All That You Are and All That You Do
Oh look. OMWOS's writing in school again.
Be quiet Rae _
Better pay attetion.
Shut up baka. #_
You're missing the English homework.
IUp.
OMWOS grows leathery wings, eyes turn green and she produces a scythe from out of no where. She laughs hysterically and swings her weapon of destruction in the air.
*Tap* *Tap*
OMWOS turns around. Eyes widen. (Major Sweat Drop Scene)
Ha.Ha. Oi Miss B. How are you doing on this wonderful and glorious day.
*Two minutes later*
OMWOS is standing outside her classroom, holding two buckets of water. Grumbling to herself.
Rae is inside classroom laughing and pointing through the window at our poor misunderstood Goddess.
-_- OMWOS out Grr. (mumbles to herself about a bloody revenge)
blah blah' that means the words are italics indicating thought or a quick change of scene.
Thank you Chaos for beta-ing my work. Kami know's I need help.
Disclaimer: Gods I wish I owned them but I don't.
Warnings: AU, New Chara's, Angst?, maybe some OOC (you try writing with a cast of 6 plus supporting actors plus extra's and when it's been six months since you've seen a episode of G.W. and you're poor and have no job and no money to buy G.W. on video. Darn you college for sucking up what little money I have.)
Rated: PG-13 for cursing and violence.
Archive: If any one wants to, they can put my story up on their site. As long as you e-mail and tell me, so I can visit and check it out.
Feedback: Hell yeah. No, I'm not going to apologize for my language, it's about time I cursed freely without fear of being reprimanded by Peter. Just because you're trying to kick the habit doesn't mean I can't let an occasional Kuso (Japanese for da*n) or a Shiza (German for sh*t) slip out.
CHAPTER 5
For a moment he forgot who, and where, he was, but then Max opened his eyes and remembered. He glanced at his watch. 5 o'clock right on the button. He sat up from his bed and swung his feet to the floor. He didn't sleep a wink last night, but that didn't get to him. He could go without sleep for days if necessary. Max rubbed the back of his neck and stood up. He grabbed his clothes he had flung over a chair the night before and put them on. Slipping into his shoes, he opened his door and headed down the hallway that lead towards the mess hall.
Passing by a window he stopped and looked out, allowing himself for a moment he got lost in the sea of stars. In the distance Max could make out the rings of Saturn. It amazed him OZ could build a base as big as a colony way out here and keep it a secret. Glancing back down at his watch, he saw the time. He wasted enough time messing around and continued on his way.
Standing in the doorway of the mess hall the buzz of activity stopped as every pair of eyes fell upon him. Men, woman, and even some kids his age stared at him as if he carried some sort of disease.
Max saw someone stand up and head in his direction. It was that girl Rae Bertles. She wore a green tank top and a pair of army regulation pants. Her hair was still in a braid, but Max could see streaks of fiery red woven with her brown hair. As soon as the girl made her way to Max he quickly saluted her.
Put your arm down O'Brien, nobody cares about that stuff at the mess hall. Only when there is a higher ranking officer do you do that here, Rae said not returning the salute. Come on lets get you something to eat, we're off to train after this. I said you could put you're arm down O'Brien.
Sorry ma'am, but at this specific time and place you are the higher ranking officer in this room. So I must salute you. Max held his arm in the same position.
Am I, Rae replied looking around at the other officers who had gone back to eating. What makes you say that. I am an officer just as everyone else here.
Correct, but you have been here longer then me and some of the other officers, thus ranking you higher.
Max watched Rae's deep brown eyes stare at him. They shinned more brightly then his own, but they held a rough past as his. Slowly Rae raised her right hand and saluted Max. She gave the black haired boy a dazzling smile.
A funny feeling fell over Max and tightened in his stomach. He suddenly felt weak in the knees and had to sit down for the moment. Rae immediately bent over him as he collapsed in a chair. You all right O'Brien?
Yeah, I just don't think I'm use to space yet, Max said standing up. Whats wrong with me.'
You mean this is your first time in space?, Rae asked incredulously.
Max looked up. No. I was born in space but then moved to the earth a couple of months later. It's just been a while. I'm fine now.
Max seemed all right to Rae but he was a little pale. You should get some food in you.
I'm not hungry.
I'm not asking you, I'm telling youofficer O'Brien. Rae's soft voice took on a commanding tone. A couple of officers who were sitting near by looked up then moved over a couple of seats. They didn't want to get in the way of Bertles when she was in authority mode.
Max faced Bertles and looked like he was about to argue. Yes ma'am, he said respectively and sat down.
*
All right men. Today we're going to do my favorite exercise, Rae yelled at the twenty men in front of her. She grinned evilly. Hand to hand combat.
Moans and groans emitted from the group. Max stood in the back of the group leaning against a wall and glanced at the groaning men. What's so difficult about combat. I learned this when I was seven.'
Rae tilted her head and frowned at her men. What's this? A bunch of OZ soldiers afraid of getting their backsides wupped. You make me sick. Riker!
A twenty year old man stood to attention. He made his way to Rae and saluted professionally. A couple of men snickered. Yes, yes I am the higher ranking officer, as a fellow officer pointed out, Rae said. Getting on with our lesson.
Um Officer Bertles, Riker said raising his hand.
This is not kindergarten Riker, you need not to raise your hand, Rae said. What is it?
Why do we need to practice this kind of fighting. I mean we're supposed to be using mobile suits. We have no need to learn this.
Rae faced the man and stared at him for a moment. Okay. Lets say we never learn how to fight with our hands. We use the suits all the time. But what happens when our mobile suit breaks down, gets destroyed in battle, or we just need to get out to finish our mission. What happens when we face an enemy and we have no weapon of the sort. BANG! Rae shouted making a couple of the men jump. That's the sound of your dead carcass falling to the ground. Do I make myself clear?
Yes ma'am, Riker said quietly.
What was that soldier, I didn't quite hear you, Rae said, putting a hand to her ear.
Yes ma'am, Riker yelled.
Now that I have gone partially deaf, let's continue, shall we? Riker, what style of fighting are you best at?
I have to say boxing ma'am. Riker decided.
Boxing you say. All right, show me what you got. Rae moved into a traditional boxing position.
Riker looked at the sixteen year old as if she was crazy. Excuse me ma'am.
Rae straightened her shoulders. Did I not make myself clear. Show me your best moves.
But ma'am-, Riker started.
You're not going to hurt me if that's what you're worried about. You can't even touch me. Now come on, that's an order soldier.
All right ma'am, but I warned you. Riker said. He brought his hands into a boxing position. Suddenly without warning he threw a left hook at the girl.
Dodging it easily, Rae tossed a right hook at the man connecting. Riker grunted and threw a upper cut at Rae, missing completely. The girl smiled evilly as she dodged one attack after another. Riker was getting tired, and Rae knew it. She danced around him as he gasped for air.
Give up, she replied sweetly.
No way ma'am, Riker answered straightening up. He lunged forward and swung with all his might. A flash of pain exploded in his stomach as Rae removed her fist. His legs went rubbery and gave out. He sank to his butt, then laid on his back. He would just stay down for the moment while he tried to breath.
Rae looked at he semiconscious man on the floor then at the remaining class. It seems boxing is not Riker's best form of combat. Do I have any other volunteers who wish to bet me at my game? Rae scoured the class for any sign of movement. Anybody. I see, it seems OZ did not enlist men but cowards.
I'll fight you, a voice said from the back. The men parted like the Red sea for Rae to see Max leaning against the wall, arms crossed and looking at the ground. He glanced up and his gaze locked with Rae's.
Rae asked incredulously. Well, I'm waiting.
Max stood up and silently walked to the sixteen year old. Standing in front of her he bowed. What is your best style of combat ma'am.
My, my. Asking little old me, Rae pretended to fan herself. Martial arts, or is that too hard for you. Maybe I should be more specific.
Martial arts is fine. I know them all, Max answered clearly unaffected by Rae's harsh teasing.
Oh we got us a smart boy here, Rae said. She smiled and bowed. Perhaps you've heard of the old Chinese proverb of the Crane and the Tiger. Rae said moving into a crouching position.
Yes. The Crane's smooth and gentle moves outwits the Tigers hasty and quick ones thus making the Tiger lose, Max answered not moving from his standing position.
Ah yes, Rae said. But there's more, when the Crane thinks he has won then the Tiger strikes from it's wounded position. Thus killing the Crane. As soon as she finished her sentence Rae pounced from the ground. She flipped in the air and came at Max.
Max's eyes widened slightly as if he wasn't expecting that, and he dropped and rolled to the side, his sudden movment causing Rae's booted foot to sail by where his head was. Rae hit the ground and immediately back-flipped just as Max jumped to his feet. The two stared at each other for a second before Rae attacked again. She attacked from the left striking out with her arm. Max blocked it and dropped to the ground, sweeping his leg out. Acting with quick reflex's, Rae jumped up and back.
Not even waiting for her to land Max striked. Jumping up he swung his left arm in the direction of Rae. She saw it and blocked by putting her arms up like a cross. He heard her grunt more in surprise, then in pain, as she stumbled backwards by the blow. She kept her ground and faced Max with a smile. You are a good opponent. I haven't had a good fight like this years.
You're not so bad yourself, Max said. Usually he could drop someone a lot bigger then Rae in just one blow, but he guessed she had a lot of experience and not just a big mouth. He lunged forward suddenly catching the grinning girl off guard. Max swung his right leg out intending to connect with Rae's side but she ducked and went into the splits - making a couple of the men watching cringe - and brought her fist up connecting with Max's lower abdomen. He doubled over at the impact and actually felt the pain ride up his stomach.
His attention was diverted for a split second just enough time for Rae to jump back to her feet and lunge at the boy. She wrapped her arms around Max's waist and brought him down. After a few moment of struggling and arms and legs flailing, Rae's class could see Max laying on the floor, Rae sitting on his stomach pinning him down.
Cheers rose from the class. Even Riker clapped from where he was sitting. Rae smiled and waved miss America waves and blew kisses while a stunned Max laid under her. How the hell did she do that? I'm trained for this kind of situation. I must be losing my edge.' A beeping sound brought Max of out of his psychological scolding. Rae looked at an arm band of some sort on her wrist. She seemed focused as she studied it.
Taking the sudden advantage Max raised his arms up hooking them under Rae's legs and lifted up. Rae toppled onto her back as Max twisted his body up. In the next instant it was Max who was pinning Rae on the ground, she struggled briefly before giving up.
I have to give you credit O'Brien, you're a lot better then I thought, Rae said.
Same to you, Max answered. He kept his gaze on Rae's brown eyes, they seemed to shift to a darker color when she was fighting, now they were fading to their original coloring.
Well now that we've gotten the complimenting part over, would you mind getting off? Rae asked.
Max smirked and got to his feet, he stuck out a hand to help Rae up. She sat up and looked at his hand as if it was contagious. She got to her feet unassisted. She fixed her shirt that had gotten ruffled in the fight, and straightening up, she held out her hand. Good job.
Max looked at it with the same expression as Rae had for his, but this time he took her hand and shook it. Suddenly he found himself on the floor again. It only took him a second to realize Rae had flipped him over her back. And the Tiger strikes, she said smirking.
That lovely beeping sound you heard means I'm being paged from the all high and mighty H.Q. She turned to the class. So that means practice until I get back. Fight, attack each other, kill if necessary, just be practicing when I get back. Riker take over while I'm gone.
Yes ma'am, Riker answered as Rae left. She walked through the door and shut it behind her. She looked around the hallway for any prying eyes. The coast clear, she tapped something on her arm band.
The line is clean. Operation Mercy here, Rae said speaking into the band.
Operation Mercy this is Dr. M, a scratchy woman's voice came over the line. Are things going as planned.
Rae sighed.
What do you mean almost, Dr. M's voice sounded upset.
Someone messed with the schedule, I got stuck training the rookies. I'll fix the schedule as soon as I get a break ma'am.
Very well. Have you contacted the others?
No. I can't seem to find any of them. Nor the creators. I think they went in hiding. As for the pilots. I think they're all on Earth. And I also learned we're short another pilot. One was killed at the Mori Base just a few days ago. That makes two. Geeze you think they'd last a little longer.
Dr. M's voice almost shouted impatiently.
I don't particularly care what you think about them. They are your lifelines. You need them to complete your mission. Find them. Understand?
Rae said.
Good. I'll contact you in few days. I'll see if I can find the Dr. J and the others. Dr. M out. the line crackled.
Rae pressed a button silencing the noise. My lifeline. Huh. I don't need them. Probably all snotty stuck up little brats. But then again Dr. M will kill me if I don't find them. Rae glanced at her watch, she kept on her other wrist. Almost ten. I can take care of the schedule right now,' Rae thought as she headed down the hallway. She kind of liked the artificial gravity, you didn't feel like you were going to float off the ground when you walked. She stopped at a window and looked out. Colonies dotted space, but they looked like stars, so far away. Colonies that need to be protected. I don't need those stuck up Gundam pilots, they'll just get in my way.'
TBC