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"Talking"

'Thinking'

"Radio"

Chapter Four: Right Hand of Vengeance

Mugen Kano, approaching Onogoro Island

It had taken another week, but the Mugen Kano was now approaching Onogoro Island, step one on their journey to Heliopolis. Everyone was on the bridge, including Flay, Jinn, and Jade, who were staring out the front window as the ocean passed by underneath them.

"Well, we're almost done with the first step," Kira remarked. "How've you three been enjoying the trip?"

"This ship is so-o-o cool!" Jade said excitedly. "The Valiant-class is hands down the best carrier in use by any faction, the Nazca-class can't even hold a candle to it in speed, and this main cannon could tear apart the O.M.N.I Marseilles-III-class!"

Kira chuckled. "You know your ships, don't you, Jade-chan?" she asked.

Jade nodded eagerly. "They are so cool!" she repeated, her grin widening, if it was even possible. "I used to go to the Spaceport every day just to watch ships!"

Flay laughed. "Sounds like fun," she remarked. "I might do that sometime after I'm settled in at Heliopolis - never had a chance to do much of anything under his roof, and never had any spaceports near the Boarding School I went to."

"Well, you'll have a pretty good opportunity for it at Heliopolis," Ryu informed as he typed away on the computer. "After all, Heliopolis is a major spaceport and refuelling station."

Flay nodded. "Thanks," she told him. "I might just do that."

A sharp breath from Ryu caused the others to look over to him, only to find a blank visage on his face as he stared at the screen. "Jade, Jinn…" he whispered causing them to blink. "Dad… Mom… they… they're dead…"

Everyone's eyes widened at that, even Joker's. "They seemed just fine when we left," Kira remarked. "What happened?"

"Officially, a Gas Leak," Ryu informed, his hands shaking, whether from grief or rage, none could tell at that moment. "Unofficially, and this is from an extremely trusted source, Blue Cosmos supporting Commandos." He stood up, his back still to the group. "Jade, Jinn, I'm sorry, I know, as your brother… right now my duty should be to care for the two of you as you grieve," his voice cracked slightly. "But… before I can, there is one last job Dad left for me."

"I'll help you with it if I can, Ryu," Kira remarked, walking over to him. "We'll need to get Flay, and most likely Jinn and Jade now as well, to Heliopolis first, but once that's done, I'll do what I can to help."

"No," he whispered, shoulders shaking. "Please, take care of my siblings, as I am right now, I cannot, there is only one thing I can do," he informed as he strode towards the door to the bridge.

"What?" Kira asked, her voice soft.

"You know what, Kira," Ryu said, a certain finality in his tone as he left the bridge completely.

"Don't," Joker advised as Kira moved to follow after him, he pulled his ballcap lower over his eyes. "When Ryu is like that, he is someone completely different, so don't, let him do what he needs to do, he will rejoin us when he is finished."

Kira hesitated a bit, before nodding. She sat down in the Captain's Chair, thinking for a moment before bringing up the intercom. "If you ever need any help Ryu, let me know," she said into the intercom, knowing he could probably still hear her. "And whatever happens… please, return safely."

Privately, in the depths of her mind, Kira added, 'Because I think I might be falling in love with you… and I want to be able to tell you as much when you get back.'

"Mission Acknowledged." Ryu replied, his voice blank, before the hangar doors opened and his Custom CGUE came screaming out, streaking through the sky heading for a destination that everyone on that ship knew he was heading.

Unknown Hanger, Onogoro Island

"Told ya so."

Erica Simmons only gave Ethan a scathing look. "That's the fifteenth time you said it."

Ethan shrugged. "Doesn't make it untrue though." He clenched his fist in anger. "A damn shame. He was a damn fine soldier and a good man. I should have stuck around longer."

"You didn't know what was going to happen."

Ethan only shook his head. "I should have. I guessed that this request would get him killed. It was only a matter of time and I was right."

Erica sighed. "Stop blaming yourself. It was out of your control."

"You're right." Ethan then turned to the black mobile suit that stood in the hanger. "You know, Ryuzaki was able to get some extra alloy for one more suit." He looked to Erica and smirked.

She raised an eyebrow. "You have the cash for it?"

"Did a few jobs here and there without my custom Patriot. My clients paid a little extra for that." Ethan gave Erica a foxy grin. "If you don't mind, my Patriot is getting a bit sluggish for my tastes…"

"I'll look into building you a mobile suit. Of course, that's if you have the plans."

"Oh I have some ideas that I can throw out there." His foxy grin then turned savage. "By the way, have you gotten shacked up with anyone yet?"

Erica blushed red with embarrassment and anger. "Pervert."

Ethan snickered. "You're too easy." He then looked up at his black mobile suit with a frown. "I really need a new suit."

Three days later, Ontario, Toronto, O.M.N.I Military Command

"It is a sad day today, for today, we mourn the passing of a great man, Vice Admiral Ryuzaki Hisanaga," a man who seemed to have an inflated sense of self said, addressing a large crowd of soldiers and civilians, those of higher ranking closer to the front.

"Hmph, a great man?" A blond haired blue eyed male wearing a powder blue business suit sneered out arrogantly. "He was nothing but a patchwork lover."

"Keep quiet about that, Azrael," an Admiral seated next to him growled. "Don't forget that he still commanded more respect amongst the intelligence division than any admiral save for Halberton, even outside of the military, if word got out about the stunt you pulled…"

"We are in the right," Muruta Azrael, the leader of the terrorist group Blue Cosmos, informed. "After all, he was a threat to the blue and pure world after all."

The Admiral growled slightly but remained silent.

"For 50 years he gave his service not only to O.M.N.I, but to the entirety of Humanity, he had made it his life mission to create a blue and-"

The speech was interrupted as the speaker's head exploded into a fine red mist, before anyone could even react, several more of the higher ranking officers and civilians were killed by the unknown sniper. "I knew it," the Admiral said in resignation as panic began to set in. "We poked the Dragon, and the Dragon is retaliating."

"What are you on about!?" Azrael asked in a panic, his eyes wide in fear.

The Admiral never budged as he looked over to the panicked terrorist and forced him back into his seat. "Did you never think his children would enact their own retribution, did you think Ryu goddamn Hisanaga, a man who his own father trained as a Commando, would never come for us?" He asked as he firmly held Azrael in place, even as several more people with strong connections to Blue Cosmos fell to the sniper. "Face your judgement, Muruta Azrael, I will face mine."

"NO!" Muruta screamed in fear as he struggled against the stronger man's grip, moments before his chest exploded into a gory mess.

Not even glancing over at the now dead terrorist the Admiral looked up towards one of the taller buildings that gave a clear view over the plaza that the memorial was taking place. He spotted the telltale glint of a sniper scope and nodded, right before a shot through the chest ended his life.

Rooftop

Ryu looked down at the chaos he had just enacted on the memorial to his father below. "Well, that's all of them," a voice next to him informed, looking over he studied the black haired, blue eyed, glasses wearing man next to him. "So… how do you feel?"

"My parents are dead, Hughes, I refuse to feel anything, until the mission is over," Ryu informed in a dead tone. "The mission is never over until the safe return to base."

Maes Hughes gave Ryu a long look, before nodding in understanding, his own years as the second in command of O.M.N.I's Intelligence Division giving him a good understanding of how certain people cope with loss when they had an important task to accomplish. "Understood, the Spearhead is waiting on the tarmac so you can get to the Medea," he informed, the Medea was a top secret Stealth Carrier Ship that was used by the Intelligence Division. "They'll take you the rest of the way to ORB, can you manage it from there."

Ryu nodded as he doused the rifle he used with gasoline before tossing a match onto it, burning the evidence. "Thank you Hughes, I know you stuck your neck out on this," Ryu said, gratefulness filtering through his combat mode. "Will you be alright?"

Hughes smirked, his eyes narrow and dangerous. "I'll be fine, me and some of the boys have been rethinking our career choice," he informed. "I'll be seeing you around, Ryu."

Ryu nodded before leaving the roof, leaving Hughes to oversee the burning weapon and disposing of anything that remained of it.

Terminal Shuttle, Docked at Heliopolis

Going directly from EA Territory to Heliopolis was a bit faster than going to Orb, but not all that much - from Toronto to Heliopolis was around two weeks if you went through Onogoro, but about eight days going direct.

And going direct was what Takeshi and Linda had done, to make sure they had things ready for when Flay got there.

The Shuttle was a small one, but it was one of the more long-distance varieties, meaning it had decent living accommodations - it was like a Spacecraft version of the RV they'd made love in that night, only with a cargo bay large enough to house a Mobile Suit.

It also had a fully functioning TV, which they were currently watching, and transfixed by the news they were seeing.

"Today, during the memorial of Vice-Admiral Ryuzaki Hisanaga, shots were fired by an unknown sniper, killing several high ranking members of the EA defensive council, among whom was Muruta Azrael, the leader of the Extremist Blue Cosmos Faction, both Admirals Olsen and Michaels as well as Vice Minister Allster." The reporter on the news informed seriously. "We have received a video from the group claiming responsibility for the attack and are now playing it."

The scene switched to a darkened room where a shadowed man sat. "We are the Right Hand of Vengeance," the person informed in a distorted voice. "We once were proud members of the O.M.N.I Intelligence Commando Division, and served our homes proudly under Vice Admiral Hisanaga, until the start of this war, that is, and until the murder of the Vice Admiral by the order of Blue Cosmos. We have wiped the slate clean of their corruption, and now we will wait to see if you will actually make a new path for the EA and O.M.N.I, we will be watching, and we will be waiting, should you stray, we will reign Vengeance upon you. That is all."

Takeshi was rather stunned. "Well, that was interesting," he said. "I'd heard of Ryuzaki getting assassinated, but I didn't realize just how badly his subordinates - and most likely Ryu, as well - would retaliate." He looked over at Linda. "You alright with this? Someone else getting to him, I mean."

Linda nodded slowly. "Disappointed that I didn't kill him myself, but… I suppose this group may have had a bit of a larger claim on him," she admitted. "He may have made my life a living hell… but… I never lost someone important because of his actions…"

Takeshi nodded. "Yeah," he said. "I just hope that whoever takes his place in the government actually starts leading them down the path of honor, which might help end this war sooner." He then paused. "And at least this way he can't go after Flay anymore."

Linda nodded in agreement. "Do you really think Ryu was involved with… that?" Linda asked, vaguely gesturing towards the TV.

"Given what I've heard of the Black Dragon, most likely," Takeshi replied. "He's supposedly a preternatural Sniper, and I'd imagine that killing or threatening anyone close to him is a bozo no-no. If he wasn't involved in that, I'd be surprised."

"I see," Linda said, before sighing, tears building up in her eyes. "I… I think we owe him a big bonus for that then? Cause… cause now… me and Flay… we don't have to worry about him coming after us anymore…"

Takeshi enfolded her in a tender embrace. "No," he agreed. "You don't. You're free now. Free from that bastard's influence. He won't be able to touch you or your sister ever again."

Linda let out a choked sob as she clutched onto Takeshi, allowing the tears to stream down her cheeks as the feeling of happiness and relief overwhelmed her. Takeshi simply held her as she cried, gently stroking her hair, whispering to her, "You won't have to worry about him ever again, Linda. His shadow will never loom over you again. Your life is yours now… and I want to be a part of it, as much as I can." She looked up, allowing him to look into her eyes. "I love you, Linda."

"I love you, too, Takeshi," Linda informed through her sobs. "You… thank you so much for everything…"

"You're welcome, Linda," Takeshi replied. "And once the new warship and my new MS are completed, I promise…" He paused for a moment before saying in Japanese, "…Zettai ni mamoru(1)…"

Linda blushed a light cherry red at his words. "I'll have your back, Takeshi," she whispered quietly. "No matter what happens, I'll make sure you know everything that happens on the battlefield."

Takeshi smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Linda," he said, before the two kissed.

Mugen Kano, en route to Heliopolis

It was quiet on the bridge of the carrier base of the newly formed Fenrir Mercenary Guild, only two people currently residing on the bridge, the owner and Captain, Kira, and the Pilot, Joker, the two of them were silent as they processed the news report they just heard, the two younger Hisanaga Siblings were both in the room that was given to them, grieving, although they were informed of the news as soon as it came on, Flay herself was resting in her own room.

"A sniper from an unknown position, Ryu might as well have left a calling card," Joker said finally. "Damn guy, he could shoot the wings off a fly at a mile, and they thought to whack his parents, darwinism at work for ya."

Kira nodded. "Yeah, they were pretty much signing their death warrants with that move," she replied. "I just hope he gets back soon."

"He has friends all over the place," Joker informed, unworried. "Honestly, his personal network puts the great four's intel networks to shame sometimes."

"Right," Kira replied. "If you say so…"

"Trust in your partner, boss," Joker advised. "That guy…" he shook his head. "He's not one to die, especially now that he has to look after his siblings, he'll meet us on Heliopolis, you can be sure of that."

Kira nodded. "Speaking of, how close are we to Heliopolis?" she asked.

Joker checked his console briefly. "A day and a half at most," he informed, looking back up. "So in other words, enough time for you to hit the showers and the hay, boss, I can take care of things up here."

Kira nodded, standing up. "Thank you, Joker," she said. "Let me know when we're almost there, or when Ryu comes back, whichever comes first." She began walking out of the bridge. "I'll see about getting some rest."

"Aye aye, boss," Joker confirmed. "Also, before I forget, one of Ryu's potentials for recruitment replied back, he's going to meet us at Heliopolis in a week or so."

She nodded. "Alright," she said, before leaving the Bridge.

Pacific Ocean, Medea

Ryu sighed softly as he stood on the deck of O.M.N.I's stealth aircraft carrier that they based many of their black ops missions out of, the wind whipping at him as he stared out over the ocean.

'Mom, Dad, I know that you probably aren't exactly proud of the actions I took,' he said silently. 'Yeah, it'll leave the EA vulnerable and desperate…. but…as your son, as the person I am, as the human I am… it was the only way I could ever face myself in the mirror… I should have known that they would have attacked you, why didn't I see the signs… '

Even if he wanted to, Ryu steadfastly refused his body's and heart's desire to collapse from the grief, to let it all pour out, it wasn't over yet, the mission was never over until every soldier returned home, whether on their feet, or in a coffin… he refused himself to leave the mindset that kept him composed up until now, the mindset that allowed him to deliver vengeance, or revenge, whichever it was, Ryu really didn't care at that point, he would not let that mindset go, not until he was back aboard the Mugen Kano, a place, he realized, had become a home for him.

"I'm almost home…" he whispered to the winds, allowing his voice to be carried away. "Kira…"

Three Days Later

Heliopolis Spaceport

Takeshi and Linda stood in a lounge overlooking one of the docking bays in the spaceport, as the Mugen Kano eased into the dock. "Looks like they're here, Linda," Takeshi said. "Once Flay gets off the ship, it'll be time to help her settle in."

Linda nodded. "Yeah, I'm just glad she's here now," she informed with a relieved sigh as the docking clamps secured the ship into place. "Were you able to get into contact with her friend from ORB?"

"I was," he replied. "Surprisingly enough, he was up here on Heliopolis, too - he's attending the technical college we're enrolling Flay in. Anyway, he should be here soon."

Linda let a cheery smile slip onto her face. "It will be good to meet my sister's friend," she said. "And it'll be good for her to have a friend nearby."

"Yeah, though I am curious if they're simply friends, or if they're… closer… than that," Takeshi mused, before he saw Kira and Flay approaching them from the direction of the Mugen Kano's entry hatch. "Hey there, Imouto," he called out to her. "Glad to see you made it."

"No trouble whatsoever, well… aside from the news Ryu got…" she informed, wincing slightly.

"Yeah, I heard the news," Takeshi replied. "Sorry to hear about what happened, but at least he managed to deal with the ones behind it."

Kira nodded, a grim expression on her face. "Yeah, he should be back soon," she informed. "But… would you mind if his brother and sister stay at your new place for a couple of days until I can get them situated into their own place?"

Takeshi looked over at Linda, who nodded. "Sure, we can put them up for a bit," he replied. "We're currently staying in a Terminal Shuttle parked here, but we don't plan on leaving until Flay is properly settled in, anyway."

Kira nodded with a grateful smile. "Thanks, I'll go get them now," she informed as she began to float back to the Mugen Kano. "Be right back."

Takeshi nodded, before looking at Flay. "Glad to see you made it, Flay," he said. "How was the trip?"

Flay smiled slightly. "It was fine," she informed. "A certainly new experience though… and… I heard about our… former father."

"Yeah," Linda remarked. "We don't have to worry about him ever again… still, I'm glad you made it-"

"Flay!" A young man's voice shouted, catching the group's attention as they all turned to see a young man with dark hair and reddish eyes floating towards them. "I don't believe it!"

"Shinn?" Flay asked, shocked, before she began smiling. "Shinn!" She kicked off the floor, floating towards him.

The two met each other in midair, embracing each other. "I can't believe it, I got a message from Terminal telling me to come here," Shinn said, shock obvious in his voice. "How… how did you get here?"

"My Sister and her Boyfriend picked me up from the Boarding School, and got me onto a ship that had been hired to bring me here," Flay explained. "What are you doing here, though? I thought you said your parents lived on Onogoro?"

"Y… yeah, I was, but… after what happened with your dad, the headmaster of the school got me admission to the technical school here," Shinn informed. "By Haumea, what are the odds…"

"Yeah…" Flay replied. "Still, I'm glad to see you again… I missed you…"

"I missed you too, Flay," Shinn replied, smiling happily. "So… you're here to stay?"

"Yeah…" Flay informed, smiling back. "I'm here to stay… and I'm glad you're here with me." She then proceeded to lock their lips together in a fierce, passionate kiss.

"Well, you didn't mention this to me… little sister…" An eerily calm voice voice said, causing the pair to freeze. "So… little sister… who is this?"

"Th… this is Shinn Asuka…" Flay replied, nervously stuttering. "He's the… the boy I told you about… Shinn, this is Linda, my older sister."

"Uhh… hi?" Shinn greeted, even more nervous that Flay.

"Now, if you two want to be in a relationship with one another, that is fine," Linda informed, her voice still eerily calm. "However, Shinn, please remember, I am a part of the most powerful mercenary group there is, and… my boyfriend happens to be the brother to one of the most capable independent mercenaries out there, who, by the way, is noted to be capable of hacking circles around the militaries best, who is partnered with the world's greatest sniper and is known to be a skilled commando. Just remember that, Shinn, if you ever hurt my darling little sister, I will come after you with absolutely everything I can."

Shinn nodded like his life depended on it - which it probably did. "Y-yes, Ma'am!" he replied. "I promise, I won't let her come to harm!"

Linda gave a cheery smile, the eerie aura she had been exuding disappeared. "Good, see that you don't," she ordered.

Takeshi sweatdropped. He could understand where Linda was coming from, heck, he'd been about as protective as Kira before she went into the Merc business… but still… watching one's lover go from friendly to eerily calm to friendly again in less than a minute was… unsettling.

"Hey, I'm back," Kira announced as she approached with the two younger Hisanaga siblings, upon seeing the slightly frightened look Takeshi and Flay had, the look on the newcomers face was one of outright horror. "What happened?"

"Let's just say I am never getting on Linda's bad side, and leave it at that," Takeshi replied.

"Right," Kira said with a slight trail off. "Anyways… who's this?"

Flay shook her head to clear it. "This is Shinn Asuka," she introduced. "I met him in that boarding school I used to go to several months ago, though two months ago we had to get him out of there thanks to my former father. Shinn, this is Kira. She's the one who ferried me here."

Kira smiled kindly at Shinn. "It's nice to meet you," she said to him. "I'm Kira Yamato, these are Jade and Jinn Hisanaga, they're the younger siblings to my partner."

"It's nice to meet you, too, Miss Yamato," Shinn said with a bow. "And thank you for getting Flay here safely. She's… very important to me."

Kira giggled slightly as he blushed. "Well, it's going to get me paid," she replied with a grin. "Plus, she's a nice girl."

"That she is," Shinn nodded, smiling at Flay. "I'm glad I met her."

"I'm glad I met you, too, Shinn," Flay replied, before kissing Shinn again.

Kira giggled again, her thoughts briefly drifting towards Ryu before pushing them back to the here and now. "So, should we get you set up at your new place?" she asked, before turning to the siblings. "And are you sure you two want to stay here on Heliopolis?"

"We can handle getting Flay settled in, Imouto," Takeshi informed. "You just sit back and wait for your partner to come back - and thank him for offing George Allster for us."

"Onii-san said he'd meet us here, so, we'll wait here, for now," Jade informed with a nod. "And… we don't really want to live anywhere in the EA…"

"I can see about getting the two of you a place of residence, as well," Takeshi informed them. "And if you want, I can see about enrolling you at the local technical college, which we've managed to enroll Flay at, as well."

"That would be good, actually," Jinn agreed. "It is what we were going for originally."

"Alright," Takeshi replied. He turned to his sister. "Imouto, we'll wire the fee for job completion to your account - 25,000, plus another 25,000 for getting here within the deadline, and another 75,000 as a bonus for Ryu taking out George Allster the way he did."

Kira blinked in surprise at that information. "That is the most money I ever got for a civilian escort job," she declared. "But hey, if you're giving it to me, fine by me."

"Thanks, Imouto," he said. Turning to Linda, he continued, "Come on, Linda, we need to get Flay settled in."

Linda nodded. "Ready, Flay?" she asked her sister. "And would you like to come with us, Shinn?"

Flay and Shinn both nodded, and the four started out of the bay.

"Thanks again for the help, Imouto!" Takeshi called out behind him. "I look forward to hearing more about your exploits in the future!"

Kira waved to them before turning to the siblings. "So, you guys hungry?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "Wanna grab something to eat?"

At that point, both Jinn and Jade's stomachs growled rather loudly, causing them both to smile sheepishly.

"I'll take that as a yes," Kira said humorously, a smile twitching into place. "C'mon, let's find a good place to eat."

END CHAPTER!

Translation Notes

(1) Zettai ni mamoru - I will (always) protect you