10-Mar-2000
Nothing was as good as a quick dip in the tub, with warm water laced with rose petals. Nothing was as good as that, after yet another satisfying night.
Treize lowered himself even deeper into the soothing water. A pity Zechs couldn't join him in the tub. His second had to rush back to the command centre and sort all the petty things. And he, laying back, dreamily.
Such things rank could give.
He hummed along the lines of a certain symphonic composition when the highly annoying comm unit started to beep.
/Surely, there's a law somewhere that said comm units are illegal, and thus should be banned from use/ he muttered.
"Treize." he said, not bothering to cover his annoyance.
"Ah, Treize. Its me, Milliard."
Treize softened at the voice of his lover. "Yes, luv?"
/Maybe having a comm unit is not bad afterall/
"There's an emergency, Treize."
The lounging general groaned. "At this time of morning."
Milliard scowled a bit, "Sadly, yes."
"And?"
"There's a surprise attack from one of the colonies. We're trying to figure out which. But they are quite large a number and seemed highly trained."
"ETA?"
"Approximately 7 minutes."
Treize groaned again. He reached out to his rubber duckie and placed.. splashed it onto the water. /So much for the idea of relaxing today. It had just flown out from the window./
"I can't possibly get there in time..."
"Of course not. I didn't say you needed to come. Switch the 3-D sensors on, Treize. I'll brief you."
"I'm in the TUB, Milliard."
A chuckle, "I am alone, in Tallgeese, don't worry. I had no intention to share the views with the others. Not yet."
"Ha ha, funny Milliard. Now get on with it." Treize's voice was laced with impatience and anxiety.
/Surprise attack. Damn./
A few seconds later, a hovering 3-D screen materialised in the vast expanse of the bath, and Milliard's visage came into view. His bearings betrayed the stress that had accumulated over a small period of time.
A small appreciative whistle came from the long haired pilot.
"Cut that out, Milliard. As if."
"Ah yes, back to business." The tone changed into deep seriousness.
The two men became involved into briefings and de-briefings, shouting commands and relaying them. Soon, the colony's forces came into view.
"I think its L4. The Manguanacs." Zechs relayed.
"Oh."
And barrages of commands and the rest came back into full force again.
"Three of ours down, Treize... Broken hulls. We lost Yassef."
Treize brought his rubber duckie up and flung it down in great annoyance, splashing water everywhere. "Damn. We lost one of our best. Carry on, Milliard."
Exchange of fire, casualties from both sides, and long five hours of in-space fight later, the fight ended. Oz won somehow, but not without considerable casualties being towed back into the headquarters.
"Done." Zechs said, and Treize slumped into the water, now colder.
"There goes my morning bath." Treize muttered.
"And I bet you wrinkled in the water.. Like, you've been, what? At least five hours."
Treize lifted his hands and looked at his palms, and he lifted his feet.
"Oh my. You're right, Milliard. I wrinkled like hell." He raised himself abruptly, water sliding from his body, and creating sparkles. Zechs whistled once again, purposely annoying his lover.
"You do look wrinkled." Zechs chuckled.
"Shut up, and free yourself from any duties today, pile it on Noin or Une, for all I care. And get your smooth arse back here, ASAP."
Zechs smiled, "YES SIR, GENERAL KHUSHY, SIR."
Treize flung his rubber duckie at the transparent screen and it flew past, and hit the wall with a squeak. "Cut the crap and be here."
Zechs smiled, "Sure, just hang in there, okay? I'll be right down."
And before they closed their comm units: "I love you, Milliard."
"Me too."
***
<>< JejeFish