Gundam Seed Eternity

by xlandar

After some years of peace between the Earth and Plant, the Earth is suddenly shocked by many terrorist attacks. Some old fanatics say its Zaft’s fault, but no one really believes in it. The new chairman and leader of PLANT have been appointed. It is the

6. Episode 6

GUNDAM SEED ETERNITY

Credits for this episode:
bluePharoh
xlandar
AL_6372

Editor: xlandar

Episode 6: Assault

Cecile was called in by Captain Arthur into his office. Ever since the attack on plant, everyone has been staying in a defensive mode as they awaited further commands, and Cecile had spent the night at Catalina. Cecile, "Captain, you asked for me?"

Arthur replies, "Yes, yes I saw your report, which is why I asked for you." Cecile looked tensely at Arthur as he continued, "You commented in your report about a similar technology was used by the Earth Alliance, to be more specific, a GUNDAM that we captured during the first war."

Cecile nodded. "Yes. I researched into it and found out about it."

Arthur continued, "I had looked through the record – the GUNDAM was really destroyed, as you had reported. Kluze team had then made a report to the Council after their capture of the 4 GUNDAMs. I believe it was Athrun Zala who presented his analysis concluded after they had piloted the machines." Arthur saw Cecile's surprised face, and explained, "that was under classified information as it concerns with the destruction of Heliopolis at that time."

There was silence for a moment and Arthur seemed deep in thoughts before he continued on. "There is another incident of the same thing. I was reminded of it after reading your report. In the second war, there was a mysterious ship, rather like this, which was hidden from our sensors. At that time, I was under Captain Talia in the Minerva. For the sake of convenience, Captain Talia named the ship Bogey-1. It is an unfortunate event that despite having a few encounters with it, ZAFT is still very much a stranger to this mysterious technology… I'm surprised you did not find that out, considering that you managed to find out about the Blitz. Since the Blitz was developed by ORB, I would think that it would be a help, perhaps if you were to go to ORB and find out more about the technology, though I doubt they would reveal much. What do you think? Are you willing to try?"

Cecile hesitated. PLANT may be attacked again at any time; she wanted to be here to fight alongside her comrades. Yet, she felt the responsibility for searching for more clues as to the technology, for she was the one who started the research. "Is there any records of Athrun Zala's report at that time, Captain?"

Arthur thought about it for a moment. "Not that I am aware of. Furthermore, even though the technicians did work with the Blitz, I doubt anyone had any time to study the GUNDAM seriously during the war. Most of the research works were based on the machines that we produce ourselves."

With that, Cecile gave in. "Yes, sir," she replied reluctantly, "I'll prepare myself straight away; I think the repairs are finished on X-Liberty…"

Arthur stopped her, "no, you won't be flying the X-Liberty."

"But…?"

"We are at war, and that's why you should not be flying around with a military mobile suit. You need not worry, you won't need it, the situation in ORB seems stable at the moment, and I doubt anything will happen while you are there."

Cecile wanted to argue, but she did not see how it changes matters, and so she saluted her Captain and left his room.

After an hour or so, Cecile was walking down an air strip, where a small plane that was waiting for her.

* * *

After rushing to the lab whenever she had anytime at all to activate and set passwords and other security measures for the 'O's, Rayne is tired. It had been days since she received the news. After that, she had to learn about how to do the programming, which is something she is not experienced in. She had no idea that it took so much work to make everything right. When she finally got the knack of it, she either work silently with Prof Fat are at the lab, where they would be generally too busy to talk, or it would be either she or Prof. Fat is at the lab alone. Then, there are lessons. It was such a life that she lived for these few days that she had no idea what the attacks in Plants and Earth were all about or how huge the casualties were. She does not have a single idea, or any time for any such thoughts. Despite her worries, she did not even have the time to talk about Zack, Kim, Jon and Bill, who were in her team, and that girl who was taken in her place… Silbver, was that her name..? Rayne can't really remember. What she knew is that everyone had been told that they had something urgent and had to leave suddenly.

Now, it was morning, and she was having the first and, thanks goodness, the last lesson of the day. She simply cannot keep up with the teacher's droning... Silently, she found herself falling asleep..... Slipping into unconsciousness…

Suddenly, a tune played in the air woke Rayne up from her slumber. The PA system, Rayne thought.

"Would Miss Rayne deFray please report to the Principal's office now? I repeat. Miss Rayne deFray, please report to the Principal's office now." With an ending tone, the PA system died.

Her classmates were now looking at her, no doubt wondering what was going on. Well, they are not the only ones. She hurriedly excused herself and left the classroom, feeling everyone, including the teacher's, gaze on her.

What is it now? Rayne's stomach gave a lunge. More troubles? I do not remember doing anything wrong!! Don't tell me... Leena? Or Mother? Flipping penguins! I am worried sick!! This is not a healthy lifestyle for a pitiful student!

With a deep breath, Rayne entered the cool General Office.

"Hi, err... the PA system was paging for me...? I'm Rayne deFray."

"Oh, please be seated. I'll inform the principal now."

"Thanks."

It was 3 minutes later that Rayne was finally admitted into the Principal's office. "Miss deFray? The principal is ready to see you. The last door on the left, please."

"Thanks."

Carefully, and not knowing why she is walking carefully, Rayne treaded the carpeted floor. Two knocks on the door… and … "come in, please."

"Miss deFray," the principal said upon seeing her. The principal was a strong looking man. Not muscular, but he looked strong despite his average height. A calm set of jaws and bright blue eyes. Neither specs, nor white hair either. Clean shaven. He doesn't look like a principal, Rayne thought.

"Please take a seat, Miss deFray," said the principal, offering her the seat opposite him from his desk. Rayne hesitated before taking the seat.

"Miss.. Err, I mean, Mr … principal.. You were looking for me?" Rayne stammered, mentally kicking herself for calling the principal a "miss" and forgetting his name. She was sure that someone had told her before.

"Mr Jansen will do. Miss deFray, if I may ask some questions?"

"Err.. Yes?-Mr Jansen." Rayne's heart beat even faster. She must really be in trouble.

"Where were you since last evening?"

"Last evening? I was at my class, at Mdm Hearn's lesson… err, 5pm... We ended late as there were err... Some... Err... We had to take more time to... Finish the lesson. We were released at 7.20pm, I think. Then back to my dorm to do my homework... But I fell asleep... Until this morning when my alarm rang... And I rushed to class. And you called me."

"I see. Where there anyone in the dorm with you?"

"Yes... Yuki... She was my dorm mate... And we rushed to class this morning... Err, I meant, we went to class together this morning."

"Hmm... And you were not in the lab last night?"

"Our major project lab? Block 9 room 167? Ya, I wasn't in there. I was intending to go there after my class this morning."

"And when is the last time u see Professor Toud?"

"Prof FAT? Err, I meant Prof Toud? Err....... In the morning? Before my classes yesterday. I just discovered that there were some errors and rushed to the lab... Prof Fa-Prof Toud was there."

"Hmm…"

"Err, if I may ask, sir? What happened to Prof Toud?"

"The Professor was found dead."

"What??!!!! I mean…. The… …?" Rayne was stumped.

"Professor was found dead. At first he was missing from a meeting. As it was an important meeting, we send someone to look for him but could not find him. It was a staff that found him dead some miles outside our campus."

Rayne was speechless.

"Miss deFray, were you aware of the recent events... Regarding your teammates and Professor Toud?"

Rayne stared at her principal. He sighed and went on, "there were some issues regarding terrorist, I believe. Professor Toud refused to give in to them, seeing that doing so would harm the world in general."

"He told you about it?"

"Yes. He came to me for advice. Apparently, your team mates and another girl were kidnapped, and he had no choice but to inform me. Miss deFRay, I would like you to explain to me about the project. Why are you and your team working on such a dangerous project for your major project?"

"Yes, sir… as you are probably aware.. Mr.. Jen… Jen… Principal.. because the school lets the teachers and the students form a team to work on a project together as a major project. So, the teacher in charge is part of the team instead of a supervisor…. This is to generate a real situation when we graduate. Erm – there can only be one-team-one-teacher err… group, so… many … teams were forced to combine together to share a project. Kim and I were in the general science research faculty, erm, while Zack, Jon and Bill were studying for the… err.. Mechanical engineering, ya. Erm, when we were forced to join together, Kim and I already had an idea for our project. We were to design and research a system… It's for generating electricity without using coals or gas or anything of that sort – er – like – gases – er – natural resources…. We had an idea on creating a continuous and endless flow of energy that is totally environmental friendly. But that would not suit the guys, and would not get them their certs. So we have to improvise. From Bill's connections, er, I mean, Bill told us that Prof Toud purchase materials for the construction of a pair of GUNDAMs. The boys were interested and wanted to help. So we approached Prof Toud and asked for his permission. The idea is to create a GUNDAM that would not run out of power. Of course, Prof Toud would have his own technologies and enhancements to add to that. And… er…. That…. But… but that would not be a problem, erm, since we know the Professor would not er…

"Therefore, er, we think he would already know what to do. And we just… err… we would be just helping…"

"Relax," Mr. Jansen calmed Rayne down. Even so, Rayne could not stop fidgeting.

"After some pleading, Prof Toud agreed. And we set to work on it. There were some problems, and er… addition to Prof Toud's ideas and technologies. But we worked it out, and we also integrated into the system what Kim and I originally planned… The – the … endless flow of energy. We kept everything in secret and did not tell anyone outside of the team. I had no idea how terrorist knew of the project…. The project is now nearing the end.... And we were supposed to tie up the loose ends of the programming. That day before Prof Toud called me to the lab to inform me of the kidnap, I was at the downtown shop, looking for extra parts, as the boys were trying to add in an enhancement into the 'O's - that is what we call the GUNDAM, the ODESIS."

"You went out alone?"

"Yes. Kim was supposed to go with me, but she had some problems with her schoolwork, and was made to stay back by Miss Hearns."

"I see. The 'O's as you call them…. Did you and your teammates construct it all by yourself?"

"No. The boys did their Mechanical engineering part, but there was the body, which had to be specially constructed with special equipments. We took it down to a special factory, and transported it back here when it was done. Some others… parts were also… they were… errr.. they were also sent to the… factory."

"I see.."

"You don't think... That that was how the terrorist knew about it?"

"That is a possibility."

When Rayne left the Principal's office later, she was entirely in shock. Now that she was alone, the fact of Prof FAT's death sank itself into her tired body. She no longer knew what to do. Exhausted, she sat down on the grass patch under the tree and stared at the buildings around.

* * *

The sun was high in the sky. Cecile looked up at the sky through the window, and thought, that it is so peaceful over here. This is not something she would have expected.

As she looked down, the plane was about to land. After a few minutes Cecile gathered her bag. Upon descending the steps, she was surprised. "Athrun! It has been such a long time!"

Athrun greeted her with a smile and held his hand out for her bag.

"How did u know I was coming?!!!"

Athrun replied as he took her bag. "ZAFT sent a message that you were coming and asked for our assistance. I accidently saw the message yesterday. I was surprised as well, how are things going on in Plant?" He opened the door of the car to let her in.

"You probably heard, there was an attack, a huge part of the city was destroyed… and so near to the military base too. It was really hectic...."

"Yes, I heard, but I don't believe it was the Alliance… I don't believe ZAFT attacked Earth as well."

"Me neither," Cecile agreed.

"How is Yzak doing? Did you see him recently?"

"Yes, he is ...well you know the usual."

Athrun looked at Cecile and said, smiling, "He is still giving you a hard time for enlisting in the military?"

"Yeah, I thought he'd be over it by now," Cecile could not help but complain.

"He is just being overprotective; it's his way of caring… I think."

"I know, but sometimes it's just too much."

They chatted as the car drove on, until they reached the hotel in which Cecile shall stay during her time here in ORB.

Then, Athrun informed her, "this is where you'll be staying. I think you should rest well before you continue."

"Thanks," Cecile was very much appreciative.

A bellhop came and took the bags out of the boot and led the way. Athrun looked at her and said, "I'll be away for the next couple of days… I am accompanying Cagalli on her trip to Panama, but I'll catch up with you when I come back." And with that he bid her good luck.

Cecile stood as she watched him leave. She was pleased to see a friendly familiar face during a travel, and was sorry to see Athrun leave so early. As Athrun drove off, he thought of Yzak, of Cecile and the recent attacks. He wanted to do something about it, something to improve this situation, he's going to do something, but he just have to leave it behind his head for the time being. Athrun was afraid that he same thing that had happened in the second war would repeat itself if he became too rash.

"Athrun! You are here." Cagalli looked up when she heard the door open.

'I'm sorry." He replied.

After some time, they are off on the plane to Panama. When they reach there, they were greeted by an official who showed them to their rooms to rest before meeting the others ambassador.

"Ah, I can finally rest," Cagalli muttered as she entered into her room.

"The trip must be tiring for you. Have a good rest. I will be in the next room." Athrun replied before leaving.

"Thanks."

Meanwhile, a man was into a room not too far off from where Cagalli, Athrun and their group were staying. "Commander Yas, they arrived already, they did not suspect anything."

"Good, continue watching them" Yas whispered into his walkie talkie.

Yas then reported back to Ralph, "Sir, the plan is going smoothly. Cagalli and Athrun are here, and they are clueless about what will be going on."

"Good job. Kill Athrun!!! But make sure Cagalli does not get hurt! If I found her injured, I will shoot a bullet right through your head!"

While Cagalli is discussing with the Ambassador of Panama, Athrun could not help but feel something weird. He checked around constantly and was on alert. When Cagalli happened to look at him, he gave her a look which signaled a warning to her. Cagalli looked grim though she pretended that nothing happen as she continued her conversation with the Ambassador.

Just as they climbed down the stairs with the other guards and prepare to leave, a troop of soldiers appeared out of nowhere and seized Cagalli from the front. The bodyguards around them yelled and pulled out their guns immediately. Athrun took out his gun as well, prepared to shoot. But before he could do anything, more soldiers ran towards him, and all he can do is run and hide. The situation became messy in an instant as the guards were either shot down or shooting people down. They dare not shoot recklessly in fear for Cagalli's safety. Cagalli was dragged up to the highest floor to get up a helicopter on top of the roof of the building. Not wanting to leave Athrun at all, Cagalli struggled and eventually broke free when she stamped on her captor's foot. She ran down the stairs in an attempt to escape.

Athrun was still hiding behind a wall with his gun prepared for shooting. The soldiers chased after him, simultaneously positioned themselves near him and prepared their machine gun. Athrun took the advantage and shot some of them, before they could set up their guns. He then ran towards the direction of Cagalli, when he suddenly caught a glimpse of her running towards him. Athrun threw her another gun immediately as he yelled her name. Before Cagalli could catch it though, she saw a bullet aimed for Athrun, and she shielded him without hesitation.

"Arghhhh!!!!!" Cagalli got shot on her arms.

"CAGALLI!!!" He yelled as he turned to shoot the man who shot her before rushing over to protect her.

"Athrun, be careful," Cagalli cried with tears in her eyes.

"Arrhh!" Another of their guards was shot down. Athrun turned around and went shooting all the soldiers. It was sometime before the entire gunfire died away, with the enemies dead or retreated to somewhere safe. Just as Athrun ran back to Cagalli, who he had left hidden in a corner, Yas ran over to Cagalli and grabbed her. While Yas and Cagalli were struggling, Yas accidentally shoved Cagalli over the edge, and she fell down….

--End of Episode 6--