"This city's really beautiful! Recently, all we're seeing are either bases, mountains or the sea. It's a long time since the Minerva has docked at a place like this," said Arthur. Talia nodded her agreement.
"Yes, to be able to relax, while the ship is resupplied and repaired. I'm sure the crew's happy with that..." She then noticed a small entourage walking towards them.
"That is..."
"Shinn," shouted Lunamaria frantically. The boy wondered what the fuss was about.
"What is it?"
"Just hurry up! I heard that the Chairman's here!" The pair soon joined Athrun and Kira.
"What's Chairman Durandal doing at a place like this?"
"I heard that he's here on Earth to inspect and rally the troops. Apparently, he also wants to talk to us," replied Athrun. Lunamaria then noticed her team mate's untidy uniform.
"Shinn, button up your collar."
"I got ya." Unknown to the younger pilots, both Kira and Athrun were thinking of the idea of a private chat with Durandal. Interestingly, they had the same girl in mind as their topic of discussion; they just weren't prepared to see her look-alike performing on a stage nearby.
"Me.." Kira grabbed his friend's shoulder in time to clamp him up.
"Is that... Miss Lacus?" Lunamaria couldn't believe that the most popular idol in PLANT was here. Shinn looked at his team leader.
"Athrun, didn't you know that she's coming?" 'After all, she's your fiancee, isn't she,' thought the teen at the back of his mind.
"Er... you see..." Athrun couldn't come up with anything to explain himself.
"Well, he couldn't possibly have kept in contact with her. We're busy people, after all. Come! The Chairman's waiting for us." Athrun thanked his friend silently for his help. On the other hand, Kira wondered if the other Pink Princess was here as well...
The four red coats saluted Durandal. Rey and their captain had already met the chairman.
"Ah! It's been a while since we last met, Athrun, Kira and the others from the Minerva.."
"Lunamaria Hawke." The only female pilot of the lot reported her name proudly.
"Shinn Asuka." Durandal remembered that name.
"I've heard of your exploits in combat so far. Congratulations. An application for you to receive the Order of the Nebula has reached me."
"Thank... thank you." Lunamaria never thought that Shinn could actually blush; the girl had to hide her sniggers.
"The table's set up. Shall we..." As Kira was about to join the others, Durandal tapped his shoulder.
"Chairman?"
"She's here, Kira." The tone of Durandal's voice, together with his gaze, told Kira what he needed to know. His heart raced a little.
"After this, I'll take you to her room."
"Thank you."
"What did the Chairman have for you?" Being team leader, Athrun was seated right in the middle. Kira shook his head as he took his seat. Beside him, at the end of the table, was Lunamaria. Shinn's place was between Athrun and Rey, who took the other end. Gilbert and Talia were seated on the other side; both were proud of the five youths before them.
"I heard that the Impulse was instrumental in our victory a few days ago, although its first sortie was during the Armoury One incident. I'm impressed."
"You flatter me, Chairman. It was Athrun who came up with the plan. I was merely following orders." Modesty: another thing you don't get from Shinn Asuka that frequently.
"This city was liberated due to the hard work from all of you. I offer my gratitude on behalf of the people." Talia then remembered something.
"Chairman, are we any closer to a cease-fire, or even an end to the war?"
"Unfortunately, no. The EA showed no signs of relenting. As such, there's nothing we can do. Alas! It's far more difficult to make the decision to stop a war." The pilots were silent as they noted Durandal's disappointment.
"But..." Shinn wasn't sure if it was appropriate for him to share his view.
"Please, speak your mind."
"Although I know that stopping the war is important, if we're threatened by the enemy, there's no other choice. We must fight when we have to; otherwise, we can't even protect ourselves. ZAFT must protect ordinary civilians who are trying to live their lives normally and peacefully!"
"Yet, the question remains: Why must this war continue?" The chairman steepled his fingers.
"Do all of you know that there are people who think of war as an enterprise, and create conflicts because of that?" The pilots shook their heads.
"Such people benefit from wars; as long as they continue to scheme in the shadows, peace will just be a dream." Kira knew that there were others who did not benefit from wars, but derive satisfaction from people killing each other because of their own twisted minds. Rau Le Creuset was merely an extreme example; Kira had no doubt that there were others like him... Suddenly, Durandal chuckled.
"Look at me! This meal's supposed to be a light-hearted one. Pardon me for bringing up such an inappropriate topic." He then gave the signal for the food to be served...
After the meal, the group was walking down a hallway when...
"Athrun!!" A chirpy "Lacus" was running towards them.
"There you are! I'm so happy to see you again!"The girl gave a surprised Athrun a bear hug.
"Wait a minute.." Athrun tried to keep the girl away from him. Durandal thought that it was time for him to make his announcement.
"I was just about to tell all of you that you may rest in this hotel tonight. Lacus, you should have dinner with Athrun. After all, it's rare for both of you to meet."
"Thank you, Chairman. I'll make the reservations!" Before Athrun could protest, Gilbert had something else for the FAITH pilots; he asked them to follow him. They stopped at a secluded corner of the garden.
"I heard that the Archangel has left Orb." Kira heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing the news, while Athrun was just a little surprised.
"I know that both of you fought alongside the ship in the last war. It's a good thing that she would not be pitted against ZAFT this time." Athrun's thoughts returned to Cagalli. With the Archangel's departure, none of her friends were now by her side. He prayed for the Representative's well-being.
"If the ship tries to contact any of you, could you let me know? PLANT needs this ally." Both pilots nodded in reply.
"Then, please excuse us, Athrun. Kira has another important appointment. Anyway, I think Lacus's waiting for you." The girl was seated on a nearby bench, playing with her Haro. As the two left, Athrun wondered about what this "important appointment" could be. He looked at Meer. Could it be...
Later...
"Chairman, is she alright," asked the brunette as they stepped out of the elevator.
"I believe that it's best for her to comment on that herself, Kira." The pair walked to the end of the hallway, where two guards were standing before the door to a suite. They saluted their guests. As he returned the salute, Kira noticed that the storey they were on was unusually deserted; it must have been the chairman's plan, he thought. Durandal knocked on the door.
"Come in." It was her, no doubt about that. The Chairman opened the door and motioned for Kira to enter.
Inside, Lacus was looking out of the window at the night sky. She turned around. When she saw who her guests were, her heart raced. Durandal gave a slight bow, before leaving the room. Of course, he remembered to close the door discreetly behind him; the lovers should be left alone, for now.
Kira stared at the girl in front of him. Lacus's outfit reminded him of the day where he first wore the ZAFT red coat. Similarly, Lacus's thoughts returned to that day which changed her, and Kira's, life forever. The Pink Princess gave Kira a deep embrace. It was a while before anyone spoke.
"How have you been?"
"Fine, although...I missed you." Lacus knew that she shouldn't let the boy worry about her, not with his other priorities.
"Me too." The girl then noticed the badge near Kira's collar. The FAITH pilot explained its significance to Lacus.
There was another knock on the door.
"Who could it be this time?" Kira found the interruption irritating; he didn't know when he could see Lacus again. He answered the door. It was one of the guards outside.
"Kira Yamato, I presume?" His voice was hushed, as if he was hiding something.
"How did you..."
"We'll talk inside." The guard's partner closed the door behind them. Inside, the guard bowed.
"I'm one of Captain Andrew Waltfeld's contacts. I'm sorry that we took so long to contact any of you. But, Miss Lacus's whereabouts weren't exactly easy to trace." The couple remembered the Tiger's words back in Orb.
"In that case, do you have news of Captain Waltfeld or the Archangel?" Kira needed to know where his other friends were.
"The captain's with the Archangel. They're trying to follow the Minerva, in secret of course. Lady Cagalli thought that it would be best to work along with you."
"Cagalli? Isn't she in Orb?"
"I don't know what the official line is. But, she's on board the Archangel. The Lady even got Captain Waltfeld to pass on that fact to us, so that we may relay it to Athrun Zala."
"Consider the message delivered." The guard bowed again before turning to Lacus.
"Miss Lacus, I hope that you will not let anyone else know of our presence around you. Some things are best kept secret."
"Of course. Please thank the captain on our behalf."
"Then, I leave both of you to your reunion." The couple was soon alone in the suite. Kira decided that he needed a long chat with Lacus; there were so many things which they needed to talk about...
Meanwhile...
"Athrun, did you see my concert earlier on? How was it?"
"...Yes, it was... uplifting." Athrun struggled to find the right words. They were now seated in the hotel's restaurant, their soups waiting in front of them. Although the boy didn't dislike Meer, he wished that he was somewhere else instead.
"Really?" Athrun could never understand why Meer was always excited.
"Is it alright for you... to become Lacus's replacement?" The girl quietened down, but her smile remained.
"Right now, the PLANTs need Lacus's strength. As Meer, I can't help anyone. But as Lacus, there are some things which I can do, and they are of help to everyone. Isn't it the same for you too, Athrun?"
"Eh?"
"Didn't you rejoin ZAFT because you want to accomplish the things which you are doing now? Are you having regrets?"
"Er... no." The boy reminded himself never to treat Meer like an airhead again.
"Many people were saved because of you, Athrun. In that battle, it was because of you that ZAFT succeeded. I may be able to sing, but I can't fight. You, and the rest of ZAFT, are fighting for those who can't defend themselves!"
"Perhaps, you're right. But, would that be enough?" Meer was now beaming from ear to ear.
"You're really greedy, Athrun. Isn't it enough to be able to do one important thing? Come, the soups are getting cold."
Later...
"Athrun, are you returning to your room now?" Meer was hugging the pilot's arm as they walked down the hallway. The boy was painfully aware of the stares they were drawing.
"Yes... That reminds me..."
"In that case..." Just then, Athrun saw his potential saviour.
"Heine!" The FAITH pilot was leaning on the balcony when he heard his name. He turned around.
"Ah, Athrun!" Heine then noticed the boy's companion. He saluted the idol.
"Miss Lacus, your concert today was an excellent one!" 'He seems a little high tonight. Is he drunk,' thought Athrun.
"Thank you."
"Well, this outsider should be leaving now! Surely, the couple wants some privacy.."
"Wait!" Athrun had no intention of letting the orange-haired youth go so easily.
"Athrun..."
"Lacus, I need to talk to him." Without waiting for a response, he grabbed Heine by the shoulder and half-dragged the older youth away, leaving the girl with some questions in her mind.
At the bar counter, the pilots ordered their drinks. Heine wasn't sure if Athrun had done the right thing.
"Maybe you shouldn't have dumped your fiancee just like that.."
"It's alright." Safe at last, thought Athrun.
"Oh, by the way, my transfer's been confirmed. After this holiday, I'll be on board your ship. Please guide me along," joked the youth.
"You're joining the Minerva?" Athrun didn't know how to react to the news.
"Yeap. My team would be disbanded." Heine paused to take a sip from his glass.
"If that's the case, you're drinking with your men just now?"
"One final time... How's Kira?" The youth remembered the boy who had stared at his unique hairstyle.
"He... had an appointment with the Chairman."
"I see. After all, he's a very special pilot." Upon hearing the comment, Athrun merely took a sip from his drink. But, his mind was thinking, 'How much did Heine know?'
"Relax, Athrun. It wasn't a secret that the Freedom fought against ZAFT in the last war; you just needed to hear the right stories..." Heine thought for a while before continuing.
"Are you a good friend of his?"
"The best." Athrun saw no need to hide this little fact; he could trust Heine. The youth smiled.
"It's always comforting to have your friends fighting along beside you. No one deserves to travel down any path alone."
"How true." The blue haired teen remembered that brief period where he and his friends were on opposite sides. In his mind, he thanked Lacus for reminding him of the things which were truly important...
Meanwhile...
"Kira?"
"I'm sorry. Did you say something?" The pilot was dozing off despite his efforts to stay awake. After all, the couple had been chatting for a long time now, and it was getting late.
"Maybe, you should rest. You must have had a long day today."
"It's alright. I'm fine, really." Lacus smiled and dropped her objections; Kira could be very stubborn at times. She waited. Sure enough, the teen soon fell fast asleep. The Pink Princess shook her head; falling asleep in a chair isn't good for you, she thought. Without waking him, Lacus proceeded to cover the boy with a blanket. As she pulled it up to his chest, she took a closer look at the FAITH pin.
"Good luck, both of you," prayed the Songstress. She then sat at the chair opposite, and kept a vigil for Kira...
After his drinking session with Heine, Athrun couldn't sleep. As he stared at the ceiling while lying in bed, he wondered about Cagalli, and what the girl meant to him. He didn't go very far; the effects of the alcohol soon kicked in. Of course, that meant that he didn't notice the door to his room opening in the middle of the night...
Afterthoughts
-I've borrowed quite heavily from "The Edge" so far; please support the original manga!
-Please RnR!