Chapter 93

　　"Careful grabbing onto this edge. I`ve seen them crumble even when they look stable." Warner called out from where he was hovering above them in the Seraph. The reduced gravity of Mars meant that the energy drain of flying was significantly reduced, allowing him to spend most of the day in the air without a problem.

　　Kal avoided the ledge as he jumped, his Mobile Suits boosters carrying him over the cliff`s edge and landing firmly on solid rocky ground. Mare joined him shortly after, dropping the heavy crate she was carrying in her arms.

　　They had set out in the morning for a day trip through the mountains with supplies for a repair on one of the nearby weather stations. It would have been left to a maintenance crew that would arrive him a week or so, but it presented a good training opportunity for the pair.

　　They had adjusted to the Medium Class Mechs fairly well. When Kal first Piloted a Light Class, he remarked that it was similar to operating a second body. He had trouble differentiating what his natural body was doing and what was the Mobile Suits systems.

　　The Medium Class was similar but added a twist of increased sensor capabilities, shielding systems and the ability to fine-tune Reactor output. Now he imagined it like a second body with two heads and a half dozen arms.

　　The experience was embarrassing for the first two days. The pair had stumbled around like children barely able to walk. The progress from Light to Medium Class was an exponential increase in difficulty, and no matter how much experience you had as a Light Class Pilot, there would be a skill gap.

　　"What a view." Mare said, staring out over the Martian Southern Highlands.

　　The weather station they were delivering the supplies to was on top of a large, snow-covered mountain. Unlike Terra or Caledon, the terrain on Mars rose to heights that would dwarf anything on a planet with higher gravity.

　　Their path had led them through deep valleys, ancient impact craters, and mountain passes. Even after the terraforming had been completed, the Guard kept Mars pristine and untouched for the most part. There was a beauty on the planet that couldn`t be found anywhere else in the galaxy.

　　"Here`s good. I`ll speak to the Techs if you both want to have a rest and grab a bite." Warner said, landing the Seraph gently in the cleared area and disembarking. Two technicians wearing Imperial Guard uniforms were there to meet them. Their shuttle dropped them off shortly before the Mechs arrived.

　　The cockpit of Kal`s Baldur opened to the cold mountain air. His bodysuit`s environmental systems kept him from feeling it, the air too thin to safely remove his helmet for long. Ka`ls feet sunk about a foot into the white snow, and it took effort to shuffle over to Mare, who was approaching with a bag slung over her shoulder.

　　"There should be a room in the station." Mare called out, gesturing to the small structure with the large antenna rising from it. Kal nodded to show his agreement, and the pair made a path through the snow to the front entrance.

　　The doors closed behind them with a hiss, the atmosphere adjusting before the inner doors opened to allow the pair entry into the weather station. It was a single room with equipment and holo displays of the Southern Highlands. Kal noticed the weather patterns predicated a storm in a day. He made a note of it for tomorrow`s training.

　　In the center of the room was an empty metal table, and Mare dropped her bag in the middle before undoing her helmet. Her black hair was plastered to the side of her head with sweat, and her face was flushed with the exception.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

　　Joining her, Kal set his helmet on one of the empty chairs before sitting. He made a conscious effort to relax his left hand, placing it flat against the tabletop.

　　The spasms were becoming more frequent, and they had started to affect both his hands at times. Thankfully they didn`t occur when he was in a Mech, but he wouldn`t chance it in a life-or-death situation.

　　"That wasn`t so bad." Mare said, pulling out two metal containers with water and placing one in front of Kal while keeping the other on her side of the table. She added a tin of rations and dry biscuits.

　　"Can you imagine climbing unassisted, no Exosuit or Mech?" Kal replied, pulling over the rations and opening one of the bags. Taking a whiff, he smelled potatoes and bacon. Grabbing a fork, he dug in.

　　"Maybe we should try it before we go? Could be a fun time with just the two of us." Mare said, sitting and opening her own. Kal laughed at the statement, shaking his head. He doubted they would make it a day outside the base. He was exhausted just from the climb in a Mech.

　　"I`m going to have to focus more on my morning exercises. It`s uncomfortable to be out of breath while Warner and the other Guards run circles around us." Kal replied.

　　"The Guard pride themselves on overcoming adversity. When most people see a mountain blocking their path, they admire its beauty while finding a way around it. The Guard see it as a challenge to surmount."

　　"I count myself amongst those that would have plotted an easier course to my destination." Kal responded while opening his container and taking a drink of cold water.

　　"And that, Baron Caledon, is why the Guard would have never recruited you." Mare teased, and Kal gave her a grin in response.

　　"Their loss." Kal joked, and Mare joined in with his laughter.

　　"Anything interesting in your messages this morning?" Mare asked, more out of a want to make conversation than burning curiosity.

　　"The tournament organizers messaged with my prize. Aside from my choice of Light Class Mech in the game amongst the new variants they displayed, there was a very interesting inclusion. Two tickets to the Princess`s birthday celebration on Terra. Alma has received the same. They combined the first and second-ranked prizes and doubled them." Kal replied when he saw Mare`s questioning look.

　　"Who are you going to take?" Mare asked jokingly, knowing that he would have already had an invitation as a Baron. It was somewhat redundant for them to provide him with tickets to the celebrations, but they must not have wanted to appear biased.

　　"I`ve agreed to auction them off for a local charity on Caledon. Sylla is making the arrangements." Kal explained.

　　"How about you, any news from home?" Kal asked as he finished his MRE and tossed the empty pack onto the table. Moving on to dessert, he opened the container to find a selection of sliced fruit from Terra. Say what you will about the Guard, they ate well.

　　"My parents messaged me." Mare said casually between bites.

　　"Oh." Kal winced in sympathy. He doubted it had been pleasant.

　　"They were upset about my refusal to do my duty` and be a good and respectful daughter and agree to the Carmichael`s request of accompanying me to my birthday celebrations." Mare described.

　　"Do you want to agree to it? I`m willing to step aside in order to keep the peace within your family, Mare. You won`t hurt my feelings. I`m made of sterner stuff than that." Kal assured her.

　　"Of course not! And before you get a big head about it, it`s not because I`m infatuated with you or some silly, nonsensical notion that you are going to tease me mercilessly about. I would just rather avoid the Carmichaels at all costs, even if it means attending the Ball with you." Mare said and flicked her empty package at him when he laughed.

　　"I`m glad I could help." Kal replied.

　　"And there was a message from my Grandmother reminding me that she wants me back in the last week of May for a dress fitting and to help with the preparations."

　　"Then we only have a few weeks left here. We`ll need to get as much training in as possible before we have to leave." Kal said, placing his trash in a nearby bin and placing his helmet back on his head. Mare followed suit, and the pair left the station just as Warner finished with the Technicians.

　　"Ready to head back? I have a shuttle waiting for you. We`ll tow the Mechs back later."

　　"No need. We`ll Pilot them back." Mare replied, already walking toward the Oppressor,` with Kal on her heels.

　　"Don`t push yourselves too hard!" Warner shouted, but all he got was a wave in response. With a sigh, he headed towards his Seraph knowing it was going to be a long day.