Chapter 7 Nako's boyfriend and Belamis´ preparation of the duel
Belamis, Kugo, Idina and Nako started to settle down at the planet for the giant beings.
Zeus, the huge cougar of the Princess really had a crush on Nako.
Idina was amused whenever the huge brown cougar showed up, with Captain Sheldon taking the big cat.
Belamis smiled as she watched the two big cats playing.
Belamis could only enjoy such relief for a while. She got more anxious as she checked the messages on Princess Gariusu just the other night, and she did not tell Kugo or others.
Fermalos forces were still at large, and the news from the Galaxy though not urgent, made Belamis worry.
Although the Galaxy Union and their allied forces were holding the Fermalos back, they had new intelligence that the Fermalos forces would have more reinforcement.
"I have to be back ...." Belamis was worried about her friends Nick, Medora and of course Dr. Kitty.
Sheldon noticed Belamis' silence.
"Esteemed Captain Belamis, may I ask a minute from you ?" Sheldon asked.
The sudden courtesy from Sheldon surprised Belamis, "Must be important.." Belamis thought.
She looked at Nako and Idina as well as Zeus, and believed she could leave for a while.
"Kugo!!!! I have something to speak to Captain Sheldon, can you watch over the girl and the cats ?"
"YEAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" Kugo shouted ... with mouthful of food.
Belamis nodded and she followed Captain Sheldon.
Sheldon took Belamis to walk down another small trail and then pass through a patch of woodland and at a meadow.
There were a lot of flowers on the meadow, and Belamis remembered her home.
Sheldon picked a few flowers and gave to Belamis.
"Thanks..."
"Captain Belamis. The Princess does not know I am talking to you..."
Belamis thought, "...now the real deal..."
"After the duel ... I hope neither of you will be injured too seriously." Sheldon looked at Belamis.
"The enemy threatening your systems is also our enemy. Her Highness is unwilling to ask for any help or join any allies......just yet..."
Sheldon then looked to the skies, ".. but we will have little chance of winning without joining an ally like Galaxy Union, and especially I heard so much about you."
"You are going to explain more ?"
Sheldon nodded, "We are only beginning to acquire technologies, but we lack the capability to make our own weapons and warships. Neither do we have the scale of military might.... our fighters just transform to giants and fight. It worked in the past, but I am afraid for this war it can end our civilization here... which the Princess struggled to build.. after our previous King and Queen's work."
Belamis listened.
"It took Her Royal Highness' parents their whole lives to build up this planet after so many years of war. Our honored King and Queen labored for decades to take advantage of this long lasting peace to give our people a home to live.... and Her Royal Highness swore to carry the beacon of her parents...".
"Her Royal Highness knows our ways of fighting is outdated. We need to build and organize a modern army, with organization, lines of command, professional leadership.... modernised combat skills, piloting skills..." Sheldon said, "..because Fermalos and your previous enemy Golinkors are formidable."
Belamis' eyes narrowed. She remembered too well her fight with the Golinkors, and how brutal they were.
Kugo had been taking care of Idina at Belamis' absence, with the help of Medora.
He just learned the hard way to become "papa" to Idina.
Although the Galaxy Union and their allied forces were holding the Fermalos back, they had new intelligence that the Fermalos forces would have more reinforcement.
"I have to be back ...." Belamis was worried about her friends Nick, Medora and of course Dr. Kitty.
Sheldon noticed Belamis' silence.
"Esteemed Captain Belamis, may I ask a minute from you ?" Sheldon asked.
The sudden courtesy from Sheldon surprised Belamis, "Must be important.." Belamis thought.
She looked at Nako and Idina as well as Zeus, and believed she could leave for a while.
"Kugo!!!! I have something to speak to Captain Sheldon, can you watch over the girl and the cats ?"
"YEAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" Kugo shouted ... with mouthful of food.
Belamis nodded and she followed Captain Sheldon.
Sheldon took Belamis to walk down another small trail and then pass through a patch of woodland and at a meadow.
There were a lot of flowers on the meadow, and Belamis remembered her home.
Sheldon picked a few flowers and gave to Belamis.
"Thanks..."
"Captain Belamis. The Princess does not know I am talking to you..."
Belamis thought, "...now the real deal..."
"After the duel ... I hope neither of you will be injured too seriously." Sheldon looked at Belamis.
"The enemy threatening your systems is also our enemy. Her Highness is unwilling to ask for any help or join any allies......just yet..."
Sheldon then looked to the skies, ".. but we will have little chance of winning without joining an ally like Galaxy Union, and especially I heard so much about you."
"You are going to explain more ?"
Sheldon nodded, "We are only beginning to acquire technologies, but we lack the capability to make our own weapons and warships. Neither do we have the scale of military might.... our fighters just transform to giants and fight. It worked in the past, but I am afraid for this war it can end our civilization here... which the Princess struggled to build.. after our previous King and Queen's work."
Belamis listened.
"It took Her Royal Highness' parents their whole lives to build up this planet after so many years of war. Our honored King and Queen labored for decades to take advantage of this long lasting peace to give our people a home to live.... and Her Royal Highness swore to carry the beacon of her parents...".
"Her Royal Highness knows our ways of fighting is outdated. We need to build and organize a modern army, with organization, lines of command, professional leadership.... modernised combat skills, piloting skills..." Sheldon said, "..because Fermalos and your previous enemy Golinkors are formidable."
Belamis' eyes narrowed. She remembered too well her fight with the Golinkors, and how brutal they were.
Sheldon continued, “We
needed more than an alliance against Fermalos…”
Sheldon said, “After
the duel… please help us to set up our armed forces.”
Belamis listened,
and did not answer.
“We will discuss
that later… after the duel.” Belamis replied.
Then a little stir
behind the trees.
Belamis knew, and
she turned to Sheldon, “I will head back now.. have to prepare for the duel.”
Sheldon nodded.
Belamis turned and
saw a big grey tail sticking out of the bush as it ran way – it was Nako the
cougar. Idina and Nako sneaked behind and listened. Belamis smiled.
Back at the
mansion, Kugo was already out. He did not like staying indoors.
Belamis saw Nako
and Idina at the door. The big cougar Zeus left with Sheldon. Nako purred.
Belamis patted her and said, “I thought I told you to baby sit Idina…”
“I made Nako to go
follow you!” Idina said.
Kugo asked, “So
what did Sheldon said.”
“A lot… and it is difficult..” Belamis signed.
“A lot… and it is difficult..” Belamis signed.
Belamis was the
appointed ambassador, but she had no authority to grant any aid .. let alone
helping the Uquotians to build up the army forces. Yet Belamis knew full well
that was inevitable, if the Uquotians were to became the ally of Galaxy Union
fought alongside against Fermalos.
Belamis shared her thoughts with Kugo over breakfast.
Belamis shared her thoughts with Kugo over breakfast.
“Wow… that is a
head scratcher….” Kugo said.
“A lot of political maneuver…” Belamis was no stranger to that. She had herself in the dangerous situation when she was the Chief Captain at Lacets Legion and Guyma Legion – the power struggle between the Queen and the King nearly killed her, and even the Queen plotted against her.
The Uquotians were suspicious of her on day one, and Princess Magenetta was quite paranoid. Belamis could put her into the Princess' shoes.
“A lot of political maneuver…” Belamis was no stranger to that. She had herself in the dangerous situation when she was the Chief Captain at Lacets Legion and Guyma Legion – the power struggle between the Queen and the King nearly killed her, and even the Queen plotted against her.
The Uquotians were suspicious of her on day one, and Princess Magenetta was quite paranoid. Belamis could put her into the Princess' shoes.
“I checked some
history, though what exactly happened was sketchy, the Uquotians had a bad
experiences working with people from other star systems.” Belamis said,
remembering her own Gariusu Giant race, and Belamis wanted to find out more.
Kugo said, “Then
what shall we do ?”
“It is my duty to
at least tell my superior, General Anderella.” Belamis said.
She was back on
Princess Gariusu, and sent a message back to make an appointment with the
General.
A message came back,
“The matter must be discussed with Galaxy Union’s Chief of Staff and the
Strategic Committee. Meeting time in 36 hours teleconference.”
Belamis signed, “Now
I have less time to prepare for the duel…
this is really hard work.”
Kugo looked and
asked, “Why ?” “A lot of reporting…”. Belamis shook her head.
“I will make the
meal..” Kuog said gently, and kissed her.
Kugo turned and
took Idina with him. “Is mama Belamis busy?”
“Yup.. a lot of
hardwork, let’s prepare dinner and now you can play with me.”
Nako meowed. “Nako,
come… don’t disturb mama…”
Kugo had took on
the role of parenting during the time when Belamis was away, so he and Idina
had a special bond.
“Tell me again the
stories of mama Belamis ?” Idina asked.
"You sure you are not going to be bored ?" Kugo hold her up and asked.
"Nope!!!" Idina smiled.
Kugo took Idina out and played with her.
Belamis glanced back and felt very warm - Kugo had been very sensitive about her - it was something Kugo learned - Belamis was not exactly an easy going person - she was stubborn, and sometimes stern - Kugo embraced all that and loved her.
"I have to finish all this and be with them..." Belamis thought.
Kugo held Idina's hand and walked out. For over a year Kugo took care of the little girl and now Idina could walk.
"Papa Kugo... "
"Yeah ? Oh! The story... well. You remember ? We the three cyborgs escorted the beautiful princess, Princess Arora and we were trapped on a planet.. the ship had to stop to wait for the storm to calm down..."
"Yes!! You said mama Belamis was in her cool looking jet!!" Idina replied in excitement. She never grew tired of hearing how Kugo met Belamis.
"Yep!!! Mama Belamis is the best pilot I have ever seen!!! Probably the best in the cosmos!" Kugo said.
"I first thought she was a guy... we had a quarrel... and a fight!! In the middle of it, her helmet flew off, and I saw a very beautiful face.... I mean too handsome for guy!!!" Kugo said.
Kugo still felt the strange attraction in him, and everything was like yesterday.
Belamis quickly finished off her administrative work with Galaxy Union and came out quietly.
She saw Kugo and Idina and decided to listen.
"He remembered all that...." Belamis was startled as Kugo could recall so many things about their encounter.
"I know mama Belamis is a good person ... I can just see it in her eyes...." Kugo said.
Belamis remembered that encounter. Just a twist of fate, she was on the opposite side of Kugo.
Belamis thought to herself, "I was so obsessed about my desire and ambition to build a new world..."
Kugo continued, "But I got to know more and more about her... she is stubborn, but with the upright integrity of a warrior... a tough survivor, a clever commander... "
Idina asked, "So what do you love about mama Belamis ?"
Kugo signed, "She is cool.... brave... smart and beautiful... and a strong woman... with that mysterious side of her that makes me curious..."
Belamis felt warm as Kugo was talking with a voice full of sweet thoughts.
"a..hem..." Belamis cleared her throat and said, "Well..."
Idina ran to Belamis, and Belamis gently picked her up and hold her - to Belamis Idina and Kugo was everything to her. Belamis kissed Idina, and said softly, "So papa Kugo told you a lot..."
Idina nodded.
"Let's just walk around..." Belamis was in a mood just to spend time with Idina and she was not bothered at all by the duel.
Kugo asked, "So you are confident you will beat the Princess ?"
"I am not going to be bothered by that..." Belamis smiled as she gently hold Idina.
They three walked around.
"I don't even care if I win or loose..." Belamis said and she gazed at Idina, "..because you and Kugo matters..." Idina hugged Belamis' neck, "Yeah!! But I know you will win..."
"Why ?" Belamis smiled.
"You are just great, mama Belamis!" Idina replied.
Belamis turned to Kugo.
"Well, I have fought you a few times..." Kugo remembered his duel with Belamis.
Even if Belamis had not awaken her powers as the Gariusu Giantess, Kugo doubted if he could beat Belamis.
"What ?" Belamis asked.
"No ... nothing..." Kugo smiled. He was not a bit intimidated by the fact that Belamis was now more powerful than him.
It was Belamis soft and fragility that Kugo found most fascinating, and something that also made him hurt - he loved Belamis, and the more he saw her strength, the more he could see her deep soft spots.
Belamis stood up and placed Idina on the ground.
"It will be another 7 days..." Belamis said.
"Well, what are you going to do for these 7 days ?" Kugo asked.
Belamis gazed at Idina, and said, "I think I will try to learn more about this planet, the history and get more information... why the Princess is mistrusting us."
Kugo said, "That woman is surely friendly on day one... but how ?"
"Hmmm.... maybe I ask Sheldon..." Belamis replied.
"Huh ?"
"I think we are on talking terms..." Belamis smiled.
The next day.
"Library ?" Sheldon replied.
"Yes... Can I access your library of records..." Belamis repeated.
"For what ?" Sheldon was baffled, and Kugo looked on with Idina.
"Is it too much trouble ?" Belamis replied.
"I am the Ambassador representing Galaxy Union, and if I am to forge a ally with your planet, I must know about your history, culture and traditions." Belamis said.
Sheldon nodded, "I can arrange that...."
Zeus the big cougar was with Sheldon, and he gazed at Nako.
Nako as usual pretended she did not notice Zeus.
Belamis placed Idina on the back of Nako, and Idina laughed, "Nako, your boyfriend is waiting.."
Nako purred and looked.
"Well, while I am in the library.... Kugo.. you want to stick around with Idina or..."
"It's OK, I can take care of the cats and Idina." Sheldon said.
"Thanks..."
The cyborg couple entered.
"Gee....... holy cow!!" Kugo gasped at the huge facility - rolls and rolls of shelves....
Belamis approached it and looked, "They also invented writing like in Gariusu, and I suppose the same on Earth ?"
Kugo, "erh.. yes..."
The librarian bowed and said, "Madam, please come with me to the reading room..."
"Gosh... books give me the headaches..." Kugo said.
"Kugo.... if you feel bored..."
"No..no.... I never been to a library..." Kugo said, "I want to hang around with you.."
Belamis felt warm as she heard the words.
Belamis browsed the archives, and Kugo peered over her shoulders, his hands holding her waist.
"Not on my waist.. it tickles.. on my shoulders..." Belamis softly replied.
Kugo kissed her ears.
After three hours the couple left.
Sheldon came with Nako and Idina, and Zeus the big cougar was there too, he licked Nako's ear.
Nako purred.
"Thanks for taking care of them.." Belamis nodded at Sheldon.
"Then see you at the duel with Her Royal Highness."Sheldon saluted, and she took the leash of Zeus and left.
Belamis saluted back.
"So... the duel ?" Kugo asked.
Belamis frowned....
The days past quickly, soon it was the duel.
Belamis was up early, and she noticed Kugo was already up and made breakfast.
She searched for Idina and she was up too.
Belamis looked at the breakfast and Kugo with Idina.
"What ?" Kugo smiled.
"Thanks.." She kissed Kugo, and Idina hugged her.
After the breakfast, Belamis got into her cyborg suit, and checked her sword - she pulled it out of the and looked.
Idina held in her Belamis' cape. Kugo took and gently put it on Belamis.
"I still remember that - when you covered by face with this..." Kugo said.
That was their first encounter. It was like yesterday to both.
"Nako ?" Belamis called, and the grey cougar came.
"We are all set..." Belamis said.
They came out the mansion, and the Princess' people were waiting, and Captain Sheldon was there.
"Admiral Belamis, we will take you to the place of the duel."
Sheldon led the family to a big vehicle, and they entered.
"I will pilot this." Sheldon said, as she sat on the driver's seat and started the engine.
Nako meowed, and Idina asked, "How long will we be there?"
"Just under 10 minutes..." Sheldon replied.
Belamis was in her full cyborg outfit and she hold her helmet in her arms. Kugo was also in his cyborg form, holding his helmet.
The vehicle went airborne, and flew at top speed.
Sheldon said, "When we are there, you will have 20 minutes' rest and preparation, and you will be briefed the duel format...." she paused, ".. one part will involve Her Royal Highness in her giantess form fighting you..." She remembered that Belamis could not change to giantess form voluntarily.
Belamis listened very calmly. Idina walked to Belamis and took out the scepter from the Great Planet - the one from the Old Queen.
Belamis was in deep thought.
"Mama Belamis ?"
Belamis immediately realized Idina was in front of her, and she gently stroked Idina's face.
Idina looked at Belamis, and said, "Mama Belamis.... you don't want it ?"
Belamis looked at Idina, and said, "Everything will be alright.." She gently hugged Idina.
Kugo was confident that Belamis could handle that, and he gently hold Belamis hand. Yet Kugo was still a bit uneasy. "How can she fight if the Princess was in giantess form and she isn't?"
The vehicle soon arrived at the duel venue - a huge arena.
"Gosh.... this is a spectator event!" Kugo looked out the window and saw hundreds of thousands of Uquotians cheering.
"The Princess is loved by the people, and they all come to watch..." Sheldon said.
Idina and Nako all looked out.
Belamis just gazed forward, and then she closed her eyes.
The vehicle landed, and the cabin door opened.
Belamis opened her eyes, took her helmet and stood up. "Let's go."
The family exited the vehicle, and Uquotian soldiers were there standing in two lines, and they saluted Sheldon.
Sheldon led the way and the family followed. The soldiers saw Nako and was alarmed.
"Don't move, this cougar is not hostile." Sheldon ordered the soldier. They all stood in attention.
At the end of the path was Zeus the big cougar, and he was thrilled to see Nako, and he waved his tail.
The Princess emerged, and she was in her fighting attire - all purple armor, and she had a huge curved saber in a scabbard.
The family stood before the Princess. Sheldon approached the Princess and bowed, "Your Royal Highness, Admiral Belamis and her family is here."
Princess Margenetta nodded, and said, "The rules are simple. We fight inside this arena, who ever dropped her weapon first, or got pinned down, or got knocked out, or fell outside the arena, she loose. The fighting mode is free, by our weapons, or if we both dropped our weapons, bare handed combat, in human form or giantess form... anyway goes, by wit and except cheating."
Belamis replied, "Fine with me."
The Princess then looked at Belamis' outfit, and said, "Is that the Gariusu star on your chest and the back of your cape?"
Belamis was startled, and remained calm, "Yes.... I am the captain of our space fighter squadron, the star is the emblem, and I have never been more proud of being a warrior for my planet and my comrades in the squadron."
This was another memory which Belamis tried no to remember. When Belamis was rescued by Dr. Kitty in space, her cyborg suit was badly damaged.
When Belamis decided to fight again for the Galaxy, she asked Dr. Kitty to make a new set of cyborg outfit for her, but in the same design as the one she wore before - she wanted to have that blue star emblem - it was her way to honor her troops.
After Belamis became a cyborg, and was promoted, her home planet's army assigned her to head the elite squadron of space fighters. The members were all elite pilots, but Belamis was the best - her skills in piloting was clearly demonstrated with her series of fights destroying the invading monsters.
Yet, the weakening Galaxy Energy was generating more monsters than they could fight - in one battle, she lost all of her comrades - many she tried to save, but instead they refused.
That broke Belamis' heart - and she stood before her father.
"Father, I have to quit..." Belamis said.
"What ?"
"The deaths of my troop.... I have to take responsibility."
General Conan stood up, and said, "No."
"This is war, this is a battle. You have to expect to loose your comrades ..." Her father said calmly.
He turned and took the cape, which Belamis took off.
"Do you know what this cape stands for ?"
Belamis shook her head.
"It is the brave heart of Gariusu soldiers, and the love for the comrades - you do not walk away even if they are dead." General Conan said.
"They would have died for nothing if you did that."
Belamis since then took her cyborg suit as her own identity.
The Princess nodded, "We will meet at the arena after 10 minutes.Which side do you want to choose ?"
There were two sides, the blue and the red.
"Blue...." Belamis said.
"See you then.." The Princess turned. Zeus still stared at Nako.
"Come boy.... you will meet your girlfriend later..." The Princess tugged the leash of Zeus.
Nako meowed. She obviously liked the big cat.
Belamis patted her, and Idina was sitting on the back of Nako.
Kugo said, "So where should we go...."
Sheldon said, "There are special seats for you...."
Belamis said, "I will be fine...see you after the duel..."
Idnia exclaimed, "But... mama Belamis... " She knew without the scepter Belamis could not transform to her giantess form.
"Just go, Idina.." Belamis said.
Idina reluctantly nodded. Kugo picked her up and hold her, and he said, "Fight well!" as he hold up a V-sign.
Belamis smiled and remembered how she shunned him.
Belamis turned, and some Uquotian people came, "Come this way, Admiral Belamis."
Belamis followed them, and she walked into a long corridor, leading to the other side of the arena.
And just about 200 steps she emerged to the other side, and the crowds were wild.
"Princess !! Princess !! Princess !!" They cheered.
Belamis came out, and holding her helmet.
The crowd saw here and they jeered and booed.
Kugo, Idina and Nako settled down and heard the jeering.
Idina was angry, "Why are they doing it to mama Belamis?"
Kugo was furious too, "What are these people ?"
The audience was hostile.
That did not bothered Belamis a bit. She stepped into the arena on her side - a blue patch about 8 square metres across.
Then the Princess emerged at the other side, about 100 metres away.
The arena was about 150 by 100 metres, and there were many rows of seats, which could hold like 200,000 people.
The Princess said in a loud voice, "Now we can start..."
Belamis put on her helmet, and lowered her shades. The Princess also put on her helmet.
The two women warriors pulled out their weapons.
Then a loud voice, "Ready, THREE, TWO, ONE..."
Then the Princess moved in high speed - that same skill Belamis had!!!
Belamis frowned and she moved with her high speed mode.
Then the two met in mid-air and their weapons clashed.
Kugo folded his arms and watched, saying to himself, "Yes... that's it..."
He was familiar with Belamis' fighting style and her strengths, and his eyes were keen because he had fought with Belamis enough to follow her moves.
"Is mama Belamis winning ?" Idina asked.
"Too early to tell... " Kugo said. The two women warriors were just testing each other.
Belamis used her sword to block the advances of Magenetta, and she made a few testing strike to test her.
Magenetta thought, "She is even better then what we heard about her..."
Belamis landed and Magenetta was behind her coming at great speed.
"Mama Belamis!!" Idina exclaimed.
Kugo was calm.
Belamis with her back still facing Margenetta, moved her sword and blocked Margenetta's saber - three strikes without even looking.
"That is the way Belamis' fight.."
Kugo knew how formidable when Belamis uses her "look-away" moves.
Belamis was trained from early age to use a sword and to fight not only to face-to-face opponents - but also opponents behind her.
"Belamis, you are not just a knight but also a soldier..." Her sword master said. "In battle, your opponents will be all around you, you must learn to fight even when your eyes are not there to look..."
She was just 14, and her back took thousands of beating by trying to block the attack at her back.
Belamis lied face down after the first session, her back had many bruises. "If this is a real sword..." Her sword master said...
At night, she could not even sleep by lying face up - she had to lie face down, and her mother Rose gently put on ointment to the bruise on her back after the shower.
"Aarrhh..." Belamis groaned.
Rose looked at Belamis, still teenage, and she saw something - Belamis was more muscular then her peers - her muscles were very visible despite her slender body. Rose knew - Belamis was the warrior giantess and she was growing up to be one. She put ointment on Belamis' back, and gently massaged the bruised area.
Then when Belamis met Nia, she even trained herself to fight blind-folded.
To Margenetta, it was like Belamis had eyes on her back and Belamis had three arms.
"Her sword is always there in time to block my attack?!!!" Margenetta was frustrated.
Idina clapped her hands, and cheered, "Win Belamis! Win Belamis! "
Kugo nodded, "The Princess cannot defeat Belamis...."
But Margenetta was compensated with her larger and heavier weapon, and Belamis also noticed.
The two women stopped and stood facing each other in the middle of the arena, each holding up their weapons.
Kugo raised his eyebrows and looked.
"What ?" Idina said.
"The Princess and Belamis will have a final try on their weapons...." Kugo knew the Princess would not concede defeat easily, and he expected the next round would be combat in their bare hands, and then...
Kugo was worried as he noticed something, "Gosh....Belamis is holding back.... damn she never hold back when she fights with me!!!!!"
Kugo was too familiar with Belamis' way of fighting - and he could tell right away if she was holding back - because once she really wanted to kill him when she thought he was responsible for her best friend Sherius' death - that angry Belamis did not hold back at all.
The difference was subtle but Kugo was a fighter and he immediately noticed.
"What is she thinking????!!!" Kugo was worried, and he subconsciously put his hands on his Astrolance down at his thighs - the Princess was capable of seriously wounding Belamis, if not killing her.
Then he realized his move might provoke the Uquotians. "No... Idina was here too.."
As Kugo was worried up at the stands, Belamis had her thoughts.
"This is really a mess I cannot get myself out.... I cannot just defeat the Princess like this flat out...." Belamis was in an awkward position - she was the Ambassador, and came in goodwill...
Not to save the face of the Princess, but Belamis wanted to let Margenetta knew she could not win.
"Huh?"
The Princess again moved in high-speed mode straight towards Belamis and her saber was charged with energy.
"She raised the stakes..." Belamis thought and she also energized her electromagnetic sword - the weapons clashed and there's a loud bang of energy colliding.
The Princess leaped back.
"She is strong..." The Princess felt her hands numbed after that powerful collision - Belamis just stood there holding her sword with both arms and that was enough to send the Princess bouncing back upon hitting Belamis.
Belamis stood still, waiting for Margenetta's next attack. The Princess screamed, and she charged again then suddenly changed to her high-speed mode and attack from Belamis' back.
Then another loud bang - Belamis hold her sword behind her back - still and blocked it - and Margenetta nearly fell to the ground as the energy rebounded back to her - Belamis was not even using her strongest muscle of her arms - she only hold her arm and kept still with her triceps.
It was clear - Belamis was superior in her reflexes, strength, speed and her mastering of the sword.
"Round two!!!" Margenetta shouted, "Without weapons...".
Kugo took Idina out and played with her.
Belamis glanced back and felt very warm - Kugo had been very sensitive about her - it was something Kugo learned - Belamis was not exactly an easy going person - she was stubborn, and sometimes stern - Kugo embraced all that and loved her.
"I have to finish all this and be with them..." Belamis thought.
Kugo held Idina's hand and walked out. For over a year Kugo took care of the little girl and now Idina could walk.
"Papa Kugo... "
"Yeah ? Oh! The story... well. You remember ? We the three cyborgs escorted the beautiful princess, Princess Arora and we were trapped on a planet.. the ship had to stop to wait for the storm to calm down..."
"Yes!! You said mama Belamis was in her cool looking jet!!" Idina replied in excitement. She never grew tired of hearing how Kugo met Belamis.
"Yep!!! Mama Belamis is the best pilot I have ever seen!!! Probably the best in the cosmos!" Kugo said.
"I first thought she was a guy... we had a quarrel... and a fight!! In the middle of it, her helmet flew off, and I saw a very beautiful face.... I mean too handsome for guy!!!" Kugo said.
Kugo still felt the strange attraction in him, and everything was like yesterday.
Belamis quickly finished off her administrative work with Galaxy Union and came out quietly.
She saw Kugo and Idina and decided to listen.
"He remembered all that...." Belamis was startled as Kugo could recall so many things about their encounter.
"I know mama Belamis is a good person ... I can just see it in her eyes...." Kugo said.
Belamis remembered that encounter. Just a twist of fate, she was on the opposite side of Kugo.
Belamis thought to herself, "I was so obsessed about my desire and ambition to build a new world..."
Kugo continued, "But I got to know more and more about her... she is stubborn, but with the upright integrity of a warrior... a tough survivor, a clever commander... "
Idina asked, "So what do you love about mama Belamis ?"
Kugo signed, "She is cool.... brave... smart and beautiful... and a strong woman... with that mysterious side of her that makes me curious..."
Belamis felt warm as Kugo was talking with a voice full of sweet thoughts.
"a..hem..." Belamis cleared her throat and said, "Well..."
Idina ran to Belamis, and Belamis gently picked her up and hold her - to Belamis Idina and Kugo was everything to her. Belamis kissed Idina, and said softly, "So papa Kugo told you a lot..."
Idina nodded.
"Let's just walk around..." Belamis was in a mood just to spend time with Idina and she was not bothered at all by the duel.
Kugo asked, "So you are confident you will beat the Princess ?"
"I am not going to be bothered by that..." Belamis smiled as she gently hold Idina.
They three walked around.
"I don't even care if I win or loose..." Belamis said and she gazed at Idina, "..because you and Kugo matters..." Idina hugged Belamis' neck, "Yeah!! But I know you will win..."
"Why ?" Belamis smiled.
"You are just great, mama Belamis!" Idina replied.
Belamis turned to Kugo.
"Well, I have fought you a few times..." Kugo remembered his duel with Belamis.
Even if Belamis had not awaken her powers as the Gariusu Giantess, Kugo doubted if he could beat Belamis.
"What ?" Belamis asked.
"No ... nothing..." Kugo smiled. He was not a bit intimidated by the fact that Belamis was now more powerful than him.
It was Belamis soft and fragility that Kugo found most fascinating, and something that also made him hurt - he loved Belamis, and the more he saw her strength, the more he could see her deep soft spots.
Belamis stood up and placed Idina on the ground.
"It will be another 7 days..." Belamis said.
"Well, what are you going to do for these 7 days ?" Kugo asked.
Belamis gazed at Idina, and said, "I think I will try to learn more about this planet, the history and get more information... why the Princess is mistrusting us."
Kugo said, "That woman is surely friendly on day one... but how ?"
"Hmmm.... maybe I ask Sheldon..." Belamis replied.
"Huh ?"
"I think we are on talking terms..." Belamis smiled.
The next day.
"Library ?" Sheldon replied.
"Yes... Can I access your library of records..." Belamis repeated.
"For what ?" Sheldon was baffled, and Kugo looked on with Idina.
"Is it too much trouble ?" Belamis replied.
"I am the Ambassador representing Galaxy Union, and if I am to forge a ally with your planet, I must know about your history, culture and traditions." Belamis said.
Sheldon nodded, "I can arrange that...."
Zeus the big cougar was with Sheldon, and he gazed at Nako.
Nako as usual pretended she did not notice Zeus.
Belamis placed Idina on the back of Nako, and Idina laughed, "Nako, your boyfriend is waiting.."
Nako purred and looked.
"Well, while I am in the library.... Kugo.. you want to stick around with Idina or..."
"It's OK, I can take care of the cats and Idina." Sheldon said.
"Thanks..."
The cyborg couple entered.
"Gee....... holy cow!!" Kugo gasped at the huge facility - rolls and rolls of shelves....
Belamis approached it and looked, "They also invented writing like in Gariusu, and I suppose the same on Earth ?"
Kugo, "erh.. yes..."
The librarian bowed and said, "Madam, please come with me to the reading room..."
"Gosh... books give me the headaches..." Kugo said.
"Kugo.... if you feel bored..."
"No..no.... I never been to a library..." Kugo said, "I want to hang around with you.."
Belamis felt warm as she heard the words.
Belamis browsed the archives, and Kugo peered over her shoulders, his hands holding her waist.
"Not on my waist.. it tickles.. on my shoulders..." Belamis softly replied.
Kugo kissed her ears.
After three hours the couple left.
Sheldon came with Nako and Idina, and Zeus the big cougar was there too, he licked Nako's ear.
Nako purred.
"Thanks for taking care of them.." Belamis nodded at Sheldon.
"Then see you at the duel with Her Royal Highness."Sheldon saluted, and she took the leash of Zeus and left.
Belamis saluted back.
"So... the duel ?" Kugo asked.
Belamis frowned....
The days past quickly, soon it was the duel.
Belamis was up early, and she noticed Kugo was already up and made breakfast.
She searched for Idina and she was up too.
Belamis looked at the breakfast and Kugo with Idina.
"What ?" Kugo smiled.
"Thanks.." She kissed Kugo, and Idina hugged her.
After the breakfast, Belamis got into her cyborg suit, and checked her sword - she pulled it out of the and looked.
Idina held in her Belamis' cape. Kugo took and gently put it on Belamis.
"I still remember that - when you covered by face with this..." Kugo said.
That was their first encounter. It was like yesterday to both.
"Nako ?" Belamis called, and the grey cougar came.
"We are all set..." Belamis said.
They came out the mansion, and the Princess' people were waiting, and Captain Sheldon was there.
"Admiral Belamis, we will take you to the place of the duel."
Sheldon led the family to a big vehicle, and they entered.
"I will pilot this." Sheldon said, as she sat on the driver's seat and started the engine.
Nako meowed, and Idina asked, "How long will we be there?"
"Just under 10 minutes..." Sheldon replied.
Belamis was in her full cyborg outfit and she hold her helmet in her arms. Kugo was also in his cyborg form, holding his helmet.
The vehicle went airborne, and flew at top speed.
Sheldon said, "When we are there, you will have 20 minutes' rest and preparation, and you will be briefed the duel format...." she paused, ".. one part will involve Her Royal Highness in her giantess form fighting you..." She remembered that Belamis could not change to giantess form voluntarily.
Belamis listened very calmly. Idina walked to Belamis and took out the scepter from the Great Planet - the one from the Old Queen.
Belamis was in deep thought.
"Mama Belamis ?"
Belamis immediately realized Idina was in front of her, and she gently stroked Idina's face.
Idina looked at Belamis, and said, "Mama Belamis.... you don't want it ?"
Belamis looked at Idina, and said, "Everything will be alright.." She gently hugged Idina.
Kugo was confident that Belamis could handle that, and he gently hold Belamis hand. Yet Kugo was still a bit uneasy. "How can she fight if the Princess was in giantess form and she isn't?"
The vehicle soon arrived at the duel venue - a huge arena.
"Gosh.... this is a spectator event!" Kugo looked out the window and saw hundreds of thousands of Uquotians cheering.
"The Princess is loved by the people, and they all come to watch..." Sheldon said.
Idina and Nako all looked out.
Belamis just gazed forward, and then she closed her eyes.
The vehicle landed, and the cabin door opened.
Belamis opened her eyes, took her helmet and stood up. "Let's go."
The family exited the vehicle, and Uquotian soldiers were there standing in two lines, and they saluted Sheldon.
Sheldon led the way and the family followed. The soldiers saw Nako and was alarmed.
"Don't move, this cougar is not hostile." Sheldon ordered the soldier. They all stood in attention.
At the end of the path was Zeus the big cougar, and he was thrilled to see Nako, and he waved his tail.
The Princess emerged, and she was in her fighting attire - all purple armor, and she had a huge curved saber in a scabbard.
The family stood before the Princess. Sheldon approached the Princess and bowed, "Your Royal Highness, Admiral Belamis and her family is here."
Princess Margenetta nodded, and said, "The rules are simple. We fight inside this arena, who ever dropped her weapon first, or got pinned down, or got knocked out, or fell outside the arena, she loose. The fighting mode is free, by our weapons, or if we both dropped our weapons, bare handed combat, in human form or giantess form... anyway goes, by wit and except cheating."
Belamis replied, "Fine with me."
The Princess then looked at Belamis' outfit, and said, "Is that the Gariusu star on your chest and the back of your cape?"
Belamis was startled, and remained calm, "Yes.... I am the captain of our space fighter squadron, the star is the emblem, and I have never been more proud of being a warrior for my planet and my comrades in the squadron."
This was another memory which Belamis tried no to remember. When Belamis was rescued by Dr. Kitty in space, her cyborg suit was badly damaged.
When Belamis decided to fight again for the Galaxy, she asked Dr. Kitty to make a new set of cyborg outfit for her, but in the same design as the one she wore before - she wanted to have that blue star emblem - it was her way to honor her troops.
After Belamis became a cyborg, and was promoted, her home planet's army assigned her to head the elite squadron of space fighters. The members were all elite pilots, but Belamis was the best - her skills in piloting was clearly demonstrated with her series of fights destroying the invading monsters.
Yet, the weakening Galaxy Energy was generating more monsters than they could fight - in one battle, she lost all of her comrades - many she tried to save, but instead they refused.
That broke Belamis' heart - and she stood before her father.
"Father, I have to quit..." Belamis said.
"What ?"
"The deaths of my troop.... I have to take responsibility."
General Conan stood up, and said, "No."
"This is war, this is a battle. You have to expect to loose your comrades ..." Her father said calmly.
He turned and took the cape, which Belamis took off.
"Do you know what this cape stands for ?"
Belamis shook her head.
"It is the brave heart of Gariusu soldiers, and the love for the comrades - you do not walk away even if they are dead." General Conan said.
"They would have died for nothing if you did that."
Belamis since then took her cyborg suit as her own identity.
The Princess nodded, "We will meet at the arena after 10 minutes.Which side do you want to choose ?"
There were two sides, the blue and the red.
"Blue...." Belamis said.
"See you then.." The Princess turned. Zeus still stared at Nako.
"Come boy.... you will meet your girlfriend later..." The Princess tugged the leash of Zeus.
Nako meowed. She obviously liked the big cat.
Belamis patted her, and Idina was sitting on the back of Nako.
Kugo said, "So where should we go...."
Sheldon said, "There are special seats for you...."
Belamis said, "I will be fine...see you after the duel..."
Idnia exclaimed, "But... mama Belamis... " She knew without the scepter Belamis could not transform to her giantess form.
"Just go, Idina.." Belamis said.
Idina reluctantly nodded. Kugo picked her up and hold her, and he said, "Fight well!" as he hold up a V-sign.
Belamis smiled and remembered how she shunned him.
Belamis turned, and some Uquotian people came, "Come this way, Admiral Belamis."
Belamis followed them, and she walked into a long corridor, leading to the other side of the arena.
And just about 200 steps she emerged to the other side, and the crowds were wild.
"Princess !! Princess !! Princess !!" They cheered.
Belamis came out, and holding her helmet.
The crowd saw here and they jeered and booed.
Kugo, Idina and Nako settled down and heard the jeering.
Idina was angry, "Why are they doing it to mama Belamis?"
Kugo was furious too, "What are these people ?"
The audience was hostile.
That did not bothered Belamis a bit. She stepped into the arena on her side - a blue patch about 8 square metres across.
Then the Princess emerged at the other side, about 100 metres away.
The arena was about 150 by 100 metres, and there were many rows of seats, which could hold like 200,000 people.
The Princess said in a loud voice, "Now we can start..."
Belamis put on her helmet, and lowered her shades. The Princess also put on her helmet.
The two women warriors pulled out their weapons.
Then a loud voice, "Ready, THREE, TWO, ONE..."
Then the Princess moved in high speed - that same skill Belamis had!!!
Belamis frowned and she moved with her high speed mode.
Then the two met in mid-air and their weapons clashed.
Kugo folded his arms and watched, saying to himself, "Yes... that's it..."
He was familiar with Belamis' fighting style and her strengths, and his eyes were keen because he had fought with Belamis enough to follow her moves.
"Is mama Belamis winning ?" Idina asked.
"Too early to tell... " Kugo said. The two women warriors were just testing each other.
Belamis used her sword to block the advances of Magenetta, and she made a few testing strike to test her.
Magenetta thought, "She is even better then what we heard about her..."
Belamis landed and Magenetta was behind her coming at great speed.
"Mama Belamis!!" Idina exclaimed.
Kugo was calm.
Belamis with her back still facing Margenetta, moved her sword and blocked Margenetta's saber - three strikes without even looking.
"That is the way Belamis' fight.."
Kugo knew how formidable when Belamis uses her "look-away" moves.
Belamis was trained from early age to use a sword and to fight not only to face-to-face opponents - but also opponents behind her.
"Belamis, you are not just a knight but also a soldier..." Her sword master said. "In battle, your opponents will be all around you, you must learn to fight even when your eyes are not there to look..."
She was just 14, and her back took thousands of beating by trying to block the attack at her back.
Belamis lied face down after the first session, her back had many bruises. "If this is a real sword..." Her sword master said...
At night, she could not even sleep by lying face up - she had to lie face down, and her mother Rose gently put on ointment to the bruise on her back after the shower.
"Aarrhh..." Belamis groaned.
Rose looked at Belamis, still teenage, and she saw something - Belamis was more muscular then her peers - her muscles were very visible despite her slender body. Rose knew - Belamis was the warrior giantess and she was growing up to be one. She put ointment on Belamis' back, and gently massaged the bruised area.
Then when Belamis met Nia, she even trained herself to fight blind-folded.
To Margenetta, it was like Belamis had eyes on her back and Belamis had three arms.
"Her sword is always there in time to block my attack?!!!" Margenetta was frustrated.
Idina clapped her hands, and cheered, "Win Belamis! Win Belamis! "
Kugo nodded, "The Princess cannot defeat Belamis...."
But Margenetta was compensated with her larger and heavier weapon, and Belamis also noticed.
The two women stopped and stood facing each other in the middle of the arena, each holding up their weapons.
Kugo raised his eyebrows and looked.
"What ?" Idina said.
"The Princess and Belamis will have a final try on their weapons...." Kugo knew the Princess would not concede defeat easily, and he expected the next round would be combat in their bare hands, and then...
Kugo was worried as he noticed something, "Gosh....Belamis is holding back.... damn she never hold back when she fights with me!!!!!"
Kugo was too familiar with Belamis' way of fighting - and he could tell right away if she was holding back - because once she really wanted to kill him when she thought he was responsible for her best friend Sherius' death - that angry Belamis did not hold back at all.
The difference was subtle but Kugo was a fighter and he immediately noticed.
"What is she thinking????!!!" Kugo was worried, and he subconsciously put his hands on his Astrolance down at his thighs - the Princess was capable of seriously wounding Belamis, if not killing her.
Then he realized his move might provoke the Uquotians. "No... Idina was here too.."
As Kugo was worried up at the stands, Belamis had her thoughts.
"This is really a mess I cannot get myself out.... I cannot just defeat the Princess like this flat out...." Belamis was in an awkward position - she was the Ambassador, and came in goodwill...
Not to save the face of the Princess, but Belamis wanted to let Margenetta knew she could not win.
"Huh?"
The Princess again moved in high-speed mode straight towards Belamis and her saber was charged with energy.
"She raised the stakes..." Belamis thought and she also energized her electromagnetic sword - the weapons clashed and there's a loud bang of energy colliding.
The Princess leaped back.
"She is strong..." The Princess felt her hands numbed after that powerful collision - Belamis just stood there holding her sword with both arms and that was enough to send the Princess bouncing back upon hitting Belamis.
Belamis stood still, waiting for Margenetta's next attack. The Princess screamed, and she charged again then suddenly changed to her high-speed mode and attack from Belamis' back.
Then another loud bang - Belamis hold her sword behind her back - still and blocked it - and Margenetta nearly fell to the ground as the energy rebounded back to her - Belamis was not even using her strongest muscle of her arms - she only hold her arm and kept still with her triceps.
It was clear - Belamis was superior in her reflexes, strength, speed and her mastering of the sword.
"Round two!!!" Margenetta shouted, "Without weapons...".
