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Dante slowly opened his eye. He couldn't keep it open though, there was a very bright light above him, "You're awake! Amazing!"

That voice was familiar, "That... rabbit doctor..."

"Rachel, call me Rachel."

Dante sat up as pain radiated throughout his body, "Why am I here? Is my crew safe?"

Rachel sighed, "You are so stubborn, lie down, you shouldn't be moving around. You haven't healed completely. And yes, your crew is completely fine. They've been waiting for you to recover for the past three days."

Dante looked around and smiled, "So do you know... did she die? Or did Anima let her live?"

"I don't think you understand the situation, you were shot fifty times, your armor gave out after the first barrage. It's a miracle you were still able to move after that. Do you remember anything?"

Dante thought for a moment, "Not really, it all happened so fast. It didn't take long either, maybe a few minutes once I was on the ground."

"A few minutes?! You were out there for four hours! What was going through your head?"

"No idea, now about Anima..."

Rachel looked at her charts on her wrist computer, "Uh, Anima? Oh, your gun. To be honest, I don't know what happened, I was here the entire time, and I've been in charge of getting you better. I do know that you have another mission."

Dante jumped off the table and wobbled, "Fine, can't keep it waiting. Thanks for everything Rachel."

"Wait!"

Dante had to ask, "Yes? What is it?"

Rachel picked up a bag, "I'm the newest member of your crew! So commander, do you mind escorting me to the ship? Besides, I have the mission parameters."

Dante signaled for her to follow. He was already wearing clothes, so he didn't have to worry about that. On the ship, he was met be all of his crew, in a line, saluting him, "Congratulations Dante on the successful mission!" Titus congratulated him.

Ratchet smiled, "Yes sir! And if you do that again, I'll kill you myself!" Everyone but Dante laughed, "Welcome back Dante."

"Thanks, now since I assume Anima killed her, and I'm better now, we have another mission. Also, Rachel here will be on our crew as our doctor."

Sere was waving her arm to get attention. Dante also noticed she was wearing official Fallen Sky armor, "Hey! We also got upgrades for the ship. New reinforced plating, a high density barrier shield, and engine upgrades!"

"Wonderful, now Rachel, what's the mission?"

Jill was nervous, "Are you sure you're ready, you're still looking shaky..."

Rachel sighed, "I know, that's what I told him. But it's okay, our mission is to go to a private beach and take some time off." She smiled as she finished. The crew was thrilled, "Now Dante, you have no excuse not to... Dante?" He was gone.

Chey laughed, "Yep, back to his old self. Your stuff was put into you room already. Next to the captains cabin... well that makes sense. He keeps getting beat up and shot on a daily basis..."

Angel stepped forward, "I shall lead you to your room. Please follow me."

...............................................

Dante was lying down in his bed, tossing and turning. His body and mind were at ease for the first time in years. He didn't know how to react. So he did the only thing he could, slowly drift off to sleep.

Only for a few minutes though, he heard footsteps and breathing. His eye flung open. Sere, Ratchet, Miss Star, Angel, and Rachel were all standing over him, "Yes?"

They were all glaring, "Choose." They said in unison.

"Oh good, a nightmare. Just what I needed..."

Sere shook her head, "Nope, this is real. Choose, we all want to make you feel better. And while I don't like to admit it, I know how to make you happy."

"Nuh uh, I do! Plus I have a ton of sexy costumes!" Miss Star still was not convincing.

Ratchet had a smirk on her face, "I can do things that'll make you moan like you wouldn't believe, plus I'm nice and soft." She leaned in close, "I don't wear underwear either."

Angel was just as apathetic as always, "I am closest to your physical needs. I believe I shall be the best choice."

Rachel smiled sweetly and rubbed a finger along Dante's cheek, "I've known your body more than everyone here. I know where your nerves are, and what will get you going..."

Dante closed his eye, "Tell you what... if I see any of you in here when I open my eye again, I will kill you. Got it? Now get, I'm too tired to deal with... this..." He fell asleep.

"Choose!"

Dante sighed, "Please... please shut up brain. I want to sleep or get drunk... and getting drunk is hard in a nightmare." He fell asleep again.

..................................................

Or so he thought. He woke up some time later to an announcement, "All crew, we will leave tomorrow. Please prepare appropriately in the time you still have."

"Ugh... I hate nightmares so very much..." Dante stood up. He was still sore, but the pain wasn't as bad. There was a knock on his door, "Come in."

Ratchet saluted, "Dante, I'm here to help you around the station. You haven't really spent any time here, plus I doubt you have anything for the beach. So I'm gonna take you around and help you buy some things. You are rich after all."

"Rich? Oh right..." He had forgotten about the bounty he had earned when he helped save Sere, "Still, I have no need for anything. I don't plan on swimming. You go have fun."

Jill poked her head in between Ratchet and the doorway, "Aww... come on Dante. Let's have some fun today! You can always get a book or something. Oh! Let's get him something revealing!"

Ratchet patted her on the back of the head and smiled, "Well yeah, that was my plan all along! Get up Dante, or we'll drag you!"

Dante shrugged. He didn't have much of a choice. And at least this way he could get something and return to sleep. And so he went onto the station, to a mall area, "I never knew how annoying you two could be..." Ratchet and Jill didn't stop talking for a second. Not to mention they kept pulling him into various stores.

"Come on! Pick something!"

"Hurry up! Or we'll pick something for you! Now I'm gonna go with Jill and get a new swimsuit. When we get back, you'd better be holding something." The two girls left.

Jill returned for a moment, "Hey Dante! Guess what! Chey loves me! And we... you know..."

"Great, I hope you two are happy together, now go..."

Jill smiled, "Just wanted you to know, you are always good to tell secrets to." She ran off.

Dante stood in the middle of the department store, "I hate you all..." He left the clothing area and decided to go to another level. Drinks and foods, an improvement, "Oh well, might as well get something nice for the crew... and my room." He grabbed a cart and loaded it with snacks, foods, drinks, and all the alcoholic beverages he could fit in there. These were like the ones you saw in a night club, lit up with neon lights. Except these were always like that, and were naturally bright and pretty colors. While he was here, he also picked up some large shot glasses. He paid at the counter, and they took the goods to deliver to the Albatross by the end of the day.

Ratchet and Jill were waiting at the bottom of the stairs, each holding a little bag, and wearing a snarl on their faces, "You aren't holding anything!"

"I bought some things, getting delivered to the ship. Now let's get out of here, I'm tired." They walked through the dirty station, back to the docks, and back to the Albatross.

Sere and Angel greeted them in the lounge, "So, how was your date?"

"Date?" Jill and Ratchet giggled, "I really do hate you people... so very, very much."

Angel stood up, "Now it is our turn. Please accompany us Dante."

"ME TOO!!!" Miss Star pounced from the hall, "I'm going too! I need a new, fashionable swimsuit!"

Rachel entered the lounge, "Let me guess, you want to go as well..."

"Actually no. I have a nice little number already. You go have fun. Try to bring him back in one piece."

Dante was grabbed by four hands, much to his chagrin, "Wait, Chey too?" She nodded, "Damn you all to hell!"

..........................................................

Titus was relaxing on the bridge, and was soon accompanied by Rachel, "Hello."

"Oh, hello Rachel. It's actually good that you're here, I feel safer with a medic on the ship."

She smiled and sat on a chair, "I bet. You have all been through some rough situations. I have a question, if I may." Titus nodded, "Okay, well, tell me about Dante."

Titus spun around on his chair, "Oh, I see. You have a crush on him eh?" She blushed through her fur, "Alright... well he's a badass. He runs into danger, and always comes out alive. He also has the craziest plans I've ever heard, and he's only been with us a short while. I guess that's why Fallen Sky wanted him so bad."

Rachel nodded, "I meant more like, who he is, how he acts?"

Titus had to think, "Well... he seems like a nice guy. A little distant sometimes, but always reliable. He'd give his good eye to save any one of us, or even a stranger. Also, he can get intense."

"Heh... sounds nice. He really is a unique man, isn't he?"

"Got that right... you wanna watch the video we were given before we met him?" Rachel nodded, "Hey, AI, pull up the surveillance video."

................................................................

The girls went their separate ways, but Chey stayed near Dante, "Hey, um, Dante. I need something... to wear for Jill."

Dante knew what she meant, "Okay. Well you are still more woman than me, so go pick something out." He paused for a moment, "Actually, go conservative. She seems like she would like that. But don't be afraid to show off some skin... er... fur..."

"Okay! I'm off!"

Dante was left alone again, "Maybe I did die... that's why this is all so strange. Or brain damage... yeah, I'm going with brain damage. Hm..." He looked at the store, a different one from before, "Funny... I'm rich but I want nothing. How strange." His wrist computer beeped.

A screen popped up, going into detail about promotions and changes to the Albatross. The new armor and barrier, engines, upgraded cannon strength, and a fully equipped med-bay. His rank was promoted to Elite Commander, and all of his crew were also raised to Elite status. This allowed more privileged information access, and new types of missions.

He sighed, "Dammit... I think I'm fine. As long as the missions keep rolling in and I get to keep moving. Oh great..." The women had returned, each with a small bag, "We ready? I don't feel like being here."

Sere looked way too excited, "Yep! I got me a new one, and Angel got a really thin one. I couldn't even watch her try it on!" Angel nodded, as to confirm this.

Miss Star was just as happy, "Oh, I know you'll love what I have!"

Chey smiled and nodded to Dante, "Great, let's go. I'm hungry." Dante just wanted to leave, he didn't care about food.

She shook her head, "You men and your boring nature. Come on, let's head back."

..................................................

Despite saying he was hungry, he did nothing but sleep. When he did wake up, they had arrived at the private beach. Dante still did not have a bathing suit, but he did have a new crate in his room that he hadn't noticed. It had a Fallen Sky logo on it, so he guessed that it was the other part of his contract, "Wonderful..." He slipped on some clothes and left his cabin after taking a few lollipops from the crate.

He was stopped right away by Angel, who was wearing almost nothing, "Good morning Dante. I had scanned literature and data on you, and found this type of swimsuit in a part of something you enjoyed."

"What? Well, now that you mention it... that does look familiar. Hm... KOS-MOS maybe... eh, I got bored with my thoughts. So I assume you are here for a reason?"

Angel nodded, "Yes, I am to escort you to the bridge."

"Hm... guess those things will wait for later. Let's go." They went to the bridge, where the rest of the crew was waiting. They were all ready for the beach, and even had inflatable floats, umbrellas, and towels, "Yes? Can't go outside without me? I can't hold all of your hands."

Ratchet was the first to speak, "We couldn't let you sleep through the beach, now could we? Come on!" She grabbed his hand, and practically threw Dante onto the beach, "See? Ain't it beautiful?"

Dante was lucky to land on his feet. This definitely was a private span of the beach. The sand was clean, the water clear, and it smelled like the ocean. There were also chairs set up with beach umbrellas providing shade, "I call that one." He plopped down on the chair in the center of the beach while the rest of Zero Unit rushed out of the ship.

They were all doing their own things. Jill, Ratchet, and Miss Star were all bathing in the sun, while Titus, Chey, Sere, and Angel were in the water playing and swimming. Angel looked lost, but kept playing with Sere. Dante pulled out a lollipop and put it in his mouth before stretching out and relaxing. Then he noticed that Rachel wasn't around, "Hello Elite Commander Dante." The voice was from behind him, "What do you have there?"

He tilted his head up and looked behind him, "Oh, there you are. It's candy from earth, good candy. None of that space crap you people call candy. Now go sit, or play, or something. You're blocking my shade."

She giggled, "Well, you are my commander now. How about I sit next to you?" She did so, "Tell me Dante, how is it that you keep going? Human physiology is mostly different in shape, not composition. By all rights and laws of nature, you should be dead."

Dante smiled, "Will. My will is strong. I will die when I'm good and ready. Until then, I'm just a monster... just like on Earth."

"A sexy monster."

"Did you say something?" Dante knew Rachel mumbled something, but he couldn't make out the words.

"No no, nothing. Just admiring the ocean."

Sere shouted out, "Hey Dante! Look!" Dante opened his eye to see what the commotion was about. A little girl in the distance, struggling against the current. He jumped out of his seat and walked to the edge of the water.

Titus struggled to flap his wings, but he couldn't, "Dammit, too wet. And if I get out there, I may not be able to get back..."

"Fine... " Dante pulled off his shirt and boots, then dove into the water. He swam out far, to the point where he reached the strong currents. He used them to move faster, "Hey kid! Hang on! When I get closer, grab around my neck when you can!"

The little canine was terrified, but she understood. When Dante got close enough, she grabbed on as tight as she could, "Mister... I'm scared..."

"Dante!" The rest of Zero Unit stood at the water line, worried about what would happen next.

However, Dante was not even phased by the situation, "I'm too beat up to be showing off like this..." From the shore, it looked as though he was attacking the water. And it was working, he was successfully swimming against the currents. This should not have been possible, the water flow around this beach was infamous for being deadly too far out. Little did anyone know, he enjoyed training in riptides on Earth. Jill could see his face, it looked so angry and determined. She was scared. But before long, he made it to the shore, with the canine still gripping his neck, "You can let go now."

Chey and Rachel lifted the girl onto a towel and examined her, "Angel already went to search for her parents further down the coast."

"Good. Now if you'll excuse me, my pants are soaked. Well actually... everything in the pockets are safe, so it's not all bad. I'm going to go lie down." During the next hour, the child was returned to her parents, Dante's pants dried, and Zero Unit returned to enjoying the beach.

Sere was kneeling down by Dante, admiring him and praising him, "You're awesome! How did you learn to swim like that?!" Dante decided that it would be best to pretend he was asleep, yet her questions did not stop. Something fuzzy rubbed against his face.

He opened his eye and saw a reddish, bushy tail, "Ratchet, it's hot out. Please, no fuzzy things."

"Aww... I was just trying to make you more comfortable. I know of a few other ways, but not in public." She tried to look innocent, but not even Sere bought it, "All you need to do is ask."

Dante sighed, "Listen, if you want to seduce me, you need to try a lot harder than that. That goes for all of you! Especially Titus! I've seen how you look at me." He went back to pretending he was asleep, but ate another lollipop before he shut his eye.

He could sense the attention turned to a presumably tense Titus, who was desperately trying to deny the accusations, "Hey! Tell them it's a lie! Hurry up!"

Dante sat up in his chair, "Listen. It's really hot and I'm pissed. Do I need to treat you all like children?! Besides, later on the ship I bought some things to thank you all for doing good jobs. So until then, shut up or I'll put you down!"

There was a collective, "Yes commander..."