After Eve Gundam Wing: New Heero

Chapter Twenty-Eight

After Rachel's "chat" with Jin, Jin showed a new determination in his training that rivaled anything he'd ever shown before. If he wasn't sleeping or eating just enough food to get by, he was in Wing Zero's cockpit. Although the Gundam itself was still in disrepair, it could still be used for flight simulator training.

"Jin, come on out," said Rachel from the control room above the Gundams. "It's almost one in the morning." It had been two days since Jin returned to talking to his friends again, and Rachel and Jin had decided to keep their new relationship quiet for the time being.

"Just a little longer," said Jin as he dodged a beam cannon shot from a Virgo. He returned the shot with a Buster Energy shot of his own, incinerationg multiple mobile suits in an instant.

"Jin, this is unhealthy," said Rachel. "You skipped dinner, and you're sweating like mad." Jin was indeed soaked with his own sweat. Gundams just don't come equipped with air conditioners. "You didn't sleep at all last night, and came down here straight after breakfast. You'll become ill. Please?"

Jin shut down the simulator and closed his eyes, leaning back in his seat and grinning. "Okay," he said. "Wish granted." Rachel giggled. "I'm coming up." Wing Zero opened up and Jin climbed out. It was only a minute before he reached the control room, where Rachel also got on the elevator, and they ascended to the house.

Jin let out a heavy sigh. "So tired," he mumbled to himself. Rachel looked over and laughed.

"There's a reason for that," she said with a smile as she wrapped an arm around his waist. This was the first time they were able to be close to each other since the night a couple days before.

"No preaching," said Jin with a light laugh of his own. "I know it's because I've been working too hard. I just...have to do this. I need to."

The elevator door opened, and they exited into Howard's basement. Before they went up the stairs, Rachel stopped him, similarly to how she did before. "What'd I do now?" asked Jin jokingly.

"Jin, I'm glad that you're out of your slump and all," she said.

"But?"

"But now you're an even more different person," she continued. "You're trying to do too much. You may be a damn good pilot, but you're also a human, just like us all, and if you don't take care of yourself, you could get hurt..."

"Rachel, I'll be fine," said Jin.

"I'm sure you will be," replied Rachel. "But I...I worry, you know? I worry about you."

"There's nothing to worry about," said Jin... The look he received from her, the worried, anxious look of anguish in her eyes, told him that his words weren't convincing. "Rachel, It's okay. Really...I promise I'll back down from the training a little, if it would make you feel better."

"Thanks," said Rachel. "Now come on. You need your rest." She took his hand and led him up the stairs to the house. Everyone else was asleep except them, and though thoughts of what they could do because of this entered both their minds as they walked to their rooms, they chose to not take their thoughts any further and sent to bed for the night.

"Well, you'll be pleased to know that Wing Zero will be completed by tonight's end," said Howard the next morning. Surprisingly, it wasn't entirely difficult to wake Jin, even with his lack of sleep, but they just attributed this to the fact that he was practically inhuman, and they shrugged it off.

"Coolness," said Jin as he ate his eggs greedily.

"And what with all the training you've been putting in recently," said Kreed, "I'm afraid to see how much you've improved."

"Speaking of improvements," said Howard. "I'd really like to speak to you Jin in the hangar today." Jin looked up with a look of surprise. Howard's tone sounded mysterious and serious, though it was subtle. "No hurry," continued Howard with a smile. "It's just about some things for Wing Zero you might be interested in."

"Okay," said Jin as he resumed his eating. No one gave Howard's request any further thought, and they resumed their activities for the day, which consisted mostly of just easting, playing in the pool or on the beach, and simply lounging around. However, shortly after lunch, Jin went down to the hangar to meet Howard.

Upon arrival at the control room, he saw Howard watching Vivian type over her shoulder. He walked to them, and they both turned around to greet him.

"Hey there Jin," said Vivian. "How are you?"

"Fine as I can be," answered Jin honestly. "So what's up Howard?"

"I'll let Vivian take it from here," said Howard as he looked at Vivian.

"Pull up a chair Jin," beckoned Vivian. They both sat in front of the computer, and Vivian began typing rapidly on the keyboard. Some numbers and bar-graphs appeared on the screen, and she turned to face Jin.

"Do you know what this data is?" asked Vivian. Jin looked hard at it for a few seconds, and was able to identify it after a moment.

"It's my simulator data," said Jin. "It's my statistics while in the Wing Zero flight simulator."

"Yes," said Vivian. "Or rather, they were your statistics. This was your data a week ago..." Vivian continued typing some more, and new data appeared on screen. "This is the current info we have on you."

The bar-graphs, which extended from left to right, were twice as long as his previous data, and the numbers had increased by more than 150. "This, Jin, is the latest information you've given us from the simulator. It's been this high since you resumed your training a couple days ago..."

"So I've improved," said Jin.

"Improved isn't the right word for it," said Howard. "Jin, whatever happened to you following your run in with Max Marquise seems to have jarred a dormant piloting ability that has been deep within you for a while. Vivian, bring up Heero's data."

Vivian clicked a few times, and more charts and graphs appeared. It wasn't hard to see that Jin's readouts still far out-stretched his father's. "Wow," said Jin. "I can't believe this."

"Neither could we Jin," said Howard. "So upon seeing this info a day ago, I had Vivian begin work on something."

"I'll cut straight to the chase," said Vivian. "We've created a new battle system AI for or Mobile Suit Wing Zero. It's essentially a new Zero system, quicker, stronger, and over-all just better than the original Zero."

"Better?" asked Jin.

"Yes." Vivian now displayed charts of Zero's capabilities and the new Zero's capabilities. "This new Zero can bring out your potential in combat three-fold. With this system installed in your cockpit...you will be unstoppable."

"There's a catch," said Howard quickly. "Like the original Zero system, it has its symptoms on the pilot's mind. Like Zero, it can drive the pilot inane with power. Of course, the resistance of Zero to the pilot's consciousness will also be stronger, so it may be more difficult for you to overcome this one."

"I kinda saw that one coming," said Jin.

"I, however, believe you possess what it takes to overcome this," said Howard. "You were able to control Zero, so you should be able to do it again."

"Wow," whispered Jin. "A new Zero system."

"We want you to think it over Jin," said Howard. "I understand that...you're experiencing rough times about now, so take your time on making the decision."

"Alright," said Jin. "Thanks. I'll give it some serious thought." Jin turned and left, taking the elevator up to the mansion.

End Chapter Twenty-Eight

Okay, so there are no Gundam battles going on right now. I understand that you guys must be used to seeing Mobile Suits torn apart by now, having read several chapters where that's the only thing that happens, but I'll have everything back in action again son, I promise.

On the other hand, I'd love reviews please. If you read this story, I highly recommend placing it on your favorites list, because I do update often. It's really a great story in my eyes, and I've been trying to perfect it for years. Also, I started one of those C2 Communities, something new for Check it out in my profile page. It's basically devoted to GW and FFX stuff only, and I prohibit all yaoi stuff too. I simply can't stand Gundam Wing being soiled by such stupid shit...

End transmission...

Oh wait, I forgot the disclaimer!!! Don't sue me Bandai!!! Gundam Wing and its characters are not in my possession. They belong to someone else. The original characters of this story and the scenarios are my material, and DO belong to me, so you can't steal them without TWO disclaimers. (one to Bandai, and one to me)