Wow!

Two chapters in two days. Well, since I'm going to be a way for a while I figured I had better post again. We are back to see poor Athrun is doing. Again, a long chapter but I don't mind. I enjoyed writing it.

Please review! I love hearing from you!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed, Gundam Seed Destiny or any references to it. Maloby, the prisoner, however, does belong to me. The rest is all the property of Bandai Entertainment.

Abhorrence

Chapter #8: What's in a Name?

When Athrun woke up, he groaned loudly as he felt a tight pain settle in his stomach. The world moved in sickeningly slow circles. He squeezed his eyes shut and bit his tongue to prevent himself from emptying his stomach on the hard, damp floor. Lying on his stomach, he realized that he was right where the strangers had left him – In the middle of his cold and lonely cell. He attempted to move his arms only to realize in disgust that they had left them bound behind his back. The throbbing pain in his left shoulder was paralyzing and he was almost relieved to realize that the drug he'd been given had numbed his nervous system and had somewhat dulled the pain.

His entire body ached from the abuse he'd endured but he was determined to get up. Athrun bit back the agony and the weariness he was feelingly and tried to bring his feet underneath him to push himself up. They didn't respond.

Opening his eyes, Athrun found his vision to be blurred as everything around him distorted in a black and white mess. Again, he tried to get up, only to find that his legs would not respond to his brain's commands. This time, however, he felt them move slightly, scrapping against the cold cement.

"Damn it," He muttered as he slowly raised his head. It felt abnormally heavy on his shoulders but he refused to let himself simply lie there like a carcass waiting for the vultures to swarm. His pride wouldn't stand for it. His thoughts moved slowly and he could feel the effects of whatever he had been drugged with beginning to ware off. Everything slowly came back to him – including the fiery pain in his left shoulder and he moaned softly.

Waiting a few moments, he heaved his upper body upward and willed himself to, at the very least, sit up. He felt dangerously weak and cursed them for whatever they had done to him. Inching towards the nearest wall, he let out a short sigh as he allowed his body to sag against the cool surface. He remembered being told that what they had injected him with was a sedative meaning that his nervous system and muscles had all but been deadened. It had been strong stuff and Athrun could still feel the horrid tingling sensation in his upper arm. He shuddered and leaned back, thinking.

He wondered about Cagalli, he wondered about what was happening in the outside world and he also couldn't help but wonder about what was going to happen to him. He had been in sticky situations before, but never had he been denied the full use of his body. Even if he did have a second chance to escape, he couldn't even stand yet alone run. Besides, even if he could run, where would he go? He didn't even know where he was.

"I didn't think you would ever wake up!"

Athrun winced as the unknown voice rattled his ear-drums. He turned his head ever so slightly towards the direction the voice had come from and blinked several times before he was finally able to focus. Beyond his barred cell door, was a pair of bright blue eyes that gleamed brightly from the shadowy confines of the cell across from his own. Like those of an owl watching its prey, the wide blue orbs fixed on him and refused to waver.

"Hey there, young man!"

Athrun frowned but didn't have the energy to look away. He rested his head against the wall, his eyes fluttering slowly. Everything seemed so surreal and he found himself staring blankly through his cell at the pair of sapphires that were gawking at him. As if in a daze, Athrun felt strangely disconnected from his body.

"You don't look so great, kid."

Athrun's eyes narrowed as the stranger spoke a second time. "Who are you?" Athrun flinched at the sound of his voice. It sounded hoarse, slightly slurred and completely foreign to his ears.

"Oh, I'm just another poor soul like yourself," The gruff man jeered. "Learned it's not very bright to try and take money from this lot. My friends call me Maloby. What are you here for?"

"I don't know." Athrun admitted and dropped his gaze to the floor.

Maloby wasn't convinced. "Well, they certainly don't like you for someone who has done nothing."

"I noticed."

"They're afraid of you, you know."

Athrun raised his head and furrowed his brow questionably.

Maloby laughed and pressed his face further into the bars of his cell. His unruly gray hair hung over his shoulders and he was dressed in a grungy shirt and a pair of torn pants. The old man smiled, revealing a set of nicotine-stained, croaked teeth. "Usually a good thrashing is enough to subdue a prisoner. You put up a hell of a fight, boy, and caused a lot of trouble. In some twisted way, them drugging you demonstrates just how wary they are of you and what your capable of. Take it as a compliment."

To be deprived of the normal usage of one's body and to be left to feeling queasy and ill could hardly be considered flattering. Not to mention his dislocated shoulder which pained him every time he dared to move. Athrun, however, didn't feel up to arguing the point. For someone behind bars, this man certainly was in high spirits.

"Most people such as yourself usually don't even make it to the cells," Maloby pointed out and snickered. "And those who do, don't last long."

"I see. How long have you been here?" Athrun hoped to change the subject from the fate that most likely awaited him.

"I move from here to there. Been in every prison in this territory – it's my third time here. After a couple weeks, they'll let me go. Pick-pocketing is a risky business. Sometimes you hit, sometimes you miss. When you miss, you end up like I am now."

"Oh."

Unhappy with the state of affairs, Athrun let his eyes drift shut and focused on breathing as he listened to the old man prate on about his life. Athrun's hair was damp and tangled and lank strands fell over his glazed eyes. A slight chill in the air crystallized the droplets of water in his hair and he inwardly shivered. He usually wasn't vulnerable to the cold and could only assume that the drug he had been subjected to had now made him somewhat more susceptible to the frosty and dank air that filled his lonely cell. He could feel the bruises that scarred his body from his foolish escape attempt and retaliation. Athrun could feel the ribbon of pain that had laced itself around his abdomen and he knew that if he could see; his entire body would have been painted with dark blue and black patches.

Listening to Maloby seemed to ease him somewhat and he forced himself to relax. Although he wasn't really following what the man was telling him, he found just the sound of his voice was comforting.

"Some of the delegates from space have pretty heavy pockets. Most of the time, it's worth the risk. One time, I struck gold! A clumsy Coordinator, if you can believe it, and I nailed him. Fifty thousand earth dollars! Let me tell you, I ate well that night. Who carries that kind of money in their pockets? Why I…"

Athrun didn't notice that Maloby had suddenly stopped talking. Nor did he notice the other prisoner sink back further into his cell. He had just begun to dose softly when he heard a loud 'clank' and the screeching of the door to his cell being opened. The light from the open door was blinding, and Athrun had to squint in order to make out the four silhouettes now standing before him.

Jibril smiled when he saw that his prisoner made no indications of getting up. Turning to Neo, who was standing beside him, he chuckled. "You used the stuff on him didn't you?"

"He attacked us," Neo replied simply. "The boy is dangerous. He broke Atso's arm and he tried to pull off a getaway. I had no choice."

"Hmmm," Jibril started forward but stopped when he saw the fierce glare in the young Coordinators eyes. "Well now, I trust you find your accommodations acceptable."

Athrun didn't bother with an answer. Instead, he straightened himself up against the wall and proceeded to just stare at them, hoping his anger could be seen through the intensity of his raging eyes.

He watched as the four men drew near and mentally groaned while forcing himself to remain calm. He really didn't feel up to another confrontation with these men. All he really wanted was to be left alone.

"No answer I see," Jibril mused and bent down until his line of vision matched that of his prisoner. Catching Athrun's chin in his hand, he squeezed ever so slightly. "I know you can talk."

Enraged, Athrun tried to pull back from the repulsive man but again found that his dulled sensed and sluggish reflexes wouldn't allow it. Instead, he averted his gaze and chose to ignore him.

Jibril frowned and released Athrun, leaving his hand print on the young man's pale skin. "At first I didn't really care about you," The man told him as he paced about him teasingly, noting the way Athrun's eyes followed him warily. "In fact, I planned on killing you but then I started wondering. Why would someone of such high stature such as Miss. Cagalli be in the company of a simple Coordinator. That's when I started thinking that maybe you aren't merely an average Coordinator. Perhaps you are more valuable than I might have first thought."

Again, Athrun said nothing.

"What is your name, young man?"

When Athrun still didn't speak, Neo stepped forward and whipped out an overly familiar vial from his coat pocket and flashed it before the youth's eyes. "I suggest you answer him."

Biting his lip to refrain from expressing any sort of weakness, Athrun remembered the pain he had experienced at these man's hands only a few hours ago and nodded slightly. "Alex Dino." He muttered under his breath.

He wasn't expecting it so it came as a shock when Jibril backhanded him across his face, whipping his head violently to the left and splitting his bottom lip. Tasting blood, Athrun licked his lips and looked up at the man furiously. He hadn't been struck like that since… he chose to block out that memory.

"Don't lie to me," Jibril warned, his good nature suddenly vanishing. "I already know your first name is Athrun. I want to know who you are."

"You haven't told me who you are," Athrun shot back with equal vigor. "Why should I oblige?"

"Because you are our prisoner, you stupid, little fool," Neo answered. "This isn't a discussion. You will tell us what we want to know. If you don't, things will go very badly for you." He pulled out the needle from the vial and held it up for emphasis. He smiled when he saw Athrun shift uncomfortably.

"You are a prisoner of the Blue Cosmos," Jibril told him firmly and chuckled when he saw the boy's eye widen with recognition. "I see you have heard of us. Now, what is your name? I will not ask you again, Athrun…"

Biting his lip, Athrun stubbornly refused to give an answer.

"I can see you're the obstinate type," Jibril couldn't help but sound impressed. "I do, however, have questions that need answering and I will get what I want from you – one way or another."

Athrun remained silent, unmoved by such threats. He knew this man would keep pushing until he got what he wanted regardless of how severely he hurt him. He also knew he could endure a lot of torment. He'd always been careless with his life and had sometimes paid the price for it. The longer he withheld information, the longer these men might keep him alive…especially if they thought he was valuable. Perhaps someone would find him. At the moment, that seemed to be his only hope.

"Nobody cares," Jibril continued, grinning devilishly when he saw the boy's eyes narrow. "You're nothing to Orb and certainly not worth much in space. I can think of at least 100 people who would pay for the privilege to run someone like you through." He paused to examine the boy, hoping for a reaction. He got none.

Athrun stayed impassive. He knew that when saying 'like you' the man was addressing the fact that he was a Coordinator. His eyes shone with anger as they burned a hole through the deranged man. It was as if he didn't care one way or another what this man was saying to him.

"You have a lot of enemies here, boy," Jibril added. "Every one of them wants you dead. I heard you made quit a scene earlier."

"You've the opportunity right now," Athrun dared to point out. He was beginning to get annoyed. "And I can't stop you."

"Oh, I know," Jibril chucked and with one swift movement, he grabbed Athrun's chin again, forcing him to look him in the eye. Athrun did so without hesitation. "And I will, but at the moment, I need you alive."

"Why?"

"I'm asking the questions," Again, Jibril let go of the boy's face and stepped back, crossing his arms. "Your name, Athrun. Now."

"Athrun…" The third man who had entered repeated the name to himself before he jolted upright. "Wait a minute. Athrun, that name… I remember there was an Athrun who fought with Orb during the war against us," His gaze locked on the inebriated youth. "There was also an Athrun involved in the destruction of Heliopolis…. I remember hearing that Athrun Zala was the pilot of one of the mobile suits stolen from there."

"Otto, what are you saying?" Neo asked.

"This," Otto pointed an accusing finger directly at the prisoner. "This is Athrun Zala! Who else could it be?"

Jibril brought a hand to his chin, considering what Otto's words before glancing down at his young prisoner. The boy gave no signs that would have confirmed his statement. "The ZAFT Ex-Chairman's son? Well, that certainly is a fine catch. I can see why Miss. Cagalli would want to have you in her company."

"Go to hell." Athrun shot back and was rewarded with another harsh slap to the face. This time, the blow sent Athrun crashing down on his left side. White agony shot up his dislocated shoulder and a sharp cry escaped his lips before he was able to snap his jaw shut.

"A filthy mouth," Jibril nodded. "Yes, he certainly is Patrick Zala's son."

Athrun cursed and tried to sit back up only to find that the effort was grueling. The Blue Cosmos members all watched, seemingly amused, as the boy fought with the effects of the drug and the pain of his shoulder to right himself.

"Many people had family on Heliopolis," Jibril pointed out. "And many people were upset when nobody was convicted for its destruction. Orb said that all of those responsible were dead."

"They are," Athrun retorted shortly. "They died during the war."

"And yet you are still alive?"

Taken back, Athrun's eyes widened as he shook his head. "No, I wasn't responsible for what happened to it."

"You were there were you not?"

"Yes but…"

"Then how can you not be responsible?"

"We cannot change the past," Athrun muttered, bitterly. "All we can do is prevent the same things from happening again. Trying to resurrect sensitivities will only make matters worse."

"Do you honestly believe that people are interested in peace?" Jibril demanded. "Do you truly believe that Miss. Cagalli cares about you?"

Athrun chose to remain silent.

"She knows that you're here," The Blue Cosmos leader continued. "And she doesn't care. She said herself that she could care less if you died. Don't think you are serving her by remaining silent."

Athrun glanced up him, his emerald eyes blazing dangerously. "I don't serve anyone. I'm not a soldier anymore."

His remark earned him another harsh slap. Athrun flinched but didn't make a sound.

"She doesn't love you." Jibril's words were like ice and had they come from anyone else, Athrun might have considered the possibility of believing him. Coming from this man, however, was a sea of lies and Athrun knew that he was only trying to drown him in his deception. He was toying with him and his words had no truth to them.

"I hardly see how you can comment on things you don't understand."

"I know Cagalli," Jibril told him. "She is a woman of action. If she truly cared about you do you not think that she would have you out of here by now? Trust me, she doesn't' give a damn about what happens to you."

Athrun simply shrugged, his frosty glare growing colder. "You obviously don't know her very well then."

"Perhaps with time you will come to realize that what I am saying is the truth."

"I doubt that."

"Don't make this any harder on yourself," Jibril warned. "Nobody can help you but me. How can you not be responsible if you were there? How many more of you are hiding in Orb? Answer my questions and you may live a little longer. "

"I'm not stupid," Athrun shot back. "Don't you think I realize that if I did answer all your questions you would have no further reason to keep me alive? You said yourself you needed me alive. You're not going to kill me, not yet at least, whether I talk or not."

"Don't tempt me," Jibril's nostrils flared, his patience was wearing thin. "It was because of people like you that Heliopolis went down."

"They should never have been making those mobile suits there in the first place," Athrun's response was sharp. "They made themselves a target."

Jibril shrugged. "I doubt that those who had family on Heliopolis and its survivors will see it that way. Orb said that there was nobody left to blame for the incident yet they were hiding you from all of those who might have wanted to see justice be done!"

"Such a noble delinquent," Athrun's quiet yet sarcastic words were coated with venom. "That's rare."

Jibil felt his blood pressure rising, breaking the boiling point. This boy had a sharp tongue and it was beginning to push him over the edge. Jibril's eyes were wild as he shoved his face into Athrun's, all while shouting at the boy. "The people of Earth will never accept Orb now that they know they were protecting war criminals like you! Perhaps now we will have the chance to bring those accountable for their crimes to justice! Isn't the right, boy!"

"NO!" Athrun spat viciously in Jibril's face and forced him to rear back. A torrent of emotion surged through him as he thought about the horrors that event had caused for him and so many other people.

Unable to restrain himself, Neo nodded to Otto who swiftly reached down and hulled Athrun up to his feet and slammed him against the wall. Athrun gasped in pain and commanded his legs to kick out. Again, they did nothing. In fact, to his surprise and horror, they felt boneless, like jello, and had it not been for Otto holding up upright, Athrun would have sunk back to the floor.

Athrun hissed and glared daggers at the man holding him but as Neo approached him, Athrun froze. His breathing stopped. He knew what was coming but was powerless against it. Wishing he could just sink through the wall and escape this nightmare, Athrun tried his best to hide the fear that shone so brightly behind his eyes.

"Why are you doing this!" He half-croaked, half-shouted at Jibril. "What the hell do you want from me!"

"Sadly, nothing," Jibril answered. "I just need you alive. For now."

Athrun cursed and grit his teeth as he felt a familiar prick in his left arm and was then dropped to the floor. The fluid coursed through his veins and Athrun pulled uselessly at his bound hands in a pathetic attempt to break free, unaware that he had rubbed the skin right off of his now-bloody wrists. In moments, his mind clouded up as everything around him began to blur together. He couldn't move, couldn't think and groaned as the pain intensified in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't take much more of this.

The last thing he heard was Jibril's laugher, echoing in the back of the haze that had become his mind. He groaned and tried to move away from the cruel laugher but his body had gone completely limp. He wasn't even aware of the pain that had flared in his damaged shoulder.

She doesn't love you…

Moments later, Athrun blacked out.

Jibril stared at the unconscious boy at his feet, thinking before he turned to Neo. "You know, you shouldn't be so generous with that stuff. Giving him too much might kill him. We wouldn't want that."

Neo sensed that his leader was being serious and frowned. He looked up at him blankly and put the needle back in his jacket. "Sir?"

"We can use this boy to discredit Orb," Jibril thought out loud as he turned and left the cell. Otto, Neo and the fourth man followed, unsure what their commander was implying.

"How so?" Otto asked. "Orb isn't going to care if we knock off one lousy Coordinator."

"The people of the Earth might," Jibril explained. "If we appeal to the victims of the Heliopolis disaster and make it look like Orb was protecting war criminals then it could be very easy to turn negotiations between the Earth and the PLANTS sour. That would be a shame now wouldn't it?" He laughed, his words dripping with sarcasm.

"Are you going to meet Miss. Cagalli tomorrow?" Neo inquired. "What about the money?"

"This might be even better," Jibril replied as he closed and locked the door to Athrun's cell. "Though, I think I will meet up with her… just for kicks."

With that, he took off down the hall with his three friends in toe. With the information that they had, if used correctly, they could do a lot more damage than what a few purchased weapons with money from Orb could. In time, they could and would break Athrun Zala. In time, he was certain that he could delude the boy and get him to talk. If there were others still alive that could be held accountable for Heliopolis' downfall, he would soon know.

TBC…

I hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter we hop back over to Kira and co. to see how Lacus' plan works out. Please let me know what you think ok? Dearka and Yzak will be arriving soon in a couple of chapters. Have a good weekend everyone! Oh, I changed my name because I was getting tired of writing it out… it's the only and last time I am going to do that… I hope you all don't mind.

Until next time,

Krilyn

Slightly Sinister Sinestra Wow! You read this story like an open book lol. It would be really boring if it was that easy wouldn't it? Please update your story soon!

Cari-Akira: You grossed me out to lol. That's okay though. I will take everything you said into consideration. I haven't decided what I want to do yet… not that far into the story. I'm sooo happy you like it though and I LOVE your reviews! They are so much fun to read!

Kageharu KacoThanks for tips about the names! I haven't seen the series yet so I am relying on secondary sources. From what I can tell, Jibril and Yuuna are both rather… umm… spineless sods eh? Take care!