"So there was an energy spike, and I mean a huge energy spike, like what you get from a carrier shuttle."
"Where did it come from?" said the man, leaning closer to his companion and nearly putting an elbow in his plate of scrambled eggs.
"It was gone before I could pinpoint the exact location, but it seemed to be coming from L-2." The woman shook her head and gave the bit of sausage she held in her chopsticks a look of disgust before popping it in her mouth with a grimace. The man laughed and leaned back.
"Well considering it came from L-2, it was probably a garbage scow."
"Probably," the woman said with a laugh. Then she looked down at her plate and raised her eyebrows. "This food tastes like it came from L-2."
"That's because Michiko is mad at Kazuki."
"Still? I heard…"
The boy tuned out their conversation as it switched to something less interesting. They'd been speaking Japanese, but he'd understood them more or less perfectly. He'd been here for a little over three months and had found the more he listened to the language, the more a part of his mind seemed to understand it. The small English/Japanese dictionary he'd found propping up one of the tables in the mess hall had helped too.
With a small sigh he stirred the rubbery scrambled eggs around on his plate and shifted his gaze to the clock on the other side of the room. It was nearly seven o'clock. He took a bite of eggs and glanced idly down at the book by his elbow. Applying Aerophysics in a Zero Gravity Environment. It was an interesting read. Unfortunately it was also his only read and he had practically memorized it all ready.
The doors to the mess hall opened, drawing the boy's attention long enough to register the two unknown shuttle pilots. This satellite was in a stream of constant traffic. Since it was located roughly in the middle of the cluster, many used as a pit stop for those who wanted to take a short cut, mostly freight travel. This satellite was also a training facility for pilots of mobile suits used in demolition and construction work. Mostly, the satellite was full of a small army of scientists, researching everything from astronomy to microchemistry. The near constant rush of the place made it easy to blend into the background.
Sighing again, the boy opened the book and flipped through it without really reading. He'd gotten this two weeks after his arrival. He'd been down in one of the hangars, watching a demolition crew work on their mobile suits. His staring must have annoyed them, because one of them had thrown this book at his head and told him to get lost. The boy had caught the book easily and, since the title had interested him, decided to take it. He was glad he had. There were no other books and even after having lived here for three months, he still hadn't figured out the access codes for the terminals.
A glance up told him it was seven-ten. Tatsu would be in the gym by now. Tucking the book under his arm, the boy headed for the door, dumping his tray on the way out. The main gym was ten doors down. The other two were mainly weight rooms that the demolition pilots used. The satellite had a pretty simple layout actually. It had four levels. The uppermost being his room and those of the scientists. Then this level. Below were the living quarters for the pilots, as well as the hangars. There was a special security code needed for the fourth level. The boy suspected that was where the labs were and so hadn't bothered to try. He had other things to be concerned with.
Tatsu was right where he was expected to be. Standing on the track and stretching his long legs in preparation for a run. The teenager looked up, tensing slightly, but relaxed and scowled when he saw who it was.
"What are you doing here?" Tatsu grumbled. The boy said nothing, took a metal folding chair from a stack near the far wall and dragged it over to the pull up bar. "Little brat's following me," Tatsu muttered in Japanese. Unless he was talking directly to the boy, Tatsu always spoke in that language. In fact, brat was one of the first words the boy had memorized.
Ignoring Tatsu as usual, the boy unfolded the chair underneath the bar, set the hard back book on it, then stepped on chair and book and reached up on his tiptoes to grip the pull up bar. Being short was such a pain.
He began his exercise at almost the same time Tatsu began his circuit. Not only were pull ups a good way to strengthen his upper body, but it was a chance to watch Tatsu inconspicuously. By observing the surly teenager, he could compare their abilities and improve himself. After about two minutes, the door slid open again revealing Domo. The man surveyed the room, quirking a small smile in the boy's direction before stepping in. Tatsu slowed as he came near the man and stopped well away from him. The boy focused his full attention on them. He'd never seen the two together and was curious to see how they'd react.
"Good morning, Domo-sempai," Tatsu said respectfully. Domo waved absently in response and looked at the younger man critically.
"You don't seem to be working too hard. Haven't even broken a sweat."
"I just started, Domo-sempai." Tatsu took a short step back as the other man came forward. But Domo just shoved his hands in his pockets and grinned in a bizarre way.
"I was wondering if you wanted to race."
Tatsu gave a short laugh.
"Race?" spat the teenager. "Since when have you ever wanted to race?"
"Since now," Domo said, seemingly unaffected by the other's outburst.
"I don't think so."
"Afraid I'll beat you?" Domo glanced casually up at the ceiling. "Mitsuyo could be watching right now, you know. I wonder what he'll think when you're afraid to lose to a prototype."
Tatsu muttered a curse, but nodded his assent. The boy paused, resting his chin on the bar as the two bent at the start line. After a countdown, they were off. Tatsu was fast, but Domo kept up with him easily. Then Domo began to slip back. By the look on his face, it was a calculated move. Tatsu didn't seem to notice.
Suddenly the man whipped something out of his pocket and slammed it into the back of Tatsu's neck. The teenager stumbled, and fell. It would have been a hard fall for the boy, but Tatsu rolled smoothly to his feet and turned to face his attacker. Domo was grinning and holding the thing loosely in his twitching fingers. The boy couldn't tell exactly what it was from this distance, but it looked like a hypodermic needle.
"Ooh, too bad," the man said, holding the needle up to the light. "Looks like you've been pumped with enough chemicals to sedate a horse. Tell me- How do you feel?"
"D-damnit!" Tatsu snapped, clapping a hand to the back of his neck. "That better have not been filled with anything or I'm telling Mitsuyo-sensei."
"If I'd wanted you dead, Tatsu, you wouldn't have even gotten off the floor," Domo said, casually flipping the needle through his fingers. "The point is you should have seen it coming."
"You forget, Domo-sempai," Tatsu said with a twisted grin of his own. "You're the test dummy, not me."
"You know, I love slow acting poisons," Domo said cheerfully. "By the time you realize something's wrong…" He trailed off and shrugged lightly. Tatsu scowled, turning on his heel and stalking out of the gym. Domo watched him go, then turned to look at the boy. The boy casually dropped to the ground, so as not to be vulnerable.
"Did you enjoy the show, little hero?" he asked in English.
"Why did you do that?" the boy responded, tensing slightly as Domo came closer.
"Because Tatsu baiting is fun," the man said, taking a clear plastic cap from his pocket and trying to put it over the needle with a trembling hand. The boy watched him and realized that, even if there had been something in the vial, the needle didn't have a depressor to push the fluid in. Why had he done it then? The boy narrowed his eyes, trying to figure the man out. Had he just done it to be vindictive? For some reason, the boy couldn't entirely believe that. Domo wandered past him and picked up the book on the metal chair, whistling softly as he turned it over and looked at the title.
"Well this looks entertaining. Not many pictures for someone your age." He held it out to the boy, eyebrows raised. "Do you read it or just use it to stand on?" The boy hesitated a moment, noting that Domo still held the uncapped needle in his other hand.
"It's not going to bite," Domo said, offering the book again. The boy took it. Domo made a quick movement, swooping low but angling the needle up so it would hit the boy's stomach. The boy smacked the book down onto Domo's wrist, then turned it and cracked it hard across the man's face, making him stumble back. The needle hit the ground and shattered. The boy dimly registered the tiny streaks of pain as stray glass brushed across his ankle, but kept his full attention on Domo. The man was clutching his jaw and giving the boy a wide-eyed look. Then he laughed.
"You're smarter then Tatsu is." He grinned and folded his arms. "Or maybe you're just lucky."
The boy said nothing and examined his ankle, keeping Domo in the corner of his eye. Finding nothing more then a few superficial scratches, he turned his full gaze back on the man.
"So I suppose you still want to pilot that giant robot," Domo said. The boy nodded shortly. The man shook his head. "I still think it's a waste of time… But Hana-chan suggested that I give you a chance."
"How can I trust you?"
"You can't. I might just train you wrong. But since you don't have any other options, it looks like you'll just have to accept it." Domo shoved his hands in his pockets. "Sucks, doesn't it?"
The boy stared at him, more to keep an eye on him as he turned his thoughts inward. Until he knew Domo's true motives, it was impossible to trust him. Even then…it was hard to be sure. But what other choice did he have? The boy clenched his hands tightly around the book. Ugh. He was doing it again. He kept trying to rely on adults to teach him things. No wonder everyone still treated him like a child. If he couldn't figure out things for himself, then it might as well be Tatsu piloting Wing.
"Well, kid, shall we get started?" Domo asked.
"I don't need you," the boy said, then turned and walked for the door. Laughing softly, the man fell into step beside him.
"Self-confident, aren't you? You're the strangest kid I've ever known."
The boy decided not to react to that statement. They walked in silence to the lift. Once the doors closed, Domo leaned back against the wall, folded his arms and gave the boy a steady look. The boy didn't return it, instead fixing his gaze on the door. The old elevator started up with a groan.
"I wouldn't have helped you, you know," Domo said with a grim smile. "I would have made sure you failed at everything."
"Hn," the boy said. He truly hadn't known one way or the other. But now that he had made his choice, it didn't really matter.
"You don't belong here." He looked away, suddenly seeming pensive and tired. "I don't know why Hana-chan wants to help you stay. You're too young."
"Age doesn't matter," the boy said, fixing a glare on him. Domo shook his head.
"You're young enough that you don't matter yet. Mitsuyo doesn't care much about the prepubescent crowd. There's still time for you to get out." The bitter smile was back. "You're cute enough that someone will take you in."
"I don't want to be taken in," said the boy, shifting his gaze to the doors. The elevator was slowing as it reached the designated level.
"Okay, but once you hit that age, you'll be pumped full of so many drugs you won't be able to walk straight."
"No I won't." The lift finally settled and the doors slid open. The boy started to leave, but Domo's voice stopped him.
"How can you be so sure?"
Placing a hand on the elevator doors to keep them open, the boy turned to face Domo fully.
"I fully intend to get Wing without violence. But if Mitsuyo gets in my way, I will kill him." Domo stared at him a moment before laughing. Then he shook his head, either doubting the boy's words or the boy's nerve. Instead of elaborating, the man changed the topic.
"Do me a favor and tell Hana-chan that I'll be indisposed for a while." Domo sauntered across the small space and began tapping at the buttons beside the door. "It's time for this rat to go back to the maze."
The boy nodded in acknowledgement and stepped back into the corridor. He waited until the doors had fully closed before walking away. Despite Domo's unpredictability and penchant for lying, the boy didn't doubt his words. But judging by what he'd been hearing, the colonies wouldn't wait five years before choosing a pilot for Wing. He would have it by the time he was ten, if not sooner. So the biggest threat right now was Domo. So far, the man hadn't really done anything to get in his way. At present, the boy wasn't sure what to do once the man actively went against him. Killing Domo might make the boy seem unstable.
The boy mentally filed the thought for further reference as he came up to Hana's door. At least, he was fairly sure it was hers. This was where he had first met her. He hesitated before pressing the buzzer next to her door. He'd been very careful not to let anyone know how well he understood Japanese. Odin used to say that sometimes it was better to act stupid then let everyone know your abilities. If he let Hana know that he spoke the language then she would probably tell Domo. He lowered his hand from the buzzer. Maybe he should just… No… wait… The boy narrowed his eyes as the realization dawned on him. Domo all ready knew. Otherwise he wouldn't have asked him to tell her.
The boy mentally reviewed the few encounters he'd had with the man, trying to pinpoint what he'd said or done that had let that information slip. He'd always been so careful to speak English around him. How could Domo possibly have found out? The boy couldn't—
"Are you enjoying warming my doorstep?" said an amused female voice from directly behind him. The boy whirled in place, hand halfway to his weapon before he managed to stop himself. Hana stood, one hand on her hip, and smiled down at him. Her expression was sincere, but slightly condescending. The boy glowered at the floor. He deserved to be looked down on. He'd been so wrapped up in his own thoughts he hadn't even sensed her coming. Urgh. He was not a little kid! He shouldn't be messing up like this.
"Did you want to have a visit?" she asked, reaching out like she was going to touch him, then seeming to think better of it and letting her hand drop back to her side. The boy shook his head and looked up into her face.
"Domo wanted me to tell you that he'd be gone for a while."
Hana didn't seem surprised at either his message or his use of Japanese. Instead her shoulders slumped and she nodded resignedly.
"It is that time…" she murmured, more to herself then him. Stepping past him, she tapped her access code into the security panel and gestured him in as the doors opened. He let her enter first before following. Her room was bigger then his. About the only thing the two rooms had in common was bed built into the wall. Hana also had a small purple couch covered in papers that spilled over onto the coffee table in front of it. On the other side of the room, vials filled with strange liquids and assorted needles spread across a row of built in shelves, looking like a mad scientist's first aid kit. The mess irritated him a little and his fingers twitched to organize it. Hana had moved into an adjoining room that he hadn't seen before. He went to stand in the doorway, not wanting to invade the privacy of the small dark room. The only light came from the screen of the laptop that sat on a small desk.
The desktop image seemed to be a furry brown rectangle with sharp teeth and beady black eyes. Before he could even hazard a guess, the screen abruptly shifted to a blue field with white text of what he assumed was code. Howell had taught him a little bit of programming, but not enough to do anything. It would be interesting to learn, but he wasn't sure if he trusted Hana enough to let her teach him.
He watched what she typed carefully and tried to memorize it, even though he didn't understand. After a moment or two, the screen shifted into what looked like a camera feed. Soft pongs sounded in the darkness and two other screens on either side of her erupted into life, each showing a different hallway. A few more typed instructions and the cameras shifted views, centering on a small room with hospital bed lying in a field of equipment.
After a moment, Domo came into view, followed by an older scientist the boy only vaguely recognized. Domo looked straight up at the camera for a moment and barely flicked his hand in what could be read as a wave before letting himself be strapped to the table.
"We're going to try some new compounds today," said the scientist, picking up a needle and examining its contents in the light. "This one will either increase your stamina or give you agonizing stomach cramps for a week. Might be both."
"Just shut up," Domo snapped. The scientist lowered the needle and looked at the man.
"Aren't we-" But then Hana cut the transmission off. In the ensuing silence, the boy wondered how Domo had managed to hack into the satellites video feed--and for that matter, why. The boy could understand if he was trying to do some spying in order to avoid playing lab specimen, but since he did it anyway, the boy couldn't see the point. It didn't take the boy long to figure out an answer.
"Domo likes to play games, doesn't he?" he said, not really expecting and answer. Hana sighed heavily and there was a muffled squeak as the chair slid back.
"Yes he does."
"But it's so stupid."
"Yes it is," Hana said as the boy stepped back to allow her out of the room.
"Why does he stay here?" the boy asked, absently leaning back against the door frame and folding his arms. "He seems to know how to re-create the drugs he's addicted to." He glanced briefly at the vials that littered the shelves. "He claims to be a talented hacker…or is that all you?"
Hana smiled faintly and gestured toward the door.
"Would you walk with me?"
The boy nodded and followed her into the corridor. They walked for a while in silence, but the boy was patient enough to wait. It wasn't as if there was anything better to do at the moment.
"When Domo-sempai was a child, the Alliance attacked his colony. Barely anyone survived and those that did had nothing left."
"That's when he met Mitsuyo," the boy said, catching on. Hana nodded, wrapping thin arms around herself as if she were cold.
"Tatsu too, his home was leveled in a single night. Father took them in out of kindness. Really, he did. But then something changed. Suddenly he wanted to create the perfect soldier and it didn't matter what he had to do."
The truth of her parentage only mildly surprised him. The fact that the scientist used his own daughter as a lab rat didn't amaze him at all. From all that he'd seen and heard over the past few months, he knew that the doctor was a desperate man. Desperate to prove himself to his superiors. The rumors in the mess hall were that more then anything, he wanted to prove he could make something more spectacular and useful then J's Gundam. Although he was sure both scientists took advantage of people to attain their goals, it was Mitsuyo's method that really annoyed him. Men like him made it even tougher to survive in an all ready hard world. And there were men like him everywhere. But if the colonies were at peace, then there wouldn't be any more children for men like Mitsuyo to exploit. There would be no more Domos or Tatsus or Hanas and no more like himself. The girl had stopped by a room numbered 102 and reached up to the security panel.
"Is it because he's your father that you want to stay?" the boy asked. Hana's fingers paused and she looked down at him, seeming startled he'd asked.
"Haven't you listened? I would dearly love to go, even though I do love my father. If it's just for Tatsu's and Domo-sempai's sake."
"Then why do you stay? If Domo's strong enough to play silly little games, he's strong enough to leave."
"We have nothing outside of this place." She looked away and sighed heavily. "We've all been trained since we were very young; there is nothing else we can do. I wouldn't expect you to understand."
The boy shrugged. Maybe she was right. Maybe he couldn't understand. He'd never had anything to begin with, so how could he understand the fear of nothing? It didn't matter. Once he got Wing, he would be able to set them free—somehow. But right now there were other things to be concerned with. The doors slid open revealing a large room. He knew it was a bedroom only by the bedposts he could see through a half open door on the other side. What really drew his eyes was the tall bookshelf that dominated the north wall of the room. The more he saw though, the less enthusiastic he became. Four solid shelves seemed to consist of nothing but romance novels. Below that were various fantasy books with bizarre cover art.
"Bottom shelf," Hana said with a small laugh in her voice. He looked and saw whole range of books on computer programming and a slim volume of basic calculus.
"Borrow whatever you like," she said before he could ask. "The Enchanted Love series is really good." He had to look up at her before he realized she was joking. He offered her a small smile, then plucked out the calculus book and the first computer programming book, even though he was tempted to take it all.
"Leave those here for now," she said, waving vaguely to an overstuffed green chair. "There's something I want to show you."
He obeyed and followed her into an adjoining room that consisted of nothing more then a floor of white mats and a wide wooden closet. Crossing the room, she opened the closet to reveal a rack of white clothing and a few thin swords hanging on the door. She took off two of the weapons and came back, offering him one before she got too close.
"This is called a foil. It's used in an ancient earth sport known as fencing. Would you like to learn?"
The boy tested the weight of the sword in his hand while he considered his answer. Was fencing really an efficient use of his time? What could he learn from it? Balance. Coordination. A fairly good upper body workout he supposed. He'd never even heard of this sport before. But there was another question to consider.
"Why do you want to teach me?" he asked, looking up at her. "Domo said that he would teach me all the wrong things if I'd accepted his help." Hana smiled ruefully.
"I'm sure he said that. And I'm sure he would, if only to test your intelligence. But I want to help you so you won't fall victim to my father. So maybe one day you'll be strong enough to escape and return to whatever colony you call home."
"But not so I can get Wing."
The small condescending smile was back. "You're so determined," she said. "But you'll never beat Tatsu." The boy didn't rise to the challenge. He was beginning to realize that no matter what he did, as long as he looked young, people would look down on him…and really, it didn't matter. As long as they didn't try to prevent him from reaching his goals, they could talk to him like he was six, which they very nearly did anyway.
"I'll let you teach me then," he said, mimicking her pose. Hand on hip, foil pointed loosely on the ground. No…the grip was wrong. He shifted his hand around so that it matched hers. She smiled at him.
"I can tell you'll be good. But I won't teach you just yet. You must prove yourself first."
The boy sighed, and it was Domo all over again. Hana tapped his shoulder lightly.
"Don't look so down. It's not that hard. The door to these quarters has a rotating security lock on it. Once you crack it and can let yourself in, I'll teach you. But you're so smart I bet it won't even take you three months."
"Two weeks," said the boy, handing the foil back to her and going to the other room to gather his books.
"Two weeks?" she repeated with a laugh. "Very well, but if you don't you'll have to wait four months until I teach you."
The boy nodded, accepting the terms and strode out of the room, pausing a moment to glance at the security panel. It looked just like every other one. It shouldn't take him more then two weeks. All he had to do was to find what a rotating security lock entailed and then he would be well on his way.
This decided, he went back to the lift and made his way down to the mess hall. He liked studying in the mess hall. Not only was it harder for Domo or Hana to spy on them there, there was interesting information flying all over the place. As he came in, he found it a bit emptier then usual as the late breakfast crowd slowly faded into the early lunch crowd. Picking his customary table in the corner, he sat and began exploring the calculus book.
He was lost in the fascinating world of numbers for so long that by the time his stomach rumbled, the mumble of a small crowd had turned into a dull roar of lunch in full throttle. The tantalizing smell of grilled cheese sandwiches filled his nostrils and further distracted his wandering stomach. He didn't have to let himself be distracted of course, but since there was still plenty of time to study… Sliding from his chair, the boy got three sandwiches from the indulgent cafeteria ladies, a large bowl of tomato soup and a frosty glass of orange juice. As he sat down, he noticed three demolition pilots had taken up the table just across from him. They seemed to be having a guarded conversation and the boy immediately concentrated on what they were saying but kept his eyes on his food.
"-guess it happened so close to L-2's border that they picked it up as an energy spike here," said one.
"Right," said the other. "But what really happened? I've been hearing all sorts of rumors. They say that the Alliance attacked unprovoked. If it's true I'm getting out of this business fast…money be damned."
"It was on L-2," said the third pilot with a sneer. "You know they're all just a bunch of thieves and criminals. Probably deserved it."
"Yes, but the Alliance has attacked some of the outlying colonies on L-1," retorted the second. "And I don't know about you, but their excuses have always seemed a little too shoddy to me."
"Well, the truth as I know it," said the first. "Is that the Alliance was conducting a routine investigation and decided to take a small cut of the profits for 'guarding' the demolition team."
"From who? Aliens?" the second pilot said with a snort.
"Heh, right. But anyway, they say that one of the pilots just snapped and attacked them."
"Attacked in a demolition unit?!" the second pilot fairly shouted. The mess hall quieted as everyone turned toward the sound of the outburst. Going red to his large ears, the pilot waved them off and hunched over his food.
"That's suicide," muttered the third when the room had gone back to its own business.
"Well they say it was a newer pilot that did it. They say it was only his first day on the job."
"First day jitters," said the third with a wise nod. The boy took a sip of his orange juice. It seemed a bit too extreme to be first day jitters. More then likely it was planned, either by that singular pilot or by the group. He hoped the attack had hurt the Alliance troops; otherwise the suicide would have been wasted.
"You know the most amazing part," said the first. "They say that the newer pilot was the only one who survived."
"How?" asked the second. "Whoever it was couldn't have been that good."
"Apparently the rest of the unit protected him when the Alliance retaliated."
"Ah, well they're just from L-2, so who'll miss 'em?" said the third pilot. "Probably all disease ridden anyway."
"Well let's hope they didn't rub off on their mobile suits," said the first with a grin. "They're sending all the salvageable parts here."
"Why here?" asked the second.
"It's common sense. Can't leave them on L-2, can they? That'd give the Alliance more raw materials to mess with. The Bartons wouldn't take it, the Winners certainly aren't going to take it with all their talk of pacifism and staying out of the way."
"And if they take it to L-5 they'd be blasted out of the sky before they even opened their mouths," said the third pilot.
"Anyway, it should be arriving next Wednesday and the captain says we're in charge of it."
"What?!" aid the second.
"You imbecile!" snapped the third. "Cut to the point next time!"
"Well it wouldn't have mattered!" said the first one, cringing. "It's not like we can talk him out of it! We're still on charge for short-circuiting the captain's suit."
"We? I seem to remember a certain big eared loon making most of the mess," grumbled the third. The pilots then fell to arguing and the boy tuned them out. It might be interesting to see what they bought in. Until then, though, he had to focus on breaking the security code for Hana's door. Pushing the calculus book to the side, he picked up the computer book which seemed to be about networking. Although he wasn't sure how networking would help, it couldn't hurt to learn about it.
Author's Note: And the plot, as they say, thickens. -gryn- Sorry about the absolute stupidness of the chapter title. I couldn't think of one better. -sweatdrops-
Disclaimer: I've been listening to too much Q101 to own anything. (Let's get it starrteeed. HA!)
Night (and the tilde keeps runnin' runnin') Mare