You Get To Burning! *
(This chapter is dedicated to a wonderful friend named Lloyd/K-kun… Happy Valentines. :D)
*****
Akito Tenkawa was moving slowly into the busy streets of Sasebo City. After three days to assure himself that he was not dead, and that the people around him were not mere hallucinations created to haunt him. He realized one something…
For one thing, if he had to stay here on Earth, the most logical thing to do was to find some work for a steady income, and a place to stay. As a child, he never did found out from his parents if he had any relatives on Earth, and it was doubtful that he would find any now. Still, he had huge pride for surviving by himself ever since his parents were killed in an accident. And so with grim determination, he began looking intently into an old newspaper containing job lists, knowing that finding it, even a blue-collared one, was slim, considering the circumstances in this time and age…
"And that, I assure you, you shall." A voice penetrated into his line of thoughts.
"Aaahhh!!" Akito screamed, almost dropping the newspaper. He looked over his shoulder to see a thin man wearing glasses leaning over him with a thoughtful look in his expression. "Are you looking for work?" he asked.
"Don't sneak on people like that." Akito shouted, before his brain registered the words the other man just said. "What did you say?!"
"Well, can you cook?" the man specified, "I went out because I realized we need one."
"Actually, that's the one thing I aspire to be." Akito admitted.
"Wonderful!" the man said, startling him again. "I'm the Prospector, by the way. And I'm glad to run into you. We can leave just as scheduled."
"Leave, for what?"
"Ah! That, I'm afraid, is an important secret." Prospector said as he guides Akito towards the harbor. "But you will see, nonetheless."
Having really no choice on the matter, Akito followed him.
*****
Bright and Jamil both agreed that shore leave would definitely allow the other pilots a few moments of freedom before returning to their duties, while awaiting instructions from Miwa and new supplies. And no one was more eager to go out than Chidori, delighted that she gets to be in all these places for free. She even began to invite people to go to a shopping spree to celebrate the occasion, she managed to invite Erin, Jed, Sousuke, Garrod, Tifa, Kouji, Hiyoshi Gou and Sayaka. Boss was unfortunate enough to be in active guard duty with Kyoshiro, Camille, and Domon. Kazuya was still in the brig, a couple of days more before he could be released, so Nana had to stay in the ship as well. Rain and Toniya politely refused, having plans of their own, while Roybea, Ippei and Witz wandered off to play billiards in a local casino. The mechanics and the rest of the bridge were busy, and could not afford such a luxury.
Jed finally get to rid of those loathsome bandages, and was chatting lively with his sister. Having been separated for years, the two never get tired of each other's company.
"That's quite a bond they have," Chidori was saying to Sousuke, trying to ignore that he was moving in a stiff military walk, despite he was in civilian attire, and everyone else outside their group were staring at them.
"What do you mean?" Sousuke asked crisply.
"I live by myself. You know that." Chidori said, "Away from my own sister and father. Actually, to my class, it's just a lifestyle of practicality. It allows me to be closer to the school. But you know…" she felt saddened by that. "I'm not what you call close to my own family, like those two. I wonder if they're even worried about me." (1)
"Don't worry. I personally told your father you're safe. He showed no concern."
Chidori suddenly flared up, "Why thank you, I'm glad to know that." She retorted icily as she stormed off.
"I don't understand her…" Sousuke faltered, looking bewildered.
"You could have dropped the last sentence." Sayaka said, feeling sad for the two of them.
"But that's the truth." Sousuke protested.
"Well, perhaps you should learn some tact," she looked at Kouji, "You could both learn it."
"Hey!" Kouji protested, but was smiling at the joke.
"What I meant is…" Sayaka said giving Sousuke a pat on the back, "Just listen to her, next time."
"Roger." Sousuke said, he still couldn't understand. But perhaps if he shuts up when Chidori talks, maybe she wouldn't be so angry and lonely. Though Chidori can easily made friends to the other pilots, he observed that she was not used to this sort of lifestyle. Though she stayed in the Ducanan and still made it through, she only stayed for a couple of days. In this case, she was stuck with Lond Bell for a longer period of time. Had he had his way, he would have gladly returned her to the environment that she was used to. But now she was in danger, and if he wasn't mistaken based from the reports that the Captain gave him in Jabrow, Gaul was somehow alive and still at large. Until Tessa and the MITHRIL intelligence assure of him that there was no threat, Chidori must stay with him under his protection.
Still, he couldn't help but wish he could have done more.
*****
"Everything's in order." Rolan Cehack replied politely as Kid finished the necessary repairs.
"Man, I wish Garrod has a small part of your manners." Kid said, swiping off his cap to fan himself.
"How are you doing?" A voice called out from below. Kid looked over to see Quattro standing nearby.
"We still have to do repairs for the Daimos, but at least the Mobile Suits are ready for any immediate battle." Kid called back.
"Then I'll leave this to your capable hands." Quattro said, turning away…
Looking straight at Amuro Ray's intense gaze, a hint of enmity still present in his eyes. Quattro couldn't care less, having the same sentiments towards him as well. Though they have fought the recent battles together ever since Jabrow, old pains could not necessarily be repaired by time. And both men knew that.
"What are you trying to accomplish, Char?" Amuro managed to whisper as Quattro passed by him wordlessly.
"I'm sorry, you must have mistaken me for someone else." Quattro said, "Everyone is looking up to you now. Don't fail them."
"Don't give me that crap. You still haven't answered me." Amuro continued, determined to know why he was here, as ally or enemy.
"For Lala."
"…" Amuro knew that girl well, and the events that led to her untimely demise.
"Didn't you feel it? Her soul is still bound to this world." Quattro said, "I'm hoping to find out why. To discover for certainty if Earth is the reason for everything."
"I don't understand."
"So don't bother. But rest assured that for now, I'm in your side. I won't go after your life, because I know better than to waste good fighters." Quattro said, "In return I ask you to keep my other name a secret from now on. Char is for Zeon."
"… I understand, Lt. Bajina." Amuro said. He still doubted Quattro's goals, but there was also no denying that simple sincerity in that older man's voice that he wished to stay with them. And Amuro silently admitted to himself that he couldn't risk a confrontation against the Red Comet now, when he was years behind practice in a Mobile Suit, and he was sure Char knew that. Amazingly, Quattro had shown some admirable restraint for not taking advantage of that. And in some ways, have proven himself more than necessary.
And so Amuro Ray let it go at that. For now, their hatred for each other would have to wait.
****
"I should've went with Roybea instead." Garrod complained as he and Sousuke were standing in one side with the baggage piled up, most of the day was spent on shopping. Tifa, Erin and Chidori were buying ice cream in a nearby stall. Hiyoshi was with Jed and Kouji, looking at the passing boats eagerly. (the youngest Gou used to join in tournaments with robotic mini boats he'd constructed for races before joining the Voltes V team). And Sasebo city had an amazing view to the ocean.
But as soon as he said those words, Tifa was already nearby and offering Garrod her ice cream. Though red with embarrassment, he was also touched by her gesture and complied to eat it. Chidori hesitated for awhile watching them before she, too, offered her ice cream to Sousuke.
Unfortunately, Sagara misunderstood her gesture, thinking that she was asking him to check for poison, so in precise movement, he swiped the cone and threw it unto the pond, looking at the ducks to see if they were affected. Garrod and Tifa looked at him as though he had lost his mind, and Chidori was still clutching a no longer existent ice cream cone, her jaw dropping.
"Uh, Chidori…" Sayaka said, a sweatdrop was forming in her head, as the other girl began to glow a dangerous red glow, Garrod slowly inched away from Sousuke, his self-surviving instinct kicking in. (2)
"Chidori?" Sousuke asked, seeing her seething and clutching her paper fan in a futile effort to control her temper, "What's the matter?"
Chidori snapped "You stupid…!" Erin winced and turned away, she really didn't have to see the details.
*****
Akito looked at him incredulously, waiting his response to tell him he was joking. But the bespectacled man's expression was serious. "You want me to be a cook in a battleship?!" the last thing he wanted to do was get near, much less to work with, a place that could be in the center of battle. He had seen it from the sidelines, and he never really liked the view.
"A civilian vessel is more appropriate term." The Prospector corrected him. "Nadesico is a private ship owned and financed by Nergal so thus, she is not a military warship. In fact, every person in this ship are civilians who agreed to volunteer to become her crew."
"Really?" Akito asked, skeptical. "Even the captain?"
"Yes, even the Captain. She is a graduate from military school, but she has excellent scores with simulated battles. She shows great promise, really."
"And so what you really meant is…" Akito couldn't believe his ears, "she has no battle experience whatsoever…"
"Well, why not? An inexperienced captain and crew is not such a bad thing. Why, the White Base had it worst during those days from the War."
"I don't think that was supposed to simulated." Akito replied, a sweatdrop forming.
"Besides, she's quite special. Nergal think it's best to let Misumaru's girl handle the reins. And the way things are going, I'm not surprised at all."
Misumaru's girl… Akito knew a person fitting that description a long time ago, "You know Yurika?!"
Prospector, for once, looked amazed as he stared at the younger man. "Oh, are you a friend of hers?"
"Ah… more or less…" Akito said, remembering with embarrassment their misadventures together.
Prospector's cellphone began to ring, and seeing that he was needed in the bridge he led Akito into the ship's hangar, "To get used with the area," before he left him as fast as he was able.
Akito, meanwhile, was still trying to recover from the shock that Yurika was here. They haven't seen each other for years after her father was promoted into the Federation military. They were barely ten at the time when Yurika left, and although Akito was initially relieved that her fawning over him days were over, he did eventually miss her as the years went by. She had been one of his few friends in Mars, especially after his parents died.
A part of him wanted to leave this place as soon as he could, but a part of him wanted to stay. To see a familiar face once again.
*****
"What's that sound?" Hiyoshi asked as the klaxons around them began to rang.
This is not good, Jed thought. It seemed even this part of Japan wasn't as he'd hope it would be.
They immediately return to the others and just as he feared, Tifa confirms that there was an attack heading towards them. Sousuke was able to contact the Ahgama about this. Though Bright said that they were already informed and will be ready for defending the city, he asked them to seek the nearest bunker for the time being, as they won't reach the ships in time. When Kouji asked if it was Dr. Hell's group, Tifa frowned in concentration as she delved into the images flashing in her mind, though Amuro Ray was an excellent tutor in these matters, she still haven't got used to it. "No. These things… they're soulless machines, they're not after the city…" she looked up, her gaze towards the harbor where the Nadesico was kept, ignoring her friends' look of confusion. "An old pain… are you afraid of them?"
*****
Akito thoughts were interrupted when a huge sound of metal hitting the deck permeated the area.
"Hey, watch it!!!" Uribatake, whom Akito later found out he was the ship's resident mechanic, shouted at the irate mecha, Nergal's Aestivalis, in which to Akito's surprise to see that mecha striking a dramatic pose.
"LET'S GO! GEKIGANGAR!!" the voice screamed from within the confines of the open cockpit.
"Hey, we're still inspecting that unit!" Uribatake shouted in vain as the pilot continued to rave.
"A real robot! Complete with arms and legs!" Akito sweatdropped by that remark. The whole world was populated by giant robots: mobile suits, personal troopers, and Super Robots from Japan itself. Not that the mechas were only used by the military, but even to the most basic of necessities such as transportation and repairs. To hear it from someone who doesn't seem to be aware of that simple fact was alien to him.
"Who the heck do you think you are?" Uribatake said.
"It is I, Nadesico's pilot Gai Daigoji, pleased to meet you!" the pilot replied.
"Really?" Uribatake looked confused as he looked into the crew manifest, "But it's written here as Jiro Yamada."
"Er… no, that is my name in this life." 'Gai' protested, "My soul's name is Gai Daigoji."
"Kinda like an alias, Mr. Yamada." Akito added helpfully.
"Shuddap!" Gai called, clearly hearing what he just said. "Call me Gai!"
"Anyway, this is an Aestivalis, not Gekigangar. Get your names straight." Uribatake replied in annoyance.
"You haven't seen anything yet!" Gai shouted, as he seated himself in the cockpit. "Look at this! Ultimate Attack…. Supper Upper!" The Aestivalis lifted its right arm, the force of its strength and speed almost stirred up a wind threatening to topple Akito and the mechanic, as it flew gracefully in the air. For a moment, Akito was genuinely impressed by Gai's control over the mecha. It was too soon to celebrate it.
Apparently, Gai didn't practice how to land, or forgotten the dangers concerning gravity, for as soon as the "Gekigangar's" foot touched the deck, it immediately lost its balance and crashed awkwardly forward on the floor. The Aestivalis' arms flailing helplessly.
"What a mess," Akito said, as he looked at the prone robot. As the mechanic headed over the laughing pilot, who is obviously pleased by that performance, a klaxon was sounded. Something he had not heard since that fateful day in an underground bunker…
"An enemy attack, here?" Akito asked out loud, his expression filled with dread.
"Wonderful timing!" Gai shouted. "My debut as a pilot against hostile invaders!!!" He could have laughed, when he suddenly felt faint all of the sudden. "What… what's happening to me?" he gasped.
Uribitake looked up to him as he pointed Gai's right leg twisted in an unnatural angle. "I think you broke it."
"WHAT?!?!?!"
*****
"…I want to know why you with held your information from the public if your enterprise are indeed safe as you claim it to be."
The Prospector was indeed sweating bullets as he nodded at their unexpected guest in the monitor. She had just pointed out an obvious statement, and now he had to rack his head for some adequate excuse for that.
"Hey," Minato, the bridge's helmswoman, leaned over Ruri Hoshino, a young girl assigned to maintain and control Nadesico's complex computer mainframe. "Who's that girl Prospector's talking to?"
"Relena Darlian." Ruri said matter-of-factly, her amber eyes never leaving her keyboard. "The Federation's Minister of External Affairs."
"Ah. From the Total Peace (4) group." Megumi, the ship's communication officer, said. "I wonder how she found out about this ship, though."
"It's not really a secret… the Prospector and the rest of Nergal's people did accost us from work in the open." Minato replied. "I'm more worried if they would allow us to leave, once they found out our objectives."
But then, the conversation may not lead to that, for the bridge rocked slightly, too strong to be coming from the ocean. "An earthquake?" Megumi asked.
"No," Ruri replied calmly, her hands moving quickly over the keyboards, "Omoikane identified the attacker as Jovian Lizards."
"They're starting." Prospector said, the last vibration disconnecting him from the Vice-Minister, he looked over his shoulder to see the tall Captain deep in thought, well aware that her first battle was finally upon her.
"We are to leave the port." Yurika Misumaru called out, standing at her control panel, "use the underground passage and attack them from behind. We can't harm the civilians in the city."
"Roger." Minato said, smiling at the Captain's wisdom as she prepared to prep the ship's engines.
"But if we use that route, we may be targeted by the Jovians coming from the ocean." Ruri replied.
"Then we'll need someone to distract them." Yurika answered her.
"And that will be my role!" Gai said, his profile flashing in the bridge's monitor. "I'll draw the enemy fire using my Gekigangar! I've waited for this moment!"
"You just broke your leg," Uribitake reminded him tartly.
"Oh my God! I forgot!!!"
"Don't worry," Ruri said, "An Aestivalis is already being launched in the pod. "
"What?!" Yurika, Uribitake and Gai shouted in unison.
*****
"It seems that these machines are after the Sasebo harbor." Sara Tyrell told Roybea as his Gundam was being prepped for battle.
"Great, where the other pilots happen to hang out." Roybea said, disgruntled, he had just asked a girl for a date, which was unfortunately had to be aborted by this untimely attack.
"Will you stop whining?" Witz asked, annoyed as well, he was looking for a nice present for Toniya when he was called in.
Camille looked at the yellow Methass that Fa was going to pilot in. This was her first battle as a fighter pilot, yet for some reason his friend was sullen and withdrawn for the past few days, ignoring Camille most of the time. Though initially annoyed, he couldn't help but feel worried for her and it certainly didn't help at all when Noin quietly asked him to keep an eye on her, to back her up if it looked like she was in trouble. And she had some valid reasons; Fa couldn't keep up with Camille and the Shores in the simulated battles, though she admittedly had a potential to be much better. The younger girl flatly refused to become a regular crewmember of this ship as Noin suggested, insisting to be a pilot instead. If Erin and Jed had not been on shore leave, Noin would not have allowed Fa to join in the battle at all.
They were in a disadvantage with the lack of troops, but Boss was looking forward this fight, for the first time, with Mazinger Z out of the fight, Boss Borot will shine (5).
"Engage the enemy as soon as we make contact." Amuro said. Quattro was asked to lead the attack, while he and his team would serve as its supporting offense squad. The La Kairam and the Freeden couldn't leave their places, thus the remaining Voltes team remained as its defenders. For now, the offense team would have to reach the harbor quickly.
"Roger." Quattro replied tonelessly, mentally preparing himself for the battle ahead.
They were finally given a go-ahead by Bright, and so Lond Bell launched towards the once peaceful harbor.
*****
"I'm sick and tired of this!" Akito swore out loud, his hands gripping the controls of the Aestivalis he rode in. It took really a second before he realized the time for action was now, and that he couldn't possibly stay in that place and do nothing.
But then the launch pad moved as soon as the Aestivalis stepped on it. And Akito could only hope for the best.
"Darn it, where the hell should I escape!" he shouted to no one in particular. Suddenly, the computer screen lit up with an angry face of Gai Daigoji "You! How dare you touch my Gekigangar?!"
"I said it's an Aestivalis!" Uribitake shouted from the background.
"Who's that?" Minato asked the Prospector, not recognizing him from the pictures of the ship's manifest.
"Why, it's Tenkawa." Prospector said, "Our cook."
"Tenkawa?" Yurika whispered, her expression stunned. Realizing that the man on screen was familiar…
"A cook?!" Gai shouted. "What the hell's a cook doing in a robot?!?!"
"Well, he certainly wasn't supposed to be in there…" Prospector agreed ruefully.
"Akito?!" Yurika shouted happily. Yes, she knew him and well enough…
Akito inwardly cringed from an old dormant reflex whenever his name is being called like that. But at the same time he felt a small stirring of… happiness? "Yu… Yurika?!" he managed to babble out.
"It really is you!" Yurika said.
"Uh, Captain you knew him?" Megumi asked her.
"Yes. He's my prince. He always comes to rescue me everytime I'm in trouble."
"Uh…" Akito said, sweatdropping at the exaggeration.
"You will face the enemy approximately in one minute." Ruri cut in.
"Enemy? What do you mean enemy?"
"I know you always made up your mind, and I can't sway you." Yurika said, her hands clasping. "But please, take care of yourself. You'll be facing the enemy in your lonesome."
"What?!"
"But please, hang on a moment, until I reach by your side!"
"HEY!" Akito was shouting at an empty screen as the ground above him opened, and found himself facing the familiar yellow-colored robot bugs.
"Their conversation doesn't makes sense, does it?" Megumi asked.
"Nope. Not at all." Minato replied.
"They're both stupid." Ruri summed up primly, in which the other two women nodded silently in agreement.
*****
"I'm picking up another unit." Rolan told Quattro over the speakers. "But I can't identify it."
"What?" Sure enough, the said robot was now at the harbor where the Jovian Lizards were. But Lond Bell was still a little too far from the harbor for them to intervene. That lone Nergal robot would have to fight on its own for a few minutes. "Amuro, go ahead. I think the flyers can make it faster."
"Roger." Amuro replied, "Follow me, everyone." His squad picking up speed, as the rest of the Mobile Armors followed suit.
"I've heard of the Jovian Lizards." Domon said as Shining, Hayaku Shiki, Leopard, the Sumo and Borot began to run following Amuro's lead. "Never had the chance to see it, though."
"Neither do I." Quattro replied. "They must be something, considering they defeated the Federation forces near Mars in less than a week."
"I wonder why they chose to attack a harbor, Sasebo wasn't as heavily defended as the rest of the cities." Roybea asked him.
"Perhaps for a simple reason that there's a more dangerous weapon that we aren't aware about."
*****
Akito managed to gather his wits to jump out of the line of fire when those familiar bugs released a salvo of missiles towards his direction. Almost by instinct, the Aestivalis' arm literally shot out, connected by a strong metal wire and grabbed the closest Jovian Lizard, using it as a shield against the missiles that shot by it. Belatedly realizing that this Aestivalis doesn't have any weapons, save for it's rapid rifle… and it wasn't flying… Akito was clearly in a fix. Until something happens, he may not last as long as he hoped it would.
Which was why he was very relieved when the white Taurus swiped from nowhere as it butted against the Lizard heading towards the red Aestivalis unit. Firing a couple of beams from its rife after it helplessly scuttled over the ground. Overhead, Kyoshiro looked stunned as the beams deflected off from the said enemy unit, a very sophisticated version of the beam coating. The Re-GZ swooped low, this time firing a couple of its own missiles. Though not as powerful as they hoped, it still managed to cause it some serious damage. Noin got the hint, and so she, Camille's Zeta and Fa's Methass brought out their beam sabers, stabbing at the numerous bugs heading towards their direction.
"You!" Amuro said to the radio, connecting a visual communication with the Aestivalis pilot. "State your name and rank." He certainly was a little older than Camille, but at the same time Amuro couldn't feel the same air of military authority from him.
"Ah, Akito Tenkawa." The pilot replied, surprising Amuro completely when he added, "And I'm not even supposed to be here! I'm just a cook!"
Amuro hoped he misheard, or that may become the top one of the list of bizarre things he encountered in his life. "A cook?!"
"So what?!" Witz shouted crudely as the Airmaster crushed the bug's head underneath its metalshod heel. "I don't care if he's the king of England. If he could help, help!"
"Just watch yourself," Amuro said to Akito, agreeing to Witz as well, but not in the vocal context. "Our ground forces are coming any moment."
"Y…yes!"
*****
"Wai~! There's so many robots!" Yurika exclaimed, delighted at the helpful people that came, while watching the Hayaku Shiki easily disposing a robot with its bazooka. "It's so cool!!!"
"Er, Captain, are you aware of the trouble we're in?" Prospector asked her, sweatdropping forming on the side of his head.
"Enemy forces are leaving the area." Ruri reported. "We're clear to go."
"Engines?" Yurika looked at Minato.
"80% running." Minato said, "A couple of minutes more and we'll be ready."
"No time for that, I'm afraid. Prepare for emergency launch." Yurika replied. "And hurry! Unless I'm mistaken, enemy reinforcements would be coming in from the ocean."
"Roger." Minato said, initiating the engines, coordinating with Ruri.
"Hang on, Akito." Yurika whispered, "I'm coming."
"Captain, Mr. Yamada is asking permission to leave the ship." Megumi said, breaking Yurika's line of thought.
"Mr. Yamada?"
"It's Gai Daigoji!" Gai shouted, his broken leg wrapped in a makeshift cast as he settled himself in a second blue Aestivalis unit as Uribitake hurriedly attached it's wing frame to allow flight. "And hurry!"
*****
The Methass stumbled forward when the missile managed to blow the ground it was standing on. Fa looked on in surprise when Zeta retaliated with it's own grenade launchers from its left arm, destroying the Jovian Lizard in the process.
Akito's Aestivalis was firing at the incoming waves with the Sumo that was supporting him. When he realized that a radio transmission was for him.
"Tenkawa!" Gai shouted, as his Aestivalis flew towards him. "Let's combine!"
"Eh???"
"Just jump when I fly on your exact location. You'd do better as a flyer than as a ground unit!"
"I understand!" Akito said, concentrating on this, knowing timing was the important factor.
"And shout Cross Clash!"
"Uh," Akito muttered, losing his composure.
"Just do it! My leg won't hang on!"
The red Aestivalis jumped just as Gai instructed, both shouting (though Akito was burning red in embarrassment when they were doing this) "CROSS CLASH!"
The head attaching with the cockpit literally separated from its original frame and occupied the now empty wing frame that Gai abandoned. Akito was pleasantly surprised that the crazy scheme actually worked, as his new Aestivalis flew in the air. Gai, meanwhile, ended in Akito's old frame. His Aestivalis was now sitting down on the ground as his broken leg wouldn't let him, firing his gun at the enemy Jovians with the Sumo. (5)
"Now with the Gekigan Wing, attack!" Gai shouted. "Akito! Gekigan Flare!"
Akito merely acted on instinct, willing the robot to extend its right arm and screaming the said name, the flying enemies on its path were immediately obliterated by the Aestivalis' focused Distortion Field.
Kyoshiro whistled, "He's good."
Quattro send a message to Amuro "I want you to send your fighters to the ocean area. I have a feeling that there might be more of them."
"There are." Amuro agreed, his radar was picking up the signals from the enemy. "We have to… what the…"
The Hayaku Shiki turned towards the sea, his sensors picking another huge object rising from it.
*****
"Akito, I came as soon as I could!" Yurika said.
"Get Mr. Yamada and board the ship, please." Megumi relayed the message to Akito. The flying Aestivalis immediately left the area to do its bidding.
"Jovian Lizards at three o'clock, Captain." Ruri said. A few meters away from them, the flying AIs were now aiming at the vulnerable Nadesico, attempting to shoot it. But most of their lasers bounced off from the ship's own Distortion Field.
"Retaliate with the Gravity Blast." Yurika said. "FIRE!"
"Fire!" Ruri echoed. The Nadesico thrummed with energy as the Gravity Blast obliterated the entire fleet of enemy reinforcements. "All enemies are destroyed."
"Our Aestivalis have safely boarded our ship." Megumi reported.
"I'd like to thank the people down there." Yurika said, "But we have to make our getaway while we still can."
"Understood." Minato said. The Nadesico immediately headed into the ocean, unaware of the future complications it has invariably caused.
*****
"The unidentified ship's leaving." Witz said.
"Nothing we could do about it. We can't give chase without the Freeden and the La Kairam, anyway." Noin replied, as the Taurus and the Airmaster landed after finishing off the rest of the stragglers.
"What was that weapon they just used?" Rolan asked, "I can't believe the Federation created such a weapon."
"I don't think it's the Federation's weapon at all." Amuro answered.
"I can't believe they just run off like that." Nana said in annoyance. "But I wonder if Miwa knew people are doing this behind his jurisdiction like that."
"He won't be pleased, I'll bet." Kyoshiro answered her. "Now I have a bad feeling about this."
*****
"Wow, look at the damage." Sayaka said as they've emerged from the shelters after the civilians were given a go ahead. Though the city was unscathed, the harbor was almost reduced to rubble. Boss Borot was standing overhead, overlooking the civilians' safety. Though Kouji was incensed that he missed out this battle, and in a way Erin and Jed as well. But both were appalled to realize that the once beautiful harbor turning into ground zero was a rather disturbing transition.
Chidori looked sadly at Sagara, wondering if this ruin was all he ever saw in the world.
"We have to get back to the ship," Sousuke was saying. Chidori quickly dropped her eyes so he wouldn't see she was staring at him.
"Uh, what about these?" Garrod asked, showing the boxes containing their items they'd bought.
Erin gave an evil smile as Sayaka nodded, "Who do you think should carry it?"
The boys (minus Sousuke) gaped. "You're kidding!"
"Nope." Erin hooked her arms with Sayaka and Tifa. "See you at the ship."
Garrod groaned as Jed called the other boys to sort and distribute the baggage. He really wished he could have gone with Roybea.
*****
*****
Next Chapter: Darker Associations
Miwa wants La Kairam to give chase after the renegade Nadesico, much to Bright's displeasure. And finally a disturbing revelation was out in the open: Dr. Saotome returns from the grave, and Ryouma Nagare, the man who killed him, was asked to execute him once more.
*Which meant no sense. The proper English sentence should be is "You Get to Burn" (calories? XD), Anyway, that's the title of the opening song of Martian Successor Nadesico, so don't flame me for using bad grammar… it ain't my fault, people…
(1) This is an impression for me, not a fact from the anime. But the strongest one, I think, is when Chidori was in an hospital in the last episode of FMP and none of her relatives arrived, after when she has been forcibly taken from her class in the field trip mishap, and didn't join them when they escaped from the terrorists. But I seem to remember pictures of her family in her apartment (I could be wrong though). Thus the whole "detached from family" thing. Disclaimer: Be it known that this may not be the case, she could just be an orphan; she could just spring out, all grown up, from someone else's head. But I can't wait for FMP season 3 or whatever to know Chidori's story, and this IS a fanfic so… blah. Be it known the whole "Whisper" thing is still left unexplained by Gonzo, so I will make something out of that one as I go along.
(2) I think Garrod eventually forgets the things he did when he's alone in contrast now that he lived with people. That was implied when Garrod agreed (a little too late, though) on Ennil's observation: he was really having a hard time to revert, and he felt loneliness. Though some habits die hard, and staying away from the line of danger when he could help it was one XD. As for Ennil El, am unsure if I should add her along (despite that she kicks major bleep! And a cool character to boot: her interaction with Marimeia and Dekim in SRWR's Endless Waltz scenario was awesome, not to mention she was the first female who had a chest bouncing cut-in animation in the game, later replicated in other SRWs o_0;;), we'll see.
(3) Actually, this is from SRWs, so I don't really know what the Total Peace group really were (except playing a role in replica of one of Daimos' TV series' episodes in A). It's just for reference, actually, and may not be mentioned again in future chapters. Besides, it's following the GW tv series: the only identifiable character who's a member of the pacifist thing is Relena… shrug…
(4) In his dreams XD. BTW, I liked Boss Borot. In fairness, he's a great unit in the game. Really.
(5) Rolan was close enough to hear the bizarre conversation. If giant robots can sweatdrop, I would have added that in.