DISCLAIMER: I don't own the rights to Vandread. Gonzo does.
Twilight of the Gods
Chapter 4
A shuttle exited the Hesperian ship and headed for the Nirvana. Magno, BC, Meia, Gascogne, Parfet, Jura and Barnette were waiting as it docked. The door hissed open, revealing a tall, lean figure wearing a greatcoat. Meia's eyes narrowed as they adjusted to the light: the shuttle's interior was brighter than the Nirvana's bay. As her vision adjusted, she was able to make out more details. According to what Magno had told her, this must be that Captain Volren that had contacted them. She sized him up carefully.
The officer's greatcoat he wore was immaculate, with no signs of wrinkles anywhere. Epaulets of rank glittered on the shoulders. She noted the equally pristine military-cut boots, as well as a glittering sword sheathed in a well-tooled scabbard at his belt. On the opposite side of the belt was a holster with a pistol in it. Turning her attention from his dress and weaponry, she carefully studied the man himself, looking for hints about his personality. He looked young, but she knew that counted for little. She herself had only turned 21 a few months ago. He had handsome features set in a calm expression, and eyes to match. She could read very little aside from a kind of respect from his posture, and his cool impressed her.
As he came down the ramp, she saw he moved with an easy, confident grace, the
look of someone who knew he was good at what he did. She carefully filed away her
observations, noting he could possibly be some sort of aristocrat. Her eyes narrowed
again at the thought.
Toy soldiers...
He came to a halt several paces away, before inclining his head to them.
"Captain Vidan. It's a pleasure to finally meet you face-to-face."
Magno raised an eyebrow, unsure whether he was patronizing her, but getting the feeling that somehow he wasn't.
"Yes... this is my second in command, Buzam A. Calessa, and this is my force commander, Meia Gisborn." She noticed Jura bristle slightly, but there was nothing she could do for the moment.
"This is my chief engineer, Parfet Balbnair, and my supply coordinator, Gascogne Rheingau."
Everyone nodded when introduced. He met the eyes of each in turn, nodding in reply. He glanced at Jura and Barnette, and raised an eyebrow slightly.
"And these two ladies are..."
Magno was a bit surprised he'd asked, but noted that Jura perked up immediately, flattered by the show of attention. She sighed inwardly.
"This is Jura Basil Elden, second in command of my Dread squadrons, and her associate, Barnette Orangello."
"I see. It's an honor to meet you all."
He turned and indicated several men and women dressed in jumpsuits and tool belts coming down from the shuttle.
"These are some of my best engineers. Please put them to use wherever they may be needed." He looked at Parfet. "I suppose that would be your duty, Chief Engineer."
"Oh.... yeah! Alright, everyone this way please...." Parfet ran off, waving at the new engineers.
Magno looked back at Alexos. "Well, please come with me then."
"Of course."
The group of them met again in Magno's 'office' of sorts.
Magno walked behind the desk, taking her chair. BC stood behind her, as usual, and Meia and Gascogne sat in two other chairs near their leader. There was one chair remaining, directly across from Magno. It was obviously meant for Alexos, so Jura and Barnette had to make do with standing. Alexos glanced from side to side.
"There aren't enough chairs?" He immediately pulled back the chair meant for him and offered it to Jura. She blinked, then looked at him. He smiled.
"It would be discourteous of me to sit while a lady is forced to stand." He looked at Barnette. "Unfortunately, it seems you'll have to keep me company...."
Jura smiled back, quite obviously pleased by the courtesy. "Thank you."
She smoothly settled into the seat while everyone else stared dumbly at Alexos. He seemed not to understand why they were all staring. After all, he had no concept of where they came from. Chivalry was nonexistent on Mejele. About the only interaction they had had with men were with the Tarak crewmembers, and they had no concept of if either. Obviously deciding not to ask, he turned to Magno.
"I am a military representative of the government of Hesperus." He paused slightly. Magno guessed he was trying to decide how much to tell them, but to the others it seemed as though he was just gathering his thoughts.
"We've recently come under attack by some unknown force.... of the same type that we just helped you fight off. Unfortunately, the Planetary Defense didn't fare quite as well as we did earlier. Due to the overwhelming numerical superiority of our enemy, the government realized we couldn't defeat them alone and dispatched envoys to find allies willing to help us deal with this threat. The reason I wished to speak to you was to ask if your home planet, or state, would be willing to aid us against these enemies. I assure you, Hesperus will not be the last world they will attack. It will be in your best interest to help us.... after all, you're already fighting with them."
He spoke in a calm, convincing tone, but Magno sensed an underlying hint of desperation. He knew that the life of his world was at stake, but was determined not to ruin his pitch by showing too much emotion. His self-control was impressive. She nodded.
"We've encountered this threat before. We were on our way back to our homeworld to deliver the news. Don't worry; Tarak and Mejele will be willing to help you."
Although his facial expression didn't change, she saw his shoulders relax a fraction of an inch. He bowed.
"Thank you for your words. If you will allow it, my crew and I will accompany you to your world."
Magno nodded. Tarak and Mejele WOULD help. They had to.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Hibiki Tokai slammed his hand into the desk. "I'm telling you, the dream was real!"
The face of the Tarak prime minister didn't change at all. Neither did his condescending tone.
"Don't raise your voice to me! I don't care about your dream! I've got better things to do than listen to your prattle!"
"Gaaah...." Hibiki stepped back, looking disgusted. "At least call the Nirvana and tell them to get us!"
"Humph. We would, but we lost contact with them a while ago."
"WHAT?!"
Only the most strenuous efforts of a pair of guards managed to keep Hibiki from strangling the man.
"Why the hell didn't you say so?" His struggles subsided when a hand hesitatingly slid onto his shoulder.
"Hibiki... don't." Dita looked a bit frightened, as she always did when a conflict occurred.
"Yeah, she's right." Bart looked up from the back. "You're not going to convince him that way.... lemme try!"
All Bart managed to do was get them kicked out of the meeting room.
"You see what happened? Why did I let you talk to him, you loudmouthed baka?!" Hibiki glowered at Bart, before sighing and plopping down, arms folded. "I wish Duero were still here. He's so damn lucky he finished his duties early and got to go back to the Nirvana. I wish I was back there."
Dita looked between them, obviously worried. "Do you think something happened to them?"
Hibiki grunted, trying to hide his own misgivings under a gruff attitude.
"Don't be stupid. They can take care of themselves."
Dita nodded, looking relieved. Hibiki felt himself lighten a little when she managed a smile. She's a good kid; she trusts what I told her.
I just hope what I told her is true.