Angel Wings Ch 61 'Labyrinthe'/'Hail From the Chief'

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

'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

AngelWings Ch 56 'Nova Hellsing Returns'/'Change of Plans'

Angel Wings

Ch 56

'Nova Hellsing Returns'/'Change of Plans'

Here's that pix from last post again. Hint- she stole a 3WA ship when she quit the 3WA.

OK This is Lily (Langtry) who was Kei and Yuri's temporary partner during the Waldess incident in DP Flash/Act I. She only wanted to think about dating and her fashions and was no use whatsoever on the case. In fact she got taken hostage by one of the perps! She soon tired of the 3WA and quit taking one of their cruisers with her! In Xmas and Wings I made her Ella Hathway's new rookie trainee after she repeated at the Academy I should add. Was she any good? Ella had no complaints.

Now here's the mystery pix for this post. Hint- DPF/Act III/Winners in Summer Colours/he made life a living Hell for our duo especially Yuri!
Look familiar? Yuri loathed him and hated this assignment and they got him back at the end too!

Wow! Kei's been injured and now that worst of all combat weapons is 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 return and the Boss decides to go to ?

ANGEL WINGS

DISCLAIMER: OK ‘Dynamo’ 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 56 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 56

'The Nova Hellsing Returns' or 'Change of Plans'

Mar glanced at Nami's PDO and all at once her face brightened.

"Crap! How did I ever forget that? The 'Adonis Arch'! Gene? Doesn't that come out somewhere near 'Shalimar Crossing'?" she asked eagerly.

"Even better than that Contessa. The 'Arch' comes out at--" drawled Han Solo.

"The 'Seretai Slide'!" cried Gene Starwind, Villa and Jimbo Hawking together.

"You got it. That'll shave an entire solar day off ou jaunt to 'Romulus'." drawled Han.

"It'll take us to the other sie of 'Remus', love." explained Villa when Kome lookd confused.

Hurriedly Mar tapped a fresh set of coordinates into Nami's PDO while Gene and Han looked on.

"There. That is the fastest route I know to 'Adonis'. Input these into the nav comp, Nami. (Nami disappeared into the nav room) Let's get going, Cap. I may as well use this ready room as my command centre. Han, the bridge comm is all yours. Get this ship to 'Romulus' with all possible speed. Dismissed." said the blone with finality and she sat down at the conference table.

Kome was already seated at the desk before the hitherto unseen firing controls for the dreaded 'railguns'. Kei had gone to check out their new 'toy'- the 'railgun'.

"Shit! She's like a kid in a candy store whenver she finds out about a new weapon." said Mar with a grin.

"Yup. She's a lot like 'Kitten' in tht regard, ma'am." agreed Rally 'Cat' Vincent. Suddenly Mar felt the hairs prickle on the nape of her neck. Then she relaxed and pointed.

"The apples are down the hallway in the break room, Ryuuk." she said.

"Much obliged, Blondie." replied the horrifying death god who was hovering behind the blonde. He flew off in search of his 'apple fix'.

Next door Gene had just set the 'LA2' on 'George' and turned to face Solo who was standing behind his chair.

"Something on your mind, old buddy?" drawled Han.

"Yeah pirate I was just wondering where the Hell Reds sent my 'Star', who has her and why?" replied Starwind.

"Dunno any of those answers partner. Sorry." drawled the ex-smuggler. The squawk box suddenly came to life.

"Legato's got the 'Outlaw Star' and a team of fighters went along with him. Their mission is to locate Thrawn and Dooku's armada and get their fleet to chase the 'Star' back to 'Remus' sort of like a decoy, Cap. That's why we have to get to 'Remus' ourselves- fast. Zack Zero's 'Liberator' and the 'Black Knights' are headed on an intercept course from the opposite direction. If all goes as planned we'll have those raiders in a crossfire. Reinforcements have been dispatched to both 'Romulus' and 'Remus' by the 'ISSP' ('Inter Solar Systems Police') and the 'Galactic High Command' so you guys just concentrate on getting us to our rendezvous point as quickly as you can. Steady as she goes, boyos. If you see Villa, send him in here. I need him to explain about 'railguns' to Nat and Kome's crew. He told Nami he'd used 'em before on your ship, Gene. Keep me posted and advise me when we reach the 'Arch'. Angel out." said Mar tossing down her PA mike.

"Villa should be here soon and he'll show you how to use those things, kids." she said and went back to studying the vid manuals for the Mark XXXII long rang ion cannon. And eleven levels below them--

"Holy Mother of Christ! Will ya look at that bloody thing! I could swear it don't show up anywhere on my 'Angel's schematics!" cried Kei while she stared upwards at a gigantic pair of gleaming white Kelvinite cylinders. The Boss was standing on a catwalk above SubLevel Three. From there the huge monstrosities stretched all the way up the ship's atrium to Surface Level Nine and all the way down to the very bottom of the ship.

"Maybe they were left off the blueprint diagrams on purpose, Miss Hellfire. Their range must be awesome. (Villa pointed below them) See those extra dual afterburners? (Kei squinted and nodded) I'll lay even money on those being the back blast exhaust ports of those things. Their backblasts must be pretty close to forty K (thousand) kilos (kilometres. A kilometre is close to three-quarters of a mile so you do the math) Better keep this ship a full hundred K kilos ahead of the rest of the convoy unless your bosses are fond of fricaseed space cruisers, mum." said Villa who was Gene's gunner on the 'Star'. Temporarily he had Lt Nat's job as bridge weapons officer. He pointed upwards to Surface Level Four far above them.

"See that massive anti-grav trolley and its crane system up there, love? (The redhead frowned and nodded again) That must be the loader assembly so those hatches must be the breech portals. Hey! Is that crosscorridor up on Six oro the Hell I think it is, Miss Hellfire?" breathed Villa in awe.

"Yeah. That's the 'God Gun', me old boyo. I take it these beauties (she pointed to the cylinders) are my 'railguns'?" asked the Boss.

"That they are, Miss Hellfire but I never saw any of this size before." replied Villa. Something inside his jacket chirped and he reached inside for his comlink pen. None of the men aboard used comlink earrings not even the pirates).

"Yeah? Villa here. Oro? Right-o. Be there in half a mo, mate. Villa out." he trilled and saluted the redhead beside him who of course ignored the salute.

"Gott go, kid. Duty calls. The Contessa (Brigadier) needs me topside stat." he said.

"Off you go then and thanks for the tour, Villa. Catch ya later, kiddo." replied Kei. Villa grinned and double-timed over to the lift. Kei decided to climb the long spiral gantryway stairs to Surface Level Four. She wanted a close-up gander at a 'railgun' shell.

"Holy shit! Each one must be half the length of the ship itself! A salvo (eight rounds) of these babies along with our two Gundams should do the trick nicely! Dooku and Thrawn- hang onto your asses! We're a-comin' for ya!" she shouted.

"Boss Reds? Everything OK down there, ma'am?" shouted Goat Smith from the balcony on Level Seven.

"Yeah. Just fine and dandy, Goat. Sorry if I startled ya, boyo. Is the dip-- Wing Commander with you?" yelled the redhead through her cupped hands. Apparently she'd forgotten her comlinks were on her ears and Goat had forgotten his was in his pocket.

"That's a negatory, Boss Reds. She's in the star room watching out for the bad guys." shouted Smith from above.

"I'm going back to my quarters. Ask the Brigadier to meet me there tout sweet onegai (please)." yelled Kei.

"Roger and willco, ma'am. Consider it done." cried Goat and he left to find the blonde.

Several levels down in the docking bays a 'death warmed over' dude who could rival Ryuuk for 'ugliest thing of the year' award looked on curiously.

"Why the Hell do we all have to have these comlink things, Police Girl? Jersey Smith and the Red Demon don't seem to either use or need them." observed Alucard.

He and Vicky were prepping the 'Nova Hellsing' for flight. Seras 'Police Girl' Victoria wiped a greasy hand across her forehead and stood up. Her flight suit coveralls were filthy with grease and muck.

"Nothing that woman does seems to make any sense, Master. (She raised her voice and shouted up the companionway) Try firing up the warp core now, Walter. I've tightened up all the connections down here so it should work." she told her 'stand-in' pilot.

"Captain?" trilled a husky female voice.

"Yes? Oro is it, Integra?" trilled Vicky.

Usually Sir Integra Winifred Van Helsing was both Vicky and Al's boss at 'Hellsing Group' but that was back on Terra. Kei had long since promoted Vicky to Captain and given her command of a captured 'Zenobian' star cruiser which Vicky had promptly christened the 'Nova Hellsing' and chosen her vampire 'Master' Alucard as her executive officer.

Walter who was 'Hellsing's manager she made her gunner and Integra had been placed in charge of communications. The two 'Jersey Jerks' Jamie Wilson and Goat Smith she had reluctantly accepted as cooks. Big Spike Miroku was her security chief and the 'Gung Ho Gun' from 'Gunsmoke' Dominique the Cyclops had become her navigator. Engineering was another matter entirely.

Donnatella and Cyborg along with Blackfire and Raven had all been assigned to other ships. Neko Olson had been tapped by the 'Deadly Dynamic Duo' for a special secret mission (Gundam pilot) so Junpei the big hunter of elves had been made her chief engineer. Genie the tall swordswoman treasure seeker and 'Stun Gun' Milly Thompson from 'Gunsmoke' were his assistants. Her pilot had been Legato Bluesummers with Han Solo as co-pilot but the Contessa Brigadier had already grabbed them for other duties so Walter was the ship's temporary pilot. So far he had no co-pilot.

"Sorry Miss Victoria but the motors will not start." trilled an apologetic Walter.

"Oro the Fxxx is wrong with this piece of God-forsaken shit!" yelled the svelte captain angrily.

"Captain! I really must ask you to watch your language, Police Girl. You used the forbidden word again." scolded Alucard.

"Sorry Master. Junpei! You're the chief engineer! Oro the Hell's wrong with my ship?" demanded Vicky.

"How the Hell should I know, girl! I only know how to fix tanks! I sure wish Ryosko was here! That kid can fix anything! Yo! Fatass! Did ya get the power working yet? The Vampire Queen's bitching that her radios ain't working!" shouted Junpei.

"Hey! Brunhilda! Ya figure out why we can't get this piece of junk to work yet?" yelled the elf hunter.

"Junpei! Stop insulting Genie and Milly! They are both doing their best. They don't know anything more about these beasts than you do." said a small puppy dog in Starfire's arms.

"Sorry Lady Celsia. I apologize but dammit all I'm a mechanic not an engineer! Milly! Try beatin' on that grey thing up there with a hammer!" suggested the chief engineer.

"Don't do that! You'll blow up the blasted ship!" howled Starfire's companion a three metres tall raptor- a Triceraton named Dynamo.

He grabbed Milly's just before she struck the ship's dilythium converter catalyst.

"Oro seems to be the problem here, kiddies?" he growled.

"The Queen of Mean up there keeps bitching her power's too damned low to run her toys and this crappy bucket of bolts won't start, Mr Dynamo!" complained Junpei.

The huge dinosaur-like alien glanced at the gauge beneath the catalyst and chuckled.

"You're out of fuel, boy!" he growled.

"Dilythium crystals?" asked Integra who'd come down to see why her power had just totally conked out. She stuck a cigar in hermout and went to light it when--

"Yes and they are highly explosive Lieutenant Van Helsing so no smoking down here!" yelled Dynamo.

"That explains why the ship is not yet running. Why don't I have any power for my vidcomm systems?" she asked.

"Same reason, ma'am. Your power comes from that same fuel. Somebody go get some fuel cells from the supply room." ordered the raptor.

"I will get them, sir!" squealed Starfire excitedly.

"Don't go in the supply room without a hard suit!" called Walter from the companionway.

The tall violet-maned Tamaranian girl yanked open the door of the air-tight chamber and went inside. Naturally as with all air-tight chambers the portal sealed shut behind her. Sensing a new contaminant (Starfire) in the anti-matter field the automatic sensors sprayed the chamber with 'Thoron' a toxic acidic gas.

Had Star been human she would already be dead. Her Tamaranian metabolism saved her from the toxicity but not the acid. It did not effect her body, however, her clothing immediately disintegarated trapping a suddenly au natural Starfire inside!

"Oh Christ! Rangiku! Flood the fuel supply room with 'Nalcyon' quickly!" cried Vicky.

Rangiku was the 'Nova Hellsing's personal 'CC' computer program. She speedily complied with Vicky's orders and the 'Nalcyon' countered the 'Thoron' allowing Dynamo to unseal the chamber door.

He then hit the release panel but nothing happened. He frowned and tried again and again. Still nothing. He tried forcing it open but the portal still held. Vicky started to worry.

"Starfire? We cannot get the door open so I'm sending for help. Don't worry, we'll soon have you out of there." soothd Vicky.

"I know you cannot open this door and I know why, Auntie Vicky!" sobbed a distraught Starfire.

"Oro? Why?" asked a confused Dynamo.

"Because I am holding the door shut and I am a lot stronger than I look, sir." blubbered the tall Tamaranian.

"You stupid dumbass birdbrain! Why are ya doing that dammit? Let Dynamo open up the damned door!" roared Junpei.

"I'm sorry, Mr Junpei, sir but I cannot do that! I don't have any clothes on!" shreiked Starfire.

"The acid in the 'Thoron'. Of course, the acid. It disintegrated her clothing but not her body. A Tam's metabolism is different from a human's." explained Dynamo.

"Honey? There should be a locker in there with a flight suit and some deck boots. Go and look." said Vicky.

"I cannot, Auntie Vicky! If I let go of it the door will be open and all of you will see me in my birthday suit!" she whimpered.

"Nobody's going to see you, Star. I have locked the door again out here so it won't open until I unlock it again and I won't do that until you say you're ready. OK?" coaxed Vicky.

"OK. I'll go and look, Auntie. (A few minutes passed) There's a diving suit and a helmet ( a deep space hard suit) in here, Auntie Vicky but nothing else at all!" sobbed Star.

"Fine. Just climb into that suit. You don't need the helmet, dear. Just the hard suit." said Vicky.

A few minutes later Starfire told Vicky she was ready and at a nod from the captain Dynamo unlocked and released the door. Vicky pulled it open and Starfire collapsed into her arms. She and Junpei assisted the girl to a table and sat her down on it.

"She can barely move in this thing and it's crushing her! Integra, go rep up some clothes for her. Starfire? Auntie Integra's gone to get you some clothes. We'll help you out of this thing in the ladies' room when she comes back, Honey. Then you can get changed." said Seras Victoria.

Integra returned a dumped a load of clothing on the table.

"Here. I hope Rangiku got Star's sizes right. I repped up a schoolkid's uniform, socks, shoes and underwear." explained Integra.

With Milly and Genie helping Vicky got Starfire into the restroom and out of the hard suit. Starfire, however, insisted on getting dressed in the shower room. She returned a few minutes later blushing a little.

"I have gotten so used to pants that a skirt somehow makes me seem only half dressed." said Star.

"Go grab Lady Celsia (the 'puppy dog' was in reality an elven queen who had accidentally trapped herself in that shape with her own spell), go back to your own room and wear whatever the Hell you want." said a thoroughly exasperated Vicky.

She hated playing babysitter yet that was the job she had usually gotten stuck with before her promotion.

"Genie, get into a hard suit and anti-grav boots and get some 'dy' cells for us. Dynamo will show you how to load them into the catalyst." ordered the svelte captain.

An hour later with a fully loaded fuel catalyst and a fully charged-up power system Walter fired up the warp core and powerd up the main thruster units. The 'Nova Hellsing' pulsed with light and energy like a living thing.

"Success, Madam Captain!" cried the usually morose and taciturn vampire hunters' manager and accountant. Walter was a vampire slayer in his own right as well.

"Wonderful! Now can we eat? I'm starving to death for that tasty brunette who served us at lunch." chortled Alucard. Vicky was cross with him.

"Now Master, you know that Boss Reds has had fresh blood repped up for us ever since we joined forces with the 3WA and we took a solemn vow, an oath not to harm any humans, didn't we? Besides if you sated yourself on little Makoto who would serve us dinner?" replied Vicky.

Genie, Junpei, Milly and even Dynamo were in shock!

"Are you two really vampires? I always thought they were just kids' fairy tales." asked Genie.

"Master Alucard and myelf are truly of the undead, Genie. We must have human blood in order to exist, my dear. You need not worry though because as you just heard we have both sworn a sacred pledge not to harm anyone while we serve the 3WA. Since our 'Nova Hellsing' seems to be in working order shall we all go up to dinner? As soon as I get cleaned up that is. Ladies? We will meet you gentlemen upstairs. Please escort Starfire and Lady Celsia back to their quarters, Dynamo. Please tell Integra that Master and I will see her at dinner. You may go with them, Walter. You too Master. Sayonara." replied Vicky.

"Come in Mar. It's open. called Kei when her door klaxon chimed. The portals swished aside to admit the blonde commander.

"You wanted to see me, Boss? Oro's the problem this time?" asked Mar.

Kei waved her to a chair. Mar sat and accepted a mug of hot java from her superior. Kei was still in her dusty 3WA sweats and boots. She really looked like she'd been through the wringer. Actually she had gotten filthy climbing around looking at the 'railguns' with Villa.

"Man! You look like shit, kiddo!" oberved the blonde stifling a giggle.

"I know. Charlie's relay calls tend to do that to me Marlene. Uh listen. How big of a problem would it be to uh turn the ship around?" asked the redhead nonchalantly.

END of Ch 56. Ch 57 'Angel for the Angels?' or 'On to Onsokamaru?' 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?

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 next one may be lengthy. Sorry.- K&K

Here's one more pix for ya-

Here is Alucard from Hellsing with his Vampireizer gun! Dirty Harry's green with envy! Somehow this guy always reminds me of Bleach's Kiske. There's another pix showing his face a bit clearer at the top of this post.

I definitely see a Kiske resemblance here! Don't ya just love anime weapons? He's awesomely gross but I still say 'Ugly of the Year' award goes to DN's Ryuuk the Shinigami death god! Any others? Aug 09 COD Guide follows this post. Sayonara tomos all!