The squad arrived at the base and was debriefed by Lonara inside the Coms Center. The squad was told to rest for a while, but Kirin persisted and immediately planned their next mission. The squad, who were tired from the previous mission, was forced to stand inside the Coms Center with her.
"At least an hour break?!" Lonara was arguing with Kirin, but Kirin was busy thinking. "You can't just send them right away! I'm not permitting you to leave the base without a rest!" Lonara shouted, finally getting her attention. Kirin looked at with a pitiful expression. "Fine, geez. They are not even-" "Yes we aaare..." She turned to her squad and Niela spoke up in a bored tone. "Man, ain't ya lazy ones" She sighed. "Sorry that we're not used to the tension of real combat and got tired quickly" Niela responded.
Kirin didn't bother to say anything and just focused back on the big screen. "So, let me remind you of everything. We went off and took out Outpost B. We were lucky that the tanks were parked up when we arrived. Now that their little stockpile outpost is out of the way, we only have two outposts remaining, and one of them seems heavily defended" Kirin took the picture of Outpost C. Its big portal is standing out.
"As you can see here, this outpost has a portal. So, that means anything can come out of there. Tanks, Loyalists, or even Kantala herself" Kirin then slightly jumped. "Oh! Uh, Lonara! About that Manager?" She asked, moving closer to her. "Why are you whispering?" Lonara slightly pushed her away. "The Manager couldn't send anything. The presence of the Narukh'za is very alarming, and they didn't want to risk sneaking through. Remember that the Reanide Rhan is just around" Both of them sighed.
"Well, guess we will just head there. Thanks for nothing" Kirin rolled her eyes. "Hey, don't give that attitude. The Krygstek will always be there for us. But right now, we are both sizing up the huge presence of the Narukh'za in both of our planets" Lonara said, talking like she's scolding a child. "Is it because of the Earth's coordinate?" Chirlin asked. They turned to her. "Most likely, given what their first Loyalist have said to you" Lonara nodded.
"Karuga!" Chirlin grinned wide, making Lonara smile. "Yes, Karuga Irthan'nu. Are you fond of her?" She asked, bringing Kirin's attention. "Ahaha..." Chirlin weakly smiled, embarrassed. "Yeah, are you? You seem like in full energy whenever she's brought into topic" Kirin said. "She's probably taking a romantic interest with her" "HEY!" Niela teased her and she screamed. "You tomboy!" Niela shouted to her sister.
"It's not that! She just looks cool!" Chirlin argued. "Right, right. Enough. She might look cool, but she's not the first Loyalist for nothing. It takes much bloodshed to reach that rank. Don't ever fall for her. Behind those beautiful features is a ruthless murderer. Her very eyes have witnessed millions of death" Kirin crossed her arms and sighed.
"Anyway. Niela. Any suggestion on whichever we will go into next?" She asked Niela. As usual, Niela jumped in surprise being asked for decisions. "Wh-" She stuttered and calmed herself. "I... uh... suggest that we should go after th-" "That's my girl!" Kirin slammed her shoulder as soon as she pointed to Outpost C. "Every kind of Narukh'za can go out of that portal. Who knows an extra Devastator might come out of there when we are on a mission with the other remaining outpost. Best idea is to deal with that portal right away!" She said.
"Outpost C, right? Alright. Let me do the preparations. I will study the outpost, learn about how the outpost work. You guys can take your rest. Take back your suits to the armory and hang out in the cafeteria or something" Lonara instructed them. "Thanks. You sure you won't need me?" Kirin asked. "Yeah. I will tell you once we're done" Lonara said.
"Alright, thanks!" Kirin pats her shoulder and left the Coms Center with her squad. They went inside the armory to bring back the suits to the capsules, including Chirlin's quake protection suit. After that, they went to the main building. They stopped in the big entrance. "So! Where do you want to stay? Cafeteria? or up to Lonara's office? It's quiet in there!" Kirin puts both of her hands behind her head and grinned wide. "Staying in her office might be rude" Niela said. "Meh..." Kirin looked away. "You're so boring, Niela" She said. "Excuse me?!" Niela was taken aback.
"Ya know, I wanted a person with me in the military to match my energy. But look what I got" Kirin shrugged, still looking away. "Well, I'm sorry that I didn't meet your expectations!" Niela crossed her arms and looked away. Kirin took a glance, and approached to hug her. "Oh, I'm just kidding silly!" Kirin roughly rubbed her head with her middle knuckle, causing her to wriggle. "Ow, stop it!" Despite her squirming, Kirin was able to beat her strength and keep her with her arms.
Kirin then pulled Niela to face her and stare at her. Niela avoided her gaze. "Oh come on, don't be pouting like your little sister now!" She lightly tugged her cheeks. "You guys know that I love just the way you guys are. Otherwise, I wouldn't even bother risking you guys out there" Then she gently rubs her head. "Damn, Niela. I didn't know you can be this childish" Kirin laughed a bit. "Though childish as you are right now. I believe, soon enough, you will lead your own squad just like I do!" She encouraged her. "If I survive long enough, that is" Niela looked at her briefly.
"Oh yes you will" Kirin slaps her shoulder. "So! We will head to Cafeteria then!" She then walked ahead. The squad followed her behind. After a while, they reached the cafeteria and took their seats.
Sterling remained standing. "I will take your orders then" She pretends to have a note and a pen with her and slightly bowed, amusing the squad. "Whoaaa! You look so beautiful when you do that!" Chirlin's eyes widen. Sterling giggled. "Have I told you that I once dreamed as a waitress from a five-star restaurant? It was one of my dreams as a kid" She said. Kirin laughed. "Hah! You got me there, Sterling. I bet you will make a good waitress!" She said. Everyone laughed. "Ahem... Miss Kirin" Sterling looked at Kirin.
"If you may... Once this is all over" "Ah!" Kirin was quick to get her hint. "Of course! I will ask The Royal's restaurant to make you their employee!" "WHAT?!" Sterling shouted over what Kirin said. "The Royal's? They also butcher your wallet!" Marve recognized the name. "Any one of you have tried eating there?" Kirin asked. "We have" Niela slightly raised her hand, making them look. "And what about your experience?" Kirin asked
Niela's expression wasn't what they were expecting. "We left home and tried eating there for dinner with Chirlin" Her cheeks flushed. "The foods looked so good that we forgot to think about the prices. We felt like spending that much until we were full" She said. "That was a good time though!" Chirlin said to her. "I really enjoyed it!" She added. "Yes, but our pockets certainly didn't" Niela reached for her head and pats her. "I didn't tell you about it. But I almost didn't make it to pay the water and electricity bills" Chirlin stared at her eyes wide open. "That's rough, I'm glad you were able to go through that" Kirin smiled and Niela nodded.
Kirin cleared her throat. "Alright sexy, I want menu 3. Oh, by the way, we're only serving foods from MREs here, so don't expect too much" Kirin said. "Menu 3" Sterling pretended to write on a note. "How about you, sir?" She turned to Marve and asked. "Uhh... What's in menu 3?" He asked. "It has...a..." Sterling glanced at Kirin. "Chicken burrito, electrolyte drink, two slices of bread which are actually just big crackers, a raspberry jam, a chocolate energy bar, and some mints" Kirin listed the meals.
"Ugh..." Marve grunted. "I thought MREs are supposed to be good" He said. "Hey, Lonara can't feed us all with 'high-class' foods. And since when you heard that the military serves delicious meals?" Kirin said. Marve sighed and asked the other menus. "Right now, they are serving menu 3,5,6 and 8. The fifth menu has rice and chicken with barbeque sauce as main, the sixth has beef goulash, and the eighth has greens that I didn't even bother looking" Kirin listed the menus. "I will just get menu 6" Marve told her his order. "Menu 6" Sterling pretended to write again. "How about the three ladies?" Sterling looked at them.
Terra giggled, very amused. "I will get menu 3 just like Miss Kirin's" "Two menu 3" Sterling then looked at Niela. "I will get menu 5, sexy" Niela smiled. Sterling and Kirin giggled. "Menu 5. How about you, little miss?" Sterling asked Chirlin. "I want the same with my sis" She said. "Two menu 5" Sterling pretended to rip out a note. "Okay, let me repeat your orders. Two menu three, one menu six, two menu five, will that be all?" She asked. "Yes, thank you" Kirin thanked her and she bowed and left. "Now THAT's what I never expected from a Narukh'za!" Kirin pointed at Sterling.
"Same here. She was quiet and eerie for me. She really went out of character just now" Marve said. "She grew up here at Kryok, right? So I think that's not a surprise for me" Niela said and Kirin nodded. "Got influenced, eh?" Kirin slouched on her seat. "Having a Narukh'za among our working people will really help us on our quest on bringing the Narukh'za to side with us" She said. "The Narukh'za highly tolerates respect, like... crazy. Since they are 'warriors', They need the most trusting allies with them if they are to survive the cruel ways of their military. If one showed respect, they will be eternally grateful to them. And of course, if you betray them, they will bear hatred on you for the rest of their lives" She added.
"If they knew Sterling is happily living her life here in Kryok, we will be dealing a lot of damage to their hearts" Kirin grinned. "So... Kindness is kind of their weakness?" Marve asked. "You can say that. But we can't just use kindness to curb their power" Kirin answered. "But! If we treat their soldiers with kindness, they will slowly but surely turn to be good!" Chirlin said. "Hey, good thinking!" Kirin grinned. "But the Narukh'za are millions. It will turn out difficult and will take much time" She said. "But, uh, you know. We do actually rescue Narukh'za soldiers before, we might actually have started that idea already"
Sterling got back with two trays of meals and went away again. Later, they are settled and start eating together. "Cool stuff about the Krygs" Kirin spoke with her mouth full. "They..." She gulped down the food and drank her coffee. "They have a similar ranking system with the Narukh'za. Instead of Loyalist and Devoted, they have Creators and Apprentices" She said, making the squad curious.
"Creators are just like the Loyalist, they are the highest rank and leads their own people. Though, instead of an army, they have a huge count of students! The students can freely choose whose Creators to come and side with and study and support their inventions. Apprentices are... well, apprentice. They help the Creators with their job, help teach their loyal students" She then took a sip of her coffee.
"And just like the Narukh'za's way of obtaining ranks, they can set up a competition to fight with any superior. Of course, competitions aren't limited to minions versus superior, a student against a student can also make their own battle. If a lower rank beats a superior, they will obtain their rank. But the battle ain't done yet. Anyone outside the superior's group that supports them can take up the competition and fight for the fallen superior" She felt joy explaining it to them. "Wow. You know so much" Sterling said.
Kirin scratched her cheek. "You know me, I'm everywhere. I stayed in Valorna for years! I made a friend there who I helped rise up to a Creator. She started from studying lasers to actually making crazy weapons!" She raised her hands up in the air. "Her name is Ariana! She's a crazily outgoing person! The very reason we are best friends!" She grinned widely. "She learned about lasers when we were in the history section of their HUGE public library! She was excited about it!" The squad noticed her excitement and eagerly listened to her.
At Krygstek's planet, Valorna, the great library, a woman with light blonde hair that runs down to her waist is loudly filling up the library with her uncontrollable anticipation. Her voice is followed by the continuous shushing of another woman who seems to feel the same way as the other people inside the library. Gazes of anger strike the excited woman as she stands almost jumping in hype with whatever she has found, but she doesn't seem to notice at all.
"This stuff, Kirin! I can make a weapon out of it! I mean, I can start researching about it!" The woman repeatedly tap the image inside the book she was reading while almost shoving it to her friend and calling her name in almost every sentence. "Y-yeah, I know! But you have to sit and lower your damn voice!" The woman named Kirin with long black hair that has the same length as the excited woman pulled her down to her seat. The force was enough to think that they are angry, but the excited woman still didn't notice anything and continued to point at the image.
"Kirin! My wish is to become a Creator you know!" Saying that, she taps the image even more vigorously. "No one, I mean NO ONE! has invented a weapon that involves a hot, blazing red rod that tears into everything!" The woman now stares at Kirin eyes sparkling, waiting for her response. "That is called Laser I believe, and it's not even a weapon nor a rod!" Kirin shrugged, looking irritated. The woman then looked back at the image.
"It's like, the very first lasers that are used as some kind of guidance for military equipment!" Kirin pointed at the image. The once-excited woman now childishly frowned at her friend. "No, no! You're not getting my point here!" She whined and stood up, moving the chair back loudly. Kirin sat silent, confused and waiting for her to continue.
"I said... I can... MAKE!" The woman taps the image with force. "A weapon... out of it..." She stares back at Kirin. "So, you want a piece of guidance equipment to turn into an actual weapon? You're crazy. How are you going to do it?" The woman scoffed at Kirin. "You're forgetting you're on a planet where there are countless ideas with no impossibilities! And you happen to be talking to a Krygstek lady!" She used both of her hands to swing her hair back. The fragrance of her shampoo flew in the air and tickled Kirin's nose.
"You mean a planet full of self-exiled psychopaths, Arie" Kirin smirked. The loud woman seemingly named 'Arie' frowned once more, this time is less childish. "You're mistaking us as the Na-bleh. We are more straight and proper than those unhinged people. Even from their name, you can tell the gas of their planet poisoning their minds and making them crazy. They're no longer the 'other' group of criminals you used to know" She then dragged her chair closer and sat.
"Narukh'za. Yeah, the name weirds me out. Though, even if they are 'poisoned' they are still one of us. They are still Kryok's people" Silence followed after, and later, Ariana proceeded to talk about lasers again in Kirin's now fallen hope of finally shutting her up.
"Sounds like my type of friend!" Chirlin raised her hands up. "I mean, who wouldn't want a friend like her?" Kirin grinned. "That bitch can't be stopped once she started to become energized" She chuckled loudly. "That's the library we were at, mind you" Kirin pointed to Chirlin. "After that, I started acting like her assistant. I would assist her in her researches. We continued for as long as she can. Eventually, without me noticing it, I became her actual personal assistant. When she had sufficient information about lasers stuff, I went with her to ask for approval of her inventions. The Higher-ups were surprised of her!"
"The Manager promised her that she will get a special position in the Creators if she is successful with her weapons, we were so happy! I am happy for her, so I tried my best to focus. And then finally, after multiple attempts and failures, she managed to create a stable laser gun! Excited about it, she started applying them to more guns and then vehicles for the competition. That's more years of research and experiments! Then finally, we were able to gather enough equipment and vehicles and joined the most-awaited competition!"
"We faced a huge challenge! The entire roster of the Krygstek is on us. They envied Ariana's newest and greatest invention in their society. Some of them even resorted to lowly insults because I am an Arkula, an outsider. But Ariana didn't let them continue with that insult and got rid of it right there and then"
"After all that, we were a huge success. Everyone just gave in and gave her the victory she deserved. She then earned her place as a Creator, you have no idea how much she jumped in joy!" Kirin grinned. "I couldn't forget that moment. Being a Creator and having the ability to have students to teach about your own works, that's every Krygstek's dream, believe it or not!" She said.
"What number is she on the list?" Chirlin asked. "List? Oh, she's the second Creator" Everyone was a little bit disappointed. "Second? I thought she was the best?" Chirlin raised a brow. "The first position is like, a reserved spot. The first Creator's invention is literally the Krygstek military, which is a robotic army. Ariana wanted to be the first, but just like everyone else, she understood that and that fact didn't let her down. She's now officially a Creator, her very wish from the beginning when we were still at that library, just randomly sniffing some history" Kirin answered.
"So, what did you learn from her?" Chirlin asked, taking Kirin by surprise. "W-what did I learn, you ask?" She stuttered. "You see, I'm kind of a forgetful and dumb person" She shyly smiled. "W-wow, I didn't think you're easy to describe yourself like that" Sterling said. "But uh, I did remember Matter. That's the first thing she studied and focused on and shared with me. You know, stuff like electrons or radiations... She told me that those are actually very, very ancient lessons. Those things are taught waaay back to the unknown era, way back that its written history has just been covered and forgotten after millenniums of histories to record"
"There are theories that it's the beginning of humanity where they learned about all that kind of things. Not the years of the beginning of humanity that our current history taught us, but the real beginning of everything. But of course, no one is able to prove them right. No one has lived in those unknown eras and survived up to our time. So theorizing about it has become irrelevant, but there are few who continue to do so, hence Ariana was able to tell me about it" She said.
"How about time travel?" Chirlin asked. Kirin chuckled. "I told them about that. They say that they are already contented with what they have, so they don't need a time machine" She said. "I mean, time travel back to the uhh... unknown eras?" Chirlin said. "Hmm..." Kirin thinks for a second. "I also told them about that. They are uncertain. They didn't show it but they were visibly upset about that idea. They are afraid to venture that far in time" She replied.
"They are...scared?" Chirlin gulped. "Just how long has it been since those 'unknown eras'?" Niela looked very curious. "Thousands of years, millenniums ago. History is no longer exact about it" The squad is silent in deep thoughts. "So!" Kirin clapped, snapping the squad back.
"I was able to stay with her for a month before Lonara called me home. Ariana..." Kirin suddenly jolted, remembering something. "She, uh..." She turned red and looked away. "She gave me a long hug before we parted ways" She then sighed. "Is that so?" Niela spoke. Kirin glanced at her and saw her staring at her, knowing something is bothering her.
"Y-yeah. It was a long journey, so that was like, a huge, huge hug" She said before heaving a deep sigh. "Oh, one thing. We already ceased to age at the time she engaged in researching lasers. If we hadn't, we would be old hags when we finally compete with the others" She laughed slightly. After that, they had casual conversations.
Though distracted, Kirin couldn't brush off a memory that she has now remembered after being hidden in a form of mist in her mind for so long. Niela was very observant and realized that she was right about Kirin being squirmy about something. After talking for a while, Kirin was out of the conversation. And then she silently reminisces.
"Hey, Arie" Kirin called. A month after Ariana took the spot as the second Creator. The night at that day, Kirin packed up her things secretly until that time. "I, uhh, actually have to go back to Kryok. Like, right now" She said to Ariana. Ariana was surprised by the abrupt goodbye.
"Kirin... why didn't you tell me earlier? Or did you think about it just now?" She saw her pulling her suitcase. "Actually, Lonara told me a week earlier, but I wanted to enjoy the remaining times I had without you worrying" Kirin scratched her head.
"Oh, you're quite selfish about that one!" Ariana punched her chest lightly. "But I understand. I enjoyed your last week here with me" She then fell silent for a second before approaching Kirin and wrapping her arms around her. Kirin froze in place, obviously taken aback by her response.
Ariana hugged her for almost a minute. Kirin noticed her wiping her eyes as she parted away. "Thank you, Kirin, for everything" Ariana smiled warmly. Kirin was really surprised. "H-hey, it's no problem, geez!" She turned beet red.
"That's what friends are for, right?" Kirin tried her best to avoid looking at her eyes. "Hm..." Ariana gently nods. "Everything you've done for me. Right from the beginning, you were already there for me. You were patient, you tried to understand me. You never left me when I showed you attitudes that I never thought I will ever show you. You never let me down and even fought my challenges together. Through thick and thin, you walked beside me, guided me, onward to my dream, you helped me reach that dream and make it come true... You understand what they mean to me, right?" Ariana reached out for her hands and held them tight.
At this point, Kirin wanted to run away. "Yeah... I do..." Even responding that shortly took an amount of energy. "Geez, when did you become like this?!" Kirin tried looking at her, jumping slightly once their eyes met.
Ariana giggled. "W-what's so funny?!" Kirin asked, almost aggressively. "Oh, I wish I had a camera right now! You are absolutely red!" She said. Kirin then just realized Ariana was holding her shivering hands for quite a while and tried pulling them away, but Ariana refused to let go.
"I am as surprised as you are, Kirin. I... We, have been so busy and focused that I didn't have the time to think that you have been on my side ever since. I am very glad that I am able to show my biggest appreciation to you right now before you go home" Ariana hugged her once more.
"Thank you for everything, Kirin. I owe you a lot. I will miss you..." This time, Kirin returned the hug. She tightly embraced her friend, the person who she have been supporting unconditionally all the years. "You are very important to me, Kirin. I will never forget you" Kirin was embarrassed again, but this time, she treasured those words.
The two embraced each other in silence for some time, thinking back on their times together, and enjoying each other's warmth. Then that night, Kirin said her goodbyes one more time before finally leaving Valorna behind to return to Kryok.