Chapter 114 - Coming Together (2/2)

"Thanks, Ok Jono, let's go outside and talk. Meet me near the entrance of the simulators and we can talk wherever you want."

Jono nodded his head and left the simulators with Gray for the moment.

The 7 women on Kelly's team had a quick huddle among themselves.

"So, are we on board with having Gray lead us?" Rita asked.

"He hasn't acted like a pervert like most men do around us so I don't mind." Heather said with a smile

"Yeah, honestly I get tired of every single boys team hitting on us." Rita said tiredly

Caitlyn became excited when she thought of Gray asking them for their favorite mech and asked, "Maybe by him asking for our favorite mech he intends to let us use what we enjoy most?"

"Does that mean I could pilot the Juniper SE?" Alice said with a whimsical expression on her face.

"Is it because that is the smallest mech that you like it?" Felisa said with a grin.

"@$#%& you and your height, it's the cutest mech!" Alice said glaring at Felisa.

"Smallest height, biggest mouth when angry, we think your height is perfect, just relax a little!" Christine said trying to comfort Alice.

"Whatever! Tia, any thoughts? You've been quiet."

Tia seemed to come back out of her daze for a moment and said, "Oh, um, I'm for it, they seem like fun… and Gray seems nice… and Xyra and Yurika are cute!"

None of the women were sure what Tia meant as whenever they asked her about it she would usually dodge the question by saying something like "I wonder…" or "What do you think?" so by now they've just ignored it.

"Ok, so we're all onboard then with letting Gray lead us for this tournament?" Rita asked one more time.

"I'd say so!" Heather said while nodding her head.

Rita saw that everyone else was either nodding or shrugging their shoulders saying they didn't mind either way so she then exclaimed, "Ok! Then let's do exactly what he said no matter what Kelly thinks we're best at!"

The women then went about to send Kelly their lists about mech preferences, role preference, and role strengths.

__________

Gray and Jono walked around behind the building with the simulators where nobody else was hanging around.

"So, what's up Jono?"

"Gray, what is it you all keep hiding from me? I know you're hiding something. I'm not an idiot and know when you're dodging the question."

"How to put it, it's not that we won't say it, but more like we can't."

"Why can't you?"

"We had to…" Gray stopped himself from continuing, he might have even said too much already. The secret was big, but Gray was confident it was only a matter of time before someone spilled it. He just didn't want to be the one to spill it.

"Jono, honestly I'd rather not know what I know. It will change your entire perspective on life and honestly ruin certain parts of it, but it isn't bad as the responsibility of carrying that knowledge means others don't have to."

"Well, it must be pretty big for you to say that, but I'd rather know what it is despite the consequences, I mean it can't be that bad! What do I need to do to get in on the secret so I can feel like I'm part of the team instead of just an extra member?"

Gray was impressed, Jono's reason was a good one, but he also knew he had a big mouth and wasn't sure if a NDA would even stop him. Gray thought to himself, "Maybe I should just see if I can offer him the information and see if Major Valen can get a NDA for him."

"Well?" Jono said impatiently as he watched Gray consider what to say next.

"As much as I want to, I can't tell you, but I'll send Major Valen a message and see what he can do for you. I know it is frustrating but it honestly is bigger than just your or myself."

"Seriously Gray? I thought we were bros!"

"We are, but this really is too big for me to decide on my own!"

"Whatever, I don't know. You might have to find an 8th man if this is how it's going to be."

Gray didn't know what to do. He only hoped Major Valen could let Jono be an exception, if Major Valen was even capable of making that kind of decision.

"Listen, give me a little more time and I'll see what I can do, if it ends up that you'll leave if we can't tell you, I… I'll think about telling you."

Jono nodded his head. This seemed to satisfy him for the time being, "Ok, I'll leave it to you… and I got dibs on Kelly by the way."

Gray rolled his eyes and said "Go for it, I'm happy with Yurika" then thought to himself, "That and I can't wait to see you get shot down again like in high school!"