/ Duel Universe

/ Author: The Cowboy of Oklahoma

/ Ch 41.1: Baddeck Again

/ word count: 1610

Human Encampment

I moved through the campsite with questions on my mind about recent events. An evil had settled onto the humans, forcing everyone into a comatose-like state. I felt a disturbance from several miles away and was able to repel its cause, but not its source. Whatever had freed former Maj Steve Bensen and sent him out with deadly abilities still has not been found or dealt with. My harrowing duel and near-death outcome, Lt. Cmdr Shelly Carson finding me and nearly falling to the same fate, and the finding of a clan of monsters we could potentially call on for help. But what really has me in my current state of unrest is the revelation that a number of women are vying for my affection. One who I thought I would have stayed with if it wasn't for an occurrence with fiends, kidnapping, torture, and how their rescue was perpetrated with the fiends being swiftly and permanently dealt with by me. My actions scared her away from me, I thought forever but she came back and fought for my safe return. Just for her to reveal to me exactly why she knew where I had been, and who I was with. I found Maiden of Moonlight being captured and potentially tortured before I had shown up by some seemingly dastardly beasts. Having the event in the Human Encampment with the fiends still fresh on my mind. I didn't hold back, the beast didn't stand a chance. Moonie pledged undying loyalty and servitude to me for having saved her life. She also, apparently, bore feelings of affection towards me as we stayed together from that time on. Me the human, and her the fairy monster, which her Majesty, Dark Magician Girl, had already warned about how our races could interbreed but the monster half of the relationship would live longer than their human lover and even their hybrid offspring, having to bury both eventually.

At the time, I was completely unaware of these circumstances in development and when Moonie disappeared, she had apparently gone to announce her feelings and wish to court for my affections. During which I was ambushed, nearly killed, subsequently rescued, and eventually returned to our temporary home in the Encampment. Now I knew that both Shelly and Moonie were wanting me to choose one of them as my lover. But I wasn't really sure about either of them anymore. I never thought of Moonie in that manner and even though Shelly and I shared a bed for a time, all of these recent events have put a wall up between us, and I wasn't so sure I wanted to remove that wall at this time.

I moved through the Encampment, making my way towards the landing fields which lead to the Corvettes stationed in orbit. A guard noticed my approach, "sir!" They snapped to a salute.

"At ease," I returned the salute, "I would like to get back to the Baddeck. When is the next transport available?" I asked.

"Transports are every three hours sir, they bring personnel to and from the ships for forty-two-hour shifts. The next to be sent up is in approximately forty minutes." The guard explained.

"Very well, send word when the transport arrives. I'll be in the canteen getting some grub," I said then moved on.

The guard gave another salute as I turned away, "yes, sir."

Walking into the canteen, I went to grab a cup of coffee. Nasty stuff, never was a fan of this swill. I mixed sugar, cream, and flavors to cover up the bitter taste. Grabbing some toast and jelly, I sat at a corner table, looking out the plastic divider at the encampment. "What are you going to do about this Ka'an?" I asked myself under my breath, "both women think you're worth something but you don't feel like much at all." My self-accusatory examination went on majorly unnoticed by the patrons that shared my immediate area.

Then someone placed a hand on my shoulder, "how's your morning, Captain?" A bellow of a voice spoke right behind me.

I turned around to see Lt. Jr. Grade C. Lee approach, "Lieutenant, how're you doing Christopher?" I asked.

"Not bad, all things considering, sir," he said as he sat down across from me.

"And how's the wife and kid?" I asked.

"They're good, sir. Melody especially likes the 'flying unicorns', as she calls the dragons. The little orange one, 'Baby Dragon', I believe, is overly affectionate with her. I've found it hanging around our 'house' several mornings looking for her," he said.

I took a moment to let that sink in, then looked him in the eye and had to ask the question, "do you have a house pet cat-dragon!?" I asked incredulously.

"No! No! …maybe? Don't get me wrong, he stays outside, too big for the house you see, but he's just so adorable, and he's super gentle with Melody. Letting her climb all over him and even laying perfectly still and letting her lay on his head while taking a nap…, and he did stay with her during the whole 'invasion of vampires' thing," he explained.

"I see," my gaze slipped from looking at him to beyond him, eyes glazing over.

"You okay? You seem like you're not really here," he asked.

I sighed heavily, "yeah I know. I just don't know how to deal with my situation."

"And what sort of situation are we talking about here? Difficult duel opponent? Wait, I heard you were doing some traveling, is there some monster that is threatening what we're doing here?" He asked me in rapid succession.

"What.., no, no. Nothing so simple to deal with, no. My situation is more…private. Personal," I said as I came out of my inner thoughts.

Christopher just looked at me for a minute without saying a word, then he stood and placed a hand on my shoulder, "listen, Captain, whatever it is that is bothering you, I'm sure you'll figure it out. Just let us know if we can do anything for you," he consoled.

"Yeah, thanks," I said unenthusiastically.

Minutes went by like hours, I wasn't sure how long I had been sitting there when suddenly a voice called out my name, "Cpt. Freeman? Captain?"

"Yeah, yes, what is it Private?" I asked as I turned to the voice, putting on an air of authority.

"I was sent to retrieve you, sir. The transport is nearly ready for lift off and you wanted to head topside with the next units," he explained.

"Understood, I'm on my way," I said as I stood to leave.

Making my way across the field toward the landing area, I stifled my inner thoughts and hid my worries behind a mask of absolute certainty. I waited for the workers to finish loading the gear and materials needed to be sent up to continue work on the device. It was visible from the ground, at roughly half the size of the Oceanica, patch worked together from nearly every other vessel in the human fleet, save for a few modes of transport, Corvettes, and most of the Oceanica itself, Its contents far too precious to lose. The transport was filled to the brim, with just enough room for the flight crew and one additional seat for myself. I sat patiently while the crew readied the craft for flight, final checks, and double checks. I was quiet and didn't interject with my need to hurry. These sailors were well-trained in their tasks and didn't need me to tell them how to do their jobs. So I waited for them to finish, then we finally lifted off the ground and headed for the stars once again. Looking out the window, I saw the ground pace away far below, the castle of the queen of this land, Dark Magician Girl, got smaller as we climbed higher into the morning sky. The sun was beginning to crest the horizon as we reached the clouds, its brilliance filling half the viewports as we climbed. Soon the ports darkened a bit as we reached the upper atmosphere and left this world below.

The Device was looming in the distance, "approach, convoy seven, supplies, equipment, and personnel. Requesting permission to dock with HMCS Baddeck," the pilot spoke into the comms.

"Convoy seven, approach, cleared for docking with Baddeck, then head to designated work area 7," a voice responded in acknowledgment.

"Acknowledged approach," the pilot confirmed.

Then the view outside rolled slightly as a familiar ship came into view and I couldn't hold back my words, "hello beautiful, long time no see," I said as the Baddeck filled my vision.

The copilot turned in her seat and gave me a sidelong look. I caught her gaze for a moment before she turned back to her task, did I know her from somewhere? Not impossible I supposed, a quarter of the populace was in active service of the human armed forces after all. I guess my remark was a bit out of place. The pilot and (person) each gave the other a knowing look, silently saying to each other, then turning back to their tasks.

We finished our approach with the Baddeck, docking to her side and allowing me to disembark. Just as I had finished stepping through with my lone bag, I heard a feminine voice call out, "so long handsome!"

I turned and looked over my shoulder as the hatch began to close. Then I heard a grunt of frustration from both of the men onboard, "Seriously!?" Clunk! The door shut and shut out the argument unfolding on the other side.