Chapter 10 up, so please R&R and enjoy.
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed , now on with the story.
Ryan woke up to see he was still in Hydra's cockpit, Ryan went out to see Arli waiting for him.
"Hey Arli." Ryan said stifling a yawn.
"Why didn't you come back, do you have any idea how worried I was!" Arli shouted at him. Ryan chuckled
"You sound like my mum." Ryan replied rolling his eyes, Arli glared back at him. "Didn't Kira or Cagalli tell you why I didn't come back?" Ryan asked trying to changing the subject.
"Yeah but I don't believe it." Arli answered, her glare softening slightly.
"Well that's what happened." Ryan said not looking at her directly in the eyes. "Besides I didn't think you would be worried about me." Ryan continued, smirking slightly.
"Well.." Arli started thinking of an answer.
"Thanks, it's been awhile since anyone was worried about me that much." Ryan said sincerely , surprising Arli. "Well, I'll think I better help them out with that again." Ryan said pointing to the Skygrasper, that thanks to Cagalli was damaged again.
"Don't work too hard then." Arli said before waving bye, smiling as she made her way out of the hangar. Ryan turned to face Hydra before making his way down to the damaged aircraft
"Hey, Chief Murdoch what's the damage this time?" Ryan asked stopping beside the mechanic.
"Well the navigation system is broken and part of the right wing is damaged, luckily it isn't as damaged as before." Murdoch answered shifting his eyes to look at his superior officer.
"I'll help out with the navigation system, so you and the other crew can work on the wing." Ryan offered
"Ok then, you should be able to fix it from inside the cockpit." Murdoch said "But haven't you got your machine to fix?" Murdoch then questioned him as he made his way to get inside the cockpit.
"It shouldn't take me that long, the damage wasn't that extensive, so I'll fix the navigation system first then work on Hydra." Ryan answered beginning to work on the Skygrasper, Murdoch just shrugged and started barking orders at the other mechanics. After some time of working on it, Ryan fixed the navigation unit, he looked around to see Murdoch and the others had left, the wing on the aircraft fixed, Ryan sighed before jumping out of the cockpit and went over to Hydra, he entered the cockpit and began typing on the keyboard, several images appeared of Hydra showing where the damage was.
"Maybe Murdoch can fix the thrusters and the other damage for me, they are similar to the Strike's" Ryan said to himself as he moved the keyboard and the screen out of the way to get out. The hangar was still empty, Ryan left and made down the corridor's to his quarters to take off his pilots suit and then went to the cafeteria. Murdoch and some of the mechanics walked out of the cafeteria as he neared it.
"Hey Murdoch could you do me a favour and fix Hydra's thrusters for me?" Ryan asked standing the doorway of the cafeteria.
"Sure kid-I mean Lieutenant we'll get it fixed as quick as we can for ya." Murdoch answered walking off to the hangar with the other mechanics, Ryan walked in and got a tray of food and sat near Tolle, Mir, Kuzzey and Sai.
"Hey Ryan have you tried the simulator in the hangar?" Tolle asked kindly.
"Simulator?" Ryan replied half-heartedly.
"Yeah you know it's-" Tolle began to explain.
"I know what a simulator is but why did you ask?" Ryan interrupted, taking another bite of food.
"Well I was just asking whether you have used it or not." Tolle answered, slightly annoyed
"Why would I need to use a simulator if I already know how to pilot a mobile suit?" Ryan asked, catching Tolle off guard.
"Well it's just that Tolle's is getting pretty good at it." Mir said in Tolle's defence
"So are you thinking of fighting in a real battle?" Ryan asked, interested.
"Yeah, well just as support for you, Kira and Arli." Tolle answered smiling
"You wouldn't last." Ryan said flatly, draining the smile Tolle had seconds ago.
"What do you mean?" A bewildered Tolle asked, the other three listening in as well.
"A real combat situation is different from a simulator, such as unlike the simulator you can't start again if you die." Ryan answered seriously.
"I know that, it's why I'll only fly support." Tolle protested calmly.
"It doesn't matter what role you're doing the enemy will still try to hunt and shoot you down." Ryan argued as calmly as Tolle.
"But I won't I'll make sure that I'm careful enough not to." Tolle continued to complain.
"Ryan I think you should give Tolle a chance." Sai said
"Yeah he might be a good support for you." Kuzzey said both of them trying to convince Ryan.
"Mir what do you think?" Ryan asked turning his attention to her, who was a little surprised.
"Well…Tolle is getting pretty good and he does want to help." Mir answered nervously. Ryan sighed out of defeat.
"Alright then Tolle you can pilot the Skygrasper." Ryan said, a smile immediately spreading across Tolle's face. "But I'll be supporting you so you don't get shot down got it." Ryan continued, Tolle nodded the grin still on his face, the others looking pleased as well, Mir looked at Ryan and mouthed a 'thank you', Ryan just smiled, briefly.
"You!" Someone shouted behind them, Ryan turned his head to see Flay standing at the doorway, Ryan sighed before putting his tray on the rack and walked out, ignoring Flay's glare. Flay caught up to him as he walked along the corridor and stopped in front of him. "Do you have any idea how tired Kira is after wasting his time looking for you!" Flay shouted at him.
"You sound like you actually care." Ryan said sarcastically, Flay looked a little surprise before glaring again.
"He didn't need to waist his time searching for you." Flay said coldly
"He was looking for Cagalli as well and it was his choice to look." Ryan stated calmly. "So you can't complain it's my fault." Flay was about to protest before the alarms blared, Ryan ran off to his quarters to put on his pilot suit then made his way to the hangar, he saw Arli making her way to the Combat.
"Arli, where have you been?" Ryan asked as he made his way to Hydra
"Talking to Cagalli, and been on the bridge." Arli answered
"Have you seen Kira?"
"No."
"Oh well, good luck out there."
"I won't be able to do anything, remember." Arli complained
"Get up on deck you'll have a better chance then." Ryan said encouragingly
"Thanks." Arli said as she went into the cockpit and moved to the catapult.
"Hey Lieutenant, we fixed the thrusters and the other damage for ya." Murdoch shouted before Ryan got into Hydra's cockpit.
"Thanks Chief Murdoch." Ryan shouted back as he made his way in and prepared for launch.
"Ryan you're up against the Buster, Aegis, Duel and Blitz." Mir informed as Hydra was set on the catapult.
"Thanks Mir, Ryan, Hydra launching!" Hydra launched out of the catapult as the phase shift activated and it's legs folded back in, the Strike and Combat were shooting at the stolen G-weapons, Hydra charged towards the Duel, attempting to avoid fighting the Blitz, Hydra fired it's beam rifle at the Duel, who like other the stolen Gundams were riding on a Guul, moved out of the way of the shots and countered with it's beam rifle shots and missiles, Hydra dodged the barrage and shot back with it's shoulder cannons, the Duel flew out of the way and moved behind Hydra and fired the missile launchers on the Guul, Hydra turned and blocked in time, the Gundam then rose from the smoke and rammed into the Duel causing it to fall off it's transport, Hydra shot the transport, destroying it. Duel turned to face the Archangel and dived towards it, the Strike thrusted upwards and landed on the Duel before jumping off and stabbing the Blitz's Guul with it's beam sabre, forcing it to jump off and fall into the ocean, Hydra chased the Duel and rammed it causing it to fall back away from the warship, Hydra then shot the falling suit causing it to lose half of it's left leg before falling into the ocean like the Blitz. The Combat was repeatedly shooting at the Buster and Aegis, only for the two remaining enemy's to easily move out of the way of the incoming shots.
"Damn it, I'm still useless!" Arli shouted, Ryan rolled his eyes
"Arli get on Hydra's shoulders." Ryan suggested, Hydra moving above the Combat while the ship was taking damage.
"What?" Arli asked
"Jump on Hydra's shoulders then jump off so you can get them." Ryan explained
"Right." Arli replied as Combat jumped in to the air landing on Hydra's shoulders, Hydra flew upwards towards the Buster and Aegis, Combat jumped again and rammed into the Aegis, knocking it off it's Guul, which was now being used by Combat, Hydra moved towards the Buster and sliced it's Guul with it's beam sword, causing it to jump off, as the two Gundams were falling in to the sea the buster fired it's beam cannons in the shotgun form into the archangel's engines, the Aegis went in to it's mobile armour form and fired it's Scylla, causing further damage to the ship, before plummeting into the ocean
"Well that takes care of that." Ryan said relieved, not realising the damage done to the ship, or the fleet near them.
"Not quite there's an Orb fleet and they've made repeated warnings to change our course." Kira said as Hydra and Combat landed on the deck with the Strike.
"Orb fleet, when?" Ryan asked surprised
"You haven't heard the warnings?" Kira asked
"No guess I wasn't listening." Ryan answered slightly embarrassed
"This is your last warning if you do not change your course we will open fire." A commander of a ship ordered the Archangel, although it was too damaged to change course.
"How dare you say those things, even though you can see the mess we're in!" Cagalli shouted to the officer. What is she doing, she not gonna blurt out who she really is. I'd rather not step into Orb territory anyway.
"Who is this?" The officer demanded
"If you do not know who this is then you must be an idiot, connect me to your superior officers." Cagalli replied" "Connect me to my father, Uzumi Nara Attha, my name is Cagalli Yula Attha!" Cagalli shouted at the officer Just when I thought she couldn't be anymore of an idiot.The Orb fleet, moments later then started firing at the Archangel, until the rest of ZAFT forces retreated before giving orders to dock. Hydra moved into the hangar where the Strike and Combat were.
"How pathetic calling themselves neutral yet bringing us in." Ryan said in disgust as he left the cockpit.
"Hey Ryan, you need to put on a uniform." Mwu shouted to Ryan as he was making his way out of the hangar.
"Why?" Ryan replied looking at Mwu suspiciously
"Because we'll be meeting Uzumi Nara Attha, since your one of our highest ranking soldiers you need to come so put on a uniform." Mwu ordered Ryan who glared before leaving. He went to his room where there was a uniform in the closet the same as Kira's. Reluctantly he changed into it and headed out, meeting Mwu down the corridor.
"This is seriously uncomfortable." Ryan complained, fidgeting with the collar.
"Don't' worry you'll get use to it." Mwu said smirking
"So now what?" Ryan asked
"We need to wait for the Captain and Natarle." Mwu answered walking to the Captain's office.
"How are going to have a meeting with Uzumi then?" Ryan asked Murrue once they were in the office
"That's Lord Uzumi, we'll be escorted there by Orb officials and taken to the government building where we will have our meeting with him." Murrue answered
"When do we leave?" Ryan asked half caring
"Now, Natarle will be waiting for us with the escort." Murrue answered standing up from her chair and walking out followed by Mwu then Ryan. They walked out of the ship and into an Orb car with Natarle and were taken to their government building. Once their Orb soldiers showed them to an office where Lord Uzumi was waiting. They sat down along a long wooden table, Ryan sitting next to Natarle, Ryan was trying hard not to punch Uzumi straight in the face, or shoot him.
"As you know our nation is neutral so our official document states that our fleet chased your ship out of our territory." Uzumi stated to the four soldiers.
"You didn't save us because we had your daughter now did you?" Mwu asked
"Do you believe I would risk an entire nation and it's people for the sake of one spoiled girl." Uzumi answered calmly
"Excuse me if I had implied that sir." Mwu said. It would be better if you didn't say anything. Ryan thought glancing at Mwu quickly before turning his attention back on Uzumi.
"Things would a lot more easier if it were only that simple." "As Heliopolis where the children of this nation were involved with the war and then volunteered as soldiers and also the achievement of the X-numbers, I have gone over this before of whether it would have been best to let that ship sink along with the mobile suits, even at this moment I'm still thinking if it was the best decision" Uzumi continued with the same calm voice, Ryan saw Natarle giving Uzumi a stern look, Mwu and Murrue looked a little surprised at first.
"I am sorry for Heliopolis and the children even though it isn't an official apology from a personal standpoint I am sorry." Murrue said, her head lowered slightly as she spoke.
"No forget it, there is plenty of blame to share since it is an inherent problem of our nation, the reason we maintain our position of being a neutral state is because we do not want either natural or co-ordinator to be our enemy; unfortunately we can not carry these intentions out without power, and yet with power we become a target. I'm sure you soldiers do not want to discuss something like this." Uzumi continued, Ryan's expression became more stern as he spoke.
"Lord Uzumi I understand what you are saying, however we also have…" Murrue started but never finished. What is she thinking, wish I could read minds right now.
"In any case, we should explain to the main reason why we didn't let your ship be destroyed. We want the current combat data of the Strike and Combat as well as the pilots, Kira Yamato and Arli Elthsman for technical support with Morganroate." Uzumi then looked over to Ryan who was giving him a questioning look. "And we also want he combat data of the Hydra and it's pilot, Ryan, also for technical support with Morganroate." Ryan glared at him, clenching his fists under the table. "We will offer you and your ship extensive assistance in exchange." Uzumi finished.
"Lord Uzumi but that is…" Murrue protested, standing up but didn't finish, Ryan then stood up glaring at Uzumi
"It's a load of crap Hydra wasn't made by Morganroate and I don't own you or Orb anything!" Ryan shouted at the lion of Orb slamming his hands on the table, Uzumi didn't react but just looked at him.
"Unfortunately if you do not allow us to do so then the ship and everyone on board will be sent back out of our territory and into the ZAFT forces waiting, do you want that?" Uzumi asked as calm as before, Ryan stared at him before sitting back down, saying nothing. "You may return to your ship." Uzumi said before standing and walking out. They were escorted back to the ship in silence.
"Lieutenant Ryan get to your mobile suit and go to Morganroate, Mwu you tell Kira and Arli what is happening." Murrue ordered before walking to her office, Mwu went to find Kira and Arli, Ryan was about to walk when he saw Natarle having a angry expression.
"What's the matter with you Natarle?" Ryan asked making Natarle turn to face him
"What are you talking about?" Natarle asked giving Ryan her stern look.
"Why do look so annoyed?" Ryan asked
"It seems that even with my rank I don't have the authority to do anything about Captain Ramias's decision's, in this case I'll think I'll bring it up when we get to Alaska." Natarle answered, keeping the same expression, Ryan's however looked a little worried.
"Natarle when we get to Alaska, what will they do with me?" Ryan asked, Natarle looked a little surprised by the question.
"To be honest I don't know, one of the possibilities is that they might execute you, I'm sorry." Natarle answered losing her stern face to be replaced with an apologetic one.
"You don't have to apologise, we'll just have to see what happens I guess, well better carry out my orders." Ryan said reassuringly to her before waving bye, Natarle just gave a small smile before walking off also. Ryan went to his room to take off the uniform and put on his shirt and jeans then headed for the hangar. The Strike and Combat were moving out of the hangar, Ryan rushed in to Hydra's cockpit and followed the other two to the facility. Orb, the land of peace, I'm surprised they haven't been attacked yet. Ryan then looked at one of screens that required a password That wouldn't be the password, would it? Ryan thought's were interrupted when he saw the Combat had stopped, the three Gundams slowly made their way in to the Morganroate facility, the three suits carried walking through the facility until they were told to stop.
"You can come out now!" A female voice said Ryan left the cockpit and went down using the foot rope, Arli and kira joined him with the woman. "I'm Erica, so you're the pilots I've heard about." Erica introduced herself kindly
"I guess you know who we are?" Ryan asked, not as kind
"Of course you're Ryan and the other two are Arli and Kira." Erica answered "Although I don't know much about your mobile suit, Ryan." Ryan raised an eyebrow
"You don't?" Ryan asked suspiciously
"Well I presume it would be similar to the other G-weapons but I honestly don't have much data on it." The Orb worker replied "Follow me I have something to show you three." Erica walked off with Ryan, Arli and Kira following, they were led in to a hangar where several mobile suits were, all the same, black torso, white arms, legs and head with red markings and wings.
"What are those?" Ryan asked flatly
"We call them the M1 Astray." Erica answered smiling slightly
"They kind of look like the Strike." Kira said staring at the machines
"They look beautiful." Arli said, Ryan rolled his eyes at the comment
"They look impressive but what are they there for?" Ryan asked turning towards Erica
"They're for Orb's protection." Cagalli said walking towards them.
"All you got was a slap?" Ryan asked humorously, seeing the red mark on Cagalli's cheek, who glared at him before looking away.
"Can you three come with me?" Erica asked before walking in to a room, they followed Arli talking with Cagalli, they were led in to a room where three Astrays could be seen in use, but not very well.
"Do the Astrays have an OS for naturals?" Ryan asked seeing how bad the mobile suits were moving.
"No, that's why you're here we would like you to program an OS for naturals." Erica explained.
"I thought they were just bad pilots." Cagalli said
"It's not as easy as it looks." one of the pilots, a girl, complained.
"We're trying our hardest." Another complained
"Fine but I want to use what you have here." Ryan said moving to a computer where Kira was.
"Ok then Arli was going to do that to update the Combat anyway." Erica answered, Ryan turned to Arli, who just smiled innocently
"We might as well get this done now, okay with you two?" Ryan asked, both of them nodded and they set programming the OS, Arli and Ryan leaned over to the screen Kira was on, Ryan pointed out anything Kira had missed where as Arli and Kira did most of the work. Erica came over and looked at what they had done.
"Wow you guys are good, is it ready enough to install into the mobile suits for use?" She asked
"Yeah if it's connected to the mainstream." Kira replied not taking his eyes off the screen.
"Of course it is, just transfer it to the modem of the mobile suits." Erica told them, Kira tapped in several keys until the program went though some modems, Ryan looked up to see the Astrays performance increase greatly, he smirked.
"Erica have the Astrays been in combat before ?" Ryan asked Erica
"No, why?" Erica answered, slightly confused.
"Well how about I test them out using Hydra, don't worry I won't use any weapons that could seriously injure them." replied Ryan the smirk still on his face
"Ok then but don't go too hard on the girls they're only rookies." Erica agreed, Ryan walked out and entered Hydra's cockpit and made his way to where the Astrays in use were, all three Astrays turned to see the mobile suit
"Alright girls this is a hand to hand combat battle with Ryan and his mobile suit, good luck." Erica told the three Astray pilots.
"Ok then I'll go first." One of the pilots said as it stepped in front of the other two, Hydra's phase shift was activated as the Astray ran at full speed at it and tried to punch Hydra, but the fist was caught in Hydra's hand and countered punching the Astray in the face making it stagger back, the mobile suit charged again and tried to kick the Gundam but Hydra moved to the side and grabbed the leg, then spun the Astray around before throwing it in to the wall on the other side, nearly colliding with the other two, it fell forwards and crashed on the ground.
"Asagi! Mayura lets' get him at the same time." One of the other pilots said to Mayura. Both of them charged at Hydra, who stood still, as Mayura's Astray punched Hydra in the face while Juri's Astray kicked Hydra in the chest, the Gundam ducked from the punch then blocked the kick with it's arm, Hydra quickly moved the leg away and rammed in to Mayura's suit, causing to step back then kicked it in the torso making fall onto it's back, Juri's Astray recovered and tried to hit the Hydra by punching it, but Hydra grabbed it's arm and threw it on the floor.
"Hey Erica I thought you said they were rookies not pushovers." Ryan said to Erica, agitating the three girls
"Well then it looks like they need more training." Erica teased hearing the girls moan. "By the way Lord Uzumi has come to talk to you he's waiting in the hangar." She then informed Ryan , his eyes narrowed as he made his way out and into the hangar, he left the cockpit to see Uzumi waiting for him.
"Ryan I believe we need to talk about something." Uzumi said sternly to Ryan as he made his way over to him.
"I don't think we need to talk about anything." Ryan said coldly glaring at the Chief representative.
"And why do you think that?" Uzumi asked, at that moment Ryan pulled his gun out and pointed it at Uzumi's chest, still glaring into his eyes, the Lion of Orb however did not appear frightened or fazed but kept calm. "If you believe you should shoot me for what I've done then go ahead and shoot me." Uzumi said his voice not wavering. Ryan eyes narrowed more, there was a click of a gun then the air rang with a sound of a gunshot.
Sorry if the chapter ended a bit fast or if I spelt anything wrong, please R&R .