Aki eyebrows furrowed at such words. Strange black ships...? That couldn't be anything good. So the reason they were going to protect the princess is because of these ships lurking around. Maybe this mission would be far more interesting than what it seemed. It was true that you never want to start trouble, but if they keep trying to contact it and never get a responce and it keeps dissappearing...they were just up to no good. She could feel it in her blood. She narrowed her eyes slightly to herself and wanted to speak badly, but held her tongue. She didn't need to do it for long though since the meeting was over with sooner than she thought. She sighed softly with relief as everyone began to leave and she could be a bit more relax. She nodded her head at Akina's words, moving toward her to listen to what she have to say.

Croix mentally nodded, he heard bits and pieces about the place but had never been there. He knew it was one of the allied planets with Alus and part of the Universal Defense Intiave. That organization had been around long before he was born but he knew about it from history class. Some thousands of years ago, it was learned that Alusarian's were artifcally created by a race that traveled through the dimensions called the 'Nalga'. They had been resonsible for much of the other races that hadn't came about naturally.

The story had went that another creation called 'Adam' which was a highly advanced computer went rogue and began creating things to try to destroy this universe. Towards the end of that war, much of the bigger planets had been lost and Alus had rose as a super power. It was also when the Universal Defense Initiave was offically formed, as a fail-safe to protect their home from another grave threat, should such one as before rise again.

Akina continued, interrupting Croix's thoughts process. "..And here.." She said, continuing as a holographic image of a planet formed in the middle, along with strange black ships forming. "..Is where most of the tension is taking place. We don't know too much about these ships, where they come from. All attempts at contact have been met with silence and they vanish soon after. They haven't made any hostile movements yet, but they have been appearing around, more frequently around the southern border of this galaxy."

"So, what do you propose we go from here?" Someone asked from the auidence.

"Nothing, yet." Akina said, her face thoughtful. "I don't want to provoke them unesscarily but I don't want them running around with potentially dangerous enemies. They could be anything from scouts to space pirates, we need to approach this carefully. That's why I'm sending Croix and Aki to protect some important political figures until we settle this mess. While we do this part, I trust the East Senate will do theirs. Any questions?" When no one spoke up she finished. "Dimissed then."

Everyone left slowly out, and Akina turned to Aki and Croix, her posture more relaxed around more casual company. "Come you two, I need to talk to you personally. Too much politics is bad for your teeth."

(OCC: It's ok)

Brian didn't say much of anything to either of the two as he entered the large auidence chamber where things would be dicussed and settled. Croix knew the routine by this time and instantly knew what to do. He sent a mental message to his mate:

"It looks like a standard meeting from the looks of things, but I can't help but think there's more to it."

There were some others already inside; some familar faces while others Croix didn't regonize at all. Regardless, Croix took a spot standing up towards the left center, and Aki would have to take the right. It was typical Vanguard protocol to always be up and alert when in a crowded room with important people. This way if needed they could defuse anything dangerous with the least amount of energy.

Towards the center of the room was Akina Rosemand who had queitly made herself known. She wore a beautiful but formal outfit; rather common with the higher classes. "Please be seated."

Naturally everyone did, except for the Vanguard. Brian had both arms behind his back, his face almost blank as he stood.

"Aki.." Croix 'said' to his mate after a moment of thinking. "How much do you know about Planet Komu?" It seemed like a random question but it had a point. Komu was basically the new planet for the Sayains after the original one had been destroyed. The planet had been named after a Sayain named Komu, who in a short time help push his people in a more positive direction. It was because of all that work long ago Sayains were now looked in a more positive light. Like the place before it, each ruler was named 'Komu' in honor of the first.

Croix gently placed a hand on Aki's shoulders, the other hand going to his head, but he gave her father a silent expression that said everything: I'll take care of her.

And he would. He had a few girlfriends before, but none of them had lasted all that long for various reasons. But this, this was different. When he was with Aki he felt like he could do anything and more then that she didn't try to turn him something he wasn't or try nit-pick at him. With Aki he felt like he could simply be himself and nothing else mattered when he was with her. He knew that if there was such thing as a soul mate; he had finally found his.

"Take care everyone."

And then like that, they were gone, vanishing from Aki's house into what seemed like a palace. Croix knew where this was almost instantly; it was Akina Rosmand's place. It wasn't her house but she conducted much of her business here and being a powerful ambassador on top being head of the South Senate. There was 'four' senate's for each direction, East, South, West and North. Each of those had certain aspects of Alus big decisions made, all having different things they specialzed in. Akina's South Senate happened to be exploratation, trade and diplomatic work along with humantarian services. Croix would know because these things were drilled into his head; not to mentio Akina was his cousin.

Standing before them was Brian Vanguard, a short man with brown hair and a constant scowl on his lips. He was dressed in a high-ranking uniform of the Vanguard, the planets linked together on a small patch on his shoulder. A sign of rank.

"I was waiting for you two, follow me." He said simply, walking ahead.

'Sir, why are we South Senate House?" Croix asked.

Without even turning around, he spoke, his pace brisk as in a hurry. "Because, Akina will be going with you and you need to be briefed on everything. We'll also be sending a Field Medic along the trip in case anything goes wrong. You 'know' them so it should make things easier."

--------------

[[Occ: Kimura]]
As soon as Brian appeared on the screen, she glanced towards Croix. She knew that this man wasn't exactly his favoritest person in the world. Aki turned her attention back to the screen as he spoke. She hard his low comment and wanted to laugh at his words, but she kept herself in controlled; her facial expression never changing. As soon as he finished his last words, the transmittion ended and she sighed slightly. "I know...but there is really nothing we can do about it. Maybe one day we'll be the ones that'd have control over him." She said with a small smile before she turned her head back in her parents direction. "Sorry guys, but we have to go now." She said, a small sad smile now on her face. She really didn't want to go right now when things were going so well, but they had a job to do. "You two be careful." Kyo spoke out as he held his wife close to him.

(OCC: It's cool. As long as you didn't completely forget. Uh, what's Aki's last name?)

On the screen was no other then 'Brian' one of the bigger wigs part of the Imperium Vanguard. He was named after the organization's founder, Brian Vanguard. Of course that's where the similarties ended. Where his predecessor was more honorable and polite, he was the opposite and seemed more like a snake. However, despite his faults he was competent no matter how much Croix may have disliked him and to his credit, he was smart enough not to be rude to certain people. Or cross certain lines.

"What are you two doing? You're going to be late." Brian said, his voice agitated.

"We were told by Richard we would have until Three O clock earth time, sir." Croix responded in a tight controlled voice.

He sniffed on the holographic screen. "Richard only has authority of his local branch of the Vanguard. Don't forget those in charge."

"Yeah, I remember. But I'm not talking to any right now." He said in such a low tone that only Aki would have been able to pick it up with her Sayain hearing.

"What was that?"

"Nothing sir."

He frowned. "I expected as much. Report the Space Port in a hour tops, no more dawdling around. You'll make the rest of the Vanguard look unprofessional." And with a 'click' the screen vanished.

Croix let out a breath once he was gone. "How did that asshole end up climbing rank is beyond me. If anything he makes the Imperium Vanguard look back."

[[Occ:I am so sorry! I forgot all about this thread! Forgive meeeeee......T___T]]
Aki smiled, happy that everyone was now getting along with one another. She couldn't be any happier at the moment. Croix was now a part of her life and her father had accepted the relationship. She opened her mouth to speak, but was instantly stopped by the buzzing sound from her communicator. She sighed to herself; just what she needed right now. She thought she and her family could have a nice peaceful little conversation and someone on the job needed her. "Um...excuse us." She said as she moved to the side and pulled Croix with her so he could hear the message as well. She click the button to accept it, wondering what they needed now. Was it already time for them to head out in their mission? She thought she would have a little bit more time before they departed.

Croix knew Aki had 'lost' that little battle and there was nothing for him to do but man up and take whatever her father wanted to dish out. He didn't think he was going to hit him, at least not in front of the family like that. Watching over his family was Aki's father more admirable traits, but when you were dating their daughter you learned first hand how 'protective' they could be. For a moment he thought if Aki did lay a hand on him, his mother would lose her mind. Despite being older she was still protective of him and as the saying went 'Hell hath no fury like a woman's' or in this case a mothers. There was a reason his father was scared of her.

When he finished, he relaxed a little bit and rubbed the back of his head. "You don't have to worry about that. My mom would kill me too if she thought I was treating a girl like that." It was a slight attempt to lighten the mood.

Suddenly, there was a light 'buzz' sound, he knew what that sound was. It was someone from their job calling Aki; most likely their boss but hopefully it wasn't the one that was head of this particular branch of the Imperium Vanguard(Herman). They could get along with their normal boss, but the other one had let the position get to his head, it didn't help he was smug but he was at the least competent, even if he was a asshole.

(OCC: Aki has something that looks like a watch, it's commucation thing. Just have her press it and the rest will play itself out when you're ready)

Silence. Nothing but utter silence. Both Akira and her daughters glanced at Kyo who stared blankly at the television. She was the first to break the silence, "That's just wonderful! I always knew you two were meant to be together; isn't that right, honey?" She congradulated the two of them before she glanced over to her husband, wanting to get a responce for him. He said nothing but stood up and began to walk over to Croix and Aki. Aki quickly stood in front of Croix, her arms crossed over her chest as she glared at her father.
"Daddy I--"
"I just want to talk to him."
"No yo-"
"I just want to talk to him."
"But--"
"I just want to talk to him."
"Okay, but if you dare hurt him you're going to have to deal with me, Daddy."
Aki had lost the verbal battle, stepping aside and letting her father approach Croix. Kyo simply stared at the boy, giivng him an itimidating look as his tail lashed to side to side behind him. "You know...Croix." He placed one of his hands on his shoulder, "I like you. I liked you because you never tried to make a move on my little girl. You were her only male friend that I could actually trust." He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I still like you and I'll accept the relationship....but If you dare hurt my little girl....well I'm sure you'll know what happened." He said as he moved his hand off of Croix shoulder, giving him a somewhat friendly smile.

Croix wasn't sure how to handle the situation. On one hand he could always be casual about it and announce but he wasn't so sure. But on the other hand he did need be a man and face the consequences; both good and bad. That didn't make it any easier, this was possibly going to get ugly.

"I have something to say." He said, thanking himself for keeping his voice calm. "The other night, me and Aki have decided to start dating." It sounded better then: 'Oh, I kinda forgot, but I banged your daughter and I really hope you don't get pissed at me. Please don't hit me in the face.'

Even then, the silence seemed deafening.