Reverse Effects
AN: I do not take any credit for the original plot or characters from Gundam Seed. However, this fanfic and my characters are copyright to me, Lithian.
Chapter Four
It was early the next morning when Cagalli sat up in bed, her smooth silk night-gown wrinkled from sleep. Random hairs poked out in a cute manner however the princess could care less if it was cute or ugly. The phone. She thought angrily. The steady ringing of it was what had woken her up - not a normal alarm clock. Fumbling out of bed she grabbed the small black handset and clicked 'talk'.
"Hello?" She asked lazily, looking out the window into the still dark sky.
There was silence, and then a sigh, on the other end of the line. "Cagalli, Brendy wants to be a mobile suit pilot so we're telling he she can but - I figured I would teach her since she could probably learn faster from me than the academy." The voice was unmistakably Kira's.
At first she was surprised at what she was hearing, but didn't stop her brother from talking. "Yeah, uh, I have no problem with that. I will have to bring it up with the other representatives though." She said.
Athrun had been awake ever since he had felt Cagalli move. Head still on the pillow he watched her, blinking a couple times. What was she talking about? He wondered. When Cagalli hung up the phone she turned around and was startled to see him sitting up and staring at her.
"Yeah?" She said, rubbing under her left eye.
"Oh nothing." Athrun said while getting out of bed.
Cagalli rolled her eyes and got back in to bed, snuggling down under the comforter. He was definitely more of a morning person than she was. Not closing the bathroom door behind him he turned on the shower. Of course his wife wasn't asleep yet, he knew it. She just liked being in bed.
"Who was that Cagalli?" He asked curiously.
Blinking she peeked from under the blanket, "Kira." She yawned and pushed herself up against the headboard. "They're going to let Brendy fight."
When he received the answer Athrun was shocked. Kira had really said that. They were going to allow it! Stunned still he slowly got into the shower then pulled the sliding door closed.
"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing." Cagalli said sarcastically.
A few hours later (6:00 AM to be exact) at Senguar..
The large hangers where the mobile suits had been moved were bustling with engineers, putting the last finishing touches on the suits before they would be sent out on the mission. The four pilots sat in the cockpits of their machines, configuring them for gravitational combat. Kesler had been awfully quiet the whole morning. Sirka didn't know if it was because he hadn't slept well, or if that girl was still bothering him.
Flicking on the communication signal to the Saturn, Sirka smirked and gave a fake salute. When he didn't get a reaction from his comrade he sighed, "Kesler snap out of it. You can't be like this when we attack Arubis."
Looking up the boy sighed as well and pushed the controls back into their locked spot. "What are we gaining by attacking there anyway?" He paused, realizing how foolish that sounded.
Riley intercepted their conversation with a roll of her eyes, "Moron, it's the EA's headquarters. If we strike there it's like slitting the throat of their nation.."
Blinking he crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah well we still haven't been told why this war is even being started!" He stated rather loudly.
"True." Sirka and Riley said in unison.
Arubis's eastern launching hangers..
They were prepared. Chairman Aldem stood up, holding the phone in her hands that connected her to the launch crew. Taking one last look at her watch she narrowed her eyes. "Stand by for launch in five minutes!" She said, slamming down the phone. Things would not be going this way if there weren't people up higher than her.
Meanwhile, Zechuri finished changing into his grey and black pilot suit. He looked down at the helmet in his hands and immediately his thoughts wandered to Orb and his friends. I'm sorry.. He thought. Walking out of the locker room his boots made a soft clipping noise on the tile hallway floor.
Opening the door into the hanger where his mobile suit was he sighed and looked up and to his left. The Y2-Evidence. His mind had wandered off but he was shaken back when a worker pushed his back toward the suit.
"Come on, there's only three minutes until you guys take off." The man said.
Narrowing his eyes at the man Zechuri then turned back around and sped his pace up. Jumping onto the elevating ramp he slipped on his helmet. Their objective - get to ZAFT before they got here.
As the cockpit closed the hanger was cleared and the mobile suits were set up in order for launch. Once everyone was out of the hanger, Chairman Aldem called over the video communication to all the soldiers. "Remember - take down whoever and whatever opposes you. Don't go on a killing spree just for the fun of it."
She received some laughs but Zechuri was busy activating the Evidence to care about her sarcasm. But when he heard the 'launch!' his mobile suit shot forward, and he was in fighting mode. The others filed out after him, at least ten in all.
"Do we really need this much fire power?" Zechuri wondered aloud.
There was a laugh and then the face of a white-haired girl appeared on a communication screen. "Yeah. They've got four new mobile suits, don't you remember?" She said with a grin.
Zechuri was surprised by who he saw. "Bethany?" He said blinking while trying to still stay in the air with his mobile suit.
He black bangs were barely visible under the helmet but they were there. Everyone used to make fun of her for her hair and how odd it was. Zechuri was the only one who stood up for her. However now she could kick any of their asses if she wanted.
"The one and only." She winked her emerald eyes and brought her suit - the Y2-Patriot - up alongside him.
"I wasn't expecting you on this mission. Last I heard you were up in space." Zech said with a half-grin.
The girl arched an eyebrow and then smiled. She was about to answer him but was cut off by another voice, "We're on a mission you two - stop chitter-chatting and pay attention."
Each mumbled a yes sir and then flew in silence, waiting until they were noticed by the Senguar base.
Senguar launch hanger..
"So it's the four of us and three of those generic G6s?" Riley said jokingly.
"Yeah just don't get your ass kicked. We'll be fine." Said one of the G6 pilots.
Offended she was about to strike back, using her rank to shut him up, but Hazzy's sweet voice came over the radio. "Riley calm down. They're probably just as capable as we are." You could tell she was smiling just by the tone of her voice.
It didn't take long for all of them to launch, and after ten minutes Sirka was already bored. "I hate picking fights like this." He said.
Riley said, "Then you shouldn't have joined the military."
Hazzy and Kesler laughed. None of them liked war but it seemed all four had been enlisted against their will. (damn parents ;)) Watching the ocean pass by under them, Kesler barely recognized the radar alarm that was going off. Zooming in on the targets he narrowed his eyes and then gasped. The Earth Alliance's mobile suits? He thought.
"How'd they catch on to our plan?" Sirka yelled, bringing the Velocity to a halt in mid-air.
Everyone followed suit and watched as the mobile suits became clearer. "Kesler, there're tons of them!" Riley exasperated.
Zechuri was not surprised when he saw the ZAFT forces suddenly appear in front of them. However he was amused by the small amount of mobile suits that had been sent out. This would be an easy and quick job. The sooner he was through with them the sooner he could get back to Orb and see Brendy.
"What are they, joking?" Bethany asked, bringing up images of the four mobile suits and three G6 types.
Did ZAFT have some trick up their sleeve by only sending out this little amount of attack force? Or did they just want to kill off the seven of them. Zech didn't care. "Let's go then!" He yelled, shooting forward towards their enemy.
Sirka narrowed his eyes and unsheathed the laser sword, noticing the fact that the suits had sped up. Kesler in turn pulled out the code-board in front of him and keyed in a command change for his main weapon. For now he'd use his dagger and boomerang. The three G6 pilots went on ahead, surprising the four children. Both girls sighed and flew forward, leaving the boys in the dust.
"Think they want to just get this over with Sirka?" Kesler asked with a smirk.
Looking up at the screen he laughed, "Guess so."
Following after their team, they were suddenly struck back with fear. Right as they were approaching all three G6 types were taken out - and by one mobile suit.. But anger soon took place of the fear and Sirka began fighting the weak suits, as did Riley. They left the Evidence and Pride up to Hazzy and Kesler.
Yamato home..
Kira looked at the uniform in his hands and then to Lacus who was also unsure of their decision. Opening the door to Brendy's room they found her brushing out her long burgundy hair and slipping on her shoes. But when she heard her door open the looked over and blinked at her mother and father. She could see Kira holding something and grew curious.
"Good morning," She said with a smile. Brendy then stood up and walked over to the two and waited for their reaction. By the looks on their faces something was making them very antsy.
With a gentle sigh and smile Lacus took the blue and white uniform from Kira's hands and gave it to her daughter. "You said you wanted to fight, so we've agreed that you can."
Brendy's eyes went wide with shock as she accepted the uniform as if it were the rarest of silks. "Thanks OO" She didn't know what else to say.
Kira kind of blinked, expecting her to have jumped around. But then again she was Brendy. "I'll be teaching you how to pilot a mobile suit as well." He smiled and then looked out the window. "Let's just hope you don't have to use those skills any time soon."
Happy beyond her ears Brendy hugged Kira and then Lacus, wanting to start her training right away.
Back on the battle field..
Zechuri and Kesler clashed swords, both bouncing back from the sheer force. Bethany saw this and was about to help out her comrade when Hazzy suddenly cut her off with a quick shot from her 75 beam rifle. Startled, the EA pilot moved back and enlarged the oncoming mobile suit.
"Move out of my way coordinator scum!" Bethany yelled.
Narrowing her eyes at the 'scum' comment Hazzy turned on the Prisma's prism armor effect. The other pilot became confused, since she could only see bits and pieces of the mobile suit. Hazzy smiled and replaced her rifle with her assault knife.
Bethany could see that the suit was closing in on her and put up not only her shield but her energy deflection as well - just in case. Considering she could barely see this attacker she wanted to prepare herself.
Meanwhile, Kesler began to charge up his short-range plasma cannon, making sure to keep the other pilot at bay. Finally he fired, the blue and red colors aimed straight for Zechuri's cockpit. Eyes widening he got out just in the nick of time and fired back with his beam rifle.
"Damn you why don't you just go-" Zechuri said but then saw Bethany from the corner of his eye.
When she was only a few feet from the girl, Hazzy returned to normal phase-shift armor and lifted up her knife, ready to slice through the cockpit. Then suddenly she was pushed away, dagger falling from her grasp. Zechuri aimed his rifle at her, ready to finish her off when suddenly Sirka appeared.
"Come on Hazzy, we're leaving!" He said, grabbing the Prisma's hand and speeding off.
It was too much for just the four of them. Thus Riley and Kesler followed after the other two in haste. Both panting, Zechuri and Bethany turned to see how many of their comrades had been taken out. Not a lot, apparently. Taking a deep sigh Bethany flicked on the communication screen to her friend.
"Let's get going." She said tiredly.
Zech nodded in agreement and turned his mobile suit around. Finally, I get to go back to Orb. He thought.
Kira and Brendy at Dashle's Training Base..
Brendy sat in the mobile suit combat simulator, out of view from everyone else while her father watched on a screen how she was doing. So far she had only been hit three times and only one had been vital. Her vital signs were good but the power in the mobile suit was being drained and she still had a large amount of enemies to conquer.
From behind Kira the door swished open and Athrun looked around, spotting his friend. "You and Lacus really have changed." He said.
Not knowing whether that was good or bad Kira shrugged and looked back at the status screen. "She's doing really good. See?" He said, moving aside so Athrun could look at the screen.
"That still doesn't change the fact that you are letting your daughter join the Orb military." Athrun said while stuffing his hands in his pockets.
Kira gave a nervous laugh and smile, "Technically - she isn't. Orb isn't going to have anything to do with the war, so the ArchAngel and Eternal will go in place." After scratching the back of his head he gave a more serious expression when Athrun looked at him dumbfounded. "Meaning she'll be on the Eternal while I'll be on the ArchAngel."
Athrun was about to say something when there was a beep from the simulator behind them and then the cockpit opening. Brendy stepped out and wiped her brow, a lethargic look on her face.
"How'd I do dad?" Brendy asked, taking a look at the monitor.
"Fifteen minutes, 6 kills out of ten.. I'd say not that bad." He smiled somewhat and then caught Athrun shaking his head.
For being her first time that was better than 'not bad.' But I guess Kira doesn't want to inflate her ego, he thought. Pushing a few annoying bangs out of his eyes he smiled and walked over to his niece. "Come with me." His eyes looked up to Kira, "You go home and relax. I'll help her with the rest of her training."
Confused Brendy followed after her uncle. But, why couldn't her father come with them? Looking at his expression she could see that he wasn't too happy. Not angry - sad. Why, she thought. Passing through another door into a darker room she blinked and looked to Athrun.
"What am I doing now?" She asked.
Opening up another door Athrun led her into a room with walls covered in guns. Frightened Brendy stepped back and was against the exit. Realizing she was no longer by his side Athrun looked over his should and blinked. "What's the matter?" He asked. Is she afraid of the guns, he thought.
"You're going to have to know how to use one. And I'm much better with guns than your father is." Athrun said.
Brendy swallowed hard and stepped forward. Her uncle picked two guns off the wall, one for himself and one for his niece. Brendy took the gun and held it carefully. As they exited the room he turned on the hall light, exposing targets and bullet proof glass separators.
"Okay put these on." Athrun said, indicated the ear mufflers.
Doing as he said she stepped up and placed herself comfortably in her own chamber. "Watch me.." Athrun said, aiming and then hitting with precise marksmanship. Amazed Brendy took in a deep breath, cocked the gun, and began firing.
A few hours later...
After Brendy had gotten substantially good with guns Athrun had then taken her in for some hand-to-hand combat. He hadn't been expecting her to be so strong. Rubbing his right cheek from where she punched him rather hard, Athrun sighed and got back in his car. After relaxing momentarily he then sat upright. Were they going to give her the... "No, Cagalli wouldn't.. The representatives wouldn't allow it."
Senguar, Lunar Nas..
Laying on his bed, Kesler sighed and turned onto his side. "Stupid naturals.." He closed his eyes, wondering why he had said such a thing. Without announcing herself, Riley entered his room and stood in the doorway, hands clasping one-another behind her back. Not bothering to turn over the boy yawned.
"What do you want?" He asked rather snippy.
Taken aback by his tone Riley blinked. "To see if you were okay." She said.
Sitting up he turned and allowed his feet to hang over the edge of his bed. It was kind of awkward being alone with Riley - especially in his room. He hadn't told Sirka yet but back when he first met Riley, they knew that they liked one another; after a while they had even started dating. But then he left and their relationship was severed to nothing more than a dim friendship.
"You can.. sit down if you'd like." Kesler said, indicating a spot on the bed next to him.
Blushing she came over to his side and sat down on the white sheets. "So, why are you in such a gloomy mood?" She asked, turning her face to look at him slightly.
He shrugged simply since he really didn't know. After any fight he seemed to always end up this way. Riley didn't like to see him like this. Carefully, she turned his face to her, eyes meeting up with his bright blue ones. She smiled, Kesler watching her carefully. That smile of hers.. he thought.
Kesler kissed her, throwing Riley a tad off guard since she didn't think he felt this way about her. She blinked only momentarily, but then returned the kiss. His fingers traced her neck lightly, sending chills down Riley's spine. For both of them it seemed like everything was going in slow motion. Neither wanted to hasten.
(insert smut ;) )
The room was dark and quiet, with the occasional click of shoes coming from the hall outside Kesler's door. Riley was asleep, the sheet barely covering her sleek body. Kesler on the other hand was awake, feeling like what he had done was very -very- wrong. Images of the girl from the beach kept popping into his head, and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't shake them. Running his fingers through his black-blue hair he got up and went to take a shower. What have I done? He thought.
When the door to the bathroom shut and Kesler turned on the water, Riley slowly woke up. Regaining her senses she looked around and realized she was in Kesler's room -not her own. And she was naked.. in his bed! Blushing she wrapped the sheets around her tighter and stared at the door leading to the bathroom. Then she began to remember. One thing had led to another after they had kissed -and that was all she needed to know. Sheepishly she went and began to put her clothes back on. It just.. didn't feel right.
Standing she shook out her hair, fixing it so it looked half-way decent, and then clipped her uniform belt closed. Looking herself over she sighed but was then startled when she heard Kesler coming out of the bathroom. Feeling rather awkward she pressed the button to open his door and left before they could even begin to comprehend what had gone on.
AN: So there's chapter four! So Kira and Lacus finally caved in :D Just a bit more training for Brendy (which will be all of chapter five - maybe) and some other stuff I'm keeping a secret ;) -cackles- Don't you just love me? Any who, hope you like! Review please!