It took me some time to post this up because I just got stuck halfway, not knowing what to write, but finally...here's the sixth chapter! Whoosh. Do tell me if you find the descriptions a bit too simple. D: I was debating on whether to stick with simplicity or add a whole lot of complex phrases in it - but then I decided perhaps it was okay this way since this is probably just how I write - still, if you have other opinions, do tell!

Important note : Many thanks to the people who have reviewed, favourited or supported me in any way so far. :') I am truly grateful.

P/S : As usual, I don't own Gundam 00.

"Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful."
- Mark Victor Hansen

Progress

"You look tired," Feldt observed.

Oh, I definitely was.

The encounter with Tieria a few hours ago still lingered in my mind. I shook it off, trying to focus on the breakfast tray in front of me. It was seven in the morning, and everyone was gathered in the eating area chattering vivaciously while having breakfast, save for the few who were on watch duty.

I took a quick glance around. Tieria was nowhere to be seen.

Noting my lack of response and somehow lifeless demeanor, Feldt rushed on, "Do you feel uncomfortable in my room? Perhaps there's something wrong with the bed, or…"

"Huh?" I looked up and saw her biting her lip, a nervous expression on her face. "Oh, Feldt – it's nothing like that. I woke up after having a dream and had a short walk on the Ptolemaios, that's all."

I decided to leave the incident of meeting Tieria in Veda's terminal out. No reason to scare Feldt - besides, I didn't want her to begin having thoughts like Tieria anyway. Sighing, I took a bite and chewed. The food felt good to my stomach - which didn't have much to eat except for an early dinner the previous night.

"I see. Well…you mightn't have met Tieria while on your walk, would you?"

I choked and hastily swallowed some juice. "How did you know?"

She smiled.

"Oh, it had to be you! Earlier on, Tieria was complaining about the lack of security on the Ptolemaios and in Veda's terminal – I'd say that he doesn't normally bring up topics like these. There had to be something that pushed him in the first place."

Feldt was smart. I shrugged, waiting for her to ask me about the details. However, she didn't - and I was thankful for that.

"He's going to kill me any day from now."

"Oh, Eri. He wouldn't. Tieria is a good person."

The look on her face was so serene. I almost believed her. Almost.

He gave me a brief sideways glance, looked away, stopped for a double take, then turned to Lockon, who was standing next to me.

"What's she doing here?"

"Come on, Tieria. She's a part of Celestial Being now – so she has to familiarize herself with everything on board here. In fact, she'll help out in any way possible as soon as she does – isn't that right, Eri?"

I nodded fervently.

Tieria didn't look convinced.

Lockon had insisted on taking me to the hangar after breakfast – so here we were. Machines whirred around in a monotone hum, carrying out necessary repairs even without the supervision of humans. I even saw several Haros - the ones similar to what Feldt had introduced to me earlier on - whizzing by, their mechanical ears flapping excitedly.

"Get her out of here," he said brusquely. "I don't want her 'familiarizing' herself with the Gundams too much. She's not a technician, nor is she a Meister. There's no reason why she should even be allowed inside here in the first place."

I didn't know what to say, so I simply glared at him. Though Tieria did not mention it, I knew he was still firm on the fact that I was like a time-bomb, ready to explode any moment.

"The Gundams…" I murmured, taking in the scene before me.

I had to exhale – because they were magnificent. I had seen the Gundams while in Veda's terminal, but this was actually the first time I was seeing them with my own very two eyes. They towered, tall, hulking and majestic – with each mechanical part fitting the next component perfectly, as if crafted out by the hands of God himself. They seemed to emanate a glow, a sense of power – something that I could not totally describe.

Cherudim, 00, Arios, Seravee…

Lockon opened his mouth to say something to Tieria. However, before he could, Ian Vashti approached us – well, to be specific, me.

"Eri, right?"

"Huh? Oh, yes."

"So…do you have any knowledge of space repairs?"

It was a casual question, but one I'm sure he took seriously. Did I?

Picking out the suitable words weren't easy. "I do know some theories of it after linking up with Veda previously…but I can't say that I've ever attempted or…"

"That's no problem. I'm sure you'll learn fast," Lockon said, ignoring Tieria's look of utter mortification.

"Well, come on over! There's lots of things I have to show you," Ian said, beckoning.

I followed behind, continuing to scrutinize the area. It was impressive, to say the least, that so few manpower was able to manage the maintenance of these rare equipments with such efficiency.

Tieria was speaking with Lockon. I watched as his expression turned from irritation to outrage, and then to cold distant aloofness.

Oh, he was definitely going to kill me soon. So much for Feldt's kind opinion of him. Well, there was nothing I could do. Everyone had a role to play in Celestial Being – since I was here, I had to do my part as well. Besides, anything was better than being locked up in a room, having nothing to do but to sleep all day long.

My dreams only served to make me confused – and sad.

I clenched my fists. Someday, I would find out the truth.

Mileina furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. The units weren't functioning as normally as they should be. Probabilities sparked in her mind – could it be something as simple as a loose wire or something more complex, like a messed up sequence coding…?

She turned to the young man next to her. Saji Crossroad was the one that piloted the 00 Raiser and fought alongside Setsuna. While Setsuna was more of a loner that dwelled i silence, Saji was open, sociable, and, from what she discovered, highly emotional. Now, however, he was examining a machine component, taking notes on a clipboard.

Saji had somehow ended up stuck with Celestial Being due to Setsuna. That was logical.

Mileina glanced at the newest member of Celestial Being, Eri, who seemed to be having good-natured conversations with some technicians, gesturing at various equipments as she did. Papa was next to her, a grin on his face.

Mileina frowned, not knowing exactly why she did. Even though it hadn't been long, Eri's presence had stirred up quite a commotion –

"Especially when it comes to Erde-san…"

There was no mistaking it – an odd tension definitely existed between the two. While Erde-san was not known for being in states of happiness, he was hardly kept on his toes like this.

Now, that wasn't logical.

"Oi, Mileina! Why don't you show Eri what you and Crossroad have been working on around here?"

Mileina strengthened her resolve. Whether the things about this new girl was logical or not, she would still have to get along her.

After all, papa and mama had always said that getting along with people was one of the most important things necessary in teamwork. She managed to get along with everyone in Celestial Being, including with newcomers like Saji Crossroad who constantly suffered from loneliness, and Marie Parfacy, who was also the unpredictable Soma Peires. She had even managed to survive Anew Returner, even when she had held Mileina as a hostage. Mileina shuddered at that memory, then shook her head exasperatedly.

She put a bright smile on her face and headed over to where they were standing.

"I'm bored! There's nothing, absolutely nothing to do now…"

"It's no fun. I want to take out Celestial Being too!"

"It's boring! Only the A-Laws get to enjoy this!"

Revive Revival sighed in annoyance, trying to ignore the continuous whining of Hilling Care which were escalating by the second.

"Stop complaining. You know better than to go against Ribbons' orders, don't you?"

Hilling pouted, stretching herself on a leather chair. "It's not like the A-Laws are anything great anyway! Humans, they're such a useless bunch. Haven't they realized that they need us to defeat Celestial Being?"

"You have a point – but still, orders are orders. We were made to follow them. Besides, Ribbons has plans of his own – though, you've probably forgotten about them all due to your stupi-"

"I have not!" Hilling wailed. "But it's so slow. Can't you see that she still hasn't realized anything yet?"

Revive thought for a moment. It was true. For now, she was certain that that girl – the one that was in Celestial Being – was still clueless about who or what she really was. They had to do something about it soon, but for now, Ribbons had stated that things should be left to work on their own devices, and disobeying Ribbons was like disobeying God himself. She vaguely remembered about how Regene Regetta had tangled himself up in Tieria Erde's affairs, and the consequences faced.

None of the Innovators had been sent to sortie yet – all of the battles so far had been by the initiation of the pathetic A-Laws themselves, who were still blind enough not see the true capabilities of the Innovators.

Ribbons had not stated more on what was going in that cunning, deceitful mind of his. Revive knew that he didn't have to anyway - after all, he was the mastermind. He was the leader. He was God, the only one qualified to lead humanity.

Revive's thoughts promptly turned back towards the girl. It was only a matter of time before the curtains were raised.

After all, she was one of their most precious assets.

I had to write in something from Mileina's standpoint! D: I just had to. I mean, it would be good to see what others were thinking about Eri, right? Right?

Review, please do review. :3

-Anne