"STOP THAT!” Paige yelled, rubbing her shoulder vigorously, “This is just a friendly match.”
“Just dodge it! Why don’t you make yourself strong with Tsuyosa?” Rocko muttered, concentrating on his blade.
Paige rolled her eyes, “Gee you are stupid aren’t you? My power doesn’t work like that, a shock is still a shock.”
“Well I don’t know what your blade can and can’t do. I can’t believe I got stuck here babysitting you, while the others are off having adventures,” he sat down abruptly, having a rest.
Paige began to fume, “Babysitting me?! Are you out of your mind!? If anyone was babysi…” she was cut off by Hyung and Sam entering the large room.
“That will be enough of the bickering. I have decided to send you two off to meet a division of our group. They are based in the deep deserts of Australia. You will board a boat, and, using this GPS, find our correspondent. He has been notified of your arrival,” Hyung said, pulling out a pipe, carefully lighting it.
The excitement on Rocko and Paige’s faces was not held back. They even forgot their argument and gave each other a high five.
“So when do we go?” Paige asked excitedly.
“The boat will leave tomorrow morning. Make sure you are packed and ready,” Sam said smiling. “We thought it would be better to send you out than to clean up the mess you would make here, killing each other.”
They all laughed. Rocko gave Paige a happy smile that offered a peace treaty for the trip. Without the need for words, she nodded, accepting the deal.
The next morning came quickly. Rocko and Paige set off on a large boat to Australia. The trip was going to take them a couple of days.
“So we are looking for a person who works with Hyung?” Rocko asked Paige, who was feeling a little sea sick.
“Yup,” she replied quickly, her face turning a pale green.
“I wonder how big these two factions are, There are so many blades that we are unaware of.”
“Yup,” Paige replied again, running to the edge of the boat, throwing up over the side.
Rocko let out a laugh, “Haven’t gotten your sea legs yet?”
Paige turned around, still with a green look to her face “Shut up you,” she replied weakly, pointing at the big man.
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He smiled calmly, joining her at the side of the boat. Leaning on the rails, he looked out into the ocean, “I guess our journey starts here.”
Paige made a face at him, “Very observant captain obvious!” she said, letting out a groan before quickly turning back over the edge to throw up again.
Rocko gave her a smile. Paige’s face turned serious, “If I was the enemy… I would be worried about us!” she declared confidently.
“You are so full of it Paige,” Rocko laughed.
“Whatever Rocko. You know I’m tough.”
The days went by quickly and were rather uneventful. Paige eventually even got her sea legs and was able to eat and keep her food down. She smiled widely as the northern coast of Australia appeared on the horizon. “Finally!” she said, letting out a small cheer.
Rocko laughed, “Well it took most of the trip, but I am glad to see that you have stopped throwing up.”
Paige gave him a push, “I see you’re still an egg!” she replied, poking her tongue at him.
“No need to be like that...” Rocko started, but a booming voice cut him off.
“Stop your vessel! You have entered Australian waters and your boat will now be searched for contraband and refugees.”
“Who’s that?” Rocko questioned, running to the side of the boat.
There were two large patrol boats moving in on their location.
The first mate came running up to them, “This is a covert mission and no one can know that you're here. You are technically not in Australia…” he spoke with haste and sincerity.
“Stall them, I will be back in a minute,” Rocko said, disappearing below deck.
“Where are you going?” Paige asked, racing after him.
Rocko didn't answer, he just entered into his room.
“Rocko!” Paige protested, but Rocko reappeared holding Kaminari.
“No... You can't hurt these people,” She said pleading.
“Hurt them?” Rocko stopped in his tracks, “I would never hurt the innocent.” He started running towards the top deck, with Paige in hot pursuit.
“Then what are you planning?” she continued to ask.
“Watch,” he said. Upon reaching the side of the boat. Kaminari started to glow and they could hear yelling coming from the two boats. Suddenly, both patrol boats raced off in the direction they had come from. Rocko turned to Paige with a smile on his face.
“Have a little faith,” he said in a calm voice.
“What did you do?” Paige asked, still confused.
“I just messed with all the electrics on their boats, sending them off on a two hour trip back to where they came from,” he finished with a smile, “You didn't really think I was going to hurt them did you?”
“Of course not, but you had this crazy look in your eyes,” Paige replied, “You could have just told me!”
“That’s not half as fun,” Rocko boasted, heading back to his room laughing.
The ship made dock in a small cove and Rocko and Paige unloaded their gear. The first mate approached them, as the rest of the crew rolled a dune buggy out from the cargo area in the ship,
“This dune buggy will have enough gas to get you where you need to go and back here,” the first mate explained.
“Wow!” Paige exclaimed, “A V8! Look at those huge wheels! This thing will haul ass! Dibs on driving!”
Rocko look at her with uncertainty, “Can you see over the wheel?”
She shot him a dirty look before turning back to the car.
The first mate looked at them both carefully, “Just remember, this area’s a desert so take all the water you can carry.”
Paige and Rocko nodded and spent the next few minutes loading up the buggy with water and supplies before starting their trek inland.
Paige jumped in the driver’s seat, roaring the engines to life. “Whooo Hooo!” she yelled, “Let’s get this show on the road!”
The rear wheels spun, blasting sand out from underneath before the buggy gained traction and sped off into the blistering heat of the desert.