Well, hope you like this, and this wets your appetite for the WHOLE story. Note, I'm obviously a Non-Yaoi writer, and a person who tends to write sappy stories, so if you don't like this kind of story, then GET OUT NOW!!! Please note that I don't any of the characters, except Nova and the villains. This does have a Sailor Moon crossover in it. This is a chapter that's about Midii and before she became known as Agent Une by the Raptures of Paradise. Now, enjoy.
Gundam Wing: Raptures of Paradise
Chapter 14---------- The Silent Spy
By Sailor Celaeno
Midii walked to the cemetery. Devon was gone and it was two weeks after Milliardo and Lucrezia were married. It didn't surprise her one bit that she found herself here in this place. She had found herself in that strange and calm place. She was no stranger to the land where the dead slept for all eternity. She had been surrounded by death all her life. Her mother died from an infection a few weeks after she gave birth to Devon. Devon was already a sick child and he was on his slow march to the grave to join the mother they gave him life, and the brothers and father that went before him. Midii found her way back to her home colony to visit them. The Unes had increased the family plot 20 years ago. In order to bury her grandparents, her father purchased an extra track so he could keep the family together in the future. Little did he realize, he would find himself in that healthy, life giving earth, 18 years later.
Midii could only stare at the graves and the epitaphs that were carved into the cold stone surface. Three generations of Unes were buried. Eighteen spaces, fourteen graves and four more to be filled. Her and three lost cousins. Devon would soon occupy his lot, but she was uncertain of when she will meet her time. Every year, her family would trek to the cemetery to visit the relatives that have passed. Her father would tell her and her brothers who all the people were and how they died. She felt sorry for them, but she couldn't cry for anyone except her grandmother, her parents, and her brothers. The others were strangers with the same name and blood as her.
Grandfather Michaelas Une was 59 when he died. He was killed in a car accident that nearly killed four others. He was orphaned when his mother died and his father abandoned him with his mother's sister. He fought hard to achieve greatness and he was a great mobile suit engineer.
Andreas Une, her oldest uncle, was a burly man who loved to fight. He had a thing for brawls. Unfortunately one brawl led to his death. He was shot three times in a seedy bar in the capital of Colony 165.
His wife, Maureen Callahan, died years later. She was a victim of the Earth Sphere Alliances' attempt to control the Earth and her colonies. She was a rebel after Andreas' death and left the Une family. She was returned to the Une family, only because she was still an Une and must be buried beside her husband and Cathleen.
Cathleen Callahan Une was a little infant girl, who died when she was two. The same disease had drained the life from Devon was the same that claimed the blond cherub from her parents. Cathleen would have been 26 now, had she lived.
Nathaniel Une was her second uncle. He was a happy man and blond like her father and brothers. He was an ambitious businessman with a wife and three children. Although his wife divorced from him, he still had his three children. It was sad how he was drowned in a storm that capsized the boat he was on. The irony was he was known as a great swimmer in his youth at school. His three children went to his ex-wife and the Une family never heard them of again.
Natasha Kessandra Une was a little girl who died at age five. She wandered away from her parents one day and was not seen for two days. She was found in a small duck pond, hidden by reeds. She had fallen into the shallow water and bumped her head.
Jesse and Caleb Une were stillborn twins that were born prematurely.
Kessandra Eloise Troyian Une was her grandmother. Grandmother Kessie died when Midii was seven, but she still had some memories of the old woman. Gram Kessie would have cookies for the little Une children that came to visit Grandma and Grandpa's house for the holidays. Whenever they take a bath and wash their hair, Gram Kessie would have a large towel to dry their hair by the large fireplace in the living room. Midii could remember the light scent of baby powder and lavender that Gram Kessie would always have in the house. Gram would also tell her and her brothers all sorts of lovely fairy tales when she tucked them into bed. "What shall I read for you tonight?" she'd ask.
"Jack in the Beanstalk!" cried Alexi, who was nine.
"No! I want Robin Hood!" protested Rudolph, who was six.
Devon was only one and could not possibly have any preferences. "I want the Little Mermaid," said Midii, who was five.
"Not that!" groaned Alexi.
"Now, now. I already read you those stories, boys. I think it's Midii's turn to pick the story, so I'll tell you the tale of the Little Mermaid."
The boys pouted, but complied with their little sister's request. Gram Kessie knew every story by heart and always told them in her own way. The real story was too much for little children so she retold them. "Once there was a deep sea that was filled with fish. There were more fish in the sea than there were people in the world. And in this watery world, there lived merpeople. They had tails like fish and bodies like people. There was a kingdom of merpeople."
"Triton was there kingdom and he had many beautiful daughters. One in particular was known as the most beautiful of the girls. Her name was Calypso. Calypso was loved in the sea kingdom, but she was unhappy because she was curious about the surface world. 'Don't go up there! There are humans that will hunt after you!' People had said. She didn't care because there was something about humans that fascinated her."
The children would start to fall asleep from her soothing voice, except Midii, who was enthralled with the story.
"One day, she swam to the surface and saw a large ship. She made her way to the ship and watched the human men dancing and singing. There she saw a handsome human. He played a flute so sweetly that she sang along quietly. Her voice was like a siren that could lure men away from the land. She was in love with the handsome man with the flute. She soon learned he was Prince Alan, who lived in the castle that overlooked the sea, her sea."
Midii would imagine that she was the mermaid Princess Calypso.
"She knew that one song from her would lure Alan to her, but she didn't want to because she knew that he would drown and she would lose him. Suddenly a storm appeared in the horizon. The waves grew huge and swept over the deck of the ship. The prince fell overboard and was lost in the torrent of the sea. Calypso saw her beloved prince in the crashing waves and dove to save him. When she pulled him to land, the storm had faded. She looked at his handsome face and felt his chest for his heartbeat. 'Are you alright my prince?' That voice woke him. He slowly opened his eyes to see her face, but voices on the beach caused her to flee. Before he could sit up, Calypso had already fled into the sea. A fisherman on the beach helped the prince to his feet. Alan stared along the beach, but the beautiful maiden who saved him was gone."
"She was lovelorn and decided to become human herself. The sea witch was the only one who could help her. 'I will give you the ability to change into a human. If he does not declare his love for you then you will die.' Calypso was frightened, but she wanted to be near her handsome prince so she agreed."
The boys would be asleep, but Midii would beg for more.
"The price was her voice. She couldn't speak. Her voice would not return to her until she is dying. So she had to charm the prince with her beautiful soul. She grew legs and found herself on the beach. Alan was walking and looking out into the waters that nearly killed him. He turned to see a beautiful maiden on the beach. Lonely and needed help, for she was not yet sturdy on her human legs. As he walked closer to her, he saw she looked just like the girl who saved him. 'Let me help you.' He wrapped an arm around her to hold her up so she could steady herself. She was about to thank him, but no sound came from her throat. Alan was disappointed that this girl had no voice, for he hoped she was the one he was looking for."
Midii felt sad for the princess. She would be sad if her prince couldn't hear her voice.
"He spent time with Calypso. He taught her about the human world. He showed her a book of stories written by Ancient Greeks and there was a goddess named Calypso. When she heard her name, she gestured at the name, and Alan realized that Calypso was her name. They spent many weeks together, and she loved him more and more. But her heart was broken when she learned that he was going to marry another princess who looked similar to her, but didn't have a voice that was as pretty. Calypso sat in gardens behind the castle. Suddenly she heard men speaking. 'You will shoot the prince tonight when he is on the beach with his friends and his fiancé.' Calypso feared for Alan."
Gram Kessie looked over at Midii who was still wide-awake. Gram smiled and continued the story.
"At the party, Calypso kept her eyes opened. She must find a way to warn Alan, but there was nothing she could do. Alan was talking to his friends, when she saw an arrow in the corner of her eye. She turned to see that the flying arrow was heading straight for him. She quickly moved to him and was straight in the arrow's path. Women screamed and Alan's friends raced to capture the assassin. Alan cradled poor little Calypso in his arms. 'My brave little friend. You have saved me.' She was breathing shallowly, and she could feel her voice coming back to her. She gasped heavily as she said 'Are you alright my prince?' Those words, the sound of her voice shocked Alan as he realized that she was the one who saved him. 'Oh my poor Calypso. It was you all along.' There was no sound coming from her. He felt a warm glow over her. Everyone was shocked to see that her human legs turned into a fish tail. 'A mermaid?' asked one woman. 'Of course!' cried an old sailor. 'Mermaids can save people from drowning.'"
Midii began crying for her poor Calypso. Gram Kessie gave her a tissue and told her that the story was not yet over.
"The water of the sea churned and bubbled. A beautiful lady in a flowing gone rose from the sea. 'I am the spirit of the sea, guardian of the merpeople. Because Calypso has been kind despite her sorrow, I will reward her.' Another light glowed over Calypso. Her tail turned back into human legs and her wound was healed. The Spirit of the Sea had vanished and Calypso smiled at Alan. They were married and lived happily ever after."
The crying had made Midii tired and she fell soundly asleep.
Midii loved that version of the little mermaid. Not just because it was a happy ending, but also because it was told by her grandmother. Her mind wandered back to the days when she first met Trowa. She laughed at how she once thought that Trowa was her Prince Alan. "We despise each other. I envy his ability not to feel anything. And he doesn't trust me because I'm still a spy." She looked at the grave of her brother Devon. The brother she cared for so carefully the last two years of his life, after their father died. "It's funny Devon. I've always had a soft spot for Trowa. Now we hate each other. Who would have thought that? We'd make an odd couple, huh. I'm sure you'd laugh along with me. I never could forget him. I always wondered what happened to him, envying him. He feels neither pain, nor anger. His hatred for me is because he is protective of his friends and Cathy. Do you think he's right?" she said to Devon's grave. Midii placed flowers on the graves and walked away.
A.C. Colony 192
Midii had spent a long time wandering around trying to make a place for herself. She needed money and she saw that the circus was in town. Midii had found herself doing more spy work. After all, no one would anticipate a child being a spy. She was able to find more information for the Alliance than many spies could. After all, she was able to eavesdrop better and being young, she was a fast learner of different spying maneuvers. Even though she was only 13 and spying for three years, she was more expert than people spying within the same period.
She needed a cover to hide herself in her latest mission. She quickly took her place in the circus. The smell of fresh popcorn, the laughter in the air, and the flashing lights of rides were everywhere as she walked through the circus grounds. Midii missed these simple pleasures. Father was sick and Devon was too. They needed money for medicine and barely any food. Midii worked as a spy for the money. She got $700 a week. That barely covered expenses. The Alliance paid for the medical bills, but they still had debts. This mission promised an extra $10 a week after success. Her mission was to find out rebel movement in the colony. By working for the circus, she could go to different locations and had an escape. She wandered the circus to explore the delights it had. She stared at the horses that were being fed. "Hi," said a voice.
Midii turned to see a girl with curly, reddish-brown hair. They were bouncing with the movement of her head. "Hi," replied Midii.
"You like horses?"
"Sorta. I have hardly seen them now."
"You seem a little sad. Why is that?"
"I need a job. I'm the only one in the family that is healthy enough to work." Midii wasn't sure why she was willing to talk to this girl, but something of this girl in the blue costume seemed trustworthy.
"Really? We need people for different things. We need someone to do the horse riding tricks, trapeze act, and other side jobs," replied the girl.
"I can clean things," answered Midii.
"Actually, we need a person to help with the horse grooming."
"I can do that."
"Come on." Midii followed the girl, who led Midii to the ringmaster. After a few minutes of an interview, Midii was hired on a trial basis of three days. If she did well, then she got the job.
"Thank you Miss," said Midii gratefully.
"Just call me Cathy."
"And I'm Midii."
Midii had found a friend in Catherine Bloom. She had another girl to help her with all sorts of problems she could never really talk to her father about. Something was in Catherine that opened Midii to her. And Catherine in turn found a kind soul, lost in everlasting sorrow. Whatever it was between these two girls, there was that magic of perception between these two. Catherine led the way to clarity, and Midii was the student who slowly followed behind. "Cathy?"
"Yes, Midii?"
"Am I your friend?"
"Of course, Midii! Nothing will ever come between us. I'll never leave you to suffer alone. I won't be far away."
"Do you mean it? No matter what happens or what I've done, you'll never hate me?"
Catherine smiled gracefully. "I see that you are lost. Lost in the world, with no one to lean on for strength. You have burdens that I can never see or feel. But you know what?"
Midii only looked at her new best friend with puzzlement. "What?"
"I know that you have a journey to pursue. I won't be the one to hold you back or stop you. Life has something in stored for you and don't fight it. Don't fight the world; fight the doubt in yourself Midii. The world has evil, and vice. Just don't forget to look for the beauty that it has," Catherine said.
"I..." began Midii.
"Cathy! You're on in five minutes!" called a man.
"Alright!" Catherine turned to Midii. "I'm sorry. I have to go now."
"That's alright." Midii only smiled as Cathy walked into towards the big top from the trailer that they were sitting in front of. Midii began to wonder, 'Will you really stand by me? Even if I'm responsible for the deaths of hundreds?'
The Alliance base that she reported to was seven miles from where the circus was set up. She was able to enter the base with complete authority by the commanding officer she reported to. She stepped down the foreboding, intimidating hallway towards the conference room, where she made her report before two other agents, and three commanding officers, including the spy headmaster, who coordinated the missions of his spies. Lieutenant Hayes was a serious, brooding man of nearly sixty, who had the ability of bullying and intimidating those who worked for him. Midii refused to let the damn bastard control her free will.
She entered the room to see Aloysius McKenrich, Colin Mersac, Lady Une, Treize Khushrenada and Lieutenant Hayes. She saluted in proper military fashion. "This, Mister Treize and Colonel Une, is Miss Midii Une. She is one of my best agents."
"Impressive," commented Treize in his cool collected manner. Hayes gave a sideways glance when Treize wasn't looking. The injustice of an 18-year-old being a colonel, and a sixty-year-old man still stuck being a lieutenant. Treize looked at Midii as though he was inspecting meat at the butcher's. "How many mission has Miss Une completed?"
"Twenty out of twenty. Without fail." Hayes couldn't stand Midii, but he only tolerated her because of her success and ability. Otherwise, he would have had her discharged months ago.
"Impressive," was Treize's comment. "I have never seen or heard of an agent so young do so well.
"Of course Mr. Treize, but you are an example of how age doesn't affect ability," said Lady Une. It was clear to everyone in the room that there was a certain dance between Une and Treize. She was readily able to compliment his ability, and he was always most genteel towards her.
"Miss Une, do tell us the status of your mission," continued Treize.
"My mission is to report the movement of rebels in the vicinity of this colony."
"Any progress reports on their movement?"
"Very little sir. Only sketchy, unconfirmed rumors."
"Such as?" Treize arched his eyebrow in interest.
"There are rumors going on that there is someone within the Alliance that may be aiding the rebels."
"Indeed?" Treize looked concerned over the situation. "Are there any speculations of this traitor's identity?"
"No. Only that it is an officer in the Alliance military. Though..." trailed Midii.
"Continue," replied Treize.
"I have heard that this officer is of some prominence within the organization. I doubt that this person would be foolish enough to get caught, sir."
Treize nodded. "Yes, Miss Une. No one of high rank would be so careless as to make an obvious trail. However, no matter how clever the person, they are bound to slip up. Once he/she does, they will be dealt with firmly, and without fail."
"I have no doubt sir," nodded Midii.
"Is that all?" replied Hayes, curtly.
"Yes." Midii then sat down to listen to the other reports.
"Get her!!" shouted a man as a barrage of bullets narrowly hit Midii.
"Damn it!" She was sent to steal information from the rebel headquarters on the colony. A rebel caught her. In the struggle, he managed to inform the others of her presence and she soon had ten men with assault rifles on her tail.
With a burst of adrenaline, she raced towards the exit. Whiiiip! Piiiinnnnngggg! Whistled a bullet that nearly hit her in the head. She ducked behind a building. "God! What am I gonna do?" She fumbled around in her backpack. She found an explosive. She set the detonator and hurled it hard. It was a silver grenade that had a timer on it. The grenade was oval and silver. It spun when it hit the ground. Beep... beep... beep... It ticked the fifteen seconds.
"Shit!" shouted the men as they try to run away. Beep... four... beep... three... beep... two... beep... one... BOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!! Midii ran for her life as the smoke of the detonation sounded.
After nearly an hour of running, and stopping for her breath, she got back to the circus camp. She snuck into the trailer that Cathy let her stay in. She quietly panted and began to change into her pajamas. It was 1:29 am and Cathy was asleep. Midii looked over at her friend, "I have to leave soon. The rebels know about me, and it's a matter of time when they find me here. You guys will be here another week, and they'll find me by then if I don't leave."
"You're leaving?" Catherine asked sadly.
"I'm afraid so."
"I guess this is your last day."
"It is." Both girls grew quiet for a moment. Midii silently wondered what would happen next. "I seem to have lost my ability. I don't know what to say."
Catherine smiled. "Me too. You know, I think you're my first best friend. I just wanted to tell you that before you go. I don't want you to leave thinking that I never thought highly of you. I won't forget you. I mean, you're very special, and you have been the best friend I've been looking for. Ya know?"
Midii had to smile. Though her mission had nearly failed with her life as the price, she found herself a life-long friend in Catherine Bloom. "One day, I'll come back. We'll meet again."
"Really? You promise me?"
"Of course. These have been the best four months of my life. Going all over the colonies with you, and seeing things I've never seen before. I'm never going to forget this... or you." The two girls hugged good-bye.
A.C. 194
Midii waited in the dark alley. She was supposed to meet a strange person who was offering a great deal of money for Midii to work as a spy. "Hello Midii."
"So what have you got for me?"
The girl smiled. "You like to get down to business don't you?"
"I never like to delay in matters of money and business."
"I suppose being responsible for the downfalls and deaths of people is ALL there is for you in life." Midii only frown and stayed quiet. "I see that you have issues with that."
"What DO you want?"
"Simply this. I want you to join this team that I'm the leader of."
"What is there about this group of yours that is SO great?"
"Everyone in it has desires and wants. If you do your part and make the mission succeed, you get what you want," the girl replied simply.
"What if what I want is something that NO one can give me?"
The girl smiled. "You want absolution for the deaths you caused and the betrayals you've committed."
"How would you know that?"
The girl tapped on her head. "I can hear your thoughts."
"How would you give me absolution?" Midii asked with feeling in her voice.
The girl simply smiled again. "Why... the way you want. You feel that by dying and being punished, you will be forgiven for what you've done. Well, if it's death you want, then we will give it to you. We will find a way for you to be forgiven, by the one person you have been feeling so guilty about."
"How can you do that? He's probably dead already."
"You know this boy well enough to know that he doesn't die SO easily. You know in your heart he's still alive. You just need to find him. Just stick with me and you'll get what you want. The chance to bring closure with what you've done to the boy."
"Fine. Under two conditions."
"What's that?"
"You will find a way to provide my family everything they need as long as they are still alive and well."
"And the second?"
"What is your name?"
"I was once Kari, but I'm only known as Avatar."
"Dad? Dad?" Midii shook her father. He didn't move at all. Alexi and Rudolph sat by in sorrow. Devon was in the hospital for Donavan's Fever, a disease discovered A.C. 141 by Dr. Wayne Donavan. It was a blood disease that had fever as a symptom.
"He's gone, Midii." Alexi wrapped his arms around his sister. "He's gone."
"Damn it! Why didn't you tell me how sick he was?" Midii was infuriated. She came home the day before when Alexi told her that their father was dying.
"It's really hard to find you," retorted Rudolph.
"I don't need to here this from you Rudy!" she screamed. "I worked hard to get money home. I almost got killed seven times already, and I don't need YOU to tell me how to feel about things. Do you understand?" she nearly broke down in tears from the frustration.
Midii cried into Alexi's chest. "Rude? Why did you have to do that?"
Rudolph looked a little sad as he realized what he did. "Look Midii, I'm sorry. I really am."
Midii looked up and simply left the room. A girl now almost 15. Alexi had already left school and was making money in a factory that made space shuttles. He got some decent wages, but Midii was the main bread winner of the family. Risking her neck out for an extra $200 a week for the family. The expenses came from Devon's medical care. It didn't matter because Devon was worth the expenses. Devon was someone worth saving, even if was meant to die anyway. The funeral was difficult, and Devon was too sick to leave. "How was the funeral?"
"I guess it was lovely. If you can call a funeral that," replied Midii.
"Please don't say that. I don't want you to think that when I must go."
"Oh now, don't say that!" Midii nearly shouted.
Devon only shook his head. "Oh Mid, don't try to humor me. Even I know that I'm dying. It won't be long. I know it won't. There is nothing much left for me. There's little time. The clock is ticking and it's just a matter of time when I have to go."
"I wish you wouldn't talk about death right now. Not today," sighed Midii as she looked at her baby brother.
Devon only looked at her. "I'm sorry. But just one thing?"
"Sure."
"No matter what happens, never forget who you really are. You're the nice, loving girl that's been taking care of me since I was little. I don't want you to change from that. Ever. Promise?" He held out his pinkie.
"I pinkie swear."
A.C. 197-Present
"I'm a lousy sister, aren't I, Devon?"
"My poor Midii," Devon appeared to her like a ghost in her mind.
"I know what I have to do now." She left the cemetery.
Author's Notes:
What is Midii up to? What is the next move of the other Raptures? What will the pilots do? Find out next time in Chapter 15!
Gundam Wing: Raptures of Paradise
Chapter 14---------- The Silent Spy
By Sailor Celaeno
Midii walked to the cemetery. Devon was gone and it was two weeks after Milliardo and Lucrezia were married. It didn't surprise her one bit that she found herself here in this place. She had found herself in that strange and calm place. She was no stranger to the land where the dead slept for all eternity. She had been surrounded by death all her life. Her mother died from an infection a few weeks after she gave birth to Devon. Devon was already a sick child and he was on his slow march to the grave to join the mother they gave him life, and the brothers and father that went before him. Midii found her way back to her home colony to visit them. The Unes had increased the family plot 20 years ago. In order to bury her grandparents, her father purchased an extra track so he could keep the family together in the future. Little did he realize, he would find himself in that healthy, life giving earth, 18 years later.
Midii could only stare at the graves and the epitaphs that were carved into the cold stone surface. Three generations of Unes were buried. Eighteen spaces, fourteen graves and four more to be filled. Her and three lost cousins. Devon would soon occupy his lot, but she was uncertain of when she will meet her time. Every year, her family would trek to the cemetery to visit the relatives that have passed. Her father would tell her and her brothers who all the people were and how they died. She felt sorry for them, but she couldn't cry for anyone except her grandmother, her parents, and her brothers. The others were strangers with the same name and blood as her.
Grandfather Michaelas Une was 59 when he died. He was killed in a car accident that nearly killed four others. He was orphaned when his mother died and his father abandoned him with his mother's sister. He fought hard to achieve greatness and he was a great mobile suit engineer.
Andreas Une, her oldest uncle, was a burly man who loved to fight. He had a thing for brawls. Unfortunately one brawl led to his death. He was shot three times in a seedy bar in the capital of Colony 165.
His wife, Maureen Callahan, died years later. She was a victim of the Earth Sphere Alliances' attempt to control the Earth and her colonies. She was a rebel after Andreas' death and left the Une family. She was returned to the Une family, only because she was still an Une and must be buried beside her husband and Cathleen.
Cathleen Callahan Une was a little infant girl, who died when she was two. The same disease had drained the life from Devon was the same that claimed the blond cherub from her parents. Cathleen would have been 26 now, had she lived.
Nathaniel Une was her second uncle. He was a happy man and blond like her father and brothers. He was an ambitious businessman with a wife and three children. Although his wife divorced from him, he still had his three children. It was sad how he was drowned in a storm that capsized the boat he was on. The irony was he was known as a great swimmer in his youth at school. His three children went to his ex-wife and the Une family never heard them of again.
Natasha Kessandra Une was a little girl who died at age five. She wandered away from her parents one day and was not seen for two days. She was found in a small duck pond, hidden by reeds. She had fallen into the shallow water and bumped her head.
Jesse and Caleb Une were stillborn twins that were born prematurely.
Kessandra Eloise Troyian Une was her grandmother. Grandmother Kessie died when Midii was seven, but she still had some memories of the old woman. Gram Kessie would have cookies for the little Une children that came to visit Grandma and Grandpa's house for the holidays. Whenever they take a bath and wash their hair, Gram Kessie would have a large towel to dry their hair by the large fireplace in the living room. Midii could remember the light scent of baby powder and lavender that Gram Kessie would always have in the house. Gram would also tell her and her brothers all sorts of lovely fairy tales when she tucked them into bed. "What shall I read for you tonight?" she'd ask.
"Jack in the Beanstalk!" cried Alexi, who was nine.
"No! I want Robin Hood!" protested Rudolph, who was six.
Devon was only one and could not possibly have any preferences. "I want the Little Mermaid," said Midii, who was five.
"Not that!" groaned Alexi.
"Now, now. I already read you those stories, boys. I think it's Midii's turn to pick the story, so I'll tell you the tale of the Little Mermaid."
The boys pouted, but complied with their little sister's request. Gram Kessie knew every story by heart and always told them in her own way. The real story was too much for little children so she retold them. "Once there was a deep sea that was filled with fish. There were more fish in the sea than there were people in the world. And in this watery world, there lived merpeople. They had tails like fish and bodies like people. There was a kingdom of merpeople."
"Triton was there kingdom and he had many beautiful daughters. One in particular was known as the most beautiful of the girls. Her name was Calypso. Calypso was loved in the sea kingdom, but she was unhappy because she was curious about the surface world. 'Don't go up there! There are humans that will hunt after you!' People had said. She didn't care because there was something about humans that fascinated her."
The children would start to fall asleep from her soothing voice, except Midii, who was enthralled with the story.
"One day, she swam to the surface and saw a large ship. She made her way to the ship and watched the human men dancing and singing. There she saw a handsome human. He played a flute so sweetly that she sang along quietly. Her voice was like a siren that could lure men away from the land. She was in love with the handsome man with the flute. She soon learned he was Prince Alan, who lived in the castle that overlooked the sea, her sea."
Midii would imagine that she was the mermaid Princess Calypso.
"She knew that one song from her would lure Alan to her, but she didn't want to because she knew that he would drown and she would lose him. Suddenly a storm appeared in the horizon. The waves grew huge and swept over the deck of the ship. The prince fell overboard and was lost in the torrent of the sea. Calypso saw her beloved prince in the crashing waves and dove to save him. When she pulled him to land, the storm had faded. She looked at his handsome face and felt his chest for his heartbeat. 'Are you alright my prince?' That voice woke him. He slowly opened his eyes to see her face, but voices on the beach caused her to flee. Before he could sit up, Calypso had already fled into the sea. A fisherman on the beach helped the prince to his feet. Alan stared along the beach, but the beautiful maiden who saved him was gone."
"She was lovelorn and decided to become human herself. The sea witch was the only one who could help her. 'I will give you the ability to change into a human. If he does not declare his love for you then you will die.' Calypso was frightened, but she wanted to be near her handsome prince so she agreed."
The boys would be asleep, but Midii would beg for more.
"The price was her voice. She couldn't speak. Her voice would not return to her until she is dying. So she had to charm the prince with her beautiful soul. She grew legs and found herself on the beach. Alan was walking and looking out into the waters that nearly killed him. He turned to see a beautiful maiden on the beach. Lonely and needed help, for she was not yet sturdy on her human legs. As he walked closer to her, he saw she looked just like the girl who saved him. 'Let me help you.' He wrapped an arm around her to hold her up so she could steady herself. She was about to thank him, but no sound came from her throat. Alan was disappointed that this girl had no voice, for he hoped she was the one he was looking for."
Midii felt sad for the princess. She would be sad if her prince couldn't hear her voice.
"He spent time with Calypso. He taught her about the human world. He showed her a book of stories written by Ancient Greeks and there was a goddess named Calypso. When she heard her name, she gestured at the name, and Alan realized that Calypso was her name. They spent many weeks together, and she loved him more and more. But her heart was broken when she learned that he was going to marry another princess who looked similar to her, but didn't have a voice that was as pretty. Calypso sat in gardens behind the castle. Suddenly she heard men speaking. 'You will shoot the prince tonight when he is on the beach with his friends and his fiancé.' Calypso feared for Alan."
Gram Kessie looked over at Midii who was still wide-awake. Gram smiled and continued the story.
"At the party, Calypso kept her eyes opened. She must find a way to warn Alan, but there was nothing she could do. Alan was talking to his friends, when she saw an arrow in the corner of her eye. She turned to see that the flying arrow was heading straight for him. She quickly moved to him and was straight in the arrow's path. Women screamed and Alan's friends raced to capture the assassin. Alan cradled poor little Calypso in his arms. 'My brave little friend. You have saved me.' She was breathing shallowly, and she could feel her voice coming back to her. She gasped heavily as she said 'Are you alright my prince?' Those words, the sound of her voice shocked Alan as he realized that she was the one who saved him. 'Oh my poor Calypso. It was you all along.' There was no sound coming from her. He felt a warm glow over her. Everyone was shocked to see that her human legs turned into a fish tail. 'A mermaid?' asked one woman. 'Of course!' cried an old sailor. 'Mermaids can save people from drowning.'"
Midii began crying for her poor Calypso. Gram Kessie gave her a tissue and told her that the story was not yet over.
"The water of the sea churned and bubbled. A beautiful lady in a flowing gone rose from the sea. 'I am the spirit of the sea, guardian of the merpeople. Because Calypso has been kind despite her sorrow, I will reward her.' Another light glowed over Calypso. Her tail turned back into human legs and her wound was healed. The Spirit of the Sea had vanished and Calypso smiled at Alan. They were married and lived happily ever after."
The crying had made Midii tired and she fell soundly asleep.
Midii loved that version of the little mermaid. Not just because it was a happy ending, but also because it was told by her grandmother. Her mind wandered back to the days when she first met Trowa. She laughed at how she once thought that Trowa was her Prince Alan. "We despise each other. I envy his ability not to feel anything. And he doesn't trust me because I'm still a spy." She looked at the grave of her brother Devon. The brother she cared for so carefully the last two years of his life, after their father died. "It's funny Devon. I've always had a soft spot for Trowa. Now we hate each other. Who would have thought that? We'd make an odd couple, huh. I'm sure you'd laugh along with me. I never could forget him. I always wondered what happened to him, envying him. He feels neither pain, nor anger. His hatred for me is because he is protective of his friends and Cathy. Do you think he's right?" she said to Devon's grave. Midii placed flowers on the graves and walked away.
A.C. Colony 192
Midii had spent a long time wandering around trying to make a place for herself. She needed money and she saw that the circus was in town. Midii had found herself doing more spy work. After all, no one would anticipate a child being a spy. She was able to find more information for the Alliance than many spies could. After all, she was able to eavesdrop better and being young, she was a fast learner of different spying maneuvers. Even though she was only 13 and spying for three years, she was more expert than people spying within the same period.
She needed a cover to hide herself in her latest mission. She quickly took her place in the circus. The smell of fresh popcorn, the laughter in the air, and the flashing lights of rides were everywhere as she walked through the circus grounds. Midii missed these simple pleasures. Father was sick and Devon was too. They needed money for medicine and barely any food. Midii worked as a spy for the money. She got $700 a week. That barely covered expenses. The Alliance paid for the medical bills, but they still had debts. This mission promised an extra $10 a week after success. Her mission was to find out rebel movement in the colony. By working for the circus, she could go to different locations and had an escape. She wandered the circus to explore the delights it had. She stared at the horses that were being fed. "Hi," said a voice.
Midii turned to see a girl with curly, reddish-brown hair. They were bouncing with the movement of her head. "Hi," replied Midii.
"You like horses?"
"Sorta. I have hardly seen them now."
"You seem a little sad. Why is that?"
"I need a job. I'm the only one in the family that is healthy enough to work." Midii wasn't sure why she was willing to talk to this girl, but something of this girl in the blue costume seemed trustworthy.
"Really? We need people for different things. We need someone to do the horse riding tricks, trapeze act, and other side jobs," replied the girl.
"I can clean things," answered Midii.
"Actually, we need a person to help with the horse grooming."
"I can do that."
"Come on." Midii followed the girl, who led Midii to the ringmaster. After a few minutes of an interview, Midii was hired on a trial basis of three days. If she did well, then she got the job.
"Thank you Miss," said Midii gratefully.
"Just call me Cathy."
"And I'm Midii."
Midii had found a friend in Catherine Bloom. She had another girl to help her with all sorts of problems she could never really talk to her father about. Something was in Catherine that opened Midii to her. And Catherine in turn found a kind soul, lost in everlasting sorrow. Whatever it was between these two girls, there was that magic of perception between these two. Catherine led the way to clarity, and Midii was the student who slowly followed behind. "Cathy?"
"Yes, Midii?"
"Am I your friend?"
"Of course, Midii! Nothing will ever come between us. I'll never leave you to suffer alone. I won't be far away."
"Do you mean it? No matter what happens or what I've done, you'll never hate me?"
Catherine smiled gracefully. "I see that you are lost. Lost in the world, with no one to lean on for strength. You have burdens that I can never see or feel. But you know what?"
Midii only looked at her new best friend with puzzlement. "What?"
"I know that you have a journey to pursue. I won't be the one to hold you back or stop you. Life has something in stored for you and don't fight it. Don't fight the world; fight the doubt in yourself Midii. The world has evil, and vice. Just don't forget to look for the beauty that it has," Catherine said.
"I..." began Midii.
"Cathy! You're on in five minutes!" called a man.
"Alright!" Catherine turned to Midii. "I'm sorry. I have to go now."
"That's alright." Midii only smiled as Cathy walked into towards the big top from the trailer that they were sitting in front of. Midii began to wonder, 'Will you really stand by me? Even if I'm responsible for the deaths of hundreds?'
The Alliance base that she reported to was seven miles from where the circus was set up. She was able to enter the base with complete authority by the commanding officer she reported to. She stepped down the foreboding, intimidating hallway towards the conference room, where she made her report before two other agents, and three commanding officers, including the spy headmaster, who coordinated the missions of his spies. Lieutenant Hayes was a serious, brooding man of nearly sixty, who had the ability of bullying and intimidating those who worked for him. Midii refused to let the damn bastard control her free will.
She entered the room to see Aloysius McKenrich, Colin Mersac, Lady Une, Treize Khushrenada and Lieutenant Hayes. She saluted in proper military fashion. "This, Mister Treize and Colonel Une, is Miss Midii Une. She is one of my best agents."
"Impressive," commented Treize in his cool collected manner. Hayes gave a sideways glance when Treize wasn't looking. The injustice of an 18-year-old being a colonel, and a sixty-year-old man still stuck being a lieutenant. Treize looked at Midii as though he was inspecting meat at the butcher's. "How many mission has Miss Une completed?"
"Twenty out of twenty. Without fail." Hayes couldn't stand Midii, but he only tolerated her because of her success and ability. Otherwise, he would have had her discharged months ago.
"Impressive," was Treize's comment. "I have never seen or heard of an agent so young do so well.
"Of course Mr. Treize, but you are an example of how age doesn't affect ability," said Lady Une. It was clear to everyone in the room that there was a certain dance between Une and Treize. She was readily able to compliment his ability, and he was always most genteel towards her.
"Miss Une, do tell us the status of your mission," continued Treize.
"My mission is to report the movement of rebels in the vicinity of this colony."
"Any progress reports on their movement?"
"Very little sir. Only sketchy, unconfirmed rumors."
"Such as?" Treize arched his eyebrow in interest.
"There are rumors going on that there is someone within the Alliance that may be aiding the rebels."
"Indeed?" Treize looked concerned over the situation. "Are there any speculations of this traitor's identity?"
"No. Only that it is an officer in the Alliance military. Though..." trailed Midii.
"Continue," replied Treize.
"I have heard that this officer is of some prominence within the organization. I doubt that this person would be foolish enough to get caught, sir."
Treize nodded. "Yes, Miss Une. No one of high rank would be so careless as to make an obvious trail. However, no matter how clever the person, they are bound to slip up. Once he/she does, they will be dealt with firmly, and without fail."
"I have no doubt sir," nodded Midii.
"Is that all?" replied Hayes, curtly.
"Yes." Midii then sat down to listen to the other reports.
"Get her!!" shouted a man as a barrage of bullets narrowly hit Midii.
"Damn it!" She was sent to steal information from the rebel headquarters on the colony. A rebel caught her. In the struggle, he managed to inform the others of her presence and she soon had ten men with assault rifles on her tail.
With a burst of adrenaline, she raced towards the exit. Whiiiip! Piiiinnnnngggg! Whistled a bullet that nearly hit her in the head. She ducked behind a building. "God! What am I gonna do?" She fumbled around in her backpack. She found an explosive. She set the detonator and hurled it hard. It was a silver grenade that had a timer on it. The grenade was oval and silver. It spun when it hit the ground. Beep... beep... beep... It ticked the fifteen seconds.
"Shit!" shouted the men as they try to run away. Beep... four... beep... three... beep... two... beep... one... BOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!! Midii ran for her life as the smoke of the detonation sounded.
After nearly an hour of running, and stopping for her breath, she got back to the circus camp. She snuck into the trailer that Cathy let her stay in. She quietly panted and began to change into her pajamas. It was 1:29 am and Cathy was asleep. Midii looked over at her friend, "I have to leave soon. The rebels know about me, and it's a matter of time when they find me here. You guys will be here another week, and they'll find me by then if I don't leave."
"You're leaving?" Catherine asked sadly.
"I'm afraid so."
"I guess this is your last day."
"It is." Both girls grew quiet for a moment. Midii silently wondered what would happen next. "I seem to have lost my ability. I don't know what to say."
Catherine smiled. "Me too. You know, I think you're my first best friend. I just wanted to tell you that before you go. I don't want you to leave thinking that I never thought highly of you. I won't forget you. I mean, you're very special, and you have been the best friend I've been looking for. Ya know?"
Midii had to smile. Though her mission had nearly failed with her life as the price, she found herself a life-long friend in Catherine Bloom. "One day, I'll come back. We'll meet again."
"Really? You promise me?"
"Of course. These have been the best four months of my life. Going all over the colonies with you, and seeing things I've never seen before. I'm never going to forget this... or you." The two girls hugged good-bye.
A.C. 194
Midii waited in the dark alley. She was supposed to meet a strange person who was offering a great deal of money for Midii to work as a spy. "Hello Midii."
"So what have you got for me?"
The girl smiled. "You like to get down to business don't you?"
"I never like to delay in matters of money and business."
"I suppose being responsible for the downfalls and deaths of people is ALL there is for you in life." Midii only frown and stayed quiet. "I see that you have issues with that."
"What DO you want?"
"Simply this. I want you to join this team that I'm the leader of."
"What is there about this group of yours that is SO great?"
"Everyone in it has desires and wants. If you do your part and make the mission succeed, you get what you want," the girl replied simply.
"What if what I want is something that NO one can give me?"
The girl smiled. "You want absolution for the deaths you caused and the betrayals you've committed."
"How would you know that?"
The girl tapped on her head. "I can hear your thoughts."
"How would you give me absolution?" Midii asked with feeling in her voice.
The girl simply smiled again. "Why... the way you want. You feel that by dying and being punished, you will be forgiven for what you've done. Well, if it's death you want, then we will give it to you. We will find a way for you to be forgiven, by the one person you have been feeling so guilty about."
"How can you do that? He's probably dead already."
"You know this boy well enough to know that he doesn't die SO easily. You know in your heart he's still alive. You just need to find him. Just stick with me and you'll get what you want. The chance to bring closure with what you've done to the boy."
"Fine. Under two conditions."
"What's that?"
"You will find a way to provide my family everything they need as long as they are still alive and well."
"And the second?"
"What is your name?"
"I was once Kari, but I'm only known as Avatar."
"Dad? Dad?" Midii shook her father. He didn't move at all. Alexi and Rudolph sat by in sorrow. Devon was in the hospital for Donavan's Fever, a disease discovered A.C. 141 by Dr. Wayne Donavan. It was a blood disease that had fever as a symptom.
"He's gone, Midii." Alexi wrapped his arms around his sister. "He's gone."
"Damn it! Why didn't you tell me how sick he was?" Midii was infuriated. She came home the day before when Alexi told her that their father was dying.
"It's really hard to find you," retorted Rudolph.
"I don't need to here this from you Rudy!" she screamed. "I worked hard to get money home. I almost got killed seven times already, and I don't need YOU to tell me how to feel about things. Do you understand?" she nearly broke down in tears from the frustration.
Midii cried into Alexi's chest. "Rude? Why did you have to do that?"
Rudolph looked a little sad as he realized what he did. "Look Midii, I'm sorry. I really am."
Midii looked up and simply left the room. A girl now almost 15. Alexi had already left school and was making money in a factory that made space shuttles. He got some decent wages, but Midii was the main bread winner of the family. Risking her neck out for an extra $200 a week for the family. The expenses came from Devon's medical care. It didn't matter because Devon was worth the expenses. Devon was someone worth saving, even if was meant to die anyway. The funeral was difficult, and Devon was too sick to leave. "How was the funeral?"
"I guess it was lovely. If you can call a funeral that," replied Midii.
"Please don't say that. I don't want you to think that when I must go."
"Oh now, don't say that!" Midii nearly shouted.
Devon only shook his head. "Oh Mid, don't try to humor me. Even I know that I'm dying. It won't be long. I know it won't. There is nothing much left for me. There's little time. The clock is ticking and it's just a matter of time when I have to go."
"I wish you wouldn't talk about death right now. Not today," sighed Midii as she looked at her baby brother.
Devon only looked at her. "I'm sorry. But just one thing?"
"Sure."
"No matter what happens, never forget who you really are. You're the nice, loving girl that's been taking care of me since I was little. I don't want you to change from that. Ever. Promise?" He held out his pinkie.
"I pinkie swear."
A.C. 197-Present
"I'm a lousy sister, aren't I, Devon?"
"My poor Midii," Devon appeared to her like a ghost in her mind.
"I know what I have to do now." She left the cemetery.
Author's Notes:
What is Midii up to? What is the next move of the other Raptures? What will the pilots do? Find out next time in Chapter 15!