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 37 - Runaway (Part 1)
Cosmic Era 73, October 31
GMT: 12 00 hours
Venue: ORB Union, Akatsuki Island - Underground Military Facility
"How's Kira doing? " Lunamaria asked, as she joined the blonde princess of ORB on the deck of the Archangel.
Not wanting to face Neo Lorrnoke, the fellow Coordinator had been avoiding the medic wing of the Archangel like a plague - these few days. Instead, she had chose to spend her time wisely on the bridge helping Miriallia and the rest of the bridge crew members. Now that, the Archangel had arrived safely and docked itself within the underground Military port of the ORB Union. There was nothing else that could keep her on the bridge, thus she had opted to step out onto the deck.
Upon her arrival, she was hardly surprised to find the blonde representative of ORB surveying the underground Military Facility in details. Due to the fact that the country was now in the hands of the Seirans' control, there was nothing which the blonde princess could do. Hence, the said representative could only sit around and wait things out.
The whole lot of them were either spending their time within the living quarters of the Archangel, or helping out the personnels whom were working within the Underground Military Facility. From time to time, the blonde princess would go around surveying the fleet's repairing progress, and to visit Kira whom was still staying within the infirmary.
"Aa... Luna ... he's fine, and recovering. Just a little down - from losing the 'Freedom' ... but aside from that little detail, he's fine. " Cagalli responded, sounding relieved.
"That's good ... " Lunamaria mused, not amazed by the speed of Kira's recovery. Since, its' a well-known fact among everyone that the Coordinators' recovered fast, be it from an injury or illness.
Glancing about the facility, Lunamaria could not helped but asked. "Pardon me if this sounds abrupt, I was wondering ... when was this place built ? "
"Eh? Why did you ask? " Cagalli blinked, surprised by Lunamaria's query.
Lunamaria grinned sheepishly, and said. "Well ... I thought this place seemed a little too well-developed to be something that had just been put together - recently. "
"Oh ... " Cagalli smiled a bitter smile, before answering. "It has always been here, just that nobody knew of it - except my father's trusted confidant. "
"Aa... and here I thought, how come nobody from the government sector had came in - since our arrival ... " Lunamaria mused aloud to herself.
Cagalli smile a small tight smile, before excusing herself from Lunamaria's companionship and went down to the living quarters - for another round of inspection. After all, she did have a platoon of 'Murasames' pilots' residing on board of the Archangel.
GMT: 14 00 hours
Venue: Gibraltar ZAFT Headquarters Building
Rey Za Burrel knocked on the door leading to the office of the Chairman twice, and waited patiently for permission to enter.
"Come in. " The sound of the Chairman's voice, came from behind the door.
Reaching for the doorknob, Rey twisted the handle of the door and stepped in. Closing the door behind him as he entered, the blond ZAFT elite saluted the Chairman before taking a seat.
"Nice to see you here, Rey ... How are you faring, recently? " The Chairman asked, with concern.
"I have been fine, thanks for asking. " Rey responded, with respect.
The Chairman nodded in response, before turning around and headed for the wine bar. Pouring himself a glass of whiskey, he re-joined Rey by the coffee table. "So how's things going? "
"Sir, your meaning? " Rey questioned, his voice so smooth and cool that one could find nothing that hints at his current feelings.
The Chairman then proceeded to take out a stack of photograph from his desk, the photographs had been submitted to him by the Captain of the Minerva - a while ago. All the photographs shown Athrun Zala meeting up with three strangers, among them included the blonde princess of ORB and the pilot of the 'Freedom' - Kira Yamato.
"Rey, tell me honestly - what do you think of Athrun Zala? " The Chairman asked, pointedly - no longer beating about the bushes.
Rey eyed the stack of photographs with solemnity for a minute, before looking up at the Chairman - and said. "With utmost respect, I don't think the plan's workable. His feelings towards the Archangel and its' crew members were stronger than we had first anticipated them to be ... His attempt to punch Shinn after the 'Freedom' was destroyed - was evidence enough to justify his strong sense of attachment towards the Archangel crew. "
"Hm..m... Looks like the plan to use him as a pawn wouldn't work at all ... Its' such a pity, Athrun Zala's a capable man with the sufficient skills to make a difference to the world. Too bad - he seems to think too much of the situation. Why can't he just play the part of an obedient soldier, and merely act according to the orders issued? A soldier shouldn't think and read too much into the situation ... " The Chairman mused to himself, shaking his head as he did so.
A sharp gasp from behind the door alerted both Rey and himself, that someone had overheard their conversation. Rey was about to chase after the intruder - but he was held back by the Chairman.
"Chairman? " Rey was puzzled, but did not questioned when the Chairman told him not to pursuit. "Don't fret, all will play itself out in time ... its' all in my control ... " The Chairman had said.
Meer Campbell was frantic with worry, holding the photograph she held in her hand tightly - the impersonator of Lacus Clyne could hear her own heart thumping wildly against her ribcage. She could hardly believed what she had just overheard from the conversation between that blond elite soldier from the Minerva, and the Chairman. Though, she had no idea what exactly was going on - she knew the conversation that she overheard had something to do with Athrun Zala.
Therefore, her current objective was to locate Athrun Zala - fast. Running as fast as her feets could carry her, Meer Campbell make a dash for the direction of the warehouse. However, Athrun Zala was not in the warehouse - only the black-haired Coordinator was playing around with the 'Destiny'. Thinking back on what the blue-haired Coordinator had said earlier, during the meeting with the Chairman - Meer gasped in realization.
Now she knew what the Chairman had meant - when the former said how Athrun could not simply play the role of a soldier and not to question the orders that were being issued. Meer knew then, if Athrun still refuses to obey the Chairman's words - then he would be considered and labeled as a 'traitor'.
Rushing over to the receptionist, Meer Campbell make full use of her identity as Lacus Clyne and ordered to know the room which Athrun Zala was staying in.
"But ... I'm not supposed to tell anyone the room number without its' owner giving out permission ... " The receptionist had said.
"I'm his fiancee, I had the right to know ... " Meer Campbell, pressed on.
Seeing that there was no other way to dissuade the pink-haired idol from knowing Athrun Zala's room number, the receptionist relented and uttered. "Room 306 ... "
Muttering a quick word of thanks under her breath, Meer sped towards the elevator - and sincerely hoped that she could find Athrun before the others' does. Upon her arrival in front of the destinated room, Meer simply opened the door and barged in. There was no need for her to knock first, since she knew for certain that Athrun was within the room.
Flipping on the light switches, as it was dark within the room due to the storm outside. Meer's assumption were proven right, for standing right next to the windows was the lone figure of Athrun Zala - looking absolutely stunned at her sudden entry.
GMT: 15 00 hours
Venue: Athrun Zala's Room, Gibraltar Military Hostel
To say that Athrun Zala was stunned would be an understatement, he had been deep in his thoughts - when the door leading to his room was suddenly forced open. Then, the light switches were being turned on - without warning in advance.
As soon as the uncomfortable feeling of being blinded by the sudden light passes, his eyes landed upon the frantic figure going by the name of Meer Campbell.
"Meer? What are you doing here? " Athrun asked, with a frown.
"Listen, there's no time to waste around here ... You have to hurry, that Shinn boy had been playing around with his new unit since morning. You have to do the same as well ... otherwise, you'll be cast away ... " Meer gushed out in a hurry, causing Athrun's head to swell with bewilderment.
"Wait, just a minute ... what do you mean by being cast away? " Athrun asked, now completely solemn.
"I overheard the Chairman and that Rey guy talking about it ... " Meer responded, as she handed over the photograph which she had came across by chance in the hall. It had probably dropped when the Captain of the Minerva handed over the stack of photographs to the Chairman.
"They were talking about just how useless you are going to be for their plan ... You need to stop whatever you are thinking now, and proved to them all that you are useful, not useless ... " Meer was talking about how he could gain the trust of the Chairman back, but Athrun was no longer paying her any attention.
His sole attention was on the photograph which Meer had handed over to him, it was a photograph taken during his meeting with the Archangel crew. How did the photograph ended up on the Chairman's hands? Yes, he must have send a spy to keep an eye on him - on board of the Minerva ...
Rey ... it must be him, the blond elite was always looking at him strangely. Now that he came to think of it, Rey was always observing him from a distance. To Rey, nothing else means more than what the Chairman says ...
The more Athrun thought about it, the more certain Athrun was about the Chairman plotting something behind everyone's back. Memories of his talk with Kira came flooding back to him, and the recent events had finally began to make sense to him. The Chairman's decision to eliminate the Archangel, was not its' unfounded political stand - but because they proved to be a threat to whatever the Chairman was planning about.
"The Chairman's correct ... I could never be a mindless puppet whom obeyed his every words and commands ... I can never be a pawn that would help his clause ... " Athrun muttered under his breath, stunning Meer into silence.
As though to prove his point, the sudden sound of someone knocking on the door followed by the voice of the security guards startled both Athrun and Meer back into reality.
"I guess credits should be given to the Chairman and Rey, after all ... They do know me best ... " Athrun smiled bitterly, before crushing up the photograph and broke the window.
Jumping out from the window, just before the guards shoot open his door lock and barged in - Athrun make full use of his Coordinators' reflexes and hide himself between the barriers' separating his balcony and the balcony above his room.
When he caught sight of the few guards whom went out onto the balcony and searches for him, he knocked them unconscious easily. After which, he turned back towards his room and pulled the stunned Meer with him. Meer, whom was still in a stupor mode, followed Athrun's lead blindly through the many emergency escape stairways.
The storm make a turn for the worst, causing the sky to darken more. Athrun and Meer were both drenched from the stormy weather, finally as they reached another escape stairways - Meer regained her senses and pulled away from Athrun.
"Athrun? Why? Why are we running? " Meer asked, getting hysterical.
"Meer! Face it, the Chairman was only making use of us ... He needs a Lacus whom says his speech for him, and a pilot to act on his orders - obediently, without questions asked. However, you cannot possibly remain as Lacus for the whole of your life, can you?! One of these days, you would have to outgrow from it ... " Athrun reasoned.
"No! I'm Lacus, Lacus Clyne ... I'll just be Lacus ... As long as I played my part, I'll be fine ... " Meer cried out, in hysteria.
"... " Athrun stared at Meer with disbelief, but there was no time for him to lose. He needed to get away, and fast. If he wasted his time around with Meer, trying to reason with the former - he would be caught sooner, or later.
As though making up his mind, Athrun eventually turned away from the hysterical Meer Campbell with difficulty. Running away from the stairways, he made his way slowly back into the hostel buildings. Getting away would be tough, there were guards being placed at each and every possible exits. For now, he need to gain as much time as possible.
From the corner of his eyes, he thought he had seen Meyrin heading towards one of the rooms situated on the ground level. Deciding to follow the redhead walking ahead of him, Athrun Zala proceeded his steps with stealth. Thankfully, the chaos out there at the lobby was successful in gaining a lot of attention - thus preventing anyone from noticing his current movements.
Meyrin Hawke, on the other hand, was eager to get back to her room - with only one objective. She would get down to the bottom of this chaotic situation single-handedly, since no one bothered to tell her anything when she tried to ask around. She hated not knowing anything, the feeling was as though someone had blindfold her and threw her in a dark room.
She had only just settled down in front of her computer station, when she heard someone entering her room. Turning around, she was surprised to find a drench Athrun Zala holding a rifle gun in one hand and signaling for her to remain silent with another.
"Athrun? " Meyrin opened her mouth to speak, only to find her mouth being covered by one of Athrun Zala's free hand.
Nodding towards the fellow Coordinator, that she would be quiet. Meyrin could not help but whispered. "You were the one being chased? Why? "
Athrun shakes his head, and replied. "Ask Rey at a later point of time, yourself ... Right now, I only wish to get away ... "
~ to be continued~
Date started: 17/08/08
Date completed: 17/08/08
Date edited: 20/08/08