Disclaimer: As much as I love Gundam seed/destiny and want to own it, the fact is I don't. T.T I do own this plot and Melissa and Nira though^^
Chapter 4
"As of tomorrow at 10 00 hours you will be official soldiers" Commander Zala said pacing in front of the 100 graduating students. All of whom where standing at attention in ten rows of tens. "I'm going to tell you what I called you here for today. This is an actual briefing for an actual event that could happen tomorrow. This is not a last minute drill what so ever. We learned several months ago that Naturals are planning an attack on Refuge Island, So far the attack hasn't happened but tomorrow would be a prime day to attack, don't you think?" He paused as some students nodded their heads. He continued. "All the major politicians and high ranking military officers will be here along with all the students with their friends. It would be the perfect time to attack us. Important people and and just ordinary civilians will be at this academy. Throughout all of tomorrow starting at zero hours, all pilots will be on stand-by. In light if this possible attack all ship crew member and engineers will be assigned to their ships early. Later today there will be notice posted to tell you what ship you will be assigned to. That is all. Briefing dismissed"
"So that's what the Commander meant when he scolded me." whispered Nira.
"That explains a lot. He was trying to tell us without actually telling us. To think some of us could battle and die before we even become official." Melissa said sadly.
She looked at her fellow graduates, all of whom had shock or fear etched into their faces, as they slowly walked away. She then turned her gaze towards Commander Zala. Lenore had joined him and they were talking to a man with blond and a green suit.
"Come on Melly, we should start going too" Nira tugged on Melissa's sleeve
"Huh? Ah! Yeah, let's go." Melissa turned around to leave but was hugged from behind.
"Melissa! Where ya going. Come hang out with Patrick and me" Lenore invited.
"Lenore, Nira and I are on duty right now. It'll have to wait until after school." Melissa replied with a smile to her close friend.
Lenore looked from Melissa to Nira then back to Melissa again with a slight pout on her face.
"Aww! You guys are no fun!"
"Yes we are. It's just that we're on duty so we can't have fun right now." Melissa tried to explain.
"But you aren't on duty because you aren't a soldier yet. You're only a Cadet in school.." Lenore reasoned.
"Yes, but this is a Military Academy and being at the Academy during the hours of your classes is considered being on duty" Nira said. She and Melissa where now the only ones still there and she really did not fell like getting scolded by Commander Zala twice in one day.
"Nira's right. We should really be getting back to decorating the and rehearsal will be staring soon. So we really must be going soon." Melissa Pleaded.
She glanced in the direction of Commander Zala and the man in the green suit he was talking to and swallowed hard. Commander Zala and the man in the green suit where walking towards them.
"Nira, we gotta get out of here now. They're...."
"Melissa!" called Commander Zala cutting of Melissa. Melissa ans Nira stiffened. "Since the two of you are still here I'd like to introduce the two of you to a friend of mine. I was going to do it later after school finished but you know what the Naturals say, 'No time like the present'. Melissa, Nira, this is my good friend Siegel Clyne. Siegel, these two are part of this years graduating class. The red-head is Melissa and the brunette is Nira."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." The girls said giving a salute.
"The pleasure is all mine. I have been wanting to meet you Melissa. Patrick often speaks highly of you." Siegel said offering a hand to the girls, they took it.
Melissa looked questioningly over at Commander Zala, who was staring at Siegel. "The Commander really speaks highly of me?" she asked a hint of doubtfulness in her voice.
"Yes, he does. You look as though you don't believe me." replied Siegel.
"Of course she doesn't believe it. All Commander Zala does is scold and yell at us. He's harder on us then the rest of school." interjected Nira.
Siegel and Lenore looked at each other then to Patrick and back again then started laughing.
"What?" asked Melissa.
"Patrick do you really do that?" Lenore asked.
"Be quiet." was his short retort.
"Patrick, my friend, I know you have an image to uphold as a hard nosed Commander but... being hardest on those you like best." Siegel said between bouts of laughter.
"So you're saying the reason why he's hardest on us is because he likes us." Nira concluded.
"Basically." Lenore said.
"I thought I said be quiet." Patrick said with barely contained anger and embarrassment.
"Now, now Patrick it's nothing to be ashamed of." Lenore said. She wrapped her arms around her boyfriends waist and smiled up at him.
"I can not play favorites among troops. I am a Commander that demands respect. I can not under any circumstances play that game." Patrick explained
"So instead you be the hardest on them, making it look like you don't like them." said Siegel flatly.
"Patrick, dear, that's a form of favoritism." Lenore patted his shoulder.
"So... then.. Commander you like us?" asked Nira
Commander Zala put his head down. "Melissa more than you."
"That's not fair. You're just as heard on me as you are her." exclaimed Nira
"It's fair." said Melissa. "Commander Zala and I are friends and you, Nira, are my best friend. The commander treats us the same because we are close."
"I don't see why us being friends has to do with how he treats us." Nira said confused.
"Beside Lenore and the Commander, you're my only friend. A soldier has four dreams. Stay alive, protect their loved ones, climb up the rank ladder and be praised by their Commanding Officer." Melissa counted them off on her fingers. "Sometimes the want to be praised is so great that when the Commanding Officer praises on friend and not the other, the other friend will become jealous. The friendship may not end but the two will drift apart." Melissa turned towards Commander Zala. "You were afraid I might lose my best friend, right?"
Everyone now turned to look at Patrick. He gave no answer. He just looked down at his shows.
"Wah! Patrick you're so thoughtful!" Lenore gave him a big hug.
"How did you know that was my reasoning?" Commander Zala asked. He stunned that she had figured it how. He though t for sure that he was doing a good job that was indeed his reason for acting as he did while at the academy.
Melissa smiled. "Several years ago while I was still living with my family, I had a teacher who did the same thing. I'm surprised I didn't think of it earlier."
"My family?" though Siegel. "You don't hear that too often around here. Most of the people on Refuge Island resent their parents because they were either disowned or abused and neglected long enough that the only way for them to survive was to run away. She most be one of the lucky ones who left on their own because her parents were being threated for keeping a coordinator."
"Is that so?" asked Commander Zala.
"Yup!"
A bell rang from inside the academy building. It signified that a shift 'period' had started.
"We have to go. The rehearsal is about to start." said Nira
The two girls gave a salute to Commander Zala and Siegel and ran towards the large gymnasium building on the other side of the grounds.
"Crap they're closing the doors!" Nira cried.
"Then shut up and run faster!" Melissa yelled back. Picking up the pace for the last fifty meters.
"You think they'll make it?" asked Siegel from the other side watching the two now small girls run for there their lives.
"I think they will!I'll bet they'll see them running and hold the doors open." Lenore said with a cheer.
Patrick looked at her funny. "This is the Military not the mall. If you don't from point A to point B fast enough not only could your life be in danger so could the lives of your comrades. Patrick sighed. But, yes, I think they'll squeeze in at the last possible second."
Hey guys! wow it's been a long time since I updated this story. Sorry about that. But hey atleast it's much longer a chapter compared to my last up.
NOTICE: I'm looking for a beta. I want to rewirte all the stories I've posted so far inorder to improve your reading pleasure. If you are interested please message me. You have to be active (doesn't mean you write just means you log-on often) rather good at english and don't mind constantly E-mailing me to get my butt in gear and write.