Hailstorm Part 1
by Jan McDougherty

	"She is the perfect subject," Lt. Tory announced to the gathered generals. "Her 
reflexes are superb and her control of the system is just what we're looking for. If we 
begin training her now we'll be able to use her to counteract whatever the rebels are 
planning." There were quiet murmurs throughout the audience as they considered the new 
development.
	"Lt. Tory," one of the Generals called from his seat,"what if she doesn't want to 
help us. It would be unfair to keep a fifteen year old girl in an army base against her 
will, and we can't very well let her go, considering the top secret nature of this project."
	"You will let me deal with that when it comes up." Lt Tory's eyes were stern and his 
face determined. The Generals continued to ask the Lt questions until a soldier under Lt 
Tory approached the podium.
	"Lt Tory," the soldier whispered.
	"What is it Daron," he asked while he kept his eyes on the assembly proceedings.
	"Sir, you are needed in the test area." Lt Tory excused himself from the meeting 
and followed Daron to the gymnasium where a scientist stood, awaiting their arrival. In the 
center of the room sat a massive mobile suit, and a teenage girl sat in the cockpit. She had
long dark brown hair that was pulled into a pony tail at the nape of her neck, and her hazel 
eyes seemed to scream at Lt Tory as they followed his movements across the floor to the base 
of the mobile suit. Her attire consisted of gray sweatpants and a white tanktop, over which 
she wore a sweatshirt with a hood, zippered halfway. Her arms were folded across her chest 
as she glared at the Lt.
	"Sir," the scientist began,"her reactions to the syatem are getting better every 
time she works with it. In no time, she may have complete control over it. If we want to 
train her, we'll have to begin right away or-"
	"Is this what you called me down for, Dr. Morgan?" Lt Tory asked while he glanced 
over a data sheet he had been handed. Dr. Morgan frowned and focused on the floor.
	"I'm sorry sir," he stammered,"but she refuses to participate in any more tests 
until you tell her what's going on."
	"Really?" Lt Tory laughed and looked up at the girl who glared at him from the 
cockpit. "Come on down," he called. At once she obeyed and jumped from the cockpit to land 
in front of him. His face was unreadable as they both stared at each other. He was about a 
head taller than her and a lot more refined. Her peircing gaze gave her a sort of cat like 
appearence. In animal terms, Tory looked more like a war horse with his head held high and 
his incredible strength evident, yet a sense of dignity and honor poured from his figure.
	They stood there, eyes locked in a fierce battle it seemed, for about a minute 
before Lt Tory broke the silence. "I had thought we wouldn't be able to keep it from you for
very long. Clean up and meet me in conference room A in half an hour." He turned back to Dr.
Morgan,"you may close up and go home. No more testing today." He turned and left as Daron 
ushered the girl to her quarters. Dr Morgan watched as they left. Once the gymnasium was 
empty, he looked up at the Mobile Suit's face. 
	"Well Hailstorm," he said, the look on his face serious,"I guess we'll find out if 
she'll get any use out of you, or-" he swallowed hard,"find another candidate." He walked to 
the door, taking one last look, before shutting off the lights and locking the door behind 
him. A shadow could be seen stealing its way across the floor to stop under the Mobile Suit 
and then continue on its way to the door that Dr. Morgan had just locked.
	"Good thing these doors only lock on the outside," it whispered as it peeked out to 
see if anyone was coming and went out.