File 47 – Renewed Hope
Deep within the Morgenroete factory repairs are immediately started on the Archangel.
Erica, along with the Asagi, Juri and Mayura survey the repairs to the Astray.
Rena back in her uniform sits on some crates, singing and humming softly to herself as she surveys mobile suit schematics.
Nearby techs busily work on the Revenant. They notice her humming and nudge one another to watch her.
She had a distant look in her eyes and was lost in song.
A tech crosses, "Miss Verena? Here you are."
She stops singing.
He smiles, "Erica just installed the programming for the new energy source."
She glances over at the man. "New energy source."
He smiles and nods, "Yeah, something similar to the Freedom and that Justice."
Rena's eyes widen.
He motions, "Of course now, the OS needs a bit of tweaking, we were wondering if…"
She glances over at the Revenant.
The tech tilts his head.
Rena shakes her head, "I don't think I can do it. I'm sorry."
He stares at her shocked.
She looks up at him, "And everyone is working so hard. I'm so sorry." Tears fill her eyes.
He stares at her not knowing how to react. "Verena?"
She turns to see Lukas crossing quickly toward her.
Athrun's voice, "However that's…"
Cagalli rushes along carrying some teas.
Kira finishes, "Yeah, I'm aware of the difficulties."
Cagalli hands them to Kira.
He nods, "Thank you." He hands one to Athrun.
"Thanks…"
Cagalli leans back to listen, sipping tea.
Murrue, Mu, Sai and Sabine standoff behind her looking on as well.
Kira continues, "But, I also believe that it can't be helped."
Miriallia listens from behind them.
Dearka comes out from behind her and pauses.
Kira goes on, "I believe what Cagalli's father says to be true. If Orb sides with Earth, the Atlantic Federation will use their powers and assault PLANT."
Miriallia glances over her shoulder, noticing Dearka standing there. She glances downward.
Kira speaks again, "It's the same thing if they side with ZAFT. The only thing that differs is the enemy."
Azrael stands glaring forward as repairs continue on the Calamity, Forbidden, and Raider.
A periscope focuses on the Earth's Fleet. It lowers and Rau glances aside.
In a separate room. Flay, dressed in a ZAFT uniform sits on a cot staring sadly downward. Yzak passes by the room and pauses glancing toward the door before heading on.
Rena stands off in a secluded area with her father. She was glancing downward, "I don't know what to do. It keeps getting more and more complicated."
He lifts her chin, "Verena. It's true, you have so much weighing on you, so much that you've done but you shouldn't regret any of it. Everything we do, the choices we make are part of our destiny, and fated to happen. And everything will resolve itself. You'll see. This will turn out well. This war will end and what you've done will bring that about."
She stares at him.
He smiles, "I'm so proud to have such a strong and resilient daughter. Promise me you'll continue to be strong."
Rena looks up at him, "I…." She embraces him, "I'll try."
He wraps his arms around her.
"But that won't help things one bit. I can no longer live with that. That's why I…."
Athrun glances over at him, "But you!"
Kira glances over at Athrun, "Your friend… comrade… I killed him." He glances forward.
Athrun glances over.
Kira continues, "But I didn't know him." Kira stares downward painfully, "I didn't even want to kill him."
Cagalli furrows her brow.
"You… killed Tolle."
Athrun gasps as do Miriallia and Dearka. Miriallia turns aside. Dearka peers over at her.
"But you didn't know Tolle."
Kira glances at Athrun. "It's not like you wanted to kill him either."
"No." He stares forward.
Mu crosses his arms as he and Murrue continue to watch.
Sabine leans into Sai. He places his arm around her.
Athrun speaks, "I wanted… to kill… you."
Kira nods, "I felt the same way."
Athrun gasps and glances over at Kira.
Kira looks up at the Freedom and Justice. "I really do want to live in a world where I don't have to fight."
Athrun stares at Kira in awe.
Kira continues to look up, "I've always been able to live in a world like that, but the war expanded…"
Murrue furrows her brow and glances downward. Mu places an arm on her shoulder. She glances over at him. He smiles at her.
Athrun stares forward. His father's words fill his head, "That energy is something we need in order to win!" He takes a sip of his tea.
Kira leans forward, "If this continues, PLANT and Earth will end up destroying each other."
Athrun gasps and lowers the cup, glancing over at Kira again.
Kira nods, "That's why I'm going to fight."
Athrun tilts his head, "Kira?"
Kira looks forward, "Even though I say I'm doing it for protection… I've already pulled the trigger."
Athrun glances over at him.
Elsewhere. Jackie, Arnold and the other crew members relax in a rec. room.
Kisaka goes over some reports with the Astray girls and other pilots.
Lukas walks along with some soldiers.
Rena walks briskly through the hanger. She glances back and forth searching for Kira and the others. She spots Dearka and slowly crosses over.
"Will we fight each other again?"
Athrun's mouth falls open. "Kira?"
Kira glances over at Athrun.
Athrun stares back at him a sad look in his eyes. Lacus comes to mind.
Flash. Lacus raises Pink in her hand. "If I was an enemy, would you shoot me Athrun Zala, of ZAFT?" Back.
Athrun turns his head pained by the thought.
Kira stares at him, "I have some work to finish." Kira rises, "We don't know when they'll attack again." He starts to head off.
Athrun rises, "Kira, wait. Just tell me this… that Freedom is equipped with a Neutron Jammer Canceller. What did you do with that data… and the data about…?" He stops himself.
Kira tilts his head, "Here and now… if there's someone who wants to use or tries to take that information. I'll aim its weapons at them." He passes by and heads off.
Miriallia wipes tears from her cheeks as she turns and heads off the other direction.
Rena sees her coming and pauses, she steps out of sight.
Dearka turns, "Hey!" Dearka reaches out, "Miriallia!"
She glances over at him, "What?"
He lowers his arm, "No… well…" He rubs the back of his head as he crosses to her. "He killed that guy named Tolle."
Miriallia swings around, "So what!"
Dearka flinches and takes a step back.
She yells up at him, "Didn't you hear what Kira just said?"
Dearka tilts his head, "Uh, no…"
Miriallia forces her tears back, "Will Tolle come back if I kill that person?"
Dearka doesn't know how to respond.
Miriallia turns her head, "No, right?"
Dearka glances down.
Miriallia turns to go, "Then don't say things like that." She turns and covers her eyes with her arm.
Dearka looks up, "No, well…listen to me!" Dearka runs after her.
Rena steps out and watches them head off. She glances over her shoulder in the opposite direction.
Athrun glances over his shoulder, having heard Miriallia. He looks downward and then steps back slumping down on the crates again. He grips his hair in frustration. Cagalli stares forward at him.
Rena sees Cagalli and pauses. She couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed with her. She furrows her brow and turns to go.
Cagalli spots her, "Verena? Hey? Wait!"
Rena stops and turns, "I don't really want to talk to you…."
Cagalli tilts her head, confused.
Athrun steps into sight.
Rena stares at him, surprised to him.
He furrows his brow as he stares at her. Their last meeting replays in his mind. "Rena…" He glances aside, "You probably despise me. I'm sorry."
She shakes her head and gasps, "Athrun!" Tears fly from her cheeks as she rushes over to him and embraces him.
He gasps and holds her.
She speaks through her tears, "Athrun… I don't care about all that. The thought of losing you is worse than any of it. We're not enemies anymore right?"
He nods unable to speak through his own tears.
Cagalli blushes, feeling a bit awkward watching them.
A tech working on the Revenant pauses suddenly.
Another looks at him, "Hey buddy what's wrong?"
He sighs, "She was so sad."
The tech stares at him, "Huh?"
He turns, "Verena… I bet she misses singing just as much as we miss seeing her sing."
Another tech looks up, "She could always make me smile, even at the lowest time."
The first tech glances from one to the other guy, "Are you two talking about Verena?"
He nods, "If we don't make it through the next battle I wish I could have said that I saw her perform live."
The tech sighs, "I bet a lot of the soldiers would like that."
Lukas pauses from where he stood nearby.
Rena stands below the Justice with Athrun at her side. She stares intently up at it, "I thought by trying to destroy them I could redeem myself for making such a tragic mistake. These suits and the secret within them could be devastating. The fact that they both survived; what could that mean?"
Athrun stares at her, "Kira and I would do everything in our power to prevent anything from happening. The secrets of these suits are safe with us."
She glances over at him and smiles, "I do take comfort in the fact that the two of you are the pilots."
She takes his hand in hers.
He smiles and intertwines his fingers with hers. She glances up at the suits. Will this really be ok?
"Verena?"
She turns to see Lukas, "Father? Has something happened?"
He shakes his head, "Not particularly." He stares at Athrun, "You must be the pilot of this red mobile suit."
Rena nods, "Father, this is Athrun… Athrun Zala."
Lukas gasps and then nods, "I see, then I guess this isn't actually our first meeting."
Athrun nods, "Our last meeting was very brief." He holds his hand out, "It is an honor to meet you again sir."
Lukas nods and shakes Athrun's hand, "I'm happy to say that I am as well. Let's hope to become better acquaintances; my daughters' happiness is important to me."
Athrun gasps slightly and smiles, "Yes."
"As one of her best friends I hope you'll help look after in the future. I imagine Kira will as well."
Athrun smiles, "I hope to as well."
Rena was blushing slightly, "Father."
Lukas glances over at Rena and nods, "I'm sorry if I'm interrupting but… I have a strange request of sorts. I overheard some of troops talking and I was wondering if you'd consider a favor."
Athrun glances at Rena.
She tilts her head, "A favor? What is it?"
Lukas with Erica at his side watches from the back of the large crowd as Rena performs. Everyone looks energized and happy.
Athrun stands off to the side a huge smile on his face.
Cagalli stands nearby, along with Sabine, Sai, Mu and Murrue.
Dearka stands along with the rest of the Archangel crew cheering from within the crowds.
The upbeat song lifted the heavy mood that filled the factory. Rena sang intensely, a heartfelt performance.
Kira pauses from working inside the cockpit of the Freedom. He stares at a monitor. Rena's beaming face was on all monitors. She looked radiant and beautiful, just as she did before the fall of Heliopolis. It almost seemed as if nothing had happened, he had almost forgotten how beautiful and cheerful she once was. Kira smiles. He reaches over and slides his fingers over her close-up image. The picture of the two of them was affixed next to the monitor.
Rena smiles, laughs, and interacts with the requesting crowd and for the next couple hours; all thoughts of the war seemed to melt away.
Several of hours later, everyone returns to complete repairs and discuss strategies reenergized and motivated.
Rena freshly showered, her wet hair in a loose bun, sits on a few crates near the Archangel reading over some schematics. She tucks a strand of damp hair behind her ear.
Footsteps approach.
Rena continues to read. The footsteps stop next to her. She finally glances up, slowly at first, but then looks up and smiles, "Kira?"
He smiles and stands silently staring at her before finally speaking, "Hey? Busy?"
She rises. "I… did you miss the performance?"
He shakes his head, "It seemed to lift everyone's spirits. They're working much harder now it seems."
She stares at him and beams, "You did see. I thought you were working."
He nods, "I was but, I caught some… most of it on monitor. And I did leave the Freedom toward the end of it. But I was way in the back."
She smiles, "I'm glad you were able to take a little break."
He shrugs, "It was just nice to see you singing again."
She glances downward and then back at him, "It was nice…."
He nods and glances over at the Freedom nearby.
Rena looks up at him, "Athrun told me what you plan on doing. Are you sure about it?"
He nods, "In my opinion it's the only option."
Rena nods.
He furrows his brow, "You and I haven't spoken since before, but I'm sure you already know about Athrun and everything."
Rena nods. "Yes we had the chance to talk." She glances aside, "Realizing both suits had…" She cuts herself off.
Kira stares at her and furrows his brow. Despite the excited flush to her cheeks and her smile, he could sense a hint of sorrow in her eyes.
She sighs, "I think it'll be ok."
Kira nods. "I'm glad."
She glances up at him. He had such a thoughtful expression on his face; she could feel her heart skip a beat.
He smiles, "Even though it's true I still can't believe it. That Athrun, you, and I are together again."
Rena nods, "I know. We should have always been this way." She glances down, "Even saying that now I feel like a hypocrite."
Kira furrows his brow, "What do you mean?"
She shakes her head, "Today even though I wanted to run to you both, for some reason I held back. And I don't know why." She glances up at him, such a pained expression on her face. "Do I even belong in the picture?"
Kira stares at her, "Of course you do. Ren? You were probably just in shock from seeing the Justice. You belong with us."
Rena looks at him, "Maybe."
Kira glances downward, "To tell you the truth, I was concerned when you didn't rush over. I thought that you might still be angry with me or…."
Rena shakes her head, "Kira… I'm sorry."
He smiles. "It's ok. You must have so much on your mind… a lot to deal with."
She nods, "And it's not you or even Athrun, that's to blame. If anything it's me, my own issues." She rises, "Kira, do you feel distant from me?"
Kira furrows his brow, "I… it's not that…" He pauses not knowing really how to answer. He stares at her instead, her sad, pleading eyes watching him. But he says nothing. How could he tell her that the distance was so unbearable to him, sometimes so deep and vast, it was as if they were mere acquaintances?
"I'm sorry Kira… I'm trying; I want to have you close… I really do… I…." She shakes her head, "I'm sorry…"
He stares at her.
Rena furrows her brow. She could tell that he was still a bit unsure. She reaches out for his hand. "I truly care for you… both of you."
He smiles but inside he feels disappointed. He clasps her hand in his. "I know and I really care about you."
She tilts her head as she stares at him and he stares back at her.
"Kira… you know… about Cagalli."
Kira's eyes widen, "Cagalli?" He glances aside. She doesn't think that she and I… "We're only friends."
Rena's hand slips from his. "It's true and the two of you have become so close but Athrun? She's close to him too? I had no idea she knew him at all."
Kira could feel a twinge of jealousy. Is it Athrun that she's in love with? He tilts his head, "They first met the time she was stranded on that island, which was when you first came aboard."
Rena nods. "Oh…"
Kira tilts his head. "And then ORB rescued him after the battle between him and me."
Rena nods and glances aside. "So then she's become close to both of you."
Kira furrows his brow, "Ren?"
She smiles and shakes her head, "I'm being stupid, I know. But I can't help but feel a bit jealous that she was the one who ran to you and not me."
Kira gasps.
She looks up at him, "But instead I just walked away."
Kira steps toward her, "That was just one moment, it was a stressful time. Don't worry about it."
She smiles, "You're always so kind Kira."
She leans over moves to give him a kiss on the cheek but Kira moves his face and the kiss falls onto his lips. Rena draws back but Kira pulls her toward him and kisses her again.
She closes her eyes but then pulls back, "Kira…"
He reaches for her hand, his fingers brushing against the back of her hand. She pulls her hand away and holds it against her chest.
"It's getting late isn't it? We… we both have so much work to do." She avoids eye contact.
Kira stares at her, unable to hide the hurt in his eyes, "Ren… can we talk? I feel like we really…."
She glances over to the Archangel and cuts him off, "The repairs to the Archangel aren't even complete and are you still finishing upgrades to the Freedom?"
He stares at her and then motions to Strike, "No… but I promised Mu that I'd take a look at Strike. So maybe I should get going."
Rena clutches her monitor. "Actually I wanted to see Mu so do you think I could go with you?"
He glances over, "Sure." He walks on ahead of her, a sad look on his face.
The sun was barely rising over the horizon when Azrael enters the bridge, "How much longer do we have to wait before everything is prepared?"
The Captain glances back at him, "Orb is still sending in requests for a conference."
Azrael sighs, "Ah! It's too late for that now." He places his hand at his side and crosses, "We couldn't take over this country with a force of this magnitude…" He leans over and stares at the captain, "So it's better to just wipe them all out."
The crews below prepare aircrafts for launch. The Daggers also sit waiting.
"We'll be ready soon. Doesn't the problem lie on your side?"
Azrael shakes his head and rises, "Well, well… how rude of me." He glances sideways at him, "Well, then I guess we should start soon."
Orga slams against the wall, in pain.
"Since I've given them plenty of penalties."
Shani shakes and convulses on the floor. "I'm sure that they know that they have to do this well, and not turn it into a mere demonstration."
Crot grips onto the mattress of the cot inside the observation room, the three pilots are being watched in.
Athrun watches as Kira stands in front of the Strike with Mu, Rena at his side. She gestures with her hands as she talks to Mu. He nods, smiling, and turns to Kira. Rena glances at Kira as well but only in short glances. Athrun tilts his head as he watches and leans against a bulkhead.
He glances in the direction behind him, "Why are you always buzzing around me?"
Cagalli glances over at him, "Don't worry; I'm just watching you."
Athrun smiles and glances over his shoulder at her, "I can see that." He stares over at the Freedom.
Cagalli watches him, "It's a good thing that Kira's alive."
Athrun glances back at her, "Huh?"
Cagalli smiles sweetly at him.
Athrun smiles and glances aside, "Yeah… back then I couldn't even thank you."
Cagalli is surprised but then shrugs, "You told me before…" She tilts her head, "In a different way though."
Athrun glances over and pouts slightly, "I did?"
Cagalli stares off straight, "Since you were so out of it you can't remember."
Athrun stares forward and down, reflecting. He glances up again, "Yeah."
Kira steps onto a lift in front of Freedom and starts up. Rena and Mu continue talking as they stand below the Strike.
Cagalli glances over again, "Is Kira any different?"
Athrun stares at her for a moment and then shakes his head, "No…"
Cagalli tilts her head, "Really?"
Athrun looks back at her, "That's just the way he is." He starts to head off.
Cagalli reaches out, "Uh…"
Athrun pauses and glances at her.
Cagalli gulps, "What are you going to do, from now on?"
Athrun looks down, "I don't know."
Across the way, Rena glances over at Athrun as she continues to talk to Mu. She furrows her brow but glances back to Mu.
Athrun stares off, "However the answer might already be here." He thinks of his father, how angry he was.
Cagalli gasps.
Athrun grits his teeth, "It's… painful…" He heads off toward the Justice and climbs up some steps.
Cagalli glances aside, "For everyone else as well…" She glances over at Rena.
On the Earth fleet carrier Crot, Orga, and Shani kneel in front of a trio of scientists. They reach for their drug fix.
The main scientist speaks, "Ten more units of griphepton has been added."
The trio downs the liquid in a panic.
"You should be fine for about two hours. If you don't want to get messed up, do it right this time."
They breathe heavily and nod, staring up at the doctors with disdain in their eyes, "Thank you."
Rena walks toward the Freedom carrying a cup of hot tea. She steps on to the lift and sighs.
Flash. Mu holds out a cup of steaming tea.
Rena tilts her head, "No thank you." She looks over a monitor, detailing the Strike.
"It's for Kira. Take it to him."
She looks up at Mu, "I…."
Mu shakes his head, "No, excuses. Just go over there." He grabs the monitor, "I'll take this No go."
She sighs and glances toward the Freedom. Back
The lift heads up.
"Kira? I…" She gasps.
Kira sits inside, asleep, his head resting to the side.
She watches him and smiles, "You haven't had much of a chance to rest have you?" She sets the tea down and glances across the hanger.
Athrun sits silently on the steps leading to the lift below the Justice.
She furrows her brow, It's been exhausting for all of us hasn't it?
She turns back to Kira and looks into the cockpit to find a blanket to cover him with. She finds one and reaches over when she spots the Heliopolis photo of the two of them affixed to one of the monitors. She gasps.
You still have this, after all this time? She reaches over, her fingers trace over the image of the two of them. She furrows her brow, tears brimming in her eyes. Kira?
She glances over at him. He sleeps so peacefully. She moves in closer to him.
A tech comes around the front of Freedom, "Miss Verena? Are you up there! Erica wants to see you!"
Rena rises quickly hitting her head on the top of the hatch, "Ow!"
Kira jerks awake, he stares at her wide-eyed.
Rena rubbing her head blushes as he stares at her.
"Rena? What happened? Is something wrong?"
She steps back, "Kira? No. I…" She glances aside, "I'm sorry for waking you."
He smiles at her, "No, I was only resting for a second. Are you ok?" He motions to her head.
She smiles and nods. "Yeah. I was just trying to find a blanket to pull over you."
He stares at her.
She motions over her shoulder, "Oh, Mu asked me to bring you some tea." She moves out of the cockpit and returns holding the cup, "I have to go; I guess they need me…. I'll see you later?" She moves out but he grabs her wrist.
"Ren…"
She glances over at him.
He holds onto her hand as he stares at her, "I… I won't give up on you."
She stares at him, her eyes wide.
He smiles, "I won't give up on your hopes… our hopes for peace. I will realize them."
She smiles and nods, "Kira…"
The lift goes down. Rena sighs and leans forward on the railing.
The side hatches on the main carrier begin to open.
Shani stares forward, "Those two units…"
Crot glances aside, "This time…"
Orga clenches his fist, "They're going down!"
One by one they leave the carrier and head toward ORB. The Forbidden dives into the water and proceeds forward while the Calamity rides atop Raider. The Earth Fleet fires missiles and sends its aircraft out for an attack.
Alarms sound in the war room, "Movement detected on radar! Missiles incoming!"
Cagalli and Kisaka look on.
Repairs continue on the Archangel when the announcement is made.
"Mobile suit forces are approaching Onogoro Island."
Murrue lowers her mug just as she prepares to take a sip.
Kira, in his flight suit, looks upward.
Athrun stands in the middle of the hanger.
Men scramble behind him, "Intercept the attackers."
Rena, in a flight suit turns from where she and Erica stand
"Hurry up and launch the mobile suit division!"
She rushes off.
"Rena! Where are you going?"
Astray were raised one by one.
Dearka stands watching from a catwalk.
Kisaka comes behind Cagalli, "Cagalli?"
She stares forward, "Not responding to our request for talks."
Uzumi sits in a bunker as Lukas along with other representatives enter, "Uzumi?"
He stares forward at the radar monitors. "Despicable. Is this the Earth Military's reply? As soon as we're seen as an enemy is there no way to negotiate?"
The first defense line opens fire on the oncoming missiles and aircraft. The factory starts to rock from outside explosions.
Dearka glances aside, "Crap." He rushes off toward his Buster.
Kira races through the factory toward the Freedom.
"Kira!"
He pauses and glances aside, "Athrun?"
Athrun runs over and pauses placing a hand on his shoulder.
The Astray quickly emerge and blast toward the battle. The Archangel also quickly goes out. The Strike lands in the middle of a destroyed quadrant and blasts forward.
Rena races through the now almost empty hanger. Please don't let me be late.
Athrun furrows his brow, "In a situation like this ORB has no chance of success. You know that right?"
Kira gasps but then smiles. "Yeah, and probably everyone else knows too. But, giving up just because we have no chance of winning, and doing whatever they tell us, is not an option for any of us, don't you agree?"
Athrun gasps, "Kira."
Kira continues, "The most important thing is what you're fighting for."
Dearka comes around the corner and listens.
"That's why I'm going."
Kira heads up the steps to the lift platform. He pauses, "The truth is I really would rather not to fight at all."
He glances back at Athrun, "But without fighting, some things can't be protected."
Rena spots the Justice and Freedom still docked and heaves a sigh of relief, "Kira!"
She runs toward them, "Athrun!"
Kira glances across the hanger and smiles. "The most important things are worth it."
Athrun turns.
Rena rushes forward, "I couldn't let you go without seeing you off."
She rushes up the stairs and practically flies into his arms, "Kira… please be careful." She wraps her arms around him tightly.
Kira smiles and strokes her on the back, "I'm glad you came. But I have to go now." He strokes the back of her head and kisses her on the cheek. He steps back.
She furrows her brow staring at him.
He starts to go up and glances over at Athrun, "I'm sorry Athrun… thanks. I'm very happy to have been able to talk to you again."
Rena glances over at Athrun and then back up at Kira.
He smiles down at her, "Be careful out there."
She nods.
Kira activates Freedom and starts past Athrun. Rena watches the suit go and crosses toward Athrun.
"Troublesome isn't it?"
They both turn.
Athrun gasps, "Dearka?"
Rena descends the stairs and reaches Athrun's side, "Dearka…"
He smiles at her, "Hey." He glances at Athrun, "You were ordered to retrieve that thing right?"
Rena gasps. Athrun glances aside at her.
Dearka sighs, "This isn't a good situation to be in, huh?" He tilts his head, "Both of us are ZAFT soldiers, you know."
Athrun grits is teeth in frustration and clenches his fist.
Dearka glances back at him and winks at Rena.
Athrun holds his fist up, "But… I… that guy…" He swings his arm out, "I don't want that guy to die!"
Dearka crosses a smile on his face, "Wow this is rare. Seeing that this is the first time we both meet and agree on something."
Athrun gasps.
Rena lays a hand on his arm. "I want to talk to you. Thank you Dearka."
He smiles at her.
She lays her hand on his cheek and kisses the other, "Be careful."
Dearka blushes and nods. Athrun stares at her.
