Chapter 21: Oblivion

Sedna caught him as he collapsed; she flipped up her visor, only to see the familiar face. "Yzak…?" she uttered in despair.

And when our loved ones die around us, we kill Naturals, and Naturals attack us. And we kill to defend ourselves. This cycle existed since PLANTs began, and has continued ever since. Kill and be killed, and someone else suffers the consequences… Is it what we really want, to be able to believe that we are hurting others more than they are hurting us…?

In the darkness, Sedna waited for her eyes to adjust to see. She could make out his hand cupping over the wound, where the hilt of the dagger stuck out from between his fingers. And blood was starting to leak out from the sliver of space between his digits…

He drew a shaky breath as he struggled to breathe, Sedna asked, "Why…why are you here? Shouldn't you be…?"

"…Shot and in hospital?" he interrupted her weakly, she nodded, her eyes wide. "I staged the assassination…To catch you off guard…Not too successful…"

"Why!" she exclaimed, feeling hot tears well up in her eyes, "Why are you so stupid? I told you to stay out of this!"

"I can't let you kill him……"

"Then you might as well kill me. You might as well… you could have just told Athrun I was trying to kill him!" There was such venom and absolution in that statement that Yzak began to wonder about something he never considered before…What's her intention in seeking Athrun's life…? He weighed his options, and muttered, "I won't, 'cause I don't…I don't want him to kill you."

Sedna gasped, and tears started to flow down her cheeks… She didn't know how to explain how she felt at that bitter sweet moment, so touched by the fact that Yzak could go to this extent to protect her…even if it means coming right against her…even if it means that he might end up dying in her hands… He still chose this course of action, all in order to stop her… And suddenly she felt she could tell him everything, she felt as if she could trust this guy…As they sat there, waist deep in the fountain where sprays of water spurted about, wetting her and him, she suddenly felt like it was only reasonable for him to know. In a small voice she cried, "I…I'm so sorry…I'm sorry. I don't want to hurt you either, I don't want to hurt you…"

---

"Blue cosmos chose to threaten this peace because of the past, because of the battle of Jarkin Due two years ago, because of the humiliation they suffered. In order to avenge the dead, they chose to fight. Many of our numbers perished, but ultimately, the defeat ended up on their side…" The crowd beneath Athrun cheered wildly, he was pouring his heart out without knowing why. He just suddenly felt as if it was important to say all this, it was vital to explain properly.

"But we mustn't forget, the very reason they attacked. It was done out of fear, it was what can be justified as self defense. It's seems only to be the nature of man to be fearful, and resentful of those allegedly stronger, smarter and faster than themselves…" The masses cheered even louder, but he continued…

---

At the surface of the moon base, Strike Freedom flew parallel to the moon surface, frantically searching for anything that might be what he was looking for on the rocky and uneven surface. Kira evaded to the right as several Windams fired at him, the sitation was getting desperate and can be summarized in one sentence. Too many of them too few of us.

Kira kept an open channel for transmissions coming his way, and was surprised to see Athrun's face. Apparently the media thinks it's anything to distract…

What about us? We retaliated, because the sheer numbers of Naturals will be able to suppress us. In truth, we are afraid of them as well, we are afraid that the day will come.

Well said, Kira thought, And the day has arrived. The moon base seemed to have come alive like a sleeping giant and gunfire lurked at every possible corner, threatening to take down the intruders. Kira was their only genuine attacker, seeker, protector, defender and comfort. For their plan was now held together by sheer determination and prayers. Kira was to find the cannon hole presumably near the surface, which will likely appear only moments before firing commences, and destroy it in those moments. Sounds simple, but as all simple plan goes, it involve a fair bit of luck, luck which they may not have. But is their only hope to ensure that Naturals don't wipe out the PLANTs on this day…

---

In space fortress Ephraim, Shinn Asuka and Lunamaria Hawke made their way silently through the corridors buried deep in space rock. Both were solemn and alert, for their mission involves the most risk and importance, their success will save lives of some and kill some others, but their failure will do the same…

"Turn left now…" Luna said under her breath, "Time…1309. Following the route that the Supreme Councilor charted for us…we should see a pair of guards pass by corridor 59…now." And as she said it they turned the corner, as promised, a pair of guards begin to float down the hallway, Shinn readied his fists. And whacked the guards in the stomach the moment they passed by, knocking them out cold. "Weaklings." He spat as he watch them sink to the ground, and they went on. "Can we trust this thing…?" He asked doubtfully as they turned another direction.

"I think so, everything is accurate to the second till now. Or…you just don't like Mr Jule?" She asked jokily.

"I hate him, he's arrogant, he's obnoxious and totally full of himself. He thinks he can order the world around." Shinn uttered harshly, "He may be in the Supreme Council, but I'll squish him if it comes down to a one to one!"

The proclamation made Luna laugh, "I've never met him…but…" she looked into Shinn's eyes now, still smiling. "He's the reason why I'm here with you right now…so in a way I should be grateful…."

Shinn's ears turned red hot, but he wasn't about to tell Luna how much he missed her in return. Instead, he turned away and muttered, "Grateful for sending you to your death…"

They passed a series of unguarded corridors as promised and turned again, to find the final door abruptly in their faces. Luna couldn't contain her excitement, she punched the air in a sigh of triumph. Shinn tried to indicate his relief, but his smile came out jittery and nervous, He knew they weren't out of trouble, they were just getting into more, but that knowledge didn't allow him to do what instincts told him, to get out of this place this instant. Instead, the two of them propelled forward in the zero-G area, towards the final destination in their quest…

A few levels above our heros, sat the antagonist, hardly able to keep himself seated in impatience. He was listening to the media broadcast in PLANTs, just as Athrun Zala said…

There has been history between Naturals and Coordinators, history that lead to mutual distrust and longstanding hostility. But exactly how different are we? The Blue Cosmos called us the sub humans species, and for a 'Blue and Natural World' they want to exterminate all Coordinators, but may I ask which part of our nation is unnatural? If you cut us, do we not bleed? If you shoot us, do we not die? Put us in space, do we not perish? We love, we hate, we delight, we grieve. We smile, we cry, at times we fear, others we triumphed. If you strike us, do we not strike back? And that was precisely what happened…

Nicholea scowled, not quite able to catch where he was aiming at. This Zala character may be more difficult than he perceived, his speech does not sound anything like a rallying speech. Yet it does not quite accuse the Blue cosmos either. It doesn't seem directed at the ZAFT forces readying themselves in space, nor only to the people who stood in the center square. Then it hit him, dreadful and sudden, that his influence might have already gone out of control. He ordered his soldier to check the reception status in the PLANTs and on earth of this channel, and realized in horror that practically the whole world was tuning in to the mere youngster for a chairman…

Don't we all want the same thing? To be able to live the rest of our lives in peace. To be able to protect the loves ones around us, and to be given a chance at finding our own destinies. We are not unfeeling fighting machines, we are all made of flesh and blood, we are people. Naturals as well, they want to achieve the same. They want peace, they have loved ones to protect, they want to live in fulfillment and we want to live to see our future generation do the same. There aren't any differences between Naturals and Coordinators, Coordinators and Naturals except the place of birth. Why can't we help each other towards the same goals both sides desire!

In the Orphanage back in Orb, the children sat around surrounding the TV, murmuring among themselves, "Big brother Athrun…!" Mrs Yamato put the youngest one, Faith on her lap, as she listened Kira's friend. A coordinator who didn't mind Naturals, it was rare. And a coordinator after her own heart, Naturals and Coordinators can co-exist if they looked past each others weaknesses. The relationship between her and Kira will be a good example for all to follow, but such cases were of course, rare.

Mr Yamato looked at the girl sitting in her lap now, she didn't tell Shinn about what she really is, because she was afraid he'll be agitated when he finds out. Faith's mother is a Natural, an Orb military woman, her father a Coordinator, a doctor in PLANTs. And she, a halfing, rejected by her father when he found out she's near average, only a half coordinator with no special talent or intellect, her mother perished in the battlefront. Other children laughed at her heritage, but Mrs Yamato believed that every child is special from conception. Natural, Coordinators and even haflings…they all deserve to have a place in the world. A place to call their own…

How can we call ourselves civilized till we can forgive? How can we define harmony till we can tolerate? How can we call ourselves a scientific frontier if we cannot even protect the next generation, the children's laughter...Someone once… told me… 'to kill when our loved ones are killed, and later to be killed in return…the war will never end.' We cannot kill and hope to be forgiven if we cannot first forgive others ourselves...

Faith nodded furiously in her lap, and called to the other children, "Those who think so too…say 'Aye.'." And she raised up her hand in affirmation. The children's hands shot into the air collectively, and Mrs Yamato smiled, even though she cannot see the TV anymore.

It is time…to decide…… and choose to honour all those who once fought and those who are now fighting…

Cagalli choked back a sob when she heard this, recalling Lord Uzumi's death vividly, it was frightening. He still remembers… He still remembered what she told him two years ago when she held him at gunpoint, it was her revelation as a rebel… As now he's sharing it with the world…

---

The moment was silent and still in central square, and Athrun felt his heart skipped a beat. He had said too much, way too much, and the silence was a sure indication of that suspicion. Who was he to come up with such outrageous demands? But just as he thought he was going to be stoned, someone clapped, and many followed suit…

Yulie Amarfi beamed proudly as the people in the control room applauded heartily, at the moment where things seems to be crumpling, Athrun did the right thing, he reminded them the reason they fought, and a vision kept them together. A light to run after in the darkest hours… Suddenly tears brimmed in his eyes and he fought to keep them back, he could almost hear his son's voice now.

Father…I believe in Athrun………

"I believe too, son…" Mr Amarfi whispered as the tears overflowed, "I believe…" He had to admit that he had never fully forgiven Athrun. Some paternal part of him just kept reminding him that Athrun was the reason why Nicol died, that his son sacrificed to save a friend. At times it felt as if…Athrun killed Nicol. A mere friend, an unworthy sacrifice. But now…

---

Yzak gazed at her calmly, not able to reply. In the darkness, she could see liquid ebbing out through between his fingers, streaming down his side onto the floor and she sobbed harder, desperation creeping at her. In the end, she wasn't able to save anyone, not even Yzak, who lay dying in her arms. The least she could do…was to tell him everything…

"I joined Faith…because it was the only chance I have to save my brother, I needed the money for his operation after a car accident…" she sobbed quietly, "But…he died anyway afterward…And…my parents were afraid…to lose another child. Then I was told my new mission, will be to kill Athrun Zala…"

Yzak knitted his eyebrows together, and Sedna wrapped about him, not wanting to see his expression upon finding out the truth. "I didn't want to…I wanted to wash politics off my hands and go home. But then I was threatened…"

"Threatened…?" he asked in a hurried whisper. He could feel her nodding hard, crying harder than ever. "They planted a bomb in my house…and…and said they'll kill my parents…if I failed to get rid of him by today…I planned and planned, sending the team to Orb, to Mr Amarfi's mansion, today morning…I don't know what else to do. Mr Zala is a good person, I believe he'll make a good chairman. I don't want to kill him…and I don't want to kill you either, I don't mean to…Oh, I'm just…"

"Quit apologizing…" he muttered as he pushed her away, she was surprised that he still had the strength to do so but let go anyway. And he did something that surprised her entirely, he pulled the dagger out and stood up, saying to himself at the same time, "So that's why, I should have guessed…" He regarded her absentmindedly for a while before stretching out a hand and looked away, "Get up."

Sedna gazed up at him in disbelief, not able to lift a finger as her brain tried to make sense of the situation. She just stared at him in shock, her mouth open but no sound came out. Yzak side glanced her and frowned, looking impatient. "We don't have all day, okay, I bluffed you, dagger…" He held it out and let her examine it, "…Retractable, bloody and spurty, Dearka's. I'm alright, so get up and…stop crying…" He looked away again, resuming position of his hand out-stretched toward her.

She digested all that, and still unable to say anything, she reached out for his hand. And gripped it and yanked it hard towards herself. Resultantly he lost balance and fell in the water beside her with a splash, then she allowed every fiber of her being to concentrate on being angry. "Hey…! Stop it!" He protested as she pinned him down and whacked him. She pummeled him repeatedly and mercilessly like a maddened school teacher, tears still streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks as she reprimanded him. "YOU, Stupid idiot! How can you lie to me about something like that! My heart almost stopped! I thought I killed you…I thought…"

"You thought?" He asked as he peeked out from the defense line of his arms.

"I thought I was gonna lose you… the way I lost him…… WHY must you do this? You could have just asked!" she sobbed as she covered her face with her hands, sniffling. Yzak sat up, water dripping off his suit, and felt guilty all of a sudden. It was part of the plan to cause her to drop her defenses and tell him everything, but it seemed like a very wrong course of action now that she's crying…

"Girls cry for many reasons, I can't be bothered to guess. And knowing you stubbornness, I wouldn't be able to wring it out of you. So I'll wait for you to tell me…"

Sedna looked up with a start, she recognized that sentence, it was the same thing he said the first time she cried in front of him, when he didn't know what else to say. Now it told her how sorry he was, he sat there…not daring to look at her, water dripping off his hair like a wet puppy. He chanced a glance at her and quickly looked away, biting his lip. "I…didn't want to lie to you either…" Then he hesitantly reached into his pocket and pulled out a plastic casing. Sedna gasped as he handed it to her, for resting inside was a rose the taintless shade of white, of the highest quality and freshness. It laid there, decorated with ribbons and lace like a sleeping princess slumbering in the casing.

"I…" He muttered as a red hue begin to gather about his cheeks, "I never wanted to lie to you…and I don't want you to cry." He turned boldly to look into her eyes now, gazing gently but intently into them. "I planted this myself… and…I…" He looked away, unable to continue.

Sedna understood the message, it was clear enough. White roses mean something, just as most other flowers do. And this particular one meant something that said to her,

You're the only one for me…

She was touched, and could feel her anger draining away with like the water down the hatch they were sitting on. She understood, but she still wanted to hear him say it, it's just remotely interesting to see the most awkward Yzak struggle…

He looked back at her defiantly and asked uncertainly, "You…do understand, don't you…"

She shook her head, smiling inwardly.

He frowned some more, and he hesitantly said "I want you to know…that you're not alone. I'll help you, I want to know your problems, I'll protect you." He said it with such conviction that her heart melted instantly, and he further proved himself by pulling her towards himself. His arms wrapped about her like the wings of angel, large, warm, gentle and comforting. Her head was pressed against his chest, she rested there, listening to the sound of his breathing. It was a soothing sound…

The magical moment didn't last long, she heard a door being kicked open behind her and she shoved Yzak away not a moment too soon. A bullet had hit the spot he vacated a nanosecond ago, she spun around and spread her arms, "Don't shoot!"

Yzaks' eyes widened in horror when the man came out from the door, that means he has defeated, and very likely killed his subordinates posted inside. And inside that door… were supposedly Shiho and Dearka…

"Commander? Our orders are to…"

"I know our orders." She snapped, "I'm the leader, when I tell him not to shoot you don't shoot…"

"You're sealing the fate of your own family…"

"Shuddup!" She yelled , Yzak knew authority wouldn't work now. So as the man cocked his gun and aimed, Yzak pried open the hatch in the ground and kicked Sedna in, and later jumping in himself.

"Ouch…" Sedna muttered as she landed, then she recovered quickly and ordered Yzak, "Boost me up, quick."

"Boost…? Hmph." He questioned briefly before overlapping his hands, Sedna stepped on and swiftly entered the code that activated the lock of the hatch. Right at the moment when the soldier came and aimed to shoot. His appearance caused the startled Sedna to lose balance and fall towards Yzak, who caught her deftly.

The pair of them sat there in silence, panting and wet from top to toe now. Safe for the moment as they were wrapped in the odd comfort of darkness. Sedna gasped as his arms wrapped about her shoulders from behind, his head rested on her right shoulder, and he cursed, "Why are we always being interrupted……"

The guy above cursed his misfortune of having a lady for a team leader, and his mind groped for an alternative way of getting rid of the more difficult one between their targets. He thought of getting rid of Athrun Zala first, but he was already injured, he probably can't put up much of a fight if confronted. Yzak Jule on the other hand, was the more cunning one and was unmarked in the gun fight, he also had the sure advantage of Sedna on his side…

He thought of a way, and left to activate the trap…

It was this moment where Athrun Zala stepped through the veil and headed to the command center…

---

Phew… Sometimes luck is good…Oh, yar. And I got back my 'A' level results, I got…Triple A s and a B3 for my general paper!