Chapter 10

[The Calm Before the Storm]

The sun's early rays scattered throughout the system, and the first light of the day came through the windows of the capital ship, known as the Chun-sa. ((Angel, I think in Japanese?)) Anna sat, restless next to Angel, hoping soon that he would wake up. The constant beeping sound from the monitor almost drove her to insanity, but she remembered that it helped keep him alive. Soon, her body got used to the sound, until it stopped. No flat line, absolutely no sound at all. She looked up off of the chair arm to see Angel sitting up, leaning forward upon his knees. She smiled, and took hold of his hand.

"Hey…" Angel said, smiling. He had a pale look upon his face, which looked like he had a bit more blood coming into him.

"You're okay…" Anna said, meeting his gaze.

"Yeah…" said Angel, remembering the feeling he got from actually holding Anna again. Suddenly, Angel got up and pulled the IV out of his arm. Anna's eyes widened as she looked toward him.

"Don't all the pilots have a meeting soon?" said Angel.

"No…" Anna started, when Angel interrupted her.

"Let's have one… I have an idea…" Angel started, as he walked out of the room. Running after Angel, Anna was trying to convince him to go back to his hospital room.

"But they said you need rest, Angel!" Angel turned, and Anna almost ran into him. He smiled, then nodded. "I'll be okay…" At that time, Anna and Angel ran around the small capital ship, trying to see which rooms all of the pilots were sleeping in. In no time at all, The other two pilots were not really awake, almost asleep in the meeting room. Suddenly, Sean walked in holding five cups of coffee.

"Coffee, anyone?" Sean called. The only one with almost enough energy to move was Claude, who slowly picked up the cup and sipped it. Suddenly, his mood lightened almost immediately, and he was the normal Claude.

"Look, I want to get screw Perry over for what he did," said Angel, and he put his hand on his head, where a large bandage was wrapped around. "I remember that you guys," he continued, pointing at Anna, Claire and Sean, "You guys demolished most of the EvA Fleet," and he sent a smirk towards Anna. She smiled, and then started to listen again. Sean and Claude dealt each other glances, as their fight the night before had no effect anyway. Sean, then stood up.

"Angel, if you want to organize an attack on Perry's base, you'll need me to get the other pilots up and ready." Angel acknowledged him, then settled it.

"We're going for it…" said Angel. Sean, walked over to the table. After a long time of planning, the five pilots finally got up and agreed on what they would do. Angel looked satisfied, smiling.

"We're going to set off in a couple of hours. We'll head to the Votal bay, which will be loaded onto another ship." Started Sean, "So, pack up, and we'll be off soon."

After finishing packing, Angel shut off the light in his room. He then took a picture of Anna out, and looked at it. Smiling, he put it back into his wallet and walked out of the room. Walking down the hallway, he bumped into Anna.

"Hey!" said Anna as she hugged him.

"Look, Anna," said Angel, who's glare looked toward the floor. "I can't let you go, Anna…"

"But…" Angel interrupted her sentence, and he looked up.

"After what happened to me before…" he continued, his voice getting hoarser, it beginning to sound like a mumble after mumble. "I don't want that to happen to you, I… care for you too much…" Angel's eyes started to water, and he started to smile.

"Please, Anna…" he started again. "Stay here…" They hugged, and Anna nodded her head in acknowledgement. Starting again, Angel put his arm around Anna as he limped down the hall with her towards the Votal bay. When they stepped into the large room, filled with people and mechanics fixing their Votals. Angel, looked toward his two Votals, Neo Archangel, and Angel Xero. Neo Archangel, already fixed overnight by the best mechanics, looked better than new, as Sean called over Anna and Angel. Sean shook his head at Angel, and he answered him.

"Yeah, she's not going." Said Angel.

// I feel so guilty… but it's for her good… // Then, all of the pilots ran toward their Votals. Then, they started moving and were sent into space.

Anna had some ideas of her own, and dashed behind a stack of crates. Thinking back, she remembered a couple of things:

// This bay is going to be transferred to another ship… // So, she stayed in the same place for a couple of hours. Suddenly, sirens started blaring, and men and women started to get into the Votals.

// They look mass produced… EvA's? nah… //