Notes: Unfortunately, Pilots (emphasis on that s) will be leaving this chapter. I don't have people die unless it works for the story, and it really doesn't here, in my opinion. So you don't have to dread THAT kind of leaving. At least not yet. But be prepared, I am warning you now.
Zero & Roose were pleasantly surprised to find their Repairers waiting for them when they emerged from the gravity chamber.
Wrecka instantly attached herself to Roose's arm and dragged him off so fast, he only had time to wave at Kizna.
Zero smirked and shook his head. "No wonder he's always so tired…"
"Zero," Kizna scolded in her warning tone.
"What? I only implied it this time! I didn't actually SAY it!"
She rolled her eyes and grabbed his arm, tugging him further down the corridor. "C'mon, you."
"Where are we going?"
"Right here," she replied, stopping and turning to face him. Her expression became hesitant. "Zero, I-"
"What? You're not sick, are you?" he asked at once, feeling her forehead.
Kizna blinked at his concern, but could only find the gesture oddly endearing. "No, nothing like that," she said, pushing his hand away lightly. "It's just…well…I've been…blacking out a little."
The color drained from Zero's face. "What…?"
"Don't look so serious!" she snapped, giving him a little shove. "I'm fine! I just…sometimes I wake up somewhere and I don't know how I got there…or I might stop in the middle of a hall for a few seconds, staring into space. Saki or someone usually pokes me and I wake up, so it's no big deal."
"Kizna," Zero said severely. "This is your health we're talking about. If you-"
She shook her head. "I don't wanna see Dr. Croford about this. I'm not sick, and I'm not in pain. It's probably just an advanced form of daydreaming, or mild amnesia from my fall. I'm sure it'll pass."
He began to argue again, but there was something in Kizna's eyes that…reminded him.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. But why'd you tell me if it's nothing?"
"I might need you to shake me, in case I zone out and you're the only one there. And I didn't want you to freak if I did it around you."
"Okay, I can do that. But you're sure you're okay?" he asked, holding her arms as if she was about to fall over right there.
"Yes, I told you I'm fine. You don't have to treat me like a kid."
"Well, if you're not gonna worry about you, I might as well. Since we're partners and all. Right?"
Kizna could only smile. "Right." Impulsively, she stepped forward and hugged him.
Zero was a little shocked, and was just starting to return the embrace when he heard it.
"Pi-Lot time soon," the gravelly voice whispered directly into his ear.
His blood ran cold, and Zero unconsciously hugged her tighter, as if trying to will the voice out of her.
"Z-Zero?" Kizna asked uncertainly a few seconds later, her voice muffled against his shoulder.
"Yeah?"
"I…can't…breathe…"
"Huh? Oh!" Zero let her go and stepped back, blushing. "Sorry, Kizna," he muttered.
Kizna stared at him with an odd expression that had nothing to do with the sinister voice that had just come from her lips. "That's…okay," she said slowly, sounding as if she really meant it. "Only…is that how you're always going to wake me up? Azuma might take it the wrong way if we start hugging all the time."
Zero doubted that for several reasons, but didn't say so. "Spur of the moment thing. Won't happen again. Honest."
She seemed annoyed. "I didn't you couldn't EVER do it again. Just…try to be a little more discreet, would you?"
"Yes, sir!" he replied, doing a mock salute.
Kizna snorted and pushed him. "Idiot."
* * * * *
Phil had known the day would come, but she was still totally unprepared for it.
Just a few hours ago in battle, they'd been facing a minor swarm.
A few of the smaller Victim had slipped away and headed for Reneighd Klein. Her shield could take an impact from one of them and continue functioning, but this was too many for that.
Agui Keimeia could not reach her fellow Ingrid in time, but her shields could.
Five or so pieces of armor formed a protective barrier before Reneighd Klein, deflecting the first Victim away.
But the last came in a little faster and with more force, and for a moment, it looked as if it would be pushed away, too.
Then, to everyone's disbelief, the Victim tore through the armor on a collision course with Reneighd Klein's head.
The shock was not a disabling one, though, because an instant later, Tellia Kallisto swooped past, striking a glancing blow that knocked the Victim off course and disoriented it.
That was when the bright flash had blinded them all, and the death wail of the Victim tore through their ears, ending abruptly as it vanished into the endless field of white.
When the light began to fade, the only sound was that of uncontrollable sobbing.
Reneighd Klein was revealed, glowing a pristine white. The glow seemed concentrated around her head though, where the energy danced rapidly, almost resembling lightning bolts.
"Someone," Erts gasped through his choked sobs. "Someone…please…get Rio…"
The initial cause of the near-accident had gone almost totally unnoticed.
By the time anyone thought to look, they found Agui Keimeia several yards from the battle, curled into the fetal position. It was as if she could no longer depend on her shields, and had resorted to instinctive measures to protect her Pilot.
No one would be able to coax her out of that position until they were safely aboard GIS.
Gareas insisted he be the one to tow Agui Keimeia back; Rio was still conscious, but totally unresponsive to the hails of his Repairer and his fellow Pilots, and either unable or unwilling to pilot his Ingrid.
Erts was still a wreck, but continued to assure Tune he was fine. While she was very concerned for him, she seemed to be insisting that he review something in Reneighd Klein's readouts, because it wasn't making any sense on her end. But for once, Erts was not able to multitask as his duty required; it was all he could do to guide his Ingrid back to GIS without crashing into Tellia-Kallisto (who had taken to hovering about him almost protectively).
In fact (though he would never tell anyone this, not even Zero), probably the only thing that did keep him steady: the ghostly, tender embrace that served to constantly warm his soul and convince him that he was safe.
And comforting though it was, tears continued to fall down his face. For the truly disturbing thing was that for a brief moment, Erts had felt…something—or someone…enter him and turn on every light…and that whatever it was consoled him even now. But what really bothered Erts was that he couldn't determine if it had been Ernest…or Emily…or if the difference even mattered to him anymore.
* * * * *
At first, he thought the training in 40G was starting to get to him.
Or maybe it was the fact that Hiead was training in twice that much gravity, with fire in his eyes in more ways than one.
But when Zero's heart and head began to pound in perfect synch, he knew that this was something more.
Erts? Is that you?
He opened his mind the way Erts had shown him, exposing his thoughts to whoever cared to hear them.
But it was not Erts. Not exactly, anyway.
Without warning, a girl doused in orange from head to toe drifted through the far wall. She seemed lost at first, but upon spotting Zero, her face lit up with something like triumph, and she floated nearer, reaching for his hand.
Zero never questioned that she was a friend, someone who needed his help. He reached for her as well.
No.
A pale, gentle hand caught her hand before they could touch.
Not yet, Little One. Soon.
She seemed pained at first, but gradually faded away, her eyes lingering on Zero.
"Zero?" Roose asked, shaking him. "Zero???"
Zero blinked and shook his head. "What?"
"You…zoned out again," Roose answered, looking uncertain. "It's time for our break."
"Yeah. You're right." He paused for a second. "Hey, Roose? Did you see…?"
"Did I see what, Zero?"
He shook his head. "Not important. Tell you later."
Roose nodded, watching Zero walk out of the chamber with only slight concern. He brushed his uniform off and turned to leave when he saw her.
She stood just in the doorway, watching Zero's retreating form with an almost desperate look on her face. But then, as if sensing Roose behind her, she twisted away into thin air, her blue hair leaving a trail of sparkles before they, too, vanished.
Roose blinked several times, swallowed, trying to decide upon what he had just seen, and wondering if Wrecka would think him crazy for seeing pretty girls everywhere, or insane for telling her about them.
After a moment's thought, he decided this was definitely something to keep to himself.
* * * * *
Erts awoke to the gentle voice and touch of his Repairer, and wondered how long he'd been out.
"Erts? Can you hear me?" Tune asked.
Not trusting his voice to work yet, he nodded. He still felt exhausted, but he could at least do that much.
"Are…are you okay?"
He considered that for a long moment, staring into her concerned face. Actually, it looked like concern wrestling with excitement, but for now, at least, concern was winning.
Wait. What was there to be excited about?
Erts heard himself sigh as she began to stroke his hair again. The last one to do that had been-
Tears began to well up at once, but were forced away. Crying now would send the wrong message to Tune, and if he ended up admitting the real reason for the tears, then SHE would start crying, more than likely.
"Erts? I-I know this probably isn't a good time, but…I really need to know what happened out there…" She trailed off hopefully, the excitement finally showing up in her eyes.
He sat up with a start. "Rio! Is he okay?! Did you-"
"Calm down, Erts! Rio's going to be fine; he wasn't hurt."
Erts sighed heavily and collapsed against his pillow. "I…I felt him, Tune. I felt his fear of losing me, his fear that he'd failed to protect me like he had Ernest…it was so horrible…"
"But it wasn't his FAULT!" Tune cried at once.
Erts smiled patiently. "I know. That's WHY it was so horrible. Everyone seems to blame themselves." He reached up slowly and touched her cheek. "Even you, sometimes. But it's not your fault. It was no one's fault, really. Aniki…did what he felt he had to. That's why…why I did it."
Tune blinked, unconsciously leaning into his palm. "Did what?"
"When the shields broke, and I felt Rio's—everyone's—fear…all for me. It was…terrible and wonderful at the same time; I couldn't stand it. There were…so many emotions…more than I'd ever felt at one time…and they were so STRONG, Tune…" He shook his head. "I couldn't bear it. So I just…hid myself and begged for it all to…stop."
"Stop?" Tune asked, clearly lost.
"I…I was scared, I admit. But then Emily reached out to me and asked if I really wanted it all to stop. I couldn't speak, so I kind of nodded. Then she…she…"
"What? What did she do?"
"She reached INTO me, Tune. And I don't know what she did, or even why. It was like she touched my soul. And it didn't hurt or feel good. But…I think…it felt wrong. She didn't want to do it. She didn't want to have to, ever. She never did with…"
"…with Ernest?"
Erts looked away. "I'm afraid I can't answer your question. I don't know what happened out there. Not really."
"No, it's okay. I think…I understand."
He looked shocked. "You DO?"
"Well, no. Not totally. It's just…" She paused, taking a deep breath. "Erts, I'm just going to say it. According to my data, you…you reached Just Condition."
Erts blinked. "What, now?"
Tune laughed. "No, silly! Out there. When you…when Emily…you know?"
"Oh." He didn't look half as excited as she'd hoped he would. "Well. That's…news."
"It is! If anything, this should improve your connection to Emily, now that you've synched 100%. But, I have to warn you."
"Warn me about what?"
"Just Condition is very dangerous, especially if you do it more than once."
"I didn't plan for it to happen, I—I said yes. She asked me and I said yes," he whispered, realization dawning on him.
Tune nodded. "Emily…she probably wouldn't call it that. But if she was considerate enough of you to ask first, maybe she'll always ask. You should talk to her, Erts."
"Not now. I got the feeling she wanted to be alone before I passed out. She might be angry with herself…or disappointed."
Tune gently took his hand. "Erts…what I said about Rio? I meant it. He's safe…for good, now."
Erts stared at her. "Oh."
* * * * *
Phil had given up trying to talk to Rio, for the moment at least. He had not moved or spoken at all since Garu had dragged him out of Agui Keimeia.
The doctors all said it was shock and that he would recover eventually. None of them said anything about Rio's future as a Pilot.
There simply wasn't one anymore.
Leena had finally come by, probably late because she'd gone through the trouble of checking Rio's EX count, even after the disaster in battle. She refused to go through the protocol, though. She would only hug Phil and kiss Rio on the cheek before walking out, leaving the retirement papers on the bed.
Phil had to fill them out and fake Rio's signature. She didn't think anyone would protest, least of all Rio. Occasionally, she'd glanced at him, as if giving him a chance to change something she'd written.
Rio remained in his wheelchair, silent and motionless, his eyes fixed on something neither of them could really see.
The future.
Phil had been vaguely aware of the others saying farewell, but most of it was a blur. The only one she could really pick out was Erts, who had clung to her a bit longer than she felt she deserved. But it made her feel appreciated all the same, so she'd given him a peck on the forehead and a final smile before walking away.
Now, as she wheeled Rio onto the elevator, she couldn't help thinking that something felt incomplete, and it wasn't Rio's career. That, she was certain, had come to an end, no matter how abrupt it seemed.
She was more than surprised when Teela stepped on just before the doors closed.
"Teela? What are you doing here?"
Instead of answering, Teela gently cupped Rio's face in her hands, staring into his lifeless eyes. "Thank you," she said faintly, dropping a kiss carefully on his forehead.
Rio blinked a few times, but that was it.
Teela said nothing the rest of the way down. But when the doors slid open again, she gently placed her hands over Phil's and eased the wheelchair away from her grip. For some reason, Phil could not be angry about it. Teela was only helping her, and more directly, Rio. There was nothing wrong in that. She followed in silence as Teela wheeled Rio down the long corridor.
When they reached the shuttle that would leave for GIS in a few minutes, Phil reached out to take Rio back.
But Teela continued, heading right into the shuttle.
Not sure whether to be touched or confused, Phil followed quickly and caught up just as Teela was starting to strap Rio in. She reached out and caught Teela's wrists.
"Teela. Please. You don't have to do this. I really appreciate you escorting us down here, but-"
"You are mistaken," Teela replied. "I am not escorting you."
"You…you're not?" Phil asked, not catching on right away.
"I am returning with you," she said, sitting down next to Rio and taking his hand in her own.
"Well…but…WHY?!" Phil cried in disbelief, drawing the attention of the shuttle pilot.
"It is time," she answered simply, looking straight ahead.
Phil sighed and sat down on Rio's other side, squeezing his free hand. "Okay…" She glanced at Teela a few more times before realizing that this really was happening, and gave up trying to understand it.
* * * * *
"Will you fly with me?" the girl asked.
Zero stared at her, not quite sure why she wasn't getting further away from him this time. "Yes."
She reached for his hand, and he let her have it. Her hand was cool yet comfortable at the same time.
"You're leaving, Rei?" Kizzie asked from behind him.
He turned to look at her. "I'm sorry, Kizzie. I have to. I hope we can still be friends."
The girl began to rise slowly into the air, taking Zero with her.
Kizzie watched them for a moment, and then scampered up into her tree, vanishing into the branches.
Zero sighed and looked away. He had hoped she would've forgiven him by now.
Suddenly, there was a sharp tug on his ankle.
He looked down in surprise and delight to see Kizzie hanging onto him. "Your father was right to call you Kamikizzie," he laughed.
"You just shut up and hang on!" she snapped. "If your laughing makes us fall, I'll slap you silly!"
Zero laughed even louder then, but he knew they were in no danger of falling. He continued to laugh as they rose higher into the sky, passed the clouds, and were gone.