The Past of Trowa Barton

Chapter 6: Navi, and the XL- 228

It was just about launch time for the shuttle that would take the crew to that satellite that Quatre's company had discovered. Only one problem, Duo wasn't here yet... "How many bakas does it take to screw in a light bulb?", Heero stated.

Quatre knew this joke, Heero usually said it when Duo was late, "None, because they're never on time."

Heero didn't laugh, instead he went back to reading his book, as did Trowa Fairbanks, as his name was now. It was official, Trowa had his own name, and his own home, his own mom, Dr. Maria Fairbanks. He sat there, with Maria playing chess, hunched over in thought. He hadn't played anyone like this in awhile, he moved a pawn into the last row of squares, "King me.", he stated.

"Gladly.", Maria stated, and made her move.

"Checkmate, I win.", Trowa stated, sitting up, "Here comes Duo."

"You state that like it's a new thing.", Wufei muttered.

The braided eighteen-year-old, strolled up. "Sorry, problems at security, they wanted to search my braid.", Duo stated, panting.

"Why?", Heero asked.

"They thought that I might want to blow this place up, tried it once, but I was only a kid. How do they get information like that, any way, I have arrived, and that is all that matters.", Duo rambled off.

They all entered the shuttle and more likely it would be another long trip.

...

The month in being no where near civilization had nearly drove the Outlaw Star crew nuts, minus Suzuka, who sat there drinking her usual herbal tea. In the meantime, Gilliam was searching for where they were, and so far, he was inconclusive. "I cannot believe this, can you Gilliam?", Jim stated, looking at the pink maintenance robot.

"No, frankly I cannot, it is all Gene's fault.", Gilliam stated, "More coffee, Jim?",

"Yes, please.", Jim stated happily.

...

Meanwhile after a half a day of flight, the group had made it to the satellite. It looked just like an asteroid, however, as Quatre had informed them all earlier, the whole thing was man made. Duo used the maps provided to find the docking air lock, which was tricky do to the fact that there were some fallen beams in the way. He got through those though and docked the shuttle. "We have reached our destination.", Duo stated, "Early as well.", he glared at Heero, a smart- assed grin lit his lips, "What do you think of that?",

"You're still a baka, Baka.", Heero stated, walking right past him.

"You're being a meanie!", Duo pouted.

They all embarked, and started down the narrow hall, finally making it to the two solid, metal doors. Heero watched Duo as he set up the electro- magnetic device he had invented, it was suppose to open any door, without blowing a hole in the air lock. Trowa looked about himself, it was dark, and dusty, obviously no one had been here for years. "I wish we had more light.", Quatre commented.

Wufei nodded in response, and so did Dr. Fairbanks. Then there was a slight sound of metal clanging, and the door opened. "Well, we're in.", Duo stated, merrily.

They all walked into the large hanger before them, there was a huge mobile suite, some computers, and shelves of research, this had obviously been a lab. A computer behind Heero turned on, causing Heero to turn around ready to fight, only no one was there. He looked at the screen, XL- 228, it read. "Who are you?", came a voice from the speaker system in the hanger.

It caused all to jump. "I'm Shinigami!", Duo exclaimed, "Show yourself to me now, coward!",

"The computer behind you.", the voice stated, "Who else is there?",

"Heero Yuy.", Heero stated.

"Quatre, Quatre Winner.", Quatre stated.

"Chang Wufei.", Wufei stated.

"Trowa Bar-, no, wait, Fairbanks, and Maria Fairbanks", Trowa stated.

"Fairbanks?", the voice asked, "Could you please, um, Trowa, enter the hologram program and create a human image on there, don't forget the cloths, and then I will explain it all. One more thing, did you bring a part human, part tiger hybrid with you?"

"I am the hybrid.", Trowa answered.

"I've waited a long time for this, just program the hologram.", the voice stated.

So there was a while of silence in the large open space save the clacking of keys. Then when Trowa was finished, "Nice to be outta there!", the same voice stated, only from behind them all.

The hologram grinned, much as a cat would. It had white, long hair, and sparkling light blue eyes, a child like face, and wore a light green sweater, and black pants. "Would you mind explaining.", Wufei stated.

"My name is Navi Stevens, what is the great Shinigami's real name?", Navi asked.

"Duo Maxwell.", Duo stated, "Now explain.", his face was dead serious, not like himself.

"Well, it all started while I was the test pilot for that gundam, the XL- 228. The project was funded by the Barton Foundation, it was the 228 project. However the system of that suite, the human body couldn't handle it, my body died, and they programmed my soul as a personal assistant. To be able to run it, they created a hybrid, that would be Trowa there, however they never told any of the scientists about it. They all left this satellite, myself as well. Last I had heard was that the boy who was made to pilot the XL, had run off. I've been stuck here forever, with no way to communicate with anyone outside."

"Wow.", Duo stated.

"You mean you were human once, and now your a program?", Wufei asked.

"Yes.", Navi answered.

"Did you have any family?", Quatre asked.

"Yes, a little boy, barely two years old, he had the cutest little grin you've ever seen, I think I still have his picture in my locker, if that hasn't been destroyed."

"What about a wife?", Duo asked.

"She died giving birth to the poor boy, I don't know what happened to him, that's probably the worse of my worries.", he gave a saddened grin, "But now someone's come, and none other than the hybrid himself."

"I do not pilot anymore, the war's over.", Trowa informed.

"Well, that's nice, however, my sensors have picked up other shuttles that are in combat in the Neptune sector, this is the only suit that can travel that far.", Navi informed, "The suite's system is different as well. I did hear that there were another fifteen gundams made by the foundation.",

"Well, almost all of us had piloted those.", Heero stated.

"I'd hate to interrupt, however I just thought I warned you but one of those shuttles... It's going to crash into this satellite!", Navi informed.

"How do you know?", Duo asked.

"Trust me, military guidance systems do not lie.", Navi stated.

The others all looked at Trowa, Heero, and Wufei glaring to convince him that he had to pilot the XL. "Fine.", Trowa mumbled.

"The system involves a tank filled with gel like stuff.", Navi shot off facts, "So you have to wear a suit that's in the closet over there."

Trowa took out the stupid suit, and slipped it on in another room.

End Chapter: Sorry, I am not much for long chapters, and so I, even though I wanted to continue I'm stopping, mainly because it's nine- forty six!