Chapter 4: Love and Lies 1

[OK, the way I wanted to divide it, Chapter 4 would've been way too long, so I'm dividing it into two]1

Zero was home before he knew it. Everyone was in good spirits after the accomplished mission. Even Bass seemed to be in a pleasant mood, having seen a little combat. They all clambered off the transport and back into the base. Ciel was waiting at the door to congratulate them. Word of their success had traveled much faster than their transport. To most, Ciel simply offered a simple 'good job' or 'excellent work.'2

  Zero was the last to exit the transport, and hung back a little as the others filed in. Once everyone was inside, Ciel looked at Zero, who was still making his way to the entrance. There was an awkward silence once he reached her.3

  'I'm glad you're okay, Zero . . .' she started.4

  He shot Ciel a mischievous grin, 'I told you I would be.'5

  She chuckled half-heartedly. She moved in slowly to kiss him as she had earlier. Their lips brushed, but Zero broke away.6

  'I'm sorry, Ciel,' he said quietly, 'but I don't know if . . . I just don't know . . .'7

  'I understand, Zero,' she whispered. Her expression betrayed her, though. Zero opened his mouth, wanting to apologize again, but he couldn't force the words out.8

  'I met again with the board today,' she offered, her voice a little more confident now, 'I tried to find out more about your next mission.'9

  'Really? Did you find anything out?' It was unusual for board members to divulge information on missions before they were assigned. Zero and Ciel were now walking through the mazing halls of the S.A.D.S. base.10

  'A little bit. I pulled rank on them. I AM, after all, head of those whole organization,' she said,  mocking a bragging tone. Zero gave her a look, and she continued on.11

  'I think we have reason to believe that a large Neo Arcadian force is assembling on the southern outskirts of the desert. Your mission may be reconnaissance, but I doubt it. You're more likely to be assigned to wipe out this army.'12

  'Army?!' Zero repeated incredulously.13

  'Yes, Zero. Our intelligence is limited, but all of it points to an organized group of Neo Arcadians larger than any we've seen before.'14

  'Do we have any idea who might be behind all this? It seems unlikely that an army like this would assemble on its own.'15

  'If we DO have an idea, the board is withholding it. My best guess would be one of the four Generals, but there's no way they could've returned to these parts without my finding out.'16

  'Why would the board hide information like this?'17

  'I don't know. They've been acting so strange lately . . . They've even made a practice of meeting when they know I'm unavailable.'18

  Zero was speechless.19

  'One more thing, Zero . . . You and your team weren't supposed to hear this until you were assigned the mission, per protocol. I want you to tell your team, but don't let anyone catch on that you know.'20

  'Roger.'21

*****22

  On his way back to his bunk, Zero stopped by the PA office and asked the personality-challenged drone there to call his team to his room.23

  By the team he reached his quarters, the rest of the team was already assembled inside. He had given them all the security code for his lock long ago, should they have ever needed it.24

  'Thank you all for coming,' he started, sounding more formal than he intended, 'I've been given some disturbing news today. It regards our next mi . . . Where's Bass?' Zero asked, interrupting himself.25

  X shrugged nonchalantly. Roll shook her head. Only Protoman spoke.26

  'Not sure,' he said, seeming relaxed, 'I saw him head for his room after we returned here, but I haven't seen him since.'27

  As if on cue, Zero's door slid open and in strode Bass. 'Sorry I'm late,' were his only words, grumbled just over his breath.28

  'Anyway,' Zero started again, clearly annoyed, 'I was just saying, the information I've attained directly regards our next mission. S.A.D.S. has gained intelligence to suggest that a massive Neo Arcadian army is assembling on the southern rim of the desert. Larger than any this organization has ever dealt with in the past. And we have reason to believe we will be assigned to deal with this.' The team was silent for a moment before Protoman, again, spoke.29

  'Zero, where did you get this information?'30

  'Ciel. She forced it out of the board of directors. She believes they've been withholding this information for some time. They've even been arranging meetings that she can't attend.'31

  'I don't like this,' muttered Protoman.32

  'I smell a rat,' X said matter-of-factly.33

  Bass was silent.34

  'I agree with all of you,' Zero said, 'but I don't k now that there is anything that we can do. If we ARE assigned the mission, then we'll handle it, just like every successful mission before it. And if not, then I'll never have been so happy to be proven wrong.35

  'That's all. Dismissed, team,' Zero ended quietly.36

  Everyone filed quietly out of the door, mulling over what they had just heard. Everyone, save Protoman.37

  'Is there something else you need?'38