Episode 23: A Precarious Quiet
As the mysterious events in the Canadian Territories drifts farther down the river of time, the concern to discover its source also died away. The investigation drew to a close, and the United Earth once again focused its attention on itself.
However, there were a select few who kept their eyes to the heavens; waiting and planning for when whatever, or whoever, was out there to play their hand…
Offices of the Advisor, New Richmond
"So, I hear you've been boning up on the recovered files found on Calnus's ship." Kiron noted, meanwhile his eyes perusing the holographic display in front of him.
Aelan nodded, and replied, "I was trying to figure out why he was here. For what reason would an Edenite general so far away from home? I have uncovered considerable data." Aelan then noticed the holo display, and asked, "What is that?"
"A scan of Relena's child." Kiron replied, "She has had some concerns as of late. Remember just a generation or so ago, all those people having problems with natural childbirth?"
Aelan nodded. The problems had starting emerging not long after they had arrived. "Relena was concerned that she might have similar problems."
"Utilizing past records, I was able to discern that there was a sudden genetic flaw in most humans physiology that caused the reproductive disorder. Fortunately, she does not seem to carry this trait."
Aelan's eyes narrowed, and Kiron was somewhat taken aback by the Advisor's next question, "Could that error have been intentional?"
"Intentional?"
"A programmed genetic flaw in order to keep population in check." Aelan suggested.
Kiron gave Aelan a confused stare, then queried, "Where in the heavens did you come up with that?"
Aelan smirked slightly, then shook his head, "Nowhere in particular. Just a quirky thought that came about in Calnus's records." Without saying any more, Aelan strode out of the sickbay, and back into the office hall.
Kiron only stood in stunned disbelief, his formidable mind mulling over the recent bizarre line of questioning.
Balora_99: So when you're not flying around, just what do you do in that office?
Trowa pondered the question for a brief moment, then tapped in a reply…
King_Triton200: Nothing much… we basically sit at computers in the side offices, and pretend to do work.
Balora_99: While actually chatting with friends over the CableNet?
King_Triton200: Something like that…
Balora_99: And Advisor Marcus doesn't mind?
King_Triton200: Even he admits that we're only here for show when there isn't a mission. It's rather boring, but we need to be ready for anything.
Balora_99: So are you gonna stop by later? I have a nice meal cooking.
King_Triton200: I'll do all I can. Actually…
Balora_99: Another mission just come up? Still investigating that strange beam?
King_Triton200: Aelan is chatting it up with Kiron right now… I might be able to sneak out. Aelan wouldn't be that bothered…
Balora_99: I'll have everything ready.
Trowa slid out of his chair, and looked over at Duo, who seemed to be engrossed in a conversation of his own. "Duo, if Aelan asks, I just stepped out for a bit."
The American merely shooed Trowa away with a flick of the hand, obviously unconcerned with what Trowa planned to do. However, as Trowa snuck out of the offices, he didn't see a pair of orange eyes around the corner, eyeing the Heavyarms pilot warily…
When Trowa returned a couple of hours later, he nearly jumped back. Aelan was standing in the doorway, his arms crossed, his eyes burning angrily. "Did you enjoy yourself, Mr. Barton?"
Vivid images of the destruction of Juggernaut came to mind, and Trowa really didn't like the idea of Aelan tearing into HIM. Trowa silently pondered how long the effects of the Eternal System lingered, gauging how safe to play this scenario.
"I just left for lunch…"
"That's not what I'm talking about." Aelan hissed, "I was more referring to a certain conversation over the CableNet. Don't you realize that all conversations over the cables are recorded? DO YOU TAKE ME FOR A FOOL?"
Trowa panicked. "Listen… it's all right… If you think I'm letting out secrets… I'm NOT! She already knew!"
That obviously wasn't the right thing to say. "THEN WHO TOLD HER?" Aelan fumed, "DUO! I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN! HE'S THE ONLY ONE WITH THAT BIG OF A MOUTH!"
Aelan turned away, and Trowa lunged forward, "NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! It's not Duo! He didn't do anything! Please, just leave him be! Balora_99 is…"
At that point, Aelan burst into laughter. When he finally calmed, he chuckled, "I'm sorry, I just had to rattle you a little. Stoic little Trowa was even beginning to creep ME out. Balora_99 is Amore, I know. I tracked down her screen name."
Aelan then stared down at Trowa, and smirked, "I'm just upset that you didn't tell me you have a new girlfriend."
Trowa sputtered. "G…G…Girl… Friend? NO! It's nothing like that!" Trowa regained his composure, now sure that Aelan meant nobody any harm, and replied, "After the Battle of Eden, I got to know her more. Amore and I have a lot in common."
As quickly as he had erupted in laughter, Aelan was serious once again. "I know what you mean. Sometimes it's nice to have someone who knows the path you've taken… just to talk to. Anyway, I suggest you get back to your post. Poor Duo had simply been overwhelmed playing bridge all by his lonesome, and he left the side offices abandoned…"
Meanwhile…
Nothing had been as he had expected. Miliardo had expected a warm welcome, but he was quickly put in his place. To be honest, he had somewhat anticipated Advisor Marcus to play fair. He hadn't really thought that he'd get Phantom, but it had been worth it to ask.
What really had knocked him for a loop was Noin. She had always admired him; she had been willing to anything for a response from him. Now, she had totally cut him off. He had been prepared to expose all his feelings, and she had just brushed him aside without a thought.
'She's learned that she doesn't need me. That's exactly what I was trying to get her to do, so why am I so upset about it?' He thought as he slowly took the stairs down to the hangar bays.
He slowly walked by the Gundam Pilots, so immersed in his thoughts that he didn't even notice Heero approach him. "I wouldn't worry. Once you begin to show your skills, you will quickly move up in the ranks."
Of all the Gundam Pilots, Heero was probably the one Miliardo was most comfortable with. It was rather ironic that even as his hated enemy, Heero was the pilot that Miliardo respected most. However, Miliardo's concerns had nothing to do with piloting. "It's about Noin."
"I see. Now that you've realized your feelings, she's not at all interested." Heero commented. Despite appearing so cold, Miliardo had suspected that Heero was quite in tune with matters of the heart. Then he did something that was not at all like Heero.
He made a joke.
"The trick is to reel your stalker in while she still wants you." Heero smirked.
Heero's sudden attitude change REALLY sent Miliardo reeling… Noin not interested in him, Heero making wisecracks… it was almost too much for the Lightning Count.
"I can't handle this…" Miliardo groaned, then rushed forward to meet Noin. She was in the second set of hangars, in front of her mobile suit Cygnus. Looking at Cygnus made Miliardo look forward to working in North Am, Aelan definitely knew how to design a mobile suit.
"Noin…" He said softly, hoping to get her attention.
She turned ever so slightly, just barely looking at him out of the corner of her eye. "Can I help you, Mr. Peacecraft?"
Such formal use of his name stung in his chest like a gunshot. "Can you just answer one question?" He gulped.
"I suppose, but make it quick. I have to get back to modifying my suit."
"What do you think of me?" He asked uncertainly.
The way that he asked that question nearly made Noin's heart jump out of her chest. He was truly unsure of how Noin felt about him. 'And that's right where I want him…' Noin smiled. It was about time that the prey became the predator.
She turned to face Miliardo, then approached him slowly, "What do I think of you?" She asked, stopping mere inches from him, staring into his face. Miliardo's eyes gleamed as if his very immortal soul was trying to plead from them. Noin's smile softened, and she flushed, then brought her right hand back slowly…
Miliardo had expected that Noin would probably be mad that he had waited so long to tell her he's alive. After all, this was the second time he had left her in the dark about that particular subject. As she reared back, Miliardo closed his eyes in anticipation of a swift slap across his face.
Noin punched him instead. In a very tender area…
The four pilots had followed Miliardo, but had kept their distance so as not to disturb the moment. They saw Noin pull back, then swing her fist forward. Mere seconds later, the four pilots crossed their legs in a shared pain as Miliardo fell to his knees.
"That's what happens when you don't wear a cup…" Duo moaned.
Wufei uttered, "The ultimate injustice to a man… only a woman could act with such dishonor."
"That just wasn't very nice…" Quatre squeaked, "Miss Noin… I'm surprised at you."
19:00 hours, EST…
Aelan rode the elevator down to the ground floor, and stepped out right behind a large mob of office staff. As he proceeded past the desk where the secretaries were packing up their belongings, they eyed the advisor in a state just shy of disbelief. Aelan tried to ignore them, but decided he had enough. The people in the elevator had stared at him in the same way. "Me leaving at the end of the day with everyone else isn't THAT unusual… is it?" He asked in an exasperated tone.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the rest of the North Am Elite Unit approach, minus Heero, who had left with Relena a few hours before to head to the hospital for a routine checkup. He noticed that Miliardo was walking with a slight limp, but decided not to ask.
"Actually, my dear friend, it is quite unusual. Judging from the timeclocks, you have been here every night until an average of 22:15 hours." Noin said flatly, "The earliest you have ever left this office is just shy of 21:00, and only because I stuck around late, and MADE you leave."
"So, needless to say, Aelan, my friend…" Duo added, "Leaving on time perks some attention. What's up that has you cutting out early?"
"Personal business." Aelan answered, flipping down a pair of sunglasses, "And I will not say any more on the subject." The advisor turned indignantly, and started to march out the door.
But not before Trowa commented, "Say hello to Lady Une for me."
Aelan stopped dead in his tracks, and even the rest of the Elite Unit was stunned into immobility. No doubt several had many things to say, but their jaws were in a stubborn way, and refused to cooperate, content with trying to stretch to the floor.
Without turning in Trowa's direction, Aelan merely stated, "I'll do that." And finally left the offices without further intrusion. Trowa followed suit, leaving the assembly to remain, motionless…
Dining District, New Richmond
Aelan was firmly convinced that the lighting was simply too dim to be appropriate. He had tried to ignore the overtones, but adding the fact that Une had suggested this fine dining facility caused the advisor to become somewhat defensive.
Une seemed to catch onto Aelan's discomfort, "When I was here yesterday afternoon, it wasn't like this, I swear."
Sighing, Aelan replied, "I believe you. I really should relax somewhat. It's not like you're going to eat me…"
With a playful grin, Une retorted, "If you make those little anxious eyes a few more times, I might be tempted…"
The North Am advisor reeled back, bumping against the back of his booth, causing Une to laugh politely. "Don't get so uptight, Aelan. I just find your eyes… interesting. I did a little bit of study, and supposedly orange isn't a common Edenite color, either."
The change in topic didn't seem to calm Aelan, as a matter of fact, he seemed a little more defensive than before. "No… Edenite irises usually are various hues of red, grey, or violet. There have not been many with orange eyes."
"Did you know of any?"
"It's extremely rare. The only one that I ever knew was my father."
Une leaned forward, "That ties into something I've wanted to ask you for some time now. What was your family like? Was it so bad that you volunteered to leave Eden?"
Aelan then glared at her, causing Une to pull back again. "I was chosen to leave, under some heavy influence of Kiron's. As for my family, I do not wish to discuss them."
Une gasped, then asked, "Was it really that bad?"
"It wasn't bad at all… I just don't like talking about my parents."
"Aelan… what happened? Obviously, SOMETHING wasn't right."
Aelan sighed. As much as he hated recalling that time, he was under the suspicion that Une would just keep nagging him until either he told her or he got angry. Deciding that he didn't want to lose a friend, Aelan took a deep breath, and said softly, "I didn't know my mother that well, she died when I was young. As for my father, his name was Talor…"
Next time…
It is a flashback of sorts as Aelan's first months as a Tenant of Eden. After the death of his wife, things don't get much better, as he is ordered to investigate his own father for possible treason.
Coming in Episode 24: Memories left Behind- A New Life Awaiting