Full Metal Panic Fan Fiction ❯ Blood From Metal ❯ Chapter 6

Blood From Metal

 

By: Alpha Zulu Mark II

 

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, I don't claim to own any of them, and this fic is meant only to explore an idea; so, bite me!

 

Chapter 6

 

Some places in the world are not considered tourist attractions for good reason. Manila was a tourist attraction to millions each year. The docks, however, were not a tourist attraction. Especially at just shy of three in the morning. The loading and unloading of freight of every kind went on non-stop, regardless of day or night, but in the short hours of the morning, being on a dark dock was not recommended activity for anyone without ill intent.

 

Fortunately, the three silently standing by a haphazard collection of damaged and broken shipping crates had plenty of ill intent; not to mention plenty of firepower in their packs and on their persons. Each of the three had their field of fire, and they had been waiting there for more than an hour, having gone in shortly after nightfall. The trio had walked each and every dock around the one they now stood on, exploring each and every warehouse around the head of the dock, and learning, planning and agreeing on exfiltration plans if things went wrong.

 

Sousuke stood silently, his shotgun partially concealed across his chest, Mao on his left with her carbine, and Yu Fan on his right, her assault rifle in hand. While there were no warning signs that they would be double-crossed or have problems with the connection, it was better to plan for the worst and hope for the best. For Sousuke, that was second-nature to him. So, they had prepped carefully and were now in stand-by until the people they were supposed to meet arrived.

 

Forty minutes later, they were still in place. The contact is late, thought Sousuke. While not uncommon, it made him a little more cautious. The three had agreed that if the courier was more than ninety minutes late, they would walk and try again later. Looking at the waters of Manila Bay, Sousuke noticed that some low patches of fog were forming here and there. Visibility might become an issue, he noted to himself. Glancing at Mao, he tapped her shoulder, pointed to his eyes, made a flat side-to-side motion with his hand, pointed to the bay, then tapped his left wrist. She nodded. Turning to Yu Fan, he started to reach for her shoulder, only to have her glance at him, tap her wrist, point to the bay, then her eyes, finally making a flat-hand sign. He nodded.

 

Only a few minutes has passed before they heard muffled footsteps approaching from behind them. The three didn't have to discuss it; they had planned ahead for this. Silent as a ghost, Yu Fan slipped around the edge of the pile of freight packing, vanishing into the deep shadows there, while Mao and Sousuke shifted so they were back to back, Sousuke facing the sound of the approaching footsteps, while Mao watched his back, her night vision monocular sweeping the bay and far end of the dock. Yu would be watching the blind side and keeping their primary retreat route open.

 

The footsteps came closer, slow and unhurried. As they got closer, they got clearer before the person stopped just short of Sousuke's field of fire, concealed by the crates, pallets and containers. “Someone call a taxi?” came a deep, soft voice.

 

“Only if you have vodka,” Sousuke in response, his shotgun up and tight to his shoulder, finger on trigger.

 

“Sorry, I only have Singha,” came the reply, a chuckle tainting the deep, soft voice. Sousuke lowered the shotgun slightly, stepping around the corner. He found himself looking at a large black man, clad not unlike himself in fatigue pants, boots and tee shirt. The courier wore a cloth vest that showed the signs of continuous, regular use. One of the man's hands was on his hip, the other behind his back.

 

“Dutch?” asked Sousuke directly. The shaved-headed man nodded.

 

“You the contract labor?” he asked. Sousuke nodded.

 

“Affirmative,” he confirmed. “Transport?” he hinted. There was still no sign of the boat, after all. Dutch smiled. Brining his hand out from behind his back, he tucked a large revolver into a leather holster under his vest, and at the same time, his other hand fished out a small light stick from his pocket. Cracking it, he held it aloft for a minute, then tossed into the bay.

 

“Infrared?” he guessed, not having seen any light from the stick. Dutch nodded.

 

“Taxi will be here shortly,” he said. Fishing out a pack of cigarettes, he flicked one out, using his lips to pull it from the pack.

 

“Please don't,” said Sousuke.

 

“Relax,” Dutch grunted. “I'm not planning on lighting it until we're under way,” he assured him. “I'm no more eager to get killed than you are,” he assured Sousuke. He waggled the pack.

 

“I don't smoke,” Sousuke said. Hearing Mao draw breath to bum a stick, he nudged her with his shoulder. Mao sighed quietly, but said nothing. Dutch cocked his head, obviously hearing something familiar. Concentrating, Sousuke heard the rough, coughing grumble of an engine, and focused out into the bay. It took him a moment to pick up the boat.

 

“Fuck me,” breathed Mao. She didn't have any trouble picking it up because she had the night vision monocular to her eye. “It's a PT boat, Sousuke,” she breathed. Sousuke frowned.

 

“Didn't they use those in World War Two?” he wondered. He wasn't as nautically-inclined as Mao was, though he had picked up a lot since being stationed on a submarine.

 

“Yeah,” said Mao. “They made them out of plywood, too,” she elaborated. “I can't believe that any of them are still floating,” she observed. Dutch's quiet chuckle came from the right of the pair.

 

“She's a PT boat by heritage, but that is as far as it goes,” he said. “Don't worry; she'll do whatever it takes,” he assured them, clearly amused at their reaction. The dull-black-and-grey painted form idled to a stop by the dock. “All aboard,” said Dutch, lightly hopping down onto the boat's deck. “The taxi is leaving,” he added. Mao and Sousuke grabbed their packs, Sousuke seeing Yu Fan slip back around the corner in time to grab her pack as well. All three of them hopped onto the deck of the boat. Sousuke saw that there was a mock-up of a fuel tank over the torpedo tubes. I suppose that torpedoes attract too much attention in most parts of the world these days, he thought fleetingly. The gun stations were set up, though no guns were rigged.

 

Sousuke felt the engine reverse, the ship slipping away from the dock and spinning lightly before smoothly accelerating down the bay toward the ocean. Seeing some green light from a small hatch, he ducked into the cabin, seeing Dutch sitting at the controls, one hand on the throttles, another on the wheel. Looking at the gauges and electronics, he had to admit that it certainly wasn't a boat from World War Two. This technology is almost Black Technology-level, he realized. Nothing close to the helm of the De Danaan, of course, but Dutch's cockpit was probably more advanced than any current naval warship out there.

 

“You can stow your gear and sleep up front,” said Dutch. “Oh, and meet my crew,” he gestured with his now-lit cigarette behind him and to the side. Looking back and over, he saw a tight passage to a room that was sandwiched between the cockpit and the engine compartment. In the tight space, he saw a blonde man working on a computer. “Benny boy is our techie,” he said. “Rock and Revy are currently on their way back from a job with a client,” he said. “You might run into them when we get back,” he shrugged.

 

“And where is `back'?” wondered Sousuke. All Yu Fan's contact had said was that they would be transported to the Russian mafia who had control over the area where the lab was.

 

“Thailand,” said the large black man. “Lovely little place called Roanapur, down at the far end of the country,” he said. Sousuke had heard the name before, of course; ninety percent of his arms deals went through there. It was known world-wide as a lawless zone where life and property weren't worth shit. In many ways, it reminded him of Beirut, Kosovo, Somalia or pretty much all of his native country. “I'd ask what brings you three there, but I don't want to know,” he added.

 

Behind Sousuke, Yu Fan and Mao entered the cabin as Dutch opened up the throttle a little more, the boat riding higher. Since they were still well within the harbor, Dutch kept them relatively slow, though it was clear he wanted open water as fast as possible. “Quartering in the bow,” said Sousuke to the two. Both nodded, moving to the cramped passage that led to the bow. There was the hatch on deck, but it was easier to move inside the ship when not in combat.

 

“You work for the Russian mafia?” Sousuke asked of the large man. He shook his head.

 

“Like you, we are contract labor,” he said. “Most of our business is done with Hotel Moscow, but we are not part of their organization,” he said. “Think of us as mercenaries,” he chuckled.

 

“Understood,” said Sousuke, turning to follow the two women to the bow area. As he passed through the hatch to the bow, he found the bow area was larger than he had thought, but was stacked tightly with carefully-lashed freight. Mao had a cigarette in her mouth, but it wasn't lit. It didn't take him long to figure out why. Looking at the cargo, he saw that there was a very visible explosive warning sticker on one crate, fire hazard on the one next to it, and a poison caution on the one below the high explosive.

 

“I think I'll go smoke outside,” said the Sergeant Major, moving past Sousuke. Yu Fan settled her pack and sat down on the sparse bench in the bow section.

 

“It is cooler here,” she said, removing her jacket. Her harness was next, though she tucked her gun and a knife into the waistband of her borrowed jeans. Sousuke nodded, his own pack settling next to her pack and Mao's. “Where are we headed?” she asked him. He glanced at her.

 

“Roanapur, Thailand,” he said. She nodded.

 

“Yu Lan and I spent considerable time there, learning our trade,” she shared with him candidly. “Yu Lan developed some good friends while there; perhaps we can shorten the list further,” she suggested. Sousuke's eyes narrowed a little.

 

“I hope so,” he growled. Kana needs me, and I am pissing around, chasing leads! he thought in frustration. Looking back at Yu Fan, he saw the older of the twins watching him. “Is something wrong?” he asked her. She shook her head.

 

“No,” she said quietly. “You are eager to recover Chidori,” she observed.

 

“I am,” he confirmed. “You seem somewhat eager yourself, Yu Fan,” he noted.

 

“I have grown curious about her,” admitted the young assassin. “You, Mao, the MITHRIL captain; you all risk your lives and jobs for her eagerly. I wonder what kind of person she is that you would do this.”

 

“You and your sister read her file,” said Sousuke. Yu Fan nodded.

 

“That is why I am growing curious,” said the girl. “She appears no different from any other Whispered asset that Sensei was tasked with retrieving, so there must be something that wasn't in the file,” concluded Yu Fan. Sousuke considered that.

 

I read her file before meeting her for the first time, as well. I never considered it before, but there is something about her that isn't in the files. Something special about Kana that I can't pin down, he thought. She and Tessa are very different from what is in their jackets, but I'm not sure how I would classify the difference if I had to, he ruminated. “It would appear there is,” he said aloud after several seconds of consideration.

 

“And that is why I want to meet her,” said Yu Fan. Sensei's plan makes certain assumptions, after all, and if those assumptions are in error, I will not be able to complete his plans, she thought.

 

“What about you?” asked Sousuke. “What happens after we retrieve Kana?” he asked her. She looked him in the eye.

 

“I have not yet decided,” she said. “I will make that choice when we have recovered Chidori,” she said. Sousuke had no illusions about what that said. She may turn on us, or escape, he thought. Somehow, though, he was having a hard time maintaining his distrust of the girl. Perhaps I am getting soft, but she seems to be working with us for a similar, if not identical, goal. He could still hear her growl when Gates had inadvertently dismembered her twin's corpse with his Chodarl M in Hong Kong. She has reason to be our ally now, but what about after? he wondered.

 

While Sousuke and Yu Fan were talking in the bow, Mao had found her way up to the cockpit, where she lit up and took a drag from her cigarette. Seeing a familiar can of beer in Dutch's hand, she smiled. “Hey, got any more of that, Dutch?” she asked.

 

“You know where they are, Revy,” he said offhandedly, one hand tuning a scanner unit.

 

“Who?” wondered Mao. Dutch turned to look at her.

 

“Sorry, thought you were someone else,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “Beers in the cooler behind Benny,” he said. Mao deducted who Benny was, and swung down to grab a couple of cold ones. Moving back up to the cockpit, she cracked the top of one and took a long pull. “Ah!” she sighed. “So, who's this `Revy' you mistook me for?” she asked.

 

“One of my crew,” grunted Dutch. “You might meet the other two later,” he said dismissively. “We've got some time before we get back,” he added. Mao took another swig before speaking.

 

“This boat got enough fuel to get where ever we are going?” she asked. Dutch chuckled.

 

“Not quite,” he admitted. “But, I planned ahead and have a refuel set up in the Spratly Islands,” he shared with her.

 

“Spratly Islands,” she repeated to herself. “Where are we going, again?” she asked.

 

“A sunny tropical paradise called Roanapur, Thailand,” grinned the big man, saluting her with his Budweiser. Mao snorted.

 

“I doubt that many share your opinion of that place,” she said dryly. She had been through there once, shortly after signing on with MITHRIL, but the brief visit had left a clear impression on her. It wasn't most cities, after all, where the prostitutes wore pistols, and the sole church in town held services with machineguns in hand. And saying `I lost my heart' takes on a whole new meaning when it is Roanapur you are talking about, she thought, a flutter in her chest at the memory of seeing organ brokers plying their trade in the alleys.

 

“You've been there?” guessed Dutch shrewdly. Mao shrugged.

 

“Passed through,” she played it off. “Your outfit based out of there, hmm?”

 

“You could tell?” he laughed at her accusation. “What gave it away?” he asked playfully.

 

“Well, not many ports would welcome an armed torpedo boat,” she shrugged. He inclined his head in acknowledgement.

 

“True,” he agreed equitably. “I already told your leader I have no interest in what you are going to do there, but I can guess,” he said. “Wouldn't happen to have anything interesting to share with me? Just between drinking buddies, of course,” he added. Mao considered that.

 

“If you mean, `are you going to be coming after me',” she said, “then I can tell you `not as far as I know',” she assured him. “Roanapur is likely to be a stop-over on our way to our target,” she said, contemplating the currently-available intelligence.

 

“How long a stop-over?” wondered Dutch. Roanapur was not the kind of place that one stopped-over without damn good cause. Mao shrugged nonchalantly. “I see,” he replied to her non-verbal answer. “If you don't mind my asking, you looking for anyone in particular there?” he wondered.

 

“Some Russian mafia is all I know,” said Mao. Dutch nodded.

 

“Hotel Moscow,” he said to himself. “Balalaika won't be back until day after tomorrow at best, so you could find yourself cooling your heels in Roanapur for a couple of days,” he said. Mao had no illusions of what Sousuke would think of that bit of news. “I can suggest a place or two where you can hole up, if you like,” he said. “If you've been there before, you know what I'm talking about,” he said.

 

“I'll pass that along,” said Mao. By now, the boat was clear of Manila harbor proper, and Dutch pushed the throttles forward to cruising speed, the ship jumping lightly as he did so. Mao crushed her beer can flat, tossing it back through the hatch and over the rail astern before opening her second brew. Tapping out a fresh smoke, she accepted the offered light from Dutch.

 

“That young man,” said Dutch, “he's your ring-leader, right?” he asked. Mao nodded.

 

“More or less,” she said evasively.

 

“What's his deal?” wondered Dutch. “He's like the people I know in Roanapur,” he elaborated, seeing her look. “Not that it's my business, of course, but I am a little curious about it,” he assured her.

 

“He's…got some things on his mind,” said Mao. “You'd do better to keep your eye on the other person in our group,” said Mao.

 

“You mean the assassin,” he said simply. Mao blinked.

 

“Oh, I know what she is,” he smiled. “Matter of fact, I know someone a lot like her in Roanapur,” he shared, taking a fresh cigarette from his own pack. “Goes by the name Shenhua,” he casually dropped, watching Mao closely out of the corner of his eye. She didn't react to the name. So, this group isn't plugged in to scene in Roanapur, he made mental notes. So, who are they hitting for, and why?

 

“Chinese Triad?” Mao asked, hearing the name. Dutch shrugged.

 

“She usually works for them, but has been known to take free-lance assignments,” he said. “Crazy bitch got my dock torched a few weeks ago,” he said disgustedly. “She has some differences with Revy and that lunatic nun Eda,” he chuckled. Mao didn't react to the name Eda, either. Strange, Dutch mused, she's either really, really good, or these three don't work for any of the factions with power bases in Roanapur, he thought to himself.

 

“Did you say Shenhua?” came the quiet voice of Yu Fan. She and Sousuke were standing at the hatch that led to the bows.

 

“Yeah,” said Dutch, “friend of hers?” he asked. Yu Fan shook her head.

 

“No,” she said indifferently. She glanced at Sousuke. “Is she still in Roanapur?” asked Yu Fan. Dutch shrugged.

 

“Revy said that she put four rounds of nine mil into her during the party at our dock,” said the man. “She could be dead for all I know,” he finished.

 

“I see,” she said. Mao looked at Yu Fan.

 

“How do you know her?” she asked the assassin.

 

“She taught me and my sister blade work,” said Yu Fan.

 

-

 

Kaname climbed out of bed, bound for the bathroom. It was the morning of the third day since the trip to the island. The evening before, Gretchen had unexpectedly come by to ask if she needed anything, and she had taken the opportunity to request some hygiene supplies. The next morning, Gretchen had handed her what she asked for. It might have been her imagination, but she thought that the older woman had a resentful look in her eyes.

 

Dismissing the thought, Kaname found that she was actually smiling a little as she felt her lower belly twinge with a cramp. Never thought that I would be glad to get my period, she mused. While she slept, she had been drawn into a steady resonance with Tessa, and knew that Tessa was also on her period. Guess that we really are synched with each other, she thought. Even though we're god-knows how far apart, we are still in step! Yawning, she stepped into the shower after her pit stop.

 

Last night had been reassuring for her in more ways than one. Merged with Tessa, she had picked up greater details about the state of her rescue effort. This morning, she literally knew everything that Tessa knew about what was going on in MITHRIL. The knowledge that she had been sold out by the higher-ups infuriated her. Tessa had, in exchange, put together the puzzle of what Intelligence thought it was doing.

 

“Idiots,” muttered Kaname through the shower spray splashing against her face. Leonard was playing them like a violin, while they had no idea that the asset they were trying to `turn' was turning them, instead. Tessa had become somewhat preoccupied with that line of thought, and though the depth of resonance fell off as she focused on mapping the damage to her beloved MITHRIL, she had been a warm, reassuring presence in Kana's mind all night. Kaname had slept peacefully and deeply, a smile on her face.

 

Neither of them had been overly sure of what Leonard was doing, other than carrying out the arms deals, weapon development and intelligence gathering that allowed them to foment wars, build an infrastructure behind the governments of some countries and to hide to such a degree that even MITHRIL might not have know about them if it hadn't been for the chain of events that started with the intervention in the civil war in that east African nation.

 

A little more than a year since then, and MITHRIL looked like it was still on the starting blocks, thanks to idiocy and blind arrogance. Still, just knowing that even though she had been sold out by MITHRIL's high command, Tessa, Sousuke and Mao had stood up for her, gave her strength to hold on. Every minute, every hour, every day, they get closer to me, she told herself. She felt her heart skip a beat as she thought of Sousuke drawing closer and closer to her.

 

Forcing her mind off that track, she concentrated on how she would get through the coming day. “Day at a time, Kana,” she whispered to herself, “day at a time.” As she finished up, she began to decide on her goals for the day. First and foremost was to be sure that Leo didn't get near her. After that came undermining and information mining the three girls, maybe another run at mapping the island. If she could get into his study unnoticed, she might be able to get a message out to aid her rescue crew in retrieving her from the asshole.

 

Taking her towel, she began to dry off, seeing a fresh bikini bottom waiting for her. Stepping into it, she settled it comfortably before tearing off a fresh strip of soft cotton to serve as her top. She smirked every time she did that; even if it was an insignificant irritation to him, she loved the thought of causing Leonard as much trouble as she could without causing him enough to get locked up. Death of a thousand mosquito bites, she thought to herself, securing the ends of the make-shift top between her breasts and making a couple of small adjustments for comfort.

 

“Kana?” came the voice of the ever-perky Kari. “Breakfast is ready!” sang out the young girl.

 

“Yeah, I'm on my way,” she called back, meeting Kari at her door. The young American girl was in the `uniform' of the house, her bikini bottoms slightly smaller than the pairs she had been wearing up to then. “What say we go for a walk again today?” suggested Kana. She had been concentrating her efforts on Kari, seeing her as the most likely one of the three to respond to her deprogramming efforts.

 

“Sure!” said the girl. “There's a nice grove of wild banana plants on the northern slope,” she said. “We can get some for dinner tonight,” she observed. Kana smiled at her.

 

“Sounds like a plan, then,” said the other woman. If only they knew that everything I see and learn goes right to Tessa, she thought to herself. She had decided that if she could learn the shape and layout of the island, Tessa could find a way to locate it with satellite. And then, my Sousuke will come get me and kill Leo, she told herself savagely. A moment later, she hit upon a possible glitch in the idea.

 

Tessa sent him to recover me, not necessarily kill Leo, she thought. He is her brother, so maybe she plans to let MITHRIL deal with him. Maybe she is banking on Sousuke's tendency to go overboard to account for her brother's death, she considered, sitting down in her customary place. I guess it doesn't matter as long as he is eliminated, she decided. I know one thing for sure: if he survives, he'll come back after me again someday.

 

Glancing around the table, she found that she was looking at Sari and Gretchen, but no Leo. Her warm brown eyes narrowed slightly. “No Leo this morning?” she asked innocently. “Did he find a scorpion under his pillow, or just see himself in the mirror?” she wondered. Gretchen sent her a tightly controlled look.

 

“Leonard had something come up unexpectedly,” said the woman. “He will be back with us sometime this evening,” said the oldest of the four women.

 

“Hope not,” said Kaname, helping herself to some miso and rice. Gretchen maintained her poker face.

 

“He will,” said the woman. Kaname looked at her, noting a bite mark on the older woman's shoulder, as well as some faint bruises, partially covered with careful use of makeup.

 

“From the look of things, I would think you would be better off if he crashed into the sea,” said Kaname. She caught sight of Gretchen's fists tightening on her fork and knife.

 

“Leonard is…passionate,” she said as easily as she could. “I eagerly await his return,” she added, traces of spite leaking through her casual tone. Kari and Sari were giggling and whispering while Kaname and Gretchen stared at each other.

 

It had been a rough night for Gretchen. Leonard had been engrossed in Kaname's file once more for the better part of the day, and when she had gone to him that night, he had still had his mind on Kaname. No woman likes to have the man fucking her cry out some other girl's name, but when the name he grunts as he cums is the name of a woman she dislikes, it is even worse. More over, Leonard had been aggressive, dominate and rough with her; more so than usual, even. It was obvious to Gretchen that she was just a surrogate for Kaname in his mind.

 

What does this bitch have that we don't? she asked herself silently, resentfully. She treats Leo with disrespect and insults him at every turn, she refused his advances like she is too good for him, and he still chases after her! Gretchen had been with him for a decade, after all, and felt a certain amount of seniority to any other woman in his bed. Didn't I do all I could to support him? I taught Kari and Sari how to please him, I shared him with them and even shared myself with them to please Leonard, she thought, forcing her eyes to her plate; the better to control her anger and resentment.

 

She had first met him when he was a newcomer to MITHRIL research and development, and she had been a fresh-from-training body guard assigned to him. Within days, she was completely taken with him, and before a month was out, she was his constant bedmate. The fact that he had been barely seventeen at the time had caused a scandal when her superiors had found out, and she had been swiftly - and quietly - transferred out. But not before Leonard managed a final rendezvous with her. It was a hurried, messy union in a deserted office, but as he came in her, he had whispered to her that he would be starting a project soon, and would need her support.

 

Of course she had given it. True to his word, he had contacted her about nine months later, and asked her to quit security and MITHRIL to do some errands for his new project. Three years later, he confided to her that his new project was going to be known as AMALGAM. Two more years after that, and he was on leave from MITHRIL's R&D department, and was recruiting his first lieutenant, the maniac Gates. A year and a half passed, and he realized that Gates abilities - while excellent - were narrow and ill-suited for all but a handful of assignments. Leonard found Gauron, the Nine Dragons, and recruited him.

 

Half a year later, she launched a project of her own. It was to coordinate with Gauron on the recruitment of MITHRIL assets in place. She knew then that Leonard was not working for MITHRIL any more, being instead a rogue agent. Still, he needed her, and she would be there for him. She had helped Gauron find the people in Technical, Intelligence, Tactical and even on the council that met their criteria for recruitment. It took more than a year to get all the pieces together, but eventually, the stage was set for the seizure of the De Danaan.

 

Gretchen had never liked or trusted Gauron. He was, in some regards, as crazy and dangerous as Gates, though not in the same way. She had been hesitant to trust him, though Leonard assured her that he would serve his purpose. It was a constant battle for her to keep him in line, as he insisted on taking side-jobs for anyone with enough money, as well as running his own operations with AMALGAM resources. She had been glad when he was reported killed in action during the operation.

 

But, she learned later, he wasn't dead. His two little `pets' had managed to retrieve his shattered body, and hide him in their apartment in Hong Kong. For almost a year, he slowly rotted away, watched over by the twins. Leonard had learned of his survival after several months, and had figured out a way to use the man's obsessive nature for his own ends. But, those two girls proved to be harder to direct than he thought, Gretchen thought.

 

For some reason, shortly after AMALGAM moved to push MITHRIL aside and take control of the world from the shadows, the two had unexpected - and nastily - gone rogue themselves. Leonard had barely arrived in time to stop the younger one from killing Kaname. The bitch doesn't even acknowledge her debt to him, though! she thought angrily. She acts like he attacked her!

 

It had been Leonard's brilliant plan to ship the body of the younger twin to Hong Kong, where the older one was making far too big of a scene for AMALGAM's liking in a stolen Chodarl M. Gates had been tasked with killing the other twin, retrieving Arbalest, and cleaning up the mess. He had only partially completed that mission. Gretchen heard the report that Gates had destroyed the stolen Chodarl M and the pilot, but subsequently had been slain - along with his entire AS unit - by Arbalest; and just Arbalest. Leonard had ordered his organization to fall back and reorganize.

 

Well, here we are a year later, with Kaname, and we are still no closer to his vision, Gretchen thought sourly. Kaname swiftly finished eating and left, Kari in tow, while Sari cleared the table and moved to tend to the laundry. Gretchen moved to Leonard's office and began her daily duties as the `executive assistant to the chairman of the board' of AMALGAM, as it were. As she got out the laptop and files, she saw something in the bottom of the drawer of Leonard's desk.

 

Pulling it out, she studied the secure communication unit he had had when she showed up with Kaname in tow. The fact that he had kept it all this time struck her as odd. Setting it aside, she opened the laptop and logged on. Seeing Kaname's file on the desktop, she decided to see what was so special about Kaname that Leonard would invest all this time and effort in her. Digging into the file, she wished she hadn't.

 

-

 

Tessa was busy typing on the laptop she had in her cabin when she was interrupted by a knock on the door to her cabin. Blinking, she closed the lid of the laptop and slid it under her small coffee table. “Who is it?” she called out toward the door.

 

“Captain Marshall, ma'am,” came the voice of her Uncle's adjunct. Tessa sighed.

 

“What is it you want, Captain?” she asked, not opening the door.

 

“I was ordered to inform you that the council has scheduled your hearing for today at eleven hundred hours, ma'am,” he said. Tessa snorted delicately.

 

“Thank you, Captain,” said the woman. “I'll be ready,” she said grimly. It was just past oh nine hundred, so she had time; but only barely. Pulling the laptop back out, she swiftly finished her message, sent it, opened a different file and added a few more paragraphs before saving it. With that done, she had to get ready.

 

Stripping off her shirt and shorts, she padded naked into her small bathroom, swiftly starting the shower. As she washed her hair, she reflected that it would have been nice to have Mao or Kana handy for some tips on makeup. While she occasionally used some light makeup, she wasn't as practiced with it as Kana and Mao were. My bridge crew women probably know more about it than I do, she reflected wryly. Of course, Kana doesn't need much, either, she reflected.

 

Half an hour later, she stepped out of the shower and began to dry off. Once she was mostly dry, she began to dry her long, bright hair with the help of a hair dryer. Once it was dry, she began the familiar task of braiding the mass into her `working' hairdo. As she slipped the last pin into place, she critically examined her appearance. Satisfied with what she saw, she got out her meager cosmetic supplies and began to apply it.

 

When she was satisfied with the results of her labors, she moved out of the bathroom. She selected her clothing with just as much deliberation. From her skin outward, she chose each article with care. First were her dark hose and a matching garter belt. After that, she went through her underwear drawer until she found the pair of panties she wanted, stepping into them and settling them with extra care. Next, she selected a small, thin bra and put it on, settling her modest breasts in the cups and making small adjustments to the straps until it was just right.

 

Underwear selected, she moved on to the next step in her plan: her uniform. A silk half-slip went under the skirt, and Tessa rummaged around until she found a thin, soft blouse that Mao had given her months ago. Slipping into it, she fastidiously settled it, taking extra care to insure that it wasn't wrinkled, bunched or crooked. With that done, she pulled out a fresh uniform jacket. Laying the jacket on her bed, she transferred her medals, ribbons and ranks from her usual jacket to the new jacket.

 

Just as she picked it up to tuck her arms into the sleeves, she remembered that she had missed a step, and marched over to her dresser. From the top, she selected a small perfume bottle and carefully applied some to her throat and wrists with the delicate glass wand attached to the ornate cap. Tessa took a moment to indulge in some reverie. Kana had given her that bottle of perfume a year ago, shortly after the Hong Kong incident. It was a floral scent perfume, and from the very first whiff she had gotten of it, Tessa had been completely taken with it. It is fitting to use it today, she thought, carefully setting the bottle back. I really should ask her where she got it, she made a mental note.

 

The knock on the door came just as she was carefully turning to view her final appearance in her large mirror. “Yes?” she called out.

 

“Ma'am, it is time,” came the voice of her uncle's henchman. A smile tugged at her lips at her inadvertent labeling of him thusly. Well, maybe `henchman' is a bit harsh, she told herself. He no more knows what is going on than my Uncle does, she told herself.

 

“Ready,” said the woman, retrieving a folder packed with documents from the small safe Mao had insisted she install in her office. At the time, she had thought that Mao was being paranoid, but now, she realized that the value of experienced military professionals like Mao, Mardukas and Kalinin were invaluable to inexperienced officers like herself.

 

She opened the door to her quarters and found that Captain Marshall was waiting for her with a pair of the base security members. Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Feeling insecure?” she asked her fellow Captain. Tessa didn't even come up to Marshall's breastbone, and her slender build meant that he out-massed her by more than three times.

 

“Just procedure, ma'am,” said the tall man. Tessa didn't respond, choosing instead to get the jump on him by walking toward the council room.

 

“Coming?” she asked the Captain and two security guards. They quickly caught up with her. The procession was silent, and Tessa saw very few of her personnel in the hallways, but every one of them that she saw came to attention and saluted her. She returned their salutes crisply. Another thing that Mardukas taught me, she thought. Always behave as a ranking officer and captain of your ship when crewmen might see you, she recited to herself.

 

Reaching the council chamber, she entered, finding her Uncle already there. Looking at him, she kept her expression closed. “Admiral,” she said, moving to a seat a few away from his own. Taking her seat, she logged into the system, the hologram interface unfolding and powering up. In seats across from her, the members of her hearing appeared. Most of them she had never met, being only somewhat familiar with their names. A few she had met.

 

Looking at them and recalling what she could about them, she realized that the panel that would hear the case against her for a court martial was made up primarily from staff, Intelligence and Research and Development. Only one officer there was from Tactical, and Tessa had had some run-ins with him in the last couple of years. The chairman was not on the panel, choosing to observe from the sidelines, as it were. Looking over at her Uncle, she saw that he was not taking part in the proceedings either. Conflict of interest, she thought fleetingly.

 

“Well, since we are all here,” said the head of the panel, “let's begin, shall we?” Seeing the others nod, the man opened the file in front of him. “Captain Testarossa, Tactical Division, TDD-1, accusations have been made against you that include insubordination, operating without authority, sabotage of operations by other branches of MITHRIL, withholding critical data, misuse of resources, and several infractions of the MITHRIL code of conduct,” the man read. “This panel is meeting to determine if there is sufficient cause to bind you over for court marital. Do you understand, Captain Testarossa?” asked the man.

 

“Yes, sir,” said Tessa crisply.

 

“Very well,” said the man. “Let's address the charges, then,” he directed. Tessa took a breath, steadied herself, and opened her file. Looking the head of the panel in the eye, she nodded.

 

“I am prepared, sir,” she said confidently. Oh, you have no idea how `prepared' I am, she left unsaid. All that she had learned in the last three years had been put into her plan of action, and in a real sense, this was her final exam on her competency to be a captain in a mercenary outfit like MITHRIL. No matter what, she promised herself, I will back Kana, Sousuke and Mao to the hilt!

 

“Very well,” said the man. “We will begin with the first accusation, that being of insubordination.” He checked his file for a moment before speaking. “It is stated that you were directly ordered not to pursue any action regarding Whispered asset code-named `Angel', but did so anyway. What do you have to say to this charge?” he asked her.

 

“I say that I have followed that order exactly as given, and I demand proof that I have not,” she said.

 

“The accusation cites actions by those under your command, apparently at your directive, that directly contravenes those orders,” noted the head of the panel.

 

“First off, what the personnel under my command do is beyond my control once they are off the base on leave. Secondly, accusations are not proof. If there is no proof, then it remains strictly gossip. Has proof been presented?” she counter-challenged.

 

It was well past dinner time when the hearings came to an end. Overall, Tessa felt that the victory had gone to her. There were suspicions, and there were questions about certain events, but most of what she had been charged with couldn't be substantiated, and as she had defended herself, she had also staged the next step of her plan. From her folder, she had leaked and presented and hinted a healthy portion of damaging material. It was a mix of inter-branch bone-counting, acquired intelligence from the raids she and others had made, but the bulk was from the laptop of data that Sousuke had sent her.

 

When the panel dismissed her so they could make their decision after deliberation of the testimony and documentation, she had saluted and marched out of the council room. Outside the door, she leaned against the wall, exhaling. That was tough, she thought, exhausted mentally and physically. Tessa rubbed her hands down her face.

 

“Tired?” came the voice of her uncle. Blinking, she turned to see him standing in front of the door to the room.

 

“A little,” she admitted. Her stomach growled. Blushing, she clamped a hand over her slender belly. Her uncle chuckled.

 

“How about we get some food before you return to your cabin?” he suggested. Tessa nodded.

 

“Very well,” she said. Together, the two moved toward the mess hall. Eventually, her uncle spoke.

 

“Tessa,” he said quietly, “I was very impressed with you in there. You handled that like a pro,” he complimented her. Tessa glanced at him.

 

“Thank you, Admiral,” she said. He glanced at her, picking up on her use of his rank. “However, I would point out that the very fact that there was a hearing at all should tell you something about the condition of MITHRIL's standing on ethical issues.”

 

“Tessa,” began her uncle. She turned to stare at him.

 

“Do you remember what you told me when I joined MITHRIL?” she asked him. He nodded. “Then why are you losing sight of it now?” she asked him, pushing past him to enter the mess hall. “Hello? Anyone here?” she called out.

 

“Captain?!” came an excited voice from the back. A moment later, two kitchen workers appeared at the serving line, which was empty and clean, dinner having ended long ago.

 

Tessa smiled at the two. “Sorry to come so late,” she said. “I was wondering if we could get something to eat; I seem to have missed all my meals today,” she admitted, giggling slightly.

 

“Yes, sir!” came the enthusiastic reply, the two rushing in to the kitchen. “It'll be ready in just a few minutes, sir!” came the voice of one of them.

 

“Coffee?” asked the second. Tessa shook her head.

 

“Do you have some green tea?” she asked.

 

“Of course!” called the man. “Would you like it warm or cold, sir?” asked the man.

 

“Warm, if it isn't too much trouble,” said Tessa, seating herself at a table.

 

“Will grilled cheese sandwiches with pickles and mixed vegetables be ok, sir?” wondered the first man.

 

“It will be fine,” Tessa assured him, smiling warmly. Silently sitting down across from his niece, Admiral Testarossa considered Tessa's words, a frown on his face.

 

-

 

Sousuke was standing just outside the hatch that led to the cockpit of the PT boat as it slipped between two rocky pillars that marked the entrance to the small, shallow bay that fronted Roanapur. It had been a fast, uneventful trip from Manila. Other than the stop at a deserted cove on an island in the western Spratly Islands to refuel, the sleek, fast boat had spent the majority of the cruise at nearly full-throttle.

 

The refueling had been another classic trick dating back to the Second World War. When the United States Navy had wrestled with the logistical issues of fighting, patrolling and controlling the huge expanses of the Pacific, they had quickly settled on a solution. Flying boats were based in squadrons from scruffy, uninhabited islands of no tactical or strategic value. All that was needed to make a base for a flying boat was a few dozen barrels of gas, some grease, oil and tools. When the topography allowed, the supplies were cached just above high-tide at the most accessible part of the beach. The flying boats would come back from a patrol, position themselves, camouflage themselves, and refuel, repair and refit for the next run from these stores.

 

The Black Lagoon had slipped into a shallow, coral-and-sand cove on the leeward side of a spit of an island, and slowly nudged into the thin, steep sand beach. Dutch and Sousuke had jumped down to the sand, and Dutch had shown him a small lot of fifty five gallon drums netted and concealed in the scraggly, low brush and trees on the inhospitable island. Together, they had rolled them down to the water's edge, where Benny and Mao used a hand-pump and hose to fill the tanks of the PT boat. As the barrels were emptied, Yu Fan would secure a loop of rope to each, pushing them out so they bobbed in the water. When the tanks were full, the few remaining barrels were re-cached and the boat withdrew, pulling the empties out of the cove. Once they were in deeper water, Dutch idled while Mao and Sousuke recovered the rope and blasted a few holes into the barrels, which sank swiftly enough. Even before the last of them went under, the boat was back at cruising speed, heading for Thailand.

 

Now, they had arrived. Hearing the random, but steady pop! of gunshots, Sousuke pulled up his binoculars and swept the small city carefully. It was in better shape than Beirut or Kosovo, thanks to the lack of air strikes and armored warfare waged in the city, but it was not clean and modern as Tokyo, New York or London, thanks to steady small-arms fire and the apparent `service on payment' attitude of what could nominally be called the fire department. Police did not exist, due to the nature of the city, of course. Protection was only available by joining an organization, or by hiring your own gunmen.

 

“So, what do you think?” came the voice of Benny from just behind him. “Nervous?” he asked, smiling. Sousuke saw that Yu Fan was directly behind Benny, her hand on her knife.

 

“Negative,” said Sousuke. “This is no different than many cities I have been in,” he said.

 

Benny studied him. “Yeah, I guess not,” he said a moment later. He started to turn, only to find Yu Fan there. “Excuse me,” he said, stepping past her as she pivoted to allow him just enough room to squeeze past her. She stepped up to stand beside Sousuke.

 

“If this mafia contact is not ready for us, I want to try and find Shenhua,” she said quietly. “The Triads might have some information that will aid us, and she is the only contact I have with them,” she explained.

 

“Understood,” said Sousuke. “But not alone,” he added. “We will be operating in pairs or as a group,” he directed her. “This kind of city is not safe if you are an outsider who wanders alone in the streets,” he noted. Unexpectedly, Yu Fan smiled.

 

“Agreed,” she said. “It will be better if we operate together; Mao is not mentally prepared to deal with this place,” she murmured. I wonder how Shenhua will react to Sousuke, she wondered.

 

“You may be right,” Sousuke said. “We will need to find a place before we do anything,” he noted. Yu Fan nodded.

 

“There are some hotels that will serve, but they are expensive,” said the young assassin. “It might be better to rent a space in a warehouse,” she suggested. Sousuke considered that.

 

“I couldn't help but overhear you two,” came the deep bass rumble of Dutch's voice. “If you are going to go that route, I think I can set you up with a place,” he said. “After our old dock got torched, we moved to a new pier. The facilities there are larger and more modern than our old place, and there is an empty office space we aren't using,” he explained. “If you want to rent a place, I can set you up,” grinned the man.

 

“How much?” wondered Sousuke. Dutch grinned at him.

 

“I'm feeling generous,” he said insincerely, “so I'll only ask for five hundred a night,” he chuckled.

 

“Deal,” said Yu Fan, glancing at Sousuke.

 

“What?!” gaped Mao, beer in hand, cigarette in her mouth. “Five hundred a night for some room they aren't even using?!” she sputtered.

 

“That is reasonable for a place in Roanapur; even more so for a place where you don't have to barricade the place each night,” said the assassin.

 

“Hey, I'd listen to her,” agreed Benny. “Most places in Roanapur, you'd either wake up someone's property, or wake up dead!”

 

“Feel free to try to find a hotel,” said Dutch. “A hotel where you can actually sleep go for about five grand a night,” he related.

 

“The rest you take your chances with; and they still go for about a grand a night,” Benny double-teamed Mao.

 

“Great,” muttered Mao, draining the beer. Sousuke was back to glassing the city area, Yu Fan silently standing just behind and to the side of him. For a moment, Mao's eyes played tricks on her, and she saw Kana where Yu fan stood. What is with that girl lately?” she asked herself. Yu Fan had not said or done anything to trip Mao's suspicions since the mission started, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Yu Fan was not telling them all there was to the situation.

 

It was barely ten minutes later when the boat easily swung around and backed into a worn wooden pier, Sousuke and Mao quickly tying the ship's lines off. Across from the dock were the burned remains of an almost identical dock, as well as the corrugated sheet metal from what had to have once been a warehouse and office structure on the dock. Dutch easily moved off the ship. “Our old base,” he said, shrugging, when he saw Sousuke eying the burnt remains.

 

Mao caught their packs as Yu Fan tossed them up from the ship. “Let's go see this place,” she muttered as the lithe assassin easily leapt up onto the dock from the deck of the PT boat. Following Benny and Dutch, the trio entered the base for the Black Lagoon Courier service.

 

Just behind the two, the trio moved in cautiously. Sousuke noticed the reinforced door, anti-grenade screens on all the windows, the armor curtains welded to the steel framing of the pre-engineered building, and the reinforced floor. The office was sparse and reminded him of a deserted office building. A ratty couch, a chair, a crooked table with cigarette burns, water stains and several bullet holes wobbled in front of the couch and chair. A decades-old phone was on the wall, along with a mini-cassette answering machine. A pair of four-foot file cabinets served as the main body of the office, an old TV on top of them. There was computer on an up-turned crate, though it seemed to be in a state of disassembly.

 

“Do you have the capability to check email here?” asked Sousuke.

 

“Get with Benny later,” grunted Dutch, moving over to a refrigerator and pulling out a cool beer. “Your room is through there,” he said, tossing his head at a steel door off the main. Moving over to it, Sousuke opened it and stepped inside, finding a bare bulb on a pull-chain. Pulling the chain, the low-wattage bulb revealed a dusty, empty room, bare save for a broken chair and a smashed crate.

 

“Man, five Franklins gets you a sweet room here in Thailand,” complained Mao. Sousuke glanced at her.

 

“We shouldn't be here long,” said the young man.

 

“Hope not,” muttered Mao, fishing out her pack of smokes. Frowning at it, she rummaged in her pack, finding a fresh one. “I'm gonna go find some more smokes,” she said, opening the last full pack she had.

 

“That is not necessary,” said Yu Fan. “Sousuke and I have an errand to run. We will procure you a fresh supply of cigarettes while we are out,” said Yu Fan as she settled her combat harness in place. Taking a military cap out of her pack, she put it on as well. “Ready?” she asked Sousuke.

 

“Should you be wearing your combat harness in the open like that?” wondered Mao. Yu Fan didn't blink at the question.

 

“It would be more conspicuous not to wear it,” said the assassin. Sousuke locked his load bearing gear in place.

 

“Ready,” he said. “Mao, we will be back as quick as we can,” he said. “Keep an eye on our gear, and see if you can check for any messages from the captain,” he said softly. Mao nodded.

 

“Right,” she sighed. A moment later, her expression brightened. “Think I'll go sweet-talk a beer out of Dutch,” she said to no-one in particular. “After all, for five bills a night, drinks should be on the house, right?” she grinned to herself, exhaling a lungful of smoke.

 

-

 

Tessa once more dressed with extra care, making sure that her appearance was perfect. Two days had passed since her hearing, and she had been informed that the panel was giving their official recommendation today. Tessa had insisted on being there to hear it in person, and her Uncle had agreed that she could. So, she smoothed her skirt, checked her appearance, and moved to the door of her cabin, finding a security guard waiting for her.

 

Moving to the council room, she saw that more of the base crewmen were in the passageways, and she even caught sight of some of her ship's crew who had been on leave. So, they heard and came back, cutting their valuable leave time short, she thought, touched. To her, it was more proof that she was making the right call. After all, loyalty and trust has to go both ways, she thought. Kana was promised protection, and she has accepted us as her side, so we have to protect her; it is that simple, she affirmed her actions.

 

In the council room, she logged in and sat, the panel coming into existence. Beside her, her Uncle likewise logged in. The six-officer panel was supplemented by the Chairman, the General in charge of Intelligence and the senior-most director of R&D. “This panel is ready to release its decision on the accusations made against Captain Testarossa, Tactical division, TDD-1,” intoned the head of the panel.

 

“And the decision is?” asked the Chairman.

 

“It is the decision of this panel that evidence of misconduct by Captain Testarossa is circumstantial at best, and suspect at worst,” said the head of the panel. “While certain actions of Captain Testarossa are suspect, they are not relevant to the charges leveled against her. Therefore,” the man said, fixing his gaze on the head of Intelligence, who was working his mouth furiously, but had yet to speak, “we are not recommending that court martial proceedings proceed against Captain Testarossa.”

 

“Bu…but…!” screamed the head of Intelligence, “What about…?!”

 

“General, be quiet while the panel gives its report,” came the stern voice of the Chairman.

 

“In the specifics of the investigation of her actions, Captain Testarossa has revealed that certain members of her crew have engaged in unsanctioned actions that endanger ongoing operations,” the man said. “While Captain Testarossa has moved to discipline the two involved, it is the finding of this panel that Sergeant Major Mao's and Sergeant Sagara's actions reveal a distinct possibility that they could be AMALGAM sleeper agents, and this panel recommends that they be secured or sanctioned immediately.”

 

Under the table, Tessa clenched her fists, but said nothing. Steady, Teletha, she told herself, steady. This was something that she had considered, though it had been one of the `worst-case' scenarios that she had considered. Now, that `worst case' was unfolding before her, but she couldn't do anything because her own situation was too precarious. Sousuke and Mao can survive on the run for now, she told herself over and over, and with Yu Fan with them, they should be damn near invisible, she tried to convince herself. She had to maintain her ability to use the De Danaan if the plan to rescue and protect Kana was to succeed.

 

To save Kana, I'm sacrificing Mao and Sousuke for the moment, she thought grimly. Funny, how I couldn't have imagined doing something like this even a year ago, she reflected. The events of Hong Kong had had far-reaching effects. She remembered with bitter-sweet fondness when Sousuke had first called her `Tessa', instead of some variation on `Captain Testarossa'. Odd as it might seem, she drew support and confidence from that memory, as well as her memories of all the times she had spent with Kana and Sousuke. Just hold on a little longer, Tessa, she ordered herself.

 

“But we can't find those two!” screamed the General that headed up Intelligence. “While we are busy splitting hairs, they are running around loose, compromising our chance to penetrate AMALGAM at the very core!” he screamed. “I demand that Captain Testarossa reveal their location to me!” he snapped.

 

“General,” came the voice of the Chairman, “control yourself or I will be forced to remove you from this meeting,” said the old man. “Captain Testarossa, I am asking you directly: do you have any means of contacting or communicating with those two?” he asked her.

 

“No, sir,” said the girl, meeting his gaze. For a long minute, the Chairman was silent.

 

“Very well,” he said. “We will proceed on the recommendation of this panel. Admiral, you are to resume your normal duties, as are you, Captain Testarossa,” he directed. “I will have the matter of the renegades addressed myself. This meeting is adjourned,” he said. One by one the members logged out. Tessa did likewise and stood, smoothing her skirt as she did so. It was more to hide the trembling of her hands that out of a concern about wrinkles or her skirt sitting wrong.

 

“Congratulations, Tessa,” said her Uncle. She glanced at him.

 

“What for?” she asked levelly.

 

“You defended yourself masterfully,” he said, watching her carefully.

 

“I spoke the truth, and I stood by my convictions,” said Tessa, meeting his gaze. “If everyone in MITHRIL did that, we wouldn't have the kind of problems we keep getting hamstrung by,” she said tightly. “Now, if you would be so kind, I believe I have work to do once more,” said the young woman.

 

“As you wish,” said the older man. “I will be returning to Tactical headquarters immediately,” said the man. “Well,” he corrected himself, “I do have one more thing to do here,” he said. “If you would accompany me to the command center,” he hinted, extending his hand toward the door.

 

Together, Tessa and her uncle entered the command center. “Admiral on deck,” said the officer of the watch. The technicians rose, saluting.

 

“At ease,” said the Admiral. “I have an important message for the entire base,” said the man. Seeing Tessa standing next to him, her face expressionless, the techs swallowed hard, one of them opening the base-wide PA circuit. Handing the microphone to the Admiral, the tech nodded.

 

“Attention all hands,” said the Admiral, “This is Admiral Testarossa speaking. The panel has given its recommendation on the matter of a court martial for Captain Testarossa,” he said. After a pause to make sure that all MITHRIL personnel were listening, he went on. “It was the decision of the council that court martial proceedings not proceed against Captain Testarossa. They further recommended that she return to her duties immediately.”

 

A cheer could be heard, even over the cheering of the techs in the command center. After a moment, the Admiral spoke into the microphone again. “With the finding of the panel delivered, I am returning to my own duties, and am pleased to re-instate Captain Testarossa as the captain of the Tuatha De Danaan,” he concluded, handing the microphone back to the tech. Turning to his niece, he saluted her. “Resume your duties, Captain,” he said formally.

 

Tessa returned the salute. “Aye, aye, sir,” she said, cutting the salute away crisply. Formalities done, he surprised her by stepping into her and hugging her warmly.

 

“Be careful, Tessa,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head. She hugged him back.

 

“You as well, uncle,” she murmured against his chest. Parting, the Admiral and his aide departed for the flight deck, where their jet was warming up. Tessa turned to see the on-duty staff standing at attention.

 

“Welcome back, sir!” they chorused in unison. Tessa smiled at them warmly.

 

“I'm honored to be back,” she said softly. Sousuke, Kana, Melissa, hold on; I'll get you all back safely. I swear it!

 

-

 

Kaname pulled herself out of the clear water of the cove, using one hand to fling her hair over her shoulder. Beside her, Kari and Sari clambered out of the gentle surf, giggling and laughing. Kana was struck once more by the mental image of two immature sea otters as she watched the two naked girls splash each other as they chased each other out of the surf and onto the fine sand. Kaname herself was in her bikini bottoms, having shed her customary top for the days swimming, since Leo wasn't due back yet.

 

Gretchen was laying out on a towel in the late afternoon sun, completely naked. Initially, the group had all been swimming together, beating the merciless heat that marked early afternoon on the island. It hadn't been long, however, before the oldest of the four had walked out of the seawater in favor of resting on a towel. Before she did that, she had taken the time to apply protective sunscreen to her nipples and pussy, though Kaname suspected from the deep, even tan that Gretchen displayed that she wouldn't have burned even without the high SPF lotion.

 

Kari and Sari were giggling and laughing as they applied some suntan lotion to themselves and each other. “Come on, Kana!” waved Kari as Sari coated her in suntan lotion. “We'll help you put on the lotion!” she promised. Kaname had to admit that she could use a break. She had been exploring the reef at the mouth of the cove, free-diving down the ten meters or so to the modest coral reef. She had always been athletic, and good in the water, too, so it wasn't much of an issue for her to do this. Kari and Sari were part fish, she found, and had better cardio control than she did, as they managed a full three minutes on the bottom, using sticks to torment sea urchins and other less-dangerous life forms, compared to Kana's average of two minutes.

 

It feels good to swim; to be away from Leo and his mad schemes, she thought, her feet reaching dry sand. And the two kids aren't bad company; not really, anyway, she told herself. Hell, even Gretchen isn't all that bad, once you get past her attitude, she thought, glancing at the naked woman. Her thoughts were interrupted by small hands touching her. Two hands worked on her bare breasts, the slick feeling of them telling her that the hands were covered in sun tanning oil, while a second pair of hands proficiently removed her bikini bottoms before she realized what was going on. “Hey!” she complained, belatedly trying to grab her bottoms.

 

“It'll leave ugly tan lines, Kana,” came Kari's voice from behind her. Which means that Sari is the one fondling my tits, she thought, realizing that though her breasts were thoroughly covered in sun tanning oil, the two small hands were still caressing them. “Besides, you can't complain that Leo is here, right?” said the American girl, her hand briefly departing Kaname's backside before returning, covered in sweet-smelling sun tanning oil.

 

“She might be self-conscious about her body,” suggested Sari to her partner in crime. Kaname opened her mouth to reply that that had nothing to do with it, but she caught a half-smothered snort from Gretchen. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

 

“I guess it doesn't matter as long as Leo isn't here,” she said casually. “Besides, the breeze feels good,” she added, patiently standing still as the two girls swiftly coated her in sun tanning oil. Finally shooing them onto their own towels, she settled on her own, closing her eyes and relaxing. Heh! she thought happily to herself, I wonder what Sousuke would think of me and Tessa laying out naked for him? she mused. Her mind had several ideas about that, each more graphic and hentai than the last.

 

Beside Kaname, Gretchen turned her head to stare at Kaname Chidori. She had been trying desperately to understand Leo's obsession with her, but it wasn't getting any clearer. True, Kaname was a Whispered, like her Leo was, but then, Leonard had more than a dozen Whispered women in his labs. What makes her so fucking special? she asked herself, irritated. Yeah, she's pretty, and her body is gorgeous, but still! What she had read in the file on her in Leonard's laptop was eating away at her perception of the world like acid.

 

Hearing a low, soft hum come from the girl, she looked closer at her. Kaname was clearly thinking of something good, since the smile on her face was more radiant that Gretchen had ever though the often angry and hateful Kaname could be capable of. As she watched, the tip of Kaname's tongue slipped out to wet her lips. Glancing down, she saw that the girl's nipples were poking up, fully aroused, atop her swollen areolas. Gretchen wondered who Kaname was thinking of. Maybe, she thought unhappily, she is thinking of Leo. Kaname's hands were clenching and unclenching her towel, her legs shifting restlessly.

 

“Sousuke,” she breathed, Gretchen's eyes going wide at the scarcely-audible name. Gretchen clenched her jaw. How dare she?! the woman seethed. Leonard was courting her, and here she was, day dreaming of some MITHRIL soldier! The very thought of that infuriated Gretchen. That I have to share my Leo with a slut like her…! she gritted her teeth as she thought that. Why couldn't she have just stayed the whore of that bunch of holier-than-thou hypocrites? If only she had somehow gotten away when Leo tried to grab her, she thought, I wouldn't have to lay here being nice to the camp follower… Gretchen blinked.

 

“Why not?” she mumbled out loud, though her voice was so soft that it barely registered with herself, let alone the other three. If Kana weren't here, then Leo… She shook her head. Leonard had gone to such lengths to obtain this girl, hadn't he? If she escaped now, her Leo would just come after Kaname again, wouldn't he? Gretchen tried to push that thought aside, but it persisted. If Kaname were rescued, I bet that MITHRIL would take her into protective custody, she thought, a shiver running down her spine. That would mean that Leonard wouldn't have access to her, and she would be out of my hair.

 

Gretchen shook her head, trying once more to break out of that line of thought. But it wouldn't go away. Kaname is resistant to his tailored pharmacology agents, and she did manage to scare him on his little Orchid Island expedition, she weighed the pros and cons. Maybe, if she escapes, he will decided that she is too much trouble to try and kidnap again, she considered. And if she is in MITHRIL's custody, we can still get access to her for what we need, just through different means…means that I would have control over, she realized.

 

Gretchen quietly sat up, then stood. Glancing at the other three, she saw that Kari and Sari were asleep, while Kaname was clearly lost in her daydream. Silently, she moved off the beach and into the house, not bothering with any clothing. Moving into Leonard's office, she cranked up the laptop, logged on and got into a reference file. As she perused the information there, she found herself asking one question over and over: Could this really work?

 

Meanwhile, down at the beach, Kaname was deep into her fantasy of being on a beach like that with Sousuke and Tessa, instead of Leo and his three brain-washed women. As she dreamed of her lovers, her hand slowly stole between her legs, while her other hand cupped her breast. Gradually, Kaname's fingers began to stroke and tease, her clit swelling and peeking out from under its hood, her nipples throbbing with arousal as her daydream gained momentum and clarity.

 

“Mm,” she moaned, a finger venturing into her already-leaking passage while her thumb and forefinger delicately twisted a slippery nipple. Beginning to pump the finger in and out, she soon added another, her thumb teasing her clit as she rubbed her nipple, her lower back and hips beginning to twitch upward toward her fingers. “Yes,” she murmured, her two fingers reaching deeper to find her G-spot. Switching nipples, her hips rising faster, she could practically taste Sousuke and feel Tessa's soft skin against her own. A third finger edged into her hot sex, her already-crowded passage squeezing her fingers tightly.

 

Her oil-covered legs spread wider as her fingers reached deeper into her dripping sex, her hand feverishly rubbing her nipple and massaging her firm breast. Kaname was panting, her hips jerking wildly as her daydream approached its conclusion. “Ugh!” she grunted impatiently, her thumb pinning her clit against her pubic bone and rubbing it hard while her fingertips circled her G-spot. “Yes!” she keened happily, an explosive orgasm sweeping through her as her body relaxed bonelessly back onto her towel.

 

Giggles gradually penetrated her post-orgasm haze. Blinking, she gradually came back to herself, finding that Kari and Sari were kneeling on their towels, watching her catch her breath. Blushing, she realized that she was sprawled out on her towel like the freshly-fucked woman she was. Man, I wish I were really freshly-fucked, instead of just having given myself a finger job, she thought without a hint of shame. Thinking of Sousuke and Tessa really gets me going, she reflected, withdrawing her soaked fingers and closing her legs. Strange, I never realized that Tessa was figuring into my little hentai dreams until about a month ago, she thought.

 

Looking at her wet hand, she slowly spread the fingers of her hand, seeing thin, ropy trails of girl-cum stretch between her three fingers. Her lips curved into a smile at that sight. Guess it's a good thing that I finished my period yesterday, she reflected, taking a breath before sitting up. Glancing at the two still-giggling girls, she scowled at them. “Something funny?” she asked them, standing up, but then having to catch her balance. Wow, that was a strong one, she thought absently.

 

“Who were you dreaming about?” asked Kari eagerly. “Leo?” she guessed. Kana made a face.

 

“Hell no!” she said, her lips curling in distaste.

 

“Why not?” wondered Sari. It was a well-worn topic, and Kana had no intention of re-hashing it right then.

 

“I need to get cleaned up,” said the woman, feeling her copious juice begin to seep down her thighs. Kari and Sari scrambled up.

 

“We can help!” said Kari eagerly. Kaname held up her palms.

 

“Um, thanks, but I can manage,” she said, moving toward the house. Glancing at the position of the sun, she judged that she had been laying out for about an hour. “Besides, it's getting close to supper time,” she added. She heard the two sigh. Absently, she brought her fingers up to her lips, her tongue flicking out to sample her cum. She had gotten into the habit years before when she started masturbating, and still occasionally did it.

 

“You do that too?” came Kari's voice. Flinching, she realized that the girl had swiftly gathered the towels and discarded clothing and had fallen into step with Kaname as she sampled her own juice. Kaname felt color touch her cheeks. “So do we,” said the girl easily. “Sari tastes a little sweeter than Gretchen,” noted Kari.

 

“Well, you are tarter than Gretchen,” retorted Sari.

 

“So?!” challenged Kari. Kaname dropped her head forward, sighing. And we're back to reality, she thought sourly. Her thoughts were shattered by a wet, warm suction on her cum-soaked fingers. Eyes wide, she found that Kari had caught her hand and popped two fingers into her mouth.

 

“Kari!” gasped Kaname.

 

“Mm,” she hummed as Kaname jerked her hand back. “She's a lot richer than Gretchen, and nearly as sweet as you, Sari,” said the young girl. She looked up at Kana, smiling. “I like how she tastes,” said the girl.

 

“No fair!” complained Sari, pouting cutely. “I want a taste, too!” she said. “Please Kana?” she begged.

 

Is this what Alice felt like when she laded in Wonderland? Kaname asked herself, mutely extending her hand toward Sari, who quickly accepted her offer. After a few seconds of sucking and licking, she let Kaname's fingers go. “You are right, Kari,” she agreed. “She tastes great,” the small girl smiled. Kaname shook her head.

 

“Well, now that that is done, I'm going to grab a shower,” said the woman tonelessly. “See you later, you two,” she added, moving toward her room. Gretchen watched the two younger girls animatedly discussing this newest discovery, a scowl on her face.