15 Building Relations

In the halls of Alien Ministry's headquarters. Issac was using a high-pressure water hose to clean the blood from the surrounding walls and floors. He turned it off, wiping his forehead. "Phew finally done... Man, three days of cleaning this place really can make someone loose their marbles." He said to himself, putting away the tools. Dusting his pants off, he looked down the hall. "(I wonder if Barret's still looking after Myde.)" He pondered, making his way down the corridor.

With how little forces they had now, the ministry seemed to only be using the bottom floor for their activities. Issac progressed, getting to the infirmary. He stepped inside, glancing to the beds. He spotted Barret there, he seemed to be tinkering on something as he watched over Myde. Though, seems Cynder wasn't around now. Issac knocked on the open door, looking over.

"Hey Chief." He spoke up with a smirk.

Barret peaks over to Issac, cracking a smile, "Hey Issac, what brings you my way?"

"Just finished cleaning duty, finally. I figured I'd see what you were up to since we're on standby until those reinforcements arrive." Issac mentioned glancing around. "Did Cyndy ditch you, or something? I thought she would be keeping her eye on you since, your second girlfriend's still out."

"Second girlfriend? Hmm, whatever do you mean? Last I knew I was just having a conceptual conversation. As for 'Cyndy', as you've nicknamed her, I'm not sure, she comes and goes as she pleases." Barret says, laughing. He turns his attention back to the object he was tinkering with.

Issac leaned to the doorway, looking off. "... I said 'second girlfriend', because you haven't left her alone. I thought you liked... uh, what was her name again?"

"Stevonne? Oh! That girl we met for a short time? Issac, I hardly know her, how could she be a girlfriend? Are you into harems or something, I get you're good with girls, but you're almost playing match maker now, or something." Barret says, adding in another laugh.

Issac crossed his arms, "Dude. It was a joke." He rolled his eyes, "You really have a weird mind set, harems? Really? That's way off from anything I'm into. I'm no sleaze. Come on. (I may flirt at times, but it's all a front. If I really liked a girl...)"

Barret shrugs, "You could have fooled me." Barret says, snapping together the object in his hand. "There! Now... I just need something else..." Barret sighs to himself, "I'll have to go to Asuna for the tool though... Urgh...Hmm, Issac?" Barret turns to him.

Issac glanced over, pocketing his hands. "Let me guess. You don't want to cross paths with your ex now." Issac chuckled.

"Ex? We never even made it to first base. Urgh, just thinking of that robot now." Barret face palms. "Her mind was as dense as a brick wall. In short, yes, I want you to go, and pick up a few things." Barret writes down the items on a sheet of paper, then hands it to Issac.

Issac takes it, "Fine-Fine. I'll leave you alone to your love nest." Issac turned his back, waving the sheet of paper. "Don't make any kittens now." He snickered, heading out.

Barret shakes his head and goes back to his work. "At least he's in a better mood today, I think."

Issac makes his was to Asuna's lab, entering with a knock as he peered in. "Asuna?" He inquired.

Asuna was fidgeting with the arm of the active male robot, she had sitting next to her. She hadn't noticed Issac yet. "For Pete sake. How did I wire this wrong?" She pouted.

"Do you need some help, Ducky?" Her red haired robot replied.

"I nearly got it." Asuna replied.

"Asuna? Sorry to interrupt, but I need to pick up some things for Barret." Issac walked in, holding the paper.

Asuna kept her attention on the robot's arm. "Why didn't that nervous Nellie come, and pick up whatever he needed on his own?"

"He needs space I think, any who. Mind if I get the things on this list for him?" Issac asked.

Asuna got up, looking to Issac. "Very well." She seemed aggravated, swiping the note. She proceeded over to her tools, looking for the items desired.

Issac glanced to the robot. "so, you're the robot who crushed Barret's dreams, and kept the base safe?"

"Affirmative." The robot states. "My name is Zihark, friend of 'Nervous Nellie'?"

"Zihark? Cool. My friend is named Barret actually. I'm Issac. So." Issac tried to talk, but was a little unsure.

"I see, it was funny seeing how Barret reacted to Ducky and myself. At the time, my central hearing was active." Zihark states.

"So, you can comprehend humor? Are you made like how units are then?" Issac seemed curious.

Zihark shakes his head. "No, I am completely synthetic, all of my programmings are from the loving heart of Ducky."

"That a pet name?" Issac chuckled.

"Are you making fun of it?" Zihark says, becoming a little defensive.

"Sorry pal, I think you mistook how I said it." Issac smiled uneasily.

"Miss Asuna is the world to me. My Ducky. So if you would please refrain from speaking, or thinking such thoughts. It would greatly make Ducky and myself happy." Zihark stated in warning.

"Dude, I said you misunderstood. I wasn't jesting." Issac grew nervous.

"Where is that soldering iron?" Asuna muttered to herself.

"Hmm, as long as you see my point Issac. Ducky, allow me to help you." Zihark says, standing up walking over to Asuna.

"(Man, that dude's tall.)" Issac gawked.

Asuna looked to Zihark. "Oh Boo-boo, I found it already." Asuna giggled.

"Oh? I'm happy for you Ducky." Zihark says, smiling. "Are you getting hungry, Ducky? I can make you something, if you would like?"

Asuna set down the box of things she gathered, placing her hands to Zihark's chest looking romantically to him. "Oh Boo-boo. You're truly the perfect boyfriend. You make the best cup of Joe and Sloppy Joes ever. I love you like there is no tomorrow." Asuna closed her eyes making a kissy face to her tall robot, she squinted her eyes briefly glancing to Issac.

Issac grew uneasily, and surprised. "(All righty then.)"

"Anything for you duck,duck." Zihark leans in, kissing her as he locked lips.

"Uh..." Issac gawked.

Asuna and Zihark's lips pulled from each other, as Asuna looked over. "Oops, forgot you were still here. The items are in this box. Have him bring them back, Nosy Nancy." Asuna held out the box.

Issac shakily took it, bailing from the lab uncomfortably. He was making his way back to Barret, passing Cravic's room. He glanced in, Seeing Cravic on the computer going over things. Bit was glancing to the monitors in amusement. He continued walking, and made it back to the infirmary.

"Hey, back with the stuff." Issac spoke up, seeming uneasy.

Barret nods, "Just set them down, sorry I can't loose my focus. Thank you Issac." Barret clicks another part together. "Phew...Oh? On a side note, how was that... robot?"

Issac sat the box down, peering over Barret's shoulder. "Only word that comes to mind... 'ew'." Issac made a face. "They kissed in front of me, because Asuna 'forgot' I was there. Let alone the weird nickname that her battery operated boyfriend had for her. He called her Ducky. Let's say, it was awkward."

"Ducky? They kissed? Okay, I'm seriously looking into another girl. Perhaps one not as nutty... I mean Ick!" Barret says, shaking his head. He pulls to a tool Issac brought back with him working on his object more.

"I thought you were already looking into other girls? Anyway, you should have seen the dude. A giant, and he looks like he's supposed to be early thirties, or late twenties." Issac placed his arms behind his head, glancing off a bit.

"That's even more weird, she's just a wrecked piece of work..." Barret states, snapping another part of his device together. "I'm happy I have this to keep my focus." Barret says, shaking his head, still unable to comprehend the madness Issac had told him.

"I bet. Well, I'm gonna hit the cafeteria. Catch you later, Chief." Issac headed out, leaving Barret alone with Myde, who was still passed out.

Barret looks to Myde from his work. He sets his tools down and gets up to check on her condition. He places a hand to Myde's head. "(Hmm no fever anymore, that's good.)" He moves to the side, to prepare some more water for her. He looks back to her now with a wet towel, and begins to apply it on Myde's head.

Myde's eyes slowly open, as she groans softly. "Why... are you?.."

"You've been out for the last three days, someone had to look out for you." Barret says, smiling to her. "You were pretty dehydrated. "

"Where is Cynder? Did she just let you whisk me away, like some damsel in distress. You're the enemy." Myde growled, ice forming to parts of the bed sheets touching her hands.

Barret shivers, and steps back. "N-Now just calm down, Cynder is here, I'll go get her for you! No need to get aggressive, this is our base...erm.." Barret was stumbling over himself.

Myde's ears go back, as she slowly sits up. "If she's here, then why is she allowing such a spineless oaf to tend to me? You don't leave room for me to trust you, or your kind."

"Wait, you must be assuming we're Elementar, as Cynder did. In fact, we are actually human. My friends and I were just escaping from Kaos forces when we crossed paths." Barret explained.

Myde's ears repositioned slightly forward. "Human? Escaping Kaos? I don't understand your meaning. You're not part of the scoundrels whom abducted innocents for unknown purposes?" She seemed perplexed by the matter.

Barret shakes his head, "No, we are fighting those people, as you are. Speaking of the unknown purposes..." Barret sighs, "They've been experimenting on people, and making them perhaps into these terrible creatures, that we've been encountering."

Myde adjusts herself, looking seriously to Barret. "I see now why your friends acted the way they had. We have a common foe, and I was not thinking clearly due to the heat." Myde sighed, looking off. "Seeing how things are moving, we need to handle the situation sooner than expected. If we are to save them." Myde's eyes glanced over, as the ice began to thaw around her.

"Yes, that heat had really taken a toll on you. As for the others, hmm, maybe we should join alliances? We can tackle Kaos together. After our encounter, and a really close call. I think we would stand a bigger chance forming our foundations together." Barret states, crossing his arms.

"That seems like an applicable standpoint. However, I'll need to get in contact with our commander. He's off with another one of ours, trying to find where the others were taken." Myde agreed, looking to Barret.

"Hm, wait, so your commander is a 'he'? Yet aren't the woman the ones who carry the powers with your kind? He has to hold a lot of strength I'd think. Unless it works differently?" Barret questioned, looking to Myde.

"It's true that commander Luklen may not have dama, however, what earned his title was what we do not have. He posses wings." Myde explained.

"Wings? Like what the Lightons gain as they age? I must add this to my research notes, but might he carry any kinds of elemental traits? I find it odd he would gain wings, yet have nothing else to help back that. Especially seeing it's rare." Barret says, with intrigue.

"In a manner of speaking, however, we aren't truly sure how he got them. The commander appeared to us, without any known origin. The princess thinks highly of him, as such, he may not match our powers, he can gain higher ground with ease." Myde explained, sitting up with her feet now touching the flooring. "You mentioned research notes. Might I ask what they are for? Would you be a scientist of sorts?"

"So, he's like a deity?" Barret pondered.

"Correct." Myde nodded.

"I see, and yes my research notes. I love writing down many things, either if it's about Terraldyn, or it's many visitors. It helps me keep in check with things, in case questions come up, or if I must add to them. As of now, I have a lot more information off of the Ferline species." Barret says, placing a hand in his pocket.

"If you ever have any inquires about our culture, I would not mind sharing. However, priorities come first." Myde replies.

"Of course, business before pleasure is one of my motto's." Barret says, smiling.

"Amusing." Myde smirked.

"Hm, I should take you to meet our leader, Xiao. From there we can talk more on where to go. We suffered a big attack, so things are a little out of shape here, but I assure you, we are safe right now." Barret says, extending his hand to Myde, to help her to her feet.

Myde takes his hand. "Very well. perhaps we can find where Cynder wandered off to on the way."

Barret nods, "Yes, that sounds like a wonderful idea. Shall we go?" Barret says, pulling Myde up to her feet.

"After you." Myde awaited him.

Barret nods, and proceeds ahead of Myde. "This way." Barret says, waving her his direction.

Myde follows after Barret, as they head for Xiao's office. However on the way, they walk through where the cafeteria was. They spotted Issac trying to get where Cynder was. She had climbed onto a higher point, with a slice of pizza in her mouth.

"Come on, Cyndy... you didn't need to swipe my food... (This is so unfair... come on...)" Issac had teary eyes.

"Jump up here, and get it from me then." Cynder sing-songed, with the food in her mouth.

"I see you two are enjoying yourselves." Barret laughs, and looks up to Cynder. "You should be careful up there..." Barret states, nervously.

"She's never careful. Cynder. What are you doing?" Myde scolded.

Cynder's ears shot back. "I'm playing."

"You took his food. Control yourself, if you would." Myde crossed her arms. "I'm sure their culture is far different than ours. So mind yourself."

Cynder hopped down, with the pizza still in her mouth, and ears back. Issac looked to her, pouting, but Cynder begrudgingly returned the pizza. "You're no fun Myde. You gotta loosen up."

"You need to control your behavior. I doubt he understands what you are doing. Different culture, different reactions." Myde raised a brow.

"Bleh, fine." Cynder grumbled.

Issac looked to the pizza, "(Oh well, bottom's up I guess.)" He was shrugging slightly, before eating it.

"Issac? You should take your health into consideration. I would let her have the pizza, and get another slice." Barret states, putting a hand to his waist.

"Don't be such a germ-a-phob." Issac muttered. "(Does he really think I'm worried about my health?...)"

Barret sighs, "I know you like the ladies, but you should seriously consider your actions. For all we know you could be eating from someone who's really sick."

"(Wrong again. He still doesn't get it, I'm just being polite with how I act...)" Issac rolled his eyes.

"Sick? Someone needs to get their eyes checked." Cynder leaned to Issac, putting her arm over his shoulder, nooging him slightly.

"Ouch." Issac jumped. "(Even girls bullying me here.... Can't anyone cut me some slack?)"

Myde held her temples, "Excuse my comrade. She's not the wisest of Ferline."

"Oy!" Cynder growled.

"It's quite alright. I won't dive any further. Thinking after speaking with Xiao, we should all eat, and discuss more about the current happenings." Barret addresses to them all.

"If you wish to do so, however, I am surprised you want to dine with a barbarian such as her." Myde motions to Cynder.

"You're just jealous of these scars and muscles, Mydeline. Oh! Or maybe the fact I actually have tits?" Cynder retorted.

"Oh I'm sorry, did you just go there Cynder Flickerpaw?" Myde glared to Cynder. "Stop acting like a bratty kitten, and straighten up."

Cynder gawked slightly, "Eh... Wanna start something?... Whatever, You're just jealous. No ski off my bones."

The group straightens out, heading to Xiao's office. She had straightened up, it seemed, since the last they visited. She glanced up from her glasses.

"Something you needed?" Xiao inquired to them.

"Oh yes, I'm just introducing you to Myde, she's second in command to the Ferline forces." Barret says, looking back to Myde.

"Mydeline Gambit, a pleasure." Myde greeted.

"Such formality unlike your friend." Xiao glanced to Cynder, who crossed her arms. "I am Xiao Guardiana, director of Alien Ministry." Xiao glanced back to Barret and Issac. "I hope the two of you are behaving yourselves. Hopefully the Lightons will be joining us in a few days. So, If that is all, you're dismissed." Xiao looked back to her work.

"Well, that's not everything, we were talking, and we think she may be able to get her commander to speak with us, on perhaps joining forces as well. We can use all the power we can get." Barret states, crossing his arms.

"(Leave it to Chief to get ideas like this. I mean, sure the cats are tolerable, but we still don't know much. Whatever, I'll let them talk it out.)" Issac watched them speak.

Xiao glanced up once more, "Oh? Well, if you need to contact this commander we have a communication line."

Myde shook her head. "It's fine. I know where he's positioned. It would be easier to engage face to face."

"Well, if you need transportation, there is still a few cruisers left. I'm sure the boys wouldn't mind escorting you." Xiao replied.

"That would be wise, yes. Thank you." Myde bowed her head.

"Anything else?" Xiao asked to Barret.

"Oh no, that would be all, miss Xiao. Thank you." Barret states, bowing.

They leave Xiao to her work, heading back to the halls.

"So, we get to escort you two girls to their commander?" Issac peered back.

"Please refrain from speaking like that, we are not helpless." Myde mentioned.

"Myde, you're so jumpy still. Well, if you're not interested in Blue." Cynder chuckled.

"Do as you like, but we do have priorities." Myde replied.

"Yeah I know. A little fun never hurt in the meantime though." Cynder smirked.

"(What is with these cats?.... I mean, they're just... I don't even know...)" Issac groaned.

"I agree with Myde, we should keep our heads out of the clouds. Issac? You can flirt later, okay? Our priority now is getting them to their destination, safe." Barret says as they progress down the hall.

"(Dude, seriously?) I wasn't flirting. So... What's the plan then?" Issac looked boredly, to Barret.

Cynder looked to Myde, murmuring. "I think he's trying to bed you." Myde grabbed Cynder's ear. "Me-OW!" Cynder yelped.

Barret looks back to Cynder, with a quirked brow. "How did you get that out of... Following directions?"

"She's a pervertive moron. Don't mind her." Myde groaned.

"That hurt..." Cynder pouted, glancing to Issac. "Pet it better?"

"Excuse me?" Issac gawked.

"Pet me?" Cynder asked again.

Issac made a disturbed face expression. "..."

"Refrain, if you would." Myde held her head.

Barret sighs, rubbing the back of his head, as he kept walking forward.

"Luklen is positioned near New Tech, at a place called Thyteress Ocean." Myde explained to Barret, seeing him as the only other sensible one in the group.

"(Wait-wait-wait.... Ocean?....)" Issac gawked a bit.

"Thyteress Ocean? That's quite a nice spot, well we should make our way there. Let's head to the cruiser." Barret says, walking ahead of them.

"(What?)" Issac stared to Barret.

"Very well." Myde agreed, keeping up with Barret.

"Come along Issac." Barret said.

"I'm coming, (someone's in a hurry... jeez though... a large body of water, of all things..)" Issac groaned, as he followed after them.

"Wait up." Cynder trailed after them to the docking bay.