Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed, the characters, plot, setting, yadda yadda, etc. etc. (I don't even own the manga for crying out loud)

OH! And possible yaoi warning. Also, implied shounen-ai and yaoi! (Nothing overt, but the innuendos are there and they might progress, depends on my mood)

FINALLY!

Gawd, I had this chapter done last night. But my computer had issues and the person who tried to help me solve them put it out of commission for double the time it should have been.

-.-

I'm still pissed at him.

And…the chapter sux, considering I did it so long after the other, but I figure I didn't really structure this one before I wrote it so that might also have a hand. I did manage to avoid the awkwardness of a different scene though, one I was thinking about putting in.

Didn't make it off the press, thank the lord.

I think many people will be surprised by what happens in the first part. XD
Not one person who reviewed said they thought this would happen.
But hey, I thrive on being unpredictable.

Oh! And registered reviewers get a special preview summary for the next chapter!.

Italics means thoughts

Bold means….other stuff.

Last time:

The person below was the ZAFT soldier, the escaped prisoner responsible for the pending punishment and current lock down.

He was approaching the Strike, most likely with the intention to steal it and escape.

And Kira was the only person in a position to stop him.

But…would he?

Nicol's New Fate

Chapter 8: Decision

-----------------------

The strange little mechanical bird chirped gaily as it circled Nicol's head, emitting a sound resembling the word 'birdie'.

He laughed at the light irony and paused in his trek momentarily to catch his breath, panting and bending over slightly.

He was nervously happy, twitching at every noise as he finally allowed a serious hope to worm its way into his mind.

But that doesn't mean I'm not still at risk.

With a sigh, he leant against the giant foot of his intended escape vehicle.

Just a moment to rest. I'm going to need all my energy to hack the Strike and make it all the way out. The hard part is done, considering the soldiers all seem to be looking for me elsewhere, but the trial isn't finished. I can't get cocky. But he couldn't wipe the glint out of his eyes or the smile from his face.

To think, less then 2 hours ago he was a prisoner on one of the most feared Earthen warships! Now he was alive, healing, untortured, and escaping with their primary weapon, not to mention important information garnered when he'd hacked the computer.

His smile faded at the thought of just what the information was. The contradiction between the recorded report and the crew's comments was worrisome and confusing, especially with the discrepancies on the fates of Athrun, Yzak, and Dearka. And the Aegis had been the only damaged MS, so if any single person hadn't made it, it would be Athrun. Plus, the teenagers he'd eavesdropped on said the Aegis was taken down.

Not to mention the boy. Kira Yamato…a coordinator. How could nobody know there was a coordinator in the Legged Ship?

"I think that's enough rest." He levered his damaged body off the Gundam, stumbling slightly before gaining balance.

"Birdie!"

"Whoa! Little one, I didn't even see you there!" he would have jumped if he'd been in better condition.

The mechanical creature was perched a few feet away, seeming to watch Nicol. A vague stirring of unease made him regard it more closely, looking for something…

"You couldn't possibly be a hidden security measure, right? I mean, you're not exactly low profile or inconspicuous (as a bird on a ship). Not to mention your tiny eyes wouldn't pick up much as view screens and your body is too small to house the kind of system naturals usually make. No, not a security system."

So focused was the young escapee that he didn't notice the lithe, quiet figure descending the catwalks far above.

"But…you seem familiar. I wonder why?" he attempted to adopt a perplexed posture, folding his arms and cocking his head at the mechanical pet, but winced halfway through and gingerly replaced his arms at his sides.

"That's probably what's making me nervous. Now what was I thinking about that you could possibly relate to? Athrun maybe?" He frowned. "Why would you remind me of him? It can't be, but I'm sure you two are connected somehow." He slowly held out a hand, urging the bird to hop up.

"Birdie?"

"Tch!" instead of obeying the implied request, the machine took flight, drawing a startled and annoyed grunt from Nicol.

Faulty artificial intelligence, no doubt made by a natural. Unless it's like the haros Athrun made for Lacus. In that case, it'd have too much of an AI (1) and too little programming.

"That's what you remind me of! Athrun's creations!"

"Athrun?"

WHAT?

The whisper was almost inaudible, but enough to bring Nicol to his senses and trigger the inner alarm inherent in every soldier.

Who is…!

Before he could turn or even speak, a hard object descended on his head with a muted 'thwump' of metal on flesh.

The sound followed him into unconsciousness and away from his only chance at freedom.

Kira caught the boy gently as he collapsed, mindful of the bandaged injuries. The original plan had been to go get help, but then he'd remembered his confined state and the reason for it. No good would come of running for help if the prisoner escaped and implicated him anyways.

While the soldier was distracted with Tori, Kira snuck down form the catwalk, taking his time in order to remain silent.

He'd waited with bated breath to be seen, but the green haired coordinator didn't seem to be any more of a soldier then Kira was; he'd forgotten to check his surrounding and remain under cover. It had not been hard to sneak up behind the youth as he faced the Gundam. Admittedly, the outburst about Athrun and the haros had been a surprise, but not enough to compromise the mission.

Ruefully, Kira touched the lump on the boys' head, an unwanted addition to his collection of injuries, probably the only one caused by a gun.

Well, the butt of a gun anyways.

He hadn't wanted to use force, but when the ZAFT soldier began to turn around, he panicked and just…reacted. Not to mention it was the only way to capture him without using bullets and the business end of the weapon.

Heh, guess I don't know how to use a gun right. Just like Cagalli said when we were helping the Desert Tiger. But it's because I've refused to learn, not because I'm remedial. It's just…I already watch enough people die without involving personal weaponry.

After considering for a moment, Kira slung his once-again-captive into his arms with one hand under his shoulders and the other under his knees, being careful not to bump him unnecessarily, and walked the hundred feet or so to the phone Murdoch had been contacted on.

He was pretty sure this counted as an emergency.

Mwu La Flaga was, overall, a nice guy. Clean, funny, dedicated, good looking, and fortuitous with the ladies, he'd always considered himself a lucky person. As a result, he usually smiled and made a point to be congenial with everyone he had the delight to meet.

But not today.

Goddammit, can anything else go wrong?

So far, the prisoner had escaped, not once but twice, Badgerule had shouted herself near hoarse at the captain's decision on how to deal with the boy (and he'd as next in the chain of command, been forced to stay and listen), and crewmen had been at fault in both the escapes. As if that wasn't bad enough, Kira was punished severely for his mistake, an action that weighed both Mwu and Murrue down with guilt and Natarle with misguided justification.

I wonder he thought dryly, waiting for a report at the prisoner's second point of escape in hallway C. He'd ordered five squads composed mostly of mechanics and guards to fan out and search for the youth and report back when they had positive proof of his location. Why the other two guards aren't being chewed out. The boy actually escaped from them.

It wasn't much of a question. He knew the reason Murrue had punished Kira was because of his race and, regrettably, knew he probably would have done exactly the same in her position. Kira was a great kid and Mwu was ready and willing to trust him with his life (already had on many occasions) but the fact still remained that he was a coordinator and every soldier that had been through the Earthen Military Academy (2) had had an instinctual mistrust towards all genetically enhanced humans drilled into their soul. The simple fact was that any coordinator; no matter if they were Earthen, ZAFT, or neutral; was much more of a threat then any natural.

And Kira was already on thin ice for refusing to destroy the Blitz during the battle.

"Lieutenant!"

"Captain?" adopting his usual rakish grin, Mwu settled back in feigned relaxation as a pretty brunette sauntered towards him, trying a little too hard to act casual.

"Any word on the prisoner?"

La Flaga sighed deeply, blond bangs swinging slightly as he shook his head.

"No. I've set up search teams and they've scoured most of the ship in the past hour, but the kid escaped three hours before that. Plenty of time to find a place to hide."

"Oh." Her deflated voice made him smirk slightly. No matter how low his own spirits sunk, he was always ready to comfort a pretty woman in distress.

"What's wrong?" he stood straight, coming to a halt just barely far enough away to be considered decent. "If it's about the prisoner, don't worry. We'll have him under wraps in no time. I mean, hey, he's wounded and we're on a ship in the middle of the ocean!"

"It's not about him."

"Now, now, I thought I said don't be upset. Do you need some extra comfort?" the playful twinkle in his eyes and revived grin on his face made the teasing implication evident.

"Lieutenant!" but she was losing a fight against a smile and blushing brightly. "That's out of line! What I came down here to inform you on was that we're approaching Orb, and fast. We'll arrive within the hour." Though still amused, her eyes were now anxious. Mwu couldn't bear to let her know the truth.

"No sweat! We'll have the prisoner back far before that!"

"Thank you Lieutenant."

"Sure thing Cap'n. Can I ask you a question?"

"What?"

"Why did you feel the need to come down here yourself to tell me? Miss me?"

She laughed slightly. "Don't get cocky. I just had to get away from Natarle for a few minutes."

"Ah."

He waited for her to turn the corner before groaning and collapsing against the wall. Orb? Now? Not good, not at all. If they made the dock before the prisoner-Amarfi, was it? - had been found, they most likely would not find him at all. He'd escape into Orb along with valuable information on the Archangel and its personnel. Especially Kira.

I wonder what would happen if the ZAFT officials found out the enemy MS that's been defeating their most elite squad is piloted by a coordinator. Nothing good, that's for sure. But then again, they might already know. I can't imagine that bastard La Creuset would go this long without finding out somehow.

Shaking himself out of his reverie, Mwu checked his receiver for any blinking lights to signal urgent calls, most likely with information on Amarfi's whereabouts.

"Not a thing. Dammit, I-huh?" A red light winked into existence on the right side of the small device. "Someone's found him! But I didn't assign anyone to that frequency…"

He pressed the button next to the blinker, connecting to the incoming call. "Hello?"

"Lieutenant La Flaga?"

"Kid? I didn't think you were part of the search crew."

"I'm not. Or at least I wasn't."

"What do you mean?"

"I was locked in the hangar per the captain's orders at the outset. I think Ens. Badgerule might have convinced her." Mwu had to grit his teeth to keep from growling. Kira was most likely right. Of all the racist bigots he'd had the doubtable honor of meeting, she was one of the worst. Well…not as bad as Azrael (3) or his cronies.

"I see. You alright? And what did you mean by you 'weren't' a part of the search crew? As in past tense?"

"Well…he sorta….the prisoner, you know…."

Mwu's eyes widened at a sudden flash of insight. The hangar, of course! But hadn't he assigned someone to search there? "And?"

"And, well, he showed up and tried…umm…he didn't really try anything but I immobilizedhimandnowIdon'tknowwhattodo!"

"Whoa! Repeat that please. SLOWLY."

"Y-yes sir. I sort of…immobilized him. And now I don't know what to do."

"You immobilized him? How?"

"I hit him in the head."

"Hang on Kid, don't go anywhere. I'll be with you in 3 seconds flat."

"Thank you sir."

As he disconnected and broadcast a new announcement to his team, the older soldier couldn't help shaking his head at the irony of the situation. Locked up and persecuted, Kira still served the people who hated him. Not the Archangel crew so much, but the Earthen Alliance overall.

Some times life just wasn't fair.

Nicol woke up slowly, twitching at the sound of unknown voices too close for comfort. He could sense maybe ten presences, but only two vaguely familiar ones were close.

"…work kid. Sorry about the conditions."

"It's alright sir, I understand." Why did the more familiar voice sound so meek?

"No, it's not alright. We all know what happened was a mistake, a grave one yes, but an honest mistake just the same."

Mistake?

"Ensign Badgerule sure doesn't seem to think so."

Ensign Badgerule? An image flashed into his mind of a dark haired and angry female natural spouting racist comments to a mess hall full of people.

"I'm not surprised and, to be honest, I doubt this is going to sway her very much."

"Probably not sir."

Crimson eyes tried to open, but only slitted before snapping closed again. Bright lights made his head throb unbearably. What did I get hit with? A bus?

"Well, I know something that might cheer you up! We're coming up on Orb, be there within the hour."

"Orb?" there was an undercurrent of excitement and relief in the Earthen coordinator's voice. There must be someone in Orb that he wants to see. (4)

"Yep! And get ready kid, cuz Badgerule can't keep you in this tub the whole trip!"

A slight laugh. "Thank you sir."

"No prob. Well, I'd better get this one down to the cells."

There was a slight, painful jostle as the arms under his shoulders and knees shifted him into someone else's embrace.

Waitaminute, he was being HELD?

Cells? I was recaptured! He felt like crying, but didn't dare. The two didn't seem to know he was awake and considering at least one would be angry when they found out, he wasn't going to tip them off. Not to mention crying might make his head hurt worse. What had happened?

"Sir? I hit him kind of hard. Do you think he'll be alright?"

"Ah, don't worry. He's a coor…umm, a soldier. He'll be fine. Don't waste your energy worrying about the welfare of the enemy."

"Yessir."

That's what happened? He hit me?

Several jarring steps later, his new captor was far away from the familiar presence of the boy and near the eight strange presences. Only once among them did the man turn around, the rocking motion causing deeper blackness to hedge Nicol's vision, foretelling unconsciousness yet again.

"Oh, and Ensign?"

Ensign? He was calling him kid a second ago. Why the change I wonder?

"Yes?"

"I'm going to see if I can get you on the prisoner's care roster. I'm sorry," and he truly did sound it, "but I think you're one of the few people on board able to subdue him if something goes wrong." Not to mention you won't beat him up every chance you get just for fun. The unspoken words hung in the air, most likely for the benefit of the others in the room.

"Yessir. I understand." He didn't sound very regretful.

"Alright then. Everything square between us?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Seeya later Kid. Keep your chin up."

"I will."

With those parting words, the older soldier, the natural, left the room carrying Nicol.

This time he'd personally make sure the ZAFT captive got locked up tight.

At the same time, far away:

"We're going in that?"

"Yes. It's called 'The Eternal'."

"How did they manage to build something so huge and…pink…in secret?"

"Same way they built the Justice and Freedom. And I don't think the pink will be staying."

"The what and the what?"

"The…it's classified."

"Pfeh, whatever. Is the Commander coming with us?"

"I don't know. Probably not, the Vesalius is his ship."

"Woot! Sign me up now!"

"Shut up Dearka."

"You're no fun. Ya know that Yzak?"

"Whatever. Athrun, when do we leave for Orb?"

"Tomorrow."

TBC.

REVIEW!

(1) AI-Artificial Intelligence. And the haros are the little mechanical ball creatures Athrun made for Lacus

(2) My own invention

(3) Leader of Blue Cosmos. Please let me know if I got his name wrong.

(4) Don't worry, this isn't an incest story. The two of them are just friends, like in the series.

Hmmmm….mrh. Not a great chapter, but I think that's because I did so long after the last chapter. I forgot the details.

Hope you liked it!

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