A/N:I'm still new at this so please bear with me. This is a short prologue that basically introduces the story, so please read and tell me if I should continue. No flames, constructive criticism is welcome!
Disclaimer: The author does not own Gundam SEED or any related indicia.
Prologue
"Athrun? Do you read?" A weak signal projects from the communication of the Aegis, "This may be the last time you will hear from me –" a stream of interference cut the sentence short, the feeble signal was completely drowned out.
"No!" Athrun Zala jolted upright on his bed, breathing hard, apparently awakening from a nightmare. The beeping of alarm sounded in the background.
"Athrun, is something the matter?" Nicol's concerned voice trailed from the bed over.
"No! Damn the alarm!" Athrun said as he hopped too excitedly out of bed, thrusting his pillow hard at the beeping clock to support his words.
Still, the dream moments ago would not surrender from his mind. Its vivid images and inescapable emotions coursed through him like gamma waves, powerful and unceasing. This is more than a dream, it's a memory, once a reality, and still it remains a reality. This war has deprived him of everything, his friends – in more ways than just death, his mother, and now his sister also. If this is the ultimate cost for peace, he is not sure that it is what he desires anymore, for he can never afford the price.
"First it's ORB, now what's this so-called 'peacemaking organization'?" Patrick Zala exclaimed in a PLANT supreme council meeting, clearly outraged.
"Yes, Representative Zala," the reporting lieutenant continues his report in a calm manner, "This group calls themselves HOPE, which stands for Harmony Organization of Peace and Empathy. Their goal is to create peace primarily between ZAFT and the Earth Alliance, and their currently aiding with the damage in ORB. They are admittedly quite impressive seeing that they have only established one month before, and is already universally known –"
"What does this have to do with us!" Representative Zala finally bursts out as his final nerve grinded away. Dude, this dummy never even stops to take a breath.
"Representative Zala," Siegel Clyne tries to calm Patrick Zala, "if you can please just allow the commander to continue."
"Thank you sir, they have requested ZAFT's conformation and recognition." The interrupted lietenant answered.
"And who the hell are they?" Obviously, Patrick Zala.
"The Co-Delegates of HOPE, sir, both 14 and Naturals, Andorra Sygnus and Ryo Delaverre."
"Fifteen, for heaven's sake! ZAFT will not be lowered to the level to negotiate with minors, and certainly not filthy Naturals!"
"Representative, please –"
"Enough!" Patrick Zala stood up abruptly, apparently outraged that this conversation is not leading anywhere he wants to go, "This matter has wasted enough of my precious time, forward it on to the Creuset team. Tell them to use force if necessary; and I do not," He glared at every one of the councilors present, "I repeat, I do not, want to ever hear the word HOPE associated with ZAFT, ever, again." His glare paused on the councilor with whom he had been arguing, "Is that understood?"
The rest of the council members seemed relieved that Patrick Zala has finally finished throwing his fit, and said nonchalantly nothing.
"Yes, Representative Zala." The councilor swallowed hard, then left hastily to do as he was ordered.
A/N: Thanks for reading this far! Please take a few moments to leave a comment or criticism! Thank you.