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0079.11.02 The young Newtype, Amuro Ray, was feeling good for a change. He'd accepted his place a mobile suit pilot, protector of his friends aboard the Pegasus White Base. His meeting with the Federal Supply Fleet captain Matilda Ajan had definately been a good thing, and the young boy harbored a bit of a crush on the more mature woman. This is why he had taken the intiate on this day to make some adjustments to the Gundam for the next time he launched into battle. "Mirai, I want to talk to you about something." came a man's voice, proper and with the intonation of command. That was Captain Bright Noa, maybe he'd be proud if he saw Amuro working so hard on the Gundam right now. He was about to poke his head out of the cockpit to draw the attention of the young Captain when Bright stated his cause to Mirai. "I am going to remove Amuro as the pilot of the Gundam. Amuro is proving to be too unstable to trust to that machine. Ryu would be a more dependable pilot." Inside the Gundam, Amuro froze. He'd finally accepted the responsibility, and now they were going to take it away? It wasn't fair! They'd put up with his immaturity this long, why was it that when he finally decided to do his part where he was the best, they didn't want him anymore? What right did Bright have, anyway. Amuro had saved the Gundam, he'd piloted it ever since then. It was his, not anybody elses. It wasn't fair. "I understand your concern, but are you sure it's the right thing to do? He's just a boy, but he's also done well in piloting it." Mirai Yashima "Amuro's got a talent, but he's undisciplined. I need a pilot who will follow orders, the lives of the crew depend on it." Bright continued, turning and walking away. "Keep this between us, I'll inform Amuro of the decision myself later." After the Captain had exitted the hangar bay and Mirai had returned to her duties, Amuro climbed from the Gundam's cockpit and went directly to his quarters. If they didn't want him on White Base, then maybe he wouldn't stay. Fraw Bow had seen Amuro go into his room, and noticed through his body language that something had upset him. The young girl had always been a good friend to Amuro, and did her best to try and keep his spirits up. It was all she could do, everyone else was able to fight after all, the least she could do was brighten their days a bit. Knocking on the door, she announced herself before openning the door. "Amuro, I'm coming in." Amuro openned the door, a bag in his hand. A quick inspection of the small room he had to himself showed that most everything of use was gone. "I'm leaving, you should come with me." Amuro stated. "They don't want me here, and I don't want to be here. This war isn't ours.. we shouldn't fight it." Fraw Bow stood silently, torn between informing someone of Amuro's decision and allowing him to leave. After all, he was right. It wasn't their fight. "Give me five minutes to get packed." Thirty minutes later, the hangar was clear. Amuro and Fraw moved quickly and quietly to the Gundam, Amuro helping the young girl into the cockpit before climbing in himself and closing the hatch behind. By the time anyone realised what was going on, it was too late. The Gundam disappeared into the Central Asian night. It was high noon the next day, and Amuro was officially lost. The rocky and dry highlands of Central Asia left very few signs of civilization beyond the occassional sign post in languages neither of the teenagers could understand. "I think I see a small village up ahead. I'll hide the Gundam and we can go there to get some food." Amuro pointed out, turning the Gundam toward a rocky outcropping that looked large enough to hide the stolen Federal mobile suit. After a few minutes of setting up a camoflauge net up, the two runaways hiked the rest of the way to the village. Upon arriving, both realised that they lacked the necessary component with which to obtain food: money. Deciding it was best to split up, the two did so. It was difficult to accomplish anything, as nobody spoke English or Japanese, even in the bar he'd found. Amuro's spririts sank as his frustration grew, and he didn't notice the burly mustachioed man until he had already run into him and and fallen backwards onto his rear. "Hey buddy, why don't you watch where you're going?!" Amuro shouted before looking up at the man. He was older, with grey hair and a thick mustache, and he was powerfully built. And he was wearing a Zeon uniform, surrounded by several other men in Zeon uniforms. Amuro immediately felt grateful he had worn his civilian clothes. "My boy, I apologize. Let me help you up." the man replied, offering a large hand to the young Newtype. "And may I ask what two kids like you are doing in a place like this?" Amuro stared silently at the man, then hardened his gaze and answered. "It doesn't matter why I'm here. I just am." Amuro did his best to project confidence, but he really was just feeling tired more than anything. "I suppose you're right, my boy. You've got some spirit, I'll give you that. Name's Ramba Ral, and you are?" "Amuro. Amuro Ray." Amuro replied, gesturing to himself. His stomach growled loudly shortly after. "Ah, good to meet you, Amuro Ray." Ramba replied, then turned to bar tender, "A plate, my good man, for the boy here. Whatever he wants." It was then that Fraw Bow walked in, and immediately spotted Amuro. She waved and called to him as she approached. "Amuro! I think I found a place to stay the night!" she spoke loudly, only then noticing the Zeon soldiers at the bar. "And who might this pretty youg girl be?" Ral asked, Amuro moving quickly to block his view of Frau, still in her Federal uniform. "She's my girlfriend." Amuro replied, staring down the Zeon pilot. Amuro tensed as he watched the Zeon pilots glancing at Fraw, slowly moving his hand to where he had tucked his gun away. One of the soldiers leaned foward, eyes widening a bit, and leaned toward Ral. "Isn't that a Federal uniform?" Quicker than Amuro himself thought possible, the gun was out and pointed directly at Ramba Ral. Several of the Zeon soldiers responded in kind, pointing their weapons at the young Federal runaway. The bar grew silent, the stand off drawing the attention of the normal patrons. A deep, hearty laugh from Ral himself broke the silence. "Put 'em away, boys. I like this kid, he's got guts. Go on and get out of here, we won't bother you." Ral smiled as he motioned the two away, Amuro backing slowly out the door as the Zeon pilots holstered their sidearms and turned warily toward the bar, though most still kept Amuro in their peripheral vision. Outside the bar, Fraw finally spoke up. "We should head back to White Base, it's dangerous here.. I'm sure they'll forgive you for running off." Amuro, still tensed from the encounter, snapped angrily at her, "No! They don't need me anymore. I'm better off on my own. You go back!" Turning away from the young girl, Amuro stormed off down the street, while Fraw watched in slight shock, before growing angry and shouting back at him. "Fine! Keep running away! Be a coward for all I care!" the young woman stomped a foot angrily before turning the other direction and leaving. |