FullMetal*Panic!

“Too… damn… fast…”

Sousuke cursed, his efforts unsuccessful once again. It was all he could do to stay upright.

A number of separate times, he had used the Lambd Driver filed to push outward, selecting an angle that should have pushed one of the Amazons into the smoldering crater. Even though the growing plumes of ash now obstructed his view sporadically, his aim had been precise and his timing impeccable.

Each time, one of the Vishpla had performed some kind of acrobatic maneuver with her Arm Slave, avoiding the attack or deflecting it with her own force shield. At least they were actively trying to destroy him, spurred on by his insults and false promises. That mad his job easier, but not easy.

Section by section the metal platform was disappearing, each explosion coming closer to sending him and Arbalest to their doom. But, he had made use of a new addition to the ARX-7. A number of magnetic mines had been dropped during his seemingly frantic jumps. Their position was marked on one of his lateral view screens. Two could play the same game.

“Assign mines one through five to switch ‘A.’ Assign mines six through ten to switch ‘B’. Assign the remainder to switch ‘C’.”

“Roger.”

Sousuke threw the A.S. into a sideways leap. He had acted not a moment too soon. The girls had pulled off a fiendishly simple combination that might have caught another pilot unwary. One had set off the explosive charges on a section of the platform. Another had formed a force barrier over Arbalest, expecting Sousuke to jump upwards to escape.

“We have Lambda Driver fluctuations again, Sergeant. Just as we had when we were passing through the dome.”

Sousuke began to sweat heavily. It might be that his systems were overloaded, or on the verge of one of their unexpected failures. But, there was a more likely possibility. Some of the antennae in the crater no doubt contributed to the series of arrays targeted upon the sun. It looked as if the enemy had finally finished preparations. The hourglass had been turned over. He had no idea how many grains of sand were inside.

“Yes. There!” Sousuke saw an opening he had been hoping for. Pushing outward with his force shield, he prompted the silver A.S. to leap nimbly out of the way. Once he knew what section of platform it was about to land on, he flicked switch ‘C’. The subsequent detonation broke the metal structure free an instant before the A.S. could land or push off of it.

“Artemesia… no!” Tomyris shouted, watching as the silver Amazon disappeared into the ash plume.

“That is how it is done,” Sousuke said. “Who wishes to be next?” He doubted that the same trick would work again.

“I’ll… I’ll kill you!” The leader’s voice rose in pitch as the used her force shield like a long bo staff, knocking Arbalest onto its rump. At the same moment, the pilot set off the charges underneath the ARX-7, causing that section of platform to drop.

“You got him!” Boudicca called out.

Sousuke didn’t have much time to think. He had even less time to select his target. A chance for defense presented itself simultaneously with an opportunity to attack. A more cautious man might choose only the former, but the time for caution had long since passed.

“Al, fire tow cables at the spar below us.” Sousuke indicated a large metal cross beam on one of the antenna arrays. “Target the other two at the gold A.S.” This part would be trickier. To make it work, his system would have to be superior, and he would need to concentrate his will in exactly the precise place at exactly the correct moment.

“Cables firing in sequence.”

The first two cables wrapped around the spar in the necessary fashion to snag. As Arbalest fell, it would be possible to swing onto the antenna tower and hold on. As good fortune would have it, the interferometer was the one that Lt. Vavolich had mentioned as his foremost target. But, he would be in a precarious situation if he tried for the power cable while any of his opponents survived.

The final tow lines sped where Sousuke had hoped hey would hit. Passing through the obscuring smoke and ash, they impacted on the Lambda Driver shield of the lead Arm Slave. But, they did more than that. Much the same way Sousuke had been able to defeat Gauron and Codarl, he set his will to defeating Tomyris and her Amazon.

“What? How? No!” The Vishpa’s top pilot cursed when the metal spikes at the end of the tow cables passed through her shielding, wedging themselves in her A.S.

“Retract all cables Al, maximum force.” Sousuke clenced his teeth. This could work. No, it should work. As he watched on his view screen, the gold Amazon was pulled in his direction. Rather than jumping, the pilot had made a desperate attempt to glue herself to the platform, using her shield as a vice grip of sorts.

“Cable failure.”

Sousuke looked to see which line had broken. It was one of those attached to the enemy A.S. A moment or so later, the pendulum swung in the other direction. The platform section tore away from its braces. The Amazon began to fall. “Detach cable from spike. Reel it in, now. Any resistance, blow that cable off the reel.”

“Roger.”

“I’m counting on you two,” Tomyris said as she fell from view.

“No! Oh Tomyris, no!” Samsi cried.

“Damn you!” Boudicca said with a sob.

Wrapping Arbalest’s arms around the spar, Sousuke slid the Arm Slave towards a series of alternating X-shaped supports that would serve as rungs on a ladder. “You were the two with the truest hearts,” Sousuke said to his foe women. “There would be no shame in leaving this battle. You can still do your part to prevent this terrible act.”

“She was our friend,” was all that Boudicca said. Her bronze colored A.S. aimed its portable cannon and fired off a number of impotent rounds.

Meanwhile, Samsi surprised Sousuke by leaping high in the air, and then swinging around one of the antenna shafts like a dancer at one of Kurz’ favorite bars. The copper colored Amazon began sliding down in his direction.

“There. Al. Near that stone outcrop. The power cable. Let’s do it!” Sousuke wound his cables, stood the ARX-7 up, and jumped, just as a blast from Samsi’s cannon destroyed a series of the ‘rungs’. Landing on a large concrete and steel support that held the entire weight of the one antenna, Sousuke brought the monomolecular cutter out. “We may not have time…” There wasn’t much room to stand. If one of the enemy hit him with a shrewd blow, he and Arbalset might be sent to follow the two vanquished Vishpla.

“You’ll pay!” Samsi shouted when she jumped her A.S. directly down towards the ARX-7. For a moment, her Amazon was suspended directly above Arbalest, as the two force shield interacted.

The fields repulsed one another. Arbalest slid towards the edge of the cement surface, teetering on the brink of doom. One more push by either force filed would be the end.

“Good girl!” Boudicca exclaimed.

The lights flickered on and off inside of Arbalest. Likewise, the force shield attenuated, but held firm. The glowing nimbus around both Amazon Arm Slaves gave out.

Unbeknownst to Sousuke, the Americans had finally been able to use their HAARP system to breach the series of Tesla domes. The two Electromagnetic systems cancelled each other out momentarily, so that the two female pilots were not killed or incapacitated when the HAARP strike caused their shielding to go down.

Sousuke promptly fired a cable at the crater face, pulling himself into secure footing before Arbalest fell. At the same time, he swung he cutter in a solid arc, driving its wicked metal teeth into the copper-colored A.S.

“Oh. No. Ahhh-h-h-…” Samsi’s horrible scream had Sousuke cringing as he destroyed his opponent’s pilot chamber. Immediately thereafter, he began cutting into the huge power cable, sending a huge cascade of sparks and coating fragments off into the air.

“Stop it!” Boudicca brought her Amazon down in a well-placed plummeting descent. Her shielding, which had reappeared briefly, pulsed on and off as her Lambda Driver tried to stabilize.

Sousuke used Arbalest’s hand to grab the ice axe. Detaching it, he swung the pole around. The weight of the enemy machine forced it onto the spear-like point. The pole crumpled under the weight before the point could be driven home. The Amazon landed heavy on Arbalest, when the white Arm Slave’s Lambda Driver fluctuated but stopped short of total failure.

“I have you!” Boudicca brought her cannon around, placing it against Arbalest’s chest. There was no time for Sousuke to use the cutter again.

At that instant, the Tesla dome rebounded when the HAARP’s prolonged series of pulses ceased. There was enough Lambda Driver function in the ARX-7 to counteract the scalar energy. The Amazon and Boudicca were not so fortunate. The pilot’s nervous system failed just as her A.S.’s systems all short-circuited. Woman and machine died at the same moment.

Sousuke quickly returned to his task, hoping that the Lambda Driver could hold on long enough. Sparks flying again, he sliced into the cable itself, unaffected by the huge jagged arcs of electricity that struck the cutter and fused the mechanism. He had not been able to cut all of the way through. But, he had done enough.

Across the expanse of the crater, a conventionally-tipped cruise missile of some sort impacted, throwing chunks of rock into the air but missing any of the antenna arrays. That spoke volumes to Sousuke. Conventional weapons wouldn’t be effective in taking out the targets quickly. No doubt successive flights of missiles had been launched from any number of sites, including Da Danaan. Who could say how many might be inbound, and which ones might be nuclear-tipped. Most important of all, the explosion meant that the Tesla dome was down.

“This is Urzu-7. Da Danaan, do you read?”

Sousuke began climbing the antenna array, needing to get out of the volcano while it was still possible. One nuclear strike would bury him until the mountain cast him out in a fiery shower some day. Enough conventional explosive hits would alter the setting enough so that he would never make it out in time. But, he didn’t know if it was wise to leave the mountain top altogether. What if the antenna he took out was the main defensive transmitter for Klyuchevskaya Sopka, but others could be switched to that purpose secondarily? He would need to repeat the process all over again, hopefully with an Arm Slave battle this time.

“Sgt. Sagara!” It was Captain Testarossa. Tessa had forgotten to use his call sign. “Did you bring the Tesla dome down?” It was a rushed emotional inquiry. Obviously, if communications had been established, there must be some reason for that.

“For now,” Sousuke replied cautiously. “If I do not have opportunity to speak to Lt. Vavilov again, please let her know that her supposition was on target. Her roll of the dice turned out well. She will understand.”

“Get out of there, Sousuke.” Tessa’s voice sounded very anxious. “All of the installations noted on satellite photos will be under heavier attack now. You’ve done your job. I’m so proud of you.”

“Negative, Captain.” Sousuke continued his climb, sliding down back near the bottom when one of a number of cruise missiles struck a glancing blow to the antenna without exploding. The huge metal structure vibrated like a tuning fork. “My mission success may only be temporary” He hastily detailed his concerns.

“Sgt. Sagara, your bravery is appreciated.” That was Lt. Cmdr. Kalinin. “If you choose to stand your ground, understand this. Your greatest danger is not from nuclear warheads, themselves a substantial risk. When the HAARP system has powered back up again, it will attack the mountain you are on. The force of that strike will be tremendous, many times the destructive force of one nuclear-tipped cruise missile.”

”Understood, Sir. However, all along, our plan had one serious weakness. It is an understandable one. Efforts were made to determine the best way of entry. There are no suitable means for escape. “ Sousuke rubbed the back of his neck as he piloted Arbalest off of the antenna and onto the platform.

His situation was bleak. Even if he could fire one of his cables and have it caught by a heavy or medium lift helicopter, there were no such aircraft in the vicinity. In the distance, something caught his eye. A great gray mushroom cloud began unfolding over one of the other volcanoes. It was followed by two more.

“We received report of successful nuclear strikes, Sgt.” Kalinin said. “It may be that your mission is a complete success. You played things mighty fine. Solar flare activity has been predicted, but nothing large enough to harm Earth.”

“I am heading down the mountain now. I have witnessed the nuclear clouds in the distance, If enough scalar sites have been destroyed, there is no sense for my staying here.” Sousuke began heading down slop at full speed. There was little chance that he would remain upright for long. The only hope he had was if he could tumble far enough down the slope without destroying Arbalest, knocking himself unconscious, or getting caught under some sudden avalanche of rock and ice.

“We have confirmation, Mr. Kalinin. Our sources claim the HAARP strike will occur in thirty seconds.” It was Tessa’s voice. “Sousuke, hurry!”

“I am attempting to, Captain.” Sousuke grimaced as Arbalest landed on a large sheet of ice, which broke off and acted like a toboggan before breaking up into countless smaller fragments. He bean sliding down amongst the subsequent rubble, unable to control his descent.

“Serious damage to one knee joint, Sergeant.”

Awkwardly, Sousuke set the Arm Save into a series of clumsy one-legged leaps and bounds. He became increasingly dizzy as the A.S bounced and began rolling down the slope like a large metal log.

“There are now twenty seconds remaining, Sergeant.”

Sousuke fought to maintain consciousness. He hovered on the edge of blacking out, blood pooling in his mouth after he bit his tongue.

“C-C-C-“ He tried to get his words out, caught up in a spinning world of disorientation and darkness. “C-Captain… c-could you tell K-Kaname…” Pushing off with the ARX-7s good leg, he forced Arbalest off of a sheer drop, sending it towards a more gentle slope some unknown distance below him. “T-Tell her I…”

“Sergeant. Training question. Is it wrong for me to regret the end of my existence?”

“Love her…” Sousuke grunted when the impact with the ground sent intense pain all throughout his body. He was unconscious when Tessa answered him in the affirmative, and when the A.I. continued with its countdown.

The top of Klyuchevskaya Sopka exploded with tremendous force as 3.0 gigawatts of radiated power bounced off the heated ionosphere, was focused in lens like fashion by the atmosphere, and impacted with the top of the mountain.




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The sound of cheering grew louder.

Word spread quickly over the intercoms systems and along the corridors of the TDD-1. Men slapped each other on the back, dropped down for a short prayer of thanks, or closed their eyes and let out a long breath.

“What’s going on?” Kaname asked Melissa, who strode into the meeting area with Kurz on her heal.

“The Americans struck the main enemy installation with their own Electro-Magnetic weapon,” Lt. Cmdr. Kalinin said, walking into the room through a different doorway. He was accompanied by Cmdr. Mardukas and Capt. Testarossa. “All of the enemy weapons systems that we knew of have been obliterated.”

The talk in the room grew in volume. Everyone was excited. Kurz stood uncharacteristically still. “When the three head honchos walk in together, there must be something you haven’t mentioned yet. How is…”

“Sousuke. How is Sousuke?” Melissa asked the question that Kaname was afraid to ask. The room suddenly went quiet.

“Intelligence reports have been coming in from different sources, including our own aircraft and satellites.” Cmdr. Mardukas pushed his glasses up his nose. There was sense of the inevitable in his stance, as if he was certain that there wouldn’t be any good news forthcoming “There has been no sign of Arbalest.”

“But… why not?” Kaname suddenly felt very chill. “How does someone lose an Arm Slave?” She swallowed hard, her eyes going wide. “Was he caught in the explosion?”

“The top of Klyuchevskaya Sopka blew off, Miss Chidori.” Tessa looked as if she had been crying. “The effect of the HAARP device triggered a volcanic eruption. There are large lava flows on all sides of the mountain, near what remains of the crest…” She clenched her hands into fists. “And from various rents in the side of the mountain.”

“And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues." Cmdr. Mardukas bowed his head, speaking so that he could hardly be heard. That passage from Revelation 16:8-9 was doubly apt. The enemy had meant to create a scourge of heat from the sun, but were themselves consumed by fire.

“Sgt. Sagara was making his way down from the mountain when the strike came. He could not have made it too far. There is snow along most of its length, ands it can get quite deep in areas. The temperature halfway up is well below freezing.” Kalinin stood stiffly. He wanted to hope for the better, especially given Sousuke’s penchant for good luck. But, things looked rather grim.

“Huh? You make it sound like Sousuke has to be dead!” Kaname tensed up and brought her hands up at chest level. “Why is everyone standing around celebrating when Sousuke needs help?” She had begun trembling.

“I assure you Kaname, we are doing everything we can.” Tessa tugged at her ponytail. “No one… there is no one who has forgotten Mr. Sagara. Everyone is celebrating the fact that we are still alive.”

“I know,” Kaname said, looking down at Ayame who had wrapped her arm around her, a stricken look on her face. “It’s just… I… he just has to be OK. Sousuke always comes out OK.”

“We are heading for a point offshore of the peninsula,” Cmdr. Mardukas put in. “We will be about one hundred kilometers from the mountain. With or without Russian permission, we will continue every effort to find Arbalest and Sgt. Sagara.”

“Madame Captain!” An aide headed over, holding a fax print out. “The Russians have agreed to help. Teams of mountain climbing experts are being flown in by helicopter from Kozyrevsk, and Klyuchi. Soldiers are being sent in from the naval facilities at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski and from other bases in the area.”

“We will need to be certain that they do not act to claim Arbalest,” Cmdr. Mardukas put in, his eyes narrowed.

“I don’t care what they do, if it means they find Sousuke. Even if he is…” Kaname shook her head. She didn’t want to think along those lines. But, if Sousuke were dead, he deserved a hero’s burial, not some snowy corner of a mountain in Russia.

“Sousuke’s pretty tough,” Kurz said. “It’s Arbalest that I’m worried about.” Even he didn’t smile at his own joke. “He has to come back, if only to unwrap that book with you.” Even a somber moment like that couldn’t suppress all of his mischievous instincts.

“What book?” Ayame asked. “Oh…” She remembered Kurz having a book as a parting gift, back when they had been about to board the helicopter home. “Is it a book of memories?”

“Not yet,” Kurz answered. “But… owwwwww…” He grimaced in pain as Melissa yanked hard on his hair. “Never mind.”

Shunya stood watching Kaname. She was trying to be strong, but he could see how hard she was fighting to maintain her composure. He walked over and placed a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “I’m certain they will find him, Kaname. We will stay on board as long as you like, and as long as they let us.”

“Oh Daddy!” Kaname her arms around her father and began crying. The others watched with a heavy heart as Shunya ran his hand over her hair the way he had done when she came running to him with nightmares. “I guess… if he doesn’t make it back… I will be better off going back to America.” There would be fewer painful memories there than there would be in Tokyo.

Shunya took out his handkerchief and wiped Kaname’s eyes. “If that is your decision,” he said solemnly.

“Daddy?” Kaname froze. What was her father saying.

“There are things for both of us to think over. It may be that my idea of what’s best for you might not be what’s right, after all.” Shunya tensed up some. That wasn’t an easy admission to make. “Right now, we will spend our time hoping. There is someone out there we owe our thanks to. For more reasons than one.”

Kaname buried her head in her father’s chest. Ayame walked over and hugged her bigger sister. Shunya looked over at Lt. Cmdr. Kalinin who nodded. There was nothing more important than family.

“If you mention that book again, I’ll castrate you.” Melissa said in a voice that could only be heard by Kurz. “Soprano, asshole. Both balls in the corner pocket.”

“Sis!” Kurz looked offended. “You know me better than that.”

“Do… do you…” Kaname sniffed. “Do you think they can find him?” Kaname asked. “How about Mithril… don’t you guys have some kind of homing beacon or something?”

“We can only hope,” Tessa said. “There is a GPS transponder in Arbalest, but that only shows the general area. In effect, we’re looking for a white metal needle in a huge snowy haystack.”

“What about Arbalest?” Kurz asked. “The freaking A.I. weirds me out.”

“That was something we were hoping for,” Lt. Cmdr. Kalinin said. “Sousuke might have ordered the A.I. to attempt contact, but it ended up too damaged to function. Or, he may have been too incapacitated for such an act. Given the advanced nature of that machine, the algorithms may have led the A.I. to reach certain decisions on its own, given St. Sagara’s state. However…”

“We have received no such transmission,” Mardukas put in. “Man and machine could have both been seriously injured. The Lambda Driver is a wondrous device; but, it can only do so much.”

“Captain,” Melissa said, her jaw set and her eyes full of determination. “When we’re in range, Weber and I could launch and land near the remaining top of the mountain, in the area of the structure that Sousuke disabled. We could head down mountain from there.”

“Mr. Kalinin?” Tessa deferred to the SRT leader. Her voice did not sound too hopeful.

“I’m afraid not, Madam Captain. There is still unstable volcanic activity, and the lava flows are rather extensive. We all wish for Sgt. Sagara’s safety. The retrieval of Arbalest is of paramount importance. But, we cannot afford to risk two more pilots and machines,” The Russian sounded sure of himself. “Descent down from that mountain before the explosion would be terribly difficult in an Arm Slave. Things are worse now. We would go from a rescue mission for one, to a recovery mission for three.”

“But…” Melissa had flashbacks to Khanka, remembering Kalinin’s order for the helicopter to fire its remaining ordinance into Kurz’ wrecked M9.

“The decision is final,” Kalinin said. “As I told you once before Lt, Mao, I take the moral and tactical high ground because I am required to.”

“But Sir,” Kurz stepped up. “Sousuke saved the whole damn planet. Even if we don’t advertise what he did, couldn’t our sponsors replace anything we loose? Maybe even more Arm Slaves with the Lambda Driver? The thing sure came in handy.” The lanky blonde looked very serious. “But it’s not really about the money, is it? Listen. I’m willing to take the risk, even if it gets me fried. Mao would do the same, even if it means missing out on her beauty sleep.”

“Yes,” Melissa said, resisting the urge to kick Kurz in the ass.

“I see. From an operational standpoint, I cannot agree.” Lt. Cmdr. Kalin stood firm. “However, it was a near thing. In a sense, we are all playing with found money.” He nodded. “In the kingdom of hope there is no winter. And, no one is dragged to heaven by the hair. You may join the search.”

“Yeh!” Kurz smiled. “And Sousuke will owe it all to me. Once again, the Weber charm succeeds where the Mao begging failed. Kaname, Babe. Ayame. You don’t have to thank me now. But, if you, Tessa, and Mao want to put on some Cosplay when we get back…. o-u-c-h…”

“Lieutenant Mao, you have my permission to leave Sgt. Weber on the mountain if you wish.” Lt. Kalinin shook his head.

“Sir, yes Sir!” Melissa actually saluted.

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There was light.

He opened his eyes for a moment, but closed them again.

Sounds caught his attention, but he was too weary to follow them. There were quiet words, but hushed words meant little at that moment.

“Hey, as long as they don’t take it out of my salary, I don’t care!” That voice was familiar. The words were loud. That could not be ignored. Sgt. Weber. Kurz.

“Kurz, be quiet!” That voice most definitely got his attention. Kaname. Yes. Kaname. That was very important. “Did you have to bring him back?”
“Yes,” a third voice said. Lt. Melissa Mao. Melissa. “He’s like a damn puppy. I tried to lose him, but he followed me home.” The voice cursed. “Shit!”

“I’m just glad you’re all back safe.” That voice was not so loud. It was soothing. Also familiar. Captain Testarossa. Tessa. “Although, Mr. Kalinin will have words for you. Imagine, the two of you stumbling and sliding on the mountainside, and some Russian government helicopter found Arbalest on a fly by.”

“Tessa… babe… it’s the thought that counts!” Kurz sounded very animated.

“I see, Mr. Weber. What do you think Mr. Kalinin’s thoughts might be?” Tessa sounded amused. “Not only do we have to bargain for the return of the ARX-7, we need to work out an arrangement for two M9s.” She laughed. “I’m glad I don’t understand Russian swear words!”

“F-ck…” Melissa said, sighing.

“Yobany stos,” Sousuke said, his first words since regaining consciousness. “The Russian words are not exactly the same. Perhaps trakhát'sja or yob tvoyu.” He was still somewhat groggy.

“SOUSUKE!” Kaname said, embarrassed. When she realized that Sousuke had actually spoken, the choice of words no longer mattered. “Sousuke!” She leaned over and gave him a quick hug.

“Kaname.” Sousuke opened his eyes. He looked up at Kaname before trying to move his neck. It was painful. He would examine his surroundings later. “Where am I?”

“You’re in the same f-cking hospital that you were in last time,” Melissa answered. “Melida Island.”

“Same damn bitchy nurse, too.” Kurz complained. “Nice ass, though.”

“I thank you for that, Sir” the nurse said, walking in at just the wrong moment. “I would also thank you all for being more quiet!” She shook a patient chart at Kurz.

“She wants me,” Kurz said to Kaname. Kaname ignored him, taking hold of Sousuke’s hand. “Whoa? What’s that for?” Kurz sounded startled when he saw the nurse add a needle to a full syringe. “Pain killer for our conquering hero?” He hated needles.

“No,” the nurse said with a razor thin smile. “Sedative. I was ready this time. If you won’t keep quiet on your own, I can fix things for you.”

“Huh? No way!” Kurz held up his hands. “No shots. And don’t use the word ‘fix’ around guys!”

“What does that have to do with you?” The nurse asked. That had Tessa giggling and Melissa laughing out loud. Kaname looked somewhat cross.

“I agree with her,” Kaname said. Usually she enjoyed Kurz’ antics. But, now was not the time. She wanted to focus on Sousuke. “You have too much sugar in your diet or something.”

Kurz was too busy taking offense at the nurse’s remarks to make some kind of snappy comeback. Melissa had given the nurse a salute, after taking possession of the syringe. The smarmy smile on her face had her blonde team mate reconsider the value of being seen but not heard.

“You are OK, Kaname?” Sousuke squeezed Kaname’s hand.

“Of course, you big idiot.” Kaname smiled down at Sousuke. “Don’t I look OK?” She posed. The dress she was wearing had been bought just for that occasion.

“You appear to be in your usual robust health,” Sousuke answered. He was only being partly clueless. The pain medications he was on dulled his mind somewhat. The minor head injuries he had suffered didn’t help matters either.

“Huh? Robust health?” Kaname frowned. She struck an even more obvious pose. “You leave me on a submarine under attack. You go off and try to save the world by yourself. You scare everybody by getting lost for a while.” Her voice was quickly climbing the octave ladder. “And, that is all that you can say? Robust health!”

“The dress, Sousuke.” Melissa smiled. She wasn’t in the mood for Kurz antics either. But, in contrast, Sousuke and Kaname antics were wonderful. She hadn’t known whether or not they would ever see such a scene again. It had been very close. Sousuke was in a state of severe hypothermia when the rescue workers removed him from Arbalest. By necessity, the malfunctioning A.I. had put all power into its minimal mobility, pulling itself slowly through snow banks and over rocky terrain.

“Dress?” Sousuke made an attempt to raise his hand to his head, but his arms were restrained by large Velcro bands. The nurse walked over and undid those for him. “I see. It is one I do not recognize. Change is good, I believe.”

Kurz closed his eyes and fought to suppress a laugh. Melissa grinned, shaking her head. Tessa gave Kaname a look of compassion, before looking fondly at Sousuke.

“SOUSUKE!” Kaname immediately apologized. Not to Sousuke, but to the nurse. “Sousuke Sagara… you… you…”

“Yes, Kaname?” Sousuke tried to sit up but couldn’t.

“I love you.” Kaname bent over and kissed Sousuke on the cheek. “Jerk.”

“I…” Whatever Sousuke was going to say was lost. Someone walked into the room.

“Ahhh. So, they were correct about the room number.” It was a strikingly beautiful woman, slightly older than Melissa, dressed in a freshly pressed Intelligence Officer’s uniform. “It seems there is quite a crowd here.” Lt. Vavilov nodded to the nurse. They were friends. “Perhaps I can clear the room for a moment. There are sensitive matters that I need to discuss with the Sergeant.”

“Certainly,” the nurse said. “They can come back in for a brief while afterwards.”

“Uh uh. No way. Not this time.” Kaname put her hands on her hips. “He just woke up. Sousuke doesn’t need to talk military stuff for a while.” She reached down and smoothed Sousuke’s disheveled hair.

“As you wish,” Lt. Vavilov said, scowling at the way Kurz was eyeballing her. “The blonde one there. Perhaps he could be useful for cleaning the hospital.”

“Watch it, babe! Kurz Weber is no janitor.” Kurz frowned. Why did beautiful women always treat him that way?

“You misunderstand me. With that hair, I thought that you might prove useful as a mop.” The Intelligence Officer winked at the nurse who smiled in return. “In any case, I can certainly discuss matters in front of Sgt. Sagara’s quests. It is not official business.” She waved her hand in an offhand matter, ignoring a sputtering Kurz.

“Just what do you need to discuss with Sousuke?” Kaname looked very protective. Sousuke was in no condition to talk shop, official or otherwise. Besides, she did not want to hear anyone talk shop. But, that was less important, of course.

“Maybe she just wants him to autograph a couple of Jane’s Almanac or the latest Arm Slave Quarterly,” Kurz said. “You know… fan girl…” He struck a runway pose.

“Actually, Sousuke.” Lt. Vavilov smiled and patted at her sculpted hair. “Remember when I told you that you were a dashing pilot?”

“Uh…” Sousuke was in no condition to think. But, he was certainly aware of the noise that Kaname made.

“Dashing…” Kaname clenched one fist.

“Yes. Remember, I said that you could stay at my place, if you ever found yourself on Merida Island. Nurse Christa is a good friend of mine. She could stop by and check on you.” The Intelligence Officer smiled a predatory smile. Men. Information. Thing didn’t just wait around for those with no ambition.

“Uh…” Sousuke looked at the nurse, who nodded. Kaname saw the look and made a noise in the back of her throat.

“Sousuke…” Kaname gripped the bed railing. She bumped into the I.V. pole, causing it to roll until the lines grew taut.

“I also promised to cook you dinner if you got us all out of that big mess. Since we are all here chatting happily, it looks as if you completed your part of the bargain.” Vavilov licked her lips. “I’m quite a good cook, actually. But I practice my skills with very few.” It was difficult to tell whether or not that was intended as a double entendre. “Do you like Golubtsy? Zapekanka? How about Kiev Cotellette? I am particularly good with Chicken Tapaka.”

“Uh…” Sousuke began to sweat.

“Sousuke does not like any of that. He likes plain rolls. After that, he usually has more plain rolls. MRE’s are a favorite. Protein bars too.” Kaname tossed her hair. “And anything that I cook.” The look she gave the injured soldier suggested that it would be best for him to confirm her words immediately.

Sousuke closed his eyes. The more things changed, the more they stayed the same.

“You forgot to say ‘Uh’, Sousuke.” Kurz added helpfully.”

“Kaname Chidori is my girlfriend,” Sousuke said with a strong voice. “No doubt that information was included in my dossier.”

Kaname smiled and tossed her hair. Good for Sousuke. But, he ruined things, adding that last part. She’d let him know later.

“Yes, I am aware of that fact. But, I was also under the impression that she would be heading to America.” Lt. Vavilov shrugged. “You are a man, after all.” To her, that explained more than most words would.

“Indeed he is,” Melissa said, a mischievous look in her eyes. “But, I think he’s quite dedicated to Kaname.” She grinned, seeing Kaname smile and nod her head. “Yes indeed. You will no doubt get a chance to hear the recordings from Arbalest’s A.I. as a means of mission debriefing. Kurz and I managed to infiltrate the compound where they are holding the A.S. We removed the crucial data and brought it back safely, just in case.”

“Oh. Sousuke did say to pass along a message,” Tessa said, looking somewhat embarrassed. “I’m sorry. With all of the commotion, I forgot. “She turned to Kaname. “He said to tell you that he loved you.”

“I…” Kaname smiled, looking down at Sousuke.

“That wasn’t the part that I heard,” Melissa said. “It was his conversation with the enemy A.S. pilots. Some interesting stuff, really. I never knew you had it in you.” Melissa winked at Sousuke. She smiled when understanding dawned on his face.

“Uh… that was merely role playing… it…” Sousuke failed in another attempt to sit up.

“Let’s see, how did it go? Kurz, do you remember?” Melissa;s eyes sparkled.
“Kurz… it is not really necessary to recall that…” Sousuke swallowed hard.

“Hmmm. Let me see. You dog, Sousuke.” Kurz blew Kaname a kiss. “It’s always the quiet ones.” Grinning, he repeated what he and Melissa had heard. “’After I defeat you here and stop this foolish plot, I will return to base and take things out on my woman. It will be your fault’.”

“What?” Kaname foze.

“Please… it was not for real…” Sousuke turned to Tessa. “Captain… the recordings could be considered classified information…”

“You’re right, Sergeant.” Tessa said.

Sousuke looked relieved.

“I’m certain that Sergeant Weber won’t mention those parts.” Tessa smiled, seeing the shocked look on Melissa’s face. Her friend probably didn’t think she had it in her.

“Ha hah. Tes-sa…” Kurz grinned. “Next that wild man said ‘I’ll smack her around until she ceases putting up a fight. I’ll find some excuse to do it repeatedly. Then I will throw her on the bed and perform violent and demeaning sexual acts on her, before giving her to my friends for the remainder of the evening’.” He put on an innocent face. “Did you mean me, old buddy? And all I brought you was some magazines…

“WHAT?” Kaname looked down at Sousuke.

“It is… I did not… I’m sorry…” Sousuke tensed up, expecting an even louder shout.

“My… my… my… my… my…” Lt. Vavilov raised one eyebrow. “How Bohemian. Do you have any gypsy blood, Sousuke?”

“That’s not all,” Melissa said. “After that, he said ‘What is more, I will do it that she begs for more. Deep inside, every woman is a whore.” She left out the part where he finished by saying ‘That is what you are all trying to deny. I have seen the proof of this. When I was orphaned, I was raised by prostitutes. No doubt the group of you is too ugly to serve in that capacity’.

“S-O-U-S-U-K-E—S-A-G-A-R-A!” Kaname fumed. She needed to keep up “You said those things about me… to complete strangers…”

“Would you prefer his friends?” Kurz asked, feeling like Nero must have felt while he fiddled during Rome’s more fiery moments.

Tessa nibbled at her fingernail. She really should have put a stop to all this. What kind of example was she setting for everyone? But, it was kind of fun…

“You should have heard the last part,” Melissa said. “Our boy is really growing up. The things you don’t know about a person…” She chuckled. “’I don’t hear anyone denying it. That is the reason you hang back, watching me. If I were to touch you, you would no doubt beg like dogs.”

“Hah! Looks like Sousuke has learned at lot from me!” Kurz said, preening.

“Shit…” Sousuke just sunk deeper under his covers.

“I’m not done yet!” Melissa said. “’You would fight each other, wanting to be first. Loyalties amongst women last only until they see a man they all desire.” She looked over at Kaname. “Sousuke Sagara, Sergeant of Mithril…” She paused. “Playboy and ladies man…”

“Dead man…” Kaname said. She saw Sousuke set his jaw and look up at her. She grinned. “My man… Hmmmpppfff.” That last part was for the pushy Russian Lieutenant. “I know you were just kidding, Sousuke.”

“I was?” Sousuke put a quizzical look on his face. It caught Kaname by surprise. She blushed when she realized that he had gotten her. “If you say so…”

“I say so! Moron.” Kaname bent over and kissed him again. “You had no choice. It took a lot for one man to defeat four women.”

“Yes,” Tessa said. “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

“No, Captain.” Sousuke said, hiding a grin underneath the hem of his blanket. “We can thank Kaname, not Necessity.”

“Sergeant?” Tessa tugged at her braid.

“I am surprised it does not show up on my medical chart.” Sousuke looked over at the nurse. “No doubt the physicians have noticed that I have more calluses on my head than on my feet.” He rubbed the top of his head. “I have been hit with a halisen many times.” He looked over at Tessa. “I had a lot of pent up aggression, Captain.”

“Very funny, Sousuke!” Kaname put her hands on her hips.

“Funny, Kaname?”

“Looks like he’ll make a full recovery,” Tessa said, sounding cheerful. Things seemed to be headed back to ‘normal’, whatever that word meant for that crew.

“Don’t count on it…” Kaname placed her arms over her chest and turned up her nose. She suddenly looked worried. Sousuke’s face had changed. He had to know that she was just joking, right? “What’s wrong, Sousuke?”

“Your father. America.” That was all that Sousuke needed to say.

“Oh… that…” Kaname hung her head. “I didn’t want to bring that up yet…”

“It’s OK. She can stay!” Kurz got the word in first.

“Oooooh!” Kaname stomped her foot. She was saving that good news for a private moment. But, if it was any consolation, she grinned seeing Kurz jump. Melissa had goosed him with the syringe needle. “We can discuss that now, if you like. After everyone gives us our privacy.” She looked around the room with an expectant look.

No one moved. The nurse began arranging Sousuke’s flowers. Melissa looked down at her fingernails. Kurz rubbed his buttock, mumbling curses under his breath. Tessa and Lt. Vavilov looked out the room window. The sky was full of tall stately clouds.

“AHEM!” Kaname rattled Sousuke’s bed rail, making quite a racket.

“Oh. You wanted to be alone?” Tessa asked. That earned her a smile from Melissa.
Kaname merely held her breath and smoothed out her dress.

“If I had to save the world again, perhaps I would choose differently.” Sousuke nodded to Kaname who brightened up considerably.

“OK. Everybody out. That’s enough visiting for now.” The nurse looked over at Kaname.
“You have five minutes.”

When everyone had left the room, Kaname pulled up a chair. She yawned. Much like a different evening, she had sat outside the door to his room. She fell asleep, without a dolphin key-chain this time.

Just as Kaname opened her mouth, poised to give Sousuke a rundown of everything that had happened since his launch, she heard shouting in the hallway.

“Come back here!” That was nurse Christa’s voice.

Kurz literally slid into the room, balanced nimbly on his feet. “I almost forgot,” he said. “You can’t go through it all in five minutes. But, it will give you something to think about on your trip back to Tokyo.” He tossed Kaname a wrapped package. It was a book. The book. “Gotta run!” He took off.

“Sousuke, do you know what this is?” Kaname turned the package over in her hand.

“Uh…”