Cross Ange: The Knight of Hilda

Chapter 24: Decisions

In the waters just off the southern coast of Arzenal, a massive sword shaped vessel lay waiting. Breaching the surface was a risk. Especially this close to their old base so it was imperative that they get Ange and Villkiss on board immediately. From her command seat on the Aurora's bridge, Jill took a long drag on her smoking gadget and grimaced at the bland metallic taste. What she wouldn't give for a real smoke. But at least they had finally found Ange. According to Kat's message, she and the others who had vanished during the assault had inexplicably turned up on Arzenal. They had better have a damn good explanation for where they had been all this time.

"Bay doors opening," Pamela announced. "They're coming in now." In the night sky, four lights quickly grew in brightness as Villkiss, Tusk's Skyhook, Hilda's Glaive, and a fourth machine that she had never seen before came into view and quickly descended into the Aurora's bay door. It looked as though Hilda's machine was having trouble keeping steady. One of its wings had been severed. No doubt by one of Salia's group. Kat and the rest of the scouting party had already returned so they could leave once all four machines had landed

"Landing confirmed," Olivier stated. "Radar shows no hostiles approaching."

"Close it up," she ordered. "Then get us under water before Embryo's lackeys find us. Pamela, you have the bridge."

"Uh Commander," Hikaru asked as Jill made her way to the stairwell, "do you think we could.."

"Could what?" Jill asked.

"Nothing never mind," the tech quickly said. From a nearby vent came a series of clangs and hissing sparks before a lanky figure crawled out.

"That did it," Spider said. "I've boosted the Aurora's scanning range so we'll have plenty of warning the next time Salia and the others try to sneak up on us."

"Glad to hear it," Jill said as she tossed him her gadget. "Now see if you can find some way to get this thing to work better." For all the headaches that their extended crew caused her, Jill had to admit that they did have some use.

Once Jill had left, Pamela sealed all hatches and set the Aurora into a dive. As seawater washed over the command tower, Hikaru leaned on her console and sulked. "Do you have a death wish?" Olivier asked.

"Oh don't act like you don't want to do the same," Hikaru pouted. "It's not fair. Hilda gets to be all alone with Rio for a week. Now he's back and we can't even go down to welcome him."

"Let's just be thankful that they're all safe," Pamela suggested. "I just wonder what happened to them all. Where they were. And where did they get that big white machine?"

"Hey don't worry girls," Spider said as he put his arms around Hikaru and Olivier's shoulders. "You've got me to keep you company." Both girls grimaced in disgust and leaned away.

No sooner had they landed then the massive submersible's bay doors began to close above them and a mob of people surrounded them. Looking around; Ange picked out Zhao Mei, Rosalie, Jasmine and Vulcan, Momoka and a few others from Arzenal as well. But what really surprised her was the men. Mingling among the Norma were several male humans, most of whom were the same age as Rio. The Network no doubt.

"You guys!" Zhao Mei called. "I don't believe it! You're really alive!"

"Not for lack of trying though," Rio joked. Surrounded by his allies, Rio received several hand claps and slaps on the back.

"Pop quiz time!" Vivian called. "Where did you guys get this awesome ship?"

"It's the Aurora," Tusk answered. "The Ancient Folk built it for Libertus. I can't believe it's still intact after all this time."