Chapter Eight: Test Flight

Chapter Eight: Test Flight

Heero finished strapping himself into the harness of Wing Zero and fired up the Gundam's engines and systems. The Zero System connected with his mind, much gentler than the old one. He followed the others out until the entire team stood on the tarmac together. He was concerned to see Naryn among them, considering her injuries.

"Well, hotshot! Let's see what you're made of," she issued her little taunt over the comm and went airborne immediately. Wing Zero gave chase with the others.
"She's fast," Wufei replied, a bit surprised.
"Wheeee! The Great Destroyer is back," Duo exclaimed, in his own little world.
"Catch her, Heero! Don't let a girl get the best of you," Quatre teased as Sandrock kept pace.
"She's mine," he said with a smirk as Wing Zero's burners kicked into the next gear.

Naryn knew when he put his mind to it, Heero would put her through her paces. She dodged as he came from behind, white-feathered wings obscuring her view momentarily. He zoomed ahead until she turned up her burners more. Then ShadowSong kept it's own, flying alongside its brethren easily.

"Objective is to clear up some of this debris for easier visibility," Heero stated as he took command when the team reached outer space.
"Quatre, Trowa; you two take the left. Duo, Wufei; the right. I see an asteroid field with my name on it," Naryn replied.
"Don't you mean our names," Heero asked.
"Oh sure, you can come along. If you think you can keep up."
"Who got here first?"

She was already moving again, beam saber at the ready. He realized now where he had seen that design before. It was very similar to Epyon. Zechs must have located Treze's files along with the others. He flew ahead to catch up.

"Leave some of the larger pieces for shelter if needed. The Talkins are big on beam cannons with medium range, so if we can get away it would be wise," she reported.
"We're just finding old mobile suit parts here," Quatre said.
"Same here," Wufei confirmed.

A blast to her left temporarily distracted her as Wing Zero's buster rifle fired. Half the asteroid field exploded into fine dust. She heat whipped a large piece into fourths before a swipe of her beam saber vaporized it all.

"Geez, Yuy! Leave a girl some fun, will ya!"
"Quit talking and start working," was the stern command.
"Well, yes sir!"

Naryn went after a huge piece of slag and was suddenly fired upon. The shot was small and did no damage, but it pushed ShadowSong away. She gathered her wits to see an enemy shuttle trying to leave the area fast. This time, their shots were more concussive and she jerked around before regaining control. The harness cut into her ribs and she seethed hastily.

"Naryn! Are you all right," Quatre was calling.
"Yeah. It's an alien shuttle! They're spying on Earth!"
"Hang on, sister! We're on our way," Duo replied.

She took ShadowSong away from the front-line, dodging shots. The guys went in, Quatre staying behind to cover her. Wing Zero gave chase the hardest, although Heero's voice was nowhere to be heard on the comm mixed in with the others. He fired and the shuttle couldn't maneuver to miss the explosive wide blast. It blew up easily. Wufei scouted for more in the area. Duo found a transmissions satellite on an asteroid near the shuttle's hiding spot. One mighty slash of Deathscythe's beam scythe and it was destroyed too.

"Head back to base," Heero instructed and they did as told.

Once the Gundams had landed and returned to the hanger, the pilots powered down and disembarked. Naryn held on to the towrope with one hand again, the other across her aching ribs. She stepped off to be surrounded by the others. Duo being closest offered a shoulder to lean on, placing a comforting arm around her. Heero watched her hiss with the pain, but remained quiet. She glanced at him though and could read the concern on his smooth features. He cared, but he wasn't going to make a scene. Keno ran out then to be swept up in his arms and the boy was chattering away to find out about his father's adventure.

"We need to talk," Zechs came from the operations room and looked directly at his ward, Naryn.