Chapter 16: A Day of Peace
Legend
Italics shows character thoughts
Word shows Date, time, and location
-Word- Shows Noises, or actions such as sighing
A/N: Since the first big event has occurred, I will be showing more things from other point of views and will continue to do so as the story progresses.
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February 14, C.E. 71
Archangel , Captain's Quarters , 11: 24 A.M.
Scion sat alone in a chair, surrounded by the three ranking officers of the Archangel. Captain Ramius sat behind her desk with Flaga to her right and Natarle to her left. They all seemed very tense, Scion included. They had ordered him here to report on what had occurred since he plummeted away from the Archangel and, so far, Scion had refused to tell them how he acquired yet another machine of similar design to the Gundam's, which Kira had dubbed the GAT-X series of mobile suits.
"So you won't tell us who supplied you that machine?" Murrie asked politely but sternly.
"No, ma'am. I must leave that information void as I did when concerning my own machine." Scion responded.
"Scion Kazuma, do you understand the issue? Since you have met us you have shown up in two machines like the GAT-X's series. If there is, or was a spy in the Earth Alliance we would have you tell us!" Natarle commanded, obviously very uneasy about Scion's ability to claim another machine.
"Lieutenant Badgiruel!" Captain Ramius barked at her. The promoted Ensign gave a spiteful look at Scion and stood back at ease, choosing to wait for another opportunity.
Scion bowed his head and solemnly decided it was better that he give no clues what so ever to the fact that Orb was the maker of Clarity and, indirectly, Revolution. His hands turned into fists as they rested on his knees, he was still suited in his pilot attire, and he waited for the next question.
"Well, I've got a question, that's been bugging me ever since I met you." Mu La Flaga chimed in, "It was about a pilot that was pretty famous back before the Junius Seven incident. I believe he had the same name as yours. Is that just a coincidence?" He asked thoughtfully as he peered down at Scion, Murrie seemed to be interested in the question as well.
"Now that you mention it, I do remember a genius pilot, belonging to an elite section of the Mobile Armor core." Ramius stated as she too turned her eye to Scion who seemed reluctant to answer.
"Impossible, ma'am." Natarle interrupted. "Former Earth Alliance Soldier, Scion Kazuma, died shortly after the Junius Seven incident while flying a recon mission. I looked up the information as soon as we reached the 8th Fleet, since I too noticed the name." The Junior-Lieutenant stated promptly. "Besides, we can obviously tell he can't be the same man." She finished.
"What do you mean?" Murrie asked.
Scion gritted his teeth as this conversation danced dangerously around the truth of his life. He was pretty sure that Cagalli was not going to tell anyone about his past, the little dark spot she did know about, but if they found out then he would be in some serious trouble. He was supposed to be dead and what would happen if they found out anything different?
Scion cursed inwardly, he told himself that he wasn't going to let his past control him. And for the most part he did just that, but it seemed that every time he got a grip on himself something would happen to painfully remind him of his mistake. The images of Athrun's face were still firmly implanted in his mind and the fight that had occurred the very same night.
Why does everything seem to go back to that damned day!Scion thought to himself bitterly as Natarle answered the captain.
"I think it's fairly obvious that Scion here is a Coordinator," Murrie and Mu looked at the female in question, "Since he can pilot a machine similar to the Strike with the same remarkable results as Kira." Natarle concluded.
The three looked at Scion, who still had his head bowed and refused to meet their gaze. Whatever they thought about him didn't matter, he was simply here to do a job and somehow get Clarity back to Orb. But how he was going to do that without the Archangel knowing was a far fetched idea, even though Cagalli was on board he doubted she could get him into Orb without them knowing.
"Well, regardless of Scion's birth nature, we can't really do anything about the machine he has." Murrie stated.
"Captain!" Natarle said, shocked that she was going to let him off free.
"He is not a member of this military, in fact he is a mercenary working for us, his payment being the housing of his crewmembers who support his machine." The captain nodded to Scion who had looked up at her, "But, please refrain from anymore acts like the one in the Earth's Atmosphere, we had assumed you had died and Kira too it harshly." Murrie finished.
"Harshly?" Scion asked, confused as to why Kira would be upset about his death.
"Don't you remember? You did come down and save his life you know? Or attempt to anyway. We caught Kira but you plummeted down to Earth without any aid. It took Kira a while to come out of that fever of his and it's a miracle you survived at all. The kid felt like it was his fault." Mu summarized the situation briefly.
Scion nodded briefly before standing up and nodded to the captain. She told him to be on stand by for the time being, she saluted and then Scion began to leave.
"Oh, Captain."
"Yes?"
"When we pass by Orb, I need my crew to be sent off on transport towards it. I don't want them being caught up in the Military because of their job. I'll continue to see the ship to Alaska."
"Very well, then. We will send all of your non-combat support crewmembers to Orb as soon as we are able too."
Scion nodded and left the Captain's quarters. Mu and Murrie sighed heavily while Natarle remained stiff. They all knew that Scion was becoming a liability with too many questions and not enough answers. One gifted pilot, two machines, and way to many oddities such as his private meeting with Halberton made all of the ranking Archangel officers unsure of the boy.
"Are you sure we can trust him?" Natarle asked the captain.
"Do we have a choice? I mean, we need the help out there on the battlefield." Mu asked in response to the question.
"I'm not sure if we can trust him, but Mu is right. We need his power if we are going to get to Alaska. At least we know he's here because of his crew members and not for some other purpose." Murrie stated.
"Or we hope that's why he's here." Natarle flatly commented.
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February 14, C.E. 71
Archangel, Rear Upper Desk, 12:00 P.M.
Cagalli had been sure she saw Scion leave the captain's quarters a moment ago. Ever since the incident she hadn't been able to talk to him properly. Of course she wasn't really sure if she should considering what had happened the night before.
Throwing caution to the wind she decided she should attempt a talk with the man to clear a few things up and make other things certain. He knew her secret and she knew his, she would have to make sure that he would keep hers and in return she would keep his.
Yet, her secret seemed so small compared to his. She remembered the pain she felt in Heliopolis and when she saw her friend Ahmed die. Yet, how much more horrible was it to know you were connected with the death of hundreds of thousands of innocent deaths? She now knew why the man was so secretive and keeping to himself.
When they had first met he had refused to give her any information at all and for all her nagging she got only a cell phone. He was not someone who confided easily in people. There had to be a lot more to him then just that incident. Nnow that she was aware of Junius Seven and his involvement an air of mystery just seemed to be seeping from him that she didn't or hadn't realized before when she knew nothing. And from the rumors of him having a different machine then the one he had with him before, that she knew belonged to Orb. It all proved that he had more secrets then just that one horrible sin.
She came to the upper deck after checking a number of other places he could have gone after he vanished from her sight. Sure enough the blonde man was there, leaning on the railings with his arms folded on the rails. His pilot suit zipped down to give him some room to breath and his helmet on the floor by feet.
She walked to his side and leaned against the railing in the same fashion as he was. She glanced over at him and found him to be staring out at the sea with a much better look in his eyes then the day before. Not to mention that she was very happy she was dressed this time, though she wondered if either boy had noticed it once the fighting started.
"Don't worry." Scion started her, as he suddenly spoke, "Kisaka already came to me. He was at the dance I guess and remembered my face. I won't tell anyone about your secret. That's why you came to talk to me about, right?"
"Uh, yeah. But…I…wanted to talk about other things too." Cagalli looked out over the ocean as well and gave a thought to her words before going on, "Like, where did you get that machine, and how did you know about Heliopolis, and what really happened to Doctor Takashi, and why you have Orb's Clarity?"
"Still asking so many questions. Do you have a record of consecutive questions asked?" He remarked sarcastically, and even though Cagalli wasn't happy about the comment she did like the fact that he was back to how he acted when they first met, but he seemed older on the inside at the same time.
"It's not my fault, you spark the questions, you know?" Cagalli retorted while sticking her nose up in the air, refusing to be caught off guard even if she felt bad for him.
"-Chuckle- I get that a lot. But, its really not important for you to know and I'm not one who just gives information away."
"Why? Are they something like ---" Cagalli suddenly stopped as she felt Scion's right hand grip her left wrist tightly.
"Don't. There are something's that should be talked about, other things that should be thought about in ones self, and then there are things that should just be forgotten and never spoken of again. Do not try to speak to me about things you do not understand. " Scion said with a frosted glare, he released her hand and looked back towards the ocean as a fairly strong breeze began to blow.
"Sulking about it won't help either…" Cagalli muttered under her breath.
Cagalli looked down at her feet and stooped down to grab the helmet at his feet, "Is this a mercenary helmet or something?" She asked, opting to change the subject for the moment, "It looks pretty old, a hand me down?"
Scion shook his head, "No. My mother refurbished it for me." Scion stated, and Cagalli not knowing about the Atmospheric drop assumed that it was given some time back.
"I see, your mother did a good job." Cagalli looked at the square visor and turned it around, feeling slightly sticky material, a residue from the cleaning material used. Her hand slid over a few scratches on the back and she ran her hand over them, "Looks like she couldn't fix these…" Scion shrugged and continue to stare out into the open.
Cagalli looked up at Scion and then down at the helmet and then it clicked, like a puzzle, the markings were not just wounds on the helmet but writing. She looked up at Scion, who didn't seem to have noticed, and tried to make out the words without seeming to interested in them.
Watch my son, who can't find his way in the dark. Watch him closely, because a light often burns brightest in the dark. Yes, watch him closely whoever reads this, because this mother knows his light will burn brighter then a star once more….with all of his mothers blessings protecting him. This Star will burn again.
Cagalli smiled softly, after putting down the helmet between them, "I bet your mother is a great person." She muttered before pushing away from the railing, "Well, I'll get my answers out of you later, Scion. You had better be ready to answer! See you later." She said as she began walking backwards. When Scion waved a goodbye she turned around and began making her way back to her quarters, sure that he would be just fine.
After all, he had his mothers blessings.
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February 14, C.E. 71
Carpentaria, Briefing Room, 12:00 P.M.
"Hey, Athrun, why the rush?" Nicol yelled at the rushing Athrun.
"I want to catch up to the Legged Ship before it reaches Alaska. We need to depart now!" Athrun stated firmly.
"Athrun, you only just returned a few hours ago! You need to rest!" Nicol pleaded with his commander and friend.
But for Athrun there would be no waiting. He now had a reason to take down the Archangel, a reason that wouldn't make him feel guilty. Because now he could stop thinking about killing Kira and start thinking about killing Scion. The man who killed his mother and countless other Coordinators.
Everyone was surprised when Athrun demanded that their ship, a Couteau class, depart immediately to pursue the Legged Ship. Even Yzak and Dearka were surprised at Athrun's unusual need to give chase, but it actually caused the two hot-headed pilots to give their commander more credit then they normally would. Yzak liked Athrun's new style and Dearka was always ready for a fight. It was Nicol who saw the change as disturbing.
"Look, Nicol. I understand what you are saying, but I'm fine. I just want to complete my mission." And kill that man! Scion Kazuma!
"Athrun…what happened on the island. Ever since you returned you've been acting like Yzak with being so…violent towards our mission."
Athrun stopped and closed his eyes. He opened his eyes and took a look at his worried friend, seeing real concern in his eyes he took a deep breath and tried to expel the blind hate from his body. He walked towards Nicol and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Sorry, Nicol. But this is something I have to do, I need to find the Legged Ship." Athrun explained, leaving out the important details which didn't help Nicol's worry.
"Alright, Athrun…I mean, Commander Zala." He laughed softly and saluted at an attempt for humor. Athrun smiled in return and both raced off to board their vessel to track down the Legged Ship. Athrun was ready to avenge his mother...it was the reason he joined this fight afterall.
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February 14, C.E. 71
Archangel, Read Upper Deck, 12:15P.M.
"Hey, Kira!"
Scion turned his head and saw Flay pop out unto the upper deck and call out for her boyfriend. She spotted Scion and walked over to him as she glanced over the area to make sure he wasn't around.
"Hey, Scion, have you--"
"Kira? No, I haven't. Sorry." Scion said quickly.
"Oh…if you see him tell him I'm looking for him." Flay said with a pout. Scion nodded and after telling her good luck she fled from the scene.
With a heavy sigh Scion stood up and smiled with a shake of his head. He went over to the railing and reached down until he felt his accomplices hand grip him firmly. He put his right foot on the railing and pulled Kira Yamato up and out of his hiding place. Once he was firmly on the ground and safe both boys laughed.
"Dodging your girl, huh? Never thought you had it in you, Kira." Scion said. After Cagalli had left, Kira had come not ten minutes later with a need to hide. So this little stunt was invented.
"Yeah, I guess it is unlike me. After the way she barged in when me and Cagalli were talking the other day I kind of felt like I needed some air." Kira said shamefully, "Plus, I wanted to talk to you."
Both laughed softly. When Kira had first appeared Scion was quick to tell him to stop blaming things on himself for things that was out of his control. The lesson would have gone on longer if not for Flay and Kira's need to hide.
"Not you too. Geez, I come back from the dead and I'm instantly the most popular guy on the ship." Scion said sarcastically.
"-Laugh- Yeah, everyone just pretty much assumed you were dead after the drop. We didn't have time to look for you once things started going. Cagalli, Desert Dawn, Andrew Watfeld. It all happened so fast." Kira briefly began to explain the situation that had occurred.
"I see, so you had a chance encounter with him and then had to fight him. That's rough." Scion said, "I've had to fight a few friends as well."
"Well…I thought it would be hard. But, the thing about fighting a friend, or someone I knew, reminded of when I tried to give Lacus back to ZAFT and what you said to me. You told me I can't put one life above others. It makes a lot of sense to me now, more then it did before. So when we fought I just kept reminding myself that I had to put the lives of the ship above the lives of Andrew."
Scion murmured something along a good job but Kira couldn't make it out. Kira then explained how they then made for the sea and the attacks by the Sea Zaft forces from Carpentaria and how he fought underwater.
"What about you? You must have a story since you got a whole new machine." Kira stated.
"Well, sort of. I feel out of the sky, fell into a lake, came here, and through a certain number of ordeals I won't divulge in I came into possession of this machine." Scion said as he stood up, " Well, I think I've been outside for long enough. I should be going."
Kira nodded to him and so Scion took it as an okay to leave.
"Scion?"
"Yeah?" Scion answered Kira, without turning around.
"Did you have to kill your friend?"
"…..Yeah."
"I see…."
"We both had your paths and we followed them. We believed our paths and put our lives on the line. I know that he doesn't hold it against me. If you do the same, you won't be betraying him." Scion finished as he left the Upper Deck. When he was successfully away from Kira's sight he closed his eyes.
If only I could believe my own words….
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February 14, C.E. 71
Orb Union, Onogoro Island. Morgenroete, 5:20P.M.
"So this is it? The famed machine of Takashi?" Erica Simmons said as she stood in front of the battered remains of Revolution, with a headset on her head.
"Yeah, but ma'am. Can I ask who Takashi is?" Shigen asked through his mic, as was retrieving all of its combat data.
"He…was the man who had my job before he left. Before that he was a Scientist of the PLANTS." Erica said after a long pause. Her voice carried a heavy resentment along with a cutting edge. They obviously did not get along when they knew each other.
"No way? He was a Coordinator and lived in the PLANTS? Why did he leave the PLANTS?"
Erica shrugged her shoulders down below and walked over to a terminal that was receiving all of the data from the machine, which would then feed it to her personal computer to be looked at thoroughly.
"No real reason was given. There is only a rumor of some bad history, but its all sketchy. Of course those rumors only come from the fact that he was so paranoid. In fact…I'm surprised he passed his machine unto someone and didn't just blow it up."
"Why? Doesn't he trust people?" Shigen asked as he finalized the data retrieval.
"Nope, not even me when I was under him. He didn't trust anyone. His old computer is still in my office and it is STILL under an intense firewall protection and I can't think of a password, that's how paranoid he is." Erica stated humorously. After a moment of thinking though she recalled something.
" But, now that you mention it he mentioned something about having a debt to someone, when I asked him about it he muttered something about an infant. He was the most bizarre man I've ever met in my life…but also one of the most brilliant."
"Really? Do you know what he did before he came do Orb?" Shigen questioned once more as he came down from the machine and regarded the computer as the data ran through it.
"I believe it was surgery and a highly complicated form of it as well. Never saw any official documents though." She answered, "Well, good job Shigen. You are free for the day. I'm going to be here for a while and direct the repairs on this machine…probably be here for a couple hours." Erica said with a heavy sigh.
Shigen nodded briskly and took off to find a computer terminal, to obtain the location of Scion's upgrade for his machine. He stopped in the first computer lab and activated it to find out any information. Putting the disk in it ran a number of automatic searches and found nothing on its records. Shigen guessed that the file must be on a separate server.
"His old computer is still in my office and it is STILL under an intense firewall protection and I can't think of a password, that's how paranoid he is."
Scion turned in his chair slowly and thought it over. To break into Erica's room was a big deal. Couldn't he just tell her about the disc? No, Takashi's computer might have more information then just the upgrade…stuff to remain hidden for all time. He had to go solo…but if he was caught….
Come on, Shigen! Remember your brother? Do whatever you have to do protect Orb. Scion wants to fight against the EA and ZAFT so that means he will protect Orb's Neutrality if it is threatened! If I do this then he owes me and I can assure his help….you've got to do it…for Orb.
So Shigen quickly raced down the hall, made a right and then another. The hall way was a dead end at this point but his destination was the last door on the left. He kept looking over his shoulder and was thankful to find that everyone must be observing the machine in the hanger.
With a small bit of hacking, thanks to great technical skills gained from OS building, he got in with ease and with no alarm going off. He didn't note anything about the room as he quickly raced over to the oldest computer with a big sticky note that said 'Paranoid old fool!' It was obviously his.
The computer came on and came to a blank screen with a search engine present. When something was typed in it asked for a password. Shigen deleted his last entry and entered the disk, it ran a number of search words and found one valid file. The problem was that it needed a password.
Oh great! I thought the disc would get me in! Damn it! Okay okay…what word….what word….
Shigen cursed loudly as he rummaged about in his head for a word. Then he thought of something, it was a long shot but he would try it.
"Revolution….."
Incorrect Password
"Damn it…what about…no, that's too simple." Shigen sighed and typed the lame word in, "Dream."
Correct Entry, File uploading.
"What! Are you kidding me! That's it?" Shigen quickly shut himself up and began loading the file unto the disc with the search words, to safely be able to look at it later. When it was done downloading he reached for the off button but something caught his eye.
"The password…it unlocked everything!" Shigen was in shock as he skimmed over all the files. Most were just junk, bits and pieces of deleted things that couldn't be gotten rid of when a program was deleted. But, there was something there, a project of some kind."
Wonder what project he was working on? Shigen opened the file and the information began to display in front of him. He read a little to get a summary…but the more he read the more he couldn't stop and the more he couldn't stop the more fear his face showed. He put hand over his mouth to stop from gagging but continued to read nonetheless.
After a moment Shigen couldn't read anymore but he had to find out if it ever came to a success, he skimmed all the way down and in two brief sentences gave the results of the project. It was all Shigen could take and he shut the machine down and ran from the room, unable to understand why such a thing was undertaken.
As he did so, a small hidden camera followed him out of the office…..
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February 15, C.E. 71
Archangel, Lunch Area, 9:00 A.M.
Scion sat in the lunch room with Kira and Flay. Sai, Mir, Tolle, and Kuzzey were on the other side of the lunch area. Evidently there was some tension between Sai and Kira but Scion wasn't sure why. Something to do with Flay he supposed.
Cagalli always ate in a separated place with Kisaka who was intent on keeping the girls secret a secret for good. The ship was still a good two days away from Orb and Scion had still no idea of how to get 'into' Orb. His crew members were sent off just an hour again with Scion promising to find them, and with a hint to go to Morgenroete. They understood what he meant. Their craft was smaller and faster then the Archangel and would be waiting there for Scion when he returned. If he did that is.
Meanwhile, Scion stared dumbly at the red haired girl , Flay, as she battered on to Kira about her hair or something and watched Kira forced to listen to this with a small smile. Scion had to admit she was pretty funny the way she complained all the time about the silliest things in the world. Scion wondered if Lacus would have been like that if they knew her in a formal matter.
"Hey, Scion. Why are you being so quiet?" Flay asked with a little bounce as she pointed her spoon at him. Ever since the day when he apologized Scion had somehow gotten unto her friends list. She didn't treat him like the others, like Kira she would actually talk to him when they passed by each other. When passing by Sai or Mir she would try to get by without saying anything. A strange girl at best.
"Oh, sorry. Just focusing on eating. Its good stuff, I'll have to tell the chef to make this more often." Scion lied to avoid a conversation with Flay since it often went to no where. Sometimes it sounded like Flay was forcing herself to speak to Kira and Scion, like she really didn't want to talk to them. It was never anything too noticeable and Kira never seemed to see it so Scion didn't bring it up.
Come on, I need to get out of here. I'd rather face Athrun then listen to Flay all day!
ALL HANDS, LEVEL ONE BATTLE STATIONS! I REPEAT LEVEL ONE BATTLE STATIONS! ENGISN YAMATO, LIEUTENANT FLAGA, AND SCION KAZUMA REPORT TO THE HANGAR BAY!
Everyone looked up at the ceiling and suddenly the lunch room was in a scramble. Sai and his group were the first to make it out but Scion made an honest effort to get down the rest of his food. Kira stood to leave and rushed for the door.
I didn't mean it really! Damn it all!
"Be careful, Kira!" Flay called out to him. Kira nodded with a smile and took off. It was then that Scion caught out of the corner of his eye a look of disgust and pure evil slip on her face. Scion watched it vanish as quickly as it came when she looked back at Scion with the worried look she had previously.
"You too, Scion. Look after Kira!" She asked as Scion stepped up on the table and down off the other end.
"Yeah. Someone has to protect him." Scion said bitterly and with edge. Scion would have like do question the female but it would have to wait until later. He had a fight with an angry ZAFT Pilot.
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A/N: Alright! I'm really surprised at the speed I got this out. It was very interesting to me, for some reason. it's a lot slower then the last chapter but it has a very nice scene which should have the rest of you thinking 'WTF', others may think they know. Well, you'll find out eventually, right? Yes. Lol.
Anyway, after thinking on it I decided that as the story goes on and things change, and some more things will occur that differs from the Anime, I will give more incite to the story. Some of you may worry that Kira doesn't get enough attention, well no worries! While he won't be in the spot light now, he and others will get more time as the story goes on.
Also, I would like to thank my reviewers once more for their support! And yes, Warp, I shall try not to overdo the Angst (XD) though it will probably remain a major character flaw in Scion for sometime to come, but bop me on the head if I go over. I actually thought people liked Shinn, darn. No one likes the more real characters, I always thought that Kira was unnatural with his need for peace, Lacus too. But then again, this is coming from a guy that makes a guy like Shinn, though he's driven by remorse and not anger.
Forgive me on typos this time. School starts tomorrow for me! I want to get this out before I get bogged down and forget to post this. I'll go back over it sometime in the future when I have time, so bear with me for the mistakes and I'm still cleaning up the previous chapters as well.
Anyway, I'll shut up. I should really make these shorter. Enjoy!
-Arc.