A/N: This chapter was kinda rushed, since I'm working on 5 other chapters right now. Also, I really need title ideas!
Chapter 4: Enter Patrick Zala: Part 1
Morning came and the group headed off immediately. Athrun caught up with Kira to have a bit of a word with him.
"Kira, if you don't mind me asking, what happened to you back at Sector E? You were like a whole different person."
"Actually, I don't particularly know… I was just so angered by the injustice; I got caught up in the fighting. I didn't want them to get away with what they were doing. So where are we headed?" Kira asked quickly, changing the subject.
"Well, I guess now we're off to West Earth. We just have to pretend that we aren't Coordinators. To get there, we'll have to cross through the lower Sectors, uh, what are they again?"
Kira looked to the ground. "The Earth Alliance Sector. It's also known to some as the Forsaken Sector. West Earth has bases set up there and they want the land. However, residents aren't making it easy for them. Some people say that a war will break out. If you haven't noticed, West Earth is getting stronger by the day. They're fending off more and more Zaft forces from gaining entry, though none of them are helping the numerous natural massacres in Center Earth." He looked up towards the sky. "It's a shame… As long as both sides hate each other, not one person is safe."
Yzak started along the barren path. "We need to get going." The others nodded and followed him towards what seemed like their doom: 6 coordinators in a sector filled with Earth Alliance soldiers.
Back at the Zaft base…
Le Creuset, in front of a group of Zaft soldiers, held a pointer in his grip and informed them of the plan.
He pointed to the Forsaken Sector on the map.
"Since we've figured that they are going to West Earth first, I think they are going to pass through the Forsaken Sector."
The group of soldiers murmured and whispered to themselves and the ones around them.
"Of course, this means we'll need a good plan to get in there. If we can get some Fighter Helicopters in the air, we'll be able to attack while they're getting ready to, if not already, fire at them. And then we'll-"
Interrupting his plan, Patrick Zala entered the room.
"Rau, your services will not be needed during this mission." He turned to face the rest of the soldiers, with Rau staring at him, eyes wide and mouth agape.
"You will go there to bring back my son, Athrun Zala, so that I can talk some sense into that boy. Destroy anyone that gets in your way."
One of the soldiers decided to speak up among all of the shocked faces. "But sir, who will lead us?"
Zala turned to face him. "That is a good question. You will be lead by Commander Ray Yuki. He also needs a word with that blasted child of mine. You are all dismissed… except for you, Creuset. I'd like to have a word with you." An angry look descended upon Zala's stern face.
The others drifted out of the room quickly, sensing that their leader was not in a very good mood.
Zala slammed his hand on a nearby desk very hard. "Why didn't you tell me that I've been attacking my own son!"
Rau decided it wasn't worth it beating around the bush. "I didn't think that it was worth telling you."
"I'd think that telling someone that their son is their enemy would be worth mentioning! Now if you keep screwing with me, you won't get your money, and I swear that you will pay severely! Understand!"
Rau quickly nodded. "Of course sir. I won't let you down again."
Back with the Gundam Force…
After a very, very long walk, the group finally arrived at their destination; The Forsaken Sector. Dearka took a good look around, and came upon nothing that seemed out of the ordinary. "For a "forsaken" Sector, it sure looks normal and peaceful." He was right. There was nothing out of the ordinary. The town overall looked pretty wealthy compared to Sector D. There were large, looming houses, next to shops and malls. The only problem was that there were absolutely no people around.
"It's probably just like the last Sector we visited. We should probably go in further before we make assumptions like this, since there could be some sort of holiday being celebrated at their plaza or something," stated Athrun.
They nodded and ventured to the center of the town. Still, it was a ghost town. Not a single living thing in sight. Then, out of nowhere, a group of heavily armored gunmen jumped out of what seemed like nowhere. However, they didn't catch the Gundam Force off guard, thanks to their coordinator abilities. Kira and Athrun each jumped in front of Lacus and Cagalli in fighting positions and fierce looks on their faces.
Each of the gunmen aimed their rifles at the group, only to be told to lower their weapons by the guy who appeared to be their leader.
"Lower your weapons. They don't seem to be threats. Who are you?"
Athrun stepped forward and introduced them. "We're the Gundam Force. I'm the leader, Athrun Zala."
Many whispers were passed along the group at the mention of his name. The leader walked up and shook Athrun's hand.
"It's good to meet the leader of the legendary Gundam Force. We've heard all about you. You have all of our respect.
"Uh, thanks. Um… Who exactly are you."
"We're-"
A thunder-like explosion echoed throughout the empty town. Everyone covered their heads and ducked. Kira, along with the others, looked up to see what had happened. A group of Fighter Helicopters had attempted to bomb them, but just barely missed their targets.
"What the hell! Hey, you, what's going on here?" Yzak inquired.
The leader just shrugged. "No idea. But don't worry about it. You should get going. We'll handle them!" The group aimed their weapons to the sky and went after them. Creuset's plan was moving into action, unknown to the others.
Dearka turned to face the others. "We should probably give them a hand. Whaddya say, Athrun?"
"I guess so… But you, Yzak, and Kira will be the only ones who would stand more of a chance."
The three of the warriors nodded and suited up quickly. But just as they were about to fight, the helicopters were long gone!
Yzak activated the communication to Kira and Dearka. "We should be able catch up to them. Wait, what's that on the radar?"
Dearka took a look on the screen, and sure enough, a ship was approaching from behind. "It's a ship, just a few naturals trying to be brave. This shouldn't take very long."
But as it approached, they soon deciphered that it was a ZAFT ship, one all too familiar to Athrun. The ship descended to the ground slowly, and out came none other than Athrun's old mentor, Commander Ray Yuki, accompanied by a large group of soldiers. Commander Yuki approached Athrun, a look of disappointment and disgust upon his face.
"Athrun, what has happened to you? Why did you leave the academy?"
"I'm not fighting for ZAFT in my lifetime! Those people are all too anxious to spill more blood!"
"We're in a war, Athrun! The naturals started this, so they'll have to suffer the consequences! They messed with us first!"
"Anyways, why are you here?"
Yuki decided to calm himself down and get to the point. "Your father demands for you to return, just to talk."
"What! There's no way that I'll return to East Earth like that! My father doesn't care about me, so why should I waste my time talking to him?"
"But he really does care about you. He's been searching for you for a while now. Your father just wishes to talk, Athrun. At least do this for your old man."
Athrun thought it over for a little while. "… All right, I'll go."
"WHAT," the rest of the Gundam Force exclaimed.
Kira slowly landed on the ground and removed his helmet. "Athrun, this isn't a good idea. We can't trust Coordinators in East Earth."
"I know. But I also know how to defend myself."
"Athrun, I'll go with you!" Cagalli exclaimed.
Commander Ray Yuki just shrugged. "I guess you could come along, if you want to be sure of his safety."
Athrun turned around, shocked at Cagalli. "Wha..? Cagalli? Why would you want to come?"
She blushed and hid her face in her hair to hide it. "I just don't want you getting hurt."
"But…"
The one of the soldiers interrupted him. "Just got word from Chairman Zala. We've got to go now."
Athrun reluctantly nodded and got aboard the ship, accompanied by Cagalli.
Dearka sighed heavily in light of their current situation. "We can't go to West Earth without Athrun. What do we do now?"
Aboard the ship, Yuki's communicator went off. It was Patrick Zala.
"What is it, sir?"
"While you're still there, order the pilots to go ahead and attack the sector."
"Yes sir."
Back on the ground…
A loud explosion echoed from the other end of the sector. It had to be the helicopters. Kira and the rest of them ran towards the battle zone, anxious to help their new comrades.
When they arrived, the part the sector was completely destroyed, and the helicopters had gotten away.
The leader fiercely punched the ground in frustration. "Damn it! They got away!"
Kira walked up to him, curious as to what was wrong about the town. "Why is the sector so desolate? I thought this place was going to be a war zone, since the West Earth Alliance is here."
"… Let's discuss this somewhere else." He led them into a nearby restaurant, empty still.
Each of them took a seat. The leader decided to actually introduce himself and everyone else.
"I am Mwu LaFlaga, and we're resistance fighters against the West Earth Forces. But when our sensors picked up signals of enemies approaching, we had to call a temporary cease-fire to protect the homeland. We all hid in our underground sanctuary, prepared for the upcoming battle. But I guess we were tricked. It was all just a diversion so those ZAFT dogs could come and take Athrun."
"They must have known that we trusted Athrun enough not to attack" Lacus commented.
"What, you think we're hotheads who can't do the right thing in sticky situations!" Mwu yelled, getting up from his seat.
"No, no, that's not what I meant at all," Lacus quickly said, with her hands up in defense.
Mwu just burst out laughing along with everyone else, except for the Gundam Force. The just looked at each other, very confused.
"I was just kidding. You know, we aren't very good in those situations, so it was probably best that we were out of your way. And, we are pretty hotheaded sometimes. Hey, whaddya say you guys hang around until your friends get back? We could really use your help to drive the West Earth Forces."
Kira turned around and looked at the three of them. "So, do you think that would be alright?"
Each of them nodded, eager to see the underground sanctuary. Kira then turned back to face Mwu. "I guess we're in. But just until Athrun and Cagalli get back.
"That's great! Come on, let's go."
The Gundam Force exited the restaurant and followed the Resistance fighters to the center of the Sector. They arrived at a bird statue that looked like it was getting ready to just burst from inside of the statue and fly away. Mwu hit a hidden button on the inside of the feathers, and the statue started to move to the side, which revealed a very long and dark stairway leading to the underground sanctuary. Each of the remaining Gundam Force members were wowed that it was hidden in such a secret location. The group slowly went into the darkness of the staircase.
With Athrun and Cagalli…
The ship had just arrived at the ZAFT base. Athrun and Cagalli exited the ship, accompanied by the other soldiers. As they approached Patrick Zala's room, Athrun turned to face Cagalli.
"You probably should stay outside. My father more than likely wouldn't want anyone to hear our conversation. Err… that he can actually see."
Cagalli laughed a little at his remark. "Yeah, I guess. But if I hear something wrong, I'll go in there to help you whether he likes it or not."
Athrun smiled at her kindness. "Thanks Cagalli. It means a lot."
Athrun opened the large door and slowly started into the room with two soldiers at each of his sides. His father sat at a table at the other end of the room.
"Hello, Athrun. Long time no see, eh?"