Laughter

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I understand, Lord Une said, That Napoleon Base was completely destroyed.

Yes, sir. Aside from five dolls, everything is in ruins.

Why would they just leave them there?

Maybe they just forgot them, sir. Or maybe they thought that they would only work with that base, and were therefore useless.

Not if they had D'arcy Collins with them.

There is no evidence that she was, sir. Everything could have been done just with 02 and 03. We have some shaky images of them, but none of the sixth Gundam.

Hmm. And the five scientists are all dead. 02 and 03 couldn't know much about mobile dolls anyway.

Exactly, sir.

Very well. Redistribute them among the Caesar, Noventa, and Septum Bases.



~~~

D'arcy yawned and woke up. The sun was just rising. She dashed out, and brought back the tub, and turned on the hot water faucet, after linking it to the one in the ground. She wrote a note: I am bathing. Do not disturb unless you want your butt kicked. She hung it outside the flap, and took off her clothes. She got into the tub, and started bathing.

She was working on her left shoulder when she heard footsteps. They stopped outside her door. There was a little pause. Then she heard Duo laugh. He went away again.

When she had finished, she peeked outside. Duo was leaning against a post, facing the opening of her tent. She went quickly back to the tub, and made some splashing sounds. Then she started humming. She got dressed quickly, then very carefully braided her hair just a little bit too loose. She undid the top couple of buttons on her shirt, and stuck on her shoes. She took another quick peek. He was still there. Still humming, she opened the tent flap, and came out, doing the bottom button. She did up another. She glanced around, and saw Duo. Oh, hey Duo, she said.

You know, it isn't all that cold today, he said. Maybe you should wear a different top.

she said, and changed the subject. D'arcy left the top two buttons unbuttoned. She noticed that every now and then he would glance at them. After a while, she said. You know, I think you're right. It's too warm to wear this top. She started unbuttoning it.

Duo sputtered. Out here?

Well, why not? We're the only ones up. Its not like anyone's sensibilities are going to be offended. She kept on undoing buttons.

He stared at her cleavage. I think you're the only one who would actually do this.

She tossed her head, and he noticed the slightly-looser braid. That gave her the chance she needed. Sometimes modesty just gets in the way, she said, and turned around just enough so that he wouldn't see her undoing the last of the buttons. She undid them quickly. After all, she said. What's wrong with this? and turned back around.

Duo stared at her. D'arcy was wearing a very low-cut, square-necked top underneath her shirt. He started to laugh. She joined in. she said. That was worth it. I'll have to redo my hair, but it was worth it. Just to see your face.

My eyes nearly burst out of their sockets.

My side hurts. They had to hold on to each other to keep from falling over.
Trowa came up to them just then. He looked down at D'arcy, bent over with laughing. He didn't know quite what to do, so he decided to be blunt. he said, You're falling out of your top.

She looked down. She was, almost. I don't know, she said. What do you think, Duo?

Duo choked. he said.

She shrugged, and pulled up the top. Thanks, Trowa. I wouldn't want to really flash either of you.

Why not? You've come close enough.

She took hold of the end of her braid, and whapped him with it. Trowa finally gave in and smiled. D'arcy crowed. We did it! He's smiling!

Duo said, and then they both started laughing again at Trowa's face.
Finally, everyone calmed down. D'arcy took her note, scratched out and put braiding my hair instead, and disappeared inside her tent.

~~~

I don't know, Quatre said. I'd really like to meet this sixth Gundam.

Please, Master Quatre, Rashid said. Be careful. We'll go with you.

But you're too weak.

Rashid was lying on a bed, with bandages around his ribs. Master Quatre

Quatre sighed, and gave in. I'll wait for you and the others to get better. Then we'll go find her.