Here comes a chapter! Oh, the holidays. How I love them, even though it's only for a week. No cliffies yet. :(
Sadly, I do not own Gundam 00.
"I'm not claiming divinity. I've never claimed purity of soul. I've never claimed to have the answers to life. I only put out songs and answer questions as honestly as I can... But I still believe in peace, love and understanding."
-John Lennon
Claims
Almost everybody was present.
Other than the few who were manoeuvring the ship or keeping a lookout for enemies at their control stations, the rest of the Celestial Being crew were gathered, silent and rather solemn. I knew that this was the time where they would decide what to do with me, whether to let me stay on board the Ptolemaios or to…
The forecaster was the first one to interrupt my train of thoughts.
"All right, then. Who are you?"
Feldt, her pink ponytail bobbing around due to the lack of gravity, was the one who answered before I could.
"Uhm…Sumeragi! Her memories are missing..."
Lockon lazed by with a casual expression on his face, looking not in the least bit troubled. I could tell that this man wasn't very much bothered with my presence, and that was comforting. "So that's what she's been telling you, eh? Tieria's going to be in a fit soon, with a situation that even he can't comprehend."
"I am not going to be 'in a fit', and there's nothing hard to comprehend about this situation! Sumeragi Li Noriega, this girl is…"
" – dangerous? A threat? I know, Tieria. But what if this isn't what she chose for herself?"
Everyone shifted their attention to me, waiting.
All right, this was it. Now or never.
"I didn't choose this."
They were silent, urging me to continue. Confusion was already beginning to spread on the once-defiant expressions. That was a good sign.
"You all made it sound as if I knew things. It's true, I do, but only because Veda told me. Or I accessed Veda, whichever way you would want to put it. I woke up inside the terminal. I didn't hack in on purpose, and mean no harm. If I were some – some Innovator thing, I would have infiltrated Celestial Being in a smarter way, wouldn't I, like what was once cleverly done by Anew Returner?"
There were flinches, murmurs.
"I know that the way I appeared here in such an abrupt manner is disconcerting. You all are wary, and…I don't blame you," I remembered all the visions that I saw inside Veda's terminal, all the pain that they had gone through. "In fact, it's only normal protocol for you all not to simply trust strangers, no? But whoever these Innovators are, I haven't met them. If I did in the past, then I don't remember."
Something must have struck Tieria, because all of a sudden he looked less wary. Now, his garnet eyes had widened, as if he had a sudden realization.
The change must have been obvious, because Allelujah said, "Tieria, are you all right?"
"Yes. You," –he gestured at me –"The key words are that you don't remember, and that this wasn't your choice. What if this was decided by someone else?"
The whisperings had increased in volume, and I tried my best to ignore it.
"What do you mean?"
"He means that there's a third party involved," Allelujah said kindly.
"If we were to look at this from another angle…" Tieria was muttering to himself, and I could sense his brain spinning as he considered the situation. "Yes, that might possibly be it…"
I tapped my foot, impatient. "Yes, Tieria?"
"It means that your memory might have been tampered with."
"A third party?"
The unease on everybody's face was apparent, and he pushed on. "The infamous third party, yes. My primary suspect would be the Innovators. As you managed to access Veda, I'm certain that they're related to you in some way. However, something they did to you must have damaged your memory. Your quantum brainwaves that enabled contact with them must have been destroyed in the process as well, because I don't sense any of it in you at all."
"I'm not an Innovator if that's what you're implying," I snapped, feeling the colour rise to my cheeks.
"Of course you're not, seeing as they've abandoned you here," Tieria brushed off my anger carelessly, like a man swatting off an annoying fly.
The word 'abandoned' made me pause.
Abandoned…?
A warm hand placed itself on my shoulder. It was Feldt, offering silent support. Marie and Allelujah gave me smiles, and Lockon was patting my head.
"Uh…what?" I asked warily, unused to these sudden displays of affection.
Sumeragi stood in front of me, hands on her hips.
"It's called acceptance. Tieria's opinion is clear. With your memory tampered and your quantum brainwaves wiped out, you pose no threat to us. True, all these aren't within my calculations, but that's all right. This is an exception that I'm willing to agree on as the tactical forecaster of Celestial Being. Besides, since you have obtained all sorts of information about us, there's no way we can let you off this ship. You could stay on board on the Ptolemaios and help us out in any way possible."
Before I could answer, Lockon popped out a very important question.
"So, how are we going to address you?"
"Uhm…"
"Oh, that's right!" Feldt looked at Marie, then at Lockon. "She doesn't know her name..due to the…destructed memories."
"Guess we'll have to give you one!"
"Azure?"
"Nina?"
"Rebecca?"
"I have no part in this," Tieria said, giving me one last irritated glance just before the door shut.
Setsuna shrugged and followed suit.
Meanwhile, the names continued. All sorts were being suggested – odd names, too. Ramona. Merrilyn. Edith. The girls were clearly enjoying themselves.
"Your hair is a dark green," Marie pointed out. "Maybe we should pick you a name something related to that…"
"I don't think I would like to be called a walking forest."
Lockon grinned, amused, proceeding to list down almost anything green-related. "Apples, trees, leaves, algae…"
The crew laughed along, and I found myself joining in as well.
"What about emerald?" Feldt asked, peeking shyly at me.
Emerald, eh?
It could be shortened. Emmy. Era. Eri.
Wait, that was it.
"Eri. Just Eri would do."
They stared for a moment, then Sumeragi extended her hand.
"All right," she said, grinning. "Welcome to Celestial Being, Eri."
Tieria Erde stared at the stars that flew past, the reflection on the thick glass windows telling him that his face was yet again etched into a frown.
Even after all the times Mileina encouraged him to smile, he still couldn't do it.
With the constant attacks from A-Laws, the dark shadows of the Innovators and the obliteration of innocent people happening on Earth, Tieria found that smiling was a difficult task indeed. There was never a time of rest – battles were like races. You lost if you weren't quick enough, and letting down your guard at inappropriate times were simply unacceptable.
The girl.
He overheard them calling her new name, over and over again. Eri. So that was who she was from now onwards.
Her entire presence was a mystery, an unwanted one at that. Tieria had grudgingly allowed her to live, but only because his keen Innovade senses told him that she meant the truth – about not intending to be of any harm here. The rest of her explanations seemed reasonable, but there was a nagging feeling that still constantly crawled to his mind. If he was right and that she was really abandoned by Ribbons Almark and his creations, then there could only be two reasons.
Either she was just too useless for him, or…
…she posed a threat that was too big for him to ignore.
Tieria cursed inwardly. What kind of threat would it be, then? A threat so big that he had to resort to such tactics? But if she was really a danger, or an annoyance, then killing her off would have been easier. It would be simple, no questions asked, and the other Innovades wouldn't have minded either.
So, why didn't they do that instead?
"So that's where you are. Defensive, aren't you? Wound up, that's what you are. Cut some slack. Sumeragi predicted that the A-Laws wouldn't attack soon. Get some rest. Read a book. Relax."
Tieria turned around to see Lockon perching casually against the doorframe.
"And you're being way too friendly to a stranger that has only been around for only a few hours, Lockon Stratos."
Raised eyebrows. "Friendly? It's called courtesy, Tieria. Besides, you more or less gave your approval for her to be on this ship. Shouldn't you trust your instincts a little? Guarded looks and hasty accusations never go anywhere. You've been a Meister for some time and should know this well enough."
"Being guarded is what keeps all of us alive," Tieria hissed, annoyance laced in his voice.
Lockon sighed. He knew better than to start an argument with Tieria. "Well, think about it then. I can tell you, though, if everyone acted as you did, Celestial Being would have never come this far."
With that, he left, leaving Tieria alone with his sharp, murderous and slightly confused thoughts.
That's it for this chapter. At least I have a name for her now. Took me some time to find something suitable. D:
Read and review! Constructive criticisms are always accepted!
- Anne