Enemies
Allelujah awoke in the forest for the second time. The smell of smoke was the first thing to hit his senses as he sat up, instantly regretting the action when his muscles took a moment to burn. Interestingly enough, an A-laws blanket was draped atop him where he lay on the ground. The surly Lieutenant was only a few feet away. He looked slightly groggy as he sat with the pulse rifle, tending to the makeshift fire he had going.
His instincts kicked in as he started making plans on how to get the rifle, only to be startled when the Lieutenant began to speak.
"If you're planning to fling the fire sands at me you can forget it. I'll block them and take you out. If you want to charge me again, I'd reconsider because you'd be shot before you could stand."
Allelujah cringed, the brainwaves now linked them. Dyson could practically read his thoughts. Cursing his enemy's advantage Allelujah sat still, wondering why he wasn't already dead. "What happened back there?"
The lieutenant's cold grey eyes settled on him. "Quantum Brainwaves. Looks like I caught your disease."
"It's not a disease!...Wait, you never experienced that before?" Dyson shook his head. "Not even back at the facility?" Dyson shook his head again. "But you're a super soldier?"
"Exactly. Not a broken one like you." Diego said bitterly, jabbing a fire log with more force than necessary.
Allelujah stayed silent. Thinking back only a handful of his comrades displayed reaction to the brainwaves. Still, it didn't answer the question of why he was still here and still alive.
"Celestial Being will come looking for me."
"A-laws are on route as we speak." Dyson said, standing up and slinging the rifle over his shoulder. "You're going back to that little hell hole until you give us your friends."
He didn't miss uncertainty in Dyson's voice at the mention of A-laws. They were still looking. He wasn't dead yet because Dyson needed a cure. Allulujah nearly laughed, there was no 'cure' to being a super soldier. "Why didn't you just kill me?"
"It would be too good for you," Diego muttered, stepping closer. "When they're done with you, they'll dissect you and fix me."
"It's not a dis—"
"Shut up!" the super soldier snapped. "This is your fault. I don't even know how I'll react around Soma now. You're my ticket to fixing this so you're not going anywhere." He threatened, now towering over the meister. "Actually...I just need a part of you..."
Allelujah showed no fear even as Dyson kneeled down and grasped him by the collar. There were advantages to being caught; he'd get to see Marie again. She'd be angry, she'd probably try to kill him, but she'd be near him and that's all that mattered. No pissed off Lieutenant could possibly take that away from him. He was so focussed on her image in his minds eye that he didn't notice until it was too late, that the Leuitenant had his combat knife out. This was no bluff. Closing his eyes he waited for the inevitable thrust of the blade. What good was a world without Marie?
A sharp crack resonated through the forest. Allelujah opened his eyes only to see Dyson fall forward, revealing Lyle Dylandy behind him, gun drawn with smoke wafting from the barrel.
Allelujah woke up as the pod's glass door slid down. He jolted upright before noticing the familiar sight of Celestial Being's med bay. Relaxing, he tried to recollect how he'd gotten back as his mind replayed the encounter with Dyson.
"You're awake!" Lyle remarked as he walked in with two cups of what smelled like coffee, "It's about time. You nearly gave Moreno a heart attack."
Taking offered cup he looked to Lyle quizzically. The meister looked surprisingly jovial for someone who just killed another person. But who was he to judge? How many people piloted the suits that Arios took down with ease?
"You don't remember?" Lyle asked, taking a seat at the bedside. "You passed out on the flight back and I couldn't wake you up. You slept like a dead man." Allelujah nodded, slowly trying to remember the incident before thoughts of Marie came to the fore.
Lyle only smirked, "It's the blonde one right? Marie was it?"
"How do you know that name?" Allelujah asked, up until now everyone knew her as Soma.
"You said it in your sleep," Lyle replied, raising a hand to dismiss further argument. "I was the only one there so you're good."
He nodded before lowering his eyes to his cup as if for an escape. The dark liquid did nothing but reflect his own split personality right back at him.
Lyle stayed and tried to lighten the mood filling him in on all the mundane details while he was missing. He didn't know whether it was new friendship or lack of anything better to do that made Lyle stay but Allelujah was thankful for his company nonetheless.
"So what happens now?" Allelujah asked as he swung a leg over and stumbled. As if by some unspoken macho code, Lyle didn't offer to help but looked concerned for a moment. Allelujah was grateful because the last thing he needed was anyone fretting over him.
"Setsuna and Tiria are on a scouting mission." Lyle shrugged, watching his new partner carefully. "We're sitting ducks till Sumeragi throws something else down the pipe."
Lockon left as soon as he heard Allelujah talking to Lyle. Right now he couldn't trust himself around his traitorous little brother but more importantly he didn't want to break the comradeship developing between them. Rubbing his tired eyes he headed for the bridge. Logging some time on the Almagest would clear his mind.
Sumeragi was seated in the command chair, an array of monitors delivered information to her at ridiculous speeds. Mileina and Feldt's chairs were empty. He suspected she wanted a quiet atmosphere but the temptation was just too strong. Creeping forward he took a seat next to her. There was nothing like admiring her up close when she thought no one was watching. It's as if time disappeared and the real Leesa Kujou beneath the forecaster armour let herself be. Her hands swept along the data screens working in unison with her headphones to trap her in a cocoon of knowledge. Lockon smiled and slid an arm around her chair, shivering when her silk smooth hair grazed his skin.
She entered more text onto her screen only to jump back when she noticed she was not alone. Smiling, she slipped off her earphones. "Hey. When did you get back?"
"Who says I ever left?" Neil smiled and leaned in for a small kiss which she greatly reciprocated.
Pulling back she tapped a few keys turning three of her screens black. "How is Allelujah?"
"He's awake. The old man assured me he's fine. At least physically." A frown overcame her as she looked down in great concentration. Neil sighed and put a gentle hand over hers, wishing there was some way he could take away her guilt. "Allelujah will cope, have some faith. How's the mission?"
She met his eyes with a soft smile, "Setsuna and Tieria are on plan. The formal dance just ended so they're due back soon. You should have seen Tieria's dress..." He nodded slowly, taking in her words while watching the Almagest from the corner of his eye. Her soft hand found his cheek and brought him back to reality. "One eye is good enough for now, please don't strain yourself." She said, trailing a fingertip just below the sealant keeping his right eye filled.
"I wont," he replied, taking her hand in his, kissing the inside palm. "It's just...that damn machine...Lees' it'll take some getting used to."
She dropped her gaze and fidgeted uncomfortably. There's a story here, one she isn't sure if she should tell...Neil studied her carefully before lowering his head to meet her averted gaze. "I know there's something different about Almagest. But if it's top secret I understa—"
He didn't get to finish as the alarms blared and enemy bogies showed up on the radar. Neil bolted for the Almagest. There would be time to sort out its faults later right now it was the only thing standing between Ptolemy and the enemy.
Cherudim launched before the Almagest even got started. As Neil adjusted his controls he could hear Allelujah on the receiving end of a chew out from Sumeragi who ordered him to stay put. Lockon agreed, since there was only one bogey three machines would be overkill.
"It's after them. I'm aimed and firing!" Lyle yelled from the screen on Neil's HUD.
"Stay close damn it!" Neil ordered, knowing that Lyle was sorely underdeveloped for intense combat, but knew it was futile as Lyle flew up ahead.
The cannon finally charged and Lockon aimed through the sight. It was the suit up ahead that nearly made his heart stop. The red Flag fighter and the distinct cackle of Ali Al-saachez was unmistakable.
Thankfully Sumeragi took over the command position when everything melded into slow motion.
Without warning Lockon lurched forward as if someone kicked him from behind. Voices echoed and blended together through his headset. Al-Sacchez made some sort of speech while Setsuna and Tieria flew in frenzy trying to take him. Everyone slowed down to three quarters the speed before suddenly accelerating. Lyle was the first to get cut down by the red beam sabre before Teiria and Setsuna joined him in a firey explosion. Neil yelled but no sound came. The red blur of the escaping Flag was all that Neil could see as his vision tunnelled and he felt the sensation of being tackled backwards.
Completely winded he jerked forward and grasped his rifle. It was not until the sights were on Al-Sacchez did Lockon come back and pull the trigger. The red Flag dodged the Almagest's beam by a hair. As Ptolemy got closer it was clear there was no way he would win. We're finishing this you bastard! Neil frantically pulled the trigger but the charge bar on the Almagest remained low. It wasn't until the Flag was long gone did the particles charge and return fire.
"Lockon! Damn it! Stop, he's gone!" Lyle's voice swam into his consciousness but he ignored it, focussing instead on the retreating red dot that was almost out of sight.
"Sumeragai-san, I can assis—"
"Allelujah stay put!" Sumeragi ordered over the comms. "All gundams retreat."
Neil ripped off his helmet before punching the descend button. They may be done with him but Al-Saachez wasn't going anywhere, not until he was shot off the earth. He struggled for air. His lungs felt like sacks of water and his vision started to tunnel but that wouldn't stop him from ending this once and for all. The bridge crew which was already in position slowly started to converge around him when his chair touched down. Sumeragi looked concerned as she stepped forward but Lockon managed to stand and wave them off.
"Mileina, I need... the mobile... armor...ready...to launch" he managed, as leaned against the chair for support.
"Lockon, you're not going anywhere. He's gone and we're retreating." Sumeragi said, observing him carefully. "What happened up there?"
"I'm going after him" he managed to say, "...I...need...suit that works..."
"I'm calling Dr. Moreno," Feldt said, concerned as Miliena only looked confused.
"You're shaking!" Sumeragi said, he felt her gentle hand on his back but brushed it off as he moved forward and snapped at feldt to drop the phone.
Mileina's attention returned to her screens when Lyle demanded they open the hatch. Lockon pitched towards the door, lucky for him Ian was just coming in and managed to catch the falling meister.
"Lockon! What's going on?"
Lockon pushed himself off the engineer, trying to move past him as fast as possible feeling the onset of his ever increasing coughing fits. He managed to compose himself long enough to stand steady before leaving the bridge.
It was only when safely down the corridor did he cough violently. The pressure in his lungs lessened, but when he drew back his gloved hand it was speckled with blood. What the hell's going on? What is that machine doing to me? He managed to relax and get back into control, balling his fist to hide the blood he stood tall and leaned against the wall mentally counting the sound of heavy approaching footsteps behind him.
"Lockon there is something I have to tell you." Ian said.
Neil turned and came face to face with Ian who donned a grave expression. "Save it, whatever it is it can wait till after I get him. As much as I hate this, I need a Gundam right now."
"This can't wait, Lockon. And I should have told you sooner. I'm sorry." Ian replied.
So much was going through her head, Ali-Alsaachez being the least of her worries. Sumeragi still couldn't believe the bastard was really alive and hated what it was doing to Neil. The other issue on her mind was Almagest. She didn't want to worry him but keeping this secret was already tearing her to pieces. She wanted to come clean but she was the captain after all, there would be things she'd have to keep to herself and she knew Lockon respected that. But that didn't make things any easier. The physical toll it was taking on him was sometimes too much to even imagine. Yet even as Ian tried to comfort her on the machine's affects, news of Neil coughing up and concealing blood was the last straw. Ian assured her that they'd reign in the Almagest as soon as they touched down on Lagrange 4. Making sure everything was going to plan she made Lagrange 4 their immediate destination, there was no time to wait not now.
Sumeragi cautiously opened the door to the viewing room. She was not surprised to find Lockon standing at the railing, the clear glass surrounding him illuminated all the underwater life around them. A lagoon of light fish overhead seemed to capture his attention, but he had yet to acknowledge her presence behind him. Deciding to repay him for earlier she slid both hands about his waist, clasping them around his heart. He turned and automatically engulfed her in a hug. His strong heartbeat next to her ear reminded her of what she was fighting for now.
She looked to him carefully but his expression was unchanging. No doubt Al-saachez was on his mind or was it that simple? The animosity between him and Lyle was also starting to affect him too... deciding to come clean she stepped back, running a gentle caress on his chest. It seemed like she made the right decision because Lockon suddenly came back as the brief flicker of a smile crossed his face and he took her hand, not willing that she go too far. Sighing she relented, they'd need to have this talk sooner or later, obviously the Almagest was bothering him.
"We need to talk, Neil. It's about Almagest." She started, noting how his expression darkened. She wished he was smiling that 100 watt grin he always had, it made things so much easier. "I should have told you sooner, but it's still in the experimental stages. Ian created a new OS for it that's more than just a bit unorthodox."
"The Zero system." He stated simply, his expression turning neutral.
Sumeragi stepped back even further, eyes wide. "He told you?"
He nodded, crossing his arms when she was a few feet away as if sheltering himself from her scrutiny. "The old man spilled all."
"And you're okay with that?"
"Am I okay to fly an experiment? Yeah. What I'm not okay with is—"
"Me not telling you sooner," she whispered, closing her eyes in frustration. He knew. This made things easier but at the same time more complicated, she always imagined she'd be the one to explain it all. She owed him that. "I'm sorry, Neil. Ian hid the full effects from me but I should have grilled him yet I didn't. I risked your life."
He only shook his head and came to stand before her, "Lees' I said it on the bridge and I'll say it again. You're still the captain, I'm not expecting inside scoops on everything around here. If something is top secret I trust you know best."
She studied him for a moment. Did he just say he trusts me with his life? After everything he's been through how can he trust his life in my hands? Although he seemed warm and understanding, something about his demeanour signalled that a far different matter was bothering him. Not wishing to guess from the current list, she decided to clear the air right at that moment.
"Alright, what's on your mind?" Faster than he could smile she added, "and don't even think of some lame it's nothing response. Nobody in their right mind would trust me right now. Something is bothering you I just wish you'd tell me."
The smile died away as he nodded and kissed her forehead. She ran comforting circles along his shoulder blades, waiting for the inevitable.
"It's Lyle..."
She frowned but was thankful that they steered clear of the most depressing topic of all Al-Saachez himself.
"What about him?"
"He's spying on us for Katharon."
As soon as the words were out of his mouth she felt an incredible rush of heat. This explains his amazing statistics, his connections, his knowledge. She closed her eyes, willing herself to say the right thing.
"I'm going to kill him." Neil said, as if reading her thoughts.
"You would've done that already," she shut her eyes tight in frustration muttering, "Not that I condone the idea."
She couldn't deny that this revelation brought a whole new set of problems, yet as much as she wanted to be supportive, Sumeragi realized she was ill equipped to provide anything of the sort. Neil didn't talk enough or at all about the family he's lost, let alone the few that remained. Stepping back she pondered the situation there really wasn't much she did know about the meister. That would have to change. But not now.
"This can't change anything around here." Neil said, his heavy footsteps announced his presence behind her.
She turned to face him, reaching a hand to jut his forlorn gaze her way. "Nothing can change what's between us. You know that." He smiled, relaxing at the news as she continued. "But if he is a dormant threat I will have to act, I have a duty to protect everyone on board."
"And I'm telling you if he was dangerous he wouldn't be here. Please, don't do anything rash, not yet. I'll deal with him if his leak turns into a problem."
"It's funny how you're lecturing me about rash decisions, Mr. Split second chance." She grinned.
He only laughed and gave her a hug, seemingly not wanting to talk about his recent brush with Ali. That suited her just fine because having Neil standing here right in front of her as opposed to out there fighting Al-Saachez, was more than anything she could have hoped for.
A/N: Sorry for taking forever to update, life just sometimes gets the better of me. I promise you this story will have an ending. Thanks for staying with me for this long.