Chapter 22: Fire
"There's a call for you…" Mt Yulie Amarfi said as he handed Athrun the receiver, and he was surprised to identify the voice. "Lacus!"
Her face appeared on the screen in the control room (And on every LCD screen in the center square, only they don't know…) She smiled warmly as she said, "Athrun, congratulations…I haven't been wrong, you believed every word you said, and I like that…" she paused as her smile widened. "It's call hope."
"……Thank you." He muttered uncertainly, staggering under the honour of the praise Lacus bestowed upon him. She became serious at this point, "Now that you passed the test, I can tell you everything without breaking our pact. But I can only briefly explain now, we need help here."
"Test? Help?" Athrun asked, mystified, he was in no position to help anyone, he's stuck in PLANTs with a war waging outside… "The Eternal will be under open fire in a few minute's time, I'll hurry, try to keep up. Blue Cosmos will be attacking with a cannon that will hit PLANTs, he wasn't bluffing, it has the power of Genesis and the range of Requiem."
"How's that possible?"
"Converging three beams that will issue from moon base, Earth base, and space fortress Ephraim, changing the intensity and power output of these beams will change the direction it hits…"
"And…they'll use it to hit PLANTs…" he finished upon digesting the information.
"Yes." She acknowledged grimly, "but there's still a chance to redeem all these, 'we cannot let an act of mass homicide cause eternal war between PLANTs and earth.', that's what you said. They called it the Trident, the wrath of the blue sea King. I'm attacking the moon base with Freedom, Cagalli has launched the Orb fleet and planning to obliterate the earth base from space, she has Akatsuki, and Gaia. Mr Asuka and Miss Hawke has sneaked into the space fortress…we're trying to prevent them from hitting the first test target…"
"Which will be?"
"Orb."
The realization filled Athrun with renewed dread, Of course, Orb had defected once and had become the thorn in Blue Cosmos's side. And they would desire to pull out that thorn. And the quickest method will be…
"How can we prevent that?"
"You're catching on…" Lacus commented approvingly, "But there's nothing you can do about that. However, I need you to unite our battlefronts. Our forces are too scattered and our fire power too little, in the event when the worst happens. Kira fails, Mr Asuka and Miss Hawke are not in time, the Orb fleet fails……You'll have to be the first to know that Orb is going to perish and tell all of us, you must act as our control centre, and prevent total annihilation so that we can deal with the second blast…"
"If Orb perishes…" he muttered, "…aren't you guys trying to prevent that…?"
"But things don't look good, and they rarely do, sometimes they never do. In the event you have to be calm and impartial, can you do that?" She looked straight into his eyes, challenging him, almost begging him to do as she says. It wasn't easy, it wasn't easy to promise to ignore his concern about the country and be an objective observer. It wasn't easy to forsake Cagalli along with her beliefs when the time comes, but Athrun knew it was necessary to save as many people as possible…
He looked at Mr Amarfi now, in a small voice he asked for permission to use the command center. Mr Amarfi smiled sadly, and nodded.
"Yes, I promise…"
---
Shinn Asuka unlocked the panel, and stared as it lay open before him and Luna, disbelief shown on his features. Lunamaria looked harder, and saw why.
"It's not the disabling controls…" Shinn managed to utter. That means they've failed. The blueprints provided by the little boy clearly said that this was the room that was supposed to contain those life saving controls, but now…
"What are we gonna do…?" Luna asked in a shaky voice, almost approaching the point of panicking.
"Stay calm, this may not be the thing…but it's a target error setting…"
She remained silent, beckoning him to continue.
"We'll crack it and set it to the highest…"
"But…what if it hits other nations! And kill even more people!" Luna exclaimed as tears welled in her eyes, and she looked at Shinn helplessly.
"We can only hope it doesn't…It's either this or Orb cease to exist."
---
Athurn hooked the communicator over his ear and set the mic in place, swiftly securing everyone's position and video feed on the control center's computers. His eyes darted and back and forth between different screens, keeping track of at everything at once. He had the other soldiers in the control room to help him as they were all temporarily under his command, by courtesy of Mr Amarfi…
He could see that the Strike Freedom was flying, hugging the moon base surface in search for the cannon stand and providing cover for the Eternal which was coming under intense fire. "Athrun…still nothing…" Kira said over the intercom, he could tell Kira was frustrated, so was he, but he wasn't about to show it. "Protecting the Eternal as first priority, it'll surface soon… it must."
Shin and Luna have apparently found what they were looking for, and set the code cracker to work. Taking one precious second per symbol, hopefully by the time someone finds out the computer have been tampered with, it'll be too late.
The Orb fleet wasn't doing much better, they blasted the earth base, sent in mobile suits, and couldn't break them still. Athrun found it unsettling that Cagalli was among the suit pilots, trying to take down the cannon with her Akatsuki. She was doing this for Orb and for him…it showed him that she wasn't about to succumb to fate. To be married off to some prince to proliferate Orb's ideals…
Gently he reached out a hand to touch the screen where Akatsuki led a team to blast at the earth forces stationed there, fighting to provide cover for the Arch angel and Kusanagi to bring their main cannons to bear.
Cagalli…
He felt that he had been deceived by her once, he didn't tell her. But he was jealous, he was jealous of the Yuna affair, he was jealous that she was going to marry some prince this time. He was wounded by the fact that she allowed herself to be abused and harassed by Yuna for such a long period of time. Everytime Athurn was forced to watch him touching her, his first impulse would be to load a gun and put a bullet through his torso.
But he never got down to doing it, because that action would cause Orb to plunge into turmoil. Fortunately, rationale got the better of him most of the time, and he wasn't driven mad by the insane jealousy. But it just told him…how much Cagalli meant to him, how much he wanted to posses her sometimes. He wants to keep her from harm at all cost…
He wished all of them would survive this…he hoped that she'll live to hear how much he loved her……
Mr and Mrs Hawke were among the crowd in the central square, and they were having no such problems. "Dear…if PLANTs gets blasted out of the sky this darn day, you know that I love you." Mrs Hawke said as she took her husband's hand. Mr Hawke replied with equal affection, "I know you know it too."
They were silent for a while longer, holding hands as if they were on their first date. "I want to know what's happening, " She muttered quietly, "I want to know how are our daughters doing."
"Me too…" admitted Mr Hawke, he pulled out a device and locked it onto the signal on the mic on Athrun Zala lapels. It should be able to latch on as long as Athrun Zala was still somewhere near Aprillius, which he still is. He winked at the surprised Mrs Hawke, "Your husband may be getting on in years, but he's still smart." Together, they propelled themselves through the crowd towards the main speakers. Mr Hawke pulled a connecting wire from the device, and connected it to the main speakers. Allowing all action in the control room to be projected into the central square…
---
Nicholea Calputhir smiled as his soldier answered, "Sir, the earth base Hormah and moon base Corpenium just sent us a message, we're ready to commence firing."
He had enough of waiting for and was delighted to be able to issue the order at last…"Fire."
---
Kira was startled as a round grey structure plated with silver turned ninety degrees clockwise and split open down the middle. And from it's depths rose a cannon, resembling a gun barrel, only much more wicked looking. It was what he was looking for and he activated his dragoon system immediately, sending out the individual funnels to handle the group of MS that guarded the cannon. Whereas Strike Freedom dove forward, and repeatedly fired his beam rifle at the barrel cannon. If he couldn't destroy it in time, he could at least do some damage to it. It had appeared too quickly and too suddenly, and he couldn't handle it…It was then a glaring light begin to concentrate in the center of the the giant barrel, and the Strike Freedom braked and did a flip to steady itself as the dread of realization filled the pilot, It's going to fire at the Eternal…
---
Shinn spammed the 'up' button at inhumane speeds, realizing the desperation of the situation they were in. They managed to gain only limited control of the target error setting by breaking the main computers' defenses, and ten attacks to the button only raised the error percentage by 0.01 percent, it had to reach at least 40 percent to make any difference. They were already in the act of firing and he was only at 23 percent…
---
Athrun could see and feel the predicament of his comrades and he digested and analysed this situation. Both the Strike Freedom and the Orb fleet couldn't manage to complete their mission in time, Shinn and Luna had failed. And a large, red ALERT sigh flashed on the screen, indicating that the main computers had done the math and predicted the energy, force, direction and velocity which the three beams are gonna be fired at. And a convergence diagram where it will merge into one beam and seal Orb's fate unfolded in front of him. He did the physics and found that there was no more time for thinking, only time to take action. He quickly ordered for open communications and he shouted into the mic, "Eternal!"
Lacus was still trying to steady the ship when someone informed her, "Message coming from PLANTs!" And Athrun voice sounded, which told her the worst had happened.
Eternal, port forth 78 degrees!
Similarly within the next few seconds, messages were sent to the others…
Strike Freedom, eleven o'clock power output ten! Archangel, pull back. Orb fleet space vector 2,3,5 charlie. Gaia, dive! Akatsuki, twelve o'clock output twelve, EVADE!
And the next second a laser beam issued from all three sources simultaneously, blasting into space and converging a several hundred kilometers from the atmosphere of the earth. Where it took the form and destructive power of Genesis, and descended towards the blue planet below with a deadly intent…
---
In a church in a little Kingdom named Scandinivia…
A golden haired, blue eyed prince stood with his parents in the afternoon sun, waiting impatiently and whining. "Vere iz my bride? I vant to see 'er!"
The queen sighed, she had hoped that the notion of marriage, or the process of it, will somehow miraculously deposit some manhood into her son. Apparently her hopes have been overrated as she replied, "Patience, son."
"But… she haz been late for…" He consulted his watch, "Fifteen minutez, I can't wait, I vant to she her NOW!"
"Look there!" One of the security guard shouted as he pointed to the sky, Prince Shane looked, and exclaimed, "Vat a curiouz sight!" For in the sky now was not one source of light, but two, besides the sun there was a lesser light, one which looked distant but appeared to be advancing towards them at slow speed.
"Protect the royal family!" The leader of the guards ordered, but prince Shane shushed him, saying, "Protect! Protect from vat? Haven't you people heard that my lovely bride owns a magnificion Golden suit, per'aps she brought it as a gift…" He said dreamily as he ordered them to relax, returning to gazing at the light in the sky.
The golden beam was the result of the convergence, and in the next few seconds destroyed everything Prince Shane knew and owned in his life, including his life…
---
Athrun watched, wide-eyed at the destructive power of the Trident. The moment it strike earth surface, 70 percent of the country got literally blotted off the face of the earth. He was glad that the country was not Orb, but the notion didn't lessen the pain he felt, it wasn't enough to cushion the impact. He could only stare at the aftermath of the nuclear attack, when a grey mushroom cloud, deadly and silent, rose out of the ruins of the country. Casting a shadow of death over where it shrouded and passed, speaking of technology's final toll on it…
He slammed his fist hard on the table in frustration, clenching his teeth. After all, he's just as helpless an ever, just as powerless and unable to change anything. When Lacus complimented him, he felt as if he was able to change things, he was able to make them learn to forgive, the way he had been taught to do the same
But he was wrong. Some people don't care what right and wrong, they just want to destroy, they just want to kill. He quickly checked the status of comrades, apparently everyone had survived the first blast, it was good news, and it comforted him.
Just then the screen changed to Nicholae Calputhir again, who looked slightly flustered and was having a hard time gaining his composure and seem to stare right into Athrun's eyes as he declared, "You feather brains saw my cannon, do you like it?"
Athrun knew the message was directed at the PLANTs, and he clenched his fist, glaring right back into the fellow's wild eyes. "The second blast…will hit the PLANTs… Surrendering? Better hurry, I am not patient, especially when I find rats sneaking around my domain…" He sneered, and the view of the camera changed. This time zooming in on two figures wearing the red Zaft pilot suit and the visor of their helmets were lifted, and Athrun gasped as he recognized who it was. It was Lunamaria and Shinn…
"Before I forget, I also have a little surprise installed for the Zaft army. I'm sending a new mobile suit there to destroy your troops, not many, just three. Enjoy…"
---
And in space, Kira just recovered from the shock of the moment where the Eternal narrowly avoided annihilation. And just as he allowed himself to relax for a moment, a large black monstrous looking hunk of metal occupied his entire windscreen…
---
Shinn struggled against the ropes that tied his hands and legs to Luna's as the camera man focused on his face. He scolded himself silently for being so careless as to be captured. The repercussions may be too much to bear, first, it will put PLANTs in a tight spot, tighter than ever, at least. Second is a possibility he didn't have time to imagine…
The Calputhir fellow smiled as a gun was passed to him, and he whacked Shinn on the cheek with it. Saying under his breath, "I don't like that look kid, I'd like you better if you start crying like a school girl now…" Shinn glared all the more, and he chuckled nervously, "Let's do each other a favour, you act pitiful…and I'll let the girl go…" He said as he turned and drew back the safety catch on the weapon, speaking into the camera's lens now.
"Remarkable really, how they got in and threw a bolt into the otherwise perfect clockwork." He said airily, "And it will end now…" He jabbed the gun at Shinn's temples, who glared ever more menacingly at him. Shinn knew what he was trying to do, he was trying to demoralize the PLANTs by telling them, 'Your ace pilot in at my mercy.' And so will all of you. But Shinn wasn't about to give in…
---
Athrun turned to ask Mr Amarfi, "Can I borrow a mobile suit? I want to fight." Mr Amarfi was flabbergasted, and Athrun explained, "I believe he…" He gestured at the screen, which previously showed Nicolea Calputhir's idiotic face. "…has a reason to tell the truth about the fire power of this new suit, and we wouldn't stand a chance. I want to help, is there a suit I can borrow?"
"You want to go out and fight! But you're in the midst of elections now… Step out of this building and you'll lose your candidateship! You'll lose everything that you've wanted, everything that you've achieved in convincing the people, the only chance you have at redeeming the name Zala…… Are you sure that's what you want!"
Athrun took a deep breath and answered, "Yes." And the two stared at each other eye to eye, Mr Amarfi didn't say it, but he admired Athrun's spirit and ability to focus on what is important at the moment rather than to chase after everything else. He was sure if the people heard it, Athrun would have been made Chairman on the spot.
Just then Athrun heard the unmistakable sound of a loaded gun behind him, and whipped around to see that he had been surrounded by armed officers, with a ring of rifles pointing at his torso. Mr Elthman, who stood in the middle of them all, told him, "You'll be kept in custody by orders of the Supreme Council. Seize him." Athrun tried to resist as the armed guards closed in on him and pulled his hands behind his back. But he couldn't due to the gash on his shoulder, which never really stopped bleeding. And seeing his grimace, Mr Elthman smiled eerily as he stepped forward and dug his fingers into Athrun's injured shoulder, fastening it around the wound like a vice, clamped down and twisted viciously. All Athrun could do was to shrink back and concentrated on keeping himself from screaming, his mind raced. How could he have known, for Athrun didn't tell anyone about his injury… Only Yzak knows, unless…
The notion hit him hard.
Mr Elthman was the one trying to kill him…
Nicolea Calputhir's index finger fastened around the trigger, and he still didn't like the way those crimson eyes were staring at him. His eyes were hungry, waiting to devour him the moment he had the chance, but he shrugged it away, knowing it's just a mild irritation till he pulls the trigger. "Good bye." He whispered and this moment Shinn sprang up and leaped into him…
The realization gave him the strength to struggle anew, Athrun kicked Mr Elthman's leg and he knocked the guard who was holding on to his hands, snatching the guy's rifle away. He fired two shots at the ground just to tell them that 'I have a gun, don't come near me.', it had the desired effect of scaring them a little which gave Athrun the chance to break out of the human barrier. And someone grabbed his hand and he tried to wrench out of his grip, but he snapped, "It's me!"
"Dearka!" He asked incredulously, partially relieved. Dearka turned and fired three shots, bringing down the three people who stood in front of his father. "This way!"
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Chapter 22…hee, any last words for the ending? Two more chapters to go…Wants xxx to marry yyy, Mr X to become chairman? Erm, wants x +y to have enough children to form a football team? Wants certain people to disappear at the end of the story? Wants Lacus and Kira to spend the rest of their lives doing xxx? Read and review please…Hee