Tests of Strength, Courage, and Faith
Adea's POV
*****
Silence overtook the table for a brief moment until Kosen-teki spoke again.
"I know why the scientists chose you other five. Each of you possesses a special ability to sense others' thoughts with your minds. Then you might also have an additional ability. It may sound strange at first, but it will seems more natural as you get used to the idea of being different. Some of your powers are stronger than the others'. These idiots here believe that through using the Neo-ZERO system, or the Neo-Zoning and Emotional Range Omitting system, they'll be able to utilize this power and enhance it to turn all of you into soldiers of the colonies." He looked up at all of us. "Some of you might not make it through the testing. It's very dangerous. Maybe you all will make it, maybe not. One may not pass, or two....or three. Hell, all of us could die. What I need to say is this: I know a way for you to escape with your lives and your memory if you don't want to do this." He looked at us one more time, stood and left.
We exchanged glances and then continued our talk as if the episode a few moments ago never happened. "So you think the Neo-ZERO system is that arcade game thing in the hallway to our rooms??" Kyoretsu questioned, stirring the ice cubes in his glass with his straw, then taking a sip and returning to stirring.
"I dunno, Kyo., probably is. It doesn't look like any arcade game I've seen lately, though." Jaide added thoughtfully, "Maybe it's some high-tech antique!"
He smiled and I whacked him upside the head playfully. "No wonder!!! Instead of getting exercise, you are at the arcade the whole time!"
Shorai smiled and nodded. "Yeah, arcade game. I bet. Ya know, I bet I could beat you at *any* arcade game ever invented!!!"
"Here, try this game." A small portable game appeared out of nowhere in Kyoretsu's hand and he just smiled as he handed Shorai the game. "Teleportation of inanimate objects is a special technique of mine."
Shorai simply applauded once, grabbed the game and started playing. Jaide moved to the other side of her and watched over her shoulder to make sure she didn't cheat. I, on the other hand, shook my head, guzzled down the rest of my water, shot it into the nearest waste can and chatted with Kyoretsu, who moved and sat down in the empty seat to my right.
"They're like children." Kyoretsu commented, a smile tugging at his mouth.
"Yep. Hey, why did you look so...so...distant when we came?" I questioned, propping my chin up into the palm of my hand as I indirectly watched the 'Battle of the Arcade Masters'.
"I don't say anything when I don't have anything to say. Plus I really didn't want to be there with them at that time. Shorai is pretty cool, but the other two freaked me out. Kosen-teki never talked. Ever. And Shaku...well...no reason needed."
"NNOOOOOOO!!!!" Kyoretsu and I both looked up at the person screaming. Jaide. "No! CHEATER!!! THIS...IS...*IMPOSSIBLE*!!! No one could beat me!!! NO ONE! I am the *best*! Give that here! I'm gonna keep my record and *beat* yours!"
The other three of us laughed as Jaide franticly punched at the game with his thumbs.
"I know there are certain reasons for all six of us to be here, with special abilities and all, but why is Jaide here? Is it a mistake that he came?"
"I don't know for sure, but with what the general said...I'm guessing Jaide has the ability to read minds." I told him about the principal's office incident that was almost two weeks ago.
His brow furrowed in concentration when I stopped, but then I added my guess again. "I think he may have psychic abilities. It's the only way I can explain how he does that."
"You're probably right. But how would that explain the hair?" He joked.
I grinned and shook my head.
Before I could say anything else, I noticed a man in a uniform walking toward us with a kind of conceited air about him. "Today you will rest and tomorrow your training will begin at five AM sharp. Anyone late will receive two hours extra training for every five minutes late. Understand?"
"What if we're sick?" I turned to see who was speaking and I didn't notice that Shaku had walked over. She stood there with her arms crossed and a smug look on her face.
The man neglected to respect that question with an answer and he turned around and told us to follow him.
We did as he said and when we reached our hallway, we were instructed to stand in front of the door to our room.
The general waltzed in as if he knew everything. I was starting to dislike him. He handed us our uniforms and instructed us to stand at attention. Picky, picky! Someone said and I cast a side-long glance to my right, then to my left and in front to see who it was. Kosen-teki had a small grin on his face as he mocked the general. Something crawled up my ass and died!!! Do you understand?! Now shut up or I'll let out gas!! Stand straight! I don't want to see a slouch. That's pathetic! You can't stand, you might as well be a pile of gloppy-goop!! His telepathy was directed to just us other five, I could tell because, like me, the others were having a hard time standing still because they practically vibrated with laughter. I'm the master of moose! Cheese Whiz reigns above all! Insult provolone and drop down and give me 300!!!
The general stopped and so did Kosen-teki. He walked over to Kyoretsu and asked him what was there to smile about. Kyoretsu stopped smiling abruptly and said that it was nothing in the strangest most monotone voice that I have ever heard. In addition, he finished with a salute and a loud "SIR" that almost set off all the laughter in the rest of us, even Shaku. Boy, did he look like an idiot, I thought as I smiled inwardly. I knew he's mocking the general as well. However, as foolish as the general was, he didn't even notice. He just looked at Kyoretsu blankly, then left.
*****
We were given time to "mingle" and get to know the others and our way around and that our training would start tomorrow at 5 AM sharp, blah blah blah. So basically, Jaide and I look at each other's rooms and there's not much difference. It's a decent sized room with one bed, one window, one door, one closet, one nightstand, and one desk. The usual. The only difference is in the closet, ours are both filled from end to end and from top to bottom with uniforms, boots, gloves and....guns? Yeah, major artillery. Like I was saying, the only difference is the shoe-size and the uniform size. Of course, we put our uniforms on and actually, they're pretty comfortable.
Jaide and I walk out and meet up with Kyoretsu and Shorai.
"Adea, turn around." Shorai laughed as I over-imitated a model and spun around into Kosen-teki. The guy caught me before I tripped and fell, and I thanked him. However, this black haired guy just looked at me, turned around, walked into his room with 1 marked on the door, and closed it shut.
Shorai spoke after somewhat of a lengthy silence. "Just like his grandfather." Kyoretsu nodded. "Yeah. The resemblance is almost amazing."
"Whadd'ya mean?" Jaide questioned, spiking his short hair and looking to every one of us.
Shorai continued. "He just acts like nothing can get to him. Self-built prison walls. He's kinda cute though." She smiled at me and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "What do you people want to do now?"
"We could always charge back over to the food court!!!" Jaide chirped cheerfully.
"YEAH!" Kyoretsu cheered. Shorai and I looked to each other and shook our heads.
"Food, food, food. That's all you guys think about??" I asked, crossing my arms and standing next to Shorai, who also had her arms crossed and smirking like me. We probably looked like sisters to them because they stopped cheering and looked at us with blank expressions and sweatdrops falling down the back of their heads.
*****
Unfortunately, Shorai and I were dragged back to the food court. The two gorged themselves just in time for dinner, when everyone else came out of their hiding places, including Lieutenant Barton and Winner. As usual, two or more people gravitated to sit at a separate table. This time I left Kyoretsu, Shorai, and Jaide and sat with the two Lieutenants. Mr. Winner was nice and smiled at me before returning to a conversation with Mr. Barton. They politely finished and turned to talk to me.
"You're Adea, right?" Mr. Winner questioned with a kind smile and in a soft tone.
I nodded. "Yes sir."
Mr. Winner smiled again. "You can call me Quatre. And this-" He motioned to Mr. Barton. "-is Trowa."
I beamed with pride. I was talking to Quatre and Trowa! Two original Gundam Pilots! "I'm sort of surprised to see the two of you here. May I ask why?"
Trowa spoke this time. "Of course. The others would have come, meaning Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, and Chang Wufei, but for some reason they weren't able to come. We came because two of you are descendants of one of the pilots."
"Well I know Kosen-teki said he was one....oh, who was he??" I place my chin in my hands and stare hard at the table, trying to remember who Kosen-teki said he was. "Peacecraft-Yuy, I think."
The two exchange a glance, then start laughing. Quatre looked at me with sparkling eyes. "Sorry. See, we thought that Heero would never finally admit to Relena Peacecraft how he felt about her, let alone have a child!" He let out another musical-sounding chuckle. "Do you know the other one??"
"I think she does. Very well as a matter of fact." Trowa spoke monotone, but with a tiny hint of mischief in his voice.
My eyes widened and I laughed. "JAIDE! I knew he had some use! I knew it-"
I was cut short by a simple wave of Trowa's hand. "Nope. Not him."
Quatre laughed. "Try again."
"Ok, then. Shorai??"
Another no.
"Hmn. Kyoretsu."
No.
"It is Jaide, it has to be!"
"No, Adea. It's you." Kosen-teki walked up behind me and sat down next to me.
I was dumbfounded. Me? No way, this had to be a mistake. It's Jaide. He's the only one we can't explain why he's here. Shaku has near super-speed, Shorai has telepathy and the ability to read minds when she wants to, Kosen-teki has Heero Yuy's blood and telepathy, I have intelligence and power, Kyoretsu has strength, but Jaide?? "No way. I think you've made a mistake."
Just then, Kosen-teki threw a manila folder in front of me. "Take a look for yourself. Miss Adea Schbeiker-Maxwell."
"Schbeiker-Maxwell???" Quatre looked almost as surprised as I was. "To think!" He laughed again. "Our buddy Duo, that always happy-go-lucky God of Death is related to Adea, the solemn academic fighter. Yes, we have reviewed your school records and they tower unimaginably. And like everyone else here, you excel in mobile suit piloting."
That still didn't explain Jaide though.
"How did you find this, Kosen-teki?" I asked turning to look at him.
He snorted. "I didn't trust any of you when I heard the news that five more people were going to be trained, other than myself, in mobile suits. Therefore, I did research. I found out you were Maxwell's granddaughter and your friend was Milliardo Peacecraft's grandson."
"So you two are related?" Trowa finally said after a stunned silence due to his subtleness and due to the words he spoke.
Kosen-teki nodded briskly and stood, walking away.
"Sometimes I can't stand him. He always acts like a superior." I growled, trying to keep my calm composure.
"Have some understanding. He lived here his whole life." Trowa spoke, choosing his words carefully. Then he stood and also left.
Quatre looked to me with a slight frown. "One of you might not pass. The mobile test suit results are giving different endurance readings for two of you, and we're thinking that in one of the tests, one of you might not survive. That's why Trowa, Kosen-teki and I are tense. We know, but we don't know who." He looked up to the ceiling and breathed a long sigh. "I thought the wars were over for good. I can't stand the thought of so many people losing their lives." The man stood and returned with blue eyes to meet mine. "I know you'll pass, being related to Duo, there's no way you won't."
"I can only hope." I said glumly.
He nodded then moved away from the table and disappeared though a door.
Yawning, I looked at my watch to count down the hours to torture. Eight. That's how many hours of sleep I should get, and knowing that tomorrow isn't going to be very fun, I probably won't sleep much at all. Just then, Kosen-teki sat back down beside me, staring straight ahead into a wall.
Breaking the silence, I questioned almost timidly: "Who is going to die?"
*****
Four hours to torture. I sit down on my still-made cot-like bed and draw my knees up to my chest and wrap my arms around them. As I thought, I couldn't sleep. I had been pacing around in my room four about two hours and now sleep started to creep up on me. The day ran through my head in a blur until it reached the time around dinner, then it went in slow motion. Every detail was almost magnified by twenty, and once again, sleep began to evade me. I stood and started pacing, listening to my shoes against the carpet. A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Enter." I chimed a little too cheerfully for how I felt.
Kosen-teki peeked his head in, looking tired and angry. "Go to bed and get some sleep. I can't sleep when I hear others thoughts. You're so loud when you think that it practically screams into my head and I can't sleep!"
"I'm sorry. I'm not used to this, you know. I'm used to having a normal life! I'm not used to thinking that I might die within the next few weeks, OKAY?!" I looked at him, then turned around, walked back to my bed and sat on it; I set my elbows on my knees and buried my face in my hands. "This is not easy for me."
I heard an exasperated sigh. "Would you like to trade places with me?!?! Well?! Would you like to have known nothing about your family except what you read as if your life and history were a textbook?!"
Stunned, I looked back up at him. "N-no...I guess not...."
All he did was glare and start to raise his voice. "You don't know me! You don't know how hard it is to live in a place like this!!! DO YOU?!?! No you don't!!!"
Angered by his words, I stood, clenching my hands into fists at my sides. "Listen, buddy!!! I nor anyone else here knows their family!!! We've tried to live normal lives with FOSTER parents!!! We were raised thinking they were our parents!!! THEN we are sent off to a yearlong school!!! This, this thing we call life..." I shook my head. "IT'S NOTHING BUT AN ILLUSION FOR ALL OF US!!!!"
My and Kosen-teki's yelling woke Shaku and Kyoretsu up, because within a few seconds, they were also standing in my doorway.
Shaku sauntered in and walked right up to me. "SHUT UP! I'm sick and tired of you thinking you are a goddess! You are nothing in this world." Her words were bitter and just made me angrier. I raised a hand and slapped her across the face, leaving her stunned and wordless.
"Nor are you a goddess. You are just like me, Shaku. At least I attempt to honor you by speaking your name. I have tried to keep my calm, but there comes a time when every thread of patience will snap. In addition, you have bothered me at the wrong time. I really do not wish to strike someone, I am a strong pacifist." My words were cut short when she punched me in the jaw. I remained standing in my same position, unmoving, and locked onto her eyes, emotionless. I still wouldn't move nor would I speak, I only held her glare and met it equally. Suddenly, a wry grin spread across my face. Kyoretsu then stepped between us, holding a hand out at both of us and looking to us with an upset gaze.
"I won't allow fighting. Not between comrades. We all need to get our rest. In a few hours, we'll need to gather everything we have to pass. This will be the most difficult part in our lives. These tests of strength, courage, and faith will determine our future."
To my surprise, Shaku growled and stomped out. Kosen-teki looked at me with anger in his eyes, then left as well.
Kyoretsu looked at me and smiled. "God blessed you, Adea. Good luck on the Neo-ZERO testing tomorrow." With that, he left.
What was that supposed to mean? I thought little more before I fell back into my crappy cot-like bed and was fast asleep, neglecting to notice that there were only three hours of sleep that I could gather before the testing began.
*****
"YAAHHHH!" I woke up, yelling and clamping my hands over my ears tightly before shooting up in my cot and glancing around. I looked up over my door and noticed a red light flashing and a siren wailing. "Talk about a rude wake-up call..." Grumbling, I stumbled out of bed and walked over to my closet, throwing the doors to the side. At least I wouldn't have to worry about what to wear. Throwing on a new uniform, I picked up a comb and started combing through the unruly knots in my long hair. After struggling with the mess of hair, I looked at my watch and noticed that it was two minutes 'till 5 o'clock. I hurriedly pulled my hair up into a ponytail that still cascaded down to my waist and ran out my door.
I ran right into Shorai who stumbled a bit before she started laughing when she saw my expression. Here's why: her outfit looked normal, but *her* hair was what caught my attention. It reached her ankles, even after being pulled up in a sporty fashion, dividing that ponytail in half from which she divided those in half which then divided as well in about two-inch intervals about seven times before gathering back together, then dividing again for seven times and gathering again.
"Sup, Adea! You like my hair?" I just nodded as she dragged me by the arm to the hallway to meet up with the others.
Kosen-teki was sitting in a corner, watching everyone without much concern. He was probably used to this. Shaku was being nosy and looking around at almost everything. Kyoretsu was calmly sitting on the edge of the platform that had the Neo-ZERO system on it. Jaide was walking around aimlessly.
"HEY! Adea's here! And I am too!" Shorai beamed a smile and walked over to Kosen-teki and looked down at him. "Hello down there. Need help up?" She put her hand out and surprisingly, Kosen-teki took it and stood.
Jaide walked over to me and smiled sheepishly. "So much for me being a morning person...I can't stand getting up *this* early."
"Well that is surprising. I feel perfectly fine for me not being one of those morning people." I smiled and patted him on the back hard. "Lighten up, buddy ol' pal! This ain't gonna be too tough, right?"
He slapped me on the back twice as hard and grinned falsely. "Right, pal. Whatever you say."
I punched him in the arm, still grinning like a madwoman. "Right, buddy! So much fun."
"Of course!" He punched me in the shoulder too.
"ATTEN-TION!" A voice thundered from the opposite end of the hallway. All six of us looked up from whatever we might have been doing and saluted respectfully, standing at...well...attention. Lucky us, the general was back.
I decided to try my telepathy out and focused my mind to the others. Well, guys. This is it. Good luck and Godspeed.
No, this isn't it. This is just the beginning. I heard that these are the base tests. No fear, no anger. We'll all pass. Kyoretsu's voice rang through my and everyone's head. He sure didn't sound too happy. Or too sure of his own words.
Fool. This is the stage where we might die. Kosen-teki, grim as ever, spoke.
The general then started to babble. "These tests will determine your mobile suit accuracy and speed. When you are finished, you may return to your living quarters. Anyone not understand? No? Good."
Shaku went up first. The other five of us gathered around to watch her. She climbed into the chair and sat down, pulling a helmet-like device with wires coming out from all directions on her head. Then she grabbed a horizontal control stick in each hand and looked to the general. "So are you gonna start the damn thing?"
The general simply flipped a switch outside the mini-cockpit and the tests began. Her eyes shut quickly in pain, then opened and focused directly onto the screen in front of her. The bleeps from the machine were quickly calculated and were scribbled onto a long sheet of paper being fed outside the machine. Shaku's eyes darted madly back and forth, up and down, and in several different directions as she moved the control sticks expertly to shoot down the targets on the screen.
Once the tests were finished, Shaku had great trouble getting out of the system. After she did, she stumbled away from us, one hand grasping her chest and the other gripping her head. The next person up was Kosen-teki.
He looked back at us then climbed in. The tests seemed to go easy for him, but when he got back out, his face was a deadly pale and his eyes were glazed over. I was next.
Shorai offered me a vote of confidence by shaking my hand and wishing me the best of luck. Kyoretsu smiled and nodded as he stood beside her. Jaide gave me a brief hug.
Even though you cannot fly... He messaged to me and Kyoretsu and Shorai.
"I'm not content to crawl." I finished with a smile. The others smiled as well and their faces disappeared as I fixed myself into the Neo-ZERO system. Gripping the control sticks with sweaty palms, I focused my mind at the screen in front of me and signaled for the tests to begin.
*****
Shorai's POV
She was incredible. The poor girl had sweat pouring from her head. I watched silently, hoping she could hold on. It was easy to tell she was in pain; her hands were gripped so tightly to the control sticks, her knuckles turned white.
The testing wouldn't stop. I uncrossed my arms and stared, with gaping mouth. They should have been done by now. Adea should have been finished! "She's barely holding on..." I gasped. Her face was a deadly pale and her eyes themselves had also turned white.
Kyoretsu put a hand on my shoulder as if to brace himself. "Why aren't they stopping? It should only last twenty minutes....it's thirty now...."
Adea's teeth gritted and her nails started to dig into the bottom of the sticks. Thirty-five minutes and still no stopping. "Find the general! She won't make it if she goes on any longer." Her eyes were in danger of closing and her mind was near a possible coma state if she were to stay hooked into the ZERO system.
Jaide nodded and dashed away, faster than I have seen any other human. I sighed and prayed to God that she would forgive me for what I was about to do. Closing my eyes, I put my fingertips to my temples and concentrated, tapping into her thoughts. Oh dear God...I thought to myself. Her mind was racing, she couldn't stop; in a panic she still tried to test.
I couldn't let her go on like this. I relayed a message hoping it would get through and make sense because the general was nowhere in sight. Adea, calm down and listen to me.
Shorai, help me! It's not stopping! My mind feels like it's on fire! She sounded desperate and panicked. She was afraid. Her thoughts almost screamed at me, but as an important rule, I had to keep my calm.
Take the helmet off.
She didn't answer for a second, then: I can't...I won't abandon the test like that.
I shook my head. Listen to me, this won't make you any less of a fighter. Just stay calm, ok?
Silence.
Here comes the general, hold on for two more seconds, can you do that? Adea?
She managed a small yes.
The person that ran in with Jaide wore a general's uniform, but had slicked back black-gray hair and jet black eyes. I'd guess he that he was Chinese. He ran up to the system and pounded the 'execute mission' button on the side with the side of his fist, obviously angry.
Adea slipped out of the belts that held her down and struggled out of the system. The poor girl tripped and fell, but was fortunately caught by the strong arms of Jaide and Kyoretsu, who glared slightly at each other; they each had one of her arms and were holding her up. She snapped out of it and struggled away from them.
"You alright?" Kyoretsu asked, concern burning deep in his eyes.
"Do need any help?" Jaide questioned.
She only growled and stumbled away, gripping her left arm tight to her with her right hand due to the excruciating pain in her chest. "I'm fine." We stood there and watched her leave, and sometimes, she would stumble again and lean against the wall for support before she would continue. She walked into her room and closed the door with an audible *thump*.
*****
Kyoretsu's POV
The general guy watched Adea leave. "Women shouldn't fight." I saw on his badge he was General Chang.
"It's natural to her, though. She's a born fighter through and through. She enjoys fighting. She practically lives for war." Jaide spoke so matter-of-factly, it made me mad. She shouldn't have to fight, she said she was a pacifist. He acted to calm, he barely cared about her. How dare he say she was a bloodthirsty fighter like he made her out to be? That couldn't be how she really was.
I sighed in dismay. Listen to yourself, Kyo., you don't even know her and you're getting all defensive.
The general looked at us and shook his head. "You three. Make sure the girl is ok later on, any complications and call the control room. You will skip the tests for now." With that, he turned and walked away, muttering angrily under his breath. "Dammit, Rhamsey, so damn hardheaded you might have cost us a soldier. Une won't be happy when she hears this."
I looked at the two standing at my side and shrugged. "What do we do now?"
"We should go check on Adea, she looked pretty bad."
"Yeah, and if I know her, she'll be supremely pissed at General Rhamsey." Jaide concluded once again so matter-of-factly, it sickened me.
*****
Jaide's POV
"And if I know her, she'll be supremely pissed at General Rhamsey." I said with a nod. It was true. She'd probably troop over to his office and kick his ass to China, in which that General Chang guy would probably kick his ass to America, then back to the colonies by someone else.
We all trooped down to room 06. The blue haired dude had his hands shoved into those pockets of his and he looked angry. I simply shrugged and hummed to myself, trying to clear my head of all the self-doubt.
Hey, what was there to doubt, anyway? The skies are...I looked up at the ceiling that was about 15 feet above...well, the skies aren't visible, so how can ya tell? Right? Let's just assume the skies are blue! A wonderful cloudless blue! Endless blue! A bright nice blue! Right? Oh come on, just agree with me.
But suddenly those blue skies in my cobweb mind were stormed over when Kyoretsu started lecturing me about something....
What?
I don't know what that something is, sorry.
Oh yeah, it was on paying attention. Anyway, those pretty blue skies were replaced by Adea's door. Shorai knocked and asked if she could come in.
*****
Adea's POV
I was sitting on my cot, my back against the wall and my knees drawn up. In my lap, I held a clipboard with a sheet of paper clipped into it. Once again, I found myself locked into my mind and sketching whatever came into it onto that sheet. The results were always different.
However, my thoughts were shattered and my line of thought went off track when someone knocked on my door.
Shorai stepped in, smiling slightly, then closing the door on Jaide and Kyoretsu, she walked toward me with now noticeable concern. "Hey, you ok?"
"I'm fine." To tell the truth, I didn't want to talk about it.
She didn't believe me, I could tell. She sat down at the foot of my cot and shook her head. "Don't give that BS to me. I know better and you do too. What's wrong?"
"You probably know. That was completely embarrassing back there!! I thought I was stronger than that. I thought I would have been able to make it through the test. I was pathetic." I set my clipboard at my feet, face down. "I should have been able to complete them like Shaku and Kosen-teki."
She just looked at me. Then a smile spread like melting snow across her face. "Girl, you don't realize how much you impressed me and the others. The others' tests lasted for about twenty minutes. However, you were in that damned ZERO system for twice as long. Apparently there was a bug and unfortunately, it got you while the tests were tallying and just kept the ZERO system from stopping."
Wow, I was astounded. THAT long? I lasted *that* long! Hah. Take that!
We heard some pounding on the door. Then some muffled calling. "Hey Adea?! Can I come in? This blue haired guy won't talk to meee!" Oh boy. It was Jaide.
Shorai stifled a giggle. "Leave them out there."
"Why?"
"Well you know they aren't the best of friends."
"Hmn??"
"Oh? You haven't noticed?" When I shook my head, she started to laugh, then stopped. "Oh come on! You did not know. I don't believe it!"
I raised an eyebrow in question, which only made her double-over in laughter. Finally she calmed herself enough to where she could talk. "Ok, then. Nevermind." She stifled another giggle as Jaide's whimpers came through the doorjamb.
"Adeaaaa! Come on, lemme in. The guy's scaring meee! He won't talk and he keeps glaring at me!"
I decided to play along a little. "Aw, poor Jaide. Is Jaide afraid?"
More whimpers. "No. He's not...it's just that...that blue-haired guy is standing there against the wall with his arms crossed and he's glaring at me! Tell him to stop iiiiiiit!"
Kyoretsu's voice was now heard. "Boo. Did I scare you?" I had to laugh. His voice was calm, but dripping with sarcasm and I could practically see his expression.
The door opened and Jaide scrambled into my room and wedged himself into the six or seven inches space between the wall and the side of the cot opposite the doorway. He scuttled in further as Kyoretsu walked in, hands in pockets, and took a chair at my desk which was about three feet away from the head of the cot.
*****
Shorai's POV
It was simply hilarious. Jaide reminded me of a scared little puppy cowering in a corner. While Kyoretsu and Adea chatted about something...ah, forget what it was. I wasn't listening. I picked up her clipboard and stared at it closely.
Jaide had crawled out of his hiding spot and was standing over my shoulder to look at the paper as well. There was an elegant pencil sketch of a white-winged angel, with wings that spread beautifully across the page. The lady was wearing an ankle-length white dress and she had dark waves of hair that swept down to mid-thigh. She was floating in mid-air, her hands down, palms out; she seemed to be looking down at something.
That's when when I saw it: below her lie a land of ruins. She has her head bowed and her face was shadowed over, but I could almost swear I saw a tear running down her cheek. Something else that suprised me was that she had no halo, like a typical angel. Who was she? And was that a tear?
I looked up at Adea and she caught my eye.
*****
Continued in Part Two- Lying in Ruins (Histories Uncovered)
Adea's POV
*****
Silence overtook the table for a brief moment until Kosen-teki spoke again.
"I know why the scientists chose you other five. Each of you possesses a special ability to sense others' thoughts with your minds. Then you might also have an additional ability. It may sound strange at first, but it will seems more natural as you get used to the idea of being different. Some of your powers are stronger than the others'. These idiots here believe that through using the Neo-ZERO system, or the Neo-Zoning and Emotional Range Omitting system, they'll be able to utilize this power and enhance it to turn all of you into soldiers of the colonies." He looked up at all of us. "Some of you might not make it through the testing. It's very dangerous. Maybe you all will make it, maybe not. One may not pass, or two....or three. Hell, all of us could die. What I need to say is this: I know a way for you to escape with your lives and your memory if you don't want to do this." He looked at us one more time, stood and left.
We exchanged glances and then continued our talk as if the episode a few moments ago never happened. "So you think the Neo-ZERO system is that arcade game thing in the hallway to our rooms??" Kyoretsu questioned, stirring the ice cubes in his glass with his straw, then taking a sip and returning to stirring.
"I dunno, Kyo., probably is. It doesn't look like any arcade game I've seen lately, though." Jaide added thoughtfully, "Maybe it's some high-tech antique!"
He smiled and I whacked him upside the head playfully. "No wonder!!! Instead of getting exercise, you are at the arcade the whole time!"
Shorai smiled and nodded. "Yeah, arcade game. I bet. Ya know, I bet I could beat you at *any* arcade game ever invented!!!"
"Here, try this game." A small portable game appeared out of nowhere in Kyoretsu's hand and he just smiled as he handed Shorai the game. "Teleportation of inanimate objects is a special technique of mine."
Shorai simply applauded once, grabbed the game and started playing. Jaide moved to the other side of her and watched over her shoulder to make sure she didn't cheat. I, on the other hand, shook my head, guzzled down the rest of my water, shot it into the nearest waste can and chatted with Kyoretsu, who moved and sat down in the empty seat to my right.
"They're like children." Kyoretsu commented, a smile tugging at his mouth.
"Yep. Hey, why did you look so...so...distant when we came?" I questioned, propping my chin up into the palm of my hand as I indirectly watched the 'Battle of the Arcade Masters'.
"I don't say anything when I don't have anything to say. Plus I really didn't want to be there with them at that time. Shorai is pretty cool, but the other two freaked me out. Kosen-teki never talked. Ever. And Shaku...well...no reason needed."
"NNOOOOOOO!!!!" Kyoretsu and I both looked up at the person screaming. Jaide. "No! CHEATER!!! THIS...IS...*IMPOSSIBLE*!!! No one could beat me!!! NO ONE! I am the *best*! Give that here! I'm gonna keep my record and *beat* yours!"
The other three of us laughed as Jaide franticly punched at the game with his thumbs.
"I know there are certain reasons for all six of us to be here, with special abilities and all, but why is Jaide here? Is it a mistake that he came?"
"I don't know for sure, but with what the general said...I'm guessing Jaide has the ability to read minds." I told him about the principal's office incident that was almost two weeks ago.
His brow furrowed in concentration when I stopped, but then I added my guess again. "I think he may have psychic abilities. It's the only way I can explain how he does that."
"You're probably right. But how would that explain the hair?" He joked.
I grinned and shook my head.
Before I could say anything else, I noticed a man in a uniform walking toward us with a kind of conceited air about him. "Today you will rest and tomorrow your training will begin at five AM sharp. Anyone late will receive two hours extra training for every five minutes late. Understand?"
"What if we're sick?" I turned to see who was speaking and I didn't notice that Shaku had walked over. She stood there with her arms crossed and a smug look on her face.
The man neglected to respect that question with an answer and he turned around and told us to follow him.
We did as he said and when we reached our hallway, we were instructed to stand in front of the door to our room.
The general waltzed in as if he knew everything. I was starting to dislike him. He handed us our uniforms and instructed us to stand at attention. Picky, picky! Someone said and I cast a side-long glance to my right, then to my left and in front to see who it was. Kosen-teki had a small grin on his face as he mocked the general. Something crawled up my ass and died!!! Do you understand?! Now shut up or I'll let out gas!! Stand straight! I don't want to see a slouch. That's pathetic! You can't stand, you might as well be a pile of gloppy-goop!! His telepathy was directed to just us other five, I could tell because, like me, the others were having a hard time standing still because they practically vibrated with laughter. I'm the master of moose! Cheese Whiz reigns above all! Insult provolone and drop down and give me 300!!!
The general stopped and so did Kosen-teki. He walked over to Kyoretsu and asked him what was there to smile about. Kyoretsu stopped smiling abruptly and said that it was nothing in the strangest most monotone voice that I have ever heard. In addition, he finished with a salute and a loud "SIR" that almost set off all the laughter in the rest of us, even Shaku. Boy, did he look like an idiot, I thought as I smiled inwardly. I knew he's mocking the general as well. However, as foolish as the general was, he didn't even notice. He just looked at Kyoretsu blankly, then left.
*****
We were given time to "mingle" and get to know the others and our way around and that our training would start tomorrow at 5 AM sharp, blah blah blah. So basically, Jaide and I look at each other's rooms and there's not much difference. It's a decent sized room with one bed, one window, one door, one closet, one nightstand, and one desk. The usual. The only difference is in the closet, ours are both filled from end to end and from top to bottom with uniforms, boots, gloves and....guns? Yeah, major artillery. Like I was saying, the only difference is the shoe-size and the uniform size. Of course, we put our uniforms on and actually, they're pretty comfortable.
Jaide and I walk out and meet up with Kyoretsu and Shorai.
"Adea, turn around." Shorai laughed as I over-imitated a model and spun around into Kosen-teki. The guy caught me before I tripped and fell, and I thanked him. However, this black haired guy just looked at me, turned around, walked into his room with 1 marked on the door, and closed it shut.
Shorai spoke after somewhat of a lengthy silence. "Just like his grandfather." Kyoretsu nodded. "Yeah. The resemblance is almost amazing."
"Whadd'ya mean?" Jaide questioned, spiking his short hair and looking to every one of us.
Shorai continued. "He just acts like nothing can get to him. Self-built prison walls. He's kinda cute though." She smiled at me and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "What do you people want to do now?"
"We could always charge back over to the food court!!!" Jaide chirped cheerfully.
"YEAH!" Kyoretsu cheered. Shorai and I looked to each other and shook our heads.
"Food, food, food. That's all you guys think about??" I asked, crossing my arms and standing next to Shorai, who also had her arms crossed and smirking like me. We probably looked like sisters to them because they stopped cheering and looked at us with blank expressions and sweatdrops falling down the back of their heads.
*****
Unfortunately, Shorai and I were dragged back to the food court. The two gorged themselves just in time for dinner, when everyone else came out of their hiding places, including Lieutenant Barton and Winner. As usual, two or more people gravitated to sit at a separate table. This time I left Kyoretsu, Shorai, and Jaide and sat with the two Lieutenants. Mr. Winner was nice and smiled at me before returning to a conversation with Mr. Barton. They politely finished and turned to talk to me.
"You're Adea, right?" Mr. Winner questioned with a kind smile and in a soft tone.
I nodded. "Yes sir."
Mr. Winner smiled again. "You can call me Quatre. And this-" He motioned to Mr. Barton. "-is Trowa."
I beamed with pride. I was talking to Quatre and Trowa! Two original Gundam Pilots! "I'm sort of surprised to see the two of you here. May I ask why?"
Trowa spoke this time. "Of course. The others would have come, meaning Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, and Chang Wufei, but for some reason they weren't able to come. We came because two of you are descendants of one of the pilots."
"Well I know Kosen-teki said he was one....oh, who was he??" I place my chin in my hands and stare hard at the table, trying to remember who Kosen-teki said he was. "Peacecraft-Yuy, I think."
The two exchange a glance, then start laughing. Quatre looked at me with sparkling eyes. "Sorry. See, we thought that Heero would never finally admit to Relena Peacecraft how he felt about her, let alone have a child!" He let out another musical-sounding chuckle. "Do you know the other one??"
"I think she does. Very well as a matter of fact." Trowa spoke monotone, but with a tiny hint of mischief in his voice.
My eyes widened and I laughed. "JAIDE! I knew he had some use! I knew it-"
I was cut short by a simple wave of Trowa's hand. "Nope. Not him."
Quatre laughed. "Try again."
"Ok, then. Shorai??"
Another no.
"Hmn. Kyoretsu."
No.
"It is Jaide, it has to be!"
"No, Adea. It's you." Kosen-teki walked up behind me and sat down next to me.
I was dumbfounded. Me? No way, this had to be a mistake. It's Jaide. He's the only one we can't explain why he's here. Shaku has near super-speed, Shorai has telepathy and the ability to read minds when she wants to, Kosen-teki has Heero Yuy's blood and telepathy, I have intelligence and power, Kyoretsu has strength, but Jaide?? "No way. I think you've made a mistake."
Just then, Kosen-teki threw a manila folder in front of me. "Take a look for yourself. Miss Adea Schbeiker-Maxwell."
"Schbeiker-Maxwell???" Quatre looked almost as surprised as I was. "To think!" He laughed again. "Our buddy Duo, that always happy-go-lucky God of Death is related to Adea, the solemn academic fighter. Yes, we have reviewed your school records and they tower unimaginably. And like everyone else here, you excel in mobile suit piloting."
That still didn't explain Jaide though.
"How did you find this, Kosen-teki?" I asked turning to look at him.
He snorted. "I didn't trust any of you when I heard the news that five more people were going to be trained, other than myself, in mobile suits. Therefore, I did research. I found out you were Maxwell's granddaughter and your friend was Milliardo Peacecraft's grandson."
"So you two are related?" Trowa finally said after a stunned silence due to his subtleness and due to the words he spoke.
Kosen-teki nodded briskly and stood, walking away.
"Sometimes I can't stand him. He always acts like a superior." I growled, trying to keep my calm composure.
"Have some understanding. He lived here his whole life." Trowa spoke, choosing his words carefully. Then he stood and also left.
Quatre looked to me with a slight frown. "One of you might not pass. The mobile test suit results are giving different endurance readings for two of you, and we're thinking that in one of the tests, one of you might not survive. That's why Trowa, Kosen-teki and I are tense. We know, but we don't know who." He looked up to the ceiling and breathed a long sigh. "I thought the wars were over for good. I can't stand the thought of so many people losing their lives." The man stood and returned with blue eyes to meet mine. "I know you'll pass, being related to Duo, there's no way you won't."
"I can only hope." I said glumly.
He nodded then moved away from the table and disappeared though a door.
Yawning, I looked at my watch to count down the hours to torture. Eight. That's how many hours of sleep I should get, and knowing that tomorrow isn't going to be very fun, I probably won't sleep much at all. Just then, Kosen-teki sat back down beside me, staring straight ahead into a wall.
Breaking the silence, I questioned almost timidly: "Who is going to die?"
*****
Four hours to torture. I sit down on my still-made cot-like bed and draw my knees up to my chest and wrap my arms around them. As I thought, I couldn't sleep. I had been pacing around in my room four about two hours and now sleep started to creep up on me. The day ran through my head in a blur until it reached the time around dinner, then it went in slow motion. Every detail was almost magnified by twenty, and once again, sleep began to evade me. I stood and started pacing, listening to my shoes against the carpet. A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Enter." I chimed a little too cheerfully for how I felt.
Kosen-teki peeked his head in, looking tired and angry. "Go to bed and get some sleep. I can't sleep when I hear others thoughts. You're so loud when you think that it practically screams into my head and I can't sleep!"
"I'm sorry. I'm not used to this, you know. I'm used to having a normal life! I'm not used to thinking that I might die within the next few weeks, OKAY?!" I looked at him, then turned around, walked back to my bed and sat on it; I set my elbows on my knees and buried my face in my hands. "This is not easy for me."
I heard an exasperated sigh. "Would you like to trade places with me?!?! Well?! Would you like to have known nothing about your family except what you read as if your life and history were a textbook?!"
Stunned, I looked back up at him. "N-no...I guess not...."
All he did was glare and start to raise his voice. "You don't know me! You don't know how hard it is to live in a place like this!!! DO YOU?!?! No you don't!!!"
Angered by his words, I stood, clenching my hands into fists at my sides. "Listen, buddy!!! I nor anyone else here knows their family!!! We've tried to live normal lives with FOSTER parents!!! We were raised thinking they were our parents!!! THEN we are sent off to a yearlong school!!! This, this thing we call life..." I shook my head. "IT'S NOTHING BUT AN ILLUSION FOR ALL OF US!!!!"
My and Kosen-teki's yelling woke Shaku and Kyoretsu up, because within a few seconds, they were also standing in my doorway.
Shaku sauntered in and walked right up to me. "SHUT UP! I'm sick and tired of you thinking you are a goddess! You are nothing in this world." Her words were bitter and just made me angrier. I raised a hand and slapped her across the face, leaving her stunned and wordless.
"Nor are you a goddess. You are just like me, Shaku. At least I attempt to honor you by speaking your name. I have tried to keep my calm, but there comes a time when every thread of patience will snap. In addition, you have bothered me at the wrong time. I really do not wish to strike someone, I am a strong pacifist." My words were cut short when she punched me in the jaw. I remained standing in my same position, unmoving, and locked onto her eyes, emotionless. I still wouldn't move nor would I speak, I only held her glare and met it equally. Suddenly, a wry grin spread across my face. Kyoretsu then stepped between us, holding a hand out at both of us and looking to us with an upset gaze.
"I won't allow fighting. Not between comrades. We all need to get our rest. In a few hours, we'll need to gather everything we have to pass. This will be the most difficult part in our lives. These tests of strength, courage, and faith will determine our future."
To my surprise, Shaku growled and stomped out. Kosen-teki looked at me with anger in his eyes, then left as well.
Kyoretsu looked at me and smiled. "God blessed you, Adea. Good luck on the Neo-ZERO testing tomorrow." With that, he left.
What was that supposed to mean? I thought little more before I fell back into my crappy cot-like bed and was fast asleep, neglecting to notice that there were only three hours of sleep that I could gather before the testing began.
*****
"YAAHHHH!" I woke up, yelling and clamping my hands over my ears tightly before shooting up in my cot and glancing around. I looked up over my door and noticed a red light flashing and a siren wailing. "Talk about a rude wake-up call..." Grumbling, I stumbled out of bed and walked over to my closet, throwing the doors to the side. At least I wouldn't have to worry about what to wear. Throwing on a new uniform, I picked up a comb and started combing through the unruly knots in my long hair. After struggling with the mess of hair, I looked at my watch and noticed that it was two minutes 'till 5 o'clock. I hurriedly pulled my hair up into a ponytail that still cascaded down to my waist and ran out my door.
I ran right into Shorai who stumbled a bit before she started laughing when she saw my expression. Here's why: her outfit looked normal, but *her* hair was what caught my attention. It reached her ankles, even after being pulled up in a sporty fashion, dividing that ponytail in half from which she divided those in half which then divided as well in about two-inch intervals about seven times before gathering back together, then dividing again for seven times and gathering again.
"Sup, Adea! You like my hair?" I just nodded as she dragged me by the arm to the hallway to meet up with the others.
Kosen-teki was sitting in a corner, watching everyone without much concern. He was probably used to this. Shaku was being nosy and looking around at almost everything. Kyoretsu was calmly sitting on the edge of the platform that had the Neo-ZERO system on it. Jaide was walking around aimlessly.
"HEY! Adea's here! And I am too!" Shorai beamed a smile and walked over to Kosen-teki and looked down at him. "Hello down there. Need help up?" She put her hand out and surprisingly, Kosen-teki took it and stood.
Jaide walked over to me and smiled sheepishly. "So much for me being a morning person...I can't stand getting up *this* early."
"Well that is surprising. I feel perfectly fine for me not being one of those morning people." I smiled and patted him on the back hard. "Lighten up, buddy ol' pal! This ain't gonna be too tough, right?"
He slapped me on the back twice as hard and grinned falsely. "Right, pal. Whatever you say."
I punched him in the arm, still grinning like a madwoman. "Right, buddy! So much fun."
"Of course!" He punched me in the shoulder too.
"ATTEN-TION!" A voice thundered from the opposite end of the hallway. All six of us looked up from whatever we might have been doing and saluted respectfully, standing at...well...attention. Lucky us, the general was back.
I decided to try my telepathy out and focused my mind to the others. Well, guys. This is it. Good luck and Godspeed.
No, this isn't it. This is just the beginning. I heard that these are the base tests. No fear, no anger. We'll all pass. Kyoretsu's voice rang through my and everyone's head. He sure didn't sound too happy. Or too sure of his own words.
Fool. This is the stage where we might die. Kosen-teki, grim as ever, spoke.
The general then started to babble. "These tests will determine your mobile suit accuracy and speed. When you are finished, you may return to your living quarters. Anyone not understand? No? Good."
Shaku went up first. The other five of us gathered around to watch her. She climbed into the chair and sat down, pulling a helmet-like device with wires coming out from all directions on her head. Then she grabbed a horizontal control stick in each hand and looked to the general. "So are you gonna start the damn thing?"
The general simply flipped a switch outside the mini-cockpit and the tests began. Her eyes shut quickly in pain, then opened and focused directly onto the screen in front of her. The bleeps from the machine were quickly calculated and were scribbled onto a long sheet of paper being fed outside the machine. Shaku's eyes darted madly back and forth, up and down, and in several different directions as she moved the control sticks expertly to shoot down the targets on the screen.
Once the tests were finished, Shaku had great trouble getting out of the system. After she did, she stumbled away from us, one hand grasping her chest and the other gripping her head. The next person up was Kosen-teki.
He looked back at us then climbed in. The tests seemed to go easy for him, but when he got back out, his face was a deadly pale and his eyes were glazed over. I was next.
Shorai offered me a vote of confidence by shaking my hand and wishing me the best of luck. Kyoretsu smiled and nodded as he stood beside her. Jaide gave me a brief hug.
Even though you cannot fly... He messaged to me and Kyoretsu and Shorai.
"I'm not content to crawl." I finished with a smile. The others smiled as well and their faces disappeared as I fixed myself into the Neo-ZERO system. Gripping the control sticks with sweaty palms, I focused my mind at the screen in front of me and signaled for the tests to begin.
*****
Shorai's POV
She was incredible. The poor girl had sweat pouring from her head. I watched silently, hoping she could hold on. It was easy to tell she was in pain; her hands were gripped so tightly to the control sticks, her knuckles turned white.
The testing wouldn't stop. I uncrossed my arms and stared, with gaping mouth. They should have been done by now. Adea should have been finished! "She's barely holding on..." I gasped. Her face was a deadly pale and her eyes themselves had also turned white.
Kyoretsu put a hand on my shoulder as if to brace himself. "Why aren't they stopping? It should only last twenty minutes....it's thirty now...."
Adea's teeth gritted and her nails started to dig into the bottom of the sticks. Thirty-five minutes and still no stopping. "Find the general! She won't make it if she goes on any longer." Her eyes were in danger of closing and her mind was near a possible coma state if she were to stay hooked into the ZERO system.
Jaide nodded and dashed away, faster than I have seen any other human. I sighed and prayed to God that she would forgive me for what I was about to do. Closing my eyes, I put my fingertips to my temples and concentrated, tapping into her thoughts. Oh dear God...I thought to myself. Her mind was racing, she couldn't stop; in a panic she still tried to test.
I couldn't let her go on like this. I relayed a message hoping it would get through and make sense because the general was nowhere in sight. Adea, calm down and listen to me.
Shorai, help me! It's not stopping! My mind feels like it's on fire! She sounded desperate and panicked. She was afraid. Her thoughts almost screamed at me, but as an important rule, I had to keep my calm.
Take the helmet off.
She didn't answer for a second, then: I can't...I won't abandon the test like that.
I shook my head. Listen to me, this won't make you any less of a fighter. Just stay calm, ok?
Silence.
Here comes the general, hold on for two more seconds, can you do that? Adea?
She managed a small yes.
The person that ran in with Jaide wore a general's uniform, but had slicked back black-gray hair and jet black eyes. I'd guess he that he was Chinese. He ran up to the system and pounded the 'execute mission' button on the side with the side of his fist, obviously angry.
Adea slipped out of the belts that held her down and struggled out of the system. The poor girl tripped and fell, but was fortunately caught by the strong arms of Jaide and Kyoretsu, who glared slightly at each other; they each had one of her arms and were holding her up. She snapped out of it and struggled away from them.
"You alright?" Kyoretsu asked, concern burning deep in his eyes.
"Do need any help?" Jaide questioned.
She only growled and stumbled away, gripping her left arm tight to her with her right hand due to the excruciating pain in her chest. "I'm fine." We stood there and watched her leave, and sometimes, she would stumble again and lean against the wall for support before she would continue. She walked into her room and closed the door with an audible *thump*.
*****
Kyoretsu's POV
The general guy watched Adea leave. "Women shouldn't fight." I saw on his badge he was General Chang.
"It's natural to her, though. She's a born fighter through and through. She enjoys fighting. She practically lives for war." Jaide spoke so matter-of-factly, it made me mad. She shouldn't have to fight, she said she was a pacifist. He acted to calm, he barely cared about her. How dare he say she was a bloodthirsty fighter like he made her out to be? That couldn't be how she really was.
I sighed in dismay. Listen to yourself, Kyo., you don't even know her and you're getting all defensive.
The general looked at us and shook his head. "You three. Make sure the girl is ok later on, any complications and call the control room. You will skip the tests for now." With that, he turned and walked away, muttering angrily under his breath. "Dammit, Rhamsey, so damn hardheaded you might have cost us a soldier. Une won't be happy when she hears this."
I looked at the two standing at my side and shrugged. "What do we do now?"
"We should go check on Adea, she looked pretty bad."
"Yeah, and if I know her, she'll be supremely pissed at General Rhamsey." Jaide concluded once again so matter-of-factly, it sickened me.
*****
Jaide's POV
"And if I know her, she'll be supremely pissed at General Rhamsey." I said with a nod. It was true. She'd probably troop over to his office and kick his ass to China, in which that General Chang guy would probably kick his ass to America, then back to the colonies by someone else.
We all trooped down to room 06. The blue haired dude had his hands shoved into those pockets of his and he looked angry. I simply shrugged and hummed to myself, trying to clear my head of all the self-doubt.
Hey, what was there to doubt, anyway? The skies are...I looked up at the ceiling that was about 15 feet above...well, the skies aren't visible, so how can ya tell? Right? Let's just assume the skies are blue! A wonderful cloudless blue! Endless blue! A bright nice blue! Right? Oh come on, just agree with me.
But suddenly those blue skies in my cobweb mind were stormed over when Kyoretsu started lecturing me about something....
What?
I don't know what that something is, sorry.
Oh yeah, it was on paying attention. Anyway, those pretty blue skies were replaced by Adea's door. Shorai knocked and asked if she could come in.
*****
Adea's POV
I was sitting on my cot, my back against the wall and my knees drawn up. In my lap, I held a clipboard with a sheet of paper clipped into it. Once again, I found myself locked into my mind and sketching whatever came into it onto that sheet. The results were always different.
However, my thoughts were shattered and my line of thought went off track when someone knocked on my door.
Shorai stepped in, smiling slightly, then closing the door on Jaide and Kyoretsu, she walked toward me with now noticeable concern. "Hey, you ok?"
"I'm fine." To tell the truth, I didn't want to talk about it.
She didn't believe me, I could tell. She sat down at the foot of my cot and shook her head. "Don't give that BS to me. I know better and you do too. What's wrong?"
"You probably know. That was completely embarrassing back there!! I thought I was stronger than that. I thought I would have been able to make it through the test. I was pathetic." I set my clipboard at my feet, face down. "I should have been able to complete them like Shaku and Kosen-teki."
She just looked at me. Then a smile spread like melting snow across her face. "Girl, you don't realize how much you impressed me and the others. The others' tests lasted for about twenty minutes. However, you were in that damned ZERO system for twice as long. Apparently there was a bug and unfortunately, it got you while the tests were tallying and just kept the ZERO system from stopping."
Wow, I was astounded. THAT long? I lasted *that* long! Hah. Take that!
We heard some pounding on the door. Then some muffled calling. "Hey Adea?! Can I come in? This blue haired guy won't talk to meee!" Oh boy. It was Jaide.
Shorai stifled a giggle. "Leave them out there."
"Why?"
"Well you know they aren't the best of friends."
"Hmn??"
"Oh? You haven't noticed?" When I shook my head, she started to laugh, then stopped. "Oh come on! You did not know. I don't believe it!"
I raised an eyebrow in question, which only made her double-over in laughter. Finally she calmed herself enough to where she could talk. "Ok, then. Nevermind." She stifled another giggle as Jaide's whimpers came through the doorjamb.
"Adeaaaa! Come on, lemme in. The guy's scaring meee! He won't talk and he keeps glaring at me!"
I decided to play along a little. "Aw, poor Jaide. Is Jaide afraid?"
More whimpers. "No. He's not...it's just that...that blue-haired guy is standing there against the wall with his arms crossed and he's glaring at me! Tell him to stop iiiiiiit!"
Kyoretsu's voice was now heard. "Boo. Did I scare you?" I had to laugh. His voice was calm, but dripping with sarcasm and I could practically see his expression.
The door opened and Jaide scrambled into my room and wedged himself into the six or seven inches space between the wall and the side of the cot opposite the doorway. He scuttled in further as Kyoretsu walked in, hands in pockets, and took a chair at my desk which was about three feet away from the head of the cot.
*****
Shorai's POV
It was simply hilarious. Jaide reminded me of a scared little puppy cowering in a corner. While Kyoretsu and Adea chatted about something...ah, forget what it was. I wasn't listening. I picked up her clipboard and stared at it closely.
Jaide had crawled out of his hiding spot and was standing over my shoulder to look at the paper as well. There was an elegant pencil sketch of a white-winged angel, with wings that spread beautifully across the page. The lady was wearing an ankle-length white dress and she had dark waves of hair that swept down to mid-thigh. She was floating in mid-air, her hands down, palms out; she seemed to be looking down at something.
That's when when I saw it: below her lie a land of ruins. She has her head bowed and her face was shadowed over, but I could almost swear I saw a tear running down her cheek. Something else that suprised me was that she had no halo, like a typical angel. Who was she? And was that a tear?
I looked up at Adea and she caught my eye.
*****
Continued in Part Two- Lying in Ruins (Histories Uncovered)