"Do you think they will comply?" One of the men on deck asked Donovan.
"After what I did, we will have our pick of the litter," Donovan got up from the chair. "Let me know when they come in contact again. I will be attending to our newest patient." He floated to the newest part of his vessel. He moved into the room next to it. "How is our patient doing?" He asked one of the medical assistants.
"She's doing just fine," the medical assistant was getting things ready to go in. "She has not woken up yet but we are already working on her to your specifications."
"Good, good," Donovan looked at the monitoring systems. Cagalli was in a patient gown, strapped onto a hospital bed with IVs hooked up to her. "How's her counterpart?"
"Canard Pars has been modified to your specifications," the assistant explained. "We are now on the waiting period before taking new samples."
"Perfect," Donovan smiled. "Just perfect."
Another medical assistant came into the room. "Sir, we just got news that the procurement on Earth went just as easily."
Donovan kept his smile. "Well, well. How did he react?"
The medical assistant knew whom Donovan was talking about. "He has not noticed as of it. We are watching and waiting still."
"I wonder what he will do now that she's gone," Donovan pondered out loud. "Continue to proceed on with the plans for both of them."
Back on the Voltaire, Dearka and the rest of the crew were watching the doors open but not seeing anything. They could hear the clunking of a machine walking but they couldn't see anything. They followed the sound as the clunking continued to an open spot across from Yzak's GOUF Ignited. The crew was frozen. Were they being hacked? Was something dangerous going to happen next? The crew didn't dare go to that area. They just waited for something to happen.
The wait wasn't long as the vessel started to open and close automatically. The crew heard more clunking noises. They all decided to hover by the machines they knew wouldn't move. It was not only happening on the Voltaire but also on the Rousseau and Minerva.
The three ships kept the other updated on the situation. Each of them worried that the explosion that happened to the unknown vessel could happen to them at any given moment.
One more opening of doors happened on the Voltaire. The other two ships didn't have any more disruptions. The group heard the last clunking steps of a machine before stopping. Then it began. The Mirage Stealth Colloid Systems started to phase out while the machines and escape pods they were holding came to view. The crew members gasped at the sight.
Dearka and the crew gaped in horror as the machine across from the GOUF Ignited was none other than the formidable, elusive, white GUNDAM holding a sleek, rectangular escape pod. Dearka headed to a communication device. He got in touch with the bridge where Yzak was at.
"You're not going to believe this," Dearka was still in shock.
"What's going on?" Yzak was getting reports of mobile suits phasing in with escape pods. "What do you see?"
"It's better if you come down here yourself," Dearka knew that Yzak needed to see it to believe it.
"Alright, I'm heading down," Yzak spoke before the communication device with black.
As Yzak was headed down there, the last mobile suit phased in. It was a black mobile suit but this black felt like a void. A blackhole, sucking in the light. The crew didn't know what was more eerie, the pure white GUNDAM or the pure black GUNDAM.
On the Rousseau, Shiho counted how many mobile suits and escape pods. None of the pilot hatches were opening. It was almost like they were waiting.
On the Minerva, soldiers were gearing up to go against the mobile suits.
"Sir, there seems to be no response from any of the mobile suits or the escape pods," Arthur informed. "There isn't any insignia on them either. Word just got in that the Joule team is infested with them too. The most unbelievable account is that the white GUNDAM is on the Voltaire."
"What?!" Declan gripped his armrest. He was in the bridge. Everyone listened in more closely as they could. "If that a vessel house that GUNDAM then our debris is now blown to pieces. Keep checking in with the others. Let's meet up together to figure out what is going on!"
In the pure black GUNDAM, Mikael was reading prompts about the situation.
Cagalli Yula Athha has been kidnapped. Murrue Ramais has been kidnapped. Situation has become dire. Waking her up.
"No-no-no-NO! She is not scheduled to wake up until we reach the Kingdom. Plus, the situation could become more hostile."
This is an unforeseen circumstance. She needs to assess the situation at hand. Starting waking process.
"Grrr! Give me the levels of the waking process." He unclicked himself from his seat. Mikael looked at the commotion outside. The ZAFT crew had become wary of the mobile suits, especially since the one that has been giving them trouble is in their hands now. He looked over to the white GUNDAM holding the escape pod. He needed to get over there quickly.
The ZAFT crew saw that the cockpit was opening. Guns were aimed at that area. The movement was too fast for them as the pilot wearing black almost the same shade as the mobile suit came out before it fully opened. They watched as the pilot headed towards the escape pod that was being held by the white GUNDAM.
The hatch on the escape pod opened.
"Dammit!" Mikael cursed. He turned to face the white GUNDAM as he drifted. The levels showed up on his screen inside. "Ten percent!? Can't you bring that level down? It's not as hostile situation as we expect."
Another prompt came upon his glass inside his helmet. Waking process for this type of situation is preprogrammed. Cannot change setting. Misting.
Mikael still had time to deescalate the situation.
In the escape pod, the mist dissipated all over Selena's body. The cryo-casket that held her opened up. The bed moved out, slowly moving vertically. Once vertical, it backed away from her enough to move back to her, giving her a slight push. She drifted out of the pod. She was dressed in her white, flowy nightgown. Her arms down by her side.
Mikael got out in front of her, turning himself around to face her. She still had her eyes closed. He gave out a sigh of relief.
Yzak had come at the right time to see this scene unfold being right in the direct line of where she was floating. He noticed the pilot all in black ready to catch her. He glanced at the mobile suits filling up his vessel. It was easy to connect the dots. The vessel that got blown up was hers and instead of being sitting ducks waiting for the next thing to happen, her crew took over three ZAFT ships.
Everyone watched as Selena floated. All waiting for her to wake up. Some thought she would cause a scene. Others thought maybe she was dead. Selena could hear the whispering of people around her. The cool air upon her. She opened her eyes, waking up from her rest. The first thing she noticed when she woke was Yzak floating behind Mikael who was ready for her to be hostile.
"Oh dear," Selena let out a concerned voice. She knew that something majored had happened if this was the view she woke up to. Selena reached out to Mikael who took her hand. She took in all of her surroundings before looking back to Yzak. "We will cooperate as much as we can. Please stand down. Our vessel must have blown up for us to be here. Protocol for them is find the next inhabited vessel or area, starting with trusted allies first."
Yzak agreed. The situation was becoming tense but the concerned look on her face as she looked at all of her machines showed she wasn't lying. "Stand down." He commanded. The soldiers and crew eased up. "We can talk more in my quarters; however, all pilots and crew members must exit their vessels."
"Certainly," Selena agreed.
"Especially the pilot of that mobile suit," Yzak pointed to the white GUNDAM.
Selena kept her eyes on him. "Of course." She nodded. "At ease!" She commanded. All of the hatches opened at once. Pilots came out with hatches closing behind them. They drifted to stand behind their leader. Crew members started filing out of the escape pods, standing behind her as well. The royal military of the Kingdom of Scandinavia insignia appeared on the mobile suits except the white and black ones.
The hatch of the white GUNDAM stayed open. All of ZAFT was watching and waiting for the pilot to come out. Her crew didn't seem to care. All of their eyes were on Selena and him. Out of the darkness came a white Haro with red eyes, flapping and floating towards them. There were gasps and some groans.
"Terrifying!" Hala spoke.
Selena watched the ball come towards her. She opened her arms for the ball to land in them.
"Safe again!" Hala's red eyes blinked. "You're safe!"
She smiled at it. "Yes, I am! Thanks to you!"
Hala flapped. "Yay!"
The ZAFT crew felt defeated. Some wanted to leave due to embarrassment. The formidable, white GUNDAM had a Haro as a pilot. They were defeated by a Haro! The hatch closed on the white GUNDAM. Yzak noticed the escape pods had their hatches closed as well.
Selena looked back to Yzak. "Before I explain my situation may I see if my crew is alright?" Yzak nodded to her. Selena turned around, pushing herself from Mikael. There were some high rank officers. They grabbed onto her hand she had out. The group changed from serious to joyous.
"Is everyone all right?" Selena looked around as her feet touched the ground. "Everybody got out safely?"
"Your Highness!" Some of the pilots clasped onto her hand. They were happy to see she was okay. Hala was being held with her other arm. One soldier placed one of the military jackets upon her shoulders.
"Where is my captain?" She asked.
"On the Minerva," one of the higher rank officers answered.
"My deputy captain?" She looked over to the officer.
"On the Rousseau," the officer answered again.
"Good," she looked around to them once more. "Glad we all made it out with our lives."
A soldier came up to Yzak. He turned to him. "Relay to other vessels that I have Her Highness, Princess Selena on board, and we will be discussing the events that just perspired."
"Yes, sir!" The soldier saluted before heading off.
Mikael took off his helmet, hooking it onto the side of his O2 pack on his back. He headed over to where Selena was. She was trying to greet each and every crew member that she could. She noticed Mikael coming over. "Alright, I'll be back. Stay here or where they tell you." The crew all nodded to her. Selena lifted off the ground to meet with Mikael half way. He turned around, moving himself to float with her.
"Shall we?" She spoke as the two floated over to Yzak. He glanced around once more before nodding. Dearka followed behind him.
In the commander quarters, Selena was sitting down on the sofa with Hala in her arms. Mikael was standing behind her. Yzak was floating in front of her with Dearka off to the side.
"Can you recount the situation starting from your departure from PLANTs?" Yzak started to interrogate.
"Mikael piloted a vessel from Aprilius One back to the Konungr," Selena recounted. "There I went to my sleeping pod and here I awoke, on this vessel."
Yzak looked over to Mikael. "I piloted a vessel from Aprilius One back to the Konungr. As Her Highness stated, she headed for her sleeping pod. She was not scheduled to wake up again until we reached the docking hanger at the Kingdom. The rest of the crew were gearing up for descent when we reached the coordinates until Her Highness' escape pod ejected. Following suit, we had under a minute for a full evacuation before a laser beam from the Earth hit the Konungr."
Just as Yzak was about to ask a question, a soldier interrupted them. "My apologies sir! But this is dire information. Orb Representative Athha has been deemed missing from the Orb vessel, possible abduction. This situation with Princess Selena has been transmitted back to the PLANTs. Because of the white GUNDAM, the Supreme Council wants to speak with her in person."
The two glanced over to her. She was waiting patiently. "Understood," Yzak nodded. "Keep me informed and let them know we are headed back."
"Yes sir!" The soldier saluted before leaving.
Yzak looked over to her. "My apologies Your Highness, but I must follow orders. We will be now escorting you back to the PLANTs."
"No need for apologies," Selena waved her hand. "You are just following orders. After the reveal, of course they would be on edge."
"I would like a word with Her Highness," Yzak stared at her. Dearka nodded. He headed out first.
"You may go," Selena flicked her hand. Mikael followed behind him.
When the door closed, the two heard it lock. Yzak grabbed her arm, pulling her off the sofa and into his arms. He hugged her tight in his embrace.
"The explosion made its way over to us," Yzak's voice was low. "We had no idea whose vessel it was but now knowing that it was yours." He pulled away just enough to look at her again. "I'm glad you are alright." His fingers caught a strand of curls by her face. He cupped her head, giving her a soft kiss. After that moment he looked into her eyes. "You're not going to tell me about the debris, are you?"
"Nope," Selena smirked.
"Or why you have been sabotaging our missions?" Yzak wanted to know the truth. She shook her head. Yzak let out a sigh. "There is no way for me to help you then."
Her hand reached up into his. "No matter how lovely it sounds however I do not want your help."
It stung for him to hear that. "If I am to be interrogated, I can only speak the truth. If my orders are to hand you over, I must follow them." His voice matched his concerned look.
"I know," Selena's finger intertwined with his. She brought his hand down to their sides. "I knew that all along. I don't want you to jeopardize all of what you earned just for me." Yzak frowned. "I will not let you." She let Hala go from her other arm. The white Haro floated around them. She traced the old scar across his face. "All that you struggled with to get this far; I will not let you throw it all away just so you can try to save me. I want you to continue to shoot for the future that you wanted." She paused giving him a soft smile. "Have I told you that you look riveting in this uniform? You looked good in red but white suits you."
The tops of his ears started to turn red. He grabbed her hand away from his face. His hand still enclosed around hers. "If I have to send your crew to the brig-"
"-We shall all go," Selena didn't hesitate. "Where my crew goes, I go."
Yzak let out a groan. She was not going to cooperate with him. "You're not making this any better for me." He let out a breath. "You don't know who would want to harm you then?" This time, Selena looked away then back to him.
"I have an inkling," Selena's voice was soft.
Yzak didn't like the sound of that. He squeezed her hands. He showed a mixed look of disappointment and frustration. "You're not going to tell me that either!?"
"I cannot and I will not," Selena stared into his eyes. "This is my mission. I won't let someone else fight my battles for me."
Yzak asked the next question. "Then the missing Orb Representative?"
"News to me," Selena answered. Technically it was news to her, as she didn't know it would be this early for her kidnapping.
Yzak let out a sigh drawing her back into his embrace. "About our time together."
"Covered up," Selena rested her head on his chest. "Alibis have been placed so that neither one of us were together after leaving the wedding."
Yzak should have known better. With everything that had happened to her from the first time they were ever together until now, Selena has been tying up loose ends.
"Ro-man-tic!" Hala flapped. "Ro-man-tic!"
Selena let go. "Our time is up, anymore and they would become suspicious."
Yzak let go reluctantly. Being at the lake house felt months ago with everything that had just happened. "We'll have more time to discuss between ourselves." Yzak stared at her dress. "You probably want to change as well."
Selena let Hala back into her arms. "Hm? Oh, you're right. I won't be going back to resting anytime soon." The door opened for Dearka and Mikael to come back in.
On the Minerva, Declan had just finished speaking with both captains from the Voltaire and Rousseau.
"So, this was Her Highness' Royal Military vessel," Declan pondered out loud. "She didn't pilot the white GUNDAM but it is holding her escape pod. This will be interesting." He glanced over to Arthur. "What are the Royal Military soldiers doing?"
"Ah, they so far have been keeping to themselves," Arthur explained. "They follow their Captain's orders. I hear it's the same on the other two vessels. They are following the Deputy Captain and Her Highness."
Back at the PLANTS, Kira was waiting at the docking station with several soldiers. They were already starting the investigation. There was nothing odd or unordinary that had happened within the last 48 hours. The vessel that was blown up was nowhere near their coordinates.
The Orb Union and the ZAFT vessels both returned. Athrun came out to be greeted by Kira.
"Anything on your end?" Athrun had been holding onto a scowl as each possible outcome that could have been a clue ended up being a disappointment.
"It's the same as you described on yours," Kira shook his head. "We're also dealing with a vessel that was just attacked." The two headed to the elevators. Both with guards by them.
"We did hear about that while we were doing a main sweep," Athrun touched down on the ground in the elevator.
"The vessel was Princess Selena's," Kira explained.
"WHAT?!" Athrun was taken aback.
"She's being escorted back as her crew is split between the Minerva and the Joule team," Kira pushed a button. "According to them, she has the elusive, white GUNDAM. It was the first one aboard and was carrying her escape pod."
"Did she have any casualties?" Athrun was now curious.
"No," Kira explained. "All of her crew got out of their safely along with their mobile units."
"That's lucky," Athrun was thinking. "Too lucky if you ask me."