Laying in Ruins [Histories Uncovered]
Shorai's POV
*****
That's 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 surprised 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.
*****
Adea's POV
Shorai looked at me and I saw the question in her eyes before she even spoke. "Yes. Laying In Ruins. It's one of the many tales that had been woven before me when I was younger. That angel is-...was the guardian of that world until she herself was killed. She watches the world from above in heaven now. The feathers from her wings are said to fall to the earth in forms of sunrays. And the wings themselves are said to be a shield wrapped around the world to protect it from harm."
Jaide spoke up. "Why the tear? Why is she crying?"
"The tear represent the tears shed when the people she watched over forgot what peace meant and when families were torn apart by war. The three craters stand for the three stars said to guide people to hope, peace, and happiness."
"And why no halo?" Shorai questioned.
I smiled slightly. "That's because she put her halo into the sky for light, for the sun; to help people see themselves and see others and to see what they've done."
Kyoretsu walked over to take a peek at the paper and nodded. "She must be Kirei. Her face is shadowed over because she is almost ashamed of what has happened and she feels like she is responsible. Her hands are reaching out to the world, hoping to go back to save it."
"How'd you know who she was?" I looked up at him.
"I heard it somewhere before, or saw it somewhere, just don't remember where." He looked up at the ceiling as if to see a map of where he saw or heard it before. "Oh, yeah!" He held out his hand, palm up, and in it appeared a small book, about five inches long, three and a half inches wide, and about half an inch thick. On the cover was a design of a black rose and under it were the inscribed words of: Iie Sayonara, which means: No Goodbyes.
It was my book!! I always wrote down my thoughts, brainstorming for ideas, dreams, nightmares, and tales I believed. I searched my pockets just to make sure it was mine. Kyoretsu handed it to me. "I think this is yours. I found it in the hallway when we first met, and I wasn't sure whose it was, so I kept it." He diverted his eyes to the floor. "Please forgive me if I say I read it. I was looking through for a name, but when I read one of the pages, I wanted to know what happened, which led to page after page. Some of those stories are practically captivating." He smiled.
"It's ok." I take the book and put it in one of the desk drawers. I returned the smile.
I wanted to change the subject to stop their watchful eyes from looking at me to the picture to the book and back. This wasn't hard for me because I can think of a different subject faster than a bullet could fly but for some reason I couldn't think. So I raced through my mind until I came up with something.
"Are you going to take the tests?"
"Dunno, girl." Shorai shrugged.
"What I wanna know is what's gonna happen? I mean, come on people, we've only been here for three days! Think, if this is just the beginning..." I let my voice trail off.
*****
Kosen-teki's POV
The morning after testing I met up with Shorai and the others. Once again, another day in this living hell. Thankfully, once we finish our three-week torture, we'll be free. Even before I reach them, I can hear Shorai's voice, happy and cheerful as ever. No doubt, she was talking to that other girl. I'm not sure where the redheaded gal is, but she's never around so I can't care much. Not that I should. I rub my bare arms slightly as I walk down the hallway to the cafeteria. Maybe it was just me, but I noticed it had gotten a little chilly.
*****
Adea's POV
I smiled as I walked alongside the others, but I was thinking about home. I didn't like it here. I wanted to leave. Ignoring what they were saying, I concentrated and thought of possible plans. Escape through air ducts was the least risky, but I knew that these air systems were a maze of pipes.
Oh well, no one will care.
*****
Shorai's POV
"Yeah! I know!" I laughed and pushed Jaide into a wall. He started to wonder if I'd ever trip on my hair, but when I answered no, he started stepping on it for me. But when I rolled my hair up and held it in my hands the whole time he started picking about how I probably sat on it too.
"Oh give poor Shorai a break!" Adea's laughing, sing-song voice made Jaide's attention turn to her and he started pulling on her waist-long ponytail that was usually loose. Her body jerked back as he stopped while she kept walking. Kyoretsu and I burst out laughing as she took on an image of a pull-ox. She looked over her shoulder at Jaide and gave a maniacal grin, scuffed the toe of her boot once then started walking forward. Jaide, with his knees locked, tried to stand still, but try as he may, slowly he was being pulled by her hair. She didn't seem to care either. She just leaned forward and kept walking, dragging Jaide behind. Oi, it was hilarious. Until of course, General Rhamsey waltzed over and told them to stop fooling around.
*****
Adea's POV
I took my hair back and pulled the hair tie out, letting my hair cascade down my back. I turned around and glared at General Rhamsey. There was no "how are you" or "are you okay" or "I'm sorry" 's from this guy, no, he was too caught up in the fact that his bald-spot was growing too large for his comb-over. His gray hair had been colored in the past, you could tell. I'd give him about 42 years. Gheesh, he acted so stuck-up you could almost see the snot up his nose. Nasty.
"You, especially, young lady, must learn to behave and also to respect those around you." He waved a finger at me and attempted a glare, but only came out looking foolish.
I simply kept a straight face and uttered a single word that sent his face flaming in anger. "No."
I would have felt a sharp sting across my face if I wouldn't have caught his hand, using a vice-like grip to nearly crush his wrist. In the coldest, calmest voice I could manage, I warned him. "Never hit a lady." As soon as I loosened my grip, he took off toward General Chang's office direction.
"Wow. He looked scared." Kyoretsu's voice was quiet with both amusement and admiration. I turned to him and there was the biggest smile that I have ever seen. "You told him, Adea. I think he thinks you're crazy."
Jaide quickly added in a comment too. "What a way to say it, so straight forward, I thought he was gonna wet his pants. And I think his hand will hurt for a few days."
Shorai, however, wasn't as happy at my 'accomplishment'. She took my shoulders and looked me directly in the eyes. "Be careful with your strength, it may also be your weakness." I nodded and she continued. "I don't want anything to happen to my best friend or-"
"The rest of us because of your actions." The sentence was finished be Kosen-teki, who stood behind us. "I saw the whole incident, and while I understand your anger to the general, Adea, I don't think your decision was a wise one."
"How do you know how she feels??? You aren't her!" Jaide jumped in to my defense.
Coolly, Kosen-teki simply said, "I saw the whole ZERO system incident, as well as this one. She needs to control her strengths better. Right now, in a MS battle, she would die quickly."
Taken aback by the comment that was said so happenly, Jaide just growled.
I turned to Kosen-teki. "You underestimate your opponent, you just break rule one of war: Never underestimate enemies, never over-estimate allies."
"Rules are only such if they can be broken. And every rule has an exception." He smirked. I knew what this was, a battle of wits. A true battle. And true to his name, Kosen-teki loved battles. [Kosen-teki means love of war] This wasn't a MS battle, this was a battle from the mind and I was up for the challenge.
"But with that exception, comes another exception." I crossed my arms and fixed my eyes on his, wielding a straight face and gaining a calmer composure.
"War would then be impossible to fight if these rules weren't to be broken. Everyone over-estimates and underestimates. You underestimate me, and I you."
"Hah, if anything, I over-estimate you. I can see in your eyes that you don't trust me in the least." I turned around and walked away.
"You're right, I don't trust you. Why should I? You could be a traitor for all I know." I heard him call after me. It made me smile: at least now I wouldn't have to worry about anyone not wanting me to leave. The plans were being set.
*****
Shorai's POV
"Where you goin'?" Jaide questioned to Adea's back. She didn't turn around, or even look back.
"I've lost my appetite. Go to the lunchroom without me. I have something I need to take care of."
"We'll save you a seat, ok??" I called. No answer. She then turned into a hallway marked: Intensive MS Training. "What's she up to?" I whispered.
*****
Kyoretsu's POV
I wanted to follow her. She was up to something and I had a feeling it wasn't going to benefit anyone. I told Shorai and she gave me the okay, Jaide however, was more stubborn.
"If you go too, there's more risk of us getting caught." My reasoning didn't seem to get through to him.
"But you're gonna need backup if it gets too bad!" He looked indignant and set on following me follow Adea. That's when I just started walking.
"You'll get in the way."
He grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him with his angry five-year-old look. "You can't stop her. I hope she kills you." Then he shoved me in the direction she went. "Go on, Mr. Hero. Try to stop her."
I leisurely jogged down the hallway, careful not to make too much noise. I looked down every corridor as I passed them, but no sign of Adea.
Suddenly, coming up toward a turn, I look in the weapons room and I see her with a welding shield on her head. She had her back to me and she had a halter top on with the uniform pants. Her hair was pulled up into a bun to keep it from getting in the way. As soon as I take a step in, the torch spurts flames and starts going to work on a metal of sorts that had a tarp concealing most of it.
I put a visor on myself and walk up to the side of her so as not to startle her. Unfortunately, she spotted me before I wanted her to. She spun around, flipped her visor up and held the still-flaming torch tip at me.
"Get out of here."
"What's up?" I spoke calmly, trying to make small talk.
She switched the torch off and set it down, grinning slightly. "I think you know. You know it's not polite to spy on people."
"I was worried, that's all." I walked up beside her to see what she was working on.
"Worried? Why?" She asked, nonchalantly wiping the sweat off her forehead with the back of her wrist.
"Ah, you know, a friend doesn't let a friend make a...a...um, what is this thing anyway?" I asked, running my finger along the seam of the joined metals.
She nodded and patted the surface. "This, my friend, is the Zero system, unhooked." She added a 'mad scientist' laugh for effects. "I'm installing a small device that will give out wrong results, so hopefully they won't use it any more. Heh, it's not much but it'll sure give'm a scare. I programmed the system so it wouldn't harm the person, but the results would be extremely high at one point, and rock bottom at another." She grabbed the ends of the tarp and threw it off, revealing the like-new system with a very slight hint of a welding mark near the foot platform. "It's not much, but seeing as how much I love childish antics, this is a perfect little bit of revenge."
"Well then," I spoke cheerfully, putting my elbow on her shoulder and leaning on it as if she were a leaning post, "a friend won't let a friend mess up master plans alone. Kinda seems pointless, though."
Adea stood there, looking up at me out of the corner of her eye. "You didn't notice it was gone when we were walking to breakfast? I smuggled it last night. By the way, you have a bony elbow." She laughed and quickly spun away, leaving me fall. "You know, you could have just asked if you could have come with me to see what I was up to. I would have told you and then told you not to come along."
"Well then I guess I shouldn't have asked, cuz now I get to follow you." I grinned and she slapped me in the arm with a rag as I stood.
"Alright, you found out, now shoo." She started to push me out of the room.
"Why??"
"Because I don't want anyone to find out what I'm doing by drawing attention. Now go, I'll be in the lunchroom in a few. Just let me clean up here and move the system back to its spot."
"You'll need help." I crossed my arms and refused to budge.
She shook her head. "No. I got it out here, I'll be able to get it back." With that, she swept her foot out, caught my shoulders as I started to fall, dragged me out and slammed the iron door shut, clicking it locked.
*****
Adea's POV
Finally, he was gone. I rubbed my arms, it had suddenly gotten cold.
I didn't pay it any mind as I picked up a broom and swept the metal filings and globs of scrap and dumped them into the trashcan. Afterward, I wheeled a cart over to the system, and, lifting it little by little, I managed to shimmy it onto the cart.
Oh well, I thought, this is gonna be easier that I thought. Shrugging the cold off, I put a lightweight jacket on and headed for the lunchroom.
*****
Shorai's POV
"So what's the schedule for today?" Kyoretsu questioned from my right at the breakfast table while nonchalantly shoving a chunk of syrupy waffle into his mouth.
"My my, aren't we the hungry ones today!" Jaide commented as he himself gorged out on the breakfast foods.
I sat there smiling. "Between the two of you, I'm not sure if there'll be any food left!" I glanced down at my simple muffin and orange juice to their plates of pancakes, waffles, biscuits, toast, French toast, bacon, fruit, jelly, butter and syrup, even fried rice, and couldn't help but laugh.
Kosen-teki, at my left, actually had a smile tugging at the ends of his mouth. "I expected this from Jaide, but not Kyoretsu."
Kyoretsu looked up from his position, hunched over his plate with syrup dribbling from his chin. "I may hate a lot of things, but food's my best friend. That and the color blue. Love blue! And FOOD!" He maneuvered the chopsticks quicker and shoveled more of the messy fried rice into his mouth.
Just then, Adea walked in smiling as she swiped a bottle of water off the cart and drank thirstily. "Wassup? Sorry I'm late." She sat down in front of me and burst out laughing as she noticed Jaide and Kyoretsu. "Geez! Hate to disappoint you guys, but after breakfast, we're going to a track to run laps for the cardiovascular part of our training. General Chang told me to tell you guys that Trowa will be here shortly."
Kosen-teki slammed his fist into his other hand. "Blast, I knew I forgot *something*!" He mused.
Jaide almost choked as Adea's words finally registered. "What?! Run LAPS???" He looked at Kosen-teki and grabbed his shirt collar in panic. "I'm the most out-of-shape person here and you didn't *tell* me?! EEP!" He crept back into his seat, clutching close the bowl of rice in his hands.
Trowa walked in dressed in casual khakis and a dark blue t-shirt. "General Chang wanted me to tell you that I'll be the instructor for the second part of your training. Are you ready to go to the track?"
*****
Adea's POV
Trowa lead us through what seemed like a gerbil-cage's worth of tunnels and see-through corridors. When we finally reached the track, it wasn't outside like I had thought. Instead, it was located in a huge metal-domed room.
The track was a red brick color with seven lanes that ran along the wall of the dome. It could have easily been half a mile in length. On the inside of the track in the central area of the dome lay all kinds of weight lifting machines and treadmills.
"Whoa...." Shorai was smiling from ear to ear. "This is nothing like the gyms at home. This is *incredible*! I wonder how much all of this cost you??"
Trowa answered her inquiry. "Ah, about 14.3 billion for the dome itself and about 9 billion even for the actual machines. The track cost us about 7 million to put in." He nodded in approval, then looked at a watch on his right hand. "Alright, do some stretching and then run five laps. Get it done before 11 AM. Once you're finished, come see me, I'll be in the lobby." He pointed to a door at the other end of the dome, then made his way over to the door, eventually shutting it behind him.
"This place was bigger than I thought." I said, jogging out onto the astro-turf on the inside of the track.
"Yeah, it looks almost small from the outside. Just the lobbies are huge. And the rooms aren't what you'd call closets either. This place is a maze. It looks confined, it's anything but." Kyoretsu said as he came to join me.
*****
Shorai's POV
We decided to wait for everyone to finish running laps, Adea and I ran with each other the whole way and finished first, Kosen-teki finished right behind us and Kyoretsu a few seconds after. Jaide followed about five minutes later and we all trudged over the other side of the gym to the door that Trowa had gone through almost an hour earlier.
"What was the point of that anyway?" Kyoretsu asked, walking backward to face the rest of us. "I mean, we run laps, big deal. It didn't seem like they were monitoring us, so what have they gained?"
"It seems pointless, but it'll help in the mecha simulation tests." Kosen-teki almost smiled. "Everything here has a point."
"Mecha simulation testing, eh??" Adea grinned. "Definitely my strong-point."
Jaide leaned toward Kosen-teki skeptically. "Sooo, what you're saying is," He straightened up, crossed his arms and looked at him, "we could have skipped a lap or two and they wouldn't have noticed?"
"I doubt it, Jaide-chan. I thought I saw a camera in one of the weights." I spoke, shrugging.
Adea grinned and wrapped her one arm around Jaide's neck while she ruffled his hair with the other, leaving it lay on his head in a big clump of gel, hairspray and hair. "Yeah, Jaide-chan!!! You worried about not cheating or something???"
Jaide pushed her away, and pouting, tried desperately to fix his hair. "You messed my hair!!! That's mean."
*****
Kyoretsu's POV
We met up with Trowa about a minute or two later to discuss the bases and territory between the colonies and the Earth. Instead of the mobile suit testing like we were expecting, he led us through another maze of corridors and tunnels to a conference room. Situated around the table were chairs, about two dozen of them and only a handful were full.
The older man instructed us to take a seat, then he sat in the seat to the right of the head and propped his chin on his hands as General Chang entered. He dimmed the lights and pulled down a projection screen. On it appeared a map.
"Here is the base as seen from above." He flicked to a picture of the base. "We are in neutral territory. Sally, please explain the reasoning for those who might not understand."
An older woman with sandy blonde hair tied in loose pig-tail braids stood, and with a commanding voice she spoke. "Right now as we speak, the war is continuing. If we do nothing, if we sit around and wait it out, we'd die. The reason is simple. If we don't do something this war will continue like it did in our time with Mareimaia. The problem is that we're just as well hidden as they are. We don't know the enemy." She turned to us after a moment of silence. "I have a reason that I developed the main part of this training. You five have a mission. No matter what, like the first generation Gundam Pilots you may see before you, you must complete your missions and be willing to risk you're life."
"What if we aren't??" I questioned, a little startled about the words she had previously spoken.
"You don't belong here if that's true." A man's voice spoke without any emotion. We turned around and there stood General Yuy. "Maxwell's been messing with the prototypes again."
Kosen-teki stood and smiled. "Grandfather, when are you going to shoot him like promised?"
Yuy took his grandson's hand and shook it firmly. "He may be older, but he's just as rambunctious as always. And he's taken all of my guns."
Trowa stood and walked toward Yuy. He motioned to Adea. "She's a Maxwell."
At the mention of her name, her face got a stony expression and she squared her shoulders, crossing her arms.
Yuy looked to her and a small smile crossed his face. "Surprising. Nothing like him."
*****
Adea's POV
I stood silent. What was that supposed to mean? I'm a Maxwell, big deal. Kyoretsu elbowed me in the side, smiling.
"You're well known!" He whispered.
"Heero!" Sally smiled. "Glad to see that you got here in one piece!"
He ruffled his dark-grayish brown hair then shook his head. "Not with Maxwell's driving skills. We were supposed to pick up some parts for the mobile suits and he almost got us killed. I don't know why we let him keep his license in the first place."
Moans and then small chuckles of agreement went around to everyone else in the room.
Sally shook her head. "Duo's never really been the most responsible person in the world. Let alone the best driver. The only reason he was such a good Gundam pilot was that he was so reckless when he fought and he easily got the enemy killed." She let out a small laugh. "Pure insanity. Even when he's in his fifties he has just as much energy."
"And what makes it worse is that I lost him." Heero sighed. "Oh well, he'll either get lost and starve or he'll find his way out and get it by a car."
Just then, we heard a maniacal laugh followed by bursts of giggles. Then a man with a knee-length gray-brown hair in a braid dashed through the door carrying a large water gun. The next thing I knew, was that a jet stream of ice cold water hit me in the stomach probably as well as everyone else in the room.
*****
Third Person POV
"MAXWELL!!!!" A shout from Heero echoed through the hallways. Within seconds, he was beet red in the face and chasing a giggling Duo around the room.
Everyone else gathered in a corner and watched in partial amusement as Duo tripped over chairs and tables in effort to stay away from Heero.
"Alright, you two." Sounded a woman's voice from the doorway.
"Noin! Thank heaven you're here." Sally grinned.
The other woman smiled. "Looks like I was just in time too." She walked over to the group. "I'm glad to see that everyone's here...Wait, where's the redhead?" She looked over the young pilots carefully.
Adea shook her head and spoke, choosing her words carefully. "I don't know, she hasn't been to any of the testing. I don't tr-" Kosen-teki cut her off, shaking his head so she'd keep quiet for a moment.
Kosen-teki stepped forward. "Shaku only participated in one of the tests, as far as my studies show, she's already failed."
Trowa, who had been silent the whole time, nodded. "True, but we need as many allies as we can get. Someone radio her room and if she's not there check the premises."
A young man dressed in a uniform nodded and on salute, left.
Duo almost skipped over to the young pilots and in a joyful voice, cheered, "Introductions!!"
Sally grinned and walked over to Kosen-teki. "This is Heero's grandson as you already knew."
"Yup, yup!" Duo flashed a grin.
She stepped over to Adea. "Adea. You remember her, right?"
"I should hope so!!" He then caught the startled girl in a bear hug. "How you doin'! Long time no see!!!"
She coughed slightly. "Can't breathe...."
"Oh! Heh, sorry 'bout that!" He stepped back grinning.
She nodded stiffly, unsure of what to think. "Of course." Duo playfully slugged her shoulder and she managed a small smile.
"Lighten up!!!" His famous grin crossed his face once again. He jumped over to Shorai and whistled. "Who's this?"
She smiled and held out her hand, introducing herself. "Shorai Mirai. I take it you are Duo Maxwell, Shinigami, am I correct?" She grinned.
"Wow! I'm famous! I could be the Keanu Reeves of TG!!!!" He took her hand and shook it vigorously. "The god of death has arrived!!!"
Kyoretsu also introduced himself. "Kyoretsu, second in command in the space force on colony 77-59 section 4."
Duo grinned even more. "Sweet!!! We got a second in command here!!!" He looked over at Sally. "How'd you get him here?? He's a second in command!" He returned his short attention span back to Noin.
Noin walked over and next to Jaide, resting a hand on his shoulder. "This is my grandson, Jaide."
Jaide looked over at her and grinned happily. "Gramma, where's Gramps?"
"I'd prefer you *not* call me that." A deep voice came from the doorway. There stood a tall man in his fifties dressed in a dark uniform. He walked over, smiling down at Noin with his aquamarine-colored eyes. His light blonde hair was long and came to about mid-back.
"Zechs," Noin play-scolded, "you taught him to call you that in the first place, you know." She smiled and brushed away a few strands of her purple-ish hair out of her eyes and tucking them behind her ear.
"That was before I was calling him Grampy-san." Jaide volunteered cheerfully and his smile only broadened at the site of Zechs' slight wince.
Sally clapped her hands once, loudly, and instructed everyone to take a seat.
*****
Adea's POV
I looked around at everyone; they all seemed so familiar with this. I checked my watch: 3 pm. We spent a lot of time discussing the territories and boundaries, our allies and our possible enemies.
We had moved to a hidden, secluded part of the colony to lower the possibilities of being found. This was still another part of that old run-down looking building that Jaide and I had encountered almost a week earlier. After reviewing the maps of the building's system, the rest of the "team" and I found out that the building was an absolute maze of tunnels that ran both above and underground. There was even a system running in the walls of the colony, spread out like a net. Access was possible to anywhere. We had been confined to a smaller area when we first arrived to minimize risk of getting lost. Seriously. Noin was laughing and telling us how it took her two years to get used to the maze. Even now, she grinned as she thought about it, she still gets lost.
However, I couldn't get my mind to focus. Everything blurred. I took a sip of water and tried to concentrate on the matter at hand, but with no prevail. I yawned.
"Adea? Something wrong?" Duo's unusually concerned voice cut through me like a blade.
"Hmn?"
Kyoretsu's hand rested comfortingly on my shoulder and I could feel his eyes looking right at me. "Noin called you name seven times and you didn't respond."
Déjà vu....From when?? My head spun. Something was going to happen. Soon. I felt adrenaline pulsing through my veins, a flash jolted me upright. I saw an explosion and could almost feel the flames and debris fly past me.
My eyes snapped open and I saw Shorai. She looked at me with an extreme intensity in her eyes, but she only nodded. She knew what was going to happen too.
*****
Shorai's POV
4:22 pm. Adea knew something was going to happen, and so did I. The meeting was dismissed and we went our separate ways. Kosen-teki and Heero went to discuss the mobile suit assembly while Trowa and the others went to monitoring stations situated throughout the building. However, Adea went in a completely different direction and I was half tempted to follow her, but decided against it. I followed Kyoretsu and Jaide, who had seemingly came across a truce and were chatting happily about ketchup.
"Yeah! I know, it's tomatoes, then, BANG! Ketchup!" Jaide jumped in emphasis, grinning like an idiot.
Kyoretsu laughed and nodded. "And it's funny how mustard and ketchup go so well on a burger, ya know? Cuz yellowish brown and red usually don't go well together."
"Hey, Sho', whattya think?"
I grinned slightly, and having not been paying much attention, was completely lost. "Ehhhh...ketchup tastes good??" I grinned, slinking a hand behind my head and laughing.
Jaide lightly punched my arm. "Ya got that right! See, Kyo'-man? She knows what's goin' on! Ketchup DOES taste good!"
"Why don't we go the café for some latté and burgers!!!" Kyoretsu grinned.
There was an exclamation of agreement from Jaide as we headed down a hallway toward the underground café.
And so was the returned and continued conversation of the tart, but sweet taste of ketchup, along with how amazing it is, the words from before tumbling around every five minutes like an odd déjà vu.
*****
Adea's POV
I walked around for a long time, you know, just wandering. I found my way back to my room and shouldered a trench coat and headed for the roof.
*****
Kosen-teki's POV
I stood next to Grandfather, watching intently as he punched in numerous keys on the control panel in the main control room of the colony. I noticed the disturbance in his eyes and immediately questioned it.
"Grandfather, what's wrong?"
He almost growled. "A lot of things. The colony's mean temperature is dropping rapidly. If this continues, the colony will freeze."
*****
Adea's POV
I stepped up onto the ledge and looked out over the colony, shivering. The torrid weather of the colony had gradually become unusually chilly. Stuffing my hands into my pockets, I close my eyes and let the wind blow my hair off my back.
I glanced at the landscape almost forty stories below me. I could see the fields and parks I grew up playing in. I tilted my head up and saw the bottom semi-reflective layer from the level above me. I smiled as I remembered studying the colony in school, in the month that seemed an eternity behind. There were seven layers to the colony. From the ouside, the colony was shaped like a huge cylinder. Six layers were for living area, and the seventh was for the maintenance, such as temperature control, weather control, and the like. I knew that Kosen-teki and Yuy were there now, watching over the colony. After all, the base *was* the colony, with access ways spreading over the colony like a web.
I looked back down to the ground far below me. This building was disguised as an old factory and had a highway lined with tall trees whose shadows played over the road like barcodes.
"So much for my school report." I smiled to myself, but that smile faded as an eruption shook the colony in the distance.
A nearer explosion occurred, within ten yards, tore away the far part of the building, sending me off balance. I felt myself fall, and too afraid to close my eyes, I kept them open, watching in fear as the ground seemed to draw closer.
A tight grip around my waist made me get a grip of my senses and turned to see Kyoretsu, his expression grim.
*****
Continued in Part Four- Allies Turned Enemies
Shorai's POV
*****
That's 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 surprised 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.
*****
Adea's POV
Shorai looked at me and I saw the question in her eyes before she even spoke. "Yes. Laying In Ruins. It's one of the many tales that had been woven before me when I was younger. That angel is-...was the guardian of that world until she herself was killed. She watches the world from above in heaven now. The feathers from her wings are said to fall to the earth in forms of sunrays. And the wings themselves are said to be a shield wrapped around the world to protect it from harm."
Jaide spoke up. "Why the tear? Why is she crying?"
"The tear represent the tears shed when the people she watched over forgot what peace meant and when families were torn apart by war. The three craters stand for the three stars said to guide people to hope, peace, and happiness."
"And why no halo?" Shorai questioned.
I smiled slightly. "That's because she put her halo into the sky for light, for the sun; to help people see themselves and see others and to see what they've done."
Kyoretsu walked over to take a peek at the paper and nodded. "She must be Kirei. Her face is shadowed over because she is almost ashamed of what has happened and she feels like she is responsible. Her hands are reaching out to the world, hoping to go back to save it."
"How'd you know who she was?" I looked up at him.
"I heard it somewhere before, or saw it somewhere, just don't remember where." He looked up at the ceiling as if to see a map of where he saw or heard it before. "Oh, yeah!" He held out his hand, palm up, and in it appeared a small book, about five inches long, three and a half inches wide, and about half an inch thick. On the cover was a design of a black rose and under it were the inscribed words of: Iie Sayonara, which means: No Goodbyes.
It was my book!! I always wrote down my thoughts, brainstorming for ideas, dreams, nightmares, and tales I believed. I searched my pockets just to make sure it was mine. Kyoretsu handed it to me. "I think this is yours. I found it in the hallway when we first met, and I wasn't sure whose it was, so I kept it." He diverted his eyes to the floor. "Please forgive me if I say I read it. I was looking through for a name, but when I read one of the pages, I wanted to know what happened, which led to page after page. Some of those stories are practically captivating." He smiled.
"It's ok." I take the book and put it in one of the desk drawers. I returned the smile.
I wanted to change the subject to stop their watchful eyes from looking at me to the picture to the book and back. This wasn't hard for me because I can think of a different subject faster than a bullet could fly but for some reason I couldn't think. So I raced through my mind until I came up with something.
"Are you going to take the tests?"
"Dunno, girl." Shorai shrugged.
"What I wanna know is what's gonna happen? I mean, come on people, we've only been here for three days! Think, if this is just the beginning..." I let my voice trail off.
*****
Kosen-teki's POV
The morning after testing I met up with Shorai and the others. Once again, another day in this living hell. Thankfully, once we finish our three-week torture, we'll be free. Even before I reach them, I can hear Shorai's voice, happy and cheerful as ever. No doubt, she was talking to that other girl. I'm not sure where the redheaded gal is, but she's never around so I can't care much. Not that I should. I rub my bare arms slightly as I walk down the hallway to the cafeteria. Maybe it was just me, but I noticed it had gotten a little chilly.
*****
Adea's POV
I smiled as I walked alongside the others, but I was thinking about home. I didn't like it here. I wanted to leave. Ignoring what they were saying, I concentrated and thought of possible plans. Escape through air ducts was the least risky, but I knew that these air systems were a maze of pipes.
Oh well, no one will care.
*****
Shorai's POV
"Yeah! I know!" I laughed and pushed Jaide into a wall. He started to wonder if I'd ever trip on my hair, but when I answered no, he started stepping on it for me. But when I rolled my hair up and held it in my hands the whole time he started picking about how I probably sat on it too.
"Oh give poor Shorai a break!" Adea's laughing, sing-song voice made Jaide's attention turn to her and he started pulling on her waist-long ponytail that was usually loose. Her body jerked back as he stopped while she kept walking. Kyoretsu and I burst out laughing as she took on an image of a pull-ox. She looked over her shoulder at Jaide and gave a maniacal grin, scuffed the toe of her boot once then started walking forward. Jaide, with his knees locked, tried to stand still, but try as he may, slowly he was being pulled by her hair. She didn't seem to care either. She just leaned forward and kept walking, dragging Jaide behind. Oi, it was hilarious. Until of course, General Rhamsey waltzed over and told them to stop fooling around.
*****
Adea's POV
I took my hair back and pulled the hair tie out, letting my hair cascade down my back. I turned around and glared at General Rhamsey. There was no "how are you" or "are you okay" or "I'm sorry" 's from this guy, no, he was too caught up in the fact that his bald-spot was growing too large for his comb-over. His gray hair had been colored in the past, you could tell. I'd give him about 42 years. Gheesh, he acted so stuck-up you could almost see the snot up his nose. Nasty.
"You, especially, young lady, must learn to behave and also to respect those around you." He waved a finger at me and attempted a glare, but only came out looking foolish.
I simply kept a straight face and uttered a single word that sent his face flaming in anger. "No."
I would have felt a sharp sting across my face if I wouldn't have caught his hand, using a vice-like grip to nearly crush his wrist. In the coldest, calmest voice I could manage, I warned him. "Never hit a lady." As soon as I loosened my grip, he took off toward General Chang's office direction.
"Wow. He looked scared." Kyoretsu's voice was quiet with both amusement and admiration. I turned to him and there was the biggest smile that I have ever seen. "You told him, Adea. I think he thinks you're crazy."
Jaide quickly added in a comment too. "What a way to say it, so straight forward, I thought he was gonna wet his pants. And I think his hand will hurt for a few days."
Shorai, however, wasn't as happy at my 'accomplishment'. She took my shoulders and looked me directly in the eyes. "Be careful with your strength, it may also be your weakness." I nodded and she continued. "I don't want anything to happen to my best friend or-"
"The rest of us because of your actions." The sentence was finished be Kosen-teki, who stood behind us. "I saw the whole incident, and while I understand your anger to the general, Adea, I don't think your decision was a wise one."
"How do you know how she feels??? You aren't her!" Jaide jumped in to my defense.
Coolly, Kosen-teki simply said, "I saw the whole ZERO system incident, as well as this one. She needs to control her strengths better. Right now, in a MS battle, she would die quickly."
Taken aback by the comment that was said so happenly, Jaide just growled.
I turned to Kosen-teki. "You underestimate your opponent, you just break rule one of war: Never underestimate enemies, never over-estimate allies."
"Rules are only such if they can be broken. And every rule has an exception." He smirked. I knew what this was, a battle of wits. A true battle. And true to his name, Kosen-teki loved battles. [Kosen-teki means love of war] This wasn't a MS battle, this was a battle from the mind and I was up for the challenge.
"But with that exception, comes another exception." I crossed my arms and fixed my eyes on his, wielding a straight face and gaining a calmer composure.
"War would then be impossible to fight if these rules weren't to be broken. Everyone over-estimates and underestimates. You underestimate me, and I you."
"Hah, if anything, I over-estimate you. I can see in your eyes that you don't trust me in the least." I turned around and walked away.
"You're right, I don't trust you. Why should I? You could be a traitor for all I know." I heard him call after me. It made me smile: at least now I wouldn't have to worry about anyone not wanting me to leave. The plans were being set.
*****
Shorai's POV
"Where you goin'?" Jaide questioned to Adea's back. She didn't turn around, or even look back.
"I've lost my appetite. Go to the lunchroom without me. I have something I need to take care of."
"We'll save you a seat, ok??" I called. No answer. She then turned into a hallway marked: Intensive MS Training. "What's she up to?" I whispered.
*****
Kyoretsu's POV
I wanted to follow her. She was up to something and I had a feeling it wasn't going to benefit anyone. I told Shorai and she gave me the okay, Jaide however, was more stubborn.
"If you go too, there's more risk of us getting caught." My reasoning didn't seem to get through to him.
"But you're gonna need backup if it gets too bad!" He looked indignant and set on following me follow Adea. That's when I just started walking.
"You'll get in the way."
He grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him with his angry five-year-old look. "You can't stop her. I hope she kills you." Then he shoved me in the direction she went. "Go on, Mr. Hero. Try to stop her."
I leisurely jogged down the hallway, careful not to make too much noise. I looked down every corridor as I passed them, but no sign of Adea.
Suddenly, coming up toward a turn, I look in the weapons room and I see her with a welding shield on her head. She had her back to me and she had a halter top on with the uniform pants. Her hair was pulled up into a bun to keep it from getting in the way. As soon as I take a step in, the torch spurts flames and starts going to work on a metal of sorts that had a tarp concealing most of it.
I put a visor on myself and walk up to the side of her so as not to startle her. Unfortunately, she spotted me before I wanted her to. She spun around, flipped her visor up and held the still-flaming torch tip at me.
"Get out of here."
"What's up?" I spoke calmly, trying to make small talk.
She switched the torch off and set it down, grinning slightly. "I think you know. You know it's not polite to spy on people."
"I was worried, that's all." I walked up beside her to see what she was working on.
"Worried? Why?" She asked, nonchalantly wiping the sweat off her forehead with the back of her wrist.
"Ah, you know, a friend doesn't let a friend make a...a...um, what is this thing anyway?" I asked, running my finger along the seam of the joined metals.
She nodded and patted the surface. "This, my friend, is the Zero system, unhooked." She added a 'mad scientist' laugh for effects. "I'm installing a small device that will give out wrong results, so hopefully they won't use it any more. Heh, it's not much but it'll sure give'm a scare. I programmed the system so it wouldn't harm the person, but the results would be extremely high at one point, and rock bottom at another." She grabbed the ends of the tarp and threw it off, revealing the like-new system with a very slight hint of a welding mark near the foot platform. "It's not much, but seeing as how much I love childish antics, this is a perfect little bit of revenge."
"Well then," I spoke cheerfully, putting my elbow on her shoulder and leaning on it as if she were a leaning post, "a friend won't let a friend mess up master plans alone. Kinda seems pointless, though."
Adea stood there, looking up at me out of the corner of her eye. "You didn't notice it was gone when we were walking to breakfast? I smuggled it last night. By the way, you have a bony elbow." She laughed and quickly spun away, leaving me fall. "You know, you could have just asked if you could have come with me to see what I was up to. I would have told you and then told you not to come along."
"Well then I guess I shouldn't have asked, cuz now I get to follow you." I grinned and she slapped me in the arm with a rag as I stood.
"Alright, you found out, now shoo." She started to push me out of the room.
"Why??"
"Because I don't want anyone to find out what I'm doing by drawing attention. Now go, I'll be in the lunchroom in a few. Just let me clean up here and move the system back to its spot."
"You'll need help." I crossed my arms and refused to budge.
She shook her head. "No. I got it out here, I'll be able to get it back." With that, she swept her foot out, caught my shoulders as I started to fall, dragged me out and slammed the iron door shut, clicking it locked.
*****
Adea's POV
Finally, he was gone. I rubbed my arms, it had suddenly gotten cold.
I didn't pay it any mind as I picked up a broom and swept the metal filings and globs of scrap and dumped them into the trashcan. Afterward, I wheeled a cart over to the system, and, lifting it little by little, I managed to shimmy it onto the cart.
Oh well, I thought, this is gonna be easier that I thought. Shrugging the cold off, I put a lightweight jacket on and headed for the lunchroom.
*****
Shorai's POV
"So what's the schedule for today?" Kyoretsu questioned from my right at the breakfast table while nonchalantly shoving a chunk of syrupy waffle into his mouth.
"My my, aren't we the hungry ones today!" Jaide commented as he himself gorged out on the breakfast foods.
I sat there smiling. "Between the two of you, I'm not sure if there'll be any food left!" I glanced down at my simple muffin and orange juice to their plates of pancakes, waffles, biscuits, toast, French toast, bacon, fruit, jelly, butter and syrup, even fried rice, and couldn't help but laugh.
Kosen-teki, at my left, actually had a smile tugging at the ends of his mouth. "I expected this from Jaide, but not Kyoretsu."
Kyoretsu looked up from his position, hunched over his plate with syrup dribbling from his chin. "I may hate a lot of things, but food's my best friend. That and the color blue. Love blue! And FOOD!" He maneuvered the chopsticks quicker and shoveled more of the messy fried rice into his mouth.
Just then, Adea walked in smiling as she swiped a bottle of water off the cart and drank thirstily. "Wassup? Sorry I'm late." She sat down in front of me and burst out laughing as she noticed Jaide and Kyoretsu. "Geez! Hate to disappoint you guys, but after breakfast, we're going to a track to run laps for the cardiovascular part of our training. General Chang told me to tell you guys that Trowa will be here shortly."
Kosen-teki slammed his fist into his other hand. "Blast, I knew I forgot *something*!" He mused.
Jaide almost choked as Adea's words finally registered. "What?! Run LAPS???" He looked at Kosen-teki and grabbed his shirt collar in panic. "I'm the most out-of-shape person here and you didn't *tell* me?! EEP!" He crept back into his seat, clutching close the bowl of rice in his hands.
Trowa walked in dressed in casual khakis and a dark blue t-shirt. "General Chang wanted me to tell you that I'll be the instructor for the second part of your training. Are you ready to go to the track?"
*****
Adea's POV
Trowa lead us through what seemed like a gerbil-cage's worth of tunnels and see-through corridors. When we finally reached the track, it wasn't outside like I had thought. Instead, it was located in a huge metal-domed room.
The track was a red brick color with seven lanes that ran along the wall of the dome. It could have easily been half a mile in length. On the inside of the track in the central area of the dome lay all kinds of weight lifting machines and treadmills.
"Whoa...." Shorai was smiling from ear to ear. "This is nothing like the gyms at home. This is *incredible*! I wonder how much all of this cost you??"
Trowa answered her inquiry. "Ah, about 14.3 billion for the dome itself and about 9 billion even for the actual machines. The track cost us about 7 million to put in." He nodded in approval, then looked at a watch on his right hand. "Alright, do some stretching and then run five laps. Get it done before 11 AM. Once you're finished, come see me, I'll be in the lobby." He pointed to a door at the other end of the dome, then made his way over to the door, eventually shutting it behind him.
"This place was bigger than I thought." I said, jogging out onto the astro-turf on the inside of the track.
"Yeah, it looks almost small from the outside. Just the lobbies are huge. And the rooms aren't what you'd call closets either. This place is a maze. It looks confined, it's anything but." Kyoretsu said as he came to join me.
*****
Shorai's POV
We decided to wait for everyone to finish running laps, Adea and I ran with each other the whole way and finished first, Kosen-teki finished right behind us and Kyoretsu a few seconds after. Jaide followed about five minutes later and we all trudged over the other side of the gym to the door that Trowa had gone through almost an hour earlier.
"What was the point of that anyway?" Kyoretsu asked, walking backward to face the rest of us. "I mean, we run laps, big deal. It didn't seem like they were monitoring us, so what have they gained?"
"It seems pointless, but it'll help in the mecha simulation tests." Kosen-teki almost smiled. "Everything here has a point."
"Mecha simulation testing, eh??" Adea grinned. "Definitely my strong-point."
Jaide leaned toward Kosen-teki skeptically. "Sooo, what you're saying is," He straightened up, crossed his arms and looked at him, "we could have skipped a lap or two and they wouldn't have noticed?"
"I doubt it, Jaide-chan. I thought I saw a camera in one of the weights." I spoke, shrugging.
Adea grinned and wrapped her one arm around Jaide's neck while she ruffled his hair with the other, leaving it lay on his head in a big clump of gel, hairspray and hair. "Yeah, Jaide-chan!!! You worried about not cheating or something???"
Jaide pushed her away, and pouting, tried desperately to fix his hair. "You messed my hair!!! That's mean."
*****
Kyoretsu's POV
We met up with Trowa about a minute or two later to discuss the bases and territory between the colonies and the Earth. Instead of the mobile suit testing like we were expecting, he led us through another maze of corridors and tunnels to a conference room. Situated around the table were chairs, about two dozen of them and only a handful were full.
The older man instructed us to take a seat, then he sat in the seat to the right of the head and propped his chin on his hands as General Chang entered. He dimmed the lights and pulled down a projection screen. On it appeared a map.
"Here is the base as seen from above." He flicked to a picture of the base. "We are in neutral territory. Sally, please explain the reasoning for those who might not understand."
An older woman with sandy blonde hair tied in loose pig-tail braids stood, and with a commanding voice she spoke. "Right now as we speak, the war is continuing. If we do nothing, if we sit around and wait it out, we'd die. The reason is simple. If we don't do something this war will continue like it did in our time with Mareimaia. The problem is that we're just as well hidden as they are. We don't know the enemy." She turned to us after a moment of silence. "I have a reason that I developed the main part of this training. You five have a mission. No matter what, like the first generation Gundam Pilots you may see before you, you must complete your missions and be willing to risk you're life."
"What if we aren't??" I questioned, a little startled about the words she had previously spoken.
"You don't belong here if that's true." A man's voice spoke without any emotion. We turned around and there stood General Yuy. "Maxwell's been messing with the prototypes again."
Kosen-teki stood and smiled. "Grandfather, when are you going to shoot him like promised?"
Yuy took his grandson's hand and shook it firmly. "He may be older, but he's just as rambunctious as always. And he's taken all of my guns."
Trowa stood and walked toward Yuy. He motioned to Adea. "She's a Maxwell."
At the mention of her name, her face got a stony expression and she squared her shoulders, crossing her arms.
Yuy looked to her and a small smile crossed his face. "Surprising. Nothing like him."
*****
Adea's POV
I stood silent. What was that supposed to mean? I'm a Maxwell, big deal. Kyoretsu elbowed me in the side, smiling.
"You're well known!" He whispered.
"Heero!" Sally smiled. "Glad to see that you got here in one piece!"
He ruffled his dark-grayish brown hair then shook his head. "Not with Maxwell's driving skills. We were supposed to pick up some parts for the mobile suits and he almost got us killed. I don't know why we let him keep his license in the first place."
Moans and then small chuckles of agreement went around to everyone else in the room.
Sally shook her head. "Duo's never really been the most responsible person in the world. Let alone the best driver. The only reason he was such a good Gundam pilot was that he was so reckless when he fought and he easily got the enemy killed." She let out a small laugh. "Pure insanity. Even when he's in his fifties he has just as much energy."
"And what makes it worse is that I lost him." Heero sighed. "Oh well, he'll either get lost and starve or he'll find his way out and get it by a car."
Just then, we heard a maniacal laugh followed by bursts of giggles. Then a man with a knee-length gray-brown hair in a braid dashed through the door carrying a large water gun. The next thing I knew, was that a jet stream of ice cold water hit me in the stomach probably as well as everyone else in the room.
*****
Third Person POV
"MAXWELL!!!!" A shout from Heero echoed through the hallways. Within seconds, he was beet red in the face and chasing a giggling Duo around the room.
Everyone else gathered in a corner and watched in partial amusement as Duo tripped over chairs and tables in effort to stay away from Heero.
"Alright, you two." Sounded a woman's voice from the doorway.
"Noin! Thank heaven you're here." Sally grinned.
The other woman smiled. "Looks like I was just in time too." She walked over to the group. "I'm glad to see that everyone's here...Wait, where's the redhead?" She looked over the young pilots carefully.
Adea shook her head and spoke, choosing her words carefully. "I don't know, she hasn't been to any of the testing. I don't tr-" Kosen-teki cut her off, shaking his head so she'd keep quiet for a moment.
Kosen-teki stepped forward. "Shaku only participated in one of the tests, as far as my studies show, she's already failed."
Trowa, who had been silent the whole time, nodded. "True, but we need as many allies as we can get. Someone radio her room and if she's not there check the premises."
A young man dressed in a uniform nodded and on salute, left.
Duo almost skipped over to the young pilots and in a joyful voice, cheered, "Introductions!!"
Sally grinned and walked over to Kosen-teki. "This is Heero's grandson as you already knew."
"Yup, yup!" Duo flashed a grin.
She stepped over to Adea. "Adea. You remember her, right?"
"I should hope so!!" He then caught the startled girl in a bear hug. "How you doin'! Long time no see!!!"
She coughed slightly. "Can't breathe...."
"Oh! Heh, sorry 'bout that!" He stepped back grinning.
She nodded stiffly, unsure of what to think. "Of course." Duo playfully slugged her shoulder and she managed a small smile.
"Lighten up!!!" His famous grin crossed his face once again. He jumped over to Shorai and whistled. "Who's this?"
She smiled and held out her hand, introducing herself. "Shorai Mirai. I take it you are Duo Maxwell, Shinigami, am I correct?" She grinned.
"Wow! I'm famous! I could be the Keanu Reeves of TG!!!!" He took her hand and shook it vigorously. "The god of death has arrived!!!"
Kyoretsu also introduced himself. "Kyoretsu, second in command in the space force on colony 77-59 section 4."
Duo grinned even more. "Sweet!!! We got a second in command here!!!" He looked over at Sally. "How'd you get him here?? He's a second in command!" He returned his short attention span back to Noin.
Noin walked over and next to Jaide, resting a hand on his shoulder. "This is my grandson, Jaide."
Jaide looked over at her and grinned happily. "Gramma, where's Gramps?"
"I'd prefer you *not* call me that." A deep voice came from the doorway. There stood a tall man in his fifties dressed in a dark uniform. He walked over, smiling down at Noin with his aquamarine-colored eyes. His light blonde hair was long and came to about mid-back.
"Zechs," Noin play-scolded, "you taught him to call you that in the first place, you know." She smiled and brushed away a few strands of her purple-ish hair out of her eyes and tucking them behind her ear.
"That was before I was calling him Grampy-san." Jaide volunteered cheerfully and his smile only broadened at the site of Zechs' slight wince.
Sally clapped her hands once, loudly, and instructed everyone to take a seat.
*****
Adea's POV
I looked around at everyone; they all seemed so familiar with this. I checked my watch: 3 pm. We spent a lot of time discussing the territories and boundaries, our allies and our possible enemies.
We had moved to a hidden, secluded part of the colony to lower the possibilities of being found. This was still another part of that old run-down looking building that Jaide and I had encountered almost a week earlier. After reviewing the maps of the building's system, the rest of the "team" and I found out that the building was an absolute maze of tunnels that ran both above and underground. There was even a system running in the walls of the colony, spread out like a net. Access was possible to anywhere. We had been confined to a smaller area when we first arrived to minimize risk of getting lost. Seriously. Noin was laughing and telling us how it took her two years to get used to the maze. Even now, she grinned as she thought about it, she still gets lost.
However, I couldn't get my mind to focus. Everything blurred. I took a sip of water and tried to concentrate on the matter at hand, but with no prevail. I yawned.
"Adea? Something wrong?" Duo's unusually concerned voice cut through me like a blade.
"Hmn?"
Kyoretsu's hand rested comfortingly on my shoulder and I could feel his eyes looking right at me. "Noin called you name seven times and you didn't respond."
Déjà vu....From when?? My head spun. Something was going to happen. Soon. I felt adrenaline pulsing through my veins, a flash jolted me upright. I saw an explosion and could almost feel the flames and debris fly past me.
My eyes snapped open and I saw Shorai. She looked at me with an extreme intensity in her eyes, but she only nodded. She knew what was going to happen too.
*****
Shorai's POV
4:22 pm. Adea knew something was going to happen, and so did I. The meeting was dismissed and we went our separate ways. Kosen-teki and Heero went to discuss the mobile suit assembly while Trowa and the others went to monitoring stations situated throughout the building. However, Adea went in a completely different direction and I was half tempted to follow her, but decided against it. I followed Kyoretsu and Jaide, who had seemingly came across a truce and were chatting happily about ketchup.
"Yeah! I know, it's tomatoes, then, BANG! Ketchup!" Jaide jumped in emphasis, grinning like an idiot.
Kyoretsu laughed and nodded. "And it's funny how mustard and ketchup go so well on a burger, ya know? Cuz yellowish brown and red usually don't go well together."
"Hey, Sho', whattya think?"
I grinned slightly, and having not been paying much attention, was completely lost. "Ehhhh...ketchup tastes good??" I grinned, slinking a hand behind my head and laughing.
Jaide lightly punched my arm. "Ya got that right! See, Kyo'-man? She knows what's goin' on! Ketchup DOES taste good!"
"Why don't we go the café for some latté and burgers!!!" Kyoretsu grinned.
There was an exclamation of agreement from Jaide as we headed down a hallway toward the underground café.
And so was the returned and continued conversation of the tart, but sweet taste of ketchup, along with how amazing it is, the words from before tumbling around every five minutes like an odd déjà vu.
*****
Adea's POV
I walked around for a long time, you know, just wandering. I found my way back to my room and shouldered a trench coat and headed for the roof.
*****
Kosen-teki's POV
I stood next to Grandfather, watching intently as he punched in numerous keys on the control panel in the main control room of the colony. I noticed the disturbance in his eyes and immediately questioned it.
"Grandfather, what's wrong?"
He almost growled. "A lot of things. The colony's mean temperature is dropping rapidly. If this continues, the colony will freeze."
*****
Adea's POV
I stepped up onto the ledge and looked out over the colony, shivering. The torrid weather of the colony had gradually become unusually chilly. Stuffing my hands into my pockets, I close my eyes and let the wind blow my hair off my back.
I glanced at the landscape almost forty stories below me. I could see the fields and parks I grew up playing in. I tilted my head up and saw the bottom semi-reflective layer from the level above me. I smiled as I remembered studying the colony in school, in the month that seemed an eternity behind. There were seven layers to the colony. From the ouside, the colony was shaped like a huge cylinder. Six layers were for living area, and the seventh was for the maintenance, such as temperature control, weather control, and the like. I knew that Kosen-teki and Yuy were there now, watching over the colony. After all, the base *was* the colony, with access ways spreading over the colony like a web.
I looked back down to the ground far below me. This building was disguised as an old factory and had a highway lined with tall trees whose shadows played over the road like barcodes.
"So much for my school report." I smiled to myself, but that smile faded as an eruption shook the colony in the distance.
A nearer explosion occurred, within ten yards, tore away the far part of the building, sending me off balance. I felt myself fall, and too afraid to close my eyes, I kept them open, watching in fear as the ground seemed to draw closer.
A tight grip around my waist made me get a grip of my senses and turned to see Kyoretsu, his expression grim.
*****
Continued in Part Four- Allies Turned Enemies