Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed/Destiny. Because if I did, then you'd see Yzak and Dearka in each and every episode of Destiny. And Miri will be in the Voltaire. And Yzak would shoot down Kira to stop all his nonsense nowadays, and Yzak would slap Athrun so that he'll come to his senses and….enough. Don't hate me for not liking Kira-kun at the moment. I'm sure he'll grow out of it. Else I'll just write another fic where he does grow out of it. Uh yeah, again, I don't own Gundam Seed/Destiny.
Characters this time around: A lot of the Destiny gang popped up and even Talia.
Chapter 4. Indebted
"We owe a huge thanks to Athrun's team." Ezaria said as she was having tea with her son and Dearka in the officer's lounge.
Yzak was in a much too grateful mood to counter his mother.
"I'll thank them personally." Yzak said lifting the teacup to his mouth.
"You must thank that blond haired girl especially."
Yzak's brows lifted slightly. Dearka looked on as well.
"She was the one who actually saw our pod, grabbed it and brought it to safety."
…
It was a fluke or perhaps just her normal lucky day, when she saw the battleship explode, as Rey's mobile suit started blasting away everything to smithereens, she saw something hurtling towards her. Her first reaction would have been to shoot it down but instinct told her not to. She ducked instead and was surprised to see that it was a pod catapulting into space.
"Commander Zala", she never could call him Athrun as he requested, she was much in awe of her Commander to even consider calling him just by his first name. "I think I just saw one of our escape pods. I'm going to try to grab it."
"Alright, bring the pod to the Minerva once you've retrieved it. Check if Councilor Jule and the Chairman are there. I'll get Lunamaria to back you up." Athrun replied not even pausing as he hacked the leg of a mobile suit in his path.
"Roger that." She was already speeding after the escape pod.
The EA seemed to have been alerted by her sudden change of direction as two of their suits suddenly changed directions as well, chasing after her. It would have been an easy task to race them to the escape pod but of course the EA did not particularly care if the escape pod was intact when they get it.
She suddenly reversed and shot down the first of the EA suits. She was appalled when she saw from the corner of her eye that the second one was taking aim at the escape pod. She didn't have enough time to shoot it down. Luckily for her, the pod's trajectory was erratic so the stupid EA pilot missed giving Lunamaria time to catch up, take aim and disable the second.
"Thanks Luna!"
"No problem." Lunamaria then turned around and started gunning down all the other suits that tried to go after them.
Her team mates were in the thick of battle and it seemed that everyone was having a tough time with the swarm of EA forces. Except for Rey of course, who seemed to have gone mad, he was going straight for one of EA's mothership. She could feel his wrath as always. But at least, she thought, that she could still feel him, and that was a good thing.
As quick as she could, she sped up to the hurtling pod and when she finally caught up to it, made a quick calculation of the speed and started decelerating to exactly match its speed. She caught it using both her Zaku's hands.
"This is Zala 7 of the Minerva. Everyone ok in there?" She slowly decelerated to almost a stand still. She could just imagine the rattling that they had to endure in the three minutes that they were spinning.
There was no immediate reply, just a lot of static. " This is Zala 7 of the Minerva. Anyone in here?" Crap, she thought, this may just be an empty pod, or worse, they're all dead. "Anyone, please?"
And then suddenly, "Zala 7, a man is injured here."
"I'll try to bring you to the Minerva as fast as I can."
"Try not to shake the pod too much. I don't think the man would survive if we get another major vibration."
"Roger that. By the way is Chairman Dullindal or Councilor Jule in there with you?" She was already plotting the safest route to the Minerva.
The same voice answered, "The councilor and I are here, and we're both ok."
"Glad to hear you're alive, Sir." She switched frequency to contact Athrun. She saw that Lunamaria was still staving off the pursuing mobile suits. Shinn was once in a while gunning down suits that Luna missed while trying to keep other suits from gunning down Rey. Rey was just at his maniacal best. He has already brought down one of the battleships, and that was in less than five minutes of battle.
"Taichou, the Chairman and the Councilor are in the pod. I need help, someone's injured in the pod and I can't make any sudden movements." She didn't try to think that she was practically going into battle without a weapon as she can't fire her gun. And she can't even dodge as this might just kill off the injured man. All she could do was just hope that her luck would carry her as she made her way to the Minerva.
"Roger. Captain, move the ship towards Zala 7. She's carrying the Chairman's escape pod and someone is injured." Athrun hacked another mobile suit's arm as he moved closer to the Minerva. He decided not to alert Rey because he would of course suddenly move towards the Zaku that they were trying to protect and possibly bring the swarms of EA troops to swoop in on them. He knew her Zaku was basically useless at that point.
Talia was horrified at what she heard. Chairman, escape pod, injured, and her mind seemed to have just short-circuited. Gilbert was injured in the escape pod was what registered in that war-weary brain of hers. Her Gilbert was still alive but injured. As she saw Athrun start his move, she contacted Rey. "Zala 3, protect Zala 7 at all costs. She's carrying the Chairman's pod. And Rey, Gilbert is injured."
It was quite a stupid thing to tell a hysterical, maniacal teenager. Aside from the fact that it really wasn't Gilbert who was injured, it was of course not a very wise tactical move. Of course, Rey's thoughts were to rush towards his father, which was exactly what Athrun predicted. And of course this alerted the other EA troops that they followed Rey, which was exactly what Athrun feared.
Athrun just gritted his teeth and advised his team for a different course of action, at least those team members who were still listening to him. He started moving to the other mothership, directing Shinn, who luckily was not behaving like an ass this time around, to follow his lead. Lunamaria was directed to be honor guard for the chairman and Rey, he just let him be. Zala 5 and 6 were directed to not let any suit get past them, they were to block as many of the suits as they can. Zala 8 and 9 were directed to back them up as they attack the mothership. The Minerva was of course changing course as if to retreat, but she was actually being maneuvered towards the incoming Zaku.
"Rey, just focus ok."
Rey seemed to understand what he meant and he was grateful to Athrun.
"Roger."
This maneuver confused the other suits, but as it seemed the pink mobile suit was the leader, some reversed directions and started following Athrun's suit like a pack of fan-girls.
Her luck seemed to be holding, it was just a matter of reaching the Minerva. She was almost there but it seemed like forever. She saw Zala 5 go down and then the other teammate grabbed the suit and carried it to the Minerva. She felt helpless just looking on like that. She could have gunned that enemy down, but her priority was to get this pod into the ship.
With the first defense broken, more suits broke free and was threatening to overwhelm Lunamaria and Rey. Athrun and Shinn were busy as the other two Zaku's have disappeared. It didn't seem like they were going to make it to their side. Suddenly, a blaze of light came from behind and when she looked up, she couldn't help but give a cheer. It was one of their own. It was the Voltaire! At least five Zaku's were going straight for the on-rushing EA troops. The blue Zaku, clearly the commander's ship, straight away hacked the legs and the arms of the EA that almost got near her.
"Athrun!" She heard a harsh voice via the comm link. Athrun left the comm link on so that she heard everything that he says as well as hear all calls to the Justice. She was just twenty seconds away from the Minerva who was under heavy fire just before the Voltaire arrived.
"She's in the pod." It was Athrun's voice this time. "Guard the Zaku carrying the pod!" She immediately understood who the "she" was. Who did not know the commander of the Voltaire? The infamous Commander Yzak Jule, hero of the last war, son of Councilwoman Ezaria Jule.
The Commander's Zaku started towards her and another green one guarded her on the right. She couldn't help but admire the two that were guarding her as it was clear to her how in sync they were and how efficient they were with their movements and weapons. She immediately thought of the name Elthman. He was initially considered a deserter, a traitor of Zaft. But his friend, then Councilor, would not hear of it and made him his personal assistant. He was alright in her books. She personally thought that those who served with the Archangel, with her father, in the last war were alright. History proved them right after all.
As she made her way to the entrance of the docking bay, she boldly linked up to the blue Zaku. "Thank you Commander Jule. Your mother is alright by the way." She said briefly catching the pilot in the white suit off-guard.
"Stay with her until the battle is over." His voice sent shivers down her spine.
"Roger." Uh, I have to clear this with Taichou first, she thought as she shook off the weird feelingShe told Athrun via the link and weird though the command sounded, he just seemed to consent.
She proceeded to get out of her Zaku and as commanded, she waited until the pod was opened. She clutched her helmet on one hand as she made her way down to where she laid down the pod.
The injured man was brought out first and was straight away sent to the infirmary. And then a lady in white stepped out of the pod. She was in awe of her as she did not look ruffled at all, her platinum blonde hair still looked like she just stepped out of a hair salon, and her face was still very much composed. She self consciously touched her own blonde hair that had a tinge of green. Her own hair was wavy, and most of the time unruly, and was almost always braided. She looked at the lady again and marveled, the only tell-tale sign of her ordeal were the deep marks on the back of her hand, as if her nails dug through the skin.
She saluted when she faced her. She saluted once more when Chairman Dullindal stepped out. He returned her salute and immediately went straight to the bridge leaving Councilor Jule in the docking bay.
"Councilor Jule?"
"Yes?" Ezaria looked at the blond girl talking to her, willing herself not to throw-up.
"I am from Team Zala. My Commander ordered me to stand guard while we're still in battle."
"Very well."
"Please follow me. I am pretty sure you would like to rest a bit after your ordeal."
"I would like to wait for my son."
"The battle will be over soon Ma'am. But my Commander will surely get into trouble with your son if he saw that I allowed you to wait here." She gave a small smile. Oh she hoped that she didn't think that it was rude!
Ezaria, her mind still as alert even after her ordeal, gave a smile. Zala, that must only mean Athrun, her son's rival at the academy and later team mate under Rau.
"Well then, I wouldn't want my son to beat up your Taichou in front of you now would I? Lead the way."
"This way please." She suppressed a smile as she led the way to the pilot's waiting area. Mother's pride, she thought.
…
"She was the one who grabbed the pod and brought it to safety. She was also the one who guarded me because Athrun asked her to."
"I told her to. She might have asked Athrun for permission." Yzak put down his cup and reached for his mother's hand, examining the gouges that were still visible. His eyes narrowed.
"Such a good soldier." Dearka said eyeing Yzak and trying to distract his attention.
"Not like someone I know." Yzak smirked.
"Hey, I always follow your orders." Dearka countered pretending to be hurt.
If he didn't think that only pigs snorted, he would have. "Yeah right. Only after arguing with me until my ears bleed."
"I don't do that all the time ok?" Dearka stood up to stretch. He floated to the window of the pilot's room and looked at the buzz of activity that was going on. It was always like that after a major battle. Too many things to repair but at least they came out on top, or at least the Minerva and the Voltaire crew came out on top. The Voltaire was of course doing repair work as well but Chairman Dullindal personally asked them to come to the Minerva and spend time with Ezaria. Otherwise, Yzak would feel bound to his duty as commander.
"Hey, hers is a Green Zaku right? Aunt Ezaria's angel." Dearka said with a grin.
"Yes, it is. With a white marking on the shoulder area." Yzak remembered seeing a flash of white as they were escorting her.
Dearka scanned the Zaku's that were being repaired and sure enough, there was the Green Zaku with the white shoulder mark.
"The marking's a hawk." Dearka commented as he sipped his tea.
Author's Note: Team Zala is composed of head Athrun (Zala 1), the three in Destiny and five others. The five others are not named as yet so if you have name suggestions, I may consider them. She (the still unnamed OC) is Zala 7 because she placed 3rd in her batch (So 1+3+3 7 tada!). I would have preferred lower than three, remember that I don't want her to be oh-she's-so-good-she-can-do-everything type, but since I wanted her to have the same code as Sousuke Sagara in Full Metal Panic, (Urz 7) I have to keep her at three. The ranking does not apply to their senpais (Shinn, Luna and Rey),
Another thing is that the unnamed one's description does not fit here again! Guffaws! And to think it was the first thing that I wrote to get to know her. So I just inserted bits and pieces of information about her. She is still exactly as I want her to be.
And if you noticed I don't name the ships, that is because I don't know! I'll pay more attention to it when reading the summaries of the episodes or perhaps even read the mech descriptions. I am just too lazy to open the internet to check.