I'm really sorry that I didn't update so soon, my internet was down for a hell of a long time and I just couldn't submit until it went back online. Again I am really sorry!
The sound of scores of running tanks, jeeps, trucks and hundreds of men were buzzing with activity at the outskirts of the town as the soldiers started clearing their way out of the town. The tracks of the vehicles and footprints on the road covered with snow were heavy with activity, as the people remaining watched everyone else leave the town; perhaps temporarily. The dozens of remaining troops covered themselves with extra layers of clothing as most of them were already smoking. Poor Shinn was craving for a smoke, but Stellar was less than willing to let Shinn continue smoking and would not continue to let him get further addicted to it, so therefore Stellar took all his and her cigarettes and decided to use all of them to trade with; preferably on the goods and services needed for the wedding this week. There was such a high demand for American and British cigarettes that a whole packet would get them dinner for two at the most expensive restaurant in the town.
Everyone remaining in 4th platoon rounded up all the cigarettes they could spare in order to barter for the goods and services for the wedding; a fair amount cash was rounded up just in case no one wanted to barter with cigarettes. The minister of the local church agreed to wed the two couples for four packets of cigarettes; two from each couple luckily enough. The wedding was planned to start in three days at the church where an old picket fence surrounded the area littered with large gravestones and monuments to martyrs and deceased priests from the 19th century.
Athrun had wandered off looking around town in the winter cold weather rather smug in his layers of comfortable, cozy, woolen jackets. As Athrun was strolling around, a music store attracted his attention. The sound of music ringed lyrics in Athrun's ears drawing him closer to the store. A person playing the flute; little did he know that the person playing the flute was none other than Cagalli herself. There was more to her than meets the eye. Athrun would have thought that someone as tomboyish and as aggressive as Cagalli would be the last person in mind to ever play something as graceful. She played a graceful and yet a sorrowful tune, she had seemed to be at peace with herself as the music calmed her stress and lightened her burden of facing reality. Cagalli played with her eyes closed as if she had never cared about the environment around her.
Athrun slowly walked into the store where the owner was busy behind the daily papers. Athrun grabbed a violin; something that he played exceptionally well and slowly played the same tune as Cagalli playing at the same beat. Cagalli opened her eyes and turned around in surprise, "Athrun!" Cagalli shrieked, "Are you stalking me?" Cagalli accused angrily, "Now why do you think that?" Athrun asked with a slight smirk, "I'm warning you Athrun, keep stalking me and I'll make sure that you will not have sex for another month." Cagalli threatened, "I wasn't stalking or following you Cagalli… honest to God." Athrun proclaimed his innocence. The owner flinched as he heard the: 's' word. "Alright, I believe you… so what are you doing here?" Cagalli asked, "I was just walking by and I saw you playing." Athrun explained, "I didn't know that you played any instruments." Athrun stated, "The high school I went to years back made music a compulsory subject, so my music teacher made me play the flute." Cagalli explained, "You play nicely. The music you play sounds natural and flows quite well with your solos." Athrun complemented, "Thanks…" Cagalli blushed with a slight smile. Athrun played a short but memorable piece of his own on the violin. A quick yet elegant sound was produced as Athrun quickly and speedily drew his bow back and forth on the strings. "That was great Athrun!" Cagalli praised, "I'm getting out of here, how about you?" Athrun asked; Cagalli nodded in reply and held Athrun's hand out of the store.
Athrun and Cagalli were walking hand in hand down the main, busy streets. Dearka and Miriallia were looking around the stalls, shopping for clothing for the upcoming wedding. "Dearka, Dearka." Miri prodded Dearka, "Isn't that Athrun and Cagalli." Miri pointed at the two who were cheerily strolling down the streets, "Oh my God! They're holding hands." Dearka pointed out, "Of course they are you idiot, they've been sleeping with each other for the past couple of weeks." Miri stated, "Oh snap!" Dearka smirked, "Let's follow them." Miri said walking towards Athrun and Cagalli, "Hold up Miri, hey hang on." Dearka shouted.
"So what are you doing this morning?" Athrun asked, "I dunno, I guess I'm just gonna be lazy and just sleep it off until the afternoon or something." Cagalli shrugged, "How about later on, I take you out to a place up North on a little journey?" Athrun suggested, "Are you asking me out for a date?" Cagalli teased, "I suppose so." Athrun said, "So where is this place of yours?" Cagalli asked, "Can't tell you yet, it's a surprise." Athrun smiled, "Alright, first I think you better check how Kira's doing and then we'll go to this place of yours." Cagalli suggested, "Hold it." Cagalli thought, "How are we gonna get there? I'm too lazy to walk." Cagalli said, "I'm going to 'borrow' an army jeep." Athrun smirked, "Charming." Cagalli laughed.
As Dearka and Miri were behind them, they couldn't help but to overhear their conversation from popping between people, "Isn't that sweet? Cagalli's going on a date." Miri smiled, "So? What's so special about them?" Dearka shrugged, "Shut up. Let's just keep following them." Miri said out loud. Athrun distinguished the tones behind and whispered: "I think Dearka and Miriallia are spying on us, don't turn around, let's catch them red handed." Athrun said. Athrun and Cagalli both took a turn into a smaller street, as Dearka and Miriallia tried following, they were met by Athrun and Cagalli sitting on a bench in front of them around the corner, "Fancy meeting you two here." Athrun smiled.
While Dearka and Miri explained themselves, Cagalli was looking almost furious with her arms crossed with impatient, tapping feet while Athrun had a regular expression shown. "So Dearka." Athrun said, "No one ever sees you or Miri anywhere in the evenings, where do you two go?" Athrun asked, "Somewhere up North… can't tell you, it's a secret." Dearka said, "Is that the same place you're taking me Athrun?" Cagalli asked as Athrun flinched slightly, Dearka and Miriallia looked surprised, "You know that place?" Miri asked curiously, "I know about it, but she doesn't… it's a surprise." Athrun said, "I can't wait," Cagalli said excitedly.
Back at HQ, Kira was having a miserable time with reports and paperwork. He was supposed to be shopping for his suit for the wedding, but with all the work he had he couldn't leave. As soon as Athrun came in: "Where the hell have you been?" Kira asked agitatedly, "Taking a walk around town." Athrun replied, "Maybe if you helped me with the paperwork, we could have left two hours ago." Kira complained, "Fine, I'll help." Athrun grabbed the nearest chair and taking a seat, "But I have to warn you, Cagalli's expecting me in thirty." Athrun grinned, "So?" Kira said, "So, that means that I'm going on a date in thirty minutes." Athrun pointed at his watch, "Then you have thirty minutes to finish all that paperwork." Kira pointed at the desk beside him with a whole stack of documents, "That's manageable." Athrun blinked slightly, not very surprised by his share of the workload.
Athrun finished his workload in a staggering twenty minutes, which left Kira stunned by Athrun's efficiency and swiftness. On top of that, Athrun had time to prepare for his date. Back at the apartment, Cagalli and Miriallia were having an argument, "Cagalli, wear a dress for Pete sake, you're a girl." Miri argued, "In this weather?" Cagalli shot back, "No way, I'm not freezing my ass of just for a date." Cagalli continued, however Miri was less than willing to let Cagalli's tomboyish ways get the better of her, "I have a dress that is perfect for winter and will leave Athrun drooling over you." Miri said going into her closet picking out a thick, turquoise dress with a long skirt overhanging from its side, glittering with small specks of what seemed to be miniature silver sheets stuck underneath the linen. Cagalli thought again, "So Miri, how warm is this thing?" Cagalli asked with a slight slant of approval, "Warmer than those army jackets." Miri replied, "Alright, I'll try it just this once." Cagalli said, "Good, you won't regret it." Miri assured.
Athrun 'borrowed' an army jeep, but it had almost depleted fuel. All other jeeps were taken by the MP's on patrol. Since Athrun couldn't be bothered refilling the jeep, Athrun 'borrowed' an army motorbike instead. Athrun revved up the engines in front of Cagalli's apartment to indicate that he was ready. As Cagalli made her way out, it was as if Athrun was seeing an angel right in front of his eyes, Cagalli's hair was tied up in an angel like way, and to top it off, her dress made her seem like an angel from heaven as the light shone and sparkled off of her dress glittering in the bleak sunshine. As Cagalli jogged up she was surprised by the least to see a motorbike, "What happened to the jeep?" Cagalli asked casually, "…" Athrun remained silent, gawking at the sight of his angel, "Athrun, Athrun!" Cagalli shouted, "Huh?!?!" Athrun snapped out of his little trance, "You were supposed to reply dummy." Cagalli laughed, "Sorry, you just look so… sexy." Athrun stated in a deep tone, Cagalli blushed a deep crimson red, "Wh-whatever, let's just go already." Cagalli said hopping onto the back of the motorbike behind Athrun, "Hang on this is gonna be a bumpy ride." Athrun said gently accelerating.
After passing MP roadblocks and security, the two made it outside a private driveway concealed and hidden in overgrown vines and trees covering the entrance, it was a place that seemed unwelcoming and eerie. Darkness was the only thing visible down the tunnel-like entrance. "I don't like this Athrun, maybe we should just go back." Cagalli said having second thoughts about the place Athrun was leading her into, "Trust me, you'll love this." Athrun smiled grabbing Cagalli's hand. The eeriness of the tunnel was enough to spook the living daylights out of anyone. Athrun was undeterred by it however. He just kept leading Cagalli though towards the end of the tunnel ignoring the external environment around them. Time seemed to pass very slowly every second they were in the tunnel.
At the end of the tunnel was an endless field covered in an array of colourful flowers and uncommon, unseen fruits. Common animals were roaming around freely in peace as the sunshine illuminated the entire place. The skies were crystal, clear blue and not a spot of dark cloud or winter weathering was present in such a place. Pure, gentle rivers flowed as even the predators and prey seemed to live in harmony. Cagalli did not believe her eyes; she continued staring at the beauty of such a place. "What is this place?" Cagalli asked spinning around, "This is the lost garden of Eden." Athrun replied. Cagalli stared at Athrun, "This can't be… it's just… a myth." Cagalli said unbelievingly, "Come with me." Athrun said, as Cagalli followed, Athrun led Cagalli to the wall near the tunnel exit. Athrun pointed towards an inscription carved on the wall of gold; it was in an ancient text, at this point Athrun translated for Cagalli: "Those who have the purist of intentions may be able to enter this holy ground on which you stand, if the heart is not seen to be purged of its sins, God shall smite the trespassers. Those who pledge loyalty may leave in peace." This is what was literally translated, "What does that mean?" Cagalli asked, "Since you had a pure heart with good intentions, you allowed you to pass." Athrun said, "I get that, but what does that last sentence imply?" Cagalli asked confusedly, "It means that you basically swear that this place will be kept a secret on the holy leading out of here." Athrun explained, "How did you find about this place?" Cagalli asked. Athrun took a long breath in preparation to explain how this place came to pass.
Back when the ZAFT took control over the area a less than two years back:
(Flash back)
Athrun and his squad of four men were patrolling outside a nearby town in the middle of the dark. With their weapons at hand, marching around the town's perimeter, a man cloaked was spotted suspiciously. One of Athrun's men shouted: "Halt!"
Suddenly, the cloaked man dashed down a dusty road adjacent to the main road and with the cover of opposite trees all lined in an equal row, "I said: Halt in the name of Durandal!" the soldier yelled once more before he started shooting with his rifle, taking short pops at the target, either missing all shots or hitting the trees used as cover, "That's enough private, let's just chase him down!" Athrun ordered and started chasing this man with his squad.
After a couple of minutes of pursuit, the cloaked runner made for a tunnel hidden by large vines and natural barriers concealed in an unsuspecting area next to a sheep farmers property. Athrun and his squad waited outside the entrance, "What now sir?" one soldier asked waiting for orders, "Follow with caution, this could be an ambush." Athrun said loading his MP44 assault rifle.
As everyone entered, the darkness and eeriness was what spooked the men the most. As the squad lined in single file to get across to the other side… one man dropped to the ground without a sound. As one soldier checked up on him he bewilderedly announced that: "He's dead!"
Everyone was shocked to hear these words, without any gunshots, "He must have a silenced Luger." Athrun claimed. But as everyone continued moving forward another one dropped dead, "Oh my God, this place is cursed, let's let out of here now!" a soldier said dashing back to the entrance… only to find himself dropping dead. "Move forward men, he must be captured and trialed for this." Athrun said being skeptical of the situation. Athrun and his two other survivors moved forward very nervously. As they moved another couple of steps, the third soldier dropped down lifelessly as Athrun and his other soldier started shaking this time. "Oh my God, oh my God, we're gonna die!" the last soldier yelled with pure fear. "Let's just sprint forward." Athrun said dashing as fast as he could at the end of the tunnel with the soldier behind him sprinting without his weapon and his eyes closed. A few seconds later, they were at the end of the tunnel.
The cloaked figure was at the end to greet Athrun and the surviving soldier with him. Since the soldier had his eyes closed while sprinting, he tripped over and hit his face, "Ah my nose!" the soldier yelled. Although it was night time, this place had pure sunshine and azure blue skies in the middle of daytime. "Where is this place? What is this place?" Athrun asked gazing at the natural beauty and pureness of such a place, to him, this truly was Heaven on Earth, the same applied for the soldier who seemed to forget the pain of his nose. "This is the Garden of Eden." the man stated out loud. (End flashback)
"So that's how I found out about this place." Athrun said going back to the time a few years back, "So what did you say in your reports and all about the patrol? You know… about the guys who died when they were trying to pass through the tunnel place?" Cagalli asked curiously, "Me and the other soldier sprayed them with a couple of bullets and filed a bogus report of an ambush by some highly trained resistance fighters." Athrun said, "Wait, I thought the Garden of Eden was supposed to be in Israel or something." Cagalli said, "Why is it here in Europe?" Cagalli continued asking, "I can't explain it, but… it's everywhere and it's… nowhere." Athrun tried explaining, "You get what I mean?" Athrun asked, Cagalli shook her head in reply, "I guess it sorta means that; it's not the location that matters, it's the spiritual value of the location." Athrun said, "Oh I sorta get it." Cagalli said, still mildly confused, "Let's take a walk and hopefully I'll explain it in a way you'll understand." Athrun said holding Cagalli's soft hands.
After about a half-hour of strolling around in paradise: "I have to keep this place secret because?" Cagalli asked, "If you do, the spiritual energy in this place will be lost and will become corrupt, so if that happens, the Garden of Eden will find another hidden location in any place in the world, that tunnel would probably cave in and this place would no longer exist." Athrun explained, "Oh and you have to keep it secret otherwise you will be punished and probably killed mysteriously." Athrun said casually, "Oh." Cagalli shortly replied with some shock and worry, "We should go now Athrun." Cagalli said softly enjoying the heavenly winds that passed tickling the soft skin as it went, "Yeah, Kira probably would rip the town apart looking for us." Athrun said smiling.
While Athrun and Cagalli were speeding back to town on the motorbike, "I can't believe Dearka and Miri know about that place." Cagalli shouted, "They don't, they most likely and very certainly thought that I was taking you to a hotel on the same route just a couple of miles up further." Athrun shouted back, "Oh okay." Cagalli replied as the winter wind seemed to be shredding past her whistling a low and negative tune unlike the winds of the paradise they were leaving.
As soon as Athrun and Cagalli got back to the Company HQ, they were met by a flaming Kira. Athrun and Cagalli hopped off, Athrun was quick to spot Kira's dissatisfaction, "Hey Kira." Athrun said cheerfully, "Don't 'hey' me!" Kira replied, "Where have you two been for six hours?" Kira asked pointing to his watch, "What? Are you insane or something? We were only out for like… 1-2 hours or so." Cagalli complained, "What? No, you left at around 10:00 and you're back in 16:14, so who's insane now?" Kira yelled. Cagalli was surprised by the least, "So what did you two do exactly?" Kira asked, "Nothing, just sight seeing." Athrun said plainly, Cagalli nodded hastily, "Oh really?" Kira shouted. Out of the blues Lacus came out of the corner, "Kira! Stop it this instant!" Lacus scolded, "…" Kira only remained silent, "If you bother us again Kira, I will get Lacus to stop the wedding!" Cagalli yelled back, "She won't do that right Lacus?" Kira asked, "Cagalli's right, I will stop the wedding if you bother them again Kira." Lacus supported, "Alright I get it already, jeez, don't back me in a corner guys." Kira said backing away.
On the other side of the building, General Zala, contacted Rey by a radio on an unknown frequency: "Get everyone here for Operation 'Snatch', contact Lunamaria and tell her to get everyone here by 12:00 tomorrow." General Zala ordered, "But sir, we are a bit short of manpower." Rey complained, "I don't care, get everyone that's going to be involved in this over here by 12:00 tomorrow!" General Zala hung up.
Hope you enjoyed! I know I got a little over the top on the Garden of Eden and that, but I just didn't know what else exciting things I could think of. If you did think it was over the top, I don't blame you. Anyway, please continue reading the next chapters, it's almost nearing its end :(