"Shadow hands!" Fang called out, hoping to pull his Captain's unconscious form from harm while he ran towards him.
However, all the drive he had earlier had unfortunately disappeared into apprehension and fear as he couldn't help but think-
'What have I done?!'
-and his shadow hands dissipated before they could even reach Solar.
"No!"
In an act of desperation, he threw PlanterBot to a nearby bush and lunged over Solar to shield him.
It was a stupid move- but he was running out of options and if this was the price he had to pay for refusing to listen to his Captain for the umpteenth time... then so be it.
He braced himself at the exact moment he was sure the Plantosaur was going to grab him when a loud pained roar made him jolt in surprise.
He looked up to see the monster's back burst into flames.
He was quick to drag his Captain away from the rampaging Plantosaur, wincing as his injured leg practically protested in pain.
"Fang! Solar!"
The relief at hearing the familiar voice of Qually almost made his knees buckle under the weight of his Captain.
Qually survived! He couldn't believe it-
Another roar snapped him from his small victory and he was quick to drag Solar away from the rampaging Plantosaur.
"Qually! Over here!"
Just as Qually popped up from behind the monster with his flaming spatula, the familiar ship suddenly flew over their heads and started shooting at the gigantic alien.
Tendrils of veins hung off its frame, and obviously, it had its own mishaps while they had been away.
The monster screeched, and Qually ran towards them hands over his head, afraid of getting hit.
"We have to go!" Fang yelled as he waved the ship over. Fortunately the AI pilot must've understood as it started descending the transport towards them while continuing its attack against the burning Plantosaur.
"What happened to him?!" Qually asked in concern as he took Solar's other side, helping him carry their Captain.
Fang winced, unable to hide the guilt that was definitely showing on his face, as they slowly but surely made their way to the ship.
"I kind of messed up."
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Cahaya had been engrossed in reading an astronomy book that he couldn't help but jump as someone knocked on the door of his shared room with Daun.
He turned to see Tanah smiling hesitantly at him.
In response, he rolled his eyes and went back to reading.
"Please. If you don't want another shouting match, I'd advise you just leave me be." He paused before adding, "But if it's about the dishes, it's Air's turn. I did his turn last night-"
"I wanted to see if you're available to help Atok with the shop today." He said gently.
Cahaya tilted his head, "No. I've got some studying to do."
He tried not to tense up at the sound of the other approaching him, "Is it for the school you wanted to apply to?"
Cahaya huffed, "And what if it is?"
He jumped when a hand landed on his shoulder.
"Then... I support it."
He tried to ignore the bitterness and hurt he felt from his acceptance as he spoke in a clipped tone, "Good. Now get out so I can focus."
The grip on his shoulder tightened, "But that doesn't mean I won't miss you."
Cahaya didn't even realize he was gripping his book so hard until he finds himself relaxing his fingers that crumpled the pages. Tanah then took this cue to turn his swivel chair and carefully crouched in front of him.
"If you really believe this is what's best for you then do what you have to do. But as your brother, there's no doubt how much I'll miss you and worry about you. You'd be so far from of us..." Gempa said as his face crumpled with concern, "I won't be there when you need me... or any of us."
"I can handle myself, Tanah." He finds himself saying in exasperation, all the fight in him just disappearing, "Even if most of you think I don't."
"That's not true. If anything, we actually depend on you more than you know."
"Sure..."
Tanah sighed and shook his head. And just as Cahaya was about to swivel back to his desk, the other suddenly spoke up.
"Six months."
He turned back to his brother, confused, "What?"
"We continue our mission with TAPOPS for six more months." He said, and Cahaya was doing his best to push down that feeling of hope as the other elaborated, "And you get to join most of them."
"Wait... you're serious?" He said, dumbfounded, "We're not quitting TAPOPS?"
"...yet." His brother added firmly, "However, like I said- if you believe you know what's best for you, then do it. Whatever the outcome is after six months... I-we'll do our best to support you."
He, unfortunately, wasn't able to hold back his emotions as he ends up tackling Tanah into a hug who had yelped at the sudden weight causing them to topple on the ground.
"Finally!"
"I told you this was a great idea."
"Does this mean Cahaya will be less meaner now?"
Cahaya squeaked and immediately let go of Tanah to see their other brothers standing by the door, looking amused.
"What? No hugs for us?" Api mocked which earned him a scowl from the light manipulator.
"You guys were eavesdropping this whole time?!"
"Doesn't feel nice when you're on the other end of it, huh?" Petir smirked as Tanah pushed himself up the ground and helped Cahaya up as well.
"Don't be mean, guys." Air then gave him a playful smile, "...even if he kinda' deserves it."
Cahaya stiffened before looking down at his feet, a little somber. Tanah immediately tried to assure him,
"Cahaya- no, it was just a joke-"
"No, you're right." He said as he fiddled with the hem of his shirt, "I was kind of being mean-"
"...kind of??" Api cut-off before being elbowed by Angin.
"FINE! I've been very mean to you guys and was taking out my anger on all of you unfairly when you were only looking out for me." He sighed, before looking up, "So, I'm sorry. Please, forgive me?"
There was a moment of silence as they all exchanged looks.
"We were just as unfair for deciding things on our own." Petir surprisingly spoke up, "Although, you were a little harsh... we also understood why you would react that way."
"It was really amazing getting to see all those new places and aliens... so I'd be just as put out as you if I get to miss all of that." Angin said with a soft smile, "But this time, things will be different. You'll get to see what we did and you might even try to do some silly research if we find a new species or something."
"Urgh, he's definitely going to do that." Api grumbled.
"Can you imagine Cahaya writing down notes while we're in the middle of a life-and-death situation?" Daun giggled.
"Oh, definitely." Air hummed in agreement much to their brother's embarrassment.
"I'm not going to do that!"
"Uh-huh."
"Sure you won't."
Cahaya was about to tell them to shut up when Tanah held his hand and smiled at him softly.
"So... we're good?"
Everyone seemed to hold their breath as Cahaya hesitantly looked at them then back to Tanah. With an exasperated huff he smiled back at them, chest warm with affection and joy.
"Yeah... we're good."
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When Solar came to, he finds himself hissing at the pain and ache he felt all over his body.
Did he get crushed by a giant monster or something?!
Oh, wait-
"What happened out there?"
Solar whipped his head to the side, surprised to see Kaizo himself sitting on the stool by his bed side.
(No doubt he was back in TAPOPS Medbay, something he's worryingly getting accustomed to.)
As soon as he saw the other's annoyed yet concerned look, he groaned and massaged the bridge of his nose as he carefully tried to sit up, "Is this going to be a thing, Captain?"
"What do you mean?"
"Every time your little brother gets hurt, you come to me and start complaining?" He shot him a glare, "Smart of you to do it while a man is down."
"That's not-" Kaizo paused, "Alright, yes. The reason I'm here is because I'm concerned about Pang but-"
"Before you get all defensive for your brother, may I just say that Fang's still learning in becoming an actual member in missions just as I'm learning in becoming a Captain for an actual team ." Solar spoke up, "Yes, I got him in danger and he may have ended up more injured than I expected for this mission's outcome but-"
"I was going to ask if you're alright." Kaizo cuts in smoothly, face impassive but his eyes shining with amusement, "Did you really think I came all this way to complain to an injured kid?"
Solar paused, mouth opening and shutting like a fish out of water before settling with a scowl, "I'm not a kid."
The other smirked before turning serious, "I'm also here to ask what's going on because every time something happens that involves you two, reports would reach Commander."
"It's called 'Mission reports' for a reason-"
Kaizo took out his tablet and read out loud, "Incident Report 401: Captain Solar destroyed a simulation room due to being locked in. Following items were damaged upon inspection; such as the security feeds- witnesses involved Captain Azlan and Lance Corporal Fang."
"That had been that stupid Captain's fault-"
"11/18; approximately 16:04- Request for Transfer from Lance Corporal Fang had been discontinued."
"-wait, he actually did try to request for a transfer?! That son of a-"
"Powersphere: PlanterBot retrieval has been successful. However, Captain Solar's team incurred damage to both personnel and the ship, as itemized below-"
"Okay! Okay! I get it!" Solar scowled before burying his face in his hands, "Ugh, it used to be so much easier when it was just me."
Thankfully, Kaizo had turned the tablet off out of pity before asking, "If you truly find it difficult teaming up with my brother then I-"
"No! He's staying with me!" Solar turned to him threateningly, "Yeah he's hard-headed and is too eager to prove himself sometimes that most what I say goes over his head, but he's a part of my team now! You can't take him back or else-"
"-I was just going to suggest adding another member for your team who can help you." Kaizo raised an eyebrow and Solar could feel his face grow warm.
"Did you really think I was going to pull Fang out of your team?" Came the amused question.
"And what makes you think I need help?!" Came Solar's attempt to change the subject.
Kaizo shook his head before deciding to spare him from further embarrassment, "You can reject my proposition if you wish, but if you keep this up your bad records will start piling up."
"It's normal for a Captain to have a few of them." Solar grumbled.
"You've already got two incident reports and a request to transfer from your own team in no less than a month." Kaizo pointed out, "It won't look good in the long run."
Solar looked back at the serious Captain before sighing, "Fine. What do you have in mind?"
He was too tired trying to go against the man when he obviously had it all planned out already, and just like himself- when Kaizo is set with a plan, there's no stopping him.
"I will be transferring another one of my team to you." Kaizo suggested and Solar looked at him in surprise.
"Keep this up and you'll end up with less people."
"It'll be temporary- and most of my missions as of lately involves private investigations. Meaning less people to use for undercover." Kaizo pointed out before unlocking his tablet once more and handing it to Solar, "This transfer will be beneficial for both of us."
Solar stared at the profile of his soon to be new team member. His face scrunched in concentration as he wondered if this was going to cause a setback to his future plans or give him more advantages and opportunities.
He eventually came into a conclusion with a firm nod.
"Understood, Captain."
The other smirked and stood up, ready to leave, but paused as if remembering something, "And... thank you, for saving Pang."
"What?" Solar looked at him confused, "I didn't say-"
"He made the recent report of your mission." Kaizo explained, "And he heavily implied how the mission had almost ended into a disaster due to his noncompliance with a certain Captain- who ended up taking the brunt of an attack that was supposed to finish him off."
Solar facepalmed, "I thought that idiot wanted to be promoted into a Captain."
"Don't call my brother an idiot." Kaizo warned, though there was no heat in his words, "But yes, he can act like one at times."
The light-manipulator snorted and was about to say something when a knock on the door interrupted the two. He caught sight of how Kaizo turned rigid before saluting to whomever it was by the door.
"At ease."
Said a familiar voice.
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Fang fidgeted on his seat as he kept looking back at the entrance of their conference room.
"What's got you so anxious?" Qually asked as he placed a cup of tea next to him, "Captain Solar will be fine."
"It's not that." He said with a scowl- trying to hide the guilt he felt at the mention of their Captain- before turning back once more, "I'm not sure if it's true- but I heard some aliens whispering about my brother being around."
"Your brother must be pretty popular to have them gossiping about it."
"You have no idea." Fang mumbled taking a sip of his tea before looking up at Qually who happily drank his, "How'd you survive that fall by the way? I was so sure you were a goner, no offense."
"Have some faith in me." Qually huffed, "But honestly, it was mostly luck. I got caught in some vines and it kinda' took some time to untangle myself. I did keep screaming for help, but I guess you guys were too far to hear me."
"I'm... sorry."
"Hey, it's all good. It's all part of our mission and I had faith in you guys." Qually said it so confidently it made Fang feel even more bad.
It must've shown on his face because his teammate then turned to him in confusion,
"Alright, spill. You've been acting way weird before you heard about your brother coming here. Did something happen?"
Fang winced, "I... may have disregarded Captain's orders."
"Well, that's not new-"
"...which led him to getting crushed by that Plantosaur."
Qually paused as he stared at Fang in exasperation, "Yep, this one's on you, bud."
"I didn't mean to- I just got so angry!" He groaned as he leaned forward, "I... I wanted to find you while he wanted me to finish the job by burning that monster that was already down. It just... didn't feel right."
The chef hummed as he looked down his tea, "You know, most of the things Solar- I mean, Captain Solar does ends up being questionable. He practically backstabbed me during that mission with the ingredients."
"From what I've gathered, you were planning to do the same if Captain haven't seen right through your plans."
"Yeah. I did deserve that, but in a way, he did trust me enough that I won't get myself killed out there, and knew I was going to escape and be back to annoy him and try to steal from him again-"
"That sounds messed up."
"Let me finish." Qually patiently said as he sipped his tea, "What I'm trying to say is, he could've just captured me and threw me into TAPOPS' brigg to leave me to rot. But he let me be and somehow knew I'd survive and escape even if it did seem kind of harsh on my side."
Fang frowned trying to see where he was going with this.
"He had a mission to complete and he understood I had a mission of my own. Everything he does may seem like they don't align with your morals," The other said gently, "but he's doing his best to make sure everything falls right into place where everyone wins. He's just that clever."
"You're expecting too much from him. What if that was never the case?"
"You had a really bad wound on your leg." Qually then pointed out, "He could've left you behind and retrieved PlanterBot on his own and get all the credit- but he didn't."
"Er..."
"Someone owes Captain an apology." He said in a sing-song tone.
"Urgh... fine! I'll go apologize to him!" He ignored his teammate's smug look and walked out the door.
Of course, the other had been right about that. And Fang knew he had been in the wrong as well. The obvious reason as to why the guilt won't leave him at all.
His naivety must come from his lack of exposure with missions, but Qually talking about morals made him realize how everything would've ended way worse just because he refused to defeat the monster that could've killed both of them- all because of his conscience.
Not once had Solar abandoned him, despite his difficult nature and lack of obedience- and he almost died because of his refusal to follow one single order that would've ended everything in a better note.
How many times does he have to keep butting heads against his own Captain before someone dies because of his foolishness?
Wasn't the whole point to become an admirable Captain?
How could he even see himself as one if he couldn't bother becoming a better follower?
Fang then shook his head and looked up to see the clinic door.
With a deep breath, he knocked on the door and opened it as quietly as he could, "Captain-"
Only to freeze when he saw the familiar back of-
"What's this? Another visitor of my student's?" The tall alien stood from the stool that he had been sitting on next to a sleeping Solar, "Ah, you must be Fang."
Fang tried not to show his distrust as he looked up and saluted, "Commander."
Commander Retak'ka's fiery eyes pierced through his own as he smiled at him.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
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End Of Chapter
The Captain's Teacher finally met the Captain's Student. Aiyooo//