Chapter 17- This Is OZ
"Are these the practice fields?" Gilly asked Troit.
They walked from the path through the forest into the open field. They stopped and looked around. Various groups of uniformed people stood around talking casually.
"Yes. This is where you will train with your own force." Troit replied.
"My own force?"
"The soldiers loyal to Trieze that are going to be fighting with you. You have rank over them, and Major Nokozan will be at your aid with his own force."
"Okay."
"I'll leave you to it than. Tak has all the information you'll need and he'll be there every step."
"How many?"
"I have no idea, but Tak is right over there." Troit pointed.
"Later than." Gilly said as she walked towards Tak.
Tak stood alone reading what appeared to be a clipboard. As she walked towards him, he was all she could see. He seemed to have a glow about him that made her smile.
"Tak!" She called from 20 ft. away.
Tak didn't hear her and continued to flip through pages. Gilly walked faster.
"Hey!" A voice called to her.
Gilly turned.
"You can't address him like that!"
It was a red-haired girl in an ordinary soldier's uniform, except hers was blue instead of green. The girl was about Gilly's age and looked very fierce. She seemed to have a group of lower-ranked soldiers clinging to her. All of them were of equal age. To Gilly it seemed that the older soldiers wouldn't take crap from one younger than themselves, even if she out-ranked them.
"Excuse me?" Gilly asked once the girl stood directly in front of her.
"It's Major Tak." The girl's green eyes flashed, "But for new soldiers, it's Major Nokozan!" She put her hand on her hip.
"I'm afraid you don't know your own rank, Lieutenant!" Gilly snarled.
"What?" The girl seemed furious.
"Allow me to introduce myself." Gilly smiled wickedly, "I am Major Gilly Kushrenada."
All the soldiers behind the girl suddenly saluted while she stood in shock.
"Now," Gilly growled, "Line up in rank!" She shouted and everyone fell into a line.
The other groups of soldiers saw the sudden order and they too fell into rank. Tak finally looked up and saw Gilly standing in front of all the soldiers, glaring and eyeing a certain Lt. He gave a small laugh and walked over to Gilly, clipboard under his left arm. He sauntered up to Gilly and saluted respectfully.
"I see you've met the soldiers." He grinned.
"Yeah," Gilly glared again at the girl and she cringed, "I suppose I have."
"If you're curious as to who she..." Tak began.
"No, we've met. Is everybody here who's supposed to be?"
"Yeah..."
"Good." Gilly cut him off again, "Now it's time for my introductory speech."
"Okay." Tak gave her a skeptical look than nodded.
"I want to make something clear to you." Gilly yelled so all could hear, "My name is Gilly Kushrenada, Major Gilly Kushrenada. Major Nokozan and I will be training you and along side you. I have no intention of using my name against you. My name is unimportant, only my rank. I out rank you, and I expect you to respect me. If you do I'll do the same for you. "This is no game. I expect you here every morning lined up in rank at 7:00. Don't piss me off, and your life won't be a living hell. Welcome to my training, no, our training. I intend to get stronger, and I expect you to do the same.
"Tak, may I see the clipboard?" Gilly reached out her hand and he put it in her palm, "Thank you. Major Tak has already made sure you're all her, but today is going to simply an ice-breaking session. We'll go to bed early tonight, believe me you'll need the sleep. First, I'll show you the ranks. You'll line up left to right from high to low. If you are of the same rank, than it will be alphabetical.
"I don't care if someone younger than you out-ranks you. You will treat them with respect. They will treat you with the same respect. Treat them as you would Col. Trieze. When I am a soldier my father is Col. Trieze. Now, time for me to show you how I want you lined up."
Gilly began calling out their names. The highest ranks among them were lieutenants. The red-haired girl was one of them; her name was Sumire Okotta. When Gilly was done showing them their new order, she made it clear that just because one soldier with a last name starting with A did not out rank one who's last name started with Z, and as far as she was concerned, they were all on equal levels to her.
Gilly then had the soldiers sit down Indian-style.
"We're going to play a little name game." She announced, still standing.
Everyone gave her a skeptical look. Their looks made Gilly smile.
"I just want to know a little about each of you. We'll do this in order of rank. When it's your turn, state your real name, nickname, rank, age, and at least two interesting facts about yourself. Got that? I know it seems childish, but I do want to know more about my soldiers, other than your piloting status, anyway."
Everyone nodded.
"I'll go first. My name is Gillian Kushrenada, Major Gilly under Trieze Kushrenada, I'm 15 years old, I pilot Gundam 06, Knightsaber, and currently I have a form of amnesia."
The last thing made people look at her with concerned eyes. She gave a smile and looked to Tak. When no one did anything, Gilly hit Tak in the arm.
"You're next." She pressed.
"Me? No, they know me."
"I don't." Gilly smiled and Tak knew he wasn't getting out of this.
Tak stood; "My name is Takara Nokozan, Major Tak for Trieze Kushrenada, 15 years of age, an excelled soldier, and, "He blushed, "find myself attracted to Trieze Kushrenada's daughter." He quickly sat down and averted his eyes.
Gilly blushed as well, and out of the corner of her eye saw Sumire glaring at her. Takara had given Sumire even more reason to hate her. She felt the dead pause and managed to wave the next person to continue. Each soldier introduced him/herself. It then came time for Sumire to introduce herself.
"My name is Sumire Okotta, Lt. Sumire loyal to Trieze Kushrenada, I'm 15, a marvelous mobile suit pilot, and thoroughly believe in Trieze, not his daughter." She sat down and the game continued on.
Gilly listened carefully to each soldier. She remembered each person's nickname, rank, age, and at least one of their interesting things. She blushed every time she thought about what Tak had said. Once the last person had introduced herself, Gilly stood and signaled everyone else to do the same. She allowed them a few seconds to stretch and than they stood straight. It was dinnertime and she dismissed them for the day.
The sun setting in the west made her look up and see all the beautiful colors. She would enjoy her time here. She wondered why she hadn't liked fighting, but the thought gave her a headache. Tak was standing right there when she turned around. He was a good couple of inches taller than she causing him to look down at her. She blushed once again.
"You shouldn't have said that." Gilly said plainly.
"Sorry to have embarrassed you." He sighed.
"It's not that."
"Than what?"
"It seems I already have someone out to get me."
"Sumire?"
"Yeah..." She began walking and Tak followed.
"I seemed to have made her jealous."
"Why?"
"She considered us to be a couple. She's a very forceful person."
"I noticed."
"It doesn't matter."
"Tak?" She asked.
"Yeah?"
"Will you do me a favor?"
"Sure."
"Will you not force yourself on me."
"I'm sorry about earlier, I just like people to know how I feel."
"Stay that way. You shouldn't hide your emotions."
"Guess not."
"Join me for dinner?"
"With pleasure."
* * * * *
The days went on and the soldiers trained. Gilly continued to stay in her own quarters. She really didn't want to cause conflict; otherwise she'd play the role of any other soldier and sleep in the soldier's quarters rather than her personal quarters. That was one reason, but the other was to hide the horrible dreams from the world. No one but her needed to know about them.
Unbeknownst to Gilly, Duo was searching space for her. When nothing turned up, he could only hope that she would come to him. After a while, he met up with Hilde again, and the two hung out together for the time being.
Tak and Gilly were to be sent to space ahead of Trieze and the rest of his force. They brought with them ten of their best soldiers. But before they went, Gilly was determined to earn the respect of Sumire, who was also coming.
* * * * *
Gilly walked down the hall with a certainty about her. She knew where she was going and what she was going to do. Before they went to space, Gilly had to face Sumire. She had been against her from the day they met. Now was the time to end it.
Gilly marched into the girl's quarters. She stopped briefly at the door, surveyed the room, saw Sumire, and continued on towards her. Sumire stood at attention when she saw Gilly coming. All the other girls backed away at seeing the anger in Gilly's eyes. They knew the rumors had reached Gilly, and this was going to end it. End the one-sided feud between Sumire Okotta and Gilly Kushrenada.
Gilly's hand flew on its own and the back hit Sumire across the cheek. The silence that cloaked the room was deadly, and none of the others could move.
"Enough!" Gilly's voice was like velvet being stroked the wrong way; "This ends now! What have you got against me? Is it my position, rank, Tak? What?!"
"It's your attitude!" Sumire replied.
"I haven't had an attitude since the day we met!"
"It may not seem that way to you."
"Alright!" Gilly yelled, "We end this today. Pick the field!"
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me! We fight! You choose the circumstances!"
"Mobile suits!" Sumire shouted back.
"What kind?"
"Leo, you choose when it ends!"
"Whoever looses both legs, and both arms first loses!"
"Very well. When"?"
"Now! I told you, we end this now!"
"Lead on!"
Gilly stormed out of the room towards the hanger. Sumire followed with most of the other girls at her heals. When they passed the boy's quarters, they saw the pissed look in Gilly's eyes and fell behind. Tak was concerned about Gilly and hurried to catch up.
Gilly didn't even acknowledge Trieze when he tried to ask her what was going on. Everyone was soon to find out.
They reached the hanger and Gilly and Sumire faced off before they got into their chosen suits.
"You think you're so hot, just because you're Trieze Kushrenada's daughter and a Gundam pilot!" She snarled, "Guess what, you're not! When it comes right down to it, you're just daddy's little girl. The only reason you are where you are, is because Col. Trieze id your father! You're all talk and no action!"
Gilly only stood there.
"No come back, eh? Just wait, you'll wish you were never born when I'm through with you!"
Out of nowhere, Gilly leaned over and embraced Sumire. Sumire gasped and than scowled.
"I'm sorry." Gilly whispered.
Sumire shook Gilly away. She glared at her with such intensity, people backed away. Gilly's head was low as if she was ashamed.
"Sorry for what?" Sumire scowled.
"For you." Gilly's voice was barely above a whisper.
"Me?!" She shouted.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Gilly looked up, tears in her eyes, "I apologize for hurting you so. Believe it or not, I don't want to hurt people, I feel their pain, and right now I feel yours." Her head dropped a little, than she looked up again; "I'm sorry for what I seem to have done, and mainly for what I am about to do."
Sumire slapped Gilly, hard, but Gilly didn't flinch; "You're all talk!" She shouted before jumping into her mobile suit.
Gilly climbed into her suit. The two made their way out to the practice field. The two faced off once more on the field.
"Don't back out now!" Sumire shouted.
No response.
"Let's go!" Sumire yelled.
The battle began and Sumire charged towards Gilly, drawing her beam saber as she ran. Gilly stood there, beam saber in hand, but not drawn. Sumire was close enough and took a swing at Gilly's right arm. As Sumire did, Gilly moved to the side with amazing speed. The beam saber was out and took off Sumire's left arm with no effort. When Sumire attempted to counter, Gilly took off her right leg.
With only one leg, Sumire had trouble standing and Gilly quickly took off the other leg. Sumire was on the ground with but one arm left. She swung the beam saber at Gilly helplessly, but Gilly took off her right arm easily. Unfortunately, she took it off too close to the body and the suit began to spark.
Sumire was screaming from inside. She was injured and unable to move. She had lost, and the worst part was, was that Gilly hadn't even been trying. She was afraid to move for fear that she might get seriously injured.
Gilly jumped out of the Leo and ran for Sumire's. She was beyond concern and was almost in a panic. She jumped gracefully up to the cockpit door. She opened it and went in. Inside was falling apart as much as the outside. Gilly grabbed the frightened gently and pulled her out.
Once outside, Gilly scooped Sumire into her arms and ran. The suit was about to explode and would take them with it if she didn't hurry. She got them as far as she could, but when it exploded, the force of it knocked Sumire and Gilly about 10 ft.
Gilly lay next to Sumire, who was sitting and clutching her knees to her chest. Gilly could hear Sumire's sobbing.
"Are you okay?" Gilly asked.
"You weren't even trying, were you?" Sumire replied.
"No. I told you I was sorry. I realized the mistake I'd made once we were in the hanger. I am sorry, Sumire."
"I egged you on, it's all my fault."
"No..." Gilly sat up.
"Yes! Yes it is! I was so ignorant and let my pride get in the way. I had no idea."
"You didn't know."
"Exactly! I should've been watching you, rather than trying to get rid of you, trying to hurt you. I'm sorry and thank you."
"Accepted and you're welcome."
"But words still aren't enough to express how I really feel!"
"How do you really feel than?"
"Huh?"
"You heard me."
"I try to act tough, but I'm just alone and weak. I'm so vulnerable, it's scary."
"Sumire, you're not alone. You have friends to watch over you and be there."
"Friends! Like who?"
"Like Tak..."
"Tak? Yeah right."
"Don't say that."
"And what about you? I'm not worthy of either of your friendship."
"You're my friend, Sumire. That's all I wanted, was to earn your respect and friendship."
"But really, Gilly, I needed to earn yours."
"No. We needed to earn each other's. In this world, you have to earn trust, friendship, and respect. Today, we have earned those things from each other, and I have learned much about you and Tak, my two friends."
Gilly wrapped her arms around Sumire's neck and the two embraced for a long time. They were still embracing when everyone came to see if they were all right.
* * * * *
A lot happened since Sumire and Gilly's battle. The Romefeller Foundation had chosen Relena Peacecraft as their representative and Duke Dermail was dead. Three of the five Gundam pilots were teamed up on the spacecraft Peacemillion. Wufei was contented to fight on his own for now, and Heero was still on earth. Zechs had taken his name of Milliardo Peacecraft and joined the White Fang organization. Gilly had learned all this through Trieze.
Gilly had won from Sumire what she had wanted to begin with, a friendship. Tak and she were slowly coming into a relationship of pure trust. To everyone else it seemed that Tak and Gilly were taken, but that was not how she felt. Gilly felt that perhaps Sumire and Tak had more in common than she and he did. Despite that, Gilly still felt an attraction to him. She couldn't worry about that right than, though. All of that could be taken care of in their own good time, after the war was over.
Gilly, Tak, Sumire, and nine other soldiers were sent into outer space, only fall into a treacherous and eventful battle.
"Are these the practice fields?" Gilly asked Troit.
They walked from the path through the forest into the open field. They stopped and looked around. Various groups of uniformed people stood around talking casually.
"Yes. This is where you will train with your own force." Troit replied.
"My own force?"
"The soldiers loyal to Trieze that are going to be fighting with you. You have rank over them, and Major Nokozan will be at your aid with his own force."
"Okay."
"I'll leave you to it than. Tak has all the information you'll need and he'll be there every step."
"How many?"
"I have no idea, but Tak is right over there." Troit pointed.
"Later than." Gilly said as she walked towards Tak.
Tak stood alone reading what appeared to be a clipboard. As she walked towards him, he was all she could see. He seemed to have a glow about him that made her smile.
"Tak!" She called from 20 ft. away.
Tak didn't hear her and continued to flip through pages. Gilly walked faster.
"Hey!" A voice called to her.
Gilly turned.
"You can't address him like that!"
It was a red-haired girl in an ordinary soldier's uniform, except hers was blue instead of green. The girl was about Gilly's age and looked very fierce. She seemed to have a group of lower-ranked soldiers clinging to her. All of them were of equal age. To Gilly it seemed that the older soldiers wouldn't take crap from one younger than themselves, even if she out-ranked them.
"Excuse me?" Gilly asked once the girl stood directly in front of her.
"It's Major Tak." The girl's green eyes flashed, "But for new soldiers, it's Major Nokozan!" She put her hand on her hip.
"I'm afraid you don't know your own rank, Lieutenant!" Gilly snarled.
"What?" The girl seemed furious.
"Allow me to introduce myself." Gilly smiled wickedly, "I am Major Gilly Kushrenada."
All the soldiers behind the girl suddenly saluted while she stood in shock.
"Now," Gilly growled, "Line up in rank!" She shouted and everyone fell into a line.
The other groups of soldiers saw the sudden order and they too fell into rank. Tak finally looked up and saw Gilly standing in front of all the soldiers, glaring and eyeing a certain Lt. He gave a small laugh and walked over to Gilly, clipboard under his left arm. He sauntered up to Gilly and saluted respectfully.
"I see you've met the soldiers." He grinned.
"Yeah," Gilly glared again at the girl and she cringed, "I suppose I have."
"If you're curious as to who she..." Tak began.
"No, we've met. Is everybody here who's supposed to be?"
"Yeah..."
"Good." Gilly cut him off again, "Now it's time for my introductory speech."
"Okay." Tak gave her a skeptical look than nodded.
"I want to make something clear to you." Gilly yelled so all could hear, "My name is Gilly Kushrenada, Major Gilly Kushrenada. Major Nokozan and I will be training you and along side you. I have no intention of using my name against you. My name is unimportant, only my rank. I out rank you, and I expect you to respect me. If you do I'll do the same for you. "This is no game. I expect you here every morning lined up in rank at 7:00. Don't piss me off, and your life won't be a living hell. Welcome to my training, no, our training. I intend to get stronger, and I expect you to do the same.
"Tak, may I see the clipboard?" Gilly reached out her hand and he put it in her palm, "Thank you. Major Tak has already made sure you're all her, but today is going to simply an ice-breaking session. We'll go to bed early tonight, believe me you'll need the sleep. First, I'll show you the ranks. You'll line up left to right from high to low. If you are of the same rank, than it will be alphabetical.
"I don't care if someone younger than you out-ranks you. You will treat them with respect. They will treat you with the same respect. Treat them as you would Col. Trieze. When I am a soldier my father is Col. Trieze. Now, time for me to show you how I want you lined up."
Gilly began calling out their names. The highest ranks among them were lieutenants. The red-haired girl was one of them; her name was Sumire Okotta. When Gilly was done showing them their new order, she made it clear that just because one soldier with a last name starting with A did not out rank one who's last name started with Z, and as far as she was concerned, they were all on equal levels to her.
Gilly then had the soldiers sit down Indian-style.
"We're going to play a little name game." She announced, still standing.
Everyone gave her a skeptical look. Their looks made Gilly smile.
"I just want to know a little about each of you. We'll do this in order of rank. When it's your turn, state your real name, nickname, rank, age, and at least two interesting facts about yourself. Got that? I know it seems childish, but I do want to know more about my soldiers, other than your piloting status, anyway."
Everyone nodded.
"I'll go first. My name is Gillian Kushrenada, Major Gilly under Trieze Kushrenada, I'm 15 years old, I pilot Gundam 06, Knightsaber, and currently I have a form of amnesia."
The last thing made people look at her with concerned eyes. She gave a smile and looked to Tak. When no one did anything, Gilly hit Tak in the arm.
"You're next." She pressed.
"Me? No, they know me."
"I don't." Gilly smiled and Tak knew he wasn't getting out of this.
Tak stood; "My name is Takara Nokozan, Major Tak for Trieze Kushrenada, 15 years of age, an excelled soldier, and, "He blushed, "find myself attracted to Trieze Kushrenada's daughter." He quickly sat down and averted his eyes.
Gilly blushed as well, and out of the corner of her eye saw Sumire glaring at her. Takara had given Sumire even more reason to hate her. She felt the dead pause and managed to wave the next person to continue. Each soldier introduced him/herself. It then came time for Sumire to introduce herself.
"My name is Sumire Okotta, Lt. Sumire loyal to Trieze Kushrenada, I'm 15, a marvelous mobile suit pilot, and thoroughly believe in Trieze, not his daughter." She sat down and the game continued on.
Gilly listened carefully to each soldier. She remembered each person's nickname, rank, age, and at least one of their interesting things. She blushed every time she thought about what Tak had said. Once the last person had introduced herself, Gilly stood and signaled everyone else to do the same. She allowed them a few seconds to stretch and than they stood straight. It was dinnertime and she dismissed them for the day.
The sun setting in the west made her look up and see all the beautiful colors. She would enjoy her time here. She wondered why she hadn't liked fighting, but the thought gave her a headache. Tak was standing right there when she turned around. He was a good couple of inches taller than she causing him to look down at her. She blushed once again.
"You shouldn't have said that." Gilly said plainly.
"Sorry to have embarrassed you." He sighed.
"It's not that."
"Than what?"
"It seems I already have someone out to get me."
"Sumire?"
"Yeah..." She began walking and Tak followed.
"I seemed to have made her jealous."
"Why?"
"She considered us to be a couple. She's a very forceful person."
"I noticed."
"It doesn't matter."
"Tak?" She asked.
"Yeah?"
"Will you do me a favor?"
"Sure."
"Will you not force yourself on me."
"I'm sorry about earlier, I just like people to know how I feel."
"Stay that way. You shouldn't hide your emotions."
"Guess not."
"Join me for dinner?"
"With pleasure."
* * * * *
The days went on and the soldiers trained. Gilly continued to stay in her own quarters. She really didn't want to cause conflict; otherwise she'd play the role of any other soldier and sleep in the soldier's quarters rather than her personal quarters. That was one reason, but the other was to hide the horrible dreams from the world. No one but her needed to know about them.
Unbeknownst to Gilly, Duo was searching space for her. When nothing turned up, he could only hope that she would come to him. After a while, he met up with Hilde again, and the two hung out together for the time being.
Tak and Gilly were to be sent to space ahead of Trieze and the rest of his force. They brought with them ten of their best soldiers. But before they went, Gilly was determined to earn the respect of Sumire, who was also coming.
* * * * *
Gilly walked down the hall with a certainty about her. She knew where she was going and what she was going to do. Before they went to space, Gilly had to face Sumire. She had been against her from the day they met. Now was the time to end it.
Gilly marched into the girl's quarters. She stopped briefly at the door, surveyed the room, saw Sumire, and continued on towards her. Sumire stood at attention when she saw Gilly coming. All the other girls backed away at seeing the anger in Gilly's eyes. They knew the rumors had reached Gilly, and this was going to end it. End the one-sided feud between Sumire Okotta and Gilly Kushrenada.
Gilly's hand flew on its own and the back hit Sumire across the cheek. The silence that cloaked the room was deadly, and none of the others could move.
"Enough!" Gilly's voice was like velvet being stroked the wrong way; "This ends now! What have you got against me? Is it my position, rank, Tak? What?!"
"It's your attitude!" Sumire replied.
"I haven't had an attitude since the day we met!"
"It may not seem that way to you."
"Alright!" Gilly yelled, "We end this today. Pick the field!"
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me! We fight! You choose the circumstances!"
"Mobile suits!" Sumire shouted back.
"What kind?"
"Leo, you choose when it ends!"
"Whoever looses both legs, and both arms first loses!"
"Very well. When"?"
"Now! I told you, we end this now!"
"Lead on!"
Gilly stormed out of the room towards the hanger. Sumire followed with most of the other girls at her heals. When they passed the boy's quarters, they saw the pissed look in Gilly's eyes and fell behind. Tak was concerned about Gilly and hurried to catch up.
Gilly didn't even acknowledge Trieze when he tried to ask her what was going on. Everyone was soon to find out.
They reached the hanger and Gilly and Sumire faced off before they got into their chosen suits.
"You think you're so hot, just because you're Trieze Kushrenada's daughter and a Gundam pilot!" She snarled, "Guess what, you're not! When it comes right down to it, you're just daddy's little girl. The only reason you are where you are, is because Col. Trieze id your father! You're all talk and no action!"
Gilly only stood there.
"No come back, eh? Just wait, you'll wish you were never born when I'm through with you!"
Out of nowhere, Gilly leaned over and embraced Sumire. Sumire gasped and than scowled.
"I'm sorry." Gilly whispered.
Sumire shook Gilly away. She glared at her with such intensity, people backed away. Gilly's head was low as if she was ashamed.
"Sorry for what?" Sumire scowled.
"For you." Gilly's voice was barely above a whisper.
"Me?!" She shouted.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Gilly looked up, tears in her eyes, "I apologize for hurting you so. Believe it or not, I don't want to hurt people, I feel their pain, and right now I feel yours." Her head dropped a little, than she looked up again; "I'm sorry for what I seem to have done, and mainly for what I am about to do."
Sumire slapped Gilly, hard, but Gilly didn't flinch; "You're all talk!" She shouted before jumping into her mobile suit.
Gilly climbed into her suit. The two made their way out to the practice field. The two faced off once more on the field.
"Don't back out now!" Sumire shouted.
No response.
"Let's go!" Sumire yelled.
The battle began and Sumire charged towards Gilly, drawing her beam saber as she ran. Gilly stood there, beam saber in hand, but not drawn. Sumire was close enough and took a swing at Gilly's right arm. As Sumire did, Gilly moved to the side with amazing speed. The beam saber was out and took off Sumire's left arm with no effort. When Sumire attempted to counter, Gilly took off her right leg.
With only one leg, Sumire had trouble standing and Gilly quickly took off the other leg. Sumire was on the ground with but one arm left. She swung the beam saber at Gilly helplessly, but Gilly took off her right arm easily. Unfortunately, she took it off too close to the body and the suit began to spark.
Sumire was screaming from inside. She was injured and unable to move. She had lost, and the worst part was, was that Gilly hadn't even been trying. She was afraid to move for fear that she might get seriously injured.
Gilly jumped out of the Leo and ran for Sumire's. She was beyond concern and was almost in a panic. She jumped gracefully up to the cockpit door. She opened it and went in. Inside was falling apart as much as the outside. Gilly grabbed the frightened gently and pulled her out.
Once outside, Gilly scooped Sumire into her arms and ran. The suit was about to explode and would take them with it if she didn't hurry. She got them as far as she could, but when it exploded, the force of it knocked Sumire and Gilly about 10 ft.
Gilly lay next to Sumire, who was sitting and clutching her knees to her chest. Gilly could hear Sumire's sobbing.
"Are you okay?" Gilly asked.
"You weren't even trying, were you?" Sumire replied.
"No. I told you I was sorry. I realized the mistake I'd made once we were in the hanger. I am sorry, Sumire."
"I egged you on, it's all my fault."
"No..." Gilly sat up.
"Yes! Yes it is! I was so ignorant and let my pride get in the way. I had no idea."
"You didn't know."
"Exactly! I should've been watching you, rather than trying to get rid of you, trying to hurt you. I'm sorry and thank you."
"Accepted and you're welcome."
"But words still aren't enough to express how I really feel!"
"How do you really feel than?"
"Huh?"
"You heard me."
"I try to act tough, but I'm just alone and weak. I'm so vulnerable, it's scary."
"Sumire, you're not alone. You have friends to watch over you and be there."
"Friends! Like who?"
"Like Tak..."
"Tak? Yeah right."
"Don't say that."
"And what about you? I'm not worthy of either of your friendship."
"You're my friend, Sumire. That's all I wanted, was to earn your respect and friendship."
"But really, Gilly, I needed to earn yours."
"No. We needed to earn each other's. In this world, you have to earn trust, friendship, and respect. Today, we have earned those things from each other, and I have learned much about you and Tak, my two friends."
Gilly wrapped her arms around Sumire's neck and the two embraced for a long time. They were still embracing when everyone came to see if they were all right.
* * * * *
A lot happened since Sumire and Gilly's battle. The Romefeller Foundation had chosen Relena Peacecraft as their representative and Duke Dermail was dead. Three of the five Gundam pilots were teamed up on the spacecraft Peacemillion. Wufei was contented to fight on his own for now, and Heero was still on earth. Zechs had taken his name of Milliardo Peacecraft and joined the White Fang organization. Gilly had learned all this through Trieze.
Gilly had won from Sumire what she had wanted to begin with, a friendship. Tak and she were slowly coming into a relationship of pure trust. To everyone else it seemed that Tak and Gilly were taken, but that was not how she felt. Gilly felt that perhaps Sumire and Tak had more in common than she and he did. Despite that, Gilly still felt an attraction to him. She couldn't worry about that right than, though. All of that could be taken care of in their own good time, after the war was over.
Gilly, Tak, Sumire, and nine other soldiers were sent into outer space, only fall into a treacherous and eventful battle.