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NetStar Chronology - Chapter 8 |
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Pink sat on one side of the table, and the four allies sat on the opposite side.
"Before we begin our discussion, we should introduce ourselves to Athena." Green said.
"I don't see why she should be treated as a friend." Yellow glowered. "She's Empire, so that makes her the enemy."
"But, she's also our guest, and we should treat her as such. It wouldn't kill us to show some hospitality. Right, Yamato?"
"Maybe." Blue answered, not too amused.
"I already know Yamato." Pink smiled.
"I'm sure you do." Yellow muttered.
"I am Terra Red." She smiled. "I used to bother Yamato while he was a Captain, but now I've become a nuisance to Vincent."
"Yeah, he talks about a runty girl who won't stop fighting him." Pink laughed. "You've got a lot of bark and bite, according to him."
"I'm Charlotte Yellow." She said, giving her a constant glare. "I can't say that this is the most pleasant encounter."
"And I'm Miyamoto Green." He said nervously. "I'm the one who formed this group. I also happen to be Charlotte's brother."
"It is a pleasure to meet you." Pink nodded. "Even if some of you are being less than friendly to me."
"I'm sure you have some questions, my allies." Green told them. "Ask away."
"I am a busy woman." Pink claimed. "So if you could make this quick, that would be lovely."
"Why are you so stuck up?" Yellow narrowed her gaze.
"I'm afraid that's just your imagination, Charlotte." She gave a sly smile.
"Hey, I've got a question." Red waved. "I thought the Gaiesha were extinct."
"They are extinct. They do not grow naturally any longer, thanks to the efforts of the Net Rangers; Cyberhumans dedicated to erradicating the Viruses of Iota. But, The Empire managed to salvage a few, and we are cloning more aggressive Gaiesha for the purpose of the Skull Elimination Project."
"But those Gaiesha attack everything." Yellow snapped. "How can you justify your actions, if innocent people are being hurt in the process?"
"That's why we plant them in less populated areas, duh." Pink rolled her eyes.
"What is the next step of The Empire?" Blue asked sternly.
"You'd know if you were still a Captain. But kidding aside, we will not advance in any other plans until the Skulls and all their affiliates have been destroyed. That is our main goal, for the time being. If Admiral Daisaku has any other intentions, we Captains know nothing about them." She sighed. "How about you, Miyamoto? Do you have a question?"
"No. I've heard everything I need. Thank you for your time, Athena."
"Thank you for having me." She stood up, and approached him. "I'm honored that you were able to look past our differences, and allow me into your home."
She leaned down, and pecked him on the cheek.
"Tah tah." Pink winked, then opened her arms.
She disappeared in a small whirlwind. Green just stared at where she stood, enchanted by what just happened.
"Hey, snap out of it." Yellow smacked his other cheek.
"Huh, what was that for?" He rubbed the spot.
"I was seeing if you were still with us." She gave a forced smile.
"Look, I can assure you, despite what happened today, I won't have any connections with The Empire that might compromise our objective."
"But, would you be prepared to kill your new friend?" Blue asked sternly.
"If we kill any of The Empire Captains, or anyone for that matter, that will make us no better than they are. Despite that fact, I still am supporting your revenge on James. Kill him if you must, but I think the others may have potential for reform."
"It's about time you started agreeing with me." Blue snorted.
"But that woman had the audacity to come to our house uninvited?" Yellow rejoined. "Tell me you're not going to let that slide."
"She came on a peaceful account. Why should I take any action against her, when she's done nothing to provoke me?" Green told her. "But anyway, this conversation is over. At least we have some idea on what The Empire is plotting. Now, let's have some breakfast. I'll make it today."
Meanwhile, at The Empire's tower, near the southern end of Toria...
Pink had just returned to her room.
"Oh boy, it's good to be back." She murmured to herself. "But, I'd best report to right hand Supreme, as soon as possible."
There was a knock at her door.
"Who is it?" She called.
"Your ever loyal Lieutenant Eddie, Captain Pink!"
"Ah! Come on in!"
A boy who looked about seventeen walked into the room. He had black hair, and slate gray irises. He wore a simple shortsleeve black shirt, white shorts, black shoes, brown leather gloves, white socks which went up to his mid calf, a pair of thin rimmed rectangular glasses, and a black belt which held a black energy gun in a holster on each side. He looked as if he had been fighting hard, but he was more emotionally damaged than physically.
"What's the matter, Eddie?" Pink asked sternly, masking her concern. "Out with it, Lieutenant!"
"Our mission was a complete success, ma'am!" He answered.
"So, why are you so deshevled?"
"That's the bad news..." He bowed his head. "We suffered so many casualties, we might as well had lost. There were twice as many Skulls than your intel had stated. It was an ambush..."
"Well, what's the damage?" Pink was getting increasingly annoyed.
"Most of our Ghosts were killed in the initial strike. The rest ran away, leaving George and I to fight them by ourselves."
"Was it really that intense? Those Ghosts will get their punishment, don't worry!" Pink looked past Eddie. "Where is George, anyway?"
"He... he was among the casualties." He clenched his fists. "The initial attack injured him, but he still fought on anyway. We fought under your name, Captain, and George ordered me to tell you that he died proudly..."
"Wait." Pink stared, her voice losing her edge. "Did I just hear you right? Did you just say that George is dead!?"
Eddie nodded in silence.
"Oh..." Pink became quiet. "How could this... how could this have happened?"
"I'm sure... if I had fought harder..."
"Shut up." She shut her eyes. "It isn't your fault."
"Miss Pink?"
"I should have known it would be an ambush. I should have realized... I should have realized the Skulls would do something like that. And those Ghosts... I should have outfitted your unit with Phantoms. They're a lot better at combat than those Ghosts, and twice as sneaky. I would have felt better even if I had been there..." She paused. "At the least to share the toll you took."
"No, Captain." He shook his head. "I can't allow you to do anything that would endanger your life... even if my body were to fall into ruin, I would still gladly fight for your cause."
"Eddie... you're too loyal." Pink looked away, and wiped her eyes.
"Miss..." Eddie was surprised, and concerned at the thought of his Captain actually showing emotions other than anger.
"I've taken you two for granted. I know I didn't treat you the best... and that I called you idiots... but you were my idiots, and I loved you both. But... now one of you is dead."
Eddie stood there silently, confused by the sudden change in Pink's attitude.
"I know that being a good Captain means you don't show your emotions..." Pink continued. "But sometimes... it just can't be helped."
She just sat there, leaning on her knees for support. Eddie approached her cautiously, and put a hand on each of her shoulders. She threw her arms around him, and buried her face in his chest. She let out all her emotion that had been built up, crying for her lost comrade. Eddie silently rubbed her back, unable to find another way to console her.
It seems she really did care about us. Eddie thought, resting his hand. But, I couldn't even tell, by how she treated us.
After a few minutes, she let go of him, wiped her eyes again, then looked up at him. He was only able to give her a weak smile.
"Eddie." She smiled. "I promise that I'll be a better Captain to you. It's the least I could do after treating you so badly after all these years."
"Aw, you don't have to..." He chuckled nervously.
"But I want to, you idiot." She gave a sly smile.
"Now that sounds more like the Captain Pink I know." He laughed.
"Hoo, let's just pretend you didn't see me crying." She sighed. "I'm sure you can do that for me."
"It'll be our little secret." Eddie gave an innocent smile.
"So, back to your report." Pink groaned. "Man, what a revolting development..."
"If it makes you feel any better, we managed to kill all of the Skulls. George bit it shortly after the last one was destroyed."
"Well, that makes me feel a little better."
"Oh!" Eddie blinked. "I almost forgot... I salvaged this from one of the Skulls."
He slapped a strip of paper on the table beside the bed. Pink picked it up, and looked at it.
"Congrats, this is in Archon Basic. I can't read this!" Pink frowned.
Eddie gave her a sly grin, and plopped a book and a sheet of paper on the table.
"But I am an excellent translator, and I just so happened to decode that message." He handed the sheet of paper to her. "However... my writing is less than perfect."
"It says '...in one of his more famed acts, the Guardian of Defense sealed the Guardian of Destruction away, and split his power into four Gems based on the Elements...' oh my!" She stared at Eddie. "Do you know what this means, Eddie?"
"I have an inkling." He shrugged. "But, who are the Guardians?"
"Do you not know about Satarage Golden Silver, the Guardian of Destruction? He had immense power, beyond our comprehension! His body was invincible! That's why the Guardian of Defense had to seal him away, instead of kill him! Eddie, you have my gratitude!"
She got up, and kissed him on the cheek. He blushed, and sat down.
"Come on!" She hauled him up. "Screw my report to Supreme, we're taking this straight to Admiral Daisaku!"
"Admiral scares me..." Eddie shuddered.
"There's no time for spleeniness! Once he finds out you were the one who found this, he'll at least recognize your talents!"
Pink ran, while holding Eddie's hand.
Man... Eddie thought. Somebody dying can really change somebody's outlook on things. And here I thought I had my Captain figured out...
 Shin-Maruku · Fri Nov 02, 2007 @ 04:35am · 1 Comments |
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