Chapter 5

Chapter Five

"They're coming closer," I warned, watching the blips on my radar fearfully.

"I hear you. Just hold steady."

Now I could even hear them from inside the cockpit. I watched in disbelief as one of the suits slowed and stopped just above us. Then an enormous explosion ripped through the trees around us.

"Duo?"

"What are you waiting for? An invitation? Move it!"

I pulled hard at the throttle and shot upwards, past the surprised Aries suit.

"Sir," cried the pilot in surprise. "I've confirmed the Gundams! Both of them!"

I pulled round sharply, almost dislocating my shoulder at how much force I needed to pull her round. I brought the canon perched on the right arm to aim straight at the Aries. "Aries," I growled, "I have orders. Get out of my way and I may let you live to tell about it."

Uncertainly, the suit hovered in front of me. "I can't let you do that," he said, his voice wavering as he realised that those may be the last words he would ever say. I have to commend him. It took a lot of guts.

That didn't stop me from blowing a hole through his middle.

I shot above the treetops to join in the main battle. The suits had taken defensive positions over the water and were firing at Duo relentlessly. "We need a way to get out of here!"

"Down! Below the trees," I yelled, hardly able to hear myself. "They're getting clean shots up here!"

"No way! That's leading them to the other machines!"

"Then…" I didn't even finish the sentence. Actions speak louder than words. I shot towards the other suits with as much force as my machine had. I was pushing her to the limit, and she knew it. But I still went for it.

I pulled up a machine gun and started to fire at the machines right in front of me. Despite how it must have looked from the sidelines, this was not entirely a suicide mission. If I could blow the suits that were directly in front of me, then it would leave a clear path for me to avoid collisions.

I made it – just.

Sending up a massive wave of water at each side, I wrenched at the stick to bring her round to the, now exposed, backs of the Aries suits. Something snapped. My right hand suddenly went limp on the stick. I couldn't move it! I sent a blast into the back of the nearest Aries and pulled up sharply on the throttle, slowing the machine sharply.

Momentarily, I grabbed at my shoulder. I had no idea what had snapped, but it hurt like hell! I swore loudly.

"Kin? Why've you stopped? What's wrong?"

Determinedly, I grabbed at the joystick with my left hand. My movements were jerky, but I was still in control. I quickly side-stepped an enemy missile. So they'd finally figured I was behind them had they? Heck!

"Kin? Talk to me!"

I managed to reach the broadcast with an elbow, and decided to leave it on. "I'm here. In a little trouble, but okay."

"When are they going to cotton on?" growled Duo hotly. "You'd think they'd notice massive chunks being ripped out of the ground wouldn't you?"

Duo was talking, of course, about the other pilots. "They need a little more time." I pulled her backwards sharply. I returned fire stubbornly. "And I intend to provide them with exactly that."

Something slammed into my blindside, sending me crashing to the ground. I braced against the seat restraints painfully. I tried to pull myself to my feet, but the machine needed more force on the stick than I could offer. I rolled her over and looked up, my eyes widening at the sight before me.

The Aries had a canon aimed at her forehead. My machine was going to die. Honiara was going to be shot through the forehead. And my fate was sealed with hers.

"What do you have to say for yourself, 'almighty and brave' Gundam?" I heard the pilot snigger.

"I say that if you're going to kill me then do it now. I also advise you to feel no remorse. It is the only thing that will keep you sane."

He snorted harshly at my words and pushed down on the canon. I closed my eyes to my inevitable death. "Say your prayers, Gundam."