Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed Destiny or any of its characters.

A Spy to the Gods

Section Eight

The Minerva launched without haste, same day I arrived. Heading out into the Indian Ocean it was announced. Not alone though, there was support in the form of a Vosgulov-class attack submarine carrier, the Nyiragongo.

I'll have to keep adjusting my watch, edging closer to Greenwich Mean Time. A condition red was issued a few hours ago. Nothing much happened, not for me anyway. I was busy playing with a few of my new toys, including the figuring out of the laptop I had been issued. Charging up the batteries to almost everything; mobile phone, laptop, digital camera and PDA.

I also had a good look over the legend of Roger Sweeney as well; the picture they had used for the passport and drivers license were the same ones I had for my real passport and drivers license, the former I had renewed just the past year and the latter was a terrible picture that I had taken when I got my drivers license six years ago. Mr Sweeney is a natural, born and raised on the lunar city of Copernicus, attended the school and college there. Got a degree in journalism, started off as a regular journalist and paparazzi selling news and photos to small time newspapers. Decided to go to Earth at the outbreak of war to follow it on the ground. All the documents are slightly worn, to make them look used. As well as those I have postcards, letters from a supposed grandmother in Copernicus, most likely she's an asset living at the address in the letters to help ensure my legend to any curious visitors.

This is messy though. The legend is very sketchy; I've got to weave in and out of two personalities from when I enter or leave ZAFT bases and into the open crowd. It's workable though, for now I just keep my genuine documents on me, until I go out into the local population, change from Jack to Roger, make sure my SSC card isn't seen by the locals and there should be no problem, after all Caretakers don't take part in long term undercover operations that would require a detailed legend.

Something they neglected to inform me about earlier was another ID card at the bottom of the jiffy bag. It's in my own name, same picture, but it states that I'm from the Martius Arsenals Field Research Group. I'm guessing a front organisation. My guess is that I use this among the ZAFT base, so I don't have to keep revealing my true job to everyone, unless I get into some serious trouble. I wish they had told me at Carpentaria though, so I didn't have to have all the trouble with the guards, Brener, Lunamaria or Meyrin. As for the Captain and XO, I would've had to tell them. I guess it doesn't matter though; I can use it from here on out. I've just got to make sure that the small group of crew that do know don't allow the group to grow any larger then necessary.

This whole job was sloppy. My recruitment, it was too easy. No vetting, no medical, no psychoanalysis whatsoever. No meeting with the Chief of Service, or even the Deputy for that matter. For such a role and job of a sensitive nature, I'm surprised that it went so quickly; I would've thought it'd take months of selection and training. But I guess with the war on, it would've been over by the time I was finally finished. They wanted me now; they wanted me in the shit right away. I was picked up on recommendation by Neil, supposedly before ZAFT did. I think I'm in one of those situations where I have no clue whether I'm on the right side or not, not only in the scope of the quarrelling between rival intelligence services, but also in the war as a whole. We, the average grunt, believed we were fighting for what was right, that we were the good side, after all the EAF did fire nukes at us, but then we almost killed everyone on Earth in the name of our defence. I don't really know what or who to believe anymore. A man can't live like that however; I reluctantly go along with the situation, but with a sharp sense of caution.

After a few rumbles and tumbles, evasive manoeuvres and the odd explosion I could hear from my quarters, we were returned to condition yellow. I just laid my head on a pillow almost the entire time, what more could I do? I suppose it would've been an idea to top up my magazines. I hadn't even done that yet. I might as well do it now. I take out that plastic box from under the bed and place it on the bed. I also take out the box of ammunition from the sports bag and drop that on the bed too. I open both of the boxes, undoing the latch on the pistol box and flicking it open. I then slide off the cardboard lid, revealing the tips of the rounds equally spaced, stood to like a formation of soldiers on parade awaiting their orders. I take the three magazines, and sit them on the desk. No, wait. I think it might be best if I load the magazines with gloves on. If I load them barehanded, I'd be leaving my fingerprints on the bullet casings, either I'd have to collect the empty cases after use, a tedious and time consuming task, or risk having my identity exposed as being in an incident of some sort. I could use the bed sheets I suppose. I place the box of rounds on the desk with the magazines. I wrap the sheet in my right hand and take one of the magazines with my left and start the loading process of pushing each round down into the magazine against the power of the internal spring, difficult to do with my hand covered by the bed sheet and being careful that I don't get it caught in the magazine as well. I don't think it matters about leaving prints on the magazines, they're easier to find after a fire-fight, besides I need to keep them since they're going to be harder to come by then nine-millimetre ammunition, I'm sure ZAFT have a near inexhaustible supply of FMJ rounds at least, that's if I could get my hands on them or not.

I finish loading all three magazines without too much difficulty; I place them back in the box with the pistol, and slide it under the bed again. I decided earlier when I was having a play with the magazine plates to have the finger rest plates then the standard plates to improve my firing platform. I found that even with the holster on my belt with the pistol against my hip, I could keep it concealed with no noticeable bulge, even while wearing a loose, un-tucked t-shirt or shirt, providing I don't lean forward too. I put the cardboard lid back on the box of ammunition, and slide that one underneath my bed too.

I make little use of the built-in computers sat on the desks in these quarters, only with the laptop I was issued, even though I've only used it once to send a status report to Thursgood. Watchers, or even regular ZAFT, could become suspicious of the fact I don't and won't use any ZAFT comms to make contact with my superiors, or use the built-in computers in this room, that is if anyone watching them for activity. There's a ring at the door. I stand up and step over to the door, pressing the intercom button.

'Yes?' I speak into it.

'It's Meyrin.' A soft voice squeaks too quickly. Meyrin, the girl with her red hair in childish pigtails.

'What is it?' I ask, whilst I rub my eyes. I doubt it's a social visit; she's not that bold.

'I've got the after-action report that you requested.' She explains. I input the code to unlock the door; I decided to keep the door always locked with the code I created for it, even if I was in the room, someone can just easily barge in unannounced. The door slides open swiftly. Outside the door is that same shy girl I met at Carpentaria, same hairstyle, same uniform, but this time with a small file in her hand. I cock my eyes downwards a little so they meet with hers.

'Here's the report for you.' She holds the file out in front of myself. I take it off her gently, looking over the dull brown cover, pointlessly scanning each of the small codes that make no sense to me.

'Thanks a lot.' I give her a half-smile. Open it up flicking through some random pages. 'I'll have to get this typed up then.' I start to walk towards the desk with my laptop already sitting there, also hoping that Meyrin will leave by herself so I wouldn't have to be assertive to her.

'Can I get you a drink?' She asks, whilst she plays with one of her red pigtails, twirling it in between her fingers. I turn around to face her. 'Coffee or a tea? I mean you've got to type that report up, a hot drink might help to keep you focused.' She says cautiously, as if she's choosing her words carefully, trying not to stutter or hesitate.

'A black coffee with two sugars will do thanks.'

I notice the faintest reaction of her eyes lighting up a little as she nods with a satisfied smile. 'I won't be a minute.' And with that she glides off swiftly from my view of her through the doorway. I'll leave the door open for her; I just hope I don't get too many nosey people peeking in as they walk past here. I don't want to log on to my computer whilst the door is open, I might as well have a quick read through the report. I drop the file on the desk, and sit back in the chair, swivelling it to the left slightly so I can see the open door way. I lean my elbow on the desk, and open the file up.

I scan over the lines reading some of what is said, keeping an eye out for any key words of interest. Nothing much. The Minerva along with the Nyiragongo was on its way in the Indian Ocean when thirty unidentified EAF Windams, including two of our old friends, the Chaos and Abyss mobile suits, ambushed us. Minerva engaged in anti-mobile suit combat, launching its own mobile suit units, to engage the attacking force in aerial combat. The Abyss engaged the Nyiragongo and supporting mobile suits in underwater combat. Gaia later joined the battle around the nearby islands, where an (then unknown) EAF Forward Operating Base was discovered. Remaining EAF mobile suits withdrew to an unidentified EAF carrier that disappeared off sensors and presumably escaped, along with the Chaos, Abyss, Gaia, and a handful of surviving Windams. Shinn Asuka, pilot of Impulse, attacked the defences of the EAF base, against Commander Zala's orders. The end result? A number of EAF Windams destroyed, EAF FOB crippled and out of action, the three stolen Armoury One mobile suits and an EAF carrier has been located, but escape to live to fight on another day. However the Nyiragongo and supporting amphibious mobile suits were destroyed in the battle. Poor sods. I notice movement in the doorway. I instinctively snap my eyes to see what the disturbance is. It's Meyrin, with a steaming mug in her hand.

'I'm back.' She pants lightly. 'Sorry it took so long.' She apologises, bowing her head slightly.

'That's no problem.' I beam a smile to her, even though she hasn't been gone that long. She's still standing in the doorway. Though I've only known her for a very brief time, she's easy to read. It's obvious she's much shyer then her sister, the way she hid behind her in the shop, that worried look in her eyes. Maybe a little jealous of her more outgoing sister. She's definitely reserved, not so much scared but unsure whether she should be here. This will make her a little easier to exploit then others. 'You can come in here if you like?' I don't think she'll try anything; this isn't some over the top James Bond film where every girl that looks like she did a spread on Playboy turns out to be a ruthless assassins. She edges in slowly; looking around the place as if it was something new, surely her quarters must be of the same lay out. 'If you're wondering where I keep the Aston, it's on order.' I give her a sly grin. I judge from her lack of a reaction that she doesn't quite get the joke. She steps closer and hands me the hot mug. I switch it between hands quickly so I'm gripping handle and not the mug itself. On reflex I shake my free hand a little to cool it down. It's too hot to drink yet, I place the mug on the desk, near the edge so there's less risk of it spilling computer or the report.

'Is something wrong?' She asks, possibly wondering why I've discarded the coffee on the desk.

'It's just a little too hot, that's all. I'll wait for it to cool down a bit first. Thank you.'

'If there's nothing else, then I'll be going.' She sighs as she turns away from me and starts to make her way to the open doorway.

'Hang on a sec?' I ask quickly. She stops suddenly and spins herself around sharply, flicking her two tails of hair a little. 'It says in here…' I tap the file 'that the EAF Forward Operating Base you came in contact with, wasn't captured?'

She looks up a little, examining the ceiling as she recalls the battle of a few hours earlier. 'I don't think it was.' She speaks slowly and carefully, obviously still thinking. 'Shinn did cripple it though.' She's still at the ceiling.

' "Crippled"? You mean most of it is still intact?'

'I believe so.' She says, still with that typical expression one uses when feigning thoughtfulness. No reason to doubt her though. This could be quite an opportunity. It's likely that there's some goodies, paper or data, left behind, something to pass on to my superiors. Nick off with everything, including military plan and documents, then offer it to ZAFT intelligence, the other stuff I'll keep. Sounds like a plan.

'Have we left the vicinity?' I hope they haven't taken off yet.

'Eh… no not really.' She says a little unsure. I can't help but narrow my eyes at her; shake my head a little, and look away slightly at the answer. What the hell does 'not really' mean? The answer should just be either 'Yes' or 'no'. She's CIC, on the bridge; she should have a more of a clue on that then the bloody tea lady.

'Where's the Captain now?' I ask. She should know at least that.

'On the bridge I think, why's that?' She says, finishing with a little question.

'I need to have a word.' I tell her as I stand up from the chair and stretch a little. Meyrin is still in the room. 'Could you take me to her?' I ask of her. She should be able to do that at least.

'But what about your coffee?' She nods her head to the mug on the desk.

'Doesn't matter now.' I tell her. She sighs subtly, and steps out into the corridor. I follow her into the corridor. 'Go on ahead, I'll catch up in no time.'

'Okay.' She says. She then walks off at gently pace, the heels of her issue boots make tapping noises on the hard floor. I glance either side of the corridor and press the button to close the door. I had made adjustments to the settings on the door that it would self-lock whenever it was closed, and the code that I only know would be needed to unlock it and open the door from the outside. I catch up with Meyrin, slowing my pace down to match with her own short legs. A little further and she halts by a pair of doors shut tight. 'We have to take this elevator to get to the Bridge.' She says as she presses the button on the wall to indicate that she wants to go up. We wait in an almost awkward silence; I observe her shifting her wait from one foot to the other, I can tell by her swaying slightly.

'Is there usually a long wait for the elevator?' I ask, trying a little too hard to make a conversation with her.

'Sometimes.' She answers, shrugging her shoulders. She sighs and rests herself against the wall while we wait. Seeing as I was going to be in for a short wait, I lean on the opposite wall of the corridor to her, arms folded, and staring at the door, awaiting it to open.

I've almost always considered myself a relatively patient person, and I learned that the hard way. But there were some moments I've never been able to stand, specifically to do with people. I've never been that good dealing with people, or strangers more specific, especially in crowds. Taking the train was the worst, when I first joined up with Centre and before I was assigned to OS Four, I was advised to use public transport to get to work instead of taking the car, morning weekday traffic in built-up areas is the worst. That's why the trains were jam packed as well with office workers, school kids, students and the like. Usually I had to stand up for most of the journeys since all the seats were already taken; my local station was band in the middle of the train's route. I didn't remember being like that in my teens, but then again I never took the train much. I figured it was because I had got used to the wide-open spaces, and in some cases total isolation and solitude, on Earth. I never thought of it as much of serious problem that I would have to go a see a psychologist about it, and I never did. Then my transfer came through to OS Four and the lesser-populated L4 colonies, in any case I bought a cheap car with whatever money I had and I've never had to climb aboard another train since, apart from a few times when on a job.

I hear the noise of grinding metal originating from the other side of the elevator doors. Meyrin steps away from the wall, readying herself. I push myself away using my arse. The doors slide open, at the same time a short ping sound emits from a speaker somewhere in the elevator. Meyrin takes a large single step to get inside the empty elevator, where she hugs the sidewall, allowing me plenty, if a bit too much, room to get in. I step inside, and I resume my old position of leaning against the side opposite to Meyrin. She presses the button for the top floor. The doors slide shut, and I feel myself being pushed a little closer to the heavens. I've been below and beyond them, and thankfully never in them. We examine the walls, listening to each others breathing above the sound of the elevating rising. I watch the numbers on the display countdown in slow time.

Out of the corner of my eye I watch Meyrin, her eyes are cast downwards and to the right, not even looking at my shoes or legs. There's nothing of her that I wouldn't expect of a girl her age, near to becoming a women. Those pigtails don't do her justice though, however they sort of fit, in a stereotypical way, with her shy personality. Her skin is a little pale but has that look of purity to it, much like a porcelain doll, very delicate, as if she would crack and break at the slightest touch.

I scratch my eyebrow, like a nervous habit. I hate small spaces. The digital counter reaches the top floor. The doors slide open. Meyrin steps out first. I peer into the Bridge for my first looks of it. Nothing special about it, it's all bog-standard; chair here, computer panel there. Over sized window with a view, the sun is setting, bathing the Bridge and it's occupants in a dieing orange. The conspicuous Captain's chair stands proud and empty. I scan and register the colour of the uniforms on the bridge, green and black, no white. I step out of the elevator, stopping just behind Meyrin.

'I thought you said the Captain was here?' I ask her in a hushed voice.

'She was earlier.' She answers quietly, following my example.

'Is there something you want Mr Browning?' An almost patronising voice says. It's the XO, Arthur Trine, with his black uniform and peak cap sitting on his head smartly, though I notice it is a little off centre. Of all the people to have to talk to, I get him.

'Sir.' Meyrin stands to attention and snaps a salute to the XO, who returns the gesture, with little or no enthusiasm that Meyrin had demonstrated.

I wait until after their little skit. 'Where's the Captain?' I ask as I take two steps forward, so I'm in front of Meyrin.

'She's in her quarters, resting.' He says, whilst trying to look a little smug with himself at the same time. I'm unimpressed. I don't know what his game is, but he doesn't have much of a clue, that's for sure. Has his head up the Captain's arse, much to her disgust I'm sure, and then gives me crap. Usually people like this kiss any arse providing they can get a promotion from it, or has there been some new orders regarding cooperation (or non cooperation rather) with civilians like myself, civilians working for a certain organisation not on the best of terms with ZAFT at the moment. Seeing as I'm not going to get any answer from him, I turn back to the open elevator.

'Very well.' I shrug. I might as well go pay her a visit. I know that I'm not going to get anywhere with Trine.

'If there's something you need, you talk to me. Whilst she's resting I'm in command.' He states trying to exert his authority. I think for a moment, I won't get anywhere with the Captain if I wake her during sleep, she'll most likely point me back to Trine. It would be a wasted effort. I turn back to face him and sigh.

'I have a question regarding the…'

'Hold on a sec.' He cuts me off, as holds his hand out flat in front of me indicating for me to stop talking. I involuntarily narrow my eyes at him, though I mean it. He turns his attention to Meyrin. 'Miss Hawke, you were relieved of your watch an hour ago. So would you like to explain why you're back here?'

'Eh…' She hesitates, casting her eyes downwards.

'I requested that she'd escort me to the bridge.' I cut in calmly, helping her out of a fix.

'Right.' Says Trine nodding, taking it in. 'Well you're here, Miss Hawke I don't believe your needed at this moment in time. I insist that you get some rest.' He pulls the military authority stunt again; it doesn't suit him, the phoney.

'Yes sir.' She says disappointedly as she spins on her heel and sort of marches back into the elevator. No goodbye this time.

'You were saying?' He says after she leaves. He's trying to direct the conversation his way, can't blame him for that, I'd do the same, and I will.

'Very well, I've been looking over the after action report I received.'

'What about it?' He cuts in, still trying to keep the conversation in his favour.

'The Indian Ocean Base, it wasn't captured.' I state.

'That's right.' He confirms. 'You see…'

'It was crippled though?' I cut him off this time.

'Yes.'

'Could I possibly take a look around there?'

'The base? Why?' He asks with a fake look of surprise, questioning the urgency of my request.

'Not "why?" yes or no?' I tell him in a sharp, tongue, almost copying his assertive tone when he was ordering Meyrin not two minutes ago. It's not so much that I'm actually pissed off about anything, it's more to do with that I don't like him and any opportunity to talk down to the slimy bastard is too good to waste.

'Look, since we were only just supposed to be passing through this area when we got attacked, we're not going to be sticking around, we don't have any infantry onboard to clear the base properly without completely obliterating it, which we can't do because of the civilian presence in the area. So if you're going, you're on your own and it's at your own risk.' He states with a bit a smirk on his face.

I look away for a moment out to the window at the orange light originating from the dieing sun. I think about what he said, I hate to admit it, but he's got a point. However, whether or not any EAF still occupy the base is not known, besides it's too good of an opportunity to pass up on.

I look back at his smug face. 'Could I at least take a look to see if it is indeed occupied?' I ask, it's worth the shot; I could do a bit of skulking around the perimeter, clad in greens and armed with a pair of binoculars.

He sighs as he takes off his dark peak cap and rubs his forehead with his other hand. 'We're departing within the next two hours. We've lost the Nyiragongo, there's an EAF carrier out there on the prowl out there somewhere and we've still got our original orders to report to the Mahamul base ASAP.' He says. I remain silent thinking hard about what to do. 'Support troops from Carpentaria will arrive here soon enough; so don't worry yourself over it. Leave the dirty work to them.' It's easy enough for him to say; that seals my opinion that he is definitely a REMF type. I don't mind getting my hands dirty, or even wet, it's been a while but I'm sure I can hack it still.

'I'll get back to you.' I say and nod once, this is only tactical withdrawal, not defeat. I turn around, taking a few steps to the elevator, pressing the call button for it. I turn my head to glance over my shoulder looking out the window admiring the view of the outdoors, the real outdoors the cruel, harsh and merciless little planet of Earth. The elevator pings as I hear the doors slide open.

'Is there anything else you need?' Trine asks, in an almost patronising tone.

I'm about to leave without replying to his question, and then I remember something I needed to do. 'Oh yes, there is one more thing.' I turn back around, whilst I slide my hand into my pocket, trying to pull out the small laminated card. As soon as it was out I shove it in front of his face, waiting for him to take it off me. He does so eventually, snatching it rather aggressively from my hand.

'What's this then? "Martius Arsenal"?' He reads the lettering on the card, well that's something he can do.

'Yes that's right, I really work for the Martius Arsenal Field Research Group. Conducting observations at some of the latest weapons technology currently being used by your Impulse Mobile Suit. Is that understood?' I hope he does, I don't want to have to explain it to him, especially in front of the bridge crew; that would just give rise to more complications.

'Eh… yeah…' He rubs his confused face. 'I think I do…' He says, failing to sound as if he does know what I'm talking about, or that he's even thinking in the first place. He hands the card back into my open palm, I then slip it back into it's pocket.

I shake my head briefly with a half smile, and then step back into the empty elevator. I press the button for my floor. I wait for the doors to close; I then proceed to lean my back against the wall. He's a slimy bastard, I hate them, what I hate more is when they're right.

Still, two hours is just about enough to carry out a brief reconnaissance of the base, though I would be scathing it by the skin of my teeth. Even so, if I do find that there aren't anyone there, it's not as if I could convince the Captain or XO to stay here just for me, I might not even find anything of value, it could be a wasted effort, and that would just be embarrassing to my hosts. I'll have to contact Kinnsman to see what he advises. Even then I don't think he would have the power to get the Minerva to wait a little longer, especially with the division between the services he was talking about a few days ago.

I watch the digital display fall in numbers as I think of what to do. Trine said that ground troops from Carpentaria would be arriving soon to 'sweep and clear' the base and surrounding area, what they really mean is 'search and destroy', but it doesn't hurt to baffle the media every now and then.

A plan forms in my head; I inform the Carpentaria Station of the situation, insisting that they have a field team tag along with the ZAFT ground troops. Well, I'd like to get in there myself, but I suppose informing is also a part of my job here, I don't suppose ZAFT would tell them.

I feel the floor shudder lightly as the elevator halts itself. I glance up at the display briefly, reading the number. This is my floor. After the door opens, I step out in a single step, turning left. Leaning against the wall is Meyrin. She bounces herself off the wall and stands up straight.

'How did your… talk with XO Trine go?' She asks.

'Well… it went… as I expected.' Being a little pessimistic. It's a half lie; I was expecting the Captain and an answer from her rather then Trine, I would've expected a better compromise with the Captain, but with the XO I expected exactly what I got from him.

'What was it about?' She prods curiously.

'It doesn't matter Meyrin.' I tell her, wanting to drop this line of conversation. I pass her through the corridor, heading back to my room. I stop in my tracks as I remember that I needed to ask her something, not here though. I turn my body around so it's facing the wall, with my head facing Meyrin again. She does the same, looking up at me with those eyes full of a childlike innocence and wonder at the world.

'Meyrin, I need to talk to you for a moment, in my room.' I tell her. From her reaction, I judge that she's taken a mental step backwards, her cheeks turning a slight shade of rose and her eyes widening to the point that the white is visible all around. I can't help but snicker lightly. I cover my mouth with my hand quickly, to save the poor girl any further embarrassment. I clear my throat. 'Is that okay?'

'Ye…yeah, sure.' She says with apprehension, taking a few forced blinks in disbelief. I smile inwardly at her reaction. I turn my face around quickly, and give off another quiet snigger. Again I clear my throat as I start to walk back to my room. I reach the door; I take a brief look over my shoulder, Meyrin's still behind me and still looking every as bit apprehensive as she was a moment ago. I type the code into the keypad to unlock the door; it slides open. I step inside, making a beeline for the chair I was sitting on earlier. The desk looks undisturbed; the report was as I left it, next to it the mug of coffee. I slump into the chair, leaning back into its comfort.

Meyrin is still standing in the doorway, hand behind her back, looking worried. 'Take a seat.' I gesture with my hand to the other seat in this two-man room. She starts to edge her way in. 'Close the door behind you please.'

She stops suddenly, and presses the button to close the door. She moves across the room quiet as a mouse, swivels the chair around so that it's facing my own and sits herself down on. She sits on the edge, not daring to lean back. Her legs are locked together tightly, she smoothes out her skirt for a moment before, resting both of her hands on her lap. I swivel my chair around picking up the warm creamy white mug, and taking a cautious sip of the dark liquid, swallowing the sip with a gulp. It's not bad, but could be better. I usually prefer to make my own, not because I'm paranoid that she might had slipped something in it, it's more to do with that I'm the only person who can make my coffee just how I like it.

'Wow.' I hear her soft voice comment quietly.

I turn to her. 'What?'

She edges her arse further back into the chair, waving her hands in front of herself in innocence. 'Nothing.' She speaks quickly. 'Nothing, it's just that…' She tries controls her fluster for a moment. 'Sorry, it's just that I don't know how anyone can stomach black coffee. I mean… I can't even drink it with milk.' She says in astonishment.

'I've always drank it black.' I tell her as I take another, but longer sip from the mug. I place it back on the desk; and sit back in the chair, leaning most of my weight on the right elbow on the chair's arm. I can easily tell she's uncomfortable. 'You should relax a little more; this isn't an interrogation of any sort. I just want to know a few things that might help me with my job here.'

'Okay.' She nods her head once in approval.

'Have you told anyone of my presence here?'

'How do you mean?' She shifts her position in the chair ever so subtly.

'Well, has anyone been talking or discussing about some… mysterious stranger in civilian attire?' I ask her, referring to myself obviously whilst putting some cliché twist into the description.

'Just a few things I've heard from others.'

'Nothing that would say of… who I really am?' I take another sip of the coffee.

She looks at the ceiling for a moment, her eyes showing intense thinking 'No not really.' She shakes her head slightly.

'I trust that you haven't said anything?'

'No, no of course not!' She says quickly as she retreats further into the chair, bringing her knees up of the floor briefly before regaining her composure as she resumes her previous posture. I look to the door as the colour of her underwear is revealed to me, mistakenly. Pink. I put my hand over my mouth to stop me laughing, trying to disguise it as if I was just resting my head on my hand.

'How about your sister?' I manage out. 'She hasn't been talking has she?'

'No, not that I know of, she's a little bit more interested with Commander Zala… at the moment.' She says, a hint of jealousy in her tone.

'I heard arrived at around the same time I did.' I must remember to thank him for that. 'Is he drawing a lot of attention and discussion?'

'Yeah, him and Lacus Clyne.'

'Quite a coincidence don't you think, both of them missing for two years suddenly reappearing out of the blue.' I smirk at little at how convenience of it all. She remains silent. 'How about that dark haired kid you were talking to at Carpentaria…' I think of the name. 'Shinn, is it?' I click my finger and thumb. 'Has he asked anything?'

'I don't think he really knows. He just asked me who you were, I just said that I didn't know.'

'Good, that's fine.' I learn forward in the chair 'No one else has asked you anything?' I ask.

'No, look Mr Browning…' She starts, her eyes clearly revealing her worry, and the shifting in the seat made it all the more obvious.

'Jack, please, you don't have to be so formal. I'm not your superior.' I don't like it when people call me 'Mr Browning'; make me feel like a bloody schoolteacher talking to a pupil, may be that is what she's feels like this situation is at the moment.

'Sure. It's just that I'm feeling a bit eh… uncomfortable with this now. You said that this wasn't an interrogation, but it's certainly starting to feel that way.' She squirms in the chair uncomfortably.

'I'm sorry; it's a bit of a bad habit of mine.' I give her a reassuring smile. 'I'm just trying to have a friendly chat, that's all.' It's a lie, this isn't really a 'friendly chat', but it's not an interrogation either. More of an interview really, to see what the crew knows of me, to know more of the crew, and to see how easy she is to use as an asset.

'Okay.' She nods, and forces a reluctant half-smile on her young face.

'How'd your find training at the academy?' I ask, changing the subject from my personal security concerns to herself.

'It was pretty tough, but I was able to pull myself through. Though, to be honest my sister helped me out a lot for most of it.' She says with a hint of disappointment in herself. Yes, there is a certain relationship between the two. Presumably joined ZAFT together, trained together, and now serve together, but with the older sister having the upper hand of being a red elite and mobile suit pilot, it could certainly cause a crack or two in their relationship.

'Do you get on well with you sister?'

'Sometimes, we have the odd argument now and then.' She says. I'm envious of her.

'I can understand that.' I take another sip of the coffee.

'Hmm?' She looks at my questioningly, cocking her to the side slightly. I realise my slip up.

'No… Nothing' I say a little too quickly. It's my turn to get nervous now.

'Then what did you mean?'

'Forget it, it's nothing. Eh… look…' I try to think of some subject; any subject whatsoever to switch to. 'There are going to be some questions asked about who I am and what I do.' I figure. I don't want to get trapped into a conversation about my troubles with my own sister.

'Erm… okay.' She lets it go. I try hard not to release a sigh of relief escape my lips.

'Eventually, someone is going to put two and two together of who I am and one of the ways they'll do that is by asking you questions, and there's a chance that they may ask you. Have you thought about what you'll say if they do ask?' I didn't want the whole ship to know that there was an SSC officer, too much of a security risk, from all sides. I take another sip of the coffee, wishing for more sugar.

'Eh… I just figured that telling them I didn't know. I thought that might work?'

'Might do, but that eh…' I massage my brow with my finger and thumb for a moment, thinking of the name, again. 'Shinn has seen us talking and as well as that, some of the Bridge crew might wonder why you were with me just now.' She's got herself roped in, but I'm more to blame for that.

'Well… I'm not so sure now…' She plays with one of her tails of red hair, as she looks to the side.

'Well lucky for both of us, I have that covered.' I fish the card out again. 'Here, to you, your sister, Head of Security, the XO and the Captain I'm Jack Browning of the SSC, be sure to keep it to yourself. To everyone else I'm Jack Browning of Martius Arsenal's Field Research Group.' I hold the card in between my fingers, out in front of her.

She leans forward, taking a quick glance 'I see.' She nods, feigning interest I'm sure.

'Would you also inform your sister about it as well? I'll talk to the Captain and Head of Security about it later.'

'Sure, would you like me to inform Commander Zala about this?'

I get caught off guard. 'Why should he know?' I don't see the point in him knowing, so what if he has a reputation of sitting on his arse in a mobile suit with central heating, whilst I skulk around on my stomach avoiding enemy patrols as well as the natural dangers, in some arse end of the world.

'Well, he's with FAITH now.' So his reputation has earned him a place close to the Chairman, I get shuffled around the layer and layer of bureaucracy that has built up not only in the intelligence community but also within the whole structure of PLANT. We're all tools at the end of the day, tools of someone's plans, I'm willing to bet my life that even Mr Zala is a tool being used by the Chairman himself. I wonder what's worse, the fact that most of the people here don't know they're tools, or the fact that I know I'm a tool, yet I do nothing about it.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I roll my eyes, to the typical hero worship she expressed. 'Hmm… if he does need to know, I'll inform him. Okay?' I try hard not to give her the ninety-nine reasons why she shouldn't be doting on some overrated mobile suit pilot. That's jealousy for you, makes me more of a bastard then I already am.

'Yeah, okay.' She stands up slowly, smoothing out her green skirt again, and her arse. 'If you don't mind, I've got an early start tomorrow, so I'm going to turn in.' She seems a little more relaxed now, a little less like she was trying to escape. Either way I'm a little disappointed that she's leaving so soon. I hide it though.

I put the coffee down on the desk, and stand up too quickly, taking a moment to right myself 'Sure, I've got that report to type up anyway.' I escort her to the door, feeling the need to open it for her like some sort of a gentleman.

'Can I ask? Why don't you have that report uploaded onto your computer from a memory stick?' She asks. Now I want to get rid of her. She'd make a nice little honey trap.

I take a step just ahead of her, and press the button to open the door for her 'Security concerns.' I answer as the door opens, hoping that the swish sound of the door opening would sort of distort my answer.

She steps into the corridor and turns to face me. 'If you want I can type it up for you?' She offers. It's a kind and selfless offer, and one I usually wouldn't refuse but unfortunately, the duty comes first, as with everything.

'As nice an offer as it is, I'm afraid I'd have to be standing over you whilst you do it, in which case it would tire us both out unnecessarily.'

'Oh.' It's her turn to look disappointed.

'But thank you anyway.' I give her a half smile.

She returns it briefly. 'Good night.'

'Nice talking to you, 'night.' I don't bother with my usual farewell. I watch her briefly walk away before I close the door shut. Still facing the door, I glance over my shoulder to observe the laptop computer on the dusty desk. I sigh at the thought of typing the report. I hate desk jobs. I walk back over to the chair and sit myself down on it again, leaning back and taking a sip of the coffee again, it's started going cold, I find cold coffee disgusting. I decide to discard it near the back of the desk, out of the way.

I boot up the laptop. I need to send a heads up to Carpentaria Station, hinting that preferred action I would take with this crippled EAF base. I'm not sure what sort of authority I hold over any others at SSC, since it has no clear rank structure. Better that way in my opinion. But still, I'm starting out here, and I don't want to tell some analyst how to do their jobs since I'm no analyst, even though I have had the occasional analyst tell me how to do my job, I usually tell them how it is. I just hope they're smart enough to make the right choice. And just to be a pain in the arse, I also feel like asking them why I wasn't informed about the Martius Arsenals card, bloody idiots.

As well as that though, my mind wanders back to that slip up I made in the conversation with Meyrin. At least she has a good relationship with her older sister. I'm afraid the same isn't true with myself. I try to forget her, all she ever does is conjure up the memories of how much I hate her, I'm positive she feels the same way about me. I haven't spoke to her in five years. I only ever hear what she's up to from the rare phone call from my mother. She still keeps in touch with my mother at least, even though their relationship is grey. The same could be said about my relationship with my mother, but I prefer not to go back that often, I don't want to.

I awake from my dreams of the past, to darkness. I have no idea what time it is. I look at the watch on my wrist. It's three twenty three in the morning. I sit up quickly looking around at my darkened surroundings, my eyes slowly adjusting to the dark. I run my fingers over my short hair. It's out of place and greasy, I'm going to have to take a shower soon.

As my eyes adjust to allow me to see more of the room, I eye the laptop on the desk at the end of the bed. I blink a few times, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, whilst remembering what I did before I fell into the temptation of a warm bed. The report, I had finished typing the report up, checked it over a few times and editing out a few mistakes I had made. I then sent it off to Thursgood House, and hopefully onto the screen of Kinnsman. I also sent a message to the Carpentaria Station. I wonder if I got a reply.

I stand up groggily. I realise finally, that I'm still wearing my clothes I had worn the previous evening and the evening before that. These are going to need washing. Bloody hell, I'm still wearing my shoes as well. Oh that's right, I had that blistering headache from switching between looking at the report on paper and the report on screen a dozen or more times for hours on end. I couldn't be bothered to do anything else other then collapse on the bed. The laptop is still running, wasting electricity. I press any odd key to get the screen up and running. I've got a message waiting. I open it up; it's from the 'Head of Carpentaria Station'. I read it.

'Caretaker Six, shame we couldn't meet in person when you arrived at Carpentaria. I hope the equipment we arranged for you was up to standards. I'd also I'd like to apologise on behalf of John, for forgetting about the Martius Arsenals cover. I hope it hasn't put you in too much of an awkward position.

Thank you for the information regarding the discovery of the EAF base, I'm currently discussing with D/Ops on what is the best course of action to take. In the mean time, he asked me to pass on some information for you that can be found in the attachment. The information is regarding the weakness to the defence system of the EAF Suez Base; we'd like you to present it to Captain Gladys before your arrival at Mahumul Base.

Good luck and keep safe.'

And that was it. Intrigued by the attachment, and the fact that the message failed to mention anywhere that I don't have clearance to read it, I decide to open it up and have a look. It seems that Caretaker Nine is busy being paramilitary with the local resistance.

'This'll win me some favours.'

Endnote: Section Eight completed. Okay, so it took longer then I said it would, college caught up with me.

In response to some questions posed in reviews.

Anonymous – I've never heard of the character 'Jack Absolute' until you mentioned him. So in answer to your query, no it is not a reference, or certainly not an intentional reference.

JRaynors – Well I'm glad you read past the first chapter despite the main character not piloting a mobile suit. I mean you're not the only person to be put off because of reasons that he doesn't pilot a mobile suit or that it isn't starring a character from the anime series, since the first section has had about two hundred or so hits and the rest have been averaging about twenty hits.

Well I can't say I'm that surprised, people expect to read a fic centralised around mobile suit action etc for Gundam Seed and Destiny. But I wanted to create something that showed another possible conflict that is fought in a war that people hear little about. Besides, this character, I want him to be a bastard, a cunning bastard at that. I believe that personality rather then weapons makes a character, contrary to what I believe Destiny in particular portrayed.

Seen the end of Destiny, need I say anymore. Couldn't say I was surprised though, I expected it around halfway when they introduced the Destroy Gundam, and it went downhill from there. Despite how much of a travesty the series was, I'm going to continue writing this fic as something of some worth that came out from the series.