Arctic Blaze

By Dolfinz

CHAPTER 5

Early the next morning, Andraya Saino was awake and alert, as she had been for the last 7 years as a soldier for the OZ Organization. She wandered about the hangar, seeing no one, and eventually found herself sitting on the catwalk before the huge Gundam Arcticblaze. It was truly beautiful, she decided, or about as beautiful as a killing machine, such as it was, could be. The very form and colors chosen for the suit were what held the female soldier's awe, along with its enormous size. It was…a work of art, as well as a formidable weapon, unlike any other suit Andraya had ever seen. The Aries and Leos she had piloted in the past were just so primitive compared to this Gundam in front of her. They were built for purpose, and purpose alone.

Not like this suit, she thought. No, this suit was built very carefully, perfect to the very last detail.

She realized with a start that she was beginning to build a strong desire to pilot this Gundam, a thought that nearly made her escape, right then and there. She launched into a serious of weighed thoughts, trying desperately to convince herself that the righteous side was OZ. Yet no matter how much she pondered the situation, she realized that no matter where she had been, what she had been doing, she had never exactly known why.

She leaned back against the rail of the catwalk and tucked her knees under her chin. Professor G's words played again and again in her mind…

"I know what OZ has told you, all the lies they have made you believe…"

Had she been wrong all along? Had OZ really lied to her for so many years? Were their justifications for the destruction she had caused really just?

Duo's sudden seriousness also invaded her thoughts:

"We could really use your help around here."

Upon the thought of the carefree pilot, the sound of her laughter came rushing back to her. It sounded so foreign, so awkward. It was something she had not done in earnest since the day of the Tragedy.

And for a fleeting moment, Andraya felt like she belonged somewhere. Like she was needed. Like she could truly leave her mark as a soldier somewhere.

Like she could finally avenge her family's death.

Andraya rose, now standing before the amazing suit called Arcticblaze. She had made her decision, and realized with a sigh that, for the last 7 years of her life, she had been living a lie.

She would avenge that, too.

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Andraya wandered, in search of Professor G, until she came across a brightly-lit room at one end of the corridor. Entering, she realized that it was a kitchen, and for the first time that morning noticed she was hungry.

"Hey, Andraya! Sleep well?" Duo greeted her cheerfully, seeing her enter.

Andraya only nodded, happy she found a place to get something to eat.

"Hey, you better work on your social skills, missy!" Duo said playfully. "Otherwise, you might just turn out like him!" He gestured to Heero, who was sitting at a table at one end of the room.

"Hn," came the reply, and Andraya laughed.

"You got anything to eat around here?" she asked, turning back to Duo.

"Are you kidding? You're forgetting that I live here most of the time!" Duo said, heading for the refrigerator.

"Exactly why she asked the question," Heero said.

Andraya laughed again. She would like it here, she concluded, making her all the more sure in her decision to stay and join the Gundam team. After eating breakfast, Duo led her back to the room where she had met the scientists the previous day.

"He wants to see you, regardless of whether you've made a decision or not," he informed her, knocking on the door. This time, he waited for a response before simply barging into the room.

"Well, then he'll be pleased to know that I've decided," she said as a voice from within the room bade them enter.

Duo grinned, seeming to sense what her decision would be. Going into the room, he sat down in the same chair as the day before, and in the same manner. Andraya stood before the large table that now seated only Professor G.

"Welcome back, Andraya. Please, have a seat," he offered, and Andraya sat down in the chair closest to her.

Andraya didn't wait for further prompting. She wanted to voice her decision before she changed her mind. "I've come to a decision," she said quietly.

"Oh?" the scientist said, seeming to already know what she was about to tell him.

"I've decided to join you, and to pilot Arcticblaze."

"A very wise decision, I assure you," the professor said, smiling a bit. "I'll have Duo teach you what you don't know about piloting the Gundam, since it is basically the same in both design and control as Deathscythe. As you may have already noticed, I created both."

Andraya nodded, thoughts swirling about her mind like a tornado.

Well, this is it, she thought. I've transferred my loyalty to the Gundam team.