The will of a fair maiden

“Nabiki? You should be-”

“Resting and recovering? After such brave declarations from our friends here? I could hardly sit back and let them take all the glory, could I?” She strutted in through the door so casually you’d never believe her spine was on the verge of breaking irreparably just a few days ago.

“How did you even hear abo-”

My question answered itself before I could finish asking it. Fujiko followed Nabiki through the door, hands on the back of her head, as casual as ever. I hadn’t noticed her before because she was too much of a shortarse to make out behind anyone of normal size.

“Filled her in on the deets on the way home. Not the way I usually prefer to fill in cute girls but I’ll settle for today.”

“Jesus Christ, Fuji, would it kill you to talk like a functioning member of society for fucking once?”

“We are an active terrorist cell.”

“...fair point,” I sighed, before turning to Nabiki. “Look, Nabiki, you were almost paralysed three days ago. The fight happens in four. There is no way you’re in good enough condition to come with us. Sorry but you’re staying behind.”

“You would step on the will of a fair maiden? Who extends her hand to you, no less?”

“No, I’m stepping on the will of an idiot who thinks she can fight with a fucked spinal column. I cannot stress this enough, if you come with us you will die, Nabiki.”

“I’m prepared for that eventuality.”

“Christ alive. I thought I was supposed to be the suicidal one.” I put my face in my hands. This was not a conversation I wanted to have.

“I reckon we should let her come along, honestly,” piped up Fujiko. Uninvited. Really need to stick some bloody sellotape over that girl’s mouth one of these days. “I mean, odds are, if Aki wants to wear you down there’s every chance those three nutcases are gonna be back again, right? None of the rest of us can counter gravity girl. Good idea to have her along for that if nothing else.”

“Are you forgetting that Graviton almost made her spine crumple like a wet paper towel?”

“Are you forgetting that without her all three of us would have crumpled like wet paper towels?”

“I-”

I couldn’t actually refute Fuji’s point. Oh god. That had never happened before. She was supposed to be easy pickings.

“My love, if I may,” said Nabiki, putting a hand over her heart, “the system you seek to destroy is the same that forced this abomination on me in the first place. They used me, betrayed me, and left me for dead. I would like to return the favour. Even if it were to cost my life.”

Bloody hell. Why was I surrounded by women who either wanted to take my life or throw away their own? What a hassle this lot are.

Still, I didn’t have much ground to stand on. Nabiki seemed fully determined, and Fuji was right that she’d be invaluable against Graviton. Leaving her behind honestly seemed like a terrible choice, all things considered. But this still didn’t mean I liked it.

“Nabiki, just answer me this,” I said. “You say you’re willing to lay down your life, but are you sure you wouldn’t rather survive and enjoy the spoils afterwards? You’re certain you’d rather die for a dream than live to see it fulfilled?”

“Without question, my love,” Nabiki said as she nodded, “Were I to stay behind, and the three of you were to fail, I would be left an existence with no further reason to be. Just killing and stealing to survive as I did before. I would rather face down death itself than return to that. So yes. I would be happy to die for your dream, because the idea of living to see it fizzle out frightens me far more than death.”

As much as I hated to admit it, that was more or less a done deal. I still felt her decision was rash, but I couldn’t argue with her motivation. We had come so far to bring about a better world. I don’t think I’d be able to live to watch it fail either.

“...alright. If that’s the way you want it to be, then so be it,” I said with a sigh. “In that case, I guess it’s official. All of Team Ronin is taking part in this mission.”

“And for that, you’ll be needing some extra assistance.” The four of us turned our attention to the voice. Higgs stood in the doorway. “If you would all follow me. We have something to discuss.”