AW Ch 61
Wow!Mar's been injured and now that worst of all combat weapons is almost in Zorin's cronies' hands- Gundams! Almost as terrifying as the 'God Guns' or the Angels' new toy- the r-- whoops! I almost let the neko outta the sack folks! This chapter will put two close tomos at loggerheads with each other and nai it ain't Vacuumhead and Firebrand either! Some old tomos returned and the Boss decides to head for Onsokamaru! Who's in sick bay and how did she end up there? Why is Yuri Donovan furious? Who are the newbies? Did the truckers succeed?
ANGEL WINGS 
DISCLAIMER: OK Leth darlin’, it’s all yours. First I wanna thank Mr T for the use of his Angels and stuff. Then I wanna thank everyone else who has been allowing us to use their creations here like Thom Beers for the use of his ice road truckers Hugh, Drew, Rick, Eric, Alex and Bear. I took the liberty of naming the 3WA academy in Furool City on Shimougou after Mr Haruka Takachiho in honour of his creations- the Angels. How was that, Yuri? Great, kiddo. Oh hai it sure was, Kei! Now since we left ya up in the air last time let’s get to Ch 61 without any further meandering, shall we? Why is Zack Zero back and oro does he want with Suba Marina Oki? Can Mandy keep her big mouth shut? A hint re the titles- Aw do ya expect me to spoil it for ya? Oro does this all mean? We’ll find out momentarily gang. The Boss Red Marshall’s on the warpath again! Here ’tis:-
CHAPTER 61 (image)
'Into the Labyrinthe' or 'Hail From the Chief'
Junpei was busily waxing Mi-Ke the Elf Hunters' mammoth M-17 tank while Celsia dozed beside Peachy on a blanket. Peach was the team's pet panda who was a bit on the strange side. He crapped out rolls of toilet paper! Celsia was an Elfin queen who was accidentally trapped in the form of an adorable little puppy inu (dog). Junpei's other two companions were Ari and Ryosko. Currently both of them were assigned elsewhere. Ari was serving as the ship's transporter officer and Ryosko (Rees-ko) was in training learning the ropes of a tank gunner warrior back at Takachiho Academy on Shimougou. When Elie got there and innocently told Junpei that she had a 'spell fragment form ElfLand for him' there was nobody at all on hand to stop him from searching for it. Poor Elie!
You see in order for Junpei, Ari and Ryosko to return from ElfLand to Terran Japan and in order for Celsia to regain her human form they first had to collect all the 'spell fragments' of an ancient Elfin spell for Celsia to use. The problem was that a portion of this spell (a spell fragment) was printed or tattooed on certain female elves. The only way to find out if an elf maiden was in fact marked with a fragment was to ahem 'disrobe' the hapless victim! In ElfLand it was pretty much old hat it being the law there to allow these searches. Why? If the spell wasn't performed soon both Terra and ElfLand would meld together with disastrous results! Besides which many of the elfin maids were more than ready to give their all for the Cause! Of course the trio of Hunters had long ago decided to remain in ElfLand anyway there being nothing back on Terra for them. Junpei was unemployed, Ari was a struggling actress and Ryosko was a disgruntled schoolgirl.
Now Junpei was being trained as a 3WA space tech engineer, Ryosko was an officer in training and Ari was slated to attend the Academy and become an administrative assistant to Chief Garner! To make a long story short when Junpei had heard Elie's message he merely did oro (what) comes naturally and--
THWACK! "You big dumbass ox! Didn't you notice that I'm not an elf for Kami's (God's) sake? As you can see I am not tattooed with any spell fragments! (Elie yanked her fuku (clothing or outfit) away from the big galoot whose right cheek was quite red where Elie'd belted him) I'm going behind that thing (Mi-Ke) to get dressed! I'd appreciate it if you didn't peek! If you do I'll beat the crap outta you!" screamed a very irate Elie who was turning crimson and was totally au natural!
Junpei sulked and rubbed his jaw. "Sorry honey but you said you had a 'spell fragment' for me so I searched you for it, that's all. So it's really your own damned fault! Hey! You forgot these, love." explained the big guy and he strolled behind the tank to return Elie's very brief mini bikini briefs to her.
WHAM! "Pervert! Don't you understand English dammit? Get the Hell outta here!" yelled Elie.
Junpei rubbed the 'mouse' on his left aizu (eye) and cursed. "Some people, boyo! Try to do 'em a favour and oro (what) do you get? Grief dammit! OW!" he yelped.
"Well no real harm done, I suppose." she said sheepishly. Now that she was clad Elie was no longer angry with the big dude who was sort of cute. "Sorry for hitting you, sir but when that nice Mr Hawking told me what to say to you--" she began explaining.
"Jimbo sent you down here? Wait'll I tell Gene (Starwind was Hawking's boss) about this! Hawkie's gonna get what's coming to him, boyo! Hey! Why the Hell DID you come down here anyway? Nobody ever visits us down here in the boondocks as a rule so why did Jimbo send you down here?" asked a curious circus strong man who had found an ice holo pack and was holding it to his swelling 'mouse' bruise.
Elie quickly explained and Junpei pointed to his replicator. "You idiot broad! Of course gambling aboard ship's allowed but hardly anyone ever gambles. Oro's (What's) the point when we can rep up anything we need or want with that thing. Aboard the 'Angel' everything else is free so we can drink, smoke, play games, read holos, watch vids, play on the holodecks, anything. But if you like I can rep up cards, slots, roulette, horse racing, whatever you want, kid. Just name it, Miss Elie." explained the elf hunter.
By now all she wanted to do was to belt that Hawking creep right in the chops in front of all his pals but Miss Vincent (Rally the 'Cat') had warned them that any kind of trouble at all would land the perp or perps in the ship's brig. "Holodecks? Exactly what and where are they, sir?" she asked sweetly. Junpei grinned and explained. Then he sent her up to Level 8 where she spent a relaxing and quite enjoyable afternoon breaking the bank in Monte Carlo. She felt a tad guilty that Haru couldn't be here with her but it was his own fault. She and Griffy had warned him about wandering around this monstrosity in the wee hours of the night but did he listen? No! Although how it was that Musicaa wasn't caught as well was beyond the Hellcat's understanding. Poor Rave Master- scrubbing pots and pans like a scullery maid. She giggled at the thought of Haru Glory in an apron taking orders from a woman!
Unknown to Elie the Rave Master had been released from KP captivity earlier that day and even now he was practicing his kenjutsu ryuu (sword fighting style) in the holodeck room next door to hers. The big dragon dragoon warrior had cheerfully replaced the kid in the galley. He liked that jungle gal Leila and hoped to ask her out for a drink and maybe even dinner later in the week. Musicaa was chatting up Marlene far above him in the 'star room' (observation deck lounge) with a thought towards 'picking up' the svelte blonde Brigadier! Fat chance! Griff and Ruby were tending bar while little Pluu (Haru's carrot-nosed 'dog') was merrily frisking about and playing up on the command deck to most of the flight crew's delight and to the annoyance of the temporary exec Light Yagami. Ryuuk was pushing his ethereal hand through the small pet and out again until Light shoved the white ball of fluff into the nav room and shut the door.
Belowdecks Junpei had had a change of heart over getting Jimbo into hot water (Kami! What if the Boss Lady were to find out?) and had settled down to a quiet game of pool in the rec room with Lord Ivy and Becky.
Right after dinner Winry Rockabelle was sent to 'fetch the Boss' to take a very important comm relay call. It was from one of those 'G Twins'- either Andy Gooley or Chuck Garner, probably Uncle Charlie or Ojou wouldn't have had such a kitten. Winry timidly tapped on the commander's portal. "Enter." came the gruff growl from within. Although only a few years older than her Winry was sometimes quite terrified of this redheaded Hellcat. She hesitaed until-- "I said come in dammit!" repeated the gruff voice. Winry cringed. Nobody EVER ignored the Boss three times! She steeled herself and slid the door aside. She stepped into Kei's parlour feeling more than ever like the proverbial fly in the spider's den!
"A very important call for you on the bridge, mum." said the blonde shakily. Kei yawned.
"OK. Thanks, Win. Tell YamKumi (Ojou the Terran Yakuzza princess was filling in for Kome as comm officer) I'll take it here. (She pointed to a bank of vidscreens across the room) Have her relay it to vidscreen #3." ordered the Boss, however, Winry shook here head.
"Sorry, Auntie Boss. No can do, mum. It's a 'Tach 9' relay and Auntie Ojou said it was an 'FYEO' (For Your Eyes Only) call. You have to take it on the bridge. It's probably Mr Garner, mum." explained the blonde automail mechanic. The Boss sighed and slipped a Mark XIII ion cannon into her kimono's pocket. "Lead on Spirit." she joked only Winry didn't get the drift so Kei shrugged and pointed to the door. She followed Winry up to the bridge where Winry made a bee line for the nav room. Ojou shoved a vidmike into Kei's outstretched palm.
"Everybody out. Clear the bridge. This is an 'FYEO' relay and those are my standing orders. This shouldn't take long so don't wander too far. Wait in my ready room if you wanna." said the Red Marshall.
"Hullo Charlie. Oro's (What's) up, boyo?" she trilled and stared into the familiar sourpuss visage of Territorial Sector Chief Charles Augustus Garner who Kome called the 'Big Cheese'. Garner was livid with anger.
"Deirdre! Where the Sam Hell are you? Why aren't you guys at 'Remus' dammit? Answer me, Katie!" he howled.
Kei flared right back at him. The Boss never backed down from anyone and she gave as good as she got no matter who the Hell it was!
"Where the Hell am I? You should know that, me old boyo! You sent Zach along to babysit us, didn't you? (As a matter of fact he hadn't. He had not requested Zach Zero's 'Liberator' specifically when he'd asked the 'GC' to provide an escort for the 'Angel'.) As you already know we are half a solar week out from 'Remus' and we've got four Gundams aboard. We just lifted off from 'Onsokamaru' and if you don't belive me then ask John Raven dammit!" trilled a defiant and angry Red Marshall. Garner sighed and swallowed a 'Hydroxylein' tablet. He washed it down with a healthy swig of 'Galusol' before lighting a cigarette.
"OK I apologize, Deirdre. However, I was NOT informed of your detour and I didn't tell Zach to keep tabs on you. I didn't even know Zero was even with the 'Galactic Command' for Kami's (God's) sake. So Zero IS there? (Kei nodded) We did ask 'GC' to lend us an escort for you guys but we didn't even know Zach had signed up with them. Well, you get yourselves to 'Remus' just as soon as you possibly can and rendezvous with the 'Shalimar'. That's the contribution from the 'Neptune Regiment'. Her skipper's an Alan Gabriel (Kei raised her aizu (eye) brows but remained silent) Roger Smith and his 'Big O' megadeuce are aboard as well so with your four Gundams and 'MEGAS' (another big giant robot) at our disposal (Kei opened her mouth but said nothing and closed it again) we'll have half a dozen of those metal monsters and--" explained Charlie before Kei did say something.
"Oro (What) the Hell! Where'd you find 'MEGAS' and how'd you blackmail Kiva and Coop into helping us out?" demanded the Boss.
"We found 'MEGAS' on 'Antares 8' and we didn't have to 'blackmail' Coop or Kiva into helping us. All we had to do was to promises them not to saddle them with those two 'Jersey Jerks' of yours until after the fighting was all over." answered Garner. Kei grimaced and winced.
"Gee Charlie, thanks ever so much for leaving me stuck with 'em. You're all heart." replied a sarcastic tro-con. Garner ignored the comment.
"By the way just what did you find to keep them occupied while they're aboard? Kiva says they're useless." asked the chief. Kei smirked.
"I keep 'em in the galleys. Turns out they're both great cooks. However, I'll still be glad to be rid of 'em, Chuck." replied the Boss.
"OK. You be sure and relay me when you get to 'Remus' and make contact with Gabriel and Smith. Good luck, kiddo. Sayonara." said Charlie Garner, abruptly blanking his vidscreen.
"I'll be sure and do that, Chuck. Bye." replied Kei, blanking her own vidscreen. She turned as Han peeked around the corner of the bridge door.
"All clear? OK for us to come back in now, Boss?" he asked. Kei waved him and the others back onto the bridge.
"We still headed for 'Remus'?" she demanded.
"Sure are. A few more days, say five. Why?" said Gene Starwind.
"You got three, Cap. It is imperative that we get there with all the speed we can muster, that's why. Try to get a relay through to Alan Gabriel on the 'Shalimar' of the 'Neptune Regiment' and trill me when you raise them. We're meeting up with them at 'Remus'. I'll be on the 'star deck' if you need me. Later." said Kei and she headed for the gantryway stairs. She had a Helluva lot of crap to mull over so she decided to walk down the two flights to Level 7. Voices were coming from the 'star room' when Kei got there.
"And then there was the time I singlehandedly defeated all six of the palace guardians, my dear Miss Angel. There I was--" said Musicaa as the redhead entered the 'star room'.
"Singlehandedly? The way I heard the story from Leth was that Haru, Elie, Griff, Pluu and a brother-sister duo helped you out when you guy admonished those palace creeps." chuckled the Boss.
"How ya feeling, Blondie?" she added and lit up a cheroot. Mar managed a wan smile.
"Much much better, Boss! In fact I think I should return to duty immediately, don't you?" replied the blonde Brigadier eagerly. Kei shook her head and mouthed the word 'nai' (no).
"No way in jigoku (Hell), kiddo. I'm already in enough hot water with the dingbat (Yuri) and I sure as the oni (devil) don't need to get in any more! Our medic (Yuri) says a couple of more days' rest for you and that's that. (She glanced at Mar's companion and grinned) Hullo there, Musicaa. I don't think we'vereally met yet. I'm Kei O'Halloran. Call me Kei or Boss. Glad to have you aboard, boyo." said the Boss and she stuck out a gloved hand in greeting which Musicaa ignored and began laughing.
"What the Sam Hell are you? The floor show?" he chortled, still ignoring Kei's hand of greeting. Mar winced and jetted her chair to the other end of the room.
"Batten down the hatches, hoist the storm flags and stand by for rough weather. Here comes trouble for sure." said an amused blonde.
"Now now, Boss. Cool it. Musicaa didn't know that you're the c.o. (commanding officer) so give the poor kid a break. Please?" she coaxed and Kei relented.
"OK. I guess anyone can make a mistake. How's the view today?" replied Kei, blowing a few smoke rings. While she was facing the viewing window the blonde grabbed the silver wielder and whispered frantically in his ear.
"Listen you big dummy. She ain't called 'Boss' for nothing, kid. She really IS our commanding officer." said Mar and Musicaa blinked.
"Her? I thought you ran the ship? After all you're a Brigadier." he replied.
"Yeah only the Boss is a Marshall. She's got a really hot Gaelic temper so be careful or you'll be on the receiving end of it like your Captain D'Greele was." whispered Mar. Changing the subject he pointed out the viewing window. "Can we see my world from here?" asked Musicaa and Mar shook her head.
"Nope. You can see only for a few thousand lightyears from here. Your world is ten times that distance from us. See that tiny red dot? (He nodded) That's 'Antares' and that asteroid is ten thousand lightyears from Mars." explained Mar. Musicaa whistled.
"So I suppose we won't be going home anytime soon?" he asked.
"Sorry but our next stop is 'Remus' and that's 25 lightyears from here. It's that grey world over there. (Mar pointed to the West) We'll be there in a few more days." explained the svelte blonde. Musicaa choked on his gin rickey.
"How fast are we going for Christ's sake?" he demanded.
"Not too fast. About 25 Warp." answered Marlene Angel.
"More like 35 now, Blondie. Garner wants us there in 72 solar hours." corrected Kei. A service droid had wiped up Musicaa's spilled drink and placed another one on the table.
"Whta's a Warp?" he asked.
"Lightspeed." replied Kei without turning around. Musicaa stared open-mouthed at her back.
"She means the distance light travels in a single solar second, roughly 170,000 kilos (kilometres). Like I said it's pretty damned slow." said Mar. Kei stretched.
"Think I'll check the bridge before I hit the sack. Blondie needs her beauty rest so don't keep her up too much longer. G'Night." said Kei.
"She's kawaii (beautiful or lovely) enough already for me right now, Reds." murmured a smitten Musicaa.
"C'mon lover boy. I'll walk you home. Five more minutes, Blondie. Then you get to your bunk and that's an order, Brig. G'Night." said Kei, dragging Musicaa by the ear. She dropped him off at the RAVE Suite on Level 4.
"Really Mr Musicaa! You and Mr D'Greele have simply got to stop bringing these trollopes and floozies home with you! I am not running a flop house you know!" scolded Griff when he answered the door. Kei bristled but said nothing and returned to the bridge.
END of Ch 61. Ch 62 soon. Getting interesting eh? Wonder how our heroine’s gonna get outta this one? Read on and r/r/s away as always. Have a wunnerful day and sfn/sys/jm/Kami bless you all for your interest and assistance. Hooble-toodle-doo! Toodles tomos watashi-K&K
I dickered over this chapter’s titles. Let me know if I got ‘em right eh? Don't our gus and gals play some cool practical jokes on each other? All in good natured fun of course!
Hope ya had a happy and safe Guy Fawkes' Day! Happy Thanksgiving. Dunno if the Japanese even celebrate it but Naruto does.
A belated happy birthday to our fearless leader- Classic Kei who will be born 27 Nov AD 2121.
PS- I really do appreciate all your loyalty and support over the years my tomos watashi all! And you can take that to the bank folks!-K&K
See ya next blog post. Toodles-K&K
This chapter brings me up to date. Then I have to wind up this one and think about my next one folks- K&K
