Note: Biggest difference is the addition of Howard to the chapter, but once again not much else.
Moon Base 1
Hangar
Zechs Heero, Trowa, Duo, Quatre, and Wu-Fei walked to the hangar to finally see their Gundams. Each one of them was nervous and filled with anticipation. As they reached the hangar door, Wu-Fei walked to the control panel, and pushed on some numbers. The door slowly opened up and they walked in. As they looked inside, their jaws dropped slightly. There before them, stood all five Gundams and Tallgeese.
“Incredible aren’t they?”
The six snapped out of their trance and saw Howard approaching them.
“Although I guess I can’t take all the credit, these fine engineers did a top-notch job.”
“I have to say you really outdid yourself on this one Howard,” said Wu-Fei.
“I agree, but why did you decide to comeback for this,” asked Heero.
Howard smiled, “Because no one else alive knows more about Gundams than me. Anyways, they’re finished and ready for some test runs, you guys ready to pilot them today?”
“I’m not sure Howard, we’ve been doing the VR training for a week now, but I’m not sure if were ready yet,” said Zechs.
Howard smiled, “To bad, you have ten minutes to gear up and get inside your cockpits.”
The six pilots got into there flight suits and walked onto the lift. The lift started up and they were brought up to the platform where they could get inside there cockpits.
Zechs walked up to Tallgeese, “No matter how many times I see these things, I still get goose bumps looking at them.”
Trowa nodded, “Same Here,” He walked up to Heavy Arms and ran a hand over it, “You know, even though it’s a shame that theses needed to be rebuilt, I’m kind of glad to see them again.”
“I hear ya Trowa,” Duo looked at Deathscythe “It’s good to see you old buddy.”
Quatre looked up at Sandrock and shook his head, “I’ve forgotten just how massive these things are. It’s incredible that we used to pilot theses things at such a young age.”
Heero looked at Wing-Zero “Something’s different, Hey Howard, Has the Zero system been installed yet?”
Howard shook his head, “Afraid not, in your current condition, you probably couldn’t handle it. After you get used to piloting again, I’ll reinstall it for ya.”
Heero nodded, “You be sure to do that, well Zero, it looks like I’m on my own right now.”
Wu-Fei placed a hand on Shenlong and closed his eyes “Nataku… It’s good to be back in your presence, Alright guys, let’s get started.”
They all got into their cockpits and started them up. Zechs voice came over the intercom.
“Okay guys, there’s not a lot of room in here, so leave one at a time. Once you’re all out on the training area, I’ll meet you out there. Quatre, lead them off, and be careful, the launch can get a bit rough.”
“Right, okay Sandrock, LET’S GO.”
Quatre pushed on the controls and was launched to the training area. Trowa, Duo, Wu-Fei, Heero, and finally Zechs followed him.
Zechs spoke again, “All right, the first thing we’re going to go over is the rocket booster. I think you already know what the steps are so give it a try.”
Each one tried the boosters and did it with varying degrees of success, except for Duo. He wasn’t position right, so when he tried it, he slammed into Trowa. A course of laughter could be heard all over the intercom.
Duo shook his head, “Holy crap that hurt.”
“Speak for yourself you idiot!” yelled Trowa.
Howard sighed over the intercom, “Fantastic Duo, now I’m going to be up all night doing repairs. This really is just like old times.”
Over the period of the next week the Gundam pilots relearned how to master their mobile suits. Their old skills kicked in, and soon, they were piloting their Gundams as well as they used too. At the end of the week however, they learned that they had their first mission.
Noin walked into her bedroom and saw Zechs sitting down, resting.
“Zechs are you okay?”
Zechs looked at her, “I’m thinking.”
Noin sat behind him and massaged his shoulders.
“Zechs there’s no need to worry, you’ve been on plenty of missions before, and I’m sure Heero and the others will be just fine.”
“I know, that’s not what I’m thinking about.”
Zechs stood up and began pacing back and forth. Noin walked over to him, she cupped his face in her hands, kissed him, and held him close.
“Zechs, please try to calm down, I don’t want you to go out there like this. Tell me, what are you thinking about.”
“I’m sorry to worry you Noin;” He broke the hug, “It’s just that, I don’t think I can do this anymore.”
Noin looked at him confused, “What do you mean, you’re the best there is.”
“I know but, I want you and me to live a happy life, I want to have a family and raise our kids in peace. But I can’t see us doing that as a Preventer.”
Noin wrapped her arms around him and smiled, “Kids, you’re sure planning ahead, what are you going to do though?”
Zechs smiled, “Once this is over, I’m going to retire from the Preventers, and I want you to do the same.”
Noin hugged him tight, “Oh Zechs, that’s wonderful, but what about…”
Zechs smiled, “Don’t worry about it, I already talked to Lady Une about this and she agrees. She even said that she’d personally make sure that we would be financially supported for the rest of our lives.”
Noin kissed him on the lips, “Finally, we can live without worry.”
Zechs wrapped his arms around her and lifted her on to his shoulder. Noin shrieked and laughed as he carried her to the bed.
“Zechs, what are you doing.”
Zechs gently laid her on the bed, “I think a little celebration is in order.”
Noin smiled, “Well then, let’s celebrate.”
Zechs bent down and kissed her, “I love you Noin.”
Noin traced a finger down his face, “And I love you Zechs.”
The Bar
The Gundam pilots were sitting down chatting when Zechs walked in with a smile on his face.
“Hey guys how are you doing?” Zechs said cheerily.
“Nothing really, Duo’s trying to get Heero and Trowa to take shots,” said Wu-Fei.
“Hey that would be fun to see.”
Everyone looked at him oddly.
“What are you so happy about?” asked Trowa.
Zechs sat down, “Oh nothing really.”
“You just got back from seeing Noin didn’t you?” said Duo.
Zechs simply smiled and leaned back into his chair.
Heero sighed and rubbed his temples, “This is depressing.”
Zechs laughed a bit, “What’s the matter, are you still grouchy that I beat you in that practice duel yesterday?”
Heero smiled, “Zechs you better enjoy this while it last, because this is the only time that you’ll ever be able to beat me in a duel.”
Zechs smiled back, Quatre sighed and shook his head, “Zechs, how long are you going to torture us with the fact that you have Noin with you, while our women, except for Wu-Fei’s, are stuck in Japan?”
Zechs chuckled, “Every chance I get.”
Duo sighed and pulled out his wallet, “I can’t take it anymore, Zechs how much for a night with Noin?”
Zechs gave him an evil glare while the others laughed hysterically.
“I think Hilde might be interested in hearing this,” said Zechs.
Duo froze up, “Hey man I was just kidding, it was a joke. I’m just nervous about tomorrow.”
Zechs nodded, “I know, I was just kidding too. I think I speak for everyone when I say that were all a little anxious.”
Everyone nodded in agreement; Zechs began looking around the bar. He saw something in the corner that caught his attention.
“Hey did anybody else notice that there is a piano over there?”
They all turned around and looked at it.
“Well I’ll be damned, I never noticed it before,” said Wu-Fei.
“Hey Quatre, can you still play?” asked Trowa.
“It’s been awhile, but I still remember a few songs.”
Duo smiled, “Then play us a tune Quatre, it’ll help us relax a little.”
Quatre shrugged his shoulders, “Sure.”
Quatre walked over and sat down on the seat. He tested the keys and began playing a slow soft tune. Duo’s smiled quickly turned into a frown, “Quatre, I said play a song to help us relax, not put us asleep.”
Quatre chuckled, “Okay, okay,” He though of a tune, “What to play… I know.”
He stretched out his fingers and hit the keys.
(Starts playing, “Tears in Heaven”)
All the pilots listen to the tune in awe; Quatre then began to sing the song out loud.
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong
And carry on
Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven
Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven
I'll find my way
Through night and day
Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven
Quatre stopped singing and played the rest of the song, all the while humming the tune to himself. When he is finished the other pilots stood up and clap their hands.
“That was amazing Quatre, what was it?” asked Zechs.
“Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton, it’s a very old song, but it’s one of my favorites.”
“It maybe old but it did the trick, I feel much more relaxed,” said Duo.
Trowa nodded his head, “I’ve never heard anything like, it was beautiful.”
Quatre smiled, “I had a feeling you guys would like it.”
“You were aright about that, and you know what, I think I want to hear it again,” said Heero.
“I do to, can we get an encore Quatre?” asked Wu-Fei.
Quatre nodded, “Sure thing.”
Quatre positioned his hands, and played again.
End Ch-3