Chapter Three: The Gundams Return

Chapter Three: The Gundams Return


"It's our Gundams! Sandrock and HeavyArms," Quatre exclaimed with child-like wonder, emoting everyone's similar feelings.
"Nataku," Wufei breathed as he spotted his own Gundam and immediately went for the towrope to take him up to the cockpit. Trowa and Quatre did the same.
"Your Gundams are on the other. Come on," Lucrezia told Duo and Heero, motioning for them to follow.

She took them over to the other freighter herself. Zechs had already unloaded Tallgeese 3 and was headed towards the hanger. The other two jumped in theirs' and started them up. Heero felt the familiar Zero System take hold of his mind. The Gundams one by one entered until they had all formed a line. Zechs and the others gathered at the base of the black one, awaiting the pilot. The guys milled around, wondering what was happening.

"What's going on? They won't come down," Quatre asked and Noin nodded.

The hatch opened just then and the towrope was thrown over the side. A person began their decent and the guys watched with curiosity. They hung on by one hand and rather limply was their effort. Suddenly, they just let go and began to fall towards the floor. Heero moved the fasted and caught them, both going down in a heap. He raised his head to find a young woman draped over his chest. She was hurting that much was certain. He picked himself up off the floor and then lifted her in his arms to carry out.

"That pilot...she's a girl," Duo looked just as stunned as the rest.
"We'll answer all your questions," Noin spoke softly as the group left.

* * *

Heero looked wistfully as Mrs. Laning saw to their injured guest. Her ribs were heavily bruised and the housekeeper had seen to wrapping them herself. She was now tucked into bed, freshly bathed and clothed. She slept peacefully with the aid of a pill.

"I bet you're wondering who she is," Noin entered the room and sided up to him. He never took his eyes from the girl.
"How does a girl pilot a Gundam like that is more the question on my mind."
"Her name is Naryn Hopewell and she was trained just like the rest of you. She comes from the Earth Colony on Sierra 4, an orphan."
"Well, we at least have that in common."
"She just lost her entire planet to alien invaders. We were only able to escape with the Gundams and our small crew."
"So, why are you here then?"
"The aliens are coming for Earth next."

Heero turned his head finally to look at her sharply, blue eyes blazing with discontent. Another war after so many years of peace? Would it never end for them?

"So, we get to fight for our lives now."
"Yes. We knew only the combined might of the Gundam team would stop them, but only you guys could properly pilot them too. We had no choice once we found out their plans."
"Of course."
"So, you'll fight with us then, Heero?"
"I have a son now. I have to protect him at all cost from any threat."

Noin nodded silently to that. He wasn't agreeing as a soldier, but as a father. It was a noble and heartening response. Perhaps there was a warm heart that beat under his cold exterior that had yet to be seen.

"Is she a good pilot," he suddenly asked and Noin smiled. It was a typical male response, especially coming from him.
"She was the only one to master the Zero System. If we hadn't built ShadowSong, she would be piloting Wing Zero."
"So, she's good."

Lucrezia laughed. She knew him well enough to know he was skeptical of anyone's abilities until they proved themselves. In Naryn's case, she had a lot to prove in order to pass the test. He walked out and went to the library downstairs. There he found the other guys talking. They all seemed excited by the reappearance of their Gundams. He wondered if they realized yet why they had returned.

"How is she," Quatre asked, showing concern in his gently manner.
"She's got some nasty looking bruised ribs, but otherwise she'll be OK. Apparently she was hit by debris before boarding," he reported as he sat.
"Now, who is she? That good-looking of a woman must have a name," Duo smiled.
"Naryn Hopewell. She hails from a forgotten Earth colony on Sierra 4."
"I remember something about that project many years ago."
"What do you remember?"
"Well, before the Space colonies came about, the government had a program to search for new planets to house humans. I guess they must have found at least one."
"Yeah, the one and only. Aliens just overran it. Those crew members and Naryn are the only known survivors."
"Her family is gone," Wufei spoke up from his perch by the fireplace.
"She was an orphan, in the salvage business as a pilot," Heero replied.
"My kind of girl," Duo chimed in.
"You have Hilde," Quatre reminded him with a pointed finger.
"Well, I can look, right!"
"She's not much to look at right now while all busted up. Go easy on her with your attentions, Duo."
"OK, I'll play nice."
"Why did they rebuild the Gundams, Heero," Trowa got back to the subject.
"I guess to fight on Sierra 4, but they never got the chance. Now, I'm afraid we do."
"The aliens are headed to Earth then."
"Exactly. They ravage planets of their natural resources, including the populating species. The Gundams are the only defense now after the disarmament after the war."

The door opened a crack before it swung wide to reveal a sleep-eyed Keno. He ran up and crawled into his father's lap, favorite blankee trailing behind. Heero cradled him in his arms and wrapped him up to keep him warm. Soon he was back to sleep. The guys seemed general enchanted.

"This must be the next generation of Yuy," Duo smiled easily, seeing the resemblance.
"Meet Keno, my son," Heero introduced them.
"Well, I think he's got the right ideal. I'm headed off to bed myself. Good night everyone."

They all filtered out and to their respective guestrooms. Heero took Keno with him and put the boy in his own bed for the night, hoping the company would keep the nightmares of their missing loved one at bay.