I'm so for delaying so long. Life's been hectic. I'll update my other two fics as soon as possible! Keep up the wonderful reviewsand all you meanies and go be mean elsewhere.Wait a sec, I don't think there are any....Enjoy!
Chapter 8: Shards of Glass
"Get moving!" Cagalli yelled at the yacht's captain. She was thoroughly pissed, and would have loved it if her gundam had been at hand, but being her luck, it wasn't.
The Skygrasper closed in, being only about a hundred feet from the back and about another hundred up. The pilot prepared the guns and took aim at the boat.
"Cagalli!" cried Athrun as Cagalli took out the flare and aimed it towards the skygrasper. "Are you nuts? What are you doing?"
"Saving our sorry excuse for lives." She muttered as she shot the flare gun. A bright red light lit up as it made contact with the Skygrasper.
"Ahhh!" screamed the pilot of the skygrasper as he lost control after being temporarily blinded. As his skygrasper flew towards the water, he managed to pull the trigger on the guns, causing all chaos to break loose.
Two skygraspers were catching up with the first, and were not very happy when their friend went flying into the ocean below them while firing his gun. They noticed that someone on the yacht had been injured by the stray fire, and grinned wickedly as they took up chase.
"Athrun…" Cagalli whispered as she knelt down by Athrun's fallen body. The injury had gone through his right shoulder, and she didn't know how bad it was. "Captain!" she yelled over the roar of the water, engine, and skygraspers. "Get him into the cabin. I'll take care of them." She muttered standing as the middle aged captain took the unconscious body of Athrun below deck.
Cagalli turned her amber eyes towards the back of the boat where the two skygraspers still followed. They were also beginning to take aim, and Cagalli couldn't waist another moment. She grabbed the steering wheel, and right as they fired, she swerved right, and then back to the left, temporarily shaking them she could barely make out a port at the land mass growing closer and closer, and she saw several objects heading towards them in the sky.
"Just waiting time…" she muttered jumping back down from the wheel and grabbed up the flare gun in one hand, and her pistol in the other. "Damn old fashioned things…" she grumbled aiming and shooting off a round at one of the skygraspers.
The pilot of the one being shot was arrogant enough to think himself brilliant, and began weaving in and out of her shots until he was next to his partner who was laughing uncontrollably.
She smiled to herself as she shot the flare just barely at his open side, and being the stupid imbecile he was acting like, he swerved even closer to his comrade, and the two collided. The first went spiraling into the water like the previous one had done, and the second one finally regained control and began firing at her.
Cagalli jumped behind a large double seating chair and ducked her head trying to dodge the onslaught of bullets. She managed to peek out from her hiding place and aim the flare at him. She missed though, and quickly had to duck before she was shot in the head. She turned to see where the Orb forces were, and saw them coming in quickly.
"They should be here in about a minute." Cagalli whispered, calculating to herself. She hissed in pain as a bullet whizzed past her arm and scratched her, while another went through the seat and hit her in the leg.
"Damn it all to hell!" she yelled as she shot randomly with her uninjured arm, shooting without aiming.
She was relieved when she saw four gundams fly over head. It had taken them, what had seemed like forever, and her sweaty brow proved how exhausted she now was. She sighed and leaned down onto the bullet laden floor and reclined wearily against a pole.
Closing her weary golden eyes she listened as the last skygrasper was shot down, and the four gundams came up along side the boat and became its escort. She finally pushed herself up, favoring her injured leg, and sat down carefully into the captain's chair. She took up the wheel, and guided them safely into port, her mind wandering all the while about how the others were down below and how serious Athrun's injury was.
About fifteen minutes later, Cagalli stumbled from the boat and leaned against a wooden poll on the deck. Immediately the gundams landed, and not only did her body guards come running from the limo, but also the gundam pilots.
"There are people…in the cabin…I know for sure…that one is badly…injured, I don't know…about the others." She managed to get out through deep breaths.
The four pilots and one of the three body guards jumped onto the ship and went below, while the other two bodyguards stayed to see to her wounds.
The gunshot had passed straight through her leg which was good, but it was bleeding profusely. Her arm was a mere scratch and quickly dismissed.
Cagalli watched as two of the pilots helped the semi-conscious Athrun from below and the other three that had entered came out supporting Lacus who had a concussion on her head, and Flay who was shaking uncontrollably. Her two bodyguards meanwhile bandaged her wound and lifted her up, supporting her weight on both sides.
Several ambulances arrived almost three minutes later, and they loaded Athrun, Lacus, and Flay. Kira looking for a moment at Cagalli and then getting a nod went into the only ambulance left, for the other two had sped away, and sat down beside Athrun. The doors shut and it raced away, blaring its sirens.
It was about an hour and a half before Cagalli returned to her grandfather's, and upon request was given leave, and taken to her own apartment. She left the guards outside as she limped inside and plopped down onto her couch where sleep finally caught up to her, and her world slowly faded away and became a nightmare.
Athrun awoke in a bright hospital room. He winced as he felt pain shoot through his arm, and then noticed a nurse walk in and give him a dose of painkillers. He watched her leave, and sighed wearily. He pushed his uninjured hand through his ruffled blue hair, and nearly jerked up in surprise when a man entered. He looked like a regular Orb citizen, but he walked like someone with military experience.
"Athrun Zala." The man said as he rubbed a calloused hand through his graying hair. "You may call me Albert. I am your contact." The man stated taking a seat next to his bed and leaning back slightly.
"Codeword?" he asked, not willing to take any chances.
"A.S.G." the man replied as he watched Athrun with black, almost beady eyes.
"Now then, I guess you want me to report?" Athrun questioned relaxing slightly. Receiving a nod, he began to report things so far. "I know where High Councilman Draves lives. There is a meeting scheduled for assuming what day it is, three days hence. There is a new weapon that Orb has made, but it has recently been damaged. The pilot, Cagalli Ula Attha, I have no word on her condition. Kira has joined sides with Orb, and I believe there is something between him and Lacus Clyne. Cagalli's true name is Leila, and I believe Orb didn't assassinate her and Kira's father. There is a secret lab beneath the western mountain range that lies on the coast. There is a fleet of nearly seventy ships scattered along the northern side of the island, and then down along the eastern and southern coasts…" Athrun said and went on to explain more military information. He ended with the ball that was to be held the next night in a manor owned by a councilman in the far north, and how all the council would be there.
"Very good, I will convey this information to our superiors. You have done well young master Zala." The man said bowing and then left, trying poorly to hide his military way of movement.
Athrun sighed and brushed his hand through his hair. "Hopefully this will be over soon." He muttered, and drifted off into a drug induced sleep
Cagalli sat on her couch and look at her wounds after finally waking up. "So much for fun." She muttered annoyed. "This wouldn't have happened if it weren't for my fun and games. Now my friends are hurt." She looked exhausted as she stood and limped to her kitchen.
Putting the kettle in the stove, she waited to drink some tea. She'd have to go see her friends later. She hoped that they were alright. Finally having her tea, she sat down in one of her chairs at the wooden kitchen table. Sighing she took a quick drink, and looked bleakly into the cup.
"It won't be long now." She sighed and angrily threw her cup which smashed against the wall. Her bodyguards came running in, and left quickly when her anger turned to them as she yelled for them to get out.
Awhile later...
Cagalli hadn't seen anyone except her grandfather since the attack on them. It had been awhile. It seemed like a month, but it had only been a day or so.
She was standing infront of a mirror looking at her self. She truly hated wearing dresses, but she had no choice since it was a formal engagement. "Damn." She muttered as she tucked a piece of gold hair behind one ear. She sighed as she straightened the folds on the light, sky blue gown. It went to her ankles, and she word matching blue shoes. Her hair now a bit longer was done up in a fashionable bun.
The dress itself was strapless, and the matching necklace in the shape of a tear drop went perfectly with it. The light blue crystal was suspended on a silver chain, and in all she didn't look half bad.
She heard a knock on her door, and turned to see Dearka come in. He smiled and laughed when she blushed and muttered something like 'Never seen a girl in a dress before.'
"Ready?" he asked as she brushed past him hastily.
"Yes, and it seems that you are alright." She muttered ignoring him as she picked up her purse and put a small pistol in it.
"Yes, the others are alright too. High Councilman Draves is downstairs waiting for you. He says that the others will be there." He said hurrying to catch up with her as she descended down the staircase.
All of her friends, Kira, Lacus, Flay, and Athrun, she had not seen since that day awhile ago. She had seen Dearka once or twice, but had only seen Nikki three times since her return. She felt isolated and a bit lonely.
Finally getting downstairs, Cagalli went with Sir and got into the white limo waiting outside, Dearka getting in as well. Cagalli smiled halfheartedly at her grandfather when he patted her hand as the car started up. Sighing Cagalli calmed her nerves and relaxed. The dance had a double purpose. It was also a meeting to discuss something big concerning Cagalli, and she was frightened.
Arriving at the large mansion did more damage to Cagalli's already racing heart. She almost tripped on the fabric of her dress as she stepped out. Sir caught her arm quickly, and smiled reassuring her as they along with Dearka entered.
Sir departed once inside, mumbling the time and place of the meeting before he went to talk to another councilman. Cagalli watched Dearka turn to talk to some girls in the corner. Sighing she went and stood by a far wall taking in her surroundings.
The house was easily three stories. They were on the first floor. The windows around her reached fairly high and the way she was facing, they faced the garden. She saw a fountain out one, and noticed Athrun talking to a girl. Cagalli suddenly a bit annoyed bit back a comment to her self and instead silently scolded herself. He seemed alright, so she wasn't really worried.
Athrun entered the dance room again after he had taken a walk with Mirialla. The brown haired girl smiled as he escorted her to the dance floor and the two began to dance. He thought he saw Cagalli but soon focused on what Mirialla was saying in a hushed tone.
Finally ending the dance he noticed Cagalli sitting in a chair. She seemed jumpy. He watched as several young men tried to get her to dance, but she declined saying her feet hurt. Walking over to her, Cagalli looked up suddenly.
"Hey." He said smiling trying to ignore the expression that crossed her face when she saw his arm in a sling.
"Hi." She said wiping the worried look from her face as she looked up at him in his black tuxedo. "I'm glad you're okay." She said sheepishly.
"You too." He said a little embarrassed as well. "Wanna dance?" he asked holding out his hand.
"Sorry, I have to go meet Sir in a few minutes." She said standing and making sure her dress was in proper order. She smiled at Athrun for a moment, and then went towards a door leading into a darkened hallway.
Athrun sighed. He'd have to give the signal soon. He glanced over to Mirialla and she smiled as he walked over to her and they began to dance.
Cagalli walked into the secret room hiding her slight limp. The injury still hurt like no tomorrow but she was partially in charge here, and so she had to act like nothing was wrong. Sitting down in her chair next to her grandfather who sat at the head of the oval table.
"Now then." Councilman Draves said as the last two men they were waiting for entered. "Onto the important business." He said looking at the papers infront of him and shuffling them. "I presume everyone knows why we're here?" he said looking at the ten or eleven people around him.
"Alright then just a quick recap." He said setting the papers down and looking at his granddaughter. "Anyways, as you all know, I am naming Cagalli as my heir and she will be taking over for me." He said watching the nodding faces of the men and women around him. "She is also a gundam pilot. One of the best we have." He said with pride. "Well as some of you might have heard we have Athrun Zala here along with Cagalli's brother, Kira Yamato. We have reason to believe Athrun is a spy, and Kira, Athrun's friend, to our information has no idea about any of this. We have Miss Clyne watching him." He said looking at the questioning face of a brown haired woman wearing glasses.
"So we have nothing to worry from Kira but Mr. Zala is the problem?" she asked considering things.
"Yes, our informant says he's had maybe one or two meetings with unidentified people. We don't know what side he's on. We can only presume it is the Alliance since his father is a member of the council. Kira and Cagalli's father was murdered not so long ago. We are still looking into that, but we have reason to believe that it the head of defense, Alec Davries. So as you can see we must keep our eyes out for Zala and Davries." Sir said taking a sip of coffee from the mug infront of him.
Cagalli looked down at the file infront of her. She had a feeling that Sir was right. She wasn't the informant, but she knew who was. Athrun didn't seem like a spy, but she knew he was. Somehow she just knew.
"Cagalli will begin training at the end of the month despite the odd mission here or there. I believe she will be a great leader. All that we need now is the keys to the information's department. This way she will be able to read up on our interesting history and not be caught by surprise. I'd appreciate all of your support." He said setting the mug down again after a drink.
"You have mine." Came the voices throughout the room as the pulled small keys from their pockets. They were passed to Cagalli where she connected them to form a single key about the size of half her fist. Putting it in her bag she smiled thankfully to them. All eleven councilmen and women had agreed to her position without hesitance which meant she had their support.
"Now I believe this meeting is adjourned." He said standing. The others followed and one by one they left the secret room. Cagalli standing and with much effort ignored the stinging pain in her leg as she walked from the room.
Upon returning to the party Cagalli looked for Athrun. He and the girl from earlier were near a window in the corner. Cagalli nearly shrieked a warning when she saw the girl was checking a weapon.
"Shit and double shit." Cagalli muttered making her way to a concealed place behind a large column. She took her dress off to reveal black pants and a black tank top. She quickly pulled the straps up over her shoulders from where they'd been hidden inside the dress. She took the key and put it on the chain with her teardrop gem and pulled out the gun. She peered around the side.
She muttered as she saw them say something into a walkie talkie and was just about to yell a warning when all of a sudden most of the windows were broken as dozens of soldiers entered. Holding up their guns, they shepherded all the guests towards the center of the room.
Athrun and the girl went to converse with a captain who quickly separated the council members from the other guests along with Kira and Nikki.
She had Athrun's back and took the opportunity. With as much speed as she possessed, she ran from her hiding spot.
"Freeze or I'll blow his brains out." She said and all the hysterically screaming women and angry men's voice's quieted as she held the gun to Athrun's head.
"Ms. Attha." Said a man walking in from the front door infront of them. He had light golden hair and his eyes were black. This scared Cagalli. Seeing her expression he grinned. "Allow me to introduce my self. My name is Alexander Davries. I believe you've heard of my uncle, Alec Davries.
Cagalli's eyebrows knitted together in thought. She needed to do something. "Release the guests and he'll live." She said pressing the gun harder to Athrun's head.
Athrun was surprised when he felt a gun barrel at the back of his head and instantly tenses. He was surprised even more when it was Cagalli's voice that spoke. How had she known he was the traitor? It didn't matter now anyways. If she didn't give up she'd be killed. All the soldiers had hesitantly raised their guns at her.
"Cagalli you can't win." He said focusing on Mirialla who had her own gun raised.
"That's Ms. Attha to you asshole." She hissed. He felt her rage and it made him feel very guilty all of a sudden. He noticed Kira was glaring at him, venom in his own gaze which was probably mimicking Cagalli's.
Cagalli sneaked a glance at Kira. She moved her eyes to the side for a moment. Catching the hint Kira inched towards a guard with a gun. Coming up behind him the sibling's eyes connected and suddenly gun shots rang out simultaneously as Kira kicked the man and grabbed his gun.
Cagalli had pushed Athrun away from her and shot him in the leg. She took a shot at Alexander, and with a strong arm grabbed Nikki and pushed her towards where Kira was grabbing Flay and Lacus, Dearka helping. Cagalli turned to see what the soldiers were doing. She backed up trying to buy time as Kira was pushing everyone out the door. Somehow Sir had also gotten free of his ring of guards. When the last person she cared for was out she backed up to the wall, her back to the large window.
One of the soldiers ignoring his orders took aim and without heeding his orders shot. Four shots rung through the air.
The last thing Cagalli saw as she was hit back through the window was Athrun, his eyes wide and full of what she thought looked like fear. That was all she saw as the glass broke and she flew out and fell from a small bush to land on the ground to be bombarded by shards of glass.
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Sorry it has been so long. Longest chappy yet. So what did you all think? I think it's going to get a bit more interesting…cackles evilly
Yours finally,
-DHM-
