Lost Memories/Amnesia Girl Chapter 18
"Amarante here," Amarante began knocking on her commander's door. DaCosta was too busy making preparations and writing paper work to deliver it himself. "I'm entering sir." She opened the door before proceeding inside. It was getting closer and closer to nightfall and everything was heating up from the "Legged" Ship's landing in their territory.
"Do you have to sound just like DaCosta when you do that? Come on, change it up a little!" Waltfeld teased in a demanding tone. Amarante stiffened at his voice as the man looked on in amusement. The Tiger enjoyed teasing his subordinates. He was reading over reports but it was boring and dull.
Amarante cleared her throat, "Here's the Intel on the new Earth Forces vessel and mobile suit." She held it out to him seriously and he took it with a groan.
"How come DaCosta didn't bring this to me?" Waltfeld asked curiously. Amarante stiffened again…DaCosta did bring all the reports. Raising an eyebrow Waltfeld stared at his subordinate.
"He was busy making preparations," Amarante answered.
"Oh for what?" Waltfeld asked raising an eyebrow.
"He said: I already know he will want to sortie so it's best to get ready now," Amarante said in the best DaCosta impression she could do. She laughed at her own stupidity prompting her commander to laugh as well.
"Well DaCosta is right. I want you to stay here and analyze this data," Waltfeld said waving the documentation in his hands towards her. Amarante frowned, she didn't want to stay…she wanted to be where she would be the most helpful!
"But," Amarante whined. Waltfeld shot the girl a death glare causing her to back down. He stood up leaning over his desk. With an amused smile he whacked her with the papers before sitting back down again. Letting out a yelp she stumbled backwards before going back to her original position. Then when she began to think about it Amarante let out a groan before moving away from the desk so she wouldn't be whacked again.
"Let's the boys handle this one…besides I'm assigning Maylam to this sortie. You know very well that Kirkwood, Hadat and yourself can not be on the same team together," Waltfeld scolded. He had several other pilots that had only been scouting for the moment and were itching for a fight. Yet she was a capable fighter! She could fight as well as anyone other male on this base!
"Yes sir," Amarante grumbled. He could see she was unhappy but you can't always have your cake and eat it too.
"Cheer up. You'll be doing something very great for the whole base and our team. Why don't you fix me a cup of coffee Cubby?" Waltfeld said cheerfully. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow watching her every move. Even little Tiger Cubs were unpredictable.
"Okay!" Amarante replied getting his supplied out. She always enjoyed making coffee for her commander even though she didn't like the taste of it. The Tiger laughed, amused how a young girl could be easily distracted by one or two commands. Busy humming to herself she began to take all the supplies. DaCosta eventually came in telling Waltfeld that preparations were complete. Surprisingly, Kirkwood was with him. He stood at attention ignoring his girlfriend because he was in the presence of his commanding officer. Amarante also ignored him continuing to search for a missing bag of coffee.
"Wanna drink DaCosta?" Waltfeld asked curiously. Amarante placed the mug in front of Waltfeld before rummaging to find another.
"No thank you sir. What soldiers do you want to sortie sir? I have Maylam, Jason, Lex, Brad, and Jackson on stand by in the BuCUEs," DaCosta asked.
"That's fine. Lets go. Oh Amarante come here please," Waltfeld said standing up. She had wandered away to put his coffee making supplies away but she wandered back peering into his eyes with confusion. He hated the cute and innocent look she always seemed to have on her face except in the face of battle.
"Yes sir?" Amarante asked, her curiosity peaking to its climax. What would he want right now? Why was everything so quiet? He placed a hand on her shoulder causing her to do her normal head cock.
"Please forgive me, Little Tiger Cub," he said under his breath before punching the girl in the stomach. The girl made a loud gasp as the air escaped her lungs, her green eyes went large before slowly closing as she blacked out.
"Commander!" Kirkwood cried out about to move closer to Amaranate. DaCosta held him back as Waltfeld took her to the floor gently.
"I know she would have followed us. Kirkwood, take her to her room and stay with her. Make sure that she doesn't get to a BuCUE. Oh and…If you rape her…I'll kill you," Waltfeld said placing her in the arms of her lover.
"Understood," Kirkwood said weakly. He looked down at Amarante to see that she was defiantly down for the count. Kirkwood would never have thought the Commander would knock her out like that.
"Come DaCosta," Waltfeld ordered. The two men left leaving Kirkwood and Amarante in the room. Walking down the hall DaCosta looked up at his commander also unable to believe that he would knock out Amarante. Waltfeld looked back at DaCosta giving him a witty smile hiding the fact that it pained him to punch Amarante.
"Well I have my orders," Kirkwood sighed taking the girl out of the room. He moved through the Lesseps hoping that he wouldn't run into anyone he really knew. Much to his dismay, he ran into the last person he wanted to see…Aisha. Worried she hurried over to Amarante and Kirkwood.
"What happened?" Aisha asked rubbing Amarante's face gently. She was her little daughter and she was so surprised to see her unconscious. Yet she could sense that Andy was behind this somewhere.
"Ahhhh…Commander Waltfeld knocked her out?" Kirkwood said in a confused tone. He was unsure if he should have told her that. Hopefully, Aisha would get angry at him later on, because if she did Waltfeld would chew him out. Aishe rolled her eyes, cocking her hip and crossing her arms.
"Oh he would. Do you mind if I stay with you?" Aisha asked with a wink.
"Excuse me?" Kirkwood asked blush increasing on his face. What was she going to do? He didn't really like the sounds of that.
"I know Andy ordered you to watch her. When you need to eat or go relieve yourself…you'll need someone to watch her," Aisha dangled in front of him with a sweet voice.
"Yes Ma'am. Oh it looks like she's waking up," Kirkwood said cheerfully. The girl opened her eyes slowly before wrapping her arms around Kirkwood's neck. She groaned tiredly laying her head on his shoulder.
"Good Morning Sleepy Head," Aisha chuckled. The young lady signaled Kirkwood to put her down and he obeyed like her innocent puppy.
"Hello Ma'am…Where's Commander Waltfeld?" Amarante demanded remembering their conversation before she fell unconscious. She looked left and right trying to get around Kirkwood. He placed his hands on her hips trying to keep her still, but she was as busy as a bee.
"Don't worry about that now. You need to lie down," Aisha suggested pulling the girl along. Amarante struggled to go back but Kirkwood pulled her other arm not allowing her to go back either. Aisha opened Amarante's door holding onto the girl even tighter.
"Let me go!" Amarante cried before being thrust into her room. Aisha then pounced on the girl playfully trying to keep her in place. Amarante cried out trying to get the woman off of her. Aisha got off of her as Kirkwood cleared his throat. Amarante returned to his side with a sigh.
"If I remember correctly, the Commander wants you to analyze this," Kirkwood said taking out the papers. Amarante remembered the Tiger whacking her with them earlier. Grumbling, Amarante snatched the papers from her boyfriend. Aisha giggled as Kirkwood flinched at Amarante's anger. Aisha and Kirkwood made themselves comfortable as Amarante went through the papers at her desk.
"This is an amazing machine," Amarante muttered. Kirkwood perked up looking at Amarante. Aisha got off the bed stretching her arms and legs.
"What's that?" Aisha asked going to Amarante's side. Placing her hands on Amarante's shoulders Aisha leaned over to see the information.
"The GAT-X105 Strike. One of the machines stolen from Heliopolis…It's amazing. It can change its "packs" for different combat scenarios. The armor is stronger than a BuCUE ten fold…no more than that. No natural could pilot this thing. I'm sure of it! Man I wish it was on our side," Amarante announced. Now interested in what she held in her hands Kirkwood went to her side as well.
"That is amazing," Kirkwood said looking over the papers. Kirkwood gently kissed Amarante's cheek. Amarante blushed causing Aisha to laugh.
"Why don't I leave you two alone so you can share your first kiss in peace," Aisha cooed. She moved the girl and the boy to her bed trying to set the right "atmosphere."
"Ms. Aisha!" Amarante cried as the woman left the room. Kirkwood was sitting next to her on her bed as their faces turned crimson. She wanted to kiss him…but she knew she wasn't good at it, her sister was probably much better. Kirkwood looked over at his girl leaning closer to kiss her. Amarante leaned closer to him. Aisha waited outside impatiently wondering if they've kissed. Believing that a minute or two passed Aisha couldn't stand it anymore.
"Come on you guys should have kissed by now!" Aisha piped in opening the door. She looked at the scene seeing that Kirkwood was just about to kiss the girl. The two insecure teens snapped away from each other before glaring at the woman. Aisha chuckled insecurely before closing the door again. Aisha was surprised to feel her cheeks fluster, and she giggled to herself feeling like a giddy school girl. Oh how she was going to blab with her man later on that day.
"Do you still want to kiss me?" Amarante asked hesitantly. Kirkwood brushed his lips against hers very quickly. It wasn't really a kiss but it was better then a peck on the cheek.
"So let's continue to analyze this data," Kirkwood mumbled uncomfortably. She wrapped his arm around her midsection. Aisha waltzed back in wanting to tease them but Aisha decided against it. Amarante could be very fiery when she wanted to be, and it would be better not to set her off right now.
"The ship is pretty advanced as well," Amarante asserted. She didn't want to talk about her first kiss experience with her mother figure at the moment.
"Oh okay. Well it looks like Andy is moving the Lesseps. I wonder where we're going," Aisha pondered.
"Yeah," Amarante mumbled. Amarante really wasn't thinking about it she was thinking about her awkward kiss with Kirkwood. An hour passed and Amarante began to fatigue from reading all of the papers over and over again. She yawned tiredly as Amarante began to doze on and off.
"Well you'll need your strength tomorrow. Off to bed Kirkwood. Amarante is already tired," Aisha cooed pushing the boy out of the room. Kirkwood was surprised to see that in a matter of a second that he went from inside the room to right outside the room.
"Ms. Aisha…Please don't do that again," Amarante growled. See she was a little pistol, cocked and ready to go off at any second. Andy's perfect little angel, and the perfect little Tiger. Aisha was slightly jealous of Amarante's relationship with her Andy. He would always have a special place in his heart for her.
"Yeah, that was pretty low. And I'm sorry that I did that," Aisha apologized. She wrapped her arms around the girl giving her a tight hug.
"Well you're going right? I have to get ready for bed," Amarante sighed. Today was a pretty tiring day and she wasn't going out tonight to find her commander. She'd go out tomorrow morning.
"Oh no…Andy probably wants a 24 hour watch on you," Aisha chuckled. The girl complained and grumbled as Aisha tried to dress her. With a smirk Aisha came from behind placing her hands on Amarante breasts. Amarante cried out as Aisha became more and more playful with her attack.
"MS. AISHA!" Amarante cried out.
"I'm just being playful, my sweet girl. You know I wouldn't do it if I wasn't teasing you," Aisha chuckled. Amarante sighed angrily causing Aisha to leave.
"So they've already left. They're not that far from this position correct?" Amarante begged looking at the empty spots in the hangar. Aisha becoming more and more annoyed with Amarante she grabbed the girl's arm forcefully. Aisha shook her as well causing the girl to sigh.
"Stop this. We can't go out there. What other information did you get on the GAT-X105 Strike?" Aisha asked. Amarante cocked her head before giving a groan.
"Nothing really. I'll need to see the combat data after this battle. If it comes out," Amarante sighed. She went to her locker gathering up the information. She wandered out of the room prompting Aisha to follow her.
"Where are you going sweet girl?" Aisha asked. She was just as unpredictable as her "father," the Desert Tiger.
"To the bridge. I want to see the pictures of the ship," Amarante replied. She knew that pictures would have surfaced by now.
"Oh, where's Kirkwood?" Aisha asked. She was surprised to see that her shadow wasn't with her.
"He said he was going to take a shower," Amarante said with blush gracing her cheeks. Ever since their brief kiss they really didn't talk that much. Every time they saw each other, they blushed and muttered a few words to each other.
"What's wrong, my little lady?" Aisha asked, she smiled devilishly knowing what she was thinking about.
"I'm not sure if he still likes me," Amarante sighed. Aisha frowned, she couldn't believe her ears. Of course he still loved her, why would an awkward kiss halt this beautiful budding relationship.
"Oh he does. I know that. He loves you," Aisha cooed. Kirkwood saw his gentle princess in front of him and he raced to her. He was going to wrap his arms around her but hesitated knowing that Aisha was with them.
"Princess Amarante," he chuckled. Amarante blushed softly as he took her hand. She then released it remembering her uniform and duty to Z.A.F.T.
"Hi," Amarante said quietly. It had been awhile since someone called her princess. The last people to call her princess were those on her mother's side of the family at her mother's family. She wasn't a real princess but her mother's family treated her as such. Maybe it was because her father didn't care for her much.
"Where are you going?" Kirkwood asked. He took her hand again wanting to be a couple more than just being two soldiers in love at the moment.
"To the bridge. I want to see where the Earth Forces ship is," Amarante replied. She let it pass knowing that he would continue to take her hand all the way to the bridge. As long as he released it by the time she got there, she'd be happy.
"Okay. May I come with you two?" Kirkwood asked.
"Of course you can," Amarante chimed.
"Why did you call Amarante princess?" Aisha asked the boy. It was on her mind and it wasn't going away. She heard it so often not by Kirkwood, but by other soldiers when Amarante went to work on her BuCUE or was wandering around the base.
"Why not? She has the beauty and intelligence of a princess and the cunningness and skills of a warrior. Many people around base are beginning to call her a Warrior Princess," Kirkwood replied. He was going to nuzzle her but Aisha was there and it would have been awkward.
"Is that the reason why everyone has been calling me princess lately?" Amarante asked.
"Yes. I'm not very sure who started the name but I can assure you that it wasn't me," Kirkwood answered placing his hands up in defense. At the bridge they saw the pictures and position of the ship. It's massive! Amarante thought releasing Kirkwood's hand. The day was slowly turning into night and the battle was about to begin.
"Do you need any help here sir?" Amarante asked politely. She wanted to know everything that was going to go on.
"No, but thank you Amarante," the officer in charge announced. Normally it would have been DaCosta but he had gone out with the commander. The battle raged on and Amarante knew that she would only be in the way on the bridge. She left quickly prompting Kirkwood to follow her.
"I don't think this will be our first and last encounter with this ship," Amarante sighed. Kirkwood made an odd face looking into Amarante's face.
"Why do you say that? Commander Waltfeld is an excellent commander and everyone out there is a great pilot. At least on our side," Kirkwood answered boastfully.
"Don't be so prideful! Even if BuCUEs do rule here in the desert. That machine won't go down easy. With that armor it may take awhile," Amarante sighed again. It dawned on her that no where in the report did it say how long it would take for the armor to go down.
"True. Why don't we grab something to eat?" Kirkwood suggested. He hated seeing her worried face.
"Yeah," Amarante mumbled. She couldn't stop thinking about the mobile suit and the ship. It wasn't going to be easy to get rid of them. Also surprisingly her cousin Mu popped into her head.
"Hey you okay?" Kirkwood asked. She has stopped suddenly and was staring up into the ceiling. She didn't answer as her head seemed to track something inside the ceiling. He shook her slightly causing her to snap back to reality.
"What?" Amarante asked cocking her head to one side innocently. She blinked twice trying to show him that she was okay.
"Are you okay? You were staring into the ceiling," Kirkwood asked worriedly.
"Yeah. I'm fine," Amarante said still staring up at the ceiling. There was an odd sensation of something so familiar yet it was distant and cold.
"Amarante?" Kirkwood asked hitting her cheek softly. She didn't respond to it as Kirkwood shook her again.
"Mu?" she mumbled still staring at the ceiling.
"Moo? What do you mean Moo?" Kirkwood asked. Soldiers walking by glanced at Amarante quickly or stared at her. It was weird to see a fellow soldier stand in the middle of a hallway and stare at the ceiling in awe.
"Is it really him?" Amarante said under her breath. She pushed past Kirkwood making a beeline for the hangar.
"I hope she's not going to the hangar," Kirkwood sighed with frustration. Kirkwood followed her quickly grabbing her arm.
"Let me go! I have to figure this out," Amarante cried.
"I can't let you go into the hangar. Amarante please don't do this. I'll get in so much trouble," Kirkwood told her. She stopped struggling soon after. Kirkwood pulled her away from the hangar and into the mess hall. He sat her down in a chair before getting her a glass of water.
"What's this?" Amarante asked cocking her head innocently to the right. She wanted to play innocent but Kirkwood made a small growl towards her. He soon relaxed knowing that she couldn't be angry at her forever.
"Drink it. I think you need to calm down a little, Amarante. Just drink it so you can calm down and relax. Then you're going to go to bed," Kirkwood soothed.
"You sound like my Dad," Amarante grumbled before sipping the water slowly. Kirkwood chuckled softly watching the girl. Amarante still followed the ceiling but it was going away and it wasn't at the front of her mind anymore.
"Just curious, why do they call you Cubby?" Kirkwood asked. He playfully cocked his head like her causing her to let out an amused sigh.
"Oh, because I'm their little "Tiger" cub. Aisha thought it was cuter to call me Cubby and the Commander just calls me that to tease me," Amarante replied.
"What about DaCosta?" Kirkwood asked.
"I'm not very sure if he calls me Cubby. Maybe once or twice," Amarante said shrugging it off. She finished off her drink which meant she would be going to bed. She sighed as Kirkwood threw away her drink.
"Come on Amarante," Kirkwood said holding his hand out to her. She grimaced taking the hand as he escorted her out of the mess hall. He walked her down the hall and made a left to find her room.
"Well I guess it's good night. See you tomorrow," Amarante tried to say cheerfully.
"I'm going to stay right here. I'll see you in the morning," Kirkwood replied standing at rest outside her room.
"What ever," Amarante mumbled. She couldn't really do much in her room besides sleep. Kirkwood also had the ability of staying up late without becoming very tired. Something she lacked.
"They were what?" Amarante asked Waltfeld's empty coffee mug sliding off the tray she was holding.
"Maylam, Jason, Jackson, Lex and Brad were all killed in action," Waltfeld repeated. It was the first time she had ever had friends killed in action. She didn't like hearing those words. The mug seemed to fall in slow motion as Amarante stared into her commander's eyes. It hit the ground with a loud clank as Amarante continued to stare.
"No," Amarante mumbled backing away slowly.
"Cubby? Amarante?" Commander Waltfeld asked her in a concerned voice. He hated seeing her this terrified. He stood up to hold her to only notice the open door and the girl was missing. It closed quickly and he sighed softly. He picked up the coffee mug to see that it was unharmed. The tray however had disappeared with the girl. I knew that this wasn't going to go easy with her. Even if they didn't like each other, Waltfeld thought before sitting back behind the desk. That ship and its mobile suit was a formidable opponent. In the back of his mind something was urging him not to place Amarante on the battlefield anytime soon. He shook the thoughts away to see DaCosta standing in front of him with a stone faced Amarante.
"Amarante wanted to give your tray back," DaCosta said clearly. Waltfeld looked at the girl to see there were no tears in her eyes. Yet her eyes were hollow and dull.
"Thank you," Waltfeld replied. He took it from the outstretched hand before noticing she had something to say.
"The final adjustments on the LaGOWE have been finished," Amarante said dully. Waltfeld looked into her face trying to figure out what she was thinking at the moment.
"Oh really?" Waltfeld asked.
"Yes sir," Amarante replied robotically. She seemed to become like a second DaCosta which was beginning to bug the Commander. He wanted to laugh but he was in his serious commander mode.
"DaCosta you're dismissed," Waltfeld ordered.
"Yes sir," DaCosta said with a salute. He made an about face quickly placing a hand on Amarante's shoulder.
"Amarante…I don't want to sound insensitive but this is a war," Waltfeld lectured.
"And soldiers die in battle. I am deeply saddened by their deaths…I'm just thinking about the discussion Maylam and I had about revenge. I don't want to get revenge on the mobile suit but then part of me wants to. What should I do sir," Amarante replied. Her eyes continued to stare into his. He was surprised at the words that came out of her mouth. He was expecting her to be more emotional than this.
"Will that make you happy?" Waltfeld asked coldly. He stared into her eyes with his commander's stare causing Amarante to look away in thought.
"No. I know it won't," Amarante sighed. She was keeping her tears back trying to be strong for her commander. She was probably the first and last girl he'd ever have in his command.
"I understand how you feel Amarante. We lost so many men last night. We're going to sortie tonight. I want you to stay here and assess the data we retrieved from this battle," Waltfeld said standing up. She looked down sadly giving a sigh.
"But sir!" Amarante whined.
"No whining. I need at least one soldier who has studied the information," Waltfeld replied. She wanted to argue that she was a great soldier and wasn't wearing that red uniform for nothing but she knew it would be no use.
"76," Amarante sighed.
"76? What do you mean?" Waltfeld asked intrigued.
"With normal missiles the phase shift of the mobile suit will lose its effect after that many hits. After that the beam rifle will simultaneously run out of power," Amarante said with a gentle smile.
"That's useful information. Was that in the report?" Waltfeld asked. He had looked over it several times but nothing like this had come up.
"No," Amarante replied.
"How did you figure that out?" Waltfeld asked curiously. He was getting suspicious and he knew he could force it out of Amarante.
"DaCosta allowed me to research the other four machines. Then with the disperse rate and average battle data. Also the average amount of energy used during battle I was able to come up with it," Amarante said innocently, but she could tell Waltfeld caught her in her lie. DaCosta would never let Amarante access such data, especially on her own.
"You hacked the network, didn't you?" Waltfeld chuckled raising an eyebrow. There was a small silence where she gave him a sincere smile before receiving a light tap at the back of the head.
"I know I know…scold me," Amarante said meekly.
"Later, I need to get going," the Commander said gently.
"Don't cry, I hate to see you cry. I promise I'll come back," Kirkwood soothed. He hugged her tightly trying to stop her tears.
"I don't want you to go," Amarante muttered into his flight suit. He kissed her forehead gently trying to cheer her up.
"You know I have to. I want you to be here…so you're safe," Kirkwood replied. She slapped his face with a growl. I thought she would do something like that…Kirkwood thought with a meek smile. Every man said that! She wasn't some weak baby that needed protecting all the time.
"Kirkwood, you're taking point," Waltfeld said from the doorway. He had been watching them and it was time for the team to leave.
"I have to go now," Kirkwood whispered to her. Amarante sighed and groaned as he released her from his grip. Amarante didn't say anything as Kirkwood and Waltfeld left the room.
"Sir maybe it isn't a good thing to take me out," Kirkwood explained.
"No, she needs to learn how to deal with this," Waltfeld replied.
"Amarante isn't a man though," Kirkwood said defensively. I'm glad to see that he wants to protect her and will do anything for her, Waltfeld thought with a smile.
"No…Aisha isn't a man but she understands the dangers. I don't want to speak about this right now. Let's go," Waltfeld ordered getting into a jeep with DaCosta.
Vote for your favorite couple! I also added another choice. Go to my profile and vote!
In the polls Today! (As of July 20, 2010
Nicol x Amarante: 3 votes
DaCosta x Amarante: 2 votes
Amarante x Aisha: 2 votes
Waltfeld x Amarante: 1 vote
Andy/Waltfeld x Aisha: 1 vote
Kirkwood x Amarante: 1 vote
Maylam x Amarante: 0 votes
Mu x Amarante: 0 votes