The End of One Thing is the Beginning of Another

Finally able to escape the jabber of Dr. Feist an exasperated Shion sent a beem out to the team, "Squad, have you completed your sweeps of the lower floors? If you have, head back to the lobby."

"Hmmm, elevator or stairs?" thought Shion. 

Stairs were probably faster than the elevator, but the elevator was so easy. Tolerating that man made Shion feel like she was going to have an aneurysm. She sighed, "Damn it!" Shion knew that exercise was probably going to help her calm down. She didn't want to have to explain to anyone why she was so flustered,so, stairs it was. 

After one final sigh, Shion opened the door to the stairwell. What fun would it be to climb down the stairs normally she thought. Shion set a timer with her neurolink, assumed a runner's starting position and at the beep flew down the first flight of stairs. When she hit the wall at the bottom, and pressed down hard before bounding into a side flip over the next flight of stairs. Shion vaulted over the side rail, falling several floors down before grabbing onto another side rail. Just a couple more flights to go. Shion did a front flip over one flight to a back handspring over the last. She landed in a handstand. She moved all her weight into one hand then sprang into a backflip before raising her arms in a gymnast style landing.

Doing stuff like this always reminded Shion of her mother. Shion was the spitting image of her mother with her new eyes and her long blonde hair. Kana Tanaka was an Upperclass olympic gymnast and earned four gold medals during her career. 

Shion's mind wandered back to a moment she spent with her mother as a child. At four years old, Shion was no stranger to the gymnastics gym. That day was uneven bars practice. 

Shion flew back and forth between the bars while her mother cheered her on, "Good job Shion. Remember to tuck your hips more on that next flip. Perfect you got it. Now stick the landing."

 Shion did not stick the landing, as her feet hit the floor, the momentum carried her back so hard she flew backwards and slid on her back.

Her mom laughed. That laughing face was Shion's favorite memory of her mom. Her mom got on the bars and went through the routine and showed her how to land. She was graceful and in fact amazing while she did gymnastics. When she landed she bent her knees to absorb the impact. "See Shion, that's how you land softly."

The ding of the elevator snapped Shion back to reality. She did a little head shake then waited outside the elevator door. When it opened, the six combat ready soldiers were all crammed together.

"My god soldiers, you look like a bunch of sardines in a tin can. Anyways form up, let's get this over with so we can get some grub. Report your findings L.T."

"Colonel no additional finding from the team. We bagged all evidence from the lockers and will analyze it further at base. Nothing further to report, mam."

Shion started,"I have some intel on stolen items from the 10th floor. A list has been sent to you with descriptions. Meet in the control room at 1300 hours. And Sgts give me one of those blank business cards before you go. Dismissed."

While the rest of the team broke formation and hurried out, Chizuru stayed behind. 

She leaned in front of Shion with her hands clasped behind her back, "Let's head over to my place for some lunch?"

Shion smiled, "Sure, I'm starving. Plus you wanted to talk right? Let's go... oh and Chizuru, it will be much faster if we run."

The two looked at each other for a second then took off in a sprint. In a couple minutes, they reached Chizuru's apartment. They entered and were greeted by the friendly meow of Alexander. Shion squatted down and scratched his chin and ears. Chizuru slung her gear onto the back of the couch and removed her kevlar jacket before letting her hair out and giving it a good shake. She also removed her army green jacket which prompted Shion to do the same. 

Shion picked up the cat and sat on the couch stroking his silky fur while he made biscuits in her lap. To avoid awkward silence, Shion asked, "So what's the plan for lunch?"

Chizuru replied, "What are you in the mood for?

Shion thought for a minute, "Maybe an MRE, or some dehydrated food. Whatever is good, I'm just hungry."

Chizuru responded, "I don't have either of those things. I have fresh food. I can make you a sandwich or something."

Shion, "You don't have any pre-made food do you? I suspected as much," she sighed, "I have a confession to make. I can't cook. I never learned. I was basically an orphan since I spent most of my life at military academies with no real parents. It was a place where all the food was prepared for us. I always wanted to learn, but no one ever had the time to teach me." 

In the back of Shion's mind she thought of Matt who was super smart but couldn't even boil water.

Chizuru looked sad as she walked over to Shion. "It must have been hard growing up without family. I'm so sorry." 

She got on her knees and hugged Shion. Shion's body responded on its own as she pulled Chizuru in tighter for a quick but passionate kiss. Chizuru brushed aside a stray hair from Shion's face and said, "I promise, someday I'll teach you to cook."

Chizuru walked over to the kitchen and a few minutes later came out carrying two plates with homemade subs on them and some fresh fruit. 

Shion scarfed down her food while Chizuru fiddled with the box in her pocket, so nervous, she was barely able to eat.

Shion looked at Chizuru's plate hungrily. "You can have it Shion, I'm not that hungry". 

As Shion worked on Chizuru's plate she finally worked up the courage to speak.

Meekly at first Chizuru spoke, "Shion, you know there was a reason other than your promotion that would have been good enough for a dinner date at Gino's?"

Shion looked up at Chizuru, a piece of meat hanging out of her mouth. 

A little more confidently Chizuru continued,  "With everything that was going on and you being so hurt, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. And then I thought maybe after but then we got attacked and... Sorry, I'm rambling. It's just that I'm almost 25 and um now is a good time to start settling down. I mean I'm not getting any younger. What I really mean to say is I really love you, I've been in love with you since forever and I want us to be together forever too."

Chizuru got down on one knee and opened the box revealing a silver ring with a large diamond for a center stone and two sapphires on either side, "Shion will you marry me?"

Shion choked on her food and started coughing violently, that was quite a shock and she literally was not expecting that at all. She wondered why anyone would want that from her, she spent a long time not being very welcoming to Chizuru so why? 

For as confused as she was, Shion's mind jumped immediately to yes anyways, but before she could answer, the blaring raid siren could be heard overhead.  Both girls turned to each other but before Shion could answer, Chizuru pale and sweating shot up.

Shion started, "Chizuru, I..."

"Don't answer now. It can wait till after we take care of this. Look at the emergency alert banner."

Across the small tv in Chizuru's living room, "This is not a drill. Western airships spotted off the coast heading for the capitol. All civilians remain indoors, all military personnel report to central at the base."

Chizuru hurriedly put on her jacket and started to put on her gear while Shion was already halfway out the door. 

When they arrived at central,  one of the generals gave Shion and another Colonel the command to ready their troops. He went on to explain that they were going to make first contact by air and that Shion and her troops would intercept them by land if that failed. 

Shion and all five squads headed to the armory to gear up. Above the jacket, everyone put on identical kevlar vests, respirators and green kevlar helmets. Shion and Chizuru and all other officers had modified suits tailored to their specific talents. After all, the only way to become an SS officer in the first place was to have a special talent or skill.

Both the Butcher and the Devil were skilled fighters but not all officers were. Some were strategists, some expert hackers, but all had their talents and all had custom equipment.

Shion had thick metal plates plates on her shoulders and steel plated gloves. The shoulder plates could be detached and used as projectiles. Shion's primary weapon was a thick solid metal batton. For long range attacks, Shion carried a thick braided cable which was sturdy but light, and when swung at fast enough speeds, could slice through bone.

Chizuru had mostly standard equipment, but her primary weapon was a pair of matching 12 inch double sided blades. She also had about a dozen four inch blades lining an elastic band around her thigh.  

As the two got ready, the silence between them was deafening. Shion beemed Chizuru, "Hey, talk to me. It isn't what you think. Meet me in the 2nd from the last stall."

Chizuru headed to the stall where Shion pushed her against the wall, "Yes." Shion knew that she was probably being hasty in her decision, and that it was probably doomed to fail but she needed someone like Chizuru in her life so she wouldn't lose herself completely. 

"Wait what?"

"I said yes," Shion said while riffing through Chizuru's pockets. She pulled out the ring case. 

"Look, I can't wear it now, because I will smash it to bits, but I will hold it close to my heart," Shion whispered as she stuck the box in the pocket closest to her heart. Tears rolled down Chizuru's face as Shion leaned in and kissed her.

"Hey Chizuru, when we get back home let's celebrate ok?"

Chizuru nodded and hugged Shion one last time before whispering, "Be safe my love."

Once all squads were ready they headed to the transport bay where a large rectangular vehicle with no windows, large metal plates and steel plated wheels was waiting for them.

 Shion called the small battalion to attention. 

All troops lined up and stood still with arms at their sides. 

"Troops, we are heading out today to neutralize invaders from the west. We shoot to kill and we watch each other's backs. Let's get out there and kick some ass. Soldiers, March!"

In organized ranks the soldiers piled into the back of the vehicle, Chizuru and Shion entering last, the steel door closing with a large thud behind them.