Hamaan Khan sat in the conference room of the Lili Marlene, looking at the
screen. Cima Garahau was projecting images of the Federation Forces base
at Side 7, trying to brainstorm with her crew on how the best way to break
in.
"A ship can't get near the colony, obviously," Cima said. "I'm trying to figure out how to get our suits in there so we can brute-force the prison. We do know where Sayla's being held, which is the important thing."
"I think you're trying too big," said Hamaan.
"Could you repeat that more grammatically please, Hamaan?"
"I meant what I said. What are we trying to do here? Find one person who's willing to sell out. We don't need mobile suits for that, ma'am. We just have to single out our target when he's off the military forces base. He gets us on base. We don't have to do that ourselves."
Cima nodded. "So you're suggesting we enter Side 7 as civilian visitors and make contact with our potential friend. You do realize that if we are captured, we could be shot as spies?"
"Yes. I admit it's risky, but it's an often-used method."
Cima's second in command, Major Deitrov Kosell, spoke up. "That should provide enough of a distraction for the Lili Marlene to come right up and be ready for all of you to rendezvous with us."
"In one mobile suit? That'd be more than just a tight fit. Four people don't fit in a mobile suit cockpit, no matter how friendly they all are."
"Of course, Char's sister is a Gundam pilot," Hamaan mentioned. "Steal that and you'll be the greatest hero on Jion."
Cima's face didn't change expression exactly, but it lit up from inside with hope. Hamaan realized she'd hit Cima where it hurt, all right. Cima had served her lady well, but it had earned her anything but heroism. That was what she ached for, more than anything.
"Two persons per mobile suit. That'll work. So Hamaan, since you've been a fountain of wonderful ideas so far, how do you propose we disguise ourselves to get in?"
Hamaan smiled sweetly and skipped over to the raven-haired major. She took the woman's arm and wrapped it around her shoulders.
"Miss Garahau, will you be my mommy?"
Cima blinked, then threw her head back and laughed. "A mother-daughter trip to Side 7. That could work, I'm old enough. Now, who do we have from the General Revil who might be able to get us in?"
"Just about everyone, if I interpret this correctly," Cecilia Irene said from the corner. "We've been intercepting the interception of the crew's e- mails. Poor things. They think their correspondence is private." She shook her head. "There's nothing here that would get them in real trouble. They are adhering to the rules about what you can put in personal correspondence. Still, there's a lot of anger here over Sayla Mass's being imprisoned." She flipped through some pages. "However, something I haven't wanted to share with the Prince Consort is e-mail from the weeks before this happened. It appears Miss Mass, or Lady Artesia, take your pick, found herself a lover. One Kai Shiden. Their correspondence to each other is pretty hot stuff. I'm willing to bet the rent that he'd be willing to turn for us in order to get his sweetheart back."
"Get us everything you can on this fellow then," Hamaan said before Cima could say a word. "We'll have to move out right away to make contact before the General Revil leaves port. Get us all the information on Kai Shiden's current movements that you can. Major Garahau and I will contact him and rescue the princess. Col. Garahau, you give the commands to your crew."
"Right. We'll get going, as Lady Hamaan has said. She and I will disembark onto Luna 2 and take a commercial flight to Side 7, posing as mother and daughter. We'll make contact with Kai Shiden and convince him to help us out. We'll use Federation mobile suits to escape and rendezvous with the Lili Marlene." Cima smiled widely. "Doesn't that sound like fun?"
To Hamaan's surprise, her crew whooped to indicate that yes, it certainly did.
#####
"It was not easy to make the decision to return to Jion, General Aznable," said the man sitting across the desk from Char Aznable. "I still think of myself as Prince Dozel's man. As such, it feels strange to be signing on with Kishiria Zabi's forces."
Char leaned back in his desk chair and studied the soldier in front of him. Lt. Commander Anavel Gato was "the Nightmare of Solomon" as Char was the "Red Comet of Ruum". He'd destroyed three battleships to Char's five. Char knew the man was a good pilot, but he was still not Char's caliber and he suspected Gato knew it. Gato was a couple of years older than Char and taller. He was big-boned, but also carrying a few extra pounds. His most notable features were a large, determined chin and greying blond hair tied severely into a ponytail that fell below his shoulder blades. He was a good looking guy, but it was clear he was wound far too tightly.
"Kishiria's forces are the forces of the Jion people," Char commented.
"That is what brought me here. Delaz is mourning the death of his patron more than is reasonable, and I am glad to have had the chance to get away. Not that patrolling the helium fields was that fine a prospect, either. Perhaps I don't agree with all of Her Majesty's views, but at least she's alive."
"Disagreeing with Her Majesty in principle is completely permissible, as long as there is also obedience."
"When I joined the service, I swore loyalty to His Majesty King Degin, his heirs and successors. Queen Kishiria is his successor. Enough said."
Char opened up the folder in front of him. "From all accounts, you've served well." He glanced up at Gato who was sitting with one leg over the other, hands folded. "You've brought a Gelgoog with you?"
"Yes sir."
Char turned a page, read the information on the suit. Char's Zaku was from the beginning of the war, and technology changed a a breakneck pace. He wanted that Gelgoog. Simply demanding it of the other man felt like an abuse of power though.
Just then, the door opened and Iserina Estenbach came in, carrying an armful of printouts. She handed it to Char, pointed out a few things, then turned to leave. That was when her eyes met Gato's, and Char heard them both inhale sharply. There was no further communication between the two of them, although to Char's New Type senses, the atmosphere in the room had changed drastically. Suddenly, Char saw a way to what he wanted.
"Your assistant?" Gato asked, trying to sound uninterested.
"Warrant Officer Estenbach," Char said. "She's from Earth and joined our forces after her Jion fiance was killed by Feddies. She felt the best way to honour his memory was to carry on his work. She takes care of my Zaku. Good mechanic, very devoted."
"I see." Gato's posture had not changed, but Char could "feel" a slightly faster heartbeat, deeper breathing.
Char smiled a little. "I have a proposal for you. You have the more advanced machine. By all rights, it should go to me as commanding officer. However, I'm willing to trade mobile suits with you, your Gelgoog for my Zaku. I'd like to keep our respective mechanics on the machines since they each know them best."
"So I would be working with Warrant Officer Estenbach then."
Char laughed inwardly. Gato was projecting his attraction for her so loudly that Char was almost aroused himself. "Of course. She knows that Zaku like her own body." A mention of Iserina's body should do it, Char thought. Sure enough, Gato's heartbeat quickened again, even though his expression and body language didn't change an iota. "It's an historic suit as well, built for a member of the Royal Family."
"Let me see this Zaku."
They went out to the hangar and floated up to the platform where Iserina was working diligently on an elbow joint. "Estenbach? This is Commander Anavel Gato. He just came in from the Delaz fleet, bringing a Gelgoog with him. Since that's the more recent suit, I'm changing machines with him. I want you to stay on the Zaku, though."
Iserina nodded, putting out slightly fewer vibes than Gato. Probably the proximity of Garma's memory, Char reasoned. "Pleased to meet you, sir. I'd shake hands, but," she showed her oil-coated hands.
"I'll leave you kids to get acquainted. Do we have any red paint left?"
"Yes sir. There's some other pilots who'll be wanting paint jobs though, I'm sure."
"Rank has its privileges," Char said. "Last time my mobile suit wasn't red, nothing good came of it." He floated off, leaving them alone on the platform.
"General Aznable says this is an historic mobile suit?"
"Yes. It belonged to His Royal Highness Prince Garma."
"He also says your fiance was killed by Feddies."
"That's true."
The implication hit Gato full force and he jumped a little. "Are you saying your fiance was--?"
"Uh-huh."
"Well! It will be an honour to fly this machine, won't it, then?"
"I'm glad you see it that way." She looked him up and down. "The seat may be a little small for you."
Gato tried it out, made an adjustment. "No, it's all right. The controls are a comfortable distance." He peered at her. "What was an Earth girl doing engaged to one of our princes? If you don't mind me asking."
"Long story."
"Ah. In that case you can tell me over dinner."
Iserina looked surprised. "Only if you're buying."
"Would a gentleman do anything else?"
She grinned. "All right then. But now, let's talk Zakus." She picked up the diskette on which she kept the maintenance log and inserted it into a reader. She pulled up a stool, set it beside the pilot seat, and began to give him the suit's history.
#####
The Lili Marlene left Side 3 within days. Hamaan stood on the bridge, grinning with excitement. The Princess Kishirias were a strange bunch, exactly what one would expect of the flashy Cima. The bridge crew walked around with tunics open over undershirts, except for Kosell, who liked to be barechested. Perhaps "liked" was too strong a word, Hamaan thought. She'd never seen the man smile once, his craggy visage pulled into a permanent scowl. After observing them for a while, Hamaan deduced that it was Cima who liked to see him with his shirt open, and that he did it for his captain. Hamaan wasn't sure if that was romance or just too much dedication to the chain of command.
"First time you're seeing any action?" Cima asked later in her office.
"Yes ma'am. Unless you count the days right before Kishiria's coronation."
"I'm glad I missed that. A Bao A Qu was probably easier. We've phoned ahead and there are two tickets to Side 7 for Mary Reed and her daughter. That's you. Your job, furthermore, is to watch outside the Federation base."
"Why me?"
"Because you can play at being a schoolgirl who is crushed out on soldiers. I could presumably play a hooker, but the MPs would be more likely to chase me away than a harmless little girl like you. Here's your costume."
Hamaan looked in the bag.
"Harmless schoolgirl?" Hamaan pulled out the short-sleeved white blouse and plaid kilt. "Cima, you're going to make every pervert in ten miles come after me."
"As long as one of them can lead us to our friend, fine. You're a big girl, you can take care of yourself."
Hamaan rolled her eyes.
Almost a week later, Hamaan had her role down pat. She stood outside the base, clad in the blouse, which was tight around what bosom she had, and the kilt which was too short for her to sit down without constantly minding where the hem was. She could just picture Cima cackling to herself back in their hotel. Bitch. No wonder she and Kishiria were such good friends.
Hamaan watched the traffic going in and out of the base and settled on a grey-clad officer whose "vibes" felt somewhat uncomfortable to her. Such a man would be likely to take an unhealthy interest in an under-dressed schoolgirl. She took a pen and notebook out of her bookbag and walked up to him, hoping he'd mistake her being cold for being excited and nervous.
"Um, hello Captain. I'm trying to get some autographs?"
He looked down at her as if she were a steak dinner. Hamaan's skin crawled. This guy probably had some interesting things in his hard drive at home.
"How can I help you?"
Hamaan suppressed revulsion and got a little closer to him. "I like history and I'm looking for some of the old White Base crew people?"
"It's the General Revil now, but if you stick around, you should see some of them. They usually go off for dinner at around 1700. If you want me to keep you company until then, I could."
{Oh, I'll bet, you gross thing}, Hamaan thought, but she giggled.
By the time she finally spotted her prey, Hamaan had begun to wonder why any woman was heterosexual. She'd gotten this idiot, who of course was married, to tell her more about the base than she'd ever imagined. All she had to do to keep him babbling was shift the way she was sitting, inhale deeply, show a little more thigh. She was revolted, but intrigued by how easy this was. She'd gotten Bright and Mirai Noah's signatures because of him, as well as Amuro Rey's. Now that was something she'd keep as a souvenir. Kai Shiden wasn't interested, so as soon as he walked off, she made sure to drop her pen. Her "friend" waited for her to bend over to pick it up, but Hamaan blinked at him until he leaned down to get it. Then she kneed him in the face and took off running.
At around 1830, Hamaan called Cima Garahau.
"I've got him cornered. You need to move on him next."
"You can't bring him in?"
"I can't follow. He's in a bar and I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm only a little kid."
"It's easy to forget. What's the address?"
"The King Richard at 1426 Catalina. He looks like a guy who goes in to drink with a mission."
"I'll be right there."
"Oh, and Col. Garahau?"
"Yes?"
"Please bring me a pair of pants. Ta." Hamaan hung up the phone.
"A ship can't get near the colony, obviously," Cima said. "I'm trying to figure out how to get our suits in there so we can brute-force the prison. We do know where Sayla's being held, which is the important thing."
"I think you're trying too big," said Hamaan.
"Could you repeat that more grammatically please, Hamaan?"
"I meant what I said. What are we trying to do here? Find one person who's willing to sell out. We don't need mobile suits for that, ma'am. We just have to single out our target when he's off the military forces base. He gets us on base. We don't have to do that ourselves."
Cima nodded. "So you're suggesting we enter Side 7 as civilian visitors and make contact with our potential friend. You do realize that if we are captured, we could be shot as spies?"
"Yes. I admit it's risky, but it's an often-used method."
Cima's second in command, Major Deitrov Kosell, spoke up. "That should provide enough of a distraction for the Lili Marlene to come right up and be ready for all of you to rendezvous with us."
"In one mobile suit? That'd be more than just a tight fit. Four people don't fit in a mobile suit cockpit, no matter how friendly they all are."
"Of course, Char's sister is a Gundam pilot," Hamaan mentioned. "Steal that and you'll be the greatest hero on Jion."
Cima's face didn't change expression exactly, but it lit up from inside with hope. Hamaan realized she'd hit Cima where it hurt, all right. Cima had served her lady well, but it had earned her anything but heroism. That was what she ached for, more than anything.
"Two persons per mobile suit. That'll work. So Hamaan, since you've been a fountain of wonderful ideas so far, how do you propose we disguise ourselves to get in?"
Hamaan smiled sweetly and skipped over to the raven-haired major. She took the woman's arm and wrapped it around her shoulders.
"Miss Garahau, will you be my mommy?"
Cima blinked, then threw her head back and laughed. "A mother-daughter trip to Side 7. That could work, I'm old enough. Now, who do we have from the General Revil who might be able to get us in?"
"Just about everyone, if I interpret this correctly," Cecilia Irene said from the corner. "We've been intercepting the interception of the crew's e- mails. Poor things. They think their correspondence is private." She shook her head. "There's nothing here that would get them in real trouble. They are adhering to the rules about what you can put in personal correspondence. Still, there's a lot of anger here over Sayla Mass's being imprisoned." She flipped through some pages. "However, something I haven't wanted to share with the Prince Consort is e-mail from the weeks before this happened. It appears Miss Mass, or Lady Artesia, take your pick, found herself a lover. One Kai Shiden. Their correspondence to each other is pretty hot stuff. I'm willing to bet the rent that he'd be willing to turn for us in order to get his sweetheart back."
"Get us everything you can on this fellow then," Hamaan said before Cima could say a word. "We'll have to move out right away to make contact before the General Revil leaves port. Get us all the information on Kai Shiden's current movements that you can. Major Garahau and I will contact him and rescue the princess. Col. Garahau, you give the commands to your crew."
"Right. We'll get going, as Lady Hamaan has said. She and I will disembark onto Luna 2 and take a commercial flight to Side 7, posing as mother and daughter. We'll make contact with Kai Shiden and convince him to help us out. We'll use Federation mobile suits to escape and rendezvous with the Lili Marlene." Cima smiled widely. "Doesn't that sound like fun?"
To Hamaan's surprise, her crew whooped to indicate that yes, it certainly did.
#####
"It was not easy to make the decision to return to Jion, General Aznable," said the man sitting across the desk from Char Aznable. "I still think of myself as Prince Dozel's man. As such, it feels strange to be signing on with Kishiria Zabi's forces."
Char leaned back in his desk chair and studied the soldier in front of him. Lt. Commander Anavel Gato was "the Nightmare of Solomon" as Char was the "Red Comet of Ruum". He'd destroyed three battleships to Char's five. Char knew the man was a good pilot, but he was still not Char's caliber and he suspected Gato knew it. Gato was a couple of years older than Char and taller. He was big-boned, but also carrying a few extra pounds. His most notable features were a large, determined chin and greying blond hair tied severely into a ponytail that fell below his shoulder blades. He was a good looking guy, but it was clear he was wound far too tightly.
"Kishiria's forces are the forces of the Jion people," Char commented.
"That is what brought me here. Delaz is mourning the death of his patron more than is reasonable, and I am glad to have had the chance to get away. Not that patrolling the helium fields was that fine a prospect, either. Perhaps I don't agree with all of Her Majesty's views, but at least she's alive."
"Disagreeing with Her Majesty in principle is completely permissible, as long as there is also obedience."
"When I joined the service, I swore loyalty to His Majesty King Degin, his heirs and successors. Queen Kishiria is his successor. Enough said."
Char opened up the folder in front of him. "From all accounts, you've served well." He glanced up at Gato who was sitting with one leg over the other, hands folded. "You've brought a Gelgoog with you?"
"Yes sir."
Char turned a page, read the information on the suit. Char's Zaku was from the beginning of the war, and technology changed a a breakneck pace. He wanted that Gelgoog. Simply demanding it of the other man felt like an abuse of power though.
Just then, the door opened and Iserina Estenbach came in, carrying an armful of printouts. She handed it to Char, pointed out a few things, then turned to leave. That was when her eyes met Gato's, and Char heard them both inhale sharply. There was no further communication between the two of them, although to Char's New Type senses, the atmosphere in the room had changed drastically. Suddenly, Char saw a way to what he wanted.
"Your assistant?" Gato asked, trying to sound uninterested.
"Warrant Officer Estenbach," Char said. "She's from Earth and joined our forces after her Jion fiance was killed by Feddies. She felt the best way to honour his memory was to carry on his work. She takes care of my Zaku. Good mechanic, very devoted."
"I see." Gato's posture had not changed, but Char could "feel" a slightly faster heartbeat, deeper breathing.
Char smiled a little. "I have a proposal for you. You have the more advanced machine. By all rights, it should go to me as commanding officer. However, I'm willing to trade mobile suits with you, your Gelgoog for my Zaku. I'd like to keep our respective mechanics on the machines since they each know them best."
"So I would be working with Warrant Officer Estenbach then."
Char laughed inwardly. Gato was projecting his attraction for her so loudly that Char was almost aroused himself. "Of course. She knows that Zaku like her own body." A mention of Iserina's body should do it, Char thought. Sure enough, Gato's heartbeat quickened again, even though his expression and body language didn't change an iota. "It's an historic suit as well, built for a member of the Royal Family."
"Let me see this Zaku."
They went out to the hangar and floated up to the platform where Iserina was working diligently on an elbow joint. "Estenbach? This is Commander Anavel Gato. He just came in from the Delaz fleet, bringing a Gelgoog with him. Since that's the more recent suit, I'm changing machines with him. I want you to stay on the Zaku, though."
Iserina nodded, putting out slightly fewer vibes than Gato. Probably the proximity of Garma's memory, Char reasoned. "Pleased to meet you, sir. I'd shake hands, but," she showed her oil-coated hands.
"I'll leave you kids to get acquainted. Do we have any red paint left?"
"Yes sir. There's some other pilots who'll be wanting paint jobs though, I'm sure."
"Rank has its privileges," Char said. "Last time my mobile suit wasn't red, nothing good came of it." He floated off, leaving them alone on the platform.
"General Aznable says this is an historic mobile suit?"
"Yes. It belonged to His Royal Highness Prince Garma."
"He also says your fiance was killed by Feddies."
"That's true."
The implication hit Gato full force and he jumped a little. "Are you saying your fiance was--?"
"Uh-huh."
"Well! It will be an honour to fly this machine, won't it, then?"
"I'm glad you see it that way." She looked him up and down. "The seat may be a little small for you."
Gato tried it out, made an adjustment. "No, it's all right. The controls are a comfortable distance." He peered at her. "What was an Earth girl doing engaged to one of our princes? If you don't mind me asking."
"Long story."
"Ah. In that case you can tell me over dinner."
Iserina looked surprised. "Only if you're buying."
"Would a gentleman do anything else?"
She grinned. "All right then. But now, let's talk Zakus." She picked up the diskette on which she kept the maintenance log and inserted it into a reader. She pulled up a stool, set it beside the pilot seat, and began to give him the suit's history.
#####
The Lili Marlene left Side 3 within days. Hamaan stood on the bridge, grinning with excitement. The Princess Kishirias were a strange bunch, exactly what one would expect of the flashy Cima. The bridge crew walked around with tunics open over undershirts, except for Kosell, who liked to be barechested. Perhaps "liked" was too strong a word, Hamaan thought. She'd never seen the man smile once, his craggy visage pulled into a permanent scowl. After observing them for a while, Hamaan deduced that it was Cima who liked to see him with his shirt open, and that he did it for his captain. Hamaan wasn't sure if that was romance or just too much dedication to the chain of command.
"First time you're seeing any action?" Cima asked later in her office.
"Yes ma'am. Unless you count the days right before Kishiria's coronation."
"I'm glad I missed that. A Bao A Qu was probably easier. We've phoned ahead and there are two tickets to Side 7 for Mary Reed and her daughter. That's you. Your job, furthermore, is to watch outside the Federation base."
"Why me?"
"Because you can play at being a schoolgirl who is crushed out on soldiers. I could presumably play a hooker, but the MPs would be more likely to chase me away than a harmless little girl like you. Here's your costume."
Hamaan looked in the bag.
"Harmless schoolgirl?" Hamaan pulled out the short-sleeved white blouse and plaid kilt. "Cima, you're going to make every pervert in ten miles come after me."
"As long as one of them can lead us to our friend, fine. You're a big girl, you can take care of yourself."
Hamaan rolled her eyes.
Almost a week later, Hamaan had her role down pat. She stood outside the base, clad in the blouse, which was tight around what bosom she had, and the kilt which was too short for her to sit down without constantly minding where the hem was. She could just picture Cima cackling to herself back in their hotel. Bitch. No wonder she and Kishiria were such good friends.
Hamaan watched the traffic going in and out of the base and settled on a grey-clad officer whose "vibes" felt somewhat uncomfortable to her. Such a man would be likely to take an unhealthy interest in an under-dressed schoolgirl. She took a pen and notebook out of her bookbag and walked up to him, hoping he'd mistake her being cold for being excited and nervous.
"Um, hello Captain. I'm trying to get some autographs?"
He looked down at her as if she were a steak dinner. Hamaan's skin crawled. This guy probably had some interesting things in his hard drive at home.
"How can I help you?"
Hamaan suppressed revulsion and got a little closer to him. "I like history and I'm looking for some of the old White Base crew people?"
"It's the General Revil now, but if you stick around, you should see some of them. They usually go off for dinner at around 1700. If you want me to keep you company until then, I could."
{Oh, I'll bet, you gross thing}, Hamaan thought, but she giggled.
By the time she finally spotted her prey, Hamaan had begun to wonder why any woman was heterosexual. She'd gotten this idiot, who of course was married, to tell her more about the base than she'd ever imagined. All she had to do to keep him babbling was shift the way she was sitting, inhale deeply, show a little more thigh. She was revolted, but intrigued by how easy this was. She'd gotten Bright and Mirai Noah's signatures because of him, as well as Amuro Rey's. Now that was something she'd keep as a souvenir. Kai Shiden wasn't interested, so as soon as he walked off, she made sure to drop her pen. Her "friend" waited for her to bend over to pick it up, but Hamaan blinked at him until he leaned down to get it. Then she kneed him in the face and took off running.
At around 1830, Hamaan called Cima Garahau.
"I've got him cornered. You need to move on him next."
"You can't bring him in?"
"I can't follow. He's in a bar and I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm only a little kid."
"It's easy to forget. What's the address?"
"The King Richard at 1426 Catalina. He looks like a guy who goes in to drink with a mission."
"I'll be right there."
"Oh, and Col. Garahau?"
"Yes?"
"Please bring me a pair of pants. Ta." Hamaan hung up the phone.