"Right, December 27th After Disaster Stella 122, so…me and Suletta…we kissed, and then later did nothing about it. It sure does feel odd, like it is something that a pair of married people do. The problem is that we're not even a couple. Just a pair of good friends, good friends that seem to find each other attractive enough to kiss each other. The worst part of it is that it feels like it didn't happen and only I know what happened, and Suletta pretends that it didn't happen as well. But here I'm writing about my feelings and completely omit what is happening…maybe that ship air already makes me go slowly insane and the fact I already miss the red soils of Mars helps that fact. As I'm writing this it's been a day since we set off for Asticassia. Me still kinda hang on the fact that nobody told me that the closest person I had to a grandmother had died. But sadly It is the Tekkadan way, always move forward and don't stop…Before the final goodbyes we got a last briefing from Azee, Lafter and Uncle Orga. With the latter saying that there is a surprise waiting for us back at school, "A gift for the whole company.", we don't know it is, Miorine and Suletta don't know what is, apparently it's supposed to be a surprise . And the fact that Orga had a smirk while saying it doesn't help that. Only the two coming weeks left for speculations. That and trying to fit in Hibiki with the rest of the Earth House, although I'm sure Nika will love her."-Akatsuki Augus's private journal, Ad Stella 122.
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: DEMON INCARNATE
CHAPTER 18: WALK FARWARD AND DON'T STOP.
16 days…16 dreaded days since Akatsuki received the best gift ever. The same amount equalling to him and Suletta completely ignoring the same fact. Not that Suletta herself didn't find it difficult, it was proving just as hard. Especially the fact that it felt THAT good, and the fact the two alongside Miorine kept sharing the living quarters on board the Altland getting them back to Asticassia. The three youngsters still laying in their beds as Suletta, who in contrast to both of her fiancés was up as she shot glances at both Miorine and at Akatsuki. Who both took the known sleeping position of "mangled limbs on the bed.". 'They both look cute when asleep.'-Suletta thought as she then imagined the two snuggling together, her blush exploding on her face as she then remembered how similar it was to her "secret" Christmas gift. One that turned out to be a POV readerxAkatsuki fan manga, that was rated M. Suletta couldn't help but find the story very inaccurate. With the portrayal of Akatsuki being a complete 180 to his real personality. The plot was also lazy, a story of a shy female journalist with a task to interview the young pilot. But it wasn't what was bringing Suletta back to that tiny book, it was the more "graphic" part that kept Suletta reading it on repeat. Not only there but also in her dreams, with Akatsuki always being accompanied by his loyal wife Miorine. Who was also a person up for experiments. But all good things always come to an end, and so did the brief period of silence Suletta enjoyed as Akatsuki's Haro begun to flap its wings.
"Akatsuki get up, Akatsuki get up."-Haro said as Miorine, as always let out a dissatisfied groan into her pillow.
"If we will ever live together, then I swear to god we will need to set some rules regarding alarm clocks."-Miorine said though the pillow as Akatsuki who was also brought up from his slumber lifted himself up. Allowing Suletta to briefly see his bare chest before he covered himself with a T-shirt.
"Good morning to you too…Haro? How many days it has been since we departed?"-Akatsuki asked as Haro's eyes lit up.
"Exactly 15 days since the Altland-type Tekkadan Security Corps transporter left the Martian airspace."-Haro said as Akatsuki sighed while he stretched himself.
"Great, that means we should be arriving to Asticassia in just the couple of hours. How much stuff you need for the laundry?"-Akatsuki asked as Miorine pointed at the trash bag full of laundry lying next to the bed she shared with Suletta, looking at it to which Akatsuki nodded.
"Fine, I'll get dressed and get this to the laundry room while you two head for breakfast."-Akatsuki said as he for the first time in weeks took out his holder uniform out of his bag before heading to the bathroom, as soon as he was out of vicinity Miorine's head once again landed on her pillow in dissatisfaction.
"Breakfast…I swear I miss Atrra's cooking more every day when we have to eat MRE's."-Miorine said as Suletta smiled at the position her fiancé was currently in. To which Suletta only looked at her amused.
"But you kept eating instant Ramen and take-out?"-Suletta asked as Miorine only slightly turned her head to face her, her right eye squished into the pillow.
"But at least it's take out designed for us normal people to swallow rather than fill your stomach before going to a battle."-Miorine said before she once again buried her face into her pillow. Causing Suletta to once again sighed before she got up to prepare herself for the day, starting with picking her headband, between her Mom's and the new shiny red one given to her by Akatsuki, a seemingly hard decision. 'Oh dang it, why do I have to have emotional attachment to both?'-she thought as she kept looking at the two headband, seemingly so immersed in thoughts that she didn't even notice Akatsuki leave their quarters holding their laundry.
"All right, white here, black here and colour here. Get the powder inside and press start."-Akatsuki said as now dressed back into his favourite school combo of his holder uniform, his blue shoes and his TSC jacket with freshly sewn on Turbine patches on the shoulders, neatly matching the MCA Ensign rank ornaments on the collar. As the washing machine begun to spin he then turned towards the other side of the room to see a group dryers spinning in harmony with the washing machines before someone entered the laundry room. Turning around he noticed it was Hibiki, her also dressed in her Asticassia uniform and holding a basket.
"Lemme guess, dealing with laundry before arriving to school?"-She asked to which Akatsuki nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, it's important to keep some hygiene on board a ship where dust layer is over 5 centimetres and impossible to clean."-Akatsuki said as Hibiki chuckled while walking towards one of the dryers that just finished spinning.
"If you'll have your own ship you'll see how hard it is to keep it clean. Besides here it seems to be far cleaner than the biggest Teiwaz ships that aren't Saisei so keep that in mind."-Hibiki joked as she took out a big amount of laundry out of the dryer, Akatsuki only glanced at it and realised that half of the clothes were male boxers. To which he immediately sighed in amusement.
"Are you doing Damon and Miru's laundry now?"-Akatsuki asked as Hibiki sighed.
"Mostly Damon's…I can't believe Miru was picking up his slack for months. Hell it appears she also lost it alongside most of her motoric skills regarding basic functions of living, such as doing her own laundry."-Hibiki said causing Akatsuki to chuckle as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Well, as someone who shared a room with him for a little amount of time…I can say that is the truth. The fact that he thinks mostly with his crotch rather than head doesn't help that. But he promised that it won't happen again."-Akatsuki said chuckling as Hibiki raised her eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"AW AW AW! DAMN IT HIBIKI LET GO OF MY EAR! FUCK IT HURTS! MIRU! TELL HER SOMETHING!"-Damon exclaimed as Hibiki was currently twisting his ear with Miru not even paying attention as she kept scribbling in her sketchbook with the three Turbine siblings sitting at the same table as Akatsuki, Miorine and Suletta. Who silently chuckled at the sight. Miru only rolled her eyes as she kept drawing.
"You brought it on yourself when you decided to bring your girl to your dorm room when Akatsuki was asleep. I only promised to keep my mouth shut."-Miru said as Akatsuki, who still had his mouth full of MRE mac'n'cheese. Kept watching the scene as it slowly seemed like Hibiki with just her hand alone would bend Damon's spine to 90 degrees.
"What the hell where you thinking!? Letting your booty call to judge your actions rather than your brain!? At least you could've went to a love hotel!"-Hibiki said as Damon finally muttered out an explanation.
"To your knowledge after that and the fact that Miru chased her around with a baseball bat we started going to hotels! Now please let me go now!"-Damon said making Hibiki finally let go of his ear. Damon only sighed as he returned to eating his breakfast MRE. A brief period of silence immersing between six teenagers before suddenly they were joined by Vivian, who also had a tray holding her breakfast.
"Hey kids, how's it hanging?"-The violet-haired Turbine senior asked as the younger kids looked at her with an confused look. 'Wait, am I really so out of touch?'-she thought as she joined the younger kids for breakfast.
"Hey Vivian, shouldn't you be at the bridge with Ride?"-Akatsuki asked Vivian who sighed before jugging down her coffee.
"Already had cleared my shift few hours ago, now I'm tired and just waiting until we reach school so that I can catch some ZZZ's, ah yes, I forgot that I can't do that because of the Boss's generosity."-Vivian said pointing at Miorine as both Suletta and Akatsuki looked at her confused, with Miorine being as confused as both of her grooms.
"And why are you pointing at me?"-Miorine asked making Vivian sigh.
"Because it is your company's lack of needed stuff that forced our accountants to do tons of paper work and to actually get the whole process going."-Vivian said as Akatsuki slightly raised his eyebrow.
"You mean that gift Uncle Orga was talking about? Wait, you know?"-Akatsuki asked making Vivian a target of the judging eyes of six teenagers. 'Shit…I've said too much.'-she thought as she felt the piercing stares of her siblings.
"Vivian, spill the beans..."-Damon said as Vivian covered her mouth with her hand.
"I can't! I promised to Lafter, Azee that and the Boss I'll keep my mouth shut!"-Vivian said just as Miru raised her face from her sketchbook with something that could be called an evil grin as she reached out for her phone from the pocket on her jacket.
"Well that sucks, although it would be shame if I shared some…material, I saw during the Christmas party, especially the part where you were shivering like a schoolgirl in front of Ride."-Miru said as Vivian's eyes widened.
"You wouldn't dare…"-She whispered making Suletta look towards Miru surprised.
"Wait…Miss Vivian has a crush on Mister Ride?"-Suletta asked as Vivian's face was covered in a crimson blush.
"No…"-she said making all three of the younger Turbines smirked.
"Yes."-They said as Vivian finally spoke up.
"Fine! I won't tell you everything but I'll give you a hint. It has something to do with the Isaribi, happy? Now screw off!"-Vivian said grabbing her tray and walked away from the table leaving the puzzled youngsters alone.
"Isaribi? What is that?"-Miorine asked as Akatsuki, himself confused unfolded his arms.
"Isaribi was Tekkadan's first ship, but after the Fareed incident and Tekkadan's folding prior to founding of TSC it was scrapped."-Akatsuki explainedbefore he returned to his food, without any other topic to talk about the group simply returned to their food as well.
"Asticassia air control? This is Tekkadan Security Corps Altland-Class Transport data coded: DIFF012820. Requesting landing in the designated TSC sector, awaiting reply."-Ride said as he currently sat on the Altland's bridge, in the captain's chair awaiting for the reply, just like the procedures required. Although being someone who was illiterate until he was 12 of course he didn't bother to read the whole thing, only the most important details. As he sat bored Vivian flew onto the bridge before grabbing the back of Ride's chair.
"What did they say?"-She asked before Ride turned towards the Violet-haired Turbine.
"We're still waiting."-He replied as one of the RIO's of the Altland crew turned towards them.
"Captain! We have a reply."-The young female officer said before Ride gestured for to play the recording.
"We hear you DIFF012820, unfortunately we cannot let you inside of your dock due to another ship residing in its first bay, although you can wait until 1400 hours for another Altland transport to leave the second bay, then you'll be able to dock."-The reply said as Ride rubbed his chin sighing. 'Damn you Boss, I hope that this whole thing will be worth it.'-he thought giving another command and sending another message.
"Air Control? This is DIFF012820, we'll wait."-Ride said as he sighed before turning to Vivian.
"Ask Fumitan to transfer new orders, tell the transport crews to prepare the MS crates for transport, we have 45 minutes max."-Ride said as Vivian nodded before taking out her notepad and complying with her orders.
"Finally, I swear sitting around in a normal suit is worse than awaiting deployment for sortie!"-Damon said as he alongside his siblings, Suletta and Miorine jumped off from the Altland, all six dressed in their Asticassia uniforms before Miorine then turned to Ride.
"Ok, we are here. Now please tell us what that supposed surprise for the company is?"-Miorine asked as Ride reached out for a small envelope inside his jacket, one marked "To GUND-ARM Inc. staff". After he handed it over to Miorine, she opened it to reveal a small letter.
""Dear Miss Rembran, as the head-commander of the Tekkadan Security Corps I wanted to thank you for our partnership up to this point, although the Christmas season was a far better occasion for me to make this offer I didn't want to break the family atmosphere with business gibberish, besides who doesn't like a good surprise? As am writing this the said surprise should arrive in your school, take care and treat it well. Commander Orga Itsuka." And I guess we need to walk over to the second bay."-Miorine said as she begun to walk, completely omitting the fact that she left behind her things. Much to confusement of the rest of youngsters as they walked behind her before reaching their destination to reveal…a ship of course. One that resembled a Shino-class MS carrier, although differing much from its final counterpart, notably by having three MS launch pads rather than standardized two featured on most SAL and MCA ships and being far larger, with the centre one being the only that was fully covered as both the left and right catapults were exposed what on other battle carriers was a standard. Most notable fact was that the ship's appeared to have its paint worn out, with the visible grey undertones showing up underneath the black paint and red details known on other TSC ships. What brought Miorine's attention wasn't the sheer grandness of the design and the fact that it looked like a military ship, the problem was exactly that. Most notably were a pair of twin battery cannons residing above the centre Launchpad alongside smaller batteries under the bridge and around the whole construction of the ship. Akatsuki on the other hand was confused before he turned around towards Ride.
"The Apostle? I thought it was decommissioned years ago?"-Akatsuki asked as Ride rubbed the back of his head.
"It was decommissioned, in fact it was sitting in the bay so initially Orga wanted to scrap it in order to save costs, it was the realisation that GUND-ARM Inc. lacked a proper ship that saved it from that fate."-Ride explained while Suletta kept looking at the ship.
"The Apostle?"-she asked confused before Hibiki put her hand on Suletta's shoulder.
"It's from the early days of TSC, built from the remains of the Isaribi as a propaganda piece and a proof that working with the government will build a better organisation. A state of the art when rolled out, henceforth the name Apostle, symbolising the better future it would bring. It did few courses but as the years went by it proved harder to maintain, especially with the Altlands and smaller redesigns of the Apostle-class the Shinos. So it was decommissioned."-Hibiki explained as Ride smirked.
"But don't worry, it was refurbished and refitted with modern technology in order to serve again, not to mention it was re-coated with Nanolaminate, the calamity reactor is now supported by a Permet reactor responsible for all the new bells and whistles."-Ride explained as meanwhile Miorine, who wasnt really convinced pointed at the cannons.
"If so then why didn't you remove the weapons? You know that our company aids to save lives. Using a ship with weapons appears to be a counterstatement to our mission."-Miorine said while Ride sighed before he was joined by Vivian in the explanation department.
"Reason number one, the decision to rush the Apostle back into service was relatively late, with the removal of weapons taking too much time before the deadline, henceforth leaving them intact. Reason number two, it literally would've turned you into a giant target, even without batteries it's obvious that it is a military ship and would bring attention of pirates for example, that and the fact Akatsuki or Damon and Miru won't be there all the time to sortie and fend them off. No matter how idealistic you are the people won't care. Aerial also has weapons and I don't see you complain."-Vivian said as Miorine at first tried to counterargument it. Getting to the level where she lifted up her finger to complain, before realising that Vivian actually spoke with sense, and that she was 100% right. Besides the fact that they now have a ship, one not associated with the Benerit Group and one that can be maintained by TSC was also something that couldn't be omitted. So she kept it straight and polite.
"You know, you're right. I guess we should tell the rest of the company staff before we transport it to the Earth House bay."-Miorine said just as both Suletta and Akatsuki let out a deep sigh of relief. Vivian only smirked as she pointed at the ship's cargo bay.
"That is also not the only surprise, since the forecast of duels is rapidly increasing with more of my siblings coming in, inside the Apostle we sent some additional units to help. Three Kutan MK III transporters and two additional Core Fighters. So you won't have to worry about spare parts."-Vivian said as the eyes of younger Turbine siblings lit up, Damon and Miru's at the prospect of getting more chances to wreck their suits in combat and Hibiki's on the prospect of getting to work on a Core Block-Equipped mobile suit. Vivian only sighed as it meant that seeing her siblings in a state like that meant she once again had spoken to much.
"Hello? Hello? Anyone home?"-Akatsuki exclaimed as he alongside Suletta and Miorine and the Turbine siblings walked inside the Earth House, one visibly empty, except for a certain goat that begun to munch upon Hibiki's jacket sleeve.
"Oh! A real goat! That's so cool, I wasn't expecting to see that but still cool."-Hibiki said as Akatsuki patted Ginko's head.
"Come on Ginko, you don't have to munch on everyone's sleeves."-Akatsuki said while Ginko begrudgingly nodded before letting go of Hibiki's sleeve as group of six continued to walk along the barren dormitory, their bags in hand, especially Hibiki who held her saxophone case on her back.
"Maybe we came back first?"-Suletta asked before all of them heard a ear-piercing scream and quite loud "thud" of someone falling on floor. Not thinking anything they rushed towards the main living area, with Akatsuki and Damon's hands instinctively rushing to their jacket holsters. Only to witness a view that looked…weird, to say the least. They saw Ojelo Nuno and Till, tinkering with the prototype leg prosthetics, with one of them visibly upwards, and a figure of Martin laying down on the floor, with Chuchu alongside Anya and Lilique sitting on the couch and overlooking the whole scene.
"Uhm…what happened here?"-Akatsuki asked as Martin managed to turn around to face the two.
"H-Hello…"-he muttered out as Hibiki walked though both her brother and Akatsuki, her eyes glittering as she looked at the pair of prosthetics.
"Those must be the new prosthetic legs! No wonder they pack quite a kick, someone forgot to properly fine-tune them!"-Hibiki said moving her sleeve upwards to reveal a some sort of smartwatch, before taking out a small cord and plugging it into a port on one of the legs. Her being completely immersed in the job that she didn't notice the eyes of the Earth house students looking over her.
"Uhm, excuse me…but who is that?"-Chuchu asked as Miru walked in front of the group.
"Oh, pardon for her lack of introduction, guys this is Hibiki, she is an engineering student from Teiwaz who decided to join us in Asticassia, not to mention that she is my and Damon's sister. Hibiki, those are the Earth House students: Martin, Nuno, Ojelo, Till, Chuchu, Anya and Lilique."-Miru recited as Hibiki only slightly looked up.
"Oh, cool."-She said before returning to her work, allowing her smartwatch's small projector to display the prosthetic's inner blueprints, Hibiki kept silently muttering under her lips as she pressed something on the small screen. Before suddenly the kicking leg reformatted itself back to its stiff normal position.
"She…she repaired it herself."-Ojelo said as Martin finally got up from the ground.
"So, you are a mechanic?"-He asked before Hibiki turned to face him.
"Not only that, an amateur pilot and a skilled sax player, speaking of saxophone is there a music club I can join?"-Hibiki rapidly begun to shoot questions in a speed akin to a machine gun. Martin only put up his hands gesturing for her to slow down, looking over towards the looks that Miru and Damon were giving her, and the fact that having another mechanic wouldn't be something he as a House leader couldn't say no to. The fact that there wouldn't be any new Earth Students any time soon and the disproportionate amount of pilots and Mobile Suits to mechanics was also a factor.
"Could you, slow down for a second? I guess you immediately picked the house application with your siblings right?"-Martin asked as Hibiki nodded before Chuchu walked up towards him.
"Hold your horses, why do we have to accept her on nepotism alone? You're a mechanic right?"-Chuchu asked bending towards Hibiki, who nodded in agreement.
"Yes, and a good one…I'm also a pilot."-Hibiki said as then Chuchu then looked at the pair of unfinished prosthetics, and then back to Hibiki, who kept looking with curiousness both at the pink-haired Earthian and then towards the two other Turbine siblings. Chuchu only scuffed before once again turning to Hibiki.
"Can you repair Demis?"-She asked as Hibiki nodded.
"I built the TSC display Demi for the Benerit Group Incubation Party if it interests you."-Hibiki said before Chuchu nodded before backing off from Hibiki.
"Ok, then welcome…and if you are like your siblings then I don't have to worry about racism."-Chuchu said before finally leaving the young Turbine alone as the two Earthian girls shared a confused look with Suletta.
"Oh, since you're back that means you brought your mobile suits back as well right?"-Nuno asked with Miorine stepped in front of the group of the newly-arrived.
"Oh, they should be on board the Apostle as we speak."-Miorine said as the Earth House students looked at each other confused.
"The Apo-what?"
With a hiss the door to the Apostle's bridge opened as the young Earthians with the exception of Chuchu marvelled at the sheer size of the bridge in contrast to the small shuttle they were given by the school.
"Wow, with that we probably have the biggest ship in the entire school!"-Ojelo said sitting at one of the chairs as the Apostle's systems seem to completely light up on their own.
"It is nice for our sponsors to grant us a ship, although why did it have to be military surplus?"-Lilique asked before Ojelo turned on his spinnging chair towards her.
"It is exactly why it's so good, the military always has the best technology. Whether it's from surplus or not."-Ojelo replied as Vivian walked on to the bridge and sat on the captain's chair.
"Right kiddies, since you are still not quite used to how the Apostle operates then let me assist you first. You've implied the course right?"-Vivian asked with Chuchu turning from her chair with a thumbs up.
"I think so, although it is harder to do it without Nika. Also, I would ask who are you but judging by that jacket you are another sibling, a senior I guess."-Chuchu said as Vivian smirked.
"I can see why Miru likes you, straight to the topic. Never mind, Fumitan!"-Vivian exclaimed with her commanding voice seemingly making blue lights lit up throughout every monitor.
"Fumitan 5.12.3 system boot-up sequence, systems ready, control of ship's controls, bios, inner systems, trajectory systems assumed. System all-green. What can I be of assistance?"-The AI asked as for the Earth House students it was the real first time to hear the AI function to be something more than just Mobile Suit Control assistant.
"Apply the set course, begin engine start-up sequence, move out from the bay towards the set coordinates."-Vivian said cracking her knuckles as she got a light of confirmation.
"Affirmative."-Fumitan replied as everyone, both those who were sitting on various chairs throughout the bridge could feel strong vibrations as outside the four large thrusters lit up in blue flame.
"Right…Apostle move out!"-Vivian exclaimed as the ship slowly yet steadily begun to pick up pace as the battleship meant for carrying mobile suits finally left the bay. Causing various "Ahhs" and "Ohhs" from the Earth House students with the ship soaring though the sea of the stars, with only Miorine not being so immersed in the whole experience as she turned from her chair towards Vivian.
"Are you sure we will able to commandeer a ship like that on our own?"-Miorine asked as Vivian smirked closing her eyes.
"Don't worry Miorine...The jobs of you and your friends have to do are here on the bridge. Fumitan will do everything else, the only thing you'll have to do manually a side from piloting is activating the catapult and passing the controls to the pilot, don't worry CEO. Everything will be A-OK. Especially with as a resourceful crew as you make those kids to be it should be easy! Hell if you'll have problems with governing the ship itself then I can help you with the controls."-Vivian said as Miorine nodded, before seemingly a lightbulb had lighten up. Before then pointing towards Vivian.
"All right, then I officially hire you as the Apostle's captain until you can help train the GUND-ARM Inc.'s staff in fully operating the ship on our own."-Miorine said as Vivian, surprised then turned her head to see Miorine's little smirk. One that only a businesswoman who just forced her way during important negotiations or forced her competitors to go out of business. 'I can see why Akatsuki likes her, that woman is evil…both in literal way and apparently in the hot way as well.'-Vivian thought before begrudgingly agreeing to Miorine's offer.
"Fine, but give me a day, or two…I need to get settled around here. You know, I'm here on a visa and all of that shtick."-Vivian said as Miorine nodded to her words.
"Fine, besides our best mechanic and overall ship pilot is still on her way back from Titan so we can wait with the full course."-Miorine said with seemingly on instinct Hibiki turned around her chair towards Miorine. Her eyebrows furrowed as she felt visibly triggered by Miorine's words.
"Excuse me?"-She asked in a tone that made Damon, Miru and Akatsuki only sighed as the Earth House kids kept looking confused on the whole situation.
"What's with her?"-Chuchu asked as Miru bent towards her puffed-haired Earthian compatriot.
"She pressed the pride button, and she shouldn't have done that, watch it."-Miru said as Miorine gulped.
"Mental note: NEVER insult Hibiki's pride again."-Miorine said rubbing her cheek while Suletta only let out a nervous chuckle. Both of them were now in the Earth House's mobile suit storage space. With Akatsuki, the Turbine siblings and the Earth House students now busy with unpacking the four standard issue MS crates. Suletta only kept rubbing Miorine's shoulders trying to calm her down.
"Don't worry Miorine! Besides, it is still one more skilled mechanic for the company."-Suletta said as Miorine huffed.
"Of course, that slap probably carried the entire personality. If only she could keep her more caring side for other people than only her siblings and Akatsuki."-Miorine said with a huff, although she respected Hibiki's technical knowledge and experience, being a student and a child prodigy of Teiwaz and one tought enough so that she could build entire Mobile Suits all on her own was something even a person like her respected and admired. But the second side of her personality…the more prideful one, was the one what made her probably the most dangerous out of the three Turbine siblings that were now in her company. So she could only hope that no poor soul would insult her skills either as a mechanic, or a pilot. Speaking of Hibiki…
"All right! Closer!, watch out for the rifle!"-Hibiki said guiding the Earth House transport crew watching the now beautifully looking MT-0064HT Darilbalde Custom, now painted in beautiful white and purple with red details. Hibiki herself couldn't look more proud as her eyes were now locked on the add-on that freshly arrived from Teiwaz before they were shipped off to Asticassia, her owned-designed Heat Pincer Blades. The best, and only weapon that she designed for close quarter combat. While not as powerful as beam weapons, it definitely looked cooler than a standard beam saber. Hibiki kept proudly looking at her beautiful creation she felt a hand touching her shoulder, turning around to see Aliya.
"Excuse me, but if you are here to join the mechanical department then why did you need to bring a Mobile Suit along with you?"-She asked as Hibiki showed her the biggest of smiles.
"Well…just because I'm here to study more mechanical work doesn't mean I will just quit being a pilot, the one reason other than that my siblings both by-blood and honorary are here piloting and lack someone with knowledge of how the MCA standard and Gundam frames are to be actually maintained in a way they won't have to resolve to cutting off their limbs or ejecting the upper portion of the Mobile Suit in order to actually win, so that's why I'm here in aid, that and the fact I felt really alone without my siblings so my mom sent me here to spend more time with them. Oh, regarding my Darilbalde? I've read about the school's duelling system, and it is something I highly anticipate, as without worrying about getting the bride I can focus on hoarding as many spare parts as possible."-Hibiki said clapping her hands as Aliya only carefully nodded as she then looked towards other pair of fresh arrivals from the Apostle and being loaded up into the Earth House hangar. Those being Damon and Miru's Aiolos. Now visibly different then when the Earth House students had seen them. Miru being the main artist of the Junior Turbines was also the one responsible for what the Aiolos now looked like. Repainted with the help of their brothers and sisters. Now sporting a similar livery Akatsuki and the Barbatos AA had sported. With MCA's original red residing only on the legs. With the waist, side and back skirts now painted white and the upper part of the waist being painted dark blue. What was differing between the two suits were the minor details. With the vents of Damon's suit being painted red while Miru's were painted purple, similar rule following to the right arms of their suits. With the left arm's armour now being painted white with the red Turbines emblem residing on the shoulder. Hibiki then looked up to see her sister, who alongside Till and Nuno were now finished with getting the Aiolos inside. With Miru letting out a sigh of relief that they were finally done.
"Is everything ok up there? And where is Damon?"-Hibiki asked making Miru almost punch the cockpit hatch of her Aiolo, knowing what Damon did just few minutes before.
"He bailed out on us in order to frenchkiss his skank of a girlfriend."-Miru said as Hibiki raised her eyebrow.
"What?"
"Damn it Damon, pick it up."-Akatsuki asked as he stood on the balustrade of Barbatos's cage, awaiting for his friend to actually reach out for his phone. Before he finally got what he wanted…a signal.
"Hey buddy,uhmmm yeah I missed this"-Damon said as currently he was finding himself in although really really comfortable situation in the most unfitting position, as currently judging by the fact he was only in his Asticassia undersuit, with Renee's head currently placed on his neck and nabbing his skin, he tried to make the best out of the situation he was in. Meanwhile Akatsuki only slightly raised his eyebrow before finally connecting the dots and sighing.
"Really, the first thing you do after returning to school is to reach third base?"-Akatsuki asked as meanwhile Damon was being pushed upwards by Renee, her having a predatory grin on her face. As she tried to force the undersuit off him while he held his notebook with his cheek.
"Well you're the one with two brides and not doing any-babe please give me a minute…"-Damon muttered from out of the speaker as Akatsuki was certain he heard "I waited more than a month and I'm not waiting any longer.". The blonde only sighed as he formulated his next question.
"I guess you're not coming for dinner?"-Akatsuki asked as meanwhile Renee finally managed to get the undersuit off Damon's chest, him being visibly excited by what he was seeing as Renee now begun to unclip her bra.
"Yeah, I already loaded up my stuff to our room and tell my sisters not to worry about me ok BYE!"-Damon said just as the call rapidly ended. Akatsuki damn well being convinced he could hear something in the brief second before the call was closed. But Damon could do whatever he wanted and if something would because of it, it would be his fault. 'Yet, still the first of us to lost their virginity, if only it was some form of a race.'-he thought just as the cage stopped moving, with Ojelo peeking out pausing Akatsuki's train of thought.
"Uhm, we're done with the whole boarding process. Also isn't dangerous to stand like that?"-He asked as Akatsuki looked down from beneath his feet to see only the distant floor. Not thinking too much he jumped back to the cage's balcony.
"Maybe, but I don't really care. Let's just get down and eat dinner."-Akatsuki said as he walked down the stairs, letting out a jawcraking yawn, he couldn't believe that something as seemingly simple as moving four Mobile Suits could be so exhausting, with the only thing Akatsuki could think about now that Barbatos was back in its cage was getting something to eat, shower, and then getting some sleep. Akatsuki then slightly turned to look at the sleeping beast, his eyes then travelling towards the two swords. Him knowing damn well that now since him getting his suit back meant that now there is a high possibility that there will be tons of duelling requests to challenge his position as a Holder. He would need to gather info from the duelling committee, he could only hope for the best after all.
"I'm telling you Hibiki, everything's going to be ok."-Miru said as she and Hibiki were now standing in the corridor of Asticassia, with Hibiki's focus being more on what she was searching though her notebook. Her back not only being protected by her backpack, but also carrying a large saxophone case while she nervously looked at her notebook.
"I know that Miru, in fact I know it will be a piece of cake. It's just…I'm stressed for those band and clubs try-outs I signed for yesterday."-Hibiki said as Miru only put her arm over her sister's shoulders in a supporting manner.
"Hibiki Turbine, you loved music and jazz ever since I can remember just as much as you loved mechanical work and mobile suits. You can handle a saxophone probably better than Akatsuki can handle a sword. If they won't take you in. Then I'm sure as hell those Inner Rimmers don't have any taste in music, also where the hell is Damon!? We promised that we would tour you around the school, we should have Vivian to stretch him out."-Miru said with Hibiki only sighing while amusingly smiling at her brother's antics.
"Well Miru…booty call is a booty call, especially when it's apparently someone hornier then you. If you had a boyfriend and were left dry for months then you would probably act the same way."-Hibiki said as Miru huffed.
"Like you're the one to talk…You don't even have a boyfriend!"-Miru said while Hibiki nodded before looking at the distance, her eyesight now locked on their peers. For the first time in years where she found herself in a place filled with teenagers that weren't related to her by blood or by platonic bonds.
"Maybe…but now that I'm here, who knows? Every "new girl in a new school." story ends up with the protagonist meeting her boy sweetheart. Maybe, somewhere here…there is a boy for me?"-Hibiki said to herself putting her hands on her chest as Miru only sighed to her hopeful words.
"Maybe…goddamn, where is that idiot!?"-Miru asked as Hibiki pointed behind her sister, who finally turned around to see her brother. Running and panting for air, his hair visibly messed and not matching his otherwise clean appearance. Damon finally joined his siblings, as he let out a deep sigh.
"Sorry, it took me a little too long."-Damon said as Miru slightly raised her eyebrow before taking a sniff on her brother's exposed neck. Although confused he realised what she had on her mind and only smirked in satisfaction, 'you didn't think I would be prepared for a situation like that?' he thought silently antipating the part where he can get to rub it in to Miru's dissatisfaction.
"You're clean…"-Miru said hiding her gaze Damon kept his smirk.
"I keep emergency underwear, undersuit and a special needs set of toiletries in Renee's room if I'm too tired to walk back, and believe me…my legs still feel numb. I only needed to rush back for the utensils. Anyways, so up for a tour?"-Damon asked just as the school bell rang with all three of the siblings receiving notifications on their notebooks regarding their classroom placement. Hibiki only sighed looking up towards her a little bit older siblings.
"Sorry, I guess we'll leave that for another break. Have a good day you guys."-Hibiki said before running off to her classroom. Both Miru and Damon then looked at each other with a look of concern.
"Is it bad that I'm worried?"-Damon asked looking towards his sister, as if their dynamic changed entirely when talking about this topic.
"Don't worry, she is literally a technical wizard so regarding the problem of keeping out with the others won't be a problem."-Miru said trying to cheer her brother up. Damon only sighed before his gaze went down to his shoes.
"It's not that, I'm more worried about her…fitting in. You know although we are high in the chain doesn't mean everyone likes us."-Damon said as if the universe wanted to make his point he received a message on his notebook, with Miru knowing immediately well what kind of message it was judging by her brother's facial expression.
"Another death message? How many "kill yourself's"?"-Miru asked as Damon quickly read though the message before showing his notebook back to his pocket.
"Just one, but it proves my point, especially with all those Jeturk and Grassley students that keep their crosshair's at us."-Damon said as Miru once again raised her eyebrow.
"And why would they target her? Because she was conceived via In Vitro? What year we have now doofus? Besides you know damn well what will happen if she gets called upon for a duel…"-Miru said as both her and Damon could definitely hear echoes of jazz from the past alongside Hibiki's wild laughter play in their heads, their body's slightly tensing up, now feeling sorry for the poor soul that would inevitably cross her path.
"You know what? You're right, I guess I'm worrying too much."-Damon said as Miru smiled.
"Now come on, I'm sure Akatsuki, Suletta and Chu are waiting for us."-Miru said as the two finally set their feet in the lecture hall, the two Turbines now ready to officially and actively resume their education.
"Right, let's do this."-Akatsuki said as with a hiss the door to the Duelling Committee lounge opened, with the characteristic face of Secelia welcoming him.
"Welcome back Marsboy, but hold in your tracks!"-Secelia said much to Akatsuki's confusement she walked up towards him before giving him a peck on the cheek. But before Akatsuki could react the silver-haired matriarch of the Burion House pointed upwards towards the mistletoe hanging on top of the ceiling. Akatsuki, still confused slightly furrowed his eyebrows.
"You planned this didn't you?"-Akatsuki asked as Secelia kept her trademark teasing grin.
"Maybe? Maybe not? But still you got caught! Now all the necessary paperwork is waiting for you on the table."-Secelia said pointing at the table, Akatsuki only sighed before he sat down on the couch and overlooking the pile of folders awaiting for him, sighing immediately before begining he got to sorting. Completely omitting the fact that Ryouji was sitting next to him curled up on the couch, causing an understandable startle from Akatsuki.
"Oh, hello Ryouji."-Akatsuki said as Ryouji only slightly nodded in acknowledgement before returning to eye his notepad. With Akatsuki only sighing before returning to the duty of the chairman, 'Damn it, please tell me there is at least one duelling request, please?'-he thought in despair as in the next 25 minutes he got though almost all of the paperwork. What he didn't notice was that Secelia was sitting next to him with an amused grin, the reason seemingly hidden under the papers. A small dark blue box with a red ribbon tied around it. Akatsuki then turned to Secelia pointing at the box.
"What is in this box? Blackmail material?"-Akatsuki asked as Secelia begun to chuckle.
"Come on Marsboy, I'm evil but not that evil. Merry Christmas."-Secelia said while Akatsuki untied the ribbon to open the box, revealing a pair of patches resembling The Holder symbol.
"I've read comments about you wearing your jacket over your uniform and hiding the symbols. So I commissioned these to keep the mail senders shut. And I see that someone thought of it before."-Secelia explained pointing at the Turbines symbols on his arms. Akatsuki only smiled as he turned towards her.
"Thanks, now please tell me there are some duelling requests or at least some duels to witness."-Akatsuki asked in a tone that Secelia could put between seemingly pleading and requesting. Add to that his large eyes and she couldn't help herself to for once look onto her notepad.
"Well…at least there are three duels planned for today so we can arrange for you to witness those, In regards for duelling requests…unfortunately there aren't any meant specifically for you, so they are still afraid, and to be completely honest with you then I don't blame them, especially with the show you were putting out while unveiling your new suit. In contrast…the requests for the Mercury Girl keep piling up and up after the whole stunt with Shaddiq and the wrecking of her suit, speaking of which…when she'll be ready to fend off those suitors?"-Secelia asked as Akatsuki sadly sighed with regret, kind of sad that he couldn't test out Barbatos's full potential in field, especially with the Inferno Mode and the ability to cut though the enemy's suit with precision and a blade that could slice though even the toughest non-nanolaminate material. A lightbulb then lit up in his head as if he was struck by lightning of sudden genius.
"Hey, me and Suletta are both owning the Holder title right? And that means we share the same duelling offer deposit right?"-Akatsuki asked before Secelia looked though her notepad and nodded. Akatsuki kept thinking before lifting up his finger.
"Could we…try to transfer her duel requests to my account? If you are saying that they want to duel the Holder they would duel me to fully take Miorine anyways so it's a win-win for me and a win-win for them, cutting their hopes up immediately, heh…cutting."-Akatsuki asked silently chuckling at the joke he made as Secelia rubbed her chin in thought.
"It could be possible…although I'm not sure, Ryouji? Mind letting us to find out with that big smart brain of yours?"-Secelia asked as Ryouji slightly looked up from his notepad.
"Since the Holder's duelling requests are passed over to another PO box then other duelling requests that would normally be a no as a Holder is supposed to fight their battles on their own as per the school rule guidebook. Now with the Holder being a shared title rather than a title belonging to a singular student the Holder system is more akin to what the request for house duels, if the Holder that received the duel agrees on the other taking his spot then a situation like that is possible."-Ryouji recited as Secelia and Akatsuki then eyed each other confused.
"I don't know that there were rules for that situation."-Secelia said just as Ryouji showed them his notepad with freshly written paragraph similar to what the blue-haired junior of Burion said.
"There isn't, but it can be made if you sign this as a chairman."-Ryouji said holding the notepad as if inviting Akatsuki to grab it, which he took and with a only a single move from his finger the message was sent into the ether. Akatsuki only sighed with relief as he looked towards his fists, feeling the bright burning fire of combat lighting up inside of him.
"Well, that will take some weight of Suletta's shoulders, if she agrees on me taking that weight."-Akatsuki said as Secelia clapped her hands.
"And thank your luck that you pass this rule before Mister Grumpy-Destroyer-Of-Fun-Slayer-Of-Children's-Smiles shows up."-Secelia said before Akatsuki sighed knowing well on who she meant.
"At least his brother had honour, speaking of which what happened to him?"-Akatsuki asked as Secelia unfolded her arms.
"I dunno, presumably Guel vanished into thin air never to be seen again. From what I know he was supposed to manage a company under Jeturk, only for him to pack basic necessities and run away."-Secelia explained as Akatsuki rubbed his chin.
"I just wish his brother would stop calling my fiancé a wench or I swear to god I'll kick his ass."-Akatsuki said as Secelia was surprised by how quickly he was now willing to choose violence, a smirk appeared on her face with the teasing potential making itself clear in her mind.
"And why have you gotten so defensive for the Mercury Girl? Oh I know, there was a "Christmas Gift" there somewhere wasn't it? What treasures does the school uniform hide? Or behind that cutesy stuttery façade is a beast in the sheets? Oh, has the Princess joined you?"-Secelia teased as Akatsuki was immediately covered by a blush on his face, although the whole situation was always bringing a "What If?" question. The fact that Barbatos was standing right next to them and that his lechious, perverted hand was slowly reaching into her pants. The thought itself was making his heartrate raising its speed, his face now being completely red.
"S-Secelia! I didn't, we didn't! Do anything…anything that lecherous."-Akatsuki said as his face went down knowing that he was lying, the blush now only covering his cheeks as Secelia let out a delighted squeal. The blonde immediately internally facepalmed realising what he said and what he brought upon himself.
"So you two DID something, oh my this is so delightful! A romance between a prince and a knight of his princess, princess who has a romance both with her arranged prince and his beautiful knight. Oh this is an amazing plot for a romance novel!"-Secelia said crossing her hands sounding like a little schoolgirl. All the good humour emanating in the room seemingly shifted to complete silence as the door to the lounge opened to reveal Lauda, who with a stiff facial expression walked inside the large room, as Secelia immediately sighed.
"Oh, look who came, Mr-Grumpy- Destroyer-Of-Fun-Slayer-Of-Children's-Smiles showed up."-Secelia teased as Lauda only grunted as Ryouji knowing that it was better to not piss him off he quickly prepared the files to pass over to Lauda. Akatsuki only sighed as turned towards the now-elected leader of the Jeturk house, also known as the self-proclaimed "Demon's Greatest Enemies". Most of them sparkling anger whenever seeing him, the evillest being who alongside his witch consort overthrew the school's good ruler with only his finger.
"Uhm, hello?"-Akatsuki asked, trying to at least have some form of contact with his supposed committee underling. Lauda only grunted as he turned towards Akatsuki, hate was something quite expectable as while Suletta was cathartic in the whole butterfly effect that lead towards Guel's eventual downfall, being someone widely known meant he was the one taking the blame from Jeturk students. Still widely small margin as his popularity was exceeding the school hierarchy by wide margin, with the Demon himself and most of the students not paying too much attention, except for one…and it could be fairly obvious that it would be the fallen's brother.
"Oh look, the Country Boy returned."-Lauda said with a scowl as Akatsuki slightly raised his eyebrow. 'If I told myself months ago that I would miss Guel in any form he would probably laugh, I guess all the jerkiness passes through the family like a phase. What a shame that his is taking a little bit too long…'-he thought as his annoyance with Lauda's attitude was slowly approaching its peak.
"You know, it would be nice if you could stop being such a jerk to me. If you are still angry about me defeating your brother then deal with it, besides he showed some remorse after losing his top position. You could take some example."-Akatsuki said as Secelia chuckled from behind her hand. Lauda only furrowed his eyebrows listening to in the blonde's mind was supposed to sound like advice.
"You have no right to talk about my brother, he fought with only his skills rather than a suit that was supposed to kill its pilots. Unlike you and the Wench."-Lauda said as for a minute Akatsuki's brain shut off for a second trying to process what Lauda just spoke out of his mouth. After what seemed like a lifetime of brain reboot he finally regained a grip on himself, now filled with fury.
"Repeat yourself."-He bluntly asked as Secelia and Ryouji eyed each other in what would happen soon, probably leading to another duel. But after months of hanging around him and working alongside him they knew that there was no way to stop angry Akatsuki.
"What there is to repeat? She is a Wench, a bumpkin who came here and thinks she means business because she got lucky, if she didn't get the title I'm sure she would climb the ladder another way and it wouldn't be by duels…"-But before Lauda could bother to finish his statement Akatsuki was standing in front him. Lauda now only looking at his chest as Akatsuki eyed him down, a blunt look in his eyes as Lauda managed to keep his fear tucked away.
"Apologise, or maybe I won't rip your throat out."-Akatsuki bluntly stated as Secelia was closed to intervening but fate was brought upon itself, or mostly brought by Lauda's mouth.
"Why would I apologise for saying the tr-"-Once again before Lauda could finish Akatsuki grabbed him by the neck and lifting him up. It wasn't that difficult, considering the fact that the young Martian was taller and way stronger physically.
"Now, will you be a polite obedient daddy's boy and apologise?"-Akatsuki asked with a smirk as the door to lounge opened, Secelia herself confused as the only person who had a key as well was Shaddiq, and he was gone on some Grassley meeting with his father. Looking towards the door she saw a trio of similar looking teenagers, with peculiar jackets over their uniforms.
"And here you have the community lounge, where duels are commenced and Akatsuki deals with paperwo-Oh holy shit, we need to split them."-Damon said before he and Miru rushed towards the centre, both knowing well what happens if Akatsuki is pissed. With a speed of a fastest sprinter Damon managed to force Akatsuki to let go as both Miru and Hibiki grabbed his back.
"Hey hey, what are you doing?"-Hibiki asked as Akatsuki for a brief second snapped back turning towards his friends.
"What are YOU doing here?!"-Akatsuki asked as Damon reached out to his pocket for an access card.
"You left the spare card on your desk, and lucky for this doofus we went just in time before you turned him to a bended cube."-Damon said as Lauda gasped for air before getting up and turning towards Akatsuki, his mask now gone from his brattish personality.
"I won't stand for embarrassment like that! I challenge you for a duel!"-Lauda exclaimed as Akatsuki turned around with a battle hungry smirk.
"Good, guess it's time to teach humility to the second brother."-He said before being halted by Damon.
"Whoa Whoa Whoa! Hold your horses there buddy, what even happened?"-Damon asked trying to at least get some context before rapidly jumping into something that could end up fumbling down not only for Akatsuki, but for his siblings as well.
"That sport insulted Marsboy's girl, and you can probably guess where this went."-Secelia said as Damon raised his eyebrow.
"Which one?"-He asked as Secelia pointed at Damon's hair.
"The cute one."-Secelia explained as Damon, Miru and Hibiki turned towards Lauda.
"Ohhh, now I see why he is pissed."-Miru said as Akatsuki nodded.
"Nobody will call Suletta a wench in my vicinity, if he won't apologise then I'll beat the crap out of him until compliment."-Akatsuki said as Damon, Miru and Hibiki shared a look.
"I'm sorry, but we need to talk with our friend over here."-Miru said as the Turbines pulled him into the corner of the room before slightly bending him.
"Listen, I know you're angry but I want to remind you that you still don't have a grip on Barbatos's full power."-Miru said as Akatsuki turn towards her with a frown.
"I won't use full power, I'll just activate the Inferno mode and finish it in less than 30 seconds."-Akatsuki said Hibiki slightly raised her eyebrow.
"And what if you puke again, and in that moment this douche will cut off your V-Fin and you won't be able to do anything."-She said as Akatsuki turned towards the young mechanic.
"And what do you expect me to do now? I can't just chicken out!"-Akatsuki said as Damon rubbed his chin, with Miru and Hibiki following, their brain cells seemingly uniting and trying to come up with any form of plan, before suddenly a lightbulb lit up in Miru's head before she turned towards Secelia and Ryouji.
"Excuse me, a Holder can pick a vassal to carry out a duel for them right?"-Miru asked as Secelia and Ryouji nodded as Lauda couldn't help but hide dissatisfaction. 'Hiding behind your lackeys?'-he thought as meanwhile Ryouji nodded.
"That can be arranged, you need an agreement of the Holder and choose the vassal before we can begin the inauguration ceremony."-Ryouji said as Akatsuki as well couldn't help to hide his dissatisfaction, but seeing on how his closest friends simply wanted him to keep his position. 'Goddamn…fine! Next time!'-he thought as he sighed nodding.
"All right guys, but who wants to be the vassal?"-Akatsuki asked as before the more experienced pilots could raise their hand Hibiki spoke up.
"I'll go, I'm getting a bit rusty so it will be good exercise."-Hibiki said as both her siblings and Akatsuki looked towards her with concern.
"You sure about this? Remember you are an amateur pilot."-Miru said as Hibiki looked at her sister with a frown.
"I literally trained alongside you three, and remember that training with Lafter and Azee is like 100 times more experience than this school. Remember one thing, I'm currently the only mechanic and with my lack of the grip on the Aiolo's specs yet, it is safe to say I'm the only option for sortie, besides…if he really is from Jeturk then there is something I can gain…"-Hibiki said as then Akatsuki looked her deep into the eyes.
"Are you sure?"-He asked to which he got a confirming nod. After which the siblings and the Holder split off before facing the other members of the duelling committee.
"I have chosen my vassal, we can begin."-Akatsuki said as Secelia nodded to his words.
"Right, which one?"-She asked as Hibiki raised her hand, Secelia was surprised by the fact it wasn't one of the known pilots, without even a request Ryouji quickly checked though the student information, confused he handed over the notepad to Secelia, who looked at Hibiki confused.
"Aren't you a Mechanical Department student?"-Secelia asked as Hibiki huffed.
"And also a skilled pilot, let's just get with it so I can prepare my baby for combat."-Hibiki said as Secelia slightly raised her eyebrow before gesturing to the young Turbine to stand in the centre.
"All right, both parties deposit your on Libra's scales, the duel will be between Lauda Neil and…Hibiki Turbine. Fortunately since the duel is so sporadic you have a choice in picking your area."-Secelia said as before Lauda could react Hibiki raised her arm.
"Can we go to the outer space? Also known as the best area for combat?"-Hibiki asked as Secelia then turned towards Lauda, who nodded. 'For a mechanic she sure is confident, fine…if she wants to be the embarrassment in space then fine.'-he thought as he nodded agreeing on Hibiki's proposition.
"Right, so mister Lauda, what do you put on the scale?"-Secelia asked as Lauda showed a small smirk.
"If I win, then the Demon will be thrown out of school."-Lauda said as Hibiki then eyed her siblings and Akatsuki with a concerned look, before putting a confident facial expression with a smirk and bravado only someone with Naze Turbine's blood could show.
"So, Miss Turbine, what do you put?"-Secelia asked as Hibiki rubbed her chin.
"Well, since you are the leader of the Jeturk House. Then I if I win, I want a pile of spare parts for my baby-suit, but since you insulted a dear friend of mine I believe you should have some sort of punishment. Right! If I win then you will have carry a sign that says "I got my ass handed to me by a mechanic and the best sax player in Asticassia and I'm a crying bitchbaby." for a week and everywhere you go. Is it clear?"-Hibiki asked as her siblings, Secelia and Akatsuki couldn't help but laugh as Lauda let out a silent grunt of approval.
"Right right, Alea Iacta Est, the duel is approved. Ryouji?"-Secelia asked as Ryouji turned towards Haro.
"Duel officially approved, set for resolution tomorrow."-Haro said before Hibiki smirked before grabbing her things.
"Great! That means I can come back to class, oh! And Mister Jeturk! Know one thing, when you hear Jazz…it means the requiem coming for ya."-She said before leaving as Akatsuki, Miru and Damon eyed each other.
"I think she is more into it then me initially."-Akatsuki said as Damon then whispered to his ear.
"Buddy, she's gonna tear him apart."
"WHAAAAAT!?"-Suletta exclaimed surprised in the Earth House's female dormitory, now dressed in her pyjamas as Hibiki, who was also getting ready for sleep and prepared the upper bunk of Miru's bed for herself. The other Earth House girls all covering their ears from the sheer tone of Suletta's voice. The young Turbine tech wizard only nodded as she sat on top of her bed and cleaned her saxophone.
"Exactly what you've heard, he lost his temper and almost choked him to ripping his throat off. Of course being a spoiled brat he wanted to duel for it. Of course with Akatsuki's lack of control regarding new Barbatos's full control there existed a chance for him to once again twist his internals like origami. With an MS fight's rules changing in seconds we couldn't let a chance for him to slip and lose, so I volunteered. Judging by what the school offers regarding piloting experience then there is a certain win for me, that and I can get spare parts."-Hibiki explained as Suletta, still with a crimson blush had sat down on her bed.
"I-I should've expected something like that could've happened. Although I should tell Suki, not to attack everyone who insults me?"-Suletta said as she was quickly interrupted by Lilique.
"I think it's romantic! A young knight who wants his princess's name to be clean!"-She exclaimed as Suletta quickly put up her hands in defence as Chuchu nodded before resting her head on her hands.
"It is only natural for not wanting your woman to be insulted, the only thing I do think he could've done better would be just to punch him square in the jaw. At least there wouldn't be a need for a duel."-Chuchu said as Miru, who was laying on her bed turned towards Suletta.
"Chu is right, if it was Miorine, me, Hibiki or dear the poor soul either of his mothers there is a big chance he would act similar. Besides, one more person learning humility isn't anything wrong."-Miru said as Suletta looked towards the door. Confusement painted on her face, Miru was right whether she liked it or not. Yet still she felt a slight hint of disappointment, the feeling of what transpired several days ago coming back as if it was a significant memory…which it was, at least in Suletta's perspective.
What in reality lasted seconds from Suletta's perspective it seemed to be like hours, of course it was one of the things she wanted to do in a while. She just didn't expect the severe feeling of lack in direction after reaching the first base, of course Akatsuki who lacked experience in that department as well couldn't take much of the initiative, the young Mercurian had to rely on the description of kissing from light novels she read. Hiding all her insecurities she begun to nub her tongue onto Akatsuki's lips. Serving enough as an invitation for Akatsuki to let his tongue into her mouth. Almost instinctively Suletta's hands travelled towards his neck, holding it in a gentle grasp. Akatsuki then suddenly grabbed Suletta's waist with his right hand pulling her close to him, the two finally letting pure instinct to guide them along the narrow way. Taking a massive downturn from pure "friendly" affection into lust. Suletta's right hand begun to travel downwards from Akatsuki's neck towards his shirt, managing to unbutton a portion of it before letting her warm hand touch Akatsuki's muscles. Who didn't let Suletta to get an upper on him, he was always competitive, even in that department. Akatsuki's right hand went up towards Suletta's right cheek, gently caressing it as his right hand begun to slowly slip into her pants. His fingers quickly locating Suletta's panties. The blonde could hear that Suletta was enjoying this judging by her moans. But before anything could go further both could feel their heads getting dizzy, and that meant both of them were running out of oxygen. They instinctively stopped as Akatsuki pulled out his hand from Suletta's pants with the mercurian doing the same, taking her hand out from under Akatsuki's shirt. Their level of closeness seemingly resetting as the two put some distance each other. With Suletta quickly correcting her pants and Akatsuki quickly buttoning up his shirt. Both as red as Miorine's tomatoes as their thoughts were seemingly identical yet different all at the same time. The two were now looking at the floor surrounding Barbatos's cage.
"M-Marry Christmas Suki…"-Suletta finally spurted out breaking the awkward silence as Akatsuki finally gathered enough willpower to look upwards towards his fellow beautiful Holder.
"We…we should probably head back with the others. It will be weird if they find us here am I right?"-Akatsuki asked nervously rubbing the back of his head, his personality shifting back its usual self with the same honest grin that not only Suletta but according to Atrra Miorine's as well couldn't help but love. Suletta only begrudgingly nodded as the two walked back towards the main TSC common room, Akatsuki sending looks towards Suletta's hand and feeling an urge to take it, especially after the gift he had just received. 'Coward, you're a damn coward Augus.'-he thought to himself sighing as meanwhile Suletta couldn't take her look away from Akatsuki's face and have mental fingers crossed. 'One day, one day.'-she thought as they walked back towards the rest of the TSC family, them completely mentally locking off the event that transpired between them, one that would hunt their thoughts…and their beds.
Secelia cracked her knuckles as she turned towards Ryouji, who had his face buried in his notepad.
"So my little friend, what do the bookmakers say?"-She asked before Ryouji displayed the stats on the committee lounge's main screen.
"78 percent of bets are being placed on Lauda."-Ryouji stated as Secelia sighed.
"Well, the girl is a mechanic and not a pilot after all, although we still lack information on what suit she will pilot because "surprise" or something like that, what can be so special about it?"-Secelia asked herself before a lightbulb lit up in her head.
"Wait, what are some of the newly registered Mobile Suits in the last few days?"-She asked as Ryouji obliged to what the vice-chairman requested.
"According to the information we had received from the Earth House there are two officially "new Mobile Suits.". One of which is the TSC-G-08 Gundam Barbatos Eden "divided by" Inferno, although being technically an Evo model it still went through the re-registration process, the second this time newly registered model is, oh that's surprising. A Jeturk model, an MD-0064HT Darilbalde "Custom". Aperrantly built by Hibiki Turbine herself."-Ryouji read as Secelia raised her eyebrow before a smirk appeared on her face.
"So she built her own suit and going to duel with it? My kind of girl. So let's compare this with what the younger brother is going out with."-Secelia said as Ryouji quickly displayed the information for Secelia. Who only chuckled upon the massive disadvantage Lauda had.
"Going out with a standard Dilanza? Really showing that company pride don't you Lauda? Right, I guess it's my favourite time to do regarding those pre-duel hours. Also, Eden'divided by'Inferno? Or is the slash symbol there? Shouldn't be pronounced Eden'slash'Inferno or is the slash silent so it sounds like "EdenInferno"? I have questions here. I guess that will be the bridge we will have to cross when Marsboy will handle his duels."-Secelia said as she took out her notebook, betting app already booted up as with a tap of her finger she placed a bet with quite a bit of money on Hibiki. A devious smirk on her face. 'And here we go.'-she thought as the two charts begun to jump.
"WHAT!?"-Tashi exclaimed spitting out the soda he was drinking from his mouth, nearly avoiding Tanya who managed to dodge incoming contents. The two, dressed in Asticassia-provided normal suits were currently on stand-by to sortie in order to recover parts. With their time being essentially free Tashi focused his attention on overlooking the current charts regarding bets onto oncoming duel. Tanya on the other hand wasn't finding this as exciting as her compatriot. A furrowed expression on her face.
"What made you so surprised that you almost ruined my hair with that spit?"-Tanya asked as Tashi handed over his notebook to her, him way too excitedly pointing towards the chart.
"Are ya seeing this shit Tanya? The vice chairman of the committee just betted on that new girl over 15000. She has to have some knowledge from inside."-Tashi said before he immediately place his bet on Hibiki, to which Tanya sighed knowing how it usually ended.
"Tashi, miss Secelia is probably just playing with the market again. Besides I thought you said you wouldn't care about that duel because the Demon was forced to back off apparently and you wanted to see the new Barbatos in action didn't you?"-Tanya asked as Tashi nodded before raising his finger in a counterargument manner.
"Yes, but then I learned that it was one of the Demon's friends duelling in his name and handpicked by him. So it has be someone good, the fact it's not someone from the piloting department only spiked up my interest. There is also the whole "suit is a surprise" thing. There is also some gossip from the Jeturk House, apparently when you hear Jazz you know she's to get ya."-Tashi explained as Tanya sat there stunned by the amount of information she received.
"Wow, you know quite a lot. If you only put so much effort into studying then we wouldn't be here you know?"-The blonde said as Tashi raised his eyebrow.
"Because I can always correct my grades and the information won't slip out. Tanya, if you live on a giant orbital complex with its own rules, heroes and stories then the more you gather from the gossip the more you know and manage to stay up float and alive."-Tashi explained as Tanya showed him an amused smirk.
"Then why are you still lacking in the connections department with other Houses? Miss Juliana would love some connections if you really knew that much…"-She said as Tashi's self-pride quickly crashed down.
"Well, it's better to be the unsung hero rather than a slipping man that everybody wants to stab in the back. Oh look! The Earth House's new ship is beginning to leave their bay."-Tashi said streaming the duel as both he and Tanya now looked at his notebook.
The massive frame of the Apostle finally left its bay, bringing "aww's" and "ohh's" from Asticassia's students. Meanwhile on the bridge Vivian was sitting on the Captain's chair with Miorine using the said chair for support as Akatsuki sat in the nearest AWACS station, his ears covered by headphones as he sighed. 'Should've really be me waiting down there. At least let me hope Suletta will give me those duels.'-he thought as he shot a glance at the Mercurian, sitting in a headset as well.
"All right, let's do this…Hibiki? You hear me?"-Miru asked cracking her knuckles. The sound of blues echoed in the Darilbalde Custom's cockpit, the ducktaped transmitting the symphony as Hibiki, clad in a Turbines piloting suit rather than an Asticassia one was running one final check-up before sortie. Picking a more traditional weapon layout only having her massive beam rifle and two beam sabers. She muttered sentences at incredible speed as her fingers ran around the cockpit around various, buttons, levers and switches.
"Hibiki? Hibiki? Hello? You there?"-Miru asked snapping Hibiki back as she pressed another button responsible for the PA system.
"Right! Bridge this Darilbalde Custom, I'm running the final check-up and you can send me onto the catapult."-Hibiki replied taking a deep breath as she quickly returned to muttering so rapid that Miru could hear it in her headset.
"Ok, well you have five minutes before we reach the spot, so good luck out there and kick his privileged ass."-Miru said shutting off as Hibiki nodded, her finger travelling towards the ducktaped radio as she picked her favourite warm-up mix.
"Right, bridge this is Darilbalde custom! I'm beginning the warm-up sequence, firing the reactor!"-Hibiki reported as her fingers travelled to the start-up switches, quickly getting though all of them as the internals lit to life and the reactor's roar begun to fill the Apostle's MS hangar. The pilot now focused more on the music rather then orders.
"What is she doing?"-Chuchu asked looking at the footage from Darilbalde's cockpit as Miru turned around from her chair towards the pink-haired Earthian.
"She's getting into the zone…"-She said as Chuchu raised her eyebrow with Miru turning back to her station. 'I wonder how Damon's doing?'-she thought as now the Earth House and that staff of GUND-ARM Inc. were focused on getting their task done.
"Renee, stop eating your boyfriend's insides."-Sabina said while looking over her notepad as Renee, also serving as Grassley's spare representative, was currently making out with her boyfriend. Who after long begging to Akatsuki in order to allow him to be there in his place finally agreed.
"You're not the one with a boyfriend, so you wouldn't know the lack of time we get to spend."-Renee spurted out showing her tongue as Sabina only sighed.
"The yesterday proves it otherwise."-She added as Renee snuck a quick middle finger.
"Will you three cut that off!? Mister Lauda will begin charnel soon!"-Felsi, also a spare representative exclaimed as Renee immediately paused her make out session and turned towards the shorter girl.
"And why they chose you as a spare?"-Renee asked as Felsi, now red in anger turned towards her.
"What!? You have problem?"-She asked as Renee only nonchalantly brushed her hair.
"Well, you totally steal my style that's for sure. Plus you have smaller tits then mine so you're not even doing it justice. Even the hot one's sister over here does it better than you."-Renee said as Secelia turned towards them with a smirk.
"Will the two estarnged sisters keep it shut for a while? The duel is about to start, and with that the time for unexpected surprises, Ryouji…drones in vicinity?"-Secelia said as Ryouji nodded, with a press of a button the spectators in the committee lounge could see the two ships.
"WHAT!? How did Earthians get a hold of a ship like this?"-Felsi asked surprised as Damon turned towards her with a smirk.
"Access to military surplus does help quite a lot with that."-Damon said as Secelia smirked before turning back to the screen, the camera's showing that the far left catapult on the Apostle was beginning to open its far right catapult's door.
"All right, passing the jurisdiction to the pilot? Pilot?"-Miru asked as Hibiki meanwhile was way too stuck in her Jazz trans, using her fingers as if they were drum sticks tapping next to the radio seemingly synchronised with the music blasting from her speakers. Completely omitting the fact that her Darilbalde was just transported onto the catapult. Causing many various emotions among the Jeturk students.
"The Darilbalde!? But that's Mister Guel's suit!"-Felsi exclaimed as meanwhile Lauda, who was sitting in the cockpit of his Dilanza that was also awaiting the launch from his ship looked just as startled as the Jeturk junior. 'My brother's mobile suit, In hands of a Martian? How?'-he thought as Secelia, who was reading the live chat on the duel and seeing the reaction of various students thought it was the right time.
"Right you two, now launch so that we can begin."-Secelia said as meanwhile Miru finally managed to get through to her sister's music. Hibiki now for the second paused her music as she took a deep breath, running her fingers around the control sticks.
"Thanks people, now baby, let's go. LM006, Hibiki Turbine, Darilbalde Custom, Launching!"-Hibiki exclaimed as catapult pulled the suit before letting its modified thrusters do what Hibiki meant for them to do, the young blonde exploding with endorphins as she pulled some suit acrobatics to the wonder of the watching students. Lauda on the other hand wasn't so happy, the fact he only had his slightly modified Dilanza against the literal peak of their company's engineering modified in almost every aspect, it send shivers in his spine, but he wouldn't dare to show it. So he sighed before finally giving his signal.
"KP012, Lauda Neil, Dilanza launch."-He said as the two mobile suits were now floating in the void.
"Right, now by the agreements of both sides we will begin the duel, the witness will be Secelia Dote from the Burion House. The winner shall be the one who cuts off the enemy suit's antenna, wait…The Darilbalde doesn't have an antenna."-Secelia said as in a second the lounge's screen was adored by Hibiki's helmeted head, sitting behind the very obvious surround speakers.
"Just have him cut off my head, in he manages to get close enough of course."-Hibiki said licking her lips as she maximised the view of her camera to see the Dilanza, holding only a heat axe and a beam rifle. Hibiki licked her lips in anticipation, similarly to what the more cheerful of her teachers used to do when she was an active. 'It just flies there, shame I'll have tear it to shreds.'-she thought as meanwhile in the lounge Secelia only nodded.
"Right, that can work, now both parties face off."-Secelia said as now all students could now see both Lauda and Hibiki's faces, with the visible contrast on their faces as Hibiki rather than a poker face like her opponent kept a smirk on her face.
"Okay…Victory is never decided by mobile's suit performance alone."-Hibiki said cracking her wrists.
"Nor by the skilled of the pilot alone."-Lauda said as the both duellist's hands travelled to their steering yokes.
"The result itself is the only truth."-Finally the two said as Secelia smirked.
"Fix release."-Secelia finally recited as before even moving Hibiki's finger travelled toward her radio, with only a press of her finger the cockpit was once again filled with jazz and not only the cockpit, as the signal was now radio transmitted towards everyone watching. Her right foot then jolted the pedal as deep as possible sending the white suit forward at an amazing speed. 'Here we go.'-she thought as she flipped the button responsible for activating the beam Vulcan guns, getting the Dilanza in the crosshairs. Lauda managed to evade it as Hibiki couldn't help but let her tongue help her weaponry and music in terms of annoying her pilot.
"Your flying is fairly stiff, what is it you got a jumpy down there?"-Hibiki teased as finally the two suits met. Lauda swinging his heat axe as Hibiki summoned one of her beam sabers as the two suits crossed their blades.
"And you seem to have a big mouth for a mechanic."-Lauda replied as Hibiki grunted in irritation.
"Trained pilot as well, and so it seems a better Darilbalde pilot then your brother and I'm not even using the AI."-Hibiki teased as it was enough for Lauda to put himself in a position Hibiki wanted.
"Don't you dare talk about my brother! He is a leagues above you and is thousand times the pilot you'll ever be!"-Lauda exclaimed as he swung his heat axe, giving enough time for Hibiki to jump off the weapons struggle. Her eyes glittering as she saw a message on her Darilbalde's main HUD, of course she was lying about her use of AI. Although it didn't mean that her piloting was handled singlehandedly by her. Instead mostly letting it handle its weapons.
"Right, but I have like four or five minutes before this song ends and I want to see if can beat my record so let me finish you up really quick."-Hibiki said as she fired her Darilbalde's claws straight at Lauda's Dilanza. Who although managed to dodged the left claw, he couldn't dodge the right one, and with that the Dilanza's left arm was quickly ripped off, with Lauda losing the ability to use his Heat Axe. 'Right, we got the melee weapon out, time for the ranged one.'-Hibiki thought as she then flew back.
"Have you ever wondered why I brought this giant clank of metal with me?"-Hibiki asked as she pressed a button that resided on her right steering yoke, with the small button bringing a large targeting computer appeared over Hibiki's helmet, another addition meant for turning the display for AI and Jeturk's engineering into a perfect ranged support unit. 'Power set to 20%, not enough to destroy the entire suit and to juice out entire E-Pack.'-she thought as she waited for the moment the cyan suit would fall into her crosshairs, the red circle jumping from one edge of the small screen to another before finally managing to lock on, signalling it with a slight 'ping' Hibiki finally pulled the trigger. The large green beam spurting out of the large beam rifle.
"Oh, shit."-Lauda said before narrowly dodging the large beam, although managing to pull off quite well, it did put some damage and strain on the right part of the suit, visibly shown by the straining paint dents in the right arm and leg.
"Here we go, I told you mister Jeturk, when you hear Jazz, it's over!"-Hibiki exclaimed once again taking out her beam saber, first off slicing the right leg and the arm before finally dealing the final blow to the head, neatly cutting off the Dilanza's antenna. Hibiki had won, with the crew of the Apostle letting out a sigh of relief. As did the Darilbalde's pilot who took off her helmet before finally turning off the radio.
"I just wanted to say that this Fleming suite was actually a cover made by me, so if the Jazz club is hearing this then I wanted to put this into consideration regarding my application. Now bye."-Hibiki said as now the crew of the Apostle eyed each other confused.
"Did she really jumped in Akatsuki's place, in order to self-promote?"-Chuchu asked as Miru unfolded her arms.
"It is also a business school after all, if she had any business to take care off then it is her…business."-Miru said as Akatsuki also let out a sigh of relief. 'Great…my butt is safe for now, although I do wonder if Miru is right, if so…then a point for you Hibiki.'-Akatsuki thought as now he only thought about the amount paperwork he would have to endure not mentioning increasing the tensions with the Jeturk house. 'I just hope it will be over for a while regarding the big three.'-he thought as the Apostle crew now got to work on getting the Darilbalde back on board.
"Never underestimate your enemy Lauda, learned that the hard way."-Guel, now in his "Bob" disguise said as he used his lunch break time in his new job in order to watch his brother's duel, silently cringing that his brother behaves exactly like he used to, that was something that sent him here. Not that he was complaining, in fact he found the experience quite humbling, definitely more accommodative then the camp he lived at in his last days in Asticassia. Seeing the Darilbalde looking so different was quite surprising. But the fact his brother got folded wasn't surprising, comparing what he went through with the Dilanza and Pharact duel he thought Lauda was lucky that the pilot was compassionate enough to not fully destroy his suit. 'Still, she is only a mechanic…what kind of people Augus surrounds himself with?'-he thought before returning to his lunch.
CHAPTER 18: END
CHAPTER 18: EPILOGUE
"Wow, she is really going at it."-Akatsuki said as he Miru and Damon were listening from behind the door to Hibiki's audition.
"Well, she literally cheated you out of the duel to self-promote herself, not that she didn't think about your health as well."-Damon said as Akatsuki nodded.
"I think it did turned out well after all, she got her audition spot earlier than others. Although I'm sure I could end that duel faster and earn the satisfaction myself."-Akatsuki said silently grunting as Miru pointed at the door.
"Guys listen, the music stopped."-Miru said as now for a few minutes there was little to no sound coming from the room before Hibiki opened the door, on accident hitting Akatsuki.
"Ow…"-He said wiping his nose as Miru folded her arms looking at her sister's red face panting for air, visibly tired from the musical effort she put.
"So? How did it go?"-Miru asked as Hibiki looked up to her sister with a smile.
"I got in."
CHAPTER 18: EPILOGUE: END
A/N: Hello! Welcome back! Sorry it took me so long for publishing a new chapter but as I'm writing this I'm currently in a process of moving house and currently only have a brief minute to publish this chapter. I know that jumping from one long filler arc to another can seem weird for you, but this is only one chapter. Next time we will adapt the original Novel episode where Akatsuki and Suletta will meet Yushura and Yushetas Mirzakhani. Regarding the chapter itself, yeah Hibiki could seem a little bit overpowered regarding her duel with Lauda but remember that in contrast to the rich boy she was trained by hardened combat vets who themselves were trained by the best natural pilot of her time, so the experience gap is quite high, plus I had the main theme for Gundam Thunderbolt blasting though my headphones so kinda got lost. Talking about other Gundam series, we got our own actual main ship! Since I thought it was one of the things that G-Witch was lacking was its own White Base, Argama, Archangel etc. So the Apostle will serve that role, but since I like underdogs the ship is actually a pulled out surplus meant-for-scrap that was refurbished to work for GUND-ARM Inc., and to show some world building as how first years of Rustal's MCA and TSC worked regarding the propaganda of success department. Also Guel's back!...for a paragraph but still I thought it was kinda weird since how long it was since we last saw him actually in the story as we were focused more on the IBO stuff. With this and next chapters serving as the adaptations of the novel and episodes 10, 11 and 12 we will enter the final filler arc set between seasons 1 and 2 before the show's end and the set-up for the sequel series, one which can't yet reveal much since it is still in development phase. The only thing I'll say as it will take place five years after the supposed ending and that's it. But like I said it is still in development phase. So until we meet again! And as always I don't own Gundam, that belongs to Bandai and Sunrise.