--GALS RULE!--

-~-

"Yee-haw!" Jun rejoiced as she and the rest of the girls hopped onto their cockpits, taking their places in their ship; Gennai.   (LoL)

"Engines in Sector A and D are now engaged," Melfina said as she typed on the computers surrounding her area. "Ready."

Sora adjusted her hands on the two joysticks on her sides, "Okay…hold on guys, my hands are still asleep and I might be a bit well, flimsy."

"Like that's not old news," snickered Jun at the back. Sora shot her a side glare.

"Cool it, girls," Mimi plainly ordered, taking her seat at the top-middle as troupe leader/combat pilot. Holographic screens popped into her view and Mimi began clicking and typing on them rather coolly then turning on a bunch of switches at her side. "Watchtower, Captain Tachikawa reporting for clearance."

*All clear, officer* replied the radio receiver.

"Take it out, Sora," said Mimi as she laid back on her armchair and watched ahead at the full-view window, showing clearly the path they were to take out of the headquarters.

Sora stirred with ease for she is a natural, Miyako constantly typing furiously on her computers, Melfina checking the ships' supplies and such, Kari and Jun checking up on all the weaponry and defense as so did Ami, while also scanning the areas for any unidentified crafts or objects.

The ship flew with simplicity and stillness for a long while, too long it made the officers aware. Mimi tapped in anticipation on her chair and kept her eyes straight forward while constantly glancing around her crew to check with what they were doing, mainly Kari. A smile crept onto Mimi's face as she saw the young girl working so hard in a position she dislikes so much, for Kari always thought to find good in everyone's heart and hated seeing anyone get hurt no matter how bad they were. Maybe that's why Mimi put Kari in this certain job, to toughen the girl up like she is. Mimi slowly let her eyes rest under her eyelids and let the voices ring over…

"Kari! Kari, where are you?!"

"Kari, please answer us!"

"We have to evacuate now, the droids are getting nearer to the grounds!!"

"But our daughter, we can't—"

"Mommy!"

…

…

"Princess, we have to leave now. You're going to take your sister with you and follow this man, he'll take you to safety."

"Momma, Papa, I don't wanna leave you!"

"Mommy and I, are just taking a vacation, princess. We'll all be together one day, just you wait."

…

…

"Mommy! Dad-dy!! Mimi, make the plane stop they're leaving Mommy and Daddy! Make them stop!"

"Kari, Kari we can't."

"Mimi, please, Mimi!!"

"Mimi?"

"Huh?" Mimi bolted her head up and glanced to find Ami looking at her from her seat. "Oh, sorry, what is it?"

Ami raised a brow but continued, "Well, I've detected something a bit back there, a few leylines from when we left HQ. It didn't seem that important but now it seems like it's back and even well, bigger, if that's a suitable word to put it in."

"What are you talking about?" Mimi asked. "Show me."

"Transmitting," a huge screen suddenly popped in view for everyone to check out. Typically it showed a huge red dot indicating their own ship and lines circling around it, a few other dots indicating hovering asteroids and such, and a huge green dot inching towards their ship. Mimi squinted her eyes as if they seem familiar.

"I wonder…" she muttered.

"Oh, c'mon!" Jun threw her arms. "It's probably a galactic liner just flying around."

"Following us?"

Jun stuck out her tongue at Sora, "Does it really matter? Let's just leave it alone and it'll leave us alone. Subject closed!"

Kari stood up and pointed at the green dot, "No, it can't just be a liner. I know I've seen that signal before in my studies but, I can't seem to point out what it is…It's more than a liner, I—ah!" she screamed as the ship suddenly got hit by something, somewhere, causing the Gennai to topple around a bit and tossing its passengers about. Kari being that she was standing up, fell all the way back and hit herself against the wall.

"Kari!" Mimi yelled ran to her as the ship stabled. She turned her head back to Ami, "What's going on, what was that?!"

Ami furiously typed on her computer, "I-I don't know—wait, it came from that!" she pointed to the green dot.

"Captain!" Miyako yelled from her computer. "It isn't a liner—they're Parasites!!" Mimi's, and everyone else's eyes widened at the horrifying word. They all turned to the screen and watched as the huge green dot was no more, for it began splitting apart into small green dots and started flying towards the red dot—them.

Mimi helped Kari up and then furiously turned to everyone, "Get to your stations, now!! Miyako, how many are there?" she asked.

Miyako furrowed her brows, "Hard to say…around fifty ships, I presume. Oh, this isn't good," she prayed.

"Who said it was," Jun started and then happily jumped into her cockpit and took hold of the joysticks beside her. "Alright, let's get ready for war!! Woohoo!!"

Mimi banged on the railing surrounding her ship, "Sora, try reversing back!"

"What?" Sora asked in confusion. "Why are we running away?"

"There's too many of them for us to handle," Mimi replied. "We had one mission here, to find out where and why the Parasites are here. We don't have enough weapons for all of them! We're turning back now."

"I think that came a little to late, Captain," Melfina spoke up.

"They're just a few leylines away we won't make it, we have to fight!" Ami said.

Mimi stroked her head and glanced at Kari, who shot her a nervous glance back indicating she doesn't want to fight. Mimi's face tightened and she turned to Melfina, "Melfina," she calmly said. "How much weapons do we have? Enough to take some of them on or what?" she asked and avoided Kari's frightened face.

Melfina gave a rather triumphant grin, "Enough to get away, if that's what you're asking."

"Alright then," Jun exclaimed. "C'mon guys, let's give them the treatment for trespassing." Jun began triggering the Parasite ships that closed in and blasted two-by-two and three-by-threes off with ease and fun. Mimi doing the same from her seat while helping Melfina bring up the level power of their defenses, Ami and Miyako constantly watching their statuses and engaging the boosters up for Sora to make a quick getaway. Something caught Mimi's eye and she turned to Kari who was nervously sitting in her seat.

Kari looked up as if knowing who was watching her. Mimi spoke firm, "Kari get to your position and help."

Kari bit her lip, "But, Mimi they're—"

"Kari," Mimi said louder, "that wasn't a question." And she turned back and again was lost in the heart of the battle. Kari solemnly nodded and put her shaking hands on the triggers.

-~-                                                                        (Kay-men)

"Excuse me, but have you any knowledge of the Kamen Maiden?" asked a boy of fourteen.

"Kamen Maiden? My boy, that's pure myth are you sure you're not drunk?" replied a man who was suddenly pinned to the wall by a firm hand.

The boy who owned that hand grip his neck tighter, "I believe my brother asked you an honest question."

"T-the," the man choked out, "ruined t-temple, at the region of the Crystal Lake. There's a man in the town near there, he might know!" he was suddenly let go, grasping for breathe as he watched the two boys, hair owned by the sun and eyes hidden beneath the sky, leave.

-~-

"Well, that was sure an adventure," Miyako yawned and checked her watch. "Wow, took us all day. I think I'm go head to the Bebop, guys wanna come with?" she asked.

"Why would you want to go to the bar this late?" asked innocent Melfina.

Jun nudged her arm, "Duh, it's Karaoke night. And, of course, our little miss Rock and Roll's going to end up completely drunk and then humiliate herself by moaning on the mike and gushing about the boys she had a crush on." Melfina began giggling, as so did the other girls as they walked down the halls and onto the pub.

"I think we all deserve a little fun tonight," Sora smiled and turned her head. "Kari, what's wrong?" Everyone stopped.

Kari frowned, "Do you know where my sister went?"

"Well obviously we're not gonna be seeing her a galaxy close to the Bebop!" Jun joked but cleared her throat at the angry looks.

Sora sighed and smiled at the other girls, "You guys go ahead. Kari and I have to go fetch Mimi," she smiled back at Kari and both girls began walking the other direction to Natsuko's office.

Natsuko heaved a sigh as she ran her hand through her auburn hair causing it to fall down from its usual bun and to cascade down her back. A frown on her face she sat back down on her office chair and picked up a small photograph she kept hidden in her drawers. It was a picture of her family. Natsuko fought back the tears as she ran her finger around the faces of her sun-haired, ocean-eyed boys, wondering that if they were still alive how handsome both would look. One supposedly to be fourteen while the other seventeen. Natsuko finally broke down and wept silently as her eyes landed on the man these boys inherited their looks, their spirit, everything good about them were from this man whom she treasured with her life.

"Masaharu…" she whispered.

"Lieutenant Takaishi?" asked a voice from behind the doors.

Natsuko quickly brushed the tears away only to leave her reddened eyes. She hid the picture away and fixed herself, "Come in, Captain Tachikawa."

Mimi stepped in but stopped. Natsuko blinked, "Well? Sit down."

"Oh, right," she did as she was told and then turned to face Natsuko. "Reporting about the Parasites, ma'am. It appears there's about a hundred of them hovering around our area. We found a troupe not to far from the QII regions, they are seeming to search for something. We managed to destroy about half of them but it seems like the remaining ones reported back to their leader."

"Very well, Captain," Natsuko pondered. "I shall talk to the senators and board about this. That is all, you may go…"

"Is something the matter, lieutenant?"

Stroking her chin, Natsuko looked up, "Huh, oh no. I'm—I just thought of something I need to look onto."

Nodding, Mimi saluted and stepped out, only to find Kari and Sora waiting for her. Sora had on a huge smile on her face and Kari stared at her sister with a sort of frightened look.

"What?" Mimi asked.

Sora crossed her arms, "The girls are already at the Bebop, c'mon what are you waiting for?"

"W-what?" Mimi asked as Sora grabbed her arm and began ushering her in some direction with Kari tagging along. "Hey, what are you doing?"

"What part of 'let's have fun' don't you understand?" Sora grinned. "It's Karaoke night! And Miyako's about to make a total fool of herself though she does that almost everyday but it'll be something fun to watch now let's, go!!"

Mimi turned her head back, "But I don't—I can't, I have files to work on and—"

"Would you just shut up already?" cut in grinning Kari as they pushed her off on the way to the Bebop.

"…everybody's got some-thing, they had to leave be-hi-ee-ind!" Miyako snatched the mike from its stand and bent on the ground singing. "No regrets from yesterday—whoa-oh!"

All sorts of sounds were heard from the lessening crowd. The Bebop—mainly the place to be in the HQ, a hangout for the officers though mostly the teenager ones. Circular hovering tables and chairs, a bar counter, and a stage where Miyako was usually found.

The girls of Gal Force sat around a table in front of the Karaoke stage and cringe every time Miyako reached a high note. Poor girls, Ami being so loyal and nice sat quietly in her seat with plugs hidden beneath her cerulean hair, Jun had half her body being supported by the table as she moaned with mental pain, Melfina always being the quiet and happy and goody-two-shoes sat daintily and listened as the pain rang in her ears.

"There's no use looking back—I wonder IF!" Miyako shrieked. "How it could be now or might've been…"

"I can't stand this!" Jun whined and banged her head on the table. "M-m-make her, stop…!"

"I think it's nice that she's expressing herself," Melfina smiled.

"Mel, you're hopeless," Jun muttered then picked her head up to a sneer. "Well, well, look who came out of her file cabinet to give us a visit!" she exclaimed as Mimi, Sora, and Kari made their way to the table and took their seats.

"Jun, go back to whatever coffin you crawled out of," Mimi retorted and then turned to Miyako. "Please tell me this is a nightmare."

"…I can't find ways to let yoouu, gooo! Whoa!!"

Everyone quickly plugged their ears and lowered their heads when Miyako started another hysteric shriek, then stopped.

"I can't do this," Miyako gloomily said and put the mike to her side.

"Oh, no, she's reached the drama," Sora groaned and glanced around. "Is it just me or is it some big coincidence mostly all the guys Miyako's liked happen to be here?"

Jun grunted, "The idiot planned all this and now she's dragged us here too. I swear if she starts that whole tear-work I'll lunge at her and rip her vocals—"

"Chill," Mimi rubbed her head. "Let's just get it over with, Miyako…"

Miyako sniffed and looked to the somewhat audience, "I'm sorry, everyone, but I just can't go on with this charade. I know you all may think I'm some beautiful, happy singer but, I'm just living a lie…!" she exaggerated. "Oh, I feel so miserable. These songs, are dedicated to that," she bit her lip, "special guy—you know who you are."

"How could he, there's twenty special guys to her," someone said.

Miyako shot whoever it was a dirty look, "I love this guy with all my heart, ever though…he doesn't feel the same way. I—just wanted to say that I still love you!" she yelled all teary-eyed.

"Wow, it's like a soap opera…only in color," Ami remarked and stood up. "Oh-Kay, I think it's time we head back. I think everyone's had enough of our star here, anyone care to help?" she asked.

"Me," Jun replied firmly. "I wanna get a hit at her."

Kari and the rest of the girls went into hysteric giggles as Jun and Ami walked on stage and humiliatingly dragged Miyako off, who was yelling at the top of her lungs about those 'special guys' that she dedicated the songs to. This kept on going until they were out of the bar, where a small applause rang that the singer has left the building.

"Hey, you guys coming?" Melfina smiled as she stood by the door.

Sora waved her hand and pulled Mimi down to her seat, "No, we'll stay here for a while."

"Alright, night," Melfina waved and walked out.

-~-

"So, we heading to the Crystal Lake now?"

"Yeah," replied the same boy who scared the old man. "I just have to make a stop and pick up something on the way."

"What is it? Please don't tell me we're stopping at that Gypsy Inn again!"

"Hn," the boy smirked. "We'll see."

-~-

"C'mon, one more!" Sora cheered and handed Mimi another small glass.

Kari giggled, "We're not making you drunk, Mimi. It's pretty much like juice."

Mimi eyed her glass and sighed as she gulped it down. Smacking the glass on the table she let out a huge gasp of breathe, "Juice? Yeah right! Are you sure you're not poisoning me here?"

"You're breaking my heart, Captain," the bar tender joked. The three girls were now sitting by the bar counter. "So, what's going on with you Gal Force?"

Mimi stopped her glass in mid-air and stared into it. The three blinked and looked at her then at the cup, "Mimi?"

What are they doing here in our territories…what's so important that they suddenly come sneaking in here? Mimi asked the questions in her mind. What if they're planning an invasion all over again, Natsuko was worried about something—or at least thinking about something I said. I wonder…Mimi stood up.

"I gotta go," she announced.

"What? You can't go, we brought you here to have fun," Sora said.

Mimi shook her head with a plain expression, "Fun is for people who can't do things on their own and separate themselves from what's really reality and create the word 'fun' and what they think it is, just to make themselves happy."

"That doesn't make sense," Kari titled her head.

Mimi put her guns into their sheaths, "Good, cause it doesn't need to. I gotta do something, don't stay out too late or you'll be late to work," she said and threw a coin at the bartender, "we gotta get up early tomorrow too. See ya."

Watching Mimi walk off, Kari jumped off her seat and followed, "Be right back. Mimi, wait!" she called and finally got Mimi to stop along the empty hallway. Kari grabbed her arm back, "Mimi…what's up with you lately? Sora and I were just trying to have fun with you so we brought you out."

Not looking at her eyes, Mimi still carried a plain look, "Well, thanks but I'm afraid I have other stuff to do. Kari, life isn't all smiles and fun, everyone has their own jobs to fulfill and we can't spend every night hanging at the Bebop and getting drunk."

"Stop being so skeptical," Kari said pleadingly, "You were all happy just a while ago and, Mimi, you've been weird today—"

"And you've been ignorant," Mimi snapped and looked at her. "Grow up, Kari. The main reason I placed you at combat position was to toughen you up, to make you learn how it feels to kill a life, to be cold and harsh. I see that's one mission I've failed—"

"I'm just a mission to you now too?" Kari exclaimed.

"Well apparently you haven't exactly been what I expected of you to be," Mimi replied. "Take today, you deliberately ignored and disobeyed my command and could've gotten your crewmates injured or worse—killed. Oh don't give me water works, Kari," Mimi said sarcastically and avoided her face. "Let go, I have stuff to do. I expect you to be early tomorrow, as well as Sora."

Kari wiped her eyes and stared at Mimi walking down the hall and into their corridor rooms, before turning and going back to the Bebop. I disappointed her again, Kari thought, everything I do seems to upset her. Mimi doesn't seem like Mimi at all anymore…

*knock, knock, knock!!*

"Mnf," grumbled Sora and tossed around her bed in hers and Mimis' bed quarters.

*knock, knock, knock!!*

"Ugh, isn't anyone gonna get that?" scowled Mimi from her bunk and buried her head underneath her pillow. "Arrgh!"

*knock, knock, thud!*

"Fine!" Mimi grumpily said. Taking her robe, she marched tiredly down the stairs of their room, down to their quarters' living room and to the door which she slightly opened. "Can I *yawn* help you?"

A man in uniform stood by the open door and saluted, "Captain Tachikawa? Lieutenant Takaishi requests for you to assemble your troupe and report to her office quarters. I suggest you to pick up your pace for it is very urge—" Slam! the door was suddenly slammed in front of his face. "Er, Captain?"

Moaning, yawning, stretching, the seven members of Gal Force finally made it to Natsuko's office and were droopily sitting around each other. Natsuko marched in with a serious and tired expression on her face and sat down on her desk.

"Gal Force," she started then caught sight of the half-sleeping girls. "Girls!"

"Huh—" they all startled and bonked their heads together and such. "Ow! What?" they whined.

"Would you please assemble yourselves," Natsuko said firmly, and after a while they did and things settled down. "Now, as you probably noticed I look very exhausted—that's because I've stayed up the whole night researching about the history of Parasites, which…I'm sure we've all experienced."

This silenced the group and Natsuko continued, "Right. I've scheduled a council meeting of this matter, the Parasites are here for a very important reason and I think I finally know what it is—the Digi-Com."

"The Digi—"

"Digi-Com. A treasured device located here in HQ. It's only one of the few tools that our race depend on and treasure gravely," Natsuko explained. "It's somewhat like a mini-satellite that picks up signals of practically anything—from a planet to a single cell tissue."

"Why do we depend on it?"

"Well, in lame terms—It's the tool we used to gain knowledge about something and know if it's an alien or shape-shifter," replied Natsuko. "Its mainly used to find sources of life, living cells around the galaxy. I don't exactly know why they would want this but my assumption is, they are trying to search for the Crippled Star…"

"The Crippled Star?" asked Melfina. "What is that?"

"I think I've heard of the Crippled Star before," cut in Miyako. "I know I've heard of it somewhere but I just can't…"

Mimi looked from Miyako to Natsuko, "I don't understand, why in our territory is this Crippled Star be search for? Why is it so important for them to find? Shouldn't we consult the whole board about this, tell everyone of the danger?"

Slightly fanning the girl to sit down, Natsuko sighed, "One question at a time…It's late, I think you girls should go to sleep we have a big day ahead of us," the girls moaned not being able to find out more to the knowledge they had gained. "Don't pout on me here. You girls are the top agents of this embassy and we cannot afford to lose you or your concentration. I have talked to the Supreme Court and they are holding a meeting tomorrow to discuss this matter but, you girls have already been officially assigned to take on whatever mission the council decides on. Captain."

Mimi quickly stood up straight and put her hand across her forehead, both Captain and Lieutenant exchanged stern looks for a while.

"Is that clear, Captain?" Natsuko asked and stood up all-serious like now.

Mimi kept her eyes straight and replied firmly, "Yes, ma'am. I shall assemble my troupe early tomorrow to present ourselves to the conference and perform whatever task the council has put on upon us."

Natsuko nodded and smiled, "You all may go back to your quarters now."

Mimi nodded and silently walked out with the rest of the Gal Force at her back, each officer running the thoughts of the knowledge they had just gained through their already racing minds as they all marched back to their bedrooms, knowing that they soon would have to wake up for probably the most important mission of their lives.

-~-

Oh-Kay…did that make sense? Hn. Please review and I'll post Chapter 4 soon! ^_^