Chapter 6 : Break

Kaizo lay on the hospital bed. For the past few days, he's been having a hard time sleeping. The memory of Axion kissing him lingering in his dream, making him restless.

"Yo. What's up? We're here to check on you." Said Ramenman who suddenly barge into the room.

Kaizo let out an annoyed sigh.

Ramenman laugh. "Haha. So how have you been? You feel sad? Feeling lonely? Don't worry. We're here to cheer you up."

"The only thing you'll be cheering on is my misery. Your noise gives me headache." Said Kaizo.

"We bring you some refreshment." Said Rum as she put a basket of fruits on the table.

"Thanks." Kaizo reply.

"So, how's your feeling?" Axion ask.

A flash of image of her kissing appear in his mind.

"I-I've been better." Kaizo replied. Trying to hold his emotion.

"Dude. Have you seen yourself in the mirror? For someone who supposed to have plenty of rest, you looked like you haven't sleep in days." Said Ramenman.

"I'm fine. Just didn't sleep well." Said Kaizo in annoyance.

"If you're thinking about our rank, don't worry. We'll catch up with the other team." Said Rum.

"Your recovery has been improving. The Doctor said you need few more days to make sure you're ready to go back." Said Axion.

"Few more days? I'm fine now." Said Kaizo.

"I know. But we don't want to risk it." Said Axion.

She hands over a tablet computer at Kaizo.

"What's this?" Ask Kaizo.

"Homework." Axion said with a smile. "And semester plan for our team. The Admiral said some things might not going as planned but he wanted to know our thought about it."

Kaizo look through the semester list. He steals glances to Axion. Kaizo blushes.

"Our visit to Zeoclite is the last study trip for this semester. We'll spend the rest of the semester training with the Admiral. Afterall, we need to make preparations for next semester... Are you okay? your face is a bit red." Said Axion.

"What? Oh. I'm fine." said Kaizo. Trying to hide his emotion.

"Are you sure? Perhaps we need to check your temperature. In case you get fever." Said Axion as she put her hand on Kaizo's forehead.

Kaizo slap away Axion's hand. "I-im fine. Really."

"Well… okay. If you say so." Said Axion as she goes to check on Kaizo's health monitor.

Ramenman wrap his arm around Kaizo shoulder. "So, you like the caring type, huh?" He whispers as he peered at Axion.

"Stop putting your nose in such unnecessary things." Said Kaizo as he pushed Ramenman away.

"You should get some rest. If you need anything, you can always call us." Said Axion. "The Admiral is calling me so I have to go. Kaizo, get well soon."

Kaizo watch as Axion walks away. He sighed. The image of her kissing him keep appearing in his mind. Kaizo shook his head. Shrugging off the image.

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Shortly after visiting Kaizo, Axion went to visit Admiral Maskmana.

"How is he?" The Admiral asked.

"He's fine. He's not weak." Said Axion lightly.

"Hmm... I see." The Admiral mumbled.

"So, what do you need me for?" Axion ask.

"It's been a while since I invited you to join this space station. How have you been?" Ask Admiral as he leans on his chair.

Axion chuckled. "You're my mentor. You should know better than me about my well beings."

"That may be true. I know there are things that you never really want to talk about. I understand and I won't ask you about it. But I want to hear it from yourself."

"Things have been well, I suppose." Said Axion. Couldn't find the right phrase to express her feelings.

"Any trouble with the others?"

"Nope. Just the usual. Doing group studies..." Axion shrug. "Gossiping..."

The Admiral laugh. "Gossiping? I see."

The Admiral stare at Axion.

"What?" Axion ask.

"Nothing." Said Admiral. Pushing whatever thought in his mind. He leans forward on his table. "There's a case that I want you to handle." Said Admiral Maskmana in a serious tone.

He showed a picture of an alien on screen.

"It's your target." Said Admiral Maskmana.

"You want him alive?" Axion ask.

"Do you think I would give you a target you can't kill?"

Axion smirked.

"Also, here's an updated list of space criminals. I'll keep the criminal list as updated as I can." Said Amiral as he put the list on screen. "Keep in mind that this list is confidential. You shouldn't share it with just anyone." He adds.

"And one more thing..." Said Admiral in a grim voice.

"Try not to overdo it."

Axion looked at the Admiral sharply. "I understand." She said as she give a salute. She steps out of the room. Leaving Admiral back in his thoughts.

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Axion walk towards the hangar. She acts normal on her way to avoid suspicion. The Astraeus station have a large hangar for spaceship. But like any other space ranger station, Astraeus station have several secret room that most people don't know. A little bit lower from the main hangar, there's a hidden hangar where they put reserve ships and weapons. The hidden hangar also serves as a secret passage way. In and out of the station. That's where Axion hide her personal spaceship.

She hops on her spaceship. Turned the engine on and activates the cloaking device. Unlike most spaceship, she designs her spaceship not to make excessive noise. A perfect ship for stealth mission.

With Kaizo on recovery, her team will be withdrawn from any mission for a while. In the meantime, Axion do her side job. Hunting aliens. The job that only a few Admiral, including Maskmana know.

"Should I assist you?" Ask Vion from the comm.

"Nope. I'll be fine. I'll just do a quick job and come back straight away." Said Axion.

"Alright. Keep in touch okay. I don't want to keep the Admiral waiting."

"Roger that!"