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Chapter 6
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Athrun was silent as the Aegis Gundam Mk. II moved through the expanse of space, speeding towards what he hoped was the last position of the Archangel. He had heard Murdock's recent transmission over the COM and was bitter, knowing now what was the source of the ambassadors' hesitation. He knew all too well the consequences of allowing a madman like this to gain power. Raww Le Kleuze was such a man and nearly obliterated Earth to accomplish his goals. It couldn't happen again, not if he could help it.
He touched his fingers to his lips, the memory of the all-too brief kiss he shared with Lacus still fresh in his memory. Never, not even when they were betrothed, had a kiss between them carried so much emotion with it. Not even the kisses he had shared with Cagalli moved him in such a way. Athrun had felt something familiar in the gesture, an intangible yet comforting feeling that warmed his spirit, leaving him yearning for more from his pink-haired friend. Yet he loved Cagalli, he reminded himself. What happened between him and Lacus was betraying both her and Kira and couldn't happen again...
So why did he want to do it again?
"That was a mistake." the black-haired Coordinator thought to himself. "Lacus is Kira's now. What happened would be stabbing him and Cagalli in the back." The proximity alarm beeped, letting him see the Archangel on the mobile suit's sensors. He quickly shifted the Aegis to mobile suit mode, signaling the ship as he drew closer.
"Archangel to unidentified mobile suit." Athrun recognized the voice as Miriallia's, the young woman who served as the Archangel's COM officer. "Identify yourself immediately."
"This is Athrun Zala in the Aegis Mk. II mobile suit. Is everyone all right aboard your ship?"
"Yes, fortunately." He heard the voice of Murrue Ramias say over the COM. "We're in bad shape right now because of an attack by GHOST. We're under going repairs but would appreciate any help you can give us."
"Understood, Captain." Athrun switched off the COM and maneuvered his mobile suit forward, forcing his earlier confusion aside for the moment. Personal problems would have to wait.
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Kira floated down the corridor leading to the Archangel's conference room, feeling somewhat nervous as he headed to meet Murrue and tell her what he knew. He still felt so much responsibility for his actions as Heero Shinigami, for causing so much conflict when he piloted the Reverse Strike. The things he did were unforgivable, a tarnish on his soul that he couldn't remove. Still, having Cagalli there with him eased his pain somewhat.
He was still confused about his feelings for her, especially after recalling his final memory before destroying the two GuAIZ mobile suits. She meant so much to him, despite what they thought they were to each other. When they met the second time on Earth two years ago, she became one of his most trusted friends. Her strength carried his own at times, giving a newfound sense of confidence that changed his outlook on fighting. When he returned with the Freedom Gundam and reunited with his friends, she seemed so relieved to see him alive. He could still feel her warmth from the embrace she gave that day, smell the scent of her short blond hair.
After Cagalli discovered that they were "siblings", she retreated from him into a shell of loneliness, a direct contrast to the strong resistance fighter she was in Orb. She and Athrun had grown closer, falling in love during the last days of the war. Their relationship was never entirely stable, both of them having their duties to perform. Despite that, and despite becoming involved with Lacus, Kira had somehow found himself drawn more to Cagalli. He started finding himself thinking about her more often before he ran away, both out of concern and attraction. It scared him, especially knowing what they were to each other.
"...Kira?" He glanced over to his side, seeing Cagalli looking at him.
"Yeah?"
"I need to ask you something but... it could change everything between us if I do."
Kira stopped short, turning towards his blond-haired companion with confusion in his eyes. True, he remembered what he had told her as Heero Shinigami several nights before. He never would have told her that any other time, not wanting to tarnish the trust they had built between them. Yet letting the truth stay hidden for so long was a far worse punishment for them both. He steeled himself, unsure if he was ready to hear what she wanted to say.
"What is it, Cagalli?"
The blond-haired Coordinator looked into his dark blue eyes, suddenly regretting what she would ask him. Doing so would make things complicated between them, even more so than now. Yet whatever happened between them and now, she needed to know for herself. She needed to resolve the conflict of emotions within her.
"Kira... I still don't know if I can accept what you told me that night, about us no longer being related. Part of me knew somehow, especially since our families wanted so much for us not to meet. Still, with the picture Father gave me, I just wanted so much to believe that I would never be alone again. I couldn't let that go, not even for a second." She placed a hand on Kira's shoulder, preparing herself for what she would utter next. Her eyes were downcast with both guilt and regret. "I look at you now and see someone different from the boy who saved my life, both on Heliopolis and Orb. You changed so much, Kira, but... but I'm scared of what that means to me. I started to feel something for you now, something I never felt for Athrun or anyone else. I need to know what it is. If I don't, it could just mean I'll end up alone again..."
Cagalli stopped when she found herself in a gentle embrace from Kira, a return gesture for the many times she had done something similar. She allowed herself to relax into it, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort at being so close to her friend. Kira looked at her with a gentle smile on his face.
"You won't be alone anymore. I promise."
The two of them floated in the empty corridor, oblivious to anyone or anything else around them for the moment. For a moment, Cagalli and Kira had both found the peace of mind they both sought for so long. Nothing else seemed to matter as they drew closer, their lips starting to meet in a kiss. For a moment, the memory of Athrun flashed across both of their minds, making them move apart. There were hints of regret in their motions as they drifted to separate sides of the corridor.
"...W-we should probably go to the conference room now." Kira said, feeling waves of shame over what had happened between them.
"...Y-yeah." Cagalli replied, feeling the same sense of guilt well within her. The two silently moved through the corridor until they arrived at the room, one of the few areas left undamaged on the ship. Sitting at a long table was Murrue, who was waiting for the two to show up.
"I'm glad to see you both here." She stated as she arose from her chair, moving over to greet them with a serious look on her face. "Especially you, Kira. I've heard that you suffered quite an ordeal out there."
"Yes ma'am." Kira replied, his eyes suddenly finding the ground an interesting place. Murrue then placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, making his eyes meet hers.
"If it's any consolation, I'm sorry for everything that's happened to you. However, we still need your help if we're going to stop this war from happening."
"...I'll... I'll do what I can, captain."
"All right, then. But first, there's someone who'd like to say hello." She motioned towards a figure to come forward from one of the viewports. Kira froze in surprise as he recognized the dark-haired figure.
"Athrun..."
"Kira... it is you after all."
The two boys stood there, silent in the tension that filled the air around the conference room, waiting for someone to say something to ease or break it altogether. Yet only silence filled the atmosphere.
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"How is construction going?" Murdock asked once he entered the darkened hangar area of his own ship. So far, everything was going according to plan. He was pleased with himself at how well resurrecting the Dark History was going. This was merely the final step in his plans.
"We pulled as much data from the old records as we could but we could only get 98 percent." A young man named Kyle told him as he handed Murdock a schematic. "The overall armor plating is 90 percent finished. Bio-recognition is 78 percent while almost all the venier thrusters are up. We should be finished with the modifications by tomorrow."
"Excellent." Murdock replied as he returned the schematic. "Soon, the dreams of a universe without the hindrances of Earth or its allies will be realized." As the young man left, he looked up at the unfinished mobile suit, smiling as he saw the words "SYSTEM X-99-C TURN-X-GUNDAM" etched on it's chest plating. 'Char, your dream will finally be realized with this one final machine. History shall be finally be the Earth's downfall.'
Chapter 6
================
Athrun was silent as the Aegis Gundam Mk. II moved through the expanse of space, speeding towards what he hoped was the last position of the Archangel. He had heard Murdock's recent transmission over the COM and was bitter, knowing now what was the source of the ambassadors' hesitation. He knew all too well the consequences of allowing a madman like this to gain power. Raww Le Kleuze was such a man and nearly obliterated Earth to accomplish his goals. It couldn't happen again, not if he could help it.
He touched his fingers to his lips, the memory of the all-too brief kiss he shared with Lacus still fresh in his memory. Never, not even when they were betrothed, had a kiss between them carried so much emotion with it. Not even the kisses he had shared with Cagalli moved him in such a way. Athrun had felt something familiar in the gesture, an intangible yet comforting feeling that warmed his spirit, leaving him yearning for more from his pink-haired friend. Yet he loved Cagalli, he reminded himself. What happened between him and Lacus was betraying both her and Kira and couldn't happen again...
So why did he want to do it again?
"That was a mistake." the black-haired Coordinator thought to himself. "Lacus is Kira's now. What happened would be stabbing him and Cagalli in the back." The proximity alarm beeped, letting him see the Archangel on the mobile suit's sensors. He quickly shifted the Aegis to mobile suit mode, signaling the ship as he drew closer.
"Archangel to unidentified mobile suit." Athrun recognized the voice as Miriallia's, the young woman who served as the Archangel's COM officer. "Identify yourself immediately."
"This is Athrun Zala in the Aegis Mk. II mobile suit. Is everyone all right aboard your ship?"
"Yes, fortunately." He heard the voice of Murrue Ramias say over the COM. "We're in bad shape right now because of an attack by GHOST. We're under going repairs but would appreciate any help you can give us."
"Understood, Captain." Athrun switched off the COM and maneuvered his mobile suit forward, forcing his earlier confusion aside for the moment. Personal problems would have to wait.
================
Kira floated down the corridor leading to the Archangel's conference room, feeling somewhat nervous as he headed to meet Murrue and tell her what he knew. He still felt so much responsibility for his actions as Heero Shinigami, for causing so much conflict when he piloted the Reverse Strike. The things he did were unforgivable, a tarnish on his soul that he couldn't remove. Still, having Cagalli there with him eased his pain somewhat.
He was still confused about his feelings for her, especially after recalling his final memory before destroying the two GuAIZ mobile suits. She meant so much to him, despite what they thought they were to each other. When they met the second time on Earth two years ago, she became one of his most trusted friends. Her strength carried his own at times, giving a newfound sense of confidence that changed his outlook on fighting. When he returned with the Freedom Gundam and reunited with his friends, she seemed so relieved to see him alive. He could still feel her warmth from the embrace she gave that day, smell the scent of her short blond hair.
After Cagalli discovered that they were "siblings", she retreated from him into a shell of loneliness, a direct contrast to the strong resistance fighter she was in Orb. She and Athrun had grown closer, falling in love during the last days of the war. Their relationship was never entirely stable, both of them having their duties to perform. Despite that, and despite becoming involved with Lacus, Kira had somehow found himself drawn more to Cagalli. He started finding himself thinking about her more often before he ran away, both out of concern and attraction. It scared him, especially knowing what they were to each other.
"...Kira?" He glanced over to his side, seeing Cagalli looking at him.
"Yeah?"
"I need to ask you something but... it could change everything between us if I do."
Kira stopped short, turning towards his blond-haired companion with confusion in his eyes. True, he remembered what he had told her as Heero Shinigami several nights before. He never would have told her that any other time, not wanting to tarnish the trust they had built between them. Yet letting the truth stay hidden for so long was a far worse punishment for them both. He steeled himself, unsure if he was ready to hear what she wanted to say.
"What is it, Cagalli?"
The blond-haired Coordinator looked into his dark blue eyes, suddenly regretting what she would ask him. Doing so would make things complicated between them, even more so than now. Yet whatever happened between them and now, she needed to know for herself. She needed to resolve the conflict of emotions within her.
"Kira... I still don't know if I can accept what you told me that night, about us no longer being related. Part of me knew somehow, especially since our families wanted so much for us not to meet. Still, with the picture Father gave me, I just wanted so much to believe that I would never be alone again. I couldn't let that go, not even for a second." She placed a hand on Kira's shoulder, preparing herself for what she would utter next. Her eyes were downcast with both guilt and regret. "I look at you now and see someone different from the boy who saved my life, both on Heliopolis and Orb. You changed so much, Kira, but... but I'm scared of what that means to me. I started to feel something for you now, something I never felt for Athrun or anyone else. I need to know what it is. If I don't, it could just mean I'll end up alone again..."
Cagalli stopped when she found herself in a gentle embrace from Kira, a return gesture for the many times she had done something similar. She allowed herself to relax into it, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort at being so close to her friend. Kira looked at her with a gentle smile on his face.
"You won't be alone anymore. I promise."
The two of them floated in the empty corridor, oblivious to anyone or anything else around them for the moment. For a moment, Cagalli and Kira had both found the peace of mind they both sought for so long. Nothing else seemed to matter as they drew closer, their lips starting to meet in a kiss. For a moment, the memory of Athrun flashed across both of their minds, making them move apart. There were hints of regret in their motions as they drifted to separate sides of the corridor.
"...W-we should probably go to the conference room now." Kira said, feeling waves of shame over what had happened between them.
"...Y-yeah." Cagalli replied, feeling the same sense of guilt well within her. The two silently moved through the corridor until they arrived at the room, one of the few areas left undamaged on the ship. Sitting at a long table was Murrue, who was waiting for the two to show up.
"I'm glad to see you both here." She stated as she arose from her chair, moving over to greet them with a serious look on her face. "Especially you, Kira. I've heard that you suffered quite an ordeal out there."
"Yes ma'am." Kira replied, his eyes suddenly finding the ground an interesting place. Murrue then placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, making his eyes meet hers.
"If it's any consolation, I'm sorry for everything that's happened to you. However, we still need your help if we're going to stop this war from happening."
"...I'll... I'll do what I can, captain."
"All right, then. But first, there's someone who'd like to say hello." She motioned towards a figure to come forward from one of the viewports. Kira froze in surprise as he recognized the dark-haired figure.
"Athrun..."
"Kira... it is you after all."
The two boys stood there, silent in the tension that filled the air around the conference room, waiting for someone to say something to ease or break it altogether. Yet only silence filled the atmosphere.
================
"How is construction going?" Murdock asked once he entered the darkened hangar area of his own ship. So far, everything was going according to plan. He was pleased with himself at how well resurrecting the Dark History was going. This was merely the final step in his plans.
"We pulled as much data from the old records as we could but we could only get 98 percent." A young man named Kyle told him as he handed Murdock a schematic. "The overall armor plating is 90 percent finished. Bio-recognition is 78 percent while almost all the venier thrusters are up. We should be finished with the modifications by tomorrow."
"Excellent." Murdock replied as he returned the schematic. "Soon, the dreams of a universe without the hindrances of Earth or its allies will be realized." As the young man left, he looked up at the unfinished mobile suit, smiling as he saw the words "SYSTEM X-99-C TURN-X-GUNDAM" etched on it's chest plating. 'Char, your dream will finally be realized with this one final machine. History shall be finally be the Earth's downfall.'