A/N: Well here's the second chapter. Like the last new scenes are added and this is where the story starts to differ from Dark Destiny. Enjoy!
As this chapter is done a lot of people would be questioning what about the Dark Destiny chapter? At the moment it's in it's final legs!
Opening Theme: Shut Up and Explode - Boom Boom Satellites
Phase 2: The Test
February 7th C.E.72, 2239 Hours – Unknown Submarine Vessel, Brig
Kira angrily sat handcuffed and tied to a wooden chair, whilst staring with hate at the man he thought dead. But there he was, standing in front of him in a strange uniform and worst of all, he was smiling at him. "How the hell are you here?!" Kira shot at him with rage in his voice.
"It's odd to hear you have such a venomous tone Kira," replied the blonde coolly, which ticked off the brunette even more. "Like I said before, I'm here to help your awakening" he replied in a calm voice.
"My awakening? What are you talking about!?" Kira shot back.
Rau smirked as he walked past Kira and rested his hands on the teenager's shoulders. "You need my help, Kira. I am the only one who could help you out of the current predicament you find yourself in."
"What do you mean?" Kira asked as he looked up to the clone. Then Kira relived the image when Rau pulled the trigger onto the Dominion escape shuttle holding Flay. Swallowing his hate, he asked another important question. "I thought you wanted me dead. Why are you so interested in helping me instead?".
"Well. That was the idea, when we fought one another at Jachin Due" Rau replied walking in front of Kira. "But now I extend out a helping hand to you Kira". The man emphasised this by holding out his hand out to prove his point. "If you take my offer, I will help train you and in turn you can help us lead humanity to it's destiny".
"What are you talking about?"
"You see, some people in the world deem that the events that occur are by governed by destiny. If however you are like me, who believes Destiny is nonsense, but fate is controlled by those with power, then you need to become Newtype".
"I don't follow".
"It does seem like I just dropped a lot on you, doesn't it?" Yuan agreed from the shadows. This surprised Kira as he didn't even know Yuan was in the same room until the teen spoke up and walked up to Kira, wearing the uniform from the soldiers before. "But that was how it was dropped onto me. Us Newtypes are mistaken for being strong gene Coordinators, thus many see us as elite soldiers in ZAFT. But Newtypes are of both Coordinator and Natural families".
The brunette seemed lost. The whole concept on Newtypes simply went over his head, to which his blank expression showed it.
Rau looked to Yuan and nodded to him. The dark green haired teen walked over and unlocked the handcuffs, then knelt down to untie his body and legs. But the instant Kira was loose he leapt from the chair and wrapped his hands round the blonde man's neck.
"You should have died back at Juchin Due!" the brunette hissed.
Yuan charged in to remove Kira, but a wave off Rau stopped the him. The blonde looked into the lavender eyes of the legendary Freedom pilot. "You want to kill me so badly, don't you Kira?" said Rau in a horse voice. "You want to take revenge for Flay Allster".
"She didn't deserve to die! She did nothing!"
"She tried to turn you into a killing machine in an act of misplaced revenge".
Kira flinched as the truth of his and Flay's initial relationship came to light, and what makes it worst is that Rau Le Creuset knew of it.
"You shouldn't be surprised. When we had her in custody, she told me everything about you. How she first planned on using you for revenge, but somehow along the way she actually fell in love you". Rau was slightly pleased to see shock being displayed in the boy's eyes. "It was because of your kindness that she saw you as something more than a genetically made freak".
Kira continued to stare at the icy eyes of the man who attempted to bring the apocalypse to humanity.
"But why did you kill her!? You knew and-"
"Is it not obvious? I wanted to test the power of the Ultimate Coordinator, or shall I shall I say an Angel?"
Kira looked in disbelief to the man's reasons and of course the name given to him. "Y-you wanted to test me? That was it!?" he snapped bringing his grip more tightly on the man's throat. "Besides. I am no Angel! I have killed-!"
"S-stop being so pathetic!" snarled Rau as he grabbed Kira's wrists and pulled the fingers from around his neck. "Would you be here today if that never happened? Would the earth be as it is without her death happening? In that state of mind before her death, you didn't stand a chance. I could have killed you and then Athrun Zala would have been prevented from destroying the GENESIS, with half the world would be a barren wasteland".
"That doesn't mean that in order to save lives you have to take one!"
Rau just glared at the boy through his mask. "You wouldn't be here if that didn't happen!"
The two seemed like they were ready to kill each other. Yuan saw this and pulled Rau back and stopped the two from ripping one another's throat out. Kira glared at the young officer for stopping them but Yuan really didn't care, instead he turned to Rau with a suggestion. "Sir, I suggest you back off until you two are ready to talk again" .
Rau sighed and agreed with a nod, leaving the room to the younger men.
'Well I didn't think I would have to be the babysitting this one' Yuan thought before turning to Kira.
"You want my help? When that man who intended to murder-"
"I am aware of the wrong doings Kira. In fact the whole organisation is aware of it"
"Wait. ZAFT is aware-"
"We're not with ZAFT Kira. The uniform should already have proven that to you by now. We are called the Order of Eden".
The brunette looked at Yuan with a puzzled expression, he thought this was a ZAFT vessel. What or who would allow an organisation like this one, that probably no one has heard of to be secretly part of their military?
"I bet you're wondering what is our purpose? Well I will tell you this much, we are a paramilitary force that was created for the sole purpose for war. We don't start them, we simply finish them. Quite similar, in a way, to the Three Ships Alliance that you were apart of".
Kira instantly thought back to when he was battling both the Earth Alliance and ZAFT, in order to stop what seemed like the approaching Armageddon. Kira knew that if the organisation had its hand to play he would have been killed in the mall, but the fact that he is being recruited by Rau Le Creuset made it unnerving. Kira was certain that the blonde had a hidden agenda like in the war, but what if Yuan saying is true, how much was much can he trust this considered psychopath? In reality you had to be mad yourself to accept this sort of proposal.
Overlooking the whole situation, Yuan did understand Kira's situation. It was simply unfair to anyone in the brunette's background and position to ever think of joining with Rau around. However, time was against him and the Order. They simply had no time to allow Kira to ponder on what he should do.
"Ever heard of the saying Kira? 'Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer?' Maybe you should keep that in mind in your current situation. ZAFT wants your head for stealing the Freedom. The OMNI also place you for war crimes. And now the Orb Union has turned its back on you to get into bed with the Atlantic Federation. In reality Kira, you have no where to run to. I advise you to choose your path carefully".
Yuan finished and left Kira to himself in the cell and locking it as he left. In case the young veteran would try to flee.
0755 Hours - Officer's Wardroom, Dining Hall
The blonde masked man sat comfortably in his large leather chair, reading the news on his holographic PDA where a particular article caught his gaze. The top page mentioned of a upcoming political summit in Taiwan, where each representative from ZAFT, Earth and Orb would meet to discuss military disarmament. A meeting that Rau knew would end horribly.
"So how is the pilot of the Freedom, Le Creuset?" came the question from the man next to Rau in a Serbian accent.
Looking over to the man who presented four gold bars on his Eden uniform. "Still in his cell. I left Yuan to deal with him. Why does it interest you Sergei?" he asked before looking back at the PDA.
The gelled back short black haired Serb rose an eyebrow to Rau's question. "Why, I am just interested that's all". The man then leaned in and whispered to his fellow Order of Eden member. "It's not everyday you have the Freedom pilot about to join our cause".
"True. But it's harder than what the higher ups think. And to choose me out of all people to convince him, makes you wonder doesn't it?".
"You do need to set aside your differences".
Rau rolled his eyes. "You are aware of the secret of that battle don't you Sergei?"
The Serb just sighed as he poured himself his own cup of tea. "I know. But bare in mind if you two don't settle those differences now, it would make future operations difficult between you two".
Rau said nothing but agreed with nod as he never took his eyes off the PDA. He knew Sergei was right, something he rarely allows to show.
Suddenly the other ten officers around gasped and the room suddenly went quiet. Both men turned round to see Yuan with Kira standing next to him. The brunette glared daggers at the blonde which Rau remained unfazed. The pair walked towards the two black and white clad officers and stopped in front of the blonde who simply folded his arms as he looked up to them.
"Have you come to a decision Kira?" Rau asked coldly.
Kira nodded. But then threw a punch to the blonde's face, knocking him back over his seat. "I have. But I won't tell you until I beat the crap out of you for all those dead because of you!"
This obviously startled a lot of the officers in the room. But the blonde stood back up and sneered. "You're still thinking like that? Maybe I should knock you around a bit to put some sense into that immature head of yours?".
Yuan sighed at the fight that was about to erupt whilst Sergei sat amused of what was going to happen.
Kira went to throw another punch but the blonde tucked, gripped onto the wrist and threw Kira over him onto a table. "Don't start accusing me of murder whilst you also killed people who had family and loved ones too!" snapped Rau as he approached the brunette. "Because every night you see them, don't you?"
Kira grunted as he got on all fours and snarled at Rau. "I do not!"
"Don't play innocent. You see them whilst you sleep!"
Kira gulped as the blonde was speaking the truth. And yet wonder how this man knew about the nightmares he had been suffering from?
"Medical records are easy to obtain when you have money Kira. With your psychological evaluation. You blame yourself for people's deaths that were and not your fault. The nightmares that wake you in your sleep, the faces of those you killed and failed to protect always haunt you".
Kira lifted himself to his feet and charged blindly towards Le Creuset, but the older man gripped onto Kira's fist then returned the punch from earlier. Being knocked onto his back, Kira sniffed hard as blood dripped from his nose. Swallowing the horrid copper taste in the back of his mouth.
"Alright enough!" Sergei shouted as he stepped in between the two men. "Kira Yamato. I understand your anger towards Commander Le Creuset. But you must understand that some people believe in the exact same thing about you in what you've done the war. And I can clearly bet that the loved ones who want you dead as well as Commander Le Creuset".
Kira was helped to his feet by Yuan. In which Kira looked to the Serb who's serious expression made the brunette look away and think.
"Now Kira you must see that your options are limited. There's only one way out of the trouble you're in right now. Join us, and with your help we can make sure peace can be endured".
"And if I don't agree?".
"Then you must likely be handed over to ZAFT" replied Le Creuset simply as he straightened his uniform. "What is it going to be?".
Kira looked around to see the various personnel staring at him, leaving him to re-look at his options. It was true he hated this blonde masked psycho, but like the Serb said that his options were limited.
"Fine" Kira said as he walked towards the two men. "But if I think you're going to backstab me, I'll drag you to the depths of hell. Understand?" Kira warned extending his hand out to Le Creuset.
The blonde looked at Kira's hand. While Kira was unknowing of the true face of war, his mission was to bring Kira into the Order, and this was his best chance to do so. He took Kira's hand and shook it. "Fine. Hell is destined for me anyway".
Febuary 14th, 1629 Hours – Unknown Location in Greenland
"-ey! Wake up!"
Kira stirred as someone kicked his ankle, then was fully awake in a cold rush as the blanket was removed and the door opened. The cold was biting into Kira's face as he assessed his surroundings. He remembered he was in a troop carrier. After the landed in some arctic naval outpost, Kira was led into this armoured vehicle where he drifted off.
"Come on! Training day Kira, day one of a frozen hell!"
Kira looked over to Yuan in thick winter clothing stepping out into out of the vehicle. Pushing to his feet, Kira followed into the bitter cold where the wind was unforgiving. He felt his face already starting to sting with the cold snow pelting his dry face.
"This way!" Yuan shouted and waved Kira over to a new outpost.
As he ran towards Yuan it was actually derelict. Several large fuel tankers all rusted and caved in from the weight of the snow. Some wooden huts deemed unsafe to sleep in, yet alone enter. And a large heavy plated hanger sat in the middle of it all. The structure was remarkably in good condition compared to the others, as if it was designed to last. Following the green haired teen into the hanger, Kira walked into a mess. Several heavy-duty chains hung from the rusted bars overhead, steel desks and crates littered the place around the entrance, where the back was pitch black.
"Why are we here Yuan?" Kira asked shaking.
Yuan too was shaking as he turned back to the brunette. "This is where you will begin your training".
"What? Here?"
Yuan gave a shivering nod.
"You serious?"
"I did my training here as well. Although I didn't miss the place, it is ideal for what you need to know and do" Yuan stated as he walked past Kira. "I do think that I was better off back then with my instructor than who is going to train you".
"Who is going to train me?"
"I am" came the voice in the darkness.
The voice was easily recognised to Kira. He was hoping to get away from him since the agreement, but fate seemed not on his side. "Out of all the people they choose you Rau?"
"It does appear as if someone has it against us, does it not? But you must understand that I was specifically chosen for a reason. So instead of staring at me, start a fire in here with anything you can find. And be quick about it, the temperature is dropping by the second".
Kira growled angrily as the blonde jumped up and sat on top the steel crate, leaning against the concrete wall. If it was one thing Kira now dreaded, it was the six months alone with Rau he had to cope with. The sound of the troop carrier leaving and the temperature getting colder sprung Kira into looking for some combustible. Looking around the hanger, nothing seemed useful to burn. Instead his gaze was moved to the entrance, where the snow drifted in through the gap.
Rau watched as Kira walked towards the entrance whilst tightening his winter coat before stepping out. The masked man smiled as it seemed that the brunette had figured out a source of fuel for the fire.
As the teen walked out into the bitter cold once again he dragged himself over to the nearest wooden hut, sought some protection against the wind. Looking over the wall, he grabbed the plank that was cracked and damaged and yanked the wood again and again until it snapped off the wooden supports. Kira then started on another one, then onto another one. Upon having five or six broken planks Kira carried them back into the hanger, where Rau had moved from the shadows to sitting on top of a crate.
"Glad to see that you used your initiative", he stated as if somewhat pleased.
"Well I'm glad to see your helping" Kira replied, whilst ignoring Rau's tone.
The blonde let out low chuckle. "I'm not the one in training Kira".
"Then what does this prove?", Kira asked half-interested as he knelt down and started to stack the wood.
"This proves you can simply think outside the box. It's basic but necessary, that will help you get through my survival training. As soon as we get the fire going, I'll teach you to shoot, and hunt".
Kira looked up to Rau with a puzzled look in his eyes. "Hunt? What do you mean hunt?"
Rau simply smiled as he jumped off and walked over to bag poking out of the shadows. Opening it up, he pulled the main body of a rifle, attached it to a stock and fitted a barrel in quick fashion. He then pulled out another set and fixed it together. The blonde man walked over and handed one to Kira.
"It's a bolt-action rifle. Nothing too difficult but essential to get to grips on rifle-handling. Soon I find you comfortable with it, we'll move onto automatic rifles and pistols. Of course it will blend in survival exercises to make it a lot more interesting".
Through the whole conversion that Kira was unsure. Known for his lies and schemes within the dark corners of his mind, this idea didn't make the teenager any more comfortable with him. But what he didn't understand was how the slight change from the present Le Creuset to the one from the war. The brunette simply shook it from his mind, he would have to be something to figure out later.
"Whatever you say".
Kira noticed Rau's classic cold smirk appear across his face. It felt like he sold his soul to the devil itself.
June 28th, 1831 Hours – Orb Union, Parliamentary Building
"Here you go". Athrun handed back the manifesto to the office aide before turning to Cagalli, who was busying herself with paperwork on her desk. "You know you don't have run yourself into the ground before the summit?"
"You do know this is where we have PLANT and Earth representatives, all meeting in the same place to discuss this latest rush of arms manufacture. Neither side is going to push the blame on themselves but on each other. Someone has to put the facts to them and try to resolve this growing problem".
Athrun nodded in agreement and moved into the guest chair of Cagalli's office. "It seems that the situation is getting worse. It hasn't been a year and yet it seems tensions are rising with this arms race. I do wonder what goes through politicians minds".
Cagalli narrowly gazed at Athrun for his comment, where he smiled and waved his hands.
"I know what goes through your mind. You're not like them Cagalli, so don't worry".
"Good. Because for a moment there I thought you were going to put me in with those fools. But this one person sort of puzzles me" said the blonde, as she showed a picture of a man with long black hair, with calm azure eyes in a PLANT council uniform. "Gilbert Durandal. He' s neither a moderate or radical member which makes me question his position".
"The man doesn't seem threatening though".
"Appearances can be very deceiving in politics Athrun. That's why we need to keep an eye on this man. Apparently, Chairwoman Eileen Canaver is not very keen on him either".
"Eileen doesn't trust the man? Then why is he the one who's coming to the summit, than someone who she trusts then?" Athrun wondered aloud. The ex-Justice pilot had already assessed that the man was suspicious, with maybe a hidden agenda.
"Whatever the case may be Athrun, we can't just interrogate the man. He is after all the representative for the PLANTs. Showing any suspicion to Durandal in front of the Earth nations would cause more friction. So we need to be subtle".
"Understood. No interrogation of the PLANT councillor" Athrun laughed, but he was faced with a stern look from Cagalli. "I was joking! Only joking Cagalli, take it easy".
"This is not the time for jokes Athrun. We have to be careful not to aggravate any politician whilst at the summit. The PLANTs at the moment are already in hot water with-" Cagalli was interrupted with the door to her office open. "Lacus, thank you for coming. Are you ready for the summit?"
"I'm ready. I don't know how much help I would be, but I will do my best" Lacus said in all honesty. "It is a bit odd for the summit to be changed to Taiwan all of a sudden".
"It was a security problem in Europe. There have been rumours of protests being prepared for Geneva, so they secretly changed the location" Athrun explained. "In truth I don't see the problem with it at all. I guess it's a sensitive subject in Europe".
"I have heard that a growing number of nations want to leave the Eurasian and Atlantic Federations. This could spell trouble for the Earth Alliance," Cagalli noted.
"Sounds like this council member and the failing Alliance is going to cause friction. We have got to be prepared for the worst".
Lacus moved over to the spare seat in the office and sat down softly, where she noticed a picture on Cagalli's desk. Getting a better look on it, she saw Athrun, Cagalli, herself and Kira when they all visited Malchio's orphanage at Christmas. Seeing themselves happy together just brought Lacus' spirits down. It was hard for her still with Kira's death.
Cagalli noticed Lacus' expression easily. "It's strange with him gone, isn't it?"
Lacus looked to Cagalli who also was looking at the image of her twin brother. Lacus only nodded to the blonde's question.
"Are you still moping about Kira Yamato?" came a voice from the door. A shrewd looking of a man, who appeared to have a gentle expression, however didn't seem to hide his true intentions. "Your friend passed away Cagalli. It is indeed sad that he died at the hand of some terrorist, but you need to put it behind you. Some members are even questioning your effectiveness as a Representative".
"Yuna. What the hell do you want?" Cagalli growled venomously.
"What? Can't I see my dear Cagalli who seems to have her hands full?" he teased walking over to her desk. He moved his gaze to Lacus, where a distasteful look in his eyes where mixed by a fake smile. "I am just surprised to know that the legendary Lacus Clyne was hiding in our country. Why was I kept from this Cagalli?"
"You know perfectly well why Yuna. Now if you don't have anything of interest to discuss with me, then I suggest you leave at once".
"Oh? Why are you being like this Cagalli?" continued the parliamentary member with his tease. "Don't be like that" he added moving his hand to her cheek. "We're friends, r-"
Yuna's wrist was caught in Athrun's strong grip where he looked to Athrun, who returned a gentle smile of his own. "I think she asked you to leave Yuna".
The parliamentary member was soon freed himself from Athrun but gave him deathly glare. "Fine" he declared as he left, slamming the office door shut.
"Who was that Cagalli?" Lacus asked.
"That was Yuna Roma Seiran. He is a man that supports the Alliance with the Atlantic Federation, along with his father. There are growing numbers of the Orb parliament that wish to join the Earth Alliance. But considering what they did to us in the last war, to ally with them so easily is just an insult to father and!-". The blonde stopped before she lost herself in rage. "Sorry..."
"It's okay Cagalli. We understand your frustration".
Cagalli released a irritable growl then fiercely scratched her head in frustration. "Maybe this is actually getting to me?" she questioned with mumble. Looking at her terminal, she noticed the time was coming up to quarter to seven. "It's getting late and I still have a lot to do".
"Why don't you go home and get some rest?" Lacus suggested. "I can handle the rest".
Cagalli looked to her friend with a determined expression. "Thank you, but I'm fine Lacus. I need to do this".
"What you need to do is rest. You can't over work yourself like this. Go home and get some rest, I really don't mind".
Cagalli looked at Lacus with a guarded look, but after a few seconds she nodded and stood up from her chair. "Okay, Lacus. If you really don't mind finishing off here, then I can't complain". Cagalli walked beside Athrun on the way out of the office, but not before turning round one last time. "Just don't over do it Lacus. I know your doing this for my benefit but what about yourself?" she asked, but Lacus didn't reply. "See you tomorrow Lacus, please take care of yourself".
"Goodnight, Lacus" Athrun called out before closing the door behind them.
Lacus looked at the picture frame again, but this time noticing her reflection. She looked tired and a little paler than usual. She knew this was because of the increased tension in the world, but the most was Kira's death that plagued her the most. Placing her head into his hands she thought about Kira, and what he would do in this situation.
October 14th, 1522 Hours – Unknown Location in Greenland
In the winter wasteland two individuals battled against one another in winter gear on top of a frozen lake. A blonde man and brunette teen had been throwing knife attacks against one another, but both were parrying the others. Rau went for a high kick to Kira's head, but the teen ducked and let out his own kick at Rau's legs, but he jumped back before charging in where his long knife clashed against Kira's.
"Good Kira! You have certainly improved a lot since yesterday" Rau praised the brunette as they both took a step back from their clash of blades. "You might be getting better at this but you lack something.
"And what is that?"
A loud sudden crack was followed with the ice under Kira's feet broke away with falling through into freezing water.
"You still haven't mastered observing your surroundings and the environment around you" the blonde laughed as he walked over to the hole, and hauled Kira out.
Kira continued to shiver under the thick blanket as he inched closer to the large fire that Rau constructed. He started rubbing his arms and legs to keep the blood going until the fire heated his shivering body back up.
"It was your own fault, Kira" Rau stated as he wandered back into the concrete hanger. The blonde man sat on the opposite side of the fire with a net full of fish over his shoulder. "I have told you before-"
"I know Rau!" growled Kira through his teeth. "Just...let it go for now..."
Rau kept his gaze on Kira until he decided to open the net. Pulling out a fish, gutting it he then skewered it before hovering it over the fire to cook. "You have passed all my expectations thus far Kira. I'm quite impressed with it all of what you achieved".
"Thanks for the compliment" Kira replied with a shaky voice. Since his time being stuck with Rau in this unknown land, Kira had grown to accept and live with Rau's snide comments just to pass the time quicker. And what was strange to him was that Rau bared no grudge against him, like he had forgotten what happened near the end of the war.
"Your last test starts tomorrow which would be the end of your training" stated Rau, where he earned a shaky shocked expression. "You shouldn't be that surprised. I have trained you well over twenty hours a day. Pushed you beyond what most human beings can handle. I should warn you" Rau said in a serious tone. "This will be the hardest thing you will ever do".
Kira was able to stop shaking as the warmth returned to his smaller limbs. He looked up to Rau, not worried one bit for the next step. "I'll pass your test".
Rau laughed. "So confidant? Don't say I didn't warn you" he replied in cold tone. The two remained silent for a few minutes, with Rau breaking the silence. "Anyway. Eat up" he said giving the fish to Kira. "You'll need your strength".
October 15th, 0311 Hours
It was early morning, a time where the already freezing peninsula is at it's worst. This became something that Kira could be concerned with as he trudged through the thick icy snow to his destination. This kind of situation would have been considered new low in brunette's life, he however shrugged it off as it was nothing like the experiences he had in the last war.
Although woken about one in the morning, placed on a armoured transport and driven miles away, he was told to make his way back to the warehouse which was considered home for the past month. Wearing thick arctic camouflage over his thermal clothing, he was still cold and bitter. To make things more confusing he had to bring his bolt-action rifle, wherever this was to protect from the wild, he didn't know. But something was telling him there more than polar bears out here he had to be worried about. He was however gracefully given a small GPS device to make his way back, the only problem was the icy snow and steep rocks of the terrain.
0830 Hours – Taiwan, Taipei City, Entrance of Jiang Shi Tower
Cagalli stepped out of the black tinted limousine in her parliamentary suit, Lacus wore her Terminal coat and dress and Athrun wearing a Orb officer's uniform. The three walked towards the skyscraper where then were met by the Taiwanese security service. All geared up in the white OMNI uniform with body kevlar and helmets, carrying TAR21 rifles. Between the guards to the entrance was the Prime Minister of Taiwan. He greeted them with a gentle smile and shook Cagalli's hand.
"It's a pleasure to have you with us Miss Athha. May I say that I'm glad to have a neutral nation member at this conference".
Cagalli returned the smile with her own. "Thank you Prime Minister Jong. I hope that my nation's influence would help in the summit".
Jong nodded before looking over to Lacus, and gave her the same smile. "Welcome to my country Miss Clyne. It is an honour to have the Leader of Terminal here in these uncertain times".
"No, it is an honour to have been invited to your country Prime Minister" Lacus replied with a head bow.
The Minister's attention was then focused on another vehicle that was approaching. All three guests from Orb looked to see the door open and a tall, long black haired man in PLANT council coat step out. His gaze was instantly on the Orb and Terminal representatives. Afterwards three young green coat ZAFT soldiers stepped out also. One was a long blonde boy with cold blue eyes, another raven haired with dangerous ruby eyes, and the last was a girl with reddish violet hair and carefree blue eyes. The appearance of these three caused Athrun, Cagalli and Lacus to look at one another in slight puzzlement.
The PLANT councilman approached the three with a soft smile. "Good morning Representative Athha, Mr. Zala and Miss Clyne. May I say that it's quiet an honour to meet all of you".
Cagalli gave a few seconds to look at the man in the flesh, where his kind demeanour off setted her doubts about him. "It's a pleasure to meet you Councillor Durandal".
"Please just call me Gilbert. After all this summit might take a while with everything as it stands now" insisted the PLANT councillor.
Cagalli nodded to him before noticing the raven haired teen glaring daggers at her. The blonde gave a hard elbow strike into his ribs, putting the red eyed teen in his place. The girl however was fixated on Athrun, who started to feel uncomfortable with Cagalli glaring at him with her expression warning him to ignore her.
Prime Minister Jong looked unsettled by they way all the guests were looking at one another, where he nervously coughed and smiled to them. "Um, shall we head inside? I believe that the main Earth nation members are already in the meeting room".
There was no reply from any except followed him inside, with Lacus staying behind. Looking at Gilbert as he followed in after Athrun and Cagalli. Although she did come to the summit to help, she however did have alternative objective in mind.
"Miss Lacus?"
The ex-songstress was snapped back into reality to see the ZAFT girl looking at her with a nervous smile. "I'm sorry. Can I help you?" Lacus asked kindly.
"Um...can I have your autograph?" the ZAFT girl replied. "I don't anything to write on right now but-"
"Of course. I'll give you one inside" Lacus with a soft smile.
"T-thank you!"
October 17th, 1147 Hours – Somewhere in Greenland
Kira had continued in a quick pace up a steep ice covered hill that the position the GPS device wanted him to go beyond. As he climbed, Kira wanted to keep his mind set on topics to focus on something else than the cold. The topic he was currently on was the reason he was given this task. He knew Rau wanted to test him, but this was extreme to say the least.
Kira had already wasted his first two 10mm rounds on a polar bear, which seemed incredibly hungry with all things considered in this wasteland, leaving him with only three rounds left. He cursed Rau for giving so little ammunition. What happened if he ran out and another wild beast attacked? What then?
Luckily the teen needn't worry as he finally reached the top of what seemed the like the tallest mountain in the world, and looking down he saw the hanger. Breathing a sigh of relief he reached his destination. But something was out of place. Kira couldn't put his finger on it, but something in his mind was telling him to be prepared. For what? He didn't know, instead he slid down the cliff carefully to the bottom and walked towards the hanger gingerly.
As he approached the hanger doors, the teen got a creeping feeling that something inside was after his blood. His body froze standing next to the gap of the large steel doors, clenching onto the rifle harder as he exhaled slowly as he pointed the rifle in and scanned the area with the scope. Nothing out of the ordinary nor any hostility inside from what he can see. Treading in slowly he continued to scan the area, he was met by a twitch that alerted that creeping feeling came from. Acting on instinct he jumped and rolled behind a steel crate where five bullets trailed after him. Hissing in pain from the bullet grazed his left arm, Kira opened his pouch he took out a bandage and wrapped it round whist peaking round for the shooter. He couldn't locate him the person who seemed to be hiding in the dark.
"Come out boy!" echoed a desperate voice off the concrete and steel walls. "Don't play hide and seek with me! I don't have the time for childish games!"
"Who are you? Why are you trying to kill me?" demanded Kira. "Did Rau send you?"
"Rau? I don't who Rau is, but all I know is that I have to kill you!"
Kira believed the panicked man's voice, but he knew Rau set this up. It was him who brought him here and watched as Kira was taken to his drop off point. "Put your weapon down! I can help you!"
"You must be joking!" shrieked the shadowed gunman. "I have to kill you to survive! And I will do anything to ensure my preservation!"
"He leaves with no choice then" Kira muttered pressing against the crate. "Dammit" he added before sprinting off behind a set of stacked crates, narrowly missing the bullets that trailed after him. Judging from the flashes, Kira guessed he was hiding in the upper corner of the catwalk, near the hanger doors. Readying himself and taking a deep breath, the teen rolled out and laid prone, taking with one shot that threw the man backwards over the railing from the catwalk onto the cold concrete floor.
The man laid still, no groans came which the Eden trainee assumed he killed the man. The word kill embedded in Kira's brain, repeating and repeating as he was coming to terms he took another person's life, again. But it soon stopped as something was telling him that there was two more men in the hanger after his head. It now seemed this test had become a sick game of hunting. Knowing this would not end until he finished the task, Kira grudgingly moved to the back of the large stored building.
As soon as Kira made it through the hatch, he was jumped on by someone heavier than him. He could smell his death breath from a lack of food, sheathing through his unclean teeth. A knife was hanging above Kira's left eye just barely as Kira tired to wrestle the blade from his second assassin. This time could see the man's face from low energy lamp in the corner. His brown eyes bulged in madness, like he was locked away a long time without light, which matched his messy thick beard. Using his strength, Kira seemed to overpower the man quite easily and turned the blade to his weapon as he rolled the attacker onto his back, pushing the blade into his throat. The sound of the blade piercing the skin brought a unhealthy swell in his stomach. Blood squirted out and into the Kira's face as he watched the man choke until his eyes rolled back.
Standing up and glancing to the second dead man, made his stomach turn, in which he rested against the wall and brought up the energy bars from earlier. Wiping his mouth, he coughed once more as his throat felt like it was burning. "One more...just one more..." came his raspy words as Kira picked the lantern and trudged on.
Kira then came to the galley, his weapon raised and this time checking the corners to prevent another ambush. Moving in, it seemed quiet with nothing touched or out of place. The brunette knew by now looks can be deceiving, so he took no chances as he made his way towards the steel cabinets, looking for anything that would give him a clue. Suddenly a sharp stab in the back of his head alerted Kira to the last man behind him in the cabinets. The finale attacker leaped out and tackled Kira onto the preparation table, where they wrestled over the rifle. With the lantern rolling across the floor Kira could make out his finale threat, a girl probably not much older than him. Her messy short red hair was in contrast her sky blue eyes that too seemed to display madness. Because of his shock of seeing a girl here, she saw her advantage and kneed him between his legs, sub-consciously releasing the rifle and into her hands.
Pointing the rifle she screamed death to Coordinators as she fired, Kira rolled off the table in time taking some pots with him as the bullet ricochetted off the steel table and dart around steel covered room, forcing the girl to take cover. Seeing his chance Kira grabbed what was the biggest and hardest pot and sprung on top of the girl, then repeatedly beat the pan on her temple quickly and forcefully until blood started to splatter round the two. It must have been a further minute or so until Kira stopped, his adrenaline had taken over making go mad in defending himself.
The lantern soon rolled off the table and rolled next to the pair, showing very little left of the girl's once delicate face. Dropping his kitchen make-shift weapon, Kira stoop up, his knees wobbly as he made his way to the sink. He released what was left in his stomach which his bile left a horrible taste. Looking in the steel, it reflected his blood cover upper body. A few seconds later, he dropped to his knees and wept. Cursing and questioning how he ended here, doing this.
Remaining in the hanger, Kira waited for some sort of rescue party to come. It been over an hour of listening to the howling winter wind before the pitch changed. The whirring of helicopter rotors and engine noise alerted him that his pick up had arrived. Dragging himself outside the sight of the transport helicopter struggling to touch down shone a beam of light at Kira, blinding him slightly.
Soon after touching down, the side door opened with three occupants stepping out. "Well done Kira!" came a barely audible voice from the helicopter noise. "You made it through this harsh wasteland and made it here to survive your three threats! I must say however, you look like fell into hell and fought your way out"
The man praising Kira then approached him, where his appearance slowly was made out. "Rau! I've got questions that need answers!" screamed the teen.
The masked man however turned round and headed back to the helicopter to climb on, seeming to ignore Kira's demands. "Get in! I will debrief you then re-brief you on your first mission!"
Kira let a low growl before storming up to the blonde, to have Kira's fist swung onto the blonde's jaw. "I want answers! And you better give them to me!"
Two Eden soldiers rushed over to restrain Kira, but Rau waved them off. "You want answers? Fine. Climb in and I'll give you them".
Kira quickly climbed on board where the door was closed behind him from one of the soldiers. Sitting down in front of Rau, he placed rifle down next to him. "First, who were those men?" Kira asked with his tone bitter.
"They were members of Blue Cosmos. True anti-Coordinator fanatics. We needed to test you on your survival abilities, and pitting those type of men against you was the perfect way of doing it. Considering they are one of our main enemies".
The fact that they were Blue Cosmos members didn't make Kira feel any better. In his mindset they were still people, with family and friends. Knowing they won't want to linger on the subject, Kira moved onto his next question. "What's your real name? And don't dare tell me it's Rau Le Creuset because I personally pierced his cockpit, and watched the Providence turn to dust by the GENESIS. Who are you?"
The blonde first smiled before laughing at Kira's question. "You certainly took your time to pop that question" said the man controlling his laughter. He leaned forward with a wicked smile. "My real name is Kane. A successful clone in which unlike Rau, my body has no weaknesses". The man now identifying himself as Kane sat back in his seat, arms folded. "Any more questions?"
"Of course" Kira snapped.
"That's fine by me. But I'll answer them on our way to your next mission" Kane insisted as he pulled a wicked smile. "How would you feel revisiting Orb?".
1122 Hours – Taiwan, Taipei City, Jiang Shi Tower: 34th Floor
Another meeting was concluded with no clear outcome of the issues that the nations wished to discuss. It appeared that all sides were being stubborn. "I don't understand why ZAFT says it is taking precautionary measures by rearming and bringing out newer models of Mobile Suits" Cagalli argued with the PLANT councillor as they entered the dining room for lunch break, to which Gilbert was remarkably not offended or annoyed by the prolonged argument she was having with him.
"I completely agree with you Miss Athha. But you also have to remember that the Earth Alliance were the first ones to begin this arms race. Not to mention that your home country is as well a participant" Gilbert replied, leaving Cagalli a lost counter argument.
"Unfortunately that's my Prime Minister's stance on things".
Cagalli was awarded with snort of disbelief from behind, upon looking round to face the raven haired greencoat, who had a disgusted look on his face. "You sure that isn't the Athha stance on things?"
"What did you say!?"
"Shinn. Please don't anger the Orb Representative. It is true what she is saying, she is after all the just a representative of her country" Gilbert said, putting etherise on Cagalli's title.
Cagalli then walked away to sit down next to Lacus who noticed Orb minister's frustration. "What's wrong Cagalli?"
"Nothing much other than everyone here is an idiot and I am only a representative with no true political power" she muttered glaring at all the Earth nation politicians with greater status. It was that reason why nobody here was taking her seriously, while others were either Defence or Foreign Ministers. "And that kid there called Shinn. He has something against me. And it's grinding my gears".
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. It's like I have done something wrong to him that I am completely unaware of. By the way, where is Athrun?"
"He said he was going to check out the security office. Make sure he is up to date on things".
"Does he ever rest? He's going to run himself into the ground" she mumbled before sitting back irritably.
Meanwhile Shinn was looking out of the skyscraper into the city below. Seeing remains of the city being rebuilt still even a year on after the war. It was nothing in comparison to the clean pristine paradise of the PLANTs. But then again, the cities were quite plain to Shinn. It was as if nothing interesting of natural happened considering everything in the colonies were just artificial.
"Shinn".
Hearing his name from the monotone type blonde behind, he turned round to see comrade walking up to him. "Shinn. I heard what you said to the Orb representative. Can you please refrain from any snide remarks to the other nation politicians? I only agreed to bring you along as long as you behaved yourself".
"Look Rey. I didn't really want to come".
The blonde boy called Rey gave a puzzled look to Shinn. "You didn't? But Lunamaria-"
"Luna told you because she wanted us to go as a group. Besides, she wanted to come here more to see her". Shinn pointed, which Rey saw their female friend getting an autograph from Lacus.
"She came primarily for an autograph?" Rey said a little stunned.
"What reason did you think she came?"
"An educational matter of politics".
Shinn's shoulders dropped and narrowed his gaze Rey. "Luna? Seriously? Luna may be pretty smart, but politics are a bit out of her reach".
Luna walked over to her friends beaming with joy as she held onto the piece of paper with Lacus Clyne's autograph on it. Seeing the Rey's disappointed face she adopted a confused expression. "What?"
"You-...Never mind" Rey sighed as he walked off.
"What? What did I do?"
"He just misjudged your intentions that's all" Shinn explained crossing his arms.
"Did he want an autograph from Lacus Clyne too?"
"You're reading this all wrong! This is Rey you're talking about!" snapped Shinn.
October 19th, 0055 Hours – Orb, Seaside Villa
The Orb soldier on guard groaned angrily as the skies continued its endless downpour. With the early morning and above average rainfall for Orb this time of year, brought the cold conditions biting into the soldier's skin. Thunder also played its hand, occasionally lightening the cloudy almost pitch black night sky. He was grateful that his cold weather clothing at least protected him from being completely soaked, to which he pulled out a cigarette and tried to spark one up. The lighter failed to light or the rain put it out. Just as he managed to light up his cancer stick he was grabbed from behind, with his mouth covered a blade stuck into the back of his neck.
"First guard down. Report"
"Second and third neutralised".
"Forth wasted".
"Fifth, sixth and seventh guards are also down".
"Move onto next phase of the operation"
"Roger".
The men clad in black and body armour split into two groups with one creeping towards the front door, and the other to the balcony doors. They easily picked the locks and were immediately inside, scanning their surroundings for any other soldiers. But it seemed no one was posted inside the seaside house.
"Mason, Cole. Stand guard outside".
The two soldiers moved out to the front and scanned round for any hostiles or witnesses with their night vision. The eight remaining men moved upstairs, following the blueprints of the building and the target's location. As they reached the upstairs hallway the leading man received three shots to the chest and went down.
"We've been compromised! Engage all targets!"
At the other end of the hallway, Andrew and Murrue stood either side of the door giving and taking fire to their assassins. Before Murrue was able to poke round to counter attack, she pulled back to evade a spray of bullets that ripped part of the door frame off.
"Murrue! You all right?"
Murrue gripped onto her left arm, applying pressure to the wound where a bullet managed to sink into her. She nodded to Andrew then passed her Glock pistol into her left hand.
Andrew looked over to Lacus cuddling the terrified children, full knowing that this group was targeting Lacus. It would be the most logical reason for them attacking them. It was lucky the infra-red sensors were tripped when they entered the house, otherwise they would have all been killed in their sleep. But the problem they were facing now was that this hit squad was blocking the route to the secret elevator.
"Hostile! Six o'clock!"
Both Andrew and Murrue heard the soldiers cry of panic, which they believed that the Orb soldiers had come to the rescue. But Andrew was unsure. It was illogical for the assassins to completely evade the guards and come for them. So he wondered who was it that came to their aid?
Two soldiers had stepped out of cover from the automatic fire coming upstairs downstairs, giving Murrue and Andrew a chance to neutralise them. Another two soldiers burst round the corner and opened fire at the bodyguards, forcing both to shift away from the door again, allowing their attackers to get into the room. Andrew acted quickly and knocked the carbine rifle away, but the soldier quickly drew his knife and forced it into Andrew's left arm. The two struggled for mere seconds before Andrew kicked the soldier back, taking his prosthetic arm with him. The soldier looked shocked at the fake arm still attached to his knife before his final moments were looking at the barrel of a shotgun that was mounted to what remains of Andrew's left arm.
Murrue grabbed hold of the other soldier's assault rifle and pushed it up whilst the trigger was pulled. Landing a kick to the man's groin she snatched it from his hands then placed two shots into his head.
The children were shielded away by Lacus from the gruesome execution, something that ironically had to be done. Giving a quick worried gaze to Andrew, he quickly grabbed the bed's large guilt and covered both bodies up.
Murrue rose the rifle's butt into her right shoulder as she took cover at the corner of the wall next to the stairs. Pointing the rifle round the corner and peeking round, what she saw shocked her. One person stood out from what were left of the assassins, a bloodied knife in the left and a tactical machine gun in his right. What she noticed was that the dead were dressed in ordinary special ops black khaki, body armour and helmets, this one in the middle wore a black pilot suit with integrated body and upper limb armour plates. A belt carrying ammo pouches and one big one at the back. The helmet looked like a ordinary pilot helmet but with tinted glass, which Murrue guessed it was strengthened to withstand a bullet or two.
"Don't move!"
However the unknown individual didn't acknowledge her demand, and instead sprinted off past the stairs into the other room.
"What's wrong Murrue?" Andrew asked as he fitted his fake arm back on.
"We have a unknown armed soldier, But this one seemed to have killed the remaining hit squad".
Andrew walked up cautiously and looked downstairs to see the dead men. "An ally? From Orb?"
"If so I wasn't aware that Orb's special forces were guarding this place as well".
Andrew and Murrue watched the stairs and windows as Lacus guided the children towards the end of the hallway. Suddenly more gunfire echoed from downstairs of the dark villa. Andrew and Murrue then covered the stairway as they reached the corridor's end, where Andrew moved a cheap painting of a boat at sea, and slid his finger down the right side of where the painting was. A section of the wall pulled back and dropped where a key pad presented itself. Quickly punching in the code the section of wall next to Andrew opened up the same fashion, but with a a steel door sliding open as well.
"Everyone. Get in quickly" Andrew instructed as he used cover on the corner of the wall.
More gunfire erupted downstairs, leaving both bodyguards to wonder who was that individual who ran away, and by the sounds of things why was he here engaging the assassins?
To be Continued...
Ending Theme: Just Breathe – Kylee
A/N: That's the end of chapter 2. Although there wasn't a lot of action in this one the next one makes up for it, where it's going to take up about two thirds of the next chapter. Quite interesting to know how this differs from old DD. If there are any suggestions please leave in your review or PM me. I hope you enjoyed it and please review!
Credits:
Story by – Ramiel666
Character & Mobile Suit Design – Ramiel666 & Blaid
Spelling and Grammar Check – Star Shatterer
