[Hathaway's Flash] Vol.02 Ch.15

Chapter.15
Gigi's Spring

　Alice Springs.

　Situated 350 kilometers northeast of Ayers Rock, this once-thriving tourist hub for the renowned natural wonder had since transformed. Following the rise of unrest on the continent, Alice Springs became the headquarters for a branch of the Criminal Police Organization and a base for Manhunters.

　The nighttime scenery in the suburbs presented a striking contrast to Hathaway's meeting point. Brilliant guiding lights cast aside the heavy, looming darkness, forming two parallel lines on the ground, proudly showcasing their artificial brilliance.

　Even with the interference of Minovsky particles in the atmosphere, potent laser beacons functioned as navigational aids. Utilizing celestial navigation, the carrier transporting Kenneth Sleg and Gigi executed a flawless landing on the well-maintained runway.

　Kenneth would have preferred to head directly to Adelaide, but due to the lack of available carriers, they had no choice but to accommodate the Manhunters stationed in Alice Springs, even if it meant pushing themselves. They also had to coordinate the subsequent flight.

　Upon receiving news of the chaos in Darwin via radio, Kenneth had grumbled when he acknowledged their inevitable stop at Alice Springs. Gigi, however, reassured him.

　"It's worth the detour. Imagine if our mobile suit squad arrives first and takes out Mafty's mobile suit."

　Gigi's words were met with dubious gazes from nearby officers.

　"We'll give you credit for the prediction in Darwin, but if this one does as well, it'll be borderline comical. There's that saying, 'If it happens twice, it'll happen thrice,' right?"

　"If that turns out to be true, we'll trust in Gigi's prophetic abilities."

　The officers were quite supportive but still half-joking.

　Nonetheless, upon arriving in Alice Springs, they discovered Gigi's prediction, made an hour earlier, had come to fruition.

　The unit that engaged what was believed to be Mafty's mobile suit squad had departed from Davao, taking the most westerly course toward Adelaide.

　Despite having a Gustav Karl and a Kessaria heavily damaged, the squadron managed to have one remaining Gustav Karl travel part of the way with the Kessaria. When the Kessaria could no longer fly, the Gustav Karl carried the four crew members to Alice Springs.

　Despite losing allied units, the fact that two of Mafty's mobile suits were confirmed shot down caused a stir in Alice Springs.

　Gigi's prediction might not have accounted for their side's losses, but the officers and officials accompanying her no longer questioned her capabilities.

　"It's more than just exceptional intuition; it's uncanny. There are plenty of self-proclaimed seers, but none can achieve this."

　Kenneth's mood had significantly improved.

　With Gigi's credibility now firmly established among the officers, Kenneth could trust that she would be well cared for, allowing him to concentrate more on his command.

　Lieutenant Minecche Kestalgino, Kenneth's aide, courteously escorted Gigi to a suite in a hotel with a view of a synthetic pond.

　"Thank you. Where will the Captain be staying?"

　"He has work to do late into the night, so he'll be in the illuminated section over there."

　The lieutenant drew back the window curtains and gestured toward the hotel windows on the pond's opposite side.

　"So, he's aware of my whereabouts?"

　"Yes, I'll inform him right away."

　The lieutenant stepped onto the balcony, surveyed the scenery on both sides, and remarked, "If you require anything, just notify the hotel staff. The military procures everything in this area, so barring personal preferences, there should be no complaints."

　He chuckled at his own joke, visibly amused.

　"Thank you very much."

　"No, I feel that someone like you is akin to a lucky charm, regardless of what others may say."

　The lieutenant also appeared to be in high spirits.

　"A lucky charm?"

　"Yes... Perhaps becoming a husband and father makes one more superstitious. I rely on you. So, what about the future? Do you sense anything?"

　The middle-aged man eagerly awaited Gigi's response, lingering around her unnecessarily.

　"Well... Let's see. Perhaps things will proceed smoothly... But remember, I'm not a prophet."

　"I understand. Thank you. Please get some rest tonight and show us your renewed strength tomorrow."

　"Thank you for your consideration."

　Gigi had no interest in prolonging their exchange of pleasantries, so she sidestepped him and made her way to the room's door.

　"Undoubtedly, you will be our guardian angel."

　"I'll do my best. Good night."

　At last, with those words, the lieutenant took his leave.

　He hadn't been flirting with Gigi but genuinely admiring her. His overtures, however, were inelegant.

　Gigi couldn't help but smirk at the middle-aged man's awkwardness. As the amusement from that interaction faded, Gigi began to question whether her actions had indeed been the right ones.

　Yesterday, Gigi had contacted Professor Amada Mansan, the guarantor for Hathaway's residence, and today she found herself siding with Kenneth, contemplating her own fortune in his situation.

　It wasn't a simple desire to witness the conflict between the two men, Hathaway and Kenneth, from a neutral standpoint.

　"..."

　Immersed in a bathtub brimming with warm water, Gigi sensed that various aspects were slightly amiss.

　"I think today's events are the result of the Captain's luck. He's quite capable as a commander. He makes sure to prepare things behind the scenes."

　Gigi, observing Kenneth Sleg's demeanor when in her presence - gentle as a lamb - felt confident that her assessment was correct.

　"Maybe Hathaway and his group are somewhat like drifters. He seems to be struggling to maintain his footing..."

　The thought evoked a profound sadness when contrasted with Kenneth's situation.

　Indeed, Gigi believed that Hathaway was operating closely as a member of Mafty.

　As she relaxed her entire body, her lower half floated in the warm water.

　In this buoyant state, Gigi tried to clear her thoughts as if predicting her own fortune.

　Her toes broke the water's surface, her kneecaps parting and sinking back into the water, only to reveal her flat abdomen, floating and spanning a broad surface area.

　"..."

　A wave of sadness washed over her as she recalled the countenance of Cardias Boundenwooden, the count who had loved to rest his head against her belly.

　Though they had been intimate only once or twice, there were no unpleasant memories.

　The count likely considered it a playful gesture when he used Gigi's abdomen as a pillow, even though their relationship didn't involve anything more than spending the night together.

　Despite the superficial nature of their connection, he had enjoyed the simple meals they shared, calling those moments a source of solace.

　"Poor man... Plagued by his business and inheritance troubles until his death, everyone around him just wanted him to pass away quickly..."

　Of course, the elderly founder of a world-renowned insurance company never divulged his personal matters to Gigi in detail. But, after spending more than a year together, she could intuit various things.

　As her lower half floated for the second time, her toes emerged from the water, this time angling to the left.

　Gigi was certain she hadn't consciously chosen this direction.

　"It's decided..."

　In this manner, Gigi decided her future course based on whether her toes were pointed to the right or left.

　When it came down to choosing between Hathaway and Kenneth, her choice was evident.

　Nonetheless, Gigi sided with Kenneth, likely driven by an underlying urge to rely on an older figure.

　"Must be a father complex..."

　As Gigi began to feel at ease, the chime beside the bathtub rang.

　"Yes...?"

　"It's Kenneth. I'll stop by in a bit. Is that alright?"

　"Of course?"

　Gigi hung up the phone and quickly cooled her overheated body with a slightly cold shower before preparing herself for Kenneth's arrival.

　Kenneth knocked on the door just after Gigi had ordered room service for drinks.

　"Nice room, isn't it? Lucky to find such a hotel in a place like this."

　"Yes... a wonder of the century."

　"Apparently, some folks at the top of the Federation government have tens of thousands of acres of land around here registered under their own names."

　"What's that all about?"

　"Well... status. It's what people ultimately desire. To get it, some within the government use the government itself."

　"Ugh, I hate that. Why do adults have to be like that?"

　"Lack of imagination, I suppose."

　Kenneth's answer was simple, but it gave Gigi a clear answer. People desire material possessions to display their status when they have nothing to show for it themselves.

　Ambitious people invest with an eye towards preserving their position and wealth a hundred years later, as they are social animals. Gigi understood this easily enough.

　That was the influence of the count's teachings.

　But there's no guarantee that this is eternal in reality.

　What can people take with them when they die?

　Isn't it better to have a mindset of being able to die without fear? The desire to live longer is human nature. That desire comes from wanting to do what you've left undone, what you must do.

　There's no one person who should be kept alive for the sake of humanity and the world.

　Gigi had learned from the count that the human heart's desire to be beyond the cycles of life and death while being an animal made people forget this.

　She felt that she had also been shown human cruelty by the old man.

　So even now, watching Kenneth approaching middle age, she didn't think she had made a mistake in what she had decided in the bathtub earlier.

　"When you're young, do what you can only do when you're young."

　Otherwise, you'll regret it.

　And then you can't die well. That's the way of those who age. So Gigi was going to Hathaway.

　"Do you know anything about Captain Heyman?"

　"What's this all of a sudden?"

　"I just thought it'd be nice if the last unresolved issue of the Circe unit could be resolved while we're at it."

　"I don't know what you're talking about."

　With a bitter smile, Kenneth showed his indulgence towards Gigi, like a father to his daughter. He had forgotten the disgust he felt towards the girl who had pushed Mace away.

　"There's a place called Ayers Rock nearby, isn't there? Can we see it before we leave tomorrow morning? I want to do some sightseeing."

　"What? That would be quite a detour... Are you sure it has anything to do with Kimberley?"

　"I don't know. I just thought of it."

　"Really?"

　Kenneth looked down at Gigi,

　"We did shoot down Mafty's mobile suits tonight. It's in the south from here."

　Kenneth was trying to see through Gigi's thoughts,

 　"Shall we go? You think Kimberley's there?"

　"I haven't connected the dots like that, but..."

　Gigi smiled wryly, but she was inwardly worried if Hathaway had come up with a countermeasure to match Kenneth's tactics...

　"Let's send out the mobile suit team. We'll send Lane's unit ahead to Adelaide."

　"But weren't we here to recover the Manhunter? Captain, shouldn't we head straight to Adelaide?"

　"Yeah. I'll head there directly on the carrier, but Gigi, you can go sightseeing at Ayers Rock with a Kessaria."

　"What if it's a waste?"

　"It'll be fine. The folks going with you will be happy, won't they?"

　"Really?"

　"Absolutely. Everyone knows the rumors about you by now, so there won't be any complaints."

　Kenneth kissed Gigi on the forehead and ordered her to sleep early in a commanding tone, then quickly left her room.