Higher Hope : Chapter Seven
bow to the great fic!! Nah, just kiddn'
by Honor Harrington

At oh-four-hundred hours, fog hovered on the airstrip. Three mobile suits were lined on the side: Wing, Epyon, and a White Aires. The three who were to pilot them and provide a distraction were Hilde Maxwell, Noin, and Miliardo, who wore a silver-plated helmet.

Sam sat at a laptop, checking satellite pictures and tracking movement of troops through heat sensors. Luitenant Castelle walked up behind her and sat down in the neighboring seat. Sam glanced up unexpectedly as he cocked an eyebrow.

"I see you're also an expert with computers," he casually remarked.

"Well, I wouldn't call myself an expert...it's another hobby my father taught me when I was younger," Sam continued typing.

"I see," Chris Castelle's face contorted with sudden concern, "Sam, what was all that about?"

Sam looked at him sharply, "What was what about?"

"Earlier in the briefing. You challenged his authority and he didn't cut you down. What's going on between you three?" Castelle looked away, "I'm sorry. I know I'm being nosy, but I have to know."

"He's under a lot of stress now, and he didn't cut me down because he can't handle the pressure right now," Sam continued looking at Castelle, searching for any clues on how much information he knew.

"You're wrong. He can handle anything," Chris looked at her, "What's going on?"

Lt. Mike Timbs walked up suddenly, "Hey, Sam, could you take a look at these specs for me?"

"Sure thing, Mike," Sam stood, "excuse me, Lt. Castelle."

Walking away, Mike threw a questioning look at Sam.

"I love this twin telepathic thing. You always know when I'm in trouble. He was bugging me about the three of us," Sam shook her head helplessly and grinned, "I wonder what he'll do when he finds out there's four of us?"

"Anything to see him squirm," Mike flippantly laughed.

Sam stopped abruptly and turned to Mike, who noticed the solemn look on her face and stopped also.

"Rand, I don't know what's gonna happen out there. We've never been through something like this before. I can only wish one of you good luck, so here's for both of you." The brother and sister shook hands and Mike smiled.

"Hayley, remember that sense I always have about things that are gonna happen?" Mike looked at Sam.

"Yeah, I sure do, that gave me the creeps, Randal, and you know it!"

"Well, I've got a good feeling about this. I'm gonna be fine. We're all gonna be fine."

*********

"Oh-four-hundred, 30 hours, people, let's wrap it up and launch this!" Heero jumped onto the low profile hover craft transport that was delivering the rescue team.

Everyone gathered around Heero as he surveyed the team of rescuers and prepared his pep speech mentally. I don't know what to say. For the first time in years, I don't know what to say.

"People," Heero stated, "I want us to go in there and get Miss Peacecraft out. But if something goes wrong, our main goal is to get her out of there."