Infinite Stratos: Digital Prototype CH:4 (I don't own Infinite Stratos)

Hi Everyone! I appreciate the reviews I got for the last chapter, I eat them up! Haha. Anyway, this follows episode six of season one of Infinite Stratos. Some may have noticed that I left out Laura's introduction in the last chapter. That was meant to happen, it was meant to happen so I could use it in this one. Also WARNING! There is some OCx Charlotte/Charles fluff at the end. This is your only warning! ENJOY!

My Roommate Is A Young Blonde Noblewoman

I watched as Ichika was swarmed by the usual group of girls, which had always included at least two or three of the usual girls, either Houki, Cecilia, Rin, and sometimes Charles. I don't know why, but I felt a little… jealous when Charles was over there, even close to Ichika and I was feeling it. I don't think I've ever been this jealous before. This girl has got me hooked without even trying! I shook my head and looked over to see Rin, Cecilia and Houki trying, unsuccessfully, to explain some IS maneuvering techniques to Ichika. Each of the girls were using varied expressions and way of communication to try and help Ichika understand. I could tell that he didn't understand anything the three of them were saying, it didn't help that the girls were speaking over each other, trying to be heard better than the other two. I sighed and shook my head. I called Prototype out and started over towards Ichika and the trio of girls now yelling at him. Charles got there at the same I did. I looked at her and bowed out, sweeping my hands in a 'ladies first' motion, which Charles nodded her thanks to. I straightened out of my bow and followed behind her, watching as Ichika finally told the three girls that he didn't understand at all. "SO what's your plan Char?" I asked, using the nickname I'd giver her after I found out that she was a she. She looked over her shoulder at me, grinning. "You'll see." She said, turning back to the now angered girls and a worried Ichika. "Well, when you're done with him. I'd like to show him a few things about ranged weaponry, since he doesn't have any that I know of." I called out to her, she gave me a thumbs up without turning around.

"Since you don't have any understanding of firearms and how they work, you have no way to counter them when engaged by IS' with this kind of weaponry." Charles said, after their match which concluded as quickly as it started. I stood a few feet away, watching as Charles walked Ichika through the reasons instead of saying things and expecting others to understand what you're saying. "You explain things very simply, don't you?" Ichika said. I heard a couple sounds from behind me and used some of my rear facing cameras to see what was going on and saw Cecilia, Rin and Houki watching the two IS pilots talk and laugh. They didn't seem to happy to hear Ichika say that. "You don't even listen to my advice!" Houki said, then Rin piped up with; "After I very kindly tried to teach you!" Then Cecilia completed the trio's rants with; "What was so wrong with my very articulate explanation?" I snorted, catching the girls attention. "What? It's not like you've tried to teach him! He's impossible." Rin said, trying to defend her and the other girls. I just snorted again. "You don't get it. Ichika doesn't need a articulate explanation, or nice teaching, or… whatever you were trying to do Houki." At that, Houki grumbled something that I didn't bother trying to catch, continuing; "Ichika is a bit slower than most men. And I mean most men. Charles knew how to teach Ichika because we're both guys. Ichika will remember whatever you teach him, but explain it thoroughly and completely. Give examples that he will understand." I said, slightly turning to look at them. They were watching Charles and Ichika as they talked about Byakushiki and the lack of vacant bus slots. I smirked and started walking forward, nodding to the trio of girls behind me. I looked at Charles and caught her eye, looking between her and Ichika. She nodded and she and Ichika walked back onto the field. I followed, calling my rifle into my hand.

Charles walked with Ichika onto the training floor and I walked up and joined them. "I hear you're having issues with understanding firearms." I said, shouldering my rifle. Ichika nodded, looking over at Charles, who was also holding her rifle. I unlocked my rifle for Ichika to use and held it out for him to take. "I thought I couldn't use someone else's equipment." Ichika questioned, looking at my rifle. I was about to reply, but Charles beat me to it. "Normally, no. But if the user unlocks it, anyone can use it as long as they are a registered user." "Which I have made you for this training." I added, handing him the rifle again. This time he took it and took a generic stance with it. "The best position for a sniper would be laying on the ground, but since most IS fights are so fast paced. You're best bet would be down on one knee. Like so," I said, crouching next to him. He mimicked me and I took Charles' offered rifle. Three targets manifested in front of me. I brought my borrowed rifle and fired. The round broke through the center ring. I shifted slightly and fired again, this round traveled similarly, through the center ring. I shifted once more and fired, but I was a little too quick to pull the trigger and the round passed through just next to the center. A score panel popped up, saying that I had scored 275 of the 300 possible points. I shrugged and handed Charles back her rifle. She thanked me and turned back to watch as I helped Ichika position his hands and let him take his first shot. It hit the 75 tile and I helped him mimik the hip motion and he fired four more times, each shot passing through the 75. "Not bad for a first timer." I complimented, smacking his shoulder slightly. Charles made herself known again asking, "So, what do you think?" I looked over at him, waiting for his answer. "Yeah! It's like…This is so fast!" He answered, looking over my rifle with a sense of amazement. "Hey, look at that." One girl said, pointing up at one of the hangars launch ramps. I looked up, hearing Ichika and Charles do the same. "No way! Isn't that the German's third-generation? I heard it's still in its trial period in this country." I caught a glimpse of silver hair and remembered back to this morning. Cecilia and I said her name at the same time, both unhappy for different reasons; "Laura Bodewig"

Earlier this morning, while waiting for homeroom. I was sitting in my normal seat at the back of the class, just surveying the room as always. I noticed Yamada walking into the room and shuffled some of my things that were spread out and got ready to start class, the rest following my lead or rushing back to their seats. I noticed another student that I didn't recognise standing at the front of the room. 'No way! Another transfer student? That makes three in two days!' I thought while Orimura walked into the room and took her usual place by the door, a scowl on her face as always. "Um, class. Please quiet down, we have a new transfer student." The class immediately voiced my earlier thoughts. "Please quiet down, her introduction isn't finished yet." 'It never started' I thought. "Introduce yourself, Laura." Orimura said, looking at Bodewig. "Yes, Instructor." Laura said in perfect militaristic fashion. "I'm Laura Bodewig." She said. There was a pregnant pause before Yamada asked, "Is that it?" "That is it." Laura replied. Then her eyes caught sight of Ichika and she locked on, her eyes filling with rage. "You!" She said, stepping down from the podium. Then there was the sound of a flat handed smack as Laura smacked Ichika right out of his seat. Of course, most of the girls were ready to rip Laura to shreds by this point. She went on to say how she couldn't accept Ichika as Orimura's brother for whatever reason. I wasn't sure. I watched as Orimura had Laura sit a few seats over from me in the back. I watched her till she passed out of my vision, then I focused forward. 'This just got more interesting' I thought, a small grin on my face.

I was broken out of my flashback by Rin saying, "What? It's her? She's the representative contender from Germany who slapped Ichika?" My eyes never left Laura as she bored holes into Ichika. "Ichika Orimura…" "What?" Ichika asked, handing back my rifle. "So you also have a personal IS. That makes it easy. Fight me." Charles looked at Laura again with a questioning sound. "No way, I don't have a reason to" Ichika said, turning away from Laura as he said this. "You may not have on, but I do." "It doesn't have to be right now, does it? The class league match is coming up soon, so maybe we can fight then." I was watching Laura closely, trying to figure out her next move. "Well then," She said, then she started to move, so I moved too. Laura maneuvered till her shoulder weapon was in a position to fire and charged her shot. I kept moving. Then she fired. I heard Ichika's surprised cry, then I was behind him, aiming at Laura with both of my rifles. I noticed Charles had blocked the shot with her IS' shoulder guard. The shot flew off, losing energy fast. I heard the shell land and bounce a couple times before rolling to a stop a little ways in between the four of us. Ichika looked at his savior, noticing Charles. "Charles!" He yelled in surprise. "I can't believe she challenged you like that out of the blue!" She said over our channel, then she said so everyone could hear; "People in Germany must have a low boiling point!" She finished her sentence with a slam as she brought both her rifle and SMG to bear, resting on her hips. I shifted forward, partially to cover Ichika, mostly to back Char up. "You must have a death wish lady!" I added, both my rifles racking their slides to chamber a round. Laura seemed unfazed, "How dare you block my way with some random French second-gen machine? And an American rip off, how typical." I gritted my teeth, but said nothing. Charles answered instead; "But I'm sure they both work better than your German third-generation type, which has no prospect for mass-production yet!" Ouch, right to the gut. I thought. Laura reacted to that. Then the teachers finally took notice and broke up the ensuing fight. I cycled my weapons for both pistols, keeping them handy in case of more cannon fire. Charles turned back to Ichika. Then the rest of the girls started asking questions. I was one of the first to disappear from the field. I walked into the locker room, shrugging off my IS shirt, tossing it into my locker and reaching for my uniform top. Which was oddly green striped instead of red. I grabbed the shirt and pants, along with a pair of underwear and walked into the shower. I heard Ichika and Charles come in and I finished up, pulling on my underwear and pants after toweling off. I grunted at my still wet hair, grumbling about how I'd have to cut it soon. I walked out of the shower room with my towel over my shoulder, walking past where Ichika and Charles were talking. "Ichika, are you alright?" I heard Charles ask. I walked by, looking over at the two of them. "Yeah, you saved me earlier. Thanks, Charles." I grinned, "Hey, I helped too, you know." I said, leaning around the lockers to look at them as I pulled my shirt on over my head. Ichika just nodded at me, "Thanks." I waved and walked back over to my locker, stowing my IS clothes and shower materials inside and closing the door. "I'm going back to the room now." Charles said, I stopped at the door and watched. Ichika looked at her confused, "Aren't you going to take a shower here? You never do." I shook my head and spoke up, "Does sh(cough) he have too? Does it really matter whether or not he does?" I asked, covering up my slip. Char looked at me, then to Ichika, wide eyed. "Not really, I guess." He said, shrugging. He opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off. "Great, because I need to talk to him about something. Charles, could you come help me? You can use my shower if you'd like." I offered, looking at her, trying to convey my hidden message. She seemed to catch what I was trying to say without saying it. "Sure, Zeke. I'll just grab some things and meet you there." She said, waving at me and Ichika as she walked out. I followed and then split with her, grinning at her. "I heard him talking about how your shower's soap was out. And I wasn't sure if you knew or not so I'd figure I'd save you that embarrassment." I said as I passed her heading for my room. She looked at me confused for a second before she flushed a bright red. "I'll leave the door unlocked. Just knock before you enter." I said as I walked into my room.

I hear her knock a few minutes later. "Come in." I said, not moving from my relaxed position next to the window. I heard the door open and turned to see Charles, looking around my room. It was clean, to be modest. The bed was neatly made, the floor spotless. The room looked like it had been empty since the first day of the school year. "Wow. You definitely are better at housecleaning than Ichika." She said with a straight face. I nodded my thanks and pointed to the doorway for the bathroom. "Bathroom's there, if you need anything. Just ask." I said, looking back out the window. She turned to the bathroom and walked in, closing the door. I heard the shower start and I tried oh so hard to not think about how some girl that I had a crush on was showering just a few feet from me. My face felt hot as I searched for something to distract me. I walked over to my bag and pulled out something that would definitely get me focused on it instead of the sounds of the shower. Stop it brain! I mentally yelled as more images filled my head. I walked back over to the window and sat at the table. I set my project on it and began to work.

I barely heard the shower turn off, or the bathroom door open and close. What got my attention was the gasp that caused me to drop my tool in my hand and look at the doorway. Charles was looking at my current project, strewn over the table, a Beretta 9mm that was taken apart and in the process of being cleaned. I groaned and finished cleaning and put it quickly back together. I set it back in my bag, not looking at Charles. I sat back down and looked at her. Her hair was still wet and hung down along the right side of her face. She looked so cute. My face felt hot again as soon as I thought that and I coughed to get her attention. "Sorry about that, just needed a distraction for earlier." I explained, rubbing the back of my head. She blinked and looked at my bag again. "Why do you have that?" She asked, looking back at me. I looked at her, no emotion in my eyes; "Protection, if not for me, for someone else." I answered, looking down at the table. If only you knew who. I thought, then I looked as I felt her hand slip into mine. "Don't worry, I won't say anything." She said, trying to comfort me. It helped a bit. I smiled at her, then sighed and asked the question that had been on my mind since the locker room incident.

"Why'd you pretend to be a boy?" She looked at me, then looked around for a second before saying; "My father told me to do it." "Your father told you to do this? The CEO of Dunois Co. is your father right?" I asked, somewhat miffed. "Yeah, my father is the CEO, this was his direct order." She sighed, "To tell you the truth, Zeke. Which I'm not sure why I am. I'm not the child of his wife." I let out a breath I had not known I was holding and looked at her, "I was separated from him a long time ago, he took me in about two years ago, when my mother died. He sent some men from his company and they found later that I was IS compatible. So I became an unofficial test pilot for IS. I've only seen my father twice before, and we've talked for no more than an hour at the most." I growled at that, unhappy. "After that, the company ran into financial difficulty, since their main product was second-gen and everyone else is looking into third-generation research. It's probably one of the reasons that Cecilia and Laura transferred here, to collect data for that research." I shook my head in thought, realising it made sense. "The company has started developing a third-gen prototype, but there haven't been any substantial developments. At their current rate, their permit will be rescinded." I nodded in agreement, but one thing stuck out. "That makes sense and all, but what does… oh. I see why you were sent as a man. Add another man into the mix and you've got more attention and easier access to data." "Specifically of the two 'special cases' that currently were at IS academy in Japan." "Ichika and I." I filled in, nodding. "Yes, you two. You're machines and pilot data specifically." I nodded, processing all this new information. Charles sat back in the chair, sighing. "Now that I've told someone, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Thanks for listening. And I'm sorry for lying to…" I held up a hand, stopping her. "Not to me you haven't. I've known your real identity since the start." She thought about it for a second, then nodded in agreement to my statement. "Do you still want to do it?" I asked. She looked at me confused, not following me. "Do you still want to steal Ichika and I's data?" I asked, clarifying a bit more. I knew she didn't feel right, trying to do this. But I wanted her to say it. "No, I don't. It makes me feel sick just thinking about it." I smiled softly, "And that's what I was looking for." I said, taking her hand in both of mine. She blushed at the somewhat intimate touch. I looked at our hands. "My parents were still around when I was found out as IS compatible. I had seen a group of men trying to take a group of girls into their car. I got angry, but I couldn't do anything. What could a 10 year old do against a group of adult men? I heard a voice in my head ask if I wanted power. At first, I wasn't sure what it meant, then I guessed it was talking about the situation unfolding in front of me. I agreed with this voice in my head…" At this, Charles snorted unbelieving. I rolled my eyes at her, and pulled the left shoulder of my shirt down, stretching it so that the whole seemingly tattoo was visible. I showed Charles and she traced over the two words etched into my back since that day. "When I was growing up, my parents and I thought it was a birthmark. But it grew larger as I grew, at first there was concern for my well being, but numerous doctors and physicians confirmed that it was harmless. At first it was just a blob of different colored skin, then I agreed with that voice. It hurt, the excess skin that isn't there anymore, as can be seen today" Charles traced over it again with her finger with a feather-like touch. The words Digital Prototype, written in neat cursive lettering on my shoulder blade. "That is my IS' standby mode." I explained to the inquisitive girl. "He chose this form, I unconsciously agreed with him when we were paired." I said. "The next thing I knew, I was standing in a IS, between the men and the girls. That's when the police showed up and I passed out right after that." Charles watched me as I stood and walked over to another bag, pulling out a newspaper. I brought it over and set it in front of her, the headline reading "Ten Year Old Boy Saves Girls In Unregistered IS" "I was taken home and a couple days later the government came by asking for custody of me to help me with my IS and training. I figured my parents wouldn't do it, but being ten at the time. I didn't understand anything in the contract that I watched my parents sign before I was lead out the door to my new life as property of the U.S. Government. Now, I know that my parents were being paid a handsome sum to hand me over with no questions asked." Charles gasped as I finished my life story and I smiled softly, a lone tear rolling down my face. "I wouldn't trade it for the world now. Not since I came here and met everyone. Especially you, Char." I revealed, lowering my head in embarrassment. "I have fallen for you Charles, I've fallen hard." I said, not raising my head as I said my next four words; "I Love You, Char." I waited for something, anything from Char, but all I heard was her steadily increasing breathing and I looked up to see...her beautiful smile. That radiant, wonderful perfect smile as she looked at me, tears streaming down her face. I released her hand from one of mine and I raised it to her face, rubbing away her tears with my thumb. She smiled impossibly brighter and leaned into my hand. I smiled, a real smile. "I'm in love with all of you Char, nothing could change that." "Charlotte. My name is Charlotte." She whispered, so softly I almost didn't hear it. I hugged her to me, just overjoyed that we felt the same about each other. Then there was a knock at the door and I pulled away slightly, "I'll be right back," I said. I cleaned my face quickly and walked to the door and opened it to see Ms. Yamada. "Yes, how can I help you Ms. Yamada?" I asked, looking at my teacher who was visiting after classes. "Ah hi, Mr. Altec. Sorry to bother you after class, but I was told to inform the males that we were able to get you all up with a bath. A room for the three of you to use." She said, beaming at me. "Have you seen Charles? I went to see Ichika first and he said that Charles went here after practice this morning." "Yes, he's still here. I'll let him know for you." I said, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of this whole situation. "Arigato Altec. You two should go try it out, Ichika is already on his way there." She said as she walked down the hall. "Alright, thanks again." I called out. I then closed the door, turning around to come face to face with Charl... with Charlotte. "That was Ms. Yamada. The school finished the men's bath and she wants us to go and try it out. Apparently Ichika is already headed there." I said, filling her in to what just went on in the doorway. Char looked at me, thinking. "We don't have to go if you don't want, Char." I offered, giving her a way out if she wanted. She shook her head, "No, let's go try it out. They went to all that trouble, I'd hate to waste it." She said with a teasing wink. I just shook my head. "If you're okay with it, we'll go." I grabbed a change of clothes and Char went down the hall to do the same. We met at the hallway between our rooms and walked hand in hand to our new bath room.

I walked into the room first, making sure that Ichika was decent or at least covered before waving Char into the room. She cautiously walked in, looking around for herself before stepping into the room and taking a good look at it. I did the same, taking in the large, pool sized bath, the smaller jacuzzi in the corner and changing rooms on the opposite side of the room from us. Char quickly ran in and I stripped down, sitting next to the changing rooms in the bath. I made sure my back was to the door, as well as Ichika's before coughing out a small tune, my signal to Char that it was okay to come out. I watched Ichika as I listened to Char walk out of the changing rooms and step into the large bath, right next to me! I looked away as she slid farther into the water, giving her some privacy to fully get into the water. She did, tapping me as her signal to me. I sat back up, leaning on the wall of the bath and closed my eyes in bliss. I let out a groan as the warm water relaxed my tense muscles and me in general. Ichika looked over at us went to say something, then closed his mouth. I looked over at Char and she shrugged, just alas confused as I was. We stayed for a little longer before Char gave me her 'I'm ready to go' signal. I nodded and leaned forward again, giving her privacy. She quickly got out of the water and slid into the changing rooms, while I waited till the door closed before stepping out and getting dressed. I knocked and she stepped out, ready to go. We left the room, I stopped at the office at Char's request and waited as she went in to talk to the staff about something. She came back out, looked at me and asked, "Mind helping me move my stuff? I've been assigned to your room." I just shook my head, chuckling and I nodded to her. "Let's go roomie, we've got some things to move." I said, wrapping my arm around her shoulder.

Okay, there you have it! I told you it'd get fluffy! Did anyone like what I did for the Ichika/Charlotte room scene here? Or should I have left it as it was? Anyway, thanks ahead of time for any views and reviews I shall receive. I love you guys and girls! I'm actually probably already writing the next chapter, I'm so excited for what comes next. Peace out, and stay thirsty my friends! ←(I don't own that either!)