Chapter 11. Silence

She's wet and naked, cornered in the shower stall by five boys.

"She's flat like a table."

"Yeah, I think our janitor Joe has larger tits."

"And her pussy has no hair."

"Bald pussy, he-he."

"Let's check out if she even has a cunt."

Aoi tries to keep her knees squeezed together, but even the hardest attempts are futile against five boys of her age or so.

Despite the disgust and humiliation she's experiencing, screaming for help doesn't seem like an option.

All of them are too distracted with touching her between legs in search of entrance, when Aoi notices the door opening slightly ajar. The dark shadow lurks inside. Swift, silent, merciless.

"That's my bitch to fuck, morons." His quiet voice is so close. "Don't you know?"

Aoi hears the smacks of hard punches and cracks of broken bones.

No screams, though. For them, it's not an option, either.

"And be thankful I'm into girls, you little fuckers. Otherwise, you'd suck my cock every night instead of a supper." He takes his gun out, clicks the safety off. "Why do I hear nothing, fags?"

They know him just as well as Aoi does.

They know what he's capable of.

"Thank you, sir."

"Should I add that I can change my mind about your sweet little mouths - or other holes, for that matter - anytime?"

"No, sir. Please, don't, sir."

"Get lost, shitheads."

Emotionally, Aoi is beyond confused. The wild mix of fear and shame and admiration makes her body act on pure instinct; and suddenly she sprawls on the floor with her legs spread wide, just for him to claim.

"The fuck you're doing?!" His voice is almost a gasp, shocked, alarmed. His steps backwards are a nervous, staggering waltz.

Aoi has never seen him like this. Lost. Out of control. "You said I'm your bi..."

"I know what I said! Get dressed!" His back thumps against the wall.

She obeys immediately and starts to pull her clothes on, secretly throwing glances at him. He tiredly rakes his hands through the black mess of short hair.

"Hopefully, my word will be enough to keep those imbeciles away from you. For now." He sighs heavily, without looking at her. " And then... I'm in the process of approving your next upgrade. After it, you won't need my defense anymore."

Aoi woke up to the sharp knock on her quarters' door.

Her fingers ran through the messy hair, attempting to untangle black tresses and put them up in the usual sloppy bun but failing miserably.

She threw the jacket over her shoulders and stumbled to the entrance.

Orga's tall frame in the doorway shadowed most of the light coming from the outside. Aoi couldn't help but imagine how she must have looked to him, all disheveled and sluggish and lacking any kind of morning hygiene. The girl involuntary stepped back, into the redeeming darkness of her room.

"I wanna talk." Orga said, shifting inside without invitation.

"And I want my shower and breakfast." Aoi grumbled, ruffling her hair even more.

"Go ahead. I'll wait."

"You clearly have nothing better to do. Get out."

Orga tilted the head, narrowing his eyes at her; the annoying strand of lilac hair fell upon the right orb. "Not before you tell me about that super power of yours. Subaru spilled the beans."

Aoi tensed. Backed further into the shades of her room, slumped heavily on the bunk. Her fingers found their way into the hair again and pulled forcefully.

She never wanted him to know.

The mere thought of watching him, wrapped in a thick shield of disgust, was unbearable.

Not him, of all people.

"It's... personal." Aoi managed, hiding behind black locks.

"No, it's not. You should have told me."

Of course. Even an abomination like myself still can be useful to him. Whatever the price.

The girl sighed and whispered. "I understand. It can be used as a weapon. It was used as a weapon, and effectively; and therefore..."

"I am the one at command. Keeping me in the dark puts your life in danger. Everyone's life, actually."

"But..."

"Subaru also implied that you can't really control it. What else should I learn? Tell me. Everything." Orga shut the door and leaned against it, halting all the excuses she could come up with.

Suddenly, Aoi felt cornered in the tiny dark quarters, the pressure of his outright demand put her on edge.

She was locked tightly in the lightless silent cell. Together with him.

Aoi chewed on her fingertip, hesitating to tell him the truth. Understanding he'd sense a lie a mile away.

"Subaru knows nothing." The pilot girl couldn't stop the bitterness from leaking into her voice. "Control? That's the last thing you should worry about. But if you want to use a weapon, you have to know how it works first."

She continued quietly. "Actually, this ability only allows me to use muscles more effectively. I am faster and stronger than anyone you know. I can't think fast, however. Usually there's no need to - my body learned most tactical patterns to the bone. Still, I need a clear strategy, a plan to follow. But the main catch is the time. Body resources are limited, and it takes lots of energy to move with such speed and precision." The girl chuckled bitterly. "Super power?.. Not really, since it only lasts for 30 minutes or so. More like a boost, a short time advantage. Which comes with a price, by the way."

She made a pause, searching for better words to describe her weakness. "I... lose consciousness afterwards, and it usually takes up to twelve hours of rest for full recover." Aoi sighed heavily. "See, I'm a failure. Neither the perfect pilot nor the advanced assassin. I was the first to survive this upgrade; and yet, Gjallarhorn decided to dispose of me and close the project. Something about the Alaya-Vijnana and enhanced spatial awareness it comes with being crucial to survival. They definitely expected a different outcome. But thanks to this ability, we were able to escape the lab. I cleaned the path; then, my partner piloted Gremory. Because I was out cold for good twelve hours. And yeah, like I said before, Gremory didn't treat him nicely."

She glanced at Orga from under her eyelashes. His posture next to the wall didn't change a bit, facial muscles seemed frozen into an impenetrable mask.

"Anyway, only certain dosage of epinephrine kicks the real shit in. Once it's done, it cannot be undone." A thin frown broke the fine skin of his forehead, dived deeper between perfectly angled brows. Aoi continued. "After that, I don't act like my usual self. I just can't. It's like being on drugs. Worse, even. However, don't trouble yourself with that. It can't be helped. Also, don't worry about such petty stuff like accidental activation. Not worth it."

He stared at her, motionless, unnaturally calm. Even in the poor light Aoi could distinguish his fingertips turning white. She took a deep breath and resumed.

"I can't give you the effectiveness in numbers." Her fingers moved in a quotation sign. "Actually, my only real life mission was escaping the lab, and even that I don't remember clearly. But, exemplarily speaking, I could take down this ship, alone. Or Naze's Hammerhead. Or the Brewers' ship. Killing everyone in the process, of course."

Orga nodded, obviously putting all the pieces together, and submerged into stiff silence.

The wrinkle cut deeper through his forehead.

"Does it... hurt you?" His voice broke down.

Aoi blinked, astounded.

Of all the questions possible, he asked the one that had never mattered to anyone before.

The sudden realization made her heart melt into a soft puddle of pure warmth.

He cared about her.

Not about her loyalty or utility.

About her.

Aoi wanted to smooth that troubled expression off his face. With a trail of slow kisses.

She bit her lip instead. "Nothing I can't handle."

Orga tilted the head, letting his hair fall back, baring both golden eyes. "I don't want to use your ability. Ever."

"You wanted to know, still."

"I probably won't have a choice. My wants or not-wants don't matter when it comes to everyone's survival."

"I understand."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

She blushed and hoped he didn't notice that in the semi-light. "It's just... It's so freakish. I know I'm freakish enough with the three roots sticking out of my back, but this... Doesn't it make me an abo... a less of a human?"

Both of his eyes fluttered shut, and he exhaled deeply. Orga strode to the bunk and sat next to her. The warmth of his thigh crept along her leg.

"You're perfectly human." He stated. "Those who forced it on you - they aren't."

Silence fell between them. She couldn't possibly admit her fear of not being attractive to him because of her wrecked body.

His stare never left hers. "Theoretically speaking, what would happen if I had some of those nanomachines of yours in my bloodstream?"

Aoi choked on her breath. She vividly imagined her contaminated blood circulating through his veins and arteries, ready to create yet another monster. Even though it wasn't possible.

"Nothing! They were programmed exactly for me! Why would you even ask? Scared to accidentally get some?" She pulled her chin up in a challenge.

Heavy hands warmed her shoulders; long fingers massaged her stiff flesh down to the elbows. Hypnotized, Aoi couldn't avert her gaze from the golden eyes.

"Share with me. Your everything." He demanded quietly.

Tight grip on her shoulders. Intent stare, straight into her soul. Stubborn, tough lips, so close she could smell bitter coffee aroma in his breath.

Her heart stopped.

Her mind blanked out.

"Wha... What are you talking about?.. It doesn't work like this, how am I supposed to share them with you?.." She stuttered and flinched, suddenly scared with the sensual hint their conversation tuned up.

He sighed.

His eyes fluttered shut, hands released her arms.

"Forget it." Orga muttered.

In silence, she watched his tall figure stand up and stride to the exit.


The shower neither smoothed out the troubles Orga had awakened in her mind nor revived her exhausted body from its strained state.

In contrast to her poor mood, the atmosphere in the almost empty mess hall seemed somewhat idyllic.

Lafter was painting tiny blue hearts on Atra's freshly manicured nails.

The table they shared was littered with all kind of stuff the usual nail salon would possess: nail clipper and files, orangewood sticks and cuticle nipper, creams and lotions, and, of course, colorful nail gels and polishers and glitters.

Inwardly, Aoi rolled her eyes; still, she couldn't help but glance down at her dull, shortly clipped nails.

"Isn't it too... daring, Lafter?" Hesitance was obvious in Atra's small voice. Most likely, it was her first professionally looking manicure.

"Daring is my second name, not yours." Lafter chuckled. "You'll be the stylish one, trust my word."

"Guys really like such bright style?"

"All guys are stupid." Lafter pouted. "Look, I printed a red vertical stripe on my each fingernail. And what do you think? That dumbbell Akihiro didn't even notice! I mean, isn't it, like, crystal clear? Doesn't it ring a bell?"

"A red stripe? You mean, similar to the red stripe he wears on his jacket?"

"Exactly! I expressed my feelings for him! Practically put my heart on a platter! And he - he was just hm and uhm and ughm."

Aoi picked up some corn bread and a cup of coffee for her breakfast. "Of course, he was." She meddled. "You're Naze's wife. And Naze is Orga's big brother. And Orga is Akihiro's Boss. It's just too messed up."

"Huh? So what? Darling can have as many wives as he wishes and I can't have the only guy I really want? Unfair!" Lafter's small fist hit the table, making several tiny bottles jump a bit.

Aoi shrugged and took a sip of coffee. "Yeah, yeah." She smirked. "See, Atra, it's not that bad to be on your own, you know."

"Look who's talking now." Lafter snickered. "Get some guts to admit your own feelings first. We aren't gonna live forever, just sayin'."

The pilot girl huffed in annoyance and dug into her corn bread.

"I don't want to be alone." Atra uttered quietly. "I like Mikazuki. I don't mind if he likes Ms Kudelia. I just want... everybody happy, and if it means all three of us being a family, why not? It's even better that way."

Aoi looked down her cup. The single thought of sharing Orga with anyone sent her mood further south. "That's... very open-minded, Atra." She said at last. "Revolutionary, even."

At that precise moment, the Maiden of Revolution herself wobbled into the mess hall. She looked confused, lost in deep thoughts; pale dull skin and dark bags under tired eyes declared about restless sleep blatantly.

For a swift moment, Aoi felt sympathy.

Kudelia sat behind the table in the corner and helplessly hung her head. Golden locks sprawled over the plastic surface in numerous waterfalls.

Lafter gave her a worried look, and then exchanged glances with Atra. "Look, Kudelia, we've got the nails' day today. Care to join?"

Kudelia observed her tastefully colored, perfectly manicured nails. "I, huh... Thank you. I... I'd better get some coffee."

While she was busy with the task, Mikazuki paced silently to Aoi's table and sat across the pilot girl.

"Gimme something to eat, Atra." He stated nonchalantly. "Make it double, actually. I'm really hungry, and it's my shift soon."

Behind the kitchen counter, Kudelia jumped at the sound of his voice, dropping a cup of coffee on the floor. Mikazuki didn't spare her a glance.

"Well, help yourself." Lafter raised her eyebrows at him. "We're kinda busy here, can't you see?"

Mikazuki stared down at their table. "What's that for?"

Atra quickly hid hands under the table. Her cheeks flamed crimson from the embarrassment. "Um... Nothing?.."

Lafter sighed. "See? Like I said, all guys are stupid."

Aoi thoughtfully observed all girls in the room. Kudelia, who was clumsily trying to mop the floor. Atra, who hurried to the kitchen counter with her nails still not finished. Lafter, who was sitting motionlessly at the table with a dreamy expression on her face.

Seems, all lovers are mentally challenged. Do I look the same next to Orga?.. What is love, then? Complete madness?

She swallowed the remains of chilled coffee and stood up to exit the mess hall.


Two formidable eyes looked at Aoi adamantly.

Without blinking.

Threatening.

She couldn't stop laughing hysterically at the aesthetic confusion looking painfully prominent in the almost empty hangar.

"That's one fucking menacing fuchsia, Shino!" Giggles were bursting out from her, making the stomach and chest hurt. "With such mech, you don't need the pilot skills anymore! All your enemies are gonna die laughing!"

"Yeah, yeah, very funny. Especially in the fifth time." Shino huffed, looking down at her from the cockpit tiredly. "And the color is called magenta. It's my trademark one, just so you know."

"You don't sound like magenta. More like blackest blue." Aoi looked up at Shino, concerned with an unusual bleakness in his tone.

"I'm fine." Shino rushed to utter.

But Yamagi already glued his stare to him.

"That's it, we're having a break, Shino. Now." The blonde boy said.

"Look, Yamagi, I'm okay. I can keep it up, really."

"What's up with you two?" Aoi asked, intrigued.

Yamagi rolled up his eyes. "You're such a meddler, Aoi."

"Perhaps so." The girl shrugged. "But I mean good. Just wondering if I could help you guys out."

"We're trying to combine the Alaya-Vijnana interface with Graze systems." Shino explained. "It works but..."

"The amount of data overloads Shino's interface. The bandwidth isn't large enough." Yamagi stated, lowering his stare. "I cut off all the secondary inputs but it didn't help much. Guess I'm stuck here for a while."

"I just need more time and practice, that's all. We can make it work. Akihiro piloted that damn thing somehow!" Shino fisted the Graze's side panel.

Aoi tilted her head. "So, you're trying to reconfigure Graze's outputs to minimize the data flow?"

Yamagi nodded. "Exactly."

"Then, try the pilots with wider bandwidths, like myself, Mikazuki and Akihiro. Maybe, if we run some tests or pilot the Graze under your care, it will help you to differentiate the data and reduce it to minimum."

Yamagi shook his head, letting the thick blond bang of hair slide slightly off his face. "I... need to think it through..."

Before he could end his line, Shino was already out of the cockpit and next to them, smiling vigorously. "Great idea, Aoi! That's what we needed, exactly! A fresh eye on the problem!"

His arms circled Yamagi and Aoi in a tight friendly hug.

Yamagi went beet red. "Keep your hands to yourself! And... go fool around elsewhere, you both. I need to set up these tests first."

Shino smirked and ruffled the boy's hair. "Yeah, do your best, kiddo." He grinned mischievously. "Meanwhile, the sweet revenge for stupid jokes on my stylish Ryusei-Go can wait no more. I wanna be there when our lady in black notices her Gundam's new war paint."

"You did not!" Aoi brusquely turned around to make a beeline towards the Gremory, completely forgetting about zero gravity in the hangar. As a result, she tripped over thick coiled cables, got trapped in them and had to perform several graceless tricks to get back on her feet. All the way accompanied with Shino's loud contagious laughter, no less.

Not paying him much attention, she jumped high forward, to seek contact with the Gremory's left shoulder plate. Anxious to estimate the damage as fast as possible, Aoi couldn't help but wobble nervously at landing.

Her first feeling was relief, and the major one. The view from the Gremory's left shoulder did not uncover much of a difference. The same dark blue top. Red head. Red claws and feet. Red...

She shook her head. Sighed deeply.

Aoi pushed lightly off the top and turned to face the Gremory while levitating in zero gravity. The pilot girl recalled the scars her Gundam took in the previous battle with the Brewers. All of them had been repaired now. Well, sort of. Bright red diagonal stripes stood out notably on the dark blue surface of Gremory's chest. It looked like the mech was bleeding through the fresh gashes.

"Suits him, actually. Not funny, Shino."

"I know. Ride fixed it in his usual tasteful manner. So, you'd better thank him properly. And check out the nanolaminate coat, should be as good as new." Shino joined her in the air next to the Gremory, floating leisurely with hands folded behind his head. "Apparently, we salvaged a lot of fancy red paint from the Brewers' ship. I mean, the ex Brewers' ship, Ankobi."

Aoi frowned.

Yeah, the Ankobi... Sea Devil Fire. Anglerfish, luring its prey with the bioluminescent torch. Meaningful and poetic name, as expected from Tekkadan Leader. Creepy but fitting.

Naturally, Orga had to rename the cursed vessel and redistribute forces, setting up on board one more tactical unit consisted of the Gundam Gusion and two Man Rodi Suits.

Predictably, Akihiro and all the other Altlands completed the new crew, driving most of the ex Human Debris away from the Isaribi, Dante and Chad included. With all the renovations and maintenance for both the ship and Suits, it seemed only rational. There was a lot of job to do.

And yet, Aoi couldn't help the feeling of emptiness settling over the Isaribi. Without the usual jovial chaos down at the hangar or up in the mess hall, it felt almost as being a part of a ghost ship's crew.

The pilot girl looked around. Indeed, there were only three of them in the hangar now. Herself, Shino and Yamagi.

She wavered a bit, and then inquired. "Where's Ride anyway? And Mr Yukinojo?"

"Ride's at the Ankobi today, giving the final touch of awesomeness to the Gundam Gusion. Akihiro asked him to paint something special." Shino clarified. "As for our Chief Mechanic, you'd better ask your asshole of a friend, the doctor Frankenshit." He grinned smugly. "They've been... spending quite the time together lately."

"There should be a good reason for that." Aoi rubbed her chin. "Nobody spends time with Subaru willingly."

"Mr Yukinojo asked the doctor for a new set of legs." Yamagi noted with bored expression, getting closer to them. "Also, as Ride said, our Chief suddenly started to take showers. Twice a day, to be precise."

Aoi and Shino exchanged knowing stares.

Shino scratched the back of his head. "There must be a woman involved."

Aoi nodded. "There aren't many to choose from. Fumitan or Merribit."

"Wanna bet? Hundred on Merribit."

"Not fair. It's a sure win. Go fool Eugene on this one."

"You're such a hard woman, Aoi." Shino pouted. "But I guess it's worth a shot. I'd better go find him before our Chief's romance becomes the common knowledge."

Both Aoi and Yamagi watched him leaving the hangar.

"All tests have been arranged. Ready when you are." The blonde kid stated.

"Let's give it a try, then."


Aoi couldn't fall asleep.

Dark, stagnant air in the room wasn't enough to breathe.

Everything here reminded her of Orga. Of his quiet, powerful demand.

"Share with me. Your everything."

Aoi groaned and turned on the other side to face the wall, thinking how she had ruined probably the most perfect moment with Orga.

I should have kissed him. He wanted that, right? My teeth, though. I didn't get them brushed. A kiss should taste good; Orga wouldn't like the shitty sting in his mouth. Right?

Tired of fighting the exhausting insomnia, she stood up and stumbled into the tiny built-in shower. Looked in the small blurred mirror and splashed her blank face with icy cold water.

Maybe, I should go search for him. He's probably sleeping in his chair on the bridge, as usual. I'd kiss him awake, and then...

Thoughts of Orga's soft sleepy lips made her blood boil and bubble in anticipation.

Aoi slipped through the dark corridors and hallways of Isaribi completely unnoticed. Her bare feet bred no sound; her slim fast figure in the fitted pilot suit left no shadows in the twilight of the artificial night.

Abruptly, she stopped near the bridge entrance, without glancing in, spine tightly pressed into the wall.

Someone was in the room.

Someone, who didn't sleep despite the late hour.

Someone, who tapped the keys and switched the selectors, obviously working on an unknown task.

Aoi peeked inside.

Fumitan Admoss.

She was all alone in the semi lightened bridge. Her fingers flied over the communication panels, clicking, gliding, filling the space with bits of information.

The pilot girl remembered the unusual for a maid skill to establish the tricky connection with Ariadne roots.

She remembered the Brewers. How easily they found the Isaribi in the secret routes of Teiwaz. How it resulted in lethal battles among the debris.

She remembered the funeral.

The thought about a traitor on board had crossed Aoi's mind not once, but it seemed illogical to distrust anyone. In fact, the pilot girl was the last one to join Tekkadan which technically made her the perfect suspect. Only Merribit Stapleton entered the team after, but the drinking test and obvious will to cooperate in saving Takaki's life proved her loyalty.

Fumitan Admoss, however, was always there, from the very beginning. With the immunity from any suspects because of her close relationship with Kudelia. With the access to any information because of her skills.

Trustworthy in every sense of the word.

At this very moment, the name of Gordon Nobliss recurred in Aoi's memory, sending chills through her blood system. She didn't know another Martian of similar resources and status who could be capable of organizing such sophisticated crime.

She knew enough about him to suggest the worst intentions regarding one rebel princess escorted by the expandable amateurs.

The maid is a professional. There won't be any proves to her possibly sabotage activity. I'll fail to convince everyone that she's a traitor. There must be another way. The violent one.

Aoi glanced at the bridge once again, preparing to cross it in a couple of smooth quiet jumps and get to the maid before she could utter a sound.

Instead, the pilot girl stepped back as fast as possible.

Frozen, rethinking her plan.

She noticed that Fumitan was observing a small piece of jewelry, a pendant on a golden chain. Blank face kept no emotion, as usual, but the stillness and apathy of her posture spoke up louder than any words.

That pendant certainly had a sentimental value for the young woman.

And Aoi could swear she often saw the similar one around Kudelia's neck.

Now that can be used as leverage. No need to go all wild.

She stormed inside the room, locked the door behind her and covered the distance between them in two swift leaps.

Deep in thoughts, Fumitan was clearly caught off guard by the sudden attack. Aoi shook the maid out of the chair right on the floor. Then, she jumped over, to press the older woman against the steel surface with her weight. In the next moment, her right arm coiled around Fumitan's neck.

The swift and silent fight took only several seconds.

"So, my guess is that Gordon Nobliss wants our princess dead. With your friendly help, no less." The pilot girl hissed, trying to seat comfortably on the maid's narrow back. "Now the question is - where and when?"

Fumitan was silent. She didn't struggle anymore, but Aoi reckoned that the maid was just gathering her strength and thinking out new strategy.

Time was short.

"Talk." Aoi's right arm squeezed Fumitan's throat. "Help me to help you, and nobody gets hurt. Except Gordon Nobliss."

The maid's hips pranced hard, trying to shake the girl off.

"Whoa, hold it, you wild pony! Wanna hurt yourself?"

"You're nothing but pathetic, failed experiment. Kill me. It won't change anything. Just let the Young Miss... die peacefully."

Aoi reconsidered her options. The original plan involved exceptional secrecy, but she had to give out something in order to make Fumitan cooperate. A long forgotten name, at least. A small glimpse into the future.

"Fair enough." Aoi pushed her lips right up against an older woman's ear. "I'll give you a name, then. Just between us, girls."

The softest whisper resonated in her ears more powerfully than a sacred spell. Or a mighty curse.

Fumitan Admoss closed her eyes. "Impossible. That name was buried more than a decade ago."

"But the body never was. Alive and kicking, if you ask me."

"Prove."

"Ask Subaru. He spent all those years on the asteroid for a reason. And, as I've heard, it's easy to seduce him into talking."

Another kind of silence filled the room. Fumitan Admoss was obviously weighing her options. There weren't many: to continue dirty work for Nobliss and end up with Kudelia murder; or to side with a stranger and let the unknown happen.

Some people would escape the unknown at any cost.

Thankfully, Fumitan Admoss valued Kudelia's life too much.

The maid breathed out quietly. "Then, just between us - Gordon Nobliss is arranging Young Miss' assassination during the upcoming rebellion on Dort 2."

Aoi released the maid and sat right there on the floor, not able to comprehend all the information at once. "What's his plan?"

"I don't know. My only job is to bring her there." Fumitan slowly stood up, dusted herself down and occupied the nearest chair.

"And?" Aoi glanced up at her.

"Young Miss... expressed willingness to go shopping at Dort 3." The maid pursed up her lips.

"That doesn't fit the scheme."

"Yes."

"Keeping her occupied at Dort 3 until the storm calms down might get you killed." Aoi kept her stare glued to Fumitan's eyes.

"I'm willing to take the risk." The older woman took off her glasses and casually wiped them clean.

"I won't be able to accompany you."

"There's no need. Mr Itsuka asked Mr Augus to escort us, just in case." She put the glasses back.

Aoi relaxed a bit. Mikazuki's heightened instincts, including his sense of danger, were reliable enough.

"Good. What do you know about that rebellion?"

"Nothing. Probably, some terrorists pulling the strings." Fumitan shrugged.

"Really? You seriously think that Tekkadan going to Dort 2 for delivery task and Kudelia's assassination planned at the same place is a coincidence?"

"I personally informed Nobliss of the exact destination."

"Don't play dumb, then. The rebellion starting straight after Kudelia's arrival? Sounds like someone bigger than terrorists pulling the strings. Really bigger."

"I... guess so."

Aoi preferred to keep quiet about possible Nobliss' allies, whether they were Teiwaz or Gjallarhorn. Perhaps, Fumitan had her own guesses but she certainly didn't know for sure. Which meant the uselessness of further discussion.

"I have to inform Orga." The pilot girl stated.

"Please, do not." It didn't sound like a plea, though. More like an order.

"Why the fuck not?"

"It won't change anything. Tekkadan will stop at Dort 2 anyway to complete the job. The rebellion is inevitable. Young Miss will be safer at Dort 3. We can handle this together. Just the two of us."

"And Kudelia will never know about your betrayal." Aoi narrowed her eyes.

"And Mr Itsuka will never know about your... Gjallarhorn connection." Fumitan narrowed hers in return.

Aoi felt trapped in the mutual blackmail plot. She didn't trust Fumitan enough to team up with her, but it seemed there was no other way to cooperate.

Why it has always to be about trust?..

"Just the two of us, then. Hope, it'll work out."

"Always a pleasure to deal with you." A sarcastic hint was hard to miss in the maid's voice.

Aoi tried her best at mimicking the intonation. "Likewise."


The interrogation of Fumitan had awakened a new kind of worry in Aoi.

Willingly or not, Kudelia Aina Bernstein disturbed the fragile balance in the Solar system. Dominant forces faltered and shifted, trying to shut her voice down. Searching for new sources of power.

The young girl became a catalyst to cosmic changes. Martian half-metal deposits were one reason for that but certainly not the single. Not even the main.

Because of immense greed and corruption, the economy was failing systematically in every area from Jupiter to Earth. The very model of colonialism had already proven itself inhuman and destructive. And yet, the lesson obviously had not been learned.

Aoi had been told it would happen sooner or later, but at the time she could care less.

At that time, it hadn't been personal to her.

The pilot girl took her usual spot at the lower deck, floating cross-legged up in the air higher than usual, watching the stars flickering in slow motion.

The rebellion... Gjallarhorn, stifling it... Nobliss is obviously staging Kudelia's death, turning her into innocent victim, into martyr. It will probably cause even more rebellions, everywhere. And that means more jobs to Gjallarhorn. And more money to Nobliss. But is that his only goal?.. Or?..

"Watcha looking at?" Orga's deep voice pulled her out of the never-ending circle of thoughts.

She glanced down. His smirk, somehow both comforting and irritating, took a bit of a burden off her heart.

"Orga... Make sure I'll end up there." Aoi said quietly, nodding at the black emptiness of space. "No need for extra stuff, though. I'll be good on my own, without flowers and shit."

That wiped his smirk away.

That sent him in a slow drift towards her.

Large hand squeezed her shoulder; the other one gripped the ledge on the wall, breaking the momentum.

Narrowed eyes glared down at her; heated, gleaming, melted gold. "Will send you there myself, if needed."

Aoi bowed her head in appreciation.

His face was reflecting in the starry window, as they both levitated in zero gravity.

"Why now?" Low voice resonated throughout her body, making the girl shiver.

"I think I underestimated your mission, how close to impossible it is. I'm starting to think that not all of us will make it out... alive. That I might not survive it." She inhaled deeply, eyes fluttering shut. Warm, manly scent heated her insides. "Orga... I'm not used to contemplating my own death. Dying before reaching the goal seems... unproductive."

Orga nodded. "Same here. It's do or die. For us, space rats, it's never been different." His thumb delicately caressed her cheek, bringing their faces closer. "I can't offer you safety. Not yet. But one day... I'll find a place for all of us. Promise."

Her lips parted in a sad smile. "Do you know what happens in the afterlife?"

"Simple." His voice dropped down an octave. "You go to heaven after death. Where you can meet everyone."

She glanced at the stars, still and silent in the black abyss of space. "Heaven's not an option."

"Why?"

She ignored his inquiry, hypnotized by the infinite eternity behind the transparent panel. "But I'd love to reborn as a Gundam if I had a choice. A sharp doubtless blade. A solid aegis without hesitance. A perfect weapon."

"You already are." Warmth encompassed her, as long fingers slowly stroked her shoulders, tentatively maneuvered along the stiff spine down to the sensitive lower back.

"Then, only hell awaits me."

Orga firmly gripped her shoulders, his hard stare burned deep down into her very soul. "We're bonded, remember? Heaven or hell, we walk together. Always."

His hands radiated heat even through the layers of clothes. Aoi felt captured by his gaze, like a midge encased in glowing amber.

Silence, velvety, deafening, draped over them as they rotated slowly in an entangled embrace.

Why wait any longer for the one you love

When he's standing in front of you

Orga's lips were unexpectedly soft and tender, in sheer contrast to his usually intimidating attitude. He caressed her mouth so gently, in such soothing, almost friendly manner, that at first Aoi remained motionless, compelled just to take in all the comfort and coziness of his kiss.

Then, her eyes fluttered shut seemingly on their own.

Then, her mouth parted slightly, allowing his warmth to infiltrate deeper, to surround her lips with persistent softness.

Then, her fingers slid up the back of his neck to run through the soft mess of silvery hair, to tug lightly on the stray bangs, bringing him closer.

More...

Orga's warm tongue delicately touched her upper lip, slowly traced it, thoroughly wetting tender skin.

She mimicked the actions, drawing out her own tongue a bit and tentatively licking his soft and slightly salty mouth.

Their moistened lips pressed against each other, melting in perfectly sweet harmony, embracing the appeasing silence.

Aoi had never felt so alive and so unreal at the same time.

Orga pulled her lower lip between his and gently sucked it in, leaving her breathless, sightless, mindless.

His mouth pressed harder on hers, and Aoi echoed with a needy moan, not able to resist the hot pleasure swirling in her belly anymore.

As answering that moan, Orga's tongue slid into her mouth.

More!

Aoi caught his tongue and sucked on it, hard. Orga tensed.

His body went rigid in her arms.

Only for a split second, though.

Then, he forced his fully opened mouth on hers.

Then, his lips moved in a hectic trail around her face, mouth, cheeks, neck. Not soft and gentle but powerful, dominating, demanding. Burning her skin with fervent passion.

Then, his right hand got into her hair, freeing black strands from the messy bun, and grasped the back of her head tightly, keeping it steady as his mouth found hers to sting with raw kisses.

Then, his left hand gripped her buttocks, bringing their bodies impossibly closer.

In zero gravity, there was no difference between up and down. Between right and wrong.

Overwhelmed with the extreme desire, deafened with the roaring staccato of her own pulse, Aoi groaned into Orga's mouth loudly.

Her legs wrapped around his hips tightly, closing the space between them, connecting the heat and the hard.

Desperate to sate this unfamiliar need, she grounded her hips against his, making him gasp in response.

"Or...ga..." Aoi moaned shamelessly. "I want more..."

"I know." He breathed out against her lips.

"Give me..."

Stubborn lips burned her forehead in a silent reminder of their pledge.

"Anything."