The Unburdening
A Gundam SEED/The King In Yellow fanfic
Disclaimer: I do not own Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. Other concepts used are from The King In Yellow by Robert W. Chambers.
Author Notes:
An experimental fanfic that I typed out, and left wondering what was generated. After editing and changing a few things as to make it readable, I'm still not sure what I have.
This was a strange concept - having characters of a mecha anime put on a performance of a play based on The King in Yellow, specifically "The Repairer of Reputations." But it has proved a refresher to my mind, getting back into writing and as an exercise in preparing manuscripts for writing.
Despite this, it remains primarily focused on the Gundam SEED characters. Alas, for those hoping for a Gundam to fight Hastur, they will not find that here. (Though itself would make for a fun fanfic.)
Though I consider this a Crossover fic, the reader may disagree. It depends on how one reads into the story. In any case, the site doesn't have a category for The King in Yellow.
—
Flay looked at the book she was reading. She couldn't quite understand why they were here, but the task needed to be done. This time they were to put on a play. Twirling a lock of her red hair, she was engrossed by the surreal tale.
"And this was written in the late 19th Century?" Kira asked. He was also reading a copy of the tome on a pad. "Didn't think this was something like this was in vogue. Though I suppose Poe already lay the groundwork."
"Which is why it so remembered," responded Flay. "The writer was known more for his romances and history tales back then, which funnily enough, has faded from history."
"Studying English literature?"
"Not really, I just read the editor's notes."
"Huh. Somehow it's just ironic that a book about a mimetic play itself became mimetic. There's references to this in TV shows, online platforms, art… centuries long after it was first printed." He looked over to Flay, who was now jotting down notes on some paper. She was starting to see how their own take on these tales could go. "Now it's our turn to continue the story.
"You sure you want to write this? There's other tales we can do…"
"I know Kira. But this... I need this."
—
THE PALLID COURT: PLAYS BASED ON THE KING IN YELLOW
Play 1: The Mender of Media
Darkness pervaded the stage, soon the backdrop revealed a starry sky.
A spotlight shows a young adult, dressed in a pink dress, her copper hair arranged in a pony tail, her eyes a pale blue that it seem like sliver. Her expression was one of worry, and sweat beaded her forehead. She stands, hands clasped in front of her. Soon she began to speak to the audience:
"In the year 2019, NATO had completed it's first major push into space. The new lunar colony was fully functional, and graces the Sea of Tranquility. From the moon, new facilities began constructing the ships that would lead to the first Martian outposts."
Flay began to move across the stage, her head held like she in deep thought.
"Along with this great expansion, the Alliance was rising in economic prowess not seen in decades. Soon ships from the Merchant marine began to dominate the oceans and airways. No port was denied to them, as other nations now relied on the trade just to survive.
"Meanwhile, Eastern Eurasia was caught in the thrones of anarchy following the Sino-Russo War, with India now watching from the Himalayas ready to take the lands there. It was sad state of affairs, but the Alliance knew that we shouldn't waste our time on petty foreign interventions."
The backdrop changed from night to a sunrise over a cityscape.
"It was a new era, in which prejudice and divisions were finally discarded. No longer did ethic groups rage against each other, with the new developments in telecommunications providing a grander view of the world. Some have thought Utopia had indeed been made real.
"With prosperity came a renewal. The aging warships were refitted with the newest railguns and laser weaponry, with new escorts, all painted bright white. Police were further enhanced with local auxiliaries and the muster to aid in preventing violence. In cities, ugly slums and modern architecture was torn down. In their place were neoclassical structures, living with Corinthian columns and cobblestone streets. The eyesore that was the florescent, concrete lamps were replaced with LED lamps in the old style. Parks and gardens arose throughout."
Soon the backdrop reveals a splendid park enclosed by an iron fence, with a stone road, which was now where Flay was standing.
"It was a beautiful day that I came to the Park, on the day they decided to open the Anti-Air Defense battery."
Other actors and actresses began to walk on the stage, all dressed in their finest clothes. Flay moved in front of the gathering crowd, eyes wide and smiling, as if what she was seeing was marvelous.
"Oh how the calibers shine with the morning sun! A sensor array that could detect aircraft thousands of miles out! It's mighty size that dwarfed the park trees it located.
"Look, there's Minister of the Interior Wilde, along with Generals Gaston A. Revil and William Halliburton. And Mayor Copeland, with the Senators Terrance and Atreus. They were escorted by the horse cavalry of the 231st New York, the City and State police, all wearing metal armor and helmets that shine like sliver…"
A roar of engines can be heard above the stage.
"And to top it off, the whole 120th Air Wing flew by in the sky. Fighters and Bombers in majestic formations that would rival the eagles in their majesty."
A voice is soon heard from overhead, as if a loudspeaker is activated.
"My fellow citizens of New York, today we celebrate the opening of the Local Defense Battery, that along with our newly erected walls and the newly equipped Military Police, will protect the public."
Flay began clapping wildly as if engrossed by the spectacle. The crowd on stage though seems oddly subdued.
"It is seen fit by the nations of the North Atlantic Alliance that no person will no longer be unprotected, alone. Today marks the first of several new military facilities throughout the city. Soon every citizen will have peace of mind, to know how safe they are under the many agencies and military formations of our great Organization.
"I declare this Battery officially open!"
Flay squealed in delight, jumping up and down. The less enthused crowd began to disperse and leave the stage.
"How bold! The Minister and his entourage have left with little fanfare, escorted by the horses and motorcycles of the assembled men. I suppose no band or fireworks would be suited to such a magnificent sight."
Flay begins to walk to the right of the now empty park road, and out of view. Soon the setting fades and opens on to what appears to be an workshop.
"Walking down Blaise Street, I decided to make a short visit to a friend."
Two people appear on the stage - one is Kira, clad in leather apron, followed by Murdoch, the head engineer on the Archangel. Flay was glad Murdoch was able to make some time for the play. At least then the workshop would seem authentic. He began to work on a exoskeleton prop, with Kira engrossed on a laptop that appeared to be running some program.
"Ah, Miss Allster, good morning." said Murdoch. His part was simple - just act like it was another day on the Archangel's hangars.
Kira looked up suddenly at the door were Flay was, and then frowned.
"Ah, Armorer Murdoch and his son Kira, glad to see you." Flay wondered if using their real names, or close approximations, was going to go with the audience. Though, with the people she had to work with, it was better to avoid too much memorizing.
Kira gave a friendly smile, "Good Morning." Then he frowned. "Excuse me, I had thought it was your cousin Natalie. I haven't seen her since last week."
"The Lieutenant is on maneuvers in New Jersey," Flay responded. She approached a chair and sat down. Her posture seemed a bit off as she slouched foward and her knee began to jitter. "I pity her, going through all that mud in the countryside."
Kira nodded. "Yes, yes."
Murdoch began to install a module to the exosuit, crouching to apply the unit. Flay is engrossed by the installation, now leaning forward and watching without blinking.
"Like what you see?" Murdoch asked. It wasn't quite the scripted line, but close enough.
Flay replied, "It's a splendid project."
"Yeah, it's the newest unit for the University, looks like they're preparing it for deep sea exploration." He tapped the suit with a wrench. "Some of my finest work."
Flay sighed. "Seems such a waste, that this suit would be worn by a noble and not on the dark abyss of the oceans."
"Nobility, eh? I take it you rather enjoy our new armor worn by the police and agents?"
Flay nodded. "Of course. Those old uniforms were so lacking, almost featureless in comparison to what they have now. And are you not glad for the new work that comes along with it?"
"For the pay, yes. But it's such an gaudy display." Murdoch gestures to his jumpsuit and leather apron. "Better to be practical than dressed up and encumbered."
"So what brings you here today, Miss?" asked Kira.
"Oh, just got back from the Battery Opening. What a awesome sight it was."
Kira frowned. "Dad wanted me to go see the show, but I just don't like how intimidating those soldiers and riot police are. Their rifles and electric batons make me uneasy. It reminds me of the night they moved out the old neighborhoods…"
Flay sighed. "Well, I think it might have been excessive, moving the poor into the new welfare islands to make room for the city revitalization project. But it worked out - look how much better everything is! And it's not like the former tenants and restaurants were not compensated."
Kira scratched his head. "Well, I guess so." He expression was unchanged as he appeared to be in deep thought.
"So kid, what brings you over here," Murdoch said, now that his character had completed his task.
"To pay Ms. Clyne a visit."
Murdoch snorted at that. "The crazy woman?".
At the word "crazy" Flay stood up, her fists clenched, and glared at Murdoch. "She is a great lady, who is more talented than you think."
"Hah, I doubt that. The loony bat couldn't know.. water if she fell into a lake." Flay and Kira cringed, as Murdoch did not say the correct line, and had substituted a cliché in it's place.
Smiling, Flay's face became subtly sinister. It made Kira a bit nervous, as she seen that face before, off the stage and during a terrible time.
"So then I guess it's not true what she said, that you are really Director Amberry of Dawntech, and was involved in the disastrous experiment with nanotechnology?"
At that, Kira's character was supposed to just look shocked. However, he dropped the laptop, eyes opened wide, and gasped loudly. Flay mentally sighed at the "performance".
"Bull, that Director died in the disaster," muttered Murdoch. "And whatever the company was working was destroyed with him."
Flay grinned at the now uncomfortable engineer. "I suppose should Amberry still be alive, he would need to be hiding. The rival Corporations have a large bounty for him, and no doubt a good many hunters would love to know were he resides."
Kira shook his head, and yelled "Miss Lacus is wrong!" He was supposed to whisper the line. Murdoch, to his credit, was doing better showing fear, by being quiet and looking downcast, sweat began to drip.
After a while Flay stood up. "Well, I suppose that Miss Clyne is indeed in error. Take care, both of you." Giving a short bow, she left the stage.
The set darkened for some moments, and when the stage was relit the set appeared to be a cluttered room. Boxes, bags of clothing, monitors and wires were everywhere, save for a window overlooking a town street. Entering the set, Flay knocked on a table. "Miss Clyne, are you here?"
Out of one pile rose a lady, her pink hair a total mess, unable to be distinguished from the entangled wires. She wore large, almost comedic glasses, and makeup made it appeared that her hands were prosthetics.
Lacus Clyne grinned, with her glasses shining in the stage-light. She walked on her knees as to appear far shorter than Flay.
"Ah, Miss Allster!", said Lacus. Despite playing a person who was supposed to be deranged, Lacus couldn't do a voice that fitted the character. As such, her angelic tone seemed out of place. Flay thought it would work, to add to the surreality of the situation. Or she hoped it did.
"Are you alright? Did that machine try to attack you again?!"
Lacus grinned and tilted her head in a disturbing way. "Oh, my Mister Pink is just loves to have fun, that's all. It means no real harm."
"I'll smash into pieces if I see it."
Lacus sighed. "Please don't. I wouldn't have a roommate otherwise." She pressed a button and activated a large monitor that displayed a number of graphs and numbers. "Take a look here."
"This", she pointed to a series of numbers, "is the personal data of Mister Jakes of Albany. For 2,000 dollars, I was able to purge some rather inconvenient data that would have made him into a social pariah."
Flay nodded, again enraptured by the scene.
"This is Miss Elise Julies," Lacus pointed to a geographic figure. "Clerk of Amber Rarities and Antiques. A scandal was avoided for a mere 3,500."
"Ah." Flay looked like she was dreaming.
"Oh, this chart shows the mainframe of Inais Corp. For 4,300 , I purged the records of a ex-employee who didn't want his former employers to track them."
Flay nodded, looking like she admired her friend. "Amazing, such power."
Lacus shrugged, still grinning maniacally. Flay was impressed, since Lacus generally was cheerful or serious. Here, her performance was suitably hammy.
"I have proven yet again of my genius." Lacus turned and gave a manila folder to her guest. "But I still consider this my masterpiece."
Flay aptly read from the report "10,000 units ready in New York. An additional 40,000 stand ready in the East coast. In Canada, a million are prepared to strike at the main targets… So many agents, waiting and ready for the Day of Days."
Lacus bowed her head. "My lady, it is an honor to bring justice to this world."
"As I serve his Majesty, who's emblem is the yellow sign."
"These papers shall be the proof we need to take down those vipers. And the land will tremble as the King's armies march to bring justice to this guilty land."
"Yes, the world is now ready, this time of prosperity is but a foretelling of the new dawn." Flay grinned and began to laugh wildly.
Lacus frowned. "I wouldn't do that again. You know your Doctor Beckett will use that as an excuse to commit you."
Flay stopped her cackle, and frowned. "How dare he do that again! Place me in a straitjacket like some insane person." Flay held herself as she began to shake. "Subject me to his quackery to 'heal' me, and I had to endure that for three years. All the while I was as sane as yourself!"
Lacus gently placed her arm on Flay's shoulder. It was not in the script, but Lacus wanted to reaffirm her friend.
"I know, I know. I too was wrongfully treated in an asylum. This world often sees madness where there is beauty. It is, as I suppose, why The King In Yellow is banned. Such a lovely book, so profound that the common man sees it as something horrific, something that their minds can only vaguely understand. And that creates fear from such uncertainty."
"I too was among those who misunderstood it," Flay said. "I even threw the book away in a dumpster. But as horrific it seemed, I went back and retrieved the text, diving into garbage for such a treasure. And enduring the play that I finally knew of it's artistic merit that would make Leonardo Di Vinci's paintings look like stick figures."
Lacus nodded, and then looked at an electronic clock on a shelf. "Oh, yes, you must get going! Your cousin Natalie will be back today, and I guess you want to keep a close eye on her."
Flay nodded, and walked off stage. The lights darkened, and when relit showed another scene, the park again. Flay briskly walks into the stage, as if heading towards the other end. A voice off stage calls behind her. "Flay! Hey, wait up!"
Onto to the stage came Natarle Badgiruel, dressed in a battle dress uniform of the 21st century U.S. Army, using a forrest cameo pattern. There was some concerns that the XO of the Archangel would appear too old to be contemporaries of the play's characters. But everyone admitted if you wanted someone professional and could extrude authority, it was Natarle.
Flay gave a wave, and walked over to Natarle. "Natalie! A was just about to go to the barracks to greet you back from your trip."
The dark, short haired woman nodded. "I was just going with some fellows for a bit of leave. But then I saw you over here. So good to see family." Natarle hugged Flay, more motherly than one would expect from the usually stern officer.
"Likewise, " Flay said after the embrace. "Dad always said you were like a sister that I never had."As she said this, she began to shake a bit, eyes beginning to water. Flay was only half acting this – she was then recalling bitter memories.
Natarle patted Flay's shoulder. "He was a great man, and I know he would have loved to see you become the woman you are today."
"Thanks,"Flay whispered, and then she spoke more loudly "Well, I see you didn't get a chance to visit the Armorer yet."
Natarle grinned. "Well, I was going to visit Kira, and hope that we could catch up with the lost time."
Do you think think it's going to be a problem? Kira asked while they were rehearsing the play. You know, being at different age brackets.
Kira, you're 18, I don't think anyone is going have a fuss over such difference, Flay said.
Yeah. Besides, Kira continued, Natarle can be too scary to have a crush on.
"Speaking of which…", Natarle said, looking over at an approaching figure.
Kira appeared on stage from the opposite direction that Flay and Natarle were going. "Lt. Allster, and Ms. Allster," he greeted. He gave a polite bow to the ladies. Flay smiled at Kira's face, which was like the times she first saw him when he just had a crush. It reminded her of back on Heliopolis, before the ZAFT attacked the colony for the G-weapons. She remember her friends, how carefree her life was, her innocence.
Enough, I need to channel that sorrow into the performance, Flay thought.
Natarle meanwhile, went back to all the embarrassing moments of her life, blushing and looking a bit dopy as a result. "Oh, Mr…. Chambers, an honor to see you." Natarle had forgotten the last name they gave Kira's character, and had blurted out the first name that came to mind.
Oh well, we only mention the surname this one time.
"Well, if it would honor you, would you like to go on a walk?"
The dark haired officer nodded. "Of course, Ensig- er Interesting day isn't it?"
Going arm in arm, the pair walked off the stage. Behind them Flay glared at them, a false smile on her lips, but the eyes and the closed fist shown otherwise.
The next scene was back at Lacus' room. When Flay enters the set, a small pink ball flies past her. Flay swats at it, but appears to be so badly aimed some of the audience chuckled. Mr. Pink - a Haro style robot - moved off stage. Flay turns around and sees Lacus on the ground. There are red marks on her face.
"Oh, Ms. Allster, it's you," said Lacus, as she slowly got up to her knees.
"Thank goodness, I thought that thing had-"
"No, no. I'm quite alright." A bit of red makeup began to drip on her costume. "My friend loves to have so much fun."
"Er, yes, I suppose so."
Lacus moved closer to Flay, "Well, how's Natalie?"
Flay frowned and bowed her head. "Not good. I watched them all afternoon yesterday, whispering to each other, speaking romantic words, and calling each other by pathetic lovely-dopey names."
Lacus also frowned. "Not good indeed. This puts a obstacle to our plans." She moved towards the window and placed her hand by her face, as if in deep thought.
"How long until the preparations are ready?"
"Another week. Surely that would be enough time before the Lieutenant makes any move. But should there be a problem…" Lacus turned to the stage right. "Vants, come here!"
Tolle Koenig came stumbling onto the stage. His movements called for someone as if he were being pulled to the pair by some unseen force. Instead, he cantered like a zombie hunchback, waving his arms wildly.
"Oh my gooooooooooooooooooodness!" Tolle screamed as he cowered before Lacus and Flay, placing his arms as if to keep them away.
Off stage, Kira couldn't tell if he should be laughing or face-palming at Tolle's acting.
"This is Chekov Vants, Found him snooping in my mainframe before my ICE got him," Lacus said sternly. "And when I further looked into his past… well, well I guess you don't want your employer to know how much you embezzled from them. The Yakuza are not too forgiving."
Tolle crawled over to Flay, and hugged her ankles. He kept his head down, as play or not, Tolle was not about to look up anyone's skirt. Especially since his girlfriend Miriallia Haw was backstage, watching the performance.
"Please. Help. Me. Miss!" Tolle said.
"Mr. Koenig, try to speak more natural," Lacus whispered.
Blushing Tolle took a deep breath and continued. "Please, help me. I never intended any harm. She's horrific, made me read the Play. I can't get it out of my mind! Terrible!"
Lacus grabbed Tolle by his costume's collar, and lifted him up. For once her genetically engineered strength came in handy, as she did not even struggle to lift the larger man.
Lacus got uncomfortably close to Tolle's face. "Do what Miss Allster commands you to do, and I'll forget everything about you."
Gulping, Tolle nodded, and looked over at Flay.
"Humph, I hope he's more useful than he looks," Flay said.
—
After the intermission, the stage set was now that of a fancy suite: Wooden panels, classical oil paintings and marble statues, a wall of books, and couches by a television. Flay rises from the chair she is sitting, adorn in a outlandish dress that was actually two of Lacus' diplomatic dresses that were combined. The redhead was wearing a foil mask, made of yellow metal. She moves about the stage, walking regally. "Soon, soon," muttered Flay.
"What's going on?"
Flay startled turns around and grabbing a vase. As she's about to throw it, she stops when she sees it's Natarle, looking spiffy in an replica of a U.S. Army officer dress uniform. Natarle had forget to pretend to flinch. "Wait, it's just me Flay!"
Flay lowers her hand and sets the vase back on a table. "Oh, Natalie! You scared me! Thought you were a bulgar or something."
Natarle showed a key in her hand. "Sorry. I called to give you a notice that I was stopping by, but got no answer, so I figured you were out."
Flay nodded. "Oh, yes, yes. I gave you the key should you ever need some rest." She waved her hand in the air. "Sorry, I totally forgotten. Usually I'm at Doctor Beckett's for a follow up."
"Yes. Did you get done early? Usually those take most of the morning."
"Oh, I don't need to see Doctor Beckett right now. I have a later appointment for him."
"Oh." Natarle scanned the outlandish outfit. "So going to a convention? Your costume play is quite impressive. Which anime character are you."
"Character, er… I'm Sakura, you know, from Cardcaptor Sakura." Flay chuckled nervously.
"Did Sakura wear a mask like that?"
"Oh, I thought it would be a nice touch. Using this dollar store prop that is definitely, definitely not gold." Flay said.
"It's clearly not gold, that's for sure."
Flay gave breath of relief and smiled. Removing the mask, she placed it in on a bookshelf, moved some books to hide it, and then press the covers as if it there was a control panel. By the time she was done and turned around, Natarle was already reclining on couch.
"Thanks for letting me use this place to get some proper rest. It's bad enough that I have to sit in a conference with a bunch of bureaucrats and generals for most of the day. Or exhausted from field ops."
"No problem," Flay said. "It's been a week since I last saw you. So very good to see you, do you care for a drink? I have some spirits."
Natarle shook her fead. "No, I have to drive. Besides, the stuff you have taste awful."
Flay blushed. "Well, I only use it for medicinal purposes."
"Huh?"
"Oh, to rub my chest when I feel exhausted."
"Well… as long as it works. How have been holding up? It's almost that day..."
Flay sat down and hugged herself. "Yes, I know… Dad…"
Natarle got up and hugged Flay.
"It was horrific, seeing those assassins fell daddy," Flay began sob. She thought it would be therapeutic, even help bring some closure by working in her own life experiences. But at times, her real emotions came to the surface.
To the audience, they thought her performance remarkable. Later, some would approach her and said they too were crying. Even a couple of talent scouts asked if she was interested in becoming an actress.
Oh how she was wishing her tears were just an act.
"I couldn't… couldn't do anything," Flay stammered.
"I know, I know." Natarle was being motherly again. Ironic, I used to think Murrue was being soft. Now here I am comforting a friend. The officer was wondering if she was being too caring though, as she needed to maintain a reputation.
Everyone backstage began to worry, and Kira wondered if they sure end the scene there. But Flay calmed down, and nodded to Natarle. "Thank you, I'm better."
"Well, glad I can help," Natarle said. She scratched her head trying to remember where the script was originaly supposed to go.
"If you need anything, just let me know. "
Flay nodded, and then gasped when she realized she was supposed to reply with a line. "Oh yes, I have a request to make."
"Hmmm, what is it?"
"Can we meet at the new Battery tomorrow?"
"Sure, what time?"
"Well, 4 A.M. "
"Huh. You're lucky I'm in the military. Waking up so early in the morning is a cakewalk."
—
Next scene shows the park and cobblestone road, with the iron gate and stone dividing wall. Natarle walks under a spotlight, looking around as if she was wondering were her cousin was.
"You arrived." Flay steps into the spotlight. She is holding in her arms a manila folder, and a hardcover book.
"Ah, there you are Flay. What did you want that has to be here in the cold morning?" Natarle looks at the book. "What is that?"
"This," Flay held up the book. It has gold leaf letters, and curious angelic figure on the cover. "Can you not read the title?"
"Yes, I can read it," frowned Natarle. "The King in Yellow?! Are you mad, you'd be arrested by the police for public indecency."
Flay glared at Natarle, clutching the book as if ready to throw it.
Natarle realizing her error. "Sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"Call me insane?" Flay left eye twitched. "That's ok, dear cousin. It's not the first time anyone called me that. I remembered after they picked me up from my father's side after his death. How they said I was ranting and raving, and placed me in an asylum. You realize how humiliating that is?
"Worse, I knew I wasn't crazy. It was all part of the plot."
"Plot?" Natarle said. "What plot?"
"The reason they assassinated daddy, They claim it was ecoterroists who done the deed, but I have evidence that shows otherwise. He was deliberate targeted by the Alliance itself!"
Natarle looked at Flay as if she just said she just claimed to be Napoleon, Emperor of the French. "Um, I assume you have proof of this?"
Flay smiled. "Yes, I knew you would want to see what's happening." Flay dug out the papers form the folders. "Here, the proof."
Natarle began scanning the documents, pretending to look like she was looking at some comments section of a streaming channel. And truth be told, it was - Kira had found the most absurd comments on the internet, and printed on the prop to aid the acting.
Flay turned to the audience, as if speaking to Natarle.
"After centuries of preparations, Dad was supposed to usher in a new era, a new kingdom under the banner of the Yellow Sign! The Alliance found out, and they eliminated him. And then they had so-called Doctor Beckett treat me, in an attempt to hide the truth. And since you already were in the military, they saw no need to have you removed as a threat."
"Ok, that's enough," Natarle responded. At this point her character was trying to humor her crazy cousin, but Natarle decided to improvise then and there. "Enough of this crap. You're sick and you need help." She grabbed Flay's arm.
"Hey, let go of me! I was going to offer you big part of the plan! Right now, Miss Clyne is ordering my army to attack those responsible, as well as several corporate headquarters."
"Wait, why would you do that?"
"Kira, Natarle! I want Kira! Murdoch is really scion of a major technology consortium. And with him as my husband, I can get what they were working on. To do that, I need to stop the rivals who set a bounty on Murdoch head."
"What was Murdoch working on?"
"Project Dragonfly. He was working on a nanomachine paste, and after a failed assassination they faked his death and hid the results. But Clyne, she knew, diving into the sea of cyberspace and retrieve the necessary data! With that technology, we can use it to revive Dad!"
Natarle looked like she was on the verge of tears herself. "Flay… that's not possible."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm sorry, but you really do need help."
"Oh I see!' Flay said wildly. "You want Kira all to your self! Well, no matter, I'll have to take care of you, just as I took care of Beckett! VANTS! Seize her!"
Tolle appeared on stage, welding a prop katana, screeching at Natarle, until he tripped, tumbled and landed face flat on the street.
"Useless, totally useless." Flay slipped out of the jacket she wore, leaving the Officer with it as she dashed away from Natarle.
—
The next scene is back in Lacus' room, the window dark and full of stars. Flay enters the room, slamming the door behind her.
"Quick Lacus, hurry! That idiot Vants failed, and now they're after me!" shouted the frantic redhead.
Turning around, Flay finds a shocking sight: A skeleton wearing a pink wig, with prosthetic arms and oversized glasses. Nearby, lies a pink sphere, whose robotic eyes are staring at Flay. Flay gasped, overacting the part as she was now thinking more of the play than her own personal tragedies. After doing some overdone gestures, Flay kicks Mr. Pink across the stage. Miriallia broke a glass plate off stage to indicate the robot's fate.
"Nooooo!" Flay shrieked as she knelt over the skeleton.
Suddenly the door breaks open, and extras dressed as police officers took Flay. One had brought a straitjacket - an authentic one, as Flay was adamant they have real thing. Though no one asked were she got it, they could guess considering her past. As Flay struggled, Kira and Natarle enter. Kira had tears flowing from his eyes, while Natarle gave a pat on the back.
Finally, the last straps were in place, and Flay began to struggle as the police take her away.
The next scene was within a padded cell. Flay is laying on the floor before rising and turning to the audience. Her face was serious, and her tone as melancholy.
"I have been committed and placed in isolation. They say that Ms. Clyne had disappeared. When they found Doctor Beckett, he was in the basement of my house, and beyond any help. They say no armies have overthrown those who had ruined my father.
"But these are all lies. I know Natalie has usurped command of the rebellion, and now she controls the company. My dreams are crushed."
Flay began to sob. "Dad… I couldn't do anything… just a weak, cowardly brat." She breathed hard, and partly composed herself. Her tone was now bombastic. "Natalie should beware! The King is arriving, this is his dawn, and the Yellow Sign will reign!"
The end of the play brought a round of applause.
Now done with their performance, the cast and crew rested in the green room. Miriallia was placing a cold pack over Tolle's head. "You need to be more careful," she chided her boyfriend.
Flay sat on the couch with Lacus and Kira, all exhausted. "Those theater lights can get pretty hot," he said, wiping sweat from his brow.
Lacus nodded in agreement "I think we managed to pull it off."
Flay sighed. "That's good, considering how amateurish this whole farce was."
"I have to say we did pretty well, all things considered," said Kira. He then looked at Flay. "How are you feeling?"
Flay smiled. "Better, much better." By expressing her sadness on stage, the sorrows and guilt of her troubled history had been lifted. Flay would have to deal with the guilt, and she would make amends. But now she could at least forgive herself. "Sorry you guys have to deal with me, venting my stupid neuroses ."
Kira wrapped his arm around her, giving her a loving hug. Natarle smiled at the sight, as it was rare to see those kids have some peaceful moments on this strange journey. Once they accomplished their task, they could move to their next wacky destination.
"Oh," Natarle said, getting up from the recliner across the couch. "Did you want us to get you out of that jacket?" Flay was still wearing the restraint, her arms placed in a self-embrace.
"No, it's too cold in here," she responded, closing her tried eyes to rest after the long day.