trans_9 | The more things change...

Zouichi had taken a few wounds during the mission, but nothing that he would deem serious enough to require medical treatment. He'd already begun to heal, and he estimated that by the time tomorrow rolled around, he'd once again be at full strength. This was not, of course, true of everyone who had fought on that moon -- those who had lost their lives, for instance.

But for him, intense combat was the norm. There was no sense dwelling on loss of life or regretting the past, and there were no nightmares about the dead or dying. There was only the future, and the battles to be found there.

So it was back to business as usual: maintenance on the HDC, clearing stray leaves off the front steps and caring for the flowers... and teaching his pet parrot some commands. Today, however, Alan seemed more intent on rolling onto his back and demanding to be picked up. So Zouichi settled back in the shade of a nearby tree instead, playing with the bird and occasionally wondering where he'd picked up all these new phrases that sounded suspiciously like Lash.

Maybe if Howard showed up, they could look for odds and ends in the City.

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Allenby had been all around the City, in Medbay, the Hangar... so far, no sign of Zetta. He was all right--she knew that; he was way too obnoxious to die. But goddamn. She'd been hoping he had found his way back in somehow, but there were a lot of places on the ship and her head hurt and she was tired and wanted to know if her other friends were okay.

She could solve a couple of those problems by heading home.

For once, Allenby entered through the gate rather than hopping over the wall, failing to resist the urge to poke at the bandage around her forehead again. "Hey, Zouichi--you around?"

Zouichi raised his hand in greeting, looking up from where he was sitting. "Of course. Hey, are you all right?"

She didn't look too badly injured, but she did look like she could use some extra rest.

Allenby wandered over and dropped down next to him, sitting crosslegged. "Yeah. I got whacked in the head and the mech I was in was banged up by the Ohm that got into the Hangar, but I'm okay."

She looked him over. "How 'bout you? Did you get hurt at all down on the planet?"

"Sounds like you had a rough time. Who hit you, an Ohm? I haven't really heard much about what happened on the ship yet."

He smiled. "I got a few scrapes, but you know me; I heal fast. I did run into some of those new Ohm, though. Reminded me of some of the Gundams, actually."

"Yeah. I borrowed a mech from Zetta and I got banged up right along with it. It was just crazy in the Hangar." Allenby shook her head. "They were just swarmin' all over the place."

She leaned back against the tree. "I wouldn't call any of those guys like Gundams. Maybe in how they look, a little. But they don't fight the same at all. And you better heal fast." That last was said with a grin. Allenby hoped he'd at least seen a medic, but if he could honestly shrug off a gunshot wound, she could worry a little less.

"Hmm, so I guess I missed out on a lot. First time I know of that they got into the ship, too... though I guess I haven't been here that long."

His smile widened a little. "Or you're going to steal my chores from me again? Don't worry, it's nothing like last time. The Nightmare got demolished, though, so I guess it was something of a trade-off."

"If they get in again, I'll have Nobel Gundam ready and waitin' for them," Allenby said. She returned the grin. "And I just might. But I'm glad you didn't get hurt like you did before--a piece of machinery's a lot easier to fix than a person."

He raised an eyebrow. "Maybe I should give the Ohm some advanced warning, then. I almost feel sorry for them."

Then he sighed. "Well, I suppose. I sort of liked that plane, though, and I think it'll be a while before I can get back in the air. At least we took out a few Titans in the meantime."

"So, what are you up to?"

Allenby chuckled. "If I feel like more of a challenge I'll let ya do that. But only if they don't send any more of those big guys."

She linked her hands behind her head. "I'll help ya fix the Nightmare, if you want. As for me... well I'm just about beat. I don't think there's much more I can do right now but sit around and wait for my muscles to start achin'."

"Well, maybe we can fill out a request form and ask for no Ohm past a specific height."

Zouichi shook his head at her offer. "Instead of worrying about me all the time, I think you should get some rest. I'm sure everyone will be recuperating for the next few days, anyway." And he, personally, was looking forward to a nice, long bath.

The more things change...

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