RIPE & DRAGGERS

CHAPTER 25

It is decided then, that Pedro most probably will appear from the larger fleet so Bob, Gener and Lima will draw out on that side of the planet. While Euclid and the three ripe warriors from the Quant will face the smaller forward fleet.

While the defense satellites are the main artillery, but the Quant has also prepared a thousand smaller fighter cruisers to be spreaded out in each draw point. With one or two major battleship as forward command posts for each defense regiments.

Kai with her brother and Rodrick has volunteered to command the forward ship at Euclid's draw point, despite rejections from Bob and Gener.

As everyone prepares for battle, Bob finally got hold of Kai in the hangar hallway.

"Why do you insist on joining this fight? You can stay here in Aunt Rei's port and still help with the comms."

She looked at him and can see the genuine anxiety in his face.

"There is no better captain and crew to pilot the forward command ship, you know that. Besides, we will stay behind the firing line. We'll be alright."

"Promise me you'll stay behind the lines."

"Yes, mr. Comet; I promise."

"Mr. Comet?" Bob said frowning and he remembered the stunt he pulled at X-3R, and chuckled a bit. "Oh yeah, I remember waking up in your arms; you're my Angel."

She caressed his hair above his ear, just like she did the first time and they started to kiss. For a few moments they hug each other until they slowly walk towards the main hangar of the port.

They stood momentarily at the upper deck to observe the small fleet of fighter cruisers prepare their ammunition. The Rikish fighter cruiser is quite small indeed compared to a Brahm fighter with heavy guns. But this time maybe is not about power but agility. A Rikish fighter cruiser can out maneuver any ship within its class. While the firepower would be at average, but the precision firing can prove to be advantageous.

The only risk is the smaller number where the enemy's count can be estimated as times twenty.

Bob immediately calculated that the ripe and draggers on their side will be doing a very tedious job for this fight; including himself.

"You know.... You worry too much about me, but you're the one going out there."

Bob sighed. "Yeah, I'm scared too."

Kai hugged him.

"C'mon, let's take a look at your command ship."

At the middle of the busy regiment preparations is a mid-bulk class carrier that Rodrick immediately named 'The Jungle' because of its rugged outer structure and features. The Rikish who recovered it in the Gloshon pits estimated it at two centuries old and probably Ahahmar built. The kind that lasts forever, as they say.

While the bridge is manned by an eight count crew, it is surprisingly easy to handle that a single pilot can maneuver it alone, and dog-fight at the same time. This model has been used several times in Ahahmar war parades than any other of its class.

"Welcome to the Jungle, my friends." Captain Rodrick said.

"What? No more Vegas?"

The captain shook his head. "No, no, my friend. Of course not. The Vegas is being re-engineered as we speak." he said pointing to the east where the Vegas is being re-constructed.

"This is just an interim. Just a battleship for the occasion."

Kai nodded. "I like it."

"Actually, this ship's owner is Teli. And after this shindig, he said it's all yours Kai..... A wedding gift, he said."

"That's right!!" Teli said shouting as he climbs down from a cruiser. "Bob is like a brother to me, so you are family. Welcome to the family."

"No Teli, it's welcome to the Jungle." Rodrick said.

Teli chuckled and both of them started chanting the same phrase over and over again like two baboons on a weird circus.

Bob who's been busy all along at his arm console, then pushed a button and suddenly a loud electric guitar started to echo from the speakers all around the hangar. All available speakers attached to cruisers, freighters, and other scraps that can received the frequency started to roar to the screaming guitar intro.

"What the fuck is that?" Teli asked.

Rodrick smiled and answered "It's music. A very old music."

Teli's head, along with Rodrick's started to bob up and down in tune to the playing single. Sooner or later, the whole hangar is moving synchronous to the rock song. Everybody enjoying a good music while working.

"Fuck me!..... I like this music thing." the short, silver haired Rikish said with a full smile.

Aunt Rei slapped the back of Teli's head like a racket hitting a tennis ball. Pak!

"I told you to mind your language." the graceful elder said, walking towards Bob and Kai, who immediately turned the loud music off upon her arrival.

"Now, to finalize your marriage." she said to the couple as she walked nearer to them; that baffled Kai a little. "Tell me Kai, will you marry this man if he asks you?"

Kai was caught off-guard but she nodded in response to the question.

"And you Bob, do you intend....."

"Yes." Bob answered, cutting off Aunt Rei in mid sentence.

The graceful elder blushed and smiled then raised her right hand up; then very briefly a shard or light silently reflected from her hand towards the deep space of the galaxy.

"Congratulations.... Husband..." she said nodding to Bob. "And wife." she added nodding to Kai; before turning away, heading back to the port control rooms.

The entire main hangar filled with Rikish engineers and pilots then started to clap their hands to what they just witnessed.

"Congratulations, brother." Teli said shaking Bob's hand.

Kai who is a bit confused, frowned and asked "What the fuck happened?"

"We just got married." Bob replied with a smirk in his face.

Kai blinked several times in her amazement. "That's it? That's a ceremony? That's a wedding ceremony?"

"Yes it is." be plainly answered.

Kai blinked several times again, still in awe, as all the people in the large hangar continue to clap their hands.

While a human like her would expect grandeur and tedious preparations for such a declaration. The Rikish on the other hand prefer a more simple and humble way. Why waltz towards the same ending, when you can do it right here, right now.

"What's wrong...Is there a problem?" Bob asked, sounding a bit concerned. "Would you like a divorce?"

Kai blushed and smiled; then Bob saw that smile again that can really melt his heart away.

She smiled and crept closeto him and whispered "No.."