-1Chapter 5: The Princess

Legend

Italics shows character thoughts

Word shows Date, time, and location

-Word- Shows Noises, or actions such as sighing

July 3, C.E. 70

The Cargo Carrier, 2:00 P.M

To Scion's dismay he found out that the PLANT's were blocking any incoming ships except their own. A recent attack by Blue Cosmos had put them on edge, There was no telling how long it would last and him and the crew decided that an attack on the PLANT's would be bad without a contact on the inside.

As such they decided to take an in-depth look at the EA's new mobile suits. The booklet that the Doc left for Scion had a few pages on the mobile suits but they were about the early development stages and would not be accurate to the completed models.

As such the carrier had re-entered the atmosphere just two days after Scion was launched into space. They were going to contact a women in Orb who was willing to lend information. Her name was unknown but how to contact her was there.

It was a simple matter finding an empty apartment and leaving a note that would be picked up later. It was simple enough.

"Hey, Scion! We are almost there. We are going to park soon." One of the Tech's said loudly.

"Right. I'm ready to go as soon as we get to the ground."

Scion still hadn't come out of his slump but had learned to like the crew of this ship and was surprised to see that a few of them were Coordinators. He liked the new change in reality. It was neat to have a couple Coordinator buddies now that he was over his jealously.

On the ground, 4:00 P.M.

Traffic was murder and they had to go through a number of checks that didn't involve a search. They were relived at this and they soon landed outside of MORGENROETE INC. There was a dorm near by that he needed to get to.

"I'm going." Scion said as he put on his civilian clothes.

"Okay, good luck."

"Thanks."

As Scion exited the cargo ship everyone on board looked at one another.

"What a depressing guy." One of the few females said.

"Yeah. He acts like the world is ending or if he's got the worlds worst hangover."

They sighed together and went to work or lounging around.

Outside of MORGENROETE INC., 4:15 P.M.

Scion had his hands stuffed into his pockets as he walked around looking for the said address. The booklet tightly in his hand. He should be getting close by now. A lot of people went in and out of this place and beyond a wire fence one could see the large corporation building.

His clothing was simple enough, yellow mountain boots and loose fitting blue jeans that were a bit to long for him. He wore a plain white tee-shirt under a unbuttoned blue plaid shirt. He also wore the bandanna around his head for a personal reminder to him of his greatest loss and his greatest goal. He did fix his hair today and had it in his past style of covering one eye but the gel he used didn't hold and soon both of his eyes were covered and he was constantly moving his hair out of the way to see without seeing things that weren't there.

Shouldn't be to far now….to bad I don't know who the hell I am meeting, heck I might not meet the person but like an aid or something. I'll just have to trust Doc I guess.

He reached behind him and felt the gun that Doc gave him, it was hidden behind his plaid shirt, and felt a little more at ease. It saved him once then took his best friend away so it was back to saving his life or so he hoped.

He stopped and looked up at the large building in front of him, it was a night barracks for the people that worked during the day and slept at night. Next to that was the day barracks which was for the night working employee's. He rechecked the room number and made his way to the buildings elevator.

-BING-

The elevator opened and people began to stream out, mostly to go to work since it was nearing 5:00 P.M. and Scion assumed that must be the time of the guard shift and so on. After they had all left the building Scion occupied the elevator.

As the elevator rose Scion tried to clear his head. Ever since his waking in the infirmary he had been able to do little more then think about how he was to accomplish everything that had been put in front of him. He needed to somehow get a direction in this crazy thing he is trying to accomplish. He needed a northern star to guide him.

-BING-

Scion looked up to see that he had reached his floor, the third. He stepped out into the hallway of the barracks to see all the doors that lined the walk way. He observed the number to figure out the order of the numbers and then began looking for his destination.

147B……148B….149B….150B…..151B…..ah here it is. 152B

Scion looked about quickly to see if anyone was around, no one was. He then checked his gun quickly before trying the knob, it was locked of course. It had a number pad above the knob and Scion rummaged through the booklet to find the number that he remembered seeing inside.

734-562-113

-DING-

A green light came on and the unlocking of the door could be heard. Scion slowly turned the knob and stepped inside. He found the room to have the barest of accommodations. A living room and what appeared to be a kitchen with a bathroom on the opposite side of the apartment.

Scion searched through the apartment to see if anyone was present. He thought it strange that this place didn't have a bed room. It didn't have any furniture for that matter besides the single cough and a large coffee table with one chair nearby.

Well…I must be in the right place seeing how this place doesn't have a bed room. No one lives here for sure.

Scion went around the couch examining it cautiously, another side effect of Axle's attack, before popping unto it. He looked around and noticed a small slip of paper on the table, the room had no lamps and the windows blindsvwere not open so light barely made it into the room. Scion reached for the paper and it simply stated a time, 6:00 P.M.

I guess someone comes here at six everyday. That would explain the note. Hopefully they don't forget to come by...

-Heavy Sigh- Scion yawned and laid back on the couch staring at the ceiling. He had roughly two hours to kill before his contact came. If this contact was smart though he or she would send someone else to see him. But then again he wouldn't know if the person to see him was an aid or not. He'd just have to hope he'd get the information he needed and hope the Doc's trust was well put.

Barracks Apartment, 5:55 P.M.

Scion had tried to get some sleep but found himself on edge. Even in Orb he doubted he would be accepted and if they were helping the EA then Orb would hand him right over which meant he couldn't be caught off guard.

-Ding-

-Click-

The sound of the alarm disarming and the click of the locks disengaging shot Scion into full awareness mode. He was totally on edge now. The door opened and a women stepped inside the apartment and shut the door behind her.

The lady walked calmly towards Scion with a folder at her side. Scion was now really aware of how dark it was in here. Scion made sure his gun was at his side as she walked towards him. She seemed too calm to Scion.

The lady took the seat in front of the table and set the folder down on the table. She then crossed her legs and looked at Scion.

"Scion Kazuma, pilot the new war machine created by Doctor Takashi. I am here to offer you information and that is all at this point. State what you would like to know of and be quick about it."

Damn…cutting to the meat of things. Must be dangerous to meet me or something.

"The prototype mobile suits. I want to know about them and where they are."

The lady picked up the folder and slide some papers over to Scion. He couldn't see them but he picked them up anyway.

"You can keep those. They are information on the five prototype machines. I will tell a little about them all but we don't know much since we only helped in the initial blue prints and we don't know what has been added."

Scion nodded and folded the papers and stuck them into his shirt pocket. He then turned and looked at the lady to begin.

"GAT-X103 Buster is a specialized mobile suit for medium to long range combat. It's main function is to provide support to the other four machines as needed. It's main weapons are a energy cannon and a gun launcher. Exactly what type those will be is unknown and it's other systems are also unknown."

"I understand. Go on."

"GAT-X102 Dual is a generic mobile suit used as a model for the others. It was first created and is meant for medium to close combat and is least equipped of the group, carrying only two beam saber and a ream rifle. It will probably have a shield with anti-beam coating but we don't know for sure."

Scion nodded and leaned back against the couch with his arms crossed. So far the information was useful.

"GAT-X105 Strike is the most adaptable of the suits. This one was noted to be an upgraded Buster, Dual, and have great aerial abilities. How they plan to do this is unknown. We simply know that it was designed to adapt to the battle conditions as they changed."

How could a mobile suit adapt that much? It would have to have a lot of optional parts or something, sounds annoying.

"GAT-X207 Blitz. This mobile suit was meant to carry a number of special weapons and systems but it was the second most hidden mobile suit of the group, the first being the Aegis, and we know next to nothing about it, we only know that it was for stealth missions. The GAT-X303 Aegis was made to be the commanding unit of the five and we know nothing else."

"I see…well looks like the EA is very busy." Scion said as he leaned forward and put the information I order in his mind.

"It would appear that way. Orb would also appear that way though wouldn't it?"

"You could say that…if you want."

The lady laughed. Scion thought it was strange how she was talking about her own faction was weird. Maybe she didn't like their involvement which would explain why she was here.

"Well I believe that is everything you asked for, oh wait you asked where the mobile suits are. I believe they have been moved to Heliopolis for final construction. If that's all then you should excuse yourself."

"…I'm going. I'm going."

Scion stood up and bowed his head before making for the door. When he reached the door he was called back by the women.

"What is it ma'am?"

"Well you do know that to cover up this exchange we need a…posse…" The women stood and put a hand on her hips, Scion could make that much out.

"What? What are you saying?"

"You have five minutes before I raise the alarm that will have this facility on alert. I won't say anything about the mobile suit I'll just say that a man stole those papers you have with you now. Better get going"

"The hell?"

Scion wasn't a fool though and he wasn't going to stare at the lady like some people would have. He knew he didn't have time to see if she was bluffing. He almost tore the door of it's hinges and quickly walked towards the elevator…

On the way down Scion cursed his luck.

The streets outside MORGENROETE INC., 6:30 P.M.

Scion was jogging quickly through the number of people, so far no alarm but he had only left the place two minutes ago. Scion turned into an alley and pulled out his cell phone as he made his way down the narrow path.

Pick up…pick up damn it!

"Hello?"

"It's Scion. Look I need you to ditch Revolution in the garbage dump and get your ship out of here. I don't have time to explain just do it so no one will notice it. I have to lay low for a while. Now go!"

"What!"

"I said I don't have time! I gave an order now do it!"

"But…but…ARGH! Okay, we'll send a signal to the GPS on your phone so you can find it. You better not be messing around with us."

"You do that. Scion out." He ended the call and stuffed the phone into his pocket. He came out of the alley and went down another road.

-BIIING-

A large vid screen came on and showed a announcement to the whole community. Scion cursed.

This is a general announcement to all employee's on and off duty. A young man has been reported to us by a local source. He has stolen top secret documents and must be apprehended. We have no visuals at this point and we ask that everyone report any strange characters. Thank you for your coo operation.

Ah hell. That's just great…

Scion stopped and watched with everyone else to avoid being detected as the one they were looking for. After the announcement he went off in a direction with a few others who were talking about the stolen documents. Seemed that most of the people here worked on those machines and they were sure as hell pissed.

"Hey you! You with the plaid shirt! You aren't in uniform! Who are you!"

Damn it..

Scion took off without finding if he was in danger or not. He just ran and ran through people and through traffic until he could run no more and turned into another alley. He thanked his father for being a Coordinator and giving him more strength then a Natural.

"You are the contact aren't you? From Doctor Takashi?" A younger women's voice came.

Scion turned quickly and pulled out the gun from behind him and pointed at the women. Scion's serious expression dropped when he saw it was a young girl about his age, though probably younger. She had blonde hair that barely reached her shoulder and was dressed in the attire of the other mechanics, she also had some scary golden colored eyes and was glaring right at him and he was the one with the gun!

"What do you think you are doing? Put that gun away before you attract attention…Moron." She barked at him. She was either really stupid or really brave…or both.

Scion blinked about six times, to dumbstruck to do anything else.

Doesn't she know that I could kill her? What is wrong with her!

Nevertheless Scion put the gun away and then decided to take command.

" Who the hell are you! You don't yell at someone with a gun!"

The girl's face seemed to take on more attitude and she walked up to him and got in his face.

"Don't tell me what to do! You were the one pointing the gun at someone who wasn't going to hurt you!"

Scion staggered back from her attack. Who this girl was kept running through his mind. Scion coughed, trying to feign his defeat and spoke more calmly. He obviously wasn't going to scare her anytime soon.

"Fine…just tell me who are you."

"We can't talk here. To many people. Follow me." She turned and started walking down the alley. Scion didn't know whether to follow her or not. He found himself a bit intimidated by this young women. Scion just stood there stiff as a board.

"Come on! Do you want my help or not? Hurry up." The girl commanded and this time Scion jumped and followed behind her.

Unknown Area, 7: 10 P.M.

Scion began to doubt the girl knew where she was going. They were on the outskirts of town and heading further away from it to a building in the distance. As they got closer Scion saw that it was a nice house and he wondered if the girl worked for someone that wanted to see him. It would make sense but the way this girl talked you would think she lived there!

They didn't go to the front door though, oh no, they climbed up a vine on the side of the house and went through a window into a girls room. A very expensive looking girls room. It was a single room with fancy mirrors and so on. No bathroom it appeared and Scion would have thought there would be one. It must be a vacation home.

Scion hadn't spoken the entire time though the girl spoke even less, if that was possible. She seemed to be steamed about their meeting. She looked around and then shoved Scion into a corner.

Great…as if I'm not confused enough.

"Look and I'll kill you." Another threat from the scary blonde. She made sure he was as close to the corner as he could before turning around.

Their was the sound of drawers being pulled out and pushed in. The ruffling of clothes could also be heard. Scion thought he would have been tempted to look but his fear of this women and he wrath upon his head seemed to have killed and thoughts like that before he could process them. A women that doesn't fear a gun is a women you don't want to mess with.

"You can turn around now. It's nice to see you aren't a pervert."

Where does she get off being so damn rude? Sheesh.

Scion turned around and was again surprised, he was being surprised to many times today for his own liking. The girl was dressed in a dark blue dress that went to her ankles, around her neck she had a simple pearl necklace. Her hair was done up in some fashion that Scion didn't quite know how to escribe either.

Okay…so she's rich…would have been nice to know earlier.

"Okay, okay hold up. Who are you?"

The girl crossed her arm and gave a nasty stare.

"You should give your name first you know? I am Cagalli."

If Scion had been drinking something at the time he would have spit it all over the floor. He couldn't believe what he just heard.

"Cagalli? Cagalli Yula Athha! Are you serious?"

"Are you calling me a lair! Yes, that's who I am! Who are you and how do you know Doctor Takashi?"

Scion didn't doubt it was her but he did doubt how much information he could give her. She wasn't one of the contacts listed so he decided to play it safe. Besides, why would she be so interested? And why did she seem so angry about the information as well? Like she had some vendetta against Scion or the Doctor.

"I'm Scion Kazuma and I worked for Doctor Takashi. Did you know what he did?"

"Weapons development. He never told exactly what he was making though." Cagalli sat on the bed and pointed, commandingly, to the chair off a little to the right. Scion took it without arguing.

"Scion huh? That's a odd name. Does it mean anything?"

"Huh? Oh,…I don't know. Never thought about it. Why is that important?"

"It's not I just thought it had some meaning to it."

"I don't know. It coul….whoa whoa whoa. Why are we talking about this! Why am I here?"

The girl gave another look on her face that meant Scion shouldn't have gotten so defensive.

"I just want to know why Doctor Takashi died and why he stopped listening to the Orb council. He was reported dead when his facility exploded do to a large system malfunction but I don't believe it. Doctor Takashi was to careful for that kind of thing." She said bitterly, "He was always so paranoid."

So that's what they are saying happened….

"It's a bit more complicated then that I'm afraid."

"I know it is and I'm going to find out why too and you are going to tell me."

"I was away from the site. I don't know what happened but I can imagine that it was some kind of outside force."

Cagalli didn't seem very happy with that answer but before she could speak there was a knock at her door.

"Cagalli! Are you ready for the gathering? Come down stairs quickly and I hope your date is here!" Said a women, probably a maid, through the door. Her steps could he heard trailing off into the distance.

"Oh shoot! I forgot…" Cagalli sprung from the bed to her feet and began fixing her hair, decided she hated it and put in into a more simpler form, a tight bun.

"Forgot what?" Scion asked as he stood up and started to think that this was a sign that he should show himself out.

"A gathering of the council members. I haven't been to any of them all year and my father made me promise to go to this one and…oh no!" She stopped what she was doing and spun around and stared at Scion. To Scion's intense fear, he had a feeling that he was about to be pressganged into something.

"Wh-why are you looking at me like that?" The now timid Gundam pilot said.

"I was supposed to get a date. My father said I could pick someone but…" She began to eyeball Scion with a more piercing look. Scion shook his hands in front of his face.

"Oh no! You don't mean me do you! I don't have anything to wear and I don't know how to act at these places!"

Cagalli had other idea's though.

"You will be fine. I can get you a suit. You just need to stay close to me and you'll be fine. Just be polite, you do know how to do that don't you?" Without giving Scion a chance to answer she grabbed him by the hands and dragged him to the door where she flung open the door and called out to a butler nearby.

"Yes, Miss Cagalli?"

"My date needs a suit. The tailor couldn't get it done in time, can you find him something?" She pushed Scion forward who had a dumb look on his face, a face of confusion and desperation. The butler looked Scion over and obviously didn't like Scion's hair but would never say anything.

"Of course ma'am, I will find something right away." Then he dragged Scion off in another direction.

Argh! What is it with this place! Why can't I walk myself!

Scion's complaints didn't change his circumstances and he was soon shoved into a room and had a suit thrown at him.

"Please put that on and for gods sake fix your hair or get it cut. You look like a dog that had been brought in from the streets." The Butler advised before leaving Scion to change.

Scion gave a menacing glance at the man before he left the room. Scion looked at the suit and with a heavy sigh put it on after removing his other clothes. He put the bandanna into the inside pocket and fixed his hair to the right so only one eye was covered, his mom always said he looked handsome and mysterious that way.

After a few minutes another man came and dragged him into another room…Scion was getting tired of being dragged about.

Adjoining Ball room, 8:30 P.M.

The door was opened and he was pushed into a small room where Cagalli and an older man were talking, her father obviously. She seemed to be telling him about someone and to be nice or something. He couldn't quite figure it out.

So that's Lord Uzumi, one of the leaders of Orb Union…Looks scary enough.

Cagalli then turned her head and saw Scion. She said something to her father who looked Scion's way with a judging look. Scion walked slowly over to them as if he was on death row, he thought he looked okay but he was never around the upper class like he was now. It was just two people and he felt so filthy, like he was a dog dragged in.

"Father, this is Scion Kazuma." Cagalli grabbed Scion's hand and pulled him to her father when she thought he was taking to long.

"Yes, I see. Well, hello Scion." He extended his hand for a handshake.

"Hello to you too sir, it's an honor to meet you." Scion took the Lords hand and shook it firmly.

The man simply nodded and then bade a farewell and to have a good time. After which Cagalli turned and gave Scion a good looking over.

"Who knew you would clean up so well. You look good in a suit and your hair is nice and…uh"

"What? What's wrong?"

"Your eyes, what's up with your eyes?"

"Oh that…it's a discoloration. Something with eye pigments being messed up."

"Oh well they look pretty unique. Anyway, just stay close to me, they'll make an announcement and you and we walk down some steps. Just walk down the steps and greet people as they come."

"Sure…easy.." Scion said with a mocking tone. He didn't look like a nicely brought up person.

A few seconds later Cagalli's and Scion's name was announced. Cagalli looked at Scion who with a heavy sigh offered his arm to Cagalli, she took his arm and began to walk him out of the room to the large stair case and descended into a large ball room.

Everyone turned to look at the odd couple. Scion with his long hair covering one of his eyes was a stark contrast to Cagalli's neatly done hair. Scion also looked like he had been in a few rough spots as of late and looked tired compared to Cagalli's radiant looking figure.

As Scion and Cagalli descended the stairs he noticed he was getting a lot of looks, mostly from the younger males of the group who seemed to want to put a bullet in his head. Scion assumed that Cagalli's favor was something they wanted.

After saying hello and introducing himself to about eight different couples and a few people who came alone, after which Cagalli and Scion escaped to the northern wall next to the stairs and stood together as some of the people ate and chatted softly.

"Nice enough group, they assume to much though…" Scion had been mistaken for a singer in a band that Scion had never heard of and his lack of caring showed in his inability to remember the name of the group.

"They all care about Orb's dealings though. Except recently I've been getting the feeling that something is amiss."

Scion looked at Cagalli as she stared at the people in the ballroom. He assumed she would know about what was going on but now he was thinking otherwise. He didn't suppose it was his place to tell her either.

"So…I think we should talk about what you did for Doctor Takashi."

"I---" Scion was cut off by the beginning of music and he noticed instantly the turning of heads, the young men again. They were looking at Cagalli and before he what was happening Cagalli had his hand and he found himself again be dragged across the room.

Okay...this dragging thing is seriously getting old...

"Dance with me, hurry!" She commanded softly.

"What?"

"I don't want to dance with those jerk-ish boys. Come on, hurry."

"But! I.."

Scion was dragged off into the middle of the dance floor and could only comply as his hand were placed on Cagalli's hips, her went around his neck. Scion again felt that feeling fear for doing anything that would be seen as perverted. Luckly, his hair cast a thin shadow over his face and kept any blush from appearing.

"What is wrong with dancing with them?" Scion said as he began slowly dancing in circles in accordance with everyone else and to Cagalli's wishes.

"Those boys only care about getting to my father through me. I don't want to be around jerks like those so shut up and dance."

Geez, back to the scary girl in the alley.

"So…what did you do for the Doctor?" Cagalli asked quietly as they danced.

"I helped test his project, that's all. You don't need to know more then that."

"What do you know about the EA and Orb working together?"

"I don't know anything about that…I'm just a worker. I don't think the EA and Orb would work together anyway…"

"That's why you came here and stole those documents then? Cause you don't know? Give me a break."

Scion grunted as the music went on and they span around the room slowly. He didn't know what he could tell her to make her believe him, besides the truth. And that wasn't a real option was it? Could he afford to divulge that much information? For all he knew this girl could just be using him to get information and then interfere with his plans. He decided that it was far too risky.

"..I've just heard rumors. Probably no more then you. Why do you want to know anyway?"

"Cause, I don't like fighting and I don't want Orb to get involved."

"Heh, you and everyone else that didn't lose anything from this war think that way."

"What was that!" Cagalli gave him a nasty glare that caused Scion to lose his cool facial expression. He looked off in another direction to avoid eye contact while Cagalli stared over Scion's left shoulder.

"I want to know why my father and so many others are working so hard as of late. They always worked hard before but now….we have less meetings and I see my father less and less."

Lord Izumi….I don't think he knows what's going on. If I remember right this is something going on outside of the councils control…At the very most only a few members would be invovled. Since the G-weapons are on Heliopolis then Mongenroete must be invovled as well...

-BANG-

The door to the ballroom was kicked forward and several men armed with guns came into the room. They told everyone to get against the walls. They didn't appear to belong to any faction. Scion and Cagalli quickly went to the far wall as they were directed.

"We have reason to believe that someone has something of value to us! We are going to search every person here and as long as no one does anything stupid then nothing will happen. We apologize to all council members but this is a matter of national security!"

Oh great… I bet these are hired hands to get the documents from me. I can't let them have them…got to get out.

Scion began looking around and found a number of windows he could use and he planned to as soon as he got a chance. The men began checking a few people while the rest kept their guns trained.

"Cagalli…hold unto this." Scion slipped Cagalli his cell phone.

"Why are you giving me this?"

"Incase I need to contact you is why…you had better keep it if you want information."

"Why are you changing your mind now."

"I have my reasons, so shut up before I change my mind." And he did, an ally like Cagalli who was so close to the council could be useful for information.

Scion didn't say anything more before he pushed Cagalli and the person the other side of him down, causing everyone around him to fall over like domino's. He then pulled his gun from inside his suit and shot one man before throwing himself backwards out a window. Luck was on Scion's side because the ball room was only a seven foot drop, which was nothing to him, and he was able to roll to his feet and dash around the corner of the building just dodging the incoming bullets that began streaming at him as the men tried to down him.

Okay…now I have to get to Revolution. Good thing I put the location of the GPS signal to memory.

The Gundam was in the nearest pile to the northern entrance and would be laying down on it's back for easy access. Scion had only to make it there in one piece. Running around the next corner Scion then made into the nearby woods and went the long way to the city to avoid running into more patrols.

The Dump, 11:00 P.M.

Luck was on Scion's side this time and he arrived at the dump with no interruptions or close calls. He then climbed up unto the pile almost right at the entrance and it didn't take long to tell what was trash and what was a machine. Once he threw all the garbage away from the cockpit, which smelled like something foul, Scion jumped in and activated Revolution.

To cover his escape Scion set a flame the dumpster area to make a smoke cover, at least from the naked eye, and took off to the known place where he would meet his crew that was set up incase they had something like this happen.

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Author's Notes: So this is one of the longest chapters and for those of you wanted more action rest assured there will be lots more in the coming chapters as the story draws closer to the SEED story line and in the actual plot of the show.

And thanks to (Put dude's name here) for his review with all the options, thanks to (other dude) as well for his opinion, and I have thought of it and have chosen what I may decide to change and what things I may alter. You will have to wait and see what changes, big and small, will be made.'

This chapter is a bit laid back and slow on the action, having some humor and some setting up for some things in the future. I can assure you that the next chapter will have a lot of action and I will get on it right away.

-Arc.