Athrun.

There was still much to be done to prepare for Jachin Due if he had wanted to ensure it was not a blood bath.

He knew Lacus would provide the men necessary to help sway the battle in their favor and that Kira would launch a retaliation attack that would probably win, against ridiculous odds.

Athrun's part of the deadline came with very careful and meticulous planning. He thought that since there had not been an attempt on his life while he made his way back to the troop - these weren't terrible odds of his own.

Athrun could still feel the invisible guiding hand of his father and Gilbert Durandle.

He had to think about what he could practically and realistically achieve. They were now less than a day's ride to Jachin Due, the Alliance was collecting spies and messengers while they hid in the shadows, Mu (if he was still alive) would be the last piece of this puzzle.

Then there was Kira himself.

He had to put aside those thoughts, that stage of his plan would come much later but first he had business with members of the campaign.

However, that would have to wait because from not far behind him Athrun picked up on a pursuing presence. He stopped his horse and listened to the tree's gently swaying in the breeze, the forest groaning quietly and the sounds of footsteps.

A twig snapped and Athrun slowly turned around to meet his purser.

Mu was exiting the forest, his blonde hair was more rugged than he had seen before, and his usually bright eyes were darkened.

"I assume you're not here to kill me or you would have already." said Athrun arrogantly.

Mu shot him a glare. "I didn't want to believe the things they said about you. That you have grown up to use people like pawns around you. I thought we were partners."

Athrun knew it was only going to be a matter of time before Mu found out about his meeting with Murrue Ramius.

"If you're speaking about your love-token that I used to sway the Archangel - then yes. I am every bit the monster you have heard rumor's about," said Athrun.

"I did everything you asked; heeded every Gods-damned order and I never imagined you would bring her into this. She doesn't want to fight in a war." Mu came closer, his voice rising. "All she wants is to live peacefully, I was trying to give that to her."

Athrun weathered his icy glare. "Put your emotions aside and think rationally. The Archangel is one of the strongest uncounted forces in the region. They are not controlled by ZAFT nor are they -"

Mu had started a running tackle at Athrun, pulling him out of the saddle and onto the ground. The wind was knocked out of him, the treetops now swaying slightly before Mu's face centered in his vision.

A knife was at his throat.

"You want to talk rationally?" growled Mu. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't give your head to your father. That would be the rational choice."

Athrun's pulse began racing but he pushed aside the feeling of panic and allowed the steady calm to pass over him slowly.

"How about I give you several," cooed Athrun. "I have given the orders to launch an attack on Jachin Due should I not return. The Archangel Alliance will fight in it."

Mu countered, "I can intercept Murrue's forces before she is led to battle."

"And I suppose you'll fare well with your brother claiming Jachin Due too?"

The pressure of the knife on Athrun's neck faltered. "W-what?"

"I received word last night that he left the camp. It was likely his plan the entire time - get close enough to Jachin Due and break from the company," said Athrun.

Mu said, "Patrick would never let either of Al Da Flaga's heirs take Jachin Due. It was a setup, you let Rau think he could take the fort."

It was all true: Mu and Rau were the sons of Al Da Flaga.

Athrun said darkly, "His ambition was going to be his demise."

Many years ago Mu, Rau and Athrun had met. Athrun knew it was the same seed that made both men - they were twin brothers, Mu was the eldest by mere minutes but Rau was far more ambitious.

The history between the trio was a tangled web of deceit between their fathers and deep attraction between Rau and Athrun.

Even now, staring at the face that was identical to Rau's had brought unpleasant memories and it was not lost on him the striking similarity between brothers.

Athrun pushed Mu in his moment of hesitation, rolling him over and disarming the knife with his foot. Mu struggled from below him and Athrun knew Mu was a stronger opponent, he would have to use his own strength against him.

Athrun jabbed his knee hard into Mu's abdomen, wrapping his calf around Mu's leg and pinning him down. Then, he pulled out a knife of his own and held it to Mu's throat.

"I have laid the groundwork these past years for you to claim Jachin Due." said Athrun, surprising Mu who had not expected that response in the slightest.

"You want...me to take the fort?"

"That's correct. The current commander of the fort is Talia Gladys now, she's a surprisingly rational ZAFT soldier," He made himself speak with undo emotion, just a mild remark on the facts. "The trouble is, she has a deep loyalty to Gilbert Durandle, whom I do not trust."

The memory of when Athrun first met them had been imprinted in his mind. It was Gilbert Durandle, during his time as Chairman in ZAFT, who brought the brothers to the Palace, after all they were sons of a border lord and were expected to fight for the Crown.

The purpose of bringing the brothers to the Palace was to give them the opportunity to become high ranking soldiers within ZAFT, which would give Patrick Zala leverage at the border when the eldest brother, Mu, took over the fort.

That was becoming more difficult after the passing of Al Da Laflaga during the first war with Orb. The rift between Rau and Mu did not go unnoticed by Athrun. It was also in Athrun's best interest to have Mu claim the fort should he become King one day. Mu was honest to a fault, and deeply loyal. Athrun would prefer an ally like that than a slithering cobra.

Athrun continued, "It was also Gilbert who ordered the assassination of your team during the war with Orb. I was on the La Crusade team that day, Rau had been acting strangely excited after a conversation with Gilbert. My curiosity led me straight to you when Rau made an attempt on your life."

Mu hissed, "I know how the story goes - now get off me."

Mu shoved against Athrun who braced for it. He held the knife a little harder, staring into Mu's angry and bitter eyes.

"Recall that I could have left you to die in those woods and become the memory Rau intended for you. Do not believe me to be without my reasons for keeping you alive," warned Athrun.

They sat on the path in unnerving silence, Mu's breath huffed out of him and was hot on Athrun's face as they stared into one another's eyes.

"Get off," Mu said again.

Slowly, Athrun eased on the pressure and obliged. He knelt back onto his knees, watching carefully as Mu pushed himself up and rubbed at his throat.

After a long moment, Mu said. "If you wanted me to claim the fort, why not just say it?"

"You make it sound so simple." Athrun gave him a sidelong glance filled with skeptism. "You would have come out of hiding knowing your brother and my father had a stake with your name on it? You wouldn't have lasted two days on that kind of political battle front."

Mu considered and said, "no, I wouldn't have. It was easier to hide in the shadows and let Mu be dead because then those who were after me couldn't hurt the people I cared about."

Another silence before Mu asked, "will this really work?"

Athrun said confidently. "I know this will work."

"What about that kid from Orb? Kira - where is he in all of this?"

Kira was another variable that Athrun had to keep a tight leash on. Until then, it was best not to become too careless with that information.

"Kira will be on the battlefront with the Clyne faction. We have to reach Jachin Due to force them into an early parlay, I know the bloodshed will be minimal." said Athrun. Then, he added, "I hate this as much as you. There are people that I care about who will learn about the things I've done and may never forgive me."

Mu snorted, "that doesn't sound like you at all - you don't care about anyone but yourself."

Athrun felt the tension he carried within himself diminish ever so slowly. From beside him, Mu stood up and looked down at Athrun, offering him a hand after a moment of hesitation. Athrun sheathed his knife and took the lift up.

"You wanted me to take the bait? Fine, you win." said Mu when Athrun was standing. "Now it has come with a list of demands and I hope you're ready to deliver."

Athrun's voice was heavy with satisfaction. "I have a list too."

^.^