Love Trials

Chapter IX: Imprisonment
*** Three Months Ago ***

Dearka watched as the sights of Olofat city passed him. The Capital of Orb, the place would always have a special place in his heart. He knew he would remember it fondly until the day he died, even if that day came sooner rather than later. When they arrived at the shuttle port Dearka was taken to a private area where they would leave for Carpentaria base, and later the PLANTs. When they sat on the shuttle he was left alone with Yzak. His father and the other soldier sat in the front while the other two sat in the back. Maybe it was a bit of his father's kindness, allowing him on last chat with his friend.

"Did you know?" Dearka whispered.

"Not at first" He revealed. "Hahnenfuss told me shortly before we arrived, at that point it was too late to warn you."

"Would you have?" He asked looking at him from the corner of his eye. "I am a traitor after all"

"I'll deny I ever said this but… you were right. The PLANTs had gone too far. You fought to protect them just as much as I did right up until the end. But they will never see it that way."

"I realize that." Dearka confessed. "Guess this is the end. It was an honor fight alongside you"

When they arrived in the PLANTs Dearka was quickly taken away by other officers to the Aprilius One base. Yzak departed for the base as well. Upon arrival he was instructed that he would be taking his mother's place on the council for the time being, including voting rights.

Dearka walked down the empty halls of the base. His hands freshly re-tied against his back. He was being guided with guns pointing at him. He held his head high as he passed many soldiers of different ranks. It wasn't the first time he had been in a situation like this. But being a prisoner this time was different. Last time he didn't know what fate held in store for him, this time he knew. Once he was officially found guilty the penalty would be his life. But even knowing this he refused to let them see him flinch.

When they reached the cell the commanding officer in charge of the soldiers watching over him excused them. "You are all dismissed, I will take the first watch. Major Allard you will take the next watch in four hours time."

"Yes Sir" The soldiers said saluting before they left.

The commander walked slowly into the cell where Dearka stood. He gave him a look of hate. "So you going to remove these?" Dearka questioned referring to the ropes tightly around his wrists. But instead the commander grabbed hold of his shirt and threw him hard against the wall, knocking the wind out of him. "Ah" Dearka gasped as his body hit the floor hard. "What the hell?" He asked as he tried to get up.

He was stopped when the commander started stomping on his already bruised chest. Dearka screamed out in pain as he moved on to kicking him in the stomach then face. When he was finally finished Dearka laid there with broken ribs, bloody and bruised. "You are a disgrace to your people." The commander spat in disgust before leaving him all alone on the floor.

Dearka tried to move but he was still tied and now injured. So instead he laid there trying to endure the pain.

*** Two and a Half Months Later ***

Kristen Elsman stormed down the halls of the Aprilius One base, her husband following close behind. Soldiers saluted quickly as they passed. She looked angry and full of determination. She only just discovered her son was in the PLANTs. Her husband had managed to keep it a secret for a long time, but she could tell he was hiding something. When she discovered what it was they were on the first shuttle to Aprilius.

They made their way down the hallway where the prison cells were. Standing guard were two young privates. When they spotted them they quickly saluted. "Move aside" She commanded.

"S-sorry Ma'am… but we have direct orders from Commander Chamberlain not to let anyone through" one of them stuttered.

"Guess you haven't heard. Commander Chamberlain was just charged with being one of radicals responsible in the death of former Chairman Siegel Clyne. As such he has been striped of his position and awaiting trial." She informed him. "Now move aside and let me see my son!"

"Ma'am if that is true you are still just a civilian you don't have the authority to make that decision"

Turning around she gave her husband a pleading look. Reluctantly he said "Do as my wife says"

"Yes Sir" They replied saluting.

They quickly unlocked it and Kristen walked inside. Hearing her scream Tad ran in after her. He was shocked at the sight. There his wife was kneeling at Dearka side crying. His body looked limp. He was unconscious and covered in dry blood.

"Who did this?!" He demanded angry at seeing his distort wife.

"W-we don't know. We were under orders never to enter the cell..."

"By who?" he spat

"C-commander Chamberlain sir"

"Tad we can't leave him her." she begged through her tears. "He needs medical attention. He doesn't look like he's hasn't eaten in awhile. Don't let his last days be like this"

*** A Week Later ***

Dearka slowly opened his eyes. He felt groggy and tired. Hearing a beeping noise he looked over. There he saw a heart rate monitor. "Where am I?" he questioned to himself. Feeling a sudden pounding headache he attempted to reach up only to be stopped by a handcuff attaching his wrist to the side of the bed. He couldn't help but be confused.

"You're awake." Hearing a voice he turned his head towards the window. There leaning against the wall was Yzak. "The man who did this to you has been arrested on other charges. We've ensured his treatment of you has been added to his list of offenses." He explained.

He just stared at Yzak. He was wearing a white ZAFT uniform. Dearka couldn't help but be surprised. "You're a commander now" Was his only response.

"Yes… not that it can do me any good. I tried my best… but your trial is still happening. I couldn't get any of the charges dropped. You only have a few weeks"

"It's… okay Yzak." He said smiling at his friend. "I've had a lot of time to think, and I think it will be all ok."

"If they find you guilty"

"They will… I've already accepted that." Dearka replied with conviction in his voice. "Which is why I need you to do something for me. I know you have a vote towards what happens to me. And when you do vote… say that I am guilty"

"Dearka you're insane! There is no way that I'm doing that!" He insisted.

"You have to Yzak, for your own safety. You are new to the council. This is not the time to rock the boat. I'm sure you've caused enough of an uproar by moving me here. They all already have their minds made up about me. This trial, is merely formality. My own father is going to vote guilty. If you stand against that you're just going to put your own loyalty into question."

"I'm not going to be responsible for you dieing!" Yzak argued.

"You're not. One vote can't change this. They need someone to blame. I'm just the easy choice right now. I'm going to be sentenced anyways, so promise you will be on the side of the vote you need to be on to make a difference in the future."

"You can't expect me to do that. You are my friend" Yzak said angry.

"I'm a traitor. You've said and believed it once you just need to convince yourself of it again." Silence grew between them. Yzak couldn't even look at his friend after such a request. Finally after some time Dearka asked "How did you get me moved here anyway?"

"It was on your father's orders" he informed him. Dearka looked confused until Yzak added. "Of course he was following the orders of your mother."

"Please tell me she didn't see me like this"

"I'm sorry"

"I was hoping he would have been able to keep it from her." Dearka said honestly. "I didn't want her to find out I was alive only to discover I would die soon."

Yzak was about to reply when a young woman in a ZAFT uniform came to the door. She saluted him before entering. Dearka recognized her immediately, she was the female soldier involved in his arrest. "Commander Joule I'm here to relieve you"

"Thank you… Hahnenfuss" Dearka could hear the nervousness in his voice. It was as if there was more going on between them. It didn't take a genius to figure out what was going on.

Once Yzak was gone he spoke. "I suppose you were listening to everything outside the door"

"And if I was?" She spat.

"Then you know I'm right" Dearka said looking towards the girl. "My trial has been set. In two weeks I will stand in front of the council and plead my case. But we both know it will be futile. You need to convince that man of yours to vote against me no matter what."

"M-my man?" She blurted.

"Please, don't act all shocked. I could see it as soon as you walked into the room. Yzak Joule doesn't lose his cool around anyone, yet with you he was practically stuttering."

"I'm just his subordinate."

"But you were more, am I right?"

"That doesn't matter anymore"

"You hold power over him still, I can tell. He holds on hard to his feelings. It how he forged through the war with such passionate anger. If you ever meant a little something to him, than you still do. So convince him to vote against me."

"If he does, if you die… he'll blame me or himself." she argued.

"And what good will it do if he votes to save me?" Dearka snapped back. "It will show them that now matter what bullshit I pull his true allegiance will always be to me. He is a proud ZAFT soldier and always will be. But if he votes for me his career and life as a soldier will be over. They will destroy him. You need to save him from himself!"

"You really think it will be that easy to convince him. Just like that I'm suppose to walk up to him and tell him you're right."

"I'm sure with a bit of womanly charm you can convince him." He said seriously. "After all Yzak, at heart, is just a horny teenage boy with way too much power at his fingertip. And a beautiful girl such as yourself can use that to your advantage." Shiho blushed at this. Was he actually asking her to sleep with her commander to get him to do what he wanted?

"Like I said before that's part of our lives together is over. He is my commander nothing more now." she protested.

"Fine if that is what you want. But a little advice… if you care about him as anything more than a friend then don't let him being your superior officer stop you. Lie, cheat, steal, do whatever it takes to enjoy every moment you can together. Because you never know when life is going to snatch you away from each other."

"He won't betray you."

"If he goes against my wishes then he will"