Fandom: Gundam Seed Destiny
Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance
Rating: T
Type: Multi-part, Chapter 36
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 36
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C.E. 73, December 7
Time : 09 00 hours
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Athrun woke to the sound of his cellphone ringing. Reaching for the ringing phone lazily, he answered the call from Mirialla with a sleepy voice. However, the moment the feminine voice of Mirialla Haw reaches him - he blot up to a sitting position on his hotel bed, immediately.
The girl had called him with the sole intention to inform him, that Kira had responded to her message - telling them to meet him at the small island situated off-shore - near the town of Crete.
"Athrun, the scheduled meeting time would be this early evening, at 17 00 hours. I was the one whom fixed the timing - since I need to tie up some loose ends of what my job entails me to do. I hope you don't mind - Is that arrangement alright with you ?" Mirialla's clear voice, came from the other end of the line.
"Yes, that's fine. I don't mind - and I probably should be thanking you for your efforts to help me contact them. So when and where should I meet you - later ? " Athrun Zala asked, searching his surrounding for a pen and paper to note down the details for the meeting, and the time to pick up Mirialla from her work.
There was a pause, before Mirialla responded. "Pick me up by the cross-junction of the town - at 15 00 hours. After that, we will leave for the island using your Mobile Suit - wherever you had it hidden. "
Athrun was about to nod in response, when he realized Mirialla would not be able to see his silent agreement. Therefore, added a 'Sure, No problem' - before ending the call from his side of the connection.
/Well... the meeting with Kira was scheduled - for the early evening. So what should I do to occupy myself - until then ? Yesterday, I was driving around with hopes of locating Mirialla - but today ... /
Athrun Zala frowned, realizing that he had practically nothing to do - that would keep him occupied until the scheduled time for the meeting arrived.
Staring at his cellphone, he wondered if he should call Michelle up and check with the former - on the situation on her side; and on the Minerva's situation.
/Well... the worst would be enduring a scolding from the brunette for his reckless actions ... / Athrun Zala thought to himself, as he punched in the familiar number of Michelle Haw and waited in silent anticipation for the former to answer the call.
Michelle Haw sighed, she had been in the middle of yet another two way video conference with her younger sister - Melody Haw, when Athrun Zala called her on her cellphone.
The reason why she had been in contact with the 'Sapphire' crew on board the Minerva, in the broad daylight - was simply because, there were things that she would very much preferred to be discussing in private, and away from the said blue-haired Coordinator, himself. Following Heine's demise, and Athrun Zala being away - Michelle had the entire spacious room to herself, literally.
Added on to the fact that nobody would dared to interrupt or entered the room which she had been sharing with Athrun Zala, whom was currently away for the time-being - Michelle could basically do all the things which she wanted to do, in peace. Yet, somehow her 'room-mate' always seemed to have such awkward timing - when the former attempted to call her.
Michelle resisted the urge to curse aloud, while she glared at the annoying slim gadget lying and vibrating offendingly on the desk, beside her precious laptop. Through the web-cam, Melody could only arched an eyebrow graciously upon her elder sister's look of venom, being casted upon something - outside of the capturing range of the web-cam.
Melody's doubts were soon cleared up, when the sight of her elder sister made a grab for the annoying gadget and sighed aloud.
"Melody, hang on a moment - some idiot just have the worst timing when they tried to reach me on the phone. " Michelle muttered aloud, as she answered Athrun's call - while throwing poisonous look towards her cell-phone.
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Meanwhile, on the other hand - Lunamaria was observing the movements of Athrun Zala - in her own hotel room, which was situated directly opposite to the hotel room that Athrun Zala had been assigned.
Making full use of the binoculars which she had brought along for the spying mission, Lunamaria sighed aloud as she continued to watch Athrun Zala's movements through them. She had been spending the past twenty four hours following Athrun Zala around town and observing him silently from her position - afar. So far, the former had yet to show any signs of suspicious actions or engaged in any potential suspicious activities.
The previous day had simply ended with Athrun Zala talking to a female brunette whom appeared to be a local reporter - that little information, was filed away for future reference. Although, Lunamaria had yet to figure out why Athrun Zala had purposely went around the town of Diocula in search for a reporter.
Does the reporter have anything to do with the Archangel or the 'Freedom' ? She had no idea, then again - nothing about this particular mission had made sense to her - at all.
One minute she was chatting with Youlan by the hangar, the next moment - Rey came over and told her that the Captain had requested for her presence in the Captain's room. The next thing she knew, she had gotten herself several days free to roam around town - following a certain blue-haired pilot on their team.
Initially, she had wanted to inquire on the reason behind her mission - but the Captain apparently had no desire to reveal anything else - other than the necessary instructions to be given. Therefore, Lunamaria had to leave the matter behind and concentrated on her latest so-called mission.
/... Everyone have been acting strange - lately. Shinn's mood was more of a roller coaster, recently - ever since Heine's demise and the last battle. Rey appeared more and more aloof to others, but was warming up more than necessary with Shinn. Those two never seemed to be separated - these days ...
Athrun Zala, was the worst - he was often seen mumbling and muttering to himself. There was this one time - he kept on frowning at his luncheon meat, I almost thought there was something wrong with the meat. Since he never eat them, merely glared and stared at them. Strange ... Why is it that nobody no longer act normal - nowadays ?
Then ... there was Meyrin, since when did the former get so familiar with Athrun Zala - anyway ? It seems like over the course of the past few days, wherever Athrun Zala went - her younger sister was always nearby. Granted, Michelle was also around - and in fact, was hanging out with her younger sister, just make things seemed even more weird and out of place than the usual.
Speaking of strange ... I wonder what happened to Auel ... Wait a minute, he's the enemy of us - ZAFT! Why am I even thinking about him ? Ack! Damn, I am supposed to be working on my 'special' mission of spying on Athrun Zala - not thinking and daydreaming about a certain 'Extended' pilot of the Earth Alliance Forces/
Lunamaria frowned, at her own thoughts - as they started drifting off to a certain pale-haired 'Extended' pilot from the Earth Allliance Forces.
Taking another look into her binoculars, Lunamaria could yell out in sheer frustration. It appeared - ever since Athrun Zala had woken up an hour ago. All that guy ever did was to talk on the phone - just what was he talking about and whom was he talking to ? Why did he talked that long on the phone ? Is he talking to his fiancee - Lacus Clyne ? Or was he talking to someone else ?
/Argh!!! This is crazy ... / Lunamaria screamed mentally, as she dumped the binoculars aside - deciding to look at them, in another hour's time. Praying mentally that Athrun Zala would at least have some actions today - instead of spending time talking on the phone, all day.
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In the meantime, back onboard the Minerva - Shinn simply thought it strange and weird for both Lunamaria and Athrun Zala to be send on individual missions - both at the same time. However, he wisely kept the comment to himself as he prepared to launch out in his 'Impulse' with Rey's 'Blaze ZAKU Phantom' to check out the lately abandoned laboratory - that their informant had came to them with the information that it had previously been occupied by members of the Earth Alliance Forces, and probably 'Blue Cosmos'.
"Nah, Rey ... What do you think Luna and Athrun was supposed to do for their mission ? I thought Athrun was good enough to handle anything - alone ? So, why was Luna with him - again ?" Shinn asked, through his communication line to Rey's machine.
"... Saa... No idea, but it must be some top secret mission assigned. Since, the Captain did not tell me anything about it. " Rey responded, automatically - keeping his face a smooth mask of oblivion.
/Sorry Shinn ... I cannot tell you anything about their mission. Lunamaria was actually send out to keep an eye on Athrun Zala - spying on the former's actions from afar. / Rey thought, apologetically to the sixteen year old pilot in the 'Impulse'.
Although, their relationship had gotten closer and strengthen somewhat recently. Rey still believe that he cannot afford to risk Gilbert's plan - until the time is ripe.
Therefore, until the correct moment came forth - Rey was going to be acting innocent and oblivious when it come down to conversing with Shinn Asuka, an important 'role' that was required in the plan which Gilbert Durandul was planning to execute in time.
"Shinn, slow down and check the surroundings. We are approaching the destination - although, the informant said all personnels from the Earth Alliance had been withdrawn, several weeks ago. We still cannot afford to risk anything - be careful ... " Rey warned, as he looked carefully around his area - in search of possible signs of dangers.
"Aa... I am doing that, already. " Shinn replied, his tone even.
Although, he knew that was the way Rey talked when the former was giving out commands to others - that still does not mean Shinn enjoyed being on the receiving end to them.
After all, he had never been one whom took orders from superiors well. Otherwise, no instructors from the academy would lodge complaints directed towards him - to the Chairman, time and time again. That had resulted in the Chairman calling him in for a personal chat, with the academy consultants - over and over again.
Eventually, Shinn had ended up obeying their orders and commands - just to keep them happy, and himself free from regular chatting session with the resident consultants of the Military.
"Coast clear, Rey ... How about your side ?" Shinn asked, as he proceed to land in the middle of an open space - in front of the abandoned laboratory.
"Mine's clear too ... " Rey responded, as he landed his 'Blaze ZAKU Phantom' - next to the 'Impulse'.
The two pilots exited the cockpit at the same time, after nodding at one another in acknowledgement - they started heading towards the main entrance of the laboratory and pushes the door open.
They had only just stepped through the entrance of the abandoned laboratory - and had only taken one look at all the disgusting items and containers containing human organs - such as the brain, when Rey collapsed to the ground, holding his head with both his hands.
"Rey ?! What's wrong ?" Shinn started towards Rey, only to find the former shaking and cowering - by drawing himself into a ball.
"No... it's okay, I'm okay ... I'm just having a terrible headache ... Don't worry ... " Rey told Shinn, as he tried to suppress the sense of overwhelming emotions from sweeping over him. Nausea arises as a bile was formed in his throat, swallowing the bile bitterly - he apologized to Shinn and asked to leave the operation for the time-being.
"Aa... it's alright, I'll handle the check on my own. Just stay outside, I'll contact the Minerva and tell them about your sudden illness. The Captain will understand ... and perhaps, send re-inforcement down to help us. " Shinn assured Rey, as he made a dash towards his 'Impulse' as fast as his legs could carry him.
Running back to the 'Impulse' - Shinn hurried to open and establish a connection with the bridge of Minerva, asking for the ship to head over and continue the search for themselves. Shinn also added that whatever the laboratory contained - it had just managed to trigger an extremely agitated response from Rey's current reaction.
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C.E.73, December 7
Time: 13 50 hours
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"Alright, Shinn - we will be coming over as soon as possible. Until then, do your own observation of the laboratory - and think of something to put in the report that you are supposed to submit to the superiors with regards to the mission. " Captain Gladys said into the connection established and maintained between the bridge of the Minerva and the 'Impulse'.
Captain Gladys frowned at the latest information received from Shinn Asuka, before sighing and announcing that they would be heading out to locate Rey and Shinn - at the venue of the abandoned laboratory.
"EH?! But ... Athrun Zala and Lunamaria Hawke - they were still ... ?!" Arthur Trine, the Vice-Captain voiced aloud.
Captain Gladys shot Arthur a look, before responding. "Arthur - they will know to check with the Base with regards to our whereabouts, so just leave a message for them - behind with the officers situated in the base. Athrun and Lunamaria were hardly three years old ... they will know what to do - should they failed to sight us around the base.
Moreover, Athrun Zala had been with the ZAFT Forces - for as long as your time served here within the ZAFT Military. The officers around here could easily recognized him anywhere, they would no doubt clued him in on our location. Now, proceed on and prepared the Minerva ready for taking off. "
"Yes, Madam! " Arthur hurried to respond with his formal salute to Talia Gladys, while the former dwelled on the reason behind Rey's sudden loss of composure.
She had known the boy since before his enlistment into ZAFT, and the boy had always appeared cool, calm and collected - to her. So, what could be inside the abandoned laboratory which belonged to the Earth Alliance Forces - that caused the said blond boy to react in such an agitated manner ?
/Well ... all will be revealed - in time ... / Captain Gladys thought, as the crew prepared the Minerva ready for the trip.
"Captain, the ship's maintainence is now fully repaired, and all its' weapons is now working in good conditions. " Athur Trine reported, as the technicians informed him from the factory.
Talia Gladys nodded in response, and announced. "Good, now the Minerva shall move out and head over to the abandoned laboratory to aid Shinn Asuka in his latest mission. Minerva moving out! "
Michelle was snapped out from her trance-like state, when the announcement came on - alerting its' crew members that the Minerva was now preparing to take off, heading towards the location where the laboratory was situated - to provide re-inforcement for Rey and Shinn Asuka, whom had been send out earlier on, for a scouting mission.
"..." Michelle frowned, as she turned abruptly to her laptop screen and told her younger sister - that she will be cutting their conversation short. For it would not do them any good, if their network was detected by the Minerva, when the ship's system was fully started up.
Disconnecting all networks from her side, Michelle made a grab for her cell-phone and punched in a quick text message to Athrun Zala's cell-phone. Not caring if the former had the time to look through or anything, she merely wanted to give the former a headstart.
Afterwhich, she proceed on to send a quick text to Samuel Howard, situated over at the hangar to keep her posted on the latest news onboard the Minerva.
With that done, she set her laptop on stand-by mode - and randomly grabbed a book from the bookshelf nearby, pretending to be reading it.
to be continued
Date started: 17/06/07
Date completed: 18/06/07
Date edited: 15/09/07