File 33 – A Precious Friend

Rena dressed in an orange jumpsuit climbs from the cockpit of the Tempest. Techs work on its repairs.

"How did the calibration changes look?"

She shrugs, "They're still a bit off but…" She catches sight of a red astray frame and stares at it, "Is that a new version of the Orb mobile suit?"

A tech crosses over, "You mean that Red Frame? It was originally developed for Morgenroete on Heliopolis. But it belongs to the Junk Guild."

Rena nods and leaps down.

"Hey, have you seen the guy that pilots this thing?"

Rena turns to see Lowe Guele walk toward the Tempest.

He stares up at it his eyes gleaming, "It's beautiful. Where's the guy that pilots it?"

Rena tilts her head, "That guy would be me."

He faces her and smiles, "Really?" He tilts his head, "You seem kind of young to be an OMNI pilot."

Rena crosses her arms, "I'm not with OMNI. I'm from Orb."

He leans back, "Oh, I see. You must be a coordinator then; being able to pilot such a complex suit so young."

Rena scowls at him, "You must a member of the Junk Guild."

Lowe nods, "Lowe Guele at your service. This thing… Tempest? This is one amazing mobile suit. I bet you it has amazing components."

Outside the main hanger. Lowe hands Rena a beverage and leans over the machine to get himself one, "Sorry about that young coordinator thing I said back there."

Rena sips the drink, "It's no big deal. It's true after all."

Lowe leans against the machine, "So… you pilot an OMNI mobile suit but you're not in the military?"

Rena shakes her head, "Well... it's kind of a complicated story."

He nods, "Well everything these days is complicated." HE bites his bottom lip, "I'm sorry, I know this is irrelevant to our conversation but I can't help it. You know who you look like? I mean you're probably hear it a lot."

Rena tilts her head, "No, who?"

Lowe circles around her, "Verena Irmgard-Marlis. Except your eyes."

Rena stares at him, "My eyes?"

He nods, "There's a maturity behind yours. You must have seen a great deal."

Rena nods, "And hers don't look like that?"

He shrugs, "She's a pop princess and Orb royalty. What could she have seen locked safely away here?"

Rena sips her drink and shrugs, "You shouldn't judge a book by its cover."

He shrugs. She smiles. He smiles. She stares at him, "What?"

He shakes his head, "Nothing. You're really cute." Rena blushes. He shrugs, "I have to get going… they asked us to help repair that ship of yours, the Archangel?"

Rena nods.

He finishes his drink and tosses the cup away, "Good luck in advance, if I don't see you again." He starts off but stops, "Oh. What did you say your name was?"

She shakes her head, "I didn't."

He smiles, "Well are you going to?"

She shrugs, "It's Verena..."

He nods, "Really that's such a coincide..."

"Rena! They just told me that you were here!"

Cagalli rushes over, "Excuse us."

Lowe stares at Rena in shock. Cagalli drags Rena off. She waves good-bye to Lowe as they head down the hall.

"You looked like you needed someone to rescue you."

Rena smiles, "Oh you mean from that guy? Not at all. Besides I think he was way more interested in the Tempest."

Cagalli turns, "Oh? Are you helping out with the repairs on the Tempest?"

Rena nods.

Cagalli tilts her head, "That's a bit unorthodox. I thought you'd be busy with conferences with your management agency and label."

Rena shakes her head, "No, I've decided to stay aboard the Archangel..."

Cagalli turns, "What? I thought your goal was to return here. Why would you travel with them to Alaska?"

Rena tilts her head, "It's complicated but I got involved with this crew."

"Why don't you try to explain?"Cagalli places a hand on her shoulder.

Rena sighs, "I guess I thought that by returning home I could start to be happy again. That I could have a chance at a good life."

Cagalli raises an eyebrow, "But you don't think that anymore?"

Rena leans against a wall, "The peaceful life I lived here, sheltered from the true state of the world, was an illusion. How can we continue to live here and be act content knowing what exists outside?" She nods and then smiles, "That's not something I can do anymore."

Cagalli tilts her head, "What's so funny?"

Rena glances over, "I'm starting to sound like my cousin Isamu. I used to be so frustrated when he would say things like that."

Cagalli stares at her, "Isamu… he was a nice guy. Pretty cool actually."

Rena nods, "Yeah and he's always been really keen and insightful." She furrows her brow, "I miss him."

"Where is he?"

Rena shrugs and shakes her head, "Plant. I think. He went there to find me."

Cagalli tilts her head, "He's a determined guy."

"So why did you go out there to Africa?"

Cagalli shrugs, "Do you even have to ask?"

Rena stares straight at her, "To fight? It's funny huh. The daughters of Orb representatives running away to fight in a war when our country was created on the ideals of peace."

Cagalli smiles.

Rena smiles and glances aside, "I can't leave them, the crew on the Archangel. Sai... Millie and the others..."

Cagalli gives her a suspicious look, "Others?"

Rena shrugs and smiles a bit, "Kira. Even though things have been weird between us I can't bring myself to leave him."

Cagalli shrugs, "Well that makes sense. You've known him since you were children right? He's a special guy... a very kindhearted person."

Rena smiles, "Well...I see that you like him too."

Cagalli's cheeks instantly go red, "No... I mean... I don't know what you're getting at. Besides he's dating that… that one girl." She clenches her fists, "She annoys me so much!"

Rena furrows her brow and glances aside.

Cagalli notices and furrows her brow.

Rena glances at her, "You know he told me he had a crush on her. Before I went to Heliopolis to see him. Of course how could I have known that I would fall…?" She cuts herself off.

Cagalli nods.

Rena sighs, "We were together there. I can't help wondering how things would have turned out if we hadn't been separated during the fall." She shakes her head, "But we shouldn't base our lives on regrets right?"

Cagalli places her hands behind her back and leans back, "So… really you're returning to be with Kira?"

She glances downward. "I'm pathetic I know."

Cagalli shakes her head, "I kind of figured he was the main reason."

Rena blushes.

Cagalli nods, "You should go to him and tell him all your feelings."

Rena shakes her head, "I don't want to make things difficult for him or for Flay. I could never forgive myself for coming between them." She left out the rest. The part that worried her most. That Kira had made his choice and Flay was the one he chose. She couldn't allow herself to feel that pain of rejection again, could she even trust him?

Cagalli crosses her arms, "I guess… but after fate brought the two of you together again you couldn't very well leave your best friend's side."

Rena stares at her.

"He's still your best friend right?"

Rena nods slowly.

Cagalli tilts her head, "Then why haven't you told him the truth?"

Rena raises her eyebrows, "About?"

Cagalli pushes off the wall, "About how you created the Gundam."

Rena furrows her brow, "Because it's not relevant."

Cagalli nods, "So the person you care about the most knows the least about you?"

Rena tilts her head, "That isn't true."

Cagalli nods, "You should tell him. Even if you think it's not relevant he might think it is."

Rena glances aside.

"Cagalli? Oh Verena?"

They glance down the hallway. Erica stood with her hand on her waist. Behind her stood Mu and an astonished Kira. Rena gasps.

Mu smiles broadly, "Hey there little lady. So this is where you ran off too." He glances at Kira, "From that look I guess you really didn't have any idea."

Erica glances back, "I wouldn't go jumping to conclusions Major. Verena was actually brought here a short while ago by her father."

Kira glances over. Father? He furrows his brow.

Erica glances at her, "Since you are here Verena, why don't you join us. Cagalli your father has been asking for you."

Cagalli turns her head, "Got it." She whispers aside, "Here's your chance. Good luck Rena." She shoves her forward a bit.

Rena glances at Cagalli as she heads off. She locks eyes with Kira. He had such a curious look on his face.

Erica sighs, "Let's get right to work shall we?"

An Astray moves with fluid motions as the group along with 2 of the Astray girls watch in the control room. Kira sat typing into a computer. He glances over at Rena as she stood watching her arms crossed an attentive and serious look on her face as she studied their movements.

One of the pilots standing nearby grasps her hands together, "This is so cool."

Rena glances over at her and catches Kira's gaze. He glances quickly back to the computer console.

"I've constructed a new quantum subroutine."

Rena stares at him.

He continues as he types, "And raised the synaptic fusion replacement rate to forty percent." He looked so sad.

Rena furrows her brow. Something's wrong. A tech slips into the room. Erica glares at him.

He nods, "Sorry to interrupt. Excuse me ma'am." He crosses toward Rena.

Erica watches him and then glances away as Kira continues, "I've also changed the structure of the ion pump, so that it can be suited to the reaction time of normal naturals."

The tech whispers into Rena's ear. She nods. Kira stares at him.

Erica turns to Kira, "You did all this in such a short amount of time... that's amazing."

Rena tilts her head, "Please excuse me."

Erica nods and Rena exits with the tech.

Kira glances downward again.

Erica smiles, "This is so amazing."

Kira furrows his brow as he looks downward. His eyes brim with tears.

Mu turns, "Are you saying that I could do this much if I were to pilot it?"

Erica nods, "That's correct Major. Would you like to try?"

Kira closes his eyes and sighs deeply.

Mu glances over at him and furrows his brow, "Hmm?"

Erica turns, "Asagi? Come out now."

The group exits the room. Kira glances at her, "Well I guess I'll be heading over to where the Strike is."

Erica nods, "Ok, see you later."

They head off in the opposite direction as Kira walks off.

Mu glances after him, "Hey! Kira!"

He rushes over as Kira turns, "What is it?"

Mu glances down at him, "What's with that depressed look? I know seeing Rena again was..."

Kira continue on, "Who's depressed?"

Mu glances over at him, "You hardly said one word to her and you still say that?"

Kira pauses, "I was busy and besides she didn't say anything to me either."

Mu sighs, "Probably because you were acting so coldly to her."

Kira shrugs, "Was I? I didn't think about it. It seemed the opposite to me."

They pass by an Astray.

Mu follows Kira, "I also heard that you refused visitation with your parents. Why did you do that?"

Kira stares forward.

Mu sighs, "Kira?"

Kira sighs, "Even if I see them now, I'm a soldier."

Mu says nothing.

They arrive to the Strike. Kojiro was working with the techs, "Oh? Kid?"

Mu and Kira pause.

Kojiro continues, "I increased the thruster output another 18 percent, so check out the limit point."

Kira smiles, "Right."

Mu watches as Kira heads into the cockpit, a concerned look on his face. Kira activates the Strike and begins to type. Mu climbs up.

"Even if you are a soldier you are still you."

Kira continues typing as if he couldn't hear a word Mu was saying.

"I just want to do things like this."

Mu furrows his brow.

Kira continues, "Fighting with a mobile suit. Helping with the development and controls. Because I can do it so well."

Mu stares at him, a concerned look on her face, "Kira..."

Kira continues, "We'll probably fight with ZAFT the moment we leave Orb."

Flashback of the last battle.

Rena glances aside from where she worked with some techs on the Tempest. Cagalli's words echoed in her mind. She bites her bottom lip and then downward, "I'll be right back." She heads down a hallway.

Mu rises, "No, that's..."

Kojiro crosses, "Oh. Even the shielding. Because of the proton spattering on the barrels you'll need to wait about 30 minutes. I'll do a shakedown later so be ready for it."

Kira nods, "Yes."

Kojiro and the tech head off. Mu watches them go and then sighs.

Kira continues, "Even if I see them now, I might end up saying something that I regret before I can stop myself."

Mu looks down again, "Like what?"

Kira stop typing.

Rena enters the hanger and spots Mu. She nears the side.

"Why did they have to make me a coordinator?"

Rena pauses and furrows her brow.

Kira continues to type.

Mu stares at him not knowing what to say. Torii looks up and flies from the cockpit.

Kira looks up. "Hey Torii!"

Rena watches the bird go.

Kira rises from the cockpit, "Torii!" He notices Rena, "Ren?"

She glances aside, "I wanted to… I was checking on... things... with the Strike... but..."

Mu stares down at her and flashes a relieved smile.

She stares up at Kira, "I'll help you track Torii down."

Kira stares at her.

Mu smiles, "Now that's a great idea, the two of you should definitely go look together."

Kira glances at Mu and leaps down, "Thanks Ren."

Outside a fence surrounding Morgenroete.

Athrun and the others stood staring at the base through the fence.
Yzak sighs, "The security is even tighter here than at the naval port." He glances at Athrun, "What about the check system disturbance?"

Athrun glances at him, "Since it's blocked in layers, they say that it's going to be awhile. It's probably faster to just kidnap someone who can get us through."

They watch the base.

Nicol smiles, "Like a wolf in sheep's clothing right?"

Torii flies out in the open and flies above them, "Torii."

Athrun sees it and he gasps. His eyes widen. He steps forward.

Nicol glances up at him, "Athrun?"

Torii prepares to land. Athrun lifts his arm up and Torii lands on him.

Rena steps out into the open air, "He wouldn't have come all the way out here would he?"

Kira steps out, "How should I know?"

Rena stares at him. He was still being rather cold to her. He glances aside in her direction. He hadn't meant to sound so abrupt she was obviously affected by his tone. She averts her gaze to opposite direction, "We should split up. I'll head over there."

Kira nods, "Ok… thanks again Ren."

She glances over her shoulder at him and nods before rushing off.

Athrun pulls his hand closer to his face to get a better look at Torii.

The other three step around him, "What is that?"

Nicol smiles, "It's a robotic bird."

Athrun looks up toward the fence again.

Kira comes running around the corner. "Torii!"

Athrun spots him and gasps. Kira scans the sky as he walks closer to the fence. Athrun begins to cross.

Nicol glances over, "Oh, it must be his."

As Kira nears the fence he sighs, "Geez, where did it go?"

He pauses when he notices the figure approaching.

As Athrun nears, Kira's eyes widen and his mouth opens slightly, "Athrun?"

He couldn't believe his eyes but takes the last few steps toward the fence.

Rena walks back along the side of the building and sighs. What a troublesome bird. She pauses when a jeep with Cagalli and Erica passes by.

Cagalli spots the meeting and gasps, "Stop the car!"

Kira and Athrun stood staring at one another. Dearka leans back a fence opposite them and watches Athrun along with Yzak and Nicol.

Athrun holds his hand up "It's yours isn't it?"

Rena steps around the corner, "Kira did you find..." She gasps, frozen in her spot.

Athrun stares at Kira his eyes watering. He spots Rena and furrows his brow. She stares intently at him.

Dearka glances over, he squints, "Hmm... cute chick."

Yzak glances over, "Huh?"

Rena spots Yzak and the others and then pulls back behind the building. Athrun glances back at Yzak and when he spots no reaction he turns back to Kira.

"It's yours right?"

Kira nods, "Yes thank you..."

He holds his hands out and Torii leaps over. Athrun lowers his hand.

"Hey let's get going!"

Yzak was waving him over. Athrun glances over. The others had already climbed into a car. Athrun turns to go.

Kira leans forward, "A long time ago... from a friend."

Athrun stops and glances over.

"It's a precious item that I received from a precious friend."

They both glance downward.

Athrun turns, "I see..."

Cagalli rushes across the area. Rena watches her, still hidden behind the building.

"Kira!"

Athrun glances over his shoulder and then turns to head off. Kira gasps.

Cagalli stops right behind him, "Kira?"

He stares off after Athrun tears brimming in his eyes.

Rena rushes through the hanger past her crew and out of the hanger entirely. Erica walking down a hallway pauses as Rena rushes past. "Verena?"

Rena glances over at her, "I… I'll be right back." She rushes into an elevator; the look on her face was frantic. She stares at Erica and then the door shut.

Athrun sits across from Nicol as a fishing boat skims against the water under the last rays of the sun.

Yzak glances over at him, "You were gone for quite some time. How was your little date?"

Athrun glances at him, "It wasn't a date. It was Rena."

Yzak's eyes widen, "What?"

Nicol gasps, "Rena? So she made it back to Orb safely? How was she?"

Athrun glances aside, "Yes and she looked fine."

Yzak stared at him but Athrun said nothing more. The boat stops.

"Looks like a good spot." Athrun nods.

Rena sits inside the Tempest staring blankly forward.

"How are the upgrades looking? We've reworked the funnel system per your.... Miss Irmgard-Marlis?"

She glances aside, "Hmm?"

The tech tilts his head, "Are you ok? You've been distracted since you got back."

She gasps, "Oh... the upgrades still need work but I think we're done for today."

Rena climbs up out of the cockpit of the Tempest. She glances aside.

Flash. Athrun locks eyes with her and furrows his brow he reaches over and strokes a windblown strand of hair from her face. He kisses her. Back.

Her cheeks were flushed.

"Rena? Are you ok?"

Rena glances up from where she sat at the mess hall table.

Sabine tilts her head, "Hello… Rena?"

Sai tilts his head as he slides a bottle of water across to her, "You look a bit feverish. Doesn't she?" He glances at Sabine.

Sabine furrows her brow, "Maybe… are you feeling ok?"

Rena takes the water and smiles at them, "No... I was just thinking... I'm fine."

He nods, "You've been working so hard the past few days. We haven't had a chance to talk."

Rena nods, "I know. You had a chance to meet with your parents, right? How are they?"

He smiles, "Worried but doing well I suppose. Everyone was pretty thrilled about meeting their parents."

Sabine nods, "Sai's family has been spending a great deal of time with mine so we heard quite an earful from them."

Sai glances at her and smiles, "They were pretty intense huh?"

Sabine smiles.

Rena nods watching the two. She smiles, "I'm glad."

He stares at her, "Are you sure that you're ok?"

She nods, "Of course.... I've been just so preoccupied with the Tempest repairs."

Sabine nods, "I hear that the repairs are going well… I wish I could be there to see."

Rena smiles at her.

Sai tilts his head, "I've been meaning to ask you..."

She looks up at him.

He sighs, "We all heard that you're going with us to Alaska even though you could have stayed here."

She stares at him and nods, "I belong here now. I don't think I could have left you all."

Sai stares at her, "What did Kira have to say about it? You must see a lot of him at Morgenroete."

Rena looks up at him. "I... actually not in the past few days." She glances downward.

Flash. Athrun standing on the beach. Back.

Sai stared at her, "I'm sorry it's not any of my business."

Rena glances aside, "No... he knows that I'm staying but things are a bit weird between us right now."

Sai furrows his brow.

Sabine tilts her head, "Maybe you should go talk to him. He's been pretty quiet and to himself lately. I don't even think he's talking to Flay."

Sai glances down at his plate.

Rena glances over at Sabine.

Athrun heads along the hallway of the ZAFT submarine. He enters a room where Yzak and the others wait.

"So are we returning to Carpentaria?"

Athrun shakes his head and crosses toward a map, "No... the legged ship is definitely at Orb. There's no mistake. When it comes out it'll go north. We'll cast a net here."

Yzak turns to him, "What? Wait a minute. What are you basing this on?"

Nicol tilts his head, "How about going to Carpentaria and gathering more intelligence. If we don't have proof..."

Athrun furrows his brow, "No it's here. We are going stay put until it emerges. You should all get rest and be prepared."

He turns and heads out with another soldier. Yzak glances across the table at Dearka, he shrugs. Nicol tilts his head as he watches Athrun leave.

Athrun enters his room and leans against the door. He sighs and loosens his collar. He crosses to his bed and sits down. Flash.

Athrun and the others head through a busy city street. A limo passes by. Rena sat inside searching the streets. She spots them and leans forward.

"It's them. Turn at the corner and stop."

The driver glances back, "Are you sure Miss Irmgard-Marlis? We really shouldn't have left the vicinity of Morgenroete without notifying your father."

Rena nods, "Don't worry. Everything will be fine. I'll take full responsibility."

The car goes around the corner. A group of young kids were passing. Rena lowers the window and motions to them.

Nicol looked side to side taking everything in. On a huge teleprompter a commercial with Rena came on. "Hey look... It's Verena."

Yzak glances upward. He furrows his brow.

Dearka glances over at him, "It's too bad that she gave you the brush off huh?"

Yzak glares at him, "Shut up!"

Dearka raises an eyebrow, "It doesn't look like she'll be marrying any of us."

Nicol sighs. Yzak and Dearka go back and forth. They start to walk off. Athrun stares at the commercial.

"Excuse me mister?"

Athrun glances over as one of the boys stood in front of him. The boy holds up a paper,

"The pretty woman wanted me to give you this. For your eyes only."

Athrun takes it and tucks it into his pocket. Yzak, Dearka, and Nicol pause and glance over.

"Athrun?"

The boy runs off.

Yzak rolls his eyes, "Hurry up. I'm starving."

Athrun glances off in the direction that the boy had come. A limo pulls off.

"You go on ahead. I want to investigate this area." He crosses toward them. "We'll meet at the dock as planned."

Nicol tilts his head, "Investigate? Aren't you going to get something to eat?"

Athrun shakes his head.

Yzak sighs, "Well I'm going to get something to eat."

He heads off. Dearka follows. Nicol stares at Athrun but then follows the other two. When they were gone through the crowd Athrun opens the paper.

"I want to talk to you. The beach, 1 mile west. Come alone please.... R."

Athrun furrows his brow.

Athrun walks along a wooden boardwalk lining the beach. The limo was parked a short distance off. A figure walks along the beach near the water. Athrun starts down a stairway.

Rena, barefoot, stands in the wet sand facing the sunset. Athrun stares at her briefly before slowly approaching.

She turns to face him and smiles sadly, "I thought you weren't going to come." She glances behind him, "Or I was sure you would have told the others."

Athrun stared at her seriously, "I didn't. Look Rena, I don't know what this about but I can't ignore what happened. I found what we're looking for."

She says nothing and then glances at the sunset.

Athrun furrows his brow, "You can still make a choice. No one knows.... You could even return with me. I could arrange for you to be reunited with your mother."

She cuts him off, "Do I really have a choice? Can I really just go with you?"

He glances aside, "Ren..."

She tilts her head, "The answer is no. I am bound to the Gundam. Bound to a fate that can't be undone. I have to stay with…"

Athrun glances around, "Kira?"

She glances at him.

Athrun scowls, "Then why isn't he here with you then? You two are finally reunited. It should be such a happy sight, the two you together."

She says nothing.

Athrun sighs, "What is this about? Do you think I'll just let everything go? Well I can't... good-bye..."

She shakes her head, "Athrun.... stop. There's no sadder word to say then good-bye... and it's sad to watch you walk away like this."

He shakes his head, "Ren... what do you want from me? I… don't know what you want from me."

She reaches out and lays a hand on his cheek, "I don't know. Athrun..." She stares at him, "Maybe I'm begging you..."

He steps back, "We can't do this... you're my enemy."

She furrows her brow, "Enemy?"

Athrun stares at her intently, "And Kira... Kira is my enemy." Tears were welling in his eyes. "Can't you see how hard this is for me?"

She furrows her brow. "I'm so afraid that this won't end peacefully..." She covers her face with her hands.

Athrun reaches over and pulls her into his arms, "I'm sorry. Ren…" He holds her, "Stay by his side."

He pulls back and brushes the hair from her tear stained face.

She glances up at him. "Things aren't the same between him and I you know..."

Athrun smiles sadly, "I doubt that. How could anyone resist you?"

He glances aside, "Forgive me for this but this moment is probably the last time... for us..." He kisses her softly.

Her eyes widen.

He pulls back and caresses her cheek, "I love you Verena Irmgard-Marlis." She steps back, "This is the last time we'll be able to meet this way. Please remember this feeling, the truth of my feelings."

Tears fill her eyes. Athrun rushes off.

Back.

Athrun glances over at the picture of him and Rena which still sat on his desk.

The door opens and Nicol enters, "Athrun... sir... are you ok?"

Athrun rises, "I'm fine."