Mobile Suit Gundam Lives on the Line
Chapter Three: New Best Friend
A/N: This story does take place in Asia, although farther North than the events in 08th MS team. To be precise this base is part of a vital supply route to Kojima's base of operations.
It was hot, humid almost unbearable day in the jungle. But then again when was it not, or to be more specific when will it ever be different? Chief Petty Officer Brian Nikolas was asking himself those same questions as he sat under a tent with his fellow teammates as they tried to explain to the newbie the "rules" of the base. It had almost been impossible to convince the kid to listen to them. Brian rested his head on his hand and stared out into the heavy rain that came along every so often. It had been about a week since he had arrived but it still the explaining went on and on. "Guys, I just don't understand your rules, or for that matter your logic, please explain it again." Asked Dustin Raj the new recruit in question. He had the look of an eight year old in a quantum physics class on his face. One of complete confusion, it was if the kid didn't know how to do anything but follow direct orders, Brian thought. The kid was talented, the three were sure of that, but he seemed to be so straight out of the military mold, just another naïve young man who only wanted to do what he was told. But the three were determined to make him understand. This war was cutting in on their time and they were going to get the most out of that. It was their job to make sure that Dustin could get the most fun out of this horrible experience as possible. Pat was the first to speak up: "Look, all we're trying to tell you is that you don't have to follow every order the top brass give you, you can do whatever you want" The boy scratched his head as if he didn't understand what "do whatever you want" meant. "But shouldn't I follow orders, I mean it just doesn't feel right" he said. "Brian explain to him one more time please." Groaned Rob. 'Look, kid, it's simply, we were supposed to clean out the bathrooms today, but we didn't right?" Brian asked, the youth nodded his head yes. "The reason why we don't get in trouble is because, they can't afford to lose valuable personnel like us at this stage of the conflict." Once again the private nodded. "Finally, we don't do anything, illegal or destructive, and we're always present for combat duty, we just don't do the boring menial jobs, so it works out in the end okay"? Raj sat in silence for a few seconds before he gave a response. "I. I-I, think I understand." He said, albeit a little un-assuredly. "That's great, stick with us kid and you'll go far!" Rob laughed patting Raj hard on the back. "C'mon you guys let's go get some food." "I don't know the commander's supposed to get here any minute, and I wanna be sure we are there to meet her, you know that first impressions are the most important part, ha ha." He said laying on the sarcasm pretty thick. "Yah, I'm hungry, let's hurry before we get too wet." The team stood and dashed out into the heavy rain each sprinting as fast as they could toward the mess hall, Brian leading the way followed closely by the newbie, then Pat and finally Rob. Ensign Eve Ketari starred in wonder at the lush jungle whizzing by her as the jeep she was in bounced down the dirt road to her destination Major Fossey's supply base, and her new assignment, being replacement commander of the 4th Team. She had been briefed earlier about the inherent difficulty of her new position. To be honest she jumped at the chance, it was a great way to prove that she good control a team like the 4th, in fact she nearly requested it, if she could have. The files told her everything that could be collected about the team she would need, since she had already read it through a number of times she was paying her attention to the beautiful forest that surrounded her. She wasn't used to the greenery since this was technically her first time on earth, or for that matter the humidity or the heavy rain. Thankfully, the jeep had a rain cover so its awe-stricken occupant didn't get wet. The jeep roared down the road and in the distance Eve could make out the outlines of the humanoid mobile suits in the distance. She was becoming increasingly excited; it had been a long hard road from the academy to her own personal command position. The driver shouted over the din of the ran: "Ma'am, we're approaching the base, and, Uh, I'd like to wish you luck, cause you're gonna need it." He said, turning and smiling at her. The jeep idled to a stop outside one of the massive empty MS hangers and a weary-looking Major greeted the young commander as she climbed out of the jeep. "Hello, Ensign." The man said. "I'm Major Fossey, and your team should be waiting for you by their mobile for first inspection, sorry I must be blunt but I'm in a hurry." He saluted and hurried off into the base followed closely by his retinue of assistants. Eve breathed deeply and made her way to were she would come face to face with her destiny.
"Fuck, why are we sitting out in the goddamn rain waiting for the newbie so she can inspect us." Rob growled, his hooded poncho barely keeping him dry. Why couldn't they make her do this inside, but no it had to be in the pouring rain, that was just their luck. Their team mechanic and Brian's cousin, Chris Barcy had told them earlier that they had to meet her outside, irregardless of the weather for a combination team/mobile suit inspection, mandatory of course. So there they sat, waiting. A person approached them; his face hidden by the same hooded covering the three of them wore. "Are you the 4th team?" The figure asked quietly. Brian peered up and answered. "Yeah we are, and who the hell are you?" "Why, I'm your new commander." As if to cement what she said the figure pulled back the hood to reveal the pretty face of none other than Ensign Eve Ketari. The quartet's eyes grew wide, and decidedly out of character, all four snapped to attention and saluted. "Whoa hold on you guys, there's no need to patronize me, I've read all your files." She smiled at the three obviously surprised men and spoke again before any of them could responds "Alright I'm gonna lay it straight to you boys, I'm nowhere where near the others who tried to control you, I'm here to lead, I don't care whether or not you know the difference between those two words. I'm not gonna try and make you stand in line, or clean up crap or whatever they tried to make you do before, all I want you to do for me is to show up for inspections, for patrols and of course, combat duty, you can do whatever you want, for the rest of the day, if you want to swim or go get drunk in town, do it, okay?" "Nice speech commander, but how are we gonna believe all of that?" Brian said. The speech actually did impress him, and to be honest so did she, though he would never admit it. "I understand your concern, but at the risk of sounding corny, all I want is to be part of the team, I just want to be friends with you, not enemies. So are first mission together is tonight so I would like you to rest, you're all dismissed and I'll see you tonight." They stood for a few moments in silence, not sure what to make of the situation. Eve motioned towards the barracks and nodded a yes and the 4th team took off running into the pouring rain "Oh, wait CPO Nikolas, I have one more favor to ask you." "Yes?" He answered "The next time you all go into town to get wasted, make sure you bring me along with you all right?" He grinned, shook his head and followed the rest of his friends.
Next time- Finally it's here mission number one. How will Eve lead the team? Will they accept her? Find out next time!
A/N: This story does take place in Asia, although farther North than the events in 08th MS team. To be precise this base is part of a vital supply route to Kojima's base of operations.
It was hot, humid almost unbearable day in the jungle. But then again when was it not, or to be more specific when will it ever be different? Chief Petty Officer Brian Nikolas was asking himself those same questions as he sat under a tent with his fellow teammates as they tried to explain to the newbie the "rules" of the base. It had almost been impossible to convince the kid to listen to them. Brian rested his head on his hand and stared out into the heavy rain that came along every so often. It had been about a week since he had arrived but it still the explaining went on and on. "Guys, I just don't understand your rules, or for that matter your logic, please explain it again." Asked Dustin Raj the new recruit in question. He had the look of an eight year old in a quantum physics class on his face. One of complete confusion, it was if the kid didn't know how to do anything but follow direct orders, Brian thought. The kid was talented, the three were sure of that, but he seemed to be so straight out of the military mold, just another naïve young man who only wanted to do what he was told. But the three were determined to make him understand. This war was cutting in on their time and they were going to get the most out of that. It was their job to make sure that Dustin could get the most fun out of this horrible experience as possible. Pat was the first to speak up: "Look, all we're trying to tell you is that you don't have to follow every order the top brass give you, you can do whatever you want" The boy scratched his head as if he didn't understand what "do whatever you want" meant. "But shouldn't I follow orders, I mean it just doesn't feel right" he said. "Brian explain to him one more time please." Groaned Rob. 'Look, kid, it's simply, we were supposed to clean out the bathrooms today, but we didn't right?" Brian asked, the youth nodded his head yes. "The reason why we don't get in trouble is because, they can't afford to lose valuable personnel like us at this stage of the conflict." Once again the private nodded. "Finally, we don't do anything, illegal or destructive, and we're always present for combat duty, we just don't do the boring menial jobs, so it works out in the end okay"? Raj sat in silence for a few seconds before he gave a response. "I. I-I, think I understand." He said, albeit a little un-assuredly. "That's great, stick with us kid and you'll go far!" Rob laughed patting Raj hard on the back. "C'mon you guys let's go get some food." "I don't know the commander's supposed to get here any minute, and I wanna be sure we are there to meet her, you know that first impressions are the most important part, ha ha." He said laying on the sarcasm pretty thick. "Yah, I'm hungry, let's hurry before we get too wet." The team stood and dashed out into the heavy rain each sprinting as fast as they could toward the mess hall, Brian leading the way followed closely by the newbie, then Pat and finally Rob. Ensign Eve Ketari starred in wonder at the lush jungle whizzing by her as the jeep she was in bounced down the dirt road to her destination Major Fossey's supply base, and her new assignment, being replacement commander of the 4th Team. She had been briefed earlier about the inherent difficulty of her new position. To be honest she jumped at the chance, it was a great way to prove that she good control a team like the 4th, in fact she nearly requested it, if she could have. The files told her everything that could be collected about the team she would need, since she had already read it through a number of times she was paying her attention to the beautiful forest that surrounded her. She wasn't used to the greenery since this was technically her first time on earth, or for that matter the humidity or the heavy rain. Thankfully, the jeep had a rain cover so its awe-stricken occupant didn't get wet. The jeep roared down the road and in the distance Eve could make out the outlines of the humanoid mobile suits in the distance. She was becoming increasingly excited; it had been a long hard road from the academy to her own personal command position. The driver shouted over the din of the ran: "Ma'am, we're approaching the base, and, Uh, I'd like to wish you luck, cause you're gonna need it." He said, turning and smiling at her. The jeep idled to a stop outside one of the massive empty MS hangers and a weary-looking Major greeted the young commander as she climbed out of the jeep. "Hello, Ensign." The man said. "I'm Major Fossey, and your team should be waiting for you by their mobile for first inspection, sorry I must be blunt but I'm in a hurry." He saluted and hurried off into the base followed closely by his retinue of assistants. Eve breathed deeply and made her way to were she would come face to face with her destiny.
"Fuck, why are we sitting out in the goddamn rain waiting for the newbie so she can inspect us." Rob growled, his hooded poncho barely keeping him dry. Why couldn't they make her do this inside, but no it had to be in the pouring rain, that was just their luck. Their team mechanic and Brian's cousin, Chris Barcy had told them earlier that they had to meet her outside, irregardless of the weather for a combination team/mobile suit inspection, mandatory of course. So there they sat, waiting. A person approached them; his face hidden by the same hooded covering the three of them wore. "Are you the 4th team?" The figure asked quietly. Brian peered up and answered. "Yeah we are, and who the hell are you?" "Why, I'm your new commander." As if to cement what she said the figure pulled back the hood to reveal the pretty face of none other than Ensign Eve Ketari. The quartet's eyes grew wide, and decidedly out of character, all four snapped to attention and saluted. "Whoa hold on you guys, there's no need to patronize me, I've read all your files." She smiled at the three obviously surprised men and spoke again before any of them could responds "Alright I'm gonna lay it straight to you boys, I'm nowhere where near the others who tried to control you, I'm here to lead, I don't care whether or not you know the difference between those two words. I'm not gonna try and make you stand in line, or clean up crap or whatever they tried to make you do before, all I want you to do for me is to show up for inspections, for patrols and of course, combat duty, you can do whatever you want, for the rest of the day, if you want to swim or go get drunk in town, do it, okay?" "Nice speech commander, but how are we gonna believe all of that?" Brian said. The speech actually did impress him, and to be honest so did she, though he would never admit it. "I understand your concern, but at the risk of sounding corny, all I want is to be part of the team, I just want to be friends with you, not enemies. So are first mission together is tonight so I would like you to rest, you're all dismissed and I'll see you tonight." They stood for a few moments in silence, not sure what to make of the situation. Eve motioned towards the barracks and nodded a yes and the 4th team took off running into the pouring rain "Oh, wait CPO Nikolas, I have one more favor to ask you." "Yes?" He answered "The next time you all go into town to get wasted, make sure you bring me along with you all right?" He grinned, shook his head and followed the rest of his friends.
Next time- Finally it's here mission number one. How will Eve lead the team? Will they accept her? Find out next time!