Disclaimer: Don't own Gundam Seed, Gundam Seed Destiny, nor Zeta Gundam
Via fought the urge to glare back at her mother as she left.
After Cagalli had embarrassed the girl in front of everyone on the tarmac with her verbal barrage, the two immediately boarded their shuttle which took off for Orb. It was now under heavy escort from both Orb's Murasames and the Titan's Windams.
During the screaming, Via could not get one word out in order to defend herself.
After Cagalli had finished, she left her daughter in the main cabin in order to get something to drink. All the yelling had left her throat parched.
Truthfully, Via did not seem to give a damn how mad her mother was at her. She still felt exhilarated from the battle. Not only did she pilot a mobile suit for the first time by herself, she actually fought in a battle and won.
If there were any feelings of guilt and sadness for the lives that she had taken, they had long since vanished or been buried.
As she stared out the window, the blonde watched as their escort grew as a group of six more Murasames arrived. They replaced the positions of the Windams which left back to Panama once they had entered Orb territorial waters.
During her mother's tirade, Via had tuned out the woman and thought about the enemy that had attacked the base. The appearance of the two antique Murasames still disturbed the girl. She knew that Orb did not distribute military surplus at all and the only conclusion Via could come up with is that someone in Orb had helped in the attack.
Via also concluded that it was too coincidental that the attack just happened to occur during her mother's visit. Only a handful of people knew her mother's schedule and Via suspected that there was a traitor at the top.
As the shuttle began to approach Onogoro Island, Cagalli made an appearance. Not looking at her daughter, she took her seat opposite from the younger blond and stared off to the side in deep thought. Via decided that it was wise not to say anything.
The Shuttle landed on the main tarmac without any complications. As the duo left the transport, there was an armed escort waiting for them. Via was slightly surprised on how heavily armed the Orb royal guard was as well as the number of military vehicles stationed throughout the airstrip. Via noted a pair of Rick Doms which were a few meters away and was taken aback since they were rarely seen.
As Cagalli and Via headed towards the armored limo, Kisaka stood beside it. He looked grim and the daughter could swear that his grey hair seemed even greyer. Opening the rear side door, Via and her mother climbed inside and Kisaka entered last. Once the group was strapped in, the car took off with its escort.
"I am guessing there was more to the attack if all this is warranted" said Cagalli dryly. Kisaka nodded at the blond.
"From what we have been able to gather, they were definitely after you as well. The Murasames were stolen from a depot a few days ago and from what we have been able ascertain the theft was carried out by the OPDM" informed the man.
"That doesn't make sense. From what I understand, the organization is non-violent" said a confused Orb Leader.
"It appears that the group has sprouted a radical element. They have evaded capture thus far. Word of the attempted assassination has reached the people and we have had riots break out against the OPDM. We have placed most of the organization into protective custody" stated Kisaka.
"That is good; I am happy that the people still support me but I will not let the group be retaliated against" said the blond.
"Why not?" asked Via suddenly. She personally saw nothing wrong with what the people were doing.
"Because its wrong. People have the right to think what they want without being persecuted for it" answered Cagalli with a frown.
"Not if they're terrorists; we should lock them all up" argued the daughter.
"The entire OPDM are not terrorists. What happened at Panama was the work of a few radicals in the movement. We cannot blame the entire organization for the actions of a few" argued the mother back.
"Those radicals just tried to kill you. If the ODPM is as non-violent as they claim they are, why did they not report what was going to happen? How do we even know that they are completely blameless? For all we know, they could have known all along on what these "radical" were going to do and they sat back to see what was going to happen" said Via in a loud angry tone.
"So we just lock them up? What kind of image is that to display to the people? That if they think differently than the Government, we will throw them in jail? I am their Leader and Representative; they place their trust in me and I will not break it under any circumstances" stated Cagalli firmly. Via just glared at her mother and turned to stare out the window.
'They are definitely Mother and Daughter; both so stubborn' thought Kisaka as he stayed silent.
He had watched the arguments between the two for years now and it almost reminded him of the exchanges between Lord Uzumi and a younger Cagalli. However, the fights between Cagalli and Via were far more intense and brutal. Kisaka hoped that some day the two could become closer.
Kisaka had heard about the battle that Via had participated in. He always suspected that Via had the potential to become an excellent pilot and was not surprised that the girl participated in the battle. He could also understand Cagalli's anger as a parent and knew what she wanted for her daughter. He knew that he would have to remind her about some of the things she did when she was young.
Some of them were far more serious than what Via just did.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
Admiral Paptimus Scirocco walked down the long hall towards the meeting room. Dressed in a white military uniform, he was flanked by two soldiers that belonged to the Titans. They were lightly armed but were still more than a match for any regular soldiers of the Atlantic Federation military.
The flight to Washington D.C. was uneventful. He had sent Toto back to the Titans main headquarters to oversee the continuation of several sensitive operations. The Pentagon was bustling with activity and Scirocco knew that it was probably because of the incident at Panama.
The two guards at the entrance to the meeting room saluted and opened the door for him. Paptimus nodded and left his escort behind as he entered.
The room was quite large with a large rectangular oak table in the center. The walls were painted brown and it had grey carpet on the floor. On one of the walls was a large monitor which took up a good chunk of the wall.
Seated at the table were a group of Federation Admirals and Generals; twelve in all. There was also a civilian seated as well and Scirocco recognized him as Senator Bruce Deacon, representing the Federation Assembly. Nodding the gathered officers, the Titans leader took his seat.
"With the recent attack at Panama and the sudden rise of insurrections in South America, the President and the Assembly have decided that military force must be used. However, with our forces being stretched due to the growing tensions with the Neo Soviet Union, we must consider how much of our military strength must be used" stated General Jason Doyle. A man in his sixties and the highest ranking officer in the Atlantic Federation, his grey hair still covered much of his head.
"I want to know is how the attack happened in the first place?" asked Admiral Fernando Tamio darkly, head of the Federation Pacific Fleet. He had a deep Hispanic accent which added to his displeasing tone.
"Due to some local festival, most of base personnel were off base. So security was light" said General Alex Bauer, commander of all Federation forces in the British Isles, his Scottish heritage evident in his voice.
"What idiot let that happen?" demanded General Anthony Soprano, head of the North American East Coast Defense Forces.
"General Stuam" answered General Bauer.
"He should be court-marshaled for incompetence" stated Admiral William Frost.
"He was killed in the attack" said Scirocco in an amusing tone. This seemed to bring smiles to most present since it meant that the trouble of arranging a court marshal was spared.
"What about sending the Titans?" asked Admiral Davis, head of the 4th Fleet which patrolled the waters between North and South America.
"Admiral Scirocco?" asked General Doyle.
"With the sudden increase in Titan recruitment, it would not be an issue. I will need the control of our Caribbean bases as well as support from the South American Government" said Paptimus.
"Both should not be a problem; the South American Government would gladly accept our help. My only concern would be the Assembly" said the Federation Senator in a grim tone.
"Oh?" asked one of the other Generals.
"There are many in the Assembly who are fanatically supportive of Lacus Clyne's peace initiatives. It takes a lot of effort just to get them off our backs with the Titans" explained the Senator.
"Even after all these years, that woman still causes problems for us" grumbled Admiral Tamio. There were nods in agreement from a few around the table.
Scirocco disagreed. He actually had deep admiration for the pink princess as well as her husband. It was a shame though that the two were Coordinators. Though his hatred of them was not genocidal, Scirocco still felt that they were a threat to the natural evolution of humanity into Newtypes.
The meeting went on for over an hour. The only other things that were discussed were troop deployments and mobile suit production. The Atlantic Federation still lead the Earth Sphere in industrial might and its production of military hardware still outdid any other industrial nation. When everything was concluded, Scirocco made his exit while most of the other officers stayed behind to talk amongst themselves.
Though some of the upper echelon of the Atlantic Federation military disliked the Titans, they at least had their respect. Scirocco had long since known that alienating the main branches of the military would cause setbacks; thus he knew how to approach people and manipulate them.
Making his way out of the main part of the Pentagon; Scirocco and his escort made their way to the hangers beneath the Federation Military Headquarters. Very few knew the hangers existed as part of the defense of Washington. They had been built during the Second War with the PLANTs and were still maintained to this day.
The O was waiting for him as he entered the last hanger; already prepped for launch. The bulky mobile suit was the only one of its type since it was custom built by Scirocco himself. He had brought the mobile suit with him from the Atlantic Federation colony in Jupiter's orbit.
Entering the cockpit and activating the controls, Scirocco settled in as the suit launched down the runway and out of the hidden opening some distance away from the Pentagon. His escort followed after him which was composed of Windam Quels with their striker packs attached.
Their destination was the Titans Headquarters at Heavens Base. The base had been turned over to the Titans after the Atlantic Federation retook the base in the confusion of the Battle of Messiah. With the dissolving of the Earth Alliance, there was no need for a Supreme Headquarters since the Atlantic Federation Military Command now reoccupied the Pentagon.
The Base had changed over the years since it was rebuilt. The perimeter had expanded to house a training facility for new members and the underground mobile suit factories now shared space with a shipyard. The base also housed the Federation's second mass driver making Heavens Base a vital spaceport.
While he sat back and relaxed for the long trip to Heavens Base, Scirocco activated the communication's hub and contacted Toto. The young man's face soon appeared on screen.
"Did the meeting go well?" asked Toto.
"Yes it did; the Federation has decided to put us in charge of getting rid of the rebels in South America," informed the Leader of the Titans.
"I see; I am glad that we decided not to intercept that rebel squad and let them attack Panama after all," said Glemy with a smirk.
"Yes, it seems that once again things are played in our favor. Not only has the Federation bended to our will, but the attack showed Orb how much we are needed. Lady Athha will be less critical of us from now on which will allow us more room to operate in South America," said Scirocco with a grin.
"There is also our recent discovery as well" said the Vice Admiral. Scirocco nodded at that.
"I agree; it seems that Lady Athha's daughter is indeed a Newtype and a powerful one at that. Have our agents gotten a hold of her medical files?" asked the Admiral.
"Yes; no genetic modifications what so ever so her abilities are natural," answered Glemy.
"Excellent; now we have to try and recruit her," said Scirocco thoughtfully.
"That might be difficult; her mother would not only object but make sure her daughter never leaves the house again," argued Glemy.
"Yes, but I have the impression that our teenage girl is quite stubborn and would jump at the chance to join us. If we were to make our offer to her secretly, then I expect that she will come to us on her own," stated the leader of the Titans with a smirk.
"Shall make the offer through our agents within Orb?" asked the Vice Admiral.
"No; I will make the offer myself. Have our technicians secure a hidden link to the Athha Mansion," ordered the man.
"Understood; I will await your arrival," Glemy said before signing off.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Via sat at her desk in her room, still angry at her mother.
There were days that Via hated being the first born; she was tired of being told what was expected of her. She wanted to join the military and be a mobile suit pilot but that dream was shot down by her mother. Cagalli wanted her daughters to have nothing to do with the military and to live peaceful lives.
Via considered her mother a hypocrite.
As the sun set over the horizon, the young woman considered sneaking out of the house to get away for a while. However, two things prevented that; her mother's increased security and the fact that her father was downstairs.
Via loved her father dearly and also enjoyed the company of her step mother as well. Though retired, Athrun Zala worked as a military consultant for ZAFT and the Equatorial Union. He also secretly made sure that the two militaries were abiding by the treaties.
The two were closer that Via was to her mother; which was funny to some seeing how Via and Cagalli were so much alike. Athrun had done his best to bridge the peace between Mother and Daughter, but the task was a difficult one.
Stubbornness was a family trait.
"Are you sure there is nothing I can do?" asked Athrun as he sat on the couch in Cagalli's private study. Meyrin sat next to him, reading a magazine.
"No; the ODPM is Orb's problem and I don't want to burden any other nations with it. I am just afraid that this will give the Titans more free rein in their activities since this incident benefited them," stated Cagalli as she sat at her desk with her head resting on her clasped hands.
"Think it was too coincidental?" asked Meyrin. Her appearance hadn't changed much over the years except for the fact that she left her hair down all the time instead of pigtails.
"Had to be, but there is no evidence to prove it. As far as anyone else is concerned, the attack is further proof of the need for the Titans," said the Orb leader bitterly.
"At least Via did well in her first combat experience," commented Athrun; who then held up his hands defensively in response to the glare emanating from Cagalli.
"She could have been killed; she should have headed to a shelter instead of running off in a mobile suit," Cagalli said angrily.
"Via wouldn't be our daughter if she had; you would have done the exact same thing at her age; in fact, you did," countered Athrun boldly.
"She does not live in the same world as we did; Via should not have to fight," argued the Orb leader.
"The world is not any less dangerous now than it was back then; we just have a different kind of danger now. Via is growing up and you need to let her take her own path," the raven-haired man said, pressing the point.
"Maybe some time apart is the best idea right now for Cagalli and Via; a week or two should work," Meyrin suggested.
"That is a good idea; maybe a week or two with Kira and Lacus," Cagalli said, thoughtful of the idea.
Both Athrun and Meyrin looked at one another and sighed. It seemed to them that Cagalli was taking the idea to an extreme. Not only would it take a week for Via to get to Mars, but add two weeks there and another week to get back to Earth; Via would be gone for a month.
Via hated the idea.
As she stood outside her mother's study, the young girl could only clench her hands in anger. 'How dare they send me away' was all the girl could think. Via felt that she was being punished for trying to do the right thing, something she could not believe her parents were doing.
Walking quickly but quietly away, Via started to consider her options. Though she loved her Uncle Kira and Aunt Lacus, staying with them was appalling to the young girl. Mars was not only extremely boring, but there was not a single mobile suit on the planet.
Reentering her room, Via closed the door and locked it before plopping on her bed. As she lay there, Vie contemplated her next move. Refusing wouldn't work, especially with her mother and her father seemed to support the idea so going to him was not an option.
The only thing Via could think of was running away for a while. Problem was that she wouldn't make it off of Orb before discovered and dragged back home. After that, Cagalli would make sure Via didn't go anywhere without a team of armed guards going with her.
There was a sudden flashing as her room computer lit up, indicating that she had a message. Curious to seeing what it could be, the young woman walked over to her desk and sat down. Bringing up the message, Via's eyes widened at its contents.
"Greetings Ms. Athha, I hope you forgive me for contacting you this way but I hope you will listen to my proposal," said Admiral Paptimus Scirocco; the message was a recording but Via's eyes were glued to the screen all the same.
"I was very impressed with your recent battle at Panama and you did the Federation a great service as well as Orb. I have been informed that you desire to be a mobile suit pilot and the Titans would love to have your skills as a part of their organization. Therefore, I hereby invite you to join us and be a part of the force that will guarantee peace in this world.
I know that your mother would never approve of you joining us but if you do desire to join anyways, we can get you out secretly. No one will be harmed because of this and we'll even let you send word back to your mother that you are safe.
If your answer is no then you can ignore this message, the result which will be that this communication will immediately delete itself. If you are interested, please reply immediately and we will send you instructions." Via pressed pause and thought about the offer.
It was a dream come true to the young woman. Not only would she be a mobile suit pilot, but would fight in the Titans against terrorists; even the ones who threatened her mother. Via would finally be able to fight for her own ideals instead of her mothers.
Via knew what she was going to do.
Replying to the e-mail, Via typed in her response and sent the message back to the originator. After a few minutes, there was another e-mail and the instructions came and Via scanned the message. She then turned to go pack.
Her time had come.
……………………………………………………………………………………..
"Well that went better then expected; she wasted no time in even considering our offer," remarked Scirocco.
Both he and Toto were sitting in Scirocco's office in Heavens Base; an office that used to belong to Djibril. While the LOGOS leader had decorated the room with lavish things, the Titan Leader had removed all that and just placed a single painting of Jupiter above his desk.
"I agree; who will you be sending to pick her up?" asked the Vice Admiral.
"Sven is more than qualified to do the task; he is training a small team off of the Philippines," informed Scirocco.
"I'll send him his orders then," said Glemy as he stood up. Saluting the Titan Leader, the Vice Admiral left the office.
Scirocco looked up at the painting of Jupiter and smiled. Everything was going according to plan and another powerful Newtype would soon be apart of the Titans. With Via Yula Athha's powers added to their own, the Titans would soon prove to be unstoppable.
And then his dream for a Newtype Utopia would finally be realized.
Author's Note: I apologize for the long delay for this fic.
Originally, I was going to scrap this fic due to the lack of reviews. However, this has changed due to my only reviewer who has saved this fic. Hopefully more are to follow.
The next update should be out in a month and will feature a returning GSD character. Via will also grow close to this character.
Please R&R!