Chapter 21: Whispers in the Dark
"Okay." Captain Zelman said. "Everyone's here."
Alix spotted Athrun on the communication screen the moment she stepped into the bridge with Nicol. Clad in his combat suit with his helmet under his arm, Athrun was standing behind Rau, who occupied two-thirds of the screen.
A mixture of expressions spread across Athrun's face when he saw Alix. He looked surprised at first, before he frowned at her, wondering how she got that nasty bruise on her face.
Was she… mistreated…?
Alix couldn't help but frown back at Athrun at the reminder of the necklace she found in his bunk. It was also the necklace that made her realized that the pair of eyes she was staring into now actually mirrored her own. She narrowed her eyes.
Were they actually… related…?
Yzak noticed the silent exchange between the two and rolled his eyes at Alix. He concluded Alix was the most brazen bitch he had ever seen. First, she got Rusty. Then, she moved on to Nicol. Now, she was flagrantly hitting on Athrun!
Anyway, what business does she have here?
Rau cocked an eyebrow at Alix. Of course, he noticed the bruise on her face, and he found it utterly amusing that she was already causing a stir among his subordinates. Yzak was expressing explicit dislike towards her with his folded arms and trademark scowl at her. Dearka though appeared bored, is furtively throwing glances at her every now and then. Nicol was standing beside her; an obvious stance the youngest one in the group was protecting her from his other two comrades.
Well, judging from their stances, it didn't take a detective to find out how the bruise on her face came about.
Yzak was the first to break the momentary silence. "What is it, Commander? Are we having another sortie?"
Rau smirked, settling his gaze on Alix. "Before we get to that…Alix, what happened to you?"
At Rau's concern, Alix and Athrun unanimously snapped out from their train of thoughts. And Yzak, Rau noticed, was instantly agitated by his question. Why, he was glaring at Alix now, as if warning her with his menacing blue eyes that it would be the end of her should she speaks.
Alix glared back at Yzak, and for a moment, the two were locked in tacit antagonism that was tensing the atmosphere around them. Athrun glanced back and forth from Yzak and Alix, wondering what the hell was going on. From the hostile signals the two were sending each other, it seemed that something unpleasant happened between the both of them.
Dearka sighed and looked away while Nicol hastened to explain, "It was a misunderstanding actually. Well… how should I put it…Uh? Well…"
"I fainted and knocked my head against the medical apparatus in the infirmary." Alix explained in the end, before tearing her glare away from Yzak.
Dearka and Nicol raised their eyebrows at her answer while Yzak simply kept his scowl at her. Athrun was unconvinced, but he decided not to not probe, at least not now. Alix was glad for that, however, the guilt from her own lame lie made her avoid eye contact with the pair of emerald eyes looking intensely at her.
Rau knew she was telling a lie. In fact, from everyone's reactions to her answer, he knew everyone knew she was telling a lie. But since everyone had kept quiet, he thought he should leave it at that. Besides, he did not gather them to discuss about trivial things like this. He gathered them to discuss about his newfound chess piece.
Lacus Clyne.
"You should be more careful, Alix." Rau remarked eventually.
Halfheartedly, Alix nodded. Somewhat relieved at the closure of the chapter, Yzak nonetheless rolled his eyes at Alix before focusing fully on Rau. "So Commander, is it about the 'legged' ship?"
"Now Yzak, impatience only spoils the surprise." Rau replied, flashing his trademark smirk again. "But yes, it is about the 'legged' ship.'"
"The name is Archangel." Alix defended, inwardly hoping that the news Rau was going to give was that they had lost Archangel.
Yzak snorted. "Whatever. It'll end up in Hell someday. I'll make sure of that."
"It won't." Alix retorted, taking a defiant step towards him. "You will."
"You-!" Yzak raised his hand at her, but Dearka caught him from behind and pulled him back. Nicol, on the other hand, pulled Alix behind him. Athrun narrowed his eyes at Yzak. Though it was amusing to see that the hot-headed in their group had finally met his match for words, he decided to give in to his gut feeling that the bruise on Alix's face had something to do with Yzak.
And the suspicion of Yzak striking Alix didn't sit well with him.
"Yzak!" Athrun interjected, turning all attention on him. "Stop this immature behavior this moment! You're hindering our discussion."
Yzak scowled at Athrun. What right did he have to speak to him that way? He was about to retort when Rau backed Athrun up.
"Athrun is right, Yzak. You don't want to be removed from the next sortie, do you?"
Yzak grunted, folded his arms and turned his head away in annoyance. 'Always putting me down in front of the Commander! Just you wait, Athrun Zala!'
"I have both good and bad news to share." Rau said after a moment of silence, crossing his fingers. All of them, including Alix, stared at him, waiting in anticipation at what he is going to say.
"I'm sure all of you have heard about Lacus Clyne."
"Lacus Clyne?" Alix murmured, finding the name utterly familiar.
"Lacus Clyne is the daughter of our Chairman." Nicol explained. He doubted Alix knew what happened to Lacus, since she was dormant in Gamof most of the time. "She's also Athrun's fiancée. She went missing while on her way to Junius Seven."
"Oh." Alix recalled, witnessing their engagement on the streets of Onogoro Island. She turned to look at Athrun then, and realized the indigo-haired Coordinator has been watching her all this time. The look on him was not positive. She looked away, somehow unable to meet his gaze. But it dawned on her then, the person who held the name of Lacus Clyne.
She had some collaboration with the SA Foundation. Alix wasn't sure of the details, as Samantha was the one who handled the collaboration, but since she was missing, she could imagine how worried Athrun was, given the solemn expression he has right now.
"Have you found her then?" Alix asked.
"Yes." Rau answered.
"That's a relief." Captain Zelman interjected with a smile. His smile was wiped off however, at Rau's next words.
"But she's in Archangel."
Incredulous, Yzak yelped, "What the hell!"
The rest of Gamof's crew was as incredulous at the news, and Dearka was the only one who managed to voice out their misgivings, "How did she end up in that ship? What do we do now?"
Rau shrugged. "I'll let Athrun tell you that." He turned to Athrun behind him. "Athrun."
Athrun nodded and stepped forward. He looked at Alix before he announced, "Archangel found Lacus in the ejection pod. They announced her presence after being cornered by us. After much discussion, we decided to exchange Ms. Alix Whitley with Lacus."
"Lowdown bastards!" Yzak spat, shooting Alix a glare that insinuated she was responsible for Lacus to be captured by Archangel.
All eyes fell on Alix subsequently, and for a moment, Alix was not sure whether she should feel elated or upset about the news. Yes, she wanted to leave the ZAFT ship, but no, she didn't want to leave just yet, not when there were so many questions running through her mind, especially with the mystery of the necklaces remaining unsolved.
"Ms. Whitley, while we connect Gamof with Archangel, we would require you to look at the other communication screen for them to identify you." Athrun said.
There was an unreadable expression on Alix when she looked up at him.
And somehow, it disturbed him.
+Destiny Child+
In Archangel, everyone was at loss for words when Alix Whitley did appear on the communication screen that connected them to ZAFT's Laurasia-class ship. When ZAFT appealed back to them claiming they had Alix Whitley under their custody, everyone onboard Archangel thought it was just their scheme to hinder their escape. Though considered despicable to use Lacus Clyne as their hostage in their battle, they nonetheless had the upper hand. At least, that was what they thought before ZAFT decided to bring Alix Whitley up, causing the tables to turn on them.
Thoroughly.
Murrue clenched her fists in despair as she looked at the violet-haired lass on the screen. 'How did she end up with them…?' Her brows furrowed deeper at the sight of the evident bruise on her face.
Natarle drew her brows together. The Laurasia-class would have to meet up with them if they were to do the exchange. And if they allowed their Laurasia-class to meet up with the Nazca-class, Archangel would then be stuck in a more perilous situation than they were now. She cursed herself inwardly for her one impulsive wrong move. ZAFT had never used Alix Whitley against them throughout the battles, not until they announced they had Lacus Clyne with them. If she was not so impulsive back then, perhaps the situation now would not be as dire.
Damn. She might have just fall right into their trap!
"So, is it really her?" Mwu asked in concern, appearing on the screen connecting him from Archangel's hangar.
"… Yes." Murrue answered helplessly.
"It never rains but it pours, isn't it?" Mwu drawled with a shrug.
Natarle voiced out her concern then. "We can't allow their Laurasia-class to meet up with their Nazca-class."
"Then you mean to abandon her?" Tolle interjected unbelievably, turning in his chair to look at Natarle. Natarle glared at him, but didn't bother herself with the kid. She turned to Murrue instead, who hadn't commented anything. "One life against dozens of lives, Captain, the decision is obvious."
Murrue didn't answer her.
+Destiny Child+
"Say something." Athrun prompted from the screen, looking at Alix.
Alix shut her eyes in despair. The last thing she wanted was to be a burden to Archangel. Judging from the situation now, Archangel was definitely at the losing end. Even if they do the exchange, it couldn't guarantee their safety. Instead, they would be dealing with more threats. Knowing Rau by now, Alix knew he would certainly commerce attack once the exchange was done.
And this time, it would be two against one.
"Ms. Whitley." Athrun prompted again, when he saw Alix was not doing as told. "Please say something for them to acknowledge you."
Alix looked up, and was surprised to see that the Captain of Archangel was actually the orange suit woman she met in Helipolis. Brushing the trivial coincidence aside, she declared, reluctance dragging across her voice, "I am.. Alix Whitley, the daughter…daughter of Gladys Whitley. I was caught in the crossfire in Heliopolis, and was picked up by ZAFT forces."
+Destiny Child+
Murrue sighed after she heard Alix. Even without hearing her, she already knew it was Alix Whitley through and through. She recognized her even though she only met her once. Her emerald eyes and violet tresses were unmistakable. "Alix Whitley acknowledged."
+Destiny Child+
After he got the acknowledgement from Archangel, Athrun turned to Rau for approval. When his Commander nodded, Athrun turned to Archangel; "We will commence the exchange once-"
"But..." Alix interjected, shifting all attention to her once again.
Her next words stunned everyone.
"She is dead as of now."
+Destiny Child+
In Strike, Kira could not understand why Lacus was smiling. It was a genuine smile, which made Kira all the more baffled. He was about to launch Strike when they were stopped by the announcement that ZAFT had Alix Whitley.
As he heard her over the radio, he wondered anxiously how she ended up in Athrun's ship.
From what they heard from her over the radio, Alix was doing something that he interpreted as sacrifice, which was not something one should smile at.
"She is exactly what I heard." Lacus explained; her smile intact.
+Destiny Child+
Athrun scowled heavily at Alix, who remained suppressively silent with Yzak reviling at her. They were so close in getting Lacus back, he wasn't about to let her ruin it!
"Ms. Whitley."
Yzak unwittingly shut his gap at Athrun's interruption. He had wanted to snap at Athrun as he usually did when he got interrupted, but the solemn look on his indigo-haired comrade somehow held him back. He frowned up at him instead.
Alix glared up at Athrun. She knew what he was going to say but she was determined to have her way. She shifted her focus on the other screen that connected Gamof with Archangel. "Archangel, escape with Ms. Lacus Clyne."
Athrun drew a sharp breath. He wanted to throttle her for her preposterous statement that rendered everyone shocked for the second time, but being level-headed as he always was, he opted for the most rational way to revoke Alix. "Archangel, if you leave with Lacus Clyne, we'll take that your ship has given up the safety of Alix Whitl!-"
"So be it!" Alix snapped, glaring at Athrun.
Athrun glared back, taken aback actually, at her resoluteness.
Fredrik pursed his lips in concern when Athrun was rendered speechless by their hostage's outburst. He turned to Rau, hoping that their Commander would salvage the situation, but Rau merely watched on with a bored expression and didn't seem to have any intention of butting into the deadlock situation.
Didn't their Commander realize that they would lose their Lacus-sama if they allowed the situation now to proceed further as it was? Nonetheless, he thought it was his duty to remind Rau of the unthinkable possibility. But just as he was about to open his mouth, Rau stopped him with a raised hand that hushed him to watch on instead. With a helpless sign, Fredrik did as gestured; inwardly hoping things would somehow work out.
Inwardly, Rau suppressed the need to laugh out loud. He had not expected to be sooo entertained!
+Destiny Child+
With a heavy sigh, Mwu asked over the communication screen, "So… should we take up the offer?"
Natarle smirked, glad that Alix was sensible enough to see the big picture. "I suggest we should."
"That's cruel…" Miriallia commented, clasping her hands to her chest apprehensively.
"Yeah…" Sai agreed. He earned a disapproving look from Natarle but he couldn't care less. Though he understood the implications of saving Alix, the idea of abandoning her didn't sit well with him either.
Mwu sighed once more and fixed his eyes on their decision-maker. "So, Captain Ramius… what's your call?"
Murrue remained silently dithered.
+Destiny Child+
"Disconnect Gamof from Archangel." Athrun ordered eventually, his intense green eyes fixing at Alix.
The CIC of Vesalius appeared hesitant at first, but nonetheless did as ordered when Rau nodded his approval.
+Destiny Child+
Caught unexpected by the abruptness of the order, Alix only had time to open her mouth to protest when Gamof was cut off from Archangel. She tried to object the order from the other screen that connected them to Vesalius when she realized they muted them too.
Which means Athrun was making her a sitting duck!
She was actually shaking with panic now, but she didn't want to show it in front of them, especially when the Coordinator barbarian was watching her with hawk's eyes. She folded her arms and turned away, her mind in turmoil.
+Destiny Child+
Athrun could see that the Captain of Archangel got very uptight upon the disconnection, a positive sign that the risky tactic he was going to use might just work.
"Archangel, you have five minutes to decide."
With that, he nodded at Vesalius's CIC to disconnect them from Archangel. He squeezed his eyes close then, feeling his control of composure starting to slip as the consequences of him losing his own bet settled heavily in his mind.
Lacus Clyne vs. Alix Whitley.
Who would win?
He sincerely hoped it would be the latter.
+Destiny Child+
"Captain!" Natarle called out, her voice carrying a hint of irritation.
Murrue took a deep breath, but she didn't turn to acknowledge her. Exasperated with her Captain's indecisiveness, Natarle decided to decide for her. "Archangel, to the Moon-"
"We will do the exchange." Murrue said finally, rubbing her temple.
Natarle wouldn't hear of it. She couldn't allow a woman's sentimentality to bring about the downfall of their ship. She sprang to her feet, staring hard at Murrue's back. "Do you realize the consequences of your actions?"
"Do you realize yours?" Murrue snapped back, finally turning in her chair to face Natarle. Natarle widened her eyes in surprise; she hadn't expected the sharpness in her tone. Murrue turned back in her chair, and thought she should explain her decision to them, since it concerned the safety of the entire Archangel crew as well as the innocent civilians onboard. Sentimentality aside, she had reached her decision after much careful consideration under the tense atmosphere just now.
"With Lacus Clyne onboard, ZAFT would only pursue us as we escape. Even if we do make it to the Moon Headquarters, there is this high possibility that ZAFT would take this opportunity to declare war on us."
"We are already at war with them." Natarle argued.
"Only this time, we have ORB against us too." Murrue countered, swirling in her chair to face Natarle again. Judging from the look on Natarle, she was glad that her CRC finally understood which consequence was heavier now.
Natarle slumped back onto her chair, struck with raw realization at what Murrue was hinting her.
Her mother, Gladys Whitley, is the leader of the group responsible for supplying their mechanics...
Would you continue to help the group of people who abandoned your daughter in the lurch? On the other hand, if they saved the lost princess but was defeated thereafter, they would at least remained status-quo with them, not to mention the high possibility of pulling ORB nearer to EAF's side under the indisputable influence of Princess Gladys Whitley.
She was sure the notorious mother wouldn't just let the death of her daughter rest. The million-dollar matter was whom the mother would direct her grief to.
Ultimately, ORB was not a nation to be trifled with either. As low-profile and neutral as the nation declared to be, the diplomatic country was nevertheless, the sleeping dragon. If they could provide ships like Archangel and mobile suits like the five Gundams for them, who knows how many more advanced mechanics they have in store in their elusive military…?
And Alix Whitley is their fourth princess after all…
God! She was too obsessed with the ship's safety to see the real big picture. She shook her head in shame, finally accepting the fact why Murrue was promoted instead of her.
+Destiny Child+
With the awkwardness of being cramped in the space of the cockpit with a cute girl he hardly knew increased each minute, Kira was glad when Mwu's voice blared over the radio.
"Get ready, kid! You're due to launch any minute!"
"He's kidding." Murdock interjected next over the radio. "Get the hell out of the cockpit now. The deal's off."
Kira couldn't believe it. "What?"
"Look who's kidding now!" Mwu retorted. "Come on! You know this kid can't take jokes!"
Kira was confused. He spared a glance at Lacus before replying them. "What's going on?"
He heard a burst of laughter from both of them. He frowned. Now was not the time for silliness!
"We will commence the exchange." Mwu said finally after their laughter died down.
"But not now." Murdock chipped in.
"When?" Kira questioned, casting another glance at Lacus, whom he had just realized, been watching him.
"In seven hours time." Mwu answered.
"Why?" He demanded.
He heard a sigh from Mwu over the radio. "You sure have a lot of questions when you're in the mood, kid." But he answered him anyway. "Alix Whitley is in their Laurasia-class, which is only due to arrive in seven hours time."
Kira relaxed a little. "Oh…"
"Oh… is all you can say?" Mwu quipped. "Are you going to come out now or are you wanting to enjoy the sweet company on your laps a little longer in that small space of yours?"
Lacus couldn't help but be amused at the instant blush that crept up to Kira's cheeks that moment. Why, he couldn't even meet her eyes.
"We're… we're coming out... now." He stuttered, and reached for the button beside Lacus. To his dismay, his hand accidentally brushed against Lacus' chest when he did that. Lacus chuckled then, because not only did he recoil his hand as if he touched boiling water, he also apologized profusely for his unintentional act.
And when they were out of the cockpit, the bashful look on his face just made him all the more… Lacus couldn't put a finger on it, but there was something about him that simply attracted her.
And it made her wonder, out of all his friends, why didn't Athrun mention about Kira Yamato before?
+Destiny Child+
The look of relief was obvious across Athrun's face after Archangel announced they would exchange Lacus Clyne with Alix Whitley.
And he had to fight the desperate urge to tell indigo-haired Coordinator the truth – that he was exchanging his sister, his biological sister, the one whose body flows the very blood as his, for his fiancée.
His reaction to the news would certainly be anticipatory.
Or perhaps he was too late in giving the truth? Maybe he should have told Athrun about Alix Zala when he came up with the exchange idea. His response to the situation then could be more amusing to see.
Or maybe he should just spill the beans now.
"Athrun." He called out to his subordinate who had always been exceptional. These were the kind of humans he hated second. Athrun immediately gave him his full attention, and somehow, at that moment, he changed his mind. "Well done."
"Thank you, Commander." Athrun replied.
He nodded, wondering what changed his mind. "Go and have your rest now, before you pick up Alix Whitley from Gamof."
Athrun saluted, "Yes, Sir!" and retreated out of the bridge. It was at that moment, as he watched Athrun's retreating back, that it dawned on him what- …correction, the word was who. It was at that moment, as he watched Athrun's retreating back, that it dawned on him who changed his mind.
Their father – Patrick Zala.
If it were amusing to see the devastated reaction of the brother, then it would certainly be intoxicating to see the devastated reaction of the father!
And for the proud President of the Defense Committee to know that it was his own son who caused the death of his own daughter… how would he react? What would he do?
Just the thought of that moment sent his emotions high.