A red-winged Freedom hovered above the atmosphere, its eyes peering down at the ocean as it sluggishly passed. Attached to one of its sides was a small container that hung sideways as the suit floated in place. Inside the cockpit, Sean was waiting for something as he watched the Earth turn.
"I've never actually been to Earth. I wonder what it's like." The computer beeped as the side screen opened up to a shaded figure of a man. "Well? Has it been arranged?"
"Yes. She will meet you in San Francisco, California and she will be alone."
"Good. I don't want any outside influences affecting what information I can squeeze out of her," he said coldly, "Be sure it remains that way."
"Roger." The screen switched over to a view of the vast space outside. Sean sat back and watched as North America started crawling out from the right.
"Admiral Demrianna Azriel. I hope her lineage doesn't affect her personality," he commented with a grin. The Freedom jolted forward and entered the atmosphere, the gray armor and red wings turning a darker, almost crimson red. As it dove through, the wings pulled forward and spread out slowly. The Freedom broke into the lower atmosphere just as the wings were done spreading, slowing the Freedom down to a halt thousands of feet above the west coast of California. "Okay. We'll just land in a quiet spot." The Freedom's wings pulled back, allowing it to descend towards a dense forest near the coastline. Sean opened the cockpit and jumped out, landing gently on his feet. Just ahead of him a small clearing led to the coastal road. He turned to the Freedom and re-entered the cockpit. The suit lifted its hands and slowly pulled the container from its side, putting it down on the ground. Sean got back out and opened up the hatch of it, walking inside. Almost immediately, a light shone out of the container and the doors sprang wide open. Sean flew from the trees, wearing a black leather jacket and a black helmet adorned with red lightning bolts, and landed onto the road, riding on a black motorcycle towards the city.
He drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and looked around him as he entered the city. There were very few cars driving by as the bike stopped at a red light. Sean sighed as he peered down the road ahead of him.
"It must be one of those days," he said through the helmet, examining the street through the dark visor. The light turned green and he moved forward slowly. "Maybe they're just not around here during the day. Well, makes for a perfect time to talk." The bike rolled along, taking odd turns down differing streets. It finally came up to a small café and stopped. Sean shut off the motor and took of his helmet, looking into the windows. Inside he saw only one person: a woman sitting near the corner next to the glass, her face covered by the sun's reflection. Sean hung his helmet on the bike and walked towards the café, opening the door. The bell hanging in front of the door rang, the woman looking up at him with a look of indifference. She had long purple hair tied into a ponytail in the back, wearing a black sleeveless jacket over a white shirt and a long black skirt. Sean smiled and walked over to the table, looking down at her. "If only women on Mars looked as beautiful as you. Then I'd have no problem picking up a nice date." The woman looked at Sean, quite annoyed.
"Do you always introduce yourself with flirting?" she asked, lifting an eyebrow slightly. Sean laughed at her question and bowed.
"I am Sean Tilbit, the one who requested to speak with you or whoever was in charge."
"The one in charge was a bit tied up, so I was sent here as a representative. I am--"
"Admiral Demrianna Azriel." She looked at him, surprised. "They told me who I'd be meeting. But…" Sean sat down as he continued, "I never knew you'd be this beautiful." He grinned slightly at her. The woman blushed slightly, scoffing as she tried to cover it up.
"Call me Demi," she said objectively, "We should get down to business while the place is empty." Sean sighed and nodded, leaning back. "So what is it exactly that you need?"
"Information. I want to hear all you know about the Devil Gundam," he replied, provoking Demi's annoyance once more. "What? Did I say something wrong?"
"No," she said, relaxing a bit. "It just reminded me of someone: someone who was obsessed with using that behemoth as a weapon." Sean listened intently to her, now looking quite serious. "He was always such a megalomaniac, wanting more power and influence over anyone and everyone. He threatened Aube into handing over the Devil and helping rebuild it in space. He disappeared shortly before the colony that it was originally being constructed on was destroyed. That was a few years ago."
"So how do you know all of this?" Sean asked. Demi looked down, silent for some time. "Boyfriend?"
"No. There's no way I'd go out with that creep," she replied, scoffing and turning her head. "Though he thought that I was 'his woman' I was nothing of the sort, and his power was so great that he could get away with harassing me all the time." Sean watched her as he heard some anger flare up in her tone. He sighed and leaned back.
"That's the problem with most guys these days: Power-hungry and abusive." Demi looked at him oddly.
"And you're just a big flirt who wants the Devil?"
"No, no. I'm gathering this information for my... Well, a friend. You see, he wants to destroy that thing as soon as possible. Based on what I've heard about it, I'd have to agree," Sean winked as he continued, "Besides, I'm not that bad, I'm merely captivated by your beauty." Demi blushed again and cleared her throat.
"I would give more information on it, but I'm not sure if I should. What if you're a ZAFT spy?" Sean smiled and laughed.
"I'm no Coordinator. If I was, I wouldn't be with ZAFT anyways. Those guys are as corrupt as the higher-ups in the Earth Alliance... Well, in my opinion." Demi gave him a strange look at his last comment.
"I think some of them are great leaders."
"Yeah, great at getting people killed." She remained silent, voicing no response. "To them... Soldiers are just numbers on a paper. Not Cole. He cares for every single soldier and fights without killing."
"That's pointless! Eventually he'll have to kill someone! That's how battles are: You either kill or be killed!" Demi practically stood up yelling at him. She sat back down, a tad reluctant as she glared back at Sean. He shrugged and smiled.
"I'm sorry you think that way, but we all have our own opinions. I can deal with yours," he responded, winking at her again.Demi looked away, calming down suddenly. "Well, since we have all of that finished... How about a movie?"
"Pardon?" she looked at him quizzically as she spoke.
"We're here in a place where no one knows it's us. We could take a little break from the grind of daily life," he said, standing up and walking around the table to where Demi was sitting. "Shall we?" He held his hand out to her, smiling. She looked up at him and sighed.
"And just how old are you anyways?"
"Should it really matter?"
"I don't date the younger ones."
"I didn't say this was a date. I just said we could take a short break," he said with a smile as he kept his hand out to her. Demi sighed again and put her hand in his, standing up from the table with his help.
"I'm only obliging because it'd be rude not to," she said with a hint of annoyance.
"That's fine by me, though your comment was a bit rude in itself. You should really learn to loosen up a little," he responded with a smile, leading her out of the café. Demi watched him as they walked on the streets, people passing by and looking at the two, commenting. Some people looked at them then back at each other and smiled, laughing or giggling quietly. She ignored them and looked back at Sean.
Loosen up? she thought to herself, How can I? I wonder how old this kid really is... I guess I can't call him a kid anyways. He looks like he's 15 or something. That's only a couple of years younger. But something isn't right. Why would he take me to a movie and not think of it as being a date? "Demi..." A small break? Yeah right. There must be something else to it. He must have some hidden agenda. "Demi." But what would it be? Is he trying to make me like him or does he think he can get more information from me? "Demi!" Her head jerked up, seeing the theatre in front of them, a mere block away. Sean was trying to call to her as she walked past him. Demi sighed and walked back to him.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to--"
"It's okay. You were probably just deep in thought. I wonder, though, who were you thinking about?" He winked and walked past her. She smiled a bit and followed, immediately losing her smile. "Well?"
"Certainly not you, kid." Sean sighed and looked back at her.
"I'm 16. Don't call me kid. Besides, you're not that much older than me. I can tell." She looked away, thinking again. 2 years? I consider that to be a big difference. She turned back to Sean and sighed. "Well, what movie do you want to see?"
"Something with action. I hate romantic movies." Sean looked a bit surprised, but smiled nonetheless.
"Wow. Never heard of that before. Most women I've met would love to go see that kind of movie."
"Well not me, so your choices are limited."
"I hate action movies though..." he replied, looking down. His smile faded, a sorrowful tinge revealed gleaming in his eyes. "I don't like getting into that kind of mood." Demi looked at his face curiously.
"Mood? What mood?" she asked. Sean looked at her and smiled.
"Nothing... I just don't like fighting when it's unnecessary." He turned and headed for the theatre. "Well, come on, Little Lady," he called out sarcastically.
"'Little Lady'?" she asked, looking angered. Sean looked back and stopped walking. He smiled and rubbed the back of his head.
"No, I was just being funny. That's all." She stared at him for some time and finally a small giggle escaped her mouth as she walked towards him.
"Don't call me that again and I promise never to call you 'kid'. All right?" She lifted her hand out to him. Sean smiled and held it gently, lifting it up and kissing it lightly.
"Of course," he replied with a grin and carried on walking, pulling her along. Demi followed reluctantly, confused about him. What's with this guy? He flirts just like the rest, but... For no real reason. He has no hidden agenda. He's just... Being nice. A little too nice, but it's better than those creeps back at the base. Sean stopped in front of the theatre and turned to Demi. "You said action films right?" She stared at him, now amazed.
"But... You said--"
"I know what I said, but... It's about what you want, not me." She remained silent as he pulled her into the theatre, looking for which way the movie was. On cue, a ring came from Demi's pocket. She pulled out a cell phone and opened it, answering the call.
"Yes? … Of course. … No, it's okay. I'll go immediately." Sean sighed, holding his hands behind his head. "Right. I'm heading out." She lowered the phone and shut it off. She turned to Sean and smiled weakly. "Sorry. I guess they need me back at the base." Sean nodded and let his hands fall to his sides.
"I guess it's something I'll have to get used to soon enough," he replied, smiling back. Demi remained quiet, looking to the side. Some time passed before she broke the silence.
"Rain check?" she asked lightly.
"Sure... Well, thanks for your time," he finally said, smiling.
"Don't mention it." She lifted her hand up to him for a shake. Sean smiled and shook her hand. "I guess I'll see you later then."
"Hopefully not on the battlefield." Demi nodded in agreement, letting go of his hand. She turned and walked away. "I enjoyed this little date of ours," he commented and walked away. Demi heard and turned, going red again. She scoffed and continued walking. A date, huh? I guess that was his ulterior motive. She looked ahead, blocking out what had just happened. How mistaken he was.
- - - - - - - -
Cole fell backwards onto the floor of the office, panting. The gunblade was lying on the ground mere feet from his hand. The targets hanging from the ceiling were sliced in half or had large holes in the middle. He closed his eyes as he tried to catch his breath.
"Damn, it's... So heavy... If I... manage to... use it... properly... who knows... how much... my piloting... will improve…" he said between each breath as he lay on the floor, staring at the ceiling. "This weapon... Requires fast... Reactions and... Sensitive nerves... In the hands." Catching his breath, he slowly sat up and got onto his feet, standing weakly. He walked over to his desk and stumbled into the chair, sighing deeply and lowering his head.
A few minutes passed as he rested in the chair, the gunblade still lying on the ground where it was left and the targets now reeled back into the ceiling. Cole's head jerked up suddenly, a strange feeling shocked through his body. He looked over at the door and spoke silently, "Enter." When he spoke the doorknob turned slowly, opening up and revealing a young girl in jeans, black sneakers, and a gray t-shirt with blue Chinese characters on the front just above the words "Blue Sun". The girl smiled lightly and walked in, her long brunette hair swaying behind her as she stepped forward. "Well, hello there. And you are?"
"Julie," she answered with a light tone. "Julie Xoa. But how did you know I was at the door?" Cole shrugged and laughed to himself.
"Just a feeling."
"A feeling?"
"Yep." Cole stood up from the chair and walked around the desk. "Sorry if it smells of sweat, but I was exercising."
"With what exactly?" Julie asked, looking around the empty office. She then laid eyes on the gunblade and stared at it in awe. "Whoa. What is that?"
"It's called a gunblade. But enough of that. What is it you needed--?" he stopped himself and saw Julie inspect the gunblade on the floor.
"Wow. It's so sharp and long. It must be hard to use," she commented and stopped in front of the grip. She bent down and slid her hand onto its grip and slowly lifted it, smiling. "It's like an epee. Pistol grip." She leaned it against her shoulder and looked towards Cole, smiling. "Pretty heavy, too. You use this thing?" Cole watched in awe as she lifted it with ease. He shrugged and sighed.
"I will eventually. So, you're a Coordinator?" Julie blinked a few times, caught off guard by his question.
"Nope. This ass isone hundred percentNatural," she responded with a light giggle, lowering the gunblade and putting it on the ground. "I'm just strong, that's all." Cole smiled and sat against the front of the desk.
"So what can I do for you, Miss Xoa?"
"Please, just Julie. And I'm here to join your new faction if you have room for me." Cole sighed, lowering his head.
"We do, of course, since we were officially established only days ago. Are you a pilot?"
"Yes sir," she responded with a smile. Cole's eye twitched slightly at her reply. He sighed again and looked up at her.
"About that... Don't call me sir. I'm not that much older am I?" he asked with a grin. Julie shrugged and crossed her arms.
"You look old enough to be in high school. Why would someone like you lead a faction like this?" He looked away in response, peering at the ground sadly.
"What kind of mobile suit do you pilot?" He turned back to her with a serious look on his face.
"It's lost technology, a Full Armor ZZ Gundam."
"I see... Well, if you are a pilot, then your rank will be Ensign. However, I need you to fill out some paperwork before you are officially a soldier." Julie nodded and saluted.
"Thank you... Um..."
"It's Cole. Just call me Cole, Julie." She nodded and held her hand out to him. "Welcome to Leonheart, Ensign Xoa." Cole extended his hand out and shook hers. He then grabbed some papers off of his desk and handed them to her. "Fill them out and turn them into the front desk."
"Right. See you later, Cole," she said, taking the papers and walking out of the office. Cole watched her leaved and sighed heavily once the door closed.
"I don't believe it. The same mobile suit..." He looked down at the gunblade contemplatively. "Back to training." He stood and walked to the gunblade. "Epee... So she fences." He grabbed the handle and lifted it up, mimicking the way Julie grabbed it, wielding it differently than he had before. "Well, it feels different when holding it this way." Reaching back, Cole pressed a button on top of the desk. Not a second passed before some new targets reappeared from the ceiling and began to move. Cole grinned as he watched the targets careen about. "Let's see how different it is." He dashed forward and sliced through some of the targets, smiling. "Very." He spun about and slashed into a couple more, standing triumphantly and observing the targets.
- - - - - - - -
"And that's all. I didn't reveal any pertinent information." Demi was standing in the middle of a darkened office, at attention and talking to a shaded figure sitting behind the desk.
"We understand that this boy works for Leonix and his newly-formed group. We want you to meet with this Tilbit character and learn all that you can about Leonix. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir." She saluted and turned, walking towards the door.
"Azriel." She looked back towards the man. "Don't let his guise make you drop your guard."
"Yes sir." Demi walked out of the office and closed the door, heading off down one of the many halls. "Of course not. I wouldn't fall for a child like that." She stepped through one of the doors and found herself inside a large hangar where a crimson mobile suit stood at rest in the middle. She looked up at it with a devilish smile. "Time to find out if his skills in combat are as good as his skills in flirting."