I'm sorry this chapter took so long.
But they have been tearing down a building next to where I live. And all that noise the works has been making has made it kinda hard to concentrate on writing.
Chapter 29
Even true most of the day on the Archangel had been somewhat nice and calm.
The evening was far from the same. Truth be told the entire ship was full of activity as the Freedom and Dearka's Murasame was being prepped to leave the ship.
And that meant that most of the ships mechanic staff was quite busy right now. Fortunately everything was in proper order as the Freedom gundam was placed on the catapult.
But even as it was standing there with it's two passengers on board. It couldn't leave just yet. Seeing as it was required that they opened the hangar door at the bottom of the ocean, they had to make completely sure that there was nobody left in the hangar before the two mobile suits could leave.
And once that task had been carried out, it did not take many minutes before the hangar door was slowly opened.
"We'll be going now miss Murrue, we will see you once we get back!" Kira said in a slightly loud tone.
Just as he reached out and activated the Phase Shift armor. After that he got the Freedom moving and began making his way towards the exit of the hangar, with the blue Murasame following not that far behind.
Once the two machines was safely out in the salty water, both pilots took a quick look around to make sure that there was no threats nearby. "Are you ready to get going Dearka?" The Freedom pilot asked.
While looking out at a small steam of more colourful fish, that by now was making their way past his gundam, without a single care in the world.
"Hmm it's pretty obvious that Erica Simmons didn't make this machine to function under water. It's movements are kinda slow down here, compare to how fast it can go up in the air!" Dearka said in a thoughtful tone, a small past of him feeling somewhat relieved that they had yet been forced to do battle down here.
If that where to happen, he was pretty sure he would be more of a burden then anything else.
And with that in mind he again looked back at the Freedom. "Perhaps the next time we meet up with miss Erica. We should tell her to start working on a Orb water-type mobile suit" Dearka suggested. While taking yet another look around out there, a more childlike part of him, truly hoping to be fortunate enough spot some kind of sunken treasure nearby.
Yet as he was busy doing that. Kira was giving everything his friend had just said some serious thought. The entire thing about Orb having it's own water-type mobile suit might just be a good idea.
The whole country was after all surrounded completely by water. So it would without a doubt be quite useful was a machine like that ever created.
But even as he was thinking about how such a mobile suit would look. Another question enter his mind. "If Orb did have a mobile suit of that kind Dearka, would you rather pilot that then your Murasame?" Kira asked. While he slowly lifted the Freedom's right hand, and gave an enormous shark a small light nudge with one of the fingers.
Not enough to actually hurt the dangerous creature. But still enough to make it turn around and swim of as quickly as possible.
And once it was completely out of his sight. Kira once more turned his attention back towards the Murasame. Still waiting for Dearka to give him an answer of some kind. "Well as useful as I think such a machine could be to Orb. I honestly think I'll stay put in my Murasame for now Kira! As far as I know most water-type mobile suit are somewhat slow, and that's not really something I like" Dearka said in a quiet tone.
Just as a big bunch of ugly looking fish swam directly over his mobile suit.
Yet as the two Coordinators was busy discoursing all of this. The third person out there, was starting to get somewhat tired of listening to them. "I'm deeply sorry to interrupted you guys, while you are so busy talking about what my country's money are suppose to be used for. But the two of you do realize that we got a meeting to go to, so could we please get moving and stop wasting time down here!" Cagalli said in a loud displeased tone from where she sitting behind Kira in the Freedom.
And even true both of the pilots would quite frankly have liked to continue their conversation. They each knew that it was properly a wise idea not to test the blond haired woman's patience right now.
They where after all suppose to be reunited with Athrun in just a short while. And that was clearly something the Orb leader had been looking forward to most of the day.
Yet before any of the men had an opportunity to say anything back to her. She once more began talking in a loud bossy tone.
"If you idiots keeps on insisting to talk about the most useless things. You can take me back to the hangar, so I can get the Duel Rouge!" She said, not doing anything to hide that she was getting quite low on patience. And if they didn't get moving soon, things was going to be very unpleasant for the two pilots.
She was to tell the truth, already considering giving Kira a good smack on the head.
Yet before she could actually carry out that somewhat violent plan.
Her brother slowly turned around and looked back at her. Where he gave her a small yet reassuring smile. Which really did calm her down a tiny bit, at least until she heard his next words.
"It's not like we are in a big hurry sis, we got over an hour before we actually have to be at the location Miriallia mention in her message. And we ain't really that far away from the meeting place. So we got more then enough time" he said.
Before he once more looked back out in to the water that was surrounding the Freedom. Truly enjoying the sight of all the life that was peacefully continuing on with it's normal routine. Like finding something eatable, or avoiding some of the bigger predators out there, who had the idea that some of the smaller fish was suppose to be their dinner.
But as he was sitting there watching all of this. He did not notice the deep angry frown that was slowly yet steadily growing in size on his sister's forehead.
And it was only once she reached out and grap on to his shoulder. That Kira finally looked back at her. Where he could easily tell from her expression that the mood she was presently in, was far from a good one.
"I swear on my father's reputation Kira. That if we don't get moving in the next five minutes, I'm going to knock you and Dearka's heads together so hard, that there wouldn't be a single thing left in there that will ever function properly again" the blond short tempered woman threaten in a tone, that made it kinda hard to figure out if she was actually serious about what she had just said.
And not really knowing what to say back. Kira only blinked a few times. As he turned and looked back at her, where he immediately noticed the somewhat unhappy look she had in her eyes.
Which made it pretty obvious, that she found this whole experience as entertaining as watching grass grow. Even true Kira was certain that there was many people in this world that would have very much liked seeing all of these fish in their natural habitat.
Yet knowing that his sister didn't want to see all of this now. Kira thought quite hard about what he should say to her, that would not give him a large painful bump on his head. He did however not get long to think about that.
Before his friend over in the Murasame interrupted his thoughts, by wanting to share his opinion on this whole matter.
"Well with that kind of persuasion we don't really have much choice, we better get moving Kira before she actually starts threatening to kill us both. Beside there isn't really much point in us staying down here. And I would like to get there before anybody else shows up, so we can take a small look around the area, to make certain that it's not some kind of trap. And that they are not holding my lovely girlfriend hostage!" Dearka said. Not doing anything to hide that he was still greatly concerned about the woman he loved and what the three of them where actually heading in to.
Not having any problems understanding the logic in everything Dearka had just said.
The pilot of the Freedom gundam nodded slowly in agreement.
He too somewhat worried about what could happen once they arrived at their destination. And if they had to fight either Zaft or somebody else to save Miriallia.
"You are right Dearka! But one last thing before we go, if this really does turn in to some kind of battle once we get there, your only task will be to get to Miriallia as quickly as possible, nothing else matter. You just get her safely away from the area, that's the only thing you need to concern yourself with, meanwhile I'll stay behind to cover you and make sure that there is nobody around that try's to prevent you from getting to her!" Kira said in a very serious tone.
Not really needing a whole lot of time to think about that idea. Dearka knew that this was without a doubt that this was the best thing to do, if this actually was some kind of well thought out trap.
He knew that there was no way in hell he would ever leave that place, if it turned out that Miriallia truly was in some kind of danger.
And with that in mind he felt a deeply determined look appear in each of his purple eyes.
As he slowly turned and looked over at the Freedom. Where he began talking in a somewhat far away tone.
"You got yourself a deal Kira, and thank you" he said, truly grateful that his friend knew just how important this was to him.
And with nothing more to say to each other, it did not take long, before the two mobile suits turned around and took of towards the place where this so called 'meeting' was suppose to take place.
All three of them pretty quiet, as they where all busy thinking their own thought, about all of this.
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Meanwhile on the Archangel three people was watching as the two mobile suits disappeared from their sight.
"I really hope they will be all right, and that they don't run in to something they can't get away from on their own" Murrue said in a slightly worried tone. Just as she took a small sip of the coffee Andrew had given to her not long ago.
Yet once the liquid enter her mouth she immediately spit it back in to the cup. She usually liked most of the experimental coffees he made, but this one however was to put it simple way to strong for her taste. Which kinda made her hope that he hadn't made to much of this.
She seriously didn't think there was anybody else other then himself on board the Archangel that would be able to drink this.
He on the other hand seemed to be enjoying the badly tasting coffee, as he slowly turned around and looked back at her. "Hm I don't really think you have to be too worried about them, both the blond princess and Dearka is quite good with a gun if need be. And with Kira in the Freedom, I seriously doubts there is many people around that want's to mess with them" the Desert Tiger said, while taking a small mouthful of his coffee.
Thinking a few seconds about those words. Lacus slowly turned her blue gaze over towards the coffee loving man.
"All of us here knows you are right about that Mr Waltfeld. Yet no matter what, it will always be so difficult to just stand back and watch, as three of the people one truly cares about is heading off in to danger. I do not think there is even a single person here on this ship. That can truthfully say that they like to sit around back here and wait, without having anything to do" the pink haired woman said.
Just as Kira's handsome face appeared in her mind.
Yet before she could do anything to stop herself, she started thinking about what the two of them had been doing this morning, which was more then enough to make a light red glow ran over both of her cheeks.
But fortunately for her, neither of the people gather up there had the necessary time to actually notice her red face. Before the small door to the bridge suddenly flew open, and in came the youngish crew member of the ship.
"MOM, MOM! I CAN'T FIND THE FREEDOM! IT'S NOT DOWN IN THE HANGAR! PLEASE TELL ME THAT THE THREE OF THEM DIDN'T JUST LEAVE WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING TO ME!" Mayu yelled loudly.
Pretty much forcing every single person present up there to immediately cover up their sensitive ringing ears, as the brown haired girl's high piercing voice echo loudly through the bridge.
And once Mayu was finally done trying to frighten away about half of the fish in the ocean around them.
Murrue slowly opened her eyes and took a glance over at her extremely loud daughter. To make sure that she wasn't going to yell anything else in that high volume.
Yet once it became completely clear for her, that her little girl wasn't planing on yelling anything else at least for now. The brown haired woman somewhat cautiously moved both of her hands away from her ears.
And while glaring a slightly at the small girl. Murrue reached up and used her right hand to softly rub her ear, attempting to reduce some of the massive pain that had been inflicted on it, a few minor seconds ago.
"Mayu dear...there is really no need for you to shout like that, it's not like any of us up here is completely deaf" she said in a in a somewhat gentle yet firm tone.
"Well if we weren't deaf when she got here, I am pretty sure we at least took an enormous step in that direction" Andrew muttered. While truly wondering just how in the would such a tiny person could actually yell so loud. It frankly was a bit amazing now that he was actually giving it some thought.
Yet he just seriously hoped that the girl wasn't going to yell like that again anytime soon.
He might be missing both his left eyes and arm. But that certainly did not mean that he wanted to lose his hearing on the left side too. It was however pretty obvious from her expression, that her mother's words had been enough to calm the slightly hysterical girl down a bit.
Which was to tell the truth somewhat of a relief to him.
There was however one person up there that realized that if one of them didn't give Mayu a reply soon. She might just began to yell like that again. And that was not a risk Lacus wanted to take.
"Well the reason why they didn't tell you that they where leave Mayu. Is because your mother told us that you had fallen asleep, after spending most of the day along with her, having fun. So neither Kira, Cagalli or Dearka wanted to disturb you, while you where sleeping so peacefully" Lacus explained.
Before she slowly stood up from the chair, she had been sitting in since she got there. And made her way over to the small girl, which she pretty much saw as the little sister she had never had.
And once over beside her she kneel down and looked directly in to Mayu's eyes.
"I'm just as concerned about them as you are Mayu. But it truly wouldn't do any good sitting around up here just waiting for Dearka's Murasame and the Freedom to show up again" the pink haired woman said.
And even true she actually did sound pretty calm at the moment, all of them could easily tell. That she was deeply worried about her husband.
But even with all of those concerns going through her mind. She once more opened her mouth and began talking in the same calm tone as before. "So instead of sitting up here thinking and worrying about them, why don't we go down to the mess hall and join the rest of the crew? I'm pretty certain that most of them are getting ready to get some nice warm supper just about now" she said, while smiling gently at the eleven-year-old girl.
Who on the other hand did looked a bit thoughtful at her words. Yet after thinking it over for a minute or two, the girl finally nodded a single time.
"Ok big sis, but both mom and grandpa Waltfeld has to come too!" She said. While taking a glance away from Lacus' caring eyes and over at the only male present in the room. Where she immediately noticed the slightly displeased expression on the Desert Tiger's face.
Which made it pretty clear to her, that he didn't like it when she called him grandpa.
Not that there was a single person on board the Archangel who actually liked it, when she called them that. That however did not really bother Mayu all that much.
Once she had made up her mind about giving a certain person some kind of title. They just had to live with it, even if they didn't like it.
But even true he kept having that somewhat unhappy frown on his forehead. He still nodded yes to go with the rest of them down to the mess hall and get something to eat.
Truth be told he was actually quite hungry right now, and wouldn't really mind getting some grub down in to his stomach. Especially if it was in the company of some of the people he truly cared about.
Truly delighted to know that grandpa Waltfeld would be joining them. Mayu quickly turned her gaze over towards her mother. Who at this moment was giving her a small caring smile.
"Why don't you run on ahead sweetheart and find us a table? That way we are sure that the four of us can sit together" Murrue said in a friendly voice. As she stood there with her head tilted a bit to the side, watching her daughter think hard about what she had just suggest.
Yet finally after a few long minutes Mayu nodded eagerly a couple of times. "All right then! I'll see the three of you down there in a bit. And please hurry up, I don't want to sit down there on my own!" She yelled loudly before she turned around on one foot and rush full speed out of the room. Not even taking the time to wait and see if her three family members, was actually following her.
Which pretty much meant that she didn't notice the looks the three of them where giving her. "No matter how much time goes by, I don't think there will ever come a time, where I'll be able to understand how she can have so much energy. Even after being entertained through most of the day" Murrue said, with a exhausted look in both of her eyes.
Hearing the captain of the Archangel say that. Lacus took a small glance away from the door and over at her. "Do you want for her to change miss Murrue?" The girl asked with a hint of curiosity in her voice, as she once more looked back at the door.
Now thinking quietly about some of the girl's more bizarre pranks. Like that time she pour the green paint over Mr Murdoch.
That truly had given most of the crew quite a big laugh.
There was even a few who had claimed that moment, had been even more entertaining. Then that time when Kira and her had dumped the bucket of water on top of Athrun and Cagalli, which was one of those things a few of the crew members was still trying, even now to figure out the reason for.
Not that Kira or her where planing on telling them anytime soon.
Yet as Lacus stood there with her thoughts occupied with Mayu and the past.
Murrue was thinking very hard about the question the younger pink haired woman had just asked her. It did however only take a few seconds to come up with some kind of reply.
"She might drive me crazy from time to time Lacus. But there is no way I want her to change, I love her just the way she is now. But at times I kinda wish that she had a little least energy. Yet that's properly something most parents wish for at times!" The woman said in a thoughtful tone.
While seriously wondering just how in the world reverend Malchio was able to keep all of those children living at his house under control.
He was after all completely blind. So it had to be hard for the kind man to figure out when all those kids where up to no good.
But perhaps one of the reason why he was able to make all of them behave somewhat properly. Was because there was so many people around that was more then willing to help the blind minister out. Like Kira's mother and Myrna.
Especially now that the married couple wasn't working there any longer. The two women's assistance was properly even more appreciated then before.
Yet as the captain stood there thinking about how life was going for the people back home, a certain Tiger suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
"Both of you do realize that the longer we stays up here, the low Mayu's patience gets. And being yell at like that once, was more then enough for me" the one eyed man said. With a great deal of seriousness in his voice.
Immediately figuring out what the Desert Tiger was talking about.
The two women took a small glance over at each other, as they thought about how long it had been since Mayu had ran off. And when both of them realized that it had been about ten minutes since the girl had left the bridge.
They each knew that they where properly in for quite an earful once they got down there.
"We better hurry up and get moving, before she actually decides to come all that way back here to look for us. Hopefully she found somebody else down in the mess hall to talk with, while she is waiting for us" Lacus said, then slowly moved her reached up to removed some of her long pink hair, that just happened to be hanging down in front of her eyes.
Once that simple task was accomplish. She again turned her attention back towards the other woman up there.
That was slowly nodding in agreement to everything she had just said, and seeing as they had nothing else to talk about, the two women began making their way over to the door. With the Desert Tiger following closely behind them.
Which pretty much meant that it only took a couple of minor seconds. Before the bridge was completely empty for people, most of them either down in the mess hall getting supper, or somewhere else on the enormous white space ship.
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And while that was happening down on the Archangel.
Miriallia was at Crete looking out over the ocean and at the slowly descending sun.
But even true it was without doubt an extremity pretty sight, she really didn't give it all that much attention. She was far more interested in her watch right now.
Which told her that there weren't many minutes left before both her friends and the two Zaft soldiers was suppose to arrive. Yet up until now there wasn't really many signs of life in the area.
It almost seemed a bit like she was the only person that had been there in ages. And she was seriously starting to wonder if anybody else other then herself could find this place.
"If they don't show up soon, then it would properly be best for me to just leave. I don't want to be out here by myself when it gets dark!" The brown haired journalist muttered quietly to herself.
Just as she turned and took a small glance over at her car to make absolutely sure, that it was still standing at the same place, where she had left it not that long ago.
She did however not get much time to watch the green vehicle. When suddenly a well know white and blue mobile suit, shot full speed out of the ocean not that far away from her.
But even as Miriallia land on her butt. She looked up at the Freedom, as it spread out it's ten long wings.
"Kira you big idiot! There is no need for you to make an entrance like that, there is nobody else around here for you to show off to, other then me!" She yelled loudly even true she knew, that there was noway her friend could hear her inside the Freedom gundam.
Yet just as she got back up on her feet a Murasame came out of the ocean not that far away from the other mobile suit. Which once more served to make her fall on her behind, while glaring angrily at the two mobile suits.
"I seriously hope for your sake, that you ain't just doing this to get a good laugh!" The brunette said, as she once more got back up on her feet. Still glaring somewhat displeased at the two war machine, that clearly was getting ready to land.
Yet once she saw both of the Murasame's feet touch the ground. She immediately shook away the tiny amounted of anger she was feeling.
Then began making her way over to the mobile suit. Badly able to keep down her excitement over finally being able to see the very person, she knew was inside the blue machine. It had after all been quite a few weeks since she had last seen her boyfriend.
She was already looking forward to once more being with him. And having all of their little moments together.
Like drifting off to sleep with his two strong arms wrapped around her, or tiptoeing it to the shower when he got home from work. All of those little things that made their relationship special.
Yet once she saw the cockpit of the Murasame flew open, all of those romantic thoughts immediately disappeared from her mind, as she saw the man she loved with all of her heart slowly lowing himself down to the ground.
"Dearka!" She called out in a truly happy tone. As she race full speed towards him with her arms stretched out ready to give him the biggest hug ever.
Seeing his girlfriend coming right at him. Dearka was just about to yell out her name too, when he took notice of how fast she was running right now. And one look at the ground, was more then enough to make it clear to him, that if she knocked him over now. He was in for quite a hard and unpleasant landing.
Seeing as most of the ground, was pretty much covered with rocks. "Hey! Slow down Miriallia, before one of us gets hurt!" He shouted out in a loud tone, that could be heard all over the place.
But even as those words left his mouth he saw his beautiful girlfriend leap away from the ground heading straight for him.
Yet just as the slightly panicking male closed his eyes, and mentally prepare himself for the pain that he was sure was about to come. He only felt a pair of thin arms being wrapped around his neck.
"Hey you, scared you there didn't I?" A sweet voice he hadn't heard for a long time ask him. And as he slowly opened his eyes again, he immediately had eye contact with the very person he had missed so much these last four week.
Just the whole experience about finally being able to see her two lovely deep blue eyes again. Was more then enough to make Dearka somewhat speechless.
And it was only once she repeat her question, that he succeeded in getting his mouth to work again. "Yeah you did. I was pretty sure that you where going to knock me over on to all of those rocks you naughty girl. But never mind that now, you do realized that I have missed you a lot since you left. It really has been torture being away from you this long" Dearka told her.
His gaze not moving away from her even once.
And seeing as it had been quite a long time, since she had last heard the man she loved say such romantic words to her, a light red glow slowly appeared on both of her cheeks.
But even true she was feeling somewhat embarrassed at the moment, she just couldn't bring herself to look away from him.
"I have missed you a lot too Dearka" she said almost in a whisper, as the two of them began moving slowly towards one another.
And was just about to share their first kiss in over four weeks. Yet just as they where about to press their yearning lips together, a familiar female voice suddenly cut in to their special little moment, and forced them to pull away from each other.
"I'm truly sorry to interrupt you guys reunion. But we got company now!" Cagalli said in a serious tone. As she looked up at the two Zaft mobile suits that was slowly descending downwards towards their position on the ground.
And just the sight of the yellow GOUF he had been fighting against in the last battle. Was more then enough for Dearka to reach in to his jacket to make sure that his gun, was where it was suppose to be.
Yet once he was completely sure that the weapon was ready to be used he took a small step forward. So that now he was standing directly in front of his girlfriend.
But even as he was doing that. Kira was looking the red gundam over, he had no trouble at all recognizing that mobile suit. It had after all been following him around through most of the last battle.
And he could truthfully say that he was a bit curious about who exactly was piloting that machine.
Yet as he stood there watching each of the mobile suits get ready to land. He took a glance over at Dearka which was all he needed to tell. That his friend was ready to pull out his gun, at a moments notice.
If any of the mobile suit should do anything suspicious. Yet neither of them looked like they where actually going to attack them, while they where just standing there.
But maybe it was some kind of trick to try and get their hands on to the Freedom. That most certainly was a possibility, it wasn't really the biggest secret that his mobile suit had been made by Zaft in the first place.
And perhaps with all of the things the Plants and Gilbert Durandal was doing right now. They had some sort interest, in trying to get the Freedom gundam back under their control.
Not that Kira was ever going to allow such a thing to happen.
It had after all been Siegel Clyne that had given him that mobile suit in the first place. And in Kira's eyes, he had a responsibility to his father-in-law to make sure that the Freedom was used to protect Lacus and everybody else Kira cared about.
So there was just no way in hell he would permit anybody to take that machine from him.
And with that in mind, he again took a small glance over at his fellow mobile suit pilot. "Be on your guard Dearka! We don't know a thing about these guys, it might still turn out to be some kind of trap!" The brown haired teen said.
While he stepped over in front of his sister. Utterly determined to protect her no matter who was inside those two mobile suits.
Yet as both Kira and Dearka looked a bit like they where just about ready to fight the two Zaft machines with their bare hands. Cagalli couldn't help but roll her eyes a single time, as she stepped over and placed a hand on her brother's shoulder.
"You two seriously need to calm down a bit. I'm pretty sure that they really are here just to talk with us. I might not know the slightest thing about that gundam. But I remember that GOUF from what little time I spend on the Minerva, and that's Nicol's mobile suit no doubt about it!" Cagalli said.
Before she slowly turned her gaze away from the yellow mobile suit and over at the red one, truly wondering if it really was Athrun that was inside that machine.
But as she was doing that both Kira and Dearka was looking over at her with a somewhat shocked expression on their faces. "You can't seriously be telling me that the guy I fought in the last battle was Nicol!" Dearka said in a loud tone.
Yet before the blond woman had anytime to answer him.
The cockpit hatch on both mobile suits flew open, which meant that it did not take long before they saw the pilots slowly low themselves down to the ground.
But even true Cagalli's words had calm the two men next to her down a bit. They both looked a bit like, they where still ready to take on these guys, if they where up to no good.
And it was only when they saw both of Zaft pilots pull of their helmets. That Kira and Dearka finally stopped looking like they where ready to get in to a fist fight, at any moments now.
But even true it had been a long time since they had last seen and talked with each other. None of them said a single thing for almost five whole minutes.
They just kept on standing there watching each other, like this was the very first time they had ever meet.
And it was only when Athrun took a glance away from Kira and over at the Freedom that he finally opened his mouth and began talking in a somewhat angry tone.
"Why did you do something that foolish Kira? Don't you get what you did in the last battle?" Athrun asked. Not doing a thing to hide the angry glare that he was now sending his best friend.
That on the other hand didn't say anything back. He just kept on looking at Athrun, like he was actually trying to read his mind or something like that.
But while he was doing that.
The deep silence became to much for somebody else. And before Kira had the time to come up with a response. Dearka took a small step over towards his two old team mates.
"The reason why, we did something that foolish, as you so nicely call it Athrun. Was because we did not want you guys to destroy the entire Orb fleet. Don't you realize just how many people would have been kill had the Minerva had actually succeeded in firing of it's positron cannon. It really would have been a massacre at the highest scale!" The former Buster pilot said. Having almost immediately realized that these guys where not here to have a nice and calm conversation.
Hearing him say that. Both Athrun and Nicol turned their gaze away from Kira, and over at their old comrade, where they both immediately noticed the slightly angry glare he was giving them.
"Well in my eyes, the only thing you guys did was spread confusion around the battlefield. You didn't do one thing back there, that actually helped somebody out! It would have been much better, if you guys had just stayed out of the whole thing!" Athrun yelled loudly. While Nicol nodded slowly in agreement.
But even as the GOUF pilot was doing that. Kira let out a small sound that made it pretty clear, that he firmly believed they where both wrong about that.
"I wouldn't deny, that we did mess things up a bit back there Athrun. But I'm actually quite relieved that we choose to interfere when we did. If we hadn't done that you guys and the Earth Forces, would most likely have kept on fighting till there was not a single one of you left!" Kira said angrily.
With a look in his eyes that made it pretty clear, that he already knew that he was exaggerating a bit.
Yet even true both Athrun and Nicol truly did want to say something back.
They each knew that he was somewhat right about that. There really was no doubt, that the battle would have been even more horrible had Kira and the others not forced the Earth Forces to pull back.
The silence however didn't last long. Before Nicol finally began talking in a displeased voice.
"I honestly do believe that you are right about some of the things you just said Kira. But this is a war we are fighting, and if you guys keep on interfering like that. This war will never end, we will continue fighting each other forever. Is that truly what you guys want?" The green haired man asked.
While taking a quick glance between the four of the people he had been fighting together with two years ago.
But even true Nicol was somewhat impatient about getting some kind of answer. They all just kept on standing there watching him, with a somewhat unreadable look in their eyes.
And it was only when Cagalli let out a big growling sound, that they all turned their attention over towards her.
"That's seriously has to be the dumbs question I have heard. The one thing I truly wish for with all of my being is for this war to end as quickly as possible" The blond haired woman said in a hard tone. While she slowly moving her eyes away from the green haired man and over at her fiancée.
Where she pretty much immediately got eye contact with him. Which was more then enough to cut her off before she could say anything else.
But even true it was pretty obvious for all of them. That both Athrun and Cagalli truly longed to be with each other again.
It did not take much time before Athrun pretty much forced himself, to look away from the beautiful eyes of the woman he loved. And turned his slightly sadden gaze downwards towards the ground.
"If that's truly what you wish for Cagalli, you and everybody else should go back home and try to get Orb out of that treaty with the Earth Forces. By doing that you would make completely sure, that Zaft wouldn't have to go up against Orb again. Which would make it a lot easier for us to bring peace back to the world" the blue haired man said.
Truly hoping that the woman he loved would listen to the advise he was giving her.
Yet before he had the time to try and figure out what she was thinking about.
Kira let out a small laughing sound.
"I'm not entirely certain what's going to happen, should Zaft be the once to win this war. But I quite honestly has my doubts, that things are going to be as peaceful as the Chairman describes in his broadcasts. I don't trust that man any further then I can throw the Freedom" Kira said, in a mocking tone of voice.
While he hurried took a brief glance over at his mobile suit, before he again looked back at his best friend, that by now was watching him with a surprised expression on his face.
And he did not have to wait for long to hear Athrun's reaction to what he had just said about the Chairman.
"If you actually have seen his broadcasts Kira, you should already know what the Chairman is trying to do. He really is an honorable man!" Athrun said, while using a few minor seconds to think about, just how much respect he had for the Chairman.
He did however not get long to do that before Kira interrupted his thoughts.
"If that man is actually is as honorable, as you say he is Athrun. Would you mind telling me why in the world he needs a fake Lacus Clyne? Why does that man find it necessary to have a copy of my wife speaking his case, and telling the whole world just how great and noble Zaft's cause is?" The brown haired man said.
Making completely sure that both Athrun and Nicol knew just how much this whole fake Lacus thing, was bothering him.
Yet even true Nicol was somewhat taken by surprise that the Lacus working along side the Chairman wasn't the real one.
Neither him or Athrun had any time to come up with some kind of reply to what Kira had just said. Before the Freedom pilot continued talking, now in an even more angry tone then before.
"And now that we are talking about my wife. Maybe one of you guys would be so kind as to tell me, why a squadron of Coordinators tried to murder the real Lacus. Just after the Chairman, started having that fake one running after him!" The male Yamato asked.
While glaring a few times between Athrun and Nicol.
"Yeah that's actually one of those things I have been thinking a lot about too. Those bastards even had their mobile suits with them!" Dearka said, while thinking a few brief moments about those green water-type mobile suits, Kira had fought against back home in Orb. No matter who those guys where, they clearly knew how to use those machines.
And with that in mind. He again looked back at his two old comrade.
"And even true it has been sometime now since I was a member of Zaft. Even I could easily tell who those machines belong to. So don't even try and come up with some kind of story that Zaft knew nothing about that attack. If nine newly assemble mobile suits suddenly disappeared, I'm pretty certain that somebody back at the Plants, would have known about it!" Dearka said, in a somewhat challenging tone.
That pretty much dared, the two Zaft soldiers to come up with some kind of explanation. To everything Kira and him had just said.
But even true it was pretty obvious for all of them, that both Athrun and Nicol was greatly shocked over learning that somebody had actually had tried to kill the pink haired woman.
It did not take long before Athrun slowly narrowed his eyes as he looked a few times between his two old friends. Honestly having are hard time believing that both of them could be this gullible.
"I do understand what you guys are saying. And if somebody actually did try to kill her, then that's unforgivable. But what I'm curious about knowing is how all of you can be so damn sure that it was Zaft that was behind that assassination attempt. Couldn't it have been somebody else that was using Zaft mobile suits? Like those guys that tried to dropped Junius Seven?" Athrun asked. Not doing anything to hide that he was disappointed at how easy his two friends had been fooled.
But while Athrun's words did make a little sense.
Kira was far from ready to say that his best friend was properly right about everything he had just said. If there still was people out there somewhere that wished to take Lacus' life.
He was surely going to do everything possible to stop them, even if it meant he had to fight against Athrun again. "I don't know for sure if it was truly Zaft that tried to kill her Athrun!" He said, with a deeply hard look in both of his eyes.
Which made it pretty obvious that if either of the two Zaft soldiers had something to say. They should say it now before he continued.
"But no matter how much you try and deny it Athrun, all of our clues does point in that direction. So if you honestly believe that we are wrong about who it was that tried to kill my wife. Then would you please show us some proof, that we can take her back home to Orb. Without having to worry about some Zaft soldier trying to take her away from me!" Kira said loudly.
As he stood there staring directly in to his best friend's green eyes. Just waiting to hear his response to all of this.
And as much as Athrun truly wanted to say something, that could convince Kira and the others to head back home to Orb. He somewhat bitterly realized that he had nothing to say at the moment that would completely convince his best friend that Lacus had nothing to fear from Zaft.
And with that in mind he slowly narrowed both of his eyes a bit.
"You know as well as I Kira, that I have nothing to show you that would be proof enough to convince you to go back. But I promise you that both Nicol and I will look in to the whole assassin attempt, once we get back to the Minerva!" Athrun said in a slightly determined tone.
While the green haired man beside him nodded a few times in agreement.
Yet as the two Zaft soldiers was trying to figure out what they where going to do when they got back on board the Minerva. Cagalli was looking at her fiancée with a slightly shocked expression on her face.
"Ain't you coming back with us Athrun? Don't you want to come with us back to the Archangel and everybody else?" She asked in a deeply depressed voice, as she stood there looking sadly at the man she was suppose to marry one day in the future.
And it was just about that time, Athrun took a small glance away from Kira and over at her. But before he could actually come up with some kind of answer to her question, the two of them end up looking directly in to each other eyes.
Which was more then enough to make both of them somewhat speechless, as they each tried to come up with something to say. And it was only when Cagalli began softly fiddling around with the engagement ring.
That Athrun unwillingly tore his eyes away from her and looked down at the ground. Doing his best not to show her and the other just how depressing this entire thing truly was for him.
He did after all love her with all of his heart.
So it truly did hurt quite a bit inside, that he knew he had to disappoint her with his response. But even so, it wasn't like he could just come and go from Zaft as he pleased.
"I'm a Zaft soldier now Cagalli, which means I have a responsibility both to the Chairman for reinstating me, and all of those people back on the Minerva. I'm fighting together with to put an end to this war!" He said in a loud tone that could be heard all over the place.
Even by that certain red haired girl who had been listening in on the whole conversation.
Yet before she had anytime to be relieved that he wasn't going to leave with these people. Somebody else began talking in a loud voice.
"That's really quite honorable of you Zala. So you have a responsibility towards a man that you a not even sure is telling you the whole truth, and the crew on the Minerva. But what about your fiancée, don't you have some kind of responsibility towards her?" Dearka asked.
Before he hurried took a short glance back at his girlfriend. Who had been standing behind him since Athrun and Nicol had gotten there.
He did however not get much time to watch her. Before Athrun's voice pull his attention away from her and back towards him. "Of course I have a responsibility to Cagalli. Which is why I need to go back to Zaft, so I can help them put a stop to this war as quickly as possible!" Athrun said.
Actually sounding a bit like he was insult, that Dearka would even ask him stuff like that.
Yet before either Dearka or Cagalli could think of something to say about him going back to Zaft. Kira took a small step over towards his friend. "So what you are saying is. That you are going to continue fighting as long as the Chairman tells you to?" The Freedom piloted asked.
Still with that hard somewhat unreadable look in each of his eyes.
Hearing his friend asked that. Athrun immediately turned his gaze away from the former pilot of the Buster gundam, and over at his best friend.
"That's right Kira, I'm going to stay with Zaft, and help them defeat the Alliance, they are after all the once to blame for this whole disaster!" He yelling, while thinking a few minor seconds about how utterly insane the Earth Alliance had act since the Break the World incident.
"I see. So you are going to be a part of Zaft from now on, and you are going to keep on fighting the Alliance? But what about Orb are you going to fight against them too Athrun?" Kira asked.
Not once taking his purple gazes away from his blue haired friend in front of him. While he continued standing there waiting to hear what his friend had to say about the whole Orb thing.
And he did not have to wait all that long.
Before he saw Athrun give his low lips an extremely hard bite, actually succeeding in making a little blood run away from them, and down his chin, not that he noticed that. All of his attention was after all turned completely towards Kira.
"I truly don't want to go up against Orb. But if it continues to assist the Earth Forces, then I really don't have any choice but to fight against it. Which is the reason why I think it would be best that all of you go back home as quickly as possible, and get Orb out of that treaty. If you don't do that, then Orb will most definitely continue to be my enemy!" Athrun said loudly.
While he took a small glance down at the ring on Cagalli's left hand. Yet when he slowly lift his gaze up at her beautiful face, he couldn't help but notice a single lonely tear making it's way down her right cheek.
Which truly served to make this entire experience all that much more painful to him.
And as much as he tried to ignored it, there was no way he could deny that there was an extremely big part of him, that just wanted to reach out to her and pull her in to his arms. And just keep on holding on to her for the rest of his life.
Yet he knew that if he did end up doing something like that, there was no way he could ever bring himself to leave her again, which meant that if they didn't get out of there soon.
He would most likely say something stupid that could be misinterpreted like he was going to betray Zaft. And with that in mind he took a small glance over at Nicol.
That had been surprisingly quiet through most of the conversation. Which actually made Athrun wonder, why Nicol had decided to join him in his search for their old comrades in the first place.
He did however not get much time to figure that out. When the pilot of the yellow GOUF apparently noticed that Athrun wasn't really giving the other people there all that much attention.
And seeing as the deep tense air that was surrounding all of them right now, was almost insufferable now. Nicol decide to ask his friend if it wasn't about that time the two of them should consider seriously leaving this area.
And immediately after that simple question had left his mouth. Everybody gather there all turned their attention over towards him.
But even true it was somewhat unwilling that Athrun answer that question. He did it anyway, doing his best not to show his fiancée and everybody else there he cared about his true feelings about having to leave this way.
"You are properly right Nicol. I'm certain that the captain and everybody else back on the Minerva are wondering where we are. It really has been quite a while now since we left!" Athrun said. As he and Nicol began making their way back to their mobile suits.
But as Nicol continued on without saying anything to his old comrades. Athrun turned after a couple of steps and looked back at them again.
"I seriously hope that you guys will consider taking my advise. Hopefully the next time we see each other will be back in Orb, once this war is finally over" he said in a loud tone.
Before he once more continued the rest of the way over to the Saviour gundam. That had been standing quietly beside the yellow GOUF all of that time the two of them had been here.
Which meant that it didn't even take five minutes. Before the two Zaft machines left the ground, and took off in the exact same direction they had appeared from not long ago.
And once both of them where completely out of sight. The blond haired woman there couldn't stop herself from letting out a long depressing sigh, as the man she was in-love with once more disappeared out of her life.
And she knew for sure that if Kira and the others hadn't been there next to her. She would most likely be crying her eyes out right about now.
She had truly believed with all of her heart that once she and everybody else meet up with Athrun again. He was going to come with them back to the Archangel.
Truth be told she had honestly never thought that he was going to leave again, after the two of them had been apart for such a long time.
Yet as all of those depressing thoughts where flying through her mind.
She suddenly heard Dearka let out a deep tired breath. "So what now Kira? Are we going to follow his advise?" The Murasame piloted asked. Not bothering to do a single thing to hide, that he was quite exhaust after this long conversation between them and his two old team mates.
But as much as he would like to just crawl in to a bed somewhere and sleep a few hours with Miriallia in his arms.
He knew that now wasn't the right time to be thinking about something like that.
"I would definitely be lying to you guys if I said that there isn't a small part of me. That truly wished that I could believe it, when Athrun says that Lacus' life isn't in any kind of danger from Zaft!" The brown haired man said.
Before his wife's happy face slowly ran through his head.
"Yet no matter what Athrun says, it still can't be denied, that we have already faced one attack by Zaft mobile suits. And there is just no way I can calmly go back to Orb, without some clear proof that she is not going to be hurt by anybody!" Kira said in a loud determined tone.
As he finally looked away from the direction Athrun and Nicol had disappeared in a few minutes earlier.
And when he got his gaze over on his two friends and his sister he immediately noticed the slightly depressing look they all had in their eyes. Especially Cagalli looked totally crushed over the fact, that Athrun had chosen not to go back with them to the Archangel.
So after watching her sad expression a bit longer.
He took a single step over towards her, where he slowly lifted each of his hands and gently brought them up around her. Hugging her softly as she rest her head in his shoulder for a few minor seconds.
But even as he was trying so hard to make his sister feel better about all of this.
He once more turned his attention back towards Miriallia and Dearka. Where he saw that both of them where just standing quietly waiting to hear what else he had to say about what they had just spoken with Athrun about.
"But the two of you do know, that you don't have to stay here. Each of you can go back home to Orb, if that's what you really want" Kira quietly said to them.
While he continued gently running both of his hands up and down his sister back. That was crying and rubbing her head up against his shoulder, obviously feeling a tiny bit of comfort. That there was somebody present there, that she did not have to hide all of these deeply sadden emotions from.
Yet while Kira was trying so hard to make his sister feel better about all of this.
The two other people there was watching Kira with a somewhat offend expression on their face. Neither of them liked the idea of just taking off while so many of the people they truly cared about was in trouble. But they both of course realized that the only reason Kira had even suggest for them to go back to Orb was because he was concerned about their safety.
And that small glance the young couple share. Was more then enough for each of them to know each other opinion about the whole matter.
So after giving his beautiful girlfriend a light smile. Which she of course immediately returned. Dearka took a small step over in the two siblings direction.
"As much as I appreciated your concern for both of us Kira. I can't just turn tail and run away from this whole mess. I do after all see each and every one of you on the Archangel as family. And I can't with good conscience just throw my things together and leave you all behind!" He said in a loud determined tone.
While the woman beside him nodded a few times in agreement.
As it now became her turn to say her opinion about what Kira had just said.
"I for one can't believe that you would even suggest something like that Kira. I might not be able to pilot a mobile suit, like you and Dearka. But somebody tried to murder one of my best friends. And I want to be there to protect her, and everybody else I care about on the Archangel!" She said, in an even louder tone, then the one Dearka had just been using.
And after taking a small breath, she once more continued her utterly determined speech. "So if you guys need somebody experienced to be in charge of the CIC. I'm more then ready to lend you guys a hand!" She said.
With a firm look in each of her eyes. That made it pretty obvious, that there was no way she was going to change her mind about this.
Hearing the two of them say all of this.
Kira looked at both of them over his sister's shoulder. And just the sight of how determined his two friends was about this, was more then enough to make a small smile ran over his lips.
"Thank you both of you. I'm really grateful for all of your help, and I'm sure that everybody else back on the Archangel appreciated it too" he softly said, as he slowly moved away from Cagalli.
Making absolutely sure, that she was ready to stand on her own, without falling over.
And after it became completely clear to him, that she wasn't about ready to drop to the ground any second now. He once more turned his attention over towards his two friends. Just as Dearka began talking in a somewhat thoughtful tone.
"You are welcome Kira, always glad to help out. But lets not talk about that now. As nice as the sunset is from here, I don't think it's wise for us to spend to much time here. You never know when somebody else take notice of those two guys!" He said.
Just as he nodded over in the direction of the Freedom and his own Murasame. That was still standing where they had left them, when they had first gotten there.
Hearing him say that. Kira took a small look over at the orange glowing sun, that had pretty much disappeared completely in the horizon.
And immediately realizing. Just how much time had gone by, since they had left the Archangel. He once more looked back at his fellow mobile suit pilot.
"I guess you are right Dearka. There isn't really much point in us staying here any longer, so we might as well hurry back to the ship. Lacus and the other are properly starting to get really worried about us" he said.
Just as his sister shook her head a couple of times, in an attempt to get rid of some of the more depressing feelings. That had been flying through her body since her fiancée had left.
"Then lets stop wasting our time here and get moving. I don't want to be here a second longer then I have to!" She yelled loudly. Before she turned away on one foot and began making her way over to the Freedom, with her two friends and brother walking closely behind her.
000000
Meanwhile not that far away.
Two mobile suits was flying slowly beside one another. Neither of the pilots saying anything each other. Seeing as they both had quite a lot on their minds right now.
Which pretty much meant, that the only noise that could presently be heard, was the soft humming sound each of the machines powerful engines was making. As they continued flying not far above the rocky surroundings below them.
Yet finally after about ten minutes of complete silence. Nicol slowly looked over at the red mobile armor transformed war machine beside him.
"Do you really think they'll follow you advise Athrun, and return back to Orb? You know how protective Kira can be of miss Lacus. So if he seriously believes that somebody is after her life. I don't think he and the others can just quietly go back home with a calm mind!" The green haired man said, in a highly serious tone.
Hearing him say that.
Athrun immediately brought the Saviour to a hold and got it over in to it's mobile suit.
"I know what you mean Nicol, I have been thinking about that too. So once we get back to the Minerva, I think we should try and see if there is any information about a bunch of mobile suits being stolen. We have quite busy the last few weeks, so perhaps it somehow avoid our attention" Athrun said, still not willing to believe that it had really been the Chairman that had send soldiers and mobile suits to Orb.
In an attempt to try and murder the pink haired woman he knew so well, there was just no way something like that could be true.
It just seemed impossible in Athrun's eyes. Gilbert Durandal was simply way to kind and noble. To even consider doing such terrible things, like actually trying to murder a person like Lacus, who had no way to defend herself.
The Chairman was after all the one. Who insist that all of Zaft's military resource was used for self-defense purposes only. And that this entire war was kept as bloodless as possible.
So there just had to be some other explanation to the whole assassination attempt. The two of them had been talking about with Kira and Dearka not that long ago.
And Athrun was completely determined to try and dig up some answers no matter what.
That way it might still be possible for him to convince Kira and the others to go back home to Orb. With the way things looked now. Athrun felt pretty sure that most of the Archangel's crew, would preferred to stay hidden away down in the ocean.
So if he could somehow find at little useful information that could tell him about how who had tried to assassinate Lacus.
Then he was sure, that he could prevent the Archangel and her crew from interfering in any of the future battles. That was most likely waiting not that far ahead for all of them on the Minerva.
And not having the Freedom and the white space ship drop in, to mess up the entire battle. Would without a doubt make things much easier. That much Athrun was sure of.
And with that in mind. He once more turned his attention back towards Nicol's GOUF.
Just as his green haired friend let out an enormous yawn, which made it pretty clear that the younger man was completely exhaust right now. Not that Athrun could blame him, neither of them had been having much time to relax since they had left the Minerva a few days ago.
"We better get moving Nicol. I know we are in Zaft territory, but you never knows if there is somebody nearby that wants to fight. And to be honest I'm not really in the mood fight with anybody right now" Athrun said in a slightly far away tone.
While letting his two tired eyes slowly ran over the rocky terrain, that the two of them where floating over.
And just one look down there, was all he need to tell that there was more then enough places for more then few enemy mobile suit to hide out. And seeing as both of them where completely exhaust, it was properly best they got moving before they got some nasty unwanted attention.
So with nothing else to say to each other. It did not take long before they where once more making their way over the rocky grounds, none of them noticing the small one person helicopter that was hiding out down in one of the minor canyons not all that far behind them.
Yet once the two of them disappeared from her sight. Lunamaria once more start the little machine, and got ready to once more go after her two friends.
"I seriously hope you guys are going home back to the Minerva now. I'm really getting tired of this wild-goose chase!" She mumbled. Before she again got her means of transportation airborne. And began heading of in the same direction the Saviour and the yellow GOUF had disappeared in not long ago.
To be continued.