OK, ladies and gentlemen, loooong chapter.
Chapter 3
Jo sat in a shuttle beside Athrun. It had been three days since she'd arrived on the Creuset team and now she was headed for PLANT with Creuset, Athrun and the defence chairman Patrick Zala. She hated councils, but Rau had assured her she wouldn't have to speak, she would just have to be there.
Athrun felt extreamly nervous in front of his father nowadays. He wished he didn't have to speak at the council, not in front of the man. A soft bump on his shoulder startled him. 'Hey!' he yelled, turning to see Jo's head resting on his shoulder. The girl didn't answer, in fact she seemed to have dozed off. She made an indistinct sound and her hand closed around his coat sleave.
'Is there a problem?' came his commander's voice. His head snapped up and a light blush stained his features as the eyes of the older men locked on him. 'S...she fell asleep.' he muttered, lowering his eyes.
'I see' his father said, turning away. Rau also turned, but he felt nervous at that twisted smirk. Jo mumbled something about death into his shoulder. He rolled his eyes and turned to look out window.
Jo blinked slightly in the light. Someone was shaking her shoulder. 'Hey Jo, wake up!' 'Wh-wha'?' she muttered, sleepily. 'Come on! You'll be late! Don't want to end up on Dropout's squad, do ya?' 'Shadup Lucy. I'm comin'!' 'Hurry up then! I think I've aged 50 years!' Jo responded by giving her hair a playful tug. 'Oh, yeah. I can see the grey in your hair. Blue to grey in minutes! Amazing!' Lucy tugged her hair free. 'It has not!' 'Has too!' The two girls glared at each other, then fell apart, giggling.
'Jo! Wake up!' 'Huh? I'm up, Lucy!' Athrun felt the eyes of the men on him again, and his face flushed. 'I'm not a girl,' he hissed. Jo's eyes fluttered open and she groaned. 'Hey, we're here!' Her eyes widened as she realised where she was, and she snapped her head up off Athrun's shoulder as if it was red hot. He was pleased to see a light tinge to her cheeks as well. 'S ... sorry!' she muttered.
Commander Creuset had rattled on about the importance of the mobile suits, and other things she really hadn't paid attention to. However, she was envious of Athrun's ability to stand up and speak so clearly, not to mention calmly, to the Council. She grinned at him as he sat back down, and was rewarded with a small smile in return.
Rau looked at Athrun as the boy talked with Chairman Clyne. Then he looked over at Joffie, who was at his side. Suddenly, she looked up and met his eyes, smiling. He swallowed at the sight of that smile. No soldier should smile like that.
'What's with the mask, Sir?' she asked. Rau turned away slightly. 'That is none of your business, Ensign.' She blinked. 'Oh, touchy subject, huh? By the way, call me Joffie.' She was smiling again. His eyes widened behind their glass shields. 'Or you could even call me Jo, if you want? I just don't like being called Ensign.' He nodded, gazing down at the old eyes set in that young face in wonder.
'Yello?' 'Jo, it's Athrun. We're supposed to report back to the base.' She looked at her cell in surprise. 'Huh? But we aren't due to leave for another three days!' 'Don't ask. I'll meet you outside. I'm driving.' She shrugged. 'OK, you're the boss.'
'As you know, Ms Clyne was attending the memorial service on Junius 7. She went missing after the ship was attacked. No remains have been recovered, so we assume she is alive. She has yet to be found.' Athrun stared at his father, stunned. Lacus, missing? No remains. Trust his father to say something like that. 'No way!' said Jo, suddenly. She shook her head slowly, looking about as horrified as Athrun felt. 'Ensign?' Rau asked.
'Hey, do you wike my fower? It's pink, wike your hair. I'm Joffie, what's your name?' 'I'm lacus. Wow, my fower matches your hair!' 'Hey, you're wite! Do you wanna sit wit me.' 'Can I? Really?' 'Ya, come on!' 'Wow, tanks!'
'Ensign, Jo, are you alright?' She looked up at the three men. 'Are you alright?' Rau asked again, sounding concerned. She took a deep breath, calming herself. 'Yes sir, I'm fine. Sorry.' Rau looked at her, still concerned. She managed a smile. 'Really sir, I'm fine.' He nodded and they turned to salut the chairman. 'Dismissed' he ordered. They nodded, and boarded the Versalius.
Jo sat in Caliber, feeling very worried. She contacted Athrun. 'Is this really the right thing, Zala?' Athrun looked surprised. She lowered her eyes. 'If we find Lacus in the battle, chances are, she could be killed.' Athrun nodded. 'I know, but if we ignore the Legged ship, not only does it pose a threat to us, but if she's found, to Lacus as well' Jo smiled weakly and nodded. 'This is Ensign Joffie Wheeler on Caliber, Launching!'
The adrenalin rush and her strategic mind left no place for fear. No matter what, you took down what was in front of you. On a battlefield to hesitate is to die. To fear is to die. Which was why Athrun was standing in his grave. He had the power and skill to take out Strike, but the idiot kept hesitating. 'Zala! For crissake, do you want to die?' No answer. She shook her head. If he does want to, that's his problem.
That annoying mobile armour would not leave her alone. Jeez, why wouldn't the guy just die! However, that being said, they were actually doing a lot of damage. Hey, we keep this up, we might actually win.
'Attention ZAFT forces! This is Ensign Natarle Badgiruel of the Archangel!' Jo glanced up, confused. 'We are currently holding Lacus Clyne onboard this ship. If you persist in the attack, her safety cannot be guaranteed.'
'No, Lacus!' Jo screamed, her voice mingling with Athrun's. What came next was a blur afterwords. She went foreward, Strike dodged around Athrun and fired. Her visor shattered, Glass splinteres imbedding themselves in her face.
'JO! Kira, you bastard!' Athrun yelled in horror. 'Jo, are you OK?' He opened a link. Jo's hands covered her face, bubbles of blood drifting round the cockpit. She was screaming in agony. He cringed and made the Aegis grab Caliber. 'Kira, I swear I'll rescue Lacus and make you pay!' he shouted angrily before heading back to the Versalius.
'Jo,' a soft, soothing voice whispered. It wasn't Athrun's, Commander Creuset was lifting her gently out of her cockpit. 'Don't worry, you're fine. I promise.' She relaxed into those strong arms and passed out.
Opening her eyes was difficult, one didn't seem to work. Raising her hand to her head, she felt the bandages covering the left side of her face. It hurt like hell.' Strike, you've just made yourself a very dangerous enemy!' The blurry room indicated her long side-fringe was in the way. She found her clips and pinned it securly out of the way. Swinging her legs out of the bed, she set about putting her uniform on. Now, putting on a uniform in very little gravity with two eyes is very hard, but, as she soon found out, with one, it's almost impossible. Grumbling, she found her way to the bridge.
'Sir, I really don't think sending Athrun out is a good idea.' 'I did not ask for your opinion, Captian.' 'But sir...' 'Send him out and prepare my mobile suit for combat!'
'Sir?' a female voice questioned. Dispite himself, Rau was starting to love the sound of it. 'Ensi...' 'I've already told you sir, call me Jo.' she laughed, a beautiful sound, almost alien to him. 'Very well: Jo, you should still be in bed, you're injuried.' She smiled again, 'No, I'm fine. Is Caliber repaired?' 'En...Jo, I'll discuss this later, now I really must go.' He turned and walked towards the door. He hated what Strikes pilot had done to her face, it had been the only part of her that was still young, so soft and gentle, now scared by war.
'I'll stay here, sir.' she said floating over to Cpt. Ades. He nodded, 'You do that, Jo.' She gave him a soft, innocent smile, and for maybe the first time in his life, Rau le Creuset blushed.
Athrun felt like shit, this bastard had betrayed his people, used Lacus as trading material and injuried Jo, so why couldn't he shoot him? Because it's Kira, you idiot. He's your friend! He swallowed, 'Kira, come back with us!' The older boy looked confused. 'You're a coordinator, you've got no business in the EA! Fight with me, not against me!' Kira looked close to tears, 'I have no wish to...fight you. But my friends are onboard that ship!' Athrun's head was spinning. Those murderous, natural bastards mattered more to Kira? 'Your friends? Then what does that make me?' he practicly shrieked.
'Athrun..I..' 'Well if that's the way you want it, fine! Next time, I won't hesitate to shoot you!' Kira looked stunned, then angry. 'Fine!' he shouted.
Lacus glanced at her fiance. His body was ridged with anger. Kira would probably cry when he went back to the Archangel, Athrun would bottle it up. Half of her wanted to hug Athrun, the other half wanted to hit him. The sound of another MS launching interrupted her thoughts.
'Did you honestly think I'd let you get away boy! Not after you injuried a member of my team!' Rau le Creuset sounded angry, very, very angry. And, who was injuried? Not Athrun anyway. Still, though, they'd promised not to attack. 'Commander Creuset, back down!' she barked. The commander growled, but did so, grudgingly.
'ATHRUN!' a little pink ball cried, zooming down the corridor towards the blue-haired teen. He caught it moments before it made contact with his face. 'Haro!' his pink-haired fiance called after it. Athrun closed his eyes with a long-suffering sigh. Why oh why did he keep making these things? Considering he'd already almost finished a new mechanical nuisance. There were times when he seriously doubted his own sanity. 'Haro's over-excited, he's happy to see you!' Lacus smiled. Of course, there was no doubt about her sanity. Everyone knew she'd lost it years ago.
'Haro doesn't have any emotive components, Lacus. He's just wired strangely.' Lacus eyed him carefully. He sighed. 'The Versalius is a battleship, Lacus. Although you are a guest, it would be better if you didn't wander around. Please, lets get you back to your quarters.' He took her by the arm and gently guided her back to her room.
Jo floated hurridly down the corridors of the Versalius. Commander Creuset had said they'd taken Lacus onboard and given her the room number. Thank God Lacus was safe.
She was just about to knock on the door, when it opened. Athrun was standing in front of her, practically glowing with rage. 'I can't exactly fight a war with a big smile on my face Lacus.' he growled coldly to the girl inside the room. She flattened herself against the wall to avoid losing her other eye to his elbow. 'What's his problem?' she asked, startled and slightly annoyed.
Lacus jumped at the sound of that oh-so-familiar voice. 'Jo?' she stammered, 'What are you doing here?' Jo was still staring after Athrun, but Lacus could see a smile curving on her lips. 'Me? I'm in the army. What're you doing here?' She answered, sounding amused. Lacus smiled slightly. Same old Jo. 'My memorial ship was att...OH MY GOD! JO WHAT HAPPENED?' She found herself screaming, as the younger girl turned to face her, revealing the bandages. Jo shrugged, 'Just a little screw up in the battle L'. It's alright.'
Lacus pushed herself over to the other girl, and cupped the injuried face in her hands. 'This isn't alright Jo!' Jo looked at her. Lacus looked at her remaining eye. It was like a pool of sapphire, with glints of emerald. As sad, as deep and as old as the ocean. Jo was fifteen! Her eyes were not meant to be like that. Lacus wrapped her in a hug, hoping to ease some of her friend's pain. Jo stiffened momenteraly, the began sobbing uncontrolably into her shoulder. Lacus rocked her, unsure of what to say. What could she say? Nothing! No, it was better just to let her cry. 'I'm here Jo, I'm right here.' she whispered softly.
Athrun watched as Jo and Lacus embraced. A familiar pang of pain pierced his chest. Kira... 'Don't either of you die on me!' Lacus' voice startled him. 'I won't, don't you worry 'bout me L'.' Jo said, smiling. Athrun merely nodded. Lacus boarded her shuttle, and was soon gone. Jo turned to him. 'We'd better get ready. We're going to hit the legged ship before it hits earth.' He nodded again, and they began walking towards their 'only' changing room.
Walkinng towards the hanger, Athrun stopped (Very hard to do in very little gravity). 'Hey Jo,' he said. She turned to face him, looking surprised. 'Ya?' He looked at her face, she'd lost an eye because of him! 'I made you this, seeing as it's my fault you're injuried.' he said, holding out a two-tone purple mouse. Jo's face split into a wide grin as she took it from him. 'Oh, he's so cute!' she squealed. What was it with girls and the word 'cute'? 'What's his or her name?' 'It's a boy, but I haven't named him.' 'Oh, in that case, I'll call him 'Luch'!' Athrun stared at her. 'Luck?' Jo shook her head. 'L-U-C-H, luch. It's irish for mouse. I can't remember where I picked that up though.'
Athrun stared at her. Jo was almost like Lacus, but with a tougher, more kick-ass attitude and haunted eyes. (Sorry: eye!) Another person he could safely call friend. Kira...
Once on the battle field, Jo contacted Yzak. She needed to make sure he knew the mission. The minute the visual was up, however, she gasped and forgot everything.
Yzak stared at Jo. The entire left side of her face was covered with bandages. She seemed to be concerned with the fact that the right side of his face was in the same condition. 'What the HELL happened to you!' he yelled, surprised to hear her yell the same words at exactly the same time. 'Strike's pilot,' they both answered together. Now that was strange. Yzak stared as Jo blushed. 'Don't get caught in the atmosphere, Yzak. We've got to take out the Legged Ship before it hits Earth,' she stated, recovering herself. 'Right! I don't need you to tell me that, little lady.' Stupid move. Why had he just called her by that stupid nickname Dearka gave her? She seemed surprised, but then, to his amazement, she blushed and closed the link.
Kira launched from the Archangel and looked around. Both Duel and Caliber were back in action. He squeezed his eyes shut as he saw Athrun was there to. The five of them had completely annihilated the 8th fleet; only the wreckage of the ships remained. He was soon forced out of his reflections as Duel attacked, completely ignoring the atmosphere in the pilot's lust for battle. Duel fought as if possessed, and no matter how hard Kira fought, he couldn't gain any ground.
Yzak was furious. That damned pilot had injured both himself and, more importantly, Jo. He was going to die for that, no matter what Yzak had to do to accomplish it. Strike pulled away as a shuttle launched from the Archangel. Duel fired at the retreating MS, but the proximity of the atmosphere ruined his shot. The beam took out the shuttle instead. He froze. He hadn't meant to do that. Strike was one thing, but a retreating shuttle ... that shouldn't have happened. Now, however, was not the time to think about this. Duel began to shake violently, and the heat in the cockpit was climbing alarmingly. 'Shit!' he shouted, as the atmosphere sucked him in, and he began to plumet towards Earth. 'YZAK! DEARKA!' He heard as the communicator fried.
