While Merc groups weren’t uncommon in the war, the Serpent Tail worked between both the Earth Alliance, ZAFT and third or neutrals parties like the Orb Union and Junk Guild. If the money was good, they’d take the job, yet however they were a group to respect as they weren’t scum unlike many other groups for hire.
”Yo newbie!” A voice cried out.
The mechanic “eeped” and turned to see his supervisor float down next to him. “Uh yes Mr. Windell?”
”Just making sure ya’ didn’t flip out and run off again.”
”Uh sir that only happened once, and that was over two weeks ago.”
The burly breaded man nodded. “True but you were shaky for a few days afterward and ya’ never said why I ran off, so I’m just making sure.”
”Don’t worry sir it won’t happen again.” The young mechanic said firmly.
”Good, now kiddo we’re in charge of overseeing the re-supply of this ship. However make sure nobody touches the MS onboard; we weren’t asked to work on them so just refuel and re-supply the ship.”
With a nod the mechanic asked. “Alright but sir if we’re not to touch the MS why are they being unloaded?” The mechanic asked as he pointed toward the two mobile suits being unloaded.
“They said not to do maintenance or re-supply the armor, but they did ask us to give em’ a recharge since their ship’s charger seems to be on the fritz.” Windell explained.
“Okay I guess that makes sense.”
“Right, now you’re in charge of overseeing those MS. Just recharge em’ and don’t let any of the tech-heads get ideas to pop open a panel and peek inside. The last thing I wanna do is piss off a professional group like Serpent Tail.” Windell says before turning to go. “Now go do your job.”
“Right Mr. Windell.” The mechanic floated over toward the two Mobile Suits. He didn’t bat an eye at the customized Blue GINN, but the other MS caught his eye. The design was very, very similar to the EA’s G-units, but at the same time despite the modifications the mechanic could tell of its true origins as one of the Astray Prototype series. “The MBF –P03 Astray Blue Frame?!” He exclaimed mostly to himself. He’d heard tales of the three legendary Astray Prototypes, and to see one was something.
“You seem very knowledgeable about Blue Frame, not that I doubt stories have circulated about it.” Said a female voice from behind him.
The mechanic turned and saw a woman and a young girl in space suits with the insignia of the Serpent Tail on their suits. “I’m Loretta Aja of Serpent Tail, and this is my daughter Kazahana Aja,” Said the woman as she gestured to herself and then the little girl.
”I’m also with Serpent Tail.” Kazahana said proudly, speaking in a tone of maturity was clearly was not faked. She then cocked her head to look him over. “What’s your name?”
”Oh I’m Kou Uramecha,” The mechanic said.
Loretta eyed the young man over. “You look pretty young to be working in a space port dock, especially one that also receives military vessels. How old are you kid?”
Kou stammered, not expecting that. He rubs the back of his helmet as he answers. “Twelve, I’ll be thirteen in a few months.” He then chuckles. “As for my age being a factor of my getting work here, I could ask the same of your daughter ma’am, she looks younger than me but she’s in Serpent Tail.”
”Touche.” Lorette chuckled.
”Kids like us are smarter these days, least that’s what Lowe said.” Kazahana said, recalling the words the Junk Tech owner of Red Frame had said concerning herself being in Serpent Tail.
Kou let himself chuckle. “I guess, and how old you both since you asked my age?”
”I’m six.” Kazahana replied.
Loretta made a tsk gesture. “A woman never tells her age to a stranger.”
“Fair enough,” Kou said before turning to oversee the tech crews plugging in Blue Frame and the GINN to recharge.
“How long will it take to recharge?”
Kou looked at the two. “Not long, the recharging units we use are designed for quick but safe re-fueling since we also receive combat units in here that need to return to sortie ASAP.”
“That’s good, Gai said he wanted to head out again as soon as the ship was finished with maintenance and the suits are recharged.” Loretta remarked as she watched the techs do there work.
“Why the rush? Last I checked the war was over.”
“Before either of the ladies of Serpent Tail could answer the alarms in the dock went off.
“What the hell’s going on?” Someone exclaimed.
”Why’s the attack alarm going off, I thought we had a ceasefire?!”
Loretta heard her communicator beep and she pulled it out. “Gai what’s going on?”
“Apparently some unknown faction using three ZAFT ships and unconfirmed Mobile Suits are attacking the Secretary General of the Alliance’s escort ships. As it is we’ve been asked to help save the Secretary General because if he bites it kiss peace talks goodbye.”
Kou overheard Gai’s transmission and suddenly his eyes went into a trance again as he saw images of the three mobile suits. “Those…model, it’s them.” He muttered softly, before gaining a determined look. He bounded from the dock and toward Blue Frame.
“Hey what’re you doing?!” Kazahana exclaimed as the mechanic popped open Blue Frame’s cockpit.
“I’m just borrowing this I promise to bring it back in one piece!” Kou shouted back.
”Do you even know how to operate a mobile suit?!”
”Trust me!” He yelled before shutting the cockpit and strapping in. He turned on the unit and quickly typed in some commands to override the security measures Gai installed in Blue Frame to prevent theft. With the security down, the rest of Blue Frame powered up; his fingers flew over the keyboard as he did a few re-writes to the OS and then took hold of the joysticks. “I hope this Blue Frame’s up to the job.” He mutters as he disengages the power plug, satisfied that the power output reads 100%.
Pressing the throttle forward the thrusters kick in and Blue Frame takes off from the hanger into space, heading for the battlefield.
“Gai…we have a problem.” Loretta muttered into the communicator.
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(Posted Mon, 25 Apr 2005 20:50)
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