Chapter 7 - Stripped

Back in his quarters, Sousuke flopped in his bunk and dialed Kaname. Thanks to the De Daanan's superior technology, the crew enjoyed being able to make calls home via cell phones, utilizing the sub's signal booster and access to communications satellites.

The phone kept ringing... "Where could she be?" he wondered. He would let it ring 5 more times before hanging up. About to give up, he closed his eyes in relief when she answered a little breathless.

"Hello?" she panted.

"Kaname. It's Sousuke."

"Sousuke! Why didn't you call me sooner? Did you get reassigned? Where ..."

Before she could interrogate him any further, he calmed her. "One question at a time..."

Kaname flinched and quieted, "I kept hoping you'd call."

"I waited until I had news... They won't reassign me to you. The risk for you is minimal now and I am needed elsewhere..."

She seethed, "What?! You're just gonna go along with this? I can't believe..."

Before she could get any further in her tirade, he interrupted, "No." When her mouth clamped shut, he had her attention. If he were there with her, he'd have just narrowly dodged the halisen. "I'm putting my resignation in tomorrow. I'll be back in 19 days." Silence on her end. "So what were you doing before I called?"

She sniffled pitifully as she replied, "I just got back from shopping with Kyouko. We bought new swimsuits and summer dresses."

"Are you ok, Kaname?"

"I will be."

"Then, will you do two favors for me?"

"Of course. What do you need?"

"I need an application to Tokyo University with a study guide for the entrance exam. And would you see if the landlord rented out my apartment yet? I'll need a place to stay."

"Okay." She picked her jaw up off the floor. "Sousuke. You're actually looking to the future…"

It hurt too much to hear her voice as reality was sinking in for him. He'd be leaving all he knew behind. "I'll call you again soon."

"I'll be counting down the days! I can't wait to have you back for good!"

...

With a warm glow in her heart, Kaname hugged her pillow. He was coming back soon and giving up the only life he knew to be with her! What could she do for him to show that she loved him? Love Sousuke? Well, she really must! They hadn't said it to each other, but she'd remedy that soon – and she'd do something for him ... just what should it be?

Kaname sprang out of bed with the idea fresh in her mind to make a few phone calls.

...

The days seemed to dig in their feet, kick and scream to not pass as they were dragged along, but finally Sousuke's last day came. First off, he had weapons check in. Dread loomed – he'd never had to go anywhere without a weapon before. Heaving a large sigh, he toted his cache behind him.

Commander Mardukas mulled as he walked down the hall to the armory that he'd never been fond of Sagara. The youth was not an ideal soldier. But the very thought of him in the civilian world was even more frightening than him staying in Mithril. Mardukas was shaken from his thoughts by a crisp voice, "Sergeant Sagara reporting for weapons check in, Sir!" He didn't even look up to see Sousuke salute, "Sergeant, let's get this over with. Checklist. Now."

Sousuke handed over a thick packet of paper. Mardukas's eyes bulged in surprise then squinted.

"3 RF detonators, " the Commander grunted. Sousuke retrieved the weapons and placed them on the table. The commander neatly checked off the weapon. "1 taser...check" "30 directional buckshot mines...check" "45 M61 fragmentation hand grenades...check" "1 Steyr AUG assault rifle with ammo...check" "155 Flash grenades...check"

Mardukas paused and put his hand to his head, a headache was forming in his skull. "What in the world were you doing with all those grenades?" he bewilderedly asked and then thought better of it, "No. I don't want to know."

"1 AK-47 with ammo...check" "10 rocket propelled grenades...check" "1 Barrett model 82 sniper rifle with ammo...check" "32 MK 3A2 concussion grenades...check" "1 M-79 grenade launcher...check" "1 M-203 under rifle grenade launcher...check" "10 pounds of C4...check"

Mardukas's eyes bulged and then he just shook his head and continued.

"2 reels of primer cord...check" "1 box of detonators...check"

...

Two and a half hours later...

"Good God Sagara! You had more than half the armory!" Mardukas snarled.

Finally, he announced the last item on the list... "One Glock 26 pistol..."

Sousuke reluctantly unbuckled his belt and pulled off the holster with his old friend in it. The Glock and he had been through much together. Running his fingers over it's barrel one last time, he bid farewell.

"Hurry up soldier, we don't have all day! That weapon wasn't yours to begin with!" Mardukas snapped. As, the Sergeant slammed the pistol down on the table, the commander snatched it up and tossed it carelessly into the pile.

"Check. You are now free to complete the rest of the checkout process, Sergeant. Dismissed."

Sousuke smoldered as he headed to the next stop. Violated, that's how he felt - like he'd been strip searched for drugs.

...

After all the bustle, Sousuke wandered around the ship, just taking it all in and letting the memories flow. He found himself in the hangar standing before AL. His eyes traced every line of the AS's sleek form. It was Kaname who first helped him use the lambda driver. Without her, he'd be dead. Though, he never fully understood AL, and wondered if the next pilot would surpass his feats. For old times' sake he climbed into the cockpit.

"Begin voice print check. Your name and identification number please," AL mechanically requested.

"Sergeant Sagara Sousuke. B-3128."

"Check complete. Confirmed as Sergeant Sagara. Give your orders now."

"I came to say good-bye AL. I've resigned and go home tomorrow. Good luck with your new pilot," Sousuke felt odd talking to this machine – it had no emotions. But he just couldn't leave without saying something. Looking at his watch, he calculated the hours and minutes left. Time to try to get some sleep before the long flight. As he climbed out of the Arbalest, he heard, "Unable to process. Repeat command."

Sousuke shook his head and sauntered to his bunk.

Please don't shoot me for having him resign. I have my purposes behind it. I hope you'll agree with me in the end. Also, I had to look up every weapon but the AK-47. Many thanks to the FMP forum for the weapons info and to my hubby for helping with military stuff in general! Please, let me know if I goofed on anything. Please, R&R!

6/19/04 – update – Corrected glock number.