CHAPTER 32

THE SHIELDER OF FIRST SQUAD

Beyond the barred window, the night was quiet save for the wind swishing through the trees or the occasional hoot of an owl. The peace and quiet was actually quite soothing despite being confined to a dank and cold cell. Sitting on the edge of his bunk, Lucas smirked to himself as he looked across the brig where Finn sat in the corner of his cell, his body a mass of bruises and his left hand in a brace. When Finn and his Hunters tried to ambush Lucas in the storage room, he actually did fairly well for himself. Unlike his cronies who wound up in the infirmary needing stitches. Lucas meanwhile only came out with a black eye and busted bottom lip.

"You better wipe off that smile or I'll tear it off." Finn growled, not that it had any effect on Lucas.

"Next time bring more friends," Lucas mocked. "I might even have to make an effort."

"Knock it off both of you!" an irritated voice ordered. At the entrance to the stockade, who else should appear but Harper. "If it weren't for the fact we need all the help we can get, you two would be in here for a week." Stepping between their cells, Harper glared at Finn first. "Finn if you carry on like this, I'll have no choice but to demote you to cleaning crew." Then to their utter surprise, Harper took out a key and opened Finn's cell door. "Now get going before I change my mind." Finn got the message and limped off as quick as he could. Harper then turned to face Lucas, a disappointed glint in his eyes. "Stand." Lucas did as he was told.

"Harper I'm sorry, but someone needed to put Finn and his lackies in their place." Lucas said defiantly.

"Fight every bully at APEX and that's all you'll ever do." said Harper testily. "Like it or not, you need those men to have your back. There's enough out there trying to kill us without trouble amongst our own."

"What else was I supposed to do!?" Lucas snapped. "We're better off without assholes like them anyway. What was I supposed to do? Just stand there and take it." Harper sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Of course not, but you took it too far. For God's sake Lucas, you broke seven ribs and putt five of them in the infirmary wing. Like it or not we need the hunters to provide and protect this place. Or do you really think we can fend off an attack if Embryo's lackeys find out where we are?" As much as Lucas hated to admit it, Harper was right.

"I'm sorry Harper. I shouldn't have let my emotions get the better of me."

"Just so long as you get it." Harper sighed. "And promise you won't forget." Harper then left, leaving Lucas alone in his cell to further mull on his actions. Well better him chewing him out than Lucia. He could just imagine how pissed she would be once he got out.

"You sure showed that big jerk." Lucas's head turned sharply and standing by his cell was a young man in a grey janitor uniform who looked slightly younger than Lucas. Athletically built with a defined jaw, and long curly blonde hair; a pair of square rimmed glasses framed his turquoise eyes. "Shame they put you in a cell for beating up bullies." The youth smiled then stuck his hand through the bars awkwardly. "I'm Clay by the way…Clay Kowalski."

"The names Lucas and don't ask how I'm doing." He replied sulkily. He knew Clay probably didn't mean anything but Lucas was not in the mood to socialize at the moment. "I don't think I've seen you around here before."

"Well, I'm new here, just arrived this morning." said Clay. "Harper's giving me janitor duty since these empty cells look like a pig sty."

"You seem like a nice guy and that's bad." Lucas told him. Clay looked offended. "Nice isn't good here. There's a lot of assholes who would see you as an easy target."

"Don't worry about that, I can take care of myself." Clay grinned holding his mop like a sword. "It was nice meeting you Lucas." He waved back before heading off to clean the cell hallway. Feeling slightly amused by Clay's personality, Lucas relaxed and laid down to get some sleep

'At least I don't have to worry about being jumped in here.' He thought as he drifted off…

Fire burned everywhere. Dead bodies piled all around him. Lucas panted from the pain as he held his hands across the deep cut across his face. His sight stained red from the flames and blood; Lucas was rooted to the spot in a state of abject horror. Unable to move or cry. Through the gaps in his fingers, Lucas's navy eyes widened in terror at the towering figure standing over him, the blade he was holding bloodied from the Ancient Folk it had cut.

"Tell me kid." The man's voice said softly, pointing his weapon right at Lucas. "Who do you fear most? God or Death?"

"Who…who are you?" Lucas whimpered through terrified gasps.

"As far as you're concerned, I'm the Devil!" The man's face contorted into a twisted smile as those evil orange flamed eyes pierced into Lucas's as he let out a scream…

…Lucas almost leapt off his bunk, his body drenched in cold sweat and his heart hammering against his ribs to the point of breaking them.

'I don't fear you.' Lucas clenched his fist his knuckles turning bone white. 'I'll make you pay for what you did to Father.'


A heavenly smell pulled Cal from his dream, wincing slightly from the lingering sting in his rear as he shifted on the bed. "Rise and shine." Momoka sang as the curtains were drawn. "Good morning, sir Cal." As his vision cleared, he saw the source of his aromatic alarm clock. Momoka must have gone down to the kitchen as a food trolly sat between the two beds. The sight of two trays piled high with succulent scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and buttered toast along with a freshly brewed cup of coffee made his mouth water.

"Is that for me?" Cal asked, almost drooling.

"I felt you might want something to cheer you up after your accident last night." Momoka said as she poured Cal a cup of coffee, her ears going slightly pink. Cal guessed Momoka was feeling somewhat awkward to be around him since he saw her naked last night in the onsen. Not that with all the chaos he could even remember if he noticed her or not. "Think of it as an apology for the way I acted towards you last week."

"Keep cooking like this and consider yourself forgiven," Cal joked as Momoka handed him his coffee. As Cal eagerly dug in, Momoka turned to the double bunk bed she and Ange shared and shook the lump under the covers.

"Lady Angelise, time to wake up. I've made you breakfast. And don't worry about that apology you were meant to turn in today. I finished it for you." 'How did she do that in one night?' Cal puzzled as he stared at stack of papers on the nightstand.

"Come on Ange." Cal said through a mouthful of food. "This is really good." But Ange didn't move. "I promise I won't strangle you. It was an accident I get it." Suddenly, Momoka let out a worried gasp and Cal leapt off his bed, wincing again as he looked down at the lower bunk and saw Ange's face was badly flushed with breaths that were raspy and shallow.

"Ange has a cold!" Vivian gasped as Cal informed the entire squad at the meeting.

"Looks like Ange will be on standby until her fever goes down." Salia announced, grimacing as she spotted the gleeful looks on Hilda, Rosalie and Chris' faces.

"So what's the price for taking a day off?" Hilda asked.

"One million cash," Ersha answered.

"Let's hope that fever keeps her in bed for a month." Rosalie snarked.

"Maybe she'll go bankrupt." Chris sniggered.

"So why are you on standby? Did you catch something from the Burn princess?" Hilda jabbed at Cal.

"Oh, ha, ha, very funny." Cal rolled his eyes. "I had a potholing accident." Everyone exchanged confused looks though Salia looked very ashamed of herself.


Though tempted to just relax in his room, Cal decided to give Momoka some space so she could tend to Ange. Clutching his newly purchased sketch book, Cal trekked around Arzenal hoping to find a quiet spot to draw without getting jumped. Though he was annoyed at missing training because of last night's incident, Cal couldn't stop grinning from the feverish excitement for the upcoming Festa. Dozens of girls in bikinis and all the tasty food he could eat. It was like something he had read in the harem manga's he used to read.

After a brief stop at the hangar to check with Mei's progress with Siegfried and the Valkyrie system, he strolled through the hallways when he heard a faint sound of crying coming from one of the rooms. Scarlett's room to be precise. After a few seconds to build up his courage, he softly knocked.

"Scarlett? It's Cal are you okay?" It was a few seconds until Scarlett opened up and Cal was shocked at her appearance. Her eyes were blood shot and puffy and her cheeks were full of tear stains.

"Oh, hey Cal. We don't start training for three hours." Scarlett said groggily.

"Is it okay if I come in." He asked. "I just wanted a little chat."

"Sure." Scarlett let him in though Cal opted to stand instead of taking a seat due to his injury. "I'm sorry about the state of this place I should really clean up." Scarlett laughed lightly. For how tightly she ran her girls, the Second Squad's Captain was a lot more lax when it came to organizing her stuff. Light dumbbells laid across the floor with pairs of sports bras and underwear scattered everywhere. Peeking out from under her single large round bed was piles of unorganized fitness magazines.

"Are you okay? I haven't seen you around much lately."

"Me? I'm fine." Scarlett waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about me."

"Well I am Scarlett. You haven't been yourself since…" He stopped almost saying the name. "…I can tell something is bothering you."

"Cal, I'm fine." Scarlett said shortly her composure almost breaking.

"Scarlett, you can tell me. You know I care about you." Cal said gently. "At this point you can tell me anything. You've always looked out for me so let me do the same for you." Scarlett couldn't hold it in anymore and completely broke down.

"It's all my fault what happened to Charlotte." She crumbled. "She threw herself in front of me when a Corvette almost got me. She lost her arm because of me…all because…" Her words began to choke out in-between anguished sobs as if the name was trapped in her throat. "…because I can't stop seeing Zola." It all made sense to Cal understanding what Scarlett was going through.

"I know how you feel." Cal said softly. "Sometimes I…still see images of Naomi."

"I don't know what to do Cal. What if the next time I see Zola it'll cost me my life or one of my squad mates? Jadis was right. I AM weak."

"You're not weak!" Cal said firmly. "I thought I was weak for not saving Gramps or Naomi and while it took me a while to get past it, I still try my best. You can't let someone like HER get in your head." He held her shoulders and Scarlett looked up to him. "Zola wouldn't want you to feel like this. If anything, she would want both of us to keep fighting on and to show the humans AND the DRAGONS that we're not so easy to kill. I know you and you're one of the strongest people I've ever met." Scarlett flung her arms around him and began to cry into his shoulder finally letting out the anguish and grief she had kept bottled in for over a month.

"I just miss her so much. I wish she was here."

"I know." Cal said soothingly. "I miss Zola too. But she left us something that the humans could never take away from us. Her strength made us stronger." Despite her womanizing ways, Zola had always been the big sister figure their squad needed to survive. If it weren't for her, Cal knew deep down he wouldn't be here.

"Thanks little bro." Scarlett sniffed, her smile returning. It was minutes before they departed from their hug and Cal saw the light come back into her face. To kill some time before their gym session, Cal requested to draw Scarlett in her best gym clothes and after he was done Scarlett was very impressed. 'I look even better than those women in the fitness magazines.' When they finally arrived at the gym however, nothing could prepare them for the surprise waiting for them. Corporal Lawrence was doing some barbell squats while Emma Bronson was sprawled out on the floor guzzling down water. The Inspector was wearing a tight and very form fitting two-piece workout spandex which was completely drenched with sweat. It looked like her effort to impress her bodyguard had backfired in ways she had never expected

"You two need any help." Scarlett laughed. "Don't be too ashamed to ask me to coach you because I'm a Norma."

"I know what I'm doing." The Corporal panted though it was clear he was struggling so Scarlett helped him out.

"Sure, you do." Scarlett mused as she put the barbell back. "Now get started with some 15-minute cardio!" She ordered fervently and to Cal's astonishment, the Corporal did as he was told. "Inspector…you just stay there."


Training without Ange or Cal went smoother than everyone had anticipated. Miranda even noticed that Captain Salia even seemed to regain some order without Ange's disruptions. Even her mentor and Vice-Captain Hilda seemed to listen. But Miranda still felt guilty after shouting at Ange last night as well as how she had treated Cal when he tried to talk some sense into her. After their shower she wanted to hang out with Hilda, Rosalie and Chris but they seemed to be busy in their old Captain's room. But her spirits lifted when she saw junior armorers Mary, Nonna and Marika running down the corridor to her.

"Hey Miranda!" Nonna waved.

"I saw your new red paintjob for your Glaive. It's really cool." Mary complimented.

"You wanna hang out with us?" Marika asked. "We're going to play the new arcade games and we need a fourth player."

"Sure." Miranda beamed, but her face quickly dropped as behind the three younger armorers, a girl with neck length brown hair and sporting a pair of maroon slacks swaggered over. It was Margret from third squad, her old preschool bully, 14 years old but taller than Vivian, her frosty blood orange eyes narrowed at Miranda in loathing.

"You three might want to be mindful asking her to be your friend." Margret said darkly. "Be careful or her bodyguard will go psycho on you. Aw wait, she's not here anymore."

"What did you say?!" Miranda hissed, her face red with rage. But Margret continually smirked as if daring Miranda to strike first. Margret hadn't forgotten about the time Coco beat up her and her three lackeys for bullying Miranda. And now that Miranda was alone, she was going to get payback.

"Why don't you go play with your skank friends from first squad." Margaret sneered. "I heard the three of them are looking for a fourth player in the bedroom." Margret made an obscene gesture with her tongue and Miranda wanted nothing more than to smack Margret right in the face, but a crippling fear stopped her dead. "Come on girls let's head to Granny's Mall." She gave Miranda one final contemptuous look. "Leave this loser to the whores in her squad." Miranda looked to the three armorers for some support, but they looked away and followed after Margaret, leaving Miranda on her own. Once she was alone, Miranda ran to her room where no one would see and began to weep uncontrollably. 'Coco, I wish you were here to help me. I wish I was as brave as you were.'


Deep inside of Arzenal's lower maintenance hangar, the Armorers on duty worked hard to prep, clean, and fix every Para-mail on deck. Sitting on Villkiss' seat Mei finished drilling the bolt back into place after reworking the interior for cleaning.

"How's Villkiss Mei?" Salia approached the young armorist.

"Oh hey Salia." Mei smiled. "Ange is constantly abusing it. But at least she keeps me busy."

"She doesn't even care if she breaks it. That brat." Salia bitterly grumbled.

"Maybe, but don't you think that she might not be just doing it for the money?" Mei proposed.

"How can you even say that?" Salia asked.

"Well, when I work on a unit for a while, I can sense how the pilot feels." Mei stroked Villkiss' seat then looked to Siegfried faithfully. "I know how Cal is feeling when using Siegfried. He tries so hard and keeps pushing forward. Not just to master it but to protect those he cares about. Both him and Ange share a big burden. And I think they both fight to their limit because they don't want anyone else to die."

"Not Ange." Salia doubted.

"Come on think about it." Mei countered. "Ever since Ange started piloting Villkiss no one else has died. That's gotta count for something right?" Returning to her room, Salia still stubbornly convinced herself that Ange was too selfish to care. But Mei's words were starting to bug her. 'Why would Ange want to keep all that money for herself. She never cared about the money before? It doesn't make any sense.'

"Where have I seen that face before?" A voice mused, Salia jumped to see Scarlett standing at the gymnasium doorway toweling her forehead and Salia was pleased to see she was looking healthier than she had been in days. "Has Ange been causing trouble again or is she or Hilda trying to steal Cal away from you?"

"Both." Salia answered. "Not that their stealing Cal away…" She quickly realized what she said and went beet red. "Not that it matters…there's nothing between…." However, Salia couldn't help glancing at Cal through the gym window lifting a pair of dumbbells and she almost did a double take seeing the Corporal was in there too.

"You could just be more honest. Not like he'd turn you down." Scarlett teased.

"It's just a beneficial thing between us." Salia blushed. 'And besides,' she thought to herself. 'I don't think he's entirely over Naomi yet.'

"You can tell me anything Salia." said Scarlett. "You always used to come to me when you were younger." Salia remembered the days she always looked up to Scarlett and Zola like big sisters, hoping one day if she was ever Captain, she would match up to them. "I know what stress can do to certain…relations. I promise Captain to Captain, I won't laugh or tell." Building up the courage and with the overwhelming stress getting to her, Salia finally confessed the fight she had with Ange in the onsen which resulted in Cal getting injured.

"No wonder he's been standing so often." Scarlett winced. "Don't worry about it Salia. It was an accident. You know as well as I do that Cal doesn't hold a grudge." Being able to talk it out helped take some of the weight off Salia's shoulders. But that still left another problem.

"I've just about had enough of Ange, Hilda and her gang. They just won't listen to me."

"Take my advice how it is, but as for your Captain problems, sometimes your squad needs a firm voice. You need to show them that you're in charge and aren't going to put up with their bullshit." Before she could say anything else, Scarlett grabbed Salia's arm and yanked her into the gym. "Now get your ass in here and show us what a real Captain is made of."

After an hour of training, Salia headed back to her room wanting to collapse on her bed. "My legs are on fire." She moaned but she did appreciate Scarlett's attempt to motivate her into action. Then she was halted by a pair of hands covering her eyes.

"That was some impressive squats, your ass looks really nice in those gym leggings." teased Cal. She turned to face him and sighed.

"Cal I just wanted to say I'm…" Cal put his finger to her lips.

"It was an accident, but next time don't act like a crazy person and start attacking people." He advised. "But I think I know a way you can make it up to me." He teased and began nibbling Salia's earlobe. Then dipped down to kiss her neck.

"Cal stop it that tickles!" Salia squealed between excited giggles. But Cal knew just where to find Salia's weak spots.


As the sunset turned the sky into a dark orange mixed with pink, Lucas waited patiently to be freed from his cell. To his surprise it was Harper who personally released him. "I hope you understand why I kept you in overnight." Harper lectured as they made their way up the stairs.

"I do. I might not agree with it, but I understand." Lucas said bitterly. "But don't expect me and Finn to be buddies after this."

"I didn't have many friends when I first came to APEX." explained Harper. "The hunters and most of my now trusted soldiers would sooner see me bloody in the field than offer a hand when I was elected Captain. Now I'd die for any of them, including Finn." Lucas gave a slight smile. "Our comrades…they're our brothers and sisters. It's all we have." Finally, they arrived at the upper level where hundreds gathered in line for lunch. Lucia sat up front helping a small timid looking girl and behind her, Lucas spotted the new arrival he met last night.

"Hey Harper, who's that guy over there?" Lucas asked. "I talked to him last night while he was on janitor duty in the brig."

"That's Clay Kowalski. The guy's a hero." Harper told him.

"Oh yeah? How?"

"A Mana police vehicle was transporting a captured Norma to the Velda airfield. That guy Clay, he halted the vehicle and knocked out all three guards before running into the woods with the Norma." Lucas eyes widened in surprise at this reckless but brave act. "The scouts found him and the Norma 4 miles from base and we brought them here. See that girl with your sister, her name is Ruby, she's the Norma he saved from being taken away to Arzenal."

"That guy saved the little girl?" Lucas gaped, thoroughly impressed by this revelation.

"You never know who the brave ones are. On first look I thought he looked like a pampered imperial prince." Harper joked. "We questioned him for hours and he seems the type we need when it comes to Libertus."

"I hope this is a sign that more Humans will come to our side." Lucas prayed, then saw some of the women ogling Clay. "I better assist the poor guy before they decide to kidnap him."


Later that night Salia began looking over her Captain's reports through her data pad. Her conversation with Mei was still bugging her and she quickly realized her comrade in Libertus was correct regarding the casualty count.

"Hey, you coming back to bed, you look a little chilly." Cal called to Salia.

"Almost, I'm just checking things over." Salia sighed removing her glasses and rubbing the bridge of her nose. "You should make a start on your weekly report on Siegfried." Jill had a low tolerance for slacking off log reports. Zola had been particularly bad at that which often forced Salia to do them herself.

"I'll finish it tomorrow." Cal yawned. "I've tried overlooking the mechanics and gears with Mei and we still can't figure out what triggers the Valkyrie system to work." For this reason, he was itching to get Siegfried back into battle. "I'll have to find out somehow so I can use it on command."

"Keep trying. It will come to you eventually." Salia encouraged but she herself had to work out a way to deal with Ange once her fever passed.

"Hurry it up Salia, it's past midnight and we've got training in the morning." Shutting of her data pad and wanting to forget about all of her headaches, Salia climbed on top of Cal and removed her night gown over her head, exposing her naked body. "Well I'm not that tired yet." She whispered as he wrapped his arms around her.

The past few days had been an utter nightmare for Miranda. At every opportunity, Margret would trip her when she passed by, but the worst was when she opened her locker and sour milk splashed all over her. 'How did she managed to get all that milk in there?' Without Coco around to protect her, she was an easy target for bullying again from the older Norma. Maybe she could ask Hilda, Rosalie and Chris? No, they would just laugh at her and she'd let her vice-captain down. Even with Cal back after his three-day absence, she felt too nervous to even talk or apologize to him.

"Did something happen to Miranda?" He asked Hilda. "She seems a little down."

"Come to think of it she has." Hilda realized. "I'll handle it. She's my subordinate anyway."

"Nice to see you taking care of her." He said. "You know you're actually pretty nice when you aren't trying to act so tough. It makes you look cute."

"Oh shut up!" Hilda cried. She flicked her pigtails in his face and stormed off though she cast a look back and the smile he gave her made her cheeks go slightly pink. 'Cute? He called me cute?' From behind a corner, Chris and Rosalie caught a glimpse of the scene and Chris put her hand to her mouth to stifle a soft grin. Cal meanwhile had his attention caught by Ersha and ran off to catch up with her.

"Ersha" Cal said nervously. "Can we talk?" The pinkette frowned and folded her arms.

"You were a real jerk the other week." She told him

"I'm sorry."

"Really?" Cal sighed.

"If I could find the right words to describe how crazy that day was I would." He said sheepishly. "You know me. That-that wasn't me. I wasn't myself. I'm sorry. Okay." Ersha seemed to accept his apology and hugged him only to lean in closer to whisper in his ear.

"Okay but can you do me a favor?"

"Sure."

"That thing you tried to do the other night, can we not do that until we're older?" Cal gulped then remembered the reason he came to talk.

"I think Miranda's having a hard time lately. And I think there needs to be a change to make her more comfortable since she's in that room on her own."

"What are you proposing?" Ersha wondered.

"We're gonna need Vivian's help and Salia's permission first."


Even after having been confined to a cell for 24 hours, Lucas didn't waste anytime in getting back to work. Only now, everywhere he went many people would give his idolizing stares. It seemed his fight with the hunters had spread like wildfire. Now they seemed to think Lucas was some kind of hero. Even the recruits he was training who were putting in an extra effort to impress him.

"Well you're definitely popular around here." Clay joked. "I never thanked you for saving me from being jumped by those girls. It's nice to know there's one person here that I can trust."

"Well just don't forget it," Lucas joked. "I never forget a debt owed or due."

"Of course, just don't go asking for my rations. Food is not negotiable." The two broke into laughter.

"I thought I smelled something rotten." From across the gym, who should stomp over to them but Finn. "Having a good gloat about humiliating me and my men?"

"Look, it's over now alright." Lucas said fiercely. "Just drop it."

"Screw off!" Finn snapped.

"Finn just leave him alone." Clay argued. "Haven't you got anything better to do with your time? You're supposed to be leader of the hunters so show an example to the recruits."

"I earned my role as Sargent without having people like you patronizing me. Unlike everyone here I don't need help."

"Well people might help you if you weren't such an asshole Finn." Lucas pointed out.

"Listen up you sorry lot!" Harper suddenly barked. Every soldier from the veterans to the new recruits stopped what they were doing to listen. "You've all shown great progress and promise. It doesn't matter what your past may have been before joining us. Whether we're Norma, Ancient folk or Mana Human, we're all brothers in arms. The man or woman standing beside you might just save your life one day. Or maybe you'll save theirs. So look out for one another no matter what."

"Sir yes sir!" the men answered, though Lucas and Finn shot unpleasant looks at each other.

"Well that guy knows how to deliver a speech." Clay noted.

"That's Harper for you. He's a natural leader like my Captain back home." Lucas told him. "Now show me what your made of blondie."

"With pleasure." Clay replied as he got into a fighting stance.


Quietly peeking through his door, Cal saw Momoka still tending to Ange. "Hey." He whispered. "Sorry to intrude."

"Hello sir Cal. Lady Angelise is fast asleep so don't be too loud." Momoka shushed.

"I take it she isn't getting any better. Maggie had me collect some medicine for her fever." He took out a small vial from his satchel and a syringe needle. "She said to give her a small dose in her arm, and it should work within 12 hours." He handed the medicine to the maid as she let out an exhausted yawn. "Momoka you don't have to stay here all day. When was the last time you ate?"

"Don't worry I'm lady Angelise's head maid. I can handle anything for her. It's my last day here today anyway and I want to spend as much time with Lady Angelise as I can." Momoka frowned sadly but perked up as she read the instructions on the vial. "Wow, Dr Trager in a genius." In that split second Cal's heart gave a sudden lurch that made him feel sick.

"Who?"

"Dr Richard Trager." She repeated. "He's a brilliant scientist who discovered the cure for Alzheimer's and is head of Mana tech resources. He's really famous back in Misurugi."

While Momoka set about administering the medicine, an ongoing tidal wave was crashing in Cal's mind. 'No, it's not the same person. It's just a coincidence. But she said he's a scientist like the one Jasmine told me about. The one Gramps worked for when I was…' He jammed his thoughts shut not wanting to remind himself of the things he was told about his birth, Gramps' past and the horrific things his mother went through.

"It's Good Lady Angelise didn't wake up. She hates injections." Momoka breathed a sigh of relief then saw the look on Cal's face. "Sir Cal are you okay?" No matter how hard he forced himself, Cal couldn't shake that name out of his head. He had to know for certain.

"Momoka, can I ask for a favor? Could you use Mana to pull up data on Dr. Trager?" Though Norma had access to Data pads, the lack of a worldwide digital net meant they were completely cut off from the outside world.

"Of course, sir Cal." Momoka perked up. "I can use my Mana to look at any new stories going back hundreds of years ago." She then seemed to realize this was a strange thing to ask for. "But why do you want to look at reports about Dr Trager?"

"Nothing important, I'm…a huge fan of his books." Cal answered, kicking himself by how stupid he sounded. Luckily Momoka seemed to believe him as she opened up her Mana screen and after a few minutes of searching, found what Cal was looking for.

"'Through many trials and determinations,'" Momoka read aloud, "'…Dr Richard Trager has finally found the cure of Alzheimer's. Research has shown that the newly administered drug will repair any braincells and kill the disease within weeks. Dr Trager held a special party at his home in terrace street of the Velda Dynasty to honor those who died almost 19 years ago. Tragedy struck when a fire broke out at his old lab in the former Resource Development & Tech Corporation, destroying most of his research and tragically killing over 30 staff.'

"I remember reading about it." said Momoka "It was recorded as one of the worst tragedies of the last five years." Cal felt as if his stomach had been hit by an iron clad punch. It WAS the same Dr Trager that was responsible for his creation and birth. There were so many questions that still haunted his mind that Jill and Jasmine and not even his Gramps if he was alive could have provided for him. 'Why was I created? Why am I the only Male Norma? Why was I the only one who was born when so many babies died?'

"Show me the memorial report." Momoka gave Cal a bemused look but did as he requested and scrolled to another page to show him the list of names of the people that died in the fire. She continued to scroll until she came to the last three names. Dutch Villson, Donnie Villson and Gavin Wright. And above the name was a picture of his Gramps, much younger and different to the man he had always known. His heart sank deep in his chest with an empty sadness and anger he hadn't felt in a long time. All he wanted was to be back in the cabin with his Gramps but the story of his Gramps' reasons for saving him still stabbed at his heart.

"Sir Cal are you okay?" Momoka worried.

"Yes, I'm fine, just a little overwhelmed by how many died." Cal quickly composed himself when he heard Momoka's stomach rumble. "Listen why don't I take over and you get something to eat. You deserve a break. You can't look after Ange if you faint from hunger again."

"Well, I suppose you're right." She agreed. "I'll be back as soon as I can. If Lady Angelise starts to sweat, just wipe her down with a cool cloth." Once Momoka left, Cal rubbed his throbbing temples. He wanted to cry and scream but he was too drained to even make the effort. 'Sick bastard! The world sees this you as a hero but trash like you should be dead.' Leaning back on his bed, despite his bubbling anger, he couldn't help but feel sorry for Momoka. Even though they had gotten off on the wrong foot at first, he was starting to become fond of her. But she would be leaving this place forever tonight which no doubt would make Ange upset. 'What will happen to Momoka when she leaves?' he suddenly wondered. Arzenal was secret enough but now she also knew about him. What would the other humans do to keep their secrets hidden?

"Momoka…" Ange called through raspy breaths. Shaking his head clear, Cal reached for the wet towel Momoka had left on the nightstand.

"Easy Ange you rest up now." Cal said, patting the sweat off her forehead.

"No…I have to…make money…" Ange protested trying to sit up, but she was too weak.

"Forget about the money! The way you've been fighting you'll make it up in a week."

"No…I have…to save…Momoka." Ange begged. "They'll…kill…her." Ange dropped back into unconsciousness, and it suddenly clicked to Cal. 'Is this why you were keeping all that money?' Cal understood. 'To keep Momoka here?' The sudden screech of Arzenal's alarm however cut off his thoughts as it blared across the entire base.

"Attention First squad to launch deck immediately!" Pamela announced. Cal placed his hand on Ange's, the delicate fingers tightening around his.

"Don't worry Ange I won't let Momoka die. Not on my watch." Cal vowed ready to kill every last DRAGON that was coming. He rushed to the locker room and arrived in time to meet the others.

"Ange is still sick, so we'll use the 8-unit formation today like we practiced." Salia instructed as they changed into their plug suits.

"She's a pain even when she's sick." Hilda muttered. As they all mounted up, Cal tightened his grip around the handles of Siegfried as it gave a faint humming noise as if eager as he was to be in the sky. 'Come on Siegfried. This time, show us what you're really made of.'

"All units get ready to take off." Mei called as the barriers rose into place and the roar of the 8 Para-mail boosters fill the hanger.

"Coordinates received. All unit's move out!" Salia ordered


"You mustn't!" Momoka demanded dropping her soda and burgers to hold out her arms to stop Lady Angelise. "I won't let you leave. You're too sick!"

"Don't…stop me…just move…" Ange said hazily, swaying slightly on the spot before collapsing into Momoka's arms.

"Lady Angelise please…"

"Momoka listen!" Ange wheezed as she fought to keep conscious. "If you…want to stay here…then I need your help!" Momoka moaned in dismay and confusion but finally relented. Supporting Lady Angelise all the way to the locker room, the maid left her mistress to change into her plug suit but quickly returned with a padded coat, scarf and face mask. "If you refuse to stay in bed then you'll have to wear this!" Momoka told her off.

"Fine." Ange moaned in defeat.


As the warm spring air rushed through Cal's hair, he constantly checked his screen and saw they were heading out further than he had ever been during a sortie. Beneath him, the sea shifted to land as they flew over one of the larger outlaying islands. Just past the shore, a cluster of hills and plateaus rimmed a depression in the earth. A dried-out lakebed most likely. And overhead, the sky began to crackle with the familiar red lightning. "Safeties off!" barked Salia. "The singular is beginning to open!"

As the sky began to swell and finally popped, Siegfried's readings were off the chart and Cal could sense that something was wrong. As the usual Schooners came pouring out, the rift suddenly turned on its face and a large shadow cast itself over the ground before a DRAGON bigger than any of them had seen squeezed itself out of the gap and landed with such force it shook the earth.

"What the hell is that?!" Cal gasped. It was three times the size of the Scarlett Demon, the vestigial wings sprouting from its forearms little more than decorative frills. Heavy armored scutes ran along its back and as it reared up on all four of its massive legs, a pair of long broad horns jutting straight out of its head to a length of almost half its body.

"Whoa, that thing is huge!" Vivian squealed.

"It certainly is." Ersha agreed.

"What's the deal Salia?" Hilda asked. "What's its weak point."

"I…I don't know." Salia replied and Cal noted a sense of panic in her voice.

"Wait so that means..." Chris grasped.

"It's another first off!" Hilda cheered.

"Holy shit!" Rosalie said excitedly. "I've never heard of two showing up so close. We're gonna be rich!"

"Hold on we can't fight that thing on our own!" Cal cautioned. "We can't have a repeat of the Category 5 attack."

"You're right," Salia agreed, her voice steadying. "First squad here! I need emergency reinforcements from second and third…"

"Are you serious!" Hilda yelled. "That means less money for us." Her red glaive closed in next to Salia's light blue arquebus, a hungry look on her face. "Captain Zola would have never wimped out of this." Salia's jaw clenched in anger. "Come on you three we'll split the money between the four of us. We'll leave the small fry to the chickens."

"Hilda, Rosalie, Chris, don't go off on your own!" Cal warned as the three Para-mail broke from formation. But only Miranda sensed the danger and held back with the rest of the squad.

"Vice-Captain please." She begged. "Cal's right. I don't feel good about this."

"Fine, more for us." Hilda said harshly.

"Something feels weird," Vivian mentioned. "My hair is all tingly." Hilda and the others however pressed on, taking down a few schooners and leaving the others to finish the remainder before they got in range of the big one.

"You're tough alright," Hilda noted. "But you're slow. No way our guns will pierce that armor on its back. Which means…" Hilda took her chance to dip down and buzz right past its flank to confirm her suspicion. "Bingo!" She said gleefully. "I found its weak spot. Aim for its belly and finish it off."

"Roger!" Rosalie confirmed as all three converted to destroyer mode. Suddenly, the Big Horn let out a thunderous roar and the remaining Schooners broke off their attack.

"What's happening?" Ersha worried. "Why are they retreating?"

"The tingle…" Vivian tensed. "I can't shake this prickling feeling on the back of my neck." Cal's alarms grew even louder. His time in the air had taught him that despite her recklessness, Vivian's instincts were never wrong. Meanwhile, Hilda, Rosalie and Chris had circled around the Big Horn and surrounded it in a triangle formation.

"You're mine!" Hilda yelled as she loaded her freeze bullet and prepared to shoot it right into its belly when the DRAGON's horns began to glow.

"Guys pull back now!" Cal yelled in warning, but it was too late. A sigil circle spread from underneath the DRAGON's feet and across the ground. The air shimmered and the three Para-mail were dragged to the ground where they collapsed to their hands and knees.

"What the hell?!" Hilda cried as she fought her controls.

"I…can't move!" Rosalie grunted.

"W-what's happening?!" Chris panicked.

"Gravitational anomaly detected." They heard Pamela announce as the circle continued to spread and Cal felt his body become heavier.

"Oh shit!" Just like the others, the rest of the squad were being dragged down. Cal thrust the controls forward as Siegfried's four booster wings intensified their thrust.

"All units, get into Destroyer mode!" Salia yelled. They all managed to transform just before they hit the ground save for Cal who not only remained airborne but was moving upwards ever so slightly as Siegfried's boosters blazed hotter and brighter. With a snarl of contempt, the DRAGON's horns shone even brighter and Cal felt himself caught in a tug of war. His body felt like it weighed a ton. He could barely breathe and it felt like his spine was going to collapse like a baton. It was either join his squad or fall to his death. With all the strength he could muster, Cal pulled back on the controls and managed to convert to destroyer mode just before he slammed into the ground, his vision exploding with sparks as his face bounced off the forward screen.

"Cal speak to me, are you okay!" He heard Salia in his dazed state, his nose pouring with blood.

"I'm alright Salia. How are we supposed to fight something like this?!"

"The horns!" Vivian pointed. "We gotta destroy them!" Rising to her feet, Vivian managed to pull and combine her boomerang but even after tossing it with all her might, the weapon didn't make it halfway between her and the DRAGON before planting into the ground. To make matters worse the gravity was getting stronger, causing a crater to sink into the lakebed's surface.

"I can't move at all!" Rosalie strained pressed hard into her seat.

"Help me! Rosalie! Hilda!" Chris pleaded as she was pushed back further into her cockpit.

"Dammit, It can't end like this!" Hilda cursed. 'What do I do?' Salia panicked, her mind racing to find a solution. 'There's no choice. If we have to, we'll abandon our Para-mail and retreat on foot.' But between the gravity crushing them down and the surrounding crater walls now too high to climb, they couldn't even do that.

Flexing his fingers over his controls Cal tried to shoot his unit's M4 rifle only for the bullets to arc downward a few meters and slam into the ground. Gritting his teeth, Cal pulled out the ice bullet launcher. If he overcharged the weapon, the force might be strong enough to hit one of the horns clean off. He tried to steady his aim when he heard the sound of ground crunching beside him. He glanced sideways and saw Miranda's Glaive was slowly trudging forward. "Miranda wait, don't get to close." Cal urged as he continued to struggle against the heavy force that felt like it would break his arm in half.

"Miranda!" Ersha gasped.

"Let my friends go!" Miranda yelled, stepping close enough to grab Vivian's boomerang. "I won't let you hurt them!" But as she was about to throw Vivian's weapon, the DRAGON's horns flashed and a sudden surge in gravitational force caused the Glaive's arm and right wing to snap like a twig. The loss of balance sent Miranda falling to the ground and the Big Horn loomed over her.

"Miranda move. It's coming after you!" Cal yelled. He forced Siegfried's controls forward but it refused to budge. 'Come on Siegfried move!' Overhead, the Schooners began screeching as if cheering for their comrade to finish them off.

"Miranda get out of there!" Hilda yelled as the Big Horn lifted its right forelimb and positioned it right over Miranda. With its smaller brethren urging it on, the huge DRAGON stomped its claw down towards her.

'NO!' Cal refused to let this happen. As he felt a pulsing energy rise from inside of him, the interior of his cockpit began to shine a bright gold like the sun. 'Momoka, Miranda, I won't let them die.' He vowed. 'NOBODY ELSE IS GOING TO DIE! NOT ON MY WATCH!'


Salia's body went completely numb. They were going to die and there was nothing they could do about it. The Big Horn was going to crush Miranda and they were next. Salia closed her eyes, unable to watch, but the impact never came. Instead, a sound like electricity crackling echoed across the lakebed followed by the Big Horn shrieking in pain and alarm.

"What's happening?" She heard Chris ask.

"My goodness?" Ersha gasped. Salia's eyes shot open and was in disbelief at what lay before her. Each of their Para-mails were encased in green balls of energy. Not only that, but Miranda's unit was completely unscathed. The Big Horn meanwhile limped backwards, it's attacking claw singed and shredded.

"Look at Big Bro's machine!" Vivian awed. Salia's eyes snapped to Siegfried and saw that while it was still pinned to the ground, its blue armor was now a bright emerald green. A glittering green and yellow aura shone around it while its red stripes glowed bright crimson and a mixture of gold and scarlet light gleamed through the cockpit.

"What the hell?" Hilda asked.

"How is he doing that?" Chris asked in astonishment.

'The Valkyrie System! He did it!' Salia realized. 'He's unlocked the Randgrid form!" Too stunned to comprehend what she was witnessing, Salia watched as Cal managed to aim the Ice bullet launcher high enough to aim at the DRAGON's face. The weapon began to hiss and steam from overheating and Cal took the shot. Unfortunately, gravity diverted the ice bullet off course and the projectile was only able to slightly chip the horn before burying itself in its armored shoulder. Shards of ice erupted along the scutes but not deep enough to do more than annoy it. Enraged, it swung it's massive tail around and sent Siegfried flying out of the gravity field.

"Cal!" Salia screamed. "Cal do you copy? Cal come in!" No response as Siegfried lay dented and scratched under a pile of rubble, its armor shifting back to its usual color while the energy shields formed around them faded and vanished. Overhead, the Schooners saw their chance and dove downward to finish him off before he could get up. With their defense dealt with, the Big Horn shifted its gaze back towards the others when a faint cough over the radio and the appearance of a blue dot on their screens caught their attention. "Ange!"

"So dizzy..." Ange groaned. "Lets just get this over with." Their relief and hope however faded as they realized Ange was flying lopsided like she was half asleep. Upon seeing the new threat, the Schooners shifted their attention from Cal to the new enemy. Ange fired but her lack of focus sent her salvo flying wildly and the smaller DRAGONs easily avoided it.

"Stay away, you'll be trapped in the gravity with us!" Salia warned.

"It's fine." Ange slurred. "I can handle this on my own." Salia clenched her teeth and all her frustration finally boiled over.

"You idiot!" She snapped slamming her fist onto her seat. "I've had it with you…YOU STUBBORN LITTLE SHIT!" Salia bellowed at the top of her lungs causing a surprised Ange to listen for once. "This isn't something you can do on your own! I'm done with you ignoring my orders. So unless you have a death wish you will listen to your Captain!"

"Uh…yes captain." Ange said skittishly, her reaction shared by the rest of her squad mates.

"Now fly straight up!"

"Woah where did that come from? That's kinda hot." Salia heard Cal say dizzily as Siegfried stood up from the ruble. Could he save the jokes for a time when they weren't about to die?

"Cal. Keep the Schooners away from Ange!" She ordered. Cal quickly composed himself and shot up to cover Ange while Salia continued to guide Ange to where she needed to be. "Three degrees right, now forward!

"Wait which way is right?"

"Opposite direction, now stop!" Villkiss was directly above the DRAGON's head. "Drop! Now!" Villkiss cut its engines and began to fall towards the DRAGON.

"Wait why am I falling?" Ange wondered.

"Focus!" Salia snapped as Villkiss entered the gravity field and increased its speed even further. "Now kick the chip in its horn! Kick it like you kicked me!" The falling Para-mail passed the head and Villkiss thrust its leg out hard, striking the cracked horn and breaking it off completely along with the attacking leg. Ange yelled as she crashed while the DRAGON roared with shock and pain as it toppled over from its now unbalanced weight and the sigil it created vanished.

"Hey I can move again!" Chris cried out in relief.

"Took long enough," Hilda puffed as she flicked her hair.

"Nice one Ange!" Vivian cheered.

"Time to finish him off!" Miranda said.

"Alright let's do it." Cal agreed.

"All units move in!" Salia ordered as they unleashed all their firepower upon the now crippled DRAGON.


Between the data they had brought back of a new DRAGON type and killing it on their own without back up, the payout was unbelievable. The stacks of cash were so large they couldn't fit their hands around it.

"Look at all this money, am I dreaming?" Rosalie trembled with joy.

"It's real! We're all rich!" Chris said dreamily hugging her money to her cheek.

"Ah man." Miranda huffed. "Mine is shorter since I lost the arm."

"Well look on the bright side Miranda." Rosalie noted. "You finally killed something other than a Schooner class."

"I did it!" Miranda cheered. While everyone else gleamed in triumph Ange scowled at the meager reward she got. Because Villkiss was one of a kind, it's damaged leg had to be custom rebuilt from scratch. She just hoped that what she had was enough.

"Withdrawing all amount." The girl behind the counter announced as Ange began to fill three bags to the brim with all of her money.

"Ange what do you think you're doing?" Salia questioned with a bewildered look

"Sorry I have to get going. I don't have much time." Ange gasped as she hurried off.

"Ange wait, we can help…" Cal tried to call for her, but she quickly rounded the corner out of sight.

"What's wrong with her?" Rosalie wondered.

"Her period is probably early." Chris answered.

"Shut it you two." Cal scolded. "Listen, I need your assistance with something." Everyone around him looked confused. "I'll explain everything on the way. Just follow me."


Outside on the flight deck, the Mana supply ship arrived not just to drop off its weekly delivery but also to pick up Momoka who was waiting with a suitcase in hand while Commander Jill, Inspector Bronson and Corporal Lawrence where there to send her off.

"Thank you for taking care of me." Momoka said as she bowed her head to the concerned Inspector and Corporal. Commander Jill however remained impassive. "It was a short while, but my stay was enjoyable." She only wished she could say goodbye to Lady Angelise and Sir Cal. "Will you please tell that to Lady Angelise."

"I will." Emma assured.

"This way please." One of the human soldiers gestured and Emma's eyes shifted to the barrel of the rifle on the soldier's back.

"Don't worry Ma'am she won't feel any pain." Corporal Lawrence tried to comfort her.

"WAIT!" From across the launch deck, Ange came sprinting out of the hanger, dropping three bags full of cash at the Inspector's feet. "I'm…going to…buy her!"

"WH-WHAT!" Emma shrieked. "A Norma buying a human?! You can't trade in these scraps of paper for a living breathing person!" She looked to her bodyguard for support. "Can she?"

"If you have enough money, anything can be bought." Corporal Lawrence reminded her regarding the rules set in stone by the world leaders.

"I'll allow it, if you have the right amount." Jill told her. "I'd say you're half a bag short."

"But I don't have anymore money, I lost over 6 million for being sick and damages to Villkiss' leg!" Ange protested. "Please. Put me in debt if you want. You know I can earn it back!"

"Rules are rules," Jill said. "If you don't have at least 4 million more then that's it." Jill told her. Ange almost dropped to her knees. 'It can't end like this,' she thought. 'I worked so hard for Momoka's sake.'

"Hold it right there!" Just like Ange, Cal and the rest of first squad rushed over with their hands full of their reward money. "We have the rest to pay for Momoka!" Cal puffed catching his breath. Both Jill and Corporal Lawrence looked taken aback while Emma looked outraged.

"Excuse me!" the Inspector gasped.

"We'll give Ange the rest so Momoka can stay." Cal said as he began to take 1/8 of each of the squad's payout. Even Rosalie and Chris gave him their share without argument, though Hilda was reluctant to give anything to Ange. "Hilda." Cal said sternly holding out his hand.

"Why would I give that bitch anything." Hilda scowled. Cal frowned and leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"If you don't then I'll tell the Commander you sabotaged Villkiss and let Miranda take the fall." Though he hated using dirty tactics, it was the only way to get through to Hilda.

"Fine." Hilda spat handing him the last of the money which he dropped in a pile beside the bags while Ange and Momoka watched dumbfounded by the squads' act of kindness.

"We have a deal." Jill approved. "Cancel the transfer." She told the human soldiers. "This human is her property now." The soldiers gave bemused looks but finally relented and boarded their aircraft.

"This isn't right!" Emma argued as the Mana transport took off. "Commander you can't agree to this."

"It's the rules Inspector," Jill pointed out. "Unless you prefer the alternative." Emma sighed, knowing it was better for Momoka to stay than be executed but she quickly rounded on Cal.

"I don't know what you're playing at, but I do know you have something planned don't you?"

"What makes you say that?" Cal asked in an offended tone.

"Because you're a lying little pervert!" Emma rebuked. "Momoka, if he lays so much as a finger on you, you come to me understand?"

"Sir Cal wouldn't do that!" Momoka cried. "His lack of etiquette aside he's very much a gentleman!"

"Well…." Cal said as he beckoned closer. Cautiously, Emma leaned in and he whispered in her ear. "Momoka agreed she'd be a part of our 8-way orgy, and we don't want to lose her." Emma's face went from red to white before fainting into the Corporal's arms. "Hey Corporal make sure to give the Inspector the kiss of life, that'll wake her up."

"God I hate this job." The Corporal sulked as everyone, even Hilda, snorted with Laughter. Slinging the unconscious Inspector over his shoulder and using his Mana to lift up all the cash, the Corporal walked off with the Commander who stopped briefly to speak to Cal.

"Nice work out there," she praised. "Keep it up."

"So this means I get to stay?" Momoka hoped. "I can live the rest of my life with you Lady Angelise?" But Ange didn't answer as she continued to stare incredulously at her squad.

"Why did you all do that? How could you possibly know why I was keeping all that money for?"

"Cal told us." Ersha answered. "He heard you talking in your sleep."

"Yeah we couldn't let Momoka die. A friend of you is a friend of ours." Vivian said enthusiastically.

"But why would you do this for me?" Ange asked.

"It was the least we could do." Salia replied with a smile. "You saved us for showing up today. I'm glad you were there."

"You didn't need to do that." Ange said as she turned to Cal. "I kept it hidden because it was my…"

"Ange, drop it." Cal told her as he put his hands on her shoulders. "Did you think I'd stand back and let Momoka be executed? We're a team and we all look out for each other, Norma or Human." Behind her mask, Ange's eye's brimmed with grateful tears. "Agreed?"

"You four hear that?" Salia asked Hilda, Rosalie, Chris and Miranda.

"Urm but…" Rosalie stuttered.

"The only reason you're holding all that money is because of Ange." Salia pointed out "So stop trying to sabotage her. Is that clear?"

"Erm I guess…" Chris said peevishly.

"Girls come on." Cal begged. "We've all been through a lot these past months. Like it or not we have to make this squad work."

"And you need to stop monopolizing the battlefield." Salia said to Ange. "We know you can hold your own. That's an order."

Hilda scoffed. "Like she'll listen to…"

"Fine by me." said Ange. "Just as long you lot don't hold me back."

"She's right." Chris admitted. "If not for Ange, we'd be so dead."

"Well…I guess that's fine, so long I can keep all this money." Rosalie said bashfully.

"Cal's right." Miranda agreed. "Zola and Coco, they'd be ashamed at how we treated Ange." Stepping forward, Miranda looked up to Ange. "I can't promise that we'll be friends or that I'll ever really forgive you. But I shouldn't have left you like that. I'm sorry." Ange met the younger girl's gaze and nodded.

"I understand." Ange said. "And thank you."

"So you're all just going to forget what she did!" Hilda snapped, an infuriated look on her face.

"But…that…we…it's not…" Rosalie and Chris wrestled for words.

"Traitors!" Hilda bit as she turned and stormed off back into base.

"Hilda…" Miranda murmured.

"Let her go." Cal advised. "She just needs time to cool off. She'll get over it eventually." He then turned to face Salia. "Hey that was great what you did back there. I knew you'd make a good Captain." Salia blushed as she remembered what he told her after his first sortie. 'Zola's a good Captain but you could be a great one too. If you ever do become one, I hope I'll be able to stay with you.'

"Yeah, well I definitely lost my mind a little back there." Salia murmured as she scratched her cheek before wrapping her arms around him and planting a kiss on his lips. "Thank you, for believing in me all this time."

"Gross." Ange grimaced as Momoka wiped her eyes with a hankie as if she was watching a classic romance movie when they were both hugged tightly from behind by Ersha.

"This calls for a celebration. Our squad is united and Momoka gets to stay. I'd say you two are due at the bath." She said cheerily as everyone else snickered at them.

"What!" Ange and Momoka both gulped.


"One, two, three!"

Ange and Momoka screamed as they were tossed by their arms and legs into the onsen. "Hey what was that for?!" Ange sputtered as Momoka shot up from the water.

"It's time for us to wash away the past!" Ersha said as they all dived and cannon balled into the water, the bath echoing with a mixture of excited shrieks and laughter.

"Get away from me perv!" Ange warned as Cal slinked up from the water next to her. "Get him." She ordered as they all ganged up on him with sponges and shampoo bottles.

"Wait how is this fair?!" Cal yelped. "Vivian don't you dare! Oi who's grabbing my butt?! Rosalie get off!"


Alone in Zola's old quarters, Hilda sat on the plush velvet couch and stared longingly out the window at the clear night sky. At least it wasn't raining. Ever since that day she had hated the rain. Unfortunately, the sound of splashing and laughter carried up from the onsen which made her mood even fouler.

'Whatever.' She thought. 'I'll be out of here soon.' The years of planning, waiting, and enduring everything had finally given her the chance she needed. 'I'm coming back to you.' She promised. 'Just a little while longer and we'll be together again.'


As night fell, the children of APEX started putting on their pajamas and brushed their teeth ready for bed. Lucia along with a few volunteers took it upon themselves to help get the many orphaned Norma and Human children ready. While Lucia was tucking in a 4-year-old boy she felt a slight tug at the bottom of her shirt to see the newly arrived Norma, Ruby. "Have you picked out a bedtime story yet?" Lucia asked. But the little Norma shook her head. "You need anything?"

"I want to see the man who saved me." Ruby asked shyly. "I never said thank you to him for saving me from the scary people."

"Of course," Lucia smiled. "I'm sure we can find him before your bedtime." It didn't take them too long to find Clay who had just finished cleaning one of the Boys bathrooms in the Infants block.

"Oh hey Lucy." Clay greeted.

"It's Lucia." She corrected him. "Sorry to disturb you but this little one wanted to thank you for rescuing her." Clay knelt to the girl's eye level and smiled at her warmly which seemed to break her shyness.

"Thank you for saving my life…erm…" Ruby stammered seemingly forgetting his name.

"You don't have to thank me. It was the least I could do. And call me Clay." Ruby smiled back and gave him a quick hug before she was taken back to the children's dorm and tucked into bed.

"It's amazing what you did for her." Lucia complimented. "Giving her a second chance from being taken to that hell hole of an island."

"It's sickening. What Harper told me about where the Norma are taken and are forced to fight, it's just inhuman." Clay said as he gritted his teeth. "I'm just glad I saved one life from that hell."

"You're a good guy Clay." Lucia praised. "No wonder my brother has taken a liking to you. It's not like him to make friends this quickly."

"It's part of my charm, or it could just be the handsome looks." The two talked for a few minutes more but Clay had other chores to do before curfew, so Lucia let him go on his way and waved him goodbye.

Once Clay was alone, he quietly walked down the flight of stairs to the lower levels before finally reaching the Colocation block and a large door that read. 'Power room.' After a quick check to make sure no one was around, he opened his Mana screen and after a slight hesitance began to type...

'Hello, Commander, it's Jeffry. The Mission is going as planned, I've managed to keep my cover under wraps. These traitors have started to trust me after arriving with that Norma. I took up Janitor duty to work my way around and I have found the solution. The two entrance doors are controlled by the controls in the Colocation block. Once the power is cut then I'll make my move to open the doors. The enemy have a large arsenal of weapons including 10 skyhooks and 2 Para-mails, so expect heavy resistance.'


Miles away, inside the former nation of Misarugi, Dutch stared out of his office window that overlooked the now dead quiet city, patiently waiting for his recruit Jeffry to get in touch. It had now been three days and still the young soldier still hadn't reported back, putting Dutch on edge. 'That kid better not have blown his cover. This was the only chance I saw from Jadis's intel.' Finally, a ping caused him to open his Mana screen to see an email had been sent by code name Whistleblower. Attached was a video file from the camera glasses Dutch had given him.

'Great job kid. You did good.' Dutch's eyes gleamed with pride and victory. Now was the time to strike. 'Get ready as soon as possible we'll strike tonight at 2:35 on the dot, then use that opportunity to do what must be done.' Dutch sent his email back to Jeffry then checked over the camera footage provided by the glasses. Watching over the footage, Dutch scanned for any important information and observed the surrounding and enemies they were up against. Then he came to something that made his stomach twist. It was a video clip of a young man with navy blue eyes and hair. He was older than when they last met ten years ago, but there was no mistaking the scar across the youth's face.

"Well looks like you're still alive you little insect." Dutch chortled. "No matter. I'll make sure to finish the job this time." He still remembered the words he spoke to the ancient monkey back when they first met.

"Tell me kid. Who do you fear most? God or Death?"


Sitting alone beneath a tree, awash in the soothing symphony of rushing waterfalls, birds chirping and the soft swish of the wind; Embryo snapped his book shut after receiving an unexpected message from his Enforcer Dutch. Apparently, he had discovered the entrance of another terrorist hideout and was ready to take them out tonight. Standing up, he made his way to the pagoda, a cup of Dandelion tea waiting for him atop the table, made specially by his servant Blackadder. "Your tea, Master Embryo."

"Thank you." Embryo sipped on his tea then turned his attention to the task at hand. "It appears Mr. Villson is making his move against those savages and the traitors." Blackadder's lip curled into a cruel smile.

"I assume you trust him at this important task since you asked me to sit this one out. But we both know if he discovers more half breeds, he'll start asking more questions."

"Don't test my patience." Embryo warned. "I trust you know what to do to keep him away from going deeper inside? Make sure Mr. Villson learns nothing more about Subject Alpha."

"Yes, my Master." Blackadder said with a bow. From behind his black sunglasses his eyes narrowed with a cruel mirth. 'Let's see how fast you can dig your own grave, Dutch Villson.'

TO BE CONTINUED…