36 Trust in Me

In the med bay, Xiao was sitting on Cravic's bed next to him, as he lay unconscious. She ran her hand through his hair, looking to him with worry. "My poor wee babe...." She started coughing, covering her mouth, with her other hand. "(I need to get my medicine...)" She winced, shakily standing to her feet. She looked to Cravic, then to the blood on her hand. "(... I can't let him see me like this.)" She thought, heading out of the med bay quickly.

As Xiao headed to her room, Bit was standing on the other end of the hallway, peering timidly to the doorway where Cravic was located. ".... Cravic..."

He hesitantly entered the room, creeping over to Cravic's bed. He looked down to the older boy, uneasily.

"I don't know exactly what happened back there... but don't be don't afraid... alright?" Cravic spoke, keeping his eye closed.

Bit stumbled slightly,in surprise. "... I... I didn't know you were awake... D-Did the effects of t-the mind control wear off?" He inquired, with some fear in his tone.

Cravic grunted, sitting up, and looking to Bit with his one good eye. "I don't recall much of anything, but seeing the condition I woke up with... it couldn't have been good. I hope I didn't do anything to hurt you, or anyone...." Cravic sighed, looking off slightly. "I couldn't even face my mom like this... I can't help but feel maybe she was right about things..."

"Right about what things?" Bit inquired, sitting to the opposite bed, timidly.

"Leaving the base. Going on missions. Being part Necroden. Things like that." Cravic huffed. "She's always been worried that I'd do something, like my old man."

Bit looked to Cravic with furrowed brows. "..."

Cravic grimaced, glancing to Bit. "I lost myself back there, and there's nothing I can do to fix whatever I did... "

"... You didn't damage any of our HP Cravic, it was just that the Cut scene startled me... but... you've been dispelled. So... it's okay... Someone else was just using your controller." Bit looked to Cravic, trying to smile.

Cravic attempted to smile back, "I'm sorry for whatever I did... I see why the others have had their gripes with the DD now..." He looked off again.

Bit stood to his feet. "You just have to be more alert, so no one else decides to take the driver's seat. For now... you should focus on recovering. Too bad there isn't a white mage, but at least you can rest. I'll handle the security for now, until you're better... kay?"

Cravic glanced up to Bit, "Sure thing. Again. I'm sorry."

Bit shook his head, "Seeing you back to normal is good enough. Rest up Cravy." Bit smirked, heading out of the room.

"..." Cravic held his hand to his face. "(I've never been good at just taking it easy... have I?)"

He decided to get to his feet, shakily. He made his way for the doorway, but nearly bumped into Myde.

"..." He glanced down at her, with a serious expression.

"Cravic?" Myde was taken by surprise, "You should be resting, with the condition you're in."

"Hmph." Cravic huffs, narrowing his eye.

"Go lay down." Myde insisted, trying to to urge him back inside.

Cravic draws closer to her, without saying anything. Myde was growing uneasy, stepping backwards, as he progressed closer. Her back bumped into the hallway wall behind her, looking to him uneasily. Cravic stopped only a few inches in front of her, placing his hand to the wall, as his eye kept his focus on her, seriously.

"Don't. Tell. Me. What. To. Do... Got it?" Cravic stated, harshly.

"You're in no shape to be walking around..." Myde sweated nervously.

"No one asked you." Cravic sneered.

Myde flared her teeth a bit, "Cravic, if that dark dama is still controlling you..." Ice began to freeze over the wall, and floor around her. "You can expect me to detain you."

Cravic Kept his eyes focused on her, as frost slightly began to cover his hand, but he didn't move. "I'm in control."

"..." Myde was still hesitant. "Do you even comprehend the dangers that we were forced to handle, when you ran off? I had to rally the others just to pursue you, then when we found you, no one was sure they could stop you, with how far gone you were! I would have been the one to fight you, if Katinka hadn't decided to step in. You could have killed her, but we were lucky that her father showed up, when he did...."

Cravic's eye twitched, "I don't need a lecture!... I know things got out of hand, but there was nothing I could have done. I don't even remember what I did! I'm sorry, alright!" Cravic snapped.

Myde seemed a bit shaken, by his retort. "You really don't... have any recollection..." Her eyes looked around a bit. She glanced up to his face, peering to the bandages. "Just take it easy... I was only stopping by, to change your bandages..."

"(Was she the one who mended it?... and then... leading the others to...)" Cravic quickly retreated his hand from the wall. He seemed slightly awkward to the situation, turning off from her. "..."

"Cravic? Let me help you." Myde was taken by surprise.

"...I don't...." He still had his back to her, and started walking off quickly. "I'm.. fine." He said, hurrying off, with some embarrassment to his tone.

She stood there, staring at him as he walked away. "What did I say?..."

"I-Is everything alright?" Barret states, surprised at what he witnessed. He had been standing across the hallway during the entire conversation.

Myde turned around, somewhat startled. "Barret?... How long have you been standing there?"

"Since well, he had you against the wall...He's not still infected by anything, is he? Are you okay?" Barret asked, seriously.

Myde glanced off to where Cravic went, holding one hand to her other arm. "I don't think so, but I'm quite alright."

"Hmm, well, alright. Where did Cravic head off to?" Barret says, placing a hand in his pocket.

"I... Don't know. I was going to change the bandages, but he wouldn't let me...." Myde glanced over slightly.

"Well, you know Cravic, he's a lone soldier, but I'm sure he appreciates your help. Though, we should find him, and get him back in the infirmary." Barret says, looking back to Myde, "And you're sure, you're okay?"

"I don't think he would allow us to do so..." Myde fidgeted a bit, "You're worrying too much, he didn't even touch me."

"Heh well, alright. You just seem more uneasy after that. I know though, Cravic is very intimidating." Barret states, patting Myde on the shoulder. "Maybe we should get a snack, or something?"

Xiao was walking from her room, and notices the two outside the med bay. "What are you two doing?" She inquires, but halts however, noticing Cravic not in the bed of the medial room. "Where is Cravic?!"

"Oh Xiao, we were just talking about him. I have no idea." Barret replied, shrugging.

Xiao looked sternly to Barret, "What do you mean 'you have no idea'?! He shouldn't be walking around, he's hurt!!" She snapped.

"If you don't mind me interrupting..." Myde spoke up.

Xiao looked to Myde, seeming annoyed. "What is it!?"

Myde held her hands up, defensibly. "I attempted to get Cravic to go back and rest, but he refused. I think he's just trying to gather himself, after that ordeal. In all honesty, you worrying could be to why he wanted to be left alone."

Xiao settled down, with a sigh. "...Maybe I am letting myself get too worked up... I just want to make sure he's alright though."

"You're his mother, it's perfectly natural to feel that way. I think he'll be fine, he just needs time." Myde explained.

"I'm glad you're looking after him, Myde. I suppose I'll head back to the office for now then. I have another conference, but seeing you're taking care of my son, I can rest at ease a little better." Xiao smiled, heading back to the office.

Barret smiles to Myde, as he crosses his arms. "I see Xiao is taking a good liking to you around Cravic." Barret chuckles.

Myde jumps, slightly blushing. "W-What are you implying?"

Barret sighs, "I felt it since we were back on the cruiser, heh I had to convince myself, but alas. I can tell that you like him." He says shutting his eyes.

Myde stared to him, with an unsure expression. "Barret..?"

"Oh well, heh isn't it obvious? I did use the words 'had to convince myself'." Barret states turning to Myde. "So I suppose now is best of time as any to tell you how I feel. I know you lost your fiance, and you're still recovering... Now I have worries someone else may steal you, out from under my nose again, if I don't speak my peace now. I have feelings for you, Myde. I have."

Myde gawked, she was getting anxious, as she looked off. "My apologizes Barret, but... I don't feel the same way. You're nice, and you're a good friend... but"

"..." Barret paused for a moment and rubs his head. "I-I understand. Then perhaps my thoughts were accurate, even how Xiao put it out there. Then when Cravic stormed off, he looked like he was embarrassed. I think he likes you, and judging by your reactions, I have a feeling you like him too."

"...." Myde stared to Barret, her ears back, as she looked off hesitantly.

"I won't stop you Myde...If you like him, go. You were the only one of us, who wasn't afraid of his dama, during his outbreak." Barret states, folding his arms.

"....I'm still thinking about things, with how events went on with Cecil..." Myde sighed.

Barret turns to her, "Whatever you decide Myde, I just want you to be happy, okay?"

Myde glances back slightly, "... Thank you, Barret. I hope the same for you. I should go for now." She said, before walking away.

Barret turns off, walking down the opposite hall to the kitchen. "(This kind of thing always happens to me. Maybe I'm too nice.)"

elsewhere in the base, Katinka was showing Stevonne around still. "That's pretty much it... You good on your own from here?..."

Stevonne nods in response to Katinka, "Yes, though Barret is still on your mind, I can tell?" She questioned quirking a brow.

Katinka narrowed her eyes, "That's none of your business."

"Now,now. I know we have gotten off on the wrong foot, but honestly, and as much as I don't want to state this. I think I want to help you, get closer to him." Stevonne says, adjusting her posture a bit.

Katinka crossed her arms, scoffing. "Yeah right, as if I'd want your help. Besides, he already likes someone else. You can't just force things to happen, because you 'feel like it'. I'm not sure how apparent it is, but I dislike you, as much as most men. So, get the picture, Steff, I'm not going to be your friend. I only showed you around, because the superior officer told me to. So stay out of my mind, and shove off." Katinka huffed.

"Hm, well, if that is your choice. I know more about Barret at the moment, than anyone in this establishment. However, as you said, It's not my job to 'force' people to do anything. I just make it happen. Good luck getting him from me then." Stevonne says, turning around from Katinka.

"Pfft, good luck with that. I doubt he'd go for a snobby bitch like you anyway. He's out of our leagues, we're both going to lose." Katinka walked off.

Stevonne giggles, "Both of us? Why even place me on your level? I know you might have some issues, but I'm set about how I see things. I'll leave it at fate...Have a good night, Katinka." Stevonne says, walking away. "(Besides that, Joan is on my side.)"

"Whatever, 'princess'." Katinka scoffed, leaving her.

The following morning, Xiao called Issac, Barret and Myde to her office for meetings with Medatros, Denki and Luklen.

"I appreciate you three waking up so early, for our meeting. I know things have taken some bad turns recently, but I believe we're onto something with the enemy forces." Xiao greeted.

Issac still seemed distant like before, but he was still present, none the less. Both Barret and Myde stood ready, even though Barret didn't seem as confident as before.

"With the information of the three zodiac forces, you all have encountered yesterday, we have a good idea where the next one may be located, due to Luklen's intel." Xiao turned her attention to Luke.

Luke clears his throat, "But of course, the information I have, brings us back to Hope Isle. Seeing our forces never arrived there. There were signatures of possible Kaos, and Zodiac activity around the ancient ruins of the Atom Tower, located outside of the pine woods. A man named Malichai runs a freedom camp, near that location. The new mission, will be to investigate the areas around the camp, leading to the Atom Tower, and take out any threats." He says, placing a hand to his chin. "However, this makes me wonder, what could they want around those old ruins? The last happening with anything involving the legendary Atom Maker, was years ago, on a dead planet. Until now, no one quite knows how to reactivate it, but my guess is, they are planning something. So, without further explanations, I'm sure you have the basis of the operation correct?"

"(The Atom Tower? Hope Isle? Just what is Kaos, and the Zodiac planning?)" Barret thought to himself.

"(We're going over water again!?...)" Issac shivered.

Myde crosses her arms, "Leave it to us."

Medatros looks to Issac, "Issac? We're putting you in charge, of leading them to the right location. The reason for this is, you had completed your mission, without fail. You also brought back a Zodiac member, whom Asuna has been interrogating."

Barret's mouth drops, "Wait! We have a Zodiac member in captive here!?" He says, his heart pounding quickly.

Myde looked over, also in shock. "No one told me either."

Issac sighed, "Asuna did all the work, and was the one who detained him, with her robot... why do I have to be the leader? Barret's always in charge, besides I'm not good at telling people what to do." Issac poked his fingers together.

"As I stated, you completed your mission. I will have no further outbursts about it." Medatros states, crossing his arms.

Barret smiles uneasily, "Congrats Issac, you should feel good about this. You got promoted... I get to wear the dunce hat this round." He joked.

Issac panned his eyes in annoyance. "Shut up, you ass."

"It's nice to see no one invited me to the meeting..." Cravic leaned to the doorway, with his arms crossed.

"Cravic? Where have you been?" Xiao gasped.

"Out." Cravic walked into the room, looking coldly to Medatros. "So. Am I on restriction now." He inquired, in an almost threatening tone.

Luke glances to Cravic, slyly. "Oh look, it's our little bomb in the box...The one who IS suspended, from going anywhere. You got your answer." Luke states to Cravic, crudely.

Barret gets nervous, "Commander Luklen? I wouldn't get him worked up. He's been under a lot of pressure."

"Quiet, you already lost your status, so you have no room telling me what, and what not to do. The boy has his mother here, and I'm just taking stress off of her, by telling him something, he already knows the answer to." Luke states, placing a hand in his hip.

Cravic sneered to Luke, "Do you really think YOU can control ME?"

"Do you want to give me,or no, us, a reason to? You're displaying abnormal behavior. Which warrants you to be locked up." Luke jested, carrying a serious expression.

"Luklen!" Medatros interjected. "While I understand, the boy is tired. Cravic, don't listen to him. Though, I feel it would be best you remain indoors, until we have a chance to look over you more. Dark Dama is nothing to fool around with."

Cravic's eye panned to Medatros. "What are you, my dad now?" He scoffed.

"Cravic!" Xiao was growing flustered.

"He might as well be that. Not as if your real father knew how to handle the dama...Listen to Medatros, it will save you, and this world trouble." Luke says, placing his hands behind his back.

"Now that's enough!" Barret yelled to Luke.

"You, remove yourself... I'll have the others inform you of any further plans." Luke states giving Barret a glare.

Barret turns and walks out of the office, not looking to Issac or Myde. He steps by Cravic, and could feel the tension building from his energy. "(Dammit, this isn't good...)"

Medatros sighs to himself. Denki observes the situation, "Eh, Luke. Quit eggin' the kid on. His dama's building, and you ain't wanna know what happens when he looses control."

"No one asked you to stand up for me." Cravic snapped at Denki, then sneering over to Medatros, and Luke. "I'm sick of all your shit. You have everyone under your damn finger, telling us where to go, what to fucking do. Yet no one questions if either of you, are really on our side. I see everything on those cameras. Everything is black and white."

Medatros steps forward to address Cravic's thoughts, but Luke pushes him back. "No, allow me to talk in your stead, Medatros. LISTEN, you ungrateful dark infested, reject of an Elementar. My objective, or my team's objectives, were to gather back our forces from our planet. Due to other circumstance, we are now tied together to try to clean up this mess, CAUSED by you things. If I were associated with Kaos forces, you would be on the chopping block. Not to mention, Medatros wouldn't be sitting in this shit hole, helping humans win an loosing battle. At this rate, you're displaying exactly how we, as a team of people, fail."

Myde stepped forward, looking seriously to Luke. "Luklen! This has gone on far enough! Do you not see that instigating trouble is going to divide us all!? You have no right to tell Cravic what to do, we're outsiders, helping his mother's organization. How can you act like such a self righteous bigot in this way?!" Myde snapped, angrily.

Cravic glanced to her, somewhat surprised. "(She's standing up for me now...)"

Luke looks to Myde, "Mydeline? You are excused. You will not talk down views about our nation this way, nor your commanders views. Bigot or not, my words hold truth. When you go out there, I don't want you talking to that human either."

"No." Myde kept her focus. "No commander of mine, is going to disrespect others like this. You are not fit to command, and like Cynder has said. Maybe I SHOULD be the one calling the shots for our forces." Myde formed her sword staffs.

Luke growls, "So, you're not going to heed me?" Luke holds out his hand, pulling to his sword. "Then you wish to take your chances in a duel?"

Xiao looked frantic, "...."

"(Crap! This is getting BAD!!!)" Issac got defensive. "Guys, just... just settle down..."

Medatros grabs Luke's arm quickly, "LUKE, I COMMAND YOU TO STAND DOWN!"

Luke guts Medatros in the stomach, knocking him back into Xiao. "Medatros!" Xiao gasped.

"Don't touch me, scum...." Luke looks back to Cravic, and then to Myde. "I'll no longer parlay with any of you... If you want to stick beside a Necroden devil, who with the other combinations of virus's make things worse." Luke says, walking ahead a bit, standing before Myde, "Then by all means, draw your weapon."

Medatros grips himself up, holding tightly to Xiao. "Luklen!" He yelled.

"Listen pal, I ain't gonna stand by, and let you do somethin' stupid." Denki gripped to Luke's shoulder with his left arm, sparking up.

Luke turns to Denki, and swings his sword, hitting his arm which carried the cast. Denki fell back to the ground, bleeding. "Urgh... sonuva!"

"Any other interjections?" Luke says, now placing his hand on Myde's arm. "We are leaving."

"Unhand me!" Myde hissed, gripping to her weapons.

"Quiet, or I'll have you lobotomized." Luke says, pulling Myde along with him.

"(What the heck are we supposed to do?!)" Issac was panicking a bit.

"LUKE STOP!" Medatros states, forming his sword.

Luke turns back, forming a slight smile, "Try me, Elementar..." Luke says, flying out of the office quickly, with Myde.

Barret caught sight, and jumps in his place. "What in the!? Was that Luke?" Barret gawks, walking forward a bit.

From the office, darkness blew passed Barret as well, with black wings soaring after Luke.

"What the!? Cravic!?" Barret states, his eyes wide.

Medatros was now beside Xiao, looking to Issac. "Issac! Go after them! I'll keep Xiao safe.... What a mess...."

"Uh... Right.." Issac nodded, rushing from the office, he noticed Barret. "Dude! We got trouble!" Issac stated, rushing where the others went.

Barret nods quickly to Issac, "Y-yeah! Right behind you!" he says rushing after Issac.

They continue down the corridors, and reach the outside, into the brush of the forest. Luke had Myde in his grasp, flying in the sky, with Cravic not far behind, forming both of his power gloves.

"You're still here, you little piece of dirt? Why don't you go back into the cave you crawled from?" Luke spat, keeping his grasp on Myde tight, his hand over her mouth.

"Talk big all you want, you're nothing, but a fucking coward!" Cravic snapped.

"I'm a coward? Heh, it took bravery to tackle my true objective...Setting up our units getting taken, so we could get close to you. Sacrifices, but worth the fight for Kaos. How many people have you rescued? Ten, twenty? The numbers add up, far more units on our side, than yours afraid... Mommy is going to get hurt badly." Luke says, smiling. "Not only did you save people, you thought were on your side, but you placed many Kaos, Zodiac forces in your gates. As such, is the nature of Libra. That is... my Zodiac title." Luke chuckles, "Why else would I have all the information, of where my Zodiac brothers and sisters reside!?"

"Wait! You're a Zodiac!?" Barret yelled to Luke, with Issac and him not far behind Cravic.

"Oh? It's you again...Yes, but don't worry. You'll be a unit soon enough. I hope Kaos gives you a good name...Memo or..whatever." Luke states, looking back to Cravic.

Issac was gritting his teeth, and clenching his fist. "He can't be serious about the others... could he?... We need to stop him..."

Myde tried to get loose from Luke's grasp. "MMM!!"

Cravic sneered to Luke, "If you're so confident in your abilities, and your deception. Release her, and fight me." Cravic grinned eerily. "Or are you afraid?"

Luke looks lazily to Myde. "..." He takes his hand off of Myde's mouth. "If she says the right thing. I will let her go. If not...Then you bury her, with other worthless corpses...So? Myde, I'm going to ask you this. Only once! Who do you side with?"

"Not with you!" She spits in his face.

Luke quickly, without hesitation, he pulls his sword to Myde's neck. "Very well..." As he prepares to slash Myde's neck, in the blink of an eye, blood is seen gushing from Luke's arm which held onto Myde. Luke's eyes widen, as he spots Myde fall to the ground, landing to her feet. "(What in the? How in the....T-That Necroden! My...Precious...Arm!)"

Myde looks to Cravic in surprise, as he had made not a single movement, yet was able to remove Luke's arm. Cravic cracked his neck. "Shall we make it two for one?" He grinned.