Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam SEED yada, yada, yada.
This chapter took 11 Days to write. It was a bit difficult considering I knew what I wanted to do with it, but I found myself running short of my targets, so I tweaked it a little and I think I made it better. Remember to R&R or get killed by Kira :P
Kira: Ooooh, wait? What? I have to drive to Athrun's house and pass all that blood again?
Athrun: Get over it cry baby, your not the one on a PLANT Shuttle in hand cuff's with a really bad headache now, are you?
Cagali: Will you two shut up? Some of us are thinking here!
Kira & Athrun: Sorry!
Athrun's Trial - Chapter 2: Homecoming
The shuttle carrying Athrun from Orb to the PLANT capital of Aprilius arrived at dock about midnight, Athrun wasn't exactly in a co-operative mood when the soldiers kicked him out of bed. He'd been sleeping the majority of the trip and having horrific nightmares to add to his already growing fear and pain. His nightmares consisted of what might happen to him while he was in PLANT and how Kira, Lacus and most importantly Cagali would feel if anything worse did happen to him. But that was the least of his problems now, he was on the floor of the shuttle in pain and the ZAFT Soldiers were just continuing to add to it by kicking him around.
"MOVE NOW ZALA!" A voice commanded, Athrun just smirked back.
"You think I'm going to willingly walk into a prison where even the inmates would want to kill me?" Athrun sneered, "Not a chance."
"Well, where else do you think we're going to send you?" The agitated soldier asked vehemently, "Your Dead Father's Mansion?"
"No," Athrun shivered, "But you will be taking me to the Orb Consulate. As a citizen of Orb, I do have rights! Even here of all places."
"Orders from Chairwoman Canaver are to take you into the High Security Wing of the Aprilius Federal Prison and place you in the Isolation." The Soldier answered, "Your legal counsel can meet with you there, nowhere else."
The soldiers would take no more rebuke, they hauled Athrun to his feet and between them, escorted him to the Federal Prison's High Security Isolation Wing. Athrun was given the same rough treatment by the prison staff, he refused to wear the prison uniform. So one guard hit him over the head, where they knew even the slightest touch would cause pain. Athrun then however hammered his point home.
"I won't wear it," Athrun sneered, "And do you really wanna risk removing these hand cuff's?"
The guards decided to let him be, they quickly marched him to his cell and locked him in.
It was, dark, cold and Athrun felt lonely. It reminded him of the end of Bloody Valentine, where he'd decided to end it all, the suffering, the pain. Then Cagali had decided to interrupt his attempt to stop the war by way of suicide. And now, here he was, a prisoner because of what he did to end that god damned war.
Kira meanwhile had been at Cagali and Athrun's house attempting to find the false floor in this draw. It was beyond frustrating. When Athrun invented somewhere to hide things, he made sure it was nigh on impossible to open or get to for anyone except himself. Kira sighed, this was just going to annoy him too much, but he wasn't going to risk damaging whatever evidence Athrun had managed to obtain, so he patiently continued trying to pry the floor of the draw out. Finally Kira became frustrated, his best friend was in danger and he couldn't get the evidence of who kidnapped him out of a measly wooden draw? Pathetic, for someone who was supposed to be the Ultimate Coordinator anyway. Kira walked over to Athrun's mechanical work bench, or rather, what was left of it, grabbed the closest hammer and walked back over to the draw, he placed the hammer between a side and the floor, he then applied a large amount of pressure and the front of the draw bounced off, Kira took a look underneath and saw a tiny catch that held it on. He hit himself in the head, it had to be something simple didn't it?
Kira tipped out the contents of the draw and found several ZAFT Order notes from the Chairwoman herself and FAITH Badges. Yep, this was a ZAFT kidnapping alright. Kira hopped in his car and drove straight to Cagali's office. He handed her what he'd found and told her to make sure they bought Athrun home safely.
Cagali was infuriated with her Cabinet, none of them wanted to know anything to do with Athrun's kidnapping. They were all playing the 'We're Neutral what does this have to do with us' card, they just didn't want anything to do with it because they thought it would just be a burden on them. So she decided it was time they got a taste of reality.
"Athrun Zala defended our nation against the attack from the Earth Forces," Cagali emplored them to help, "He knew the consequences. But he also expected our help in shielding him from those consequences. He fought in countless battles for us, he protected the Kusunagi when it was about to be destroyed. He was even prepared to throw his life away at the end for us, and here you all are trying to wash your hands of the situation. You people appal me."
"Yes," Unato sighed, "But you're missing the point. We can't just accuse Eileen Canaver of kidnapping one of our citizens when we have no actual proof it was her. Furthermore, how does it impact us?"
"I didn't want to play this recording if I didn't have to, but it seems necessary," Cagali moaned. She loaded Athrun's video onto the main screen of the room and played it. The remaining representative's were awestruck. "Now do you people see the situation? The PLANT Government attacked our nation, they infiltrated a mansion which is owned by the Chief Representative and kidnapped her Personal Attendant." Cagali shouted.
"What evidence did Athrun Zala leave us then?" Unato asked, "Give us something concrete to go on and we'll back you all the way."
Cagali held up her hands, there were three FAITH Badges and ZAFT Order slips. The Order slips were signed by Eileen Canaver herself. They included a mission "remove Athrun Zala from Orb and return him to PLANT capital Aprilius" and were signed in clear blue ink pen.
"Okay, it would seem the evidence is satisfactory," Unato sighed, "Make the call Cagali."
"Thank you Unato." Cagali answered, "Cabinet dismissed."
Cagali was sitting in her office, feeling overjoyed that the representatives had backed her proposal to negotiate with PLANT. She had more pressing issues however then thinking about success, she had no doubt that Athrun was now in a prison somewhere. She wanted him back and in order for that to happen a call needed to be placed to Eileen Canaver, so she picked up her phone and dialled the office of the PLANT Supreme Council.
"Hello, this is Cagali Yula Attha, the Chief Representative of the Orb Union speaking," Cagali said when someone picked up, "I'd like to be put through to Chairwoman Eileen Canaver please."
"She's in her office at the moment and refusing to accept calls," The voice informed Cagali.
"I don't care," Cagali snapped, "Get her on the line NOW!"
"One moment please..." The voice responded, "She'll take your call."
"Chairwoman Eileen Canaver speaking," Eileen answered, "What do you want Cagali? I'm very busy."
"I'm sure you are." Cagali said angrily, "You'll also be pleased to know that I'm holding the corpses of the FAITH team you sent to retrieve Athrun Zala. They will not be released to you until he is safely returned to Orb."
"You think I would violate treaties older than I am to kidnap one young man?" Eileen snarled, "You're a fool."
"No, I don't think so. Athrun left my brother and I a message," Cagali sneered, "A video that told us where to find proof that it was you who kidnapped him. We have 3 FAITH badges in our possession, as well as three Military Order Slips signed in hand by you Eileen."
"So what?" Eileen snarled, "The badges could be fakes, and the slips forged."
"Not possible." Cagali answered, "I've had them all forensically examined already. Technology says they are all authentic."
"So you want me to just release a criminal who helped create the war, back into society?" Eileen asked.
"No, I want him returned to Orb, it's his home now." Cagali answered, "People here at least treat him with decency and respect for that of which he sacrificed for this country."
"He still betrayed his own country, and even his own ideals. Athrun Zala will be standing trial in the PLANTS, I want him removed from this world for good." Eileen stated.
"Fine, if he's to stand trial, I'm coming to the PLANT," Cagali stated simply, "no 'accidents' better occur while I'm there either. On top of that, you will release him into my custody, he will stay in the Orb Consulate where I can at least make sure he is well cared for and doesn't suffer."
"He will not be released from the Federal Prison until his Court Date." Eileen snarled, "What makes you think I will release him before then?"
"Let me see, I will create a political disaster in the PLANTS if you don't," Cagali answered, "The radical faction isn't entirely gone yet, and while they probably don't like Athrun either, I'm sure they'd let him go for the political ammunition they need to come to power in the Supreme Council once again."
"Fine, I'll release him into the custody of Orb." Eileen sighed, "But, if he escapes, we'll consider it an act of hostility against our nation and we'll be forced to defend ourselves. Am I clear?"
"Very, thank you for your consideration of this matter Eileen." Cagali hung up.
Kira: My little sister is such a strong willed young girl.
Cagali: Who are you calling little? You're younger Kira.
Athrun: Hey, don't start arguing please? This Isolation Cell is depressing enough.
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