Truenofan86: Aw, thanks! That means alot!

"Newtypes? Zeon Deikun's theory?" Ryan raised an eyebrow, how had they come to this?

"Yes, and I believe that you're one of them." Kycilia sipped her tea again. "Nature's perfect cosmonaut."

"How can I be-"

"Think for a moment Adrian Ral Hamon." Kycilia interrupted. "Newtypes are people with extrasensory perception, they know things they have no possible way of being aware of. They can sense how people feel and what they're thinking. They're sensitive to death and the pain of others almost like it's being inflicted on themselves." She stopped, "Do you see now, I can truly help you."

Ryan hated it, but she was right. Everything she'd described had happened to him in some capacity.

"How do I know you're not just stringing me along?" He asked, "Luring me into loyalty with the promise of help?"

"You're so skeptical. Of everything." Kycilia said, sounding mildly peeved. "You've heard of the Flanagan institute. Correct?" She asked,

Ryan nodded, "People say they're a bunch of wannabe-psychic crackpots."

Kycilia almost laughed, "Far from it. The Flanagan Institute is the most successful Newtype research facility in the Earth Sphere. Even better than the Federation's."

"The Federation researches newtypes?"

"It's a recent practice." Kycilia shrugged, "They have no ability to create Newtype based weaponry. However, under our direction. We can teach you to channel your power before it destroys you. I've seen it happen. People who couldn't properly manage their newtype abilities rendered disabled at best. At worst, they die, their undertrained brains can't handle the additional sensory weight."

Ryan gulped, "I...see." He sensed she wasn't lying, but she was also strategically dropping this information to force him into her arms.

"So, what will you do, Adrian Ral Hamon?"

"What can I do?" Ryan threw his hands up, "I suppose I'll become your test rat."

"I see, then I regret to inform you, but for the time being, I'll be separating you from the other Quad-Stars. We need to figure out your Newtype aptitude, and testing can take a week at most." Kycilia notified him, "I've already prepared for your transfer."

Ryan said nothing, but stood and left

"Hey, there he is!" Gaia came down to him, "What's wrong, you look bothered!"

"I got new orders." Ryan said mirthlessly.

"So what do we need to do?" Ortega said eagerly,

"I said I had new orders. I'm going to the Flanagan Institute." Ryan said sadly,

"That crackpot place?" Gaia spat, "You're some kind of psychic now?"

Ryan shrugged, he didn't mention that everything Kycillia told him about Newtypes. And how it weirdly lined up with everything he'd been going through for the past eight years.

"Yeah, it's only me though."

The squad lapsed into an uncomfortable silence,after going from hated enemies to practical family - for the past months, they'd been as thick as thieves, going through heaven and hell for each other as brothers in arms. Now it seemed like everyone was going their separate ways. Gaia was dating someone and Ryan was headed off to the Flanagan Institute to continue his path as the golden boy of Zeon. And it wouldn't be long before Mash and Ortega found their own place as well.

None would prod the elephant in the room, but it was there. The fear that following the war, they'd all just...leave each other. No argument, they'd just fall out of contact with each other. Like everyone was headed down their own paths that none of the others could follow.

That is what made this event so uncomfortable for them.

"Psychic or not." Gaia broke the silence, "You're a Quad-Star first." He patted Ryan on the back, "You're our psychic."

Ryan smiles, "Alright, alright. I guess this means you'll be leading the team again 'till I get back."

"Don't take too long!" Mash slapped him on the back,

"We'll be making a name for ourselves as well, you know!"

Ryan chuckled, but said nothing.

Gaia wrapped his arms around the team, "Why the hell are we being such downers. Solomon has it's own bar, you know!"

"Oh no I couldn't-" But Ryans quiet protests were ignored, as the other Quad-Stars hustled him out.

The Lucky Mare, Solomon's No.1 Tavern

Before long, the normally quiet Ryan Sahalin was heavily intoxicated and belting out Dancing Queen with an equally under-influence Gaia.

"For such a quiet guy, it wasn't all that hard to get him to loosen up." Mash hic'ed.

"Yeah...I'll miss him." Ortega said, "Even Gaia might be leaving us, ever since he hooked up with that chick, I've been thinking...what's going to happen to the team?"

Mash looked to the side, he knew what Ortega was talking about, "We didn't say anything about it earlier...but we were all thinking about it. The team was built because we all piloted mobile suits. But once this war is over is that...just going to be it?"

Ortega and Mash lapsed into a horribly melancholy silence.

"Well, there's one thing we can do." Mash raised a glass,

"That's right, Live in the present-"

"-and don't look back!" They clinked their beer glasses together.

Solomon Space Port

Gaia wrapped Ryan in a bearhug, with Mash and Ortega dogpiling on top.

"C-can't...breathe!" Ryan choked out

Gaia let go, slightly embarrassed. "Be seeing you then,"

"Be seeing you." Ryan bored the Papua Class Mosel.

Several hours later, Baldur Bay

After several hours of silence, they made their way to Baldur Bay colony which - to Ryan's surprise - housed the Flanagan Institute.

The ship he was on not only carried passengers, but several tons of equipment which was apparently meant for the institute as well.

He disembarked, his possessions few - most of his things were on Achilles.

Almost as soon as he stepped off the rap, he had a spark, and ducked to avoid a flying rock. It sailed cleanly over his head and ricochet off some equipment being unloaded.

"Hey, not bad!" A woman in a white labcoat ran up to him. And Ryan had never seen anything that could scream "Mad Scientist" more.

Her glasses were small, perched askew on her nose. Under her coat was a plain black t-shirt that was marred with various (coffee?) stains. Her could-be pretty brown hair was an absolute knotted mess.

More importantly, she radiated eccentricism. Her eyes carried an obsessive and eager glint.

She practically began dissecting him right there, "Interesting...I visually estimate he's 14 - 15 years old…"

Ryan raised an eyebrow, "I'm 19."

"Fascinating!" She noted down something quickly, "...lack of aging...perhaps a lengthened lifespan?"

"Uh...who are you?" Ryan said, right as the woman lifted up his arm and began feeling it.

"Oh!" SHe jumped back, "I'm so sorry!" She bowed apologetically, she straightened her askew glasses, "I'm Dr. Esther Brinkman, I worked for Zimmad with my husband but it wasn't exactly my type of work. Now I help design psycommu systems and help with testing of Newtypes. I tend to geek out if it has anything to do with either Newtypes or Mobile Suits."

"Right...Lt. Commander Ryan Sahalin."

"Your reputation precedes you Lt. Commander, you'll fit right in."

Against his better judgement, Ryan got in a car with the visibly mentally unstable woman.

"So...what is this Flanagan Institute?" Ryan asked,

"Contrary to what it may appear, it's actually a civilian institution dedicated to the study of Newtypes. At least, that's what it is on the surface. In reality, we're converting these poor kids into living weapons." Esther gripped the wheel, whatever they were doing, it didn't sit well with her.

"Kids?"

"Yes, many of our residents are under 18. In fact, not a single resident is 30 or above." Esther seemed saddened by this fact.

"We're not...mistreating these kids?" Ryan said,

"We're here." Esther's cheery attitude was all but gone.

Ryan entered the clean white halls of the institute. It almost seemed like a normal school dormitory or hotel.

"Since you're older, you get your own room here." Esther tossed him a key, "Room 32." She walked away briskly with her hands in her pockets.

Hefting his backpack, he heads up an elevator onto a hotel-like hall. Sure enough, it was marked 30-40. Meaning it was the right hall.

He turned to the right, and entered the room marked 32 with his key.

He instantly dumped his bag on the side of one of the two beds present, and he flopped on it. 'Well, I mean, at least the place is nice.'

Then an ear-piercing shriek echoed through the room and facility as a lamp decked Ryan in the face.

Esther heard an ear piercing shriek come from the hall she'd just sent Ryan. 'Oh...I did forget to mention he had a roommate here.' She sighed, approaching an elevator, she spoke: "Rooms 30 - 40."

'I hope they're both okay…'

"Burglar!" She brandished another lamp like a mace,

"Ow! Shit!" Ryan swore quietly, tapping his forehead, he realized he wasn't bleeding at least, "You idiot! This is my room!" He yelled,

"Don't yell at me!" The girl shouted back panically.

"Then put the lamp down and explain!"

"Do you swear you're not a burglar?"

"Do I look like one?" He motioned to his uniform,

Taking a look at the man, the girl realized that this wasn't just some random soldier, but a superior officer.

"I'm so sorry sir!" She immediately got on her knees, "I didn't realize I was assaulting a superior officer!"

"It's fine…" Ryan rubbed his head, "I'm Lt. Commander Ryan Sahalin, and I believe we'll be sharing this room."

"Ryan Sahalin...as in Sahalin the Black Knight?!" The girl went pale, and Ryan could've sworn her bright red hair got a few shades paler as well.

"I told you, don't worry about it."

Before further conversation could be held, Dr. Brinkman entered the room. "I heard screaming-" She took a look around, and saw the shattered lamp.

"I'd like to apologize to both of you. I didn't mention you'd be roommates. Lt. Commander this is Cadet Alma Striner, Cadet, meet Lt. Commander Ryan Sahalin, the Black Knight of Zeon."

"I'm so sorry!" Alma said again, "I had no idea!"

"It's alright." Ryan was starting to feel somewhat bad for the girl.

The girl looked up, small tears forming on the corners of her eyes. "So...you're not...mad at me?"

"No." Ryan flopped back on the bed, "I'm not."

"Okay!" Almost immediately, Alma popped back up, "Cadet Alma Stirner, At your service!"

"Right..anyway, you came just in time for dinner. It's at 7 o' clock," Esther left the room,

"God I'm tired…" Ryan muttered,

"So, what's it like?" Alma hopped on his bed,

'Oh dear…' "What is what like?"

"You know...being so skilled and famous." Alma asked, "I always found it pretty amazing...what people like you do."

Ryan looked at Alma with one eye, 'She reminds me of her…' He sat up, "Well, that's what you're here to do, isn't it?"

"Huh?"

"You're here to improve."

"I guess so...but why are you here?"

Ryan's breath hitched, why was he here?

"Oh I didn't realize it was sensitive for you..." Alma trailed off. The two of them fell into silence,

"What are your siblings like?" Alma asked,

"The Sahalin Family?" He chuckled quietly, "Ginias is...a nerd to say the least. Always on about some new project or experiment. He can get obsessive, but at the end of the day he cares about us all."

"Aina is headstrong, you remind me of her actually. Always hanging off either me or Ginias, she's the bright spot of the family."

Alma blushed somewhat, "You think so?"

"They call her the Azure Witch, because of her blue hair."

"I want to have my very own ace name!" She looked at Ryan, "Say, just by looking at me, what would mine be?"

"Hm...maybe the Red Fairy?"

"Eh? Why Fairy?"

"Because you're red-haired, and remind me of a fairy."

Alma pouted, "Give me a better one."

Ryan didn't say anything, but gave a soft smile and turned over. "No, leave me alone, Red Fairy."

Alma stuck her tongue out at him, but complied anyway.

And that's how Alma Stirner the "Red Fairy" became fast friends with Ryan Sahalin the "Black Knight".

A/N: And yet another series has been tied into the Solar Century. Once again, check out the wiki for technical information and other things!

Fandom link: official-solar-century .fandom. com

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