Ace Combat Zero: The Aether Guard

[RedMageNeko]

Chuckling softly, I shrugged, smiling gently. "Well, I grew up out in the countryside. About the only thing for miles around was an airbase. I use to sneak off when I was a kid and watch the planes take off, practice manuvers. I remember thinking that it must be great, darting through the clouds like that, seeing everything from miles above the ground. So when I got out of high school, the first thing I did was sign up for the Air Force. And since then, I've been flying anything I can get my hands on."

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

“Yes, it’s a wonderful feeling, flying,” Luisa sighed, dreamily.

“I used to ask my father to let me fly his old Boeing Stearman solo,” she reflected, “so I could feel the wind in my hair, against my face…”

She closed her eyes, smiling, thinking back to those carefree, innocent days before the war.

 

[RedMageNeko]

Smiling softly, I pointed one finger at her. "There. THAT'S what I'm talking about. Most people try to forget the past when times like this come. But you ...... your not letting yourself. Your holding onto them, savoring them. THAT'S what I find intriguing about you."

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

"Is that so?" she asked, peering at him through her dark hair.

"Well, I think if I'm going to fight for this country, there should be something more to it than money," she said, brushing her hair away from her face.

"No offense," she added quickly, "our planes can't fly without the fuel and parts and it's hard to fight a war without bullets and bombs after all."

"It's just that... When the fighting's over," Luisa's tone heavy with seriousness, "and I hope it's over soon, I want something to come home to."

"Something worth coming home to," she concluded, looking at Uriem with a wanting look.

 

[RedMageNeko]

Smiling softly, I glanced down at the floor. "Wars are never over kid. One war ends, we get some peace, another begins. Its the cycle that has existed since the dawn of time."

Looking back up at her, her face shaded by her dark hair, my voice was even softer then usual. "But I appreciate what your saying. Those moments of peace, however fleeting, ... are something that have to be cherished and savored. Tomorrow could very well be your last day on Earth, so when you go to the other side to be judged, you shouldn't leave regrets behind."

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

She reached over and patted Ventril's knee, still smiling.

"I can appreciate living life to the fullest, Uriem," Luisa replied as the song faded, replaced with another song, indistinct, but with a less than romantic beat. She looked at the offending timepiece with a frown. Way to ruin my mood, stupid machine.

Sighing, Luisa stood up, a yawn involuntarily escaping from her lips.

"Oops. Heh," she muttered, more to herself than the sergeant. "I must be more tired than I thought."

She moved to the door and opened it a crack. Do I let him go?

Do I want him to?

Luisa held the door open slightly narrower than Uriel's width, her mind filled with uncertainty. If he attempted to leave now, he'd have to turn sideways to squeeze past, inevitably coming into close contact with her.

Dammit, girl! What the hell do you want?

 

[RedMageNeko]

Chuckling gently, he slowly stood, walking over to her. He could see the conflict in her as clear as day. "Would you like me to leave and let you rest? Got a mission tomorrow." Now it was up to her. Leave or stay.

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

"I think," Luisa started, her heart beating fast, her skin flushed red. No, I'm not.

"I think that it's for the best if you leave," she said, though her voice lacked conviction as her rational mind fought her body's needs. Stay. Stay? Please stay!

"Um, we'll probably be busy tomorrow," she continued, still not looking directly at Uriem, "so we ought to get some sleep..."

 

[Starsailor2804]

It had been a long flight but the air was the only place that he felt at home. Losing his entire family to a surprise Belkan attack so many years ago, the sky was the only place he felt closest to them, and the only place he felt really safe. The base was finally in sight and Stephen reduced speed and velocity accordingly, everything with him was by the books. Finally, his wheels hit and lighting up reverse thrusters and increasing drag the iron tank of the skies can to a halt.

With it being night the landing area was quite silent besides for mechanics and such pulling in some late hours. As he hopped out of his cockpit and landed softly on the ground a member of the landing crew directed him to where he was to report and assured him his plane would be taken care of. With a nod Stephen walked off with a unsteady step, he was jittery when he was on the ground.

However, he made it to the registration and filled out the necessary papers and did all the other formalities that were required of him. But, that was not the end of it, he had to see the medic and get checked? The last thing he wanted to do was be in the care of a medic who would have to ask him questions he did not want to answer. Making his way slowly to the medics quarters he hoped it was too late for the medic to be in the office. Knocking on the door he looked in, Hello? Is...umm anyone here?

 

[RedMageNeko]

"I think," Luisa started, her heart beating fast, her skin flushed red. No, I'm not.

"I think that it's for the best if you leave," she said, though her voice lacked conviction as her rational mind fought her body's needs. Stay. Stay? Please stay!

"Um, we'll probably be busy tomorrow," she continued, still not looking directly at Uriem, "so we ought to get some sleep..."

Smiling softly, I could feel her lack of conviction in her words. Still, I wasn't one to push, particularly not a woman. "If that's what you really want maam. Still .... Remember what I said about not wanting regrets when my number finally comes up?"

Leaning forward, I planted a soft kiss on her lips, knowing she would be within every right to slap me, yet knowing she wouldn't. "I'd regret it if I didn't do that before I left."

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

"...remember what I said about not wanting regrets when my number finally comes up?"

Hearing those words, Luisa felt like a coward by refusing to look at him, so she turned her head to face Uriem, blinking in surprise as his lips gently touched hers. She felt a strange warmth spreading through her body...

"I'd regret it if I didn't do that before I left," she heard him say, despite the staccato beat of her racing heart loud in her ear.

Feeling a little lightheaded, she reached for him, letting go of the door knob to hold onto him with both hands, barely acknowledging his words, she returned the kiss without reservation, pressing her body against him.

 

[RedMageNeko]

He was actually a little surprised at the amount of passion behind her return kiss, his arms wrapping around her, pulling her closer to him, biting down gently on her lower lip as he smiled softly into her soft lips. "My, but I was begining to think I had outstayed my welcome. Was I wrong?"

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

The slight pressure on her lip did nothing to clear Luisa's conflicted emotions.

Her breath came in ragged gasps, though his encircling arms did nothing to restrict her lungs.

"I... I don't know," she replied, honestly, kissing him again.

 

[RedMageNeko]

Chuckling softly, his lips moved to her cheek, slowly moving down to her neck. "Honesty .... another quality I find beautiful."

His eyes moving up to gaze at her, he smiled gently. "I'm not the type to force people into things. You just say the word and I'll be out that door."

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

Summing up the last reserves of her self-control, Luisa placed her hands on Uriem's arms, pushing them down and away, backing away from him, albeit reluctantly.

Standing against the wall, she placed her hand against her chest, catching her breath, shaking her head to clear it, though her eyes were still smoky with desire.

"Yes," she said, reaching for the knob again, opening the door all the way.

"I'm sorry, I'm not thinking straight..."

 

[RedMageNeko]

I was disapointed, I wouldn't deny that. But I understood. Smiling softly, I kissed her cheek gently, smiling. "Alright. I'll see you when we prep tomorrow, alright? Have a good nights sleep."

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

Luisa nodded after he kissed her cheek, not trusting herself to say anything. She waited for Uriem to leave, then softly closed the door, leaning against it on her left shoulder, taking deep breaths to steady herself.

Laying down on her bed, she rolled over on her side to face away from the door, slapping the clock radio into silence. She screwed her eyes shut, mentally kicking herself for passing up the chance while chewing on her lower lip, savoring her first kiss with him.

I should've been a damned nun with how prudish I'm acting...

 

[RedMageNeko]

Shaking his head softly, Uriem walked back to his room. He was a little disapointed, but ... he had kissed her. He wouldn't have to worry about regretting that if the end came. And it would push him all the more to come back.

Lusia .... such an interesting woman you are. I'm looking forward to the next time we meet.

 

[Dynosius]

Miranda suddenly went stiff when someone's hands blinded her. It was the first, logical reaction to receiving a sudden 'attack'. Which of course was silly, being in the mess hall.

"Guess who installed a radar..."

Miranda grinned, chuckling to herself. Gee... a bit on edge, aren't we?

"Hey there, Mayana."

Mayana smiled, taking Miranda by her arm. "Come on, let's go and eat. I'm starving." She led Miranda into the mess hall. Waving at some of her ground crew, she turned to Miranda. Her lips were bend in a large smile and she was still holding Miranda by her arm. Mayana was very thankful that Miranda had invited her for dinner.

"Your new radar has been installed, but I guess you've already heard that."

 

[Katamari Roller]

Miranda grinned, watching Mayana's enthusiasm. It was nice to know not everybody in the base was a serious professional, or a sad dope.

"Yeah, you told me. Thanks for that... oh, damn. I forgot to get the cash out... I hope you don't mind if I give it to you later?" Miranda mentally kicked herself. This kind of thing was best dealt with quickly to cause a good impression. Still, they had a dinner to look forward to.

Stepping into the line, Miranda noticed they were some of the first to get into it. The other pilots must have been busy with something else, like checking airplanes, or on missions. And that was great, because tonight's dinner was breaded fillet and chips, quite possibly Miranda's favourite dish. She felt the saliva in her mouth become a sea as the smell drifted down the line...

 

[Dynosius]

"Yeah, you told me. Thanks for that..."

Mayana beamed a smile. Sometimes she just could be so enthusiastic about things, she totally forgot she already mentioned them. Oh well, it wasn't that bad. Most personnel around the base seemed to like her youthful spirit and enthusiasm. Probably that was why they paid her so good.

"Oh, damn. I forgot to get the cash out... I hope you don't mind if I give it to you later?"

Mayana waved it away, patting Miranda gently on her shoulder. Of course she didn't mind. Not from Miranda she did. If others would forget, then Mayana would mind, and a lot too. But Miranda was a different matter. After all, she was treating the ground crew like equals. She wasn't some stuck-up arrogant fighter-pilot. Mayana was quite fond of Miranda's company.

Slowly moving forward through the line, Mayana took a bit of everything. God, she was hungry. She had been busy with the radar all day and that took a big chunk out of her lunch. Mayana didn't mind of course, she was glad to help Miranda, but now she just wanted to eat.

 

[Katamari Roller]

Miranda filled her platter to the brim, with fillets, chips, a fried egg, salad and bread reflecting on her pupils. Nothing like this to cheer her up, she mused...

Following Mayana to a table, the whine of an engine some place close-by reaching her ears, Miranda sat in front of Mayana and started distributing everything carefully so as to make sure she did not spill anything. As she prepared to 'eat' (more like devour), she mustered the will to look away from her food, and up at Mayana.

"So, Mayana, how's this line of work for you? Does it pay well?"

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

Luisa drifted off to sleep, the scent of Uriem influencing her dreams, the first good dreams she'd had since the war started.

When hostilities broke out, when she'd been forced to leave the capital before the advancing Belkan forces, she'd had terrible nightmares of what had happened to her family and childhood friends, left behind. Her favorite dream, of flying with her father, had been corrupted by the addition of Belkan fighters attacking the small, yellow trainer, putting it into a flaming spiral, her father pushing her out with a parachute, leaving her to watch him plummet to his death as the aggressors circled.

Restoring the purity of the original dream had only come in Ventril's presence and, as she dreamed, Luisa's hand slipped between her thighs as her subconscious excitedly proceeded down paths her inhibited mind had prevented her from taking in the waking world.

 

[RedMageNeko]

I was unable to sleep, so I did what I always did when such things happened.

Going to the hangar where Void was currently resting in, I gathered my thoughts, slipping my body into a stance my grandfather had taught me years before, closing my eyes as movements learned over so many times they needed no thought began. I had learned them as a form of relaxation, to help my mind free itself and drift, losing myself for a time. And yet, once again, they found their way to Luisa.

 

[Dynosius]

"So, Mayana, how's this line of work for you? Does it pay well?"

Mayana thought about that for a moment. In which she flushed her full mouth empty with a sip of water. It was rude to talk with a full mouth, so it was silent at the table for a few seconds. Mayana looked at Miranda and her platter. She too had a full plate. It made Mayana smile, knowing that she wasn't the only one with hunger.

"I really love this job. Y'know, being out with planes and mechanical duties are really my things. I'm just so happy they took me in. And the payments, those half depend on the pilots. Such as you, your payments really help me out, but others don't even bother to pay me extra..."

Mayana wasn't quite fond of those pilots. They were just arrogant sons of $#^@&. Pricking a chip to her fork, Mayana looked at Miranda.

"How about you?"