Chapter 6. We Are All Made of Stars
The Isaribi followed the Hammerhead, invisibly connected to it with the same course and destination like a whale-calf to its mother.
Standing in the wide hallway of the medium deck, Orga thought how disorienting that constant pattern of blackness speckled with sparkles behind the transparent panel was. Indeed, the screen with some footage on repeat would save the troubles of implanting glassy blocks into the solid structure of armored vessel.
From his point of view it wasn't possible to observe the leading ship; Orga gazed at the monotonous flow of stars, thinking over and over again how he had performed at the Saisei. How far from perfect it had been.
There's so much to learn.
I can't possibly fail.
Mika... Stay safe and come back sooner.
He bent over the railing when Biscuit walked to him.
"Sorry, Orga, for the wait."
"It's okay."
"I left Takaki in charge of the Teiwaz' cargo."
"Thank you. I'll check it myself lately."
Biscuit scratched the back of his head.
"Actually, you could rely on us more, Orga."
"Um... I just want our first job under Teiwaz done perfectly." Orga mused absentmindedly.
Biscuit gave him a worried look, and then smiled supportively. "Just promise you'll get your rest and meals in time, okay? I'm no match for Mikazuki when it comes to taking care of you."
"Yeah." Orga smiled gently.
Biscuit put his elbows on the railing next to Orga.
"You've managed to take us so far already." He said quietly. "Can hardly believe it. You've even charmed Aoi into joining Tekkadan. Mr Turbine is probably furious." Biscuit chuckled softly.
"No. In fact, Naze asked me to take care of her. Though, that was my intention anyway."
"Despite her being... a girl?"
Orga vividly remembered Aoi stuffing her face with food. Dressed only in her underwear.
"I doubt she realizes her gender." He said at last. "I mean, in a way it can be used to her advantage. She's never tried anything... indecent."
"Well, rumor has it she likes you, Orga." Biscuit smiled.
Orga gritted his teeth. "I know."
Biscuit looked at him questioningly but Orga didn't elaborate.
"I want Gjallarhorn no more." Is there a plan behind her words? Or just the vengeful bitterness of a person who has literally nothing to lose?..
Orga suddenly realized that he had not seen Aoi for quite some time. Since Sakazuki ceremony.
"By the way, have you seen her recently? I've got the feeling we left half of the crew on Saisei. It's become much quieter lately." Tekkadan leader raised his eyebrow at Biscuit, trying to keep his voice casual.
"You've finally noticed?.." Biscuit chuckled. "Guys are all head over heels about that pilot contest, so they spend the most of their free time in the simulators."
"Contest?.." Orga couldn't hide his surprise.
"For the best pilot, yeah. The Turbines are also in. For now, it's mostly about preparations. I'm taking participation requests and arranging the tournament list. Mechanics are working on Suits' simulators; Yamagi's team is in charge of software setup and configuration; Dante and his guys are organizing footage broadcast, straight from cockpits to screens, so everyone on both ships could enjoy watching the show. Aoi, Lafter and Akihiro are training participants. Shino is taking bets." Biscuit's enthusiasm was so obvious that Orga couldn't help but smile softly.
"Sounds like fun." He nodded. "What about Mika? Shouldn't you wait for him?"
"Certainly." Biscuit returned the smile. "He's one of the candidates for the win, according to Shino's list of bets. Though, Lafter also has a high rate, since they don't use the Alaya-Vijnana in simulators."
"All fair and square, I see." Orga glanced sideways. "What about... Aoi?"
"Well, this contest thing was originally her idea." Biscuit lowered his eyes. "Obviously, she takes part."
The awkward silence hung between them.
Orga sighed, remembering the agreement he had made with the girl. He was certain nobody else knew about it; hell, even Mika had been left in the dark. And yet, the uneasy feeling was always there, making him avert his eyes whenever he mentioned Aoi in a small talk or asked a casual question about her. The feeling, that the whole crew was aware of something between their leader and the new pilot.
Orga shuddered and broke the uncomfortable quietness. "So, how many participants do you have already?"
"Well, look for yourself." Biscuit showed him the tablet. "More than half of the crew. Wanna join?"
Orga ran a hand through his hair.
"I'll most certainly make an ass out of myself." He chuckled lightly. "Does it worth it?"
"Don't you wanna get some fun?"
That might be a good chance to stand the same ground as my crew does. To learn their battle skills. To raise their spirit. I might not be good at piloting but it's no secret. I have to perform my best, for all of them.
"Alrighty, then. Count me in." Orga grinned.
Orga stood together with Naze over the interactive solar system map on the Hammerhead bridge.
The older man was instructing him about their new course through the Turbines' secret routes. "As you aware, Ahab Reactors jam our communication systems, and technically we can use only LCS here. It's troublesome for navigation, especially with Gjallarhorn controlling the region between Mars and Earth, but that's what the Turbines are good at. Just steer the ship when we say, and everything will go smoothly."
"Please, guide us, brother." Orga lowered his head in a small bow.
"However, not only the Turbines are informed of those routes. Some pirate gangs are still daring enough to hunt ships here. Usually they don't mess with us since we've been known as militant organization. Still, we should keep our eyes opened and continue to patrol the area."
"That routine is settled, Aniki. We are one Suit less, with Mikazuki left on Saisei. But in return, I've got more volunteers for the task. Because of that tournament you've might heard about."
Naze laughed. "How could I not? My girls can't stop talking about it. And your boys are in the Hammerhead's hangar all the time now, training. Lafter says they're exhausting her more than myself."
Orga smiled. "Yeah... I've also decided to take part in it."
"Really? Anyway, don't let the fun get in the way of your duties. I mentioned those hostiles for a reason."
"Understood."
Orga observed the map attentively. It was a long way from Jupiter to Earth, through the Asteroid Belt and Martian Sphere to the Dort colonies where they were supposed to deliver the Teiwaz' cargo. Ariadne network dots flickered all around the area.
Naze scratched his chin. "Seems like I forgot something."
"You did." Amida said entering the bridge with a blond woman next to her.
Orga felt his insides flipped.
"Oh. Thanks, Amida." Naze strode to the woman. "From now on, little brother, you'll have Teiwaz' overseer aboard the Isaribi."
Orga gritted his teeth.
Elegant business suit. Accurate haircut. Light make up. Neat perfume.
He felt his stomach reacting to the sweet fragrance in the most unpleasant way.
Pink lips curved into polite smile. "I'm Merribit Stapleton. Nice to meet you... again."
Orga tensed.
"Please, reconsider." He looked at Naze firmly. "We've met at Saisei. She was purposely provoking my subordinate. I don't think it is possible for us to work together."
"Huh? Sounds not like Ms Merribit. Is there any mistake here?" Sincere surprise was written all over Naze's face.
"I believe so." Her soft voice was as sweet as her scent. "I only talked to some girl in the bar. Never meant to offend anyone. They're just all too young and hot headed."
A smug smile returned to Naze when he looked at Orga. "I see. Well then, someone has to be mature enough to settle it, right, Orga?.. Anyway, that's the direct order from the Old Man, so no objections accepted. Ms Stapleton is a versatile woman to have around, and she can certainly teach you a lot, especially when it comes to business."
Merribit smiled softly at Orga, and he flinched, a blush of embarrassment shading his cheeks.
"Looking forward working with you." She reached out her small hand.
Orga hesitated but still pressed his rough palm against the delicate soft one.
"Likewise."
It's not easy to survive on the streets for a child.
It's impossibly harder with a dependent to care about.
Orga spends his days trying to get food. He ransacks all the dumpsters and garbage cans within reach; he steals and snatches from careless passerbys or homeless people; he begs and pleads.
It's never enough.
For some reason, his new friend has no memories to tie him down to his obviously gruesome past. Under the cold starry Martian sky they lay curled in each other, seeking for warmth.
"Mikazuki." Orga states quietly. "The crescent moon."
The younger boy's never let him learn his name, so Orga finally decides to come up with one as he did for himself years ago.
"Augus." He adds after a while because the first name always goes with the second. "I've heard it's another word for sacred."
"Mikazuki Augus." The blue eyed boy repeats. "I like it. What's sacred?"
Orga shrugs, not really certain himself. "It's something you love the most."
Mikazuki nods and drifts to sleep, smiling.
Looking at his serene face, Orga thinks of a plan that should keep them fed up.
The plan involves Mika.
"...boobs."
Shino's voice woke Orga up.
"Boobs?" Eugene echoed.
Tekkadan Boss opened his eyes to observe his deputy having the usual altercation with Norba at the bridge.
"Yes, my dear Eugene." Shino continued. "Boobs determine a woman. Round, soft, only large enough to fill your palm, perky, with small nipples on top. Yeah, the perfect breasts are the real gems."
Orga picked up his tablet and stretched in the captain's chair.
Reports, reports and more reports.
Orga scrolled down the screen, yawning.
The hangar reports. Check.
The cargo bay reports. Check.
The patrol reports. All clear.
The ship maintenance reports. Check.
"Love and kindness, that's what important, Shino!" Eugene exclaimed.
"Huh! My poor Eugene's never got a glimpse of Aoi's boobs. Those girls in brothel weren't that bad, but boobs..."
"Look, just cut it off." Orga finally burst out. "Find another place to shit around. Just don't let the kids eavesdrop."
Eugene squinted mischievously. "Are you envious, Orga? I bet you have no idea what we are talking about."
"Yeah, Boss. Eugene's probably right, even if he himself doesn't really know much about women." Shino smirked knowingly.
"Maybe, you're into guys, Orga? They do have males in brothels too, you know." Eugene grinned smugly.
Orga felt the blush heating his face.
"Fuck." He gritted his teeth and stood up. "You two alpha males, man the ship. I'll be at the mess hall; it's become much quieter there lately."
He walked out of the bridge and went to the lift, intending to descent onto the living quarters' deck. Before he closed the door, Merribit ran into the small space of the elevator, almost tripping over him.
"I'm sorry." She smiled.
"It's nothing."
The fragrance of her perfume filled the confined compartment immediately. Orga tightened his lips.
"I'd like to obtain food and maintenance supplies reports, to put them on the balance."
She shifted her weight, leaning closer to him.
Orga tried not to flinch. "I'll make Biscuit to prepare those for you."
"Why, thank you, Boss."
They fell into silence as the elevator continued its way down. Orga watched straight ahead and couldn't suppress the shudder when she suddenly touched his left arm.
"I'm actually surprised that such large vessel is operated by merely kids." She said.
Orga closed his right eye. "I guess we are not your ordinary kids."
Her hand fell down her side. "You don't like me."
"Should I? Is there such an order from Teiwaz?"
"No. Most certainly not."
"Then I think everything's fine, while you're here on the ship and not out of the airlock."
Elevator stopped, and Orga left Merribit behind moving in the direction of the mess hall.
He was surprised speechless finding Kudelia behind the counter. Orga opened his mouth. Closed it.
Kudelia smiled, hints of sadness dwelled deep in the violet eyes. "Atra is delivering lunches to the hangar. I offered to substitute her here, just in case."
Orga shook his head. "But, you are our client, so..."
"Boss." She interrupted him, her stare firm and determined. "That kind of work helps me to ease my mind off. You of all people should understand it."
He smiled tilting his head. "Okay then. A cup of coffee, please?"
An answering smile blossomed on her face, brightening her astounding beauty. "Right away, sir."
Golden ponytail swirled in the air as she turned her back on him, swaying into the direction of coffee machine he didn't remember they had there.
"Some fancy stuff, huh?.. " He murmured, mostly to himself.
The cozy smell of roasted ground coffee beans filled the room.
"Aoi brought it from Saisei." Kudelia responded. "Along with the beans. She said those aren't real Earth kind coffee but still better than the surrogate you've had before. Contain caffeine, at least. How do you prefer yours?"
"Black. No sugar. No milk."
Kudelia put a cup next to him on the table.
While Orga sipped his beverage, savoring warm bitter taste, Kudelia made a cup for herself.
He watched the cream in her cup lightening up the color from black to brown.
"I've received a letter from home recently." She said quietly. "It's... I guess sometimes it's better to not have family at all."
Orga kept silent.
"Sorry, I probably shouldn't tell you that." She lowered her eyes and stirred the coffee once again. "It's not fair."
"It's okay."
"Do you have... relatives?"
"No. Tekkadan is my only family." He took a pause. "I don't remember my parents."
"I'm sorry..."
"Don't be. On the streets of Chryse I've seen people selling their kids for a bottle of cheap liquor. I know what you mean."
Kudelia looked down in her cup. "I believe, my father told Gjallarhorn about my trip to Earth. How do you think, he wanted me... dead?"
"I doubt he specifically ordered your murder." Orga said softly. "He wanted you to be stopped. However, your father had to know about Gjallarhorn's methods. So..."
"He had that in mind."
"Yes. By the way... Who else could know about your mission?" He inquired watching her in the eye.
Kudelia took a pause, thinking. "Hard to tell for sure now. Why do you ask?"
"I wonder if Teiwaz could be aware of your departure from Mars."
"Can't say it's impossible."
Thoughtfulness shadowed her face. She bit her bottom lip. "You think the Turbines..."
"Forget I mentioned that. Promise."
Her big beautiful eyes stared right at him, so close he could see his own reflection in them.
She nodded. "Promise."
Orga watched her, noticing the crossing color matches between them; how the gold in her hair shone brighter under his yellow stare, how his lilac strands reflected vibrantly in her violet orbs.
He realized that all other females aboard the Isaribi unintentionally made it harder for Kudelia to find her place on his ship. Deep down, she probably referred to herself as to useless lumber.
"You can choose Tekkadan as your family, partner. If you wish." Orga offered.
She blinked at that.
Her face sharpened. "Blood of your comrades - no, your family - is on my hands already. And yet..."
"Kudelia. I'd gladly die for any of my family, time and time again, but I have to live and send them to die instead. Send them to kill. Don't tell me about bloody hands. If there's a way to honor their deaths and their deeds, it's at the end of our path. Which I can't reach without you."
She took his hand in hers, small and soft ones. "I'm with you, partner."
Orga smiled, placing his other hand on top.
"Then, I've got the first mission for you as Tekkadan member. We need a list of celebration events, regular and occasional. You can start at Tekkadan birthday as a regular event. We need family traditions, and you should know more about celebrations than anyone of us. Don't forget that upcoming tournament."
"What? But I'm not sure..."
"Use whatever help you need. Biscuit is the perfect manager. Ride is good in design. Yamagi and his team can engineer everything. Atra is a creative cook. Hell, even this Ms Stapleton can be useful with her supposed versatility."
"Orga!.."
"Anyone could do the dishes. But if you really wish to help, remember that we've got kids aboard, and someone has to entertain them."
Orga couldn't suppress his curiosity about the tournament's preparations; that inevitably brought him down onto the Isaribi's zero gravity level.
It was strangely quiet and empty there in the hangar, with two Mobile Suits' slots oddly vacant: The Barbatos had been left at the Saisei for upgrades, with Mika and Gramps; The Graze was obviously on its patrol mission piloted by Shino, according the schedule.
Only the Gremory towered in the steel interior of hangar, even more forbidding in the dim lights of artificial night. Aoi floated over the opened sliding panel of the cockpit with usual tablet in hands. She didn't even bother to look at Orga.
"Yo there." He alerted the girl and dived down, aiming for the metal platform next to the cockpit. Aoi caught him by the hand and placed accurately next to herself.
She stood straight, hands folded behind her back, eyes looking past him.
"Anything I can help you with, sir?"
"Probably." Orga shoved his hands in the pockets. "Is there a simulator in that monster of yours?"
She blinked. "Let me turn it on for you."
In one fluid motion Aoi pushed herself into the cockpit and began to conjure up the system software. The Gundam insides flared yellow, and the soft noise saturated the hangar.
While she was busy with the task, Orga caught her tablet from drifting away and unintentionally checked the contents.
It was a book she read.
Moby-Dick; or, The Whale by Herman Melville.
Orga glanced at Aoi and read the text.
Such bands are known as schools. They generally are of two sorts; those composed almost entirely of females, and those mustering none but young vigorous males, or bulls, as they are familiarly designated.
In cavalier attendance upon the school of females, you invariably see a male of full grown magnitude, but not old; who, upon any alarm, evinces his gallantry by falling in the rear and covering the flight of his ladies.
"Go ahead." She interrupted his reading without any further comments on the simulator usage and swiftly took the tablet from his hands.
"Care to help me?" Orga tilted his head, closing the right eye under the stray bang of hair. "Never done that before."
She rolled her eyes. "Some virgin. Want me to train you?"
He flushed scarlet from embarrassment. "Yes."
Aoi maneuvered herself back into the cockpit, slipped out of her jacket and connected the Alaya-Vijnana cord to her adapter.
"Get in." She commanded.
"There's not enough space for both of us." Orga protested.
"You tell me, huh. I know this cockpit better than anyone. Take off your jacket, though. Might get too heated up."
Orga slowly shrugged off his jacket and climbed into the cockpit. Aoi moved out of his way and to the side, and then pushed the lock close.
Orga tried to make himself comfortable in the pilot's seat adjusted for a much smaller person and, besides, equipped with the usual Alaya-Vijnana interface. Her cord felt weird behind his back, and Orga sat awfully straight in the feeble attempt to escape the contact. Aoi noticed his awkward position; the chair moved back and higher, to accommodate young man's large frame.
Orga suddenly felt claustrophobic. The cramped space of cockpit, the distinct smell of metal and blood and sweat, the eerie yellow gleam made him painfully aware of the girl nearby. Her face was too close. Her hands were moving over the consoles just inches away from his lap. The thick dark cord, adjusted to the slowly floating body, made her look like some weird version of a giant fetus in the mechanical womb of Gremory, which only heightened his feeling of being the odd one here.
At last, she moved to the back; screens around them visualized myriads of stars rotating slowly, creating the fake sensation of drifting. On the main screen right before Orga was the flickering 'START' signal.
"It's the easiest level." She stated. "Your goal is to find targets and shoot them down. Take it as a space version of skeet shooting. Ammo and fuel are limited."
Orga nodded in understanding.
He analyzed system panels and scopes around him, memorized their positions and numbers. Touched different controls and levers, checking the ergonomics, while Aoi was briefly instructing him on the basics.
Orga tapped over the main screen with his left hand, starting the program.
First of all, he found the weaponry control screen and scrolled it down, checking on his ammunition. Orga wasn't surprised to find Teiwaz standard armaments mostly; the simulator was probably made by Saisei engineers. Tekkadan leader picked up the usual 130mm rifle.
Following Aoi's instructions, Orga placed his hands and feet in their respective positions, and sent the Gremory forward, sensing the simulated vibrations of the thrusters behind.
He readied his rifle and took a single test shot, to check on the accuracy and recoil.
Everything was... different. He couldn't even brake the Mobile Suit without sending it into the dizzy rotation. In the next hour Orga performed all kinds of clumsy maneuvers, from awkward jerky motions to the speedy rollercoaster of somersaults.
He tried not to think that through the cord she could acknowledge his every twist and turn.
Eventually, Orga got the balance between the left and right thrusters, and the proper momentum for the arms and legs. Of course, when he started to move with a considerable grace the program ended with the 'NOT ENOUGH FUEL' sign. Orga cursed.
"One more time." Aoi said calmly.
Orga started the program again.
"So, what's with that book of yours?" He asked, sending the Mobile Suit into fast turnaround and making several shots in a row.
"Book?.." She echoed quietly.
All targets down, Orga thrust his mech full forward, the familiar sense of compensated acceleration pressed against his chest. He thought about the Ahab Reactors that generated enough Ahab Particles to simulate such realistic G-force.
"Book on your tablet." He specified. Three targets ahead, moving fast.
"Oh." Her voice sounded strangely shy. "It's just a fiction book. And a very old one, besides. About the whales. Leviathans."
Orga had no trouble to catch up with the swiftly propelling targets, and easily shot them down one by one.
"Leviathans." He repeated thoughtfully, diving down to search the area for more aims. "From what I've read, it looks more like about the Hammerhead and Isaribi crews."
"Well, nothing's new under the stars." Aoi mused. "The book is about the mad captain, Ahab, who was hunting after the white sperm whale, Moby Dick."
Orga sent the mech into a steep turn to face another target. The speedy maneuver created enough force to press him into the chair heavily, and Orga arched his back to prevent Aoi's cord behind him from squeezing.
"You move like a firecracker." Aoi commented. "Good reflexes, bad strategy. Fuel consumption, remember?"
Orga tsked and slowed down a bit, missing several targets in a row and cursing repeatedly. "Ahab, you said? Like, Ahab Reactor?"
"Oh yeah. Ahab Balaena, the scientist who discovered Ahab Waves and Ahab Particles. I don't know if it was his real name or the alias." She uttered.
Inertia was dragging the Gremory smoothly across the ocean of stars, and the loss of speed prevented Orga from taking the aiming position in time. He didn't even bother to shoot, preferring to save the ammo.
"Yeah, it's easier with the Alaya-Vijnana, when you can control the arms' and legs' thrusters as the extend of your body." Aoi mused confidently. "But you'll get there."
Orga glanced at the radar and charged to another sector, filled with illuminated dots. The every target was moving but not chaotically; and he tried to predict their trajectories for the deflection shooting.
She grunted in satisfaction seeing him succeeding in taking down five more aims.
"So..." Aoi continued. "Originally, Ahab was an ancient king who under his wife's influence established the religion of Baal." She made a small pause. "The false god Baal. The prototype of the demon king, Bael. The one that inspired the creation of Gundam Bael. I've heard that Gjallarhorn still keeps it somewhere, the legendary Mobile Suit of Agnika Kaieru, the last resort of his soul."
"Demons, again?" Orga snorted.
"Always." She smirked. "Moreover, Balaena is a genus of whales, which brings us back to Leviathans. And Leviathan, according to some sources, is one of the seven princes of hell, ruling over demons along with Satan and Lucifer."
Orga gained the speed he felt the most comfortable at, and stormed through the sector filled with targets. He narrowed his eyes, the hot courage sparkling in him brighter with each successful shot.
The sweat started to concentrate on his skin. In zero gravity the annoying droplets settled randomly over his face, incapable of trickling down his neck.
"People are so used to the concept of good fighting evil." Aoi mused. "But what if it's always about one evil fighting another? Like in this book, the vengeful ego hunts the bloodthirsty monster and gets hunted instead."
Orga missed a shot and cursed.
"Whatever. I'm not used to any concept. Both good and evil are fine if they help my family to survive."
"I know." Her hot breath lingered at the nape of his neck.
Orga shuddered at the feeling, and suddenly realized the increased temperature inside the cockpit.
There wasn't enough air for him to breath.
He gripped the levers tightly, focusing on maneuvering and shooting, feeling more sweat moisturizing his skin.
"If you love literature so much, maybe you should help Kudelia with the teaching." Orga noted, trying to distract himself from the hot puffs of her exhales hitting his neck.
"Huh?" Aoi huffed, clearly astounded with his offer. "Why? My messed up education certainly can't be compared to hers. I'm no good at teaching, either."
Orga sighed. "You could at least try. Why do you think I'm here? Obviously, I'm no good at piloting." He wanted to look her in the eye but had to concentrate on the shooting instead. "We're family. We take care of each other."
She kept silent until the end of test program, and then moved herself unceremoniously onto his lap. Orga unintentionally backed further into the chair, though in zero gravity he couldn't feel her weight, only the delicate touch of her thighs.
She was scrolling through the statistics; satisfied grunts were accompanying her motions.
"Hey, great accuracy!" She turned to face him, eyes sparkling vibrantly with the clear delight, the pure admiration of him.
Shouldn't be admired for that...
In the amber light he could see beads of sweat on her face. So close that all his senses roared alive. He wanted so much and all at once.
He wanted to lick those beads away.
Shouldn't be admired at all...
Orga lightly touched her cheek with his thumb, wiping away the annoying moisture, and placed the finger in his mouth.
Under her darkened stare the salty taste slid along his tongue.
His whole body tensed, trembling slightly out of exertion, his insides coiled like a spring. Orga bit on the thumb to stop himself from crushing her in his arms. From bruising those lips.
He kept his eyes shut while her fingers were gently touching his face, travelling across his cheek, catching droplets of sweat. The sudden lost of contact almost made him moan in frustration. Orga shot his eyes open, only to watch her tongue licking her fingers.
He swallowed back the animalistic growl trying to escape his throat. Instead, he rasped. "Unlock."
Aoi blinked. Even in the yellow light he could see her face turning crimson. She complied, and the cockpit panel slid open, letting the cool fresh air in.
Orga took a deep breath, relaxing slowly to the familiar noises of the hangar.
Shino was floating next to the Graze. Obviously, he had returned from the patrol duty recently, and now was grinning brightly at them. Orga palmed his face, feeling the blush of embarrassment reddening his cheeks.
"Huh! I bet a grand on you, Boss, that you aren't gay. And looks like poor Eugene owes me money now. Good job, Aoi. Hey girl, careful with that cord, no need for such a hurry. Boss, be a gentleman and help your woman out!"
Orga sat straight in the captain's chair and observed the bridge, half-lit with the dim lights of artificial night: Chad was leaning back in his seat before the communication center to watch after flight parameters; Eugene was lightly snoring in the pilot's chair; Biscuit was awake, reading something on the screens.
"I'll walk around." Orga notified them.
Chad smiled shyly and nodded, without glancing away from the screens.
Biscuit showed thumbs up. "Uh-huh. Though, you'd better get some sleep. Everything's under control here."
"No doubt." Orga smirked in response and strode out of the bridge, into the dusk lights of the Isaribi's hallways.
He walked through the darkened corridors, filled with the distant hums of machinery and occasional quiet noises from the hangar, where life never stopped. Dried conditioned air familiarly smelled of steel and sweat and today's vegetable stew. Orga couldn't help but smile at the new graffiti on the wall, barely visible now in the faint light - unmistakably immediate Ride's creation, considering the clear and accurate lines. Tekkadan Boss strolled further, accompanied with the only metal sounds of his own steps in the almost surreal emptiness of the sleeping Isaribi.
Somewhere near the dark mess hall he heard voices.
"...but you shouldn't have bad-mouthed Orga. I really wanted to kick your ass." The slurred voice definitely belonged to Aoi. Orga frowned and stopped, listening.
"You really reminded me of myself back there. Ten years ago I also was in love with a dangerous man and used to drink strong liquor, and it ended badly. Look where it got me." The other voice belonged to Merribit, and Orga rolled his eyes.
"Working for Teiwaz the Space Mafia, you mean? Could be worse, believe me." Aoi said.
The clink of glass, the splash, another clink...
Who can understand women? Now they're getting drunk together.
"So," Aoi continued. "Why are you here, really? The mafia ordered you to fuck Orga? To put him on a short leash, so to say?"
"Are you jealous? It's the second time you suspect me in a less than appropriate behavior towards your Boss." Merribit was clearly entertained.
"Don't want him in trouble. He's the most honorable and loyal man I've ever met."
"Hardly a man, still."
"Huh. It's you who's jealous 'cause he's never spared you a second glance."
Somehow Orga felt that eavesdropping was counted as an improper behavior for a reason.
"Jealous?" Merribit broke out a laugh. "Like you noticed back at Saisei, he's much younger than myself. More of a kid than a man. And I, for once, prefer age and experience."
"Well, bad for you then, to end up on this ship." Aoi mused.
Clink, long splash.
"Could be worse." Merribit chuckled.
"Yeah." Aoi snorted. "Better here than out of the airlock."
"Your Boss said the same."
They both laughed.
Orga entered the mess hall turning the lights on. The almost empty bottle of cheap whiskey topped the table between two women.
"Well, Ms Merribit, I thought you'd be more punctilious about underage drinking." Orga mused coldly.
Aoi blinked. "Look who's talking now. Already forgot how we dragged your drunken ass all the way to the Isaribi?"
She tried to stand up but failed.
Merribit easily rose to her feet. "Drink was worth it. And we had a much needed talk. Have a nice sleep, Boss." She actually winked and gracefully left the mess hall.
Orga sighed. "Can you walk?"
"Nah. But sleep I can." Aoi tried to strip off her jacket, to no success, though.
"C'mon, I'll take you to your room." He helped her to her feet.
Aoi wobbled and fell on the floor almost bringing him down. "Just leave me be."
Orga lifted her up; the black haired head nestled on his shoulder, arms coiled around his neck.
In the dim light he carried Aoi down the hallway, heavy sounds of his steps echoed in the silence.
Her grip tightened. Fingers clawed deep into the red scarf, pulling it down, exposing his neck.
"What the fuck?.." Orga managed.
Hot breath against his bare skin. Scent of alcohol, strong, sweet. Deep inhale. So close. He stumbled, stopped, leaned against the wall. Lips, warm, wet on his throat.
"Aoi..." Barely a whisper, breath caught in his throat, under her mouth. Scalding trail up his neck, sensual, slow, resonating through his veins, awakening the heat, the need...
I should stop her... She's just drunk... How can I stop her?..
"Please, stop..." He arched his neck, exposing it even more, eyes fell close. Her lips moved higher, burning, searing, searching for the right spot under his jaw.
"I feel... your heart..." Her words a torrid wind against his sensitive skin. "Or...ga..." His name a desperate moan from her heated mouth. "Fuck me..."
Orga collapsed down the wall, bringing Aoi with him, catching her hands in his much larger ones, pressing her closer, tighter, immobilizing her in a firm grip.
Desire flamed in his blood, rocketed through the veins, burning the insides with insatiable hunger. Holding her so close, Orga felt all curves of the slim lithe body, every flutter of the accelerated pulse, each puff of the sultry breath. His mind went overload with her lust, sending his body into blissful numbness.
At this point, he could care less about her drunken state.
Eyes wide open, Orga watched the girl in his arms. Her half opened mouth craved him. Her body was ready to be claimed by him. Her mind screamed with desire for him.
He knew that for certain.
Mine.
Orga shut his eyes.
His lips moved.
Mika...
The cold blue eyes appeared before his inner vision, scrutinizing him with familiar intensity, torturing him silently again and again with the same question. Well-known remorse washed over Orga in bitter waves, reminding him of his duty and honor, pulling him out of the hypersensitive state.
Mika... I don't know where the place is or if it even exists. But I promised to take you there and I will.
Shamefully, Orga averted his eyes from Aoi's heated face.
Slowly, he relaxed, regaining the heartbeat and breathing.
Orga stood up.
Gritted his teeth.
And walked further down that way.
