Broken Fragments
Epilogue
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Vandread or any of its characters. Gonzo does.
Author's note: Please add a review. I value honest critiques of my writing a great deal. If you liked it, say so. If you didn't like it, say so too.
(Three weeks after Einmann's death)
The curtain was pulled aside as a green-haired woman stepped into the private cubicle in the ship's infirmary.
"Jura.... I'm here."
There was no response from the prone figure on the bed, but Barnette didn't mind. Although Jura had shown no signs of recovering ever since she'd been rushed into the infirmary, almost mortally wounded, she firmly believed that her friend wouldn't remain like this for the rest of her life. Barnette had continued to visit her every day when she wasn't doing anything else, just sitting there silently, or even talking to her about various things. The pilot pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed.
"Duero told me I'm done with that detoxification program he prescribed. He just analyzed a blood sample and said that all of the last traces of the chemicals the Mejelans used on me are gone. Good riddance.... I couldn't eat what I wanted for close to a month, and he kept taking blood samples..."
Barnette sat in silence for a while. "I finally went back to your room today. At first I thought the Tarak soldiers had cleaned it out, but someone told me they didn't use it while they had control of the ship. I wonder why you got rid of everything? Well, I can wait until you wake up and tell me yourself. I like your new hairstyle, though."
"Jura... you will wake up, won't you?" she leaned forward and clasped the other pilot's hand in both of her own.
"Of... of course you will.... how silly of me! You're as stubborn as an ox. You lived through the worst that assassin did to you, even when the doctors said you wouldn't make it... of course you'll wake up...."
Barnette wiped away a tear. "Sorry... I'm getting too emotional. Jura, I know we had a few problems, but we'll make it right again.... when you come back."
She gently brushed away a strand of blond hair before kissing her friend on the cheek. "I'll be here, waiting for you... come back to me, come back to all of us soon, alright?"
Barnette swore she felt Jura's fingers tighten against hers.
BC stood in front of Magno and Gascogne in what had been Einmann's office.
"So, you're now the leader of Tarak, eh?" Magno raised an eyebrow. "I'm impressed."
BC smiled faintly. "The war convinced everyone getting along was better than fighting... there'll be a lot more bitterness, but nothing we can't overcome. Apparently, I was the best person for the job of handling reintegration. I'll be resigning once I'm done."
Magno nodded. "And Bart?"
"He's done well in convincing his father to try work with me.... they have plenty of influence. Bart has been working overtime to help out. I didn't think he had it in him."
"You'd be surprised. He did live up to my expectations of him in the end..." Magno looked at her former subordinate. "I wonder why he works so hard, though."
BC's face softened a little. "Everyone has something they want to make up for."
Magno's eyes showed her sub-commander that she understood. "You've made up for any harm you've done already. Don't forget that you're one of us. The Nirvana is your home, and we are your family. We'll welcome you back anytime."
The silver-haired woman nodded. "I know. I'll see you again someday."
"Good luck."
The two women headed for the door. Before leaving, Gasco looked back and waved jauntily.
"Don't forget: Smile, smile!"
BC smiled.
Hibiki frowned at Dita. "NO! That's ugly!"
She cocked her head. "But Hibiki's vanguard would look so much better if it was painted like that..."
"Humph. My partner's fine. Stop messing around with those color schemes."
Dita giggled and moved off. Hibiki watched her go, smiling a little. He was glad that he'd been able to save her... he had always just figured that she'd be there. Almost losing her had shocked him into realizing how much the red-haired girl had grown to mean to him. And he knew that even though he could never say it, she now understood. He leaned back with a contented sigh. Life was good...
Meia turned to see Dita coming along. The younger pilot stopped and waved happily. The blue-haired Dread leader was pleased to see Dita was back to her regular self, the past forgotten.
"Leader! Dita forgot to tell you that Dita was sorry for being mean to you..."
Meia almost laughed. Dita was not very good at acting mean if she had been trying to be mean to her.
"It's alright, Dita. I understand."
"That's great! Dita... oh no! Hibiki's waiting! See you later!" The girl ran off.
Meia watched her go, feeling happy for the two of them.
Meia, there is nothing more wonderful than loving someone and being loved in return....
I understand that now, mother. I'll find the person for me... someday.
-END-
Author's note: Finally! All done! Ahh... special thanks go to Jap and Seravy, for bugging me into finishing this... if not for them, it would have taken quite a while for Chapter 7 to come out. Also, thanks to all who reviewed, namely: Seravy (who posted 7 out of 14 reviews!), Liquid Blue, Ranka, Renwar, Bunny, Lillian, Jon and.... myself!!! Sorry to the people who wanted a Meia/Hibiki fic (ducks behind a wall), but... DITA X HIBIKI FOREVER! (ducks into a nuclear shelter). Also thanks to Spike.
If anyone is interested in my next project, it will be some/one/none/all of the
following:
1) a Warhammer 40K fic,
2) another original Vandread fic,
3) a continuation of my story 'Twilight of the Gods',
4) a Final Fantasy Tactics fic.
If anyone has any requests/suggestions about this, please feel free to email or drop
a review.
Thanks again and that's all, folks!