"Hm..." he stared blankly into the Gundam Frames eyes with wonder.
"Can you hear me?" asked Mika.
No reply.
"Can you even see me?" he walked up to Barbatos Lupus, and tapped its green monitors a few times.
And just like last time, nothing happened.
He sighed, wondering how he got to this point.
It was a day after Barbatos' upgrades had been finished. He was allowed into the Turbine's home and had been given an opportunity to check out his Gundam's new look. It looked pretty cool. "Majestic", as Naze put it.
As he took in every new details, he reflected on all the things we went through when he was inside Barbatos. From all the battles he faced, be it alone or with his allies, and all of the victories we brought to Tekkadan. A lot of it was because of this guy.
It was during all of the flashbacks that Mika came up with the random thought: was Barbatos alive?
Could it feel think like he did? Could it see like he did? Could it feel pain like he did? Questions after questions, and all of it lead up to this point. Where Mikazuki was attempting to communicate with his personal machine.
He stood in front of Barbatos in silence, not really able to explain why he still wanted to stay.
"... You know, when I think about it, I'm glad CGS dug you out of the dirt." said Mika, not really trying to communicate with Barbatos this time. Instead, just letting out some of his thoughts, "It's... it's hard to imagine how our future would be if you weren't there all those times."
He thought about the first time he piloted Barbatos, and how natural it felt when making it move. He felt unrestricted despite being inside a machine. And as time went on, that feeling of freedom grew more, especially when he lost all feeling in his right arm and right eye. At that point, he depended on Barbatos. Both to see completely and to move his right arm.
Really, had it not been for his Gundam, he wouldn't have been able to achieve the things he did.
And it was because of how much Barbatos helped, that Mika wondered if it had some level of consciousness. Even if his attempts were futile, he still wanted to try. If Barbatos could think for itself, then trying to communicate with it was the least he could do after all the things it did for him and Tekkadan.
"So... even if you can't tell me anything, even if you aren't actually alive, I justed wanted to say... thanks."
"Mikazuki!" the voice of Lafter called out to him, and he turned his head so that his good eye caught sight of her floating in the air, "Get ready! It's almost time for test piloting!"
"Coming." he said, placing his feet on the railings before pushing himself off, letting space do its work as he floated towards her.
And after he left, the lights when out, and the hanger was left quiet once more.
...
...
...
...
...
"Your... welcome..."
HA! NOT DEAD! AND GUESS WHAT!? NEITHER IS THIS FIC NOR IS IRON BLOODED REVOLUTIONARY!
So this was an idea I can up with when I read an AO3 fanfic WAY back. And... it was a Mika x Barbatos story?! And I thought that shiz was kept to Setsuna and Gundam 00 only.
Welp, fanfiction is a free world, I guess.
Anyway, since Tekkadan tidbits don't take long to make, I'm hoping I can update more. I also hope to update IBR soon, since LOTS of you have been waiting patiently. So look forward to chapter 5!
Bai!