“Get those damn torpedo launchers online.”
“Yes sir!”
“I said keep the Ghost on our left side.” Lois howled as the ship bucked again. “And get Shuttle 2 out there to lay down some cover fire!”
Lois watched the view screen as she saw a group of gliders fall back and form a formation before heading straight for her vulnerable side.
“Damn it Paris! Hard right and give me everything those impulse engines have.
“Fleet Admiral, I have Master General Daemon.” Ensign Hinata said over the sounds of sparks flying and orders being barked.
“Main viewer!”
“What is your reason for contacting me, Fleet Admiral Corbiere?” Vassago Daemon crooned softly.
Sparks flew from the console located on the arm of Corbiere’s chair. "Those asses seem to think I'm their personal play thing."
“Fleet admiral, we need another ship out there.” Vice Admiral Leonhart said in a calm low voice.
"Not you Squall.”
“But I can of much better use out there then in here.”
“We will talk about that later.” Lois turned back to the view screen. “Listen, just get up here. We can't hold them off for much longer. I've already taken the ship through one battle today, and this one might be the end of us."
Lois watched as words were exchanged between her friend and colleague to her crew. The words muted to allow the chaos on the ship to continue without disturbing the conversation.
The fleet admiral noticed that Vassago was looking at her again with a raised eyebrow, and couldn’t help but chuckle at the implied words that could have been thrown around. "If I remember right we were supposed to play tag this morning. Care to play Bomb Squad with me and light up the skies?"
Grinning menacingly Vassago replied, “Bet I can take out more n’ you?” The actions and words making her second in command jump and sly away.
Lois glanced down at the damage reports that flowed over the consol located in the arm of her chair. "I've got both arms and a leg tied up and I know I still have you out matched.”
“Oh, it’s on now,” said Vassago growled. She then turned to a console and barked out some words to an unknown person.
“Fleet admiral, the Andromeda is launching the Deathscythe.” Commander Yagami said.
Lois looked at the screen and smirked "Oh now, sweetheart, I haven't even got a GUNDAM on the field. Do you really need him to win?"
The ship shuddered under her as her words spilled forth. She knew deep down that she was in a little more trouble then she cared to admit.
"I said I was gonna take out as many as possible, doll," replied the Dragonkind with a sharp toothed grin. "I keep to my word."
Lois nodded and cut the transition.
“Squall, get extra engineering teams up to the phaser arrays. I want them up and running NOW! Ship pride is on the line now.”
“Yes mam!” The crew said all at once.
“Light, keep track of every glider we take down. Tom, attack pattern Alpha Six Four.” Lois was in her groove now. Vassago may have been her better in almost everything, but in ordering people around there was no better then Fleet Admiral Lois Corbiere. “Hinata, inform the shuttle of the change in tactics.”
“Fleet Admiral, crews report you have fore torpedo tubes 1 and 4.”
“Tom about turn! Keep those gliders guessing. Light as soon as we turn I want phased torpedoes launched at the De Nile.”
Everybody felt the ship move as Tom quickly flipped the ship on its lid.
“Fleet admiral! We just lost function in the left aft phaser bank.”
“Compensate Mr Leonhart!” Lois growled. “And can somebody tell my why the inertial dampeners are acting up again? I thought we had that taken care of?”
Lois glanced down at the damage reports again and then back up to the screen.
“Light, stop firing at friendly vessels or I’ll remove you from duty!”
“I’m …”
“Finish that thought and I’ll have you for insubordination!”
“Fleet Admiral, the Andromeda reports the Ghost has been removed from the battle and that they are moving in to engage the De Nile.”
“Tom switch to attack pattern Zeta Four Four.” Lois stood for a better view. Although there were no windows to look through and she could angle to viewer in any direction she wanted. She just wanted to view the smack down that the De Nile was about to receive.
And man was it a show.
The Deathscythe sliced through three more gliders before rocketing over to the De Nile and throwing several missiles into the Corellian Cruisers side, blasting off several hunks of metal from the side. Gas and air started leaking out of the ship as all the fighters were forced to return to their Mother Ship and the huge, lumbering hunks of metal shot out of sight.
The crew around her abruptly rang out in cheers. And they knew that they would indeed be able to rest after a fight like that.
“Commander Yagami, inform the Andromeda about the final counts, and have that report on my desk by eighteen hundred hours.”
“Yes, sir.” The auburn man replied.
“Admiral Shikyo,” she nodded to her now quiet first officer. “Get the Enterprise back to the way she was when she launched.”
“Yes sir!”
“You have the bridge,” Lois started to walk towards her ready room. “Leonhart, I want a word with you.” She didn’t even bother to look at him before disappearing through the doors.
As was customary he gave her enough time to become comfortable before the door chimed.
“Come.”
“You wished to see me Fleet Admiral.”
“Come in and sit down Squall.” She waved her hand indicating the chair in front of her.
She faked looking at a few reports on her desk before she turned her gaze on the man she had wanted to speak with.
“First order of business,” she began. “If I wanted you out in the Ragnarok I would have asked it of you. Please don’t make me confine you to quarters again. And I know you aren’t usually responsible for engineering, but I need you to whip those boys a little more. They aren’t moving as fast as I wish they would.
“They all worked well under Jobe, but they are your responsibility now. You might have to set a few examples of the crew. Make them fear you.
“I will keep that in mind madam.” Silver grey eyes narrowed. “There is more?”
“Officially no, but as a friend I would like to invite you to dinner. There are a few things I would like to talk to you about.”
“What are you making?” The brunette’s eyebrows rose.
“I was thinking I could make my pepper casserole.”
“Pancetta or Chicken?”
“I was hoping I could mix it up tonight and use a mystery meat.”
“Last time you used something I had never heard of before, what way she wee wee.”
“Waawaashkeshiwi-wiiyaas,” She supplied through a giggle. “And you have to admit, you liked it.”
“I did. But this time can you use something I can actually pronounce?”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“I accept then.” The brunette stood. “If you’ll excuse me Fleet Admiral, I have a few lazy engineers to chase around the ship.”
“You are free to go, I’ll see you again tonight.”
----x----
Lois tilted the door to her oven open to check on the casserole. The cheese on top wasn’t quite brown yet, but it was gooey enough that she could add the parsley to it.
She hummed to herself as she danced around her small kitchenette.
The tune was one that her mother had sung to all the cubs. And it was soothing as well as uplifting.
“You know I don’t think I’ve ever heard you sing before.”
Lois jumped out of her skin and turned to see a smirking Squall looking at her from the doorway.
“Don’t you ever knock?”
“I have the code remember? And I really didn’t want to disturb you.” He let his arms fall to his side and took a step into the room letting the doors close. “When was the last time you had the Inu brothers over for a late night howl? A wolf should run with a pack you know. And since your brother died, you are the only canine on the ship now.”
“My personal life is none of your concern.” Lois growled.
“I share your bed on cold nights, I think I am more then qualified.”
Lois let her arm fall to her side as the emptiness consumed her whole. If it weren’t for the quick thinking of Squall, Lois would have fallen to the ground where she stood.
“I didn’t mean to upset you, darling.”
“I know,” She turned to nuzzle into his neck, smelling the woodsy smell that was uniquely him. “I was never meant to be alone, and I even made sure of that. But here I am, the Alpha of a mismatched pack and so very alone. The stars don’t even call for song from me anymore.”
“I’m here.”
“I know.”
The growl of Squall’s stomach interrupted the touching moment.
“And I seem to be starving.”
Lois pulled back and giggled. “That’s because you know I’m doing the cooking. I wouldn’t be surprised if you skipped lunch.”
“You know me too well. So when is dinner?”
“In about 5 minutes,” Lois turned and pulled a pair of plates from the wooden rack on her wall. “Just enough time for you to set the table.”
She smiled sweetly and handed him the plates before going to the fridge to pick out a wine.
After all was said and done Lois pulled the steaming food from the oven and served it.
Squall look at it sideways a few times before taking a bite.
“This is really good. You’ve outdone yourself again.” He commented as soon as he could. “So what is tonight’s mystery meat?”
“Adik,” Lois replied simply.
“A dick?” Squall turned a little green and brought his napkin to his mouth to prevent him from vomiting on the table. “I know you are slightly sadistic, but this is a new high.”
Lois put her fork down and walked around the table to rub Squall’s tense shoulders.
“Adik, not a dick,” she began to explain. “It’s what my folks called the large hooved animals of the north. Some people called them caribou, others reindeer.”
“Sorry for freaking out.”
Lois leaned forward. “It’s ok, you can make it up to me later.”
The doors to Lois’ personal quarters flew open.
“Where is he!?” A large form in the door hissed.
“God damn does everybody have the code to my door these days?” Lois cursed. As she took a step away from what she really wanted for dinner.
Squall stood up from the chair he was sitting on. “Nope, it’s just Almasy. He can manipulate his way anywhere.”
“Oh just in time for dinner.” He said as he walked forward and took a bite of the casserole. “This is good, what is it?” he asked very rudely around a full mouth.
“Adik,” Squall answered him.
Seifer paused in his chewing and looked between the two people looking at him hoping it was some type of joke. Swallowing before asking his next question.
“Are you bullshitting me?”
Lois shook her head. “It’s Adik. My family has been cooking with it for generations.”
Seifer visibly paled and ran to the bathroom.
Squall made to follow him, but Lois held up her hand to stop him.
“He deserves this. He shouldn’t be on my ship without my permission. Nor should he be breaking into my personal quarters. And he just ruined my night.
“Are you sure?” The brunette asked.
“Very, besides Vassago needs to have a little fun with him too. And it will be very funny to find out how he explains this to her.”
“Fine, but if you don’t mind I’m going to finish dinner. I really didn’t have any lunch.”
“Go ahead. I have some business to deal with anyway.” Lois walked over to the panel located beside her main door.
“Security alert in the Fleet Admiral’s quarters,” She chirped into the panel. “Intruder on board.”
Turning away from the panel she smirked at the shocked look on Leonhart’s face and shrugged her shoulders.
She sat down gracefully and finished her dinner.
“Security team.” The door spoke.
“Come in,” Lois purred.
“Where is the intruder, mama?” The lead officer asked, his bright red hair making his uniform look dull.
“Renji, he’s in the bathroom. I advise you use extreme caution. He had some of dinner and it didn’t agree with him.”
Renji looked behind him to the equally red headed pair behind him.
Lois had to snicker at the fact that someone dared to put all three hotheaded men together in a group.
It was only a matter of time before the trio of redheads had removed the still sick looking blonde from the bathroom.
“What would you like me to do with him?” Renji asked.
“Put him in the brig with Jiraiya to guard him. I’ll deal with him shortly. Lock down all transports until further notice. And contact the Andromeda and inform them that their programming expert is missing.”
The redhead saluted and led the party out of the doors.
The room was quiet for a few moments after the doors closed.
“Well that was an eventful evening.” Squall broke the silence.
“It was.”
“And totally ruined.”
“It was.”
Lois got off her chair and walked around the table. She pulled the man’s chin up and kissed him softly. “You don’t need to stay if you don’t want to. I might be a while.”
Squall looked up into golden eyes. “I’ll stay.” He said with a sense of finality.
----x----
Lois slammed her hand on the console beside the door to the brig. The door frustratingly didn’t open any faster for this harsh treatment.
“Jiraiya, out!” She barked. Pervy sage makes a quick exit, wondering what was going down and hoping not be anywhere near that bomb when it goes off.
Lois pushed in a small code in the panel beside the cell door and stepped over the threshold.
She took once glance at Seifer huddled over a wastebasket and almost took pity on him… almost.
“Lieutenant General Seifer Almasy front and center,” she ordered. “You are to be removed from my ship effective immediately.”
“Fleet Admiral, permission to speak freely.”
“Granted to a point.”
“I wanted to make sure my fluffy kitten was safe.”
“I’m touched.” Lois faked a swoon. “Didn’t you think Rommie would have needed you shortly after the battle?”
“Rommie is a big girl, she can handle herself. And what was he doing in your quarters anyway.”
“You just crossed that point. Now march before I bring Jiraiya back.”
Seifer shuddered and walked the way he was directed. Making sure to keep his hands where they could be seen.
“You have no right to what is mine you know.”
“Last I checked, Almasy, he was his own man. Besides you had him and lost him.” When they reached their destination, Lois made sure Seifer was on the pads. “Now get off my ship so I can go back to what I was doing.”
She nodded to the woman on duty and watched as Seifer disappeared.
“Computer, Teleporter lock down, authorization Fleet Admiral Lois Corbiere, Personnel code Six Six Six dash Six Nine, Voiceprint Alpha, Alpha, Delta.”
The computer replied, “Security lock down engaged.”
“You are relieved,” Lois said to the woman before walking out of the room.