Title: The Crack in the Armour
Rated:M
Notes: Working from the anime only.'Denotes inner thoughts'. "Denotes speech."I tried to stay as true to the characters as possible. Timeline would be around the middle of TSR
Warnings: violence, language, angst, action, my first action/mecha fic (heh I love the way I put that as a warning lol!)
Disclaimer: I don't own Full Metal Panic! nor its characters or am I associated with Shouji Gatou or GONZO in any way (sigh unfortunately!)
Author: uchihasasukekun07
Summary: Sousuke is finding his mission to protected Chidori increasingly difficult as he begins to doubt his own self worth with his failure to successfully integrate into Japanese society. Chidori, on the other hand, is troubled and confused by her feelings towards Sousuke as his erratic behaviour is proving to be increasingly troublesome and down right annoying. When a serious threat is made upon the deDanann, Sousuke is forced to make a rash decision leaving Chidori reeling at the prospect of losing him.
Chapter 1:
The Harisen...
'...you're killing me...'
"...if you had to choose?..."
"...kill me."
'I am Sagara Sousuke-gunso of the paramilitary counter-terrorist force, Mithril. Call sign Urzu-7, ID number B-3128. I am a member of the Special Response Team of the Western Pacific battle group Tuatha de Danann, pilot of the the ARX-7 Arbalest...'
"For culture studies today, we are going to look at European war..." Kagurazaka sensei's voice droned on at the front of the classroom but Sousuke wasn't listening nor was he reading his text book that lay open in front of him.
'...I am a mercenary, a specialist in AS operations and maintenance, explosives, arms, survival, hand to hand combat, tactics, camouflage, logistics and covert intrusion...'
"...in terms of poetry...past wars...United Kingdom..."
Sousuke looked up from his book staring at the back of Chidori who sat in front of him.
'...but I am not proficient in social interaction...in any shape or form...or so she keeps saying...my mission is to protect Kaname Chidori, a whispered from terrorist organizations who want her for the black technology...but...'
"Sagara?"
Sousuke looked up to Kagurazaka-sensei staring at him, peeved at the fact he wasn't paying attention. In front of him Chidori looked over her shoulder with a questioning look.
"Ma'am?" Sousuke asked hoping not to be reprimaned for his lack of attention.
"The poem Sagara, please read it aloud to the class." she responded, easily annoyed by Sousuke.
"Ryo kai!" Sousuke stood, taking his text book in his hands only to realize he didn't know which poem to read out. He looked to Chidori for help who rolled her eyes before holding up three fingers. Finding the poem he frowning and began to read aloud.
'...but I feel like I'm failing. I haven't been able to get a grasp on the situation. It's been five months already but I feel...like I'm barely keeping my head above water. I may have to talk to Testarossa-teicho. Such insecurities will only lead to mistakes.'
"The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred..."
'Chidori has barely spoken to me since the fieldtrip. 'An embarrassment to mankind'...how? How was I to know that the ice-cream merchant was not a member of a terrorist group? His manner was inappropriate to the partly dressed female population of the class. Granted he was proven innocent but the ice-cream truck was indeed a threat and was necessary to eliminate such threat...maybe C4 was hazardous in a populated area but I am proficient with explosives!'
"...Their's not to make reply, Their's not to reason why, Their's but to do or die: Into the valley of Death rode the six hundred..."
'The female species is indeed difficult to understand. I have tried to appropriate myself as to reduce Chidori's stress but the more I do so the more seem to be hit with her Harisan...if I could find out where she she hides that Harisan it would prove very useful in boosting the sales of my Bonta-kun autoslaves...'
"...Plunged in the battery smoke Right through the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reeled from the sabre-stroke Shattered and sundered. Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred..."
'...Kalinin will be ashamed with me to have given in so easily. It would also give Commander Mardukas a reason to yet again criticize my abilities as a solider, not to mention Weber and Sgt. major Mao...Testarossa-teicho...no...no...I cannot surrender this mission. I will try harder for Chidori sake...'
"...Stormed at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well Came through the jaws of Death, Back from the mouth of Hell, All that was left of them, Left of six hundred..."
'... I will not give into doubt or illness. I will carry out this mission.'
"Arigatou Sagara. Be sure to pay attention in future."
"Hai sensei."
Kagurazaka-sensei continued to explain the poem as a weary Sousuke took his seat. Life for him had become increasingly stressful between Chidori, school work, Tessa, Mithril and not the mention the Arbalest's and the lambda driver's decreasing performance in recent missions. Oh how he loathed that machine. So much so has his life been filled with stress Sousuke could find little time to eat let alone sleep, the mercenary that he is ,was beginning to suffer the effects. The last time he had felt this bad was the time Testarossa-teicho had come to school as a transfer student and Commander Mardukas had threatened him had he committed some shameless act upon Tessa he would have been stuffed into a torpedo tube and launched with a three hundred kilo explosive and ripped limb by limb. Sousuke shuddered at the thought. How he felt now was no different. Commander Mardukas may not have threaten this time but Sousuke felt like he had. Cautiously he studied Chidori.
Things went from bad to worse for Sousuke when he finally returned back to his apartment after been beaten by Chidori again for attempting to blow up the shoe locker...again. An e-mail awaited him from Testarossa-teicho stating for his immediate return to Meridan island, tomorrow evening. The de Danann was docked for upgrading and efficiency tests were to be run with the Arbalest. With such short notice he could not get a replacement to watch over Chidori, in other words she would have to come with him.
Troubled by this Sousuke set about his daily duties of monitoring Chidori as well as studying and writing up his report be it restlessly. This sense of uneasiness carried through the night and into the next morning as he faced what would be worse than a weekend with the Arbalest...Chidori and her girlfriends planning a shopping trip for the long weekend. One which he would have to inevitably force her to cancel. Every man's worst nightmare! Sousuke tried hard to ignore the rising pain in his chest and cold sweat.
"W-what!? Me and you? A weekend away?" Chidori stuttered, her heart skipping a beat, blushing as she processed what Sousuke had just proposed.
"Hai."
"Just me and you...to where?"
"That information cannot be disclosed."
"...what?" Chidori's suspicions began to rise as Sousuke became stiffer "What did you say? Holiday ? As in a working holiday!? Well!?"
"I am not at liberty to answer-"
"Sousuke!!! Is this a working weekend for you!? Is it!?" Chidori demanded her voice becoming louder and more dangerous and her hopes were crushed.
"My orders-" Sousuke was cut off again.
"I don't give a damn about your orders!"
"Chidori be aware of our surroundings-" Sousuke replied trying to quieten Chidori as Tokiwa raised an eyebrow.
"I. Do. Not. Care! How can you do this every time!? I'm not going and I don't give a shit what Tessa or Melissa or anyone else says. You can go yourself!" Chidori growled through gritted teeth.
"There is no other way. I can't protect you-"
"Well that's your problem now isn't it? Why should I have to go running after every little solider boy mission you have? I have a life of my own. Rather I Had a life of my own till you came running around blowing everything up and generally making my life HELL! So put your little combat brain to use and think of a solution to your little problem. A solution where I don't ruin MY shopping trip with MY friends." with that Chidori stormed off with Tokiwa in tow leaving Sousuke in predicament. "You never think about anyone but yourself!!!"
It was already Friday lunchtime. They were due to fly out at six o'clock that evening and still Sousuke had no other solution but to bring Chidori by force.
'I'm a solider.'
The final bell of the day rang out as the summer sun shined brightly in the evening sky.
"Chidori.."
"Unless you have a solution I don't want to hear it Sousuke." Chidori answered without looking up as she continued to pack her schoolbag. She left without even turning around. Sousuke follow suit trying to catch up with her as she thundered down the corridor.
"Chidori, I must apologize."
Chidori turned around slowly from her shoe locker, one eyebrow raised as her long green hair flowed around her waist. Watching Sousuke's serious expression Chidori could feel her cheeks warming up.
"Hai?"
Sousuke coughed trying to located a spot to stare at instead of Chidori's intense gaze, settling upon a ripped sticker in a locker door.
"I must apologize. I have thought long and hard about what you have said and thought up multiple scenarios and outcomes. After such delibration I have come to this, my final conclusion.
"Hai?"
"If needs be..."
"H-hai?"
"...I will drag you kicking and screaming."
Silence ensued as Chidori took to blinking rapidly, her brow furrowed.
'Yoshi she understands!'
"NANIIIIIIIIII!!!!"
Sousuke felt himself shrink as Chidori's face darkened and her stance began to loom over him. Out from the unknown depths came the harisan. With renewed fury Chidori bet down on Sousuke with every word.
"What kind of half-assed solution is that!!?"
Two hours later:
Chidori sat cross legged, her chin resting on one had as she overlooked the sea below her. Across from her a very tender Sousuke sat with his arms crossed and eyes closed. Neither had spoken a word to each other since getting in the military jeep that arrived for them at the apartment complex. Looking from the corner of her eye, Chidori felt the rage still stir within her. This was once to many.
'Why can't he understand?'
Sousuke haven overcome the initial problem of getting Chidori to accompany him dealt with, his mind was now focused on the Arbalast. He had to produce good results as his current job was at risk. Still he was aware of the tiny voice in the back of his mind debating if his actions were still honorable. Once Chidori stepped on military soil she was no longer his concern and he could focus properly on the job at hand.
'Because I am a solider.'
Just under two hours later the plane final touched ground upon Meridan island and taxied into hanger number five. Behind them the evening sun began to melt into the horizon where the rich red sky met the warm orange sea. Sousuke held out his hand to help Chidori down the steps but instead he was greeted by her backpack thrown at his feet as she brushed past him.
"Sagara-gunso!" a petty officer stood to attention.
"Hai.." Sousuke saluted the petty officer before taking the clipboard from him and glancing over it "...arigatou." he handed it back. " Take Kaname-san to the guest quarters."
Sousuke did not feel to threaten the petty officer with his life should anything happen to Chidori as he was also a military officer but for peace of mind he noted the officers surname, Masahiko. T.
Content the situation was under control Sousuke picked up his duffel bag and headed for Tessa's office where his superiors were waiting to brief him. Dejected, Chidori watched him leave as she followed officer Masahiko in a different direction. She followed him through the maze of florescent lit corridors that eliminated nothing but the coldness of the military. Chidori shivered as the warmth of outside left her.
"Daijoubu?" Masahiko asked her without a note of concern.
"Aa.." was all she could reply as she was doubting herself now.
"Sagara-gunso!"
"Hai shocho!" Sousuke stood back to attention as Commander Mardukas and Commander Kalinin entered the room. Sousuke swallowed hard and blinked rapidly. His heart began beating hard again in his chest. The spots returning before his eyes. Their presence reminded Sousuke of the pressure he was under to preform this weekend with the Arbalst. Trying hard to ignore his symptoms as he returned to his 'at ease' pose as Kalinin started to brief him under the ever watchful eyes of Tessa.
"The situation has change" Kalinin started to explain. " As of 1938 hours we received information on a planned cargo heist relating to nuclear materials at the Edwards base. It is believed that Gates and the Xia Yu sisters may be behind it. As a result the SRT with be dispatched. You are report to sick bay for medical clearance and be present for the de-briefing at 2100 hours. Any questions?"
"The Arbalest?"
"Is clear for service Sagara-kun. We can do the efficiency tests tomorrow." Tessa's soft voice spoke up. Sousuke could feel himself getting more light-headed. He did not need this.
"Wakarimashita!" Sousuke stood to attention again.
Tessa dismissed Kalinin and Madukas. She sat behind her desk, her face dreamy as she ran her plait through her fingers subconsciously.
"How is Chidori-san?"
"She had some difficulty understanding the situation."
"I hope you explained it to her Sagara-kun?"
"H-hai!"
"Hmmm we will have to do something to make her feel more at ease..." Tessa wondered absent-mindly.
"Teicho?"
"Hmmm?" Tessa looked up "So formal Sagara-kun. Don't worry about it, just focus on the task at hand." smiled Tessa. "You're dismissed."
"Teicho!" Sousuke stood to attention once again, saluting before taking his leave and headed for the medical bay.
"Ok were all done."
Sousuke put back on his white t-shirt and pick up his military issue shirt. Medical officer Carter sighed as she handed the completed medical form to her underling, who disappeared behind the curtain.
"Gunso, I'm going to have to ask you to undress again." Carter told Sousuke as she fixed her pen back into her coat pocket.
"Sumimasen?" asked Sousuke confused.
Carter sighed again, her soft features looked at a berazzelled Sousuke. "You failed your medical, you're off active duty."
"That is unaccepatable. I have a de-briefing to attend." Sousuke stood up, buttoning his shirt.
"Gunso, you heard what I said. The orders have already been past to your superiors. They will have to use someone else."
Sousuke looked at Carter as if she was suddenly speaking another language he could not understand.
"Excuse me."
"Gunso! Get back here!"
Sousuke walked with urgency to the de-briefing room trying to put out of his mind just what he had been told.
Slipping into the darkened room, Sousuke took his place beside Kurz who nudged him for been late. Kalinin ran quickly through the battle plan. It was simple. The SRT was to go in, secure the materials, remove them and gather information on the opposition but not to engage.
"A simple snatch and grab, nothin' to it baby!" Kurz whispered to Mao who flicked his ear to shut him up. Kurz pulled a face as Sousuke was memorizing the battle plan.
"However," Kalinin spoke up again, "the Arbalest is not a part of the plan. PRT will be your backup and your escape route. You have a fifteen minute time limit. Mission commences at 2200 hours. That is all."
Sousuke felt as if he swallowed a rock. He could feel Mardukas' glare burning into him as well as Kurz and Mao's questioning looks. The lights came back on as everyone left to prepare.
"What's the deal kiddo?"
"I failed the medical." Sousuke replied feeling more dejected.
"Don't worry bout it, like blondie says, it's a simple snatch and grab." Mao said trying to reassure her subordinate.
The room quickly empitid leaving Sousuke with both Kalinin and Mardukas.
"Seems like I was right. You are not as a capable solider as you were made out to be-"
"Shocho..."Kalinin interrupted Mardukas.
"I've got a mission to co-ordinated." with that Mardukas left.
"Kalinin-san I-" started Sousuke.
"Gunso. Return to the medical bay. Do not give Commander Mardukas another reason to doubt you."
"But I-"
"Sagara."
"Yes sir."
Kalinin left the debriefing room where Sousuke remained in the now dimmed light. He hated the feeling of powerlessness. He hated been a burden to others especially Kalinin. He hated been so weak. An alarm rang out sounding the commension of the operation. The thought to see to Chidori crossed his mind but the way he was feeling now would only make matters worse between them. He lingered a while longer before leaving. Instead of following Kalinin's orders Sousuke headed for the command center. He needed to know how the mission was going.
"We're under heavy fire!"
"Uruz 2!"
"Holy shit!"
"Get the fuck out of there!!!"
"PRTs eta?" Tessa asked calmly despite the loud explosions and gun fire echoing in the room.
"Two minutes." Mardukas answered.
Sousuke stood in the door way processing the information flashing on the screens. It was an ambush. The SRT was outnumbered by two to one. The enemy was also armed with M9's.
"They need to lure them to the rougher terrain, it's the only way."
"Gunso you are not authorized to be here!" Mardukas barked at Sousuke who had just spoken up.
"Let me take the Arbalset out."
"Sagara-kun please report to the medical bay, Carter-san is not a very nice woman when angered." Tessa cut in.
"Teicho!"
"Please do not have me remove you by force Sagara-kun. Uruz-1 please move you team back into the higher terrain." Tessa's attention was already back to the problem at hand.
"We lost two more!!"
The speakers crackled with loud explosions and screams of anger and fear. Desperately Sousuke looked at Kalinin who held his gaze momentarily before nodding ever so slightly. Mardukas looked over his shoulder but Sousuke was no longer there.
Chidori wandered aimlessly through the corridors. She had found the mess hall and filled up on load grade ice-cream and was now looking for someone she recognized on the deDanann. As she came to the end of a junction she saw Sousuke run by, looking more serious than usual. Concerned she started to follow in his direction but her babysitter, petty officer Masahiko had finally caught up with her. Chidori scratched her head slightly embarrassed as he voiced his annoyance at her disappearance and followed him back off the deDanann.
"Ma'am? The Arbalest just activated."
Next chapter, The Crack in the Armour. Can a sick Sousuke deal with the Arbalest? And what happens when Sousuke finally looses his cool with Chidori? Please R&R Arigatou!