in the bunker," Mardukas said.

"It must have been, Sir. Normally I would have tried radio contact from the secure transmission immediately," Kurz pretended not to see the narrowing of Mao's eyes. When it came right down to it, she had made it clear nothing was ever going to happen between them. She didn't need to know how he felt when he found out she'd spent the entire three days with Clouseau.

"I am glad you allowed your instincts to rule you in this instance. All of you," he said; looking at each of them in turn. "Dealing with the aftermath of this," he shook his head sadly.

"The five of you will be going to the new HQ," he sighed and sat back before continuing.

"Deathrax has been right about quite a bit, so far. He wants Testarossa and Chidori safe; and I want all of you safe," he waved towards the door. "Dismissed."