Chapter Four: Short Comings
Erica felt someone shaking her. "Go away, whoever you are," she muttered annoyedly. I HATE getting up in the morning, she thought.
"Well, so do I, but we've gotta go!" The voice was Shiro's.
"Commander!?" Erica cried, sitting up with a start. "What's up? Is it the enemy?"
"We don't know. But we're receiving a distress call from the fifth team, and we're the closest to their area."
"I take it that means I've gotta get up. Ok, I'm coming!" Shiro nodded, leaving. Erica dressed fast, hurrying into her federal forces shirt. It wasn't her preferred outfit, but it'd have to do.
"There you are!" she heard as she ran outside. "What kept you?" It was Karen talking. Erica grinned.
"Don't push me; I'm not a morning person. Or do you want to learn that the hard way?" It was a joking statement, of course, one that even Eledore grinned at. It pulled an actual laugh from Karen.
"So...where're we going?" This came from Michel. "I mean, where's the fifth team??"
"Out there," Shiro said, pointing into the dense foliage. "In the jungle."
The JUNGLE!!! was the mind-cry from everyone except Shiro and Erica. The latter slapped her hands over her ears, causing Michel and Karen to smile.
"Ow," she muttered darkly, glaring at Karen and Michel. "Ok, then, we may as well get on with it." Suddenly there was a beeping from Shiro's Gundam. "What's that?"
Shiro ran over to find out. Moments later a loud "WHAT!?!?!?!" exploded through the air, and a very startled-looking Shiro emerged from the Gundam shortly after that.
"Well, what was it?" Michel asked.
"Erica, they want you to go to the base and bring back our new recruit," Shiro said, still obviously in some kind of shock.
"New...recruit...?" she replied, parrot-like. "I have to bring back a new recruit. To here." Erica didn't usually repeat simple commands like that. The others all stared as Shiro nodded.
"You and Eledore go in the Hovertruck, and the rest of us'll go see what's up with the fifth team. Michel, use Erica's Gundam for now." Shiro saluted as the fighting group left.
Oh, great, he stuck me with the newbie, Eledore thought sulkily.
Hey, I don't like it much either, was the agitated reply.
************
"Lorian Jamison," said Nera Lezero, facing the young girl. "You have been assigned to the 08th MS Team. They are currently stationed at a village in the jungle. Do you accept responsibility for yourself and anyone you should lead into battle with you?" The Commander's face was hard. Lorian gulped.
But I'm only ELEVEN!! Lorian's mind cried, but she knew the Commander couldn't hear her. "Yes, I do," she said aloud.
"One of the officers from the team will be here shortly to pick you up. Be ready in one hour." The woman turned to leave.
"Commander Lezero?" Lorian called meekly, and Nera turned.
"Yes?"
"Um...well...see, I...that is...who exactly is on this 08th Team, Commander?"
"Well, then, you'll just have to find out when you get there," Nera replied, and left. Lorian turned to pack what few things she had brought with her, running a hand through her messy hair as she did so. Something about Commander Lezero didn't sit right with her, but she couldn't place what it was.
************
"Man, this team may be getting larger and larger, but the recruits keep getting smaller and smaller," Eledore remarked when he and Erica were introduced to Lorian. Erica glared at him, then turned to Lorian.
"I'm Ensign Erica Weller, Mobile Suit pilot for the 08th MS Team, and that annoying loud thing standing behind me is Officer Eledore Mathis, the driver of our Hovertruck." Erica grinned. Not many recognized her real name. Now, if she'd said, "Hi, I'm the famous Phoenixbird that everyone talks about, and that annoying loud thing behind me..." she might have gotten a different reaction.
"Lorian Jamison," the girl replied.
"How old are you?" asked Eledore suspiciously.
"Eleven, sir," she replied meekly. Erica elbowed Eledore in the ribs and grinned at Lorian.
"THIS heap of trouble isn't our commander, Lorian. Shiro is. And even if he was, no one would call him 'sir'." Erica sent another scowl Eledore's way.
Hey, I have enough on my hands with a Zeon and a kid newbie like you. Now SHE gets thrown into the mess, Eledore thought angrily at Erica. Her response was a grin.
You know, if I want, Shiro, Aina, Karen, and the others can all hear what you say, she thought back. She knew she really couldn't at this far a distance, but Eledore needn't know that.
Lorian was surprised to find that she could hear this entire conversation. Are you guys THINKING in there? she asked with her mind. Both officers turned to stare.
"You...you HEARD all that? And-and-and you MIND-SPOKE??? But how...?" Lorian shrugged at Erica's comment. Erica quickly shook it off, and smiled again. "We brought the Hovertruck to get you back to where we're stationed, Lorian. Although I don't think they expected someone quite like you to come back with us."
Erica was the last one in the Hovertruck, and, coincidentally, the last one out. Lorian had to smother a giggle as she bumped her head on the ceiling of the Hovertruck yet again.
"A few more like that, kid, and your head'll be twice as big as it is already," Eledore joked. Erica took it to mean that they had an understanding.
************
"WHAT??!!??!!??!!" came the shout three days later. It was so loud that birds flew from the trees.
Erica lifted her head at the noise. She had been making repairs on her Gundam, damaged in a fight the day before. Lorian, watching, also spun towards Shiro's outburst.
"Didn't we start out a day like this sometime before?" Karen called up to Erica. Erica nodded slowly, thinking, I wonder what it is THIS time?
"Commander?" she called aloud. "Is something wrong?"
"Everyone come here," Shiro said in a solemn voice. Karen and Erica cast worried glances at each other as the latter jumped down from the cockpit of her Gundam.
Is it something bad? Lorian thought to Erica.
Most likely, or he wouldn't sound so...controlled, she replied, eyes just as grim as her thought-voice.
What's going on? Michel's voice asked. Sanders and Aina's voices had similar questions. Erica responded that she had no clue.
"08th Team, I just got some very...very sad and awful news from the base. Captain Adams was...was..." Shiro shook his head slowly, and Sanders's eyes widened as he realized what his Commander was trying to say. Erica's eyes narrowed in concern, and Karen, knowing what the girl would do, put a hand on her shoulder, mind-saying to keep quiet.
"Commander-I mean, Captain Lezero has just informed me that Captain Wesley Adams was found dead this morning."
************
There was a funeral, and the 08th Team attended. Lorian had the oddest look on her face, and no one seemed to know why. No one besides her own team really respected her here, and even the team's respect seemed strained.
Even some of the teams from space were brought down to pay respects. Most of them looked with awe at Shiro and Erica, so much so until Lorian finally asked why.
"Probably because Shiro's famous, and Erica's his cousin," Michel said. He liked the new member of the team, even if she was short and kind of annoying.
Not more annoying than Eledore, I'll bet, Erica commented.
Got that right, Michel agreed.
"Or maybe it's because Erica's the Phoenixbird," Kiki said, coming up on Lorian's other side. She quickly covered her mouth, remembering that Erica hadn't wanted Lorian to know, but it was too late.
************
"Since you are finished protecting your 'village'," Captain Lezero sneered, "you have been assigned to search out both Ginias and Zandra Sakhalin, and bring them to me. Preferably alive." Shiro opened his mouth to protest.
Shiro, SHUT UP! It's an order, you can't challenge it! Erica thought, and Sanders put a hand on Shiro's arm.
It's not worth it, he thought simply. Out loud Shiro said, "We understand. We'll go as soon as we can."
You'll go in two days, whether you're ready or not, Nera thought, not realizing exactly how carefully she had to guard her thoughts around the 08th Team.
************
"Erica? Erica Weller? The Phoenixbird??? No way it's you!" Erica turned at the familiar voice to stare into deep brown eyes and a mess of long, black hair.
"Lora? Seroli? But...but I thought you...Lora?" Erica smiled so wide she thought her face would crack. Behind Lora she could see three guys and one girl. A redhead with deep blue eyes, Richard Lawrence, bowed playfully. The tall, black-haired, green-eyed boy, Jonathan Andre, grinned. Kelawney Martin, short with brown hair and eyes, gave the thumbs-up.
The girl Erica didn't know. "Qessile Martin, Commander. Though mos' jus' call me Qess."
"Kess-il-lee? Are you Kelawney's sister? And don't call me Commander, because I'm not. Lora is. I'M just a dirty-worker for Shiro," Erica said as he came up behind her, followed by the rest of the team.
"Phoenixbird, Shiro's your COMMANDER? AND your cousin? That's not fair, I got stuck with commanding this bunch of dirtbags...no offense, Qess, I didn't mean you..." Lora grinned as all three boys threw mock punches at her. "So who's the rest of your team?"
"Gang, this is Shiro Amada, my Commander, and Karen Joshua, his second. Terry Sanders, Jr., who needs to lighten up; Michel Ninorich, our worry-freak; Eledore Mathis, the one who would shout movie in a crowded firehouse; Aina Sakhalin, Shiro's GIRLFRIEND; Kiki Rosita, resident civilian; and Lorian Jamison, the short one trying to hide." Erica's grin let them know she was joking about all the comments, and the 08th Team laughed.
"Did my Commander really jus' call you 'Phoenixbird? But-but-but you're FAMOUS!! And so's HE!" Qess added, pointing to Shiro. "And you're COUSINS?? That is jus' too strange for someone with my feeble min'."
"You sure SOUND like Kelawney," Erica said, and he made a face.
************
Two days later Karen woke up and knew something was wrong. Michel, Eledore, Lorian, Kiki, and Shiro awoke with the same feelings.
Something's wrong, all six thought at the same time.
Yes, Karen thought, but I don't know what. Quickly changing into her Federal Forces 'uniform', Karen hurriedly walked down the hall, Michel, Kiki, and Lorian joining her as she passed their rooms.
Shiro poked his head out of what everyone else thought was an unoccupied room. The others could hear someone crying inside. It hit them all at the same time who it must be.
She was sitting on a chair, crying her eyes out, but no one had the slightest idea why.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Well?? Who is it and why?? Stumped you, didn't I?? Read on to find out...if you dare. Suggestions are welcome! ~DM
Erica felt someone shaking her. "Go away, whoever you are," she muttered annoyedly. I HATE getting up in the morning, she thought.
"Well, so do I, but we've gotta go!" The voice was Shiro's.
"Commander!?" Erica cried, sitting up with a start. "What's up? Is it the enemy?"
"We don't know. But we're receiving a distress call from the fifth team, and we're the closest to their area."
"I take it that means I've gotta get up. Ok, I'm coming!" Shiro nodded, leaving. Erica dressed fast, hurrying into her federal forces shirt. It wasn't her preferred outfit, but it'd have to do.
"There you are!" she heard as she ran outside. "What kept you?" It was Karen talking. Erica grinned.
"Don't push me; I'm not a morning person. Or do you want to learn that the hard way?" It was a joking statement, of course, one that even Eledore grinned at. It pulled an actual laugh from Karen.
"So...where're we going?" This came from Michel. "I mean, where's the fifth team??"
"Out there," Shiro said, pointing into the dense foliage. "In the jungle."
The JUNGLE!!! was the mind-cry from everyone except Shiro and Erica. The latter slapped her hands over her ears, causing Michel and Karen to smile.
"Ow," she muttered darkly, glaring at Karen and Michel. "Ok, then, we may as well get on with it." Suddenly there was a beeping from Shiro's Gundam. "What's that?"
Shiro ran over to find out. Moments later a loud "WHAT!?!?!?!" exploded through the air, and a very startled-looking Shiro emerged from the Gundam shortly after that.
"Well, what was it?" Michel asked.
"Erica, they want you to go to the base and bring back our new recruit," Shiro said, still obviously in some kind of shock.
"New...recruit...?" she replied, parrot-like. "I have to bring back a new recruit. To here." Erica didn't usually repeat simple commands like that. The others all stared as Shiro nodded.
"You and Eledore go in the Hovertruck, and the rest of us'll go see what's up with the fifth team. Michel, use Erica's Gundam for now." Shiro saluted as the fighting group left.
Oh, great, he stuck me with the newbie, Eledore thought sulkily.
Hey, I don't like it much either, was the agitated reply.
************
"Lorian Jamison," said Nera Lezero, facing the young girl. "You have been assigned to the 08th MS Team. They are currently stationed at a village in the jungle. Do you accept responsibility for yourself and anyone you should lead into battle with you?" The Commander's face was hard. Lorian gulped.
But I'm only ELEVEN!! Lorian's mind cried, but she knew the Commander couldn't hear her. "Yes, I do," she said aloud.
"One of the officers from the team will be here shortly to pick you up. Be ready in one hour." The woman turned to leave.
"Commander Lezero?" Lorian called meekly, and Nera turned.
"Yes?"
"Um...well...see, I...that is...who exactly is on this 08th Team, Commander?"
"Well, then, you'll just have to find out when you get there," Nera replied, and left. Lorian turned to pack what few things she had brought with her, running a hand through her messy hair as she did so. Something about Commander Lezero didn't sit right with her, but she couldn't place what it was.
************
"Man, this team may be getting larger and larger, but the recruits keep getting smaller and smaller," Eledore remarked when he and Erica were introduced to Lorian. Erica glared at him, then turned to Lorian.
"I'm Ensign Erica Weller, Mobile Suit pilot for the 08th MS Team, and that annoying loud thing standing behind me is Officer Eledore Mathis, the driver of our Hovertruck." Erica grinned. Not many recognized her real name. Now, if she'd said, "Hi, I'm the famous Phoenixbird that everyone talks about, and that annoying loud thing behind me..." she might have gotten a different reaction.
"Lorian Jamison," the girl replied.
"How old are you?" asked Eledore suspiciously.
"Eleven, sir," she replied meekly. Erica elbowed Eledore in the ribs and grinned at Lorian.
"THIS heap of trouble isn't our commander, Lorian. Shiro is. And even if he was, no one would call him 'sir'." Erica sent another scowl Eledore's way.
Hey, I have enough on my hands with a Zeon and a kid newbie like you. Now SHE gets thrown into the mess, Eledore thought angrily at Erica. Her response was a grin.
You know, if I want, Shiro, Aina, Karen, and the others can all hear what you say, she thought back. She knew she really couldn't at this far a distance, but Eledore needn't know that.
Lorian was surprised to find that she could hear this entire conversation. Are you guys THINKING in there? she asked with her mind. Both officers turned to stare.
"You...you HEARD all that? And-and-and you MIND-SPOKE??? But how...?" Lorian shrugged at Erica's comment. Erica quickly shook it off, and smiled again. "We brought the Hovertruck to get you back to where we're stationed, Lorian. Although I don't think they expected someone quite like you to come back with us."
Erica was the last one in the Hovertruck, and, coincidentally, the last one out. Lorian had to smother a giggle as she bumped her head on the ceiling of the Hovertruck yet again.
"A few more like that, kid, and your head'll be twice as big as it is already," Eledore joked. Erica took it to mean that they had an understanding.
************
"WHAT??!!??!!??!!" came the shout three days later. It was so loud that birds flew from the trees.
Erica lifted her head at the noise. She had been making repairs on her Gundam, damaged in a fight the day before. Lorian, watching, also spun towards Shiro's outburst.
"Didn't we start out a day like this sometime before?" Karen called up to Erica. Erica nodded slowly, thinking, I wonder what it is THIS time?
"Commander?" she called aloud. "Is something wrong?"
"Everyone come here," Shiro said in a solemn voice. Karen and Erica cast worried glances at each other as the latter jumped down from the cockpit of her Gundam.
Is it something bad? Lorian thought to Erica.
Most likely, or he wouldn't sound so...controlled, she replied, eyes just as grim as her thought-voice.
What's going on? Michel's voice asked. Sanders and Aina's voices had similar questions. Erica responded that she had no clue.
"08th Team, I just got some very...very sad and awful news from the base. Captain Adams was...was..." Shiro shook his head slowly, and Sanders's eyes widened as he realized what his Commander was trying to say. Erica's eyes narrowed in concern, and Karen, knowing what the girl would do, put a hand on her shoulder, mind-saying to keep quiet.
"Commander-I mean, Captain Lezero has just informed me that Captain Wesley Adams was found dead this morning."
************
There was a funeral, and the 08th Team attended. Lorian had the oddest look on her face, and no one seemed to know why. No one besides her own team really respected her here, and even the team's respect seemed strained.
Even some of the teams from space were brought down to pay respects. Most of them looked with awe at Shiro and Erica, so much so until Lorian finally asked why.
"Probably because Shiro's famous, and Erica's his cousin," Michel said. He liked the new member of the team, even if she was short and kind of annoying.
Not more annoying than Eledore, I'll bet, Erica commented.
Got that right, Michel agreed.
"Or maybe it's because Erica's the Phoenixbird," Kiki said, coming up on Lorian's other side. She quickly covered her mouth, remembering that Erica hadn't wanted Lorian to know, but it was too late.
************
"Since you are finished protecting your 'village'," Captain Lezero sneered, "you have been assigned to search out both Ginias and Zandra Sakhalin, and bring them to me. Preferably alive." Shiro opened his mouth to protest.
Shiro, SHUT UP! It's an order, you can't challenge it! Erica thought, and Sanders put a hand on Shiro's arm.
It's not worth it, he thought simply. Out loud Shiro said, "We understand. We'll go as soon as we can."
You'll go in two days, whether you're ready or not, Nera thought, not realizing exactly how carefully she had to guard her thoughts around the 08th Team.
************
"Erica? Erica Weller? The Phoenixbird??? No way it's you!" Erica turned at the familiar voice to stare into deep brown eyes and a mess of long, black hair.
"Lora? Seroli? But...but I thought you...Lora?" Erica smiled so wide she thought her face would crack. Behind Lora she could see three guys and one girl. A redhead with deep blue eyes, Richard Lawrence, bowed playfully. The tall, black-haired, green-eyed boy, Jonathan Andre, grinned. Kelawney Martin, short with brown hair and eyes, gave the thumbs-up.
The girl Erica didn't know. "Qessile Martin, Commander. Though mos' jus' call me Qess."
"Kess-il-lee? Are you Kelawney's sister? And don't call me Commander, because I'm not. Lora is. I'M just a dirty-worker for Shiro," Erica said as he came up behind her, followed by the rest of the team.
"Phoenixbird, Shiro's your COMMANDER? AND your cousin? That's not fair, I got stuck with commanding this bunch of dirtbags...no offense, Qess, I didn't mean you..." Lora grinned as all three boys threw mock punches at her. "So who's the rest of your team?"
"Gang, this is Shiro Amada, my Commander, and Karen Joshua, his second. Terry Sanders, Jr., who needs to lighten up; Michel Ninorich, our worry-freak; Eledore Mathis, the one who would shout movie in a crowded firehouse; Aina Sakhalin, Shiro's GIRLFRIEND; Kiki Rosita, resident civilian; and Lorian Jamison, the short one trying to hide." Erica's grin let them know she was joking about all the comments, and the 08th Team laughed.
"Did my Commander really jus' call you 'Phoenixbird? But-but-but you're FAMOUS!! And so's HE!" Qess added, pointing to Shiro. "And you're COUSINS?? That is jus' too strange for someone with my feeble min'."
"You sure SOUND like Kelawney," Erica said, and he made a face.
************
Two days later Karen woke up and knew something was wrong. Michel, Eledore, Lorian, Kiki, and Shiro awoke with the same feelings.
Something's wrong, all six thought at the same time.
Yes, Karen thought, but I don't know what. Quickly changing into her Federal Forces 'uniform', Karen hurriedly walked down the hall, Michel, Kiki, and Lorian joining her as she passed their rooms.
Shiro poked his head out of what everyone else thought was an unoccupied room. The others could hear someone crying inside. It hit them all at the same time who it must be.
She was sitting on a chair, crying her eyes out, but no one had the slightest idea why.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Well?? Who is it and why?? Stumped you, didn't I?? Read on to find out...if you dare. Suggestions are welcome! ~DM
