" Alright, this is it."
I decided to invite Kudelia out to do something, that something landing on shooting paper to smithereens. Seemed like a good way to bond, show off my badassery and maybe help her at least shoot the right way if a time ever came where she would need to do so.
Not that one session could do all that much but, every little bit helps.
" Alright. Welcome to a mercenary's paradise." I announced as we walked into the makeshift shooting range. Basically a repurposed docking bay with a bunch of padding and stuff." I know this isn't all that familiar to you but I always find it's better to know where the end of a barrel is than not. Plus it helps clear my mind."
My eyes landed on my group of misfits already by the stands, Andre and David taking shots while Robby and Richy argued about what could be anything and everything.
As we approached, I called out to them. " Oi, dumbasses, and Richy, we got a guest. Don't be rude."
The three turned to us, surprised looks on as they made their way to us." What the hell is she doing he-"
I coughed loudly, interrupting whatever shit was about to leave his mouth. " I think you meant to say, glad to have you here Kudelia followed up by your names."
" Wha-"
I shot the hothead a glare which the boy scowled at but knew better than to fight. " Hi, the name's Robby."
Despite that little kerfuffle, Kudelia sent a soft smile at the boy. " Hi, My name is Kudelia. "
The other three were more amused and luckily weren't as retarded, greeting Kudelia with waves and smiles.
With that over with, I asked them to prepare a station for us, which the four went to do. " Sorry about Robby. He's more hot air than brain but it's his initial response to most so don't take it personally."
"It's fine. I've faced worse greetings," she said quietly, eyes following David who was smoothly loading up a pistol.
She turned to me, watching me with a sideways glance. "Is this your way of telling me I need to learn how to shoot before I go to Earth?"
I shrugged. " I guess. You'll likely never have to but it's better to know than not. I mainly, however, brought you to clear your mind. "
I sent a lopsided smirk her way. " Plus, I think shooting things is fun so this may just be a way of using you as a way of taking a break."
That earned a soft chuckle from the noble woman.
I began walking to the freshly set station. " Now come on. Let me show you which way a gun needs to point."
She followed, arriving at the station and gently picking up a pistol, an enthusiastic smile on. "Alright… Show me."
" Thats the spirit."
I placed the gun she took back down on the tray and picked one with the weakest recoil. I then placed the gun in her hand, adjusted her grip, stance and head direction. " This shouldn't be too heavy on recoil but you should have a firm grip on the gun nevertheless."
I circled around her, adjusting here and there. "Alright, good enough. Now take a deep breath, hold it, take focus and shoot when you feel ready. Aim centre mass."
I watched as she inhaled slowly, eyes focusing on the target. She took another breath before doing as I said.
She finally squeezed the trigger.
The shot cracked out, jolting her just enough to throw her aim slightly off. We both turned to see that her shot was better than I thought. The shot had hit, not dead center, but close enough to count.
"I hit it," she said quietly, a small smile pulling at her lips. Then, glancing back at me, she added with a spark of pride, "I actually hit it."
" You did."
It seemed I lit a fire under her as she turned back to the target, a determined look on. "Let's do it again."
We continued this for the next few magazines where she had hit around an astonishing 90% of her shots. Granted, I am using the word hit loosely. Around a quarter or so just hit the paper surrounding the target lining but it was still decent and the target was at a child's level around here but still good.
" Look at you go. If I didn't know any better, I would think you were at a range your whole life." I complimented, filling up one of my two babies.
Kudelia chuckled softly, her cheeks flushing a tad whether from pride or my compliment was anyone's guess. "Maybe I've been secretly living a double life,"
She glanced back at her target, a small, satisfied smile forming. "Still don't think I'm ready for a battlefield, though."
I nodded, setting the target to its furthest back."Of course and that's alright. Just as a whale isn't meant to fly and a bird isn't meant to live underwater..."
I decided to show off, aiming for a few seconds before emptying my pistols around the head of the target, creating a sort of crown where lines were supposed to be. " There are people who are not meant for the battlefield or courts. Doesn't make who they are any less. It just meant that they were made for something else."
I had a smug smirk on as I turned to her. "That's just my little nugget of wisdom. I could be wrong. There might be a flying whale out there somewhere."
Kudelia let out a genuine loud laugh, one that surprised me and even her if the flush that followed told me anything.
I didn't think it was that funny but okay.
" Sorry, it's just that…" She looked back at her own target. " I spent so long thinking I had to become someone I wasn't to make a difference. "
She went quiet for a moment and something was telling me that if this were a show at the moment, they'd be playing her flashback. Luckily, I didn't have to wait to long. "But maybe... maybe I don't need to change who I am. Maybe I just need to know where I'm meant to be."
Any response left me as my eyes locked on the four a few stations behind Kudelia. David was making kissy faces at me and cackling like a gremlin, the others laughing. Even Richy betrayed me, giggling with them.
Then Robby turned around and began acting like he was making out, wiggling like a worm in heat.
Lastly and the most funniest one was Andre who began humping the station table with a ridiculous look on his face.
This was so stupid and unfunny that it looped around to being hilarious, causing me physical pain to hold back the laughter trying to burst out.
"-ething wrong?"
My eyes shot back to Kudelia who was now looking at me in slight worry. " Every is fine. Why wouldn't it be."
" Is something behi-" she was turning as she said that, but I gently guided her chin back to face me.
" I was enchanted by your beauty."
"W-What…?" she stammered, a bit flustered, though there was a shy, blooming smile at the corner of her lips.
" I said your beauty is enchanting."
She tried to collect herself, her voice lowering. "You-You really can't just say something like that so casually…"
" What, the truth? If anything, I'm rather understating it." For the finishing touch, I feigned innocent expression.
"I think…" she began softly, her gaze leaving mine, "I should probably… go. Fumitan wanted to meet with me soon, and I don't want to keep her waiting."
With that, she practically ran out.
Sighing in relief, I turned back to the four clowns only to find them running out the door opposite the one Kudelia left through.
"You bastards!"
******
" Despite your outdated methods, the numbers are all correct." Merribit informed me as she took a seat next to Richy.
I nodded, not surprised. If there's one thing I was meticulous with was money. I gotta be a bit humble though. Wouldn't do to look like an arrogant narcissist prick. " I couldn't have done it without Richy here."
The twink's cheeks flushed with what I guessed was embarrassment. " I-I didn't do much. The books were fine even without my help."
" Even so, you were still help. I know how disorganised I can be with those books at times." I said, offering the boy a smile before turning to Merribit.
" However, I don't like that word. Outdated. I don't know how long you shall be working with Tekkaden but it could end any day, so I think it would be imperative if we were to learn the more modern ways to account. You wouldn't mind teaching us the methods, would you?"
"Of course I'll teach you," she said, adjusting the collar of her uniform slightly. "That's part of why I'm here, isn't it?"
She turned slightly to me now, meeting my gaze directly. "But if you really want to improve, it has to be more than just a class once or twice a week. It may eat into what already must be a full schedule for you, leading a paramilitary company on the brink after all."
I waved off her concerns. " It's a sacrifice I can afford at the moment. We don't have much to do in deep space anyway."
Getting nods and with nothing else to discuss, the meeting ended. The two had left my office and just as I was ready to go join Andre pump iron, I got a call from Cody.
Accepting, I leaned back on my chair." Cody, good to see you're still alive and well."
The boy gave me a nod. He liked to act way too old for his age sometimes. " I just called to report the first few missions we've gone on. "
" Ooo, story time? Spill."
Cody paused, a weirded out look on but wisely ignored that. " As of today, we've gone on twenty four missions. Seventeen of which were a combination of patrol jobs, stand guarding perimeters and blockades and finally, scouting missions. "
Pretty tame.
" The rest were minor skirmishes. We were called as reinforcements for three and the rest were acting support roles. We've had a few close calls but no one has died yet. Some of us do have a few new holes but nothing permanent."
I nodded, a happy smile forming. So far, it seems this deal was rather beneficial. The green boys back on Mars were wetting their toes in some of the work we would be doing if all go well, we've been able to ward off Tekkaden's death for a bit longer and it came with no losses.
" Continue the good work."
" Thank you sir. I'm happy to report that I've still managed to keep our gambling den open and I've made plans to possibly expand them into the controlled communities, with your permission of course."
I perked up at the news. Now that was good news and an even better plan. Why didn't I think of that. " Excellent news, however I want to see the plans you're laying out and don't forget to do-"
" Market research, SMART analysis and all the hundred and one things you've drilled into my head. Don't worry boss. I still remember your teachings."
I wiped off an imaginary tear from my eye and sniffled." You just…you just make me so proud. I feel like a proud father."
I just got a blank look in response. " I'm ending the call now."
" Alright. Just remember, I love you little man."
Another flat look.
" Say I love you back."
Flat look.
Flat look
He groaned and covered his face. " This is so cringe….I…love you."
He said it so fast and ended the call so quickly, one could have easily missed it.
" Why are people so afraid of showing love?"
*****
Now, unlike the Anime, days passed without anything happening so I was caught unawares when the pirates did finally attack.
"Stop fuckin and get out here! We got reports of unidentified suits!"
" Oh my fucking- Alright! Give me a minute!"
I turned back to the half naked Harley on my lap. " Duty calls. We'll finish this later."
She kissed me before getting off. " You better."
Pulling up my pants, I just took my jacket and ran out, meeting an amused David. " Did little Darius get to wet his whistle?"
" Fuck off."
Fortunately, he didn't go into it as we had something more important to focus on. Luckily, my office was close to the command room, so a short dash later and we were in the command centre. Orga was already there in the captain's chair like the chair stealing bastard he was.
" Report."
Orga turned to me, an eyebrow raised but he still answered.. " We got three unidentified mobile suits which just intercepted Akihiro, a distance of about 1600 meters."
I nodded, watching the whole battle on the projection. Not much can be done here unless. "Why aren't we providing cover fire?"
" We might hit Akihiro." One of the guys on the monitors said.
" Then be careful and warn him. At the moment, he's dealing with three mobile suits and if nothing changes, he'll die anyway unless we provide cover fire."
I glanced at Orga who looked conflicted. It was still his jurisdiction at the moment. The lavender haired boy closed an eye and barked out, "You heard him! Get firing solutions locked in! Call out your shots so Akihiro can adjust!"
The bridge crew immediately moved to follow orders, inputting coordinates and readying the weapons. The tension in the room spiked as the first warning rang through the comms.
"Akihiro! We're laying down cover fire! Keep an eye out and move accordingly!"
On the projection, Akihiro's mobile suit twisted and maneuvered just in time to avoid a blast that skimmed dangerously close but it forced one of the enemy suits into the line of fire.
A direct hit.
Cheers rang out but my voice cut through it all. " We haven't won the battle yet. Continue fire."
Another minute of fire continued before Mikazuki came in with a surprise attack, ganging up on and killing another one. Reinforcements came just as it happened, three more mobile suits, one likely their commander considering the different module and colour.
" Adjust our fire. Aim at the approaching trio. " I commanded. " Also, tell the Mika to deal with the singular one before the reinforcements catch up."
The gunners shifted their aim, firing at the incoming enemies to slow them down. Explosions sparked in the distance, but the mobile suits kept advancing.
Then Akihiro's voice came through the comms. "Wait, this one... this one's my brother."
"Well wopti fuckin do, immobilize the suit. We can pick him up after the battle."
"...Got it," Akihiro answered simply.
I couldn't help but glance at Orga. At this point, why was he here? I'm handling his job. The gunners managed to hold off the enemy trio for long enough for our own the dynamic duo to immobilise the suit.
Just in time for Naze's suits to come in and seal our win. At that point, the trio turned duo after another direct blast from our gunners, decided to retreat. Seeing it, I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding. Seeing that the danger was gone, my job was done here.
"Good job everyone."
That earned a round of cheers as everyone celebrated another win under our belt. I turned to leave, clapping Orga's shoulder, finally remembering why I kept him. " The tough job's done, you can handle the cleanup."
With that over with, I had some unfinished business in my office.
*******
"Alright. I managed to scrounge up some cards. "
Harley, who had been relaxing in my room smirked, getting into a sitting position. The girl, surprise surprise, liked to ditch her work.
So, and this was her words, the old hag knew all of her hiding spots on Naze's ship. Thus she began coming over to seek refuge. I was at first skeptical on this but she was an amazing diplomat.
I mean really good. She left me speechless, huffing and puffing at the end of her presentation.
Plus, funnily enough, she was willing to do a bit of work here.
Though when that work consisted of staying under my desk, wasting our bullets on paper enemies or keeping the guys on their toes with her charm or as I'm told, harassment, I guess it was easy work.
Or apparently not considering she needed assistance from Cassady from time to time.
Well, now wasn't the time for that. Sitting on my bed opposite from her, I shuffled the cards. "Any stakes before we even choose a game?"
"Stakes, huh? You really wanna do this, Darius?" she asked, reaching out to pluck the deck from my hands. She shuffled lazily, the cards slipping between her fingers with practiced ease. "You should know by now, I don't play fair."
" I'm well aware but your tricks won't work here."
She stretched her legs out, nudging my thigh with her foot. "Alright, let's make it interesting. Clothes, secrets, dares, hell, even creds, if you really wanna lose money to me." She smirked, arching a brow. "What's it gonna be, big guy?"
I hummed before smiling. " Clothes and secrets seem like a good starter."
I even let her pick the game. I'm pretty decent at most if not all card games. Decent enough to have learned a few tricks.
In the end, she decided on poker.
The first round was rather easy. I could tell that she held back but when I won the second and third, her eyes narrowed.
Was the trickster not expecting to be tricked?
Resting her chin on her hand, she watched me shuffle with a lazy grin. "You know, I could call you out," she mused, voice teasing. "But that'd ruin the fun, wouldn't it?" She leaned in, dragging a finger up my arm. "You wanna play dirty, babe? Fine by me. Let's really make this interesting."
She cracked her knuckles and sat up, fully engaged now.
She meant it too. She was a beast at this game but I was holding my own. I'd say it was a sixty forty split in wins in her favour even with me cheating. To be fair, I was sure she was cheating to so it was fair game. We had changed games a few times: black jack, crazy eight, porridge, go fish, but the split stood firm for most.
In the end, we were both in our underwear, a few funny skeletons we promised to take to the grave out and about. Did you know for some time back on mars, her diet consisted of street rats, bugs and stolen alcohol?
Or how when she went through her first period, she thought she had some sort of cancer or disease and cried herself to sleep the entire time thinking her life was over.
Poor girl. It took the guidance of some kind grannies to help her realise she didn't have space cancer.
"Alright, pretty boy, next round decides it. Winner gets to ask one question the loser has to answer, no bullshit." She smirked. "And no cheating."
I of course agreed. It came down to the wire in a game of crazy eight but she won in the end. "Alright, hit me. Whatcha wanna know?"
Harley twirled a card between her fingers, a smug grin stretching across her face. "Ooooh, so many choices,"
After a moment, she leaned in, resting her chin in her palm as she gazed at me. "Alright, Darius… What do you actually want? Not just with Tekkadan or this whole mercenary gig, but you."
Well that was unexpected.
"You've got ambition, sure. You're a damn leader, no doubt. But when it's just you, in your own head… what is it you really want outta life?"
I let out a low whistle. " Wow, deep shit."
I hummed in thought before deciding to just think aloud. " If I'm being honest...I don't know. I'm just moving to the top for the sake of it. I guess....I guess it's to leave a mark. Or maybe freedom to do whatever the hell I want if I had to try nailing a reason down. "
I shrugged. " Or maybe it's as vain as, I like money and power so I want it."
Harley hummed in agreement. "Y'know, nothing wrong with liking money and power. Makes life easier. Let's you do what you want without some asshole breathing down your neck."
She smirked. "And you do seem like the 'do whatever the hell I want' type."
She hummed, looking up at the ceiling. "Leaving a mark, though… that's tricky. You wanna be remembered as a hero? A villain? Some untouchable kingpin? Or do you just wanna have a name that people whisper about, all in awe and fear?"
She tapped her chin, eyeing me curiously. "Or maybe, deep down, you wanna build something. Not just be some shooting star that burns out fast."
I jumped her, pinning her down on the bed with a smirk. " Alright, shrink. I'll be sure to come back to you when I figure it out." I ended this line of thought with a kiss.
Harley let out a surprised laugh against my lips before melting into the kiss, her hands sliding up my back. "Mmm, that's right," she murmured when we broke apart for air. "Come to Doctor Harley anytime, babe. First session's free, but after that? Gonna cost ya."
Her legs wrapped around my waist, keeping me close as she grinned up at me. "Now, if you're done getting all philosophi