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Chapter 21 Home and Recovery

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Computer monitors flicker as streams of data flow across their screens as Crisis looks at them as she hangs upside down, held up by several mechanical arms. Crisis’ right arm is detached from her body, as she holds and guides a robotic maintenance laser to check and work on some of her internal systems. Crisis mid section separates as she then examines various wires, before she goes over to look at her separated arm, checking the diagnostic screens before making any adjustments.

“Crisis, you have a visitor,” interrupts AI as Crisis looks up in the general direction of the voice.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me,” replies Joshua as he walks into view, “Why are you doing maintenance upside down?” he asks as Joshua looks up at Crisis who is a few feet off the ground.

“It helps me focus,” she replies as she signals the machines to turn her right side up and set her down onto her feet, while the other machine slides Crisis’ arm back into her socket with a click. Crisis quickly checks the motor functions of her arms and the functionality of her electro-blades before turning her attention back to Joshua.

“Do you honestly believe something is still broken? We’ve been over this; you and the others are as good as new.”

“I still feel something is wrong,” she responds as she looks down at her claws.

“And I still think it’s all in your head, you’re systems are at one hundred percent,” explains Joshua.

“Joshua is right, your systems are at peak efficiency the last dozen diagnostic checks verify this Mistress Crisis,” states AI.

“I just have to be sure, I can’t let myself become useless again,” she grumbles.

“Is that what is bothering you? Look Crisis, I managed to get the idea of what happened, and you did amazing, everything that you could and then some,” replies Joshua as he gently pats Crisis n the back, “Don’t beat yourself up for things you had no control over.”

“ __It_ ’ s not just that Joshua... it ’ s not what I wasn ’ t able to do, but what I am doing... or not doing... or...what am I doing? Am I really just doing this due to some programming? What will I do after I defeat Croc? ”_ thinks Crisis.

“So you ready?” asks Joshua.

“Hmm?” Crisis turns her head towards Joshua.

“We’re going to visit Sasha at the hospital remember? She’s been in there for a few weeks and she could use the company. She tells me that it gets rather ‘boring’ in there.”

“Ah yes, yes, I haven’t forgotten, I was just thinking about something...”

“What was it?”

“Nothing important” she replies as she and Joshua walk out of the maintenance bay, standing outside waiting by the door is Ruby.

“Finished already?” asks Ruby.

“Yeah, now Joshua and I are going to visit Sasha.”

“Great, she’s been asking when you’d come and visit,” comments Ruby.

“She has?” asks Crisis as the group makes their way through the compound.

“Yeah, she’s wondering as to why you haven’t paid her a visit yet.”

“You haven’t visited her yet? I thought you told me you have,” comments Joshua.

“I’ve said I’ve been planning to, you know how time can just get away from you when you have a war to run,” explains Crisis.

“You’ve been avoiding the visit, haven’t you?” asks Joshua.

“What me? No, of course not,” retorts Crisis.

“You are, that explains why you’ve been so anal about making sure your systems are working perfectly.”

“No, that’s not it,” replies Crisis.

“I won’t argue you on this,” replies Joshua with a soft sigh, “I think this visit will do you some good.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Just a hunch,” explains Joshua as the group exits the building, to a nearby jeep. Joshua takes the driver seat as he takes the group over to the local hospital on the other side of town. Crisis looks over the many changes that have come over the city of Rioas. The boarded up buildings are gone, the business sectors are active once again, one could say almost booming, the streets are kept nice and clean via her machines, crime is relatively low with the mix of local organic police department and former cops that Crisis roboticized, that come and lend the department a hand, the factories that are on one side are town that keep her war machine going are running smoothly with new ones being built on the outskirts of town.

Crisis watches the streets active with people many of whom moved in only recently, countless of them refugees from the area, from cities yet to be liberated. This city isn’t the only one; dozens of other cities across the country are seeing revitalization as the war front moves farther and farther away. “Things are looking good aren’t they?” asks Joshua as he breaks the silence.

“It does appear to be that way,” replies Crisis as she looks out of the jeep.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong in particular; I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Like what?”

“Everything that’s happening, it’s a lot to process. General Raszer is in complete control of the country for the duration of the war, which makes reaching him more difficult than ever. I have plenty of questions to ask him. Also, though we’ve made progress these past few months, our progress has slowed down, Croc’s defenses are stiffening up, and then there’s how to reach Croc. We now know he’s home base isn’t even on this planet, and they use these trans-warp gates to get from there to here. If I am to take him out, we have to find a way to get to him on his home territory, and that is by no means is that an easy feat. There’s just so much work left to be done,” explains Crisis as she thinks, “ __And am I really doing this willingly, or am I just a puppet?_ ”_

“Ah, don’t worry you’ve saved this country from the brink of destruction, no matter what happens, you’ve done great things that are beyond measure, remember that Crisis,” replies Joshua.

“I’ve met Croc and he’s not easy to push back, so don’t sell yourself short, you’ve accomplished a lot,” Ruby adds.

“Thanks,” replies Crisis as they pull into the hospital, which is as busy as you expect any city hospital to be, illness, accidents and injured from the front, keep the place busy. A few of Crisis’ own forces are here, helping out, as a few of them were doctors back in their day and now that they’ve been given a new lease on life, they’re doing what they can to help save others.

“Sasha is in room 405,” says Joshua as he leads the way, Crisis and Ruby following right behind. Crisis’ and Ruby’s metallic feet tap against the white tiles of the hospital’s hallway. Crisis glancing down various rooms, seeing some are empty while others have people in their bed’s recovering. “Here we are,” says Joshua as Crisis stops just short of the door, not able to see inside just yet. “Don’t tell me you’re going to stop now Crisis.”

“You tell her to get her metallic ass in here. After all the things she’s done, there is no fucking way in hell she’s afraid of seeing me in a hospital bed,” yells Sasha, causing Joshua to jump.

“Well you heard the woman, she wants to see you,” says Joshua with a weak smile as he steps to the side.

“I’ll stay out here,” comments Ruby as Crisis nods and heads inside. The room is a one patient room with the bathroom stall to the side near the entrance, in the back corner is the bed with Sasha lying on her back, an IV drip connected to her as she rests with white bed sheets and pillows. Off to the side is a tray with a half eaten meal, and in the top corner is a turned off television. Next to the bed is a small dresser with a pile of books.

“Don’t just stand there come in, I’ve been wondering when you’d show up,” exclaims Sasha as Crisis walks up to her, “I see you look brand new, didn’t take long to piece you back together eh?”

“Took five days to get it all worked out and that was with the nanites helping repair some of the delicate parts of my systems,” she replies as she looks over Sasha, “How about you?”

“Been healing well enough, I should be out any day now, just have to wait for the dumb ass doctors to let me go. Physical therapy has been a breeze, they act like I’ve never been injured before and that I have to take it ‘slow’ or I’ll injure myself again. I know what my body can take,” she growls.

“I’m sure you can take a lot,” chuckles Crisis.

“Look, I still think you should have left me there, it would have been the smart thing to do. I heard from Joshua that your legs were damaged quite severely. Seems some of the gears were grinding down to nothing thanks to the extra weight you took on. I was wondering how a machine was getting tired like that,” states Sasha as she looks up at Crisis.

“You told her?” asks Crisis as she turns to Joshua and gives him a glowing blue eyed look.

“She asked about you okay? And… it’s hard to say no to her....” replies Joshua as he slowly backs up and almost steps completely back out of the room.

“Don’t blame him, I’m quite persuasive person,” chuckles Sasha with a toothy grin.

“I can see that.”

“Anyway, regardless of what the smart choice was. That was smart thinking using the fire and your metal hand to cauterize my wound. Left a nice little hand shaped scar on my side, but I think can live with that,” she chuckles.

“Still... I wonder if my decision with Scott was right after all that happened.”

“With who?”

“The skunk that I let live after the train went off the cliff.”

“How do you know his name?”

“I met him once before back when I was at Croc’s city, he helped me out; I already knew he wasn’t much of anyone in particular.”

“Interesting...”

“What’s interesting?”

“I just find it interesting how you met him twice that’s all. Not sure if it means anything though, but it might.... so you met him at Croc’s city?”

“Yeah.”

“What was his job on the train?”

“He was to serve the Empress drinks... but I think he was a bit of a drunk to be honest, I did find it a little strange to see him there.”

“For now let’s keep this between us, I think if Francis heard about this he’d go nuts”

“For sure, that guy was so uptight during the whole mission; I still don’t like how readily he was willing to leave you there, not only to let you die but to kill you.”

“It would have been the smart thing to do, the cold calculating logical thing to do, but then you didn’t do the smart thing, you didn’t do the cold hard mechanical thing. You did what you thought was right,” explains Sasha as she sits up more, “Look, I honestly don’t think letting that skunk live had any effect on what happened. They had to have some foreknowledge that there was a possible attack and had such things planned just in case. Granted we got the upper hand and killed their leader, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t ready to retaliate against us. Honestly looking how everything turned out we were lucky to make it out of there at all. I surely wouldn’t have made it out if it wasn’t for your actions. You risked yourself for me, and I thank you.... just don’t let anyone else know I said that okay? I have a reputation to keep,” she says with a smirk.

“Sure thing,” replies Crisis with a nod, “And I’ll see what’s keeping the doctors from giving you the go ahead and getting out of here, I want my bodyguard back.”

“Appreciated,” says Sasha with a nod as Arissa comes into the room.

“Mistress Crisis, I have some news for you,” interrupts Arissa her silver and metallic blue metal shining in the fluorescent lighting making her black metal stripes along her back stand out a bit more than usual.

“What is it, I’m a bit busy right now,” replies Crisis.

“It’s about the war front; Captain Andreas requests your attention as soon as possible.”

“If it’s only a request he can wait a little bit.”

“Go ahead, not like I can do much right now, see what he wants,” states Sasha.

“Alright,” replies Crisis with a nod as she and Arissa head out the door.

“Leaving already?” asks Joshua as he stands off to the side near Ruby.

“I have to take care of a couple of things, why don’t you keep an eye on Sasha for me while I’m gone, I’ll be back soon,” explains Crisis as she turns to Ruby, “You stay here as well, make sure Joshua doesn’t get into any trouble.”

“What me? Trouble never... but what about you? Will you be alright?” ask Joshua.

“Understood, I’ll keep an eye on him,” replies Ruby with a nod.

“I’ll be fine,” says Crisis as she walks off giving Joshua a small wave goodbye.

“You like her don’t you?” asks Sasha as Joshua turns to her.

“Wha? Me? No, it’s just...”

“Admit it you like her, and not like her in the normal way if you catch my drift,” remarks Sasha with a sly smile.

Joshua walks into the room as he replies, “Hey it’s not like that honest!”

“Hey, I am not here to judge, I had a friend back in boot camp, she liked female felines if you can imagine. I’m more shocked she found felines into her... but then she had a way of coaxing people into things...”

“Again it’s not like that at all!” exclaims Joshua.

“Sure it is,” chuckles Sasha.

Meanwhile Crisis and Arissa arrive back at the base and head to the war room, “So why was I need to be summoned for this? What’s so important that it’s worth dragging me into a meeting but not telling me outright,” asks Crisis.

“I don’t know how that man thinks, then again I was and am a research scientist and now I am doing that and military combat operations when you’re away.”

“Speaking of which, how is our R&D going?”

“The reverse engineering of Croc’s technology that we’ve managed to capture has been slow. There are lots of traps placed inside of his technology, designed to hypnotize, brainwash, reprogram those that aren’t meant to use it. We’re working on how that technology works and making headway, but some of the other areas... it’s been problematic.”

“At least we made headway on the blaster technology, Ruby was all too happy to get those upgrades to her systems.”

“You mean the hand blasters and the internal compartment in her leg for her gun?” asks Arissa.

“Yes, though Francis thought it was a bad idea to let her get such experimental technology... but he’s not one of my favorite converts, so I don’t care what he thinks about what I do on such matters,” she remarks with a soft growl as they reach the war room, there Andreas is waiting along with Francis.

“Glad to have you join us, I hope I didn’t interrupt anything for this little war meeting,” comments Francis.

“Quite Francis, I requested her to come at her own leisure, the front isn’t going to change all that much in an hour,” replies Andreas.

“You two are far too nonchalant about this war.”

“Can’t stress over every moment, we’re currently doing very well given the position we were in over a year ago.”

“Yes but doesn’t mean to relax and get comfortable, you’re here to help coordinate Crisis’ forces and the rest of our army, don’t think you’re running this whole war.”

“I’d never think such a thing.”

“And you better not think you are either Francis,” Crisis warns as she looks over the war map, figures of Croc’s armies as well as that of Crisis and the other country’s armies, their positions, and current status.

“As you know Croc’s defenses have been getting stiffer as we approach the city of Veloci, the last three assaults to break through the city have been quickly blunted by counter attacks,” explains Andreas as he uses a pointer to show these attacks.

“Yes I know this, what’s the need to call me?”

“Well after a few assaults and conferring with Francis, and high command, we’ve figured that the city of Veloci has become an important city for Croc. A symbol of his domination over our nation, it is the very center and heart of our nation. But outside of that, it’s a strategic hub for Croc’s forces and if we capture it, it will allow us to link up better with our allies on the Draconic front.”

“I remember the city well; he kept it running and good condition when I was there, though I only saw minimal military movement through it.”

“Yes that was before the war front moved so close, but I’ll let Andreas continue,” interjects Francis.

“This much I already know, we started to bomb their supply lines, and probe various defenses, so what’s the big news?”

“We’ve had some bit of luck, Croc has launched a major offensive on one of other nations, and tried to probe our lines at the same time as we were preparing for an offensive here, we managed to quickly blunt, and cut off his armored spearhead. We pierced the defenses there, and our other probe also pierced Croc’s lines. So far both advances have made significant process into Croc’s lines.”

“Is this what you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Yes, it is, no make no mistake these advances are hard fought for, and if they continue to go this way, we’ll have a chance to surround and eventually capture the city of Veloci,” explains Francis.

“Excellent, so what seems to be the problem?” asks Crisis.

“The sudden change in fortune here. Why would Croc suddenly put focus on all these fronts, while we’re the one making the most progress. Based on your reports, Croc has forces stationed on other worlds, why is he having such trouble with ours all of a sudden?” asks Francis.

“You’re wondering why he doesn’t call in more forces to stop our advances?” asks Crisis.

“Exactly, we’re well past the shock that Croc’s forces received when we made our first advances. His supply lines are shorter, the front smaller, and he’s had time to re-organize and re-arm his forces. We seen some of this from the already slowed advance, but suddenly it seems he’s left a few holes in his lines, as if his forces are stretched thin. Reports have confirmed this theory of troops moving from our front. What do you make of this?”

“You’re asking me? The one with so little combat experience?” asks Crisis.

“No, I’m asking you because you know Croc better than anyone else. What could be going on that’s given us this edge? Or is this just a trap?”

“Could be a few things, we know he controls other worlds, no clue how many. Word of the Empress’ death could have spread and caused upheaval, maybe his troops are putting down rebellions, and it’s quite possible that since we’re no longer an easy target, Croc is trying to slow us down while he tries to finish off other fronts before turning his full attention towards us.”

“Interesting...” comments Francis as he rubs his chin in thought.

“What?”

“You managed to come to some of the same conclusions I have.”

“Impressed?”

“No, I just find it interesting.”

“I recommend we continue the advance as is, try to build up a reserve force to blunt and counter any counterattack they may be planning against us,” suggests Andreas.

“Sounds like a plan, anything else?” asks Crisis.

“None at the moment”

“Good, if you need me, ask one of my assistants to find me, I have some business to take care of,” states Crisis as she walks off.

“ __You think you_ ’ re the one in charge here, but soon enough you ’ ll know who really runs the show, ”_ thinks Francis as he watches Crisis leave.

Meanwhile back in Neo Robia, Croc sits in a chair overlooking a holographic display of a battlefield, Croc’s forces surrounding several pockets of defense that remain, his red forces nearly completely overtaken the battlefield. Croc watches as he taps his metallic fingertips together as he grins, his red eyes glowing as Ko says, “Within a week we should completely crush the last of the planet’s defenses and it’ll be completely under your control.”

“Excellent, good to see everything is going as planned, now if that’s the end of the battle reports...”

“We still have one more.”

“One more?” asks Croc.

“Yes planet R-121.”

“R one... two... one... ah yes that one, ah yes after they killed off my ball and chain I almost forgot about that planet, how’s it going?”

“To sum it up in one word, horrible,” explains Ko as the screen switches to a larger display of the battlefield shown to Crisis back at her base. “We’ve made advances here and here, despite you pulling troops away to assist in the conquering of planet A-036. The raptors on this planet have been mounting several counter offensives and due some fumbling by one of your generals, he’s left open a hole in our lines which the enemy is taking full advantage of. At this rate they’ll surround the city which they call Veloci.”

”Veloci... ah yes the gambling city, so many nice dancers there...” remarks Croc with a sly smirk.

“Yes... we know, you told us to defend that city at all costs because how nice you found the atmosphere... Anyway the war here has gone on longer and we’ve received more casualties all because you wanted to have a little fun here and even if we bring in more troops, it’s only going to become more difficult, the enemy has been studying our technology. Technological superiority and force won’t guarantee a quick and easy victory anymore.”

“That is indeed a problem,” replies Croc as he looks over the battlefield, “I guess I have to get serious here, but how to go about it,” says Croc as he leans forward, his claws rubbing his chin as he thinks... “What to do... what to do... I know, I have an idea that will give me the planet and be oh so much fun. Not as fun as conquering it slowly, but things change.”

“What is it Croc?” asks Ko with a soft sigh.

“Let’s initiate project Mindsweeper.”

“You want to use that on this planet? Is it even worth the time and effort?”

“Are you question me on this?”

“No Master Croc, of course not, I’ll get right on it,” responds Ko with another sigh.

“Excellent,” says Croc as he looks over the battlefield one more time before he thinks, “ __Well Crisis, you_ ’ ve done well this far, but I wonder what will you do when those you fight for become your enemy. ”_