Chapter Two
I was in the air. I had no idea where I was going, or what I was going to do when I got there. But I'll tell you something, flying a huge clanking machine like a mobile suit across the sea is pretty relaxing.
It was weird, I'd never flown with other pilots before. I'd always been a pretty solitary pilot, being the odd one out because of my gender – and other things. I pressed the broadcast button.
"Hey, Duo?"
"Kin?"
I paused, and then smiled. "Do you guys go out and do this a lot?"
"All the time babe," he laughed, making a face at me. "All the time."
We, or rather they, decided to land somewhere in East America. There used to be this huge place called New York around somewhere, but now it's a ghost town. Like the stories you tell at Halloween, you know? How the nuclear storm wiped out New York City?
It was a long time ago, before the colonies. My mother says that my great great grandmother was born in New York City.
"They say it's deserted," announced the blond kid doubtfully, "No bases for miles and miles."
"Well there's at least one good thing that's happened today," muttered Heero sarcastically.
We landed and each pilot left his machine.
I waited and watched as they each lowered themselves from the hatch, which was near the middle of the machine. The blond kid, Duo, a brown haired kid wearing a blue sweater, another brown haired kid wearing a green vest, and a black haired kid.
I watched as Duo talked excitedly with them, not being able to hear what was said from so high up. I sighed gently before dropping to the hatch and letting myself out. The hatch opened onto an eerie night sky. I peered over the door, which I was standing on since it opened downover, and saw the ground a dizzying distance below me. I hooked my foot into the support and held onto the rope as it slowly lowered me to the ground.
I touched the ground with first one foot then the other and was instantly taken up in a giant hug by Duo. I'd known the guy ever since we were little kids and I guess he'd kinda missed me.
"Duo," I gasped, finally managing to stop him hugging me long enough to talk. "I'm happy to see you and everything, but some introductions would be nice."
"Oh yeah, right."
He went around everyone in turn. "Guys, this is Kinborough Fotheringay. We went to school together. Kin, this is Quatre Reberba Winner," blond haired kid, "Trowa Barton," kid with the blue sweater, "Heero Yuy," kid wearing the green vest, "and Wufei Chang," black haired kid.
Wufei, a very honest looking guy, took a cautious step towards me. "You're a…" He paused before spitting out the word, "Woman?"
I put my hands on my hips defiantly. "Yeah. What's your point?"
"Why are you piloting a Gundam?"
Duo shot a worried look between us, but said nothing. I sighed. "Because I can. What's it to you?"
He looked at the ground for a second. "You're a very skilled pilot," he said eventually. "I commend you."
"Well," I said slowly, nodding uncertainly. "Thank you. I guess." I shot a look at Duo, who shrugged. Quatre looked vaguely worried and Heero and Trowa seemed to be sharing some secret joke between them. Wufei nodded solemnly before stepping back and walking across the rocky ground.
"What was up with that guy?"
"Most of his beliefs are based on honour. He has many ideals where women are weaker than men. Women, in Wufei's eyes, have to prove themselves worthy." I listened to Trowa with interest. These were the first words I'd heard him speak. He didn't look at me until after he had finished. His eyes seemed to probe for something more. Well, let them probe. He wasn't someone I was about to spill over to.
He watched me closely for a few more seconds before turning to leave, following the same path as Wufei had chosen.
Heero smiled at me before stepping forward. He held out a hand. I took it and he shook my hand firmly. "Good to have you aboard," he paused. "Kinborough? Fotheringay?"
I smiled. "Kin'll do."
He nodded in acknowledgement. Then jogged to catch up with Trowa.
I glanced at Duo. "Tough crowd?"
"Oh, yeah," grinned Duo, "A real tough crowd."
I held out a hand to Quatre. He shook it readily. He seemed like a really eager guy. "Kin?"
I nodded. "It'll do. Hey, what was your last name again?"
"Winner."
"Winner?" I couldn't believe it. "Of the Winner family?"
Quatre nodded modestly. Duo smiled. "You know, that's exactly what I said to him."
"You're the heir to the Winner family? How'd you end up as a Gundam pilot?" The Winner family was the most influential in the Middle East. They'd managed to stay out of the war and contain themselves against it. It was amazing. And the Winners were the most powerful family in half the world. And I was stood here talking to their heir.
"Long story."
"So, Kin," Duo kicked at the ground as he spoke. "What happened?"
"What do you mean?"
"You weren't a Gundam pilot last time I checked."
"Then you don't check too often."
"So," Duo shook his finger in thought. "You went through the same training as me, at the same time as me, without telling anyone?"
I frowned in thought. Then looked up. "Who could I tell? And I was… indisposed, for a while. Tonight was the first time I managed to get out."
"Of where?" Asked Quatre.
I frowned. "I have no parents here on Earth," I admitted slowly. "Oz had identified the meteorites as technologies and I was treated with… suspicion."
"Suspicion?" Muttered Duo, anxious now. "What kind of 'suspicion'?"
I glanced at him warningly. "Just, 'suspicion'."
