Fandom: Gundam Seed
Genre: Romance/General
Rating: PG-13
Type: Multi-part, chapter 5 (Part 7 of 25)
Pairings: Nicol/Melody (OC), Athrun/Cagalli, Kira/Lacus
Disclaimer: No, I do not own Gundam Seed.
Author's notes: Initially, I was intenting to make this fic a Yzak/Miri and Dearka/Michelle fic. However, due to the fact that my muses refuses to co-operate -- it would be changed to Yzak/Michelle and Dearka/Miri. To make my life simpler, and muses more co-operative than before.
Chapter 5
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Timeline: Cosmic Era 71. March 8 - 15 March
Venue: Onboard Land Resseps Battlefleet (ZAFT)
---
Athrun followed Nicol and Melody back to the Carpentaria Military Base, and was met up by the sight of Yzak whom was frowning at him with annoyance and Dearka, whom was eyeing his wound with incredulous eyes.
"Woah... who on earth managed to shoot at our wonderful and capable leader? Whoever the person was, I should have gave them a 'Nebula' badge to compliment their actions." Dearka announced, sarcasm hidden within his words.
There was no response from Athrun Zala, as the said Coordinator was rather well-accustomed to Dearka's taunting remarks; and Yzak's criticizing comments on his actions. Nicol wisely choose to remain silent while Melody glances around the surrounding, looking for her sister -- Michelle.
She was about to ask Yzak, when she spotted her sister hurrying towards her direction. The first thing, Michelle uttered when she arrived at the group was to apologize for sleeping through Melody's morning call.
"Sorry, I did not see your morning message until -- five minutes ago. " Michelle told her sister, with an apologetic look on her face.
"..." Melody eyed her sister strangely, "How could you have slept through that thing? Your alarm was set to the maximum volume, wasn't it? "
"Well... yeah, but... apparently, I did managed to sleep through the whole alarm. Right, and you called me about, ten minutes ago? What's up? " Michelle responded, with a shrug.
Melody tried to come up with something annoying to shoot back at her sister, but could find none. Finally, she sighed and told her sister that she would tell her, at a later point of time. After all, she could not blunt out the fact that Athrun was stranded on the same island as Cagalli Yula Attha -- their ORB Princess.
Michelle shrugged, before handing Athrun's gift over to the blue-haired pilot. The said pilot blinked in bewilderment, but his doubts were cleared off as Michelle told him that it was actually his belated Valentine's gift.
Athrun thanked Michelle for the gift, before heading off to the medic wing to change his wounds dressing. As soon as Athrun left the site, Nicol followed suit. Meanwhile, Yzak and Dearka were off somewhere else -- to do whatever they had in mind to do, now that -- Athrun was back with them.
"Now shoot! What happened? " Michelle asked her sister, in a hushed whisper.
Melody glanced around their surroundings, satisfied that there was no one listening on to their conversation. She revealed what she witnessed back on the island, while Nicol was busy conversing with Athrun.
"Apparently, Athrun was stranded on the same island with Cagalli. The wound that Athrun received had something to do with Cagalli -- I suspect, how else -- would anyone be able to shoot Athrun? ... Since, his skills was ranked top within the ZAFT Military. " Melody summarized.
"Hm..m, True... We shall see, then. " Michelle responded, before heading off to locate the four pilots.
---
The two sisters then proceed over to the lounge, where they knew the ZAFT pilots had a tendency to hang around. Upon arrival, they were not surprised to find the group of four pilots waiting for their arrival.
"Where did the two of you went off to? " Dearka asked, with a frown.
"Washroom. " Michelle replied, automatically -- not giving Melody a chance to speak.
Dearka blinked, "Washroom? Haven't you been visiting it -- since early this morning? Why are you visiting the washroom -- so frequently? "
The blond was baffled, Michelle merely raised an eyebrow at Dearka. "Was there anything wrong about visiting the washroom? How was I supposed to know why my bladder kept on getting full ... ? "
"Right, can we shift the topic of conversation elsewhere? Sitting down here in the lounge -- discussing the reason behind Michelle's tendency to frequent the washroom every half an hour, was not our main reason for the meeting. "
Athrun's voice broke into Dearka and Michelle's arguement, while Michelle shrugged and took a seat next to the pilot of 'Duel'.
A few minutes later, someone brought up the issue of the Archangel battle with the Morassim Team near the Indian Ocean. Athrun admitted that his transport plane was caught in the cross-fire and managed to get shot by the battling Skygrapser. That was why he had ended up being stranded on that inhabitated island amidst the Indian Ocean.
Eventually, Athrun brought up the topic of their next actions at defeating the Archangel. It was decided that they will be assigned a Land Resseps Class Battlefleet (ZAFT); and they will be meeting its' crew members at the port -- in half an hour's time. They will be setting off that very afternoon -- once the fleet was done with its' last minute preparation check.
---
The group of six arrived at the port earlier than expected, and thus -- decided to wait around, until the fleet was done with its' last minute check. No one bothered to ask for Michelle and Melody's identity for -- neither of them dared to cross the four ZAFT elites soldiers path. However, something unexpected happened that afternoon.
Adrian Mckenzie, the cousin of Rusty Mckenzie -- happens to be one of the crew members on board the battlefleet assigned to the Zala's team. Initially, he was just minding his own business. However, he had glanced up in time to notice the pair of Naturals' siblings dressed in the ZAFT uniforms and had exclaimed their names in shock.
Apparently, the group of six heard his exclaimation. Despite being told repeatively, not to acknowledge any other ZAFT personnels' call -- Michelle and Melody turned towards the direction -- which they heard their names being uttered.
The sight of Adrian Mckenzie eyeing them with incredibility in his eyes, the two sisters shared a look among themselves -- before sighing in defeat.
"Why was it always the same? Regardless of where we go, we met up with distant relatives or friends? Earlier on, it was Miguel... and now, Adrian... " Michelle muttered under her breath.
Turning towards Adrian, Michelle asked. "What are you doing here? "
Adrian shot her an 'obvious' look, before asking. "Shouldn't that be my question for the two of you? Speaking of which, care to explain your current attire? "
Melody sighed, while Michelle cursed under her breath. "Long story... "
Adrian, refused to give up the notion of pressing for answers -- responded. "Then cut the story short... "
Michelle threw the former a look of annoyance, "In short, Heliopolis got attacked. We were caught in the cross-fire, being seen by a few of these pilots behind us. They took us back, supposed to be taken hostage. Miguel saw us... vouched for us, and we were then given free roam on board. Were nearly enlisted in ZAFT -- but turned down in time. "
"..." Adrian stared, words failed him. "Woah... impressive. In that case, you are in luck. Captain Norman happens to be the person-in-charge of this fleet... "
Michelle and Melody shared a common look among themselves, and turned back to Adrian with questioning eyes.
"Serious? Honestly? " They asked in unison.
Adrian smiled wryly, "Yes, perfectly honest and serious. So, I guess you guys still had the 'lady luck' with you... "
The four ZAFT elite pilots stared on in bewilderment, as the two Naturals siblings punched the air in victory. Adrian, in the meantime, observed the scene with amusement in his eyes as he went off to locate the Captain -- alerting the former that the pilots' had arrived.
A few minutes later, the Captain came forth and greeted the four ZAFT elites. However, as soon as his eyes landed upon the two lower ranking female officers behind the four pilots -- he became speechless.
"... Are we really that stunning? Why are you not saying anything, Uncle Norman? " Michelle piped up, cheerfully.
"Erm...No wonder, Adrian told me to keep my jaw from slacking. Never mind the explanation, he had filled me in the edited version of your experience -- Michelle... " Captain Norman greeted, with mixed emotions on his face.
After a while, Captain Norman mumbled something about the pair of sisters had incredible luck when it comes down to situations as such. Melody and Michelle shared a common look before grinning, that was something that they agreed.
"Excuse me for asking, but can anyone please do explain what was going on? " Nicol's voice could be heard among the commotion.
Turning back to Nicol, while trying to reign in her laughter. Melody said, "We will explain everything while on board. "
"Huh?"
"Don't worry, I promised you guys that everything will be explained once abroad. There are things that we could not reveal here ... Speaking of which, if the Captain happened to be Uncle Norman... and the crew members consisted of Adrian... Does that means? " Michelle left her question, hanging in the air.
Adrian, whom was nearby -- and heard her unfinished question and answered for the Captain. "Yes, that's right... Aside from the Captain and myself, I think you two practically knew at least half the crew members on board. "
"I assume Sheryl was on board as the medic? " Michelle asked, since she had a feeling she would be needing constant help from the fellow medic -- in future.
"Erm... Yes, why? " Adrian asked, feeling baffled by Michelle's sudden query.
"Oh... nothing, just in case -- I need her for something. " Michelle answered, still beaming.
"Yeah, right. Now get on board... we are leaving soon. " Adrian told Michelle, whom skipped happily on board.
---
Once on board, Dearka requested for a room to himself. To which, Athrun had looked over to Yzak whom shrugged and responded. "Suit himself... "
It was then decided that, Melody get a room to herself -- and Athrun shared a room with Nicol, still. Michelle chose to bunk in with Yzak, to the aghast of Adrian -- and Dearka get a room to himself.
"Michelle... what would your mother think if she saw you, now? " Adrian voiced aloud.
"Hm...m, I don't think she will mind much. This was not the first time, anyway. Besides, you do not have the right to criticize on my decisions -- haven't you done the exact same thing as myself, some time ago? " Michelle responded, eyeing Adrian suggestively.
The former turned beet red with embarrassment, "You did not... "
"Oh... I sure did... " Michelle mused, grinning mischieviously.
"Good gracious, please do not tell my parents... or anyone else for that matter... " Adrian shot desperate glances at Michelle, whom shrugged and commented.
"Well... only if you do not tell anyone of my actions as well. " Michelle replied, smirking devilishly.
"Fine, Deal! " Adrian muttered under his breath, "Why do I get you as my distant-related cousin anyway... "
"No idea, that was something you had to ask your father... or grandfather, for that matter. " Michelle mused aloud.
With that, Michelle followed Athrun and the rest to the lounge -- whereby, Melody shall do the honors of explaining to the ZAFT pilots.
---
Venue: Pilots' Lounge
Time: 1300 Hrs
---
"Right, Michelle ... please close the door as you come in. Thank you. " Melody told Michelle, whom was the last to enter the room.
Turning to the four pilots, Melody asked. "Are you people ready for the explanation? "
"Sure, go ahead. I am sure dying of curiosity. " Dearka piped up, all the recent happenings was giving him a headache.
Yzak remained silent, while Athrun stared between the two girls in deep thoughts. Nicol, meanwhile, was waiting patiently for Melody to start explaining the current situation.
"Alright then, as you know... the mother of Miguel Ayman -- happened to be our Aunt on our Father's side. Now, Adrian and Rusty were part of the Mckenzies' clan -- and they were cousins. However, they were also our cousins ... "
Melody's eyes scanned the expressions on the four pilots' face and groaned inwardly. "I think Michelle could explain the situation better than I could... "
After which, four pair of curious eyes and one pair of desperate eyes turned towards Michelle for further elaboration.
Michelle sighed. "To make things simpler, both my parents were Naturals. I think that was pretty clear. However, may I added the fact that both my families had complex family tree. Especially, those on my mother's side. "
"Perhaps, I should draw them out. " With that, Michelle went over to the side -- and punched in the pincode to the bridge, seeking some papers and pens from them.
A few moments later, Adrian walked in with the papers and pens which Michelle requested. "Are you trying to explain our relationship to them? Their heads will still swell with information overload, you know? "
"Yes, but they are not giving up without a fight... " Michelle responded, dryly.
"Well... good luck, then. " Adrian stated, before leaving them alone.
After which, Michelle started drawing and labeling something on the papers given to her. Eventually, the result resembled something as the following:
Their father, Matthew Haw married Miyako Seiran and had the four of them. Namely, Mirialla; Michelle and Melissa (twins) and Melody Haw. In the meantime, their Aunt Margaret married Miguel's father and had both Miguel and Steven Ayman. Their youngest Aunt -- Agnes Haw married into the Mckenzie Clan; whom was a sub-branch family of their mother's family.
Their maternal great - grandfather had a wife and a mistress, the mistress -- Madison Mckenzie happened to be a Co-ordinator while his lawful wife, happened to be a Natural. That was eventually how the Mckenzie clan started -- therefore, that was how they ended up with the Aymans and the Mckenzies' as their cousins.
"What of the Normans? " Nicol then asked.
"Simple, Minako Seiran -- our youngest Aunt from our maternal side married Captain Norman. Thus, we were related. " Michelle explained, as she took a sip of the glass of water that belongs to Yzak.
"According to what you said, the Mckenzies were originally Co-ordinators -- but after the so-called affair, there was a mixture of half blooded Coordinators and full blooded Coordinators with some Naturals mixed in between? " Athrun summarized, the whole explanation into a paragraph.
Michelle grimaced, "Exactly... that was why I was having a headache on how to explain those complicated and messed up relations in my family tree. "
"Woah! That was bloody complicated... " Dearka muttered aloud, "no wonder -- that technician was saying that you two had the 'lady luck' with you".
"I was baffled about the reason why you two knew Miguel and Rusty, I guess -- now I got the idea. " Nicol commented, after Michelle's explanation.
---
After the lengthy explanation, Michelle excused herself to the washroom. In the meantime, the four pilots were trying to cope with the number of information with regards to the girls' relationship with their fellow comrades of the ZAFT Military.
At the same time, the Archangel was battling the awaiting ZAFT Forces along the straits of Malacca.
The Zala's team received news about the ongoing battle and immediately set off for the venue, however, it seems like the engines of the submarines carrier was faulty that ended up with them missing out on the actions of the battle. Since, by the time they had arrived along the straits of Malacca -- they were too late; for the Archangel had escaped in prior.
Michelle and Melody arrived at the bridge to check out the current situation, only to find Yzak fuming mad in one corner.
"The Archangel escaped? " Michelle asked, as she took in the pilots' expressions.
"Well... I shall take the silence as agreement then. By the way, there's no use standing around here... I'm sure Captain Norman would inform us if they spotted the Archangel around. " Michelle told the fuming Yzak, as she pulled the former away from the bridge.
When the said Coordinator refused to move, Michelle threw the fellow pilot a death glare which promptly get the other's co-operation.
Captain Norman, whom was witnessing the sight, was trying hard to stop his laughter from erupting. It seems like the fellow pilot had managed to get himself trapped under his niece's charms.
Looking over to the other side, he found Melody conversing with the green-haired pilot and mused. It certainly would appeared in a way that both the ZAFT elites pilots had got themselves smitten by both her nieces.
"Yeah, you youngsters go on and have fun. I will tell you people when I get the information on the Archangel whereabouts. Speaking of which, Michelle -- why don't you and Melody show them around? I believed it would be safe enough to rise above the water -- for now. You two grown up in ORB, and should be able to point them around the area -- since we are now along the straits of Malacca." Captain Norman, suggested.
"Well... Sure! " Michelle responded, cheerfully as she pulled Yzak along for the deck.
---
Upon arrival on the deck, Michelle took off the ribbon which binds her long hair into a ponytail and allow her hair to flow with the wind's direction.
"Hm...m, such a nice feeling... Finally, I'm home! " Michelle commented, smiling as she relaxed herself -- for the first time ever; since she arrived on Earth.
Previously, she was always been cautious around -- not wanting to arouse any suspicions from the others. However, since she was now traveling with the Norman's team -- whom just happened to be one of her uncles related by marriage; she supposed she could let her hair down, and relaxed once in a while.
Melody mirrored Michelle's actions, and allowed herself to feel the breeze of the wind and heaved a sigh of relief.
"I certainly missed the feeling of having such strong wind blowing against my face. It's been such a long time... how long have we been gone? " Melody asked Michelle, whom was now eyeing the calm water with a joyful expression on her face.
"Hm...m, about a year ... I think? Cannot be certain, since I left home much earlier than you do. Spend about two months in the Plants, and one month on the Lunar City before heading over to Heliopolis. Oh, let's not forget the fact that -- I spend about a week in Alaska, Australia -- Melbourne and New York City; before heading back to ORB and took the shuttle back up to the space." Michelle replied.
Melody blinked, "You spend one whole month on Earth in those countries before heading up to Space? After which, you first visited Plants for two months; and stayed a month in the Lunar City before heading up to Heliopolis and joined myself and Mirialla?"
"Yeah, why? " Michelle questioned, frowning momentarily -- wondering why her younger sister was so stunned by the fact.
"... Why had you not told me in advance? No wonder ... you managed to worm your way around the Plants as though you had stayed there for some time... " Melody mused.
"Well... I did stayed there for a while, didn't I?" Michelle mumbled, softly.
---
to be continued
Date started: 11/04/06
Date completed: 11/04/06
date revised: 10/12/06