The sentry walked his rounds across the wall of the compound deep in the Andean jungles of South America. The sounds of monkey's and birds resounded out of the jungle, just like they always did, for what seemed like twenty four hours a day. The sentry loosened his collar in the stifling heat and humidity. It was fated to be his last mortal action. Suddenly his head was jerked to the side as if he had just been punched across the mouth. Blood poured from his shattered skull and splattered on the ground. The man literally never knew what hit him.
"Sentry is down." Raine Belaruse said over her encrypted radio as she shifted her sniper rifle's point of aim to a neutral position, waiting for more targets. Below her, in the bushes of the jungle, two men raced forward in a coordinated movement of fire and advance, without the firing part. They reached the edge of the clear space around the compound and one of them halted, setting up a large weapon. The other took several more steps forward before dropping prone, his assault rifle sweeping the wall for targets.
"Vlad... take em out!" the man with the assault rifle ordered. Deep within the bowels of the compound, Vladimir Valkavich tightened his garrote around the throat of the base radio operator. The man frantically scrabbled with clawing fingers for the alarm button, but was drawn inexorably back by the slim Russian. The radio operator kicked and gurgled, then subsided, his windpipe crushed.
"Radio down." Vlad reported before spitting on the corpse. "Damn Blue Cosmos."
"Victor!" the man with the assault rifle said sharply. In response, plumes of flame and smoke instantly rose from a half dozen or so places around the compound, tumbling walls to the ground and shaking the forest with the deafening roar of high explosives.
"Ja, Major. It is done." Victor Klien reported from the opposite side of the compound. Soldiers in all manners of undress, many without weapons, came boiling out of various points of the half destroyed base, shouting and jabbering contradictory orders.
"Alright James, it's our show now." the man addressed as Major said. As soon as he finished speaking, the stuttering sound of heavy machine gun fire filled the air. James, back at the tree line, slowly hosed his stream of bullets back and forth through the milling crowds of soldiers. Bodies spun, jerked and flew backwards. Blood and bone shards flew through the air like horizontal rain. Finally the crowd of soldiers figured out where the firing was coming from and began to head that way, seeking cover in the rubble of the walls, firing what weapons they had. "Uh, uh, uh we can't have that now." Major Alkire Majesty whispered, taking careful aim with his automatic rifle. Firing in long bursts, he wheedled the enemy out from their hidey-holes, so that James's heavy weapon could mow them down like so many wailing weeds. Raine helped out by hitting those who were exposed to fire from above, from her perch in the treetops. The enemy collapsed when Victor and Vladimir hit them from behind. There were no survivors. But then again, the mission profile hadn't called for any.
Later, as the five person squad of commandos were picking through the wreckage, checking for survivors, Alkire came across a large white flag, with the symbol of a blue galaxy on it. "I'd say we hit the right target." he commented, shaking his head. "I still can't believe we're doing this."
"Hey, you guy's didn't have to come along." Vlad said in his normal bleak tones. James came up and clapped the slimmer man across the shoulders. A dull sound of flesh on metal resounded.
"We couldn't let you go by yourself, you'd have been killed. Besides, these fucker's needed killing." James reminded everyone. The target installation had been a Blue Cosmos terrorist training center, where the people that would eventually go out on suicidal Coordinator assassination missions received basic arms and tactical training. The training had been basic indeed, judging from the prospective terrorists conduct in the battle. The crisp sound of sharp metal puncturing skin and bone came from nearby.
"Victor... that one was already dead." Raine complained. Victor stood over the corpse, his razor sharp saber sticking out from the skull where he had thrust it moments before.
"Never can be too sure." Victor replied in his heavy Germanic accent. Raine looked down at the corpse.
"Half his head was blown off by my sniper bullet. If he's not dead from that, sticking your sword in his head probably doesn't bother him too much." Raine mused. Alkire smiled slightly.
"Allright people, enough with the bullshit. Let's do a sweep, remove any evidence and get the hell out of here. When we get back home, the beers are on me." he ordered. As the squad began its sweep, Alkire shook his head mentally. Who'd a thought that now, two months after the actual war between the Earth Forces and the PLANTS was over, that'd he'd still be fighting? Certainly not him. Alkire wasn't sure exactly what had happened up there in space at Jachin Due, the reports had been extremely garbled at the time of the battle, and everybody was keeping quiet about it afterwards, but the rumor mill said the entire Earth had come within about five seconds of being rendered into an irradiated wasteland. Alkire reminded himself to raise a toast to whoever the hell it was that averted THAT catastrophe. Alkire himself had been on Earth at the time, as had every other member of his squad, codenamed TEMPEST. The PLANTS and Earth Alliance had started peace talks during the ceasefire that followed the battle of Jachin Due, but they really hadn't gone anywhere. Blue Cosmos was still much too strong in the EA for peace talks to ever go anywhere. Almost every meeting had occurred under the threat of car bombs, suicide assassins and even, once, Mobile Suit attack.
Alkire harrumphed to himself. That was why TEMPEST was doing what it was now. If Blue Cosmos was removed from the equation, then peace might actually have a chance. The five-person squad might not be able to cleave the organization in two, but they could nibble away at it, causing it to die from a thousand paper cuts. At least, that was the plan. Alkire smiled again. If anyone had ever told him a few months ago, that he, a Natural commando, would be systematically exterminating the most dire enemies of the Coordinators he probably would have recommended the person for a mental institution. It's not that Alkire supported Blue Cosmos, not at all. It's just that the Coordinators WERE the enemy then. Sweep completed, TEMPEST stole off into the woods, headed for their transport home.
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"What the hell happened, Captain?" the man in the shadowed chair said. Captain Asmodeus Sark stood up straighter and blinked his eyes to clear the tears as he stared into the harsh spotlights that glared down at him.
"Well, Mr. Zunnichi, one of our training centers was hit earlier in the day. One of the Andes facilities." Captain Sark replied.
"Not THAT facility?" Mr. Zunnichi, CEO of Cosmos Weapons Manufacturers, the legitimate organization that supplied weapons technology to the EA (Earth Alliance) hissed while leaning forward.
"No... just a minor training center. There were no survivors. It looked like a job done by specialists. The walls were taken down with high explosives, the trainees were machine gunned to death when they rushed out of the buildings. The one item of interest is that the Radio Operator was found with his throat crushed. By a garrote." Captain Sark reported stiffly. Mr. Zunnichi relaxed.
"Well, as long as the JIHAD facility is still undiscovered, the loss is minor." the CEO replied. Captain Sark nodded in agreement. Blue Cosmos had training and indoctrination centers in nearly every country in the world, except for places like Orb. "Still, this isn't something we can just let happen. You say the Radioman was garroted to death?" Mr. Zunnichi asked contemplatively. Captain Sark nodded. Mr. Zunnichi smiled. "Do a routine checkup on some of our estranged members. At this critical juncture, we can hardly afford a rogue killer on the loose."
"Yes, Sir!" Captain Sark replied with a sharp salute, before about facing and marching from the room.
"Progress report on Project JIHAD." Mr. Zunnichi said into the silence. A video screen blinked into existence on one wall of his office. The man that nervously looked out of the screen reminded Mr. Zunnichi of the stereotypical mad scientist, with wild eyes and long white hair sticking up in random directions. The man even wore a lab coat stained with what looked like blood.
"The Merciless, the Fury and the Bane are 85 percent complete. The Purifier is 100 percent complete. Strike Crusader production now stands at thirty units." the man replied quickly. Mr. Zunnichi tapped his fingers on his desk in pleasure.
"Good work. What of the pilots?"
"Biological CPU 4 Ashino is adapting well to his new capacities." the scientist replied, then paused.
"And the others?"
"Well... Mr. Zunnichi, you know that we never even considered going beyond level 4. Mr. Azrael thought it was unsafe sir. And it is. At level 4 the subject becomes withdrawn and sometimes obsessive. At level 5 the subjects become maniacal and actively homicidal." the scientist looked even more nervous. "Already they have tried to slit Ashino's throat several times, and have succeeded in strangling three of their watchers."
"And at level 6? What of Frost?" Mr. Zunnichi asked politely, though a dangerous light gleamed in his eyes.
"BCPU Frost is madness incarnate. If we didn't keep him sedated around the clock every living being in this facility would be dead and probably eaten. He's unstoppable." the scientist complained. Mr. Zunnichi smiled widely.
"That's just what I wanted to hear. You have done good work. Our timetable has been moved up. As soon as the Merciless, the Bane and the Fury are completed, inform me. You will be well rewarded for your efforts." Mr. Zunnichi said. The scientist bowed and the screen blinked off, leaving the room in total darkness. Almost as total as the heart of the man that sat quietly in his plush leather chair.
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"WHAT?" Ysak yelled. "What do you mean "I can't go home just yet."?" he started to pace back and forth, driving his hand into the metal bulkhead with every pass.
"Just what I said, Ysak." Ezalia Jule replied from the video monitor. "Things here are much too confused. The council is barely functioning enough to send ambassadors to the Peace Conferences. The entire GENESIS fiasco has backlashed onto the PLANTS. People wished to end the war, but the idea of wiping out all life on Earth is too much. Nearly the entire military is under suspicion for committing war crimes." she continued, her voice cracking slightly.
"War crimes! What about Boaz and Junius Seven?" Ysak protested. Ezaria just looked at him.
"We are of course pursuing justice for those acts. But right now we can't even get past a barely civil ceasefire. The civilian population of the PLANTS has lost a great deal of trust in the military and governing body. We even had large scale riots and protest marches asking the council members to step down." Ezaria admitted. "I myself have received death threats for my part in supporting Chairman Zala." she said quietly. Ysak stared, dumbfounded.
"Y-you were threatened by other Coordinators?" he asked, disbelieving. "Mother, I have to get home. I have to help out! I'm going nuts cooped up on the Eternal with Lacus Clyne and her supporters for the last two months."
Ezaria looked at her son and a tear trickled down her cheeks. "Ysak, if you come home now, you'll be thrown into prison. Footage of your Duel Gundam destroying a shuttle full of fleeing civilians has been circulating throughout the PLANTS. We'd have to put you in prison in order to save your life! I have received death threats, yes. You, however... they attacked the barracks where you were supposed to be staying and torched it. Since Rau le Creuset is dead, you've become the new scapegoat for everything that's gone wrong with the ZAFT military." she said, wiping away the tear. Ysak just stared dumbly.
"Goodbye, for now, Ysak. I'll get into contact with you on Earth. I love you. Be safe." Ezaria said and the communication terminated. For several long minutes, Ysak could do nothing but stare off into space. This was all crazy! Dearka had been right... again. Every day since the start of the ceasefire seemed to be more insane than the one before. The door to Ysak's quarters hissed open and Dearka and Athrun stepped through.
"... So that's when she hauled off and slapped me. I just don't get her." Dearka was saying, nursing a bright red handprint on one cheek.
"Everyone is getting tense, being forced to stay on board the Eternal and Kusanagi for the last two months. I saw Lacus yelling at Commander Waltfeld yesterday." Athrun replied. "Though if I was Miriallia I would have slapped you in that situation too."
Dearka turned to Ysak. "Hey, Ysak..." he paused, surprised. "You look like you've seen a ghost. What's happened?"
Ysak collapsed into a chair. "The world has been turned upside down." he moaned. Athrun and Dearka looked at each other.
"Huh?" they chorused.
"I just finished talking with my mother. The military is under suspicion for war crimes because of the GENESIS incident. The council has been asked to publicly step down. There are protest marches and riots in the streets of the PLANTS. My mother has received DEATH THREATS from other Coordinators!" Ysak said angrily.
"I knew about the riots and stuff. Lacus has been obsessively tuned into the news coming out of the PLANTS for the last two months. Cagalli's been doing the same for Earth and they've been comparing notes." Athrun replied. "I guess it helps them keep sane, a way of dealing with the constant boredom of just floating here in space because neither side knows what to do with us."
"That's not the worst part. I just learned I'm the number one persona non grata in the PLANTS right now. I've been held up as an example of everything that's gone wrong with ZAFT. People torched my barracks room back home. My mother said I'd have to be placed in jail in order to preserve my life if I came back home. I just don't know what to do anymore!" Ysak said bitterly. Dearka and Athrun stared at him and looked at each other, expressions serious.
"I had no idea things were that bad." Athrun muttered. Dearka smiled and attempted to cheer Ysak up.
"Hey, at least they aren't to the stage of burning effigy's of you in the street." he said with a smile. Ysak picked up his portable computer and chucked it at Dearka. "Ugh!" Dearka cried as the weighty plastic device dug into his gut. He dropped to the ground and rolled around, trying to get his breath back.
"That was uncalled for, Ysak!" Athrun said warily. Ysak shot to his feet and stormed out of the room. Athrun could hear him stomping down the hall for quite a ways. He knelt down by Dearka. "Are you okay?"
"Just... fine. Will... teach... me... to make light... of... Ysak's problems." Dearka managed, still contorted on the ground. Athrun was about to reply when a heavy bag smashed him across the back of the head and sent him piledriving into the floor.
"What did you do to Dearka!" Cagalli shouted, twirling a large canvas bag full of what felt like iron bars but was actually clothing.
"What did I do to Dearka?" Athrun exclaimed. "I was trying to help him! Then you sapped me across the back of the head with that monstrous bag!" he complained, rubbing his head. Cagalli looked at him, as if not sure whether to believe him or not. Miriallia bounded through the door next.
"Cagalli! What's the hold... up?" she began, looking at the two boys sprawled on the floor. Miriallia dropped her two equally large bags and rushed over to Dearka. "Dearka! Are you okay? What did Athrun do to you?" she said in a concerned voice, shooting Athrun a nasty glare.
"I didn't do anything to Dearka!" Athrun protested. Both girls looked at him as if they didn't believe him. "Ysak threw a computer at him!" Athrun informed them.
"It's true." Dearka said, sitting up and rubbing his gut. He looked at Miriallia. "Does this mean you forgive me for waiting inside your room for you to get back from the shower? It was an honest mistake."
Mir looked uncomfortable. "I shouldn't have hit you like that. But you shouldn't be in my room unless I give you express permission. If you carry my bags for me, I'll think about it."
"What's with the bags anyway?" Athrun asked. Cagalli gave him her are-you-really-that-dense look.
"Didn't you know? Lacus and I managed to get us transport back down to Earth. We're all sick of these ships. We're leaving in about an hour. You should get packed."
"That's news to me too." Dearka piped in. "Where on Earth are we going? Back to Orb?"
Cagalli looked slightly upset. "No... not back to Orb. Orb is still in complete disorder right now. There's been some... complications with its political structure. We're going to Switzerland, in the Eurasian Federation." she replied. Athrun looked at her, noting her slight hesitancy when she talked about Orb's situation. He'd have to pry the details from her later, in private.
"Why Switzerland? I mean, wouldn't it be better to go somewhere where Natural-Coordinator tensions are less strained?" Dearka observed.
"Switzerland IS the best place to go, actually. It has a tradition of neutrality during wars. Even during the last war, they only provided medical services and supplies to the Earth Forces. It's also were several of the refugee camps are set up, so we'll be able to blend in with them. Besides, it's time we stopped trying to hide ourselves away from the problem. Coordinators and Naturals are going to have to learn to get along or the entire war and yours and Kira's sacrifices will be in vain." Cagalli replied.
"Hey, I only lost a mobile suit. Truth be told, I much prefer working on Coordinator-Natural relationships than I ever did my machine." Athrun said, smiling at Cagalli. She smiled back and his heart fluttered.
"Maybe that's because it's such rewarding work. For both sides." She replied, voice lowering. Dearka looked at them and then at Miriallia.
"Right then... why don't we leave you two here... in Ysak's room." he said, trying for sarcasm. Neither Athrun nor Cagalli noticed. Miriallia grabbed Dearka's arm and pulled him quickly out of the room, obviously just as embarrassed as he was.
"Those two are seriously hormone imbalanced." Dearka commented as soon as they were out in the hall with the door shut. "I caught them making out on the bridge during duty hours one time. Any time, any place seems to be good for them."
"I think it's sweet. That two people could care for each other so much. I think it's a good sign when Coordinators start falling in love with Naturals and vice versa." Miriallia replied with an arced eyebrow. "Don't you?"
"Umm... err... ahh...uh." Dearka gasped out, feeling like the breath had been driven out of him all over again. This is nuts! I never had problems being witty around girls before! Now I'm making myself look like a total fool! When she looks at me like that I go weak in the knees and the head. It's a good thing Ysak's not around, he'd laugh himself sick. "Yes. It's very... sweet." Dearka managed. Boy, if the guys back at the training barracks heard me say that, I'd be ruined for sure.
"You're nice to say that, Dearka." Miriallia touching his cheek for a brief instant. What am I doing? she shrieked at herself mentally. Tolle... I'm sorry. I almost betrayed your memory just now. But I can't help it! Dearka is so nice! He's not at all the insensitive jerk I thought he was. When he looks at me I feel just like I did when you held my hand or held me in your arms. And he's really cute. Gah! Stop it, Mir, or you're going to go out of control! C'mon, get your act together. Dearka had stiffened like a tree at her touch and was just bringing his hand up to touch hers when she pulled away. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that." Miriallia said in a small voice.
Dearka stared at her and touched his cheek where she had. "Please... Miriallia... just give me a chance." he whispered. Her eyes started to quiver and she looked away.
"I... I..." she began and sidled closer. Before the moment could get any further along there was an interruption.
"I think I'm going to vomit." Ysak commented. He was standing a few yards away up the hall, staring at them. "I'm sorry I threw that computer at you." Ysak volunteered. "I came back to tell you it was shallow of me."
God damn it Ysak, the one time I wish you didn't apologize, you do. Dearka thought darkly. The moment was ruined, Miriallia pulled away again and took a few steps back. I could just shoot him right now. Dearka thought, glaring at Ysak. Ysak folded his arms across his chest and glared back.
"I just heard that we're going to be taking a shuttle to Switzerland. We'll be staying there for the next few weeks or so. I came back to get packed." Ysak informed them, heading towards his room. Dearka suddenly remembered who was inside and what they were doing.
"Hey... Ysak... you shouldn't open that door." Dearka warned. Ysak glanced at him in surprise and annoyance.
"I'll open any damned door I please. Especially the one to my own room. Which I have to go inside, in order to pack. I didn't think your brain was THAT muddled, Dearka." Ysak said with a flick of his eyes towards Miriallia. He then stepped over to the door controls and, still smirking at Dearka, walked inside. Dearka covered his eyes with a hand. Miriallia covered her mouth with one hand in shock. By her intake of breath, Dearka could guess what she was looking at. "AAAHHHGGG!" Ysak screamed. "What the HELL do you two think you're doing in MY ROOM?" Dearka peeked between his fingers.
Cagalli and Athrun were lying on Ysak's bed, with Athrun's shirt part way unbuttoned and Cagalli lying on top of him, one hand frozen as it pulled a lock of Athrun's hair away from his face so she could get at his lips more easily. Athrun had one arm on Cagalli's back and the other on her ass. Both of them were as still as statues, looking at Ysak in pure shock. "GET OUT! GET OUT NOW! You've contaminated my bed sheets! You've soiled my eyes! I don't want to see either of you again for the rest of my life!" Ysak ranted, grabbing Cagalli's bag and heaving it out the door before storming over to his recently vacated bed and tearing the sheets off of it and throwing them into the corner.
"I'm... uh... ooops." Athrun stuttered. Ysak glared at him and advanced with fists clenched.
"OUT! Out, out, out, out, out! NOW!" Ysak practically hurled them out of his room physically before shutting the door and audibly locking it. Dearka could still hear Ysak raging through the door, slamming his feet into the floor and punching bulkheads with wild abandon.
"I told him not to open the door." Dearka made sure to point out. Athrun and Cagalli were both deep crimson red. Athrun hurriedly buttoned his shirt and picked up Cagalli's bag.
"We're going now. See you later." he rushed out before practically running away down the hall, Cagalli close on his heels. Dearka and Miriallia looked at each other before breaking up into fits of hysterical laughter.
"A... hah hah... good sign... heh hah... indeed!" Miriallia gasped out, holding her stomach is if it were fit to burst.
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"Kira... could you carry my bag for me?" Lacus asked shyly. She and Kira were standing inside her room on the Eternal, which she had just finished cleaning out of all her stuff.
"Sure Lacus." Kira said with a brief smile. He sauntered over to the bag and tried to tug it off the floor. "Urgh. Whats in this thing? Bowling balls?" he complained.
"Just a few personal items. Some clothes, accessories and mementos. The usual stuff I bring with me when I travel. Why?" Lacus replied coyly. Kira looked at her and smiled again.
"Few? Some? This bag doesn't feel like it has few or some in it. More like many and lots." Kira teased. Lacus blushed.
"It's not too heavy is it?" she asked worriedly. Kira continued smiling and pulled the bag off the ground and onto his shoulder with a convulsive heave.
"Nah. I got it. Though I hope they have a dolly for it when we get back to gravity."
"Are you saying I'm a bulky packer?" Lacus asked back, enjoying herself.
"Not compared to Cagalli you aren't." Athrun said as he swung around the doorway into the room. His face was flushed and he was breathing hard. Lacus floated over to Kira and placed her hand on his arm. He smiled at her again and clasped her hand in his. Cagalli entered the room a moment later. She too was flushed and breathing hard.
"You look like you two just ran a marathon." Kira observed. Cagalli and Athrun looked at each other and shared a shy smile.
"It felt like that at times." Cagalli hedged. Lacus covered her mouth and giggled. Lacus had a pretty good idea of what Athrun and Cagalli were flushed about. Kira looked at her and then at Athrun and Cagalli.
"I'm missing something here. What's the joke?" Kira asked. The other three people stared at him.
"Have you really not noticed?" Lacus asked, dead serious.
"Noticed what?"
"Kira... you've been up here for two months since the last battle and you don't know? How could you not?" Lacus protested.
"Know what?" Kira asked, confused. Lacus sighed and looked at Cagalli and Athrun for help.
"He's your little brother. You explain."
"I think it's better demonstrated than explained." Athrun said boldly. He put his hand on Cagalli's shoulder and gently turned her so they were facing each other. He slowly bent forward and kissed her full on the lips. Cagalli put her arms around him and pulled him closer, giving a small sound of delight when they stopped for breath. Lacus watched Kira's eyes nearly fall out of his head.
"Do you understand now?" Lacus asked with a grin that for her was quite wicked.
"When? What? How?" Kira swayed and nearly fell over. Lacus had to use both arms to support him.
"You asked me to protect her during the battle. She and I promised to do the same for each other before the battle even started. I'm just protecting her in the best way I know how." Athrun commented, taking a short break. Cagalli smiled at her little brother.
"And I'm protecting him too. He's really more fragile than you'd think. See!" Cagalli pinched Athrun's stomach and caused him to jump backwards in surprise. Kira just stood with his mouth open. "Now don't you go into overprotective brother mode. I can handle myself. And him too. Well, goodbye. See you at the shuttle!" Cagalli said cheerily, as Athrun hoisted her bag onto his back with a grunt. In moments they had disappeared.
"Kira?" Lacus said quietly as she stood with her arms around him holding him up. Kira closed his mouth and whetted his throat.
"How did I not notice? It all seems so clear to me now." he asked, plaintively. "I was wondering why I was seeing so little of Athrun and Cagalli."
"You aren't unhappy, are you?" Lacus asked. Kira shook his head.
"I don't think I could be more pleased. I just hope Cagalli doesn't tear Athrun apart. She's a wild fire." Kira said with a laugh. Lacus joined him. When they quieted, she noticed Kira hadn't pulled away. She looked up and found him looking down at her.
"Kira?"
"I was wrong. I could be more pleased. I just realized how stupid I've been."
"Kira?"
Kira slipped his arms around Lacus and turned to face her. "Are you sure you're ready, Kira?" Lacus asked in a hopeful tone. "You're not going to freak out and get all gloomy on me?"
Kira looked at her and leaned closer. "I can't promise that. Though I will promise to try. But I'll... I'll need your help Lacus. I'm just not strong enough by myself." he whispered. Lacus decided to accept that for now.
"We'll have to work on your self confidence. I believe I know the first lesson." she told him, standing up on tiptoe so their lips met. As things turned out, they were nearly late for the shuttle.