[EXCLUSIVE] Gaia Gear Ch.10 (Full)

Chapter.10
Krishna Pandent

1

　Through the glass shield before him, Affranchi Char watched as rocks coursed past, a strangely familiar tableau whose origins eluded him. Could it be mere coincidence that the rhythm of their motion echoed the pulsations of his own thoughts? In search of answers, his gaze fell upon Miranda Howe, seated beside him, hoping for an answer.
　His body was slick with a fine sheen of sweat that refused to evaporate, a troubling sensation that he found both uncomfortable and potentially embarrassing should Miranda become aware. However, while clad in a normal suit, he couldn't wipe away the sweat. Normally, the suit would absorb the skin's moisture at a pace matching one's perspiration. However, Affranchi's skin, honed by the sea, wind, and sun until yesterday, was overly sensitive.
　He knew comfort was a stranger here in such an artificial environment.
　Miranda's gaze met his, a spark of curiosity flashing in her eyes.
　"No…" He averted his eyes, focusing once more straight ahead as their ship navigated the shoal zone.
　As the final rock loomed ominously overhead, the moon, like a spectral mirror, skimmed past, leaving only the vast emptiness of the cosmos in its wake. Affranchi found the abrupt transition from stark terrain to infinite void deeply unsettling.
　"It's terrifying..."
　"True. People of the past wrote texts comparing space to the sea, but those are lies, aren't they?"
　Miranda's laugh punctuated his candid revelation.
　"Yes... The sea is supported by the land, the earth, and in turn, it cradles the land. This symbiosis is what lends it its benevolence. Early humans may have romanticized space as nurturing, like a womb, but that's a misconception born of ignorance."
　"Then, what is it?"
　Miranda's question bore an impish undertone.
　"Boundless... a realm without floors or ceilings..."
　"I see. And how does it feel?"
　"Those who find it mystical must lack depth of perception."
　After articulating his response, Affranchi rose and pressed himself against the window, the cosmos stretching out before him. Miranda, observing the young man's silhouette, found his lucidity both stirring and reminiscent of Char Aznable, the legendary figure who had once sought to revive Zeon.
　In her eyes, it was as if Char himself stood before her. She gently opened the folding panel on her lap, staring at a single photograph tucked inside the back cover. It was a photo of a blonde young man who looked just like Affranchi. But it was a picture of Char Aznable that she had clipped from a color gravure in a history book.
　"However, having objects like the moon makes it clear that space is not empty, which provides some comfort... Humans are creatures that cannot live floating in space or the sea. It's an instinct acquired when our ancestors climbed up from the sea onto the land, isn't it?"
　With Affranchi returning to his seat, Miranda hid the photo. She had often watched footage of Char. Through her observant gaze, Affranchi looked just like Char. Perhaps her acceptance of his presence fueled this perception.
　Affranchi, under Miranda's intense gaze, asked her a candid question for the first time as he took his seat next to her.
　"I cannot provide any answers right now. I do not know to what extent you are aware of the truth about Zeon..."
　Miranda began, breaking the silence.
　"You know I don't know anything, right?" Affranchi gently replied to Miranda's sudden answer.
　"However, having observed you since Hong Kong, I can't believe that you don't know. You seem like Char Aznable himself."
　"I know that name from history books. Baam Segen also mentioned him, didn't he?"
　"Yes."
　"What is the relationship?"
　"You are Char himself."
　Miranda seemed to have genuinely let her guard down. She was answering things she shouldn't be able to answer.
　"Haha… I am aware of the level of biotechnology, but I am me. I'm not like Char, who harbored ambitions of a Neo Zeon resurgence."
　"Are you sure?"
　"If I accept what you are saying, I would have a split personality," Affranchi tried to articulate, realizing how nonsensical his words sounded. He was already aware of that. Otherwise, he would not have left the island, and recalling the incidents since Hong Kong, Miranda's assertion was correct.
　"I understand that you fear becoming a split personality, so I won't explain. I think you need time to understand yourself. For now, all we need to do is support you, Affranchi, the young man who felt a pull toward space. Please just know that there are people around you who do that."
　"But I can't offer anything in return for such actions. Will you still help me?"
　"Yes."
　"Why?"
　"For Char Aznable…"
　"…"
　Affranchi lost his words and looked outside. Miranda, gazing at Affranchi's profile, liked him more and more. Affranchi, who said nothing, seemed only like a young man trying to calmly accept his fate. He wasn't a person who couldn't feel anything, just overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events before him.
　Miranda felt as though Affranchi was enveloped in an indescribable composure.
　"You've done well, considering you lived on an island…"
　She felt a profound sentiment. When Miranda first saw Affranchi in Hong Kong, accompanied by Everly Key, she believed that Baam Segen's expectation was mistaken. That was because Miranda, while cautious by nature, also had a careless side.
　However, now she thought, "What makes a person this resilient? Even if one has good innate qualities, I know that the environment in which one grows can make a person weak. It's not as simple as thinking that the natural environment of the island toughens people, but the authenticity and naturalness might indeed empower people."
　Miranda was aware of something stirring within her.
　"Perhaps, the woman by his side is his source of strength," Miranda mused, a vision of Everly Key, slender and beautiful, filled her thoughts, accompanied by an unexpected pang of envy.

2

　The Spasias, an ordinary mineral transport vessel, was a functional beast of burden carrying two passengers. Equipped with several container arms for the purpose of tethering expandable containers, it gave the appearance of a tugboat dragging inflated balloons when observed from a distance.
　Both the bridge and the dining area, which also served as the sleeping quarters, bore evidence of substantial wear and tear, manifesting its age. However, thanks to the container arms, it was possible to make contact with the shuttle. The cargo containers, with their flexible plastic armor, proved to be incredibly useful for the current "operation."
　The humanoid machine that Affranchi had used in Hong Kong was camouflaged and contained within one of these containers. Miranda and her companions had foreseen this day and had secured the necessary staff to carry out such operations.
　"Dinner is ready. Anyone who's free can start eating," a voice, female and youthful, broke through the silence. It drew Affranchi's attention towards the hatch at the center of the bridge floor, revealing a pair of sharp eyes set in a tanned, teenage face.
　"Shall we eat here?"
　"No, let's head down."
　Liberating himself from the suit's fastening feature, Affranchi floated toward the hatch. Unfamiliar with zero gravity's fickle nature, his trajectory ended in a clumsy collision with the ceiling, the subsequent recoil shooting him back toward the hatch.
　"Heh," the black-haired girl mused from the hatch's shadows, a playful smile on her lips. Affranchi made a clumsy descent, gripping the handrails and flanking the hatch, to no assistance from the crew, including Miranda.
　"Even though everyone seems to respect me, why won't they help me?" Such thoughts crossed Affranchi's mind, indicating he was growing comfortable.
　The so-called dining area consisted of a table that could barely accommodate ten people and a miniature kitchen set on one wall. Zero-gravity bunks claimed two walls, while the final one was dotted with a pair of small, round windows.
　"We don't have much, I'm afraid," the girl informed Affranchi, who had entered the room upside down relative to the sense of 'up' and 'down' in the room. She was dressed in jeans, a jumper with zero-gravity fasteners, and her black hair was neatly tied in two braids – a convenient style when wearing a normal suit.
　"Ah," was all Affranchi managed, his eyes still wide and exploring.
　"Yes?" Krishna responded, a question in her simple response.
　"Did you board with the shuttle too?"
　"Yes..."
　"I see… Thank you."
　"You're welcome. My name is Krishna Pandent. Nice to meet you."
　"Ah! I'm Affranchi Char. Nice to meet you."
　Krishna's gratitude showed in her shy, awkward retrieval of a foil-wrapped meal from the oven, her movements revealing a rigid nervousness. Affranchi noticed a strange reaction from the girl... This Krishna Pandent.
　"She seems overly conscious of my presence…"
　"P-please…"
　"Thank you."
　Affranchi took the cup of pure tea that Krishna offered him and began sipping through the straw. The slightly sweet and warm liquid trickled down Affranchi's throat, into his stomach, making a pleasant gurgling sound.
　"Delicious!" Affranchi expressed his admiration quietly.
　"I'm glad!" Krishna's voice was filled with relief, and their eyes met.
　But the moment was short-lived. Miranda and two other crew members arrived.
　"Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Madras Kalia, the captain of the ship Spasias."
　"I'm the navigator, Michel Aken."
　"Nice to meet you both. Thank you for taking such a risk for me today. I'm truly grateful."
　Affranchi cordially shook hands with both men.
　"Not at all! It's an honor, Your Excellency."
　Affranchi was left speechless once again. Seeing his disconcertion, Miranda chimed in, "Captain Madras, such formalities might be too much for him right now. After all, his capabilities are still unknown."
　"Well, when I look at him, I can't help but want to believe..."
　"I understand, but sometimes flattery can ruin a person, you know?"
　"I guess you're right, but..."
　All of their conversations revolved around Affranchi, yet he couldn't grasp the crux of the matter, leaving him with a strange feeling. However, it wasn't an unpleasant one. He could see that they acknowledged his existence and were genuinely concerned about him.
　Affranchi unwrapped one of the meals and took a bite of scrambled eggs. Generally, the food on these space-faring vessels is paste-like. However, the sausages remained solid and could be eaten just like in a gravity environment.
　"This is some good sauce. We didn't have such a quality one on the island."
　"Really?" Krishna's pleasure was evident as she offered tea to Madras and the others.
　"Indeed… Absolutely…"
　The captain, appearing to be deep in thought, took a sip of his pure tea and said, "Affranchi Char."
　"Yes?"
　"If you screw up, you'll have to pay for my words, you know?"
　"Pay for your words?"
　"I paid you respect in my greeting, but if you disappoint me, it won't go unpunished. That's what I mean."
　The captain's final words were delivered with a theatrical flair.
　"Huh, y-yes…"
　Affranchi was too dumbstruck to respond. Miranda, Krishna, and Michel, the navigator, burst out laughing.
　"Ha! Hahaha!"
　The captain, who appeared to be around forty, let out a chuckle.
　Stroking the beard tucked under his nose, he looked at the three men rolling in laughter, their lips curled down in amusement. Just like the captain, Affranchi had no choice but to endure it, watching the two men, also watching the laughing trio, with a glum expression.
　The laughter seemed to go on endlessly, making Affranchi feel like joining in. But every time he saw the captain's twisted mouth, he couldn't.
　"What a circus," thought Affranchi, as he reached for another piece of bread. Yet, the laughter of the three men wouldn't stop.
　A sudden realization dawned on him. He was the axis around which this bizarrely joyful environment spun. It wasn't the simple fact of being the center of attention.
　Of course, the start of the laughter was due to Affranchi's story, so this was only natural. But Affranchi was struck by a more distinct sensation. In other words, all the laughter and glumness of those present was due to the reassuring power of Affranchi's very existence.
　This wasn't some vague concept like being the center of attention. Rather, it was a concrete sensation of being the "leader."
　"Is it that funny?"
　Having lost his patience, the captain reproached the sailors and began eating. He tore the bread apart and threw it into his mouth, casually inhaling the crumbs that floated in the air. His manners might have seemed poor, but his actions were characteristic of someone accustomed to eating in zero gravity.
　"Please don't be mad," said the captain to Affranchi when their eyes met for the umpteenth time.
　"Mad about what?"
　"Just because I said such a thing doesn't mean I don't trust you. To us, you're a godsend."
　His words prompted another round of uncontrollable laughter from the crew, echoing around the cabin once more.

3

　Such was the nature of their meal that Affranchi had no opportunity to gather further information. But he bore no frustrations. The mere possibility of coexisting with these individuals offered him solace. Conversely, one might say that when reassurances and understanding of one's situation are absent, one is prone to continual misjudgments regarding new circumstances and environments. Affranchi had deftly laid the groundwork of collaboration with those soon to be his comrades. Was it the allure of his charisma or the rhythmic throb that resonated within his core that captivated them? One might deduce it was the pulse, perhaps stirring his homing instincts.
　Once more, he found himself on the bridge; eyes affixed on the cosmic panorama. Time seemed to stand still, yet the stellar tableau subtly transformed with each moment as the ship altered its orientation toward the sun. Simultaneously, while his gaze absorbed the near emptiness of the scene, he could not help but sense something else seeping into his consciousness.
　"Eva, it really is goodbye... I may never see your face again. Destiny has decided a more unusual path for me than I had imagined. Gaba Su knew all along, it seems. The great father is now merely a spirit dancing among the stars..." His voice echoed with melancholic undertones.
　"But Eva, I will return to you. I promise, okay? For your skin is the only one that feels right on mine..." He desperately wanted to believe that the gloom hanging over him was merely ephemeral.
　Human beings are innately stubborn. It's that obstinacy that propels us into uncharted worlds. Even if they carry guiding memories within them, like Affranchi, people are often ruled by their surface consciousness. As his thoughts wandered off and his hunger subsided, a wave of exhaustion rolled over Affranchi.
　A veil of sleep began to descend, the remnants of exhaustion still echoing within his frame. For an instance, Everly's form flowed through him as if he had been doused in bubbles and the azure of the southern sea.
　"Affranchi!"
　Everly Key, laughing, was in his dreams. Affranchi, caught in the twilight of sleep and wakefulness, could sense a faint stirring within himself. However, the dream-Everly, nested between her stretching legs, remained elusive. Bubbles formed a barrier, and another voice interrupted his reverie...
　"Affranchi, please wake up... Affranchi!" The urgent summons hammered his ears repeatedly, and before Affranchi's eyes was Miranda's face.
　"?!"
　Clad in his normal suit, Affranchi was relieved to find his arousal unnoticed by Miranda. He tried to sit upright.
　"We're at the colony. Side 2."
　"Colony?"
　The word barely registered in Affranchi's groggy mind.
　"Right ahead."
　As Affranchi rose, the soles of his suit contacted the floor. It was then that he saw the massive cylindrical shape rotating in front of him.
　"So that's a colony...?"
　Towards the bottom of the cylinder, two large plates were visible, rotating and blending in with the space around them. These colossal mirrors channeled sunlight into the cylinder's core, making its vast interior—three kilometers in diameter and thirty-two kilometers in length—livable.
　There wasn't just one such cylindrical colony. There were over a hundred, each positioned tens of kilometers apart from one another. The area in space where a group of colonies existed was referred to as a 'Side.'
　The ship carrying Affranchi was getting closer to the colony right in front of them. The vacuum of space amplified the details of the objects despite their vast distances, granting Affranchi a perception of the colossal structures within the seemingly minuscule colony.
　"So this is what it means for humans to live in space…"
　Affranchi's words, devoid of any profound intent, nonetheless resonated deeply with the crew members on the bridge.
　To the crew, who were themselves Spacenoids, Affranchi's innocent remark echoed with a chorus of emotions. No one bore any animosity towards Affranchi's knack for verbalizing such universal sentiments. Even when his words were not intended to carry such significance, he gleaned their impact from the reactions of others.
　With his ability to learn and adapt, Affranchi was a young man who could endure any situation. His thoughts, ever-branching and deepening, showcasing his potential to lead. Had it not been so, he would not find himself in this position.
　"Whir… Hum… Whirr…"
　To Affranchi's ears, the sound of the rotating colony seemed audible. The cylindrical structure turned on its axis, creating an artificial gravitational pull through centrifugal force.
　In truth, no such sound existed, but to Affranchi, it felt as though the spin of the colony was echoing the rhythmic pulse within him…
　Sunlight draped over the head of the gleaming white cylinder, illuminating various structures in detail. Beside it, lines of light twinkled against the deep black canvas of the cylinder.
　The grandeur of the colony, slowly unfolding before Affranchi, was simply awe-inspiring. The lights streaking across its expanse were likely the glowing exhausts of spaceships. The colony's surrounding buzzed with activity, reminiscent of the outskirts of a metropolis.
　"Are we going to that colony?"
　"Yes. Although MHA's reach probably hasn't extended there yet, we're taking precautions and entering illegally."
　"Illegally…? That sounds risky…"
　"Yes... we're breaking the law. But we have no choice," Miranda said, her words like a stimulating jolt to Affranchi.
　"Ah…"
　"However, Affranchi, as members of modern society, we must respect the law, regardless of its nature. But when a law doesn't serve us, we have the power to draft a new one."
　"Draft a new law?"
　"Yes. So for now, we'll comply with the laws of the Earth Federation government," Miranda said. Affranchi could sense a tinge of venom hidden in her quiet words.