The Warning

...all this "War Business" is wearing me out. These people give me nothing but trouble...more trouble. Why can't they leave me alone? Why are people so upset about? Lord Flame should be able to handle things by himself...how i wish this war will end everything...

Queen Rasa: I need a rest...minutes felt like hours in the War Room. Why am i involved? Why can't Lord Mana see to the operation alone?  He is purposely ruining my day by forcing me to attend to his war lectures!

Tangerine: Good evening...

Queen Rasa: You...how on Utopia did you manage to slip past the guards and enter my quarters?

Tangerine: I saw no guards your highness...

Queen Rasa: Impossible...

Tangerine: It seems like the Utopian Federation Armed Forces are lacking in manpower that even the Queen's Royal Guards will also has to be mobilized in order to save the noble position in the Utopian society?

Queen Rasa: I have no such knowledge about such thing, such matter are for the likes of Lord Flame or Lord Mana to decide...

Tangerine: You are the queen, yet you toss your responsibilities around?

Queen Rasa: I never wanted this!

Tangerine: What a waste of power. The most powerful figure in one of the largest nation ever existed and yet....

Queen Rasa: Are you going to give me another lecture like the nobles did to me in the War Room? If you do, i demanded that you make your way out of here before i decided to call the security.

Tangerine: Such temper...

Queen Rasa: I am not in the mood right now.

Tangerine: So the rumors is true then...

Queen Rasa: Rumors...what rumors?

Tangerine: ...that the Utopian Armed Forces will mobilize and confront the rebel forces by force regardless of their current lack in strength and numbers.

Queen Rasa: We still had our technologies, the Utopian Colony States had been sending in volunteers to fill in the gap left behind by those traitorous commoners servicemen...

Tangerine: I heard that the volunteers are nothing more but a mere handful. Oh...there are some mercenaries as well. A very reliable force indeed. 

Queen Rasa: You are getting on my nerve Tangerine...what is it that you want?

Tangerine: Call off the assault on Lord Velther and his army of commoners...

Queen Rasa: No! The Utopian Senate has decided. The campaign will proceed!

Tangerine: You cannot win this war your highness...and even if you do win, the crisis is far from over.

Queen Rasa: We won't tolerate or submit to an army of slaves...

Tangerine: Those "army of slaves" are the pillar and backbone to the Utopian Federation prosperity. Your highness, the undivided contribution, their sacrifices...even King Panthera knows that...

Queen Rasa: My father knows nothing!

Tangerine: History had foretold itself over and over again that the commoner's are vital for the Utopian society. Labourers, soldiers, farmers and the likes are the task associated with the Utopian commoners...losing the commoner's support meaning a halt on any or all of these important elements.

Right now at the middle of the commoner's rebellion we already witnessed the shortage in our military servicemen as more and more commoner's joining Lord Velther's cause.

Queen Rasa: What do you expect me to do Tangerine? Kneel before them and begged for mercy? Never! By my rights and noble Utopian Noble blood...

Tangerine: Nobles are nothing but a mere tittle, and all the Utopian nobles did are nothing more than pressing their authorities over the commoners.

Queen Rasa: ...are you taking pity on the commoner's Tangerine?

Tangerine: All i am saying is that there are better solutions than war.

Queen Rasa: This war is unstoppable. I will fully support the Utopian Lords in their effort to bring back order and peace to this nation.

Tangerine: They are just using you your highness...

Queen Rasa: If that is true than so be it!

Tangerine: What..?

Queen Rasa: Even a stupid princess could see through such a rag tag plan. The moment Lord Flame proposed his intention of making me the queen, i knew...that my position on the throne was no more than to become a puppet ruler in my father's absences.

I am to weak of a ruler...the nobles used my authority to get whatever their jet black heart wished for; position, status and wealth...now they seek to do war.

Tangerine: You knew..yet you let yourself be used?

Queen Rasa: You think you can remedy the never ending conflict between the people? To convinced the nobles to just simply let go of their pride and embraced the commoners...or for a commoner to not take advantage of the nobles generosity and to dream to become as powerful as a true born noblemen himself, to change his or her fate and release them from the stigma of being a 'commoner".

Tangerine: I...

Queen Rasa: I may be weak, i may be used; i am the worst Utopian ruler ever to sit on this nation throne...but know this Tangerine, that i am not naive when it comes to overseeing this conflict.

You had served my father well, you had witnessed that in the peak of the rising tension between the Nobles and the commoners relations...he just simply turn tail and run. Leaving me, alone...to clean up the whole mess that he did!

Tangerine: That is not true...you must stop blaming the King for every...

Queen Rasa: ...the king robbed me of my freedom! I never wished for all this! To become queen...to be restrained...to be made as a tool for others!

Tangerine: That is why i am here to aide you in secret, as i served you father...

Queen Rasa: ...the very day when King Panthera vanishes, your service for the Utopian court dies along as well Tangerine. I, as present ruler and Queen of Utopia with all my power and decree announced too you that you are now dispelled from the Utopian Council Committee Member.

Tangerine: You have no idea what you are you are getting yourself into, your highness...

Queen Rasa: Go! Get out of my sight...or i shall summoned the guards!

Tangerine: ...for failing to convince you in finding a better solution to this crisis; for the consequences of ignoring my warnings that Utopia will be for worse, you have a stormy seas ahead of you my queen.

Farewell...

To Be Continued...

The Gathering

Alonqexe: Looks like someone beaten us to the Main Hall already...

Silver: I never expected to see this much of a crowd, yet alone joining the Utopian Federation cause in this internal war.

Lutherniel: Well the money's good...

Alonqexe: Maybe to good.

Lutherniel: What do you mean by that?

Alonqexe: Because i saw someone that by logic shouldn't poke his head into this political mess right now...Yuusuke!

Lutherniel: What?! That kid?

Yuusuke: Hey guys! What a sight for sore eyes....

Yuusuke: It seems like i beat you guys and came here at record speed. Never crossed my mind that the two of you would be interested in taking a job too big for amateurs like you both...hahaha!

Alonqexe: Heh...and you think you're more then up to it? Yuusuke, this whole thing...it's not as simple as the usual hit and run business like we always ran into. This is war. You don't treat war like a playground kiddo...

Yuusuke: Well we both can agree that they give good pay here...there's nothing Yuusuke the mercenary 'Rising Star" couldn't handle right. It will be easy in and easy out.

Alonqexe: Don't get so full of yourself now rookie...

Yuusuke: "Nothing ventured nothing gain" right? The pays enough to make me retire from this mercenary business for life. You must had similar concept in mind. Else, you won't show up here yourself.

Alonqexe: We don't have the same agenda Yuusuke...

Yusuuke: Whatever...i still can see money glittering in your eyes.

Alonqexe: Yuusuke...nevermind...

Silver: Who is that kid?

Lutherniel: He's our hometown hommies. Ditch school and started himself a mercenary career...a money driven fourteen year old kid.

Silver: You and Alonqexe sure sets a good example for young kids.

Lutherniel: Personally, seeing someone getting into this dirty business so young...

Silver: Sometimes there is limited choices in life.

Lutherniel: Not me girl...mine was my own making.

Silver: Tell me about it sometimes.

Lutherniel: I think about it later...

Lutherniel: Yuusuke and us used to be in one tea a long time ago. Doing "safe" mercenary work that didn't put our lives on the lines too much. After a while Yuusuke decided that playing safe won't earn him enough money so he decided to split and do some more extreme mercenary jobs...

Silver: Is money all that matters?

Lutherniel: Put yourself in his shoes, you will understand.

Silver: What happened?

Lutherniel: Yuusuke mom back home catch this horrible illness and required extra medical attention. Since they were only the two of them living together and Yuusuke still very much a kid to qualify for a proper job, he decided that the best way to save his mom is to ditch the books and getting involved in a fast cash money making jobs such as being a mercenary.

Silver: Was it that easy?

Lutherniel: Hell no ma'am...mercenary gets their cash from their reputations. The higher your reputation, the more job offer you're going to get. It's like a "Rock Star" thing where you need to build yourself a name and make yourself big. A debut...and he got his a year ago.

Silver: ...and that would be?

Lutherniel: Have you Avalon guys ever heard of the Deumann Massacre?

Silver: The Deumann Massacre incident occurs around 2 years ago. The case was still open up until now and the Deumann Colony Police are still hunting for the group that assassinated the entire Deumann Royal Family. I've heard that it was related to succession rivalry and since the whole incident was well plotted, the authorities believed that an outsider "kill-for-hire" was involved in....wait, don't tell me that...

Lutherniel: I think i spoke too much. Be careful, he is not your average kid...plus, he's desperate. He would do anything for his mom, even putting a knife in your back.

Silver: You really think that he would betray us?

Lutherniel: Mercenary is a double edged sword job ma'am. Never trust mercenaries. Not even me...(looking at Alonqexe)...not even us.

Silver: ...

Alonqexe: Yuusuke, what gives...you had all the richest wrapped around your fingers by now. You've been playing this dangerous game for quite some time now dude. retire while you still can, your mom needs you.

Yuusuke: My moms fine. I used my prized money to pay for all her medical expenses and as we speak...she is laying down comfortably in one of the best hospital care on this planet.

Alonqexe: So why are you still here playing with fire...you got what you dream of, settle down kid...don't waste your life you got miles to go...

Yuusuke: I was thinking of carving myself a name here. A major event that will catapulted my fame. Good marketing strategies eh? Imagine making it out in one piece from this stupid civil war, my reputation gonna skyrocket like crazy i might need to hire an operator to answer my phone and handle my clients....(laugh)

Alonqexe: I dunno man, from the way i see it...this war it ain't that simple lookin'.

Yuusuke: You guys are making money from baby-sitting...of course you cannot compare yourself to a pro like me. I've been living on the edge...it's a piece of cake.

Alonqexe: It's not baby-sitting kid. We just playing a safe cards so we could lived to see another sunshine. If it aren't for baby-sitters like us taking you in back then...

Lie L C: Is everything alright here?

Alonqexe: Yeah...we're alright...no problems...and you are...

Yuusuke: Ah...where are my manners...i was getting carried away with my conversation with my old buddy here i forgot to introduce you. Alonqexe, this is Captain Lie L C of the Utopian Federation Air Force.

Alonqexe: Captain. It's an honor...

Lie L C: Welcome aboard. You're the third mercenary group responded to our offer.

Alonqexe: I take it that Yuusuke here was the first?

Lie L C: No. He is not. That guy is...

Alonqexe: Is that guy even human?

Yuusuke: Beats me. He just stand there at one corner and kept quiet.

Lie L C: Maybe not the socialize type like you both...i read his database and identifications...not much except for his name: Reppu.

Alonqexe: never heard of him...

Yuusuke: Me neither. Self proclaimed mercenary?

Lie L C: I did a scan on the Utopian Federation and tapped into the Global Investigation Archives database...so far it seems that he's OK with the law.

...Our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the Utopian Federation Council. The discussion that had been held in the War Room had reached a conclusion...it's time to hear the results. I pray that this will be an "easy" war, but history always prove this statement wrong.

War is...sorrow, carnage, massacre, fear...there would never be any glory. If we ever walked out alive from this fight, i believe that there would only be one word to describe it all...

...regrets...

Queen Rasa: Lord Mana, forgive me but i am exhausted from the council meeting back in the War Room. Could you carry on without me while i retire back to my chambers?

Lord Mana: Yes of course my queen. Forgive me if the long discussions had it's toll on your majesty's health, but these are important moments...and there are so many matters that needs to be arranged before we prepare ourselves for an assault on Lord Velther rebel forces.

Queen Rasa: That's alright Lord Mana. I just need a little rest.

Lord Mana: Worry not my queen. Leave it to me.

Queen Rasa: Thank You.

Lord Flame: My Queen...allow me to escort you back to your chambers.

Queen Rasa: Thank you Lord Flame.

Lord Mana: Words cannot expressed my gratitude for every one of you that had come and answered to our call for help. Be whatever your interest are...i hope that we cooperate as one and paved our road to victory against the rebels that mercilessly harassing the peace and prosperity of this Utopian Nation.

You all have come from far and wide...and now you are risking your life for this country's sake. If you seek honor and glory, i will bestowed it onto your shoulders; if its wealth and power that you hoped for then i will promised you personally...that you will be well rewarded; if it's all for justice and your undivided loyalty to protect the weak and preserve the peace of this nation...the heart of a volunteer, then i pray that God would blessed you for all your kindness.

Lord Armdagger will brief you on your roles and mission during our assault at Zelagross. I have to address the matter to whatever left of the Utopian Military Forces. Excuse me...

Lord Armdagger: Leave it to me Lord Mana. Time is the essence for this plan to succeed.

Lord Mana: ...and we need every single second of it. I'm counting on you Lord Armdagger.

Lord Armdagger: Strike while the iron is hot my friend...victory and so much more awaits you Lord Mana.

Lord Mana: See you at the battlefield. Captain Lie L C, please come with me to the flagship Hammerhead and gather our troops there for debriefing...

Lie L C: Yes, my lord.

Yuusuke: See you around Lie L C...

Alonqexe: It's been a pleasure to meet you.

Lie L C: I can't thank you all enough for coming to our country's aide. I pray that we will emerge as the victor...and most importantly we all made it back here safely...

Yuusuke: If we ever get back, let's have a party and it's all on you...(laugh)

Lie L C: You are one to talk mercenary, if we ever made it alive you will be the richest bastard alive...

Lutherniel: (Laugh)...ouchie, that hurts!

Lie L C: I'll take my leave now. Goodbye...

Yuusuke: Good luck...and don't forget the party!

Alonqexe: You sure are as happy go lucky guy like you used to be Yuusuke...

Lutherniel: Yeah...and an arrogant bastard too...

Yuusuke: Way to talk babysitters...

Alonqexe & Lutherniel: Shut up Yuusuke!

Lord Mana: Such carefree people...

Lie L C: Better enjoy life while you are living it sir.

Lord Mana: Seems like you are very fast in making new friends back there.

Lie L C: Sir, for people that are possibly wont make it to see another tomorrow i personally think that it's essential that we at the very least make these people feels welcome and at home in exchange of their service for our cause...

Lord Mana: I hate getting to close to anyone that would potentially be dead by tomorrow. The loss would be too overbearing...

Lie L C: ...yes sir...



Lord Armdagger: Well gentlemen...ladies, gather around please. We are short of time and i hate repeating myself to much during this briefing. Well, as you all know...the Utopian Federation had agreed upon the decision to launch an assault at the very heart of the rebel forces secretly hidden in the desert plains of Zelagross. Thus, this is the plan so far...

TO BE CONTINUED....

Here Comes Blinkiddies...

We went to the Utopian Federation Military Headquarters to seal a contract as mercenaries as well as drafting ourselves as an auxiliary armed forces in their effort to thwart down the rebellion.

We learned that as mercenaries, the weapons and equipments is to be at our own expenses and are not covered by the Utopian Military. Well, that's not the only thing that me and Lutherniel found out that day...

Alonqexe: What...say that again?

Divinekid: I said...fill up this form here and sign this court agreement letter just in case you are killed in action.

Alonqexe: You think I was looking forward to drying?

Divinekid: No…. but with all the confusions and chaotic scenario someone might get lucky enough and poke you with a sharp stick fatal enough to end your life! Now sign here….or chicken out of this mess.

Alonqexe: …..

Silver: Don’t worry Alonqexe, we will watch each other backs.

Alonqexe: Thanks… hopefully.

Whoammy: A sharp stick could kill us?

Min: A sharp tongue can get anyone killed...that's for sure.

Divinekid: Thank you for joining the Utopian Federation Armed Forces. If you should manage to get back here in one piece, please see me to collect your payment. If the campaign ended in failure… we all might end up dead anyway…

Min: Such words…

Whoamy: I have no such intention to die or loose all at the same time.

Alonqexe: what's wrong Luther...you went quiet all of a sudden?

Lutherniel: ...for once i felt funny...

Alonqexe: Huh?

Lutherniel: Nevermind....

Alonqexe: That one one hell of a registeration...

Sanji: Let’s go to the spaceport. Our Lord Armdagger is expecting us …

Blinkiddies: Hey! Hey...guys! Over here!

Lutherniel: Who is that?

Sanji: Well...what a suprise...

Silver: Sister Blink! What a suprise to see you here. You came along to participate as well?

Min: Aren't you suppose to be on duty in Heirat airspace?

Blinkiddies: Umm...yeah, but i got a last minute transmission from Lord Armdagger to speed here as soon as possible with the mothership "Paper Crane". Lord Armdagger had a feeling that we need as much ship as we can spare when the operation begins.

Min: "Paper Crane"....that means Lord Armdagger is travelling with...

Blinkiddies: "The White Swan".

Min: I see...

Silver: By the way, let me introduce you to our 'comrades in arms"...Alonqexe and Lutherniel. they are both mercenaries and they are fighting on our side.

Blinkiddies: Mercenaries? No wonder i smell money...heh...heh...heh...nice to met you all guys!

Alonqexe: We got that remarks all the time...hi, nice to meet you Blinkiddies.

Lutherniel: Hello there...

Blinkiddies: You guys can call me Blink for short...

Sanji: Blink is the best pilot in Avalon Industries...and she commands the mothership "Paper Crane".

Alonqexe: Wow...amazing!

Lutherniel: Autograph's please...

Blinkiddies: Hahaha...it's nothing much.

Silver: ...where is Lord Armdagger?

Blinkiddies: He's in the War Room together with the other members of the Utopian Council.

Min: Discussing war strategies i suppose.

Sanji: What else could it be...(chuckled)

Alonqexe: Queen Rasa is with them?

Blinkiddies: Should be...

Silver: I guess we will have to wait until the meeting ends for our debriefing.

Blinkiddies: It shouldn't be long. It had been a while since they entered the War Room. Unless things are more complicated than we all think...

Alonqexe: Let's find a place where we can relax and wait.



Sanji: The Main Hallway should be good. That's where the debriefing will be held later. might as well head there first.

Lutherniel: Good. I hope they had something to eat there. I've skipped breakfast today...

Alonqexe: Sigh...

To Be Continued....

A New Tomorrow...

Lutherniel: That’s a frickin long history lesson there …..

Halfy: …. Just want to give you all a clear picture on what you guys get yourself into. If any of you here finds that fighting for the Utopian kingdom is a lost cause … there’s still time to back down and turn tails before regretting anything.

Alongexe: From a mercenary point of view, if the cause isn’t worth the glory, hope that the money’s good.

Halfy: Don’t worry, it will worth your life and more… I take that you have made up your mind about getting yourself involved in the Utopian “War Business”?

Alongexe: … were in.

Lutherniel: What?! Say that again?

Alongexe: I said we are in.

Lutherniel: Coming from you, I may need to ask you several times for confirmation...

Alonqexe: Shut up Luther!

Lutherniel: Okay… It’s decided. We are in! Money and glory, here we come!

Sanji: We are leaving girls… I’ve something to discuss with our lord back at spaceport. Besides, need to check on maintenance there.

Alonqexe: Yeah... same here. Let’s go hit the sack. There’s a lot of stuff needs to be done tomorrow. See you all at the Military Administration Office first thing tomorrow morning then.

Sanji: Don’t chicken out and ran away tonight, we might catch you at the spaceport.

 Alonqexe: Heh…nonsense…

Midnight...

The chilling breeze,

The ruffled leaves,

The southern wind blows,

Quietly over the dark blue skies,

Time passed over me...

Sweeping across my continent of dreams,

Across countless sweet lullabies,

Taking away what's yesterday,

...and whisper me the promise of tomorrow.

- Midnight (Rose 17/4/2003)

Lord Mana: I never knew you are giving away free lectures to kids this late at night Halfy...

Halfy: Lord Mana...my lord, you knew?

Lord Mana: Giving away free information about the most secretive political affair and events to strangers in an open place like that. To tell you the truth Halfy, i am the least excited about what you are doing right now...

Halfy: Pardon me Lord Mana, but i felt that it is important that the people...

Lord Mana: ...knows about the truth behind all this...chaos? Halfy, the truth sometimes bring us more trouble than good.

Halfy: Forgive me my lord....it will never happen again.

Lord Mana: No matter...try as i might, the ugly face of Utopia will sooner or later resurface. As a matter of fact...

Lord Mana: ...this will be the starting point for the fall of this godforsaken country. The only remedy, the only way to correct this great error is none other than...



Halfy: ...to let the nation continue to rot itself to the core. To be weaken...and then, when the country is crawling on it's knees...it is time for you to seize the opportunity and take what rightfully yours, Lord Mana.

Lord Mana: ...when that day comes Halfy...when THAT DAY comes...

TO BE CONTINUED...