Author's Note: Contains SLIGHT spoilers for Gundam Seed Destiny.
I do NOT own Gundam Seed or Gundam Seed Destiny. Please read and review. :)
With Yzak's help, Dearka had managed to get his nearly destroyed Buster moving towards the nearest functioning ship, which just so happened to be the Archangel.
"You know Dearka, I don't like this one bit. It just doesn't feel right. I mean the war appears to be over and everything but that doesn't make the hostilities between the Plants and Naturals go away. Do you really think they will help you now that you no longer serve a purpose helping them?" Yzak said angrily.
Dearka sighed heavily and had removed his broken helmet attempting to soak up the rather heavy blood flow that was making its way down his face with his sleeve. "It's not like I have many options at this point. You don't have to stay with me or anything. I know you have other duties to attend to." Dearka said casually.
Yzak groaned and muttered his frustrations under his breath. "Let's at least get you stitched up and make a plan from there." Yzak replied sounding somewhat exasperated. As the two machines landed in the dock of the Archangel, mechanical crews surrounded them as well as a few soldiers with guns. "Told you they wouldn't be thrilled to see us." Yzak said as he cautiously opened the Duel's cockpit.
"What exactly are your intentions?" Shouted a soldier who had his gun pointed directly at Yzak's chest.
"We don't mean to cause any trouble. My friend is injured and his machine is beyond repair. This was the closest ship to get him to. I also know for a fact that he personally helped this ship on a variety of occasions." Yzak said his hands raised in a peaceful gesture.
The solider hesitated for a moment and then one of the mechanics spoke up. "Yeah that Dearka kid did help us out. Besides, the war is over isn't it? Haven't enough people lost their lives?"
"But I don't know if I'm authorized to..." The solider started before a voice came through on the intercom about 20 feet away.
"Stand down. The war is over and they are no longer our enemies. Please see to it that Dearka gets medical attention." A woman's voice said.
"Of course Captain Ramius." The solider replied lowering his weapon and directing mechanics to help open the Buster's damaged cockpit door.
Yzak was a bit surprised that even the Captain vouched for Dearka but still watched the crew help his friend get the hatch open. "Dearka? You okay in there?" Yzak asked as they pried the door away.
"Yeah I'll be okay." Dearka responded weakly as he emerged from the cockpit, his face smeared in blood.
Everyone had stepped away as Dearka climbed down what was left of the Buster. Once on the ground, he surveyed the machine for a moment. "Well, looks like that was a close one. Guess I'm pretty lucky."
"More like you are pretty lucky I was there to save your ass Elsman!" Yzak said haughtily, walking over to him. Dearka grinned for a moment and then the grin faded, his eyes having a slightly glazed appearance. "Dearka? You alright?" Yzak asked all sarcasm disappearing and being replaced with concern. Dearka was silent and swayed on his feet and Yzak put a hand on his shoulder to steady him. "We better get you to see a doctor before you pass out on me Elsman. You know I wouldn't let you live that one down." Yzak joked. Dearka merely grinned slightly and started to walk off towards the infirmary, Yzak right behind him.
Once they arrived in the infirmary, the doctor looked up, eyebrows rising in surprise at their entrance and their pilot suits. But after seeing the blood still flowing pretty heavily from Dearka's head he motioned for him to sit down. "Looks like you need several stitches young man." The doctor said after cleaning the wound and surrounding blood from his face.
Dearka shrugged. "It's not the first time I have needed stitches." He replied and after looking at Yzak's cold and somewhat detached expression continued, "And I don't think it will be my last." Yzak rolled his eyes dramatically and stayed silent as the doctor stitched Dearka's wound shut.
When the doctor finished Dearka thanked him and applied the bandages himself. He was quite lightheaded and was relieved when Yzak didn't pester him to get up. "You know we still have to figure out what to do with you." Yzak said suddenly sitting on the small chair that the doctor had just vacated next to the bed. "I'm not sure that ZAFT officials will be too pleased with your sudden return when they realize you have been helping the Earth forces for weeks." He continued.
Dearka sighed and closed his eyes. His head was spinning and his vision was a little fuzzy and it was making him nauseous. "I understand that Yzak. It's something that has been weighing on my mind since I came to be on this ship. I made the decision to help them and if I want to return to ZAFT I will have to face the consequences of my actions." Dearka said, rubbing his eyes with clenched fists.
Yzak was taken aback. Something Dearka said stuck out to him. "What do you mean IF you want to return to ZAFT? You can't possibly be considering living on Earth with a bunch of Naturals. Come on Dearka, get real." Yzak said incredulously.
Dearka wasn't entirely sure how to respond because he didn't really know what he wanted to do. He wasn't even sure if he had a choice on whether or not to return to ZAFT and the Plants. "It's a big decision Yzak. Plus, there is a good possibility that if I do return to ZAFT I will be court marshaled and executed as a traitor." Dearka said, his eyes still closed. This caused Yzak to pause and be silent for several minutes.
"I won't let that happen." Yzak said quietly.
The soft and uncertain tone to Yzak's voice was so unlike him it caused Dearka to open one eye and look at him. "How do you think you could prevent that from happening?" Dearka questioned in a somewhat mocking tone.
Yzak glared at him. "For goodness sake Elsman! My mother is on the high council and I'm a ZAFT Red with a pretty impressive combat record. Give me some credit." Yzak snapped in response.
Dearka rolled his eyes and continued to lay still on the bed as the room spun. "Whatever you say Yzak." Dearka replied. Yzak crossed his arms across his chest and leaned his back against the chair.
"Technically you were fighting against the Alliance and Blue Cosmos. You weren't betraying ZAFT and your fellow coordinators. Your efforts helped take down ZAFT's enemies as well, despite the fact that ZAFT may not have come out on top at the end of this war. That will all be taken into account."
Dearka's eyebrows rose in surprise as he let all of what Yzak said sink in. "So you really think I could have a chance to come back to ZAFT?" Dearka finally said, hope leaking into his voice.
"Yes Elsman. As long as you don't screw up anymore or find another way to bleed to death." Yzak replied sarcastically.
Dearka smirked and chucked a bit before grimacing. His head was pounding from the blood loss and not having slept for nearly 24 hours wasn't helping. Also, he couldn't remember the last time he had anything to eat or drink. Taking in a deep breath and keeping his eyes closed he sat up slowly and swung his legs over the side of the bed pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and pointer finger trying to ease the discomfort. Opening his eyes he squinted at the bright fluorescent lighting and blinked several times trying to clear his blurry vision. The only thing he took comfort in was that the room had stopped spinning and the nausea has ceased. Carefully he began to get up using the edge of the bed as support.
"Where do you think you're going Elsman? Did you not just hear my comment about not doing anything stupid?" Yzak said standing up to talk to him at eye level.
"Can't a man go take a leak and then get some grub without you being on my case?" Dearka returned sarcastically. Yzak frowned back at him and put his hands up in mock surrender. After the door to the bathroom closed, Dearka did his business then braced his hands on the sink looking at himself in the mirror. There were bags under his eyes and his skin appeared pale, basically, he looked like crap and felt like it too. He turned on the water and washed his hands and face. His vision was still slightly blurry and his head continued to pound. Only the loud growling of his stomach made him come to his senses and open the door. Yzak was waiting for him and Dearka led the way to the cafeteria to get something to eat.
"I say after you eat something we go back to head quarters and get everything sorted out. Waiting won't help." Yzak said as he grabbed them two trays of food nodding to the cook who looked a little baffled but just shrugged and returned to his work.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Dearka said almost sadly. Yzak just stared at Dearka who refused to make eye-contact and started to take small bites of his mashed potatoes.
Out of the corner of Dearka's eye he saw a couple people enter the room. "There you are Dearka!" A girl called out. Yzak stood up in surprise and turned towards the girl. Dearka had dropped his fork and simply turned in his seat to greet her.
"Oh hey." Yzak didn't have to see Dearka's face to know his friend was smiling.
"I'm glad that you are okay. I saw your machine in the hanger after I checked on Kira and Cagalli and it was completely wrecked." She explained.
"Yeah if it wasn't for Yzak here," Dearka said pointing to his friend, "I wouldn't have made it." He finished honestly.
"Is that so? Well thank you Yzak for helping Dearka. I'm Miriallia. It's nice to meet you." She said holding out her hand to Yzak.
Yzak peered at her hand in near disgust but shook it anyway. "Yeah same here." He said awkwardly letting her hand go as quickly as possible. Dearka was giving Yzak a funny look but just shook his head slowly before Miriallia could turn her attention back to Dearka.
"So what will you do now that the war is over?" She asked Dearka cautiously as if she wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer. Dearka didn't respond immediately and had glanced up at Yzak's stiff posture next to him.
"Well, I'm probably going back to headquarters and sort everything out there." He replied hesitantly.
"Oh...well, I'm sure things will work out for you. Maybe I will see you again if you are ever on Earth in the future." She said, her tone now tinged with sadness.
"Yeah...that...that would be nice." Dearka answered and Yzak got the distinct feeling that his friend wanted to say more but didn't. The girl smiled, put a hand on Dearka's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze before grabbing some food and leaving the room.
They sat in silence as they finished their meal and Yzak returned their trays. "Maybe we should find Athrun before we leave." Dearka said as they both made their way to the door.
"Where do you think he is?" Yzak asked.
"Probably on the bridge talking with everyone. Follow me." Dearka replied. As they made their way to the bridge they got a variety of strange and suspicious looks but no one stopped them.
The door to the bridge slid open and they entered quietly. Yzak saw Athrun and a brown haired kid about their age standing across the room. "We need to open peace talks between the Plants and the Earth immediately." Said Lacus Clyne whose face was on the screen in front of them.
"I agree but it appears ZAFT needs to handle its own disputes within the council first." Said the brown haired person next to Athrun. Yzak recognized the voice and realized that the guy must be the Strike's old pilot and the new pilot of the Freedom-Kira, Yzak remembered Dearka calling him when they encountered each other in the L4 Colony. Yzak clenched his fists. Dearka seemed to notice the tension in his friend and put a hand on his shoulder.
It was then that Athrun and Kira realized that Yzak and Dearka were there and walked over to them. "Glad to see that the both of you are okay." Athrun said with a grin.
"Yeah you guys too. We weren't sure what was going on out there. I heard someone say over the radio you blew up the Justice to destroy Genesis." Dearka replied.
"You couldn't help being the hero huh?" Yzak spat sarcastically and then his tone softened when he continued, "But good job."
Athrun smirked at him and then glanced at Kira who hadn't said anything. "Yzak this is my childhood friend Kira, he was the Strike's pilot and the Freedom's pilot. Kira, this is Yzak Joule, pilot of the Duel." Athrun said introducing them.
Kira stuck out his hand and Yzak tensed for a moment before shaking it. As the handshake ended, Dearka noticed the color in Yzak's face deepen and without much warning Yzak punched Kira in the face. "Bastard!" He yelled.
"Yzak!" Athrun and Dearka yelled pulling Yzak away from Kira, who was wiping his now bloody split lip with the back of his hand.
"You are the reason Athrun defected in the first place. You killed Miguel and Nicol. You gave me this scar!" Yzak shouted at Kira who was sadly looking away from the furious Duel pilot.
"It's all true and there isn't much I can tell you that will make you stop hating me. I fought in this war because I had people on this ship and in Orb that I wanted to protect. I didn't go into this war with the intention of killing anyone, but war changes people. No matter what I say nothing can change what has passed. All we can do is move forward and create a better tomorrow." Kira said finally being able to look Yzak in the face during his little speech.
Yzak was still shaking in fury but he appeared to be calming down somewhat. Athrun let him go, but Dearka wasn't satisfied with the tension he still felt in his friend's shoulders. "Yzak, you need to let it go. We have all done things in this war that keep us up at night. You can't punish Kira forever. He was fighting to protect people just like we were." Dearka said calmly.
Yzak took a deep breath and then stepped back crossing his arms. "Fine." He grunted shrugging off Dearka's grip of his shoulders.
Just like that, most of the tension broke. Dearka sighed leaning back against the side of the empty Captain's chair. "Yzak and I were going back to ZAFT headquarters Athrun. He thinks he can prevent me from being executed." Dearka said.
Athrun stared at him for a moment. "I'm...I'm not going with both of you."
Yzak and Dearka looked up at him in surprise. "After what my father has done and everything that I have done. I don't see how I wouldn't be marked as a traitor and executed." He finished sadly looking at the floor.
"That's...that's ridiculous Athrun! I'm sure that I could help you too! Just come back with us." Yzak said.
Athrun just shook his head. "I think I better cool it for a while. Maybe live in Orb. Cagalli could probably use all the help she can get restoring order there." He replied.
Yzak just shook his head. "Stubborn bastard. Well, if that's how you are gonna be I guess we can't make you change your mind. I'm sure we'll meet again someday." He said clapping Athrun on the back perhaps harder than necessary before turning towards the exit.
"Good luck Dearka. I'm sure that Yzak can figure out a way to help you." Athrun said shaking his hand.
"Thanks Athrun. Both you and Kira take care okay?" Dearka said as he slowly followed Yzak out the door.
The two ZAFT pilots made their way back down to the hangar and over to the Duel. The Buster was nowhere to be seen, and that was just as well, because it was nothing but scrap metal now. "It might not be the most comfortable way back to headquarters but it will have to do." Yzak said patting the Duel. Dearka smirked and climbed up and into the cockpit, moving aside so Yzak could get in and start the machine. No one made any attempt to stop them as they left the ship. Yzak noticed the sadness in his friend's face but clenched his teeth and said nothing.
About fifteen minutes later they arrived at headquarters. "This is Yzak Joule in the Duel from the La Crueset team. Recognition number 284006 asking permission to board." Yzak announced.
"Go ahead Duel." Came the quick response.
Yzak heard Dearka take a quick intake of breath as the Duel landed safely in the ZAFT hangar. "You ready for this?" Yzak asked his friend.
"Not really but there is no backing out now is there?" Dearka replied his head throbbing.
"Everything will be fine. Just let me do the talking." Yzak said confidently as he opened the cockpit.
Once they both emerged they could see the chaos around them unfolding. Injured and dead were being carted off in all directions. Mechanics were working to clear away machine parts, so barely anyone even glanced at them as they stood there.
Then a solider with a gun approached. "You two there! Who are you?"
"I'm Yzak Joule and this...is Dearka Elsman both with the La Creuset team. We wish to have a meeting as soon as possible with the council."
"Elsman?" The soldier said stunned. He radioed in and relayed the information to his superiors.
Soon they were directed to the locker rooms to change and two soldiers came to escort them to a meeting. Once the door slid open they saw the whole council-including Yzak's mother Ezalia was gathered. "Yzak." His mother said affectionately. "I'm glad you are safe." Yzak grinned at his mother before glancing sideways at Dearka. "So Dearka was not killed by the Earth forces." She continued walking over to study Dearka's face. "I think all of us would like to hear his side of the story before we make any kind of decision."
Dearka let go of a breath he didn't know he had been holding and stepped forward so all the council members could see and hear him properly. "After a battle between the La Creuset team and the Archangel my Buster was seriously damaged and would not move. I had no other option but to surrender at that time. I was taken on board the ship, received medical attention, and then confined to the brig. They kept me there for days but treated me…civilly. Once Orb was being attacked by the alliance the Archangel's Captain decided there was no point in keeping me on board anymore so they let me go." Dearka explained.
"Then how did you end up fighting along side that enemy ship?" Ezalia asked her eyebrows knitting together in confusion.
"Once outside the ship I wasn't sure where to go. They had taken back my Buster and Orb was being bombed. I snuck into the hanger on Onogoro Island and took back my machine. Once inside the repaired Buster I had every intention of returning to ZAFT but I didn't have a way to make that happen at that time." Dearka said. Yzak could tell that Dearka was choosing his words carefully at this point. "I knew that meant being able to board a ship and use Orb's mass driver to get back up into space. That meant I was going to have to act appropriately if I wished to do that. I shot down the Earth alliance soldiers that were attacking the Archangel and Orb in the hopes that my actions would encourage members of that ship to trust me enough to come back on board. Once the enemy retreated I made my way to the Archangel. I knew that my presence wouldn't be entirely welcomed but they didn't throw me back in the brig. I stayed on board the ship and they used the mass driver to get back into space as Orb officials blew up the mass driver facility after our departure. At this point I knew I had accomplished my goal of getting back into space but I knew that I couldn't just leave without being shot down. I knew I had to wait for a perfect opportunity to leave."
"So you continued fighting with them even if that meant fighting against ZAFT? Why didn't you just leave when the Archangel and crew were distracted in battle?" Ezalia asked looking at him suspiciously.
"It wasn't that simple once we knew that Blue Cosmos had infiltrated the Earth Alliance. Plus I knew that the Freedom wouldn't hesitate to shoot me down if I betrayed them during battle." Dearka explained. Yzak knew that Dearka was lying about Kira shooting him down but had an idea of where Dearka was going with this.
"So you came to know the Freedom's pilot when you were on board the ship?" Ezalia asked seeking clarification.
"Yes...his name is Kira Yamato. He is a coordinator that was living on Heliopolis when Yzak and I with the La Creuset team stole those four machines. He took over the Strike to defend his friends." Ezalia nodded writing down notes as he spoke. "We have all seen what Kira could do with those machines. His skills are exceptional and I had no doubt that if I did anything to compromise the safety of the Archangel and crew he would shoot me down. My goal was to stick with them until the opportunity to leave and return to ZAFT presented itself."
"Very well. Thank you for your report. However, given the circumstances you will be confined to the brig until we can fully debrief you and until we hand down your sentence." Ezalia stated coldly motioning for two soldiers to take Dearka to the brig. Dearka nodded and didn't resist, giving Yzak one more meaningful look before being taken away.
"We will now hear from Yzak Joule on the matter of Dearka Elsman's character and actions." Ezalia said formally as Yzak stepped forward taking a deep calming breath.
"I have known Dearka since before the Academy. He has always been true to his word and does the right thing and is a great soldier. However, I think he was put in an impossible situation and did what he could to survive his ordeal. He fought against the Alliance and Blue Cosmos and did not jeopardize ZAFT's missions. He managed to gain the enemies trust and with that...I think he could potentially obtain valuable information from the Earth and rebel forces in the future if the need arises. Considering his combat history and the value he adds to the ZAFT forces I think that he should not be labeled a traitor, nor should he be treated as such." Yzak said clasping his hands so tightly into fists behind his back his fingernails drew blood.
The council was silent after hearing Yzak's words and after a moment they murmured amongst themselves as to what should be done with Dearka. Yzak waited holding his breath and wondering if he had said the right things, wondering if he had done enough to try to save the life of his best friend.
Suddenly, Ezalia turned to him and said, "That will be all Yzak." He gave a curt nod to all of them and left the room slumping against a wall just outside the door.
Dearka had been led away down towards the brig and he knew it was possible he could be there a while. Surely they couldn't pass judgment too quickly. His cell was dark, much like the one on the Archangel and he sat down on the cot to wait. The quiet was unsettling but he just took a few deep breaths to calm himself. He wondered what Yzak was saying about him. Could he really prevent the Council from executing him? What would his punishment be? His mind raced over these questions. Before he knew it, if felt like hours had passed and his body was stiff from being in the same position for too long. He slowly got to his feet and stretched and grinned when he noticed the pounding of his head had finally ceased.
Dearka suddenly heard a couple of people enter the brig and make their way to his cell. A long blond haired man around his age in a red uniform unlocked the cell door and entered. He wanted to ask what was going on but the words were stuck in his throat. The other solider that came in with the blond man was regular military and approached Dearka. Something about his approach made Dearka uneasy and he took a small step back. This was useless however since there was nowhere to go and the soldier reached out and grabbed his arm very tightly and without warning plunged a syringe into his upper right arm near his shoulder. Dearka made a sound of protest and struggled a bit before the soldier pushed him down onto the bed and then left the cell. Dearka rubbed his arm where the syringe had punctured his skin and looked up at the blond man. He was sure they had never met but for some reason the blond seemed familiar.
"The injection was...to keep you compliant I suppose you could say. The Council has decided to demote instead of executing you, but you will have to go on a special mission for the new Chairman and have no choice in the matter."
Dearka sat there somewhat stunned and relieved that they had spared his life. He silently thanked Yzak for whatever he had said to convince the Council to be lenient with his punishment.
"However, the Chairman wishes me to relay a message to you before you meet with him yourself." The soldier continued.
Dearka looked up at him somewhat puzzled. Wasn't the news about the demotion and mission already the message? He soon found out however that was not necessarily the case when a fist suddenly crashed into his face. Dearka toppled over onto the floor and before he could even react to the initial assault, the man kicked him hard. He cried out painfully as he felt a rib break. "The Chairman hopes you do well to remember that he could execute you at any time, and that if you fail him, things will not turn out well for you." Dearka just nodded and grasped his side trying to drag air into his lungs. "Now get up. You have to meet with Chairman Durandal now."
Dearka dragged himself unsteadily to his feet and held out his hands so restraints can be placed on his wrists. Following the man out of the brig he realized all guards were gone, so no one had overheard any of what just happened. Dearka clenched his teeth refusing to show pain on his face as they made it to the Chairman's office. As the door slid shut behind them he saw a tall man with long black hair and golden eyes sitting behind a desk. "Ah, Thank you Rey. Please leave us now." Chairman Durandal said to the soldier. The blond saluted and quickly left the room without so much as a backward glance at Dearka.
After a moment the Chairman motioned for Dearka to come forward and stand by his desk. "I was able to intervene in your sentencing and that is lucky for you because despite the efforts of your friend Yzak, they were planning to execute you for treason. Of course as Chairman I have the last word and realized you can still serve a purpose for me and for ZAFT." Dearka stood motionless and absorbed every word like a sponge. "I have a very important mission for you Dearka. While hoping to spare your life Yzak mentioned how you had gained the trust of a variety of important individuals from the Earth forces as well as Orb. Lucky for you, that saved your life." The Chairman continued coldly. "I want you to go to Earth and situate yourself in Orb. Find out any information you can about their restructuring and also...I want you to help me find out where Lacus Clyne is hiding."
Dearka hesitated, "Lacus Clyne sir?"
"Yes, you see, I will have need of her skills just as I have need of yours." Chairman Durandal clarified. "You will make reports and send them directly to me. I will have other agents on the ground nearby to ensure you do as you are told. I cannot stress to you how important it is that you tell no one of the mission I have assigned you. Even your friend Yzak must not know."
"I understand sir." Dearka replied.
"Be sure that you do Dearka. I would have no problem teaching you a lesson by hurting those closest to you, particularly Yzak. That man has a smart mouth and his arrogance can be too much sometimes." Chairman Durandal threatened.
Dearka stood motionless, forgetting to breathe. Isn't it bad enough he is being forced to leave all family and friends and spy on his new friends on Earth, but now he threatens Yzak? Dearka thought helplessly. "I understand sir. What should I tell Yzak about my absence?"
"You will tell him that you have been assigned to an undisclosed base on Earth. There will be no need to explain the specifics." Durandal said casually.
"Alright sir. When will I be departing for Earth?" Dearka asked lightly.
"Your shuttle leaves in 2 hours. Till then, I will have Rey escort you to your quarters so you can wash up. He will give you everything else you need for this mission." Durandal said dismissing him with a wave of his hand. Dearka nodded and Rey appeared in the doorway to lead him out.
End of Chapter One
Let me know what you think in your review! I haven't written or published anything in about 12 years, so I might be a bit rusty. Haha.