Lady Starfarer
By KatLady86
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing (not that I'd mind...). All I own is Minami Kamikaze Yoshiro and this story. Don't flame me; out of marshmallows. Other comments are appreciated.
Mina sat bolt upright, gasping for air. She looked around frantically, desperate to know where she was. At that moment, all her wounds twinged and she fell back onto the bed; her whole body throbbing in pain. After a few minutes, she sat up again, slower this time. It was a hospital room, that was plain enough. White sheets, white hospital gown, white curtains, white ceiling, white floor…it was almost enough to drive Mina insane. She squinted against the glare of light on all the snow-colored surfaces. After her eyes adjusted, she spotted a vase of a dozen red roses on the bed-side table. Reaching as far as her injuries would permit, she just managed to grasp the tiny card that accompanied the flowers.
Flipping it open, she read: "My Dearest Mina-chan, That was very stupid of you back there. You could have gotten yourself killed! What were you thinking?! I'm so proud of you…You know that, don't you? Keep safe and well until the idiot doctors will allow me in to see you. It seems you could be God himself and these fools wouldn't let you in to see a patient 'until they're absolutely, one hundred percent stable'. I keep telling them you're the most stable person I know, but they won't listen. (Stop laughing, it's the truth and you know it.)"
Mina paused for a moment to smother her giggles, then continued to read the note. "Anyway, my dear, dear friend, I will be in to see you as soon as possible. As always, yours with love and friendship,
Zechs"
She smiled, read the card twice over, then folded it neatly and put it back with the flowers. Leaning back, she wondered where everyone was, what they were doing. Were they thinking of her? Perhaps…a comforting thought. She closed her eyes, then jerked sharply as she realized line after line of code was scrolling before her eyes. "But…," she whispered, voice shaky, "I only see that…with Starfarer…and she's…But what if…" Gritting her teeth, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and moved a step at a time to the window. Looking out, she could just see mobile suit Hanger 5 over the tops of the trees. "They're rebuilding her…," she murmured. "I don't know how they're doing it, but they're rebuilding her! Oh God…she's still alive…"
She sighed contentedly and shoved the window up to let in some fresh air. The soft breeze lifted her hair gently up and tossed it about briefly. For a reason she couldn't name, she grinned then laughed, shaking her head so her hair swirled around.
"Hello, Mina," came a soft voice from the doorway.
She froze and spun around, wincing. "Mil? That you?"
He nodded. "Mhm. The doctors finally let me in to see you."
"Is this the hospital on the base?"
"Yes. It was the closest one we could find."
"We? Have the others been to see me?"
"Yes…although they didn't stay long…but I'm sure you understand that…"
Mina's mouth quirked at the corners. "Of course…you don't stay where they can find you…I'd imagine the Kuro Senshi are not very happy right now."
Zechs shook his head. "You have no idea. It seems their leader, a General Tajari, has been sending me nasty-grams for several days now, demanding to know if the Preventers or myself had anything to do with the attack on the base. As of now…I've not replied to any of said messages."
Mina grinned wider. "Wonder why not. You do realize you're making a serious enemy, here."
Zechs shrugged. "If not now, then later. I see no point in prolonging the inevitable. Would you…like me to invite them in?"
Mina stood up straighter. "You mean…they're here? All of them? Right now?"
Zechs nodded. "Yes…I wanted to be sure…that you were ready…They said you were stable…but…I didn't want…"
Mina smiled compassionately. "I understand. I really want to see them…but first I have to ask you something. How are you rebuilding Starfarer?"
Zechs looked startled, then calmed down. "I…I thought you might know somehow. We…you see…I had them hack your computer…the little silver one?"
Mina frowned and glared at him, then her face brightened. "You don't know what any of it means, do you?"
He shook his head. "I have no idea. None of the techs can figure it out, either. They know what wire goes where, but they don't know what it does. But then…you knew we couldn't understand it…What does it mean, Mina-chan?"
She smiled, a soft secret smile. "I don't think I'm going to tell you , Mil. I'm the only person alive who can read that code. It's better that way. What people don't know, they can't be forced to tell. When Starfarer dies and I die, her secret dies with me. She's deadly technology, Zechs. She shouldn't have been made in the first place."
"But she has!", Zechs protested.
"Yes…she has…but that doesn't mean she shouldn't have…and now I live with it…by being sure there is never another Starfarer again. She is the first…and the last…and the only…Lady Starfarer."
Zechs stood there for a moment, absorbing all that his friend had said. "If that is what you want, Mina-chan, then that is what you shall have. I won't stop you. Do you…should I send them in now?"
"Yes, Mil. I want to see them again. Please…let them in."
He nodded and slipped out of the room. Several moments later, there was the sound of loud voices out in the hall. Feet pounded on the linoleum and five people tried to fit through a door made for one all at the same time. Mina laughed and went over to the bed, sitting down and toying with one of the roses in the vase. She didn't want any of them to know how much the short walk to the window and back had pained her.
"So…how are you doing?", Quatre asked, having managed to slip through the pack in the door frame. He sat down on the bed beside her and smiled, then frowned and brushed a bandage on her cheek with his fingertips. "That's strange…the last time it was me wearing the bandages…Somehow…it doesn't look very good on either of us…Sad, neh?"
"Yeah…" Mina whispered. "Sad…"
"Like I was saying…how are you?", he repeated. "I'm sure that sounds pretty stupid…"
"I'm…better…thank you…" Then they both laughed, recalling how similar this was to their first meeting. By this time, the others had forced through and were in the room.
"I fail to see what's so funny about this," Heero said in his usual monotone.
"Lighten up, Yuy," Minami said and threw a small paper cup at him. It bounced neatly off his forehead, and Duo snickered. "Anybody know how long I've been here?"
The pilots looked at each other a moment before Wufei answered, "A week." Mina sat back, stunned. In response to some of the glares, he replied, "What? Yoshiro is a smart girl; she would have gotten it out of someone sooner or later. There is no point in hiding things from her. If we didn't tell her now, she'd kill us when she discovered we'd withheld it from her. I don't think any wish to face the wrath of Minami Kamikaze Yoshiro; who if I remember correctly, has one of the highest kill counts in all of the colonies. Anybody want to keep secrets from her now?"
Trowa smirked. "You always did know just what to say to make us feel better. Any other prophecies of doom for us?"
Wufei paused. "No, not right now. I'll let you know if I come up with any later, though."
Trowa sighed, irritated, while the other pilots laughed. Mina shook her head. "You guys are hopeless. Guess that's why I like you." She thought a moment about her dream, where the six of them had journeyed to a place where they alone could live…only to be denied their happiness. But…that was a dream. They didn't need to know.
Later that week, the boys arrived with several surprises for her. Quatre, with the aid of Duo's lock-picking skills, got her sketch and painting materials from her apartment and brought them to the hospital. "You said you wanted to do a painting," he reminded her. "I figured there's no time like the present." She thanked him profusely, having to pause several times to brush something from her eyes.
The painting didn't take much time at all, as Mina's brush flew across the canvas with remarkably accurate speed. After a few hours, Quatre's face stared smiling out from picture, blue eyes seeming to glitter. Just as Mina was putting on the finishing touches, Trowa wandered in and stared, mesmerized, at the portrait. "That's…that's beautiful," he whispered. "It looks…just like him…That's…amazing…"
Quatre looked up at him from his chair by the window. "I take it you like it, Trowa," he smiled.
"Do you want it?", Minami asked.
Trowa blinked, startled. "What…did you say?"
"Do you want it? I mean…I've got the sketches…and there's too many paintings in my apartment anyway…and if it really means that much to you…I'd be proud to let you have it."
"You…you mean that?"
"Of course. I've never been more serious."
"I…I…Thank you."
Mina smiled as she handed him the canvas. "Be careful. It's still a little wet."
Trowa nodded, transfixed by what he held. Quatre laughed and got up from his chair to stand beside him. "Trowa…you're staring…"
The other young man stiffened and blushed deeply, while his companion chuckled. "Guess you're sort of an art lover now, hm?" Trowa blushed again.
The second surprise was when, unbeknownst to each other, Quatre and Trowa both planned to play their instruments for Mina. When they discovered the other there with his case and a shocked expression, they did the first thing they thought of; they made it a duet.
Minami sat spellbound as the sound of the flute and violin filled the room, drifting down the hall to entice the nurses from their station. The notes were pure and wonderful, intertwining with each other to create a song that spoke volumes. Mina closed her eyes and let the story pass before them; a story of peace, war, sin, and redemption. Along with the story, she could see the lines of Starfarer's code, and read what she saw. As the song faded into mere echoes of its former self, Mina opened her eyes and came to a decision. It was time.
The next day, Trowa returned to the hospital, to thank Mina privately for letting him have the painting of Quatre. Upon entering the room, he looked around and found her missing. The hospital gown was folded neatly on the bed and a breeze drifted slowly through the open window. Hurrying back out into the hall, he asked the nurses if the female patient in that room had been released. Their answer was no.
While they ran down the corridors trying to find her, Trowa returned to the room, looking over it more carefully. On the floor, there fluttered a small scrap of paper. He picked it up; sketches of himself on one side, and a brief note on the other. He read it over twice, then walked to the window. Leaning forward, Trowa stuck his head out, letting the gentle wind wash over him. Suddenly, he realized something. The necklace, Minami's silver pentagram which had hung around his neck since she gave it to him, was gone. At that moment, her heard the roar of engines and looked out to Hanger 5, where a mobile suit that could only be Starfarer was taking off. It was then that Trowa did something strange. He laughed.
****
That's end of this one, but keep your eyes peeled...I'll get the sequel up ASAP.
Till then, you'll just have to cross your fingers and pray.
Until then,
Ja ne! ^_^ \/
~KatLady86~
By KatLady86
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing (not that I'd mind...). All I own is Minami Kamikaze Yoshiro and this story. Don't flame me; out of marshmallows. Other comments are appreciated.
Mina sat bolt upright, gasping for air. She looked around frantically, desperate to know where she was. At that moment, all her wounds twinged and she fell back onto the bed; her whole body throbbing in pain. After a few minutes, she sat up again, slower this time. It was a hospital room, that was plain enough. White sheets, white hospital gown, white curtains, white ceiling, white floor…it was almost enough to drive Mina insane. She squinted against the glare of light on all the snow-colored surfaces. After her eyes adjusted, she spotted a vase of a dozen red roses on the bed-side table. Reaching as far as her injuries would permit, she just managed to grasp the tiny card that accompanied the flowers.
Flipping it open, she read: "My Dearest Mina-chan, That was very stupid of you back there. You could have gotten yourself killed! What were you thinking?! I'm so proud of you…You know that, don't you? Keep safe and well until the idiot doctors will allow me in to see you. It seems you could be God himself and these fools wouldn't let you in to see a patient 'until they're absolutely, one hundred percent stable'. I keep telling them you're the most stable person I know, but they won't listen. (Stop laughing, it's the truth and you know it.)"
Mina paused for a moment to smother her giggles, then continued to read the note. "Anyway, my dear, dear friend, I will be in to see you as soon as possible. As always, yours with love and friendship,
Zechs"
She smiled, read the card twice over, then folded it neatly and put it back with the flowers. Leaning back, she wondered where everyone was, what they were doing. Were they thinking of her? Perhaps…a comforting thought. She closed her eyes, then jerked sharply as she realized line after line of code was scrolling before her eyes. "But…," she whispered, voice shaky, "I only see that…with Starfarer…and she's…But what if…" Gritting her teeth, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and moved a step at a time to the window. Looking out, she could just see mobile suit Hanger 5 over the tops of the trees. "They're rebuilding her…," she murmured. "I don't know how they're doing it, but they're rebuilding her! Oh God…she's still alive…"
She sighed contentedly and shoved the window up to let in some fresh air. The soft breeze lifted her hair gently up and tossed it about briefly. For a reason she couldn't name, she grinned then laughed, shaking her head so her hair swirled around.
"Hello, Mina," came a soft voice from the doorway.
She froze and spun around, wincing. "Mil? That you?"
He nodded. "Mhm. The doctors finally let me in to see you."
"Is this the hospital on the base?"
"Yes. It was the closest one we could find."
"We? Have the others been to see me?"
"Yes…although they didn't stay long…but I'm sure you understand that…"
Mina's mouth quirked at the corners. "Of course…you don't stay where they can find you…I'd imagine the Kuro Senshi are not very happy right now."
Zechs shook his head. "You have no idea. It seems their leader, a General Tajari, has been sending me nasty-grams for several days now, demanding to know if the Preventers or myself had anything to do with the attack on the base. As of now…I've not replied to any of said messages."
Mina grinned wider. "Wonder why not. You do realize you're making a serious enemy, here."
Zechs shrugged. "If not now, then later. I see no point in prolonging the inevitable. Would you…like me to invite them in?"
Mina stood up straighter. "You mean…they're here? All of them? Right now?"
Zechs nodded. "Yes…I wanted to be sure…that you were ready…They said you were stable…but…I didn't want…"
Mina smiled compassionately. "I understand. I really want to see them…but first I have to ask you something. How are you rebuilding Starfarer?"
Zechs looked startled, then calmed down. "I…I thought you might know somehow. We…you see…I had them hack your computer…the little silver one?"
Mina frowned and glared at him, then her face brightened. "You don't know what any of it means, do you?"
He shook his head. "I have no idea. None of the techs can figure it out, either. They know what wire goes where, but they don't know what it does. But then…you knew we couldn't understand it…What does it mean, Mina-chan?"
She smiled, a soft secret smile. "I don't think I'm going to tell you , Mil. I'm the only person alive who can read that code. It's better that way. What people don't know, they can't be forced to tell. When Starfarer dies and I die, her secret dies with me. She's deadly technology, Zechs. She shouldn't have been made in the first place."
"But she has!", Zechs protested.
"Yes…she has…but that doesn't mean she shouldn't have…and now I live with it…by being sure there is never another Starfarer again. She is the first…and the last…and the only…Lady Starfarer."
Zechs stood there for a moment, absorbing all that his friend had said. "If that is what you want, Mina-chan, then that is what you shall have. I won't stop you. Do you…should I send them in now?"
"Yes, Mil. I want to see them again. Please…let them in."
He nodded and slipped out of the room. Several moments later, there was the sound of loud voices out in the hall. Feet pounded on the linoleum and five people tried to fit through a door made for one all at the same time. Mina laughed and went over to the bed, sitting down and toying with one of the roses in the vase. She didn't want any of them to know how much the short walk to the window and back had pained her.
"So…how are you doing?", Quatre asked, having managed to slip through the pack in the door frame. He sat down on the bed beside her and smiled, then frowned and brushed a bandage on her cheek with his fingertips. "That's strange…the last time it was me wearing the bandages…Somehow…it doesn't look very good on either of us…Sad, neh?"
"Yeah…" Mina whispered. "Sad…"
"Like I was saying…how are you?", he repeated. "I'm sure that sounds pretty stupid…"
"I'm…better…thank you…" Then they both laughed, recalling how similar this was to their first meeting. By this time, the others had forced through and were in the room.
"I fail to see what's so funny about this," Heero said in his usual monotone.
"Lighten up, Yuy," Minami said and threw a small paper cup at him. It bounced neatly off his forehead, and Duo snickered. "Anybody know how long I've been here?"
The pilots looked at each other a moment before Wufei answered, "A week." Mina sat back, stunned. In response to some of the glares, he replied, "What? Yoshiro is a smart girl; she would have gotten it out of someone sooner or later. There is no point in hiding things from her. If we didn't tell her now, she'd kill us when she discovered we'd withheld it from her. I don't think any wish to face the wrath of Minami Kamikaze Yoshiro; who if I remember correctly, has one of the highest kill counts in all of the colonies. Anybody want to keep secrets from her now?"
Trowa smirked. "You always did know just what to say to make us feel better. Any other prophecies of doom for us?"
Wufei paused. "No, not right now. I'll let you know if I come up with any later, though."
Trowa sighed, irritated, while the other pilots laughed. Mina shook her head. "You guys are hopeless. Guess that's why I like you." She thought a moment about her dream, where the six of them had journeyed to a place where they alone could live…only to be denied their happiness. But…that was a dream. They didn't need to know.
Later that week, the boys arrived with several surprises for her. Quatre, with the aid of Duo's lock-picking skills, got her sketch and painting materials from her apartment and brought them to the hospital. "You said you wanted to do a painting," he reminded her. "I figured there's no time like the present." She thanked him profusely, having to pause several times to brush something from her eyes.
The painting didn't take much time at all, as Mina's brush flew across the canvas with remarkably accurate speed. After a few hours, Quatre's face stared smiling out from picture, blue eyes seeming to glitter. Just as Mina was putting on the finishing touches, Trowa wandered in and stared, mesmerized, at the portrait. "That's…that's beautiful," he whispered. "It looks…just like him…That's…amazing…"
Quatre looked up at him from his chair by the window. "I take it you like it, Trowa," he smiled.
"Do you want it?", Minami asked.
Trowa blinked, startled. "What…did you say?"
"Do you want it? I mean…I've got the sketches…and there's too many paintings in my apartment anyway…and if it really means that much to you…I'd be proud to let you have it."
"You…you mean that?"
"Of course. I've never been more serious."
"I…I…Thank you."
Mina smiled as she handed him the canvas. "Be careful. It's still a little wet."
Trowa nodded, transfixed by what he held. Quatre laughed and got up from his chair to stand beside him. "Trowa…you're staring…"
The other young man stiffened and blushed deeply, while his companion chuckled. "Guess you're sort of an art lover now, hm?" Trowa blushed again.
The second surprise was when, unbeknownst to each other, Quatre and Trowa both planned to play their instruments for Mina. When they discovered the other there with his case and a shocked expression, they did the first thing they thought of; they made it a duet.
Minami sat spellbound as the sound of the flute and violin filled the room, drifting down the hall to entice the nurses from their station. The notes were pure and wonderful, intertwining with each other to create a song that spoke volumes. Mina closed her eyes and let the story pass before them; a story of peace, war, sin, and redemption. Along with the story, she could see the lines of Starfarer's code, and read what she saw. As the song faded into mere echoes of its former self, Mina opened her eyes and came to a decision. It was time.
The next day, Trowa returned to the hospital, to thank Mina privately for letting him have the painting of Quatre. Upon entering the room, he looked around and found her missing. The hospital gown was folded neatly on the bed and a breeze drifted slowly through the open window. Hurrying back out into the hall, he asked the nurses if the female patient in that room had been released. Their answer was no.
While they ran down the corridors trying to find her, Trowa returned to the room, looking over it more carefully. On the floor, there fluttered a small scrap of paper. He picked it up; sketches of himself on one side, and a brief note on the other. He read it over twice, then walked to the window. Leaning forward, Trowa stuck his head out, letting the gentle wind wash over him. Suddenly, he realized something. The necklace, Minami's silver pentagram which had hung around his neck since she gave it to him, was gone. At that moment, her heard the roar of engines and looked out to Hanger 5, where a mobile suit that could only be Starfarer was taking off. It was then that Trowa did something strange. He laughed.
****
That's end of this one, but keep your eyes peeled...I'll get the sequel up ASAP.
Till then, you'll just have to cross your fingers and pray.
Until then,
Ja ne! ^_^ \/
~KatLady86~