I ran back to Cagalli, lost, not knowing what to do. I've seen and I have experienced harsh realities, but none like this. This chaos was a bit too overwhelming: people were grabbing my coat, wanting me to help them. I did the best I can, calming their wounds with first aids but others claimed those treatments also. Soon, a crowd was attacking me with all their distress and I was being grabbed, touched and pleaded. This was too much to bear. I had to run away. I made my way through the crowd and escaped their angry grasps in a hurry. I fell on the ground, my face hitting the harsh sand, scratching and bruising my pale skin. The baby started squirming under my weight and let out a sad cry. It probably wanted its parents, so I tried to look for someone who looked like it lost its child. But everyone was so upset and so angry, I couldn't decipher their faces or emotions as I walked past them. I re-joined with Cagalli with the baby still unhappy, but not crying. When she finally saw me, she gasped.
"Where did you get a baby? Was it lost?" she asked.
"I'm not quite sure...I'm certain it's lost because I found it in the sand...Do you know...?"
But I didn't have time to finish my sentence she took the baby from me and handed it over to a woman, who probably was a caretaker.
"That woman reunites lost children, Kim. That child is going to be okay. Now I need you to do something I wouldn't ask anyone but you, Kim."
"Yeah, what is it? I'm glad I can help..."
"I need you to locate the Desert Tiger. Tonight, if it's possible. It's an emergency state, here. If you can locate him, we'll be able to finish him off. If we're not able to defeat him and his team...we'll work for him until...let's say we'll be prisoners."
"Does...my Captain know about that? Maybe that would be something useful, if you know what I mean...Also, I already told you, I want my superiors to trust me, I just can't go out at night and..."
"Kim. It's for my people. I knew you would react this way, but it's not only for my people, but for your people too. Your crew is affected by this crisis as well. Your friends can die and... Seth might perish too if something's not done. I beg of you. We fight this war because the Desert Tiger took the Mining Field, east of here. We want it back: it's the only thing that keeps my people here. It's our way to dominate and not be dominated. It's our survival."
I closed my eyes and sighed. This was way out of my hands. I just...can, and that makes me furious because I was told I could not...What is wrong with being able to make a difference?
"I'll do it, just give me ten minutes. I'll get out of the Archangel by then."
I ran to the vehicle I used earlier, when LaFlaga rushed to me and tapped my shoulder.
"Kim! We got orders! It's daybreak already, so it applies now! We'll fight the Desert Tiger when we see the full sun! I talked to the Captain, so get the Valliant now!" was my chance
"Understood."
He went back to the military tent, running.
This makes my job easier, thanks Captain. It's not daybreak just yet, so I have...about two hours before the attack begins. It's enough time to locate the bastard and to have a little chat with him, if I get a glimpse of him.
I started the desert truck and immediately went to the Archangel. Went I stopped, I jumped off the car, hurried inside from the personnel entry and ran to the elevator. My breathing was accelerated by the adrenaline and I pressed the lowest level button. When the elevator touched the floor, the doors opened and I ran out like a bullet. Murdoch was waiting, on standby, when he caught glimpse of me.
"Miss Desjardins, what are you doing here? What're the orders?"
"We are to attack at sun rise, but I need the Valliant right now! Make the preparations and open the hatch so I can get out without hurting the Archangel this time!"
"Who gave you the orders?" he asked me. I was looking directly at him.
"Trust me, it's Commander LaFlaga!"
The mechanics installed the manual stairs so I could get up to the Valliant. The white indigo mobile has been there for a long time, too long to my taste.
"Hey buddy, long time no see... We are going out today!" I said to the Valliant, perfectly knowing it couldn't answer me back. It just felt good to talk to someone who would always listen to you.
I open the cockpit and programmed the Valliant before taking off. On the screen, G.U.N.D.A.M was clearly visible and I started the engine. I was ready to go.
"Murdoch, open the hatch, now!"
"Understood, just don't break the doors again, or I'll kick your ass, girl!"
The Valliant was attached and elevated to the hatch floor on the platform. A formidable push expulsed us out of the Archangel and I was free once again. It felt so good to be back in the mobile suit I called mine, it was like I was whole once more. Now, to the most important mission today: find the Desert Tiger.
The Valliant was the most powerful thing I've ever experienced in my life: it was solid, it was equipped and it was the last thing Captain DuFlamme ever gave to me. It had, with it, powerful memories of numerous battles and missions I had to succeed through in order to gain the elite status of Commander. And there it was, still flying with me, lost in time.
I passed the high dunes and reached a canyon where the rock was a greyish brown and where the Desert Dawn couldn't reach anymore. It was what they called the Mines Fields. Along that area were long sandy bushes and it seemed ravaged by nature itself damaged by erosion. High cliffs and a lot of sandy air showed sign of no vacancy for anyone...except ZAFT.
The Valliant's radar beeped and I looked at the map to see a clinging red dot. It must be the mother ship of the Desert Tiger, or something of the sort. I silently flew over it and hurried the Valliant behind the ship. My tentative failed, though: they retraced me without any problem, sending a chilling alarm through my ears. In an instant, the Valliant and I were connected to the mother ship through satellite communication.
"This is Martin DaCosta, Commander of the Tresseps! Identify yourself, pilot!"
"My name is Kim Desjardins, pilot of the Valliant, part of the Archangel crew, responding to your question." I answered.
"Make a descent, right now! You are charged with...What?" he said, unable to finish.
"Excuse me, DaCosta? Were you...talking to me?" I asked him, confused.
"Pilot of the Valliant, my Captain is asking you to make a descent and land your mobile suit next to the Tresseps. My Captain, Andrew Waltfeld wishes to have a talk with you. Descend now!"
Bingo! They fell right for it.
The Valliant descended slowly, without making any noise. Its feet touched the heavy sand in a matter of second and I shut it off, putting the Heavy Weight protection on. If they were going to take me in, they wouldn't be able to bring the Valliant with them.
I opened the cockpit and I saw men rushing with guns, circling the Valliant, and I in the process. I took the cable the elevated cable from my mobile suit and put my feet in its hole, holding on the rope. I descended to see an enormous mother ship, smaller than the Archangel, but big still. When I reached the ground level, several guns were pointed at me and I got my hands up.
"I am harmless, ladies. Please lower your guns, if you think it may seem possible." I said to them, which seemed to anger them even more.
"Oh please guys! It's a joke! Next time you go to the PLANTS, buy a little sense of humor!" I said, but the men were even angrier, even so that one man pushed his gun on my temple.
"Gentlemen, put your guns down, immediately." Said a stern voice. Everyone turned around to reveal a tall man. He had sandy brown hair and piercing eyes. I took a step back, but he smiled to me.
"It seems, Miss, that you didn't come here to fight." He said, in a calm voice.
"Indeed, someone's smart here. If I attacked, you'd be dead anyway." I said to him, making him snort out with laughter.
"You're funny, girl. Men, leave us alone. We are going in, you know, just to have a little talk."
"That's what I wanted to hear, thank you, Mr. Waltfeld."
"Dear, I'm flattered you know my name! This is an honor. My name is Andrew Waltfeld, Captain of this ship. You also heard about the Desert Tiger, am I right? Well, that's me, also."
"I...figured that out, already. Yeah, last time, I wiped your men's ass in about...a minute. Very intimidating, Desert Tiger."
"I like you. Come in, I'll escort you so we can have tea." He said, turning his back to me, re-entering his ship. I was pushed by his guards in, with a bit of a rush, I must say. They put me and the Desert Tiger inside the elevator and from then, I had no choice but to follow him. I memorized every aspect of this ship that I saw: it would help my escape later.
He pressed on the second floor button and I looked at him with an intrigue look.
"I am not going to kill you, if that's what you're thinking. You're way too valuable for that." He simply said, winking. I turned my head in opposite directly, feeling very weird about our encounter. Finally, to my relief, the elevator doors opened and we could step out. I followed him into a cozy living room where he made me sit. He would not talk, only stare. After a moment, I was tired to be looked at, so I snapped.
"If you like watching me so, why don't you just take a picture?"
"Don't be hostile. I would like to remind you that you came here to talk to me?
"Yes, your assumptions were good. I wanted to have a talk with you."
A minute later, a beautiful woman brought tea to us. The woman, who was very nicely dressed, kissed Andrew and gave him a wink. I sighed and looked away, holding my cup of tea in silence. She went away a few seconds later and left us alone.
"That was Aisha, my fiancée. She's very nice."
"And I could care less. Seriously, dude, I came here to talk, not to be invited to your wedding."
"Okay, stop being a brat. Talk, if that's what you want."
"Thank you. I came here today because...Oh, by the way, tell them it's useless to try to embark the Valliant, I put the Heavy Lock on. They move it, they are dead."
I said, looking out of the window, seeing his men try to lift the mobile suit with a lot of difficulty. He laughed and took a sip of his cup of tea.
"You're full of surprises, Miss Desjardins. I must say I'm impressed."
I was about to resume my speech when the sliding door opened to reveal two young men about my age in red uniform. One had curly blond hair and a very appealing tan while the other one had very pale greyish hair and a pearl white skin with blue eyes. His features struck my eyes. ZAFT Elite pilots...Interesting.
"Excuse me, Mr. Waltfeld, but do you have any mission for us? Sorry to say it like that, but we're sitting ducks here and your ship sucks monkey balls." Said Blondie, with annoyance in his voice.
"Don't you see, gentlemen, that I'm having a talk with a very special someone?" he said, also proving to be annoyed. I sighed and got up, facing the two red uniform pilots. The blonde one didn't reply and the other one glared at me, for some reason. Andrew Waltfeld made a hand gesture, presenting me to his fellow subordinates.
"Oh, I see! Yes, you were right...She looks very special alright." Said Blondie, gazing at me.
"Dearka, would you stop eye-screwing every single woman that just looks at you?" said the other one. Dearka...where did I hear that name...? I snapped. Jesus! They're the pilots that attacked the Archangel in space! Oh man, how wrong can this be? If they recognize me, this could be very ugly...
"Well, sir, are you going to introduce us? Said Dearka, grinning at me with his perverted eyes.
"Mr. Elsman, Mr. Joule, this is Kim Desjardins, now if you'll excuse us, we would like..."
"Kim...Desjardins? I'm sure I heard that weird name before..." What?
"My name is not weird! Who the hell are you to judge my name?" I saw in his colleague a glimpse of understanding and of recognizing.
"Dearka, it's that bitch we met in space! She was protecting the Archangel along with that Kira kid and her friend, Seth something!"
"About time you caught up, dimwit." I said to him.
"Yeah, Yzak... Oh! I recognize that sexy Italian accent! Yes, I remember!"
"It's not Italian, it's French, you moron!" I said to him.
"Even better..." he said, but Yzak gave him a nudge on the head.
"It's about time I see you again, wench! Let me tell you something you'll never forget...I will never forgive you for putting such a humiliation on us, that day! You shall pay, right here, right now!"
"Oh please, I already defeated in mobile suit combat, would you want me to also kick your ass in hand to hand combat?" I said, turning my back on him.
"Why you...!"
"Okay soldiers...it's about time you guys stop now... You are making yourselves look like complete turds…"
"I don't give a fuck!" we both said in unison. Yzak and I, let's say it bluntly, were having one hell of a time. Arguing, pointing fingers, blaming each other, nudging and pushing were part of the menu.
"You goddamn Coordinators! I can't stand the likes of you! So arrogant all the time and they don't even know how to fight! The one with the biggest mouth is always the lousiest one, and in this case, that happens to be you!"
"You damn your own race, you pathetic fool? How can you betray us with such a proud look on your face? You're a disgrace to us, Coordinators!"
"Say that to someone who cares, prick!"
"Don't make me hit you, bitch!"
"Okay, stop! You guys are both imbeciles! Yzak, what the hell? You never went out on someone like that! What's your problem? And you, pretty lady, don't you think you can get away with this just because you're hot! If you're a Coordinator, then prove that you're one and join us!" screamed Dearka, very, very annoyed. The Desert Tiger was softly sleeping on the couch while we were arguing, but was abruptly awaken by my flying cup of tea that landed right beside his head. My target was that moron Yzak, by the way.
"This is nuts...!" he said, looking at the three teenagers while dodging kitchen objects.
"I have no intention of joining you, end of the line."
"That girl has been bewitched by the Naturals..." said a muttering Yzak.
"What did you say, Yzak, I didn't quite understand you...?" I said to him, venom shooting out of my words.
"I said you've been brainwashed by those damn Naturals, girl! This is unlikely to happen with Coordinators!"
"Don't you get the fucking point? I am not a Coordinator! I'm a Natural!"
There was an awkward silence in the room. No one talked. I could listen to the breathing of the three Coordinators standing before me. The Desert Tiger had a shock expression on his face, Dearka was clutching his head in confusion and Yzak was...well, he was made of stone.
"Now can I finally pass the goddamn message to Andrew Waltfeld before I leave here without saying something that will affect all of us?" There was no response. I looked at Andrew who didn't seem he could talk after that shocking revelation.
"I came here because I wanted to give you a warning, Desert Tiger: in about thirty minutes, the Archangel and the Desert Dawn will attack you and your mother ship. I am ready to accept an apology from you guys. If you surrender right now, no harm will be caused to your mother ship or your mobile suits, but just so you know: if you don't accept my offer, we will locate you, we will fight you, and we will kill you. Is that clear? Should I take out a piece of paper so you, Mr. Waltfeld, can write your own declaration of defeat? Or should I just go right now and annihilate you later?"
He sighed and laughed quietly.
"I knew you were different from the lot, Kim. I noticed, from afar, how strangely you fought my men. I never quite expected that you were a Natural, but just merely under the influence of alcohol during your last fight with the BuCues. You movements were like the ones of a drunken old man: unreadable, all over the place, flexible and simply amazing. I never saw anything like it: it was like watching a new episode of a dead old American soap: simply touching. Yes, your moves touched my heart in a way no one ever did. I couldn't predict what you were about to do. When you move your mobile suit, it's as if you are swimming in the ocean: graceful, delicate, calculated, fluid movements made you win that battle. However..."
"Is there a "but"?" I asked him.
"I am afraid there is." He continued. "We, ZAFT, will never surrender to you. You may think you can out number us, but you got it wrong, girl. We'll outnumber you without any hesitation. You tell that to your superiors, alright? I am grateful you talked to me about this, though. Naturals aren't so bad at all, just a bit too stubborn."
"Well I'm the most glad this meeting is over, Desert Tiger. I will surely see to our battle."
"We'll see you for sure. It's been a very weird conversation, though."
I nodded and parted, looking straight in Yzak's blue eyes. Even though he was an arrogant jerk, a pathetic asshole of the worst class and cold heartless bastard, his eyes were breath taking. The faint glow of their angst, the strength of their gaze, the depth of their abyss, it subconsciously made me blush. I took my stare away from him and he smirked.
"What were you looking at, girl?"
"Nothing, I merely looked at you. Is that a problem? I find you handsome; I'd take it as a compliment. When a woman looks at you, generally, you smile back. I hope you'll remember next time."
I walked past him and he grabbed my arm with a strong grasp.
"Are you mocking me, bitch? Look at my face!" I looked at his face, finally noticing his deadly scar. I traced his jawbone slowly, then moving to the diagonal scar with my eyes. Even with the misfortune of this battle scar, his face was still...beautiful.
"I am not mocking you. If you would be so kind to let my arm..."
"I saw it: disgust. I saw it in your eyes when you looked at me!"
"You're a pitiful liar, Yzak. If I were to say something about you that is disgusting, it would probably be your attitude."
That's seemed to shock him a bit. I guess he didn't expect me to answer something like that.
"You Coordinators have a problem in common: you think you could be better, but you don't see that genetically, you're la crème de la crème. You're just pissing the world off, gentlemen."
I exited the room and left them to think about my last words. That Yzak...he...stained me with his deep blue gaze. I clutched my hand on my heart and tried to forget his blue orbs. I tried to forget the sound of his voice, the angriness of his speech...the pain in his eyes. He marked my memory with a blue ribbon of stomach butterflies. I could feel my breath as been taken by his presence because I was out of air. I took a deep breath and tried for the last time to forget his face...in vain. His elegant Coordinator body, his silvery white hair, his strong hands, the distant smell of his cologne, the hesitance when he touched my arm, the pain in his face when he talked to me...I would not forget easily. I got on the elevator and escaped my silk like thoughts to face the Valliant once again in all of its splendor, outside, in the desert sunlight.
I got aboard and started the engine of my mobile suit, slowly elevating in the arid air. I looked at the cockpit window of the Tresseps and I thought I could end it right here and right now, but...Yzak...he was still on board probably looking at the Valliant right now. Everything in me ordered my body to press the laser gun button, but my heart couldn't resign to it. I have been thought to let nothing invade my mind, nothing to break my spirit and my concentration, but again, my feelings wouldn't let me destroy the only moment that made me feel like a free woman and that would be my first sight of Yzak. Even Seth didn't cause me such a trauma when I met him. Of course, I love Seth with all of my heart, that will never change...He was the reason I was alive, but I knew deep down that my heart had a new aspiration of itself, even thought I would never accept it: I had to see him once more.
