Notes: Believe it or not, I DO actually have this stuff mapped out, more or less, in my head. I have a vague plan (with various details scattered throughout) that will take me through the replacing of at least three of the current Pilots (and you should at least be aware of two by now, if you've been paying attention). A little-seen Candidate pops up here…but not as a Candidate. You might know him before I name him.
Now, you'll probably hear some things about Hiead in this chapter that you don't agree with. Not as far as who he is, but where he's going to end up. Just thought I should warn you ahead of time.
This chapter also contains my first really detailed exchange between Teela & Kuro (concerning incoming Pilots, no less!), so be prepared for OOCness, as I am still learning.
Dr. Kuro Rivould was a man who enjoyed silence.
It was partially why he'd made certain that only a few people had clearance to enter his personal quarters at all times.
One was the nurse, who he knew to be kind, gentle, and almost totally ineffective at her job. But this was due to no fault of her own; there were simply some people that medicine could not help, and Kuro was one of them.
Another was his chief aid, who was little more than a glorified messenger or errand boy. The bad thing was that he knew that as well as Kuro did, but the good was that he didn't let it affect his job performance.
The last…was Teela.
There had been no further explanation needed when Kuro had written up his list of "demands" upon becoming the Observer long ago. There had just been the nurse, the aid, and Teela.
No one had questioned why Teela was on the list, nor whether she belonged there or not. Rather, they questioned how Teela would react to such a bold maneuver. This was THE Teela, after all, and nobody told her what to do or where to be. Not even the Observer.
Their interest and concern had been misplaced. There was no way they could've known what Kuro knew then, and it was certainly impossible for them to know Teela's thoughts.
Teela came and went, as did the nurse and the aid, in silence.
It was still a bit odd, though. Workers often commented on why Leena Fujimura, the Chief Repairer, wasn't on the list. Surely she had just as much right to be there as Teela, if not more? Virtually everything involving Repairers, including the incoming ones, had to go through Leena, and ultimately Kuro himself. So they were expected to have a good working relationship…which they did, despite her not coming to see him that often.
Some were even brave enough to ask Leena about it.
She would merely give them an odd look, shrug, and say, "Dr. Rivould likes his privacy. I can respect that. It's the least we could give him, in return for all he does for us."
The truth was that when Kuro needed to see Leena (and those incidents were bound to occur), he would merely send for her, either through his aid or Teela (who, surprisingly, had no complaints about doing some of the aid's jobs). They would meet, discuss, and that was that.
In the end, Kuro did not concern himself with what the workers thought of him. He was far too busy with more important matters, such as the fate of mankind itself.
* * * * *
Kizna was not surprised when she found out from Saki where Zero had rushed off to. Although she was quite concerned when she learned that Roose was there, too.
"Are you SURE they're in there together, Saki?"
"Of course, Kizna," Saki replied. "Do you really think they'd put Roose into advanced training without someone like Zero to help him?"
"I guess not. But I'm just a little confused. Why now?"
Saki shrugged. "Either way, they're not the only ones. Hiead got bumped up almost immediately afterwards."
Kizna sighed. "It figures. He's always on Zero's tail."
"But it's different now, Kizna. There are…rumors flying around about Hiead."
"There are always rumors about him," Kizna replied. "How's now any different?"
"Well…I saw him the other day. Coming out of the medical ward. There were…burns on his arm."
"Burns?" Kizna asked in disbelief. "Where could he get burned? I thought they were only in gravity training!"
"They ARE only in gravity training. That's why it's so weird. Zero and Roose haven't gotten burned, so no one can figure it out." Saki glanced around and lowered her voice. "They say…it might be EX."
"EX? What do you mean?"
"A lot of people think Hiead somehow developed another one."
"Two EX abilities? Are you sure, Saki? The only person that ever had two was-"
"Teela, I know. But think about it, Kizna. Zero & Hiead aren't…normal, you know. They're…too good. Haven't you noticed that?"
"They're good, but-"
"They're the best. No contest," Saki said firmly. "I mean, Yamagi's really improved, and so has Roose. But you know as well as I do that they wouldn't last five seconds against Zero & Hiead. That's why Zero's the Top and Hiead's right behind him."
Kizna shook her head faintly. "Saki, you almost sound like…" She trailed off suddenly and bit her lip.
"Say it," Saki insisted, her eyes narrowing.
"…like Clay." Kizna paused. "I-I'm sorry, Saki. I shouldn't have-"
"No, it's okay." Saki smiled a bit. "I like it when people compare me to him."
"Do you…ever wonder?" Kizna asked. "What happened to him, I mean?"
A thoughtful look crossed Saki's face. "No," she said softly. "For some reason, I don't wonder at all…"
* * * * *
"Zero?"
Zero's eyes were closed, giving him the appearance of being asleep, but he instantly responded. "Yeah?"
Roose hesitated, as he usually did before asking a personal question. "Do you…ever wonder what she's like?"
"Who? Eeva Leena?"
"No. Teela…"
Zero shrugged. "Not really. Mostly I just wonder how old she is. I know what she's like already."
"You…you do?"
"Sure. She's a Goddess."
"…you mean she's the Pilot of a Goddess."
Zero did not answer.
"Zero…?"
"Roose, it's no good asking me about Teela. You can ask her all you want when we meet her."
Roose sat up. "Wha—what do you mean?!"
Zero opened his eyes and glanced at his friend. "This isn't a game, Roose. We're going to be Pilots, you and I. Assuming Teela doesn't get killed—which she won't—we'll probably meet her on her way out."
"But…Zero…what makes you so sure we'll be going together? At the same time?"
Zero blinked, as if suddenly puzzled. "That's a good question," he mused, frowning uncertainly. "I just…know," he said at last, but wasn't really sure HOW he knew.
* * * * *
Leena was running yet another systems check on the Eeva Leena. The mysterious synch problems had popped up again, and naturally, Gareas blamed her for them. But Leena could not have been less at fault.
The truth, as far as she could tell, was that the Goddess was growing discontent. Sometimes, she would go for weeks without the slightest problem. And then one day, literally out of the blue, she would become, as Leena like to put it, testy. Gareas liked to put it another away, but Leena didn't consider his way worth repeating. She did suspect, however, that his referring to Eeva Leena that way did nothing to improve her mood. It certainly did nothing to improve Leena's.
"Sorry, Leena," she said softly, stroking the Ingrid tenderly. "He's just…a guy, you know? Stupid like that. He doesn't mean those things he says about you…and me." She sighed and let her hand fall away.
The Goddess did not reply, but not for the reason Leena might've suspected.
There was a sudden, light tap on her shoulder. "Ms. Fujimura?"
Leena scowled as she turned, already knowing exactly who it was. Sort of.
"Sorry. Am I…intruding?" he asked carefully.
"No," she replied in a huff. "We both know very well that YOU only show up when no one else is likely to." Her gaze went to the forms in his hands. "What's that? More work?"
He brightened instantly. "Repairer profiles," he almost chirped. "From Instructor Hakoga himself."
"Hmmph." Leena grudgingly accepted the papers. She could never quite understand why he seemed to enjoy being an errand boy. "Anything else?"
"Afraid not." He turned to go.
"Hey. Hold on a sec."
He paused. "Yes, Ms. Fujimura?"
"I told you a hundred times already, it's Leena. And you never told me your name, kid."
"It's not relevant," he replied automatically.
"Don't you mean it's not important?"
"No. It's not relevant," he repeated.
"Look, I don't care if it is or not. How am I supposed to befriend you if I don't know your name?"
"Befriend?" He blinked at that. "Me?"
"Yes, you, silly. Do you even have a name?"
"I had one."
"And do you mind telling me what it was?"
"No. But later."
Leena sighed. "Fine. But what exactly do you do around here?"
"My job."
"And what IS your job title?"
"…I'll let you know as soon as I find out," he replied with a smile.
"You're weird, kid. You know that?"
"Apparently."
Leena watched him walk away, and then turned back to the Ingrid.
"It's Clay."
She blinked, thinking the Ingrid had spoken. "What…?"
"My name is Clay," the boy called again.
Leena turned to look at him, but he was already gone. "Clay," she muttered to herself before going back to work.
* * * * *
It was a little known fact that one you got beyond the Pilots, the Goddesses, and the strategies, stargazing was what ultimately saved Zion time and time again.
It was perhaps the only hobby Kuro could ever recall having, and one he still thoroughly enjoyed. There was just something about staring into the black sea, sprinkled with white lights, that relaxed his very soul and gave his mind the focus that was needed to keep mankind alive. The only downside (if it could even be called that) was that during his stargazing, Kuro became oblivious to anything else around him.
And so when he turned his chair away from the viewing deck, he got a rather pleasant surprise.
Teela was standing over him, typing something into his computer.
He did not speak to her. Instead, he turned to the far wall, which shimmered and faded to a mirror image of the computer's monitor. The faces of the five current Pilots, each beside the face of their corresponding Ingrid, floated into view.
Teela's hand came to rest on his right shoulder.
"Observer Command: Show Top Candidates," he said quietly.
A second later, two more rows popped up. The second was black, but the third contained the five Top Candidates of GOA, those who would become the next Goddess Pilots.
He didn't need to look to know which ones Teela was staring at.
"Examine 87."
The computer brought on face to the forefront. "Candidate 87: Hiead Gnr."
"Show all possible matches."
There was a startlingly loud beep as Hiead's face vanished from the front and appeared in the second row.
Three times.
"All matches found."
Kuro made a sound that might've been a gasp, a disguised cough, or simply a wheeze of disbelief.
Teela said nothing for a moment. "First Command: Show best match."
There was a long pause, followed by a much quieter beep, and two copies of Hiead's face vanished.
Kuro frowned.
"Is anything wrong?" Teela asked.
"No. I had suspected…he would be Eeva Leena's. However, until the problem is isolated-"
"We both know there is only one solution," she interrupted gently but firmly. "Examine 88 and show all possible matches."
A moment later, Zero's face appeared twice in the second row.
"Eeva Leena still wants him, it would seem."
"Not for herself. For them all." Teela's fingers ghosted across Kuro's cheek. "The synchronization will improve. With time."
"When one of them arrives, you mean," he added.
Teela did not reply, but there was a faint smile on her face. "Show best match."
One of Zero's copies vanished.
Kuro nodded slightly. "Examine 85."
"Candidate 85: Roose Sawamura."
"Soon," Teela whispered. "Rioroute is weakening."
"His EX count is still falling." Kuro tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I have…concerns. According to his profile, Sawamura does not work well alone. Should he be promoted next…his arrival might be more disastrous than the last."
"If he is alone," Teela corrected.
Kuro turned to look at her in shock. "If?"
Teela gazed at him, her sadness apparent. "You lack vision."
No matter how she'd intended the comment, it struck him like a blow and hurt twice as much. Telling an Observer to his face that he'd missed something was generally likened to blasphemy. But directed at him, and coming from her…it was almost too painful to bear.
Teela reached out, the hurt reflected in her eyes when he flinched at her touch. She pressed her hand fully to his cheek. "Everything is fading," she sighed, looking mournful. "Even us…as we were…"
There was a hesitant knock at the door.
Tearing his eyes away from Teela (who returned at once to her post by his side), Kuro called, "Come in, Leena."
The Chief Repairer entered, glanced at the large screen, and nearly dropped the folder she was carrying.
"Leena?" Kuro asked, watching her curiously.
"Sorry," she said quickly. "I just…I didn't…" She gave up trying to explain and stared at the screen. "Wow…"
"Let's hope they're just as impressive in person," Kuro chuckled, "if not more."
Leena smiled fondly at him just as she remembered why she'd come. "I've looked over the incoming Repairers."
"Any changes?"
"Just one, actually." She opened the folder and placed it on his desk.
As his eyes quickly began to scan the form, Leena's gaze was on its way back to the screen when her eyes found Teela's. Automatically, she offered a smile, which was, to her great surprise, returned just as warmly.
"The Candidate submitted this request himself?" Kuro asked, cutting into their little moment.
"Yes. And if what I heard was true, it was more of a demand."
"Very well." Kuro looked up at her. "As always, Leena, thank you for your promptness."
"No problem, Dr. Rivould." She paused. "But…um…"
"Yes?"
"I noticed…Instructor Hakoga's analysis this time around…"
Kuro's eyes glimmered faintly in the dim light. "What about it?"
"He was…more detailed. Very striking. Almost like he grew another brain." She caught herself and blushed. "I mean…"
"I think," Kuro cut in gently, "I know exactly what you mean, Leena. Thank you again."
She nodded, sent a little wave in Teela's direction, and walked out of the office.
As the door closed behind her, a boy stepped from the shadows.
"I believe, Mr. Fortran, that you can take that as a compliment."
The boy nodded slightly, looking pleased.
Kuro smiled sympathetically. "However, the assignment was to copy Instructor Hakoga's style…not to improve upon it. I'm afraid you've earned yet another B-."
The boy deflated at once. "Thank you, sir." He left the room, his head lowered.
"You were cruel to him," Teela observed.
"No. Clay is on a quest for excellence. I will not reward him for forgetting the assignment."
"He seeks your approval."
"When it is done correctly, I assure you he will have my approval and more, my dear."
* * * * *