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 36 - Uncovering the Mist (Part 2)
Cosmic Era 73, October 31
GMT: 08 00 hours
Venue: ZAFT Military Headquarters, Gibraltar
/Finally!/ Meyrin thought, as the Minerva docked itself at the port of Gibraltar Military Headquarters. The journey from the outskirts of Berlin, Germany to Gibraltar, where their Headquarters was situated had taken them nearly forty-eight hours.
Now as they had finally reached Gibraltar, Meyrin had only one notion in mind. That was, to finish her work as soon as possible. After which, she would proceed on to check on the blue-haired pilot, when the Captain granted her permission to leave her position.
Unfortunately, her wishes were put to rest by a sudden call from the Headquarters building. Apparently, the Chairman wanted to summon both Shinn Asuka and Athrun Zala over to the warehouse for a meeting - as soon as possible. Glancing over to the Captain, Meyrin was met by the slight nod of the Captain's head as approval of the request.
Meyrin sighed, and proceeded on with the task of paging both Shinn Asuka and Athrun Zala - urging them to come over to the bridge at once.
"Alright, Meyrin - you may leave the bridge now ... " Captain Gladys said, eyeing the fidgeting redhead.
" ... Eh?! " Meyrin turned wide-eye lingering with shock towards the honey blonde Captain, before blurting aloud. "Captain, can I stay on for a while longer ? "
Now, the honey blonde Captain was absolutely bewildered. "Why? I thought you were getting restless ... about staying up here on the bridge? "
"... " Meyrin was speechless, so the Captain does know about her unwillingness to stay on the bridge - and here she thought she can fooled them all.
Thankfully, she need not answer the Captain's question for the door had buzzed open to reveal both Shinn and Athrun Zala - reporting.
"Captain, you called for us? " Athrun broke the silence, as soon as they both entered the bridge.
"Well, actually - the Chairman wants the two of you to head over to the warehouse as soon as possible ... " Captain Gladys responded.
Meyrin, meanwhile took this period of time to assess the blue-haired pilot. It would appeared that the fellow blue-haired Coordinator had finally calmed down. At least, the former was not attempting to kill Shinn for what happened before with th 'Freedom'.
"Oh I see ... " There was a moment of silence, before Athrun's voice was heard - again. "So Captain, I assume that you would like us to head over - now ? "
The Captain said nothing but nodded in response, and to which - Athrun Zala only saluted the Captain before turning on his heels and left. Shinn Asuka, though baffled by Athrun's lack of words and formal actions taken - said nothing but follow suit.
Athrun Zala, in the meantime, vowed that he would get down to the bottom of things - and hope that the Chairman could provide him with some kind of reasonable explanation for the recently transpired events.
Meyrin Hawke, on the other hand, could do nothing but witness in silence as Athrun and Shinn departed from the Minerva and set off for the warehouse.
Meyrin sighed for the umpteen times since Shinn and Athrun departed for the warehouse, and that obviously was getting on Vino's nerves. Ever since he had invited the redhead to join Youlan and himself for breakfast over at the cafeteria situated within the Headquarters' building - all the redhead had done was to sigh aloud. However, when he asked if the redhead had anything on her mind - the response had been nothing.
"Honestly, Meyrin - what are you sighing about? If you had no wish to join us for breakfast, just say so ... We'll be glad to leave you alone in peace. " Vino finally said, having had enough of Meyrin's constant sighing.
"Really?! " Meyrin blurted out in surprise, before flushing crimson from embarrassment. "Sorry, I didn't mean anything by saying that ... It's just, well ... I've quite a lot on my mind ... Look! Vino ... I'll make it up to you another day ... I've got to go now ... "
With that, Meyrin made a bee-line for the warehouse - hoping that she could get hold of Athrun when the former emerged from within.
GMT: 08 40 hours
Venue: Gibraltar, ZAFT Headquarters - Warehouse
"Chairman, Shinn Asuka and Athrun Zala had arrived! " The guard whom was in charge of leading both Shinn and Athrun to where the Chairman was, reported as he opened up the door leading to the inside of the warehouse.
"Good, thanks for your hard work. You may leave now ... " The Chairman said, dismissing the guard from duty. The guard return the address with a formal salute, before departing.
The door closes behind, as Shinn and Athrun stepped into the warehouse. Heading towards the direction where the Chairman had stood, both of them had eyes trained on their surrounding. As it was dark within the warehouse, they could only vaguely make out the shape of two Mobile Suits standing tall ahead of them.
Meer Campbell, the impersonator of Lacus Clyne beamed as Athrun Zala passes her by. The red 'Haro' of hers' bouncing about the place actively, while she played around with it. However, despite her cheerful attempt at greeting Athrun - the fellow Coordinator merely eyed her for a second before turning away. Although, she was disappointed slightly by the attitude of Athrun Zala - she thought, it was perhaps due to the Chairman's presence that resulted in Athrun's cold behavior towards her.
"Aa... Shinn, Athrun - how are you two doing? It's so nice to have you two joining me today ... " The Chairman beamed, as he greeted them both.
"... We have been fine ... Thanks for your concern. " Shinn responded, when Athrun said nothing in response to the Chairman's greeting.
"Good then, come over and have a look at these ... " The Chairman announced, just as the lights within the warehouse were being switched on.
Athrun and Shinn shifted their attention from the Chairman towards the two new units of Mobile Suits, Shinn in awe while Athrun in question. "The 'ZGMF-X42S Destiny' and 'ZGMF-X666S Legend' - they were to be your new units for the future battles. " The Chairman informed them.
"Shinn, the 'Destiny' was meant for your use ... It was tailor-made for you, after we collected data from your past battle and make use of them in the customizing process. You should find it easier to control and manage as compared to the 'Impulse'. "
"Really? " Shinn looked up at the Chairman with enthusiasm, he was absolutely estactic. The Chairman nodded at Shinn with a smile of approval, while Shinn beamed and glances over to the 'Destiny' with awe and excitement.
Turning towards Athrun, the Chairman continued his speech. "Athrun, the 'Legend' came equipped with the Dragoon System ... but I believed you will be able to control it freely. The Dragoon System was first put to use - during the last war, by our party on the 'Providence' unit ... and that system proved to be useful given to the right person with the right capability. While it might seemed a little foreign to you at first, but as time goes by - you should be able to use them easily. "
" ... " Athrun Zala eyed the Chairman for a moment, before shifting his attention to the 'Legend' - not speaking. Meanwhile, Shinn Asuka was looking at Athrun weirdly - wondering why Athrun was not showing any positive reaction towards what the Chairman had informed them before.
After a while, Athrun opened up his mouth to speak. However, he was not being thankful towards the Chairman for bestowing upon him the 'Legend'. Instead, he was questioning the Chairman on the current world situation and the Chairman's previous announcement to wage war against the 'Logos'.
"Pardon me if I sound rude, but if your wish was to wage war against the 'Logos' ... then why was the Archangel being eliminated ?! " Athrun finally asked, frowning while he did so.
Meer, whom tried to interrupt him from voicing his opinions was silence by a threatening glare from him. Athrun was hoping for a sound explanation from the Chairman, and he wants them - immediately.
All the recent happenings made no sense to him, and he had no wish to be played about like a puppet or toys. If the Chairman wanted him to continue fighting in this war for a clause, then the former had better provide him with a good explanation. Otherwise, he would rather turn away and left - then to fight in a war with no purpose.
The Chairman frowned slightly, but was quick to regain his usual cool and calm mannerisms. "I know you are upset about the order to eliminate them ... but given the current situation, I had no choice but to do so. Their standing was totally un-clear, and were considered neither friend nor foe. "
Athrun's frown deepened then, but he continued to press on the issue. "Still, there's no need to eliminate them ... their aim and objective was to stop war from happening. If the problem had been their unfounded political stand, you can try and negotiate with them ... Why did you ordered for them to be eliminate ? "
" ... " The Chairman remained silent for a minute as he regarded Athrun Zala with spectaculating eyes, before answering. "I agreed with what you just said, but still - you heard what Captain Gladys had told them prior to the battle. She had told them to surrender their power, but they choose to ignore the warning and went ahead with their actions. It was their choice to fight against us ... they have no one to blame but themselves ... "
"Besides, that friend of yours ... Kira Yamato. He had had the ability and skills of a warrior, and given proper training - he could be better. However, he had chosen the wrong side ... and made the wrong decision. Thus, he only have himself to blame for suffering such a fate ... " The Chairman continues on, no longer caring if he had hurt Athrun's feelings by giving such opinions.
As the Chairman spoke, Athrun's expression darkens. The Chairman's response to his query had not put his suspicion to rest, instead it brings them up to another level of doubt. He was about to voice another doubt across, when the Chairman's stern expression warned him off.
"Athrun - I hope you would not disappoint me ... so what do you say about having the 'Legend' being bestowed upon you ? " The Chairman asked, his tone of voice absolutely solemn and giving no room for arguement.
Schooling his features into one of his poker face, Athrun replied cautiously. "I apologize, Sir ... However, I believed I would need some time alone to sort certain things out ... May I be excused for the time - being ? "
Knowing that Athrun's decision could not be changed that easily, the Chairman let out a sigh while nodding his permission for the blue-haired pilot to be excused. However, as Athrun turned on his heels and left the warehouse - the Chairman had his eyes narrowed upon the blue-haired Coordinator. Standing beside the Chairman, Meer was worried for Athrun but she was in no position to plead on the blue-haired pilot's behalf.
GMT: 09 00 hours
Venue: Outside the Warehouse
Athrun Zala stepped out from the warehouse only to find himself facing a redhead whom was eyeing him with concern. For a while, he was surprised by the fellow redhead's appearance but soon he recovered. Managing a half-hearted smile, he greeted.
"Meyrin, what are you doing here ? "
The resident CIC officer of the Minerva sighed, as she replied. "What do you think I'm doing here? Of course, I'm waiting for you ... "
"Huh? Waiting for me ? For whatever purposes ... ? " Athrun responded, looking absolutely puzzled.
"... " Throwing the blue-haired Coordinator a look of annoyance, Meyrin hurried to question. "So what does the Chairman wants from you guys ? "
Athrun eyed the surroundings for a moment, before responding. "Nothing much, just a session of catching up with us on the past happenings ... "
"Was that all? " Meyrin quirked an eyebrow up at him, inquistively.
"Well ... not exactly, but I can't really relate them to you - out here ... " Athrun added on, with slight hesitation.
Meyrin glances about their surroundings for a while before nodding her agreement. " I see ... " However, her eyes was emitting another message that seemed to inform Athrun that she would get down to the bottom of things, in time to come.
The sound of one's stomach rumbling caused the blue-haired pilot to chuckle, while Meyrin flushed crimson with embarrassment. The sight of Athrun Zala chuckling, caused the redhead to fume and let out a low growl.
"Come on, I'll treat you to breakfast ... " Athrun Zala eventually managed, after forcing down his urge to laugh aloud.
"... Stop laughing, would you?! I'm famished ... I didn't eat a single bite just now ... all because of the worries I had for you ... and now, you had the audacity to laugh at me !? " Meyrin gritted out in sheer frustration.
"Alright, I'll stop laughing ... and I say, we'd better go before there's nothing left for us to eat ... " Athrun suggested, changing the subject easily.
Throwing Athrun Zala another glare, Meyrin hurried along to catch up with the former as the two of them headed towards the direction of the cafeteria.
The two of them arrived at the cafeteria to find the area crowded with personnels from both ZAFT and Alliance party.
"... " Both Athrun and Meyrin shared a look among themselves before heading over to where Vino and Youlan were seated, and sat down at their table without seeking for permission.
"Were they all here for the upcoming battle ? " Meyrin asked, as she glances about the cohorts of Alliance officers gathered in their own groups - scattered all over the cafeteria.
"Huh? Oh yeah ... I don't even dare to consider what might happened if the whole lot of them suddenly turn traitors towards us ... Can't believe the Chairman actually opened up our Headquarters to them all ... " Vino commented, shaking visibly upon the sheer idea of the Alliance officers ganging up against them.
" ... Vino! Can you stop saying such unlucky things?! " Youlan protested with a low wail, it was bad enough that they now had their ex-enemies in the same room as them. Vino just had to bring up yet another valid point of this whole fiasco, making him even more uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, Athrun and Meyrin merely shook their heads at Youlan and Vino's reaction - before heading off to collect their own share of breakfast from the kitchen counter.
Kisaka Ledonir, in the meantime, was busy searching his eyes about the cafeteria - hoping to catch sight of Athrun Zala. According to the information gathered, the Minerva had arrived at Gibraltar about an hour ago. Therefore, there was a likely chance of Athrun Zala appearing in the cafeteria for breakfast. Since, the Chairman did gave permission for the ZAFT personnel to spend the day within the base instead of remaining on board of their respective battle fleets.
Just then, he thought he heard a familiar voice from behind. Turning around quickly, he was just in time to witness a blue-haired figure passing by while conversing with a redhead - looking exceptionally at ease.
/Well ... at least, that Zala boy seemed fine to me ... / Kisaka thought, as he diverted his attention back to his accquitances' conversation.
Shinn Asuka, meanwhile, was still in the warehouse inspecting his newly accquired unit. The Chairman, on the other hand, had left with Meer in tow for the Headquarters building - leaving Shinn behind with a few technicians and guards.
Arriving at the temporary office for the Chairman, Gilbert Durandul told Meer to head off for some well-deserved rest. In the meantime, he shall attend to some important official reports and issues that needs to be addressed. After which, he send out a request for Rey to visit him sometime during the mid-afternoon to discuss certain issues.
~ to be continued~
Date started: 16/08/08
Date completed: 17/08/08
Date edited: 20/08/08