Disclaimer: Would I be sitting here in my cluttered room in the dark typing if I owned Gundam Seed? Probably, but I still don't own it.

Warning: Violence against Athrun, obviously, and mild swearing.

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Chapter One: Unexpected

He could hear an alarm, blaring loud in his ear. He could feel the scratchiness of his mobile suit against his tense fingers. He could see lights, with little flecks of red blotting them, and a huge window reaching out into the abyss of space. It was funny that he could see, hear, and feel all these things, and still not be able to feel his legs.

Athrun could recall Kira's stubborn face through the fuzzy communication screen, shouting that he would not join ZAFT, and had people on that ship he needed to protect. There were innocents on that ship. Athrun blinked, his vision blurring. But when had everything gone numb? When had the taste of metal filled his mouth? When had... his mind trailed off as a wave of pain coursed through his body, causing him to cough violently. Blood surged into his mouth, trailing down his chin. What? What's happening? Very distantly, out of the corner of his mind, he could here a voice frantically calling his name. "Athrun! Athrun!" Nicol

Kira watched in mute horror as a beam of fluorescent green shot through the bottom half of the Aegis. All he saw was a look of surprise and terror on Athrun's face before glass and metal flew up to obstruct the screen. Noo Tears welled up in his eyes. Why? His alarm sounded as the Blitz dashed towards him. Startled by the noise, Kira readied himself to fight, but the black Gundam flew right past, flying towards the Aegis. Trying to weave through the bits of metal, the Blitz, reached out to grab the cockpit, but was stopped short, as rapid fire missiles hit its arm. It retreated back a bit, and was quickly joined by the Duel and the Buster. They wove back and forth in front of Kira, trying to decide what to do. Why you, Athrun

"Shit shit shit shit shit!" shouted Yzak. Nicol stared blankly at his hands, shocked at his foiled attempt to save Athrun. Dearka was analyzing the ship, trying to decide how to get closer. "Now what?!" Yzak barked to no one in particular, "How did this happen?! Damn you Athrun!" Nicol flinched. Yzak was getting pretty angry to be cursing a fallen soldier like that. Was he? Nicol shook his head. No, most of the cockpit was in okay shape, so possibly. He felt slightly queasy. He focused back on the situation. The Strike and the ship were obstructing their way. To get to Athrun, they would have to go around. The Strike wasn't making any moves yet. Nicol squinted tears from his eyes, trying to gain control. There was also the mobile armour to consider. Nicol was fairly certain it was engaging the Vesalius. Just when he had that thought, there was a massive explosion from behind.

"The Vesalius!" Dearka exclaimed, turning his Gundam back to their ship. The mobile armour had broken through the rage of fire and managed to hit the main engine. It was smoking, and sinking fast. Rau Le Creuset's face flashed up on their monitors. "Return at once." He commanded sharply, "We seem to have underestimated our enemies." Nicol's heart nearly stopped. "But sir!" he protested, "Athrun..."

"He's dead."

"But!"

"Leave him!"

The Commander flashed off the screen. Nicol could feel the bile rising in his throat. First Rusty, then Miguel, now... The retreat flares flew up from the ship. It was time to go. Yzak appeared on the monitor. "Nicol?" Nicol exhaled sharply, biting back a sudden uprising of tears. "Let's go" he replied quietly, turning away from the pile of metal that was the Aegis.

The enemy was retreating. Muww had definitely scored a hit. But it didn't matter. It was all too late. He tasted salt, and felt the tears flow down his cheeks. What did I do? His own ship flew up a retreat signal, and Muww came up on communications. "Hey kid! Good job! You got one!" Kira flinched and turned away. Muww frowned. "Kira?"

"Muww..."

"Yes?"

"Can we, take this aboard?"

"What?"

"Please..."

Muww looked at Kira, regretting his words. He had forgotten that Kira was only a civilian, not a soldier. He was a teenager, for God's sakes! And he had just killed a man. Muww felt a wash of guilt. "Uhh..." He looked up at the other communicator screen, where Murrue was watching him. She too had an uncomfortable look on her face. "Captain?" Stiffly, she nodded her head. The pilot probably didn't survive anyway, and they should pick up the machine. It was their equipment, after all.

"Bring it onboard."