Vandread: Army
By Norsehound

Disclaimer: Vandread is no craft of mine.

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Chapter Nine:
Vanguard

The prow of the Nirvana closed with the second half of the electrical storm- and then crashed into it.
Weather similar to when they entered the field occurred again on their trip out, as ice storms and lightning was the backdrop weather.
Like when they entered, the ship shook with every direct hit from the lightning, pressure differences, and larger chunks of ice.
But this didn't bother the crew. Some of them were quite exited that they would be seeing home at last.
For the 42nd, it would be a dark day.

In the Platform Shin walked in to check over his Vanguard again. It was top-of-the-line at the time that the 42nd departed on their doomed mission to the Mejere belt- almost state of the art in it's experimental nature. The Hasiba-type Vanguard was in hot competition for the Nagana type, which was slimmer and faster in more respects to his Hashiba type- which was just basically a heavier Tsukumo version with harder armor.
Still, in the event that Tarak would listen to them he wanted to have his Vanguard in top shape.
But when he walked in he noticed that several pilots were strapping extra weapons on their vehicles.
He spotted Hiro shouting orders to a crane as a large anti-Dread rocket launcher with complete ammunition was being loaded onto his Vanguard.
"Hiro!" He called and pointed, "What's that for?"
Hiro came down off his machine and approached the commander, "Sir?"
"What's that anti-Dread rocket launcher for?"
Hiro blinked but went on, "In case the Tarak military will not accept my proposal to stay."
"Stay?" Shin blinked.
Hiro replied, "Don't play Authority sir, I know you want to stay too. And I know you were just as worried about staying here."
"yeah..." Shin sighed, "It has been kinda obvious...with Barnette and all...."
Hiro nodded, "And add to the fact that even though our bunks are pumped, not many have returned to them. Including yourself."
Shin lowered his head even more as he scratched the back of it, "Yeah...yeah...."
Hiro blinked and spoke, "This is why I'm arming my Vanguard. If the Tarak attempt to invade, or the Mejere, I will give them hell they have never before seen."
"You're willing to fight your own people?" Asked Shin in a burst of thought.
"...Sir, if they are not aboard the Nirvana, then they aren't my people." Hiro answered.
Shin looked at him in silence, and Hiro just turned around and returned to the loading operations.
Shin brushed off looking over his Vanguard and headed back to Barnette's quarters.
As he came through the door he murmured to himself, "He's right....man...what am I going to tell my superiors? This is not going to work..."

In Jura's room Kai lazily lie in his hammock when Jura entered and saw him, "There you are."
"Sorry," Wheezed Kai as he sat up, "Just waiting for you."
"What for?"
"...To look at you."
"Well...," She trailed off with surprise and blushing as the door closed and she sat on her large, circular bed.
There was a moment of silent thought before Kai inquired, "Hey Jura, when you get to Mejere, what are you going to do?"
"Me? Well catch up on what's been going on of course." She smiled as she inspected her nails, then leaned over on her bed and propped her head up with her hands, "And say that I'm going to have a baby with a man..."
"Eh...how does that work?" Asked Kai.
"In this book," Jura sat up and pulled the book from her dresser, "It says how a man and a woman can have a baby."
Kai looked at the book and tilted his head, "Hello baby?"
"It's from the doctor," She smiled and opened it.
Kai came off his hammock and adjusted his cap as he looked at the book upside down.
Then a shocked look came over his face as he pointed, "Wh-What's that!?"
"Huh?"
"It's an army of....fish?"
"Sit down here and let me read it to you." Jura smirked.

Few people were loitering in the galley now, among them was Tesh.
He laughed as he talked idly with Taru and May, a mug of coffee in his hands.
Dureo was thinking at the table while Hibiki munched on more rice, Dita seated beside him.
Misty entered and spotted Tesh. With a tone of panic Tesh grounded his coffee and took off again, Misty calling after him and then walking.
Ezra and Tag entered moments later, Ezra holding her baby as Tag pulled out a seat for her and took a seat of his own.
Dureo looked over at the couple and then down at the table in thought.
Parfait then came in, gave a tone of greeting, and approached Dureo, "Hey there!"
"Hello."
"You look like you're caught on something." She said as she took a seat across from him, "Something on your mind?"
"Yeah," He replied, "This whole concept of Marriage...it's an interesting subject."
"Oh? How so?" She replied.
"The concept of a man and woman staying together for the rest of their lives is...interesting. Coupled with my knowledge of the natural reproductive system, it is a fascinating study."
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"What aspect?"
"...Natural reproduction?"
Dureo looked at the table in thought of how to put this, then looked up, "You know that once upon a time men and women lived together."
"Yes but what does that have anything to do with it...oh, are you saying that men fuse their eggs with women?"
Dureo went quiet for a moment, then said, "Men don't have eggs. We have what are called sperm. They are...introduced to the woman's reproduction system and there they conceive a fetus, where it becomes a baby inside the woman."
"Isn't that what Mejere do anyway?" Asked Parfait.
"It's...different." Replied Dureo, "For one thing, the men's sperm are introduced naturally...a bodily function. In the Tarak system we use cloning to solve this problem. On Mejere they fuse two egg's DNA. In the 'natural' system the sperm adds random chromosomes to the ones already existing in the woman's.....And I've lost you."
Parfait was looking bored, but perked up, "Huh?"
Dureo smiled, "I'm sorry, I forgot you don't know much about biology."
"No." she answered.
Dureo looked back and forth before putting forward, "Can I ask you a question?"
"Yes?"
"Would you mind stopping by the medical room this afternoon? I have some...tests I would like to run. I require a female subject..."
"Why don't you ask Paiway?"
"...I would much rather prefer if you came."
"Well..." She blushed, "I might be busy this afternoon, but I'll see if I can come in."
"I would appreciate it." Dureo said.
Parfait smiled and said, "I've got free time now. Want to get lunch together?"
"I'd be delighted."
The pair rose to get lunch, as the door opened and Tesh ran through again and looked for a place to hide, then noticed his coffee, "Hey this is mine..."
He walked to it, sipped it and headed for a table, Taru and May having gone somewhere else...
At the table Tag and Ezra were seated at, Tag asked, "Everything all right?"
"Yes." She replied pleasantly and glanced at the sleeping Kahlua, "She's asleep again."
"Yeah..." Added Tag softly.
She looked up at him and she said, "Your voice calms her down you know..."
"Really?" Asked Tag and smiled, "Er...I don't know what to say..."
"You've been a great help." Ezra spoke, "Thank you..."
"Eh..." He smiled and then, "If I can...I would like to continue being a help."
"Oh?"
"You and Kahlua...well...inspire me." He said, "I...Ezra...."
"What is it?"
"Eh..." He said in a strangled tone, "We've talked about this before but...would you...mind...."
She blinked, staring into his eyes through her own closed ones.
"...Would you marry me?"
Ezra was hesitant for a moment, blushing, but she asked, "What's that?"
Tag was so nervous he nearly had a heart attack, "Er...wha...ahem..." He collected himself, "I mean...would you mind being my companion?"
"We already are." She smiled, "You do sleep in my room."
"I mean..." He said as he swallowed, "Would you mind...er...making it more permanent?"
"How so?"
Tag looked at the table, "Er...I know it might be too much to ask, with you maybe going to Mejere and all..."
"We're going to our base," She said.
"Yeah well...I was wondering...if I could stay with you."
Ezra's face changed colors, whitening some.
"Please er..." Tag said and then hung his head, "I'm sorry..."
"For what?"
"Scaring you." He replied.
Ezra smiled and her color returned, "It's alright...but what do you mean by stay? Aren't you supposed to be staying with the rest of your unit?"
"Confidentially..." He said, "I think none of us want to leave. And if that's not the case, then I'll go away without leave." He said as he looked up at her, "Ezra...I want to stay with you....for the rest of my life. You're....you're nothing like I met before...and Kahlua too...you've both made me so happy...If only I could stay..."
She was quiet, scaring Tag to speaking, "Er....ah...." He looked at the ground, "Never mind...I guess it wasn't supposed to be this way after all...."
She reached out and grabbed his hand in her own.
He looked up while she said, "Truthfully, you've made me happy too. And Kahlua too, I think..."
He blinked and she smiled more as she said, "I wouldn't mind if you stayed with me...I would have to adjust, but I think I can handle living with a man."
"Really?" he asked, eyes wide open.
She nodded and looked at Kahlua, "Besides, Kahlua would be upset with you gone."
Tag looked down at Kahlua and smiled, "...I would be too, if I didn't see her every day..."
There was a happy moment of silence between them before Pyoro bounded over, "Hey! Hey! How's Pyoro-2?"
"Pyoro-2?" Repeated Tag with shock.
"That's her name!" Chimed Pyoro, "Pyoro-2!"
"...It's Kahlua."
"Pyoro-2's been decided long before you came here!" Pyoro ranted, "This discussion is over!"
"No it's not."
"Yes it is!"
"No it's not!"
Pyoro ranted, "What do you know!?"
"What do YOU know?" Repeated Tag, "You're just a robot!"
"Just because I'm a robot doesn't mean I'm wrong!" Replied Pyoro.
Much to everyone's surprise Tag laughed and went on, "You amuse me Pyoro. But Kah...I mean, Ezra's baby is hers. She has the right to name it, after all she...well...technically created it."
"That doesn't matter!" Ranted Pyoro.
Tag blinked, "Pyoro, why does her name have to be Pyoro-2?"
"That's none of your business!" Replied Pyoro, "It's just between me and Pyoro-2?"
Tag looked at Ezra, "Do we have to listen to this?"
Ezra answered with a Sweatdrop, "I'm ready to leave..."
Tag helped Ezra and the baby up and left the diner, Pyoro ranting, "Hey! Come back here with Pyoro-2!"
Pyoro floated out after them and effectively left the room.

Hours later into the storm somebody got an idea for a big party.
So around the ship, decorations were being put up and party favors from the Mejere ship brought up.
When asked, Jinn scratched his head, "Party favors? Uh yeah...we have some of those..."
The 42nd received paper hats and whistles.
"Joy. What am I going to do with a whistle?" Tesh had asked.
Despite the ridiculous party accessories, everyone else was still planning for a celebration.

In the Galley things had livened up. Personnel off duty met in the large galley and talked and chatted as the ship continued to weather the storm.
Shin was here, with Barnette beside him at a table.
"So," He asked, "What are you going to do when you reach Mejere?"
Barnette shrugged, "I don't know, find out what's been going on I guess... What are you going to do when you get back to Tarak?"
Shin shrugged, "Well ordinarily I would have just filed a report on my actions, events, and such. But now...I dunno."

In other places of the ship, Kai had just finished learning about natural reproduction.
"Wow..." He blinked, "Er...so what's the point to all this?"
"Well," Jura toned, "It just so happens that I want a baby. Want to make one with me?"
"Er...uh..." Kai started to blush.
"Come on, don't you want to at least try?"
Kai's nose started to bleed, "Well...er...um...."
Jura's arms moved around him and she leaned on him onto the bed.
Kai blinked in panic, "Wait a minute, can't I consider this first!? I mean, we men...uh...it's kind of a secret down there!"
"Please?" She asked.
Kai gulped with fear as Jura's face closed onto his.
"Give me your seed..." She cooed Seductively.
Kai, unlike his character, fainted.
"Oh drat..." Jura murmured, but got an idea as she stood up and locked her door.

Tesh on the other hand finished his running and collapsed on the side of the hallway, "Man, so much running...My god...."
Reg central's door became visible when he turned his head.
"Eh? Hnn...."
He approached them and opened the door to peek inside.
Jinn and Gasconge were in each other's arms.
"Ah...."
"Shh." Jinn said and motioned for Tesh to leave.
"....Riiiight...." Tesh said as he started walking, "Walking away-"
"There you are! Come back here cutie!" Giggled Misty.
"AH-HAHAHA!!!" Panicked Tesh as he once again took off running.

But they were approaching the end.
The Nirvana's sensor echoes weren't returning, so they could only assume that they had come to the end of the storm.
Everyone able was on the bridge to see it as the sleek starship pushed it's way for the edge.
Couples not on the small area of the bridge were on the garden outlook.
"Approaching the end..." Beldevere remarked.
Then the Nirvana made it out into the clear.
There was silence as the Stars returned. Cheers rose from members of the crew, while others only knew the inevitable was coming...
"Well, we should be within a good range of Tarak now." Magano muttered.
"Yeah..." Shin said beside her, with Barnette on his left.
Then Beldevere called, "Commander, I'm identifying Tarak vessel signatures!"
"What? This early?" Asked Magano.
Shin looked out the window as the Nirvana slowed.
As they dropped to sub-light they saw the numerous amounts of Tarak frigates. Several were linked by a large hexagonal hoop.
Shin looked at the configurations. These frigates were sleeker, shiner than before...
...And looking back at them were Tarak Vanguards...of the Hashiba type.
Hiro and several others turned to head for the door.
Shin got the same idea and ordered, "forty-second! Battle stations!"
"What?" Magano asked.
Shin looked down at her then turned to hurry off.

The 42nd, at battle-ready condition, launched into space.
A minute later they re-grouped on the nose of the Nirvana, weapons ready and hot.
"How did they know we would make it out here?" Tesh asked, "Had there been a message pod then how would they know about our trajectory?"
The Comm. Line to the bridge was open and a voice replied, "I told them..."
"What!?" Asked Shin, "Who is that, BC?!"
BC, who had been on the bridge to witness the event, spoke, "Commander, I apologize for the deception but it was necessary."
Magano blinked, "What are you talking about BC?"
BC spoke up, "Commander...in truth, I am a spy for Tarak."
"What!?" Panicked the bridge crew.
Thor, on the bridge, spoke up, "But...But that means that..."
"Yes. I am a Tarak."
There was mass panic as people heard this.
"I assure you that I am the only spy, however." BC said, "And that I had not planned to encounter the 42nd out in the middle of nowhere. I relayed our course to the Tarak message pod to inform them of our impending approach."
"BC...How dare you!" Magano rasped.
Shin turned and called, "Anyone still on the bridge! Arrest BC for treason against the 42nd!"
"Sir!" Thor called as he, Tex, and Horse pulled their rifles up and pointed them at BC.
Several Mejere guards entered as well with blaster rods and rings.
BC raised her hands and smirked, "It's too late anyway. Tarak has won this battle."
Magano didn't say anything as the imposter was removed form the bridge.
Shin turned to the rest of the formation.
Facing them was a Tarak Frigate, large-bore guns plainly visible as the vessel hovered off the nose of the Nirvana.
Shin addressed them, "This is Shin Matsenuga of the 42nd Special unit reporting. I have returned to report an unfortunate mission failure to command, out of 180 personnel...only forty-five of us survived the journey from where we were set down intact. I have a full report I will file when we return to Tarak."
"Understood Matsenuga." Returned the Tarak officer, "And your explanation of the stolen Ichazuchi flagship?"
Shin paused a moment before answering, "We were abandoned to a slow death when we were presumed lost. The Nirvana and it's crew rescued us from a painful death and gave us safe passage to this location. On behalf of my unit I request that you spare them. We have a message for Grand-Pa that may be of vital importance to Tarak...and Mejere."
"We have received the data pod from the spy we placed aboard the vessel and we can concur with the information." Spoke the commander, "However, on Grand-Pa's direct authority we are ordered to demand an unconditional surrender of the Ichazuchi, and all aboard."
"What?" Magano blurted.
The Mejere looked at one another, as did whatever Tarak onboard...to their companions or themselves.
Shin spoke up, "I say again on behalf of my unit I request this ship be given safe passage to the Tarak system!"
"I'm afraid we cannot do that." Said the commander, "We have no orders regarding your unit however. If you stand down and allow us to deal with the Ichazuchi and the pirates we will grant you leniency."
Shin's hands shook with anger, but he let out a breath, "Commander, the forty-second has been commissioned by Advisor Garth himself- next to the Grand general; the hand of Grand-Pa. The same man who saw the launching of the Ichazuchi in the first place...does that have any value? All I ask is that you grant this vessel safe passage to Tarak or Mejere if the case may be."
"...We cannot allow our captured craft to remain in enemy hands-"
"Don't you get it!" Shouted Shin as he slammed his fist against the side of the cockpit, "Behind us somewhere is a fleet that wants to harvest us for our body parts, are you concerned for petty squabbles in our system or the world you know!?"
There was silence from the Tarak fleet.
"Please wait," They finally said, "We are attempting to clarify your statement. Standby..."
Then the channel closed.
Shin started looking for ways out. They were stalling...
"Tag."
"Yes sir?" Asked Tag from his Vanguard.
Shin hit some other keys, "Kai, you too. Get back in the Nirvana and start evacuating your companions. Make it look like we're preparing supplies."
"Sir..." Said Kai as the two Vanguards started back.
Shin addressed the rest of the unit, "I know all of you have Mejere companions back aboard the Nirvana. And I know some of you may be angry that I have allowed two of us to go get them and prepare for the inevitable. However, if we get captured, I want some of us to be an example how things should have been."
He toggled a signal to Jinn, "Jinn, are you there?"
"Sir?" Asked Jinn.
Shin spoke, "Get the monster, and....and set-up the nuke."
"Are you sure that's wise sir?"
Shin hesitated for a moment of thought, before he spoke, "Yes. Arm it and bring it up here. While your getting set up make preparations to lock-down our areas and prepare for an assault."
"Preparing for the worst?" Magano asked.
Shin answered, "That's what I've trained for since day one."
Then the Tarak general opened a signal, "We have confirmed your authorization Commander Matsenuga. Unfortunately Advisor Garth is unavailable at this present time, so we cannot confirm nor deny your request to allow the Ichazuchi safe passage. Our orders are to demand for the unconditional surrender of the Ichazuchi however."
Then Beldevere signaled from the Nirvana, "Commander, we have Mejere ships incoming!"
Several Mejere ships slowed down as they approached the Nirvana and the Tarak fleet.
They came around the Tarak, stationing themselves in the path the Nirvana had once came.
"We're surrounded...." Tesh pointed out.
Shin demanded, "I say again allow us safe passage! At least Advisor Garth will listen-"
"This is the commander of the Mejere forces." Called a female voice, "We have received your message buoy and we have come to inform you that if you move from your current position we will open fire."
"What?" Shin asked and looked around, "This is lunacy! We MUST get to Tarak AND Mejere and prove to them evidence that we have been targeted for the Harvest!"
"We cannot permit this." Said the Tarak general, "The Ichazuchi must surrender."
"And if you surrender we will attack." Said the Mejere commander.
Shin looked back and forth between the fleets, and then at his controls. He had to do something at least...
"Commander," Said Tag, "We're loaded."
Shin looked up. A decision must be made.
Magano murmured, "I don't think our story about the harvesters is having much effect..."
"What are we going to do?" Asked Beldevere.
Shin called to the Tarak fleet, "This is Shin Matsenuga. If you continue to stall we will have no other choice but to continue without your authorization."
"Negative Matsenuga, you will maintain position until the Ichazuchi surrenders." Replied the commander.
Shin gritted his teeth, "Fine."
"What are we going to do commander?"
"Looks like sit on our butts while our parents talk this over." Shin replied and turned his Vanguard, "Jinn, is that nuke ready?"
"...Just completed now. Sir, are you sure you want to do this?"
"No. Don't arm it yet." Shin said as he looked at the Tarak fleet, "Hide it. Just in case things get sour..."
"Sir?" Tesh asked as he didn't finish his sentence.
Shin started, "We'd better think about somehow abandoning ship. If the Tarak...or Mejere think about invading then-"
"Command!" called a pilot, "The Mejere are advancing!"
Shin whirled and saw the Mejere ships advancing.
He called to them, "What the heck are you doing!?"
The Mejere general replied, "If you are concerned for your safety commander you will not interfere."
Shin hit keys, "Kai, Tag, eject now."
Two Drop ships rocketed out of the Platform and started moving up and away.
Dreads didn't pay them any mind as they closed in. Cruisers approached as boarding pods latched on.
"Christ..." Shin cursed as he headed for the platform.
The Tarak general called, "Do not interfere in their operation commander."
Shin landed and grunted loudly before he hit the comm. "Grandma you ship is being invaded!"
"We realize that!" Magano replied.
"I...I can't...."
Magano smiled as Shin looked down, "Don't worry. Things will sort themselves out Shin..."
"I...I Can't!" Shin screamed and then turned to see Barnette, "Barnette...I...I love you....."
Her eyes widened slightly, her mouth going agape until Mejere troops rushed in and pointed their weapons.
Shin raged within himself.
Tag informed, "Command critical supplies secured."
Shin grasped hold of the situation and replied, "Confirmed. Jinn, are you out?"
"I've got the necessary gear sir." Said the Super Vanguard as it arrived on the outer hull, "Cargo secured."
Shin smirked. There was hope, and he was guessing that a great deal many Mejere friends were safely sealed in the 42nd containers.

On the bridge Thor watched as Celtic was being lead away, as were Amarone and Beldevere.
Tex shouted to Amarone, but was whacked by one of the Mejere.
Thor stepped forward, "I wouldn't do that."
The Mejere turned to see Thor with a raised weapon.
"You got what you wanted. Leave." Threatened Thor.
The Mejere looked at him in silence, then left, headed for the elevator.
Thor turned to the comm., "Bridge is secure. The Mejere have left."

Shin, standing atop the Nirvana heard as numerous calls were reported from the twenty-nine supposedly still aboard ship as the Mejere left.
The frigate detached and started moving away.
Unnoticed, Hiro tossed a marker.
The small disk landed on the hull, unfolded and started beeping in code only the 42nd knew.
Once the Mejere ships departed the Tarak moved in. "Thank you for your co-operation commander."
Shin turned, "My men are still aboard, as well as my supplies. I must ask that you limit the amount of personnel brought aboard...many of the systems are unknown to even my staff. There may also be Mejere traps."
"Understood." Replied the Tarak as Vanguards came in and landed.
Boarding attachments were locked on and reports of 'the arrestment of three unscrupulous officers' came over the line.
Shin said, "By the way, the one in the helm may have to stay there. The ship cannot move without him in the helm."
Apparently the took his advice, for the Nirvana started to move moments later.
Destination: Tarak.

However, the supplies were loaded back aboard the Nirvana.
In the platform Tarak officers loitered around and looked at the manifests Jinn was giving them. Most of the supplies checked out, as did the inspections.
Though when the Platform was abandoned Jinn peered into the cockpit of the Vanguard monster, "Okay?"
Gasconge raised a thumb with May behind her, "Okay."
Below them Taru tapped on the side of the box container to get a response tap. Inside should be more than twenty Mejere...
And since nobody was authorized to touch 42nd material, they made a clean getaway...

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Mehehe....well I personally think next chapter will be better. I was planning to put a big battle against the Tarak and Mejere, but I couldn't think of a way to win that fight (Aside from using the nuke, but that's saved for later...) And besides, it's an excuse for the next chapter.


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