I look into the bathroom mirror, adjusting my long bangs for the third time. The bathroom is quite simple. Having nothing more than a sink and a handful of empty stalls. At the back of the restroom, a single metal janitor's closet sits under a small tinted window. I shouldn't take too long... Jax is waiting for me outside!.. I open one of the many open stalls, locking it behind me. Footsteps begin to echo through the empty restroom. The janitor's closet creeks open as the flopping of metal tools jostle about. The janitors here!? Why now... The sound of rushing water hisses through the room as it fills a container. With one final squeak, the water stops. Leaving the sloshing of the contained water remaining. A girl struggling with the weight of the bucket lets out pained moans. Slowly growing closer to the door, the heavy footsteps and moans stop. In one last hurrah, she lets out one final cry.
A bucket flies over the stall door, landing on my head with a bang as water drenches my clothing. The girl lets out one final "Hmph!" before her soft steps promptly marches off. Slowly and calmly, I pull up my pants, removing the bucket from my head. I squeeze as much water out of my clothes as possible before opening my stall. Opening the door, bucket in hand, I look to the open janitor closet. I set the used bucket back in place, shutting the wide-open doors. I slide up my hood as I make my way out the door.
I guess some things never change...
I wait inside Sakura's hanger, studying every detail of the Royal Sakura's beauty. Sakura's avionics are stunning, but looking at this majestic design, it's unlike anything else. I wonder... Would Sakura let me sit inside of her..? I reach for the latch, spotting Clover round the corner. Startled, I leap off the foot ladder, trying my best to explain my grievances.
Jax: "Ah! Clover! You see I was jus-... Hey Clover, what happened? Why are you soaked?"
Clover: "It's... Nothing... Just slipped and fell in a puddle..."
Jax: "A puddle? In the middle of the desert!? I'm not that dense. Tell me what happened. Wait... I saw Diana follow you into the bathroom..! Don't tell me she-"
Clover: "It's nothing!... It's fine..."
Jax: "What do you mean it's fine!?"
I begin to walk forward, making my way out the hanger.
Jax: "Wait here ill go talk to that little shi-"
As I step past her, I hear Clover mutter something faintly under her breath.
Clover: "I'm used to it anyway..."
I stop in place, looking down on Clover's hidden face as water droplets splash on the concrete floor.
Jax: "What?.."
Her eyes remained hooked to the hangers back wall. Unmoved from that spot since I stepped away. She stands unfazed, void of any reaction to what just occurred to her. I let down my foot slowly, keeping my eyes on Clover's immobile posture. Unable to find the words, I remain just as still.
Jax: "... Clover, come rest over here in the sun for a while alright."
With a subtle nod, I grab her damp sleeve, lightly dragging her to the open sunlight. I set her down on the soft sand. Standing beside her as the blazing sun burns down on us, I question her. She explains her past in school. Detailing how something like this was no more than a common occurrence in grade and flight school. And how she can handle this and worse just fine now. I quietly listened as every detail of her school years played out. From the isolation and water buckets. To the almost daily tampering with her locker and supplies. I listened as we both stared off into the waving heat beyond.
Jax: "I see... You may not believe me today, but I promise you, I won't let those things continue here... No matter what."
I look down on the crouched-over Clover, seeing her clothing thoroughly dried. I give her the warmest smile I could muster. Patting her hooded head as she looks out into nowhere.
Jax: "Now that you're dried off. Let's get your mind off the past and go do some training. Just you and me. Noone else. Sound good?"
She looks up at me, giving me a nod. She returns my smile with a shallow smile of her own. I feel my smile waver as I restrengthen my resolve. I help her to her feet, leading her to Royal Sakura. Watching as she softly climbs up the footstool and meekly enters the cockpit, I remain at her side, holding my smile. As the canopy shuts and the engines roar to life, I step out the hanger, making my trip to Spirit's hanger. Rounding the hanger door, my smile fades from my face as thoughts rush around my head.
Why would Diana do that!?! How can Clover be so used to this??? How can I help her??? Should I talk to Boss or Doc? No, that'd make her more uncomfortable. I swear when I get my hands on that little brat..! Clover shouldn't have to deal with this!.. For now, let's just get her mind away from things...
I empty my mind, draining it from everything but training Clover. I finally reach Spirit's hanger. Rushing inside, I prop open the canopy. Sliding myself into the seat before the specialized canopy closes over me once more, Flicking on the switches and adjusting the dials, Spirit roars to life. I raise the throttle, taxing out onto the runway. As I drive by, Sakura pulls into the lane behind me, following me onto the runway. I look back over the buildings, seeing Diana glare from the sky bridge. My skin begins to crawl as she flicks her dress away. Paying us no mind as her usual "Hmph" sounds from my head. I return the favor, refocusing on the matter at hand. Stopping on the runway, the Royal Sakura rolls into position beside me. Receiving the usual permissions, we soar into the skies once more.
In silence, we arrive at the PCAST training area. Softly landing on the blazing sands, we dismount. Clover's eyes bounce around the flat empty terrain we find ourselves in.
Clover: "Jax... What are we... Doing all the way out here?.."
Jax: "Oh! I forgot to mention what today's training would be, didn't I? Today we'll build your bond with Sakura. You won't always be inside the pilot seat, but that doesn't mean Sakura cant assist you in some manner. As such, we will develop and teach Sakura: Pilot Close Air Support Tactics, or PCAST for short."
Clover: "PCAST?.. I don't understand..."
I pause, thinking about how I could explain to her what I mean.
Jax: "Let's say suddenly base Yurei was to be assaulted and you were in your room. The attackers have already breached the base walls and there would be no way for you to make it to Sakura. But that doesn't mean Sakura can't fight. Just like every other Aerocord, Sakura can fly independently correct?"
She nods her head while looking in curiosity.
Jax: "Then you can give her the order to take off and strike specific positions or even people. For example, say there's a guy right here in front of me... Spirit, Standby for PCAST-1."
I jester to the empty sands a few feet in front of us as Spirit's engines bellow into the blue sky. I signal Clover to wait where she stood as I step into the shed, carrying a dummy out with me. I set the dummy in place, looking up for the vulturous Spirit above.
Jax: "Now pretend this dummy has me at gunpoint. He's too close to be shot by someone else, but to far for me to grab his rifle. I can't do anything here right?"
I raise my hands, roleplaying the dummy holding me at gunpoint. Estimating my chances, once more Clover silently nods.
Jax: "Spirit in the skies above can see the situation, and just as such... Execute PCAST-1"
With the command sent, Spirit promptly dives down. Throwing up clouds of sand as she blasts through just over 100 feet high. Seconds before Spirit blows past us, I speak out to Clover, my hands remaining in place.
Jax: "I forgot to mention, cover your ears."
Without missing a beat, Spirit's eruptive soundwave vibrates through us, shaking the ground itself.
Jax: "And just like that, he's disabled, and I have a-"
I look back towards the shellshocked Clover. She wavers on her feet as her confused eyes spin around.
Jax: "Hey?.. Clover?.. You alright!?."
Succumbing to her confused daze, she falls to the soft sand below.