Chapter Three

Beta Posted 07/02/2007

Author's Note

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Reviews: 2

I think I'm missing some parts from the manga. I can't remember all of it so I'll have to re-read it again. Maybe some corrections will be made but that's why all my first releases are marked 'Beta'. By the way, if any of you have notices, my message to the site managers was successful[Voices of a Distant Star now has its own catagory. Hopefully, it would make this and other fanfictions more popular :)

- Free Corp Knight -

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- Chapter 3 -

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Month: June

Year: 2047

Even though the Europa Satellite Base was designed to be a fuel station, not everything on the construct was made for spaceship maintenence. As the fleet's crew happily discovered, the U.N. Space Force was considerate enough to build restaurants and parks reminiscent of Earth. The organization wanted to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible one last time. Beyond this point, there were no human stations, only untouched regions of space that only telescopes and satellites have observed. Thus, to keep people in peak form prior to the mission start, everyone was given time to rest and relax, something that Mikako took advantage of.

The said girl was sitting in an outdoor-type cafe, a glass of iced tea set out before her. She was looked up briefly from her cell phone to check if anyone she recognized came. Seeing only strangers, she went back to typing an email.

Noboru,

I think the Lysithea will be leaving soon.

On base, everything looks like Earth. But

it's not. It feels different from the real thing.

Right now I'm at a cafe waiting to meet

someone. My commander told me that she

might know us since she came from the

same area! I hope we become friends.

Mikako

After pressing 'Send', she took a sip from the drink. Making a face, she set it back down. It was too sweet for her.

Miwa told her yesterday that another Tracer pilot had a very similar background, young and from the same prefecture. Known only to her and other commanders, this was the last day before the final preparations would be complete. To make Mikako feel less lonely, being the youngest in the group, Miwa ordered the two to meet together in the afternoon, just before the final fleet-wide briefing. And so, here Mikako was, waiting in the assigned location waiting for the other party to show up.

She didn't wait long as another girl arrived at the scene. Waving at her, she motioned the long-haired girl to sit with her. Before they could introduce themselves, a waiter came and asked if they want anything from the menu. Mikako opted to replace her iced tea with water. The newcomer requested the same, a glass of water. Once their drinks arrived, the two quickly broke out into friendly chatter.

"Hello, I'm Nagamine Mikako. Commander Miwa told me that you were same district as me." She introduced herself first.

"Good afternoon, I'm Kanzaki Hisae but please call me Hisa!" The other replied.

"Ok Hisa-chan! Are you really from the Tokyo area?" And so, the exchange went began. As it turned out, Miwa's information was correct. Hisa lived much closer than Mikako expected, just a block away from Noboru. She also attended the same junior high but was two years ahead. As for clubs, instead of doing kendo like Mikako, she was a runner for her former school's track and field team.

After Hisa mentioned that, Mikako noticed that she was wearing a familiar set of clothes. Since a Tracer mimics movements made by the pilot, it would be advantageous if the operator was wearing something comfortable instead of a stiff and restrictive uniform. Thus, Tracer pilots were given permission to wear clothes other than the U.N. suit while flying. Commander Miwa extended that rule to include time spent outside of the mecha, reasoning that it was too troublesome trying to look professional.

Since Mikako never finished junior high, she wore its uniform. For the same reason, Hisa wore a high school uniform. However, what made Mikako burst into tears was the origin of the sailor-style top and skirt, Jouhoku High School.

"Mikako-chan, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Hisa asked, worried by the sudden change in mood.

"Just something I just remembered..." Mikako replied, wiping the tears in her eyes.

"Tell me. What did you remember?"

"It's nothing... I just made a promise I couldn't keep." Tears continued to fall.

"I understand." It was a common story among the crew, being torn away from their normal lives with no warning. "Did you promise someone that you would go to Jouhoku?"

Mikako nodded in response. Hisa sighed, not knowing what to do. At this point, words would do little to help her. Maybe if she gave Mikako something from her high school, something that she could look forward to without feeling more depressed. However, the only thing she has on her at the moment was her uniform... An idea came to mind.

"Hey Mikako, do you still want to go to Jouhoku?" Hisa eyed her, noting that they were about the same size.

"Yes but it's too late now."

"How would you like it... if you became a Jouhoku student? Even for a short moment." Hisa asked.

"How?" Mikako looked up curiously.

"Why don't we switch uniforms for a bit?" Hisa pointed pointed at her and then herself. "We're about the same size. It should work."

"Really?"

"Sure, why not? We're friends right?" Hisa grinned.

"Yeah." Mikako smiled as well.

- - -

Mikako and Hisa decided to make the switch at the spaceship, seeing that they were a little short on time. Finding an empty room, the two swapped uniforms.

"Wow! You look good in that!" Hisa awed, gushing over how well she adjusted to the new clothes.

"Really?" Mikako did a little spin, showing off her new uniform.

"It's true. You totally look like a Jouhoku student right now." Hisa affirmed. She looked thoughtful for a second. "Hey Mikako-chan, you didn't promise your family did you?"

"No... why?" She stopped playing around, curious to why the other asked that.

"Hmmm... that's wierd. It wasn't family... but the promise means a big deal to you. I can tell." Hisa moved closer to Mikako, who slowly stepped back. The look on the older girl's face resembled that of a tiger hunting its prey. The prey was her.

"Now who would be as important as family to you..." Mikako tried to step back but found herself trapped in a corner. Looking at Hisa, she saw an evil grin on her face. "Could it be... a boy?"

Mikako could hear her heart beat loudly, probably loud enough for the other occupant to hear. She tried to deny the Hisa's statement but no words came out of her mouth, too confused to come up with an adequate reply.

"I see how it is. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." The huntress backed off. Looking at the wall clock, Hisa frowned. "Hey, isn't there a briefing today?"

Seconds ticked by as the two tried to remember. "Ah! Miwa said that the final fleet briefing will be at..."

"AHHH!!! We're late. C'mon, let's go!" Hisa screamed, grabbing Mikako's hand and dragging her out the door.

"But... but... our clothes..." Mikako protested, pointing out they were still wearing the other's uniforms.

"No time for that! Just hope that the commander is in a good mood." Hisa replied as the two sped down the corridors.

- - -

"You're late. Do you two have a good excuse for your tardiness?"

Mikako and Hisa stumbled through the squad meeting room to see that they were the only ones missing. Furthermore, their commander was standing in front of them with a cross look on her face.

"Well... uhhh... you see..." Hisa tried to piece together a valid reason.

"I see that you two switched uniforms. Any reason for the change?" Miwa glowered at them.

"Ummm... no?" Mikako spoke up this time, earning a jab from Hisa.

"Let me guess what you were doing instead of reporting here at the appropiate time. You two became friends and talked a bit at that restaurant. Then, you decided to try out each other's clothes. However, because it was so fun, you two lost track of time and that's why my two subordinates here are late. Is that close to the truth?"

"Yes m'aam. Sorry..." The two mumbled.

"Sorry? Jeez, like that will make things better." Miwa shook her head. "If you were going to skip out this all this boring talk, at least invite me! That's an order!"

Seeing the smile on their commander's face, the two realized that Miwa was not going to punish or admonish them any further. Taking the only two empty seats left, they watched the screen where the briefing was being broadcasted. Miwa spoke out one more time. "You two came at the perfect time. Skipped all the dull sleepy stuff about this mission being for the good of mankind and how we have to do our best. Mission assignments are next. Pay attention everyone!"

Spaceship: Lysithea

Tracer Squadron: 03

Commander: Miwa Yoshimori

Week A: Escort

Week B: Standby

Week C: Scout

Week D: Standby

Mikako felt a cold pit in her stomach, whether it be from fear or nervousness. Just now, the fleet was ordered to move out. Finally, the reality came crashing down upon her as she realized that the distance between her and Noboru will grow even more.