Performance Tests [OPEN]

[jesus_is_gundam]

While everyone else was busy going shopping down on the planet, Setsuna had more important things to do. Namely, take his Gundam out for a test run.

Everything had gone smoothly, and all systems were functional. Which bothered him a little bit. There had been certain subtleties to the 00, sometimes it would pull on a hairpin turn, an occasional rattle in the cockpit when he pushed past a certain speed... none of those things were there. The suit was perfect. Too perfect. It was almost as if the suit was brand new.

Except the 00 Raiser had been through hell, and the odds of its GN drives being repaired after Exia and 0 Gundam exploded were faint at best. It did have all the hallmarks of Celestial Being's craftmanship, but even so, Setsuna couldn't help but wonder where did this suit come from? And its GN drives? Two more questions to add to the growing pile, and he still had no answers.

"Gundam..."

As he exited the machine, he half expected to have Trudy screaming at him again about him not asking permission before launching previously. As if he needed her permission, or anyone else's, to take his own suit outside. But as he lowered himself from the cockpit to the ground, those concerns went right out the window as he noticed the two suits docked behind Dynames.

...so, he was here now. And off in the distance he could see that Tieria's suit, which had disappeared briefly, was back again. Which meant that the four of them were together again. The thought brought the smallest of smiles to the corner of his mouth, though only for a brief moment.

"Allelujah..."

As his feet hit the hangar floor, he scrapped whatever plans he did have. After all, if Arios, along with its predecessor Kryios, were both here, his comrade was sure to show up soon enough looking for them. Setsuna would just hang out by his own suits and wait for him.

Comments

[sniping-meister.livejournal.com]

Lockon had, since he'd arrived, sensed that there was much he had missed. His arrival had triggered something in Feldt, Setsuna, and Tieria that he couldn't quite identify - and he was relatively certain they couldn't either.

"Hey, Tieria."

[eltneg.livejournal.com]

He falls silent, swallowing even though his mouth is already dry. He redirects his line of sight to the brightly color AI at Lockon's feet before he tries again.

"I'm... it's unlikely that I am the Tieria Erde that was here previously."

He was beginning to wish he was. Then there'd be no reason for re-explanations (though it'd be the first time he'd heard any of it), no reason to be so bothered by a chance meeting with a colleague. He should be able to do this! They were only talking.

... Oh, who was he kidding. He was having a conversation with a dead man.

"I don't have any prior knowledge of this ship." He's continues to address Haro, "As far as I am aware, this is the first time I have ever been onboard."

[sniping-meister.livejournal.com]

"I - we figured," he replied, smiling faintly and rephrasing. "Setsuna's a good resource on the subject."

[eltneg.livejournal.com]

It's then that he finally looks up. "He's already informed you?"

[sniping-meister.livejournal.com]

"No, not really."

[eltneg.livejournal.com]

"I see." He nearly seeks refuge in the comfort of Haro's blank expression again, but he stops himself. He was going to have to look Lockon in the eyes again someday, and they say there's no time like the present.

"... But you are aware of what—" He hesitates. Had Setsuna told him? The youngest Meister was rather tactless, would he even go so far as to inform someone of their untimely death? One they had yet to experience?

[sniping-meister.livejournal.com]

There were, Lockon imagined, a whole number of "buts" that Tieria could be referring to. He just didn't know which one Tieria was referring to. It was even hard to distinguish between what Tieria had looked like and whether he had changed.

"I'm sure the damage to Dynames was extensive, but nothing that is not repairable, as evidenced by the fact that it was fixed when I arrived. Anything after that, I cannot verify for myself."

[eltneg.livejournal.com]

"The damage to Dynames—?" He echoes, perplexed. Lockon thought the source of his concern was the Gundam?

"That is not what I was referring to." And for a moment, Tieria almost looks wounded.

[sniping-meister.livejournal.com]

How could he explain that that was the last thing he remembered? And how to explain without saying it outright - that he did not necessarily believe that he was dead?

"To the best of my knowledge, you also were not injured."