Chapter 5. Hey Jupiter
The stormy giant planet roamed through the cold emptiness of space in rabid rotation, followed with the retinue of its countless moons like a prosperous sheikh in a company of his harem. Lots of those moons had been colonized in the pre Calamity War era, developing with time into the independent system of habitats known as the Jovian Sphere.
For reasons untold, the original conflict had sparkled exactly there, under menacing stare of Jupiter's Great Red Spot.
The first War had swept over the region, demolishing the cities, the manufactures, the infrastructures; destroying the whole colonies and moons. Wars had continued in the Asteroid Belt and further in the Earth Sphere, leaving the Jovian Sphere in ruins, attracting all kinds of opportunists, shady businessmen, swindlers and mercenaries. Those people of dubious reputation had eventually founded Teiwaz and restored the Jovian Sphere, giving the rebirth for once habitable worlds.
And then the large planetary cruiser, the Teiwaz' pride and glory, had taken the place amongst the significant amount of inhabited satellites, piercing the eternal darkness with its long narwhal-like spike.
The headquarters of Teiwaz, the Space Mafia's unicorn fish, had been named to honor the new life evoked amongst the stars.
Aoi huffed, irritated.
Saisei. Rebirth? We died and were reborn and then mysteriously saved? Bullshit.
She was sitting at the Isaribi's mess hall, brooding over her recent conversation with Orga; the usual cup of black coffee was freezing on the table, forgotten.
Predictably, she hadn't been able to resist the golden gaze.
That had brought her loyalty into the conflicting state between Tekkadan goals and her own targets.
And even worse, the simplicity of Orga's idealistic but clearly constructive purposes made her question the destructive way she had chosen.
Orga was certainly no stupid, intentionally engaging her into the agreement of supposedly mutual benefits. The question was, would she really be able to use him, and Tekkadan for that matter, against Gjallarhorn.
Trying to ease her mind off gloomy thoughts, Aoi observed Tekkadan boys rushing around for occasional drink or snack. And while older crew members looked nervous, troubled with the upcoming events, the youngest were obviously ecstatic over the cruiser, especially after the long flight in space. And it was a sight to see - the size, colors, buzzes of lively crowd, the elegance of minimalistic architecture and the pure aesthetic of rich life.
The glossy picture of perfection.
Aoi gritted her teeth.
Biscuit took a sit next to her. He looked pale, anxious, with dark bags under worried green eyes. Aoi was surprised that he didn't get his breakfast.
"Morning, Aoi."
"Hi, Biscuit. Why don't you get a bite? There's a long day ahead, you know."
"Um, thanks, I'd better not." He chuckled nervously under her inquiring stare. "And I'm too fat anyway."
"That's actually not a problem." Aoi said thoughtfully, sipping her icy cold coffee and wincing in disgust. "It's easier to add some muscle to the brain than the other way around."
Biscuit chuckled. "Guess you're right."
They kept silent for a while.
Biscuit sighed.
"Aoi... Orga told me you are Tekkadan now."
She nodded. "Seems so."
"Then I have to put you on the list, officially. It's just a formality, but I need your last name. You can... well, choose whatever you like, if you don't have one."
"Whatever I like?.." Aoi echoed, dumbfounded with the sudden request. "Can I take Augus, then? Mikazuki wouldn't mind?"
"That's fine, I guess. Thank you."
"Not at all."
Biscuit finished his coffee swiftly and left. Tekkadan members were getting ready for the meeting with the head of Teiwaz, McMurdo Barriston; Orga definitely would prefer such important event in the company of his best comrades, Biscuit included.
Aoi took a sip of her coffee.
She wasn't invited.
Would have been weird if she was.
Either way Orga knew better, his big mouth was certainly more suitable for such affairs.
She shrugged the uneasy feeling off and made her way to the hangar, where the sleeping giant of Gremory was waiting, always ready to deal with Aoi and her requests.
It took her about an hour to finish the list of spare parts and affordable weaponry for the Gremory.
To Naze, with my best regards. Hope, you won't mess with me anymore, considering the prices.
She chuckled to herself and sent the list to Naze, anticipating verbose negotiations with the Turbines' Boss about every single list entry. To her disappointment, Naze wordlessly confirmed all the Gremory's upgrades with money transaction. Aoi sighed.
Should have purchased more. What an unprecedented generosity.
She arranged the delivery of her order, and then started to drift around the hangar, looking for Yamagi Gilmerton.
The blond kid was floating next to the Graze's cockpit with a tablet in his hands.
"Yamagi." She greeted him with a small smile. "I've ordered the delivery of spare parts for Gremory. They'll arrive here. Nadi said you're in charge here in his absence, so I thought I should inform you. Here's the list."
Yamagi looked unenthusiastically at the tablet in her outstretched arm, then took it and scrolled down the list. Whistled.
"That's some luggage. You'll need help on installing those."
"Yeah, that's another reason I've considered discussing this with you."
"Don't you think that engineers at Saisei are more capable at such task?" Yamagi observed her skeptically from under his single visible brow.
"Probably." Aoi stated, completely unfazed with kid's lack of cooperation. "However, that will cost more than Tekkadan pays me."
Yamagi's lips tightened. "Fine, then. I'll get you a maintenance team. Just don't expect Shino being a part of it."
Aoi blinked. "Shino? Why?"
Yamagi turned slightly away, hiding his face even more, but she had noticed rosy blush covering his cheek.
"He... He bragged around earlier, about how he's going to take you out for a date or something like that. But I know better. You're just a shiny new toy for him, nothing more." The blond kid uttered quietly.
Astounded, Aoi snarled. "You'd better tell him that you like him. Don't pull me in between, you know. Like I need more of that shit, huh."
Yamagi just hung his head even lower.
"It's... complicated."
Aoi huffed. "Whatever. Anyway, I need a maintenance team, not a fucker. By the way, I rarely see you in the gym. You could start there, for instance. Do some drills with our superhot Honey Bee." She smirked.
"I thought you want nothing of that in between thing." The blond kid turned away from her completely, intending to return to his work.
"Well, aren't you a bit sassy?" Aoi mused and patted him on the shoulder.
"Likewise." Yamagi retorted curtly.
She huffed in annoyance and kicked off the Graze, moving upwards to the hangar exit.
Aoi walked in the direction of the mess hall to grab something - anything, actually - edible.
There certainly was a blast going on. Tekkadan kids occupied tables full of different sweets, all excited about unexpected delicacies; Takaki was trying to regulate the jovial chaos, while Ride was haphazardly grabbing the armful of various cookies. Aoi smiled softly, understanding kids perfectly; in fact, she had never had a taste of such treats.
Well, guess now I'm too old for that.
She raised her eyes just in time to meet Orga's warm gaze.
"Aoi? Wanna try some?" His smile was so genuine she couldn't reject the offer and tentatively placed some sugary goods in her mouth.
Sweet...
Oh so fucking sweeeeet...
Her eyes fluttered shut as the taste overwhelmed all other senses. She chewed slowly, thoroughly, trying to prolong the exquisite pleasure in her mouth, moaning quietly in the process. And when the taste finally vanished, her tongue darted uncontrollably out to lick her lips and fingertips, picking up the remnants of the luscious flavor.
"Thanks." Aoi opened her eyes, smiling in the afterglow, feeling relaxed and somehow revived.
Orga didn't smile anymore.
He looked painfully tensed, all gritted teeth and clenched fists and darkened glare, fixed on her mouth. Aoi involuntary stepped back under that unfamiliar attitude of his; her eyes widened, body stiffened in defense.
He blinked, shoved hands in his pants pockets and turned away, but Aoi had noticed the light blush creeping up his face.
"And what about us, Boss? Are we getting anything?" Shino grinned wildly, leaning against the door. Akihiro, Dante and Chad shifted anxiously behind his back.
"You bet, assholes!" Orga beamed in return, without giving Aoi a second glance.
"Aoi." Shino clearly didn't share Orga's unwelcoming behavior. He strode to the girl and unceremoniously draped his arm around her shoulders. "You are so going with us. No objection accepted, with you being a part of Tekkadan now and all. I'll buy you a drink." He winked.
Aoi smirked, shaking his arm off. "Don't you ever get tired of yourself?"
"Nah, I'm too perfect for that."
Tekkadan guys decided to occupy pub Someday, which made Aoi smirk at such obvious choice for the one named Itsuka.
The girl had neither visited such places before nor was she familiar with the taste of alcohol, so it felt awkward to step over the porch of the bar for the first time in her life. Music and laughs and voices washed over Aoi, making her feel small and diffident. She shyly wandered to the bar counter and ordered a glass of whiskey, the cheap kind Naze used to keep around. While waiting for her beverage to arrive, she observed laughing and shouting Tekkadan crowd, choosing a table to join.
"Wouldn't a glass of wine be a better choice for a young girl like yourself?" Good looking woman next to her prompted when Aoi took a sip of burning liquid and coughed. "A cheap drink makes a girl look cheap." She smiled lightly.
"Cheap talk makes a person look cheap, whatever their beverage or sex is." Aoi retorted, rubbing her throat.
"Kids nowadays." Woman continued, clearly irritated not with just Aoi but with all of the rowdy Tekkadan. "Know no respect for the elders."
"Yep," Aoi was getting bored with the small talk. "We're badasses to those who don't know how to mind their own business."
Orga chose that moment to appear next to Aoi, casually snaking his arm around her shoulders. The gold in his eyes sparkled and glittered, glazed with the consumed liquor.
Looks like he's not much of a drinker... Though, considering all the pressure he's been under lately and his absolute lack of self-care, could predict as much.
"Aoi," he said, voice deep and low. "Tomorrow. You're invited."
Aoi blinked. She didn't need to be told twice.
"Thank you, sir. I'll be there."
"Well, looks like the knight matches his princess." The woman next to Aoi mused.
Aoi closed her eyes. Finished the drink.
Seems like provocation is on the house. And yet... I can really do nothing but ignore the pretty doll. Even if it's Orga she's aiming at. Especially if it's Orga.
But Orga could care less. His eyes narrowed, grin became feral, showing white sharp canines.
"You have no idea," He sneered at the woman. "One more drink for my lady!"
His hand tenderly touched Aoi's locks, putting them in place, then landed on her shoulder, warm and heavy.
Afraid to shake it off, she stopped breathing but the contact didn't last longer than few seconds. Orga sauntered away, choosing another table to cheer up, leaving her alone at the counter. Aoi sighed, took the fresh glass and raised it up in the air.
"Cheers, Commander." She muttered to his back.
For Orga party ended before long despite his cheerful announcement about drinking for the whole night. Aoi took a pile of napkins from the counter and went out of the pub in search of him.
She spotted Tekkadan leader in the bushes next to the railing with worried Mikazuki by his side; but before Aoi could reach them the very same woman from the pub stopped close by, offering her pinkish handkerchief to Orga.
"If you want to deal with adults you should learn how to act as one first." She said.
Cold rage ignited inside Aoi's chest.
She snatched the perfumed handkerchief out of the Orga's hand, noticing him almost gagging over artificial fragrance, and put the fancy piece of cloth right into the woman's pocket.
"Adults, huh?" Aoi knew she should ignore the woman and help Mikazuki to take care of Orga instead, but her anger didn't combine nicely with alcohol, demanding a brawl.
"For adults, we space rats are disposable. Adults use and abuse us and send us to die. Why are you, an adult, lurking around the whole night? Want to take advantage of a drunken guy ten years younger than yourself?"
The woman looked like she was slapped across her face, her eyes widened, pink-colored lips parted.
"Mikazuki, let's get back to the Isaribi."
"Uh-huh."
Aoi couldn't help buy compare Orga's weight with a dead whale again. Together with Mikazuki they slowly dragged peacefully sleeping Tekkadan leader to the Isaribi's docking gate.
"Fuck," Aoi complained. "Where is everyone when you need them?.. Next time I'll drink my ass off."
"Shino was talking about brothel back there at the pub." Mikazuki mentioned.
"Brothel?.. What, all of them?.."
"Dunno."
"Well, at least the last I saw everyone could walk straight... except Orga. He really shouldn't drink that much. No brothel for him today, huh."
"Orga isn't interested in brothels."
"Wha?.." Aoi stuttered in confusion.
"You like Orga?" Mikazuki's voice lacked any emotion, as usual.
"I, um... Sure. The guy's charisma is the size of Saisei; it's hard to resist that." Aoi lowered her face to hide suddenly heated cheeks from Mikazuki's stare.
"Good."
Somehow they reached the Isaribi.
Exhausted, Aoi fell on her knees, bringing Orga down, on top of her back.
"For fuck's sake! How such bony guy can be so heavy?.. Can't walk a step anymore, let's wait for the reinforcement, Mikazuki."
"You should say earlier. I could carry him alone."
She skeptically looked at his small, childish frame. "Are you that strong?"
He just shrugged. "Orga told me to get stronger. That's what I'm doing every day."
Aoi blinked, still not quite believing him. "Well, then... The mess hall. It's closer than the sleeping quarters... and I could manage to get some tea or something for Orga."
"Okay. Should I return after you?"
"What?! Why? No! I'll walk myself!"
Mikazuki blinked. "You said you can't walk anymore."
Effortlessly, he shouldered Orga's lean body and paced in the direction of mess hall. Aoi struggled to her feet and followed him.
In the dark mess hall Aoi busied herself with making herbal tea, glancing at Mikazuki who was covering Orga with his warm jacket.
"I've never seen Orga like this." Mikazuki shook his head. "Will he be okay?"
"Eventually. Nothing to worry about. Want some tea?"
Mikazuki sniffed the cup suspiciously. "No. It smells weird."
Aoi chuckled. "Yeah, it tastes just the same. But I'll drink one; it's good for sobering up. Though, I've probably worked all alcohol out, dragging the certain heavy ass here."
They sat in silence for some time. Aoi sipped her tea, frowning on disgusting taste. Mikazuki stared at quietly sleeping Orga.
She followed his gaze.
Tekkadan leader appeared so much younger in his careless sleep. The persistent frown between well-defined brows smoothed out leaving Orga's face relaxed and softened. The usually intimidating glare was shielded by thick black eyelashes; even his always stubborn lips were slightly pouted, looking incredibly soft and gentle.
Lilac strands were messed all over his face.
An unfamiliar emotion tightened Aoi's chest.
Her fingers slid to Orga's face to push those stray locks away; and she couldn't help but run her hand through the thick silvery softness of his hair.
Aoi met Mikazuki's intent stare. Opened her mouth to say something, anything to excuse herself; and closed it, disregarding any lie she could come up with.
Mikazuki took out a palm seed and started chewing. Then silently offered her some of his snacks.
"What's that?" She sniffed them curiously.
"Martian palm seeds."
Aoi took one in her mouth, sensing nothing special. It wasn't really tasty but her neglected stomach appreciated it with satisfaction, growing in her with each bite.
"You take care of him." Mikazuki said before exiting the room.
The box is cramped and dark and cold. Inside, it smells of recent welding.
Aoi can do nothing but lay there, trying to suppress the raising waves of claustrophobia.
It feels like there isn't air enough.
"It is ventilated." His low voice sounds calm and quiet outside. He shouldn't be there.
"It's just training." He continues. "The cockpit isn't spacious, and you should be able to spend days there. Weeks, even."
His voice is more than just sounds. It leaks inside the box, making his presence almost tangible.
"I can hear your breathing. It's almost panic. Try to refocus. Pay attention to something else. Do you know any songs?"
Aoi wants to shake her head in denial, her throat is too spasmed to make a sound.
"No? Then repeat after me. Word after word."
And words become lyrics, and lyrics become a song, quiet, soothing, comforting. Special.
Suddenly, her senses shattered the dream.
Someone's watching.
Sounds of rustling.
Both safeties clicked off before she was fully awake. She noted Orga's wide opened eyes, sprung to her feet on the table and jumped over the counter, where the sounds were coming from. Only to put a gun against the head of scared almost to death Ride Mass.
Aoi clicked the safeties back, lowered the weapons.
"Ride... Sorry."
The boy blinked and suddenly grinned.
"Ms Aoi, that was so cool! Can you teach me stuff like this?" He began to jump a little and throw his arms around, imitating the gunfire.
"That's... Only with Commander Orga's permission."
She heard his steps behind her back.
"What are you two doing here?" Orga asked in a raspy voice.
Ride pouted and turned his head away, clearly embarrassed.
Aoi tried to focus Orga's attention on herself.
"I, um... I've just made some tea. And... Well..." She closed her mouth, stopping the nonsense streaming out of her incoherently.
Orga rubbed his temples, squinting in pain.
"So... Ride?" He pressed.
"Um... It's nothing, really, Boss."
Orga stepped closer to take a look.
"Sweets?.. But Ride, why?.."
"Those are for the kids!" Ride blurted out. "If they have the sweets, they won't cry at night!"
Orga burst into laughter. Then gagged.
"Where's that tea of yours, Aoi?.." He managed.
The look on his face after the single gulp was priceless.
"Now Aoi, I'm against all kinds of tortures, but this... This can be used. As the last resort, that is." He pushed the cup away.
Aoi felt herself blushing.
"Here. Take these, at least." She handed him water and painkillers.
He complied.
Aoi wasn't sure if she should continue to play all wifey but Mikazuki's words were very clear in her memory.
"You need more rest before tomorrow." She stated. "Let me help you to your quarters."
Orga yawned and raised his eyebrows at her.
"Let me decide it for myself."
Aoi blinked, stood up and headed out of the mess hall.
He caught her by the wrist. "Aoi..."
Without glancing back, she rotated her wrist, releasing herself from his grasp.
"Thank you." Orga said quietly. "Guess I'm not used to anyone but Mika taking care of me. See you tomorrow."
He took Mikazuki's warm jacket and left the mess hall.
Aoi cautiously observed the strange clothe. It looked like oversized black jacket, with scarlet Tekkadan insignia on both front and back sides.
Haori, she reminded to herself.
Aoi even sniffed the fabric.
Seems, I hit the social ladder after all my lonesome lifetime. This rug puts me in Tekkadan, next to the Turbines and under Teiwaz. And it freaks me out, really.
At least, the colors suit me.
Already dressed for the event, Eugene approached her, trying to smile all smugly. "Need some help with this thing, Aoi?"
She observed him from tip to toe. "Wouldn't mind, thanks."
He held the haori for her while she guided her arms through the wide sleeves, and even smoothed the fabric creases over her shoulders afterwards. Then Eugene lowered himself before her on one knee, struggling to place the white silk of haori himo rightfully. Aoi suddenly felt herself blushing.
Well, unfuck yourself, girl. It's just too much attention from too many young guys on the ship full of testosterone. I'm lucky I'm still not pregnant just by breathing the same air as them.
Eugene rose up, and she saw the smugness in his smile increasing exponentially.
"Looking good, girl. Though I'd prefer you in a dress, something small and feminine and..."
"Huh. Not with my back looking like a hackle, thank you very much."
He shifted from one foot to another, chuckling nervously.
"Look Aoi, everyone knows you like Orga. But tell you what - Orga isn't interested in such things. He's never been. So... If you wish to date the real man, like myself..."
"I'm better off on my own." She interrupted him hastily.
Looking at the velvety blackness of space flickering with innumerable stars, Aoi thought about another man who she had misread awfully. But eventually her mind returned to Orga, to Eugene's words about him, and the uneasy feeling they had ignited in her.
Indeed, I'm better off on my own.
However, it was easier said than done.
Orga looked absolutely stunning in traditional Japanese clothes, all straight and resolved, with his hands unwavering while drinking the symbolic saké, with his posture emanating power and dominance. Everything about him sitting there, in the center of the luxury hall, under the pressure of attentive stares, made her marvel at his inner strength. Made her wonder, if she would ever be able to do the same.
The bitterness inside her grew stronger, and Aoi welcomed the feeling. It would be better just to stay away. Things already had gotten too complicated; there was no need to go further down that road.
