Shinn starts thinking about the nature of his relationship with Athrun Zala.
"You make it sound like you were lovers or something," he scoffed.
"To be rude and disobedient is one thing, but to be personal and insulting is simply low."
They watched him leave the waiting room.
"Although I dislike and distrust him, your attacks are going overboard. Don't forget hat no matter what our rank is, what we think or how we feel, Lord Dullindal still prefers Athrun Zala over any other person on this ship."
Athrun went into the captain's quarters.
"No."
"Athrun?" Captain Gladys, as everyone else, reacted in shock. "Explain your point of view further, please."
"We don't want enemies. If we send Shinn Asuka out, it will turn into a slaughter. He loses sight very easily. We cannot afford anymore enemies."
She turned to face him directly. "Then what do you suggest? He is our best pilot."
He smiled. "No, he isn't. The course of action I believe would be more effective and less costly to us would be…" he continued to explain.
She nodded occasionally. At the end, she stood. "Very well, your plan convinces me of a better outcome."
"I will inform them of their new instructions."
She nodded.
When he left, the lieutenant turned to her, "captain!"
She shook her head. "Relax, Arthur. He's a very dangerous mind - a master of war and peace. His plan is good. Athrun Zala."
Shinn turned to Athrun. "WHAT?! I was given separate instructions earlier!"
"These are the new instructions."
He walked past with a very well-guarded expression.
Shinn grabbed him from his shirt and pinned him to the wall.
"Shinn!" Lunamaria and Rey exclaimed as Athrun's head slammed into the wall.
A second later, his eyes refocused. "Let go."
"I know you're behind this. Your instructions are below the captain's-"
"If you do not follow my instructions, you will be considered an enemy and will be shot down. Let go."
Shinn slammed him to the wall again and walked away with a sharp, frustrated exhale.
"Shinn Asuka is hereby under probation for attacking a FAITH member." They stopped. "Instruction is frozen under effect until further notice."
Shinn was about to turn and explode at him, but Rey grasped his arm firmly and hauled him towards their quarters.
"Rey! Stop it, let me go!"
The door slid shut behind him.
"ARE YOU DAFT?"
Shinn froze.
"Even though you hate his guts: HE STILL OUTRANKS YOUR ASS! With one word, he can command you off ZAFT. And you know what that means."
"I know what it means, ok?" Shinn glared. Rey glared back. "WHAT does it mean!"
Rey exhaled sharply. "It means your life to ZAFT is forfeit."
"Che."
"But what use is it if your life to yourself is forfeit? Like Athrun."
"I will never be that weak."
Rey sharply turned to Shinn, his eyes scarily focused. "I hold a grudge from the previous war and his ability to follow his beliefs easily. Where does yours come from, Shinn Asuka?"
"Hu'?"
Rey went to work on the laptop. Shinn lied down for a nap.
"I hold a grudge from the previous war and his ability to follow his beliefs easily. Where does yours come from, Shinn Asuka?"