PHASE 12: The Hidden Truth
March 19th, Cosmic Era 75
United Orb Emirates
Kaguya Spaceport
A long-range diplomatic flight from the Eurasian Federation landed at the Orb Union's main airport/spaceport at Kaguya, where a two-seater Heli was waiting.
Inside the aircraft there were only a dozen or so passengers; most of them would remain on board as the craft left Orb and headed towards its ultimate destination - the United States of South America. They were a diplomatic delegation composed of delegates from a variety of the Eurasian Federation's member states, heading to Manaus in the USSA to speak with the President of that country, whose situation was no less difficult politically than the Eurasian Federation's own, and perhaps was even moreso.
The only other passenger was seated at a window, her only luggage a pair of large briefcases. She was up and headed for the door even as the aircraft taxied down the runway, and the instant the craft stopped she was at the door. She turned back towards her fellow passengers.
"Thank you." She said, meaning it.
-"By all means, Representative Athha. It was nothing - just a quick stopover on the way to Manaus." The leader of the delegation, a man named Jed Ziegler, replied. Thin and balding, Ziegler had a shrewd look, but he had been handpicked for his position by President Baum, and had a reputation as a man who was clever, manipulative, but fair-minded and honest.
-"Well all the same, thank you. Give my regards to Vice-President Marshall when you see him." she said, feeling certain that if Marshall hadn't been directly involved in getting her on this flight, he at least knew about it.
-"I'll be sure to pass it along when I return." Ziegler said with a knowing smile.
Cagalli Yula Athha climbed down the ramp and headed towards the Heli, lugging her two briefcases. She would have preferred taking the SkyGrasper all the way, but there had been two problems: First, the SkyGrasper did not have anywhere near the range necessary for such a long journey, so multiple refueling stops would have had to be arranged - a daunting proposition. Second, after leaving the Jeanne d'Arc they'd hit foul weather on the way to the Eurasian Federation Base at Hokkaido and the SkyGrasper had been damaged. Because it was a craft that was no longer in production, repairs would have taken far too long due to the scarcity of available parts - there never were a large number of the aircraft manufactured in the first place.
So instead she had waited a few days and they had discreetly slipped her onto this long-range diplomatic flight to the USSA. Her name did not appear on the passenger list for the aircraft.
But finally, she was home. Almost.
As the Heli came in to land, she saw a small group waiting for her. The tall silhouette of the dark-haired Rondo Mina Sahaku was instantly recognizable, and she guessed Motoko Kayabuki was standing next to her. On Mina's other side, she recognized the portly figure of Unato Ema Seiran, and wondered at the absence of his son.
The other thing she had noticed was the absence of the NDC-01 Takemikazuchi - an enormous supercarrier, far larger than the Alliance's Spengler-class and with nearly ten times the mobile weapon capacity. It had been designed as the cornerstone of Orb's defensive fleet. Also missing from their home berths were several Aegis- and Kuraomikami-class ships that she had intended to assign as the Takemikazuchi's escorts.
Before the Heli's props had stopped spinning, Cagalli was out the door and walking straight up to the group, her irritation mingled with a sense of worry as she saw the smug expression on Unato Ema's face.
-"Representative, how good to see you back safe again." Unato began, but she cut him off.
-"Where is the Takemikazuchi?"
-"I have sent an expeditionary fleet to the Black Sea, with the Takemikazuchi as its flagship...at the request of the Eurasian Federation, with whom we are now allied as a result of the Treaty we signed with them." He lied. Actually, the demand for reinforcement had not come directly from the Eurasian Federation, though the idea to use that nation as justification had been suggested to him - specifically, it was one of the breakaway regions of Western Eurasia covertly supported by the Atlantic Federation, and the order had come through the latter. But obviously, he was not about to tell her that. "Yuna has gone with them as fleet commander, in order to ensure that our ideals are followed."
-"You really think I'm an idiot, don't you?" She glowered. "To make sure our ideals are followed? Your ideals maybe, but not those of Orb, or you would not have sent the fleet at all, leaving our nation essentially defenseless against any potential attack - I remind you that our treaty makes no provisions of any kind for military aid specifically to prevent a situation like this." Cagalli retorted, though she refrained from voicing her opinion that Yuna was too idiotic to command so much as a rowboat, never mind a naval fleet led by the largest aircraft carrier currently in existence.
-"Perhaps so, but that does not mean we cannot provide such aid when requested - it means we do not have to." Unato replied condescendingly.
-"I had given specific orders that the Second Defense Fleet and the Takemikazuchi were to be used only to defend Orb and prevent any enemy from burning our nation to the ground again. Not only did you deliberately violate those orders, but you violated the very ideals of our nation. Get out of my sight."
As Seiran left, she turned towards Mina. "I need you to find out as quickly as possible where our fleet is, and get them back. Let me know when you've established contact with them."
-"Of course." Rondo Mina Sahaku answered, and walked away. Sighing, Cagalli took her briefcases and headed for her office, followed by Motoko.
'At least that moron Yuna isn't here to annoy me.' She thought. She was also thankful that she had assigned Colonel Todaka to command the Takemikazuchi. He at least was a man who truly believed in the ideals of Orb.
March 22th
ZAFT Forces Bandirma Base
Black Sea
"It seems ages since we have been to a place this nice." Arthur commented as he and Yzak disembarked. The Minerva was docked at ZAFT's small coastal base in Bandirma, which was itself a beautiful city, its architecture typical of cities on the Black Sea.
-"I would have to agree," Yzak replied, "Up to now it's been nothing but ocean, mountain, and military bases. I think everyone will appreciate a couple of days of R&R while we resupply."
Looking to the side, Yzak saw that there was a huge crowd of ZAFT soldiers gathered in a large area near the edge of the base, where a huge stage backed by a massive display had been set up. Outside the fences there was a crowd of civilians that was no less enormous. "Well what do we have here?" Yzak asked.
-"I don't know, sir. Your guess is as good as mine."
Their question was answered moments later as music began to play, and three mobile suits suddenly appeared. One of them was a DINN, the second one a new model. Colored gleaming, two-tone orange, it bore a passing resemblance to the ZAKU Warrior, and Yzak guessed that it was an aerial mobile suit in the same general lineage. The two flight-types were supporting a ZAKU Warrior, painted in painfully bright pink colors, and in the ZAKU Warrior's hand was a young girl with long, straight pink hair.
-"Ah, yes. It's Lacus Clyne. I guess Bandirma's the next stop on that tour she's on." Yzak said. "Well, Athrun should be pleased." He added sarcastically as the ZAKU was set down on the stage and the pop idol began to sing.
Whenever I look at you,
Your shadow seems to cast a smile.
Hiding your tear drops from me secretly,
Like you always do
"Pleased" did not exactly describe how Athrun felt when he found out. As the concert began playing in the Minerva's break room, he stepped back, his expression surprised and a little embarrassed. Meer's style was so different from Lacus, despite the physical resemblance.
Hope always may be found,
In the water's evidence.
The loneliness of silence,
Oh yes, I know that well too.
It suddenly occurred to him that he did not recognize the lyrics she was singing, and he supposed that this song was one that Meer herself had written. It seemed to fit better with what he'd seen of her personality than with Lacus.
When the future starts to move, racing on,
Open up the door, it's what you're searching for…
He had to admit, it was a good song. Not really his style of music, but looking at the crowds he saw around the stage on the screen, he guessed it seemed to be quite popular.
All the same, he hoped he wouldn't have to meet her again, though he was not optimistic about his chances.
He was right. At the insistence of Vino and Yolant, the whole lot of them left the ship to get a closer look. The two maintenance techs frayed their way through the crowd to get as close as they could, while Shinn stayed back, a puzzled expression on his face.
Athrun and Lunamaria did likewise, as Athrun found himself remembering the conversation he'd overheard between Vino and Yolant a few days earlier. He shook his head.
-"Did you know she was going to be here?" Luna asked him.
-"Uh...well, no I didn't." Athrun replied.
-"Oh? Well, it's not as if either of you had the luxury of keeping in touch 24/7." Lunamaria replied, smiling. "You're both busy people!"
-"Yeah, I suppose." Athrun said absently. He thought Lunamaria might've been being sarcastic, but he ignored it. As he looked around he saw, some distance away, Chairman Durendal, along with an entourage of lavender-clad officers, and briefly wondered what he could possibly be doing in a place like this…
The crew of the Minerva had been given a couple of days' shore leave after the continuous battles they had been in, so after the concert a few of them were considering going into town - Lunamaria said she needed to pick up a few things. Yolant really wanted to see if he could find a poster of Lacus Clyne while they had the chance, so he said he'd be going too. They talked Shinn into coming along, so the three of them, in civilian garb, left the base and headed into town. Once they parked the car, they went their separate ways after agreeing to meet back at the car in a couple of hours. Lunamaria went her own way, and Yolant and Shinn went in a separate direction.
An hour or so later Yolant found what he'd been looking for, and bought two posters - one each for himself and Vino. Shinn didn't buy anything.
They were on the way back to the car, and took a shortcut through a narrow alley between two shops. Shinn was walking in front and as he stepped out of the alley, someone collided straight into him. Reflexively, he reached out to stop the other person's fall.
"Are you okay?" He asked. She turned to face him, and at that moment, two things occurred to Shinn: First, the girl that had run into him, who had short, blonde hair and bright, violet eyes, was extremely pretty. Second, when he stopped her fall he had unwittingly grabbed ahold of her chest, which meant that his hands were on her breasts.
He blushed violently as he realized this, just as the girl, glaring at him over her shoulder, shook herself loose and ran off down the street.
"You grabbed her rack, didn't you?" He heard from behind him. Yolant of course had seen the whole thing, and he was grinning. Shinn turned even redder as he heard him.
-"Wha...I..."
-"You lucky pervert." Yolant quipped, and walked past Shinn.
-"I didn't...Yolant!" Shinn yelled as he ran after his friend.
That evening Yzak and Athrun as well as Shinn, Lunamaria and Rey were picked up by a black limousine, which led them to an opulent building in the center of town. They were met by a slightly older officer in ZAFT Red uniform, the white pin of a FAITH operative glimmering on his lapel.
The four of them were led to a sprawling terrace, where they saw Durendal sitting at a long table.
"Excuse me, sir. The mobile suit pilots from the Minerva have arrived." Said the officer. Yzak smirked at those words. 'Haven't done much piloting these days.' he thought. He glanced out past the Chairman at the new model mobile suit that stood on the ground behind the building.
"Ah, Athrun." Durendal said as he stood and walked towards the six of them. "It has been a while."
The five of them saluted, then as Durendal held out his hand, Athrun shook it. Yzak frowned.
-"Chairman Durendal." Athrun acknowledged.
-"Commander Joule," Durendal turned to Yzak. "It's a pleasure seeing you again as well."
-"Sir." Yzak replied stiffly as he shook Durendal's hand in turn. The other pilots also lowered their hands.
-"And you are?" Durendal asked as he turned towards the others, who introduced themselves as well.
-"Ah, yes. I have heard quite a lot about you." Durendal said pleasantly to Shinn when he introduced himself. "Your accomplishments in these short months have been quite impressive, young man. In fact you've been recommended for a decoration - you should have the results shortly."
To say that Shinn was surprised at this sudden announcement was an understatement.
-"Th-thank you very much, sir!" he said gratefully.
Following Durendal's lead, they all sat down at the long table, Durendal addressed Shinn again as they were all served coffee.
-"What you accomplished at the Lohengrin Gate was especially impressive - and to think that the engagement at Junius Seven was your first sortie."
-'Second.' Yzak thought, though he wisely kept his mouth closed. 'Their first sortie was when we all got jumped in the Debris Belt.'
-"You're too kind, sir." Shinn said in response, blushing slightly at the compliment. "Commander Zala deserves the credit for a well-planned operation. I...well, I just followed orders, sir."
-"This great city was liberated in a large part thanks to your efforts in taking out that enemy emplacement." Durendal said, looking across the table at all of them. "I am proud of each and every one of you."
-"Thank you very much, sir." Lunamaria said. Athrun was silent, looking preoccupied.
-"The world currently, as you know, is in a state of turmoil." Durendal began to speak again.
-"Have there been any new developments out in space?" Yzak asked, thinking of his former command and worried in particular about Shiho and Dearka. "What about the Earth Forces on the moon?"
-"Nothing has changed," Durendal answered, "A minor skirmish every so often with forces launched out of Daedalus Base, but nothing else. And as for Earth, well I'm in the dark here as well. The political and military situation is complex - so many variables to consider…"
-"Has there been any progress towards a ceasefire or an end to the war?" Athrun asked.
-"Unfortunately not. President Baum of course has been outspoken about his desire to end the hostilities, but President Copeland and the Atlantic Federation remain unwilling to compromise on anything." Durendal said, addressing the table at large.
"Perhaps this is a not a subject I should be raising in front of such fine soldiers as yourselves," Durendal continued, "but ending a war - choosing to walk a path that does not involve fighting - is much harder than making the decision to go to war."
-"Yes, but..." Shinn started to interrupt, but stopped with a hasty apology.
-"No, by all means if you have something to say, go right ahead. I value the opinions of the ones fighting in the front lines." Durendal said. "You could say this is the reason I invited you here."
Shinn hesitated, but steeling himself as he thought of the things he had seen and done, he began to speak again.
-"I agree that it is important to avoid fighting whenever we can, sir. But if the enemy is threatening us, then we have no other choice. Unless we don't fight when there is an obvious need, then we won't be able to protect anything...not even ourselves. Innocent people, those who want to have normal, peaceful lives, should be protected. And if we have to fight to make that happen, then so be it."
Athrun looked at Shinn, not altogether surprised at what he was saying, but surprised at how closely it echoed something he had once heard from someone else, years before. If there are things you want to protect, sometimes you've got to fight for them.
His own words on the subject floated back to his recollection. But then something else he had been told occurred to him, and he spoke.
-"But, there's a problem with that." He began. "A close friend of mine once asked me a question: If a person kills for vengeance, and then is killed for being a killer, then how will we ever find peace? When asked that question, I was unable to find an answer...I still haven't. That's one of the reasons I'm here."
Durendal stood, walking towards the edge of the balcony. "Yes, that is the essential problem." he said. "Why do we keep fighting if there is no end in sight? Why don't wars ever simply go away - in spite of the cries throughout history of the people who claim they hate war and the pain it brings? What do you think, Shinn?"
Shinn hesitated, wondering why Durendal was asking this question of him. He thought about it for a moment before answering.
-"I think...that it's because throughout history, there have always been stupid, selfish people, like Blue Cosmos and the Atlantic Federation, who have caused them...Am I wrong?"
-"No, it is true that there are many people like that. People who hate, fear, and despise those who are different, or who have something they do not. And they continue to fight for reasons like these. However, there is more to it than simply that." Durendal said.
He turned away from the table, facing the mobile suit. "Take for example this machine. The ZGMF-2000 GOUF Ignited, a next-generation aerial mobile suit developed based on the ZAKU Warrior as a successor to the DINN. This particular machine was rolled out of a military factory only days ago."
Durendal turned around again to face them, the GOUF Ignited still standing ominously behind him.
"In a war, missiles are fired, mobile suits and ships are hit and damaged or destroyed. In the meantime, factories continue to make new mobile suits and ships, new missiles and other weapons."
-"Mr. Chairman, what exactly are you saying?" Athrun asked, uncomfortable.
-"Consider for a moment the manufacturing cost of a single mobile suit. If you think about it as a business, no other venture provides that kind of turnover...while simultaneously pulling in enormous profit."
The general consternation at Durendal's final statement among the pilots was clearly palpable. Shinn clenched his fist, frowning at the implication.
-"Sir...that's disturbing." He said.
-"It is. Throughout history there have always been those who have urged others to make war, thinking of it in this manner." Durendal continued. "The current situation is no different, I expect. I am certain that if we look in the shadows of this war, we will find Logos is behind it."
-"Logos, sir?" Athrun asked.
-"Yes...after all, it is they who formed the nucleus of Blue Cosmos." Durendal revealed, though Athrun noted he did not explain any further.
He also wondered how the Chairman could have this information, or if he was merely speculating.
Durendal continued to speak. "As long as we all are dancing to their tune, the PLANTs and the Earth are doomed to never find peace. If at all possible, I would like to change all that...but it is truly the most difficult task imaginable."
The rest of their dinner passed less ominously, however Athrun continued to ponder Durendal's comments about "Logos", whatever it was.
Not long afterwards they all left, and Chairman Durendal offered to allow them to spend the night here rather than return to the ship. Yzak said he would return to the ship, but told his pilots to stay and take up the chairman on his offer.
-"There's no reason for you to hesitate." Athrun said as Lunamaria and Shinn remained reluctant. "Shinn, Lunamaria - you guys stay here. I'll head back to the ship and..."
-"Excuse me, sir." Rey interrupted. "I'll head back to the ship. As the Minerva's top pilots, you and Shinn deserve this honor. And as a gentleman, it's only proper that I defer to Lunamaria so that she too can stay."
-"ATHRUN!" They suddenly heard a familiar voice.
'Oh no...' Athrun mentally sighed as he recognized the figure running towards them down the hall.
Meer ran towards him, bumping into Luna, and threw herself into his arms, much as she had done when they had met in the PLANTs.
Yzak raised an eyebrow. He really wanted to say something, but Athrun looked uncomfortable enough already so he refrained - he'd save it for later.
-"Why, it's Lacus Clyne." Durendal said casually, a hint of amusement in his tone. "That was a wonderful performance."
Composing herself, Meer turned to face the Chairman and answered.
-"Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Chairman." Then she turned back to Athrun, ignoring the annoyed expression on Lunamaria's face and the apparent puzzlement on the others'. "I heard you were at the hotel, so I rushed here as soon as I could. Were you able to see my concert today?"
-"Uh...yeah."
-"What a coincidence," Durendal said, still sounding slightly amused, "and I just finished telling them to relax and spend the night here. Why don't the two of you go out to dinner, on me?"
-"Really?" Meer said, "That would be wonderful! Let's go and make the reservations, Athrun!"
-"Before you leave however, may I have a moment of your time, Athrun?" Durendal asked. Athrun nodded, and the two stepped out into the garden behind the hotel. Meer followed along, but waited on a bench some distance away, her red Haro bouncing back and forth on the bench next to her.
"It's about the Archangel." Durendal began in an undertone. "I'm sure you've heard the news."
-"Yes, I have." Athrun responded. Anticipating the Chairman's next question, he continued "It's been on my mind since it happened, but I have no idea where they could be now, or why they even left Orb. I was thinking of asking you about it."
-"I see. That's unfortunate. You see, I was thinking that if the Archangel and the Freedom really left Orb, then possibly...she might be with them." Athrun knew exactly who she was - Lacus. The real one.
-"I don't think there can be any doubt about it. Kira...the ship wouldn't leave Orb without her." He said firmly.
-"Hmm...Given the present crisis, I was hoping she would return to the PLANTs." Durendal said. "So I've been searching for her...Do you suppose she might have grown tired of us? The way we keep repeating the same mistakes, over and over?"
After a moment's pause, Durendal continued. "If by some chance you were to come into contact with that ship, could you let me know?"
-"Yes, sir. If I may, can I ask the same from you, sir?"
-"Of course." Durendal said, and walked away without another word, as Meer ran towards Athrun and swept him off to leave for dinner.