A/N: Here's chapter 12. I want to thank those who had reviewed and those who read this story. I want to thank my editor/best friend, 'bearbear' as well. Well, I don't want to blab anymore. Let's begin this chapter.
Summary: Please read the top description.
Main Paring: Dearka X Miriallia.
Disclaimers: I do not own Gundam Seed or Seed Destiny.
Chapter 12
The local policemen in the Mexico City have tightened the security around the city after the explosion incident happened a week ago. The police reassured the citizen that the little bombing accident was only a mishap that Lowe and the Junkies has caused due to their little error in calculation.
Liam was thankful about this incident for he might be able to find a lead to the information that they are looking for. He and Lowe have managed to make contact with this person and exchange information about the fable Ultramarine Flower Plantation and some extra information about their current plan. Of course the information they managed to get was far from being free. Lowe has been jotting down the prince for the exchange they made each time.
"Let's get this straight", Kisato started. "So you are saying this unnamed group was going after Miriallia's life because of some photos she has taken?" Lowe nodded. Kisato tilted her head in confused. "I still don't get why it has to be Miriallia?" she asked. "I mean, since these people has no proof about it, how could they conclude that it was Miriallia that shots these photos?"
Lowe and the Professor look dumbfounded before they sigh in defeat.
"Have you not been paying attention at what we have been discussing since the beginning Kisato?" Lowe asked. Kisato shook her head. "Why do I even bother? Now listen, Do you remember the first time when Miriallia show us her first batch of photos she has taken when she first join the Co and Eds?" Kisato nodded. "And do you remember that I have said something like 'this photo look kind of strange'?"
Kisato nodded and this time she seems to get the whole picture of their discussion. "So you are saying that those are-"
"Finally, our blondie has caught up to our conversation", the Professor teased. Kisato pouted angrily and the Professor just smirked. "But can we really proof that those are the photos that this people are searching for? Or is there something else?"
The brunette Natural shook his head. "We will know the truth soon when Liam comes back from this last meeting".
"And speak of the Devil, the Devil appears", Glenn, ReHOME's holographic commander, said.
The group turns their attention to the control room's entrance as it slides open. Liam walks though the door and saw his crew giving him an odd look.
"Were you guys talking about me by any chance?" he asked.
"Yes we are!" The Professor said without hesitation. "So, did you get the package Liam?"
Liam chuckled and took the package out from under his coat. He opens the package and laid the photos out for everyone to see. They were all shocked when they saw the huge population of the extinct flower, the Fable Ultramarine. There are also photos of the flower being harvested and being made into something they do not know of.
"Well, I guess that concludes our first assumption", he said. Liam was surprised at how calm his tone is. "We now know that someone has managed to revive the Ultramarine Flower and is using it for something else".
"It's being used as a drug", Liam said. He pointed out a certain photo that every one of them is very familiar with, the laboratory used by the Blue Cosmos. "A portion of the harvest was being transported into this lab. And this is not the deserted lab we found a year ago".
"Does that mean that they have a new sponsor or something?" Kisato asked. Everyone gave her a puzzled look. "Well I mean the LOGOS has abandon them when the scientist desert the old lab right? If they began their research again it means that they have a new sponsor for this isn't it?" she asked.
"You point out something smart for once Kisato", the Professor said.
Kisato pouted angrily and said, "I'm not stupid Professor". Then she realizes something again. "Then what does it has to do with Miriallia. There is nothing here concerning about her right?"
Lowe look at Liam then to the Professor. All three of them do not possess an answer to her question.
"I guess we just have to find out from Miriallia when we visit Orb the next time". Lowe sighed. Then looks at Liam and ask, "Did you get any information concerning about this drug or the new sponsors?"
Liam shook his head. "This is a yes and no question Lowe", he said. "He did not provide us with any information about the new drugs how it's being used. But he did provide us with the sponsor's information. It's a nameless woman working under the Co and Ed Enterprise".
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Dearka Elsman has been missing for four months now since the destruction of Mendel Colony and the search of his whereabouts still remain unknown. The Supreme Council members have been pushing to close this case since the result remained zero. Yzak has tried his best to convince the other members otherwise but it seems that they are too getting tired of this.
And when this case seems to be at its dead end, Lacus stood up and side by Yzak for the continuation of this search. And soon Councilwoman Eileen Canaver and some other councilmen has sided with them to continue the search for Dearka Elsman until it's deadline is up, which remains only two more months.
Yzak and Lacus walk out from the meeting room along with other council members when the double door of the meeting room opens. The both of them have a tired look when they walk out, especially Yzak.
The silver hair Commander messages the bridge of his nose and sigs tiredly. "I wonder how much time do we have left before the six months period is up?" he asked.
"I would say roughly one month and a half is left", Lacus frowned. "Do you think we could asked for an extension?"
Yzak was surprise when he heard her suggestion. He was about to agree until he saw the silly smiled on her face and that's when he realizes she was only trying to cheer him up. He blinks twice before he sighs in defeat again. "This is not an assignment given by the professor Ms. Lacus", he said and smiled later. "But I do appreciate your concern".
Lacus smiled and said, "Well, at least one of my tactics works". Her pink Haro was jumping in delights.
"Thank you for your help and concern Ms. Lacus", he smiled. Lacus look at him for a moment before she laughs, which he found it very puzzling. "Is there something wrong?"
Lacus shook her head. "I'm just surprised to see your true smile", she said and touched his chest. "It seems that someone has managed to open up your once lonely heart Yzak".
Yzak blushed like a fully ripe tomato. "Wh-Wh-Wh-What are yo-you talking about?" he gapped. He knows why he was gapping like this because Lacus has managed to score a jackpot on his case. "I don't understand what you are implying on", he said and look away, hiding his bright red face.
"It quite hard to hide it Yzak", Lacus teased.
"If you teased him too hard he might hide back in his shell again Lacus". Yzak turned around when he heard a familiar yet annoying voice.
The voice belongs to Kira Yamato, Lacus current fiancé and Athrun's childhood friend. He was already standing beside the pink princess when he said those words. "It seems that something marvelous had happened in there", he said.
"Nothing in particular that need your concern Yamato", Yzak said in an annoyed tone. He turned around preparing to leave. "Since you are here, I'll be taking my leave then. I still have to tend to my ship's and my crew's needs".
"Wait Yzak!" Kira called, just before the silver hair commander was about to leave. He gave him a confused and annoyed look. "Do you think you could spare us a minute? There's something that I need to you and Lacus know. It's about De-" Kira stop when he nearly said Dearka's name. "Its about his safety on the Earth".
Yzak and Lacus exchanged a few curious look before they nodded.
"Let's go to the Elappella Café", Yzak suggested. "I can get us a private room there".
Kira and Lacus nodded as they followed Yzak into his car.
The Elappella café's owner was an old friend to Yzak. He would always visit that café when he need some quite time from his council and office works. The Elappella café was just the right place for this meeting because its just few minutes drive from the meeting hall.
The bell rang when someone opens the door. "Welcome to the Elappella Café. How may I help…" the bartender trailed off when he saw Yzak, Kira and Lacus walked in. he smiled and asked, "The usual Commander?" Yzak nodded. "Then what will your…companions have then?" he asked, as he looks at Kira and Lacus.
Yzak smirked before saying, "I doubt he could stand any alcohol. Just give us some light drink and a place to talk James".
Kira just smiled upon Yzak's insult. He couldn't bother about the insult since it was the truth.
"Understood! Please follow me then", James said. He walks out from his counter and directs his guest into a private room by the back. "The drink will come along in thirty minutes", he said before excusing himself from the room.
"So, what is it that you need to speak in private Yamato?" Yzak asked.
"Is this room safe for this talk Yzak?" Kira asked.
"You can trust old James and Elappella", Yzak assured him. "James was one of the Joule family's steward until he retire from his job. You can trust that his mouth is seal and besides", he stops and knock on the wall before continuing; "this room is sound proof".
Kira smiled and nodded. He places the laptop on the table and accessed it. "I'm sure you still remember the Junkies that had save Dearka's life".
"How could I forgets about the brunette and the black hair Naturals that insults me in the open", he said angrily and crossed his arm. "I hope you didn't call me here to see some of the ridicules photos of him and his companions"
"Well, not quite. I have asked for some in gathering information about the group that was gathering at the Mendel Colony before Dearka's accident", he said. "It seems that they have found some rather disturbing news". He shows them the letter and photos that Lowe had sent him earlier today. "Take a look at the things that they have found".
Kira Yamato,
I have gathered the information that you have asked for but they were not pretty like I thought they were. Just like you have presumed, someone had managed to bring the Fable Ultramarine flower back to life and they are using its to develop some kind of lethal drug. I'm not sure who these people are at the moment but I will try my best to dig out more information. Here are some pictures that I have gathered and the laboratory's facilities. Oh and lastly, keep an eye on Dearka and Miriallia's safety. There's someone out there that wanted both of them dead for some reason. Well, that's all I can give for now. I'll contact you as soon as I find something new.
Lowe Gear
Lacus and Yzak gasped when they finished reading the letter. They were shocked and stunned when they saw the pictures of the flower field, the facilities and the corpse that were used as lab-rats. But the most shocking bits where someone is out to get Dearka's and Miriallia's life for some reason that they do not know of.
"What are we still doing here for?" Yzak practically shouted, as he slammed both his hand on the table. "We need to get down there now and tell Zala about this so he could take some action about it"
"And you wish to come along as well?" Kira asked, matter-of-factly.
"Of course I'm coming along. Dearka was once my subordinators, my best friend in fact. I have to go and-"
"That's not possible Yzak!" Lacus cut Yzak off.
Yzak look at her with a surprised look. "What? What do you mean not possible?" he asked. "Someone or some group is out to get his life and you are telling me that I'm not allowed to go? And if we do not bring him back before the deadline, he will be listed as KIA and would not be able to return to the PLANTs. Would you be able to tell him that? Would you be able to break the news to his parents?"
"Then would you rather see Dearka being used as a tool by the Supreme Council?" Yzak flinched when he heard Lacus's question. "Think about Dearka situation Yzak. He has not recovered all of his memories yet and if we bring him back right now, the councilors would most probably asked him in for questioning about the explosion of the Mendel Colony. What will he answered when he could not remember what happen back then?"
Yzak Joule was speechless to her question. The silver hair coordinator slumped back down onto his seat, rest both his elbow on his knee and his temples on his hands. "Then… what do you expect me to do?" he asked, in a trembling voice.
"I need you to stay here and try to convince the councilors to hold up their time", Lacus said. Yzak looked up with a depressed look and met her serious ones. "I'm sure the council will try their best to list Dearka as KIA once I'm gone so I want you and Councilor Eileen Canaver to keep pushing the other council until the deadline".
Yzak see what she's trying to accomplish. "I understand what I must do here", he said. "But what excuse will you use to visit the Earth? The council will go crazy if you do not present them the right material before you leave".
Lacus gave Yzak a warm smile. "I'll ask Ms. Cagalli for a favor, wouldn't I", she said and turns to Kira. "Can you contact her as soon as possible Kira?"
"I'll try but I'm sure she won't be very happy to hear from me so soon though", he answered. Then he turns his gaze to his silver hair friend and said, "Don't worry Yzak. Athrun and I promised you. We will protect Dearka and Miriallia no matter what happens".
Yzak nodded and mouth a silent thank you to the brunette.
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"Ian, I need a copy of these documents", Athrun ordered from his seat. He gave his subordinate the file. "I need them to be prepared for tomorrow's parliament meeting. Can you deal with it?"
"I'll try my best to compile them Admiral Zala" Ian Stagfield, Athrun's second-in-command, said. He who used to be an ace pilot in the ZAFT has resigned to his current post in the Orb Union was due to his parent's need to relocation. Athrun, who was an admiral rank in the Orb navy fleet, had asked him to join his team and also assist him in training some rookies in the academy. Ian accepted his offer without a second thought the following day. And that's how they end up as of today. He was demoted to his current position when peace was established between the two races.
He took the documents from his admiral's hand. "Is there anything else Admiral?"
Athrun sighs when he heard the formality in his friend's tone. "Did I tell you to skip the formalities when we are alone?"
Ian looks surprised. "Sorry Athrun. I guess I couldn't get use to doing office work", Ian replied. "If I have known what was install for me here I would have just applied a job at the garage instead".
"But you chose not to when met her, didn't you Ian?" Athrun teased.
At the mention of his girlfriend, Ian's face began to heat up. "Get off my case, will you? And what about your relationship with the Head Representative Attha? It seems that you have yet to be accepted by the Senates until today".
The blue hair coordinator sigh. "I guess the Senates just hate me for taking their little girl away", he said in a joking manner. Ian just sweat drops when he saw Athrun's act. "Then do you have any good ideas to how I can impress the Senate's like you impressed her parents?"
"Athrun please!" Ian said, as his face was as red as a tomato.
Athrun laughed. "Alright! I'll get off your case then", he said in between his laughter. "You can leave once you finished with the copies Ian".
"You mean it?" he asked, with a hopeful smile on his face.
"You have a date with her tonight, don't you?" his admiral asked. "So you need to prepare yourself for her".
"Thank you Athrun! Thank you!" Ian said. He was about to hug him but Athrun spare him from doing it. Athrun's mobile rang has interrupted them on their conversation. "I'll take my leave then Athrun. I'll finished this before I leave". Ian gave him a bow and left his office.
"Athrun Zala speaking", the blue hair admiral answered once he locked his office door.
"Hey, Athrun!", Kira asked from the other side of the line. "How are you doing back at Orb?"
"Quite busy since you left Kira", he answered. "So what do I owe you for calling me today my friend?"
Silent had fall between them before Kira spoke again. "Did you receive my message earlier?" he asked in a serious tone.
Earlier that day, Athrun has received an 'e-mail' from Kira through their private line. He was puzzled at first until he noticed that it was a 'forward' mail. The actual sender was Lowe Gear; the person Kira has asked help from in search of the Ultramarine Flower incident.
He frowned upon hearing him mentioning the mail. "Yes I did and I did not like what I see. Are those for real?" he asked in a disbelief tone. "The population is way bigger than we had expected".
"I understand what you mean Athrun", Kira answered. "But nonetheless, those are still weeds. To get rid of them will be an easy task but to prevent them from speeding is a different case".
Athrun seems to notice that this was not the topic Kira has wanted to discuss. That means it's something to do with Cagalli. "And the disposing of those weeds were not on your worried list, isn't it Kira?" Kira silence confirmed his assumption. Athrun sigh in defeat and ask, "Whatever you need I'm sure she's not going to like it".
Kira chuckled from the other side of the line. "I know what you mean. That's why I called you instead of calling her".
Athrun laughed at his friend's word. "You really know how to give me one hell of a problem Kira", he said. Kira chuckled. "I'll get the request done as soon as I can. Be ready to receive it at anytime alright. Take care and I'll see you soon". He turns off his mobile and breathes out heavily. "I'm going to get one heck of scolding tonight".
== Continue in Chapter 13 ==
A/N: Hope you like this chapter. Please look forward to the next chapter.