30. P O W E R : Homecoming

CHAPTER III

Damian vomited into the bucket between his legs, causing everyone around him to let out groans of disgust. "Seriously, dude? We just got onboard," Sahara remarked, pinching her nose to keep out the stench. "And can't you fly? You shouldn't be getting seasick."

"Screw you, Sahara," Damian moaned, his voice muffled by the bucket.

Retrieval Team 1 was now aboard a United States supercarrier in the Bering Sea, where Taxi had landed the plane to rest and refuel. They were all currently gathered in one of several mess halls, trying to regain their bearings and prepare for the second half of their flight.

"Blugh." Damian pulled his head out of the bucket and wiped his mouth. "I hate boats."

"Technically, this isn't a boat," Gustav pointed out. "It's a... carrier." He hesitated before the last word, noticing someone staring at him out of the corner of his eye. He turned toward the soldier—a small, wide-eyed private—and asked, "Can I help you with something?"

The soldier blinked and then let out a nervous laugh. "O-Oh! Uh... sorry! I'm—I'm Specialist Tawny Sayers," she said quickly, hurrying over to the team and extending her hand to Gustav. As he shook it, she gushed, "I just wanna say how much of an honour it is to meet you, sir. I was on the Wilmarth during the Battle of Point Nemo, and I saw you guys in action, and I—I—I don't even know what to say! Just... thank you, I guess! You saved our lives."

"Oh. Er... you're welcome, I suppose. Although technically, it was Xirxine who saved your crew," Gustav pointed out.

"I know, I know, but... you guys killed the Giants, right? You didn't just save me, you saved the world!" Spc. Sayers blushed and added, "Also, I—I wanted to tell you... you're kind of my celebrity crush."

At that, Damian let out a loud snicker while Camilla's eyes narrowed. Gustav's face flushed, and he scratched the back of his head with his free hand (not realizing that he was still holding Sayers'). "Oh. Uh... th-thank you...?" he stammered, unsure of how to handle the situation.

Realizing he needed saving (and feeling none-too-pleased with Sayers' revelation), Camilla cleared her throat and stepped forward, prying Gustav's hand out of Sayers'. "He appreciates the gesture, sweetie," she said with a fake smile, "but he's taken."

Spc. Sayers frowned. "I... I know. I'm just—I can still have a celebrity crush, can't I?"

"Not while his wife's in the immediate vicinity," Camilla responded coolly, putting a hand on her hip and shifting her weight. "So shoo."

Sayers scowled and trudged off.

Gustav flinched as Camilla turned and glared at him. "I feel like I should be... apologizing for something...?" he stated with a sheepish grin.

"You should'a let him flirt with her, Cam," Damian called with a groggy grin. "See how far he'd go. Gotta make sure he's trustworthy, heheheh... BLAAARRRRGGHHHH!"

"You deserved that one," Sahara told him as he threw up in the bucket again.

-

"You doing okay, Koko?"

Koko cleared his throat and grimaced as MacKenzie rubbed his back. "Yeah. I'm fine." He forced a grin and added, "Trying not to end up like Dame, y'know?"

"Oh... like that time you ate a whole pizza in one bite?"

"Hey, not fair! You dared me!"

"You didn't have to accept..."

"Really? You're gonna play that card? A dare's a dare, baby doll."