Iron Blooded & Armed

Assistant

Hanna
1 Year Later

  Mars is... Different. Adults are rude. Maruba treats me like a teenager, and has had someone start on teaching me combat. It's fun.

"Have you started school yet?" Nikolai asked.

"I've been an orphan my entire life. I have no documents for schooling," I answered.

"Then I have a question," he said.

"Yes sir?" I asked.

"How would you like to be up runner for a test? Before you go asking, let me explain. The testing is for something called 'Whiskers'," he said.

"Whiskers?" I asked and cocked an eyebrow. "Nikolai, you've be been my mentor for the past year, and you're just now asking me about an education, and then you ask about being an experiment. What's going on?

"Maruba wanted me to be sure you were up for being here. And when I told him you are, he came to the conclusion that the quicker you learn what you need, then he can make you a leader of your own squadron. But first, he wants to see if you and six other kids can prove some tech will work with the mobile suits," he explained.

"Six others?" I asked.

"Yeah. Are you willing to do it?" He asked.

"What will Orga say if he finds out? I always tell him what happens throughout my day," I said.

"It's your choice, not his. Where was he when Erin decided to shove you into the table on your first day?" He stated.

"Tough love. He wants me to be independent and be able to stand up for myself. I know he's here for me when I need him," I answered.

"He wants you to be independent?" He asked. "Doesn't that involve making your own choices?"

  I scoffed and walked away. I need to find Orga and Mika. It's time I join them in their drills. Literally. It's reached 3 o'clock.

"Hanna, wait!" Nikolai yelled after me.

"It's 3. I'm gonna be late if I stop," I sighed and kept walking.

"You're an assistant leader. You can just as easily use me as an excuse, or be pardoned as if it never happened." He stated.

"I clearly stated that I want to be treated like every other kid until I'm a leader," I growled.

  I walked outside and made it halfway to where I need to be. My arm was jerked behind me, and I was stopped.

"I need an answer," Nikolai said.

"As to why you were born?" I asked. "I don't know, but if you find out, let me know."

"You're such a pain in the ass," he groaned.

"Yeah, well, I also need to get to drills. Good day Nikolai," I said and finished walking to the others.

"Hanna, how was practice?" Orga asked.

"Later. You and Mika?" I asked.

"Oh, ok. It was rough," he answered.

"We've been nonstop digging holes," Mika answered.

"Sounds like a 5 star movie I'd like to see," I joked.

"One day when you're leader, you will," Orga said.

"Alright you brats! Get to working!" Todo yelled at us.

"Let's go boys," I smirked and picked up a shovel.

"Oh no no no, miss Itsuka. I get paid extra if I keep you from working," Todo said and grabbed it from me.

"Fine. It's not like I don't have hands. I can accomplish just as much with them. Plus, I have a knife, which all superior than I, has been forbidden from touching," I said and a smirk tugged at my lips.

"I don't see how Maruba thinks you're good to us," he stated.

"Probably because I take my job seriously, and don't think about just myself. I actually think about what everyone will benefit from my decisions," I chuckled darkly. "Plus, I've already gotten Maruba a deal with Gjallahorn to where he has a bonus of 10% towards his finances, and 30% for armory and paychecks."

  There was whispering from behind and around us.

"She's no storyteller, Todo. She brings promise where you're just a fat, old man who doesn't truly work," Maruba said. "That's why you get no raise to your paycheck. It goes to Hanna, her brother, and Mikazuki Augus."

"What?!" Todo exclaimed.

"If you dare make things worse for any of these kids, I'll let Hanna take your job, and you'll be sent to Gjallahorn to explain yourself," Maruba said.

"Sir?" I spoke up.

"Yes?" Maruba asked.

"I'd rather him keep his job. It's all he's good for," I said.

"What all has Nikolai taught you?" He questioned.

"Even I don't know. He questions me and my words sometimes," I answered honestly.

"Come to my office after this," he said and turned away.

"Yes sir," I gulped. It's probably about the testing. Or schooling.

"You got lucky this time," Todo growled.

"Is someone mad because I made sure they kept their job?" I asked sarcastically.

"Get to work!" He shouted and swung his beating stick at me.

  I grabbed hold of it and jerked him down to my level. "Swing this at me once more, and you won't live to see another day. Or worse, I could leave you clinging to your life with no escape or rescue."

"Itsuka," Nikolai scolded. "Empty threats are no good."

"For practice, I thought I did pretty good. Considering he's shaking in his boots," I smirked at Todo.

"He's incompetent. He doesn't count," Nikolai laughed.

"Oh come on. Tell me you wouldn't have been in the slightest bit scared if a young person stopped your hit, and deadface threatened your life as they gave you such blank eyes that stared deep into yours as if they could see your soul," I said.

"Maybe, but I could tell that was such an empty threat," he said.

"She's crazy!" Todo shouted and backed away.

"She's just practicing what she's been taught," Nikolai chuckled.

"So you've been teaching her how to be crazy?!" Todo asked.

"Of course not. She learned that on her own," Nikolai joked and looked at me. "I'm teaching her how to be a young adult, and self defense as well as how to fight period and come up with effective strategies that are guaranteed to get her a win."