AngelWings Ch 65 'MEGAS'/'Mind Search'

December 31, 2009 - Thursday

AngelWings Ch 65 'MEGAS'/'Mind Search'
Current mood: grumpy
Category: Writing and Poetry

[Apocalypse Now with the Angels?]




The Angels in combat? Apocalypse now would have been different with the Angels eh?



AW Ch 65 'Make Room For MEGAS'/'Mind Search'


[Graphic Novel Angels, Mugghi and Faye Valentine]


This is what the graphic novel Angels look like with Mugghi. Gad! I think they all look like wimps, don't you gang?

AW Ch 65

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 Kurumi 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 65 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 65

'Make Room For MEGAS' or 'Mind Search'

The 'Carthage' was the 'KASP' ('Kaguran Air & Space Patrol') flagship and she was commanded by Commodore Dan Dastun formerly a captain on the 'Paradigm City Military Police' forces.

"Mr Quinn. Those three wayfarers below us seem to be marooned. Take the 'Hannibal' down there and see if they might care for a lift." ordered Dan.

Lt Harley Quinn (Harlequin- get it?) saluted, pointed to his away team and ordered them to prepare the shuttle for immediate liftoff.

A few moments later the 'Hannibal' touched down on the small asteroid. Harley leaped out followed by his away team.

"Hullo there. Having trouble, folks? (Coop and Kiva nodded. Kiva rose to her feet and saluted) Just you three?" asked Quinn.

"Yes. And him, sir." replied Kiva, jerking a thumb over her shoulder to indicate 'MEGAS' their BGR which stood higher than the mountaintop beside it.

"That damned thing will not fit inside the 'Hannibal's cargo bays, sir." advised Lance Corporal Tomasina O'Malley.

"Yes. I know that, Toma. We'll have to have it 'beamed' aboard the 'Carthage' so get some 'pattern enhancers' (they tell the transporters where the 'beamee' section is and everything within their field is transported) and call the 'Carthage' for us." ordered Harley.

Toma saluted and hustled off with three sappers to carry out his commands.

"We'll have to have your 'toy' beamed up I'm afraid. You three will accompany us aboard the 'Hannibal' so onegai (please) follow me." said a short aoishi (blue)- haired girl sapper named Tammy McShane.

Tammy was a 'Quarl' and hailed from the faroff world of 'Halifaxus' which was in the same mysterious 'Omega Quadrant' as 'Workoh-- the Boss's own home world.

A grizzled old iron grey-haired veteran of countless wars limped over to his superior and saluted Quinn. Then he clamped a cigar between his teeth and pointed behind him.

"That blarsted thingymajig's been transported up, Master Quinn, sir." said Master Sergeant Angus MacMillan who the away team's leader.

"Very good, 'Scotty'. Might as well be off then. Get the team back aboard." replied Quinn and did an about face. Then he strolled up the gangway to the shuttle.

As soon as all of the away team and the three wayfarers were safely aboard the 'Carthage' Lt First Class Sir Richard Burton (the esteemed 19th Century Terran explorer who discovered the source of the Nile River on ancient Terra not the Terran Welsh actor) gave the order to resume their voyage to 'Romulus' once again and the ship accellerated to forty Warp.

"Steady as she goes, Lady Alice." he said and the blonde pilot nodded.

He and Alice (she was indeed the very same Alice that had inspired that very famous Terran childrens' book 'Alice in Wonderland' to be written by the Reverend Charles Dodgson much better known by the name of Lewis Carroll) had both been picked up from a very strange world- 'Riverworld'- several years ago by a passing Kaguran patrol squadron. Since that time both had been trained as fighters and pilots.

As a result both of them were 'KASP' officers although Dick by virtue of his leadership skills was a Lieutenant First Class while Alice was merely an Ensign. Dick was the 'Carthage's first officer and exec to Dastun while Quinn was the weapons officer and away team commander. Quinn felt that Dick Burton was promoted over him because he had been a Terran knight of the British realm. Of course he never said anything to either Dick or Dan or even Alice.

Belowdecks Harley and 'Scotty' were both quite perturbed. Getting 'MEGAS' beamed aboard had been mere child's play. Making it fit inside the 'Carthage's small cargo bay was another matter entirely.

"This damned bleedin' thing be just too high for the bay! Let's just chuck it down in that old storage room beside the engine rooms, sir." suggested MacMillan.

"You are not gonna chuck 'MEGAS' down in some smelly old closet dammit! It's mine!" yelled an enraged Coop.

"Ours!" corrected Kiva. "And you most certainly are not putting 'MEGAS' down there by the engines, sir!" she added, wrapping her flight jacket around Kurumi. The steel angel had decided that the cargo bay was too warm for her and she had promptly stripped down to her underthings! The 'Quarl' girl giggled and grabbed Kurumi away from Kiva.

"Don't worry. I'll find her some pajamas, ma'am." said Tammy and she escorted Kurumi to the lift.

Quinn was shaking his head sadly.

"Let's try laying it on the floor. Then we can use 'force beams' (like miniature energy barrier force fields) to secure it. That OK with you two?" suggested the slight weapons officer.

Reluctantly Kiva and Coop nodded their agreement. After 'MEGAS' had been secured as best they could manage Toma took Kiva to her quarters and Quinn took Coop back to his rooms. Tammy had already put Kurumi in the spare bunk in her own cramped quarters.

All three of them were immediately pressed into temporary service with 'KASP' whether they liked it or not. Coop was made Second Lieutenant much to his delight. Lt Kiva was demoted to an Ensign and Kurumi was made a Sub-Ensign.
Kiva became an assistant 'navvie' or navigator. Coop became a gunner and Kurumi became the 'Carthage's new cabin girl. The steel angel was ecstatic. After all she was a maid anyway, wasn't she?

Coop was nuts about all kinds of guns so being a gunner was cool. However, Kiva resented her reduction in rank and her use as an assistant 'navvie'. After all she was a damned good fighter pilot! The Commodore was sympathetic but adamant. He had all the pilots he needed for now but he needed an assistant 'navvie' so Kiva was it. Either that or scullery maid in the galley. Kiva grumbled but acquiesced.

Kiva's post was beside the comm relay officer Subaltern Jadzia Dax, a 'trill' who had formerly worked for 'Starfleet's colony on 'Deep Space Nine'. It had been rumoured that she and Lt Commander Worf the colony's 'Klingon' exec had been an 'item' back then but Dastun had forbidden any mention of that subject aboard his star cruiser. Dax seemed pleasant enough and explained quietly to Kiva that their real 'navvie' was Lt Andrea 'Kitty' Torres and had suddenly transferred back to the 'Coriander' at 'Starfleet' Captain Kiva Nerese's personal request. Andy had left just a few days ago. If she thought this would change Kiva's feelings about her demotion and menial usage as a 'navvie' it didn't.

Jadzia had been working the comm relay mikes fro about an hour when she suddenly tossed off her headphones and swore mightily.

"Dammit, sir! I just cannot raise the 'Lovely Angel 2', the 'Shalimar', the 'Coriander', the 'Outlaw Star', the 'Nova Hellsing', the 'Botany Bay 2', the 'Emerald Queen', nobody! It's like all of 'em dropped off the face of the cosmos, sir!" said Suba Dax angrily. "Please excuse my outburst, Commodore. It was uncalled for, sir." she added.

"A bad business." agreed Burton. "However, we must press on and hope for the best, Jade. We'll make 'Romulus' pretty soon. They should be on 'Remus' by that time and you can try again." said the exec.

"Keep trying anyway, Jade." corrected Dan Dastun, patting the 'trill's shoulder.

Suddenly her face brightened and she snapped her gloved fingers.

"Sir? I believe there may be another way to get through to them, sir." she replied.

"How?" asked Dan Dastun. Jade was already hitting switches and shutting down banks of controls on her console.

"There may be a 'Beta Zoid' aboard the 'Angel 2'- 'Starfleet's Lt Commander Dyanna Troi. I'm a 'trill' and I just might be able to link my mind with hers. If you permit, sir, I'll try it." she suggested.

"By all means, my dear Jade. Please try." replied the Commodore.

Dax composed herself, slid back her chair and stretched out her lithe body and shut both aizu (eyes) thus concentrating her strong will. Slowly she began to speak like an ancient Terran medium or psychic.

"I have her, sir. Dyanna says that they are travelling inside the 'Daedalus Nebulae' and can neither send nor receive signals of any kind. That explains why-- Sir! I have just reached another 'Beta Zoid' aboard! It is a male, a Legato Bluesummers from 'Gunsmoke', I think. He says they will rendezvous tomorrow evening on 'Remus' with the 'Shalimar'. He says the 'Nova Hellsing' and the other craft we cannot raise are already stored aboard the 'Angel 2', sir. I have told them to tell the Boss that we will relay them when we reach 'Romulus', sir. I am sorry but the 'Shalimar' does not seem to have any receptive minds aboard, just a couple of robotic androids. Dammit! Sorry Commodore but I have lost both contacts!" said Jade who was shaking violently and almost in tears.

Dan patted her hand. "Well done, Jade." he said. She nodded, stood up and swooned to the deck.

"Medic to the bridge- stat!" shouted Alice into her vidmike.

"Oro (What) the Hell's she on- 'Taramot'? I have warned you people before about these space drugs you know!" admonished Dr Keymar, an elderly Martian physician.

"Of course not, you old fool! She's just done a 'mind search'! She's a 'trill', Doc!" yelled Tammy McShane.

"Ach! Das explains her condition then. I vill give her a shot of 'Axileine 30' (painkiller and sedative). Take her to her room. She vill need a good long rest." said the medico from Mars.

"Ensign! Take the Suba's place as comm relay officer! That is an order, Ensign Kiva!" ordered Burton and he snapped his fingers. Kiva glowered at him but obeyed.

"Aye sir!" she intoned and sat down at Jade's console.

Harley Quinn stood and slammed his fist into his palm.

"By jove! Now I've got it!" he shouted.

"Well don't give it to anyone else, sir." mumbled Kiva.

"Bluesummers! I thought sure that name sounded familiar don't ya know! He's wanted by the 'ISSP' ('Inter Solar Systems Police', a police force headquartered on Mars. The 'Bebop's Jett Black is a former member of their 'Ganymede' branch where John Raven is commander)! He's got a bounty on his head, sir! I wonder if the 'Angel's commander knows this, sir?" cried a shaken Quinn.

"If I know our Reds she sure as Hell does, eh Burton?" chuckled Dan Dastun. Both men knew this particular firebrand Amazon Hellcat Angel quite well indeed! Dick nodded ruefully and began patiently explaining the comm relay controls to Kiva- for the third time.

Aboard the 'Carthage' the gun deck is one level below the bridge and Coop was avidly eying row upon row of gun controls.

"Here, Lt. Mr Quinn insists all of us gunners wear a sidearm, sir." said Toma O'Malley, buckling a weapons sash around the big galoot's waist. Coop yanked out the huge M4 disruptor pistol and took a bead on the bulkhead wall.

"This damned thing loaded, Tommy?" he asked and pressed the firing stud. Tomasina dove for the floor when a green plasma beam melted the wall! Where her head had been a few seconds earlier was now a smoking crater a full metre wide and half again as long!

"Does that answer your question, you crazy lunatic! You could have killed us both dammit! (Suddenly she saluted) Sorry, sir! I apologize but please be more careful." said the Lance Corporal.

"My fault entirely, ma'am. I am so sorry. Let me help you up there." replied Coop, easily lifting Toma to her feet. Toma took the M4 from Coop and snapped on the safety lock. Then she stuck it back in his holster.

Kurumi awakened next morning and (still in her pajamas) sought out Dr Keymar's sick bay.

"Good morning, Miss. How might I be of service to you?" he asked without taking his aizu (eyes) away from her curvaceous frame.

"My knees feel rusty, sir. Could you lube them for me? Please?" she asked and dropped her pajama bottoms to the deck.

"Rusty? You mean they are hard to move? Ja?" asked Keymar, feeling her knees gingerly. Kurumi shook her head.

"No. I think they are rusty, sir. I am a steel angel android, Doctor. Don't you have any oil I can use?" asked a puzzled Kurumi. He shook his head, then sat down at his desk. He hastily scribbled on a prescription vidpad, tore it off and stuck it in the girl's hand.

"Go down three decks to der engine room and give this to der Engineer. His name is Ron Shaftoe and he vill fix you right up, my dear. Get dressed first because it is quite chilly down there, my child. (Kurumi slid off the table and headed for the portals) Miss Kurumi! Do not forget your bottoms! Good day to you." said the Martian medico.

Kurumi pulled on her brand new 'Subby' uniform as soon as she got back to her room. Recalling the doctor's admonitions of cold she pulled on flight boots, gloves and a flight parka. Then she walked to the gantryway stairs and descended on her mission to Engineering.

The Chief Engineer was very tall and very effeminate with long blonde hair.

"I think that '311XX' should do the trick for you. Drop your trousers, love. Not to worry. My crew's at breakfast, darling. Fine workmanship, I see. Not done on this world then? A little dab on this one and a little dab on that one. There. Feel better, dear? Good. Now how are those feet? OK? (Ron felt her arms and legs) You need a complete tune-up, I believe. Better take it all off, love. That's right. Now this won't hurt a bit, me old darling." said Ron Shaftoe with a wink.

A half hour later when she left him Kurumi felt like a totally different android, a new steel angel! She stopped in at the galley and was soon trundling an antigrav trolley laden with dishes back to her rooms.

"Your breakfast, mums." she announced and began laying out dishes for Tammy, Tomasina and Alice.

"You surely seem chipper today, Kuri." observed Alice.

"Yes'm. I just had a complte overhaul and tune-up down in Engineering, mum." she explained to the trio of open-mouthed women.

Meanwhile at 1900 hours (7 PM) the mighty 'Angel 2' at long last exited 'Daedalus' and her inhabitants found themselves less than two hours away from 'Remus' and the 'Shalimar'. Still 'cloaked' they wasted no time in heading for their rendezvous. Still dogging their heels was the determined 'Liberator'.

While all of this was going down the 'Carthage' touched down on 'Kazrah', one of the many 'Romulan' moons. All of a sudden Kiva had a plethora of comm relay messages and everyone's vidcell unit started chirping at the same time.

By 1930 (7:30 PM) the 'Carthage' had made contact with the 'Angel 2' and the 'Shalimar' while the vidcells continued to keep all hands informed of the latest gossip.

By 2030 hours (8:30 PM) the 'Angel 2' had at last rendezvoused with the 'Shalimar' so Kei decided that since they had arrived at 'Remus' and were well ahead of the invasion forces it would be safe to break comm relay silence with their 'Galactic Command' escort vessel.

"This is the 'Lovely Angel 2' calling the 'Liberator' in the clear. Please respond. Over." relayed Kome Sawaguchi.

"Roger that. This is the 'Liberator'. We read you, love. Over." relayed Zach Zero.

"Glad to have you watching our back, Captain Zach. The Boss wants to see you pronto and she asks that you bring your special passengers with you. Shall we send transport? Over." relayed the strawberry-blonde teen.

"Negative. I'll use the 'Freelander' for the trip. Over." was Zero's response.

"That'll be fine, Captain Zach. See you soon. Sawaguchi out." relayed the young Suba.

"Roger willco. Can't wait to see you, kiddo. Zero out." chuckled Zero.

By 2100 hours (9 PM) Zach and his yeoman arrived along with a roll call of 'Who's Who' of the 3WA, the 'UG', the 'GC', 'Starfleet Command', the 'Alliance', the 'ISSP', 'KASP', the 'Federation', 'MI5', 'Interpol' and the new Mrs Han Solo as well. The Boss and her exec, second officer and comm relay officer began to smell a 'Zygorian' rat- a big one!

"Oro (What) gives, Chuck? You brought everyone except Uncle Vito (Galadriel- the god of the 3WA and the 'UG'. Think Howard Hughes and Bill Gates times a trillion and you have some idea of his power and influence in the 23rd Century) for Christ's sake!" growled the redhead.

"Now you just calm down, Katie me girl." said Andre Francis Gooley who was Aquarian Galactic Chief and one of the few folks who could call the Boss 'Katie' and get away with it.

"Calm down? When you baka (crazy) morons have brought every ranking leader of the cosmos into a war zone which is awaiting the vanguard of an invasion fleet! You and Chuck had better have a good escuse, Andy!" she yelled, crashing a gloved fist down on the conference table so hard that the ice-like veneer cracked.

Admiral Katherine 'Dragon Lady' Janeway stood up and pointed at Kei O'Halloran, her golden orbs flashing fire.

"Enough of these temper tantrums, Madam Marshall! Sit down at once! Lord Grand Admiral Pike? The floor is yours, sir." said the 'Dragon Queen' sitting down again.

Christopher Pike stood and nodded a few times. "Thank you all for coming. I'll make this short and sweet. As most of you lready know we are here to negotiate a peace treaty with Count Dooku and Grand Admiral Thrawn. Their envoy has assured us that Dooku wants nothing more to do with this idiotic war and Thrawn agrees. Therefore they will withdraw their forces and lift the blockades around 'Shimougou', 'Mars', 'Kagura' and Terra immediately thereafter. They will return to their own worlds and agree to any terms we stipulate. In return they ask only that amnesty be granted to all invaders and their hirelings, that there be no reprisals later and that we release Zorin Oakenshield. He will be--" began Pike.

"Oro (What) the FXXX! Release him? You're damned bloody lucky I ain't executed him yet! No way in the nine jigokus (Hells) will I 'ever' agree to that! He's in my brig now and that is where he will stay until his trial and that is final dammit!" yelled the Red Marshall, slamming her chair back so hard that it smashed into the bulkhead wall.

"This is not your decision, young lady. It is ours and we have already made it. Whether you agree with it or not is really quite immaterial. Control yourself and please permit Lord Admiral Pike to continue. Another outburst like that and you'll find yourself inside your own brig. Lord Pike?" said 'Interpol's Commodore James Bond whose own ancient Terran ancestour had been famed MI5 secret agent 007.

"Thank you, Bond. Zorin Oakenshield will be banished forever to a small atoll asteroid in the faroff 'Omega Quadrant'. This quadrant sits in the most remote area of this entire Universe. Should he ever escape from that asteroid he will be executed on sight. These provisions have already been agreed to by both Count Dooku and Grand Admiral Thrawn. Both 'Romulus' and 'Remus' as welll as every single one of their myriad of moons will be under the direct jurisdiction of the 3WA, however, the people of these worlds and their moons will elect their own leaderships. As we speak these self same proposals are being explained to Zorin Oakenshield. (Kei raised a gloved hand, frowned and began to rise) The answer, Madam Marshall, is no. We see no justification for banishing either Dooku or Thrawn. We believe that both men were manipulated by Oakenshield. Ah! Here comes their envoy now." said Christopher Pike who had worked his way up the 'Starfleet' chain of command from a lowly space tech to his present position as supreme leader of 'Starfleet Command' itself.

The 'envoy' from the Count and the Grand Admiral was a short squat 'Sontarran' named Torg well known to most of the inhabitants of the 'Angel 2' as well as a good many of the cosmic leaders present in the room. He very closely resembled the 'Michelin Tires Man' of ancient Terran television commercials. Several high ranking officials and every Admiral in the room followed Pike and Torg across the hall and into an empty storeroom to confer. Kei rose and was waved back to her seat by Bond who slowly shook his head at the young commander.

"He is upset quite a bit but he has agreed to abide by the decisions since His Grace (Count Dimitrios Dooku) has approved them." advised Torg.

"The little shit knows we'll be keeping close tabs on his ass?" demanded Rafe Donnelly who commanded the 'ISSP' on Mars.

"He knows, Lord Rafe." replied the 'Sontarran' knight.

There were a few other technicality type questions which Torg answered. The results seemed to satisfy the assemblage because after a while they all returned to the huge conference room where a lively discussion began and lasted until almost 2300 hours (11 PM) when a vid relay signal was received. Kei's vidphone chirped and she automatically answered it.

"O'Halloran here. Oro (What) the Hell do you want?" she barked angrily. Suddenly she sat bolt upright.

"Oro (What) did you just say, Kome? Huh? Hell yeah and put it through to Vidscreen Six in here. Thanks." she said. The Boss hung up and used a small remote to lower Vidscreen Six so that it hovered above the table at the far end of the room.

"We have a relay from Dooku so everyone shut the Hell up dammit." growled the redhead.

The tall spare figure of His Grace, Count Dimitrios Dooku of the 'Myatlantic Realm' slowly materialized on the vidscreen.

"That's the blighter? He looks like 'Ming the Merciless' from 'Flash Gordon' on the old Terran films." cried Rafe.

Dooku bowed to the assembled group and smiled. Kei loathed him at first sight.
"I trust that our terms meet with your approval? It seems to myself and Reagent Thrawn that we are doing most of the giving while you are doing all of the taking. (He chuckled) After all we are not really asking you to release Zorin Oakenshield to us. Rather we are merely asking that you banish him to someplace very far away from us and the rest of the known Universe. So as not to prolong this unduly, Pike, does Zorin know all the details of our proposal? (Pike nodded and Dooku rubbed his hands together) Excellent. To confirm that you agree on all counts onegai (please) flash your running lights twice. (Pike picked up a vidmike) Very well--" relayed the Count and he turned to speak to his subordinates.

Kei grabbed Pike and turned him away from the vidscreen. Lowering her voice to a whisper she placed her mouth very close to the Grand Admiral's ear.

"Belay that, Pike! (Pike dropped the vidmike and the Boss caught it before it hit the deck) Think about this for just a minute, sir. My ship is 'cloaked' at the moment. That means we are invisible to other transports. If we flash our running lights, even for a nanosecond or two, we will not only give away our position- we will be totally visible to all aizu (eyes) out there for a second or two. Gomen (Sorry) Pike but I just do not trust this long lanky weasel, sir. (Pike stared at the redhead incredulously) I have more experience with his kind, sir. Please let me handle this matter for you. (Pike nodded and sat down. Kei turned to face the vidscreen again) Yo! Listen up, Dooku! (The tall nobleman glared icy daggers at the Red Marshall) We will comply, however, if you fire on me I will personally blow you and Thrawn off the face of the cosmos. You understand me, Gramps?" relayed a very menacing-looking tro-con. The chiefs buried their faces in their hands except for Don Poporo who shouted 'Way to go, girl!' before Anton Gustav kicked him in the shins.

Dimitrios Dooku nodded and pointed a warning finger at Kei.

"Yes Madam, I understand perfectly. The same goes for me, my dear. If you cross me, I will take extreme delight in ending your kawaii (lovely) young life. (He guffawed loudly) Just kidding. Please proceed." relayed the tall gaunt grim figure who sort of resembled the 'Grim Reaper' more than 'Ming the Merciless' today. Kei turned her back to the Count once more and hurriedly spoke into her comlink earring.

"Vicky! Flash our running lights twice. Huh? Just do it dammit! That's an order, Captain." she trilled and dropped her voice to a low growling whisper.

"Shields up before you hit those lights, kid. Stand by on our plasma cannons and quad guns just in case." trilled the redhead.

Captain Seras 'Vicky'/'Police Girl' Victoria complied and from Dooku's ship came two answering winks.

Dooku smiled and chuckled. He picked up a goblet of wine and sipped it.
"See Madam Marshall? I asked for your signal only so that my people would receive confirmation of our agreement. You really must learn to trust people more, my dear child." relayed a grinning Count.

Kei stared right at him and whispered "Keep our shields up, Vicky. I still don't trust this damned weasel. (Then a thought struck her) Vicky!! Have Zoe change course to SSE 350.00947 immediately! Dooku's got our position now or so he thinks and I'll be damned if he's gonna be able to use it against us!" trilled the Boss angrily.

As events turned out Dooku was, for once, telling the truth. An hour later (well past midnight) Kei had Kome put through another relay call to Dooku for her. When the Count appeared on her vidscreen Kei forced herself to smile at the leering lecherous creep.

"I want to be perfectly clear on a few key points, pal. (Dooku nodded wearily and sat down at his desk) We will transport Oakenshield to 'Quorangi 9' where he will remain under 'eternal' banishment. Correct? (Dooku nodded testily) Furthermore he will be under the joint jurisdictions of the 'UG' and the 3WA and should he somehow to escpae from his confinement and leave that asteroid he will be executed on sight. Is that also correct? (Again the Count nodded and puffed away on a long pipe) And lastly- you and Thrawn agree to all of these terms, sir?" demanded the firebrand Hellcat, one fist resting lightly on the butt of her holstered Mark XIII ion cannon.
"We both agree to all of the terms in the proposal that we presented to your people, Madam Marshall. If we did not agree to them then why would we present the proposal in the first place? (He sighed) Do you have any other questions, my dear?" asked Dooku wearily.

"Just one more. Who are you sending along with us so we can prove to you that old Zorin's been properly banished?" asked the Boss smugly.

The Count mused a moment and puffed away on his pipe some more before answering her.

"Keep my envoy aboard. Is that agreeable to you, Mr Torg? (The little 'Sontarran' nodded nervously) Excellent. Thank you, Mr Torg. Then do we have ourselves a deal, dear lady?" asked the Count.

Before Kei could reply Fleet Admiral Kirk cleared his throat loudly.

"Whether Marshall O'Halloran approves or not this is our decision, not hers, sir. However, to answer your question, yes, we do indeed have a deal, Your Grace. Mr Torg will keep you informed. Good evening, my dear Count." said Kirk. Dooku rose and bowed to him. Then he blanked his vidscreen. Kei used the remote to blank hers as well and the vidscreen disappeared into the ceiling. Then she pointed to the Count's smallish envoy.

"See that Mr Torg gets a private suite next door to Zorin- in the brig. Sorry Torg but I still remember your last visit to my ship when you and your cronies hijacked two of our 'Angels' so I ain't taking any chances. (InuYasha stepped forward and Torg extended his hands) No cuffs are necessary, are they Torg? (Torg shook his head) Take him away, Doggie Boy. He'll give you no trouble." she chuckled merrily.

"He'd damned well better not." growled the big hanyou and he shoved the 'Sontarran' towards the lift. Kikyo and Kouga accompanied them and Naraku brought up the rear. After Torg and his jailors had left Kei glowered at the cosmic leaders still seated around her conference table.

"Unless you ladies and gentlemen want to take a long trip to 'Quorangi 9' I suggest you catch a lift from Captain Zero's 'Liberator'. We'll lift off in the morning. (She spoke into her comlink earring) Kome, advise all warships that there ain't gonna be no invasion and send 'em all back home. Zero has advised us that he's not leaving until tomorrow. OK Kome? Great. Thanks a lot. (She turned to her own yeoman Suba Marina Oki) Marina, I'd like to have a chat with you so report to my quarters in ten minutes. Vicky, the comm is yours. (She turned to her guests) I'll leave you nice folks to discuss your plans, ladies and gentlemen. (Kome Sawaguchi and Ojou the Yakuzza princess came in as Marina was leaving the room) Kome. Yamkumi. You're with me. The rest of you guys have your orders. Good evening." said Kei who spun on her heel and strode off swiftly to the lift.

The Yakuzza princess had just delivered the first part of Zach Zero's message to Kei- that the 'Liberator' was laying over until the morning. The second part of his message she had hesitated to deliver before. Now she had no choice!

END of Ch 65. Ch 66 'Yeoman Trading' or 'Homecoming' 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 guys 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.

Meri Kurasumasu to all of my tomodachis and may Kami bless you this holiday season. Akeome to everyone and here's to a super 2010 my dear friends of anime.
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

Alice who is now a pilot aboard the 'Carthage' once said she always tried to do six impossible things before breakfast. Someone sent me this cute trio of unicorns and I just could not resist putting it in here. Enjoy- K&K


[A trio of unicorns]

AW Ch 55 'Diplomatic Immunity' or 'Do Ya Feel Lucky?

Meet Nammo (right) the lil machine R2D2 that keeps the LA2's systems running smoothly.

Meet Mugghi in her kitten form. This huge almost 7 foot tall nekomata that has been genetically engineered sometimes is responsible for keeping the LA2 in motion with Nammo's assistance of course. Mugghi is a very capable pilot and gunner. Each of the two Angels has one of each. Soon there will be another pair of Mugghi/Nammos. One set for the LA1 (Yuri's ship), one for the LA2 (Kei's ship) and one for the brand new LA3 (To be Marlene Angel and Kome Sawaguchi's ship very soon). Thought you'd like to see what they looked like. I couldn't find a pix for Mugghi in her normal sized form. She's a bit like Kirara in that she can shape shift. So can Neko Olson but she hardly ever does. Like Yoruichi on Bleach who now seems to prefer her human 'gigai' form to that of the neko she was when we first encountered him/her. Yoruichi is a female human but a male cat- go figure eh?

'AW Ch 55 'Diplomatic Immunity' or 'Do Ya Feel Lucky?

'Wow! Kei's been injured and now that worst of all combat weapons may be in Zorin's 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! A pickpocketing passenger will end up saving the day for the Angels and- Kami! I have said too much. Read on loyal and faithful followers of the word:-

ANGEL WINGS

Quotes from two famous flicks- Wonder oro that's all about eh? Think of the contexts in those particular movie scenes. Got 'em? Now think of our band of peacekeepers. Got 'em? Put 'em together. 'Nuff said.

DISCLAIMER: OK ‘Ryosko’ 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 55 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 55

'Diplomatic Immunity' or 'Do Ya Feel Lucky?'

The dwarf was still cringing in fear of the blonde's repercussions.

"Sorry I stole that stuff from you, Lady Marley and I won't never do it again! I swear it!" apologized Odo but Mar could have cared less at that point.

"Fine. Apology accepted. It's all forgotten, Odo. Now answer me! Please! Where did you see these things and when?" demanded Mar eagerly.

"Tell her dammit!" cried Rebecca boxing his ears.

"In the back of the caverns. It was yesterday, Milady." he replied.

"Show us where, Odo. Bring him along, Ryuuk." ordered the blonde.

"You show Blondie where those metal suit things are that you saw, my lil tomo or I'll have Light write 'your' name in my book." promised the shinigami with a growl.

"Well I think I know where I saw 'em, Becky--" began the dwarf and Rebecca drew her dagger.

"Think real hard, Odo or should we get Ivanhoe to ask you?" she said and pointed the dagger at him.

The dwarf cringed.

"Oh yeah! Now I remember!" replied Odo and he rapidly whispered directions to Rebecca who noted the coordinates from his explanation into her PDO and showed them to Marlene who nodded.

By that time they had arrived at the transporter room on Level Seven.

"Hi there guys. Hullo mum. Going somewhere?" asked Elf Huntress Ari who was today's transport officer.

Mar returned Ari's salute and smiled.

"Please beam me, Rebecca, Odo and Ryuuk to those coordinates (Rebecca handed over her PDO to Ari) in the rear of these caverns. Ryuuk, put Odo on on that pad. Rebecca, on the one beside Odo. Ryuuk, stand behind him and I'll stand behind Rebecca. All set? OK Ari- energize." ordered the blonde and all four of them vanished and immediately rematerialized in the caverns.

Odo glanced around.

"Up this corridor and past that big hunk of rock, Milady- I think. (Rebecca scowled at him and idly fingered her blade) There should be a side alcove back there and it's just chocked full of all kinds of junk and crap. Those metal thingies in Lady Marley's book things are back there too." mumbled the dwarf. Mar was ecstatic to put it mildly.

"Do you guys know oro the Hell this means? (Blank stares all around and a grin from the shinigami) We've got him! (More confused looks and Ryuuk chuckled) Oakenshield! He's ours! Zorin's such a maniac he's gonna insist on seeing those two Gundams for himself! He'll come here and we'll grab him and his merry band of lunatics as well!" she yelled triumphantly.

Odo was not quite so sure as she and decided to tell her.

"Lady Marley? Won't Mr Oakie simply have those things delivered to him the same way we were just delivered here?" pointed out the dwarf and Mar's face fell.

"Of course he will. Good point though Odo. Ryuuk? Can you make it back to the ship on your own?" asked the blonde.

Ryuuk appeared insulted.

"Sure Blondie. Why?" he replied.

"Go back there and tell Miss Ari to beam us and everything around us in a twenty metre radius back there. Tell her to energize in (Mar glanced at her writstchromo and calculated) five minutes. Go!" she commanded and Ryuuk split.

The trio ran to the alcove. Rebecca resheathed her dagger and did a double take.

"Holy shit! Oro the Hell are those things, mum? Are they- Gundams?" she breathed in awe and Mar nodded grimly.

"That they are, Becky. That they most certainly are." she whispered.

"Lemme borrow this thing, Becky." said Odo and he yanked out her dagger.

"Hey!" squealed Rebecca and then she relaxed when she saw he only wanted the dagger to tap on a Gundam's 'chest'.

"Sounds hollow to me. Wonder if there's anything inside of 'em?" he asked.

"Or anyone. Let's find out. Stand back." said Marlene and she drew her Mark XII disruptor blaster pistol and charged it. Then she fired three times into the nearest Gundam's blast shield face plate.

In that confined space the roars were deafening. There was no reaction to her trio of energy bolts so Mar cautiously approached the Gundam. Then she activated the locking mechanism and leaped back as a small drawbridge lowered itself- the access ramp. A quick peep inside assured her the Gundam was as empty as Edward Elric's brother Alphonse's suit of armour.

"OK Odo. You and Becky get inside this one and I'll take the other one. Quickly now so Ari can beam us and these things back to the ship. We only have (Mar squinted at her wristchromo) Christ! Thirty seconds so move your asses!" ordered the tall blonde.

Odo peered warily inside the 'monster' and Becky botted him the rest of the way in before clambering in herself. Mar wasted no time in hopping into the other Gundam.

"Hit that yellow panel above your head, Becky. That's the ramp release control. Only a few seconds left now." called Mar and Becky complied.

The ramp snapped shut and the Gundam was sealed. Mar managed to seal her Gundam just in the nick of time.

Suddenly without warning both Leviathan armoured units shimmered and vanished only to reappear instantly on the 'LA2's transporter pads. As soon as Ari saw them she grabbed a plasma rifle and levelled it at the gigantic behemoths.

She drew a big sigh of relief, however, when Odo jumped out of one of them and kissed the deck floor. Rebecca emerged behind Odo and Mar scrambled down from the other Gundam.

"They're Gundams, Ari. Old Zorin won't be using these two beauties anytime soon." chuckled the blonde and then she raised her voice.

"Harley? It's me- Angel. I need you to send four security teams to the transporter bays on Seven stat. Why? Because we are gonna bag us an Oakenshield, that's why. Odo located Oakie's two Gundams in the deepest recesses of the caverns and we have them both stowed away safely aboard. Z.O. will probably insist on taking possession of them personally ("Aye lassie! That he will!" interrupted Harlock) so we'll grab him and his playmates when they show up on 'XANA' to take delivery. Angel out." trilled a satisfied Mar.

The teams were duly dispatched with Lord Ivanhoe in command. Less than three hours later a score (twenty) of Oakenshield's 'Elite Guard' were cooling their heels in the brig while Zorin himself was being interrogated upstairs in the ready room.

He was livid with rage and acting like he was the injured innocent bystander.

"There must be some mistake here, Ladies. You cannot arrest me, Madam Marshall, Madam Brigadier! I have diplomatic immunity! I am Zorin Ryan Oakenshield, Ruler of 'Romulus' and 'Remus' and I hereby order you to--" he cried out indignantly.

The Boss stared at him coolly, lit a cheroot and pointed its tip at him.

"Ruler of 'Rom' and 'Rem' eh? (He nodded defiantly) You got diplomatic immunity huh? (Again he nodded and smiled. Kei's face went dark) You got shit, little man! Under Galactic Law which you seem fond of quoting it clearly states that 'diplomatic immunity' only applies if your ass is actually sitting on a planet, world, moon or asteroid. Anywhere else and you're just a plain old run-of-the-mill felon- a common criminal! This is deep space and your ass is sitting on my starship so that means you are SOL- shit outta luck, tomo!" shouted the redheaded firebrand Hellcat.

Zorin began sliding his hand towards Rukia's holstered Mark XIII ion cannon. She was standing beside her prisoner flanked on the other side by Light Yagami and Ryuuk. Light noisily cleared his throat.

"So? You wanna try and outdraw me, Zorin? (Kei stood and stepped back from the table. Her fingers were poised just centimetres over her own holstered Mark XIII. It looked like the 'Gunfight at the OK Corral' back on ancient Terra) Go ahead, Oakie. Whenever ya feel lucky that is. Ya do feel lucky, don't ya, tomo? (Zorin began to sweat) Well? Do ya, punk?" said the Boss very menacingly and she stared right at the little dictator wannabe.

Slowly Zorin slid his hand away from Rukia's Mark and laid both hands flat on the table and smiled.

"Let's make us a deal, my dear child, shall we? (Gene, Han and Harlock exchanged amused glances. One thing you never ever did to an Angel was call her a child!) You allow me to escape and in return I will swear on my word of honour never to return to this galaxy in the future. (Kei scowled) My star cruiser is loaded to the gills with gold press Latinum bars. You can even have half of them into the bargain. I realize that you 'dogs of the military' (Kome instinctively felt her right cheek. She was remembering the stinging thwack she'd received from the redheaded Amazon when she had once saucily referred to her as 'Garner's lapdog'!) don't make that many credits you know. (If Kei's looks could kill Zorin Oakenshield would have been in 'Otherworld' by now!) Just look the other way, my love (Even Neko and Rukia snickered at that ill chosen remark!) and I swear that--" cajoled the oily Oakenshield but the Boss had had enough of him for one day.

"Stow it, you whiny toad! That Latinum was tolen from the good folks of 'Kalufrax', wasn't it? Well it's gonna go right back there to 'em! OK now you pay attention. (Kei cleared her throat) Zorin Ryan Oakenshield, I hereby place you under arrest larceny, gun running, illegal arms dealings, robbery, embezzlement of public funds, espionage, high treason, inciting a war, attempted homicide, murder (probably- Kei was covering all the bases), resisting arrest (Ichigo and Miroku rubbed their stomachs) and whatever the Hell else I can think of! Book him, Harley!" seethed the fuming redheaded Hellcat.

Zorin decided to open his big mouth.

"I have rights dammit! I claim sanctuary! I am an aristocrat! I have diplomatic immuni--" he shouted and then suddenly lunged for Rukia's Mark!

He had it half out of her holster when-- ZANG! CRACK!

"OW! Christ Almighty!" he screamed in agony and clutched his right shoulder. Blood seeped between his fingers from the graze wound caused by the bullet from Revy's 'Cutlass'.

"Damnation! That hurts like Hell! It burns dammit!" he howled.

"That's a bullet from a 'real' gun, stupid. Not a damned energy bolt or blast from a toy like theirs. You wanna try for two? (Zorin shook his head violently) Then you sit there and behave yourself like a good little boy. He's all yours, mum." said Suba (Subaltern) Revy Roberts, a smoking 'Beretta' in her fist. Kei bristled with fury and reholstered her own weapon.

"Mar, the man does have a point, don't ya think? He does have rights under Galactic Law so read 'em to him and get his ass the Fxxx outta here dammit!" she commanded and sat down again. The vidphone chirped and Rukia answered it.

"Hullo? This is Rukia. Huh? Yeah, just a sec, ma'am. Here, mum. It's for you. It's 'Cat' and she's got something on the scanners." said the soul reaper. Kei grabbed the vidphone from her.

"Yeah 'Cat'? Kei here. Oro ya got? Uh huh. Ya don't say? Well lemme think that over for a minute. I'll trill ya back, kid." she said and blanked the vidscreen.

Suddenly the PA system blared to life.

"A dozen fighters closing in fast, Boss! Oro are your orders dammit all!" shouted Rally's voice from the nav room. Kei smiled grimly and touched her comlink earrings.

"Tell Kome to vaporize the lot of 'em. Use the 'railguns' and that's an order dammit!" she trilled and Zorin Oakenshield paled.

"Call 'em off Zorin and I'll have Suba Sawaguchi stand down. Five seconds, tomo. One. Two. Three. Four. Fi--" she began counting and Zorin yelled.

"Shub Niggurath! Shub Niggurath! Did you hear me? Broadcast that on Band XLCV in the clear and they'll pull back! Just send it dammit! Please!" he whimpered and at a nod from the Boss Neko did.

Five minutes later six X-Wing fighters and six TIE (Twin Ion Engine) fighter and their pilots were in custody. As soon as a dejected Zorin Oakenshield had been escorted to a private brig Kome tapped Kei's shoulder.

"Boss Lady! He knew! He's seen or heard of 'railguns'! That's why he caved in and surrendered his troops to us!" cried the tall strawberry-blonde teenaged Terran girl worriedly. Kei was puzzled.

"So? He's heard of 'em? Who ain't? Oro of it? Oro difference does it make?" asked a perplexed redhead.

"Ever since you and the Wing Commander nuked that casino in space a few years ago haven't they been banned across the galaxy?" suggested Lt Cmdr Joey Bishop, a sometimes pilot but usually 'Starfleet' Captain Nerese's helmsman on the 'Coriander'. Jon, Gene, Han, 'Dynamo' and even Neko Olson started laughing.

"Oro the Hell's so frigging funny?" demanded the firebrand.

"Off the record, mum? (Kei fumed and nodded) We've been running 'railguns' for years. They're used as a deterrent rather than as an active weapon. Hell! Even Johnny Berringer had a couple on 'Starcrusher' but he never even uncrated the damned things! Mostly we load 'em up with empty shells fitted with dummy charges. To the best of my knowledge and recollection except for you two fire hazards nobody has even fired one. The threat to do so is usually more than enough to get ya oro ya want." explained Gene Starwind.

"However, if Oakbrain's got a few of 'em squirrelled away someplace we'd best find 'em, my Angels. Before somebody else does eh?" drawled Han Solo.

"Damned right we'd better! I can still remember oro the Hell this dipstick did to an entire space colony with just one of the damned things!" yelled 'Duchess' Yuri Donovan.

"Dammit to Hell, Vacuumhead! It wasn't my fault!" yelled Kei angrily.

"Are you trying to say it was my fault, you Airhead?" shouted Yuri.

"Shut up, Birdbrain!" yelled the Boss.

"I don't have to shut up, Dipstick! You shut up!" howled Yuri.

"Shut the Fxxx up- the pair of ya! If Zorin's already seen or at least heard of 'railguns' don't that mean that he might already have a few of 'em? And he sure as Hell won't be squeamish about using them- right?" yelled Nami Richards. Kei was very annoyed now.

"Did all of ya forget that the little megalomaniac's locked up in my brig downstairs?" growled the angry Hellcat.

"Oro about his two execs?" asked Nyssa innocently.

"Aye lads and lassies! Oro about Lord Dooku and Grand Admiral Thrawn? They're just as insane as Oakbrain indeed perhaps more so in fact!" roared Jonathan Harlock.

"One of 'em's probably leading the vanguard of the invasion force too." observed Rally 'Cat' Vincent quietly.

"Oro invasion force?" cried Brigadier Marlene Angel.

"The one we just picked up on scan. It's headed for 'Romulus' and it's huge- a few hundred at least." agreed Zoe Morton, the Plutonian navvie.

"Orders Marshall?" demanded a sarcastic Yuri.

"That's up to Brigadier Angel, kiddo. This is her ship for the mission's duration." replied the redhead.

Every pair of aizu (eyes) turned to the blonde.

"Dooku and Thrawn's expecting a tandem of Gundams, ain't they? Let's give 'em to 'em with Jon and Neko at their controls. How far's that fleet from 'Romulus' now?" asked Mar.

"Five days at the most, mum." answered Rally.

"How long before we reach 'Romulus', Cap?" asked the blonde of Starwind.

"Three days if I kick in the hyperdrives, Blondie." replied Gene.

"Oro's the next world those raiders will reach?" she asked. Nami spotted it on the vidcharts first.

"A moon- 'Aoyama', ma'am and they'll reach it in three more days." reported Nami.

"And we can be there in a day and a half- thirty-six solar hours, kiddo." advised Starwind.

"Make it so, Gene. No matter oro happens Dooku and Thrawn do not repeat not get past 'Aoyama', however, better have 'em evacuate 'Romulus' and 'Remus' just to play it safe. How soon can we get some back-up here, guys?" asked the svelte interim commander.

"Four days at least, love. Until then you are on your own, my dear." said Garner who along with Gooley and Gazelle was temporarily using 'Yars VI' for his HQ. They had used John Berringer's 'Balsa' shuttlecraft for the trip with Lt Kallen Steadfast of the 'Balack Knights' as their pilot. She had flown them from 'Alderaan' to 'Yars VI' right after Kei's shooting demonstrations had ended.

"Send us as many ships as you can possibly share,sir. We will try and hold them at 'Aoyama' until the reinforcements arrive. Angel out." said the calm, cool and collected no nonsense blonde Brigadier.

Then she began issuing crisp and efficient orders to her crew. When Mar finally finished the Boss gave a final order.

"Better prep the 'God Guns'- just in case." she intoned grimly and her face was solemn.

"Kiva? Can you and your crew see to those 'Kami' cannons for us? Arigaou (Thanks)." said Mar.

"Hey! Why Mr Harley and Miss 'Kitty Kat', Auntie Marlene? hy do they get to fly those Gundams? Why can't me and Caggie do it instead?" demanded a pouting Flay Allster while Cagalli Yula Athna stared at the ceiling.

"Hae ye two 'gossoons' (infants, children in Gaelic) ever even 'seen' a Gundam before let alone flown one? Well? Hae ye?" shouted Jon Harlock.

Both shook their heads.

"Well Jon and I have used them before and they ain't so easy to handle, kids." said Neko Olson.

Flaysie wanted to know oro a 'gossoon' was so Ed Elric told her. She fumed and whispered to Cagalli who just chuckled.

"Hey! Pirate dude! You can't call us babies darn it!" yelled a defiant Flay.

"Ye are babies to us ye know!" roared the pirate his patience at last exhausted.

"Go to Hell ya old geezer!" howled Flay. Thwack! Flay started to sob and rubbed her jaw which was already showing a red welt.

"You watch that mouth of yours, young lady! I do not want to hear that kind of language from you again! Edward! Edwrd Elric!" cried Pinato 'Granny' Rockabell.

"Brother? Are you in trouble again?" chortled Alphone Elric, Ed's younger brother who resembled one of Lord Falco's knights in armour.

"I didn't do nothing, Granny! Honest! Oro did I do, ma'am?" cried Ed.

"Bring me the soap, Edward! Alphonse! The strap please! Winry, come here! You are coming with me, young lady!" she cried grabbing Flaysie's ear and leading her away towards the restrooms.

Cagalli blocked her path.

"Fun's fun Gran but Flaysie's a big girl now. She's sorry for cussing so tae your damned hands off her dammit!" yelled Caggie.

Wham! A right hook from Winry Rockabell knocked her into the bulkhead wall.

"You can't talk to my grandmother like that you little bitch!" shreiked the angry blonde who towered over Athna. Sesshomaru seized her from behind and cuffed them both soundly.

"Bring both of 'em Mr Sess and follow me. We may need more soap." said Granny.

Nat and Zoe joined the group to accompany Granny, Caggie, Flaysie and Winry into the ladies' room while Ed, Al, Sess and Tracey Edwards waited in the corridor. Granny was almost ready to dole out the punishments and Ed and Al knew what that meant from bitter experiences as kids!

Inside the restroom Granny turned to Nat and Zoe.

"Down with their britches, ladies. Winry please assume the position. You know what to do." ordered Pinako quietly.

Winry nodded and obediently dropped her trousers and bent across a table while Granny administered the first part of her punishment for swearing. Then she shoved a bar of foul smelling soap into her opened mouth.

Both 'Archangelites' were in shock!

When Granny turned her back for a moment Winry yanked out the soap and whispered to Cag and Flay.

"Just do it girls. It'll be over with before ya know it. Soap's the worst part. Gran's not as strong as she used to be so the strap doesn't hurt like it used to back home." she suggested and then stuck the soap back in her mouth as Granny faced them again.

"No way in Hell am I--" screeched Flaysie and Zoe said "Yeah way." and she yanked down Flaysie's pants while Nat did the same thing to Caggie.

"It's for your own good, kids. Didn't Mommy ever teach you two any manners? You'll thank us for this one day ya know." intoned Lt Cmdr Nat as Granny applied the strap to their pantied bottoms- with vigour. Winry giggled. Then the other two got the 'soap banquet' as well.

Fifteen minutes later Caggie, Flaysie and Winry returned to the ready room- chastised, ashamed and sore all over but wiser. Cagalli had been appointed the trio's spokesman.

"We apologize for our behaviour, mum and we promise it will never happen again, Brigadier Angel." said Caggie with a very sharp salute. Mar returned the salute.

"See that it doesn't, Subbies." growled the blonde. Flaysie stifled a giggle.

"You made a teensy mistake there, ma'am. Caggie, Winry and me are all lieutenants." corrected Flaysie.

"Not anymore you aren't. The three of you are hereby demoted to Sub-Ensigns effective immediately. Furthermore you are all confined to quarters until I decide otherwise. Dismissed." replied Mar quietly.

The young trio looked dazed.

"Ye heard the orders did ye not? Ye be dismissed so scat!" rumbled Jonathan Harlock.

Winry stamped her foot, Cagalli saluted and Flaysie started bawlin again, however, scat they did.

Marlene sat down wearily.

"Now that that's all over with I will repeat my last order. Jon and Neko will pilot the Gundams. Kome and her crew will man the 'railguns' and Commander Villa will temporarily be in charge of the bridge weapons. I think our best course of action is for our gun crews to familiarize themselves with their new toys. Kiva and her gang will be in charge of prepping our 'God Guns' just in case the 'G Boys' decide we have to use the darn things. Does anyone have any other questions?" said Mar and Nami Richards pointed to a tunnel shaped vortex on her PDO's vid starchart.

"Oro is that thing, ma'am?" she asked wonderingly.

END of Ch 55. Ch 56 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

ANGEL WINGS CH 53 'Charlie's Secret'/'NewToy'

Meet Maya- Don Poporo's replacement as the Flash Angels' new chief at Unit 237 of the 3WA.

Boy did she ever get a shock! Enjoy the chappie folks- K&K

AW Ch 53 ‘Charlie's Secret’ or ‘The Angels and Kome Get A New Toy’

Wow! Kei's been injured and now that worst of all combat weapons may be in Zorin's 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! A pickpocketing passenger will end up saving the day for the Angels and- Kami! I have said too much. Read on loyal and faithful followers of the word:-

ANGEL WINGSDISCLAIMER: OK ‘Jon’ 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 53 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 53‘Charlie's Secret’ or ‘The Angels and Kome Get A New Toy’

"Of course I know that four of those blasted things almost annihilated Terra a century ago or two! Don't ya think that I took History 101 in school too? Sorry, Gene. That last remarked was uncalled for. It's just that I am so upset and-- It's not really all that bad I guess. He's only got two of 'em, gang." replied Territorial Sector Chief Charles Augustus Garner.

"So he's only got enough firepower to vaporize a couple of moons then, Charlie?" observed the blonde navvie now acting commander.

"Well, I wouldn't quite put it that way, Brig but hai (yeah) you're right. It is a bit more dismal than I was letting on to you." admitted Charlie.

"You don't want for us to use 'IT' on them things now, do ya, Charlie?" howled a distraught Solo.

He meant of course the dreaded 'God Guns' aboard the 'LA2'. Garner dropped his java cup and swore.

"Jigoku nai! Hell no, pirate! However, there is uh another prototype weapon aboard that none of you fine folks know anything about." said a mysterious chief. He hesitated.

"Well? Oro the Fxxx is this miracle toy, me old boyo? Gomen (Sorry), sir." cried the Brigadier pounding a gloved fist on the console.

"It's a-a 'railgun', Marlene. Deirdre and Bridget (Kei and Yuri) have used one of them before. About five years ago it was if memory serves." replied Garner. Jon Harlock pursed his lips in thought.

"I recall some mission that Lee Chan (another 3WA agent) was involved in with the two brats about that time. Something involving a floating casino in deep space. It seems the two fire hazards use a 'railgun' and managed to blast the place to smithereenies and nuke half of an adjacent space colony into the bargain! By any chance is that the mission to which ye were referring, Charles?" demanded Jon. Garner nodded.

"Where ya got the artillery stashed, Chuck?" drawled Solo.

"It's between Decks Nine and Sub-Five, Han." he answered softly. If he was correct and Garner never joked it would make the 'railgun' twice the length of the 'God Gun'- over a kilo and a half or a good mile at least! This thought had apparently just occurred to Harlock.

"That be the length of the ship itself, laddie!" he roared and Garner nodded while he poured more java.

"The tandem of 'air purifier' ports beneath the forward portal vidcams are the gunport covers and that 'extra' pair of exhaust ports at the base of Sub-Five must be the back blast retrojets. Right Garner?" asked Starwind. Again Garner nodded and ignited a cigar.

"You are correct, Captain. The firing controls are right there- beneath the Brig's boots. (Mar's booted feet crashed to the deck floor) Didn't any of you ever wonder why that extra row of console keys was there? The extreme left and right keys with the asterisks on them are the guns' triggers. There are two 'railguns' well think of 'em like a super long ancient Terran shotgun- two barrels side by side. The remaining keys marked with 'x's are the extra shells. The first eight are pre-loaded, four per gun. Another shell reloads each time one of those keys is punched. Altogether you have a sum total of forty rounds. That of course includes the first salvo of eight. Those 'wheels' on either side of the console housing control the windage. Elevation is of course controlled by the pilot. After all the ship's nose is the target aiming indicator. Now onegai (please) activate Vidscreen number eighteen for me." explained Garner.

"Can't. Eighteen's outta order, Chuck." replied Solo.

"Turn it on all the same, pirate. I think you'll be surprised." chortled Garner.Han did so and there was a slight whirring sound from the console as a concealed vidscreen rose out of the back of the console. It showed a vidmap starchart of the immediate cosmos. Superimposed upon it were two light aoishi (blue) lines, one horizontal and one vertical. Where they converged was the silhouette of a 'Canadian bull' target.

"Holy shit!" yelled Gene who had been leaning against the back of Mar's console.

"You just sight in your targets, relay commands to the bridge, lock onto your targets and fire. Their range is 200 K kilos (200,000 kilometres or a Helluva lotta miles) and the back blast is a full fifty K so make damned sure you have a clear field of fire both fore and aft or you just might vaporize a moon or two." warned Garner.

"Who's our gunner, sir?" asked Mar.

"Anyone you designate as gunner, Brig. The operation of the guns is so simple even an ancient Terran caveman could do it. It's so easy it's mere child's play to fire. (His face clouded) Do not let that young 'cowgirl'- Edward anywhere near those controls! Child's play? It- It- It was just a- a-" stammered the chief.

"Just an expression, sir? I know, Chief. Don't worry. She won't get her little fingers on those keys. Now where are we headed? 'Romulus' or 'Remus', sir?" asked the pert blonde.

"Neither one. Zorin's new HQ is on 'Olmec', a moon near 'Remus'. We do not believe that he has launched his Gundams yet so mybe a quick strike can put 'em out of commission. Your 'railguns' can fire while your ship is 'cloaked' and whie your shields are still up you know. I am hereby ordering you to leave now for 'Olmec', Brigadier. How long do you think it'll take you to get there, Mar?" asked the chief. Mar thought for a moment or two before replying.

"At Warp 45 I'd say three solar days and I do not recommend exceeding 45 either, sir. Our warp core is still a bit dodgy." she replied.

"Very well, Brigadier Angel. Three days it is. Make it so. Good luck and Kami bless, my dear child. Garner out." said Charlie and he blanked his vidscreen. Although Garner ranted and raved at them, yelled and screamed a lot and was usually gruff with them he thought of his Angels- all of them- as the daughters he had never had and although none of them would ever admit it the Angels thought of Garner, Gooley, Gutav, Poporo, Gazelle and even old Vito Galadriel as their fathers and grandfather.

Captain Kiva Eleanor Nerese of 'Starfleet' (CO of the 'USS Coriander' temporarily transferred to the 3WA) was not in a very good mood today. Her crew had been assigned to cleaning detail and that meant cleaning and maintaining all fourteen levels of this mile long starship. She became even more bad-temperedafter the Brig dropped a new bombshell on her. Mar had found the tall svelte captain sitting at the bar with duty roster vidlog in had. She was sipping a Capuccino Mocha and smoking a cheroot.

"We are going after what!" yelled the Bjorn officer throwing her vidlog on the bartop.

"You heard me, Kiva. Gundams. Zorin Oakenshield has Gundams on 'Olmec' and our job is to crippl them and capture the little megalomaniac despot." explained a very patient Marlene Angel.

"Shit! I've heard of those damned things, Blondie! They're like that Type 40 armoured fighting suit that Maxie Berringer used when he came after me and Rosa back home!" cried Don Poporo recalling his 'Ash Grey Avenger' adventure four years ago on 'Shimougou' with the 'Deadly Dynamic Duo' and John Berringer's ne'er do well brother. Rosa was Don's young daughter and Max had been determined to kill both Don and Rosa in revenge for Don's sending him up the river.

That little 'incident' resulted in the destruction of 3WA HQ in 'Furool (Foo-Lon) City' along with a good three-quarters of the city itself! He smiled when he recalled how he and the two fire hazards had tried to write letters of apology in an office where one entire wall was missing and the wind kept blowing everything helter skelter.

"According to 'Starfleet Command' not even 'Gurens', 'Nightmares' or even 'Launcelots' can stop those Leviathan behemoths, Colonel." advised Kiva. Mar glared at her. She didn't like to be reminded of that.

"It's Brigadier now, Captain and trust me we do have a weapon to use against them." snapped the blonde Terran from 'Earth II'.

"Where the Hell'd this lunatic get Gundams?" asked Revy Roberts.

"Probably from that old 'Celestial Beings Vegas Terror Group' if those nutcases are still around." suggested Lt Cmdr Naturle Badgiruel Edwards from the ready room's open doorway.

"You haf a couple of 'panzers' (tanks) aboard, ja?" asked Lt Cmdr Fritz von Dekker. The infamous 'Green Baron' (a direct descendant of the ancient Terrans' 'Red Bron' Manfred von Richthofen) was Emma 'Queen' Emeraldas's exec on the 'Emerald Queen'.

"Yeah we sure do Fritzie but we ain't using those toys are we, guys Not againt Fxxxing Gundams!" squealed a tallish strawbrry-blonde teen at the conference table.

"Nai Kome. We have 'railguns' aboard- two of the darned things." replied Wing Cmdr Yuri Donovan who had just arrived and took a seat beside Neko Olson.

"OK why wasn't I invited to this little shindig? With the Boss outta commission I'm in command- I'm the ship's exec!" she demanded angrily. Everyone grinned.

"Oro's so all fired frigging funny darn it?" she yelled.

"You are, Duchess. Ya look so doggone cute in your jammies and robe." chuckled Han.

"And that 'Paddington Bear' of yours- d'ya know that Flaysie's (Lt Flay Allster) got one just like it, ma'am?" giggled Lt Cagalli Yula Athna.

Belatedly Yuri realized that she'd dashed upstairs from her bedroom and hadn't bothered to change nor to drop 'Paddy'.

"Here." said Neko tossing her a 'morphing' bracelet. Yuri clamped it on her wrist and 'morphed' into uniform before laying 'Paddy' on the table.

"So? Why wasn't I informed of this meeting dammit?" demanded the violet-maned exec.

"Because the Boss put me in command- remember? And Mr Garner specifically asked for me, not you, ma'am. I called this 'think tank' session and I decided not to invite you, Wing Commander Donovan. Why? That answer should be obvious even to you. That casino in space 'railgun' disaster on 'Kurestan' that time four years ago? When you and that Amazon downstairs almost atomized an entire spacecolony. That's why you were not summoned, however, since you're here you can stay. Sit down and shut up, girl." replied the interim commander.

"But that darn mess wasn't MY fault! It was the dipstick's fault dammit all to Hell! She was the one that used the 'railgun' not me!" screeched Yuri standing up and leaning both palms on the table and facing Mar who stared back coolly.

"I said to sit down and shut up, Yuri. Another outburst like that and I'll have you relieved of duty and confined to quarters. Am I quite clear on that, Donovan? (Yuri sat back down and nodded) Good. Now answer something for me. How is it that you knew we had 'railguns' aboard even though Charlie said nobody aboard did?" asked Mar very quietly. Yuri smirked.

"Because it was on a need to know basis and the Boss and I needed to know, that's how. I AM the exec ya know. See? You don't know everything about the 'Angel' after all, do you, Brig?" snarled the vixen but Mar decided to ignore her this time.

"As I was saying- First I want this ship enroute to 'Olmec' with all possible speed stat. We have been authorized to exceed maximum warp all the way up to 45 if necessary. Second if we can find a shortcut we will use it. Third I want all other spacecraft aboard this vessel prepped, manned and ready for battle by the time we reach 'Olmec' in 72 solar hours. Fourth (Mar was ticking off items on her fingers) Nat, Flay, Cagalli, Kome and Neko are the 'railgun' crew with Kome as its lead gunner. You've got forty rounds in eight shot salvos, four to each gun per load. Now pay strict attention to this because I'm only going to show you guys how to use those things onc." said the blonde and she very carefully explained the operating details to her new 'railgun' crew.

Yuri scowled. She did not like to be dressed down at all.

"Oro do you want me to do, Brigadier, ma'am?" she asked in a saucy tone and Mar rounded on the exec.

"A very important job, Wing Commander. I want you down on the observation deck in the star room. Your task is to look for anything out of the ordinary. Anything that could possibly house weapons, ammo, gun implacements and-- Gundams." replied her interim leader.

"Ain't Rally scanning for that kind of crap already, Blondie?" yelled an incensed Yuri. Mar didn't rise to the bait.

"Yeah Donovan she is but Gundams can 'mask' their presences even if they cannot actually 'cloak' so I want visual as well as technical scans for this mission dammit! You got a problem with my orders, Wing Commander Donovan? (Yuri bit her tongue and shook her violet mane) Good. Dismissed." said Mar.

Yuri saluted, picked up her bear and left.

"Zoe? Nyssa? Nami? Have you found us any shortcuts yet?" demanded the tall blonde when she entered the nav room a few minutes later. The trio of 'navvies' shook their heads ruefully.

"Vincent? Anything on your scans?" asked Mar.

"Not a damned thing Cap. If those things are out there they must be 'masked', 'cloaked' or both." replied a perplexed Rally Vincent.

"Well keep at it 'Cat' and thanks." she said clapping the Terran on the back. Then she returned to the bridge.

"Gene you're piloting for the 'railgunners' so you'd best get some rest. Han can take over for you. Need a co-pilot, Solo?" she inquired but Han shook his head.

"OK then listen up everybody. Revy's handling communications and Jon's in charge of security. The two soul reapers have this shift's guard mount. Tell Jon that when he sets the 2200 (10 PM) shift to have someone wake up Donovan and send her ass up to the star room. She's already been briefed on oro she has to do there. Remind Jon that I want our 'railgun' crew fresh for ashita (tomorrow) so Nat, Flay, Cagalli, 'Pinkie' (Kome) and 'Kitty Kat' (Neko) are excused from guard duty on my orders until further notice. Villa is our new weapons officer and his bridge gunners are Kagome, Kouga, InuYasha, the 'Blonde Bomber' (Mae Hopkins aka 'Kitten') and Ayasha, Ayana or oroever the Hell her name is- Kouga's intended. ("It's Ayame, Cap!" yelled Rally from next door) Arigatou (Thanks) 'Cat'. (Mar turned to go and suddenly snapped her gloved fingers) Have someone find Odo (Ivanhoe and Rebecca's dwarf companion) and send him to my quarters stat. (Han raised his aizu(eye)brows inquisitively) I just got a scathingly brilliant idea (Kudos if you recall what flick that quote's from and who said it, tomos mine), Solo." smiled the blonde. Han chuckled.

"Another one of those, Princess? Roger that and willco, ma'am." drawled the ex-pirate and smuggler.

At 2000 hours (8 PM) there was a timid tap on Mar's portal.

"Come on in, Odo. Door's open." she called and the dwarf sidled in cap in hand.

"I ain't stoled nothing, Lady Marley! Honest! Somebody musta planted them watchie thingies, rigs, brooches, necklaces and all of that other joolry in my room, mum! I'm innocent! I truly is this time, mum!" the terrified Odo whined and whimpered. Mar smiled and pointed to the armchair.

"Calm down me old boyo. Nobody is accusing you of anything, Odo. Sit down. Please. I just need your help with something, that's all. You are not in any trouble, tomo watashi (very good friend). (Odo sat and accepted the repped goblet of mulled wine the blonde handed him) OK here is my question. During your er shall we say 'explorations' of the ship have you ever noticed any things like this aboard anywhere? (Mar indicated a holo of a metallic armoured fighting suit much like a knight such as Ivanhoe might wear) It's called a Type 40 mobile fighting combat suit. (Odo looked carefully and slowly shook his head) You're quite sure, tomo?" asked the blonde in a soft and kindly tone of voice. The dwarf continued shaking his head sadly.

"Sorry mum but in all me excursions I ain't never ever laid me two eyes on nothing like that thing, Your Ladyship." said Odo.

"Ye do believe me, Lady Marley, don't ya? I'm tellin' you the truth! Honest!" he blubbered throwing himself to his knees on the floor in front of Mar.

"Of course I believe you, Odo. (She hugged him reassuringly like a mother might do to her son) OK then just do me a favour and keep your aizu (eyes) open for me. If you run across any of those things onegai (please) let me know. Right? More wine, my friend?" said Mar but Odo shook his head.

"No thankee very much, mum but I was supposed to meet Lady Rebecca for tea at eight and now I'm running late." he replied consulting one of the several wristchromos on his arm and then quickly pulling his sleeve back down over them. Mar nodded.

"Off you go then. Good night Odo and domo arigatou (thank you very much) for your assistance." she said.

He bent down and kissed her gloved hand which caused Mar to blush a bit. She couldn't help giggling at his old-fashioned ancient Terran chivalrous manners so she didn't notice when he slipped off her climbing bangles, 'morphing' bracelet, wristchromo, fanny pouch, gunbelt, trilling earring, laser sword hilt, Mark XII disruptor pistol and ammo packs, extra power pack clips, Mark III mini blaster, small ion cannons, belt, necklace and locket, wallet, vidcode keys, vid override codes, vidcell, PDO unit and lastly a vidfile folder marked 'Top Secret/Aizu Only/Gundam Experiments Circa AD 2041' and hastily and cleverly stowed away all his goodies in his many capacious pockets beneath his long grey cloak.

"Don't forget now Odo. We are all depending on you. I am depending on you, tomo." said Mar quietly but earnestly.

Odo tipped his cap and pulled his forelock while dropping to one knee.

"Don't you worry, Milady. You can always count on Odo." replied the dwarf and he saluted and departed.

Odo had made friends with one of Lord Falco's men, a sergeant-at-arms named Gerald Randolph who was a fellow ne'er do well like Odo. He and Odo liked to play 'skittles' (lawn bowling) up on the holodecks and met there quite often. As soon as he'd left Mar's digs he made a beeline for the lift and rode up to Level Eight. He keyed the 'archway' for Holodeck Room number four before entering 'Sherwood Forest' where Gerry was busily setting up the 'skittles' for a new game.

"Wanna play, Odo me friend?" asked Randolph but Odo shook his head and beckoned him to join him at one of the tables in the wooded glen.

"Wait'll ye see the haul I just made, Randy!" chortled Odo and his pal sat down with him while Odo dumped his booty out and spread it across the table.

END of Ch 53. Ch 54 'Honour Amongst Thieves' or 'The Dwarf's Discovery' 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

AngelWings Ch 51 'Fire Meets Oak'/'Hide 'N Seek?'

XANA is a pivotal location for this chapter of my fanfiction. Sorry but this chappie is rather long. Hopefully 52 will be shorter. By the way your narrator is now 60 as of 8 July 09 and as spry as ever. Still feel like I'm fifteen. On 9 July that versatile voice actor Tom Kenney hit the big 4-7 so a big HB to the big guy who has a part in the newest Transformers movie as an autobot. To paraphrase Jackie Gleason whom my late dad resembled a lot: 'And away we go!'

AW Ch 51 'Fire Meets Oak' or 'Hide 'N Seek?'

Game's history now so what other fun and games await our feisty heroines?

This chapter is about trying to stop a madman and for awhile the LA2 must hide from an enemy!

ANGEL WINGS

DISCLAIMER: OK 'Riza' 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 51 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- That will become apparent later on in the chapter. Oro does this all mean? We'll find out momentarily gang. The Boss Red Marshall's on the warpath again! Here 'tis:-

CHAPTER 51

'Fire Meets Oak' or 'Hide 'N Seek?'

"This is Hawkeye. Patch me through to Rafe Donnelly at 'ISSP' HQ in Moravian City and fast! Huh? On Mars, you idiot and hurry up! (Riza fumed at the four second relay delay) Rafe? Hi, it's Riza. Riza Hawkeye at Furool? Fine thanks and you? Good. Listen, we have got ourselves a slight problem on 'Kalufrax' so could you please send over about a dozen cruiser units to their spaceport? Why? Because I think that Zorin Oakenshield's gonna try to commandeer a 'UG' patrol starship. Huh? One of the 3WA's newest ones. Oro's that? Yeah, the 'Angel 2' but how'd you guess that? Just teasing you, old man. You know there's gonna be Hell to pay if he does try to grab it, Rafe. Just twelve, Rafe? Please?" pleaded Riza. "Ya will? Great. We owe ya one, tomo. Hawkeye out." she added and returned the vidcell to her purse. Then she knitted her brows in thought.

"I really got a bad feeling in my gut about this Z.O. thing, Chief. Fancy a trip to 'Kalufrax', Roy? We really should be there to act as go-betweens if nothing else. So how's about it?" asked the svelte blonde.

"You have a meeting with Senator Naia--" began Julia.

"Cancel it. Reschedule the old windbag for next week sometime and clear the rest of this week as well. I'm going even if Chief Mustang isn't." said Riza.

"Fallon, tell Lt Halva he's in charge until we get back next week. Close the top and head for 'Kalufrax', Suba." said Roy to their driver who nodded and slammed the roof portal shut. Suddenly the blonde commissioner looked flustered. Julia smiled and tapped her briefcase.

"Not to worry, Commish. Kal's a mite chilly this time of year. I thought trouble was brewing there so I took the liberty of packing a few changes of garments for you. (Her voice dropped to a murmur) I brought pants Riza just in case." said her aide. Hawkeye managed a wan smile and thanked her. Then her face darkened.

"Trouble brewing in Kal? How'd you figure that, Julie?" she demanded.

"Z.O.'s hired himself some extra muscle. 'Brilliant Dynamite Neon' and his 'Bad Lads' gang." replied Julie quietly. Fallon swore.

"Damnation! BDN and his no goodniks? You sure, Douglas?" asked Subaltern Fallon worriedly.

"Uh huh. I'm sure, Frank." she answered with a stifled yawn.

"Why? Who the Hell are they, Frank?" asked Roy Mustang.

"They're train hijackers from 'Gunsmoke', Chief. Captain Blue (Legato Bluesummers) told me all about 'em, sir. If they can hijack trains don't you think they can hijack starships too?" replied Fallon with a shrug of his shoulders as he keyed the mike of the sled's vidphone. "Cheska? It's Frank Fallon. Onegai (Please) clear us for offworld space travel. Lt Halva's in charge until further notice. Mustang's orders. Who's with us? (Roy shook his head) Now Cheska darlin' you know that's confidential information. It's on a need to know basis and Honey you just do not need to know so just do it. Where? (Roy mimed 'no' and shook his head) Sorry kiddo. Can't tell you that either. We're cleared? OK. Arigatou. Have a nice day, Chessie. Bye." said Fallon and he punched his speed bar. The sled rocketed towards the Western Gateway while two hours away at their destination--

"Oro the FXX do ya mean he said we can't land here! Patch his relay through to my quarters, Bishop- stat!" trilled an angry redhead.

"He's on Tach 3 Boss but it ain't Commander Nohara anymore. It's his exec- a Captain Oakenshield. Be careful, Reds. This guy sounds like he's missing a few nacelles, man! He just told me to prepare to be boarded or he'll fire on us! He's certifiable, ma'am!" trilled Bishop.

"Captain Oakenshield? This is Marshall Kierran O'Halloran of the 3WA, Special 'UG' envoy commanding the patrol starship 'Lovely Angel 2' requesting permission to dock--" began Kei reasonably. A voice like thunder caused her to yank out the comlink and continue with the vidscreens in front of her.

"Silence!! I am commandeering your ship, Madam! You will either surrender your vessel to me or I will take it by force! Under 'Kalufrax' and Galactic Law I am within my legal rights to declare martial law and seize any hostile vessel and their crews! I now intend to exercise that right! I hereby order you to surrender, Madam at once!" thundered the madman. Kei went purple with rage.

"The Hell I will!! You have no right whatsoever to interfere with a 3WA intergalactic police patrol craft! You will permit me to dock immediately, Captain or I will personally have your ass broken down to a 'sub sapper no class' (an ancient Terran army private E-2) before your court-martialed, pal! On old Terra they'd have kicked you outta the army on a Section 8, you deranged lunatic! You got five seconds to stand down and allow my ship to dock or I'll open fire on you, me boyo! Kapish?" yelled an enraged firebrand Hellcat tro-con.

"Very well. Have it your own way, Madam but I did warn you so remember that, you harlot! Commence firing!" screamed Zorin Oakenshield and he seized the controls of the nearest railgun and began blasting the 'LA2' with high intensity plasma energy beams.

"Shields up!! Now!" cried Kei and Joey at the same instant and 'CC' complied just in the nick of time.

"Er uh tomo Kei? Perhaps we have overstayed our welcome here? Don't you think it's high time we were leaving, love? Now- before we are turned into molten scrap Kelvinite!" suggested a shaken 'CC' but the Boss angrily shook her head defiantly.

"The Fxxxing day that I give in to a baka jackanapes jacaronda jackass will be the same Fxxxing day that I resign my commission, Kami shimatta ni jigoku! (Our guys and gals say that phrase every so often when they're upset or angry. Kami means God and shimatta is dammit or damned or damn and jigoku is Hell!) Flight crew to the bridge- stat! That's a Fxxxing order dammit! Fire on me willya! Take that and that and that!" yelled Kei activating the remote controls for her quad guns and plasma bombs and firing on the X-Wing fighters in front of the huge starship. Suddenly Kei's portal swished aside as Han Solo, Gene Starwind and Yuri Donovan rushed in.

"Have you gone completely baka loco, you dim-witted loon! Oro do ya wanna do- start another frigging war dammit! Oro you're doing could easily be construed an a hotile action, dummy!" yelled Yuri who had used her override keycode to open Kei's door when their repeated tattoos on her portals had gone unanswered.

"They fired on ME, you shit-headed birdbrain! I'm just returning fire!" howled a frenzied redhead.

"But how the Hell are ya firing at all? I just came from the bridge and our shields are still UP!" yelled Revy Roberts from the open doorway. Kei scowled at her.

"We're wasting time. Follow me." cried Kei and she sprinted for the concealed express lift in her bedroom closet.

"We can fire without lowering our shields and we can fire from 'cloak', Mizz Roberts. Now get in there, girl." drawled Solo shoving her aboard the lift.

Five seconds later Kei dashed onto her bridge and started barking out her orders.

"Gene, pull back behind that asteroid over there. (She pointed and her pilot nodded) Solo, 'cloak' the ship. Kome, relay the 'G Boys' (Galadriel, Gooley, Gustav and Garner) and get us some backup. Mar! Nami! Zoe! Nyssa! Find us a bolt hole we can use if ya can. Let's play a little 'kakurenbo' (hide and seek) guys. Nat, better hold your fire for now. Yeah Kome? Oro? That's just great! Big Chief Mustang and his chief flunkie Hawkeye are on their way here to 'negotiate' with this dipstick! Oro? Donnelly's got a squadron (twelve crafts) headed over from Mars to help out? Good. Somebody better advise 'Romulus' Command that this nitwit (Oakenshield) may have already sent an invasion force their way. Yeah Kome? Oro the Fxxxing Hell do ya mean we've been ordered not to take any hostile action against them? Whose lamebrain orders are they? Oro? 'God Almighty' himself? Galadriel? It figures! That wimp would think he could reason with Z.O. only there ain't no way to 'reason' with someone who's already insane! OK we're gonna need some outside help on this so Neko, go get the three 'caballeros' (cowboys- meaning of course Spike Steigel, Jett Black and Faye Valentine) and fast! Two can play at that game, Zorin. Huh? Why the Fxxx y lookin' st me like that, Sally?" cried an exasperated and puzzled Kei O'Halloran.

Ever since she'd reached the bridge a barefoot Kei had been giving orders in her football jersey, helmet and underbriefs! Yuri grimaced and clamped a 'morphing' bracelet on Kei's wrist and tapped it. Then she did the same with herself. Instantly both tro-cons were in full 3WA winter uniforms and battle armour.

"Here's your three 'caballeros', Boss." announced Neko.

"Four! Don't forget Edward!" piped up the freckled tow-headed street urchin tomboy who was still in her pajamas. She was clutching an enormous Teddy bear.

"Somebody onegai (please) get that brat outta here!" growled Revy.

"Kid's got a point, Roberts. She is a 'cowgirl' on our crew so she's one of us." drawled Spike Steigel. Kei fumed but acquiesced anyway.

"OK. She can stay but keep her outta the way, Spike. Look, you guys are all 'cowboys' so I need ya to get the word out that I am putting out a bounty on one Zorin Oakenshield- dead or alive. Can ya handle that from here?" asked the Boss.

"Sure we can Reds. How much? In woolongs (Martian unit of currency equal to an ancient Terran Italian lira) I mean." queried Jett fingers poised over his PDO keypad. The redhead hesitated.

"One hundred. Make it one hundred million Jett." replied the calm, cool and collected blonde navigator Marlene Angel. Kei nodded so Jett punched in the necessary details.

"Where are we gonna get that kind of money?" demanded Yuri. Kei grinned and lit a cheroot.

"From good old Uncle Vito. If Galadriel wants to avoid an intergalactic incident he's damned Fxxxing well gonna have to ante up for it!" snarled the redhead who was busily studying vidmaps and starcharts.

"Looks like there's no place to go except for someplace called 'Smugglers' Ravine' in 'Bison Fields' Boss." announced Nami Richards from the nav room next door. Kei nodded sagely.

"Gene, head for 'Bison'- quietly. Engineering? Impulse power only and shut down our warp core. Try and mask our signature trails (like exhaust smoke) if ya can. Gene, keep us in that asteroid's shadow as long as ya can so we can create a 'phantom' for them to follow. We can lay over in 'Sontarra' instead. Kei out." said the Boss and she tossed the relay mike to Han. Wearily she seated herself on the console between pilot and co-pilot.

"Hey guys- 'Sontarra's gonna be too hot for us for the next few days so where can we hide out until the heat's off?" asked their commander. Zoe smiled and chuckled.

"Yeah where? This monster ain't exactly something ya can park in Dad's garage ya know." she giggled. Suddenly the pilot snapped his fingers.

"I've got it- a scathingly brilliant idea. Don't fret Reds. I know a place we can use but it's a secret place so I can't tell ya where it is but I will take us there. Gomen (Sorry) Reds but I took a solemn oath to keep this place a secret." said Gene Starwind. Han Solo raised his aizu(eye)brows but said nothing. Kei shrugged her shoulders and stood up.

"Fine by me. Just get us through 'Bison' and over to this 'Shangri-La' of yours so we can figure out how to put the kibosh on old Zorin and I'll be overjoyed, me old boyo." she replied and took another drag on her cheroot. She blew some smokerings which fascinated Rin, Kira and the Scouts, however, Ed and Moonie were unimpressed. They'd seen it all before. A few hours later Gene steered them into 'Bison Fields' and into the labyrinthe called 'Smugglers' Ravine' where he locked the ship on 'George' (autopilot) so he could hand over the helm to Han for the first few hours.

"It doesn't get really tricky until we reach 'Deadman's Gulch' tonight pirate so you take over for now and I'll spell you at 2100 (9 PM)- OK?" asked Starwind. Han nodded and slid into Gene's seat.

"Just don't you go forgettin' about me outlaw. Hey Nyssa! How's about a burger, fries and some java for lunch? Better send up a platter at dinner too. Who else is on this flight crw Reds?" drawled Solo. Nyssa vanished into the breakroom to rep up Han's victuals. Mar tapped a few keys on the console and the flight crew duty roster appeared on his vidscreen.

"Arigatou (Thanks) Contessa. Lemme see now. Gene, me, Nat, Nami, the Boss, you, 'Cat' (Rally Vincent), Flaysie (Flay Allster), Caggie (Cagalli Yula Athna), Ivy (Ivanhoe) and Nyssa. OK old buddy see ya at 2100." drawled Han and Gene headed for his bunk. He didn't get very far before the InuYasha gang waylaid him and insisted on toasting him on the Hawks' stunning victory over the Killers with Gene at the helm as coach. Dinnertime was 1700 and Gene had just gotten to bed.

"Dinner Captain." came Mugghi's gentle trill at 1625 (4:25 PM).

"Not now Furball. Call me at 2045 (8:45 PM). I got night duty." murmurred Starwind before dropping off again.

Mugghi meowed her annoyance at having to call him in the middle of her favorite ancient Terran TV show 'Dexter' which was one of the myriad of ancient Terran movies and TV vid-disks available in 'CC's memory banks.

The Ice Roaders were repping up a small before dinner snack for themselves (Dinner was at 1700 and it was only 1630 or half past four) in the breakroom behind the ready room and bridge. After the half dozen anti-grav trolleys were fully laden Drew, Rick and Alex trundled them through the air to the lift. All of them enjoyed dining in the star room (observation lounge) two flights down on Level Seven. Back upstairs on Nine Eric, Bear and Hugh were exploring (OK- snooping) the drawers' contents in the small kitchenette.

"Hey guys, what's this thing for I wonder?" asked Eric. In his hand was a short slim metallic cylinder with an elastic loop attached to one end. A small white illuminated panel was softly glowing on its right side. Bear looked worried.

"I dunno mon ami but maybe you should put that thing back where you found it, Eric." he advised.

"Nonsense! It's just a little toy flashlight or some such jimcrack. Give it here, Eric." boomed Hugh. When Eric handed it over Hugh looped it around his wrist and tried a few 'kenjutsu' (sword fighting) moves with it like he'd seen the Ninjas and Soul Reapers do. There was a slight whooshing sound and a band of glowing bright green light shot out of the cylinder's tip almost decapitating Eric who dove under the counter. The beam continued on its way and did slice the toaster in half.

"Didn't I tell ya not to play with it, stupid!" yelled Bear. Suddenly an anguished cry rent the air.

"Shit! Miss Donovan just repped up that toaster last month after that wolf thing (Kouga the wolf youkai demon) zapped the other one. Be very careful with that, sir. That is the hilt of a laser sword you have in your fist, Mr Hugh. Turn it off and hand it to me, sir." said Nyssa who'd just come in to rep up Han's dinner.

"How the Fxxx do ya turn the blamed thing off, girlie?" yelled the 'Polar Bear' and Nyssa's face darkened. She pointed to the lighted white panel.

"Just touch that white panel that's glowing, sir. That's right. Good. Now just hand it to me onegai (please). Arigatou (Thanks). Green huh? This must be one of Kome's I guess." replied the Trakken girl.

"One? You mean she has more than one?" demanded Eric.

"Sure. She collects weapons. Kome must have about fifty of these damned things, Mr Eric." she answered. "I'll return it to her, gentlemen and we'll just pretend that none of this ever happened eh?" grinned Nyssa with a wink.

"And the toaster?" asked Bear. Nyssa tapped the repper.

"Toaster. White. Identical. Replicate and replace." intoned the demure Trakken. "Here, Mr Bear. Take it." she added tossing the pieces of the old one down the recycle chute after throwing the new one to Bear. Then she walked over to Hugh. Turning her back to Bear and Eric she grabbed Hugh's wrist and twisted it up behind him into a painful hammerlock.

"You ever call me by that disgusting name (Girlie) again, Mr Hugh and I'll break this Fxxxing arm for you. Got it?" she whispered fiercely.

"Yeah, I got it, ma'am. I apologize." breathed the big guy. Nyssa nodded and released him.

"Will I see you at dinner, gentlemen? (They nodded) Great. Until 1700 then er five o'clock. Ciao." she said and left them.

"Kome was shovelling in food like an 'Ajothorpian' hog when Nyssa clunked a small velvet bag down on the table beside the strawberry blonde teen.

"Take better care of this thing and don't lose it again dammit." whispered Nyssan as she passed by Kome's table on her way to Revy and Neko's table.

"Oro was that all about, Nyssie?" asked Neko curiously.

"Just returning something Pinky had lost, 'Kitty Kat', that's all. Oro's good tonight? I'm starvin' to death tomos." replied the Trakken.

"Tracy's on guard duty again so it's just the usual repped up crap." growled Revy Roberts.

"The standing rib roast with Yorkshire pudding is very nice. It comes with scalloped potatoes and corn custard with lemon meringue pie for dessert. Mnn. Yummy!" suggested Neko Olson.

"Sounds good to me. I'll have the same Rei. Onegai (Please) bring me an orange mist cappucino first. Arigatou (Thanks) honey." said Nyssa.

Revy and Kome both seemed to eat like Saiyaans or had tape worms inside them.

"Guess I'll go up and look at the stars for awhile before I hit the sack. G'Night." said the Creature from the Black Lagoon. She had noticed that the Ice Roaders had just arrived- all six of them. That meant she'd have the star room all to herself. That suited the Terran adventuress just fine because Revy loved to recline in that big comfy 'Star Trek' chair up there and she liked to recline 'au natural'. With the heating units activated and the lights dimmed down she'd face the huge space window and drift off to sleep dreaming of home- 'Ranjipur' on Terra. It hadn't always been her home but Revy had been to so many places in her short lifetime that she no longer knew where 'home' had been anyway. Although Revy Roberts was about as modest as the Boss she preferred the star room's unique solitude to the hustle and bustle of the bridge or the rec room. She was just about to board the lift when she was rudely jerked out of her daydreaming.

"Hey Roberts! Boss lady wants to see you stat- pronto! Up in her quarters on Three." yelled Kakashi Sensei.

"Oro the Fxxx's she want, Ninja Boy?" asked Revy without turning around.

"Damned if I know, Roberts. She sounded real pissed though." called the 'Hidden Leaf' Sensei his nose buried in his little book like it usually was.

"So oro else is new? OK. On my way, tomo. See ya later." sighed Revy. "Commander's quarters- stat." she ordered and the lift dumped her at Kei's door.

"Come." was the curt reply when Kei's portal klaxon chirped. The door swished aside to admit Revy.

"You wanted to see me Reds?" she asked, sat down and fired up a cigarette. Revy stretched and put her booted feet up on the coffee table.

"You know Starwind? (Revy nodded) Ya like him? (Revy was wondering if Kei was playing matchmaker but she nodded again) Oro I really mean is- do ya trust him, kid?" demanded the fiery redhead.

"Trust him? Hell lady, where I hail from everybody's got something to hide so ya Fxxxing well learn soon enough not to trust nobody! Oro the Hell's this all about Reds?" demanded Revy shucking off her heavy flight jacket.

"We gotta lay low for a few days and Gene says he knows a place but he won't tell me where." sighed Kei knocking ashes off her cheroot. Revy's face reddened.

"And you think he'll tell me? Look Reds, Gene and I are tomos (friends) just good tomos and that's all! I ain't his damned confidant, that I surely ain't!" exploded Revy.

"I know that, kid. Oro I wanna know is can we trust him or i he leadin' us into a trap? Could he be in cahoots with Zorin Oakenshield?" yelled Kei angrily. Revy was livid now.

"Starwind? In with that lunatic turncoat? In cahoots with Z.O.? No Fxxxing way in jigoku (Hell) Boss! Yeah, he's a thief and a pirate and a rebel and a cowboy and a merc (mercenary) and a kira (killer) and a liar but he's loyal to his tomos and we are his tomos, O'Halloran! He wouldn't sell us out no matter oro! No frigging way, girl!" shouted Revy and she slung her jacket over one shoulder. Revy pointed her cigarette at Kei. "If Gene Starwind told you he knows where we can hide out, trust me, he won't tell anyone else where it is either. Except Jimbo (Hawking) or Solo of course. His best mates. And you can take that to the bank! Good evening, Madam Commander!" yelled the Terran. Then she threw Kei a salute and left.

"So that's that eh? Hell! If Roberts trusts him who am I to disagree? Her instincts are usually always right." said Kei aloud.

"They're sure as the oni (devil) never wrong, mum, that they surely ain't." said Neko quietly from the open doorway. "For oro the Hell it's worth I trust him too, Reds. G'Night." she added on her way to the rec room below.

"Wonder why Gene told 'Old Iron Drawers' that he was under oath not to reveal 'XANA's location to anyone? It's on all the bloody starcharts and vidmaps." mused Han while he chewed on his after dinner cigar. The place in question was a small asteroid atoll and at less than a kilo or two in both directions it was really more atoll than asteroid.

At 2100 Gene yawned, splashed water on his face and went up to relieve Solo at the helm.

"Howdy Gene. Have a nice nap? (He nodded) Hey me old boyo. How come ya told 'Old Iron Drawers' that yarn about some cocklemamey oath you took not to reveal 'XANA's location to anyone?" demanded Han.

"Did you forget that 'XANA's where all the contraband is transferred that's going to the 'Coralians'? And Reds IS a cop, ain't she?" replied Gene with a wink.

"Oh yeah, I did forget about that, pal." drawled Solo.

"Night Han. Pleasant dreams." said the pilot.

"First a nightcap or two. Don't crash the ship, me boyo. Toodles." replied Han.

Navigating this final section of 'Smugglers' Ravine' was akin to threading a needle and called for precise flying and nobody knew its ins and outs better than Captain Gene Wilcox Starwind. 'XANA' was a tiny remote asteroid halfway betwixt 'Bison Fields' and 'Minerva' and being so miniscule it was easily overlooked by most space mariners. This made it an ideal transfer point for contraband bound for the wilds of 'Coralia'.

Meanwhile Revy had fallen fast asleep in the star room the same way she'd come into the Universe. Neko was cleaning her plasma rifle in the suite she shared with Revy, Nyssa and Kagome. Kei had dozed off on her sofa so excepting Gene, the night flight crew, the guards and the engineering gang everyone else aboard the 'Lovely Angel 2' was 'roshii ni yo'- dead to the world. Gene exited 'Bison' some three hours later around midnight and laid a new course into the nav banks. Then he set that course program to delete itself after their arrival at 'XANA' six hours later at 0600 (6 AM) ashita (tomorrow).

"Hey 'CC', I want you to forget this nav course I have just set. Do not, I say again, do not save any of this stuff to your memory banks. You understand, my tomo?" warned Starwind.

"Like 'this program will self destruct in ten seconds. Good luck Jim' eh? You got yourself a deal, good buddy. I'm gone. 10-4 and bye bye, Cap." replied the ship's obnoxious central computer.

"Whatever. But if anyone DOES find out about this location, me boyo I will take extreme delight in personally rewiring your memory circuits. G'Night tomo." yawned Gene swallowing his java.

"I comply." chuckled 'CC' before shutting down his comm systems. At 0600 the 'cloaked' ship touched down in a vast cavern cut into a mountain. He deleted the nav course program and trilled Legato Bluesummers who was heading up the flight crew's day shift as pilot. When 'Blue' and his team arrived Gene strolled down the gantryway stairs to Level Three and tapped on Kei's portals.

"Yeah? Who's there dammit?" growled a gravelly voice.

"Starwind, Boss. Can I come in? You decent, Reds?" chortled the tallish pilot.

"C'mon in tomo. Door's unlocked." she called and Gene entered.

"We are here, love and don't you dare ask me where 'here' is. Suffice it to say that we are inside an ice cavern not unlike 'Gysymeo' (an ice world Kei and company had visited several times in the past) albeit it sure ain't that cold here. Be that as it may I'm going to have to insist that you guys restrict yourselves to this cavern and the ship. None of you are to try and reach this world's surface. Is that clearly understood, Marshall?" demanded Starwind pointing his cigar at the redhead who nodded. "Great. By the way, I've wiped the nav logs clean and ordered 'CC' not to save any of my nav commands. Now don't you worry none, Reds. Ain't nobody gonna find us here. How long you figure on holing up here?" he added.

"A week at most. Maybe just a few days. Depends on how soon the 'cowboys' and their 'posse' find Z.O. and apprehend or eliminate his ass. Got another stogie, Gene?" replied Kei sitting up and and smoothing her kimono. She accepted the foul smelling cigar and allowed the pirate to light it for her. Gene looked at her dubiously.

"Remember your promise Reds. Oh and er no hard feelings about the football game the other day eh?" he said smiling.

"You actually think I'm that petty? That juvenile? (Gene smiled as he recalled her reaction to losing a shooting tourney to Duchess Donovan- Yuri) We'll kick your frigging asses next game though. Now get outta here and get some shuteye tomo. That's an order too, me boyo." chortled Kei and Gene left for his own rooms.

As soon as Gene had gone Kei called a tomo. "Oh 'CC'? You there, tomo mine?" she asked the air sweetly.

"Right here, love of my circuits. How can this humble one be of service to ye?" replied 'CC' innocently.

"Where are we now tomo?" she asked sweetly and quietly.

"Sorry Boss but no can do, ma'am. Captain Starwind will rearrange my circuitry if I tell you or anyone else that. Anything else?" annswered 'CC' and Kei shook her head.

"Oro good are ya? Get lost dammit!" she shouted angrily. Then she pouted. Chuck Garner was gonna demand to know where she was and damned soon too! After all 'Kalufrax' to 'Shimougou' was only a two days' 'milk run'. So oro the Hell was she going to tell him? 'Sorry Charlie but I am not allowed to tell you that and anyway I don't know where the Fxxx we are myself, sir.' Yeah- like Garner would buy that crap, wouldn't he? Fat chance! He'll send Rafe (Donnelly) and the 'ISSP' after us, that's oro the Fxxx he'll do! Suddenly her door klaxon chirped- long and loud.

"Yeah? Who is it? Oro do ya want dammit?" growled the Boss. A pixie-like voice answered her.

"It- It's me, Auntie Boss. Starfire. May I come in? Please?" sobbed the Tamaranian girl.

"Starfire? Of course you may come in, my dear. It's open." said the redhead a little less grumpily and a mite more civilly. The portal swished aside and the tall teen came in with aizu (eyes) red from crying.

"Oro the Hell's wrong, kiddo? Sit down and tell me all about it." she forced herself to say as gently as she could. ('Christ! I sound like the vacuum head!' she thought) Star sat down on the sofa beside her and dabbed at her aizu with her sleeve. Kei sighed and shoved a box of tissues over to her. "Oro's the matter, kid? Why ya been bawling? Your sister botherin' ya again?" demanded the firebrand. Starfire shook her head.

"Nai (No), Blackfire has been extra nice to me, ma'am. It-It's Uncle Jon. (Captain Jonathan Harlock was Kei's chief of security) He said I can't leave the ship unless I promise to stay inside this dumb ol cave! I want to go outside and play in th sun! He said I wasn't allowed to go outside be-because you had ordered all of us to stay in this cave! I don't like this place! When we we-were in those 'icy caves' ('Gysymeo') I knew it was too cold to go outside and there wasn't any sun there anyway but here I can see the sun outside and it feels really warm so why can't I go outside and play in it? You're mean, Auntie Boss Marshall!" sobbed the girl until Kei shook her violently.

"Oh Christ Almighty! Stop blubbering dammit! Act your age, girl! You can't go outside and that's all there is to it! I gave an order and Uncle Jon's gotta carry it out! Nobody is allowed outta these caverns because (Kei mused a moment) because we're hiding from a bad man just like we done when we was on 'Gysymeo' that time. Remember?" explained the redhead patiently and Starfire nodded.

"You mean when Mr Berringer was looking for us, Auntie?" she sniffled and Kei's face brightened.

"Yeah. Exactly kid. Only this guy's a lot more dangerous. Now stop crying and dry your aizu. (Starfire did and managed a smile) There! Don't ya feel better now? Tell ya oro- why don't ya go upstairs and play on the holodecks with the other kids?" suggested her superior. She shook her head.

"Arkie (Arkton was Star's older brother and an officer on the 'Emerald Queen') said I was not allowed up there on my own, ma'am." replied the girl.

"That's OK. I'll get Auntie Mae (Minnie Mae 'Blonde Bomber'/'Kitten' Hopkins) to take ya up there. OK? Would ya like that, Star?" asked Kei.

"Uh huh. That'd be swell, Auntie Kei!" bubbled a now enthusiastic and joyous Starfire.

"Then go get cleaned up and change your clothes. I'll have Auntie Mae meet ya in the rec room. No more bawlin' now, ya hear?" growled Kei. Star nodded, arose and smoothed her skirt. She was still wearing that skimpy cheerleader's outfit that she'd worn at the football game.

"Bye Auntie and thank you so much, ma'am!" she said and left running. Kei tapped her comlink earring.

"Lieutenant Hopkins? Kei here. Do me a favour and escort Starfire to the holodeck for me. She can play until bedtime but Arkie don't want the kid up there on her own. She's waiting for ya down in the rec room. Keep a close aizu on her. Jon caught her trying to sneak off the ship. She wanted to play outside and Gene told us to stay in the cave. Don't lose track of 'Tinker Bell' oroever the Hell else ya do or you'll answer to me. Kapish? Kei out." trilled the Boss.

Mae was still a bit sore from the game and of course she was still recovering from John Berringers' lads' questioning sessions aboard the 'Angel 1' so she didn't really feel up to babysitting but if it hadn't have been for the Boss Mae might very well be dead right now! So here she was nursing an orange cappucino at the bar while she waited for Starfire to show up. Mae glanced at her wristchromo and frowned. "Where the Hell is this kid anyway dammit all?" she complained. Saito shrugged his shoulders and refilled her mug. Suddenly a high-pitched shreik filled the rec room.

"Auntie Boom-Boom! Sorry I'm a little late! (Mae had been waiting two and a half hours) Auntie Boss Marshall Kei told me not to wear that nice cheerleader's outfit and I--" explained the Tamaranian.

"Forget it kid and let's go." replied Mae swallowing her drink. "And oro did I tell you about calling me Auntie Boom-Boom? It's Auntie Mae dammit!" added the 'Blonde Bomber'. They rode up to the Eighth Level and Mae stopped at Holodeck 6's door and called for the archway. "OK Star. The Boss said you can stay up here until bedtime. Oro do ya wanna play first?" asked Mae wincing when her shoulder got shoved against the arch.

"Are you OK, Auntie Boo-- er Auntie Mae? (Mae nodded bravely) Can we play 'Treasure Island' again? Please!!" pleaded Starfire.

"Sure. Why the Hell not?" answered Mae and she keyed the arch. "No running off now, young lady. Got it?" she added but Starfire was already jumping up and down on the deck of a pirate ship. Mae followed her through the archway to 'Treasure Island', yawned and belted 'Long John Silver' with a stiff right uppercut.

"Whee!! I'm Princess Starfire and brave young Captain Smollett is coming to rescue me!" squealed the 'Teen Titan' delightedly.

"Whatever floats your boat, kid." sighed the Terran who was sword fighting with four of Silver's pirates. Meanwhile Kei's worst fears were realized when Neko trilled her at 1900 hours (7 PM)---

END of Ch 51. Ch 52 'Garner's Mysterious Relay ' or 'Annie Oakley AD 2251 ' 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 one may be lengthy. Sorry.- K&K

Hope you like my works. Sorry no pix this time because imager here at blogspot not working. Sayonara for now gang- K&K