It was again a sold-out concert. Lacus was a little tired, but as a singer, she was glad that her audience appreciated her songs. Nicol offered his congratulations. But the Songstress knew that her husband's friend contributed much every time he played. The teen was really a great pianist. The pair decided to leave the concert hall together.
Once their target had appeared, the commandos gave their weapons one last check. However, they were curious about the order NOT to kill her. In short, the whole thing would be a show of sorts. If any bystander died, it was just plain bad luck.
As Lacus was swamped by fans asking for her autograph, Nicol was concerned about the sudden group of men who had gotten off from their vehicles in the distance. The leader of their security force noted the situation; he got his men to be on alert.
When the gunfire erupted, there was total chaos as everyone tried to flee the scene. Nicol took Lacus to hide behind a tree while the guards traded shots with the assassins. The former ZAFT red coat decided to make a break for it. Pulling Lacus along, the teen dashed towards their sedan. Upon getting into the car, the frightened driver (who had dived beneath his seat) started the engine and drove off. Nicol felt a stinging pain. A bullet had grazed his left shoulder. Trying not to panic, Lacus got the driver to take them to the Supreme Council building...
Athrun was standing before Gladys. The captain had summoned him to her office without letting him know about the attempt on Lacus's life. The Chairman was going to break the news to him, in person. But for now, all Durandal said was that Athrun was to return to Aprilius One immediatly. Despite his curiosity, he acknowledged the order without any questions.
"So, why did the captain want to see you," asked Shinn.
"Chairman Durandal wants me back at the PLANTs. I don't know why myself."
"Take care," said Kira. Athrun didn't think that there was anything to fuss over. What's the worst that could happen?
The redcoat knocked on the door.
"Come in," replied Durandal. The Chairman sounded a little worried today, thought Athrun. As he entered the office, he saw Nicol and Lacus. A look at Nicol's bandaged shoulder was enough to tell Athrun that something was wrong.
"Take a seat." After he was seated, the Chairman took a deep breath.
"Just now, Lacus and Nicol were attacked by a group of gunmen."
Athrun's mouth fell open. As he listened to his friend narrate the incident, he felt a sudden chill. Who could possibly be behind such a thing? However, now was not the time to think about such things. The safety of his family must come first. He thought about the possible safe places where they could go to...
"Sir, may I request for my family to be moved to Orb for safety?"
Durandal thought about it. As their new ally, Orb would probably be safer than anywhere within the PLANTs. Initial investigations had shown that the attackers were most probably Coordinators, given the accounts of their abilities. The Chairman agreed to the request. After Lacus and Nicol reassured Athrun that they were all right, they took their leave. However, there was something else Durandal wanted to inform the redcoat. He waited for the report from the guards on duty.
"Sir, Lady Zala and her companion had left the building."
"Thank you." Durandal took out his cellphone.
"Meer, could you come to my office? Be sure to take the necessary precautions." With that, the Chairman hung up. Despite all the questions he had in mind, Athrun kept quiet.
Soon, another knock came from the door. When the visitor entered the room, Athrun didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The pink-haired lady was wearing a hat and a pair of large sunglasses, and her trench coat made her look ridiculous. Athrun thought that she had come to the wrong room.
"I'm sorry, Athrun. This was the best I could come up with in such short notice. Meer, take off your hat and glasses."
As the girl took off her disguise, Athrun's mouth fell open a second time. The lady before her looked exactly like her wife. Without further prompting, Meer took off her trenchcoat. Underneath, she wore a costume similar to Lacus's concert outfits. Apart from her bust, Meer looked EXACTLY like Lacus.
"Athrun, this is Meer Campbell. As you can see, her... special appearance needs to be kept under wraps. I even had to meet her at the entrance so that she may enter the building in her disguise," deadpanned Durandal.
"Chairman, this..."
"Meer is a fan of Lacus's. In light of the situation, I've decided to use her as a body double. Meer has agreed to it as well. I hope you would understand."
"If I appear as Miss Clyne, she'll be safer in hiding." Even the voice was almost the same. Where did the Chairman find her? Shocks aside, Athrun's suspicions of the Chairman's motives were aroused. Perhaps he should make some moves of his own...
"Sir, may the Eternal and her crew be dispatched to Orb to protect my family? They are the ones I trust the most."
"Very well. The Eternal shall escort the three of them to Orb. Meer will replace Lacus at her concert a few days from now. Later at the address, the one appearing will be the real McCoy." Durandal saw the uneasy look on Athrun's face.
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine."
"So, what did the Chairman want with you," asked Shinn. The boy thought that Athrun looked a little pale.
"Watch the TV if you want to know," said Athrun softly. He wasn't in the mood to explain a situation that he hardly understood himself. Shinn looked at Kira. Something fishy was going on here. They decided to tune in to the programmes. As for Athrun, he returned to his bunk, lied down on his bed and just stared ahead of him. With Lacus's popularity, one could imagine the consequences if it became public knowledge that she had gone into hiding. If a pop idol isn't safe among her own people, who else was?
When news of the assassination attempt broke out, everyone stopped what they were doing (whenever they could) and listened to their Chairman and Lacus. It was a short statement, with Lacus reporting her well-being and the Chairman vowing to get to the bottom of the matter. But rumours and speculations began to spread like wildfire, and the attack became the talk of the town.
On board the Minerva, the crew was also discussing about the incident. Shinn wanted to ask Athrun for more details, but Kira stopped him. He knew that the teen wasn't in the best of moods now. He told the younger boy to wait until Athrun had cooled down. Shinn nodded. After all, given the extensive repairs needed by the Minerva (again), they weren't about to go anywhere in a hurry...
As the Eternal made its way to Orb, her captain was thinking about something. Who could possibly be Lacus's enemy, given her gentle nature and popularity? Things were not as simple as they seemed, he concluded. As for the former chairmen, they were worried about Lacus's safety, but then again, their chess match was waiting...
The Representative greeted her guests in person. As armed guards escorted Siegel and Patrick to their residence, Andrew Waltfeld wanted a word with Cagalli and Lacus.
"I think something fishy's going on here. Durandal may have a part in this." Cagalli wasn't that surprised by the allegation; she personally didn't trust the Chairman much. Lacus thought hard. Given the relative peace within the PLANTs, ZAFT was one of the few organisations which could field gunmen of such calibre. If this was true, then a bigger plot must be looming in the background.
"What do you suggest," asked Cagalli.
"I'll take the Eternal to our 'old' hideout: in space. With my contacts, I'll come up with something."
"If Durandal is indeed behind this, he will note the disappearance of the Eternal." By now, ZAFT had established a significant presence in the country.
"I think he's more worried about Lacus than us," said the Tiger, looking at the Songstress. Cagalli thought for a while.
"I'll get some technicians who were active in the last war to follow you guys. Lacus, you'll have to stay here. If you followed along, I really don't know what to say to the Chairman." Lacus nodded her agreement.
"I'll need more than just technicians. We'll like to establish a full base, if possible."
"Agreed. With ZAFT in Orb, we can't develop new models or step up production without Durandal knowing," reasoned the Representative.
"You're no longer the impulsive girl I remembered in the desert," said Waltfeld. Her thinking had impressed him.
"Two years can do wonders to people, Andy," replied Cagalli with a smile.
"Well, time to get moving. We have a lot to take care of," reminded Andrew.
Afterthoughts
-Please RnR!