61 Tactical Strategizing

In the medical bay of the base, Scape was reclined back in his chair at his desk, smoking from his bubbler. Teegan was boredly looking thorough stuff on the shelves, standing on top of a stool. She shifted, to toss back something in irritation, when she suddenly lost her footing. The Usa slipped, crashing to the floor, with a loud bang.

"Huh? You gotta be careful Bunny." Scape says, hurrying to Teegan's side.

Teegan was shifting herself up, when she holds to her wrist, suddenly. She winced a bit, "O-O-Ow!" She started to tear up.

Scape looks to her wrist, seriously. "Looks like you'll need a good dream tear for that. Hang on, I'll get one." He says, walking to a cabinet. When he opens it, he begins to search through. There he finds an empty container that had 'Dream Tears' written on it. "Hmm, seems we're out of tears...This bites." He says, looking back in the direction of Teegan.

She was whimpering, as she held herself in pain. Her eyes peer over, shakily."...I... I think.. it might be broken..." She sniffled, tears escaping her eyes.

Scape walks over to Teegan, and sits beside her. He takes her hand feeling around it. Teegan was nervously staring to him, as he examined her.

He releases her hand, looking to Teegan. "Seems all your bones are intact, you might have sprained it." He says, taking a drag from his bong. "Here, try some of this. It'll help keep your mind off the pain." Scape hands her the bong.

Teegan's ears drooped, as her other hand took the bubbler from Scape. He lit it for her, as she took a drag, but coughed afterwards. She made an uncomfortable expression, before her eyes met those of Scape, who was watching her. "... What? Why are you staring at me again!?" She snapped.

"Just making sure you're okay." Scape says, as he smirks to her.

"..." Her eyes narrowed, looking off. "Well I'm not! My hand hurts, it smells weird in here, and I can't perform now, even if I had a concert to go to. I'm stuck here, and I don't like it!" Teegan pouted, grumpily.

"Yeah, that sucks...You seeing anyone?' Scape asked, taking another drag.

Teegan gawked briefly, before shoving him back with her ear. "What is wrong with you!? I am hurt, and all you care about is if I have a boyfriend or a girlfriend!? AHHHH!" She held her head, but shifted uneasily, holding her wrist, as she started tearing up again. "Ow-Ow-ow!!"

"Careful Bun, also I care more for my stash. But questions a doctor should ask, If I gotta contact someone for you." Scape says, placing a hand into his pocket.

"My name is TEEGAN!" She growled at him. She then shifted, to look away from him with a huff. "Then you should have contacted my producer-" Her eyes turned to him, as she grabbed his collar. "-WHEN YOU FIRST BROUGHT ME HERE!!!" She winced then, her eyes still watering from her wrist pain, as she let go.

Scape digs in his ear, "Ouch, no need to yell bun. Just relax, okay? I get it, you're stressed out. Give me your producer's details, and I'll get him on the line."

Teegan leaned her chin to her knees, sniffling, as she kept her grip to her wrist. "... He should be in the entertainment district, located at the radio tower. Just ask for the record label "PartyBunny"." She explained, solemnly.

Scape nods, and pats Teegan's back, "Got it Teegan. I'll get them on the line, you just rest your wrist. I hope that stuff kicks in soon though. Trust me, your mind will make everything better."

Teegan looked over to Scape, seeming surprised. "..." Her eyes looked off again, as she sighed.

"It's gonna work out, you're gonna get back to the station, and make plenty of good albums for the masses." Scape states, taking another drag, "Come to think of it, I think I have heard your stuff now. It was called 'Sky Carnival', a really pop-like tune, which I like." He says, looking back to Teegan.

"Huh?... You listened to my music?.." Teegan asked, her tone confused, as her ears hung back.

"Yeah, is there a problem? You sound like it's a bad thing." Scape says, quirking a brow. "You were bragging about being some big shot. What gives?"

Teegan hung her head down, with a sigh. "You see, well.... It's just... Uh.." She lifted her head, laughing uneasily. "I.. well, sorta... lied about that? Heh heh...Uh..." She looked off, nervously. "I'm just starting out with my career... was going to record my first real album, and get a few gigs..."

Scape chuckles to himself, "You too huh? I lied about having all this doctor stuff... I specialize in rocketry, not medicine." He takes a drag, "I'm still surprised she never found out... Poor Xiao, it's too late now though."

"You're not a doctor?.." Teegan was disturbed, "But-But! How do you know I'll be okay!? What about that 'medicine'?!" Teegan held her head to the side, an eerie cloud hung over head. "At least my lie was more believable..."

Scape shrugs, "Just stuff I learned when I was growing up. They honestly rob people in those death buildings. All you need is a little know how, and yeah. " He says, loading more weed into his bong. "So, uh do you still want me to call your 'agency', or what?"

Teegan peers back over to him, "What, just cause I said I'm starting out, doesn't mean I don't actually have a producer. I do want to get my dreams back on track... That way I don't have to go back to Raviana..."

"That's all I needed to here Bun. So I'll give them a call. I believe you're gonna go far, like I will, when I get to making my rockets finally." Scape says, taking another drag. He coughs a little, and sighs to himself, "That was pretty strong there."

"You-You mean it?" Teegan seemed to ease up, with a more innocent reaction.

Scape nods, "Really." He looks to Teegan, as his eyes become very Bishōnen. "Heck, when the time comes, I'll place up a satellite for you, to broadcast around the world."

Teegan started to tear up, with a smile, before hugging to Scape. She was sniffling again.

"Whoa, unexpected. So, you still free then?" Scape inquired.

Teegan's grip tightens. "Listen here cupcake! Just because I'm hugging you, don't mean anything! I may be Bi, but that doesn't mean I'm looking for some action!" Her teeth was grinding, angrily.

"My bad. Good to know your preferences, guess I got some competition out there." Scape says, with swirly eyes, as he dangled in her arms.

Meanwhile, a cruiser docked in the garage of the base. Stepping out, was Denki, proceeding into the facility, and making his way to Medatros' office. He reached the door, knocking to it. Medatros was at his desk writing, he sets his pen down looking to the door, "You may enter." He states, adjusting the papers on his desk, soon after speaking.

The door opened, as Denki stepped inside. "Heya, I'm back..."

"Denki, it is good to see you. I can't imagine how hard things have been for you, after the loss of your son. How are you feeling?" Medatros states, standing to his feet.

Denki stepped in, grabbing a chair. He turned it around and straddled it, his hands clutching the back. "Been rough, but ain't somethin' I can just fuggedabout. I gotta keep goin' ... I still have an apprentice to keep my eyes on. AM needs me here, so I ain't gonna argue."

Medatros nods, "Yes, I hope soon we'll all be able to put these wars to rest. Which brings me to my next inquiry, do you feel confident to continue your duties here?"

Denki shrugged, "Ain't gotta choice boss, it's my mission. A man's gotta do, what he's gotta do. So yeah."

"Alright, well, the reason for me asking you this, is because I must return to the kingdom for a brief time, due to the death of Queen Ailene. I will still be retaining my role in AM, but I'll just be off world for now. Once I return, I will then relieve you of the duties, that I have left you with, in my place." Medatros explained.

"I see. You can count on me then, I ain't goin' nowhere." Denki replied.

Medatros smiles, shutting his eyes, "Thank you. I promise, I'll try not to stay too long. The documents for the next details are on the table."

Denki glances to the papers. "Do what you gotta do... After things clear up, then I can find Catherine..."

"Catherine...Yes, I will help you look into the space pirate situation, once we've handled the matters at hand." Medatros says, walking around his desk, he then lays his hand on Denki's shoulder. "As long as we breathe, we'll always have a chance to rescue her. Don't give up, my friend."

"Appreciate it, pal." Denki chuckled, faintly.

"Alright, I feel it is time I depart. Given the circumstances, it would be wise to travel now. The sooner things are taken care of in Vectrom, the less time I'll waste from important mission directives here." Medatros states, walking to the door. "Oh, I have to escort a certain 'dictator' back to her home world. Another hassle I must get out of my hair, before returning." He places a hand to his head.

"Leave everythin' to me then." Denki got to his feet, turning to Medatros.

Medatros nods, "I'll be in touch." He says, exiting the room.

Now around the halls, Yuji was walking to the cafe, he was going to pick up food for Asuna. "(I honestly can't wait until we're out of all of this. The films I'll be able to create, will be amazing!)" He thought to himself, as he continued to the cafeteria.

He enters, spotting Issac sitting at the table with Witchhazel. They must had just finished eating their food, as the two were staring adoringly to the other.

"Penny for your thoughts, Issac?" Witchhazel giggled.

"Thinking about how lucky I am to have such a beautiful, caring girl like you." Issac admitted.

Witchhazel leaned her shoulder closer to him, "Is that all?" She smiled.

Issac chuckled, placing his hand to her face. "You just want me to say it out loud. Alright, fine. Doubt thou the stars are fire, Doubt that the sun doth move. Doubt truth to be a liar, But never doubt I love."

Witchhazel smiled to him, "You're such a romantic, my treasure. I do love nothing in this world so well as you. Is that not strange?"

Issac blushed a bit, as he was looking to her. "(Even more than Zio? Wow.)" However, Yuji approached their table.

Yuji snickers to himself, "Well, looks like I stumbled upon a play of Shakespeare." He says to Issac, cracking a smile.

Issac glanced up, "Hm? Oh uh, yeah... what's up?" Issac chuckled, in embarrassment.

Witchhazel took a drink from her glass of lemon-aid, peering over to Yuji.

"Was just getting some lunch for my girl. She's such a workaholic, that she forgets to eat sometimes." Yuji explains, shrugging. "So, who's your lady friend? Are you seeing each other?" Yuji inquired.

"Oh I gotcha." Issac replied, glancing to Witchhazel. "Yep. This is my girlfriend, Witchhazel." He smiled.

"Hope you're not in a spending mood, since this handsome guy already purchased my heart." Witchhazel jested.

Issac blushed in response. "Y-You're embarrassing me..." He mumbled, shyly.

"Oooh nice, I might have to write that one down in a script. I'll credit you for it." Yuji says, laughing.

"Then I'll have to charge you a fee. Sorry, no discounts." Witchhazel smirked.

Yuji's mouth drops, "Huh? Royalties? Are you serious?"

Issac leaned to his palm. "She's not kidding, trust me." Issac chuckled.

Witchhazel smiled, holding a finger to her cheek. "A girl's gotta make zio somehow. Whether sales in the shop, going on commission, or well, giving ideas or hints. I'm not cheap either."

Yuji places a hand to his cheek, pondering to himself. "Hmm interesting, how much Zio we talking?"

"How's five thousand Zio sound? That's a bargain." Witchhazel teased.

"That'll break my set! Urgh... I guess it's not that good." Yuji says, rubbing the back of his head. "Wait, then thinking. You're that crazy witch chick from the festival..." He says, shivering.

Witchhazel poofed to her feet, looking to her hand. "Well, suit yourself then. I can just take my business elsewhere. You're already striking up quiet the bill with that insult."

Issac glanced back at her. "(She's trying to get him to buy it? Man.)" He seemed surprised.

"Hey listen up, you're too steep for me. I don't want to get off on the wrong foot here... You might need the cash, so to get you off my back, how does one hundred Zio sound?" Yuji haggled.

"Oh? Haggling now?" She glanced back, with a glistening sparkle in her eye. "Counter offer. One thousand Zio, or no sale."

"Three hundred Zio." Yuji states.

"Make it five, and you have a deal." Witchhazel smirks, slyly.

"Hmm.." Yuji thought to himself, "I guess I can do that. Deal."

Witchhazel holds out her hand to him, as she appears sitting on the end of the table, facing Yuji. "Cha-Ching! Sold! That'll be five thousand Zio." She smiles sweetly.

Yuji's mouth drops once more, "WHAT!? You said five!"

"Oh? Did I? You should have inquired the amount upon said statement. Now, please hand over the payment, and I'll relinquish the binding contract on said dialog. Sorry, no refunds." Witchhazel giggles, magically forming a paper to her hand.

"(I'm not gonna hear the end of this from Asuna... She swindled me!)" Yuji thought to himself, becoming white as a ghost. He sighs to himself, and looks to Issac. "Issac? Are you seriously going to let this happen? You have to help me here!"

Issac glanced to Yuji, as he sighed, holding himself up from the table. "Sorry dude, but I don't know if I can get you a discount from something like that." He bit his lip, looking to Witchhazel.

"Oh? I wasn't aware he was a friend of yours, my treasure. Perhaps I can cut the price down to five hundred Zio then." She replied to Issac, but turned back to face Yuji. "So, Still buying?"

"What? You got her to knock the price down THAT MUCH!?" Yuji gasped.

"Special discounts." Issac grinned, chuckling. "Don't keep her waiting though, dude. She can revoke the discount any given moment."

"Indeed, offer only last so long." Witchhazel giggled, "All sales final, everything must go."

"Alright, Issac, I owe you." Yuji says, finally pulling to his wallet. "The tension of this, reminds me of a script I was going to write soon." He says, handing the Zio to Witchhazel, as she gave him the contract.

Asuna appeared from down the hall, approaching Issac and the others. "What are you guys doing? Did you forget we have a meeting right now? Jeez Louise." Asuna crossed her arms.

"Huh? Oh, hey babe, wow this early? Things must be getting hectic. They just got back." Yuji says, placing his wallet and the papers away.

"It's a meeting about tomorrow's objectives, silly. Come on, we shouldn't keep everyone else waiting now." Asuna explained.

"Right, never a dull moment it seems." Issac got to his feet, Witchhazel floating after him.

The group decided to proceed to the office, for the expected conference meeting. As they arrived, Issac noticed the others of the base approaching the door as well. Seems everyone was there, before getting inside. Upon entering the office however, no one was expecting to spot Denki sitting on the edge of the desk. He was looking over the paperwork as everyone flooded into the room. He glanced up seeing, Issac, Barret, Witchhazel, Yuji, Asuna, Nari, Zihark, Myde, Bit, Kirb, and Katinka.

"Denki?" Barret asked out loud.

"Sensei?" Katinka added.

"What, that much of a surprise? Go on, sit. Been waitin'." Denki stated, as everyone took a seat, or found a spot to stand.

"Where's Medatros?" Issac inquired.

Some of the others nodding in agreement.

"He returned to Vectrom, but ain't gonna be gone too long. Til then, I'm in charge." Denki explained.

"So, what is this detailing?" Barret asked to Denki.

"Loading screen here with the lag on PM response. When are we gonna hit up this next raid?" Bit spoke up.

Denki set down a sheet of paper, to the map on the table. "So, Medatros had some idea where to check next for these remainin' Zodiac forces. Ain't no easy target to pinpoint, so his plan was very vague."

Yuji sighs to himself, "Honestly, why don't we just take things to their doorstep? All this running around, is like some sad soap opera."

Nari looks to Yuji quickly, anger crossing her face. "What are you, insane!? Why don't we just give them our location, while we're at it? I'm sure they know good and well, there are two , no three people missing from their ranks!"

Yuji rubs the back of his head, "No offense Asuna, can you calm your sister, just for a minute?"

Asuna glances down to her shorter boyfriend, crossing her arms. "Nari does pose a good point here, darling."

"Yeah, but come on. You honestly think this will last? It's only a matter of time before they put two and two together. I say we act now. Being a former Zodiac, I can lead us right to their base...." Yuji explained, "I'm scared too, but this script is getting more complicated."

"Yuji, what did I say about rushing into things..." Asuna sighed.

Yuji shakes his head, "The last two don't leave headquarters that much in the first place."

Nari groans, "I can't believe this..." She said, Kirb patting her head.

Issac crossed his arms, but Witchhazel floated to his side, leaning to his shoulder. "I don't know if you want to do that."

Yuji stares to Witchhazel. "What are you talking about?"

Barret looked to Witchhazel seriously, "Wait, what do you know?" He inquires.

Witchhazel smiled, holding a finger to her cheek. "Oh, information isn't cheap. Sorry, no freebies this round." She giggled.

"Witchhazel, this is serious. We could be running into problems an-" Barret spoke up, but was interrupted abruptly.

Yuji steps forward, looking to Witchhazel, "Pardon me, but she's a freaking rip off artist, unless Issac gets us some discount. Even then, she's steep. No info is worth money going to her. The plan is simple, I'll tell you where to go, we get in, deal with Zodiac, and get out."

Barret gasped, "Hey! She really can help us! If it wasn't for the information she gave us back then, we may not all be here."

Issac glanced to Yuji, "No offense, but I don't like how you're talking about my girlfriend, dude." He looks to Yuji.

Witchhazel seemed perfectly content however.

"Then maybe you should give her lessons on not picking pockets!" Yuji barked.

"Oh don't be silly, I don't pick pockets. I make sales." Witchhazel giggled.

"All this is getting us nowhere." Kirb cleaned out his ear.

Nari was getting even more agitated, "Honestly at this point, we're just walking blind."

"Even so, we shouldn't rush in. We need a strategy here." Asuna glanced to Nari.

Yuji held up his middle finger to Witchhazel, "This is what I think of your sells!"

"Oh sorry, but I don't make those kinds of sales." Witchhazel jested.

"Ooooh burned!" Bit laughed.

"SHUT IT, YOU REJECTED SCI-FI CHARACTER!" Yuji screamed.

"Can we all just stop arguing...." Myde grumbled.

"I agree, we really need to figure out something..." Barret says, looking to Witchhazel. "Can't you at least give us a hint?"

"I don't think she's going to help us, Barry. Besides, we have Denki here to figure things out." Katinka spoke up.

Denki was sitting there, with a raised brow. "You done banterin' then?"

Yuji looks back to Denki. "...Yeah...So what are we doing here?"

"Comin' up with our next move. Seein' there ain't really any definite locations to investigate, I was going to get everyone's opinion. Didn't even need to ask, but could have been less chaotic. Anyways. So we have two options now. Invade or think of somethin' else. Any more thoughts?" Denki looked to everyone.

"Dammit, there's just nothing else, is there?" Nari asked, shaking.

Yuji crosses his arms, "You already know where I stand on this."

Barret sighs, "Without many other options. I guess Yuji is right..."

Asuna sighed, "We can think about this far more carefully, for one. Going in there without some plan to how we'll handle an ENTIRE organization is careless."

"Choosing forces who are best equipped could be a start." Myde spoke up.

"Bang-Bang, dead zodiac. Isn't it just that easy?" Kirb shrugged.

"If the game was that easy, wouldn't we have beaten it by now? Their levels may exceed ours, so farming up some EXP before hand, I think would be achievement worthy." Bit stated.

"Hey idiots, guns a blazing, nor getting stronger won't help here. I'm with Asuna on this, we need a plan. One from someone with actual brains." Katinka remarked.

Both looked boredly to her, rolling their eyes.

Issac scratched his head here, "Having a strategy alone might not work either, ya'know. Some kind of balance, between strategizing and brute force."

"Getting somewhere." Witchhazel mentioned, playfully.

Yuji shrugs, "Maybe we can contact K.A.O.S., and have them thinking Zodiac back stabbed them. I'm sure Nari can pull some strings."

"YOU'RE STUPID!! She said actual brains! Grr... Asuna, if he wasn't close to you..." Nari says, holding her head.

"I know..." Asuna sighed, hugging to Yuji. "Honey bear, we can't just do that. Kaos and Espionage are partners, they would catch on to that."

"Should listen to that one." Witchhazel stated.

"Fine, I'll be the fall guy then." Yuji suggested.

"What are you talking about?" Barret inquired.

"I'll be the person to get their defenses down. They don't know I'm still alive, when I pop back in, I'll have a good look at what they've added, other things. With the other forces you guys get together, you'll have some eyes inside." Yuji explained.

"Oh no you don't Yuji! I won't risk you like that. Right Zihark!" Asuna exclaimed.

"If Ducky requests you stay....You stay." Zihark commanded.

"...Then why not send in Zihark? He can take everything down in one shot. That's what you built him for." Yuji suggested.

"Fuggetaboudit. We need to do this carefully to not attract any cross fire." Denki spat out.

"I may have a strategy to help alleviate the situation." Myde spoke up, as everyone glanced her way. "We post Zihark outside the parameters of the facility, and send in four of our forces dressed as Espionage workers in between work shifts... From there, Yuji enters, as a decoy with two of us as 'hostages'. He can speak to the receptionist at the front desk, and get an elevator key to Life's office. With how heavy security is there, we'll undoubtedly be having escorts to their leader's location. All we need to do is be careful, and we should have a clear path without being forced to take on the remaining Zodiac forces. We can take out Life, and cut them off at the source. Zihark will be our back up if things do not proceed as planned." Myde pitched her idea.

"Yeah, what she said." Yuji added.

Nari giggles, "Honestly it sounds crazy, but it might work...I guess we should get some Zodiac wear..." She says, looking to Asuna, "Though are you okay with Yuji going in there, like that?"

Asuna leaned her face to the top of Yuji's head, looking off. "No, but I suppose it's a solid plan at least. If he's going though, I'm going too."

Nari sighs, "I guess given if we were still on 'that' other plan, things would still come around to this... I have your back..."

"So, with that settled, whose all going?" Issac chimed in, his arms behind his head.

"Ain't smart to have too many forces go along on this. We already know Yuji and Zihark's roles. How bout this, Issac and Myde play the hostages. We send in Barret, Asuna, Nari and Bit dressed as the workers. We keep the rest on reserve, any objections?" Denki spoke up.

"Sounds like a solid plan." Barret says, placing a hand in his pocket.

"For now, get some rest and we'll proceed as planned in the mornin'. Get outta here." Denki instructed.

Everyone was taken off guard, but made the way back to their chambers, for the night.