Cross Ange: The Knight of Hilda

Chapter 26: Broken

Their welcome was about as warm as they expected

When the Aurora finally arrived, a squad of Jill's handpicked security rushed out with guns trained on them. After being restrained; Tusk, Vivian, and Rio were brought right before Jill while their machines were taken into the launch bay. Tusk guessed he shouldn't have been surprised that she was still in charge. She always was a survivor. Grabbing his collar, and despite the wound to her leg, she slammed Tusk against the wall of the briefing room.

"You've got a lot of nerve asking us for help!" she growled. "Because of you Ange was captured and we lost Villkiss! You stupid boy!"

"Ange is not your tool!' Tusk argued. Jill backhanded him and a line of blood drooled from Tusk's lip

"Villkiss was the only thing capable of killing Embryo! In fact your father told me that. I hope you're proud of yourself. You destroyed everything he fought and died for! Knight of Villkiss my ASS!"

"Oh cut the crap!" Nearby, Rio and Vivian stood under watch by Maggie, Jasmine, Boss, and Rosalie. Apparently, Hilda had escaped any real punishment by Jill but had been confined to her quarters, leaving Rosalie in charge of the Para-mail riders. "You really think he'd be happy with what you tried to pull with Momoka?" Rio asked. "You think he'd look at you any different? Maybe he would but not in the way you wanted." Jill's teeth clenched as she released Tusk and limped towards him. "Go ahead," he dared. "Hit me. It's not like it'll change anything." Jill glared at him before driving her good fist into his stomach, doubling Rio over as her prosthetic fist struck across his jaw.

"Rio!" Vivian called as he spit out blood.

"Maybe not," she said, "but it feels good."

"Excuse me," Rosalie spoke up. Jill switched her attention to her and the girl flinched. "But Libertus doesn't have to be over. I mean if we get Ange back then..."

"You really think we have the resources to pull off something like that? It's just you, the three rookies, and a squad captain that can't be trusted. "

"We have more than that Jill," Jasmine argued. "We have Boss and the others. There's also Susano'o. It may not be Villkiss but it could help level the playing field."

"Rhino his crew specialize in jobs like these," Boss added. "Send in the Mail Riders to flush out the Ragna-mail and while they're distracted, the Wildpack can grab Ange." Jill grunted as she pulled a cigarette from her pocket.

"What would be the point? After all that, Ange will never obey me again. Get them out of my sight. I'll decide what to do with them later. Jasmine, set sail for Arzenal. Dismissed." As two of security led Vivian and Tusk away, Boss pulled Rio to his feet and helped him walk.

"Do you really think Rio's a traitor?" Tusk heard one of the bridge girls ask.

"Why would they do that?"

"There had to be a reason." As they passed through the ship, Tusk looked around and took stock of the people they passed. The Network members and quite a few Norma gave them questioning looks. Apparently Boss hadn't shared with them what had happened but Tusk guessed they at least wanted to know the reason. Others, mostly security, cast quit a few dirty looks at the procession. Finally they arrived at the Brig and Tusk was shoved into the eight by five foot cell. The door clanged shut behind him followed by two others. Once they were alone, Tusk went to the door and called towards the cell where Rio's labored breathing came from.

"You still alive?"

"Yeah," Rio groaned. "Just gonna sleep this off like a bad hangover."

"You sure you're gonna be okay?" Vivian worried.