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||           Chapter 1 – Departure                      ||

||           Legend:                                                ||

||           Word - denotes character thought         ||

||           [Word] - denotes setting, time           ||

||           <Word> - denotes sound effect            ||

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[The Nirvana --- Registry department]

Meia entered inside and found several of the registry crew on duty, organizing the registry system of armaments and supplies for the dreads and their pilots in case of an upcoming battle and emergency. She spotted Gascogne seated in the chief registry officer's table in the center, checking some of her crew's reports. She walked up to her.

"Hey."

The chief registry officer was a little surprised to see her.

"Meia, it’s rare of you to pay a visit here. What's up?"

"Are you busy?"

"Nope, just checking on the registry crew's reports. Have to be sure that the 'actors' get all the support they can from the 'stage hand'."

"I want to talk with you alone, if it's no problem."

"Ok."

Gascogne clapped her hands twice to get her registry crew's attention.

"Keep up the good work everyone. Whoever needs me, page me. I want those supplies loaded and weapon systems double-checked.  Back to work.  Remember, smile, smile, and smile!"

"Yes, ma'am!" the registry crew responded with smiles.

The chief registry officer stood up from her seat and placed the reports on her desk. She motioned Meia to follow in her office. Once inside, they took their seats.

"So, what do you want to talk with me about?" she asked.

The chief dread pilot looked down the floor in thought. She then spoke.

"In your opinion, would it be wrong to fall in love with someone?"

Gascogne looked at her with a raised eyebrow. She rubbed her chin trying to come up with an answer.

"Hmm… no, it wouldn't. Why?"

"…I've been having thoughts about someone who I consider a very close friend."

"My, my… someone we know about before then?"

"Yes."

"I'll get straight to the point. Is it about him?"

"…"

"Well, looks like I hit the jackpot. But it might be a problem for you because of Dita."   

"I know."

"So you're thinking about him then. How do you feel about him?"

"At first, I considered him as an enemy before. But after so much that happened, the war with the Earth fleet and everything else, I only realized how important he means to me."

Gascogne stared hard at the dread pilot who had suddenly intrigued her.

Is that so? This feels kinda out of the blue, Meia.

"I take it that you really miss him a lot, judging by your words."

Meia blushed slightly at the remark. Her friend chuckled delightedly.

"I find it hard to believe at first, but I can see you're speaking the truth. As a good friend, I'm happy for you. Unfortunately, I'm not that much of help when it comes to that topic."

"I see."

"Hmm… why don't you talk with the Boss about it? I think she's best suited to help your situation."

"I'll do that. Thanks for hearing me out."

"My pleasure."

As the chief dread pilot was about to leave, she stopped and turned slightly around to her friend.

"I hope you won't tell anyone about this."

"Don't worry, this is just between us."

With a nod to Gascogne, Meia left her office and headed out to Magno.

[The Nirvana --- Biosphere]

A calm, peaceful atmosphere emanated all over the area.  Duero relaxed himself by seating against a tree and looking at the infinite stars of space outside the glass of the dome. He lightly stroked the grassy spot he was sitting on.

"Sigh… so this is how peace is like. I never imagine it would happen in this time," he said to himself.

Particularly, I find this dull these days, with nothing much to do. Perhaps I should consider having an interesting talk with her.

His words couldn't come at a better time as Parfet walked and stood next to him.

"Hello, doctor, I never thought you'd be here," she greeted him with a wave and smile.

"I assume my nurse told you where I was," he gave a nod.

"Yes, she did. Mind if I sit next to you?"

"By all means."

Parfet sat down next to him and placed her hands on the grassy ground.

"By the way, doctor, what were you thinking?" she asked.

"I… was thinking that I could have a talk with you in private, but it seems that happened now."

"Wow, I was kinda thinking of the same thing before I headed to the cafeteria for a bite to eat."

Duero looked at her interestingly.

"I thought you'd be cooped up in the Engine Room all the time, so I was a little surprised to see you here. I was thinking of you after," he said.

The chief engineer blushed slightly at the remark.

"Now I'm the one surprised. Doctor, do you want to eat with me?" she asked.

The doctor looked her in the eye and stood up slowly. He smiled in reply.

"I'll take it as a yes then. Come on!" Parfet took his hand and pulled him with her as they headed for the cafeteria.

[The Nirvana --- Magno's quarters]

Magno stared in thought at a small picture of her and Hibiki. It was taken right before his expected departure to the council.

I wonder how he's doing with his job.

<BEEP>

A faint sound from the door indicated a visitor.

"Yes? What is it?" she asked, beckoning whom it was outside to enter. She found Meia entering in with a troubled look on her face and raised an eyebrow.

"Meia, what brings you here?"

The chief dread pilot took a deep breath before she started.

"Boss… there's something I want to talk about with you."

"Take a seat. Go on --- speak out what you want to say."

Meia obliged and started.

"…Can love exist in this time?"

"Yes, it can. Why do you ask that?"

"I find myself thinking about… him. I can't seem to get him out of my mind. It's like a good and bad thing to me --- good because I feel happy when I think about him and bad because I miss him so much."

"Ah… so you must mean Hibiki. Well, this looks like it can affect your duties as chief dread pilot. I take it you couldn't concentrate on your duties?"

"No, it's not affecting my duties mostly, but it gets to the point where a mere thought of him makes me want to stop what I'm doing and sit for a while."

"Tell me, would you be in love with him?"

The chief dread pilot stayed silent with a little blush on her cheeks. Magno leaned back on her seat to ease her discomfort, hiding a smile.

"Would you give me your hand?" she asked.

Meia was puzzled at her question, but complied. Magno took hold of her hand and patted it gently.

"Meia, you're learning to open your heart to the people you care much about. Like all human beings, we must acknowledge our existence."

"Boss…"

"Considering how Dita feels strongly about him, that's another story."

"I know."

"Yet you still want to go for him?"

"…I do. Boss, I was thinking of quitting my job here to look for him."

"No."

"Why?"

Magno closed her eyes momentarily before looking at the chief dread pilot.

"I really want to help you, but you're needed here in this ship."

"…"

"Without you around, who will train the upcoming dread pilots and maintain order? Everybody looks up to you as a role model. Plus, you're part of this family I've created," Magno showed her the many pictures of the female crew kept in a small drawer.

"I understand how you feel. But are you willing to sacrifice what you have here?"

"…"

"And besides, I was planning on contacting him to visit us."

Meia's face instantly lit up.

"When?"

"I can't say --- maybe tomorrow or the day after, at least by this week. Meia, please don't consider abandoning this ship, okay?"

"…I… won't consider, boss. I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry about. I admit I was surprised you'd fall for him," Magno asked her intriguingly.

"Boss!" Meia exclaimed with a little blush on her cheeks.

"Ahem. Anyway, I’ll let you know his arrival. Is that clear?"

"Yes, boss."

The chief dread pilot gave her a small salute and left. Magno smiled to herself.

"Ah, how it feels good to be in love. Well, I better contact him."

She turned on a comm-link on her desk and began work.

[Talark --- an established institute in the outskirts of a city]

Teaching others can be an experience.

For Hibiki Tokai, now a living hero to Mejer and Talark, let's just say all was well for him.

Not too well, that is.

"Weren't the women Talark's enemy?" a fellow Talark soldier from the 1^st class army asked him.

A seminar was held in a particular large classroom. Hibiki was the guest of honor and lectured to a curious group of his kind on his experience with the crew of the Nirvana.

After hearing the same outburst for the umpteenth time, he slapped his forehead and shook his head in annoyance.

Sigh… what does it take to get the truth about mankind to these guys?

He regained composure and put up an understanding face.

"No, you've got it all wrong. It's like this. You see there's a council of elders representing both Mejer and Talark. They were the ones who decided that us males and females shouldn't coexist."

"What's this council you're talking about?" another Talark soldier asked.

"This council was made up of elders who were the leaders of Mejer and Talark. They were the last survivors from an Earth colony fleet that were mysteriously destroyed. I found out later that I too was among them. I had been put into cryogenic sleep that halted my age until I came about here. After that, I was made into a 3^rd class citizen to serve as vanguard engineer. Then, I was coaxed by some other idiots from the same class as I to steal a vanguard from the army. That vanguard is the one I'm using now."

"Wow, I didn't know you could fight well as the army!" an excited Talark soldier exclaimed.

Hibiki chuckled off the compliment and ran a hand through his hair.

"I've been hearing that so many times. Flattery won't get you anywhere."

Another Talark soldier spoke up, "So what's your opinion of them?"

"Hmm… to me, I find them to be adjustable and interesting to be with. It feels different now that I'm not with them anymore."

Hibiki suddenly felt tired mentally.

I should take a breather. But I can't end it this soon. How do I get out of this?

His prayer was answered in a few seconds. A Talark 1^st class officer came in and went up to him. He whispered to his ear.

"Sir, there's a call for you in the comm-link."

"Who is it?"

"It's from the female pirates' leader of the Nirvana, Magno Vivian."

"Very well, I'll take it."

Hibiki looked at the listening soldiers of his lecture.

"Sorry guys, I'm afraid I'll have to continue at another time. Something important has come up."

A few groans of disappointment rang from the crowd.

"I promise I'll wrap this up next time. It's been a good time talking with you guys," he bade farewell to the audience, walking out of the classroom. He found a comm-link booth set up in the corner of the hallway. He went to it and sat inside, closing the hatch after him for privacy.  He punched in a few buttons in the device, activating the screen. It showed the face of female pirates' leader.

"It's been a long time, Magno," he spoke to her with a smirk on his face.

Magno smiled and gave a small chuckle.

"Good to see you again, Hibiki. Was I interrupting anything?"

"Nope, you called in the right time. Just wrapped up another lecture on the male-female interaction here. How'd you manage to find me?"

"I heard about your visit there from Jin. We had a small chit-chat."

"Grandpa Jin! How's he doing?"

"He's doing fine. He's in charge overseeing the status of Mejer and Talark, making sure that nothing goes wrong."

"That's good. It's been nothing but a demanding schedule for me here, being an emissary to both Mejer and Talark. Why me of all people?" Hibiki shook his head in disdain and ran a hand through his hair.

"Ha, ha… you know better than to complain. It was the council that asked you for that job. By the way, would you happen to be free for some time? I was wondering if you're interested in paying a visit here in the Nirvana?"

The vanguard pilot looked at Magno with a raised eyebrow.

"Hmm… I was planning on doing that, just to get away from work and all."

"I take it as a 'no' then?"

"I wouldn't refuse, you know that. Where are you located?"

"We're docked in a supply station on Talark space field. Remember the minefield area we managed to pass through due to BC? It's been cleared of mines and the station was built in that place after."

"Then, you're nearby. Alright, I'll be there around 3 hours fast."

"Good. For old times' sake, eh?"

"You could say that… I'll see you then. Take care."

Magno nodded as her face flickered off on the screen.  Hibiki stood up and exited the booth. He stretched himself and yawned.

"It’s nice to stretch once in a while. Ouch, my body feels a bit stiff though. Well, better get my stuff ready."

"Sir, where will you be off to?" a voice asked behind him. He turned around to find his assigned guard saluting him, waiting for orders.

"How many times do I have to remind you not to address me that? It's Hibiki. And at ease, Milo, I'm not being strict here," he said.

The guard named Milo eased himself a little and put his saluting arm down.

"Sorry sir, military regulations. Just doing my duty."

"I know. But when we're not around some important military official or like anybody else, just loosen up a bit. Ok, now that's out of the way, can you read me the next schedule?"

Milo took out a small binder from his coat pocket and opened it, revealing a clipped paper underneath. He ran his finger on it thoroughly.

"Hmm… let's see. There's only one activity. It states that you are to report onboard the female pirates' ship the Nirvana and help out the 50 assigned Talark soldiers with whatever issue concerning male-female interaction. That's about it."

A glint of surprise was on Hibiki's eyes as he listened. He rubbed his hands in earnest.

"What luck… well, we're off to the docking bay in HQ."

"Yes, sir, uh, Hibiki."

Hibiki chuckled lightly on his guard's addressing of him.

"One of these days, Milo, you should learn to take life not too seriously."

His guard looked at him quizzically at the question.

The vanguard pilot shrugged his shoulders and started walking to the parking area, where their transport, a mini-shuttle, was waiting. Milo walked ahead of him quickly and followed.

[Talark Central Military HQ --- Docking Bay]

With his gear packed up in a backpack worn around his shoulders, Hibiki took a last look at his vanguard.

= = = AUTHOR'S NOTE = = =

Mech. Profile --- Vanguard Enforcer

Model No:      

V-Unit MT001

Pilot:    

Hibiki Tokai

Engine Type:

(4x) Space-folding Vernier thrusters dubbed "Super Pack" from Talark engineers and research scientists. Attached to the back, this gives the vanguard an extra dose of speed and maneuverability. It runs on limited beam energy.

Armor Type:

Modified with a system called "APS" (Armor Phase System) which defends from conventional attacks such as missiles, bullets, etc., when activated by the pilot. The APS is applied also as a special beam coat, which can absorb 50% of energy from beam attacks. The absorbed beam power is then supplied to the engine, for more output, and the APS, for more power to increase durability.  When beam energy is depleted, the APS is automatically deactivated, leaving the vanguard with minimal protection.

Weaponry:

(2x) Medium-sized shields (holstered outside them are beam sabers, which can optionally be taken out) attached on the arms.

(2x) Mini-Vulcan guns attached to the sides of the head.

(4x) 3x3 Micro-missile pods are attached on the lower part of the legs.

(1x) Portable-cannon holstered inside the "Super Pack". Its power equals to that of particle-charged plasma energy.

Other Notes:

Unlike the standard issue models of the Talark Army, this vanguard unit was given the ability to fuse with the three main dreads of the Nirvana. The praxis explosion caused by the mysterious Pexis energy in the ship at the beginning affected it, enabling to form the ultimate mecha weapon.

After the war with the Earth fleet, Hibiki customized it in order to adjust its performance for future battles. It had a new paint job; instead of yellow, a dark-blue & white luster replaced it.

With a new engine and added weaponry, this vanguard sports a deceptive look that hides its power until it goes into action.

= = = AUTHOR'S NOTE = = =

"Well buddy, I guess we ride out once more," he quietly spoke to it. To him, it was like a friend that helped him out through the hard times in his life.

Taking a deep breath, he hopped in the cockpit and began activating the controls. The body hatch closed after him.

"Vanguard Enforcer, status," the launching operator spoke in the comm-link.

"Activating engine --- energy rate is at 100%, turning on thrusters," Hibiki reported.

"Roger that, Enforcer, increasing launch power to full capacity… done. Are you ready?"

"Good to go."

"Very well… and counting…"

The launch pad the vanguard stood on locked onto it, readying for its launch.

"And in 5…"

"4…"

"3…"

"2…"

"1…"

"Hibiki Tokai, launching!"

The vanguard was slingshot onto orbit after the said dismissal.  Hibiki gritted his teeth as he accelerated higher and higher into space. As the Enforcer reached Talark's atmosphere, its thrusters activated. The pilot checked up the display of space on his screen.

Ugh… space sickness.

He shook his head of thought and focused. He flipped on a switch labeled "Super Pack".

<CLICK>

The back Vernier thrusters activated, boosting the mech outside the planet's atmosphere.

Hibiki moved his vanguard for a while, getting the feel of piloting in space. After several minutes of that, he checked up a navigational map for the coordinates of the supply station Magno told him about.

"Hmm… coordinates X: 3500, Y: 2000, Z: 3500. Yup, just as she described it. I hope I make it in time."

He set a course for the Nirvana and flew onward.