CHAPTER 10
UN-RESTFUL DAYS

/ EFA Pacific Headquarters, Hawaii /

"At least none of the documents were stolen this time," Mwu said.

"I know that, but the threat had prompted HQ to order more MP Real Troopers to be sent here," Kai answered. "That isn't good, because most of the RTs are already deployed at the Middle-East and there isn't anything that can be done here to overcome the shortage."

"We've had troubles at our side, too," Mwu said. "The war's just ended, and the military strength's reduced by healthy amounts. Only a handful of squads remain operational, and it makes me wondering if the federation's really planned for their future." He later sighed and threw his sight to the ceiling. "ORB, ZAFT, OMNI… all the memories…"

"I understand the feeling," Kai said and leaned into the chair. "My boys down here aren't in their pristine condition. Inadequate training, lack of spare parts, you name it."

"It's pretty much an un-restful day for both of us, isn't it?" Mwu asked.

"Yeah, with my Gespenst taking some hit during the battle, repairing it here will be a hassle," Kai sighed. "By the way, Mwu. We heard you have new members on the Archangel. Care to tell us who they are?"

"I'm not sure if you want to believe in us or not," Mwu said with silly chuckles, "but we have Ibis."

"Impossible," Kai snorted. "Ibis is with Lowe at Tunisia as we speak. She just called me a few hours ago."

"At least, that's what every one of us wanted to believe," Mwu continued. "And she keeps saying herself as an Idol. We don't really understand her intention, or the tuxedo man who she claims as her bodyguard."

"I do know Ibis has acquired many fans in recent days, but I never know she's going for idol business," Kai added. "Might be a look-alike, or someone using Ibis' name for her personal benefit."

"Major Kitamura, excuse me for interrupting," Murrue said as she approached the table. "The headquarters have requested the Archangel to invite you onboard. Your presence will be very welcomed to boost the troopers' morale."

"Hmm…" Kai scratched his chin and stared at his colleagues. "I never planned on leaving Hawaii soon, but if it's from HQ, well… at least I can have my Gespenst repaired onboard."

"We'll arrange for that, Major," Murrue told him.

"On top of that, I've wanted to see this Ibis for myself," Kai said.

Mwu chuckled. "Believe me, Kai. You may change your opinion after seeing her yourself."

-x-x-x-x-x-

/ onboard Archangel /

Van and Wendy headed to SM Ibis' room, Kira, Athrun and Lacus closely following their lead. They had things to discuss with SM Ibis regarding her future plan in times of war and were concerned of her capabilities to handle the war. Even after learning the Astelion Custom's combat readiness they still doubted her abilities as a mecha pilot and at such they knew they needed to gather more information about the Idol.

And none of them were prepared for what to come as they entered the room.

"Nyan, Nyan! Nyan, Nyan! Nihao Nyan! Gorgeous, Delicious, Deculture!"

Wendy gaped. Van said nothing. Kira, Athrun and Lacus were speechless. SM Ibis had done the thing none of them had expected to see it coming, and was shamelessly doing it in front of the people.

"What is she doing?" Kira asked.

"I have no idea," Athrun answered.

"Hmm…" Both Van and Lacus stared at SM Ibis in intrigue.

"Hey! Stop it! You're only embarrassing yourself!"

"Eh?" SM Ibis put away the headphones. She turned towards the annoyed Wendy and stared at the pigtailed girl for a couple seconds. "What's the matter with you, honey?"

"I said stop it!" Wendy cried out. "You're going to embarrass yourself in front of them!"

"Nobody tells me to stop embarrassing myself," SM Ibis answered. "Besides my very close friend has invited me to visit her café. I can't wait to see her."

Wendy turned to Van, who was unsurprisingly nonchalant at SM Ibis' antics. "Say something about her, Van!" she said.

"I don't know what else to say," Van answered.

"But Van!" Wendy growled.

"Oh, Wendy," SM Ibis giggled. "You're just jealous to see an idol having many well-known friends, aren't you?" She left Wendy reeling in dissatisfaction as she continued singing "Nyan, Nyan! Nyan, Nyan! Nihao Nyan! Gorgeous, Delicious, Deculture!" and dancing to the commercial song. The pigtailed girl lost her patience and started yelling at SM Ibis but was uselessly ignored, and Athrun found himself laughing miserably at the awkward "soap drama" scenario, while both Kira and Lacus both gave him a very deep glare.

"Where are we supposed to go after this?" he asked after he finally stopped laughing.

"Athrun, you're acting weird today," Kira commented.

"Sorry; can't help it," Athrun apologized.

"How about Las Vegas? I know the best place where idols usually gather," SM Ibis suggested. "Of course, that depends on whether Van the Slacker approves or not."

"I don't really mind," Van shrugged and headed back to his room. "Wake me up when we arrive. I need to have enough rest."

"Hey! You're supposed to stay!" SM Ibis cried. "You're my bodyguard, and you aren't leaving without my permission!"

Van stopped. He corrected his hat, said "sorry" and left the infuriated SM Ibis behind. This was enough for the Shadow-Mirror Idol to point at Lacus and exclaimed "I am so furious right now that I challenge you for karaoke duel once we make landfall!"

Lacus could only chuckle. "Oh, dear me."

Wendy slapped her head. "I can't believe I befriend a lunatic like her…"

-x-x-x-x-x-

/ onboard Queen Regent, somewhere in south-east Pacific /

"EIGH!!"

With a single move Margaret slammed her sparring partner onto the mat with an Uchi Mata. The supervising coach signalled an Ippon to the Red Team, and in an instant her fellows hollered in victory. The downed combatant had to be carried out by medical team, leaving the all-woman team to cheer for their victorious general. Margaret said nothing even though her subordinates were praising her for her extraordinary talent.

"Well, looks like you ladies really enjoy your victory, eh?" Red Team turned around to see Yukimura entering the sparring hall, and they squealed to at his presence they immediately gathered around him. "Calm down, ladies. It's just that I was told to meet Margaret here."

"Sir Yukimura, you should see Margaret kicking the man's butt!" one of the women said.

"She's really awesome!" another woman told him. "It would be more awesome if we all could become like her: strong, dependable, inspiring, and- oh! She's got the beautiful hair, too."

"Don't tell her about this, General," another woman said as she leaned to whisper to Yukimura, "but we're envious of her body. Like, we're dying to know her secret. And she's got bigger chest size than mine, too."

"Ladies, it would be inappropriate if you keep me surrounded," Yukimura told the masses. "Not with me having body odour after the simulated mission."

"General, can we take you after this for lunch?" the women asked. "We've been dying to have meals with you. Pretty please, General? Please? Please? Please?"

"Stand down, soldiers. General Yukimura has important matters with me. Please leave us for a few minutes," Margaret told the women. "I'll let you do whatever you want with him after this. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am!" they happily answered and headed to the vending machine. "And be nice to the general, okay?"

Margaret said nothing; all she did was to observe them with a deep glare of envy before she approached Yukimura. "You said you were told to meet me. What's the matter?"

"We have a change of schedule," Yukimura said and helped her tying up her hair. "The council wants us to meet the Las Vegas Division to assist their North American operations."

"I thought we're supposed to head back to Baikonur," Margaret said. "What happened?"

"I have no idea, but it seems they don't want us to come across Black Zamber's operation," Yukimura answered.

Margaret shook her head. "Black Zamber…" She gritted her teeth. "I don't like him. He insulted Alicia and made fun of me… what does he think he is?"

"It can't be helped," Yukimura said and began to massage her stiff shoulders. "Besides, we don't have to stay and watch another rocket launch like the rest of the people." Margaret fell silent, although she did enjoy the feeling of the man's touch on her. (The whole Red Team had returned when this happened and they started whispering on the two general's dubious relationship). "Well?"

Margaret snickered and grabbed Yukimura's hand before she swept him off his feet. She miscalculated her steps because he grabbed her arm and pulled her along as he fell onto the floor. "Oniichan, what are you doing?" she gasped.

"I can't believe how rebellious my dear Imotou has become," Yukimura hissed and attempted an arm bar but Margaret was faster than him and was overpowered in no time. He turned over and seized her neck before locking her in a sleeper's hold. "You may be a black belt holder, but I'm a better Judo fighter than you are."

"Then how about this?" Margaret poked Yukimura's eyes and was able to wrestle him on the floor. Yukimura cried fool for the dirty trick but Margaret ignored him and did another arm bar. Yukimura escaped and attempted another sleeper's hold but failed to strangle Margaret. Both of them returned to the floor and were facing each other, determined to outwit each other in the battle.

"Show him what you're made of!" one of the spectators cheered.

"Awesome! This is a fight we've wanted to see!" another spectator exclaimed.

"Ten bucks General Testarossa will kick the hell out of General Yukimura," a spectator said.

"Dude! Make it twenty!" his friend suggested.

After ten intense minutes both fighters were exhausted, although Margaret took the worse beating. Her hair had untangled into blonde mass that were flowing down onto her chest, and her arms were sore after relentless locks and submissions. She would not surrender, and her eyes were telling her opponent she was not about to admit defeat.

"I believe we should end this fight," Yukimura suggested.

"Good idea, because I'm going to beat you!!" Margaret screamed a final battle cry and charged at Yukimura. Again, she miscalculated her steps and missed Yukimura, allowing him to grab her arm but instead of tossing her to the floor he pulled her towards his body. The female General found herself blushing at the fact that Yukimura was holding her in suggestive manners.

"Oniichan…?"

Yukimura grinned. "Technique always prevails over brute strength, Margaret," he said as he ran his hand down her cheek. (Female audience gasped at the gesture and started squealing as he leaned down until his face was an inch over hers. Male spectators, on the other hand, started cheering for the man for his bravery.) "And you've become more beautiful than ever, too. Let me admire the beauty for a while," he spoke.

"Don't make me do this!" Margaret kneed Yukimura on the groin and tossed him onto the floor hard. "You just want to take advantages over my weakness, baaka" she said and left the hall.

"At least you don't have to hit me here," Yukimura groaned as he was helped by the medical team. "Ouch. Watch it."

"I know the feeling, General," the medical officer said in tears. "I know, because I've gone through it many times with my girlfriend."

"Are you alright, General?" the female spectators asked as they surrounded the weary-looking Yukimura. "Did she hit you hard?"

"Don't worry about me, ladies," Yukimura assured.

-

-

Margaret headed towards the hangar. Her feeling reeled in both embarrassment and fury, and she did not like the fact that she had been humiliated in front of the soldiers. Having been trained to become the number one in everything, her emotions was torn between accepting the defeat in honour or deny her weakness and persist on training herself to become stronger.

She approached Alicia and climbed onboard the Real Trooper, disregarding the ground crews' yell that it was not yet combat-ready. She took no attention to the fuss and stayed inside the cockpit, feeling relaxed and at peace as she rested herself on the set.

"Are you alright?"

She shook her head. "I'm not," she murmured and began curling into a foetal position. "I mean… how can I be alright when Oniichan had disgraced me in front of the people?"

"It must not be pleasant to be bested by your own kin, mustn't it?"

"Thank you for the concern, Alicia," she answered. "I don't really want to talk about it right now."

"Understood."

Margaret closed her eyes. She was tired, and she needed to be refreshed before the end of the day. Yet she had something else to do before she called it a day. "Alicia, do me a favour and run database search," she spoke. "I need to know anything about the White Terror we had fought days earlier."

"Yes, sir."

Alicia ran data search on the subject and took a few seconds before it displayed the result on the screen. Margaret examined the information and learned more of the White Terror she had heard of a lot. "Kira Yamato… we shall settle our score sometimes…"

"Is there anything else you need, sir?"

"No. This should be enough." Margaret yawned and closed her eyes, making herself as comfortable in the confined space as possible. "Wake me up in two hours, please. I need to take a quick nap."

"Have a sweet dream, sir."

Margaret smiled. "Thank you, Alicia."