Archangel
Desert Dawn base
"I'm telling you that it's suspicious to have two of those kinds of mobile suits around," Natarle almost hissed at Mu and Murrue as they stood on the main bridge. "They are amazing machines that are capable of things that we couldn't do with our suits in decades."
"I know what you mean," Mu said, "but we shouldn't jump to conclusions."
"What other conclusion is there to jump to apart from: these two are a clear and present danger to the Earth Alliance?"
"Setsuna said they were neutral, and they were quite apt at keeping the Tiger away from Desert Dawn and vice versa-"
"And how is that a good thing?!" Natarle almost yelled. "If anything, the fact that they are not aligned with anyone makes them a threat! Either we let them be, and ZAFT eventually finds a way to capture those machines and use their tech against us; or, we take those machines ourselves and hand them over to command."
"Yeah, sure, our command is definitely capable enough to access a mobile suit with biometric security measures."
"Enough, both of you," Murrue ordered. "All this is pointless until we talk to them anyway. So let's talk to them before we make a decision."
A minute or so later, Setsuna and Tieria were escorted to the bridge by two security personnel, both momentarily surprised by the bridge's appearance.
"This seems different from the rest of the ship," Setsuna noted, looking at the metallic green walls and floors. Tieria noticed the downward stairs and knelt down to examine the weapon control stations.
"Bit of an awkward arrangement."
"Welcome to the Archangel," Murrue said, trying to sound welcoming. "Has your friend filled you in?"
"He has," Tieria answered, straightening up, "though he didn't need to. Besides even if you were capable of circumventing our biometrics, you would be unable to take our Gundams apart."
"What?" Tieria glared at Natarle.
"What good is captured technology, if you are incapable of even understanding it?" Natarle's eyes widened at the comment. Tieria merely scoffed. "Don't look so surprised, your thoughts are more than apparent." Murrue was taken aback by Tieria's remark as well, and attempted to salvage the communication.
"...I am Captain Murrue Ramius of the Earth Alliance 8th Fleet." Tieria's gaze softened somewhat, and he nodded toward Murrue.
"Tieria Erde, Gundam Meister of Celestial Being."
"Would it be possible for me to ask of... your group's intentions in regards to North Africa?" It was a more reasonable question than: what does Celestial Being intend to do in regard to the Earth Alliance?
"We have no intentions in regard to anyone or anything for the moment," Tieria answered plainly. "Despite our obvious strength, our position is anything but certain."
"What do you mean by that?" Tieria frowned for a few moments before shaking his head.
"I am not the one to say, not completely. However, our tactical forecaster can explain everything."
"I thought you said our communications were handicapped?" Setsuna asked his comrade.
"They are, but I also said Ian came up with an adjustment to our comms. We can't communicate like we used to, but our effective range has increased."
"But can we communicate to the Ptolemaios from this ship?"
"No," he said, almost sighing, "for some reason, something on Earth is emanating into space and causing interference with our communications."
"Do you not know of the N-Jammers?" Murrue inquired.
"N-Jammers?"
"Neutron-Jammers." Tieria's expression perked up.
"Then that is probably the source of our problems. These are common knowledge?"
"Well, yes," Murrue answered, her eyes widening a bit, "ZAFT launched many of them into the Earth's surface. As a result, no one can utilize their nuclear arsenals."
"Is that safe for the planet?" Tieria asked looking out the window at the desert beyond the resistance base. Murrue exchanged puzzled glances with Mu and Natarle.
Ptolemaios II
orbit
Feldt stretched whilst sitting at her station.
"Are you alright?" Anew asked. "I think you've been up longer than I have been?"
"I'm okay." Anew was not convinced.
"Are you sure?" she asked as Sumeragi entered the bridge.
"Yes, I'm fine!" Feldt snapped.
"Feldt?" Feldt felt Sumeragi's gaze and turned around, realizing she had raised her voice at Anew.
"I-I'm sorry... I'm fine though, really." Sumeragi frowned while scrutinizing her, then gave a soothing smile.
"It's alright Feldt, take a short break and stretch your legs."
"But..."
"You've more than exceeded yourself Feldt. You deserve a break." Feldt wanted to stay, but something about Sumeragi's voice made her realize it was pointless to argue.
"Yes ma'am." She left her seat and drifted through the door. Floating down the hallway, Feldt placed a hand against the wall of the corridor. Setsuna was still separated from them, all because she left him alone for a crucial moment. She took a deep breath attempted to lightly slap the sleep out of her face; to little effect.
"Are you alright?" She looked up to see Marie moving toward her.
"Hey Marie, I'm fine, I'm just... well... worried, a little bit." Marie narrowed her eyes for a moment before closing them. "Umm... Marie?"
"You're pushing yourself too hard."
"What? No, I'm-"
"Yes! You are, harder than you would normally."
"Well, yes, I guess that's true. But still-"
"You're worried about Setsuna?" Feldt sighed.
"Yes, I know, everyone has told me: 'not my fault.' But that doesn't change that I'm..." she faltered.
Marie focused on Feldt's brainwaves. Stress, lots of stress, a yearning concern and a faint sensation of...warmth? She tried to focus in on that faint warmth, thinking back to times past to try and remember a similar sensation. There were a few instances she could refer to in her memory. The warmth was two-fold, soothing and intense? When did she feel something like this before? Could it be...?
"Feldt."
"Yes?"
"Are you in love with Setsuna?"
Feldt was silent for several seconds, her face turning almost the same color as her hair.
"I..." She stopped and tried again. "I... I don't know... maybe, but..."
"But?"
"Well..." she shifted somewhat, crossing her arms across her midriff, "I still know very little about him. And I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is love or not." She gave her head a quick shake. "This is stupid! Why am I even thinking about all that when Setsuna is still on Earth?" Marie listened, then she smiled and enveloped Feldt in a sisterly-sort-of embrace. "Umm... Marie?!"
"It's okay."
"What?"
"It's okay that you're worried for him. But if you want to help him, you have to help yourself as well. Understand?" Feldt sighed, relaxing into Marie's embrace. Marie sensed the stress in her brainwaves beginning to subside. "Go get some sleep and I'll wake you up if something happens." Feldt nodded and the two broke apart.
"Thank you," said Feldt, moving past Marie.
"And Feldt."
"Yes?"
"I have no doubt that you're in love." Feldt's face reddened again.
"Oh... okay..." She quickly ducked down another corridor, praying that no one else would suddenly appear and see her face.
Archangel
the next morning
Setsuna and Tieria awoke at nearly the same time and stood just outside the room that was set up for them until Mu came by.
"I don't suppose you can warn us of any surprises today?"
"No, we can not," Tieria answered, "but we do want to tell you a plan."
"You want to signal the rest of your group so they can come here?" Murrue asked, her arms crossed. She, Mu, Natarle and their two guests were meeting on the bridge again.
"If Ptolemaios comes down," Tieria explained, "then you can easily speak with Sumeragi. She's the one who can explain everything after all."
"But you explained yesterday that you couldn't contact your group because of the N-Jammers."
"Outside of a certain range," he pointed out. "With your permission, I'll take Gundam Seravee up to the lower stratosphere, message the Ptolemaios, then return to the surface. It shouldn't take me more than an hour."
"An hour? Are you listening to yourself?!" Natarle demanded incredulously. "You expect me to believe a mobile suit can reach the upper atmosphere, all on its own power, in less than half-an-hour?"
"A mobile suit: no. But Seravee is my Gundam."
"What's the difference-?!"
"Enough everyone! Enough!" Murrue ordered, actually startling everyone else. She took a deep breath before continuing. "Today, Ashman is going to help us get the supplies we need to brave the Itbay Hills. Once we get to the Red Sea, we can proceed straight to JOSH-A with little difficulty." She looked at the two of them. "You both say your group is unaligned, but both of you obviously have no problem joining a fight that breaks out right in front of you. If I request assistance in making the crossing, would 'Celestial Being' be willing to comply?" Setsuna and Tieria looked at each other.
"If an 'escort to the sea' is the extent of what you want..." Setsuna stated.
"Celestial Being would be willing to accept." Tieria finished. Murrue smiled at the answer.
"Thank you, you two." She looked to Natarle, who was giving her a: what-in-the-world-are-you-thinking look. "You still intend to go with Ashman?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Then, if their Gundams are as powerful as they say, Mr. Erde here will have returned. In any case, having one of them out of our hair for a little while would be a much needed relief."
"That's true..." Natarle regained her usual demeanor. "And, as discussed, Neumann will also be going with me."
"Kira's going too," said Mu, "that kid deserves a change of pace."
"That works out," Murrue assented, "that Cagalli girl is also going into town for supplies."
"I'll help as well." Everyone stared at Setsuna. "Having one of us apart from our Gundams is a relief, yes?"
Ptolemaios II
Feldt stirred, laying in her bed in a cyan night shirt and teal pajama shorts. She slowly sat up and stretched, pleasantly humming somewhat.
"Feeling better?" Feldt blinked and noticed Marie sitting on the edge of her bed.
"Oh, Marie, did something happen?"
"Nope," Marie said with a smile, "how are you feeling?"
"Ah... better." She fell back on the bed. "How long was I asleep for?"
"Almost eleven hours."
"That long?!" Feldt sat back up.
"Don't worry abou-" Marie yawned, "-about it. Compared to everyone else, you needed sleep the most." Feldt quickly pushed off her bed, floating over to the closet.
"Well now I feel guilty!" she smarted, fishing her uniform out of the closet, "I really didn't mean to sleep for that long."
"Don't be," Marie moved toward the door, "I'm glad you're feeling better."
Northern Africa
Setsuna was leaning back in his seat letting the wind blow his hair around in the morning sun. As always, he had a pack of civilian clothes behind the seat of his Gundam. White button-up kaftan-style shirt, dark pants, blue sash about the waist, midnight blue over-shirt and dust-colored scarf. Normally his handgun would also be in the same bundle; but the crew of the Archangel had removed it when they tried to activate 00, and Setsuna had to ask for it back. Now it was holstered under his over-shirt. He looked to the front where that Natarle woman and another EA officer were riding with Sahib and another Desert Dawn member. In Setsuna's jeep was Kira, Cagalli and that muscular Desert Dawn member who always seemed to be not too far away from Cagalli; he thought his name was Kiaska.
"You said you were from Krugis," Cagalli asked, sitting next to him with the wind blowing her hair, "where is that, if you don't mind me asking?" He didn't mind, but he should be careful with his answer.
"Krugis used to be part of the northern Levant."
"Used to be?" Setsuna nodded at her inquisitive expression.
"It was destroyed a long time ago."
"I'm sorry." A pause. "At the start of the war?" He shook his head.
"A very long time ago."
Tieria, after watching Setsuna's group drive off, walked into the hanger and got ready to enter Seravee.
"You should speak up if you want your questions answered." Tieria was silent for a second or two before stepping back and looking behind one of Seravee's legs. "I'm talking to you." Flay jumped a little as Tieria confronted her.
"How did? I was dead silent!"
"You wear perfume," Tieria said, turning his nose away, "too much perfume."
"Shut up!"
"I'm impressed, you were so silent despite your volume. If I didn't know any better, you are the type of woman who can't keep her mouth shut." Flay, flustered, swung a fist at him. He brushed it aside. "Military standards must be low if they allow someone like you on a warship?"
"None of your business!"
"It's my business if you're sneaking around my Gundam. That being said: why are you sneaking around Seravee? All things considered, I have a natural right to know."
"Ha! Yeah right!"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Since when is purple hair and red eyes Natural? You're obviously a Coordinator." Tieria recognized the phrase from what Setsuna mentioned earlier. He crossed his arms.
"Maybe my hair is dyed." Flay faltered.
"Well...that's...is it?"
"No." Tieria said before he turning back to Seravee, "now stand clear." He got into his Gundam while Flay stood there, flabbergasted. He connected his comm to the Archangel. "This is Tieria Erde, do you read?"
"Tieria Erde, this is Archangel, we read you." Another female, not the captain or that other woman. "Having a nice day so far?" Wait... what?
"I beg your pardon?" A face appeared on her comm screen, a girl with short light brown hair and blue eyes.
"I'm Miriallia Haw," she said with a quick salute, "I'll be your CIC for the time being. Nice to meet you." Tieria nodded at the screen.
"Affirmative. Activating Seravee." The Gundam's eyes flashed as it hummed to life.
"Do you require a catapult to launch?"
"Negative, just keep the hangar door open."
"Roger that." Another comm indicator beeped, and Tieria diverted the call to a second screen.
"This is Captain Ramius."
"I read you," Tieria answered, maneuvering Seravee toward one of the doors.
"Just to clarify, the purpose of this sortie is to establish contact with the rest of your group and nothing else, correct?"
"That is correct. If you prefer, I could keep the comm open for as long as possible." The captain nodded.
"Yes, please do. Proceed with your launch."
"Yes ma'am. Seravee, Tieria Erde, launching." Gundam Seravee exited the hangar and effortlessly rose up, flying straight up into the sky.
"Wow," said Mu, observing the Gundam's ascent through the bridge window, "I actually feel bad for Miss Badgiruel. That guy wasn't kidding when he said it would only take an hour."
"I wonder," Murrue thought aloud, turning to Miriallia. "What is his current altitude?"
"He is at... just past 400 feet." Mu whistled.
"Not bad."
"He is at... 600 feet now... 800 feet..." Getting faster. "1000... 1500... 2000..." Mu hurried over Miriallia's station to view the data and Tieria's helmeted face on the comm. "3000... 3500... 4000... 5000... 6000..." The comm screen started to show static.
"I'm starting to *sh* connection," Tieria's voice came over the comm, "now adju*sh*ing GN par*sh* output." The static on screen did clear up a little bit, but remained.
"10,000 feet," Miriallia continued, "11,000... 12,000... 13,000..."
"He's getting faster," said Mu as the static threatened to obscure the screen again.
"17... 18... 19... 20,000 feet..."
"What the-? Is that mobile suit transonic?" Murrue asked, leaning in to see the screen as well.
"Not yet," said Mu.
"30,000 feet... 35..." Static took over the screen and SIGNAL LOST appeared with an accompanying tone. "And... we lost him." Mu and Murrue straightened up, Murrue with her hands on her hips.
"Thirty-six," Murrue calculated, "almost thirty-seven thousand feet, that's the beginning of the stratosphere."
"How long was that?" Mu asked, checking his watch.
"Doesn't matter, it's less than an hour."
Ptolemaios II
Feldt, now in her uniform, entered the bridge. Sumeragi turned to look at her and smiled.
"Feeling better?"
"Yes ma'am." She cast her eyes about. "Where's Mileina and Anew?"
"Asleep, I'm guessing. Lasse as well."
"Lasse?" Then who was flying Ptolemy? She looked to the helm and saw a sheepish Saji Crossroad.
"Um... morning..." he greeted awkwardly. Feldt frowned.
"Can he fly Ptolemy?"
"As long as we aren't attacked," said Sumeragi, "it isn't that hard to keep a ship in orbit." Feldt drifted to her station and sat down. A few seconds later, the comm beeped.
"It's Tieria!" Feldt relayed.
"About time," Sumeragi said, straightening up in her chair. Tieria appeared on screen.
"This is Seravee, do you read?"
"We hear you Tieria. Did anything happen down there?"
"Nothing significant, but we have a chance for intel."
"Oh?"
"There's military unit in North Africa that's isolated from their forces. They plan to cross the mountains to the Red Sea and into the Indian Ocean, but there's a strong opposing presence within striking distance."
"So they want you to escort them?"
"Correct, and Setsuna is keeping an eye on one of their pilots."
"He's what?"
"One of their mobile suits is very Gundam-like, despite being technically inferior. So Setsuna wants to learn more about the pilot."
"So Setsuna's okay?" Feldt interjected.
"He is," Tieria answered, "he's in town at the moment, he volunteered to help find supplies."
"And 00?" Sumeragi asked.
"It's secure in the Archangel's hangar."
"Archangel?"
"The unit's assault vessel, it's called: Archangel. As of now, the unit only consists of the Archangel, their Gundam and two jet fighters, only one of which is being utilized."
"You mean, they only have two pilots?"
"Correct. They're also being supported by local resistance, but it's obviously not much in regard to firepower."
"I see. So what did you work out with them?"
"I informed them we would offer our cooperation in exchange for information, and that you could tell them what they need to know."
"What they need to know?"
"They were very suspicious of us. They primarily want to know where we're from and whether-or-not we were allied with ZAFT." Both Sumeragi and Feldt snrked somewhat.
"Um... their enemy is called... what?"
"ZAFT; Z-A-F-T, ZAFT. Apparently they are quite formidable and imposing."
"Okay, okay," said Sumeragi as Feldt did her best not to snicker. Formidable and imposing with such a goofy name! "So they want to discuss their proposition with me. Is it safe to descend where you are?"
"Affirmative. The Archangel has taken refuge at resistance base, the area is secure enough."
"Understood Tieria, send us the coordinates and we'll begin our descent."
"Roger that, Seravee out."
"Well then," Sumeragi turned to Feldt, "how about we wake up everyone and pray they all got SOME sleep?"
*sigh* "Yes ma'am."
Archangel
"If it isn't one thing, it's something else entirely." Murrue and Mu were walking down the hall after surveying the hangar and talking about Kira, Flay, and Kira's new habit of sleeping in the Strike's cockpit.
"I don't know whether he's lost it because of that or that's the result of him losing it," Mu explained as they walked. "In any case, it can't be good for the kid." Murrue let out a worried sigh.
"I should've been more wary. His piloting skills often make me forget that he's just a child."
"That goes for me, too. With such incredible achievements, he must've been desperate. We'll never know when the next attack comes. And when that happens, he feels responsible for protecting the ship. It wouldn't surprise me if he puts himself in a corner when he fights."
"And now we have this Celestial Being to deal with, in addition to everything else. Problems on top of problems. At least that problem seems more like a blessing in disguise." She stopped and turned to face him. "Any ideas on how to deal with this problem? You're his senior officer." Mu actually thought about it, he really did. The amount of combat stress on anyone is strenuous enough on its own, for Kira though; not only is he a teenaged boy, but he's also a Coordinator fighting with the Earth Alliance AND he's the only one capable of using the ship's greatest asset. Mu remembered hearing how some fighting men coped with their stress with the help of beautiful women, but if that's the case then Kira shouldn't be isolating himself in the Strike. Flay is pretty young woman... and yet he seems to be worse off. So Flay is probably, not on purpose of course, a negative influence on him. Good grief, this very complicated. What the hell could he suggest? Find a different girl for Kira? Maybe ask Celestial Being if they have any young women Kira's age? That's just stupid. He's better off trying to find a beautiful young lady onboard the Archangel. Where could he possibly find-
-Mu's gaze found Murrue's anxious and earnest eyes, traced her nose, cheeks and mouth, then wandered from her face, to her chest and... and maybe-his eyes snapped back up to meet hers.
"I'm afraid my ideas might be inappropriate." Mischievous was the first thing he thought of when he saw her next expression.
"Yes, I kind of get that from you." Then her usual edge returned. "In any case," she started walking again, "hopefully Kira feels better after a trip to the city." Well, at least she didn't yell at him. That look she gave was actually quite-
"Geez, I have it bad. Ah well, I'm pretty sure a trip into town would be good for the kid."
Geez, what is wrong with me, Murrue thought as she continued down the hall, certain her face was about to turn scarlet, acting coy like that?! That was borderline inappropriate by itself! She recalled how Mu's friendly eyes met hers first before drifting down. Focus Murrue! Focus! You're the Captain of the Archangel! You can't let your mind just go off to- argh! Damn it!
Tolle entered the bridge and found Miriallia at her station.
"Hey Mir," he greeted as he walked up, "are you working on something?" Miriallia looked at him, smiled, and turned back to her screen.
"Sort of, I'm waiting for Tieria to come back."
"Who?"
"That 'Gundam Meister' with the purple hair."
"Oh, him." She's using his first name? "Why, where is he?"
"In space."
"What?"
"Yeah, he's in space already," Sai clarified from the CIC deck below. "He's contacting the rest of his group."
"You mean he went up to space with just his mobile suit?"
"Yeah," said one of the adult officers, "he said he would be back in an hour and he reached the stratosphere in about a minute. We're actually making bets as to when he'll return." The E-Sensor at Miriallia's station beeped.
"That's him," she reported, amidst a bunch of disgruntled groans from the adult officers (none of their guesses were even close). Seravee came down and gently alighted on the Archangel's upper outdoor deck.
"This is Seravee," Tieria called in over the radio, "come in Archangel." Miriallia keyed in the commlink.
"This is Archangel, we read you. How was you're reentry?"
"Uneventful." Man of few words, apparently.
"Were you able to contact your friends."
"Affirmative, they will be starting their descent shortly." The door to the bridge opened and Murrue briskly walked in.
"Captain," Sai reported, "Tieria Erde has just returned."
"Wha- oh, good, put me through to him." Miriallia turned to glance at her and paused for a moment.
"Are you alright ma'am?" she asked.
"Huh? I'm fine, why?"
"Oh, sorry, no reason. You just seem a little..." she paused, looking for the right words, and not really finding them, "like you're glowing a bit?" Glowing? Murrue frowned for a few moments, only for her face to turn pale white, and then rose red.
"I am fine... and I am NOT glowing!"
North African City, ZAFT controlled territory
"We'll see you in exactly 4 hours." Cagalli reminded Kisaka while Kira and Setsuna were standing by looking around them.
"Be extremely careful." He warned while Cagalli nodded and started walking away with Kira and Setsuna while the jeeps drove off.
"Are you sure this is the Desert Tiger's headquarters?" Kira asked. "It's looks lively and untroubled."
"Looks can be deceiving," Setsuna said looking about. "Although the people seem content."
"Looks can be deceiving alright," Cagalli commented, leading Setsuna and Kira behind a building and to a crater surrounded by debris.
"More or less what I expected." Setsuna admitted before saying: "Still, of all the men I knew who would burn down entire villages, this Tiger is the first I've heard of who would actually allow people to leave." Cagalli glared at him.
"Why does it sound like you're impressed?"
"Because I am impressed."
Desert Dawn base
Kuzzey Buskirk stepped outside and stretched, pondering the sudden issue of Sai-Flay-Kira. Walking onto a rise, just outside the canyon where they were based, he looked up and saw something large and blue descending from the sky. Was this a "mirage" or whatever it was called? Whatever it was seemed to be shimmering somewhat around the edges. No, that's solid, that's a ship! He ran back into the canyon, reembarked the Archangel, elevator, come on! come on!, down a corridor and to the bridge.
"A ship! There's a ship coming down!" Everyone looked at him, even Tieria standing against a wall with his arms crossed.
"There is?" the adults, Miriallia and Sai scrambled to check their screens.
"I got nothing."
"Same here."
"Nothing on radar."
"Contact!" one of the adult's shot his hand up. "Carrier-maybe assault-type vessel on approach, 8 o'clock high, southeast approach."
"But there's nothing on the E-Sensor," Sai reported. Tieria closed his eyes and smiled to himself.
"Put it on screen," Murrue ordered. The unknown vessel appeared on some of the main monitors. It was blue and white with an odd, shimmering mirage effect around the top-half. "What the... that isn't mirage colloid, is it?"
"Just optical camouflage," Tieria explained and everyone looked at him. He opened his eyes, his face now bearing a confident sort-of expression. "Ptolemaios." A comm signal sounded and a young woman's voice came over the speakers.
"Calling Archangel, this is Ptolemy of Celestial Being, come in Archangel." Murrue opened an open channel.
"This is Captain Ramius of the Archangel. Are you the approaching vessel?"
"Yes, we are." The E-Sensor at Sai's station beeped, and Sai glanced at the screen, even more surprised.
"It's on the E-Sensor now." That was no mirage colloid.
"Ptolemy," Murrue addressed the new arrival, "are you able to land within the canyon?"
"Yes, yes we can. We'll be landing momentarily. Ptolemy out."
The Ptolemaios 2 landed within the canyon behind the Archangel. Mu and Murrue stood before the new arrival as several guards from the Archangel and Desert Dawn gathered round. Sai, Tolle, Miriallia and Kuzzey walked up behind Tieria as an entrance on Ptolemy's underside opened up.
Lockon and Allelujah disembarked first, wearing their standard Celestial Being uniforms.
"Well well," said Lockon as Allelujah held a hand up against the sun, "looks like we stumbled on Katharon's little cousin." He carefully pondered the situation and then proceeded to raise his hands up and proclaim: "We are Celestial Beings of the Celestial galaxy! Our planet Gundam is in mortal peril!"
"What in the world are you talking about!?" asked Allelujah, obviously astonished at the absurdity. Lockon just laughed.
"I'm sorry everyone, I'm kidding, I'm kidding!"
"Well this is a great start," Tieria sighed as Sumeragi, Feldt, Mileina and Saji appeared. Mileina hopped onto the sand and stretched with glee.
"Warm, hot air! What a relief!"
"Mileina..." Sumeragi sighed, shaking her head somewhat, but not showing any real sign of disapproval. She approached Murrue, nodding toward Tieria before addressing the two Earth Alliance officers. "Hello, I'm Sumeragi Lee Noriega, I'm Celestial Being's tactical forecaster. A pleasure to finally meet you."
"Likewise," Murrue said with a brief salute, "I am Captain Murrue Ramius of the Earth Alliance vessel Archangel." Murrue and Sumeragi shook hands. "Any difficulties on the way down."
"Only with some of our instruments. Otherwise, no problem at all... what is it?" Allelujah and Lockon were both looking back and forth between the pair.
"Uh... it could be me," said Allelujah, "but it seems the two of you..." Lockon spoke up.
"You both sound exactly the same."
"We do?"
"We do?" both Murrue and Sumeragi asked at once.
"Oh, right," Tieria commented, "that's what I forgot to mention."
"Creepy," Lockon said, shaking his head.
"Nah, it's just a pleasant coincidence is all," Mu remarked. He also saluted. "Mu La Flaga, also of the Archangel."
"Nice to meet you Mr. La Flaga," Sumeragi responded with a cordial nod of her head.
"Are you guys soldiers too?" Mileina asked the kids from the Archangel.
"Well... kind of," Sai admitted.
"Are you also with Celestial Being?" asked Kuzzey.
"Absolutely!" she answered with pride.
"But you must be younger than we are."
"What's wrong with that?"
"Well... you're basically on a warship and you're a kid."
"Speak for yourself," Mileina snapped back, actually causing a taller Kuzzey to shrink back, "you're nothing more than a boy yourself!"
"Easy, easy," said Sai, stepping between them, "there's no need for us to start insulting each other." He stood upright and bowed slightly. "Nice to meet you, I'm Sai Argyle." Mileina mood brightened back up.
"Well, you're a man at least." She gave a sort-of cutesy two-fingered salute as Feldt and Saji meandered up to them. "Mileina Vashti of Celestial Being, nice to meet you." Feldt raised a hand and gently prodded Mileina's head.
"Sumeragi AND your father told you to be cautious, remember?"
"I remember," she jerked her thumb at Kuzzey, "but that guy called me a kid." Feldt could only sigh. She turned to the rest.
"Feldt Grace of Celestial Being."
"I'm Miriallia," welcomed Mir, shaking Feldt's hand, "Miriallia Haw. This is my boyfriend Tolle Koenig, and our friends Sai and Kuzzey Buskrik."
"Hi," Kuzzey greeted weakly. Tolle looked over Saji.
"Are you Celestial Being too? You're not wearing a uniform." Saji shrugged.
"It's a long story." He held out his hand. "Crossroad, Saji Crossroad."
"Hold on!" Allelujah interrupted as everyone shook hands. "You, could you speak again?"
"Who me?" asked Tolle, wary of Allelujah's mis-matched eyes. "Why? Do I know you from somewhere?"
"No, that isn't it."
"Oh my god!" Miriallia gasped. Most of the others realized too.
"Okay, that's just freaky."
"What?"
"You have the same voice too!" Tolle and Allelujah stared at each other.
"Um..." Tolle stuck out his hand, "Tolle Koenig of the Archangel?" Allelujah reciprocated the greeting.
"Allelujah Haptism, Gundam Meister of Celestial Being."