Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
Wings To Tomorrow
Chapter 1 – Three Years After
CE. 74, Lagrange Point 2, Messiah Space Fortress
Fireworks…
That's what they reminded him of. Fireworks.
Bright green beams of light flew around the vastness of space like some sort of supersonic fireflies. Each and every one connecting with something else, occasionally one would crash into an object and create a brilliant flash of pink. Just like fireworks.
The young man quickly focused as he flew forward at a blinding speed. He let out a yell and the white machine that possessed brilliant red wings tossed two beams at a pink and red machine.
He snarled as he kicked them away, wanting to reach for his sword only to remind himself that it had been sliced in two.
The man he was fighting said something, but what was it? Whatever it was, it had brought out the deepest of angers in him. He charged forward with a rebellious yell of his own.
Then he hear the bloodcurdling scream of a girl.
The explosion of his machine.
And then the words…
DID YOU WANT A WORLD WHERE YOU'VE DESTROYED EVERYTHING WITH YOUR POWER?!
The boy screamed at the top of his lungs and leapt up. He gasped for air he thought he had lost, and his eyes darted everywhere in search of his enemy. After a moment it came to him.
He wasn't fighting.
The room was dark and quiet.
There was no enemy.
Not anymore.
19 year old Shinn Asuka slowly began to catch his breath. He looked upon himself and realized that he was drenched in a cold sweat. It took him a minute to regain control of his senses.
"Shinn!" He heard the girl scream again. "Are you okay?!"
Shinn wheeled around to see worried face of Lunamaria Hawke looking at him, her eyes brimming with tears.
"I…." He began to choke out. "I was…"
She leaned over and gently held onto him. Her hands felt like ice to him, even though he was already cold.
"At Messiah?" She finished for him.
He almost looked surprised. "H-How did you know?" He gasped.
"This isn't the first time…" She replied. "That's how."
Shinn's eyes shimmered with discontent. This wasn't the first time this had happened.
"How many times did I-?"
"Save it okay." Luna said with a bleak smile. "Let's just get back to bed."
Shinn nodded. He had definitely missed that. That smile reminded him of the cheery, happy-go-lucky Luna from the old days.
He land back down and let his body go limp as Luna curled up and embraced him. He stared blankly at the ceiling of their one-bedroom apartment.
"Hey Luna," He spoke aloud. "When this happens, can you-"
"Drop it." Luna said in a surprisingly angry voice. "I don't want you dwelling on this."
Shinn sighed. Although he and Luna's relationship had been somewhat rocky recently, he enjoyed moments like this. No sense in ruining it by stubbornly pushing the issue.
"Just try and sleep." Luna answered groggily as she drifted off.
"Okay." He said quietly.
"And try not to hate yourself anymore."
No reply.
MAY 8th CE.77 PLANT Colony Aprilius 1, Lagrange Point 5
"At 8:30 we are to be meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister in Room 7-36-B."
"I understand. Thank you Amagi."
"I've never seen such a gathering… it truly is quite a sight."
The halls and rooms of the PLANT Supreme Council were packed as officials and delegates from practically every nation were rushing to their appropriate assemblies.
Among those wearing their identical suits and formal wear were three royal purple adorned ambassadors from the Orb Union. At the center of their formation was a young woman who needed no introduction.
"After the 8:30 meeting we will-"
"Amagi," Cagalli Yula Athha interrupted. "You informed me of the schedule at the terminal in Orb and all the way up here. I think I've got it down."
Amagi nodded and bowed his head in sincerity. "I'm dreadfully sorry Lady Cagalli." He pleaded. "I hope you'll forgive me."
Cagalli allowed herself a small smile. "Not at all," She replied. "You're only doing your job. It's just a case of you doing it a little too well."
The navy blue-haired man behind her smiled as well. In the past two years, Cagalli had grown into her position as Orb's chief representative beautifully. Although she still had a lot to learn, she was gaining experience with each political stance she took.
"Admiral Zala?" Amagi questioned. "Is something wrong?"
Athrun Zala regained his senses as he realized he had fallen behind. He nodded and gave a quick salute.
"I'm sorry Representative Amagi." He replied. "I got lost in thought for a moment."
Amagi nodded. Cagalli turned to look at him, but to Athrun's dismay her gaze only held disappointment.
"You're my bodyguard Athrun." She said bluntly. "Your job is to protect me no matter what. There's no room to slack off. Please remember that."
As quickly as she turned to scold him, she was back to walking to the conference. Although Athrun didn't like it, she was right. He was her bodyguard and one wrong misstep could cost her her life.
Athrun focused and walked briskly after them.
CE 77, PLANT Colony Aprilius, Meriden District Shopping Complex
"Alright let me see the list and we'll get to work."
"…"
"You've got to be kidding me."
"Would it help if I said I was?"
After taking another good look into the eyes of Lunamaria Hawke, Shinn thought it better just to shut up.
"Damn it Shinn!" She shouted. "I gave you one simple task –one! "Hold on to the list!" I said. Why couldn't you do it?!"
"You also told me to warm up the car, grab the return bags and clear out the trunk for the groceries." Shinn rebutted. "I can't remember everything!"
Lunamaria sighed. "Men," She muttered under her breath.
"Women…" Shinn muttered aloud in response.
"Aww come on sis! Don't get so down on him!" A voice chimed from behind them. "All guys make a mistake at some point or another!"
Both young adults turned around to respond, and as they did, Lunamaria's mood suddenly lifted.
She let out a squeal of excitement and dashed over to Meyrin to give her a huge hug. Shinn stayed at a distance and pretended to play it off like it was no big deal. It seemed a little over-dramatic to Shinn.
But anyone would be excited to see a sibling they hadn't seen in over a year.
"It's been way too long sis," She piped up. "It's great to see you."
"Far too long!" Luna excitedly agreed. "Feels like centuries since I've got to speak to you face to face!"
"Well, time flies when you travel I guess!" Meyrin said cheekily. "The world really is a beautiful place."
Lunamaria rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah," She said. "Mir's rubbed off on you all right."
After the Second Bloody Valentine War, Meyrin had decided to join Miriallia Hawe on her global trip and become a journalist for a wildlife magazine. For the past year, she had been all around the world to exotic places and locations. Both Luna and Shinn were happy for her, since both Hawke sisters had been born and raised in the artificial colonies in space. Meyrin was so taken aback by the beauty of planet Earth that she would take multiple stories at once just so she could travel longer.
And these trips of course lead to silly concern-arguments between the sisters.
But it was nice to see the two of them together again. Anyone could see that they were more than just sisters, they were best friends for life. Shinn felt a little jealous. It was like it was with Mayu. They had been best friends. And also…
Shinn tilted his head back as he did a mental scan of his past.
"Best friends…"
"Rey…"
"Hm?" Meyrin said suddenly. "Did you say something Shinn?"
Shinn gazed up, quickly realizing what he had said. "Ah, it's nothing Meyrin. Forget about it."
Lunamaria motioned for Shinn to follow them as they walked off towards the western area of the shopping district-the one jam-packed full with all the clothing stores. Shinn moaned as he reluctantly followed suit. His eyes ventured up to the artificial sky that adorned the PLANT nations.
"Rey…" Shinn muttered once more. "Was he-?"
"No." Shinn abruptly cut the thought out of his mind. "I was a tool to him, not a friend. And besides, he's dead now."
Although he believed the words in his head and his heart, there was something empty and insincere about them.
CE 77, Supreme Council Chambers, PLANT Colony Aprilius 1, Lagrange Point 5
"And as you can see from the latest report." The ZAFT Commander said as he backed away from the round delegate table. "Several more riots have broken out in the Colony interior in the last couple of days, making it difficult to get anything done."
"I see," Replied the chairwoman. "And what are their demands?"
"Shorter work hours and more pay." The commander replied. "But these demands-"
"Will be met at once." The Chairwoman interjected. "Send them a response conveying that."
The ZAFT Commander's eyes bulged. "But Ms. Chairman!" He shouted. "These demands are insane! They would be paid for time they didn't even work!"
"They are laboring on a colony that is easily a year away from our own. They have no way to contact their families or loved ones and they are receiving reduced rations already." The Chairwoman replied sternly. "I think that they deserve an honest paycheck, don't you?"
The Commander's brow furrowed. Although he knew she was right, he didn't believe that they should be taking such pointless steps. Some of the policies that the Chairwoman had put into place since her election made little or no sense to him.
But regardless, she was put in charge for a reason.
"Very well ma'am," He said quietly as he quickly bowed. "I'll see to it right away."
The Chairwoman nodded. "Make sure you do, Commander Kent."
As ZAFT Commander Yolant Kent exited the room, the Chairwoman pressed a button on her chair. Immediately, the walls began to pull back and they revealed a beautiful garden with a lake in the distance. It was a far different from the Council Chambers in the past.
And that was the way Chairwoman Lacus Clyne liked it.
And just like clockwork, the other PLANT Supreme Councilmembers began to pour into the room. As they did, two approached Lacus's desk.
"You're tardy Ms. Chairman." One of the councilmembers spoke up. "We were here twenty minutes ago and you were nowhere to be found. Such actions are inexcusable even for a brand new leader of a nation…"
Lacus giggled slightly and gave a quick curtsey.
"Ah yes. I do apologize Councilman Joule." She said quickly. "But I had several other matters to attend to as well."
Twenty-one year old ZAFT veteran Yzak Joule was about to speak up, but a certain blonde stood in his way.
"It's no problem at all Ms. Clyne," He replied before Yzak could even choke out a protest. "We just arrived ourselves. It was just a bit odd that you would vanish like that, so we took a brief walk around the courtyard."
"It's my fault mostly." A white uniformed officer spoke up as he saluted dutifully upon entering the chambers. "I received some information about suspicious activity near the Artemis 2 site at L3, and I requested the Chairwoman to come and review our findings."
Both Lacus and Councilman Elsman smiled. ZAFT White Commander Kira Yamato was the finest pilot in ZAFT's current regime of soldiers. Although the ZAFT forces had disarmed their military in the name of peace, there were still practical uses for mobile suit teams. And watching the mighty Strike Freedom carry colony supplies like a Mistral work loader was a sight that brought a smile to even Yzak's face.
"By the way," Kira added. "Where are the Representatives from the Orb Union? I was sure they'd be here by now."
"I agree that it isn't like Representative Athha to be tardy," Dearka interjected. "She's usually so punctual."
"I'm sure she'll be here in no time at all," Lacus assured them. "Let us wait for them to arrive."
Almost as if the words were a trigger, Cagalli Yula Athha, Athrun Zala and Cabinet Member Amagi bustled into the room.
"Ah Cagalli!" Lacus said in her warmest tone. "It's been to long-"
"Indeed Chairwoman," Cagalli said as she hurried past her friend and took her seat. "We've put off this meeting for far too long."
Both Lacus and Kira glanced at each other. Ever since Cagalli had taken the role of Chief Representative seriously, she hadn't been the same person. Athrun sighed and followed Cagalli over to her place at the circular council table.
"Yes well," Lacus resumed. "The reason I have called you all here on such short notice is to discuss the current situations we find ourselves in."
"Situation Miss Chairman?" Cabinet Member Amagi inquired. "What situation are you talking about?"
"With all respect Lady Lacus, I agree with Cabinet Member Amagi," Dearka added. "For the first time since before the Junius Seven Tragedy, we are enjoying a stable period of peace and economic prosperity in both the PLANTs and on Earth."
"Exactly," Lacus responded. "It is due to this economic and societal prosperity that we have been able to extend mankind farther into the unknown of space."
"I see," Cagalli interjected. "You mean the Mars Colonization Program."
"I do indeed," Lacus said with a small smile. "Not since the A.D. Era has humanity attempted to accomplish such a miraculous feat in space."
"Well it wasn't like it was a difficult issue," Athrun suddenly cut in. "With the DSSD's Gundam Stargazer program and the application of the Voltaire Lumiere System travel to the red planet was of no difficulty."
"Yeah it was a true disaster when it started," Dearka put in. "A ton of people died during the colony collapse last year, but the Mars Colonization Plan is going smoothly now."
"It is." Lacus replied. "But that is not the point."
"Alright," Yzak said irritated. "So what is your point?"
"For the last two years, we have ignored the complaints and problems that have come with the Mars Colonization Program." Lacus spoke. "We have sacrificed the morale and the safety of many of these brave veterans and workers."
"Well you see Ms. Chairman," Dearka started. "There are a number of things we have to consider before-"
Lacus shot Dearka a look that froze him in his chair. It was shocking to see Lacus's peaceful nature disrupted in such a way. She stayed silent for a moment before opening her mouth to speak.
"No circumstances however large should ever justify sweeping our own men under the rug." She said sternly.
"It's unavoidable." Yzak said abruptly. "If we answered every single complaint they have then the work wouldn't get done until long after we're dead and gone."
Athrun frowned. Sometimes Yzak looked at things too much like the battlefield. He had to hold himself back from reminding him that the wars were over. Nevertheless, the war had taken its toll on them all in some way or another.
"The Chairwoman is bringing this up because these things have ignored to the point that the workers have gone up in arms." Kira explained. "They not only refuse to work any longer until we meet their demands, but they are holding the PLANTs responsible for the damages and lives lost at the site."
"That is not our fault," Yzak said through his teeth. "It's not as if we intentionally placed them in harm's way, its par for the course."
"Regardless it is our responsibility." Lacus insisted eagerly. "Those men and women are our citizens we have to-"
Her words were shot out of her mouth as a ZAFT-Green Shirt charged into the room with his emotions flared.
"Ms. Chairman!" He shouted. "You must come quickly!"
Lacus stood up calmly and gathered her patience. It was hard enough keeping her wits about her when going head to head with Yzak, let alone having random personnel interrupting her council meeting.
Even so, she swallowed her frustration and put on her award-winning smile.
"What seems to be the problem soldier?" She asked politely.
"It's Artemis 2 ma'am!" He choked out. "It's been destroyed!"
As if a bomb had gone off, the entire council chambers erupted into mass panic. Lacus struggled to regain control as the myriad of voices and the screams of the other councilmembers and the officials outside.
"Mrs. Chairman!" One of the Green Shirts exclaimed. "Someone has compromised our broadcast system!"
"What?!" Yzak bellowed. "Who!?"
As if almost on cue, the main monitor in the main lobby began to fuzz and waver. One by one, all of the monitors in the Capital's vicinity suffered the same fate. As everyone quieted down, the screens began to focus once again and a single image appeared on the screen.
A masked man.
"My name is Altruvius Vonier, and I am a member of the Librarians."