Genre: Drama/Romance
Rating: T
Notes: My latest GSD fanfic - where I shall totally change parts whereby I actually disliked in its' main series. Therefore, a total Alternate Universe - this story will be.
Pairings: Auel/Lunamaria & Athrun/Meyrin
Chapter 29 - Unexplainable Actions & the Blooming Love Between Us! (Part 3)
Cosmic Era 73, October 23
GMT: 23 00 hours
Venue: Minerva
Shinn Asuka awaited patiently for the moment to strike, as soon as the last of the patroling personnel had left the area where the medic wing was being situated - he strolled into the medic wing with ease. The medical crew member on duty nodded at him politely, acknowledging his presence. Ever since he had brought Stellar in for treatment, he had been frequenting the said area so much so that most of the medical crew could recognized him.
"Here to check on her - again? Anyway, try not to linger on for too long - for the visiting hours were long over, by now. " The medical crew on duty informed Shinn, out of goodwill.
"Aa..." Shinn responded, with a nod as he proceeded on to the spot where Stellar had been situated.
Upon arrival, Shinn took a moment to assess Stellar's condition and grimaced inwardly. When the blonde was first brought in, she - at least, had looked healthy with the exception of some wounds that need to be treated. Now - though, the fellow female 'Extended' look absolutely awful. The blonde's complexion was now deadly pale, and her lips and eye-ring was coated with a shade of black and darkness.
Wasn't that how a patient with a terminal diseases would appeared during the last stages of the illness? Shinn thought, and his determination to get Stellar away from the Minerva - in order to get some proper treatment was further strengthen.
"Shinn?" A soft whisper from the bed caught his attention.
Looking down, he was met up by the sight of Stellar staring expectantly up at him. Softening his expression, he tried to smile at the blonde and re-assure the blonde that everything is going to be alright. After a second of hesitating, Shinn made a promise to the blonde that he was going to return her to where she had came from.
Having that said, Shinn promptly made a move to unstrap the blonde from the bed which she had been laid atop of. That particular action of his had caught the attention of the medical crew personnel, and that eventually caused him to knock the fellow crew member out of consciousness.
After which, he proceeded to wheel Stellar out from the medic wing using the moveable bed itself. By the time the rest of the patroling guards on duty had noticed something going amiss, Shinn was already reaching the hangar where the Mobile Suits had been stationed. Mayhaps, it was the sound of the wheeling that caught the attention of the guards - soon, he found himself being surrounded by the various personnels on duty at the hangar.
Just when he was debating on his next actions, Rey - his fellow team and room-mate had appeared out from the corner.
"Rey ... " Shinn started, gaping - especially when the fellow blond comrade proceed to knock the several guards out of consciousness in no time.
"Come on, hurry up and go ... You are going to return her to the Alliance, aren't you? If so, then hurry ... I'll keep the gates open for you. " Rey stated, matter-of-factly.
"Eh? But why? ... " Shinn asked, sounding absolutely bewildered. For Rey had no reason to be helping him, in fact, the former could do the opposite by going to the Captain and report on him.
Pause. Before the blond pilot shrugged, and said. "Well ... I just thought each and everyone deserved a chance to live - even 'Extended' like her ... " Rey answered, as he shifted his glance to the blonde held in Shinn's arm - by now.
Shinn nodded at Rey with gratitude, before turning and headed towards where the core splendour had been stationed. Before Rey left the hangar, Shinn made a promise to Rey that he would return - as soon as he finished delivering Stellar back to the Alliance Party. Rey said nothing but nodded in return, and Shinn's trust in Rey had been formed - at that exact point of time.
Cosmic Era 73, October 24
GMT: 03 30 hours
Neo Lorrnoke, was contemplating on the idea of heading back to his room for some time to rest and clear his mind - when a fellow CIC officer of the Alliance Fleet informed him that the signal of the 'Gaia' had been received and someone was attempting to establish a verbal communication channel using that particular signal.
Initially, he had been skeptical about the whole issue. Soon, his skepticism gave way to his curiosity - and thus, he had allowed the communication to be established. He had to admit the conversation topic was a little too bizzare, but for now - he decided to give it a benefit of doubt.
The pilot on the other end, had promised to return Stellar to their party - however, it was on the condition that he, Neo Lorrnoke had to pick up Stellar, personally. Despite all the objections being voiced and raised, Neo decided to give it a shot. After all, he honestly believed that this was not a trap that was being laid to lure him out - as the other party had sounded so earnest and keen.
Therefore, now he was on his way over to the destinated point of meeting. Though, he truely believed that this was not a trap - he had still left behind specific instructions that if he was not to return within the next six hours of time - their party would have a valid reason to launch an attack on the surrounding ZAFT Bases.
Upon his arrival at the island where he was supposed to meet up with the other party, and to collect Stellar. He was rather surprised to find that particular unit which was part of the Minerva's crew being stationed at the further end of the island. Dropping his unit somewhere nearer to the coast-line, he stepped out from his cockpit - only to find the other party already standing on the ground of the island, with Stellar firmly held against the former's chest.
Silence, as they both stared at each other - trying to tell one another's identity. Finally, Shinn started - cautiously. "Neo Lorrnoke, I assume? "
Neo nodded, and the other party immediately seemed to be relieved by his appearance. He observed as the fellow ZAFT pilot grip on Stellar's tighten somehow, before loosening - again.
"Stellar? Stellar, wake up ... Neo is here to fetch you ... " Neo observed as the ZAFT pilot whispered softly to the blonde 'Extended'.
The blonde stirred somewhat, before shifting her glance over to the spot where Neo was standing and smiled. "Neo ... " Stellar whispered, sounding immensely glad and relieved by his presence.
Taking Stellar's address of his name, as a sign for him to venture over. Neo headed towards the spot where the ZAFT pilot was standing - cautiously, before reaching out to take Stellar from the former. During which process, he noticed how the other party's hand had clenched and unclenched before surrendering Stellar over to him.
Just as he secured the blonde in his own arms, the ZAFT pilot spoke up - again. This time, it was to inform him that the former was only returning Stellar to him - because that was the only way to ensure the blonde's survival. That, and the fact that the other party had wanted him to promise that Stellar would be taken away from the front-lines, and lived on happily ever after.
For a while, he contemplated on informing the former that - the wish would never be complied as the sheer existence of the 'Extended' was to fight out-front. Yet, something in him stirred and he eventually nodded, despite knowing that this would never happened - until the day comes for Stellar to perish on the battlefield.
Just when he was about to turn and leave, the ZAFT pilot called for him to stop - and came over to Stellar with a bottle of something that he could not tell. Eventually, the fellow ZAFT pilot told him that the bottle contains something which Stellar likes - and had given to him in prior. Now, he was returning it as a form of good-luck charm. With that, the ZAFT pilot bade them both farewell and departed in that Mobile Suit that belongs to the Minerva.
Neo took a good while to assess Stellar's condition, and stared at the departing unit before sighing at the irony of life. Then, without a word - he too, departed from the island and headed back towards the direction where he had came from.
Cosmic Era 73, October 24
GMT: 06 00 hours
Venue: Minerva
The tension abroad of the Minerva was exceptionally high and tense, despite the early hours of the day. Ever since the guards on patroling duty had notify the Captain of Shinn Asuka's and Rey Za Burrel's bizzare actions and behavior - the Captain had ordered for Rey to be isolated in the cell-room for questioning. In the meantime, they were currently waiting for the other culprit behind the commotion to return on board.
Exactly at 06 00 hours on the dot, the personnels on duty informed the Captain that the 'Impulse' had just returned on board. No sooner had Shinn Asuka stepped out from the cockpit of the 'Impulse', the fellow sixteen years old pilot was taken in for questioning by the guards on duty.
During which period, the group of personnels whom was escorting Shinn Asuka to the Captains' room for questioning - passes by Athrun Zala, and the younger redhead along the corridor. The eighteen year old 'FAITH' member was frowning upon the sight enfolding in front of him, whereas the younger redhead merely looked bewildered and puzzled.
Though, the both of them had heard snippets of what had transpired beforehand from quite a number of witnesses - they were still puzzled by the bizzare happening. Rather, Meyrin was puzzled - Athrun Zala, meanwhile, was just finding things a little too disbelieving.
If only Shinn had been the only one whom was involved in this sticky situation, he might still be able to make some sense out from the current happening. Yet, the fact remains that Rey had played a part in this particular fiasco - too. That - was what confuses Athrun Zala the most.
Deciding to find out more about the situation, Athrun Zala decided to have a talk with the sixteen year old pilot. However, right now - the Captain's questioning session come first.
As the seconds tickled by mercilessly, Athrun Zala finally took noticed of the silent redhead by his side and asked.
"Aren't you supposed to be on the bridge for duty? "
Meyrin Hawke blinked, once then twice - before her mind registered that Athrun Zala was talking to no one else but her. Shrugging non-chalantly, Meyrin responded simply that Abby Windsor was covering for her.
Upon the redhead's response, Athrun arched an eyebrow up in response before commenting. "Are you sure, that's wise? Haven't you been getting Abby to cover for your duty - quite a lot, recently? "
At first, there was silence - before the redhead spoke up, again. "Its' alright, she volunteered herself for the task of covering my duties for me. "
That was the only excuses which Meyrin could come up in response to Athrun Zala's question, since there was no absolutely way for her to admit that Abby had volunteered for the task of covering her duties for her - with the hope that Meyrin could get herself together with the fellow blue-haired pilot.
Thankfully, the particular conversation was brought abruptly to a close with the Captains' room door sliding open. Almost immediately, Athrun Zala had straighten up his posture and pulled on his typical business-like attitude while approaching the group of guards and Shinn Asuka.
After exchanging a few polite words of inquiry on the Captains' decision from the guards, Athrun was informed that the Captain had decided to deal with Shinn the exact way that she had been dealing with Rey - earlier on, in time. They would then awaited further instructions from the Chairman - as the particular incident had been filed in and reported up to the Chairman for verdict.
"I see ... " Athrun Zala murmured to himself, before thanking the guards for the information provided. After which, he proceeded on to follow the group heading towards the area where the holding cell-room had been situated.
Over there, Athrun awaited patiently until the guards on duty had departed from the site before approaching Shinn Asuka - hoping to get an explanation from the fellow pilot. Unfortunately for him, Shinn Asuka had been anything but cooperative. Then again, that was to be expected - since when was the former being respectful to superiors?
Soon, the conversation between Athrun and Shinn started to get tense and hostile - with Shinn defending his own reasonings against Athrun's opinion. Finally, being unable to stand the atmosphere any longer than necessary - Rey intervened.
"Alright, that's enough ... Shinn, stop it! You, too - Athrun ... No point dwelling over something which had already happened ... Now, neither you nor I have the authority to decide on Shinn or my fate - for that matter. The decision lies in the Chairman's hand - alone ... "
Upon Rey's rational reasonings, both Shinn and Athrun fell silent. Eventually, the whole room was engulfed in dead silence. Realizing the fact that neither Rey nor Shinn was going to reveal anything more to him - Athrun Zala had no choice but to leave the site.
"Rey ... I apologized ... " Shinn said, as soon as Athrun Zala was out of hearing range.
Silence. Before Rey responded, "It's alright - besides' it was my own idea to help you out ... "
~to be continued~
Date started: 30/05/08
Date completed: 01/06/08
Date edited: 01/06/08
