Gundam SEED: Arbiter Forces
By: Shadow Chaser
An Alternate Universe to Entropy Rising
Story:
Previously on Gundam SEED: Arbiter Forces…
"Kira…had been the more dependent and fragile than the two of you, but when you were just newborns, even you were the one to support Kira. Don't falter now for his sake…and for your own…"
"I know…" Cagalli whispered.
"What is it? Has Sven Anderson not been defeated?" Eileen looked worried and Ezalia had a pinched look on her face.
"He has," Lacus reassured them, "but he was working for someone else."
"What?" Eileen asked, surprised, but she managed to keep her face from showing the shock.
"He claimed to be working for Patrick Zala."
"WHAT?!" this time there was no keeping shock from either Eileen's face or Tad Elsman's face. Only Ezalia slowly lowered her head down.
"He did it then…" the white-haired councilor said and Lacus stared at her.
"Senator Amalfi is correct," Lacus smiled at the man before turning to face Eileen, "you'll need to alert ZAFT that there is a traitor in the PLANTs. Don't give out Zala's name, it will cause panic. Ezalia, will you be able to get your Intelligence Division to search for any traces of Zala?"
"Yes. I'll have my top people on it," Ezalia looked confident.
"Tad, since your field is biochemistry, we'll need to check all of the pharmaceuticals for a specific type of drug that is ingested. From what I know of Rau Le Creuset, the aging process has a toll on the physical capabilities and he had to take a certain type of medicine to prevent that. Do you Yzak or Dearka know of what medication he took?"
"No, Miss Lacus," both Dearka and Yzak shook their heads, "he was very secretive with what he did in his office."
"All right…I'll see if Athrun has any information his father left for him about the cloning process," Lacus paused for a second before getting up, the rest of them also rising from their seats. "Eileen, tell the rest of the Council, but if word of this gets out, we could have problems."
"Don't worry Lacus, we'll find Zala and stop him," she replied.
Phase Four – Plans
Athrun stared at the readouts that were in front of him. These were the notes that Mrs. Yamato had personally handed to him. They contained all of the information concerning Dr. Hibiki's research that she had…and he was hoping that there was some clue in there to help him figure out what Patrick Zala, he refused to call the clone his father, was going to do with Kira.
"Do you want a break Athrun?" Erica Simmons asked as she passed by him, carrying a mug of coffee.
"No thank you," he replied, flipping to another set of notes. His eyes scanned the material quickly, a part of him horrified at what the research contained. No wonder Kira's mother was so quiet and very reluctant to say anything about her son's past. These tests and their results were certainly frightening and he had begun to understand why his father was so interested in this research.
He knew that the population of Coordinators was becoming less and less with each generation that was born and some of the research that Dr. Hibiki conducted could potentially prevent Coordinators from becoming a thing of the past in the future. But this… He closed the file and sat back, unable to read further on. He had to take a break from all of this…horror show…
Closing his eyes briefly, he massaged his temples. His father was truly insane…what had his mother seen in the man known as Patrick Zala. He remembered that his father had been a kind gentle man when they were living at Copernicus City, sometimes doting, but he always had a smiling face. Was that the same man that had tried to hunt down Kira? There was the possibility of a split personality, but his father was a Coordinator, second generation, and his genes were supposed to prevent any disease or any defects.
However, he had read in Hibiki's notes that even though Coordinators were created to be perfect genetically to the parent's wishes, the possibility of having problems was in the mother's womb, that was why he created an artificial womb to try to combat that particular problem. It was feasible that his father might have developed a genetic anomaly and had a split personality – but then…
Why did he want Kira for all of this? His thoughts were interrupted as Erica tapped his shoulder, making him open his eyes and stare up at her.
"You might want to see the news. Something's happened," she said and he quickly touched a few buttons to bring up a TV feed on the monitor he was working on.
"-we repeat this broadcast, we would like to warn viewers that what you're about to see is pretty graphic and to use your best judgment if your children are in the room" the anchor sitting at the news desk was saying, "the event happened just mere hours ago and our satellite feeds only caught this."
The anchor looked pale, but as the camera switched to the footage, Athrun saw that she turned her head to the side, where streaks of tears could be seen over her make-up. The footage was blurry and a bit distorted, but he nonetheless felt his jaw drop a few centimeters at what he saw. It was a medium sized metropolis, an aerial view when suddenly there was an explosion from one of the buildings then suddenly what looked like red claws of destruction radiated outwards from the epicenter of the initial explosion. Athrun had seen that type of reddish explosion before…it was the deadly radiation from microwaves generated by Genesis…
And from what he saw, he was reminded that something similar to this happened to Josh-A base in Alaska in the war two years ago. That was the Cyclops system – had someone built a system underneath the metropolis and it accidentally went off?
"Reports have been flooding in that this was no ordinary explosion," the reporter came back on, "and ZAFT, Orb, and OMNI military officials confirm that it was similar to the weapons used in the destruction of the Josh-A base in Alaska, and the Genesis at Jakin Due. As viewers might remember, after the Armistice Treaty was signed by both factions of the PLANTs and Earth, anything related to neutron jammers was immediately sealed up. So this leaves the question – who knew.
"Right now fingers are pointed at both and we go live to the Senate floor in Orb's Onogoro Island to see what the delegates and representatives are discussing about. Here is David Glenn."
"Currently both OMNI and ZAFT are pointing fingers at each other, blaming each other for violating the treaty and Orb's leader Princess Cagalli Yula Attha has not gotten up to stop the two main representatives. Tensions are obviously high in this room, we'll listen in to the arguments for a while," the reporter had his cameraman pan to the floor where Athrun saw Cagalli standing at the podium, a bit harried as she was probably hastily escorted from her office to the Senate, still being rebuilt after the explosion caused by Griever weeks ago, her expression stoic.
Meanwhile, he saw that the two head representatives of OMNI and ZAFT, not of PLANT or Earth, were yelling at each other, jabbing fingers and occasionally giving each other obscene gestures. Athrun shook his head before flipping off the TV; it would take a while for them to cool down so it was pointless to watch.
"Why didn't we get any information on this?" he asked Erica who had sat down next to him to watch the feed.
"We had been in the middle of investigating the metropolis for a few months, but there was no solid lead in there. There's already a team sent out to figure out if it was indeed a Cyclops-like system or if something was fired from space down to the city," Erica explained.
"But if it was from space, PLANT would have had plenty of warning," Athrun mused quietly to himself before he suddenly thought of something, "unless…"
"Athrun?"
"Hold on," he quickly brought up the notes he had inherited after his father died and quickly scanned through them. He finally found what he was looking for. "Look," he pointed at the notes, "my father before he died was planning to build more of 'Genesis' like systems, except he wanted to use the remnants of Junius Seven to set it up as a base against the Earth. He was originally going to use the Genesis at Jakin Due to destroy part of the Earth, but he also had plans to set up another one to prevent the re-colonization of Earth by Naturals."
"So you're saying that the blast came from space and it wasn't like the Cyclops system?" Erica asked.
"Most likely," he brought up the TV feed again, which just so happened to repeat the newscast again, showing the footage. "Look, the blast isn't what you expect of the Cyclops system. Though it looks like it's not at an angle, there is a slight discrepancy of how the buildings are destroyed."
"Didn't you say these were your father's plans, only given to you? Because that would mean that someone else got their hands on these plans," she frowned and Athrun pursed his lips.
"It can also mean that the clone of Patrick Zala is the one who built this," he whispered.
"But…that's not possible…it would take at least months to build one on Junius Seven, unless…" Erica trailed off as the same thought occurred to her.
"Unless he was using Sven Anderson as a decoy for everything he was working on. Let loose the Talon to do his dirty little schemes while he built a weapon of death in space," he finished Erica's unspoken thought.
"I'll call Captain Ramius and the others of the LF immediately," Erica said.
"I'll brief Cagalli. Meet you in the secondary briefing room in one hour," he said as she left.
By the time he was able to talk to Cagalli Athrun only had fifteen minutes to tell her his theory and at the same time take her to the main briefing room in Morganroete of the LF. The Senate Hall had adjourned for a few hours, as tensions rose just a bit too high and a near scuffle broke out between Senator Ivensten, who had taken over Earth Majority Leader Senator Ingriss' position after she had died during the bombings, and Senator Gabriel of the PLANTs. Since Senator Amalfi and Lacus were not there, Gabriel was technically the representative of all PLANTs.
All of the media networks were currently playing the proceedings and each network had their own theory. Some analysts were blaming PLANT and others the Earth – much like what had happened after the bombing. But still, a great many of them were questioning the LF itself – why didn't they come to the aid? How could they not have known? Where was the peacekeeping force they were supposed to be?
"You do know that if you go up to Junius Seven right now, there will be suspicions and PLANT will have a fit of sorts," Cagalli said as they sat in the back of her car that was driving towards Morganroete.
"It'll probably just be the Archangel then. The other LF ships are going to have to keep patrolling and looking for any signs of that clone," Athrun said in a slightly bitter voice.
"Why not the Babylon? Archangel is too visible of a ship. Everyone knows what it looks like," she replied.
"If the Babylon goes, then it would cause panic, as it is only a ship that was unveiled in recent days. PLANT trusts the Archangel, as it may be a former OMNI ship – and they know that Lacus will vouch for it if it goes anywhere," he explained and Cagalli nodded before her expression became quiet.
"You'll also be going?" she asked quietly.
"I have to," Athrun put an arm around her and drew her closer to him, "If that thing is up there…there might be something about why my father wanted to kidnap Kira so badly. And…" he hesitated, "I want to know if everything about my father is true – or was he the father I knew before mother died."
"I want to come with you," she said.
"I want you to come too…but…"
"I know, my duties here," she laughed bitterly, "my father entrusted the future to us. But I don't want to live the life of a politician…I'm not cut out for it. I want to be like you Athrun, free…but it can't be helped can it?"
"One day, you'll be free of that and then we will go anywhere among the stars. But until that day, be strong. I told you before, I won't leave you, ever," he kissed her briefly on her lips as the car pulled to a stop by the main Morganroete building.
They got out and headed towards the secondary briefing room where the LF personnel usually met and took her seat at a circular table that was set up in the room. Athrun sat next to her, noticing Erica and the command crew of the Archangel was there along with Ledonil Kisaka and Kira's parents.
"Thank you for coming. The reason the Archangel is the only one being sent up there because you currently are the only ship that has the respect of both OMNI forces and ZAFT forces," Cagalli started after a few seconds of getting her composure up, "Captain, I must stress that your actions are going to reflect whether Orb or the LF can survive into the future. Currently, opinion in the Senate of Orb's policy and of the LF's is bad. They think we can't prevent something like this from happening and opinion is low."
"I understand," Murrue replied.
"But…if it is a dead end," she dared not look at Athrun, but she had to cover all of her bases, "head to PLANT to help Lacus…"
"All right," the woman nodded and Cagalli could see sympathy in her eyes, but then again they had all been through hell these past few weeks so she didn't really mind. All of those that belonged to the LF stood up and saluted her before walking out, save for Murrue and Athrun who stayed behind to converse, probably about transferring the Justice to the Archangel.
Cagalli turned and saw Kira's parents approaching her. "Mr. and Mrs. Yamato," she greeted.
"I take it that Athrun's going to go help the Archangel," Kanoko stated, glancing at Athrun who was in deep conversation with Murrue.
Cagalli nodded and Kanoko continued, "Cagalli, I will continue looking through the notes Patrick Zala had gathered during the experiment so we can find Kira."
"Yes…" Cagalli sensed that there was something that Kanoko was hesitating to tell her.
"Cagalli, Keiji wants to join the LF," she started then stopped and Cagalli frowned.
What was going on? They were adults and so were able to make their own choice. Why were they telling her this?
"I know the LF's policies are to keep the peace only using the least amount of force and you do not resort to assassinations or anything of that sort. But, I wish to join the LF as an assassin," Keiji picked up after his wife's pause and Cagalli's eyes bugged.
A what? Did she hear him correctly? An assassin?
"Assassin?" she echoed, unsure of what she had heard.
"Yes," Keiji lowered his eyes, unable to meet her shocked look, "only temporarily though. My mission would be to assassinate Patrick Zala," he said, "afterwards, I would resign my commission."
"But…" she was at a loss for words.
"I will not associate myself with anyone of the LF nor bear the name of the LF, but I only ask for your blessing to carry out the mission I had been assigned so many years ago since I left OMNI," Keiji continued.
"But…why do you need my permission?"
"Because you are Kira's only living relative. I know you don't like assassins working for you, but please just this once…I want Kira back as much as you do. He's…my son," Keiji whispered the last part.
"M-Mr. Yamato," Cagalli stammered, "it's not that I don't approve of the method of assassination, it's just that…what if Kira sees you trying something like this? He'll be hurt…I'll be hurt…he wouldn't want you or your wife to risk yourselves on his behalf. He loves you both and I think to see the two of you safe, is what he would want right now.
"Please…don't do this…I don't want anyone getting hurt anymore…" she raised a hand to stifle a half-sob, "Athrun's going…you're telling me this…why…why…"
"It's an atonement for the mistakes we've done for the past, Cagalli," Kanoko rested a hand on her shoulder, "wars were never meant to be fought, but if something like this is allowed to continue, then things will spiral out of control."
"I know…" she whispered, "thank you…and you have my blessing…"
"Thank you Cagalli. You are more like your father Uzumi than you think," Keiji looked up and smiled gently at her.
"So what are we doing here Yzak?" Dearka groused for at least the fifth time in the span of the two hours they had been sitting in an open-aired restaurant on Februarius City, waiting for their contact.
"Waiting," Yzak admired his own patience at trying to teach his friend the points of gathering intelligence and infiltration.
"How long is this supposed to take?" the blond-haired man asked.
"As long as it should. Stop being so impatient Dearka," he replied before he tilted the sunglasses that he wore to see a beautiful looking woman walking towards them, a shopping bag in her hand. She gave them a jaunty wave.
"Alan! Ivan! What are you doing here?!" the woman approached them and Yzak stood up, smiling at her as he offered her the third seat at the table they were sitting at. Lacus had given them new identities for their preparation to try to find where Patrick Zala was located – she was sure he was somewhere in the PLANTs.
He had the identity of Ivan Yarovich, given that the Joule family did have some Russian blood in them, and Dearka had the name of Alan Kingston, relating to part of his English blood.
"Hello Diana," he greeted in a smooth tone, "have a good time shopping?"
"Very much, thank you," she smiled at him, "I take it you've been waiting for me all this time? I apologize if I was late."
"For you, you're never late," he replied before sitting down next to her, swiping the two identity cards she had discreetly put into her palm for him to take in one fluid motion. He pocked the cards easily and folded his hands together. "So, what did you get us?"
"You? No…these are my own things, though I did find some cute outfits for you dear Ivan," she was their contact. Though she too didn't know where Patrick Zala was, she was a maintenance worker on the PLANTs and would supply them with the necessary outfits and identity cards to slip in and out the many inner workings of PLANT, away from the artificial atmosphere, land, and water and into the metallic bodies of the PLANTs.
Lacus had theorized that it would be better to search for Zala in the inner workings of each PLANT because he wouldn't be able to announce his coup and his money resources would be limited. She also surmised that if he had captured Kira, it would be to further the research of Dr. Ulen Hibiki – which meant that the scientific levels would be not on the surface of the PLANTs, but instead underground.
Yzak had not asked why would Zala capture Kira, and he didn't really want to know, so he had left it at that and started out on the mission with Dearka – who surprisingly had requested a transfer from the Archangel to the Clyne Faction of the LF. He had thought his friend was happy with his Natural girlfriend, Miriallia, but apparently, things weren't as they seemed.
Diana handed over two bags that were colorful to the eye, but deceptive. In them, he knew contained the outfits necessary to the next part of their mission. "I hope you enjoy them."
"Suits?"
"Yes Alan. Next time you bring me to a party, wear them. That last one was a horrid affair. I nearly died of embarrassment," she giggled before getting up, "thanks boys. I'll see you later!"
She took off, walking with an air of confidence, her shopping bags (Yzak suspected they contained real clothing she brought to help her cover), bouncing on her side.
"Yep…she brought us suits. So when's the next party?" Dearka asked.
"Tonight," Yzak replied before picking up the cup of tea that had been in front of him, cooling, and taking a sip.
Patrick Zala sat in a bare office. It wasn't as spacious as the one where he had been head of the Defense Committee back on PLANT – but it was usable for now. There was a tentative knock on his door and he looked up from the reports his scientists were sending to him about the boy named Kira Yamato.
"Yes?"
The door opened and one of his lieutenants stepped in and saluted, "Sir. We've received reports that the testing of the Exodus System is completely operational. We are ready to begin Phase Two of the Exodus Program."
"You have my permission. Send a task force to keep an eye on the original. We don't want anyone destroying it now would we," he replied.
"Yes sir," the lieutenant snapped a salute once more before stepping out of the office, door hissing close behind him.
Zala let a feral smile appear on his lips for a brief moment before he glanced down at the recent results he had received. It was astounding; the boy named Kira Yamato was absolutely the perfect creation. There was no other like him and he suspected there would never be. He would have to bid his time with this boy, to eventually turn him into his own forged weapon – willing to do anything for him. It had taken him this long to get Kira, but he was still a patient man – after all, the boy should have been his years ago, if that stupid man Keiji Yamato had not screwed up.
Tossing the report aside, he pressed a button on the side of his desk, "Doctor Paiget?"
"Sir?"
"Has his essence transferred yet?"
"Yes sir. He's almost ready to be awakened."
"Good. Send him up when he's ready. The next phase of the plan is about to start."
"As ordered sir," the doctor replied before Zala cut off the comm. He let the feral smile creep across his face once more and stared into the darkness. Everything was going according to plan…and soon…all the Naturals in the world would be wiped off the face of the Earth, leaving in place a new race to start off – a new Coordinator population.
In another part of the facility where Patrick Zala was, Doctor Paiget, a cold ruthless man who was in his mid-thirties, studied the brainwave readout that was his current patient. It had not been easy getting whatever was left of the essence from Colony Mendel back to here – and he had almost lost it, but thankfully, he was able to salvage at least most of the essence.
He stared at the patient who was laid out on an operating table, completely naked save for a towel draped over his privates for posterity sake. The boy was perfect…except for one thing they couldn't eliminate, a scar that ran down the left side of his face. Slowly, the boy opened his purple eyes and they blinked once, twice, before he sat up, his brown hair matting his face.
"I trust you're feeling better, Griever?" he asked.
Author's Notes:
AU – Alternate Universe, for those that don't know. I am basing this off of Entropy Rising. The other story, Destiny Falling, is a sequel to Entropy Rising. So this story is an AU of an AU. Weird huh?
Reviving Dead Characters – For those familiar with my Gundam Wing stories, I tend not to kill off major villains until I say so – and so this is why Griever is still alive. The cloning process concerning Griever will be explained and about transfer of essences and stuff – it's a bit based on Star Wars' Dark Empire comics (horrid comics, but useful info).
Battle info – I know that my mobile suit battles aren't too accurate as I have made mistakes in weaponry and some stuff. But usually I'm pretty accurate – I guess I'll have to check out the specs on the Gundams and ships again.