p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c4" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"The combined Cornerian and Terran fleet returned to Corneria, accompanied by the titanic newcomer that is the SDF-2 /spanspan class="c3" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic;"Megalord/spanspan class="c4" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" as it orbited around the planet itself. Word of the battle had already reached CM high command, especially the /spanspan class="c3" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic;"Megalord/spanspan class="c4" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';". The spatial fortress left its onlookers in awe at its size and power. It was low enough to where it could be seen from the planet's surface without falling into the atmosphere. Mere hours after the fleet returned, a new meeting was being formed between the leadership of Lylat and Sol. One of the newcomers was Nathan Colson, the commander and captain of the /spanspan class="c3" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic;"Megalord./spanspan class="c4" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" A man just exiting his thirties yet having the fit build of one in his mid-twenties, his dirty blonde hair was cut short, his shades covering hard, steel grey eyes as his smug smirk seemed to be his one expression as he leaned back in his seat. His face was angular and sharp, giving him a likeness to a bird of prey. This meeting was to discuss the next plan of action to retake Lycas. Before, it seemed hopeless with the Zentraedi setting foot into Lylat. But now that the Terrans have obviously honored their agreement, things didn't seem so dire. Maybe, General Pepper thought, they could win this. As the Terran and Lylan delegates went back and forth, Pepper kept his eyes on Nathan. He seemed a little too relaxed for a ship commander, and wondered what kind of man lied underneath the facade of ambivalence he had erected. One of the Terran representatives turned to Nathan, asking him for his opinion. Clearing his thoat, he straightened himself before speaking. "Well, even with the /spanspan class="c3" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic;"Megalord/spanspan class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';", we lost a significant number of our forces. If we're going to retake Lycas, it'll be difficult with the resources we have now. Of course, "difficult" isn't the same as "impossible". They might have a greater force, but for right now we have the element of surprise if we're going to move out soon."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""But to attack them now, with the forces we have, would be suicide!" replied a Terran official./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""So was facing the entirety of the Zentraedi forces, and yet here we are. Right now, we have a better chance of facing the current enemy. I highly suggest we press our attack while we have the element of surprise on our side. Right now, the Zen in Lycas are still unaware of what had happened here. But it's not going to stay that way: The longer they are without communication with the destroyed armada, the sooner they'll send scout ships to find out what happened."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""So how long do you suppose we have?" General Pepper asked./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""No more than a week, at best," Nathan replied. Pepper lied back, his hands together in contemplation./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c4" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""It's not just your forces you'll be risking, but ours as well," said one of the Terran officials, a military leader, maybe a general, but for the looks of his uniform and manner. He'd been the most vocal in the opposition in taking Lycas. Word was he tried to stop the /spanspan class="c3" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic;"Megalord /spanspan class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"from reaching Lylat, but was overruled by a higher ranking official./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""To do nothing is to put everyone in Lylat at risk, and lose Lycas possibly forever," Nathan replied, earning a hard look from the Terran general./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Genlemen, you have given me plenty to think about. I propose a 24 hour recess, and I will give you my answer then." With that, the Terran officials got up and left the room, with Nathan bringing up the rear, his smug grin still on his features. The Terran general shot him another displeased scowl before joining his fellows down the corridor, walking past the figure leaning against the wall./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c4" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Always said you were the best at dealing with military beurocrats," Mike smirked as Nathan smiled slightly and walked towards him. "Maybe that's why they chose you to run the /spanspan class="c3" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic;"Megalord/spanspan class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Also didn't hurt that I didn't assault my commanding officer," Nathan replied./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""The bitch had it coming," Mike replied. "Besides, I hardly touched the guy." Nathan laughed softly as the pair walked down the hall./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""So how's the freelance lifestyle treating you these days?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c4" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Well I'm my own boss, usually; I get to boss around a bunch of underlings; every paycheck is a fortune, and every meal is a banquet, what more could I ask for? Speaking of, how's the /spanspan class="c3" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic;"Megalord /spanspan class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"handling?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Everytime it takes off, it's like getting sucked off by an angel," Nathan replied, getting a slightly louder laugh from Mike. "It has its ups and downs. I'm in charge of a lot more people than I would like, but at least none of them are civilians. You know it took both my and Gloval to approve taking her all the way out here? There was a lot of push back against your request."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I'm not surprised," Mike replied. "With how things are slowly getting rebuilt on Earth, and politick basically the rule of the day, almost every gesture of good faith we would make with any other alien race would basically be empty. Unless we have something to gain from them, all it amounts up to is "Thanks for signing this sheet of toilet paper that we wrote this agreement on, now go screw yourself!" Easy to forget that we have to give a little to get a little. By the way, what do you think of this place so far?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Not bad. Hard to believe this system was in the throes of war not too long ago, given how things are being run now," Nathan replied, looking around. "Although their being walking-talking canines and other assorted animals is a little off-putting."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""You get used to it after awhile," Mike replied./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yeah, but do they get used to you?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Apparently. Some of them have finally stopped staring."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" Van was nervous about his first social outing, though he did his best to suppress it. But he couldn't suppress it that well from his teammates, especially since they were already wise to his outing. Quint was aloof, as he usually was, but Jack seemed to take a particular glee in Van's uncomfortableness, but Van tried to ignore it. In his civilian dress, that of a plain shirt and pants, Van waited outside the building Krystal asked her to meet him, nervously fingering the small device in his pocket. When he saw her coming, he perked up a little bit, taking his hand out of his pocket. She wore almost skin-tight pants with a bright yellow long sleeve shirt that almost draped off her right shoulder, her feet sandaled. She looked at him, noticing his plainess, but saying nothing. "This is one of the best…cinematic places there are, yes?" Van asked, rubbing the back of his head. Krystal nodded./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""They'll play anything you want them to. You said you have a collection?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c4" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Right here," he replied, patting his pocket. Krystal nodded, a slight smile forming on her face as she led him into the building. Inside were posters of coming attractions, all in letters that Van could not understand. As the Cerinian headed for the receptionist, Van chanced a look around, seeing it look much like any other theater on Earth, except, maybe, not as rundown. On Earth, everything seemed to either be falling apart, or in ruin, from the war between Earth and the Zentraedi. Even the largest city on Earth, New Macross, couldn't compare to Corneria City, neither in spectacle, nor size. Earth has barely a billion people living on it, while Corneria has five, not counting the billions in colonies in the system and beyond. Krystal turned about, a couple of slips in her fingers, seeing Van looking about. His expression brought an amused smile on her face as she walked to him, taking his arm into her hand and bringing him with her down one of the five corridors, the halls lined with doors to showrooms. She had seleced a private room, this one small, only housing six seats, and a projector. Van took out the small device, a square-shaped machine that's able to fit in his hand, and attached it to the projector, the linking apparatus not too different from the kind used by humans. As Van got everything set up, Krystal went to the back of the room. There, near the door, was a dispenser. She typed in a couple of commands, and from the alcove came two large bowls of popcorn. She removed them, and typed in another command, and this time a small box had appeared, this one written in Cornerian saying /spanspan class="c3" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic;""Maple Caramel Delights"/spanspan class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';", a confectionary she had grown rather fond of since arriving in Lylat. She asked Van to join her, to have him make his own selection. When he expressed that he was illiterate to her language, she helped with the selection. Although he was raised and grown up alongside humans, and being half human himself, Van was still a Zentraedi in heart, and wouldn't know much about candy, sweets, or the like. Because of this, he made a couple of odd selections, at least odd to the Cerinian. Once they had gotten their beverages, Van went back to selecting the video file. "I had originally thought of doing a military film, but I didn't thik that would be…appropriate. It didn't seem to be the kind you would view with a…female. So, the one I picked is one I've watched since my childhood. It's one of my favorites. It can get a little intense, but I think you might like it." Krystal simply smiled and took her seat. Having selected the video, Van took his, next to Krystal's. The movie opened up with soft, almost enchanting music, before the image opened up to a barren landscape; a lifeless desert at night, with angry clouds forming above a single black structure. A narrator, his voice aged, spoke softly:/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c3 c5" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;""Another world, another time, in the Age of Wonder."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c3" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic;" /spanspan class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"Peppy Hare lied back in his chair at his console while Fox McCloud busied himself at his, going over diagnostics, manifests, etc. Falco and Slippy, along with Krystal, were given leave into Corneria City. Peppy had as well, but he always found the Great Fox home. A message flashed across Peppy's console, catching his eye. He selected it, reading it quickly. "Looks like the general got done seeing the Terrans," he said softly. Fox's ear flicked and he turned to the elder hare./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""What'd they say?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Well, aside from one of them, they almost unanimously agreed that helping us would be a waste of time, resources, even lives that they don't want to waste."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""All but one, though?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Right, it says here he's the captain of that transforming battleship that saved our butts back at Titania." Fox's mind went back to the immense ship that turned into an anthropoidal shape, unleashing a beam of destructive power more fearsome that he had ever seen, even from Andross's own dreadful arsenal. "He's willing to press our attack to retake Lycas."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""At least someone's on our side," Fox replied softly./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""The good general's going to give his decision tomorrow, so we have until then for "RR"." Peppy looked back and saw Fox still busied himself at the command station, sighing heavily. Fox noticed and looked up from his PAD, hearing this./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Ok, what?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""What?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I know that sigh, Peppy. What is it?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Nothing, really, just that if your parents were still alive, they'd both be smacking you upside the head right now."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""What are you talking about?" Fox asked, letting the PAD drop away. Peppy turned to face Fox, his expression softening somewhat./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""How long has Krystal been a part of our team? Eight months, almost a year? And in all that time, how much of your time has been spent with her?" Fox let an exasperated groan escape his throat as he rolled his eyes. "When you first saw her on Sauria, it was love at first sight. I should know, I was monitoring you. And when you invited her to be part of the team, I figured your lonesome days were finally over! But instead, you barely talk to her outside of missions and briefings."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I have a lot of things to do off the clock, Peppy! Manifests to fill out, supplies to request, maintenance and repair work to schedule, etc. It's something even Dad understood when he led this team, remember?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""He also made time for himself, and his family. Like the vacations to Zoness and Corneria for instance. You remember the trip to Zoness when you were eight years old, and it was you, your parents, Slippy, and Falco? You three were practically inseparable, and your Dad saw to it to help bolster that relationship. It was expensive and you three gave us all migraines, running around, especially Falco! You know how many places he tried to rip-off and shoplift from? Too many!"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I remember," Fox replied. "But what's your point?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""You have to know what's important, Fox, and hold onto it with both hands."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""And Krystal is one of those?" Fox asked, a slight knowing smile on his face as he faced the oldster./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c4" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Well what the hell do you think?!" Peppy replied, getting slightly /spanspan class="c4" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"exasperated/spanspan class="c4" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';". "You've had all this time to make your move on her, and I /spanspan class="c3" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic;"know /spanspan class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"you've been wanting to, but now she's with someone else on a date! If you don't do something, and soon, you're gonna lose her, Fox."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""And how the hell would you know that?! Fox demanded. "I care about her, sure, but how does she feel about me?!"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Why don't you ask her, you idiot?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Because I don't want to scare her off by looking too clingy!" Fox replied, shouting and standing up from his seat. At this, Peppy shut up. "You're right, she's practically perfect. Too perfect, especially for someone like me. She deserves someone who can give her a real home, a real family. Not always roaming from job to job with the possibility of getting shot up in space." Peppy sighed heavily and shook his head slowly./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Your dad said nearly the exact same thing about the love of his life. He didn't want her getting caught up in the mercenary lifestyle because he was afraid of losing her to it. But Vixy was adamant, practically as stubborn as James was, and she wouldn't have it. And as a licensed physician, she figured she could fix James up from practically anything. That was the happiest I've ever seen James when he finally relented to having her in his life."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yeah, then she died when the ship was attacked. After that, he sent me to live with you and was dead-set against my living with him while he still worked. Remember that?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yeah. Yeah, I do," Peppy replied, looking away. He remembered what happened then perfectly, unfortunately. It was right after Andross had been exiled to Venom, along with his followers, and Corneria was in celebration of the removal of the dictator. Because of this, there was a lull in any aggressive activity, especially the kind requiring the services of a mercenary group. Fox had just turned ten, and it was the first time he had seen a real battle. Great Fox was in orbit around Papetoon while James had to finish up some personal business on the home world. A group of unrecognizable warships arrived from travelling at light speed and ambushed the Great Fox. Peppy headed out in an Arwing, Vixy putting herself and her son in a panic room to wait for James. James did get spaceborne and linked up with Peppy, dealing with the smaller fighters before heading back to Great Fox to escape. Hearing James was back on board, Vixy rushed out of the panic room to check on her husband, leaving Fox behind. A lucky shot from a cruiser punctured the armored hull, making a two meter wide hole that sucked everything out of the corridor, including Vixy, out into space right before the Great Fox created a warp gate and escaped. James blamed himself, for getting Vixy mixed up in the mercenary business. What made it personal was that the small fleet's apparent trajectory started from Venom, and James had privately declared war on Andross. Something that would eventually claim his life, but would be succeeded by his son in defeating Andross, hopefully forever./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""And aside of looking too clingy, what if the same thing happens again? What if I make the same mistake Dad did?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""The same mistake that made you?" Peppy asked. Fox scoffed derisively./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""A life for a life? Is that fair?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""No, it's not. But what does Krystal want?" Peppy asked. Fox didn't answer. After a moment, he just turned back to his PAD and left the command room back in silence./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" "Well, that was certainly interesting."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""You enjoyed it?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Mm-hm." Van and Krystal were still in the personal theater, the movie rolling credits while the soundtrack played over the speakers. "Are most Sol movies like that?" Krystal asked, stretching in her seat./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Some," Van replied, setting the half empty popcorn bowl down. "What next?" Krystal smiled, a subtle chuckle in her throat./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Well, I had this theater rented out for a few hours more, enough for another movie if you wanted," she replied./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""There are thousands on that hard drive," Van replied. "Is there any one in particular? Any genre?" Krystal thought for a moment./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I've always been fascinated by…I'm not sure if this translates well, by "Chillers", at least that's what we call them. The kind that are meant to frighten you."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""You mean horror?" Van asked. Krystal nodded./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I'm told that it's popular for dating couples," she replied with a toothy grin. Van felt uncomfortable at "dating couples", but kept it buried as deep as possible. "Any suggestions?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Uhm…I'm not really familiar with that genre, but I do have a wide selection."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""How about we pick one at random, then? It'll be a unique experience for the both of us," she replied, still grinning./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Going in blind. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't come close to recommending it, but in this instance I'll make an exception," Van replied./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" "Hey, how do you think Van's date is going?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I don't know, I don't care."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I do. I mean, it's kind of cute in a way, a half-Zen going on a date with another alien?" Jack and Quint were lounging about the hotel room. Jack getting something from the refrigerator while Quint busied himself at his own laptop. "Never knew he had it in him! Must be his human half." Quint replied with a non-commital grunt before Jack continued. "It's just…a furry? Does he dislike humans that much?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""No idea."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I mean…how would that even work?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Don't know, don't care."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c4" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""OK, is there /spanspan class="c3" style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: italic;"anything /spanspan class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"that you care about?" Jack asked, getting annoyed./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yes, actually. For instance, what I'm currently working on. I'm working on a new training program for the simulator to be utilized, and it's getting rather difficult to focus while you complain about Van's alien love life!" With a grunt of derision, Quint went back to his work on the laptop, while Jack just shrugged. "Besides," Quint added, making Jack look back. "I'm not too worried about him. He may not have the social graces, but he's not completely hopeless. If he focuses on this like he would a mission, he should be fine."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""So you do care, after all," Jack replied with a smirk./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" /span/p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" When both exited the theater, Van and Krystal both looked disturbed and perturbed, the vixen holding the popcorn bucket tightly. Van turned to Krystal, his face one of a mix of apologetic and morbid. "I am so sorry that you saw that. Even I didn't see that one…nor did I think it would be like that."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""It's alright," Krystal replied, getting over her initial shock. "I was the one who picked it. I just didn't know that this…John Carpenter was a certifiable madman for creating such…vivid imagery."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Right. Madness takes on a new meaning after watching that. So…what now? Normally, if I'm correct in this, it's dinner first then a movie. Are we about to go the other way around?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I like to be a little spontaneous," Krystal replied./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Know any good eateries?" Krystal chuckled at that./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""A couple, if you're willing to try some…exotic food."/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""My palate isn't as varied as yours might be," Van replied. Krystal laughed at that, taking Van by the arm and tugging him along./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""That's fine. That means your reactions will be genuine, and adorable." They only had to walk a few blocks, some passersby stealing glances at the couple, before they stopped at a building that was two stories tall and almost as wide, nestled between two larger buildings. Krystal pushed the door in, the little bell above the doorframe jingling in protest to being disturbed. The inside had six tables in two rows, couple of them pushed together, decorated with artwork of floral and, what looked like to Van, architectural work, like drawings of a city. On the walls were similar artwork. He was reminded of a restaurant he visited once on Earth, one of Mike's favorites, that had artwork reminiscent of far-Eastern culture. And while these were definitely not of Terran design, he can feel that the intent was similar. He could smell the cooking oil, seasoning, food being prepared, and even dishes that have been served to patrons. At the other end of the restaurant was a counter where the receptionist stood. To Van, it looked like a female raccoon, dressed in a tight red dress, her head adorned with a head band to keep her hair off of her face. She was busy on her PAD when she glanced up, and as though realizing who it was, she straightened up and wore a smile on her slight snout./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Krystal!" The vixen smiled back and headed for the counter, Van lagging slightly behind./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Hello, Willow. How have you been keeping?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Still single, still looking. You?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Well," Krystal Krystal started, looking upwards as she moved out of Willow's view to reveal Van. The racoon girl's eyes widened as a slight gasp escaped her. Van glanced at her, uncomfortable, before turning his eyes elsewhere./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""No way," Willow said in a tone barely above a whisper as Krystal moved back in front of her. "Is that…"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""A human. Well, he's from the Terran system, anyway," Krystal replied. Willow looked around Krystal back at Van, taking him in./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""My God. I mean the grapevine said they were aliens, but they look so…"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Strange?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""I was going to say furless. But wait, are you two…" she gestured with her finger moving back and forth between Krystal and Van./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""It's only an outing, for now." Willow's eyes widened again./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Does Fox know?" she asked./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Does Fox care?" Krystal asked back, her smile faltering slightly./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yeah, I figured you two would have, you know, hit it off already. But hey, at least you're branching out, going for other fish in the sea, even if said fish are totally different than the local wildlife. But anyway, I take it you two want a table?"/span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';""Yes, please," Krystal replied. Willow stepped from around the counter and guided the pair to an empty table, leaving a pair of menus for them. Van was quiet mostly, throughout the dinner, but Krystal didn't seem to mind too much. She was able to sense what Van was feeling, despite the half-Zentraedi's efforts to hide his emotions, but the vixen kept this to herself. Even still, she did find going out today to be nice. She only wished it were with Fox./span/p
p class="c0" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15; height: 11pt;" /p
p class="c1" style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; padding-top: 0pt; padding-bottom: 0pt; line-height: 1.15;"span class="c2" style="vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" General Pepper Lied back in his large chair in his study, his mind adrift in thought. His PAD lied on his desk, his proposal half finished on how to proceed with the Lycas system issue. More than an "issue", their colony had been invaded and he felt like he was doing nothing about it. He knew what he had to do, despite his unwillingness to pull the trigger. But now was not the time for indecisiveness. Not with the fate of millions of people on the line. He pulled up his phone and quick-dialed a number. "Milton, it's Pepper. How soon before we can have a fleet assembled?"/span/p