Time to Heal
Chapter 5: The Past Comes Back
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything pertaining to the Gundam franchise.
Notes: Part of this chapter is written in back during the Bloody Valentine War.
*BLAM*
*BLAM*
*BLAM*
*BLAM*
"Murrue Ramius, FIRE!"
Murrue jumped up in the bed. For the first time in a long time, Murrue had a nightmare for the video. She looked at her alarm clock, 1:30. 'Damn, it is going to be a long night,' she thought to herself. She grabbed her laptop and subconsciously opened the video. As she watched her friend stand up against a monster, she couldn't help but feel happy that Natarle had finally stood up for her beliefs, not that of the military. The gunshots still caused her to jump a little. 'She took four shots and still fought the bastard.'
Even if the Dominion wasn't destroyed and Azrael was stopped, Natarle's chances of surviving would have been very slim. That she knew because she had asked one of the doctors on the Archangel after watching the film for a few times. The doctor said that Natarle's small intestine had been hit, the artery in her shoulder had been nicked, her tibia had been shattered, she would have had some nerve damage in her left arm, and she would have possibly had broken ribs from being thrown into her chair. Murrue had hoped if she were under the same circumstances that her resolve would be as strong.
'Would they want to know that their daughter had been viciously attacked by that monster? What would it he- '
*BLOOP*
Murrue looked at her computer she had a message from Arnold Neumann.
"Ma'am, we just found some older videos. They are from the Dominion. I just sent them to you," the younger man said. He looked about as sad as she felt. Arnold admired Natarle, probably loved her, but she will never know. He wouldn't know if she felt the same, no one would.
"Thanks, Arnold. How are you holding up? This must be hard on you, I'm sorry I am putting you through this," Murrue apologized.
"No problem, what are you talking about?" Arnold asked as he tried to hide his feelings.
"Let's just say that your poker face needs some work, Arnold. Everyone knew how you felt about her; it is ok to admit how you feel."
"I loved her, I was going to tell her when she left the ship at Alaska. She left before I could tell her," the man said, eyes brimmed with tears.
"I think she knew, Arnold. She was a smart woman. I think she felt the same about you, but she, like you, never got to tell you."
"Thank you, Murrue. I appreciate this," Arnold said before stopping the transmission.
She begun to look at the videos that Neumann sent to her. 'Nine more videos, oh well, I have plenty of time.' Murrue clicked on the oldest video. She didn't want to see the latest video, the one made on September 27, the same day Natarle died.
JUNE 20, CE 71
Natarle sat at her computer; she knew that the war was reaching its climax. Both ZAFT and the EA had lost a majority of its troops at JOSH-A. It was only a matter of time until one side got fed up and used weapons of mass destruction. She only hoped it wouldn't reach that point.
She hoped that with the Dominion that she could help end the war. She finally made Commander, but she had only hoped that it would have happened differently. She wished that the Archangel hadn't gone AWOL, all of her friends becoming traitors.
Natarle started recording a video; her way to make sure her family would get the real news of the war. She looked at the picture at her desk, one of her and her parents at her commissioning ceremony. 'Well now is the time to start.'
"Hey Mom and Dad. I just wanted to let you know that I finally got a warship. It is almost like the Archangel, but the electronic system is amazing. Mom, you would love the tech on board this ship. Dad, do you remember William Sutherland? It turns out that I am going to be put under his command, the Doolittle and the Dominion who would guess that this would have happened.
"The Archangel survived JOSH-A and are fighting alongside Orb. Since they have gone into space we don't know where it went. I am hoping that I could see everyone again, hopefully before they are captured. Well I am going to meet these new members of my crew; we might do some drills to prepare for the battles that I am expecting to be put in. I hope to see both of you soon. Bye."
Natarle shut down the video and saved it to her hard drive. She couldn't send it yet because it would put her career at risk. She exited her room and headed to meet the people that would be under her care and supervision, hoping that this time things would be different. She would be a kinder captain than she was an XO that was for sure.
PRESENT TIME
Murrue looked at the screen, shocked. Natarle had hoped to see everyone again; she really didn't want to fight. It saddened Murrue to think that Natarle never got to send this video to her family; they never knew that she wanted to keep them in the loop. How long was it until her parents found out that she had gotten that promotion? She clicked on the video that was made on July 3.
JULY 3, CE 71
Natarle had a major headache. Not only did her crew continue to lose battle scenarios, but she is in charge of babysitting a politician, Muruta Azrael. Not only is he a politician he is the alleged leader of Blue Cosmos. Even she couldn't stand for their extreme hatred for the Coordinators. He probably noticed this because of his looks when the Admiral introduced her as the XO of the Archangel. He knew Natarle had allowed a Coordinator to work with the Earth Alliance. His condescending look at her just pissed her off. Damn, politics and her higher-ups. She didn't want to have to explain her actions to some suit; he probably never even held a gun before.
That wasn't even the top of the iceberg, really. The Earth Alliance has started experiments on kids, trying to make Natural Coordinators. They listed these three kids as biological CPUs; they are not even listed as pilots. She will never forget their names, Orga, Shani, and Clotho
She booted up her computer and started up the video program.
"Hey Mom, Dad. There are some new developments here that both of you will be interested to hear. Muruta Azrael, the leader of Blue Cosmos, is now on the Dominion. They put a damn politician on my battleship. He came with three new machines. But the machines don't worry me it is the pilots. They are not listed as pilots and all their history has been wiped. Azrael is sending me on a hunt after the Archangel; we are heading towards Mendel Colony on the word of one of his informants. I don't like this at all, but it seems like I am going to see everyone again, just not the way I was hoping. I hope I can convince everyone to surrender so that I can help fight the charges against them. I now know that Alaska was a ticking time bomb, once ZAFT landed the base exploded. Murrue was lucky enough that the new mobile suits came and lead them out. I realize how good I had it on the Archangel because I am working with a crew who are all still green. I miss Arnold, not only was he good at his job, he was real good to me. I think I love him, but I am afraid he doesn't feel the same way. I wished I had told him at Alaska, but it is too late now. I guess that is it for today. Love both of you. Bye."
Natarle ended the video and stayed at her desk contemplating how she can help Arnold, Murrue, Mu, and everyone else. 'This is going to get really tough. I don't want to fight them,' Natarle thought as she started to cry. 'Duty or friends, is this how you felt Kira?'
PRESENT TIME
Murrue couldn't help but to start to cry. Natarle knew something was going to happen, but she just wished it wouldn't. 'I am so sorry, Natarle. If I could have helped you out I would have. 'Murrue would have to let Arnold know that Natarle really felt the same way about him.
Murrue clicked on the next video, July 12. The day of the battle between the sister ships.
To be continued…
AN: I would have typed up more but it is getting late. I wanted to add some Arnold X Natarle, because they are a good couple and just flow together. Weird that Natarle is one of the few reoccurring characters that didn't have any relationship developments. Please review. And thanks to kookith, Byron Lancaster, CrimsonHowls, and kkorrnelia for your reviews.
