X
Chapter 4:
Secrets
Lea slowly opened up her eyes. She was lying down on the same, slightly uncomfortable cot. Above her head she heard voices.
"Good, she's finally awake. I was worried!" Duo exclaimed and smiled.
"What happened?" Quatre inquired. Lea lifted herself off the tiny bed.
"I... don't know. I had a strange dream..."
"You've bonded with it, haven't you?" Heero asked from the far-side of the room. Lea glanced at him.
"Yes... at least... I think so... that's what he said..."
"What who said?" Trowa asked, and lifted Lea's arm to check her pulse.
"X..." Lea answered quietly. All four boys jumped, all except Heero, who's mouth was slightly turned up at the tips.
"And what're you so smiley about?" Duo asked angrily, sliding his chair against the concrete floor, stretching his legs and putting them up on the bed.
"I was right." Heero said and turned again to face the many computer screens in front of him.
Lea looked around. "I know I saw a door here..."
"Trying to escape?" Trowa asked, Lea jumped and took a few steps backwards.
"N-no... I was just... looking for the door which leads outside... I'd like some fresh air and I..."
Trowa looked down at her, he was about a head higher than she. He took her hands in his.
"Look at you, your hands are shaking."
Lea blushed; Trowa's hands were so warm in hers. "They're like ice..." Trowa then wrapped his own, larger hands around her own. Lea didn't move.
"Uh... thanks..." She instead stared at the ground. Trowa also didn't look straight at her. "When everyone left, I thought I'd look for the door to the outside, because I was cold, and I could see light shining through the cracks in the metal walls, so I knew the sun was out and... I guess I got lost..." Lea felt a lump developing in her throat. Suddenly, Trowa slowly drew his hands away, but he didn't let go. He instead began to breathe on her fingertips.
He's so warm... she thought to herself. She then drew her own hands away.
"Thanks... I'm much warmer now..." She then turned on her heel and ran in the opposite direction. Trowa stared at his own hands, which began to shake slightly.
"Trowa... are you alright?" Quatre asked as he turned the corner where Lea had just run off to. Trowa immediately stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Where's Heero?"
Quatre blinked. "In the control room, he hasn't left it yet." Trowa nodded and brushed hastily past Quatre.
"Trowa, wait!" Quatre yelled suddenly. Trowa spun around. "She's dangerous, Trowa. We don't know what she may do next..."
Trowa's eyes widened. "You don't trust her?"
Quatre focused on the cold, hard concrete underneath his feet.
"I just... want you to be careful, okay?" Trowa suddenly glared at him and then resumed heading towards the control room.
"Even Quatre doesn't trust her..." Trowa exclaimed angrily, throwing himself down in the chair opposite Heero.
"Quatre trusts the wrong people, people who would betray him at any moment." Heero said quietly.
"He trusted us..." Trowa said, lifting up his hand and staring at it. Heero didn't answer. "Are we the only ones who actually trust that girl?"
Here Heero turned his head and glanced at Trowa. "Does she trust us? Will she pilot the X and fight beside us, or will she decide to fight with Sakio, and Romefeller?"
Trowa again stuffed his hands inside his pockets and stood up.
"Can she even pilot the X?"
"I'm certain of it." Heero resumed typing and stared at the screen in front of him. "I'm sure she is able to pilot the X. She's already bonded with it."
"But will she fight alongside us?"
Heero stopped typing and stood up. Trowa watched him as he walked out into the hall and turned towards the second hangar, where the X was being held.
What if she chooses to fight alongside Sakio? What will our choice have to be, if that happens?
Lea walked along the deserted hall. It was slightly dark, and she had lost her footing at least twice along the way. Then, in front of her, there was a soft light. She walked a little faster toward it.
In front of her was a relatively large doorway, which led to a huge room. Inside the room, there was a metal ladder, leading up to some sort of giant robot. Sitting down on the floor in front of it, was a boy with messy brown hair, and wearing blue jeans and a green shirt. He had his arms crossed over his folded legs. Lea quietly walked up to him.
He's so still...
"I heard you coming." Heero said quietly. Lea nearly jumped.
"Oh... um, sorry... if I interrupted you..."
"You weren't interrupting anything..." Heero answered. Lea took a few steps closer, never letting her eyes move from the towering robot in front of her.
"Is that... X?"
Heero silently nodded. Lea drew in a little closer, and then sat down next to Heero.
"My name is Lea."
Heero glanced at her. "Heero."
"What?"
"My name is Heero."
"Oh." Lea rubbed her arms but continued to stare at the mecha. "So... you want me to pilot it... the X?"
Heero looked up at the machine. "Yes."
"But... how do I?"
"You already know how."
"How to pilot it?"
Heero nodded. Lea hugged her knees.
"But... I can't..."
"You have to."
Lea stared at Heero a moment. "Why? For what reason?"
"You have to pilot the X. Damon was supposed to, but he was killed. So now, the only survivor of the..."
Lea gasped and hugged her knees more tightly. Heero glanced at her again, but continued.
"You have to pilot the X, because you're the only one left who knows where every single shred of documentation on this machine is."
"I... do?"
Heero nodded. "And we have to destroy those documents. But even if we did, there's still Sakio."
"Sakio..." Lea said and closed her eyes, thinking of the tall man who had tried to kill her.
"Sakio also knows the secrets of the X, and of it's pilots. He's also the last surviving member of the Morikane family line, besides yourself. You and he are both destined to pilot the X, but we can't allow him to get it."
Lea nodded, allowing this new information into her mind. Heero continued.
"Sakio works for the last shreds of The Romefeller Foundation."
Lea lifted her head. "Does this mean that my brother was supposed to pilot the X... instead of me?"
Heero nodded solemnly. "You have to pilot the X, but you can decide who you want to fight for."
Lea stood up. "And if I kill Sakio? Then what? Will that bring peace? Is it really that simple?"
Heero stared at her. "I don't know."
"Then why fight?" Lea asked, a small tear running down her face. "Why fight if it won't bring peace?"
"It's not that easy, but..." Heero stood but never let his eyes leave Lea's. "Follow your heart, do as it tells you. That's the right path."
Heero turned and quietly walked out of the room without another word. Lea watched him leave, a strange feeling in her chest. She then turned once more and stared at the X. It's cold gaze rested upon her.
"Then... I guess I have no choice."
Lea then jumped up the ladder and stared at the open cockpit. She clenched her teeth, but stepped inside. Instantly an extremely warm feeling fell on her, like she was wrapped up in a large blanket, protected from the world. She closed her eyes and tried to focus.
A small transparent keyboard appeared in front of her. She stared at it.
Type in your name.
The voice echoed in her head once more. Lea obeyed and typed in her full name. Her last name, Morikane, lighted up and started to blink. The floor opened up underneath her, but she didn't fall. It was like a pane of glass beneath her feet, but all she saw was a concrete floor beyond it.
"What is this?" she breathed. Suddenly, the roof also opened up to reveal another pane of glass, and all around her the walls disappeared and all that was left was glass.
"What's going on?" she asked. A large yellow orb floated down from the ceiling, and flicked in front of her, like a bad transmission on a television screen. She reached out and lightly touched it. A huge light seemed to turn on from beneath her, and the rays shot upwards. Small wires also shot up and hooked onto her skin.
Lea screamed at the intense pain. Then, it felt like gravity kicked in when she fell to her hands and knees. The whole building rocked. Lea clenched her teeth against the pain, but lifted her head up. Heero was watching her, he was sitting on the very top rung on the metal ladder. Lea slowly stood up. Was Heero smiling?
"Heero, can you hear me?" Lea asked.
"Loud and clear." Heero said from some unknown speaker.
"Heero... it hurts... it really does..."
Heero didn't answer. Lea grabbed one of the wires. It sent off electric sparks which burned her hand. She again screamed and landed on her knees.
"Please... stop..." She again reached for the wires, and again she burned her hands.
Enough! Don't fight me, Lea! Just relax...
"X..." Lea gasped and closed her eyes. Must relax... must relax...
In front of her a small white, blurry light flickered. Then the light grew closer and closer, until it was right in front of her eyes. It was a young boy, maybe a year older than herself. His hair was completely white, and his skin was so pale, it appeared to glow against the darkness.
Relax, Lea. Relax. If you make any sudden movements now, it might just be the last thing you ever do.
I understand, X. I won't move.
All around her, a sort of thick liquid began to flow into the small cockpit. Lea kept her eyes closed as the water rapidly began to rise.
Relax, relax, I'm not going to die... I won't die here...
The water rose to above her head.
Don't hold your breath, Lea. Just breathe, you can do it.
Lea opened her mouth and tried to breathe in. The liquid flooded her mouth and went down her windpipe. She choked and again began to struggle.
I can't breathe!
Relax!
No, I can't breathe...
Lea coughed and then tried breathing normally again. The liquid was still in her lungs, but now she could exhale and inhale comfortably.
I... can breathe...
Yes, but you can't speak, so don't try to. You might choke.
Lea nodded.
And another thing, don't ever open your eyes while you are in this suit, alright?
Why not?
Just don't, okay?
Lea again nodded.
Now, try to focus. Envision this robot, and the hangar. Can you see it?
Yes, it's like I'm right there! Heero's lips are moving... is he trying to say something?
Yes, focus on his voice, on the entire world around you.
"Lea? Lea! Are you alright? Answer me!"
I'm alright, I'm alright.
"Lea! Please, say something!"
Why can't he hear me, X?
Have you envisioned yourself yet? Think of the sound of your voice.
"Heero! Can you hear me? I'm alright!" Lea cried out in her thoughts. She heard her own voice, and Heero answered.
"Lea, can you move?"
"Hold on, I'll try."
I can feel my legs moving...
"Yes, you're doing fine!" Heero yelled. "Now, can you get out of X?"
"Okay, I'll try coming out."
Lose your focus, Lea, and I'll automatically shut down. Envision something... distracting...
Lea shook her head a little, and thought of getting out of the X. She suddenly felt cold air blowing against her face. Slowly she opened her eyes and saw the inside of the X, dimly lit, and all robotics. The liquid was receding, it was just a little below her waist. Lea took in a sharp breath and coughed up a little bit of the strange gooey liquid which was also disappearing in her lungs.
Lea, try not to breathe until all the liquid is gone.
"Okay..." Lea watched as the last amount of liquid was completely gone. She fell to her knees. The cockpit door opened to a very worried-looking Heero.
"Lea, are you okay?" He outstretched his hand to help her up. Lea grabbed onto his arm, but she couldn't move her legs at all. "Can you stand?"
Lea shook her head. "My legs just won't move..."
It's just the after-effects of the Liquid. It'll wear off in a few hour's time.
"A few hours? You mean, every time I pilot X, I won't be able to move my legs?"
It's only minor paralyzation, and besides, after you get used to the Liquid, it won't affect you anymore.
Heero turned around and sat down in front of Lea. "Get on my back."
Lea blushed. "Oh! Uh... it's alright, I'll just stay here until I... uh... feel better..."
Heero glanced at her, but then stood up and walked away. Lea let out a sigh.
"Hey X," she said quietly. "Why can't I open up my eyes while I'm in the Liquid?"
X was silent a moment, as if contemplating the question. Finally, he spoke.
It's kind of hard to explain...
"So, the next time I pilot you, can I open my eyes?"
No! Please don't, I don't want you to...
Lea could hear X letting out a sigh, as if he was thinking very deeply.
"I'm sorry, I won't. Ever. I promise." Lea pushed on the floor of the cockpit with her hands, trying to hoist herself up, and her legs moved slightly. She then put her arms behind her head and lay down. She began to sing softly, a tune which she remembered her mother singing to her when she was small, an ancient, beautiful tune.
"The stars above yonder moon
Shine against the midnight sky
Hold me close as I cry on your shoulder
Lift me up into the sky,
And spread your wings above your head
And fly, fly."
Lea suddenly reached down into her shirt and pulled out her small, beautiful necklace. It shone in the dim lighting. She fingered it gently and thought of her brother. Closing her eyes, she envisioned his wondrous smile, like a light in the darkness. She held the necklace close as she turned on her side and fell asleep, mumbling before she dozed off, "And fly... fly..."
TO BE CONTINUED
AN: Bleh, that last bit of song-poetry stuff was stuck in there at the spur of the moment. There were two original lines which I decided to exclude from the song, and heck, I'm bored, so I'll write them.
Be my light in the darkness
Guide me in my hidden path
