I'm sorry this chapter took so long, I actually had it done last month, but because of a death in my family I just didn't feel posting it. The next chapter might also take awhile, I hope you guys understand why, I just feel so empty inside these days...
Chapter 72
It was in the middle of the afternoon on board the Archangel.
Kira Yamato was by himself down in his and Lacus' room. Busy picking up the few things, that had knock over at some point, during their last encounter with the Minerva.
And after throwing a few mangas up on the bed. He reached out and pick up a small picture frame, that content a photograph of Lacus and him. standing next to each other, up on the Archangel's deck. And as he stare a few short moments at Lacus' beautiful smiling face, the young husband wondered, when he would yet again, be reunited with his wife.
And while slowly running his left thumb, over the few cracks near the bottom of the frame, Kira mentally promised himself to buy a brand-new frame for the photograph, at the first given opportunity. Yet before he could give the matter, all that much thought, he was pulled back to reality, by a loud knock on the door.
"Come in!" He call out, while placing the photograph, back where it rightfully belonged, on the smaller once of the shelves in there. After that he kneeled down, and began gathering together, the large amount of DVDs laying spread out all over the floor.
It was about at the same time, he heard the door to the room being open, and a pair of footsteps entering the room. "Hello Kira. Dearka and me, just came here to tell you, that we should be arriving in Orb in less then an hou...holy mother of God, this room is a mess. Don't you ever, clean up after yourself Kira?" Miriallia asked with a hint of disgust in her voice.
Taking a short glance up at his female friend. "Of course I do Mir. The room was like this when I got here not long ago. So either Mayu has been spending a lot of time down here by herself, or all of these things got knocked over when the Archangel was hit by the Minerva's main cannon" Kira said, while placing a stack of DVDs on the bed, then continued picking up the rest of them.
"Guess that is another reason to hate that damn ship" Dearka growled under his breath, then much to the amazement of his girlfriend and best friend. He kneeled down and began helping Kira clean the room, without even one word of complaint.
Watching Dearka do that a few seconds, Miriallia took a step closer to him and placed a hand on his forehead. "Hmmm you don't appear to be having a fever, Dearka. So something else most be wrong with you to be cleaning, like this. Usually you are a bit lazy when it comes to doing housework. So maybe you are not Dearka at all" the brown haired girl exclaimed in a jesting tone, as she studied his face thoroughly.
It was at that point, Kira decided to put in his two cents about the matter. "It sure does look like Dearka, Miriallia. Buuutt maybe this is a clone of him, or perhaps an android that's been programmed, to do housework" Kira said in the same bantering tone, as Miriallia.
Rolling his eyes a single time at their teasing, Dearka reached up and gently push away Miriallia's hand from his forehead. "I can guarantee you guys, that most to my deep disappointment, I am not an advance android with super intellect and super strength. And a clone would most likely just go around touching my stuff, and insist on spending time with my girlfriend. So there is noway, I want one of those!" Dearka declaimed loudly, sound more than just a little childish.
Chuckling softly, at his friend's response to his and Miriallia's teasing, Kira once more continued cleaning his and Lacus' room. It really was nice to know, that no matter what they were up against, and how deep a mess they were in, Dearka's sense of humor, would always remain the same. Totally sarcastic, and always ready with a witty remark.
"So what's on your mind, Dearka? It's obvious that something is bothering you buddy" the male Yamato said, while using a small handheld broom to sweep up a few pieces of glass from the floor.
Scratching the back of his neck a bit at that question, Dearka picked up two more DVDs, and after looking at both of them for a few seconds, he placed each of them, in a small pile beside him. Already knowing, that Kira would have nothing against, letting him borrow these two anime series, once they were done straightening up the room.
"It's nothing you guys needs to worry about, I am fine. I'm just kinda tired of being stuck here on this ship. Don't get me wrong I love the Archangel, she almost like a second home to me. But I could really use some fresh air, I can not even remember the last time, I was outside" the blond haired man said.
Thinking briefly about his words, Miriallia had to admit that he was right. She too saw the Archangel as a home away from home, but it truly would be nice to spend a few hours out in the fresh air.
"Hmmm maybe once we get some free time, the two of us can go on a picnic together" she mumbled in a slightly dreamy tone, clearly already planning what food she would bring for the two of them.
Yet before Dearka could give her a response, Kira's bantering voice, cut into their conversation. "That does sound quite nice, Mir. But don't you think Lacus and Dearka, would be jealous if we did that?"
Almost instantly after the male Yamato, had asked her that question. Miriallia let out a deep sound of annoyance, as she grabbed a pillow a threw it straight into Kira's face.
"Ohh be quiet Kira! Otherwise I will tell Lacus, that you are the one responsible for making the mess in here" the brunette haired woman, threaten in a cranky tone. Yet if one really took the time to listen to her, they would be able to detect a small hint of playfulness in her voice.
It was at that very moment a pair of strong arms gently embrace her from behind. "That's not really much of a threat Mir, since we are cleaning up in here. But if it's any consolation, I would very much enjoy going on a picnic with you, my Lady" Dearka said softly into her ear. Then end the sentence by kissing the back of her neck two times.
Feeling Dearka kiss that one certain spot on her neck, Miriallia Haw felt a light shiver, running through her body, and a small blush appearing on both of her cheeks, and the fact the Dearka was calling her by that rarely used, but still special title. Always made Miriallia, think about the very first time, during the last war, Dearka had called her that. It was after all at that very moment, she had realized, just how important the big softie was to her.
And so while snuggling backwards deep into their tender embrace. The young woman girl let out a small, yet content sigh. "It has been quite a long time, since we were last out on a date, I already look forward to it. I'll make sure to bake your favorite pie, to celebrate the occasion" Miriallia promised her boyfriend softly.
"Mmm yum! If I wasn't already looking forward to our date, Mir. I certainly am now. I love it, whenever you bake that pie". And as Dearka thought about how unbelievable delicious, Miriallia's special pie was, he gave the beautiful girl in his arms, one last kiss, at the back of her neck. Then pulled slowly away from her. He wasn't really comfortable, with Miriallia and him being all sweet and lovey-dovey, with Kira in there. And it wasn't like, they could throw Kira out of his own room.
Yet as Dearka helped Miriallia back on up to her feet, in a gentleman-like manner, they each heard, much to their embarrassment, Kira sing the words of a certain playground song. "Miriallia and Dearka sitting in the tree k-i-s-s-i-n-g. First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes bab..." that was about all the male Yamato manage to get out, before Miriallia swiftly grab and hurl yet another cushion after him.
Unfortunately to Miriallia's big disappointment, and annoyance, Kira had evidently expect her to do something like that, seeing as he immediately swung his right hand out, and caught the soft fluffy projectile, just before it hit his face.
"Wow thank you so much, Miriallia. I was just about to go get that" Kira said with a tiny smirk, and more than just a little sarcasm in his voice.
Seeing the stupid way her brown haired friend was grinning at her, Miriallia could not stop herself from sighing loudly, and rolling her blue eyes a single time. "Geez, why do all men have to be so annoying at times?" she asked the still smirking Yamato.
It was however her likewise smirking boyfriend who answered the question. "It's a cover-up Mir. We are trying to hide how clever we truly are. So when you women all let your guard down, we are going to conquer the world, and make you all dress up in sexy outfits, like French maid costumes. And if you do not like that, than a skimpy bikini" Dearka said, doing nothing to hide that he would very much enjoy living in such a world.
"Uhh just shut up Dearka, and go get a bucket of hot water so we can get this room cleaned properly. That obviously haven't been done in quite awhile"
Those bossy words, had just barely left Miriallia's mouth, when Dearka gave her a deep, playful bow. "If that is your bidding my Master, I'll do my utmost not to fail you" the blond haired teenager said, doing a pretty decent Darth Vader impression. And even as he made his way over to the door, he kept on making the Sith Lord's breathing sound.
"Ohhh good God, what am I going to do with him?" Miriallia asked nobody specific, while using her left hand to rub her forehead in a somewhat frustrated manner.
Watching his female friend do that, Kira smiled slightly, as he decide to give Miriallia a response, to her question. Even though it was highly obvious that she didn't really want one. "You could always try, and beat some sense into him. But with him being so thick headed, I don't think, you are going to have much luck with that, Miriallia. So it would seem like, you got no other choice but to accept him as he is. But is that really so bad? The two of you do make a great couple" Kira Yamato said, with a gentle smile on his lips.
Giggling softly at those words. "With Cagalli's tendency, to hit him every time he says something too stupid, I don't believe violence, is going to do much to change his personality. Besides as foolish as Dearka can be from time to time, I do love him the way he is, Kira" the young brunette haired woman said, not doing anything at all to hide, just how much she truly loved being with Dearka Elsman.
"I know Mir, and trust me when I say, I really am glad to see the two of you so happy together. Both Dearka and you, really do deserve all the happiness you can get" Kira told his long time female friend, in a gentle tone, truly glad that Dearka had been able to fill the emptiness, which had appear in Miriallia's heart, when Tolle had been killed.
"Thank you Kira, that's sweet of you to say" Miriallia said in a likewise gentle tone, as she moved over and gave Kira a quick hug, to show her appreciation for his sweet words. And after whispering softly into his ear, that Lacus and him too, deserved as much happiness, as they could possibly get, she slowly stepped away from him.
"Now then enough talk, Kira. Onward with the cleaning!"
"Yes Ma'am" Kira immediately answered with a short salute.
Yet before either Kira nor Miriallia could do anything, the door to the room flew open again, and in step Dearka with a red bucket, that was filled almost to the top, with steamy hot water. "I have carried out your bidding my Master. I hope you are pleased with the result"
Taking the bucket from him, Miriallia quickly decide, that the best way to get Dearka to cease with the Darth Vader impression. Was by simply ignoring him. Yet once he started making the breathing sounds again, Miriallia looked back at him with a raised eyebrow, then made a motion with her hand like she was trying strangle him with the Force.
"All right Mir, there is no need for you to get violent, I'll stop with the Darth Vader impression. Everything for you Myyyyy Precious" Dearka said, now sounding exactly like another well-known fictional character.
Letting out a loud sigh, Miriallia was severely tempt, to hurl the contents of the red bucket straight into Dearka's dumb smirking face. Yet realizing that if she did that, she would most likely end up ruining the DVDs and books still laying spread out all over the floor.
So in the end Miriallia settle for slapping his left arm a single time.
"Just get you ass in gear and start cleaning already idiot" the brunette haired girl ordered.
Seeing that look in Miriallia's otherwise lovely blue eyes, that all but dared him, to come up with another impression, Dearka could not deny how utterly tempt he was to start talking like the Count Dracula's assistant, Igor.
Yet in the end, Dearka Elsman quickly reached the conclusion, that it was probably a wise move on his part, to keep his big trap shut, unless he actually want to give Miriallia a good excuse, to make him sleep down in the hangar, in his poor beat-up Murasame. And so while looking straight in to his girlfriend's lovely blue eyes, Dearka smiled brightly at her, as he softly asked if he had told her, how beautiful she looked today.
Remaining totally silent a few seconds, as she slowly tilted her head slightly to the left side. "Hmm...noooo I don't believe you have done that today Dearka. But it is always nice to hear, that you appreciate the way I look. Nice save by the way" Miriallia told him with a sweet smile, then after placing the water filled bucket on the floor, she went over to Kira and Lacus' huge bed, and began pulling off the bed linens.
Quite pleased to know, that the compliment he had given Miriallia, had gotten him safely out of the bit of trouble he had been in. Dearka grinned brightly, as he reached out, and gave her hand a light squeeze. "Thank you my Lady" he answered, to her last five words. After that, he once more went back to work on getting the room cleaned.
Yet after five minutes of total silence, Dearka stood up from what he was doing. Then step over to the small stereo in there, and began looking through the CDs standing next to it, not that there was many to choose from. The only once there, was all of Lacus' CDs before she stop singing, and a single one of a natural girl called Kanon Nakagawa, which just like Lacus also had light pink hair, and a cute round face.
"Kira what is it with you, and pick haired singers? You do know that people with other hair colors, can sing pretty good too?" Dearka said, while showing his friend the front of the CD, that was showing Kanon Nakagawa, in a white and blue dress, holding a microphone close to her mouth.
Taking a glance at the CD in Dearka's hand, Kira let out a soft chuckle, seeing as Mayu had asked him almost the exact same question, when she had came across that CD not long ago.
"That's actually Lacus' CD. She is quite a fan of that Kanon girl, when I asked about it awhile back, Lacus told me, that if it wasn't because she had stopped singing. She would have liked to do a duet with that girl, at some point" the male Yamato explained, while making a motion to Dearka to put the CD in the stereo.
Doing just that, it did not take very long before the Kanon Nakagawa's gentle voice could be heard throughout the room.
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At the same time down in the Archangel's kitchen. Two girls was presently rummaging through the Archangel's huge walk in freezer for some ice cream. It just so happened, that a certain blond haired pregnant girl, had an immensely huge craving, for that stuff right now.
On the other hand, Cagalli's partner in crime, had no real reason for being there, other than because, she loved causing mischief, and she thought that helping her big sister, emptying the Archangel's freezer, for all of the ice cream in there, would be quite fun.
Especially the thought of how everybody else was going to react, when they realized what she and Cagalli had done, made the smirk on Mayu's face grew even larger in size.
"So have you found anything yet, Mayu?" Cagalli asked, while shoving a few pieces of larger frozen meat aside, to get a look behind them.
Taking a glance away from what she was doing, Mayu Ramius rubbed each of her slightly chilled hands together a few short seconds, in a a small attempt to keep them warm.
"No not much, there is some chokolade ice cream over near the entrance big sis" the eleven-year-old girl said, as she yet again, began digging through the few things in there.
Yet even as she was doing that, it was simply impossible for Mayu not to notice, just how little food there actually was in there. It really was a good thing that weren't further away from Orb, then they were. Otherwise the entire crew, would have ended up starving in just three or four days.
Mayu's thoughts about that matter, was however swiftly brought to an end by Cagalli's low, yet displeased voice. "I don't want chocolate ice cream. I want a HUGE bowl of vanilla ice cream, with chocolate syrup on top of it" Cagalli informed her little sister. Practically drooling, at the mere thought of eating ice cream like that.
"I hate to break it to you big sis. But I don't really think we are going to have much luck finding that type of ice cream. It's not like this is the first time you had a craving for vanilla ice cream, since you got pregnant" the brown haired girl said in a thoughtful tone. Quickly deciding against mention, that she had just yesterday seen, big brother Kira eat a large bowl of vanilla ice cream. As entertaining as Mayu through it would be to watch a cranky Cagalli, chase Kira around the entire Archangel, for sealing the last of her favorite ice cream, Mayu knew that big brother Kira, was still somewhat depressed, about losing the Freedom. And so, the idea of sicking the pissy pregnant demon, better known as Cagalli on him, was simply not something the smaller Ramius could bring herself to do. She kinda figured that Kira deserved what peace he had right now, without Cagalli breathing down his neck, for taking the last of the vanilla ice cream.
"Then try and see if you can't find some strawberry ice cream, Mayu. I guess I can settle for that if there is nothing else in here" Cagalli said, while violently pushing a few bags of frozen soup, out of her way.
Unfortunately much to both Cagalli's and Mayu's deep annoyance, their treasure hunt for just the right ice cream, did only continue a few minutes longer, when they were suddenly interrupted by Murrue's voice, who began talking loudly out through the Archangel's speakers.
"Attention! We are now only a half hour away from Orb territory. So all crew members, are to immediately return to their stations!" The Captain ordered her crew loudly.
After that the only thing that could be heard was a bit of static before the speakers went silent again. "Damn it, guess that puts an end to our treasure hunt for ice cream, Mayu. I want to be up on the bridge, when we enter Orb territory" Cagalli stated determinedly.
Having no trouble whatsoever understanding that, Mayu nodded slowly a few times.
"At least this whole thing wasn't a complete waste of time. We did find that chocolate ice cream, big sis" the girl calmly remind her big sister, seriously relieved that she and Cagalli, could finally get the hell out of there. Having been rummaging around inside the huge walk in freezer, for almost ten whole minutes, was to put it mildly more then just a little chilly.
Far from pleased with the idea, that the only option she had to put some kind of damper, on her immensely huge craving for ice cream, was to eat her least favorite kind of ice cream.
And while mentally cursing the fact that there was no other ice cream in there, Cagalli turned her head, and looked over in the direction of the chokolade ice cream. Seriously considering taking that stuff with her when they left the huge freezer.
Yet it was only once her slightly round stomach, let out a loud growling sound that Cagalli finally decide that the chocolate ice cream, was at the very least better than nothing.
"Why don't you get out of here and find two spoons and bowls, Mayu. Then I'll close the freezer after us" Cagalli told the girl in a gentle tone, while giving Mayu a soft push in the direction of the door. It was after all highly obvious that Mayu, was freezing quite a bit right now.
More than happy to do what her big sister had just said, Mayu immediately swirled around on one foot and ran as fast as her small feet could carry her out of the walk in freezer.
Watching Mayu leave, in such a rush, Cagalli hurried brought her left hand up to her mouth, to conceal a soft chuckle. Yet seeing as she herself was starting feel quite cold, from messing around in there for such a long time, the young blonde hurried went after Mayu, Snatching the brown box of ice cream along the way.
Once out in the kitchen, the first thing Cagalli saw, was the Archangel's lead chef smiling kindly at her. "I hope that Mayu and you did not make too much of a mess in there, Miss Cagall. Me and the guys, wants to start making lunch now, and make preparations to receive the supplies, we are going to get once we reach Orb. What little food that's left in there, has already been place near the entrance, so we know to use that first" the chef explained, then yells out to all of the other chefs in there, that they were going to make a nice healthy stew for lunch. And that they should hurry and find the ingredients necessary to make that dish.
Yet as he was shouting out orders, to the other chefs, Cagalli and Mayu was giving each other a questionable look, seeing as neither one of them, had the faintest idea about, how big of a mess they might have made, inside the huge freezer, during their search for vanilla ice cream.
Yet with the lead chef and everybody else momentarily distracted. Mayu did not hesitate to make a gesture to Cagalli, for the two of them to hurry up and escape, while nobody was watching them.
Unfortunately the very instant Mayu did that, the lead chef choose that exact moment to turn around again. And seeing how she was nodding and gesturing towards the door, was more than enough to make him sigh loudly.
"Ahh I guess that tells me all I need to know about, how big a mess you guys made inside the freezer. If the two of you were my children, I would tell you to go clean up in there yourself. But since you are undoubtedly, going to be need up on the bridge, very soon now, Miss Cagalli. I guess we just have to handle this ourselves" he said in a slightly frustrate tone, yet still with a small smile on his lips.
Figuring that it was best to follow the lead chef's words, and leave the Archangel's kitchen as fast as possible, before he had a chance to change his mind about having somebody else clean up her's and Mayu's mess, Cagalli immediately reached out and took a hold on Mayu's small hand, then drag the girl along with her.
Yet the two of them, had just barely gotten out of the kitchen, when Mayu decide to voice her thoughts, about the small reprimand Cagalli and her had gotten from the lead chef.
"He is going to spit in our stew, ain't he?"
Hearing the adorable girl, she saw as a sister ask her that, there was nothing Cagalli could do to keep a soft laughter, from leaving her mouth. "Heh! Yeah he might just do that, to get even with us" the blonde answered, then pulled the antics loving girl, into a quick hug. No matter what concerned Cagalli had about what was going to happen, once they finally reached Orb. Spending time with Mayu, always helped improve her mood, the brown haired girl was always so cheerful.
Yet all thoughts Cagalli had about, how much she enjoy being around Mayu Ramius, instantly disappeared when she heard Dalida's voice echo loudly out through the Archangel's speakers, and the few words he said, was more than enough to make Cagalli break the small embrace with the girl.
"We are now only ten minutes away, from Orb territory!" He loudly informed the crew.
And as he repeat the message one more time Cagalli and Mayu, hastily left the empty mess hall, and began making their way down the Archangel's long hallway.
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It was much later, when the two ice cream eating girls step through the door to the bridge, where Cagalli immediately asked if there was any signs of them being detected.
"I don't think you have to worry about that, Lady Cagalli, we are still quite far down in the ocean. It's doubtful, that anybody other than the people we want to know, knows we are here" Amagi answered from his seat up there.
Honestly quite relieved to hear the Lieutenant tell her that, Cagalli took a short glance over at her brother, who was presently leaning against the wall near the entrance to the bridge.
And when she saw Kira, give her a reassuring nod and a smile, Cagalli let out a small breath, she did not know she had been holding. Then hurried went down to the front end of the bridge, and sat down in the empty seat beside Arnold's, who's only reaction, was to take a brief glance over at her, before he once more turned his attention back, to controlling the enormous white spaceship.
After that, a relatively tense silence fell over the entire bridge crew. Meaning that, the only things that could be heard, was the sound of the machinery up there, and it was actually somewhat of a relief for everybody up there, when Dearka's voice broke through the silence.
"Shouldn't we go down to the hangar, Kira? I feel kinda out of place up here" the blond haired man said, from where he was standing beside Kira.
"Yeah I know what you mean, Dearka. While I seriously doubt, that we are going to end up in combat with the Orb forces. I too find it kinda weird being up here on the bridge, at a time like this. But since neither of us have a function mobile suit, right now, there ain't really a whole lot of point in going down to the hangar" Kira answered, even though he had already decided, that if something did happen, he was going to take the Duel Rouge.
Narrowing his eyes slightly at those words, Dearka looked long and hard at his fellow pilot and best friend. "And just who's fault is it, that I don't have a function mobile suit? Now who was it? That so mercilessly blow off the right leg, and theeen the right arm? I am almost sure, that the individual responsible for those cruel actions, just happens to be one of my best friends" the blonde growled angrily, doing his best to make it seem like, he was having a difficult time figuring out the answers, to those questions.
Letting out a deep sigh, that could easily be heard all over the bridge, Kira rested his head against the wall behind him, and looked up at the ceiling. "Are you ever going to let me hear the end of that, Dearka?"
"Nope neveeeeeer! Even if you gave me a brand new Murasame, Kira. I will still complain about how you mess up my old one" Dearka said, with a large determined smirk on his lips.
"Ahhhh give me a break, Dearka, I already apologized three times, for what I did to your Murasame. It's not like I am actually proud of myself, for all the damage I made on your machine" Kira explained in a apologetic tone.
Having long since forgiven Kira for what he had done, to his mobile suit in the last battle, when the Impulse gundam had made it's appearance, Dearka briefly consider the idea of stopping the bantering now- But since he did not have anything better to do, he quickly decide to continue.
And so with that decision made, Dearka threw his head sideways in a offend manner. "That does not change the fact, that you did it anyway, Kira. Do you have...have any idea about, how much that Murasame meant to me? I have been crying myself to sleep, in Miriallia's lap, every single night, since you did those terrible things, to my poor...poor Murasame" Dearka said, doing his utmost to sound like he was just on the verge of tears.
Slowly rolling his sceptical purple eyes, a single time at Dearka's fake whining, Kira was just about to tell the blond haired man that with him being such a crybaby, he most likely cried himself to sleep, every night. Yet before Kira could get even one word out, Miriallia cut him off.
"I hate to interrupt your friendly bantering guys, but we are receiving an incoming transmission. So would the two of you please be quiet? While I patch it through" the young brunette asked, not once, moving her serious gaze, away from the controls in front of her.
It was only a couple of seconds later, that when Erica Simmons' smiling face appeared up on the main monitor.
"Hello everybody. It's good to see all of you back here, after hearing about the Minerva's attack, on you guys. I was really worried about all of you" the female scientist said, with a a great deal of relief in her voice, as slowly she ran her blue gaze, over all the people currently gather up on the Archangel's bridge.
Yet the very instant, she got eye contact with Cagalli, the girl leaped up from her seat and happily cried out her name.
"It's great to see you too, Cagalli. I hope you are doing well. You do seem to have gain a bit of weight around the waist. Let me guess, at some point where Athrun and you, should have kept you hands off each other, the two of you just couldn't help yourself" Erica said in a half serious tone.
Blinking rapidly a few times at that comment, a deep crimson red, appeared on each one of Cagalli's cheeks, as she practically fell, back down into her seat, where she stared intensely down in to her lap in a small attempt to hide her embarrassment.
Not that she had a whole lot of luck with that, seeing as everybody else up there, was laughing loudly. Even Lieutenant Amagi, was having his fair share of trouble keeping his laughter under control.
Looking all of them over, one more time, Erica was glad to see, that the spirit around the white space ship, was so high. It served, as a good remind of why, she liked and cared about the Archangel crew, as much as she did. Not that Erica need to be remind of that. All of them, were after all very much like family to her.
"You guys can dock whenever you are ready. I got my entire team here ready so start with the repairs, and the resupplying" the female scientist informed all of them, now having a bit more of a serious look on her face.
Immediately upon hearing those words, Murrue turn her amused gaze, away from the still embarrassed Cagalli. And looked back at the other brunette up on the main monitor. "Guess that means, that it wouldn't be long now, before we will be talking with you in person, Erica"
Nodding slowly a couple of times at that, Erica leaned a bit closer towards the screen. "I look forward to it, Murrue. Unfortunately it seems like it's a tiny bit too late for me, to have a talk with Cagalli about the birds and the bees" Erica joked, thereby getting another embarrassed reaction from Cagalli, and a loud round of laughter from everybody else.
Still somewhat cranky about the whole vanilla ice cream dilemma, Erica's stupid teasing, and the laughter did not help much, on Cagalli's already bad mood. And as she took a glance around at everybody up there, the pregnant blonde, felt the already deep vein on her forehead, grow even large in size.
"All of you, just shut your STUPID PIE HOLES, and get this ship docked already! I want to go OUTSIDE, and get some fresh air!" Cagalli screamed at the top of her lungs.
It took a little over three minutes, for the laughter to quiet down enough for Arnold to give the short tempered blonde a response. "Just be patient a bit longer Cagalli, we are almost there. Truth be told, I too am looking forward to get off this ship, a few hours" the blue haired helmsman said, in a friendly tone, as he used the controls to reduce the Archangel's speed.
With how close they now where, to the Archangel's secret underwater hangar, Arnold want to take it slow the rest of the way, so he didn't make even more damage to the Archangel's hull, when they docked. If he actually did that Arnold frankly doubt, that Murdoch would let him hear the end of it anytime soon.
Hearing that she was not the only one, who was looking forward to get outside, and see the sky again, Cagalli slowly turned her head and looked over at the helmsman, with a bright smile on her lips. "Yeah, it's going to be great, I didn't think, I could miss the wind and the sun as much as I do. The only thing that kinda bothers me, is that we can't go in to the city and get some vanilla ice cream" the blonde said. Now sounding much more calm and down to earth, then she had only a few short moments ago, where she had sounded like she was ready to explode.
Silently studying Cagalli's now cheerful face, Erica could not deny, that she found the girl's swift mood change, kinda amusing. And she was honestly more then a little tempt, to make one or two comments, about Cagalli having mood swing problems.
Yet seeing as the girl, was once again back to being in a good mood, thanks to Arnold. The clever woman quickly decide, to keep the few comments she had to herself, at least for now.
Truth was, that Erica Simmons had more then a few teasing remarks to say about young woman's pregnancy. Actually the only reason why, the female scientist wasn't currently giving Cagalli Yula Athha, the biggest earful in the known galaxy, was because, everybody else was listening.
No matter how many times Erica twist and turn it in her head. She could not help but think, that Cagalli was way too young to be a mother. She was still a teenager for God sake.
Erica did however not get very long to think about that, when Kira's friendly voice interrupt her thoughts. "Do you know anything about, what the Seirans are up to these days, Miss Erica?" The 'Freedom' pilot asked curiously.
With everything that crazy family had done to gain control of Orb, Kira highly doubted that the Seirans was going to welcome Cagalli home, with open arms. Knowing Unato and Yuna, they would likely prefer, that Cagalli did not step foot in Orb ever again.
Scratching the back of her neck thoughtfully at Kira's question, Erika let out a short breath before answering.
"I hate to admit it, Kira. But I don't really know what those two dunderheads are doing. Ever since Yuna got back home from that battle that cost us the Takemikazuchi, both of them have kept mostly to themselves. Yet one thing I do know for certain, is that the Seirans have lost a great deal of support, over what happened to the Takemikazuchi" the brown haired woman explained. Knowing that most of the other Orb politicians, and the military held the Seiran family responsible, for the destruction of the Takemikazuchi, and the death of so many Orb soldiers.
Not at all sure how to react to what Erica Simmons had just told them about the Seirans, Amagi stare with an unfocused look in his eyes, down at the metal floor.
While it was true, that with the time he had spend here on the Archangel. The Lieutenant, had gotten a bit more use to the fact that Todaka was dead, and that he would never see his best friend ever again. Yet deep inside he was still pretty shaken up about it.
"Emm...I guess that at least means a little good came out of Todaka's death then..." the Orb Lieutenant muttered sadly, doing nothing to hide that he was still severely beaten up about, what had happened to Todaka, and all those other soldiers, who had been slaughter so mercilessly by the pilot of the Impulse gundam. Even after the Takemikazuchi had cease being a threat to the Minerva.
Upon hearing those words, Cagalli felt a bit of sadness appear in both of her eyes, and a small frown appear, on her forehead. "While I honestly do like it when the Seirans, are unpopular. I would rather, that Todaka and everybody else, had gotten home safely instead" the blonde said, in a low tone, as she mentally promising herself, to do everything she could, for the many families who had lost somebody during Shinn's totally insane destruction of one Orb ship after another, during the battle at Crete.
"I know Lady Cagalli. I know..." Amagi said back in a likewise low tone.
The subject of the destroyed aircraft carrier, and all the people who had died on it, was truly not something Erica was in the mood to talk about right now. She kinda want Cagalli's return home, to be a cheerful one.
So after moving her gaze back and forth a few times, between the Lieutenant and Cagalli, Erica let out a small coughing sound, to get every once attention again. And once she had that, she immediately asked if they had any damage mobile suits on board, she and her team needed to take a look at.
Almost instantaneously after that question had left Erica's mouth, Kira groaned loudly, then hurried told everybody up there, that he really didn't want to hear anymore bellyaching, and that he was going to go help Murdoch and the other mechanics, down in the hangar.
After that he swirled around on one foot and immediately left the room.
Watching Kira leave, with a raised eyebrow, Erica slowly turned her gaze away from the now closed door, and looked back at Murrue. "What was that about?" She asked confused.
Smirking brightly at that question. Dearka crossed his arms in front of his chest in a confident manner, and was just about to start with the whole fake complaining about his Murasame again.
Yet to Dearka's small disappointment, Murrue had like Kira, and everybody else up there, quickly figured out where this was going.
So before Dearka could utter even one word, about his Murasame, and what Kira had done to the mobile suit, the Archangel Captain, told him to keep his trap shut, without even bothering looking back at him.
"Dearka's Murasame is in the need of repair, Erica. We don't have any spare Murasame part left on board Archangel, so if you could take a look at it once the Archangel is fully repaired, I am sure he would be grateful" Murrue said, knowing that even if they where back home now, their involvement in this war, was far from over. Which meant that it was imperative that they got their hands, on as many mobile suits as possible.
Narrowing her eyes slightly at that request, Erica reached up and rub her chin in a thoughtful manner. "Hm if it's just a few parts, that's missing here and there it shouldn't take long to repair. But since we didn't bring any spare Murasame parts with us, out here. I would like to take it with me, back to Morgenroete. I need some time to take a good thorough look at that machine's OS"
Honestly quite surprised about Erica's sudden interest, in the OS his mobile suit, Dearka slowly took a single step forward, while looking straight into the brown haired woman's eyes.
"What for, Erica? I might have program it a bit differently, than any of the other Murasame pilots here on the Archangel, since I am a Coordinator. But I don't really think you are going to find anything, overly interesting about the way I programmed the OS" Dearka informed her. Still deeply confused about this whole matter.
Not saying anything to that at first, Erica just smiled playfully at the confused teenager. "Lets just say, that I need the data I can find in your Murasame, for a surprise I have been working on. Trust me Dearka Elsman, you are going to love it" she promised him, then swiftly cut off the communication, before Dearka could start asking questions about the surprise.
"What the...? Why did she end the transmission so suddenly!? Ohhh please tell me that she ain't planning on keeping that surprise a secret. I want to know what it is now!" Dearka yelled loudly, sounding very much a small child, who desperately to know what he was getting for Christmas.
Frankly having quite a tough time keeping her laughter under control, Miriallia knew better then most, just how unbelievable much Erica's secrecy was going to bother, her boyfriend.
"Oh I wonder what it is Erica is working on. Whatever it is I am sure that it is going to be magnificent!" The girl said. Obvious trying to add even more fuel to Dearka's curiosity.
Making certain that he had eye contact, with his girlfriend, Dearka send her a small displeased glare. Which only served, to make Miriallia laugh, that much louder.
"You know Mir you can be really cruel at times" Dearka told her.
"Heh heh yeah I know" the girl answered. Before she once more turned her amused gaze back at the controls, in front of her.
000000
It was a little over an hour later down in the Archangel's enormous hangar.
Most of the white space ship's crew was hard at work bring the new supplies on board. Even Mayu was helping out, where she could. At the current moment in time the ship's youngest crew member, was using a sack truck, to bring some of the less heavy supplies to the kitchen.
Yet as the eleven-year-old girl made her way out of the hangar, with a large box, that apparently according to the label on it, content about two hundred eggs, Murdoch began yelling at the crew in his usual manner.
"Hurry up LAZY idiots! Once everything is on board, we will start with the repairs on the back side of the Archangel, where the old gal, was hit by those sons of bitches on the Minerva!" The at times cranky Chief Engineer practically screamed at the top of his lungs.
Chuckling softly at the Murdoch's behavior, Murrue slowly turned her gaze away from the bossy mechanic, and looked back at Erica who was presently going through a long list of the supplies, she and her team had brought along with them.
"So let me get this clear, Erica. You brought all of the parts necessary to repair the Archangel, and food. But what about ammunition, and water? We are in serious need of that, too" Murrue informed the scientist, knowing that what little water they had left on board, wouldn't last for very long.
Tearing her slightly thoughtful gaze, away from the papers in her hands, Erica smiled softly, at her fellow brunette. "Please don't worry Murrue, we will bring all of those things tomorrow. I just figured that it was best, to take it slow, and not rush here with all of your supplies. If we did that, I am certain that somebody still loyal to the Seirans, would be smart enough to figure out who these supplies was indented for"
While Murrue honestly thought like everybody else on the Archangel, that the entire Seiran family, and everybody loyal to them, was dumb as hell. The Archangel Captain knew, that Erica was right. If somebody where to notice who knew how many trucks with supplies, there was always a small chance that Seirans would realize, what was going on.
Yet before Murrue could come up with some kind of response, to the brown haired scientist, Cagalli's loud bossy voice, cut her off. "We also need a few hundred bottles of soap and shampoo. And...emm if it's somehow possible Erika, could please bring an ultrasound scanning machine, so we can check if little Asagi or Juri or Mayura is ok"
Hearing what Cagalli was seemingly considering calling the kid, Erica instantly took a quick glance down at Cagalli's stomach. Asagi, Juri and Mayura had all been like daughters, or sisters to her. And just hearing somebody mention them, was enough to make Erica a little sad. Not that Erica, didn't understand why, Cagalli had a desire to name the child, after one of those three. The four girls had after all been close friends.
"Those three are all really great names, Cagalli. I am sure that the girls would have appreciate your thoughtfulness. As for the ultrasound machine, it might be a bit difficult getting a hold on one of those. I don't really have something like that, stash away at Morgenroete. But I do know a doctor that owns me a small favor, so I'll try and ask her, if we can borrow one from the hospital. I might even be able to convince her, to come out here and take a good look at you and the kid, Cagalli. She is a kindhearted woman, who I know for certain we can trust. She was the doctor on board the Kusanagi in the last war" Erica hastily said, then took a few short seconds, to get a little air back down into her lungs before she she continued.
"By the way Cagalli. If it turns out that you are pregnant with a boy, then what you going to call the kid? You can't really use Mayura, Asagi or Juri for a boy. If I can make a suggestion, I kinda like the name Mu" the scientist said. Considering everything Mu La Flaga had done to help out Orb, Erica Simmons firmly believed, that he was a man who deserved her respect.
Quickly removing a bit of blond hair from her forehead, Cagalli gave her lower lips a light bite, at that suggestion. "Em to tell you the truth Erica, I did actually consider that name for a short while. Yet once we found that idiot at Berlin, I quickly decide against that idea"
Tilting her head slightly to the side, the overall bewildered expression, on the scientist's face was all Murrue and Cagalli need to tell. that Erica had no idea whatsoever about, what Cagalli meant with those words.
Yet finally after a few short seconds, Erica narrowed each one of her eyes, and gave Cagalli scolding glare. "You should NOT talk about Mu like that, Cagalli. Especially when Murrue, is standing just beside you" Erica said, with a hint of anger in her voice.
"It's...It's alright Erica. I think what Cagalli really meant to say, is that Mu is still alive, and that he is presently locked up, down in the Archangel's med-bay" Murrue explained, then hurried turned away and left with a disheartened look covering her entire face.
Blinking rapidly a half dozen times, Erica took a single step, in the direction Murrue had disappeared in, before she looked back at Cagalli. "What in the world is going on Cagalli? If Mu is still alive, why is Murrue so depressed? If I was in her place I would likely be ready to start dancing with joy"
While Cagalli had honestly expect Erica to ask about that, the blonde still felt somewhat unsure about, how to answer that question. So she just stood there staring silently at nothing specific.
Yet just when Erica was about to reach out and wave her right hand in front of Cagalli's eyes, to get her to snap out of whatever it was, she was thinking about, the young woman shook her head slightly, as she once more looked back at Erica, with a low spirit glimmer in her golden-brown orbs.
"It's because he doesn't remember her Erica, or any of us for that matter. He doesn't even know his own name any longer" the girl explained softly. Mentally cursing the fact, that she now felt a tiny bit like crying, just when the hell was these damn mood swings going to end.
Knowing now why Murrue was so sad, Erica did not hesitate to ask the next question on her mind. "So... do you know if it is amnesia?"
"I don't think so, from what I can tell, it's like everything that made him Mu La Flaga has been delete from his mind. So if I had to guess, I would say that whoever found him after he was shoot down in the Strike, brainwashed him" the blonde said. Obviously ready to punch whoever was responsible for Mu not being able to remember Murrue.
"I see, I'll go visit him later Cagalli, the more familiar faces he sees, the better the chances are, that he will remember something" Erica said to the girl. just as she began making her way over to Murdoch, who was still busy shouting at and bossing around the other mechanics.
Watching Erica leave, Cagalli was kinda unsure about what to do with herself now. Yet before the blonde could make up her mind about that, her thoughts was interrupted by Miriallia's voice, that suddenly without warning began talking loudly, out through the Archangel's speakers.
Telling her, Kira and Murrue, that Ledonir Kisaka was going to arrive there, in about fifteen to twenty minutes. And that he was asking for the three of them, to meet him, at the Archangel's side entrance.
'Hm I wonder what he wants? And where he has been all of this time?' Cagalli thought curiously, as she hurried took a look around the enormous hangar, for her brother and Murrue. Yet much to her small disappointment, there was no sign of either one of them, anywhere. Which instantly made Cagalli decide that it was a waste of her time looking for them. And that she might as well go to the side entrance, on her own.
Yet just when Cagalli was about to leave the hangar, she heard a familiar voice call out after her. And as she turned around, and looked in the direction of where the voice came from, she saw Kira appearing from inside the Duel Rouge, which instantly made a small displeased frown, appear on the short fused woman's forehead.
While Cagalli of course knew, that it would be more than just a little stupid and foolhardy for her to use the Duel Rouge, while being pregnant. The girl still did NOT like the idea, of Kira or anybody else, messing around inside her mobile suit.
And it was to a bit of a struggle for Cagalli, not to start yelling her brother's ear off, right then and there, for being in the Rouge, without her permission. Even if the what Kira had done in there, had been nothing else, other then a normal everyday routine check, on the Duel Rouge's OS. Something which Cagalli quite frankly hate doing herself, it was just so unbelievable boring and tedious.
And so while mentally reminding herself, not to snap at Kira once he got over to her, Cagalli moved over and leaned against the wall, near the entrance to the hangar.
And as she stood there, waiting patiently for her brother to join her, Cagalli wonder yet again what Kisaka wanted, and just what hell the large build man had been doing all of this time. She hadn't really heard a whole lot from him, these last few months, since the war broke out.
So now that he had finally shown up again, Cagalli could not help but be curious about his long absent. Yet once she found herself rubbing her slightly round belly, the blonde instantly realized that she might be in for quite a scolding once Kisaka found out she was pregnant.
Cagalli had of course noticed the way Erica had been glaring at her, when she had first gotten on board the Archangel. So there was just no way to tell, how Kisaka was going to react once he noticed her slightly round stomach.
"Ohhh good God! I can't figure out if I'm looking forward to see Kisaka again, or if I would rather that he had stayed away until the kid is born" she mumbled softly under her breath.
It was at that point Kira start talking next to her. "I didn't quite get that Cagalli. What did you say?"
Having actually not realized that Kira had been standing beside her, the last few seconds. Cagalli jumped slightly at the sound of his voice, and let out a small surprised scream, that fortunately much to her relief, could not be heard over all the other noise down there.
So after quickly making sure that nobody else was around other than Kira, she glared at him for a short moment or two for frightening her like that, then let out a short breath before giving him a reply.
"It's nothing you should worry about, Kira. I just have a lot on my mind right now. But never mind that Kira, lets just hurry up and get going, I want to drop by the mess hall and get a orange soda before going to the side entrance. The two soda machines down here, don't have any of those left" the blonde said.
Before she hurried swirled around on one foot, and began walking in a fast pace towards the exit of the Archangel's enormous hangar, with Kira walking just a couple of steps behind her. He too greatly curious about what in the world Kisaka wanted.
To be continued.