Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY

The New Coordinate

Story:
AU of GSD. Xander Darklighter, a ZAFT ace pilot was thrown into a string of events that will test his skills, resolve, courage and determination. Which side will he choose to fight with? How will he deal with the events unfolding before him?

Notes:
ChibiRulz: Haha. Glad that minor Xan-Yv scene got your attention. I won't say a thing about that. Keep on reading. About that update part. Is that...bad? OO

Thanx for the reviews. Keep 'em coming!

I don't own GSD, their characters or anything else aside from Xander Darklighter, Claire Whitestar and Yvonne Norman.

Chapter 15: Redemption

In the coastal city of Diocuia, Talia, Athrun, Shinn, Lunamaria and Rey were having a tea with the Chairman of PLANT, Gilbert Dullindal. Earlier, Gilbert had informed them on the latest development in space, the previous battle at Lohengrin Gate and about the all out war declared by Earth Federation.

"We have our own opinion about war and it is up to us to keep the peace we've been working so hard on." he added.

Then, Athrun stammered in. "Chairman, I don't know if this is a good time to say this..."

"Ah, anything on your mind, Athrun?"

Athrun put the small box containing the FAITH insignia that was meant for Xander.

"So he didn't want to stay on with ZAFT?" Gilbert asked.

"No. He is under the list of M.I.A. He selflessly saved Shinn during the battle at Orb." Talia stepped in.

"Xander is to be a FAITH?" Lunamaria gasped in surprise.

Athrun nods. Gilbert closed his eyes. "I see. No news about him since then?"

Talia shook her head. "We lost an ace of a pilot. We couldn't do a thing about it..."

Gilbert turned to her. "Don't blame yourself, Talia. This is war and Xander made his choice. We have to respect that."

"Chairman, even if he made it to Carpentaria, I don't think I can persuade him to stay." Athrun said.

"Why is that, Athrun?"

"We had a talk before we reached Orb. He already made up his mind about leaving the military entirely. Given his past experience at Jachin Due..."

"I see. It means that even if he is still alive, he wouldn't let us know about it."

Athrun nods. "Yes. It seems to be that way."

At Banidiya, Xander and Jess were ready to take off when Yvonne called them from below.

"I'm coming with you two!"

"Haaa?" Xander said with his mouth wide open. Then, he looked at Jess.

"Are you sure?" he asked Yvonne. She nods.

"This place is getting boring. I need a change of environment."

"Hey, hey. I might go against the Feds again. You sure you still wanna come?" Xander said.

"Absolutely. To tell the truth, I'm no longer support their approach for this war."

"What about your father? He's one of the Alliance's top officer, right?" Jess asked.

"Stop asking questions! Just give me the answer. Yes or no?"

Jess looked at Xander. He raised his hands. "I have no opinion. It's your call, Jess."

Jess chuckled. "I'm sure we have no choice. Alright, you can join us."

Yvonne's face brightened. "Thanks. I'll tell the others about my departure." Then, she left for the camp to tell about her departure.

"My life will be so much fun after this..." Xander sighed.

Athrun, along with Lacus Clyne a.k.a. Meer Campbell approached Shinn, Lunamaria and a FAITH member Heine Westenfluss. Heine greeted them both and turned to Meer.

"Thank you for the performance yesterday, Miss Lacus. I'm sure that concert had lifted the spirits of the soldiers here."

Meer smiled at him. "No problem at all, Sir Heine. It is what am I supposed to do." She was about to continue when her aide interrupted.

"Miss Lacus, we have an appointment to attend to."

Meer frowned. "Aaah. Again?"

After saying goodbye to Athrun, she left. Athrun heaved a sigh of relief. At least his nightmare was over. For now. Heine stood up and salute him.

"Heine Westenfluss at your service."

Athrun returned the salute. "Athrun Zala. The pleasure is mine."

"So, you're the pilot of Savior?" he asked and Athrun nods. He then sighed. "A pity of what happened to Xander. I was looking forward to see how the one called The White Berserker performs during battle."

Athrun, Shinn and Lunamaria blinked. "The...White Berserker?"

Heine raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You never heard of it? I don't mind about you two but you Athrun? Surely you have heard this story."

Athrun shook his head. "I'm sorry. The Dark Crimson is after all ranked on the same level as FAITH. So, neither of us know what was going on."

Heine nods in agreement. "Can't blame you for that. What I heard were just rumors though."

"Can you tell us more about the Dark Crimson?" Shinn asked. Lunamaria nods in agreement.

"Very well." Heine replied. "Dark Crimson was totally a different set of group even though they were ranked the same as FAITH. Members of FAITH were given the freedom to act based on our own judgment but Dark Crimson act by the orders of the High Council. Their assignments were mostly covert operations like infiltrating the enemy, assassination, information gathering and spying. In other words, they are the council's eyes, ears and the executioner."

Athrun nods. "Yeah. But in order to be one, they had to possess various natural talents like agility, computer hacking among them. Unlike FAITH whom the members were appointed based on their performance and the Chairman's judgment."

"So, Xander was used to killing?" Lunamaria asked. Heine nods. "Yeah, pretty much."

"But why he was called the White Berserker?" Shinn asked. "He certainly doesn't look like one."

Heine smiled at him. "Well, the Earth Federation were the ones that gave him that title. Can you imagine what a person looks like when his eyes turned white?"

"A...ghost?" Athrun guessed.

"Right. According to them, he moves like one and kills like one."

"I understand about that moving part but the killing part..." Shinn muttered.

"I'm not sure about it either. The only thing I know is that his victims died because of internal bleeding."

Lunamaria backed away as she remembered Xander's expression before the explosion.

(He...was a killer. Maybe to die in battle was his only redemption...)

Xander, Jess and Yvonne entered Diocuia after hiding their units beyond the mountains nearby.

"Hey Jess. Why are we here?" Yvonne asked.

"Oh, I just want to see a friend. She's a fellow photographer too." Jess replied.

"Hah. A girlfriend?" Xander teased.

"Oi, she's certainly not!" Jess shot back, blushing at the same time. Xander raised his hands while Yvonne chuckled.

"Okay, okay. So I assume you want to go alone on this one."

Jess nods. "Yeah. Meet me at the square in one hour. Okay, I'm off."

Then, he left. Xander turned to Yvonne. "So, what will we do?"

Yvonne stared at Xander up and down for a moment. "I think we need to buy some new threads for you." she said after looking at the journeyman clothes he was wearing. A tattered cloak (presumably used for desert outing) over a simple pair of t-shirt and jeans. To her, the way Xander dressed was out of place.

Xander raised his eyebrows. "Whaaat?"

Under the direction (or command) of Yvonne, Xander tried out a few clothes in a tailor's shop. After changing clothes more than twenty times, Yvonne finally approved Xander's choice; a pair of black t-shirt and a bell-bottomed pants of the same color.

"You have some weird taste in clothing, Yvonne."

"Shut up. I'm paying so I don't want to hear any complaining from you."

"Fine, fine. I'll be waiting outside."

Xander waited outside while Yvonne settled the bill. He leaned against the wall, looking at the blue sky.

(The day is surely nice. Wonder what the others at Minerva is doing? What is Lunamaria doing right now?)

"Xander? Is that you?"

He turned to saw Youran, Vino and Meyrin in their casual outfit. Xander smiled at them. "Hi. What's up?"

Vino stepped in. "Hey, we thought you're..."

Xander shook his head. "Naah. I'm still alive here."

"But why don't you report back to the ship?" Youran asked.

"I'm leaving ZAFT when we reached Carpentaria anyway. It really doesn't matter to me." he replied.

"But sister is always worried about you!" Meyrin stammered.

Xander turned to her. "I'm sorry, Meyrin. I wish I could meet her but I can't. Not now."

"But...but..."

Xander shook and turned to Vino and Youran. "Other than Lunamaria, please don't tell a soul about me."

Both of them nods. Xander returned his attention to Meyrin. "Tell your sister that I'm doing fine. There's nothing for her to worry about."

Yvonne got out from the shop and saw them talking. "Xander, these are your friends?"

The four turned to her. "Yeah. Guys, this is Yvonne Norman. A friend."

"And rival." she added as she shook hands with them. "Glad to meet all of you."

Vino and Youran blushed as they introduced themselves.

"Meyrin Hawke. Pleased to meet you." Yvonne smiled at her. "The pleasure is mine, actually." She turned to Xander. "Well, I think it's about time we meet up with Jess."

Xander nods. "Alright, I have some matters to attend to. Hope to see you soon. Laters."

He then turned around and left with Yvonne following him.

"Wow. Miss Yvonne is really beautiful. Maybe beautiful than Miss Lacus. Now I'm envious of Xander." Youran said.

Vino nods. "Not only beautiful, she's quite strong too."

"Eh, you can tell?" Youran asked.

Meyrin looked on at both Xander and Yvonne. Both looked happy in each other's company. The latter just smiled as Xander did the talking.

(Sister, what should I tell you?)

To Be Continued...