Fandom: Gundam Seed Destiny
Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance
Rating: T
Type: Multi-part, Chapter 28
Pairings: Melody(OC)/Nicol, Yzak/Michelle (OC), Kira/Lacus, Dearka/Mirialla ...
Disclaimer: No, I do not own Gundam Seed nor Gundam Seed Destiny
Author's notes: Revised Edition, I shall begin from Shinn's decision to join the ZAFT when he first arrived at the PLANTs. Namely, slightly before the start of the final battle in Seed. From now onwards, I'll go on and insert my own ideas and original scenes to the story - at the same time combining them with those from the original series of 'Destiny'.
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Chapter 28
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C.E 73, November 26
Time : 15 00 hours
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Michelle Haw had been visiting Josephine Mckenzie at the hotel - which the said female was residing. Since she was already in the town of Diocula, she thought she should probably filled the former in - on the details of the 'Sapphire' would be picking the former up in the town of Crete.
They had been in the middle of a discussion, when the door to Josephine's hotel room - was knocked upon.
Frowning momentarily, Michelle turned to enquire if Josephine had been expecting anyone to visit her - for the day.
"No ... My colleagues knew I would not appreciate them popping over for a visit, without notification in advance. " Josephine explained to Michelle, still frowning over the possibility of having visitors over - when she had specifically told her accquitances to drop a message hinting the visit, before coming over.
Just then, the familiar voice of Auel Neider was heard coming from outside the door. The usually patient young man - sounded rather flustered, this time around. After sharing a look between the two of them - Josephine took a deep breath, as she headed to the door and answer it.
On the mental count of three, Josephine opened the tightly closed door - ready to knock the un-invited visitor out; if necessary. However, nothing could have prepared them for the sight that met their very eyes. Standing outside the door, was the sight of the blue-haired 'Extended' - Auel Neider, with a ZAFT female elite officer behind him.
Michelle need not take a closer look to know the identity of the ZAFT female officer, the 'Extended' pilot of Earth Alliance Forces - had the honour to locate. The distinctive dark red hair gave the identity of the ZAFT female officer - away.
Lunamaria Hawke - from the Minerva crew, there was no one else available within the ZAFT Forces, with hair /that/ red to an extent whereby it resembled more of the shade of purple than red.
"What happened - Auel ? Why did you bring a ZAFT elite soldier over to me ? How did /she/ ended up in this /state? Whatever happened to /her/, I certainly hope /you/ had played /no part/ in them ... "
Josephine started, as she half-narrowed her eyes at the blue-haired 'Extended' pilot, while she surveyed the state which Lunamaria Hawke was in.
"Hey/Do not/ accuse me of doing anything to her, I found her in this exact state - back in a deserted alleyway, down the streets. I would say - she'd ended up being a target to a group of rascals whom I presumed - must have had something against the ZAFT Forces. I know they were not exactly members of 'Blue Cosmos' - because I found her in a state whereby she was an /almost victim/ to a raping case.
From what I know - 'Blue Cosmos' wanted to /kill/ Coordinators. Other than that, they have no motives in life. Raping a fellow Coordinator female, was defintely not on /that/ list. " Auel told Josephine, placing both his hands up in a surrendering gesture.
Upon noticing Michelle's presence in the room, Auel nodded slightly in acknowledgement before apologizing to Josephine for intruding - as he had no idea that she had had visitor over for the day.
"However, seeing that I cannot send her back to the ZAFT in that particular state which I found her in - I would have to come to you, in hope that you can helped to fix her appearance. " Auel further explained his reason for coming over, unannounced.
Josephine sighed, and turned to look at Michelle - for permission. Michelle frowned, but nodded in agreement.
"Right, come in then - and locked the door after you entered the room. Both of you ... " Michelle spoke up, catching the attention of the two new-comer.
Perhaps, it was the familiar sound of hearing Michelle's voice - that caught the attention of the otherwise dazed redhead, stepping into the room with Auel leading her.
---
Lunamaria looked up at the sound of Michelle's voice, although she was wondering about the presence of Michelle Haw - in the room with a fellow accquitance of the Natural boy, whom saved her from a certain nightmare.
Lunamaria did not raised any questions to the brunette for appearing, in fact - the redhead was so relieved at the knowledge of finding someone familiar around; that she immediately flung herself over at the brunette - startling the occupants in the room.
Sobbing uncontrollably, Lunamaria Hawke failed to notice her current surrounding, and their reactions to her sudden movement.
Behind her, Auel's eyes had widen in shock - while turning accusing eyes to Josephine Mckenzie. The only possible reason for the redhead to react that way, was that she knew Michelle - and that, could only mean that Michelle was part of the ZAFT Forces as well.
Josephine shot Michelle a look, that seemed to inquire 'What now ?' - eyeing the sobbing girl in Michelle's arms and the blue-haired boy glaring at her, accusingly.
Michelle sighed, as she resorted to soothing the sobbing girl with comforting words - and turned to Josephine.
"Josephine, I think she /need/ a shower ... Do you have a spare bathrobe around here ?"
Josephine shrugged, and responded. "I think there's one hanging in the bathroom. "
"Go on, Luna ... Go and take a shower, I'll still be around when you're done. " Michelle urged the sobbing girl into the bathroom of the hotel room.
As soon as the door to the bathroom closes and the sounds of the water from the showering tap came on. Michelle turned her attention back to the two other occupants in the room, and said.
"Josephine, an introduction between us is in order - I think. "
"Aa... Michelle, meet Auel Neider." Josephine started, by gesturing at Auel and addressing Michelle and vice-versa.
"Auel - meet Michelle Haw, the Embassor for ORB - stationed in the PLANTs. Thus, her reason for knowing the red-haired Coordinator whom you'd brought here with you. "
Auel nodded, hesitantly - before asking another question for himself. "Still, it does not explain why you would know the girl - seeing that she was hardly just any Coordinator, but a soldier... "
"... Simple, the Minerva... I was on board the Minerva with our ORB Prime Minister - it was after all, the Minerva which brought us back to the Kingdom of ORB. Our Prime Minister had been unfortunate enough to be trapped in a cross-fire event, during one of her social visit to the said country. "
Michelle muttered aloud, but kept her voice low - such that the girl in the shower will not be able to tell what she was revealing to them.
/Minerva ?! Oh right ... that bloody ship that was told to chase after us - when we first stole the units from the Armoury One. Oh Shit! I saved one of their pilot - which also meant that I help the enemy. /
Auel's eyes widen at the realization, that he had just managed to save the exact same person whom had been fighting around with him - back in the Space, and perhaps in the near future, as well.
Michelle sighed aloud, keeping herself quiet as she listened out for signs of the shower tap being turned off. Realizing that she still had some time to spare, for Lunamaria did not appeared to have been done with her shower - yet, Michelle turned her attention to Auel Neider and asked.
"You say you saved her from being raped ? How far did those people get with her - before you arrived ... "
Auel thought for a while, before answering with a frown. "I reached there in time to see the man brutally removed her of her underpants. "
"... ! " Michelle's eyes widen in shock, that meant that if Auel had not arrived in time which he did - Lunamaria would have been ...
Just then, the door of the bathroom opened up and Lunamaria emerged from it - with a white bathrobe wrapped around her body. Her skin red and scalded with hot rushing water - tears stain still visible on her face, and eyes still red and sore from all the crying which she had done earlier.
Michelle mentally noted the black and blue bruises around Lunamaria's wrist, and lower neck-line. Some of the bruises were seen around the upper and lower thighs as well, thankfully - there had been none on the girl's beautiful face. Otherwise, they might have a very big problem while trying to explain to the ZAFT Forces - and probably the younger Hawke sibling too.
"Josephine, tend to those bruises. Try to cover and heal as much as you can - and you might want to get rid of those ruined ZAFT clothings in your bathroom as well. Dump them off the cliff if necessary, and please do keep an eye on her - I do not want her trying anything silly. In the meantime, I'll go and get her another set of her ZAFT uniform - from the Diocula Military Base Uniforms Store ... "
"No... Michelle! Not the ZAFT Uniform - get me some ordinary clothes instead ... It was my own fault, the Captain had specifically inform us to change into civilians' clothings if we had wanted to wander off to town - unsupervised. " Lunamaria's soft and pleading voice carried itself over to Michelle's hearing range - rendering the former to stare at the redhead in shock.
"Please tell me - you did not went against the orders issued, specifically from your direct superiors ... " Michelle pleaded, but the silence that met her was proof enough for her to groan aloud.
"Damn ... that mean they cannot know about your earlier encounter with those /rascals/ - at all. Just how did you ended up in that situation ?" Michelle asked, directing questioning glance in the redhead's direction.
"I went into town to avoid someone ... and since it's my day off-duty. No one would question me about going into town. However, unwilling to face the person whom I am avoiding - I did not head back to the Minerva for a change of attire. " Lunamaria responded, meekly and ashamed at herself.
Michelle then cursed aloud, before turning to address the older girl. "... Josephine, try to cover as many bruises on her - as possible. I am going to see to her clothing arrangement. In the meantime, I want her to stay here with you. At least, until I returned with the clothes.
The best is - she could stayed the night, and I want you to supervise her. Do not let her leave by herself. Although, I highly doubt that she would want to go around in just a bathrobe ... but still its' better to be prepared then be sorry - later. " Michelle instructed - directing the order to both Auel and Josephine.
"Luna, I want you to stay here - until I return. Try not to think about anything else - just try to get some sleep. Don't worry, Josephine - is a good doctor friend of mine ... she will keep your situation a secret - patients' rights.
As for Auel, the person whom brought you over - he will keep the situation quiet and to himself, if he do not want any problems - from his fellow accquitances. " Michelle told Lunamaria - soothingly, as she eyed Auel Neider warningly, from the corner of her eyes.
Two hesitant nods, followed by Josephine's firm response - send Michelle out of the door, heading into the busy streets of the town of Diocula.
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C.E. 73, November 26
Time : 22 00 hours
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Michelle sighed, as she re-entered the hotel room where she had left Lunamaria alone to the supervision of Josephine Mckenzie.
"How's she ?" Michelle asked, as she stepped into the room - with a bag of clothings article for Lunamaria's use.
Josephine Mckenzie, looked up at Michelle - tiredly as she replied.
"She's sleeping now ... after two attempts of hysterical crying and trashing about. "
Silence, before Josephine spoke up, again. "I hope you don't mind - I had to sedate her to keep her from having another episode ... "
Michelle shrugged, and responded. "I don't mind - its' probably for the best. I rather have that for her - then have her losing control and go around like a lunatic and tried to kill herself over the traumatic ordeal - she had been through. After spending most of my life observing Coordinators - I'll say, it sure wasn't pretty if they went totally into their 'berserker' mode. "
Josephine nodded in sympathy, while Michelle eyed the room for signs of Auel Neider. Spotting the absence of the said 'Extended' pilot of the Earth Alliance Forces - Michelle asked.
"Where did that pale-haired 'Extended' pilot went off to ?"
"Huh? Oh... I send him off to locate his team mates - and stayed there with them. I had also threaten to throw him into the sea to feed the sharks - if he failed to keep today's incident a secret from his companions. " Josephine responded, sifting through the content of the paper bag - which Michelle just brought over.
"I see that you had brought along a set of the female ZAFT elite uniforms as well ... did you have trouble getting them ? By the way, please tell me - those uniforms are not from your own wardrobe ... " Josephine commented, when she inspected the content of the paper bag which Michelle had brought along with her.
Michelle shot the former a look of annoyance, before responding. "Josephine, you know as much as I do - that I /do not/ wear the female version of the ZAFT elite uniform. Those uniforms from my wardrobe were all of the males version - you know ? However, I do have a little trouble with the getting of those female version of the uniform..."
Josephine raised her eyebrow in question, and asked. "Pray tell - whom did you contact for those uniforms ?"
Michelle mumbled something under her breath, which Josephine failed to catch. "I beg your pardon ?" Josephine repeated herself, still trying to catch what Michelle had said earlier.
"I said I went back into the Minerva living quarters, and literally broke into Lunamaria's room to get her - these uniforms! I had initially wanted to approach the store room situated in the Diocula Military Base, but then I realized I had no idea of Luna's size - so ... " Michelle repeated her answer, annoyed.
Josephine gasped, and her eyes widen - before repeating incredulously. "You broke into her room to get her - these uniforms ? How on /earth/ did you managed that ? I understand that you are currently bunking in with Athrun Zala - and traveling with the Minerva crew, at least until you reached the destination of Gibraltar ... but still ..."
Michelle groaned inwardly, before responding. "... Well, I snooped around and played around with the password coding to the rooms on board the Minerva ... "
"... Unbelievable ..." Josephine murmured, eyeing Michelle with unreadable eyes.
"Oh... stop staring at me like /that/! Its' not my bloody fault that all the password coding to their battlefleets were more or less, similar or identical. Besides, I already have the password code to Athrun Zala's room - so I deduced the password to Lunamaria's room using Athrun Zala's password as a base foundation.
After two tries, I got in - sucessfully..." Michelle rolled her eyes slightly, before shrugging the entire matter off, altogether.
"Alright, alright - I got it, no need to continue further..." Josephine mumbled, before she turned her attention elsewhere - focusing on her vibrating cellphone, instead.
"... God, that guy is just so /irritating/ ... Does he not understand the idea of giving up ? " Josephine complained aloud, while throwing her cell-phone yet, another death glare.
Michelle shot Josephine a curious look, before speaking up. "Why ? Trouble in paradise ? "
"..." Josephine glared at Michelle for a moment, before snorting and said. "As if ... /that/ call was from my supposed 'superior' - trying to ask me out on a dinner date. /Despite/, the many times I had already downright rejected his offer ... "
"Oh ... so basically, a pain in the neck ? " Michelle queried, before turning her attention towards the sleeping female on the bed.
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On the other hand, Auel Neider was in the middle of locating his two team mates - among the busy streets of the town of Diocula.
/Women ... bloody troublesome ... those females are ... / Auel thought, as he still had not caught sight of his blonde team mate.
Sting, had earlier met up with him - and told him that the former wanted to do some investigation of the town, on his own. Auel did not bother to ask for details, since whatever Sting was planning to do - the details would always be boring to the pale-haired 'Extended'.
/I wonder what would happen if they knew whom I just saved from the street rascals that hang around the town ... Wait a minute, why am I even thinking about /that/ ... I'd better stop before I accidentally slip-up ... No one can know about my 'special' condition / Auel told himself repeatively, as he turned around the next corner and continue his search for Stellar Loussier.
Unknown to everyone else whom knew about his identity of being an 'Extended' pilot - aside from Josephine, herself; Auel Neider was an expert at masking his emotions and thoughts.
Despite the brain-washing devices that the Earth Alliance Forces have employed to wipe them of their memory after each fight, or trip taken by themselves - individually without supervision. Auel Neider was the only one to stay immune to such procedures, regardless of how they attempted to wipe off his memory - somehow, his memory stay put in his mind.
Having enough experience of being experimented on - since young, Auel eventually learnt to keep those information away from his superiors and kept up a facade of being oblivious to everything and anything - after stepping away from the brain-washing device. Since, they were the first batch of 'Extended' to use the brain-washing device - it was only normal for the device to have loopholes within their procedures.
So far, only Sting Oakley among his team mates - had his memory totally and successfully wiped off. Stellar Loussier, the blonde female 'Extended' only managed to have her memories suppressed - forcefully. However, should the moment something familiar appeared in front of her eyes - it would triggered her suppressed memory and bring them back to her - naturally.
As for himself, he had basically remembered everything that took place since the beginning of the 'Extended' experimented program until now. However, he had learnt to ignore those memories - treating them simply as 'trash' and leave it as that.
After all, he had so far managed not to encounter the same incident twice. Should he find the memories too much to handle, he would be seen going to Josephine to complain - letting all his pent up frustration out through his ranting tirade. After which, he would go back to playing the role of a dutiful 'Extended' with no memories or whatsoever.
to be continued
Date started: 15/06/07
Date completed: 15/06/07
Date edited: 10/09/07
