Aberrant: Infinite Earth - Cosmos Nova - [FIN] [CN Prelude] Kei Nakano - Mission 0

[SeaEagle]

September 2, 2011

0300 Hours

Somewhere off the Somalia coast in the Arabian Sea...

A streak goes across the water, a green phosporous trail behind it's wake like some kind of UFO. The water kicked up behind it a little as it screamed across the water at Mach 2.

"Okay K, change heading to 50 degrees, 300 meters. We need a intel sweep of the area, any activity from boats and our own."

"Roger that Skippy, going high."

The glowing blue orb shoots skyward until it stops at the desired height. The blue orb fades revealing the startling form of a black humanoid form, hovering in place, clad in armor like a modern Knight with wings protruding from the legs. When the form stops glowing it reveals the armor looks just like a person and a jet had a daughter, her flight gear and suit seemingly part of the armor's coverage.

She looks about her vision sharper than an eagle.

"I see 3 tankers heading from the north, probably from the Aden route, three cargo ships from the west, probably heading east, some fishing vessels. There are 4 JMSDF, 2 Royal Navy, and 3 US ships in typical patrol pattern in this grid location."

"Roger that, K. Return to the ship for debriefing and rest."

"Inbound, ETA 30 minutes."

Kei heads south to one of the US ships in the fleet, generally used for SEAL operations. Her minder, who she called "Skippy" out of a form of friendly banter waited on the deck, clad in what Kei liked to call her "costume", this time protraying a Ensign of the US Navy. "Skippy" is Kei's handler in the DSA, and is pretty much her operation's manager and "operator" on important missions.

"So, K, nothing to report?"

"Nothing of importance except what was reported over coms."

"They're being too quiet. I talked with my contact among the Marines and the Navy here. They all agree the pirates that operate here are up to something."

"Well at least I can get a few ours sleep and some food. When is breakfast?"

"0500 hours."

Kei deactivates her armor, revealing a black flight suit with olive drab flight gear in the form of a tactical vest and holster for a side arm and a PFD in a collar around the neck.

"Well time for a cat-nap."

"Don't let any of the officers catch you up to no good. I might have a rank equivalency from my time in the Navy, but you're nothing more than a fancy civilian here."

"I got a spot. Over behind the island on deck."

The ship was a small helicopter carrier designed to also carry assault craft under the deck. It was perfect for SEAL operations and just what was needed for the mission.

"To be honest, Skippy, today was a good change from the mission in Japan for the last few months. I've seen enough dead bodies to last me several lifetimes."

Skippy puts her hand on her shoulder. "I know... all you've had is nothing but training and you've not had to use any of your skills int he field. I'm sorry it was all recovery... I should have moved you to helpign assess damage over recovering corpses."

"That... that's alright May. Those families needed closure."

She starts walking over to the island to lean on the bulkhead and catch some shut-eye under the stars.

"Remember! 0500!" May says. "Don't be late."

May adjusts her glasses as she heads back in.

=To Be Continued

[SeaEagle]

0501 hrs

USS Boxer Mess Hall

September 2, 2011

Kei arrived almost on time for mess with the crew of the current shift, mostly Marines and a few Naval personnel. She was still dressed in her flight gear, which got a look from a couple of those on board wondering what her deal was. May was right behind her in her duty uniform provided to her before arriving for the mission and kept quiet as she recieved her meal. Kei... thought it would be a good idea to follow her lead since she'd never really even had more than this taste of military life. "Skippy" was formerly a career Navy girl. She got up to the rank of Petty Officer before the DSA got a hold of her because of her interpersonal skills and general reliability.

Since she was a DSA agent, the DSA managed to give her a full officer commission of Ensign, which was unusual, although it was in the rights of the DSA to assign to allow for easy embedding.

Kei on the other hand had no rank. Among the Marines and Seamen aboard the Boxer, she was either referred to by her current call-sign of "K", or by what she is referred to on the crew manifest as "Sentient Engagement Asset 2". More to protect her identity and her involvement than anything else.

She started eating her meal with May sitting next to her when a Private walked up and sat down. Scratching his head and having a giggle. "Man, didn't think they had kids being sent over for military missions in that fancy "Department of Superhuman Affairs"... like what, you the Avengers or something?"

Kei smirked. "Private... I'd recommend that you research me a bit more. I spent a month on the Essex after that big assed earthquake hit Japan, and I think I was received better. Helped with the relief effort. I guess that is why they picked me for this job. And by the way... I'm 19."

"You got a smart mouth on ya... You ever go to Paris Island and I'm sure a DI would shut you up real quick."

May puts her hand on Kei's shoulder. "Calm down. This isn't worth it, Private."

He stands up in disgust. "Pulling rank, you fake? You're nothing more than a DSA pretender."

The Captain of the ship who was eating with some of the lower grade seamen stood up with a glare. "Stand down marine. She's seen combat. Two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan before the DSA swept her up."

Kei turned to her. "Really?"

May nodded.

"Like that's anything special. She's just fronting rank..."

Most of the marines laugh as he walks away with his meal.

Kei started thinking of something to say, but holds back for May's sake. She goes back to her meal.

0600 Hours

Deck of the USS Boxer

Kei stepped out around a helicopter and looked about as the deck crews took care of daily maintenance. May stepped out in her flight gear as she looked over her Helicopter.

"What's going on?"

"We had a drone pick up on some movement coming off the coast. Seems some pirates are on the move. There's 12 boats heading after a Japanese cargo ship convoy and we're the closest to them."

"Great, they group up for protection and now the pirates are forming wolf-packs like World War II"

"Yeah, I'll be in the air heading to the scene while you take care of the hostiles. There will be more assets arriving if things get too ugly."

Kei nods as she sees May hop into a back seat of the Blackhawk. "Good luck, Skippy!"

May nods as they take off. Kei on the other hand heads to the center of the flight deck and armors up, her armor taking on the usual dark grey coloration of the ship. DSA markings are on the "wings" of her armor and with a smile her helmet closes about her head.

"Control this is S.E.A, Callsign K, requesting clearance for flight."

"This is your Airboss, K, you're cleared of traffic. Keep to an altitude below 1000 meters and engage only if they show hostile intent or the evidence is clear they are Pirates. They may be fishing boats, so use caution, it was unclear by the drone what was on those zodiac-type boats."

"Roger that. Switching to mission channel with my Operator."

"Roger that, happy hunting, K."

She hits a switch on her wrist-watch like control for her com-link. Her armor formed a clear, pressible touch-screen protector over the controls for the com-link.

"I see you logged in Kei. This is the mission. You will use any and all means to identify and if hostiles, eliminate the boats from threatening the ships. 6 headed due south while 6 more are heading to a closer ship to them, a target of opportunity."

"Roger that, stay safe, Skippy."

Kei hovers up and heads off to the north to engage her 6 boats, moving at mach speed until she gets close.

It takes only a short period of time before the black Zodiac-style rubber boats are visible, heading to their targets, although they were still a mile away.

She goes at a parallel vector to pass to their starboard between the ships and the boats, at a slower speed to see what was on board, and the thing that screamed "Hostile" was all the RPGs, AK-47s, and armed, desperate men.

She circled and says into her com-link. "Targets verified, Making one more pass..."

She was smart to pass by, but ultimately only Careful because that was how she was trained. And then one of the pirates saw her and fired an RPG.

"Targets Hostile, I repeat Targets Hostile, engaging!" She shouts as the RPG missed wide. She curls around and realizes they were stupid... they didn't scatter yet...

She bears down to about 5 feet off the deck and goes full Mach 2, right across their formation.

After she gets by, she leaves in her wake 6 capsized zodiacs, and 20 confused pirates floating by their life vests, the rest were unaccounted for. Kei new she saw more and her 360 degree sense tricks didn't show they were under their boats through x-rays or anything, they all got tossed out. She turns around.

"This is K... Pirates are neutralized... Used my primary maneuver on them."

"Roger that, check for casualties."

"Already did, potentially 10 drowning, cannot verify their condition because they are MIA. 20 are on the surface wearing PFDs, holding on to the sides of their boats... wait..."

As she made another pass on a slow speed, one of the pirates pulls out another RPG and fires with only 100 feet between her and him. Reflexively she holds out her hand and fires a shot with her laser, it strikes the grenade as it leaves the barrel of the launcher exploding, taking out the boat and the men hanging on to it.

"Kei! Kei! Are you alright?"

"Yeah... shot out a RPG, took out the capsized boat and it's crew. The other 5 are capsized, they don't seem to want to fight no more."

She hovered near the remainders of the group. After seeing what she did, they took off their weapons. and tossed them into the water and put their hands up. "I got a verifiable surrender at my location."

"Roger that, relaying your location to the Boxer to pick up the prisoners. Good work... Oh god."

"Skippy! Skippy! Dammit what's going on!"

She hears chaos over her com with May, her com-link is open as Kei hovers up.

"We're... being fired upon, we... returned fire but it's heavy, heavy fighting... oh crap RPG!"

There is the sound of static soon after.

"Dammit... Skippy?!"

"Rotor... going... ditch...Help..."

"Son of a..."

Kei gets pissed at this point... if those bastards killed her friend.

She screams to the location and sees the smoke from the downed helicopter in the water.

And she sees the boats immediately starting back for land.

"OH NO YOU DONT!"

The boats immediately open fire, the rounds plinking off of her armor. This was a direct threat... she was already mad but now they not only potentially killed the crew of the Blackhawk including her friend, but now they're trying to kill her. No second chances.

She screamed into combat like a banshee, unloading her lasers on each engine housing of each boat, taking out their engines. She targets any RPGs before they fire and shoots the rocket out before they're fired. They explode taking out their crews in a ball of fire as their ammo cooks off. She keeps unloading like a woman possessed. In a matter of 10 seconds of pure violence it was over. She hovered above the carnage, panting furiously.

"SONS OF BITCHES!!!"

She flies over to the blackhawk, hearing only one beep.

"Skippy... May... that better be you..."

"Kei... help... please..." May said... she sounded in distress.

"May I'm almost there. Where are you??"

"I see you... not too far... I'm... near the wreck..."

"Are you Okay."

"I'm scared..."

She sees May bobbing in the water by her vest and she is in the help position... or more like the best fetal position she could be in.

Kei hovers down and turns off her flight once she gets near the surface and falls in, she swims over to May looking at her with X-Ray vision.

"I don't see any broken bones... my electromagnetic vision doesn't show any nerve damage... are you okay?"

"Oh my god... they're all..."

Kei inflates her PFD so she can float next to May. "It's alright... I'm here." She pulls her over and hugs her.

"It's all right... I stopped all of them. They got their just deserts."

"I'm so sorry, Kei.. I shouldn't have got you in on this... I didn't want you to see combat like this... not like this..." May says crying.

"I know... but those Japanese sailors will see their families..."

"But want about Juke, Dawg, and Max?" May says, referring to the pilots of their helicopter and her door gunner.

"I should have flew with you... provided protection."

"I... should have ordered you to stay with us... It's... all my fault."

"May... Those bastards would have shot you down with what they had. I am almost out of juice myself. I went to town."

May still cried. She was like a little girl and she was like the mother at this point.

"Is your beacon still functional?"

"Y... Yes."

"Okay... someone will pick us up shortly... Just... calm down. You are okay? Not hurt anywhere?"

"No... except my arm, I cut it bad." Mary says, lifting it up. It was cut up pretty fierce. Kei deactivates her armor, and grabs her first aid kit from a side pouch on her flight vest and starts working with the wounds. "Doesn't look too bad Skippy." As she says this she hears 3 more voices. "Hey you two?! You okay?!?"

Hidden by the smoke and fire, the rest of the crew was indeed alright.

"Guys! Ow! Kei!"

"Hold still, Skippy, dammit..."

The rest of the crew swims over and pats Kei on the back. "Sick work cleaning up those scumbags."

Various other compliments from the crew showered on Kei but she focussed on patching up May.

"You a medic, Miss...." The pilot, a woman with some nasty facial wounds asks as she swims up. "I think I got burned."

Kei could see that the facemask was shattered and her right eye was injured. There was some burning too. She takes the helmet off and tosses it aside, and starts examining the injury. "Can you open your eye."

She does and Kei is relieved to see that the eye itself was okay, covered with blood but okay. "Alright, I'm going to start treating the burns. May, got your medkit?"

May hands over her kit to suppliment what Kei had left. "Okay you two, I need you to keep a lookout for rescue. May activated her beacon so someone should be inbound."

The remining pilot and the door gunner nod as Kei gets to work applying a ointment for the burn after cleaning it with salt water then a antiseptic. The co-pilot winced a little but gritted it.

After getting done she made sure everyone stayed close. It was about an hour before the blackhawk arrived to pick them up and send them back to the ship. Kei flew back on her own, flying escort armored. She looked odd with her PFD still inflated flying next to the blackhawk, but seeing May was alright as well as the crew made her happy.

When they returned the crew of the ship was cheering as the co-pilot was helped off on a stretcher. May hopped off and greeted Kei with a hug.

"You did good, Kei."

"I know I did."

=To Be continued

[SeaEagle]

December 1, 2011

USS Boxer, Captain's Quarters

0900 Hours

Kei sits down in her flight gear as the Captain looks over his papers.

"Miss Nakano. Seems the higher ups at the DSA were impressed by your performance as our Sentient Engagement Asset, Callsign K. Unfortunately, due to the lack of novas in the United States you've not been approved for a second 3 month stint. I of course protested, but the DSA controls where you go."

May was sitting next to Kei, wearing full flight gear as well, already aware of Kei being relieved of her duties. "So, Kei is relieved as of Today?"

"Correct. You've been cleared to take the F-35X you took here to Boston. Refueling as you go via air tankers. It'll be a long flight, but that particular F-35 model you have was DSA modded?"

Kei smiled. "Oh yeah... capable of Mach one and has the VTOL system."

"Good." May added. "I've been notified by the USCG station there that Kei will be spending a 3 month tour there, participating in Search and Rescue operations to start on her arrival and after a days rest as per DSA regulations."

Kei actually smiled on that news. "Really? I heard that's where I scored highly in training."

"Yep. Can't wait. Was where I had my high marks in my agent training as well." May added.

The captain stands up and extends his hand to Kei. "Thanks to you, more ships have gone through the area unmolested than any other time in the area. Pirate activity as a result has gone down 80%. Sometimes a good deterrent is all you need."

"Thank you, sir." Kei says, actually starting to pick up on protocol.

"Well, Sir, we best be off, we got another mission to attend to." She says, standing up, and saluting out of old Navy habit. Kei joins, matching her stance.

"No need for salutes, ladies. Thank you, and from here on out, Just call me Jim."

The two nod as they head off, grabbing their helmets. "So... ever refueled a F-35 mid-flight before?"

"Only in training simulators."

"Ah. Well you're a natural at this, and it's actually fun after the first couple times. Just don't freak out. We usually have about 5% fuel at worst when we arrive at a tanker."

Kei smiles. "Ah... good. I wouldn't want to ditch a perfectly good F-35X that was DSA funded."

The two hop into their F-35X that was DSA customized and marked and they were authorized and take off. The white with black trim next generation fighter hovered up then switched to flight mode and took off over the Sea of Aden at Mach 1, heading to it's first refuel point.

"So Kei... Or Sea Eagle..."

Kei smiled. "Shoot, Skippy."

"What did you think of the mission?"

Kei paused. "I hated killing those pirates when I flipped."

May notes that. "Good... don't start liking it."

"Skippy... are you alright... you got distraught back there in the water a couple months ago. Have you... got over it?"

"Yeah. It was a shock to my system. I honestly thought that my crew died back there."

"I thought you were about to die there, too... I was just as worried."

"Think nothing of it now, Sea Eagle. We got lives to save now. Let's not dally."

Kei smiles. "We'll be reaching the area for Tanker 1 in 30 minutes. Hopefully the flight isn't too taxing for you."

"Heh, I made sure there was extra padding in the ejection seats."

Kei smiled. "Just relax and leave the driving to me. Oh, remember the drysuit under your flight suit? We will be flying over cold water on the last leg. over the Atlantic. Thought it'd be my turn to baby ya."

"Yep, Full gear, anti-exposure suit, flight suit, the whole kit."

Kei Giggled. "Anti-G Suit as well?"

"Don't think of it Kei... No Kei!"

Kei cuts some acrobatics, stretching the limits of her Jet and May. By the time they were done, May's legs ached from the G-Suit putting pressure on her legs, and she had some red-out twice.

"Kei... this machine is worth more than you, you know!"

"Relax, Skippy, they wanted us to try out the aircraft anyways right?"

Some days, May is reminded why she should fly, not Kei. She tries to lean back and catch a nap.

=To Be Continued

[SeaEagle]

December 25th, 2011, Boston Massachusetts

US Coast Guard - Boston Headquarters

2300 Hours

The snow was brutal. Too brutal. It was a classic Nor'easter. Kei decided to stay up, wearing her full rescue swimmer gear since more than likely there will be a call tonight... she felt it.

May walked in with a cup of hot cocoa, also dressed in her rescue gear waiting for the call Kei had a feeling would happen.

"So... you got the feeling too?"

"Yeah... I mean, think of it... Christmas... People aren't thinking about anything but being home."

May nodded.

"You have anyone waiting for you back home, May?"

"Yeah, my Dog. My folks passed just after I graduated high school and was in Boot. It was September 11th..."

Kei sighed. "I'm sorry... I didn't..."

"I've heard that enough, Kei... Nothing you can do to change what happened... What were you doing on that day?"

"Let's see I was 11... I think I was in 4th or 5th grade... I was in Miss Powell's class when the news hit the PA..."

"I was called into the DI's office. He told me what happened when my Grandmother managed to get a hold of the base commander. I knew then what would happen when I got out..."

Kei nodded. "I... honestly was afraid."

"All children are, Kei."

Then the warning klaxon's sounded. May slips her drysuit on as Kei stretches out. "Looks like the cocoa will need the Microwave huh?"

"Yeah... Kei... remember, I can't adapt, so be careful."

The base commander runs down. "We got a man overboard. May, I have to ask you to ride with the helicopter team while Kei assists with the search."

Kei nods. "Any known whereabouts?"

He pulls out a tablet and shows Kei the location in the atlantic, right at the edge of the safe operating radius of their helicopters.

"We need you to check that area and do what you can to find him. The weather will extremely put our fuel reserves to the test. If you must, retrieve and bring him back here. On check he was wearing a survival suit and life vest when he fell from the cargo ship he was on. We don't know if his vest had a rescue beacon on it."

"Understood."

Kei closes her eyes for a moment, and when they open, they glow a faint blue, and she can see the electromagnetic pulses of the nervous systems of everyone in the hangar. "Wish me luck. And May... be careful."

May nods, as Kei armors up, her armor taking on a red paint-job similar to the helicopters and flies off, before dissapearing in the sky with a boom as she goes trans-sonic at a safe altitude...

=To Be Continued

[SeaEagle]

Kei struggled against the storm winds, they were so fierce that it took alot of effort just to get up to a speed that could be of use getting to the site where the man or woman fell overboard. Usually in times of stress a ship captain will say "Man" or "Man Overboard", no matter the gender. All she's looking for is the red "gumby" suit and maybe a life vest beacon light. Or if she's lucky start seeing the radio transmissions of the distress beacon.

"Come on... where are you..."

Trying to hold steady was a chore. It took more energy to slow down and keep steady to see and scan the area. She could see all around her, but still, she had to make darn sure what she was picking up on was what she was looking for.

Then she sees it as she starts getting tired in the air.

A little radio signal... a mile out. She saw it and knew it was there... it was attenuated by the heavy snow and bad sea conditions. She rushed in as best she could and hovered for a moment.

"You Okay?!"

"Ya... Yeah! You my rescue? I don't hear a Helcopt... No way!"

She finally sees the armored rescuer hovering before her. She turns her armor off, not that it would help conserve energy, and she picks her up.

"Okay, I'm going to get us back as close to shore as I can... this storm... took... alot out of me. I got a two-person raft I can drop and deploy and I can get us in that so I can rest. I don't think they can get a heli out here in this weather..."

"So get us closer for retrieval?"

"Right."

Kei let off a burst with her speed after attuning with her passenger. That put her near empty... using the last of her normal reserves, she hovers as she drops her raft, setting her passenger in first, then falling into the water with an empty tank of quantum. She swims over and struggles into the raft, panting. She pulls a tab and activates her distress beacon. Kei was very much mortal now... she felt the cold... she felt the wind... she felt scared.

"Kei... you activated your beacon! What's wrong?"

"Ditched... but the overboard is okay, in raft... I'm... out of juice... it's cold..."

"Kei, if you have to put air into your suit, that should provide extra insulation, and close the flaps on the raft. Try to rest. You've trained for this... remember your training."

"Ri... Right."

She closes the flaps and curls up into a ball, puffing into the neck of her suit until she found May's hint was working out.

"Okay... I seem to be getting warm."

"How is the passenger?"

"Okay... she seems not hypothermic."

She slides over and huddles with Kei.

"And I think she has the right idea."

"Okay, good. The storm should be away enough in 6 hours where we can pick you up. Try to rest and conserve your body energy."

"Okay..."

"I'll stay with you if you want over the comlink."

"I'd... I'd like that."

The first duty of an operator is to their charge and their mission. Sometimes all that service is, is a kind word.

"Kei?"

"Yeah?"

"Merry Christmas."

Kei smiles as she embraces the rescued sailor. "Merry Christmas to you too..."

"...Tell me about your family."

= To Be Continued...

[SeaEagle]

Kei blinked at the request. Here they are, trying to survive... right... that is what they were surviving for.

"My family is estranged. My Mother and Father divorced soon after I was born. My Dad, Hikaru is in the US Navy. He's a Lieutenant Commander on some missile destroyer. My Mom, Hitomi works in Minneapolis as a Journalist for one of the TV Stations... Channel 4... Yeah. My mother received full custody and she raised me, although my Dad came by from time to time to check in on me."

She huddled tighter. Seemed that body heat doesn't transfer well through neoprene and rubber.

"My mom's not that bad... I was wanting for nothing and she made sure I had the best education and stuff. Even indulged my getting a pilot's license. It's ironic, I wanted to Join the Coastguard, but a illness early in my life stunted my growth later on. So most folk said no one would take me if I enlisted. My eruption didn't fix that..."

The oceans were a real problem... the raft rocked and rolled. It felt impossible to relax enough to start refilling. She puffed a little more into her suit, then decides to add to things she inflates her life vest to use like a scarf. The gear activated looked quite big and indeed take care of the task.

"At least... At least with my powers I adapted."

The survivor with her nodded.

"Are you going to be okay? I... never got to ask your name."

"Kei... Kei Nakano."

The survivor hugged Kei tight. "Thank you... I'm Anne. Anne Aceworth. From Cardiff, Wales."

Kei was so cold she didn't even recognize the accent. "Kei Nakano, Minneapolis, Minnesota."

Kei sat up with Anne and they both felt warm. The rocking didn't seem so bad.

"Once we get out of the drink, Kei... I think I owe you one."

"Yeah... So... I got a question."

"Hmm?"

"What's a nice girl like you doing on a cargo ship?"

She reaches into a pocket of her bright orange drysuit. "Actually..."

She pulls out a badge... a DSA badge.

"It's true that I was originally from Cardiff... when I was 8. I... lived in Boston the rest of my days."

Kei blinked then started looking over Anne's suit. "You... you got a warming garment under that suit?"

"Yeah... I was investigating a drug-running operation. I'm not a Nova either. Fully human. Nothing more than a well trained cop."

Kei nods. "What happened to make you become a human buoy?"

"The people I was chasing... they worked on that cargo ship and they were running drugs, mostly heroine and methamphetamine from Miami to Cardiff. It was intermixed with normal cargo, so that no one inspection could potentially get it all, and it was made to look like it was deposited there and none of the crew was involved. The thing about this crew was that they paid off every inspector they came across. I had all the evidence I needed when a couple of these guys came and muscled me overboard. It was... probably several hours later when the captain, who wasn't involved, found out. Those thugs took the single-person life raft I had in a pouch on my back, but didn't go through the trouble of damaging my life vest or suit... I think they wanted me to suffer."

"So... what can I do to help?"

"Simple... get my back to Boston."

Kei nodded, as Anne reached into her other pocket. "Here, slide this down the neck of your suit. It's a warming stick, just snap it, shake it and slide it in. It'll generate enough heat for a few hours. Enough to get us safely home."

"Nice gadget." Kei says, following her directions. "I'm surprised that our powered agents don't have such gear."

"Well, usually I don't need something like this to keep warm."

"Point taken."

Anne examines Kei. "What do you need to do to recharge?"

"Quite honestly..." She says laying down. "Just old fashioned rest."

=8 Hours later=

Anne and Kei still floated on the ocean. It was daytime by now, and Kei felt a bit better. She decided to switch on her adaptation and she tossed away the one-use warming device.

"Kei... this is May... we got you on visual!"

Kei looks out of one of the entry ports of the raft, by unzipping a flap, and sees on the horizon a modified Blackhawk with Coast-Guard markings.

"Get ready for pickup, we only got 10 minutes, so I'll open the door and you can fly yourself and Anne in."

"You heard our conversation?"

"Yeah."

When the helicopter pulled into position Kei grabs Anne and smiles. "Well here's our ride."

Anne simply nods, the batteries on her warming suit had finally died. She was tired, cold, and happy to get out of the Atlantic very shortly.

Kei hovers up, puts Anne in first then Kei hops in behind her.

"We're aboard... take us home."

The pilot nods and the group bee-lines it for base.

When the helicopter arrives, the storm had completely lightened up on shore.

When Kei hops out, she looked disappointed.

"What's wrong?" May asked.

"Oh, just seemed like a loss to have to ditch that raft... Also feels a bit like littering."

"Well... you could go back and get it."

Kei thought about that. "It had a beacon on it, so I think I should be able to find it... but I'll wait a few more hours to recharge..."

May just scratched her head. "Why was that so important?"

"Well... let's just say I want to remember something."

May nods. "I get it. Alright, but don't come whining if you run out of juice again. Head out, grab it, head back."

Kei smiled. "Thanks."

=A few months later... In March...=

Kei stood on the helipad of the USCG base in Boston. She was armored up and fully geared carrying her dufflebags.

"Well... can't wait for the party." May said, geared up similarly to what Kei was wearing under the armor. "I can't wait to see Connor personally."

"I know... should be fun. I need a vacation."

= FIN - To be continued... in Atlantic Nights =

[SeaEagle]

Word Count - Claiming Default 5xp