File 34 – Departure

Kira walks along a hallway within Morgenroete. He spots Rena walking along with her father. They seemed to be in a heated exchange.

She sweeps her hand out in front of her, "You have no say in this!"

She notices Kira and locks eyes with him. Kira opens his mouth but then resists the urge to say anything. He didn't know what if he should. They had shared little time if any together since the day he encountered Athrun. Before he has the chance to speak she was already rushing past him and down the hall. Kira furrows his brow. He didn't understand she seemed even more distant than before, as if seeing Athrun again at that fence had made things even more awkward. He felt a dull pain in his chest and throat as he fought back the tears.

"Kira Yamato?"

He looks up surprised that he missed the fact that Lukas had crossed over to him.

"Are you alright?"

Kira nods, "I'm fine."

Lukas sighs, "I wanted to apologize. We never had the chance to really talk."

Kira tilts his head, "Erica Simmons told me you were facilitating repairs on the Archangel."

Lukas nods, "Yes, but I meant when you were with my daughter on Heliopolis."

Kira's eyes widen.

Lukas nods, "I won't lie when I say that I didn't quite approve of your relationship then but now I realize what it is that she sees in you."

Kira glances aside, "I'm not sure she sees anything in me."

Lukas stares at him, "Really that's not the impression I get at all. She has chosen to remain on the Archangel hasn't she? She talks about fighting for peace. There are a lot of ways she can do that here at Orb but there must be something keeping her aboard that ship."

Kira glances at him.

Techs work on the Tempest. Rena helps them maneuver the positioning of the arm.

"Just a little bit more."

She steps back from the Gundam as other mechanics finish up. She was a bit sweaty with the top half of her work suit tied around her waist. She wipes her hand across her forehead. Her cheeks were slightly smudged with grease. She steps back and plops down on a crate. A tech working with the group stares at her and then crosses with a water bottle.

"Verena, did you want something to drink?"

She glances up at him, "Yes, thank you."

She takes it and takes a swig. He seemed frozen admiring her.

She tilts her head, "Thanks for helping with the arm. It's just about complete. It looks amazing."

He nods, "That's not the only thing."

She blushes as takes a sip.

He sighs, "You've always been my favorite idol. Your voice is amazing."

She takes a sip, "Thanks."

He tilts his head, "Do you think you'll ever perform again? Whenever you sing it's like your singing for someone really special so it really hits you here."

He hits his chest.

Her eyes widen. "Well I... I don't know... everything like that seems to be on hold now."

"Torii."

She glances up and watches as it circles the hanger.

The tech looks up. "Hey that's the Strike kid's bird. It's pretty cool. Do you know him?"

Rena glances at the tech. "The bird or the boy?"

He smiles.

"Torii!"

Kira walks into the hanger. He sighs.

Flash. Torii in Athrun's hand. Back.

"The arm is connected!"

Kira heads down a hall and into an open area. He pauses when he spots the Tempest but walks slowly toward it.

"Hey Kira."

Some Archangel techs wave at him. He nods.

Torii flaps its' wings in front of Rena. She stares at it before holding her hand up. The bird lands and tilts its head.

"Torii..."

Rena stares at it, "You're not running away again are you?"

Torii chirps.

The tech leans in, "It's such a cool robotic bird."

Kira comes around the side.

Rena nods, "Well its owner is pretty cool too."

Kira pulls back a bit and steps out of sight.

The tech nods, "He's amazingly adept when it comes to that Strike too."

"Hey! Can I get some help?"

The tech glances at her, "I'll take care of it. You've been working way too hard."

He heads off. Rena begins to look over at a report. Torii begins to hop around. She lowers the report monitor and flinches and laughs.

"Stop... you silly thing. You sure need a great deal of attention."

Kira smiles as he watches her laughing. Torii flies up and toward Kira. Rena glances over. Her smile slowly fades.

She rises, "Kira... you must have been looking for Torii again?"

He crosses looking the Tempest over, "Kind of. How are things going?"

She glances at the report and nods. "Fine..."

Kira pauses and glances downward, "I'm sorry if Torii interrupted..."

He reaches over to touch her cheek. She pulls back. He motions over, "You have some... grease."

Rena touches her cheek. "It'll wash off."

Kira shrugs. "Well you're obviously busy... I'll just go."

She shakes her head, "No!"

He glances over at her. She glances at the Tempest, "Well there is a lot of work that's not...."

Kira stares at her, "I missed it..."

She glances over at him confused.

He stared at her so intently, "It's been awhile since I've seen you laugh like you just did. Since we've even talked..."

Rena furrows her brow and glances aside.

He glances aside, "I know things are bad between us but…"

She shakes her head, "Kira… it's not that... I've just been busy."

He nods, "Do you think you could spend some time to walk with me?"

"ZAFT will attack as soon as we leave, now that Athrun knows we're here."

Kira and Rena stand outside. Kira leans against some railing a foot stepped up on a lower bar. Rena crosses her arms and rubs them as a breeze blows across. She glances off sideways. Seagulls flew overhead in the bay, she watches them.

Athrun definitely will be there.

Torii pops along the railing. Kira watches it and then pushes back from the railing. He glances at her, "Rena?"

She sighs as she closes her eyes, "I know..."

Kira turns his head, "Is something wrong?"

She shakes her head. He could tell that something was on her mind.

He glances off, "You're worried about him aren't you?"

Rena glances over at him. She could see the frustration in his face. She glances downward, "How could I not be." She turns to face the sea again. There was an uncomfortable silence.

He glances at her, "Why don't you talk to me anymore?"

Rena doesn't answer.

Kira grips the railing, "To be with him?"

She furrows her brow.

Kira grits his teeth, "Rena! Please answer me. You're killing me here."

Torii flies up. Rena holds her hand up and it lands on her fingers. Kira sighs and then turns to go. Torii flies to Kira's shoulder.

Rena lowers her hand, "What is it you want me to say? Are you really so concerned about my feeling for Athrun? You've always been so insecure around him. Does it really matter so much to you?"

He stares at her.

She glances downward, "After you met him at the fence I left the facility and met with him."

Kira glances downward as if the realization had finally hit.

She looks down, "I'm not in love with Athrun. I don't even know why I did it. Maybe I was hoping that he'd forgotten that he saw you, saw us."

Kira stares at her.

She sighs, "I'm sorry... for being so distant from you. You said it right? Things have been weird between us. So instead of saying something stupid I've chosen not to say or do anything at all."

Kira clenches his fist, "Why are you doing this? I wouldn't have cared... I just don't want it to be like this. We're still friends right? You said it... right? Ren? We're friends."

Rena glances at him, "Yes but...."

Kira furrows his brow, "You don't sound so sure."

They say nothing.

Kira stares at her, "If you don't know what to say or how to act then... why are you still here? You have a choice. Why are you still here? You don't have to fight."

Rena lowers her gaze and then glances off at the bay again. She looks downward, "I wish I could say that the only reason I was staying was so that I could defend and protect... like you."

Kira stares at her, "I don't understand... what other reason would there be?"

Rena glances over at him again, "My father like everyone else thinks I should return to my fabulous life as Orb's dear idol but the truth is... my life would be empty if I were to do that."

She furrows her brow, "It's funny, something I found so important before, means so little now…"

She looks forward, "I've realized that what matters to me most are these Gundam... and you..." She stares at him.

Kira furrows his brow.

She glances aside in thought, "You are the reason I'm here. To be near you, to fight by your side. To create a peaceful world for you to be happy in."

Kira gasps.

She shakes her head, "It's a selfish reason and I was afraid of what you'd say or what you'd do if you knew."

Kira was speechless.

She glances at him, "So I'm sorry… but I can't pretend that I don't care for you as deeply as I do. I tried so hard to ignore it… to be cold to you even though I can see that you're in so much pain."

Kira starts to speak but Rena steps toward him, "Kira you are the most important person in my life and I couldn't bear it if I never saw you again. So I'll stay by your side even if it's just as a soldier or just a friend."

He stares at her his eyes widening.

She shakes her head, "And now I've gone and made things even weirder."

Embarrassed she starts past him but Kira reaches out and grabs her arm. Rena glances at him.

"Kira. Please just let me get back." She shakes her head, "Forget I've said anything… I don't want to say it again."

He releases her arm but the grasps her hand, "I... I'm sorry... I...."

She nods, "You don't have to say anything." Her hand slips from his.

Yzak sits on a bed in his and Dearka's quarters. Dearka leans back in a chair reading a magazine.

"Seriously what's the purpose of this?"

Dearka glances over, "That's what I'm saying. We're even getting supplied out here in the middle of the ocean."

Yzak turns over and grits his teeth. He recalls the last meeting. He sits up fuming, "We've been idle for two days since he made that damn announcement. If his assumption is off the legged ship will already be far away from here."

Dearka smirks, "If you think we'll lose it why don't you confront him?"

Yzak gasps his eyes wide.

Dearka continues, "What are you going to do a coup d'état?" He starts to laugh.

Yzak smirks, "Unfortunately, I'm not that unreasonable." He sighs and flops back on the bed.

The refueling is completed and the vessel pulls off. Athrun sits on the deck of the ship. Wind blows through his hair as he watches the seagulls fly over the beach where he had met Cagalli. He furrows his brow as he recalls his meeting with Kira and then his interaction with Cagalli. He sighs. Cagalli Yula Athha huh? The wind whips around him.

Several crew members sigh, "What an incredible day."

The other, "You know I've never been on a beach before. Well a real one." They head off.

Athrun stares at the waves crashing against the shore. He recalls seeing Rena walk along the beach. Rena, please don't be on that ship. He rises and stares forward.

"Athrun!"

Nicol comes running from the opposite direction, "The supplying is finished right?"

Athrun nods, "Right."

Nicol smiles and points off, "You can see a bunch of flying fish on the deck over there. Would you like to go see?"

Athrun turns his head, "No."

Nicol furrows his brow. "Are you nervous?"

Athrun glances at him surprised, "Huh?"

Nicol shrugs and smiles, "It's alright. Athrun, I..." He gasps, "I mean... I believe in you captain."

Athrun smiles and tilts his head.

"Dispense water!"

The Archangel sits in a dry bay. Water is slowly pumped in and begins to surround it. Aboard the bridge Kuzzey glances over to where Tolle once sat. Sabine sat next to Arnold. He bites his bottom lip. In the CIC Miriallia glances downward at her console.

"I said I'm fine." Tolle dressed in an orange flight suit glances over, "Even in simulation I do it perfectly. I really can do it."

Kojiro glances over at Mu and Kira, both who stood in their flight suits.

"If this guys goes out in unit two it'll definitely be some help to us. It's difficult for the Strike on the Surface, so...."

Kira cuts him off and steps forward, "But Tolle?"

He glances over at him, "I'm only going to be surveying the air with the Strike's support."

Mu stares at him, "Are those Badgiruel's orders?"

Tolle glances back at him. "I volunteered. I'll need to prepare as well."

Several techs watch the Archangel's preparation from inside the ship. Flay stood behind them also watching but sadly staring downward. It had so long since her last words with Kira and she was feeling conflicted.

Rena sits in front of the now docked Tempest typing quickly into a portable computer. Schematics for the Tempest flash on the screen. She watches the data almost in a daze. Her fingers stop. She looks forward. A juxtaposition of images begins to flash in her mind, the Aegis... the Strike... explosions... the Sky grasper... Tolle.

A hand falls on her shoulder. Rena flinches and gasps. Mu who stood behind her pulls back, "Whoa? Are you ok?"

She furrows her brow, "I was just... yes... you just startled me."

He places his hands on his sides, "I thought the work was all done." He glances from the Tempest to the Strike.

She glances over at the monitor, "Oh you mean on the Tempest..." She nods, "Yes... I just thought I should look over it just in case."

Mu leans in and stares at the monitor, "I don't understand..." He glances at her, "How something that seems so boring could manage to maintain the attention of such a beautiful girl."

Rena gasps. She blushes.

He winks at her, "How about you get something to eat with me. I'm sure everything is perfect."

She stares at the screen.

He smiles, "We haven't actually had a chance to talk in awhile and I'd like the company."

She rises, "Ok."

Athrun and Nicol sit together on the ship's deck.

"Nicol, why did you enlist in the military?"

Nicol glances over, "Huh?"

Athrun smiles "Forget it I'm sorry. It's a pointless question."

Nicol shakes his head, "No..."

He watches a bird fly across the sky, "I felt that I needed to fight. After hearing the news about Junius-7." He glances over, "What about you Athrun?"

Athrun glances over and smiles slightly as he glances back at the island, "Same as you Nicol."

Rena looks up from her plate of food at Mu who sat across from her. "Tolle, Millie's boyfriend?"

Mu nods, "He's done pretty good at the training simulator and volunteered."

Rena turns her head. It's just a coincidence.

Mu leans over, "Is something wrong?"

She looks over at him and furrows her brow, "I... nothing... I just don't think it's a good idea."

He smiles, "He's only surveying from the air. He'll be fine."

She stares forward, "Hmm. I hope so."

He stares at her but then down at his food.

She stares at him. "Major Flaga? Do you think this war will end?"

He glances up at her. She glances downward. He shrugs, "I don't know but we have to keep fighting until it does right?"

She looks up.

He tilts his head, "And you should eat so that you have the energy to keep going."

She looks at her untouched meal.

He smiles, "You and Kira both. We're leaving and should be ready for anything. You're an amazing pilot and we need you at your full potential."

She tilts her head, "What do you think will happen to Kira in Alaska?"

Mu's eyes widen. "I... because you're coordinators? I don't think you should worry. Now eat or I'll have the captain give you your first court marshal for disobeying commanding officers orders."

She smiles and takes a bite.

He smiles, "That's better. You're getting way too skinny."

She stares at him, "Skinny?"

He laughs, "Yeah you're way too skinny. Eat." She smiles and starts to eat.

At a massive mansion Cagalli prepares to depart again. She pulls on her boots and rises. She zips up her vest and heads to her wardrobe. She recalls the meeting between Kira and Athrun at the fence. She drops her bag onto the bed and begins to fidget with it. The door opens behind her and she turns.

Her father enters, "Are you going on that ship?"

Cagalli turns back to her bag, "Yes."

He places his hands behind his back, "Then are you planning on fighting Plant as an earth soldier like Lukas' daughter?"

Cagalli turns back to her bag.

"So you want to fight that much?"

She turns to him, "No I don't want to fight!"

He stares at her, "then what is it?"

Cagalli clenches her fists, "I want to help them and I want to end this war!"

He glares down at her, "Does it end when you fight?"

Her eyes widen and her mouth drops open. Flash Kira, "But the war won't end even if you fight..." Waltfeld, "So how do you decide the victor?" He turns the gun on Kira and Cagalli, "Until you've killed all your enemies?" Back. Cagalli turns to her father, "But..."

He stands steadfast, "If you shoot somebody's husband, his widow will detest you. If you shoot someone's son, his mother will hate you. And if you died by someone's hand I would detest them. Why can't you understand this simple chain reaction?"

Cagalli glares at him, "I know that but I can't sit here and do nothing, happy and carefree in this country."

He yells, "What the hell are you planning on changing with that sympathetic sense of justice?"

She stares at him saying nothing.

He lays his hands on her shoulders. "A fight isn't always about wielding a gun or a sword. Realize the rules of war Cagalli."

She stares at him, "Father?"

He continues, "There's no end when everyone keeps on fighting."

She glances aside at the gun on the bed.

Mu and Rena enter the hangar bay. "I think someone would like to speak with you."

Rena looks up to find Lukas standing among the techs supervising the last few checks on both the Strike and Tempest. He glances over at her and then heads over. "Major Flaga?"

They shake hands.

"I'll see you later Ensign"

Lukas furrows his brow. "I'm glad you came down."

She nods.

He furrows his brow. "There's nothing I can say is there? Especially now."

She glances aside, "Maybe there's one thing."

He throws his arms around her, "Oh Rena. I will see you again. I know it. Be careful. Fight well. Protect this ship." He slips something into her pocket. He glances over, "I have to go."

She nods. He heads over to the others and they exit.

Outside of the Archangel in an observation room, Erica and Kisaka stood watching the Archangel. Uzumi enters with Kira's parents. "You can watch the departure from here Mr. and Mrs. Yamato."

Uzumi crosses over to her, "Where is Lukas?"

Erica turns, "Performing one last check."

The Yamato's cross over. Tears fill his mother's eyes.

Ships in the Orb fleet begin to move out.

"There's a message from the Orb fleet. No battleships around the area. Depart as planned."

Murrue and the crew sit at their stations, "Respond with a roger."

Chandra stares forward. "Are the escort fleet's following us?"

Jackie glances over, "They're concealing us. If there are a lot of battleships it'll be hard to distinguish each of them." He glances forward, "As long as it follows the data we can fool them plenty of times."

Above Pal glances over, "Representative Athha is visiting us at the dock." He glances over, "Oh? A request has been put in for Lt. Yamato to be sent to the upper deck."

Murrue glances over, "Hmm?"

Rena enters the locker room and begins to change. She feels something in her pocket her eyes widen when she pulls a small disk out and stares at it.

Outside on deck Kira opens a top hatch and climbs out.

"Kira!"

He glances sideways. Cagalli races up toward the Archangel. He stares down, "Cagalli! Why?"

She runs up the ramp, "You're parents! Over there!" She points upward.

Kira glances over. His mother pounds against the glass as his father waves. He gasps as his eyes widen. His mother breaks down into tears and cowers over as his father wraps his arms around her for support. He nods at Kira in support. Kira furrows his brow.

Cagalli makes it onto the deck visibly out of breath, "Why didn't you meet with them?" She glances at him and then up at his parents.

"Would you tell them, I'm sorry... right now...?"

She glances at him, "hmm?"

He glances downward, "Right now I..." Tears filled his eyes. He recalls a battle with the Aegis.

Cagalli glances at him, "I understand."

Kira turns and heads off. He pauses and glances over his shoulder at her, "Cagalli... you stay well too. Umm...." He turns and smiles "Thank you for a lot of things." He turns to go.

Cagalli rushes at him, "Kira!"

He turns in time for her to embrace him. Kira's parents gasp and glance over at Uzumi who is equally shocked. Kira holds his arms out in shock.

She turns her face to his ear, "Don't die ok?"

Kira smiles, "I'll be ok. I'm ok now." Tears brim his eyes.

The Archangel prepares to head out of the hanger. Everyone worked at their stations. The Archangel picks up speed and skims out.

Lukas arrives in the observation room and crosses to the window next to the Yamatos and Uzumi. Cagalli watches from down below her hand clasps to her chest.

The Archangel follows the Orb cruisers.

Rena sits inside the locker room now dressed in her flight suit. She stares at the disk and then grabbing her helmet heads out. She rushes down the hall.

Athrun enters a darkened control room, buttoning his coat as he enters, "Training?"

The captain stares at a map, "It's not on their schedule but they're heading north." He turns to his team, "Are the ship identifications in yet?"

Athrun glances over, "We're beginning combat preparations. Please hurry with the identifications." He turns and goes.

Rena places the disk into her computer console. She watches the blank screen.

Isamu comes on. "Hey Rena."

She gasps and covers her mouth.

Isamu smiles, "I'm alive if you worried about that. I recorded this message so that your father could give it to you. He tells me that you've joined with the Archangel crew and that you've taken over piloting my suit." Isamu smiles, "I'm fine with that so don't feel bad. But only you're allowed." He tilts his head, "So you're obviously with Kira. I hope he isn't being a jerk." He laughs, "What am I saying he's too nice for that kind of thing. Watch his back ok?"

She furrows her brow.

He shrugs, "Well I should be brief who knows if ZAFT will intercept this. Oh I wanted to let you know that my mother and I have been reunited. She's amazing." He furrows his brow. "I'm so happy. Things are getting serious up here though. I'm still in hiding with help from both Lacus and her father. She's amazing too." He smiles.

Rena smiles.

He sighs, "Oh and one more thing. Your mother is doing fine. She's been taking care of an old flame of hers. A ZAFT commander who was severely injured in the battle in North Africa."

Rena furrows her brow. Old flame?

He sighs, "She wanted me to give you her love. Please be extra careful and be strong. I love you." The transmission ends.

Rena stares at the blank screen and wipes a tear from her cheek.

"We're nearing the territorial lines."

The Archangel moves in the middle of the fleet group.

"No other ships found in the area."

Murrue glances over her shoulder, "Keep a sharp eye out. After the fleet withdraws, rise from the waters and full speed ahead."

Kuzzey stares at his monitor, "A message from the fleet's flagship. We will now withdraw. We wish your ship good luck."

Murrue nods, "Reply thanking them for the escort."

Kira heads over to the Strike in his flight suit and helmet.

Kojiro stares at him, "What is it Kid? There haven't been any orders yet."

He looks up, "Hmm."

Rena enters and heads toward the Tempest. Kira glances over at Rena and back at Kojiro, "Once we get out of their territory ZAFT will attack immediately." He heads into the cockpit as Rena does the same.

Kojiro glances at one and the other, "Huh?"

The Archangel breaks free of the Orb Fleet and takes to the air.

Alarms sound inside the ZAFT submarine. "A ship is breaking free of the Orb fleet."

The Gundam wait at standby inside.

"Battleship identified it's the legged ship!"

Inside the Duel Yzak gasps.

Dearka whistles, "Pretty good."

Nicol smiles, "Bulls eye Athrun."

Athrun stares forward seriously, "We're launching! We're shooting down that ship no matter what."

Hatches on the submarine open, "Launch isolation ok! Hatches open! Course clear! Start catapult!"

The Gundam are shot out one at a time along with their Guul. They land on them and their phase shift goes up

Pal gasps and leans into his radar. "Radar's picked up something. Numbers three... no four!"

Everyone gasps.

Jackie analyzes his information, "Unit identifications: Aegis, Buster, Blitz, and Duel!"

Natarle turns to him, "Were they hiding? We got caught in their trap."

Murrue glares ahead. The four Gundam hover directly ahead of them. "Engage! Prepare for mobile suit combat."

Kira looks up. Athrun scowls.