CHAPTER 9:

TRUST

Stacking a few boxes on top of the others, Cal felt a headache coming on. Third Squad was taking off for combat as the flight hanger was right across from the mall, the sound carried all the way over. But that wasn't the cause the incident with Zola two days ago had left him more than confused. 'Why does she do that?' Cal thought. 'I've seen things like that on TV and those magazines in the mall, but Gramps always told me that people who do things like are in love. Does the Captain like me like that?' Cal didn't know exactly how he was supposed to respond.

Then his mind traced back to the kiss Naomi had given him on the cheek. He could still feel the warmth of when he closed his eyes and she was the person he was the most comfortable with and spent the most time with. 'She does help me out a lot, but I feel bad for not telling her about Gramps and how I got here. Why did Gramps keep me away from this? Did I really have a right to be safe with him while everyone else has been stuck here fighting those monsters?' All those days he spent on the island he was safe with someone he loved very much while all these girls had nothing like that. All those times he wished he was someplace else, and it was only after it was taken away from him in one night that he realised just how fortunate he was.

Cal felt a tear stream down his eye when the patter of feet on the stone floor caught his attention. He turned around and froze at the sight of Jasmine's dog standing behind him. How had he not noticed him until now? "Stay back…" he warned. Vulcan wagged his tail and came closer. In response, Cal pulled out his knife and pointed the blade as a cold sweat began to roll down his face. "Get away!" He shouted. The back of Vulcan's hairs shot up and he began to growl just as Jasmine came rushing into the stock room.

"Hey, hey, Vulcan!" She pulled Vulcan back and turned her attention to Cal who looked like he was to have a panic attack. "Cal it's okay." She put her hands on his face and gradually, Cal calmed down and put his knife away. "Cal, I know you said dogs brought back bad memories and I don't want to force you into telling me, but I have to know. Otherwise I don't think I can let you work here anymore." Cal swallowed and sat down on the stepladder, still shaking a bit.

"When I was younger," he began, "we had a dog….

(7 years ago.)

Alone in the cabin, Cal was bored out of his mind. Gramps had gone on an errand to the mainland, leaving Cal to entertain himself. It wouldn't be so bad except the power had gone out due to the faulty generator so Cal couldn't even watch anything on the disk player Gramps had gotten him on his 11th birthday. Deciding he couldn't take the boredom anymore he leaped off his bed. After lacing up his shoes, he grabbed a tennis ball and raced out the door. The weather outside was still damp from the recent storm and the whole area smelled like fresh dirt.

"Star!" he called outside. "Where are you Girl?" One of Cal's favourite things to do when not confined in the cabin was play catch with his best and only friend Star. Cal loved everything about her from her egg-shaped head, her pointy ears, and grinning face that made him laugh whenever she went into one of her frenzied riots when she got too excited. He even taught her how to jump and headbutt the soccer balls, much to Gramps' annoyance.

"Star where are you?" Cal called. It wasn't like her to wonder off. She usually glued herself to Gramps' and Cal's side, always wanting to play. However, over the past week something had seemed off about her. She kept to herself and laid in the corner. Gramps was very concerned and wondered if she had eaten something that had made her sick so he said he'd stop by a veterinarian and pick up some medicine.

Cal knew his whole way around the island but never went too far since there were wolves around the deeper parts of the wood. After an hour everything became foggy and Cal couldn't see more than a few yards in front of him. Even worse, his throat was starting to hurt from calling Star. He was really starting to ger worried. "Did something happen to her,' he wondered, 'maybe she fell down a ditch or worse.'

After a few more minutes of searching and calling, Cal decided he walked too far and turned to head back to the cabin when he heard leaves crunch a few meters away. He squinted his eyes and was able to make out a four-legged shadow. "Star…" he whispered, just as the white furred dog approached with an angry growl. Cal flinched slightly. It was never like her to growl at anything. Not even a squirrel. "Star? What's wrong girl?" He reached his hand out to her and she let out a fierce bark which made him pull back, her mouth foaming and drooling like she had eaten soap. "Star it's me." Cal could sense something was wrong as Star's eyes reddened and her body shook like a bomb on the verge of exploding.

Slowly, just as Gramps taught him to do in case he ever came face to face with one of the island wolves, Cal backed away, never taking his eyes away from Star. Once he had put some distance between then, he turned and ran as fast as his feet would carry him. Star chased after him barking and snarling as Cal cried out in panic, hot tears streaming down his face. He could hear her gaining ground behind him, her snarls getting louder as she closed in. It was no use. She'd catch him before he could reach the cabin. Suddenly, ahead loomed an oak with a low hanging limb. And on the ground between him and it was a large branch that the storm had knocked down. Cal reached out and grabbed the branch as he ran past before he turned and threw it behind him. Star wound up tripping right over it, nearly flipping over as Cal put on a final burst and leapt for the limb, grabbing on and pulling himself up a split second before Star got up and leapt for his ankle with an angry snap.

Now safely out of reach, Cal climbed higher as Star continued to circle and growl underneath him, her red rimmed eyes daring him to come down. Cal didn't understand. Why would Star do this? She was his best friend and she had just tried to kill him. For over an hour he clung to his perch as Star continued to growl up at him, ropy saliva trailing from her mouth like venom. Cal closed his eyes and wished it would just end when it suddenly became silent. Cal opened one eye and saw that Star was gone but he didn't dare climb down. Suddenly, there was a commotion followed by the sound of a gunshot and a blood curdling yelp.

"Cal!" a voice called. "Cal answer me!" It was Gramps. Slowly, Cal climbed down from his perch as a tall figure emerged from behind a tree. Cal screamed, thinking Star had come back when a huge pair of hands grabbed him and pulled Cal into his Grandfather's embrace.

"It's okay Cal," Gaz told him. "It's okay. You're safe now." Cal buried his face in his Gramps' chest as Gaz carried him back to the cabin. He looked over Gramps' shoulder and saw the corpse of Star lying on the ground. The hole in her side still gushing blood. "Don't look Cal, just don't look!"

"Gramps told me a few days after that she was infected with something called rabies. He said she must have been bitten by one of the bats that passed through on migration and we never got another dog since. We buried her by the big waterfall where I liked to draw." Well that certainly explained a lot. Crouching down beside him, Jasmine put an arm around his shoulder.

"I'm really sorry you went through that Cal." Jasmine said. "But that doesn't solve the current problem. I don't want you or Vulcan to wind up getting hurt."

"So what do we do?" he asked.

"Do you trust me?" she asked. Cal looked at her and realized what she planned to do.

"Yeah," he whispered, his heart feeling like it was going to explode out of his chest. Standing up, Jasmine clicked her fingers and gestured to Vulcan who had lain down on the other side of the room. As the big yellow dog approached, Cal tensed up but Jasmine kept her hand on his shoulder.

"Just take it easy," she told him. "Extend your hand and let him sniff you." Slowly, his breath frozen in dread, Cal extended his hand. Vulcan extended his snout, took a sniff and then began to lick Cal's fingers. It was hot, warm, and a little slimy but it felt good. Cal remembered Star used to do that and he started to tear up as he remembered all the good times, he had with her. As if reading his mind, Vulcan came closer and laid his head on Cal's lap. "See?" she said. "He likes you." Carefully, Cal petted Vulcan's ears and neck. His fur was a lot longer than Star's which gave it a silky texture. "You know it was your grandfather that gave me to him. He was also the one who first put that old pilot's cap on him, and you don't have to worry about rabies. I've made sure to have Maggie give him all the shots he needs." Bit by bit, the fear faded away as Cal petted Vulcan until it was little more than a shadow.

"That's good," he said. "And the cap looks good on him." Hopefully now he wouldn't be so tense around Vulcan. 'Kid's tough,' she thought. 'It may not have been a DRAGON but in some ways it was worse. And to be able to think so quickly with his life on the line.' After finishing his work, Cal got his pay and was one step closer to being able to purchase the rifle he'd been wanting for weeks. In the meantime, he decided to blow off some steam at the arcade. As he arrived, who should he see but Rosalie and Chris. "Hey guys." Cal greeted. "What are you two playing?"

"Don't interrupt!' Rosalie said. "Ah shit!" 'Game Over' flashed across the screens as Chris jumped in the air cheering.

"I finally beat you!"

"Thanks a lot," Rosalie huffed.

"Sorry," he said. "You need a 3rd player?" Rosalie pursed her lips and then grinned darkly.

"Okay. Let's see how well you do against someone other than Naomi. Chris, you in?"

"Let's do this." Chris beamed. The two girls booted up their machines as Cal went to his own and loaded up the racing game 'Pablo Cart Deluxe.' It was one of Cal's favourite game alongside 'Elite Space Gravity fall'. The objective was to drive 3 laps over one of several different tracks. Unlike most racing games however, Pablo Cart had the additional option of being able to pick up various powerups across the track to either boost your speed or use as a weapon against other players.

"And just to make it interesting," Rosalie suggested, "whoever comes 1st place gets 100,000 from each player."

"Deal," Cal agreed. He could spare that much, especially since First Squad was the next one scheduled for combat duty. Chris however seemed a bit more hesitant. Cal had noticed whenever it came to betting or asking Chris to join in, she was very quiet and shy. At least she had become more comfortable around him compared to those first few weeks where she wouldn't even talk to him.

"Alright. Let's do this." Rosalie said with a hungry tone. The game started as the timer counted down and they were off. Chris took the early lead with Cal, Rosalie and the six NPC's behind her. Rosalie spammed the buttons loud enough to nearly drown out the rest of the mall trying to keep ahead of Cal, who tried his hardest not to laugh at how hard she was trying. Soon all three of them were way ahead of the NPC's save for one that hung on their tails. But the three were so focused on each other that they barely noticed it. After a few minutes of shouting, raging and throwing items at each other, they finally entered the third lap.

With Rosalie in the lead by only a few inches, Cal and Chris were neck and sweating bullets now that the finish line was coming into sight. "Come on!" Rosalie urged, just before a blue rocket shot from behind them and hit the lead car. Rosalie's avatar went flying in the air while the edge of the explosion sent Chris and Cal into a mutual spin out. Rosalie went ghost white as the bot in 4th place speeded past them to take the win with Cal in 2nd, Chris 3rd and Rosalie being passed by 4 NPC's before coming in 8th. "How the hell did that happen?" she cried. A sudden snicker made them all turn to the left and saw Naomi with a sly grin on her face.

"Do I win the bet?" she chuckled.

"That's not fair," Chris whined. "We didn't know you were playing." Naomi pointed to Chris's screen.

"My name is literally right there. How did you three not see that?" It was a fair point and the three excepted the defeat though Rosalie looked completely crushed. After handing Naomi 100,000 each, Cal decided he had enough and walked around the Mall to look at the newly restocked items with Naomi. "There anything you really like today?" She asked.

"Not really. I'm still saving up for the M4. But one more mission and I'll finally have enough. Even if Hilda keeps stealing my kills."

"Well you can have these to help with your troubles." She took out the stack of 300,000 from her satchel.

"No. I can't take that. You won the race fair and square."

"It's cool. I did join without asking. Think of it as compensation for all the grief Hilda gives you." Cal continued to resist which made her pout. "Look if you don't take it, I'll just buy the M4 myself and have Mei attach it to your Para-mail."

"Okay fine." Cal sighed in defeat. 'Knew that would work.' Naomi thought. The two looked around the mall some more until they came to the armoury. Now with enough money, Cal didn't think twice about getting the gun he had been waiting over 6 weeks to get.

"Hmm, looks like you've saved up well boy." Jasmine joked. "I'll have Mei and her girls install this thing immediately. Come and see if you want."

"Go on," Naomi told him. "You can meet me back in the jewellery section once you're done." Over in the hanger, the Armorers were in the midst of repairing Third Squad's para-mail. By the time he reached his unit's dock, Mei and the others were already attaching it to the hardpoint beneath his nose.

"That should do it." Mei said wiping her brow. "It's one of the better guns. With this you should be able to keep Hilda from stealing your kills."

"Thanks Mei," Cal said with a thumbs up. He had just started to walk off when Mei called back to him.

"Hey, go easy on this thing. You push this thing too hard and we'll have to replace the engines."

"I guess that's the next thing I'll have to upgrade then," he joked. Mei rolled her eyes in annoyance and noticed three of her girls watching Cal with stars in their eyes. Taking up a handful of bolts, Mei tossed them at the daydreamers and snapped them back to reality.

"Get back to work!"

Upon his return to the mall, Cal looked around for Naomi in the section she said she'd be at but couldn't find her. As he checked around the book section, Cal failed to look where he was going and knocked into someone smaller and lighter. The figure fell back but Cal instinctively shot his arms forward to catch her before she could hit the ground. Cal looked down and froze as Salia looked up at him before they both jumped back from each other, their faces both turning deep red.

"I'm so sorry Salia," Cal apologized. "I should have been watching where I was walking."

" No it's completely fine," Salia said. "I should have been paying attention myself."

"So what you up to? I never see you around this area of the mall?"

"Oh…er…nothing! Say, is everything alright? You didn't look too good when you came out the shower the over day. You almost looked like you caught a fever." Cal didn't want to think about that day since he might boil up with embarrassment. Luckily, he was distracted by something on the floor. A package of some kind. He was just reaching down to pick it up when Salia snatched it away, her face flushing even darker. "Well, I'll catch you later, I have…things to do," Salia said as she dashed off in a hurry. 'What's wrong with her?' Cal wondered as he felt a tap on his shoulder. Cal turned and saw Naomi with a huge smile on her face. "Oh there you are. I thought I lost you."

"I got something for you," Naomi said as she pulled out a tiny black box from behind her back. Cal opened it up and his face lit up at the sight of a gold chain bracelet. "Well go on try it on." Cal slipped it over his wrist and saw his name engraved on the pendant. "Do you like it?"

"It's awesome!" Cal beamed, making Naomi blush and cheer inside. "Thanks Naomi. You're the best." A sudden force pushed Naomi forward as if she wasn't in control and pecked him on the side of the lips. Cal stared in surprise not knowing what to do as Naomi's flush deepened and tried to hide her shy face. "Thanks, it means a lot coming from you." She wanted to say more but the silence seemed to make things even more awkward. Instead, she skipped off happily with a wave back at Cal. "Catch you later."

Having her secret almost being discovered by Cal of all people made Salia feel as if she were about to pass out. She looked at herself in the changing room mirror which she had paid Jasmine for the use of and tried to calm herself down. 'Idiot, why did you have to carry it around the one place he works at?'

Salia shook her head clear and decided to get on with her spiritual cleansing. A lot of Norma did many different things to relieve stress. Some like Naomi found solace in playing and competing in the arcade. Scarlett released all of her stress in the gym. Zola found comfort with Hilda, Rosalie and Chris. And more than a few Norma wanted to get their hands on Cal; including Salia.

However, for today she was performing her usual stress release. Opening the parcel she had brought from her quarters, Salia set aside the latest volume of the 'Holy Knight Pretty Lilian,' manga before stripping out of her uniform. After changing into the frilly pink dress she had handstitched herself, she took up the heart topped toy wand and posed in the mirror.

"Glaring with the light of romance! Winning battles with the power of love!" Salia quoted. "I'm Holy Knight Pretty Salia! Charging right at you! I will magically make you fall in love with me…Cal!" Too late, Salia realized what she had said. 'No, no, no!' Salia fretted, making her feel more stressed. 'What I am I thinking?" She was his superior and Cal was so innocent and pure. Plus, he had so many girls to choose from. Girls who had one major advantage over her. Salia looked down and frowned at her rather modest bust. Salia always told herself that large breasts were too much trouble. That they'd only get in the way. But now she'd give anything for just one cup size larger. On the other hand, Cal didn't seem to be the type of guy who cared about something so superficial. Salia had overheard Rosalie complaining about how she had tried to seduce him only for it to fly over his head. And after Zola and Ersha she was the third largest in the squad. Leaning back against the changing room wall, Salia imagined Cal dressed in a knight's shining armour, carrying her like a bride, their faces inching closer to each other as…Salia's body became hot and she snapped back to reality.

"Oh, what is wrong with me?" she moaned as she sank to the floor.

Clad only in his boxers, Cal lay on his bed putting the finishing touches on his latest drawing, his ideal Para-mail. A 4-barrel rotary cannon mounted on its left shoulder, a 120 mm gun on its right, twin swords that could be joined into one, and the most highly rated gun at the mall; the M41X pulse rifle. "Someday," Cal vowed. His eyes shifted to the gold bracelet he wore on his left wrist. It was one of the best gifts that anyone had given to him from Arzanel, especially since he knew who it came from. On more than one occasion, when he left for morning training, Cal would find flowers, love letters, and sometime boxes of chocolates. The latter he didn't mind so much and still had a few kept under his bed. Satisfied with the drawing, Cal set the pad aside and decided to call it an early night when the alarm suddenly echoed throughout Arzanel.

"First squad to flight hanger immediately!" Hikaru announced over the speakers. Not having enough time to get changed Cal, bolted out his door and ran as fast as he could to the locker room. He dashed past a few girls who couldn't believe their luck and cat called at him. A familiar figure in a purple and white uniform appeared before him and she shrieked as he dashed past her.

"Excuse me Inspector," he called in passing.

"Pervert!" she shouted. Cal arrived just as Ersha, Naomi, and Vivian emerged from the locker room and ran in the direction of the hanger.

"Hey!" he yelled as he banged on the door.

"It's fine. Get in here!" Zola called. Inside; Zola, Hilda, Rosalie and Chris were fully dressed in their plug suits and were in the process of attaching their ceramic plates. "Double time," Zola ordered. "The singular is set to open closer to base than before. You haven't seen the Vice-captain, have you?" Cal shook his head as he began to change, giving Zola a good view as he stripped. 'If you do well on this mission, I think we'll both enjoy tonight,' she thought. Finally, Salia arrived and blushed as she saw Cal pulling his flight suit. "Hurry!" Zola repeated.

As they both changed, Salia had to fight the urge to resist turning her head for a peek. As soon as they were ready, they both rushed on to the flight hanger where Zola and the rest were already mounting up. Once plugged in and taxied into position, they all shot off one by one over the open sea in a perfect diamond formation. Cal took his usual spot in the back with Ersha and Chris as his wingers while Rosalie, Vivian and Naomi took centre with Zola, Salia and Hilda in the lead.

"Singular opening," Pamela announced as the sky once again tore open and a horde of DRAGONs emerged. Over 20 schooners charged towards them followed by two Corvettes and a green scaled Brig that let out a roar as if challenging them.

"Category 3 encounter confirmed," Olivia announced.

"Damn," Hilda gasped. "That's a big one." Hilda gasped.

"You all know the drill," Zola ordered. "Get into destroyer mode. Heavy artillery will take out the Corvettes. Unit Hilda, assist Rosalie and Cal with taking down the little ones. The rest of us will handle the Galleon and wear it down for the coup de grace!"

"Yes Ma'am!" They all replied. Para-mail shifted forms and the night sky lit up with a barrage of machine gun and cannon fire. From the rear of the squad, Ersha and Chris broke off to intercept their respective Corvettes. Seeing their comrades under attack, the Schooners split up to provide support only for Hila, Rosalie, and Cal to cut them off. A short distance away, Zola and the others were harassing the Brig, their bullets bouncing off the shields it raised to defend itself.

With his new gun, Cal began picking off the Schooners right and left. Being able to shoot so accurately made all the work he did at the mall worth it. 'I'd like to see Hilda steal them from me now,' he smirked. A blip on his radar caught his attention and he saw three trying to sneak up on Rosalie from behind. Before they could get close, Cal fired one of his RPGs and took out all three at once.

"You okay?" he asked. In response, Rosalie turned and aimed her cannons at him. "Whoa stop what are you doing?" The yellow Glaive fired and two Schooners coming in from behind were blown to pieces.

"And now we're even," she said as she flew off. Well at least he wouldn't wind up being stuck with a lousy gun again. A sudden roar caught Cal's attention as the Brig dove towards them, Vivian's Razor darting around it like an annoying fly.

"Hilda, there's more coming on your left," Cal warned as they scattered out of the way. "We'll take them out together."

"Don't tell me what to do!" she snapped. Cal nailed one but Hilda wasn't going to let a man outdo her. She fanned her rifle and the remaining four were blasted out of the sky. "Thanks for the heads up though," she reluctantly admitted. Between the sudden rush from the Brig and the remaining Schooners, if Cal hadn't warned her she would have been overrun. A sudden cry sounded over the radio and they looked up to see Zola's Arquebus sent into a downward spiral from an errant wing slap. "Zola!"

"Cover me!" Cal yelled. Hilda watched his Glaive dive down towards Zola and realized he was closer. With three more Schooners closing in, Hilda fired an RPG and took them out as Cal threw out his arms and managed to catch Zola's unit, the impact knocking him against the side of his cockpit.

"Captain, you alive in there?" Cal called.

"Good catch boyo." Zola praised. In the skies overhead, Chris and Ersha managed to take out their respective Corvettes while Hilda and Rosalie finished off the last of the Schooners. "This is it," Zola announced. "Everyone, form up on the big guy and finish the job." From all across the sky, the forward assault and light artillery closed in on the Brig, its body riddled with bullet holes and blast marks from the RPGs. A sigil ring travelled down its body and a barrage of razor-sharp scales exploded in every direction. Their formation scattered, Naomi sustaining a hit to her left leg and Rosalie losing one of her canons. "Cal, Vivian, run defence! Artillery, wear down the Brig! Everyone else, load up your freeze bullets!"

"Yes Ma'am." Switching between flight and destroyer modes, Vivian and Cal ran interference against the Brig's scales, allowing the Artillery units to begin their bombardment. As cannon fire rocked the Brig, Zola snuck in from below and fired her freeze bullet into its chest, shards of ice sprouting from its sternum. Salia was up next and approached from the back but the DRAGON swung its tail at her and forced her to break off.

"Hey watch it!" Hilda yelled as she narrowly avoided colliding with Salia. With her attention distracted, Hilda failed to notice the Brig had maneuverered behind her until it seized her in its claw.

"Hilda!" Rosalie and Chris shouted. The two of them dived in but the Brig held Hilda out as if using her as a shield, preventing them from opening fire. Quick to take advantage, the Brig unleashed another barrage of flying scales that forced its opponents to break off their attack.

'Come on! Move you piece of junk!' Hilda swore as she struggled to get free. "I've survived worse that this!' A sudden roar caused her to look up and Hilda froze as the Brig's serpentine neck bent towards her, its jaws opening to expose its gleaming fangs.

"Hey! Up here!" someone shouted. The DRAGON turned away from Hilda just in time for two blurs, one blue the other pink, to dive onto it. Vivian's assault rifle opened fire and blinded the left eye cluster, disabling the Brig long enough for Cal to land between its shoulder blades and fire his freeze bullet into its back.

"Hilda hold on!" Salia called. Flying up to where the DRAGON still held on to her, Salia's sword sliced across the Brig's knuckles and managed to cut Hilda free.

"You two finish it off," Zola ordered. Loading up their freeze bullets, Hilda fired hers into the Brig's face while Salia launched hers into its abdomen. Shards of ice sprouted from all across the DRAGON's body and it fell lifeless into the sea

"Phew, that was a tough one," Cal sighed.

"Nice work everyone." Zola praised. "That big bastard put up a good fight but not good enough."

"Way to go partner," Vivian beamed at Cal. She gave him a thumbs up and Cal returned the favour. Hilda meanwhile was in a less that celebratory mood. 'How could I have a been so careless?' she wondered. 'It's bad enough having to be saved but by someone who is still new at this is embarrassing.'

"Hey Hilda, you alright over there?" Chris asked. Hilda shifted back to flight mode and showed that she was unharmed.

"Good job everyone," Commander Jill called over the radio. "You're clear to return to base."

"You heard the Commander," Zola said. "Let's get a good night's sleep and enjoy our pay tomorrow." As they flew back to Arzenal, Hilda found her gaze constantly shifting towards Cal. 'I can't believe I needed saving by the likes of him of all people. It wasn't like I asked him to do it. Plus he's going to get a much larger pay for killing a Brig.' Cal turned his head to look at her and gave her a small smile. Hilda turned her head away from him with a pout. She felt he was mocking her but in the back of her mind she knew he was glad she was okay. Even after all the times she had picked on him. 'God why is he like that? He's like a little kid who doesn't hold any grudges.' It pissed her off just thinking about it. Mostly because it reminded Hilda of how she used to be. Back before they took her away from Mama. 'How is it that he was brought here against his will like all of us but takes it all in stride?' Just thinking about it made her head hurt.

Zola sighed as the shower rinsed away the sweat and tension from combat. "I'm quite impressed with Cal's progress. You've been teaching him well Salia."

"Oh thank you Captain."

"Are there any 'special' lessons you've given him?" Salia blushed in embarrassment and grimaced in disgust. Hilda however simply huffed in annoyance. 'I'll take that as a no. Don't worry, I'm going to teach him a lot before I release him out on everyone else.'

Before heading to the shower Cal collected his clothes from his quarters and waited outside while the girls finished. After taking his turn, he returned to his room and was looking forward to a good night's sleep but failed to notice his guest until she spoke.

"Hey there." Cal gave a jump as he turned on the light and was greeted to the sight of Zola laying on his bed, her silk robe hanging open to reveal her lacy black underwear. Between the sudden combat alert and exhaustion from the fight he had forgotten to lock his door.

"Erm…Captain." Cal gulped. "What…are you doing…in my room?" Rising off the bed, Zola walked towards him, her hips swaying in a way that Cal couldn't take his eyes away from.

"Well I thought, since you've worked so hard and did so great in battle, I figured I'd give you a little present."

"Oh, like a cake?" Zola chuckled at his innocence.

"Damn boy, you are a strange one, aren't you?" She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck and Cal went crimson. "It's not a cake but I'll think you find it just as sweet." Before Cal could say anything, Zola leaned in and kissed him full on the mouth. But unlike Naomi which lasted a second Zola held in place as her tongue pushed into his mouth, making Cal's mind explode like fireworks. It was a weird feeling, but it also felt somewhat good. As his head spun from the sensations, Zola maneuvered him over to the bed and pushed him onto it. Before he knew it, she had climbed on top of him, removing her robe and peeling his shirt over his head.

"Captain wait…I don't think…"

"What's wrong?" Zola asked. "You don't like it?"

"Erm…Uh yes…I kind of do but…I'm not sure I feel the same way."

"Way? What are you talking about?"

"Well Gramps told me when people have sex it's because they love each other right? I mean I like you. You're my Captain and I think your great at what you do for me, apart from grabbing my butt...but I don't know if I love you." Zola stared at him as if he had gone crazy before breaking into laughter.

"Honestly that's so cute," she said as she shook her head. "Cal, let me show you something." Reaching up to her right eye, Cal watched with a mixture of horror and fascination as she removed her hand and an empty socket stared back at him.

"You see this?" she asked as she showed him the prosthetic. "I lost my real one to a bad sortie. And I've seen plenty of Norma who have lost a lot more. When you're a Norma your life is pretty meaningless. Sooner or later we all wind up torn to pieces or worse. Look I can't tell you what to do with your life, but don't waste your time looking for anything better." Zola popped her prosthetic eye back into place. "Simple pleasures are the best we can hope for."

"That's not true!" Cal said sitting up. "My Gramps left me a message after he died. That it's my life and I had to live it as best I can. And your life isn't meaningless because if you died...I'd be sad. And so would the others. I mean look at everything you've done for me and the rest of the squad. Without you I don't think we'll be nearly as strong. I know we're not the same and I haven't lived like you and the others. But if this is what it takes to prove that you matter then okay. I'll do it." Laying back on the bed, Cal sighed nervously. "But I don't know if I'll be any good at it." Again, Zola stared at him before she smiled warmly. It was a look Cal had never seen and was a big change from her hard exterior.

"Don't worry about it. I know a thing or two when it comes to girls but this is new to me too." Removing her bra, Cal gulped as he stared at her ample breasts before she leaned down and kissed him again. "So I guess we'll just have to learn from each other."

Dutch's patience was running thin. After a month of waiting, Major Blackadder had finally called him in. The address given was for a major office building in the downtown Misurugi capital. Located near the tower's top floor, Blackadder's office was listed as belonging to an architectural consultant firm. A large golden chandelier provided light from overhead and the entire waiting room was done in green. Green carpets, green curtains, and a green couch which he currently sat on. Checking his Mana screen, Dutch glowered as he saw that he had been kept waiting for half an hour. Finally, a young woman in a silver suit opened the door to the main office and gestured for him to come in.

"Mr Villson this way please." Dutch followed her in and was taken aback by the sudden change in his surroundings. Unlike the waiting room, Blackadder's office was devoid of any furniture. Even more peculiar, everything from the floor to ceiling was inlaid with white marble that reflected the light from the wall lamps throughout the entire room. Across one entire wall, a series of panoramic windows gave an unobstructed view of the city lights while in the centre of the room, multiple Mana screens the size of billboards hung in the air. One displayed a world map marked with dozens of red dots. Another displayed photos of girls Dutch recognized from NMB records as suspected Norma that had evaded capture. A final one caught Dutch's attention in particular, a huge question mark with the name 'Subject Alpha.' Amidst the screens was a skinny, feminine looking young man who hid his face behind a pair of sunglasses and silver blonde hair that reached to his waist.

"Ah Mr Villsion," he said without the slightest bit of emotion. "Forgive me for the wait but I'm afraid work has piled up lately." So this was Blackadder. Dutch was surprised by how young he was. He barely looked out of his teens and was skinny as a pencil.

"Major Blackadder." Dutch saluted. "It's an honour to meet with you." Blackadder closed the screens and stared at Dutch with a blank expression. Something about him made Dutch uneasy but he wasn't about to let some kid intimidate him.

"As I'm sure you know, Master Embryo has been very busy since you let one particular Norma escape your grasp." Dutch felt his temple begin to throb as he remembered that night. "Subject Alpha is a unique specimen. And one that might cause significant complications if his identity was to be found out by the public."

"I offer no excuse," Dutch admitted. "I underestimated the dissident who was hiding him. It still sickens me that he betrayed us all for that…abomination."

"A traitor your former associate indeed was. But Subject Alpha an abomination? No. Master Embryo has plans for him. And for you as well. He sees a lot of potential in you Mr. Villson. It's why he decided to tell you the truth of this world. And he is willing to give you another chance." Dutch felt his shoulders loosen in relief.

"I was worried he wouldn't forgive me after what happened," he admitted. "But I'm eager to prove myself for Master Embryo's sake." Blackadder stepped towards the window and gestured for Dutch to join him

"Do you ever take the time to look at it? The beauty of this world and the potential Master Embryo saw in it? Do you even wonder if they see it? Billions of people living out their perfect little lives like a fairy tale in a children's book. Ignorant and oblivious to their whole existence. They're little more than children who couldn't even stand on their own two feet without Mana to prop them up."

"Yes. I was once like them. Until Master Embryo showed me the truth. Devoid of ambition or desire."

"And what is it you desire now Mr. Villson?"

"To rule my own nation. And stand higher than all of them."

"Then if you follow my orders, it shall come to fruition. Master Embryo is planning on retrieving Subject Alpha. We'll need him to play a key role in events to come."

"If so then let me get him myself. I'll find him no matter where he hides or how many allies try to hide him."

"All in good time Mr Villson. For now, continue your extended Holiday. There are other pieces that still need to be gathered. I'll contact you when we are ready to move." Dutch grinned and snapped a salute. He had hoped that retrieving Subject Alpha would end with the little vermin strapped to a dissecting table. But if it finally allowed him to obtain everything he desired then he could wait a little longer. And once the male Norma had served his purpose, they could dispose of him in a way fitting for trash.

"Yes sir."

Zola laid across the bed and stretched. That was even better than she ever dreamed of. Leaning up on her shoulder, she peered at Cal who sat with his back to her on the edge of the bed. "Hey talk to me," she said. "Come on you can't say you didn't enjoy it?"

"No, no I did, I really did, it's just…I'm sorry if it sucked." Zola chuckled as she sat up and hugged him from behind.

"Honestly you are the cutest thing ever." She had to admit they were both a little clumsy at first. But by the second round they had gotten the hang of it. "You were more than good," she assured him as she kissed the side of his neck. "I rather liked it."

"That makes me kind of happy Captain. I think I do kinda like you a little, but not in that way."

"Good enough," she answered. "It's best not to get too attached. Like I tell Hilda, Chris and Rosalie; it'll just only make things harder for you when I kick the bucket. It happens to all of us eventually."

"Don't be ridiculous Captain. You and Salia are the best pilots in the squad. You're way too tough to die." Zola smiled as she pulled him back down and held him over her.

"You're so sweet. Now let's get back to business."

"Hey, you never know," Cal joked. "You might grow old and wrinkly like Jasmine."

"You little punk!" Zola spat as she began to playfully punch and tickle him. Unknown to either of them. a certain redhead was listening from the other side of the door with an angry and murderous look on her face.

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Here's a special announcement I've decided to make this story a visual story as well, I'll be drawing 1 to 3 Illustrations for each chapter somewhat similar to a Japaneses Light novel and I'll also be creating character designs for my characters and Eric Micheal Kline fanfic 'Cross Ange Knight of Hilda.' If you want to view this then go on the website DeviantArt, my profile name is Raggylad98, (don't ask why) and I'll have all my installations tagged in 'CrossAnge' so it will be easier to find. Once again big shout out to Eric Micheal Kline for helping me out a lot with this story.