July, 0074

School was finally out, and - as many had predicted - things had changed rapidly. Many of his classmates were applying to Guardian Banchi or other military academies. Ginias, now a Captain in the Space Defense Force, seemed to be away more and more often. Often called to various meetings of Zeon military personnel. This caused a rift between Karl Sahalin - a staunch but well-to-do Deikun supporter - and the increasingly nationalistic Ginias.

"Development is coming along quite well." Ginias began, "The Mobile Worker Late Type is extremely high-performing. Much better than outdated relics such as the RTX-65. They've also moved up Field Testing for the Final Type."

Adrian, though looking disinterested, was absorbing the information readily.

"Mobile Suits. It's all you talk about." Karl said, putting his glass down. "Aren't you worried that your siblings are the ones that are going to be fighting in these suits?"

"That's why I'm so devoted to them. So that no one loses their lives piloting them!" Ginias shot back,

"Ginias-" Aina began

"Death is a fact of war! You've become delusional!"

"Don't speak to me about delusions! You're the one trying to cling to the last vestiges of power you have!"

"I'm trying to help our family survive while you cozy up to our oppressors!" Karl thundered back. Ms. Sahalin seemed on the verge of tears. Rosary was looking towards the door, and Aina was trying to broker peace, but this situation was beyond salvaging.

"I'm not hungry." Adrian stood up, and left before Erena or anyone else could object.

It was always like this, but trauma upon trauma had left Adrian effectively numb to it all. Instead, he focused on piecing together what he had learned. The Mobile Suit was a humanoid machine made that prided itself on easy modification, maneuverability, and speed, but it had no lack of durability either. He'd seen some of the designs in brief trips through Ginias's room (his brother wasn't the best at protecting military secrets).

He had also learned his father was working as a test pilot for the project. Adrian leaned against the wall, 'I hope you guys are alright.' He allowed the thought to pass fleetingly through his mind, then he continued walking.

Ramba grunted with exertion as Mash crashed into his Mobile Worker with his own Late Type.

"Bring it on old man!" Mash shouted,

"Why you little-" Ramba raised his fist and brought it crashing down on his opponent, but Mash quickly blocked it before boosting backwards. He then moved in for another strike, he prepared to slam his fist down on Ramba's main camera, but Ramba suddenly grabbed it and threw Mash forwards with a punch.

He charged forward, leaving his opponent with no room to recover and began a brutal assault, cutting one of Mash's reactor cables with his claw. But he in turn left his own arm open, and Mash made use of the opening, slamming his free fist down on the claw, creating a sizable dent.

"Test Unit 01 - Damage to left arm reported!"

This time, Ramba retreated, but immediately bounced back and with his damaged claw, sliced off Test Unit 02s head.

"Test Unit 01 - Substantial damage. Test Unit 02 - Damage Immesurable." The robotic voice summarised.

"Pull them out!" Dozle ordered

"I don't need help! I'm fine!" Mash yelled,

"This is nuts! Mash tried to kill me!" Ramba said indignantly

"Says the one who sliced my Worker's head off!"

"Continue your feud on your own time. Right now, we're done." Dozle said chidingly

"Anyway, this cockpit is a deathtrap, and too many vital components are exposed! And the manipulators are complete shit!" Ramba added as well.

"Noted for the engineers to fix." Dozle nodded.

"Surely. This isn't necessary right?" Hamon asked,

"I don't want pity. Look at me, I'm the Zabi's hired dog now."

"But it's for Col. Dozle. He isn't like Gihren or Kycilla, he's more honest."

Ramba grunted but said nothing.

August 1st, UC 0074

"Ryan~! I need to know how many bags you're carrying!" Aina called from across the room,

"What for?" Adrian asked.

"So I know how many to carry." She replied curtly.

"I have two suitcases." He called to her. "Didn't you read the handbook they sent?"

"I have you. You're my handbook."

"Good luck on tests then." Adrian shrugged on a travel jacket and dragged his suitcases outside where a car was waiting. Karl Sahalin, who'd decided to see them to the airport, was already inside.

Aina and Adrian stuffed their trunks in the back, and slid into the car.

"I remember when I was first going to military school. Of course, in the old days you had to be 18, not 15."

"You went to military school?" Aina asked as the car pulled out of the driveway.

"Yes. I actually made Lieutenant." Karl replied.

Aina and Karl continued the conversation as Adrian listened and the car pulled on the highway.

"Ryan?" Aina tapped him, "You've been quiet"

A mechanized beep could be heard right before heat erupted all over Adrian's body as red flame billowed up from below them as Karl and the driver in front of them were completely incinerated. Adrian and Aina screamed as they too were slowly burned alive.

Adrian fell off as he blinked and the vision vanished.

"Uh? Ryan? Are you alright?"

"We need to get out. Now." Adrian quickly unlocked the door, despite the fact the car was moving. The driver slowed down in response to the commotion

"What are you talking about?" Karl asked, "Everythings fine."

"Yeah, including the bomb about to go off." Without any further warning, he lept out of the car. "Come out on this side!" He hissed,

"What the- Why?!" Aina was genuinely scared now, Adrian grabbed her hand and pulled,

"Ryan, what the hell?!" Karl wondered, "Get back in the car right now-"

"Ryan, my shoelace! It's stuck!" Aina panicked, Adrian groaned, tugging and pulling but the shoelace wouldn't give.

"Sir…" The driver began, "I hear a ticking noise…"

"It's just the engine probably." Karl said dismissively.

With a roar, Adrian gave one final heave and Aina's shoe pulled free right as the mechanical beep in his vision sounded. Flame roared from the hood of the car and vaporized the front seats instantly, flame licked Aina's exposed feet, burning them. Aina screamed in pain, but Adrian only pulled her down and shielded her from the hot debris.

"Dad!" Aina began to crawl back toward the car, but Adrian pulled her down,

"No!" He hissed, "Whoever did this is probably watching us right now!"

"But he's still-"

"He's gone!" Adrian yelled, "Gone! Okay?!" Adrian bent his head over, but no tears came out.

Aina looked at him, and asked: "So what now? Our papers probably burned in the explosion."

"Back pocket."

"What?"

"My back pocket, I kept our papers in there, did the same with the passports. Don't ask why, I just did."

"How'd you even know there was a bomb?" Aina asked suddenly,

'What do I say? I mean, I can't tell her I saw the future…' Adrian wondered,

"I heard the ticking." He lied, "I assumed the worst."

Aina looked unconvinced, but then again, what other explanation was there?

"Let's use the smoke as cover." Adrian said to her, Aina nodded, and tried to stand up, but failed and gasped with pain.

"Aina?" Adrian looked down,

"M-My foot. It's too burned to walk." She gasped out.

"It's alright, grab my shoulder." Adrian hefted her up to her good foot, and helped her into an alley.

Achilles Space Port

"Halt- Jesus christ." The guard gasped, "What have you kids been through?"

"An explosion." Adrian deadpanned, he flashed his passport, "Ryan Sahalin, we have a transport scheduled."

"Well, you're just on time. First Class is just boarding, might want to change onboard as well. And shower, that too."

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