I'm sorry that this chapter took so long. I have been kinda busy these last couple of weeks.
Chapter 32
It hadn't been many hours since the Tsuchi had been repaired.
And at this very moment the three Zaft ships was slowly approaching their destination.
But even true they had yet to see any signs of hostile mobile suits, or anything else that could be consider a threat.
The Zaft forces was still very cautious about rushing in to the area. Seeing as there was still a very high possibility that this was some kind of trap. So while the Tsuchi and Josefine stayed behind.
The Minerva slowly continued onward towards the base. The grey Zaft ship did however not move that far away from it's two escorts, before Talia began talking to her crew in a serious tone.
"Ok Malik hold here, we don't want to get to close incase there is something dangerous in there, we all know just how much those guys who ran off with the Chaos, Gaia and Abyss enjoys making traps. And we certainly don't want a repeat of our second battle with them. So lets get Shinn and Rey to take a look around in there first, before we bring the Minerva any closer to the base!" The brown haired woman said, as she looked out at the somewhat quiet area just ahead of them.
It truly was strange that the Earth Forces would just pack up their things and leave this place. It wasn't really like them to give up their territory without some kind of fight.
Which in Talia's eyes seriously made this whole thing even more suspicious.
And she quite frankly didn't like being here, especially because she felt like she was putting her crew in unnecessary danger. So she was really looking forward to get this whole mission over and done with.
"Ok get ready to send out the Impulse and the Phantom, and please have Athrun standby to launch in the Saviour, so he can cover those two while they infiltrate the base. And do make sure to keep an eye out for anything suspicious!" The captain order loudly. Still not moving her eyes away from the enemy stronghold in front of the ship.
She did however not get long to take in the view. Before she heard Meyrin began talking loudly out over the speakers, where she told Rey and Shinn, that they could leave whenever they where ready.
And it was only shortly after that before they all saw the Core Splendor leave the ship, which meant that it didn't take many seconds before the powerful mobile suit was assembled and equipped with the Force Silhouette.
But even true the Impulse could fly with this equipment on, Shinn brought the gundam down just ahead of the ship where he waited a short moment or two until Rey join him down there.
And together the two comrades began heading slowly towards the base, each of them with their beam rifles up and ready to fire.
"They each seemed to be ready for anything, but I guess that's understandable considering how little we know about this place!" Arthur said, while he and everybody else up there, continued watching the somewhat slow way the two pilots was approaching the still quiet Earth Forces base. Which for the time being had yet to show any sign of movement.
And while everybody up there heard what he said.
None of them really bother giving him a reply. Seeing as they where all pretty much on the edges of their seats, about what was going on just outside of the ship.
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At the same time outside.
Shinn was thoroughly looking around the place. Yet there was only one small sign of life nearby, and that was a couple of birds that was sitting on the fence that was surrounding the entire base.
"I knew coming here was a complete waste of time. There is nothing here!" He complained loudly, while he again took a quick glance around the area.
He did however not having any more luck this time finding anything hostile. The base truly did look completely abandoned there was not a single thing here that could even be consider a threat.
"It's not like we are already done checking the place out, so don't let you guard down Shinn. You never knows when an enemy will suddenly try and strike you down from behind!" Rey said. Just as he carefully stepped over the tall fence.
Yet even as he was taking a look around in there, he realized that Shinn might just be right about this being a waste of time.
The whole place was just so rundown, that it would seriously surprise him. If they where actually able to find anything here, which could someway be used against the Earth Forces.
But maybe while they where leaving this place, they had left something important behind. It certainly wouldn't hurt to take a more thorough look around.
And with that in mind he began making his way towards the larges of the buildings.
With Shinn following not that far behind him. Who where still busy muttering about how boring this whole mission was.
Not that Rey was really listening to him right now, he was much more interested in the building, the two of them where slowly approaching.
"Man! I don't get how they could have used this place as a base, it's doesn't look like there have been done any maintains around here for a very long time, it actually look more like a total dump, then anything else!" Shinn said loudly.
Just before he used the Impulse's foot to tip over a rusty old trailer that had been left behind.
Yet the only thing he got out of that, was scaring away a small frightened grey and white cat, that had apparently been living under that very object, until he came and ruined the whole thing.
And once the now homeless animal was completely out so sight.
He hurried turned and walked the rest of the way over to Rey's ZAKU, that by now was standing as close to the entrances of the building as possible.
"Well no matter what it looks like Shinn. It can not be denied that we where order to check both the outside area of the base. And if there wasn't any sign of hostile forces, then we where suppose to take a look around inside one of the buildings. And I do believe that this is the most important one here!" The blond teen said. Just as he opened the cockpit, and began lowing himself to the ground.
Seeing him do that. Shinn let out a deep breath, as he hurried got the cockpit open too, and began slowly descending downwards towards the solid ground beneath his mobile suit.
And once both of his feet hit the ground. He immediately pull out his gun and made his way over beside Rey.
Who apparently was just waiting for him. So after taking a brief glance over at each other, they both nodded just before they enter the enormous building the Earth Forces had abandoned not that long ago.
"Damn. It's even more of a dump in here!" The dark haired teenage said loudly. While slowly moving his flashlight over all the things. Which was spread out through the somewhat narrow halls.
It was becoming more and more obvious for both of the Zaft pilots.
That the Earth Forces soldiers who had been here in the past, had left this place in somewhat of a rush. Seeing as more then a few of the objects laying on the messy floor, that could most likely still be used.
"I seriously wonder what the heck draw them away from this place, it might not look all that impressive outside. But in here it's a totally different story" Shinn said. As he kneel down and picked up a cap that had no doubt belonged to one of the Earth Forces soldiers station there.
Yet after looking it over for a few seconds, he throw it away, so it landed over beside a few office supplies that had also been left behind.
After that he again turned his attention over towards Rey. And once more began talking to him.
"I mean just try and take a look around at the walls in here, they do seem pretty thick and solid. So they would most likely be able to withstand quite the attack from the outside!" The boy said. While thinking briefly about how different this mission would have been, had there actually been somebody here ready to fight and defend this place, when they had first arrived there.
Thinking slightly about what Shinn had just said.
Rey took a small look around, where he immediately noticed, that the Impulse pilot was right about the walls looking like they could withstand quite the beating.
Which actually made the entire matter about the Earth Forces, abandoning this base, even more peculiar.
It seriously did seem like a few mobile suits, would have been more then enough to defend this somewhat strange place, so why exactly had they left it.
Yet before he could give it all that much thought. The two friends turned around a corner and enter a huge room. Where the very first thing their eyes land on, was a long row of extremely old looking glass cylinders. Which was just big enough to content a single human being.
"What the hell did they use those things for?" Shinn asked in a confused tone. While he continued looking around the room, trying to figure out the meaning with all of these weird cylinders.
But just as he was about to repeat his question. Rey collapsed down on to his knees where he immediately let out an enormous scream that could without a doubt be heard through the entire base.
"Rey! What's wrong!" He asked concerned, while he hurried rushed over to his friend, where he reach out and put his hand on his shoulder, in an minor attempt to calm him down.
Yet it didn't really help all that much, seeing as Rey was now holding on to his head like he actually thought it was going to exploded or something like that.
And it was only by a share luck, that Shinn manage to hear the next few words Rey said to him.
"Shinn...get me out of this damn place. I don't want to be in here a second longer!" He hissed loudly.
While he continued holding and shaking his head, like he was trying everything to get rid of all those bad memories that was hastily flashing through his mind. Like some kind of deeply destructive light show, that was torturing him from the past.
And no matter what he did and how hard he tried he just couldn't get rid of the many images.
Still not entirely sure what the heck was going on right now. Shinn put away his gun, then reached down and took Rey's arm and put it over his shoulder. After that he hurried stood back up again, supporting his friend so he wouldn't fall over.
And once he was completely certain that Rey was somewhat steady on his feet. He slowly turned around, and began making his way back in the same direction they had came from.
Utterly determined to get his fellow pilot out of there as quickly as possible. Even true he still didn't understand why, those bizarre cylinders, had made Rey freak out like this.
"Just try and relax Rey, we are almost at the exit!" He said, while he continued dragging the other teen towards the very place, where he could feel a nice cold breeze coming in, which he seriously hoped would help Rey get over his panic attack.
Yet one glance over at his face, was more then enough to tell him. That Rey was still ready to fall to his knees, and start screaming like this was the end of the world.
And just seeing him look like that.
Made Shinn tighten his grip on him. As he tried to walk just a tiny bit faster, without dropping the still shivering and pale friend. That by now was looking down at the floor like it was the most interesting thing ever.
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Meanwhile far above where Shinn and Rey was.
Athrun was in the Saviour making another flyby over the base. Not that there was anything remotely treating down there.
The only somewhat interesting thing he had found yet, was two completely messed up old Strike Daggers. That actually looked a bit like, they had been fighting with each other, before they had been destroyed by an even more powerful mobile suit.
It truthfully had been a bit hard for him to tell, what exactly those mobile suits had been, when he had first spotted them. And it had only been thanks to their shields that he had been able to figure it out.
Yet now that he was taking a more thorough look at the surroundings. He noticed that it wasn't just those two Daggers that had been destroyed here at some point in time. There was mobile suits parts pretty much all over the place.
And pretty much each and every one of them seemed like they had been fighting among themselves.
Before they had been completely wiped out by something else, that had very little trouble destroying them all.
Yet just as he was about to turn around and take of in another direction. He recognized a certain weapon laying on the ground just beneath him.
And without giving it a second thought he got the Saviour over in to it's mobile suit mode. And got the red gundam down on the ground just beside the very thing, he had seen more then a few times, in the last war.
"But this is...! Could those three really have been here at some point in time?" He quietly asked himself.
As he slowly kneel down and picked up what could only be the Forbidden gundam's scythe. It was somewhat more rusty and crack up, then the one it had always been carrying around.
But there was next to no doubt, in Athrun's mind.
That the deadly green gundam, that Kira and him had been facing of against so many times in the past, had at some point in time been here in the area. And that it had been using it's favorite weapon against something here.
Which seriously made Athrun wonder if it had been the Forbidden, that had taken out all of these Daggers. Or had it actually been something much more dangerous then that mobile suit.
"What the heck have they been doing here? Was this some kind of testing facility for prototype mobile suits?" He asked out loud.
Just before he throw, the scythe back to where he had first found it. He seriously didn't want to carry that damn thing around. He had already seen more then enough of that weapon in the last war.
So after taking one more brief glance around down there.
He hurried took off yet again, and transformed the Saviour back over in to it's mobile armor mode.
Which meant that it only took a few minutes before he was once more making his way over the completely deserted base. Still keeping a close eye out for anything suspicious.
Not that there was all that much to worry about out there. Everything truly did seem pretty calm at the moment.
Yet he knew better then most people, that such a thing could easily change in the matter of a few minor seconds.
Which was why it was properly wise for him not to let his guard down, as long as they where there.
It was just so hard to tell, if something would suddenly show up and start attacking them, and if some kind of threat actually did show up. He wanted to be absolutely sure that he was ready to strike, and beat up anything unidentified that enter the area and started attacking them.
But as things looked now. He was begin to seriously doubt, that there was actually anybody in the Earth Forces, who cared very much about this place. It truly didn't seem all that important to them.
Which was properly the reason why they had decided to leave it in the first place. And if some of them actually wanted to fight for this place now.
It was a completely unrealistic not to mention totally foolish move on their part. Which was why Athrun was somewhat sure now that there was no way they wouldn't come under attack, while they where there.
Yet it certainly didn't hurt to be careful.
And with that in mind, he once more turned the transformed mobile suit around, to do yet another flyby over the area. Just to make extra sure, that there was nothing dangerous nearby.
He did however not get long to fly around like that. Before he suddenly noticed his two comrades down by the entrance of the main building.
And from what he could tell from up there, Shinn was for some reason supporting Rey.
Which could only mean that there was something wrong, and without one bit of hesitation. He got the red machine over in to it's mobile suit mode, and land directly in front of the two other pilots, just incase somebody was actually chasing them.
Yet once he saw Shinn, slowly place the blond teen down on the ground so he was leaning up against the wall. He immediately realized that there was nothing inside the old building, that could threaten his two team mates.
So while still wondering what in the world was going on. He hurried got in contact with the Minerva.
"Captain Gladys! Both Rey and Shinn, have just gotten back out of the building. Nut something seems to be wrong so you better hurry and send a medical team over here as quickly as possible!" Athrun said loudly.
Hearing him say that, It didn't even take a second, before Talia got a very serious look, in both of her eyes.
"All right Athrun, I'll tell them to leave immediately. By the way do you think it's safe to move the Minerva closer to the base? That would definitely make it easier for the medical team to get them back on board!" The brown haired woman said hastily. Not once moving her earnest gaze away from the blue haired young pilot, up on the main monitor.
Knowing that this was quite important. Athrun took one more thorough look around the place, just to be absolutely certain that there was nobody else around, other then himself, and the two pilots down on the ground.
"Everything seems to be in order captain, just go ahead and move the ship closer!" The pilot of the Saviour said. Before he slowly turned around, and looked directly over at the grey space ship, not that far away from them.
And even as he was standing there watching the Minerva, he saw the enormous warship begin slowly making it's way over to their location. Which fortunately meant that it would not be long now, before Rey could get the help, he required so badly.
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It was about a half hour after Rey's somewhat traumatic experience inside the base.
Right now he was fast asleep while the Minerva's doctor was busy checking him for any signs of injuries.
Yet after five long minutes of tense deep silence. The man finally turned away and looked over at Shinn who had been standing over by the door, ever since Rey was first brought in here.
"There isn't really anything physical wrong with him. So he should be ok after getting some rest. But it's properly best he stays here for now, you never know just how he is going to react, once he wakes up and I would very much like to keep an eye on him, until that happens" the man explained. As he watched his assistant wash away the few drops of sweat, on the blond teen's forehead.
Also watching the woman do that. Shinn was glad to know that his friend was in good hands. And with that in mind he once again turned his attention back towards the doctor.
"I'm really glad he is all right. I was kinda worried about him in there!" Shinn said in a small tone. While he thought back to how Rey had acted inside the weird Earth Forces base, the two of them had been checking out when he had flipped out.
It truly didn't make any sense to him, what it was about those damn cylinders that had made him react in such a panicking manner.
So while still thinking about that. He took one more glance over at his friend.
"I think I'll be going now doc, there is something I need to look in to, and it just can't wait until later!" He said loudly, as he quickly turned around on one foot and ran full speed out of the room.
Completely and utterly determined to go along with whoever was going to enter the base next.
He seriously needed to figure out some answers to all of this. The dark haired teenage quite frankly hadn't like seeing, his normal calm and intelligent comrade behave in such a manner.
So if there was someway he could find some clues about what happened to Rey inside that damn base. He was certainly going to go back in there even if the captain told him to stay out here.
"Damn it! This whole thing, it's just so freakishly weird!" He angrily muttered, while running even fast down the Minerva's halls.
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So while Shinn was making his way towards the exit of the Minerva.
Nicol and Athrun was busy discoursing with the captain, what they where going to do now.
"I know Shinn said that there was nobody in there. But that certainly doesn't mean that it can't still be dangerous in there. Yet I most admit I'm quite curious about what Shinn and Rey found in there. So I would very much like, to take a small look around the place!" Talia said in a serious tone. While looking over at the entrance of the base, truly wondering what the two pilots had discovered in there.
Hearing those words leave the brown haired woman's mouth. Athrun immediately snapped back out of his thoughts about the crappy old weapon, he had found out there not that long ago.
He might not be showing it all that much. But he too was kinda curious about this base.
For some strange reason, he just couldn't help but wanting to know, if this had been the location where the Forbidden, Calamity and Raider had been assembled. He had after all been facing of against all three of those machines more then once in the last war.
Yet now that he was giving it some serious thought. He realized that he actually didn't know all that much about the three old Earth Forces gundams, and if there was a opportunity to dig up at least a little information about them. He would most definitely do it.
So with that in mind. He began speaking to the captain, in the same serious tone of voice, she had just been using.
"I too would actually like to take a small look around in there. I found something not long ago, that really made me quite suspicious about his place!" The blue haired young man said. Just as he saw a few images of the Forbidden coming straight towards him with it's scythe up, and ready to strike.
Yet before he could seriously start thinking about all of his battles, with the green gundam.
Nicol decided to ask him, what it was that made him so curious about this place.
And just hearing his friend ask him that, was more then enough to make Athrun turn and look over at Nicol. Where he could easily tell from his expression, that he really wanted to know just what exactly he was thinking so hard about.
And one small glance over at the captain, did make it kinda obvious to him, that she was feeling pretty much the same way.
So realizing, that he had no really reason to keep it a secret. He let out a small breath as he once more began talking to them.
"While I was doing my patrols over the base, I found the Forbidden gundam's scythe. Which kinda made me wonder if that mobile suit have been here at some point in time. I know that it's not really that important now. It's just that I face that machine so many times in the last war. That a small part of me kinda want to know some more about it!" He explained, while thinking briefly about just how close that gundam, had came to killing the woman he loved.
Satisfied with the reply. Talia nodded a few times in understanding, as she turned and once more looked back at the enormous building.
"Hm I understand what you are saying Athrun. So instead of wasting our time standing out here talking, we should hurry up and get going!" The brown haired woman said loudly.
And before any of the pilots had time to come up with some kind of response. Talia began making her way over to the entrance.
So after sharing a brief look. The two former members of the Le Creuset team hurried took off after her, before she could get to far away.
They did however, not have to worry much about being left behind.
Seeing as the captain was now in a small discussion with the deputy captain about something. He apparently thought it was a very bad idea for them, to run around to much inside this creepy old building.
"Captain! I truly do think it would be wise, that we just forget about all of this! You saw the terrible condition Rey was in, when he and Shinn came back out from in there!" The grey haired man said, with a deeply serious look in both of his eyes.
Not once taking her gaze away from him. Talia used a few seconds to think about his concern.
She had no trouble at all, understanding why Arthur was so concerned about their safety inside this enemy base.
But after using so much time to travel all the way here. And going through all the trouble of making sure that the base was completely deserted, there was just no way they where going to just turn around and leave the area now.
Not before they had gather at least a little information about what the Earth Forces had been doing here.
And with that in mind. She got a very serious expression on her face, as she began talking somewhat calmly to the grey haired man.
"Arthur, I seriously doubt that there is anybody here. That's isn't slightly freaked out about this place, but we where order to check out what was going on here. And that is what we are going to do. But if you want to you can stay out here, none of us is forcing you to go with us in there!" The captain said.
Just as she and the two pilots continued in the direction of the entrance.
Looking after the three of them. Arthur was having a bit of a tough time, deciding just what in the world he should do now. Yet before he could really start thinking it over, an extremely loud voice could be heard pretty much all over the entire area.
"HEY GUYS! WAIT FOR ME, I'M COMING TOO!" Shinn yell loudly. Just before he came rushing full speed out of the Minerva, and began making his way over to the three people by the entrance of the base.
Who by now, was all just standing there, quietly waiting for him to catch up to them. Which truly didn't take him all that long, seeing as he was pretty much running as fast as his legs could carry him.
"Damn that was close! I was sure you guys, was going to leave me behind out here!" He breath out. As he stood there with his hands on his knees, trying hard to get some much need air, back down in to his lungs.
Fortunately for him it was quite chilly out there right now. So it only took him a couple of short minutes for him regain his breath.
After that he stood back up straight, and looked over at the captain and his two fellow pilots. "I'm ready to head back in there now" he said determined, as he slowly moved his hand up and rubbed away some of his hair that was hang down in front of his eyes.
Smiling a bit at him. Talia turned and walked slowly in to the building, with the three pilots following closely behind her. They did however not get that far before they heard a couple of loud steps coming from behind them.
Which immediately made them all turn around to see who it was. And much to their minor surprise they saw the Minerva's second in command.
"I'll...I'll be coming too. As nervous as this place makes me...I really want to know what's in here!" The man said, in a slightly shake up tone, which made it pretty clear that he was more then just a bit nervous about being in there.
But even so none of them said anything to him about it. They just turned around and continued walking down the hall, all of them making sure to keep their guard up no matter what.
Especially the three pilots looked ready to fight at a moments notice.
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They had been exploring the base for quite some time now.
But they had yet to find anything that truly proved what this place was for.
Even true the strange cylinders, which had been the direct cost of Rey's panic attack. Did raise Talia's suspicious about this place quite a bit.
But even so she had yet to tell any of the people around, what she was starting to believe this base had been used for. She wanted to be absolutely certain that she was right in her assumption about what the Earth Forces had been doing there.
Yet when the five of them stepped in to the next room. She knew that her deep suspicion about this base was most definitely right. There was a hold row of the same cylinders as before.
But unlike the once in the last chamber they had been in. These where not empty, in each of them where a small child, that truly seemed like they had been suffering a lot before they had died.
And when they took a closer look at all the small people in there.
They could see a great deal of tubes and wires, being attached to their bodies. Like there had actually been done some kind of experiment on them, which seemed to have been quite a painful, not to mention deeply tortures.
This place truly was sickening, and before any of them had the time to get over the deep shock they where all feeling right now. Arthur let out a loud scream as he fell over and land on the floor.
"Dear God! What...what...is this place?...What's with all of these poor children?" The man asked. While he again let his eyes ran over all the dead people in there. He was truly starting to regret that he had decided to go with the others in there.
If anybody asked him now, he could definitely say without lying, that he would have preferred to stay outside. This truly was the most horrifying thing he had ever seen.
Also looking around in there. Athrun slowly stepped over and kneel down in front of one of the cylinders. Which contented a small girl who couldn't have been more then seven or eight years old.
But what he really took notice of, was the completely frightened and confused expression she had on her face. It almost seemed like she had no idea about what was going to happen to her.
So after looking at her two small blue eyes for a second or two. He hurried turned his face away, not wanting to look at her any longer.
"This entire place is absolutely inhuman, I can't believe that anybody would do something like this!" He muttered softly to himself.
Just before he once more stood up straight, and made his way over to the captain. Who by now was standing quitely by the door, obviously thinking very hard about, what they had all seen in there.
Yet as the two of them where standing there beside each other. Nicol was also down on the floor looking a child over, this time a small blond haired boy. Who had a long wound on his left arm, which looked like had been extremely painful before he died.
So while kneeling there looking at him. Nicol slowly reached out and shut his two bloodshot eyes. After that he turned his gaze down towards the floor and mumbled out a light prayer for the small human being in front of him.
Once that was done he reach out and softly rubbed his hair a bit.
"Please rest in peace little friend!" He said. Just loud enough for the others in there to hear him.
After that he slowly got back up on his feet, and moved over next to Athrun and the captain. Where his blue haired friend reach over and gave his shoulder a small reassuring squeeze. Which made Nicol jump slightly as he hurried turned around and looked back at Athrun, where he immediately noticed the deeply sadden look on the other teenage's face.
Seeing that. Nicol smiled sadly at him, before he took single a step away from him and leaned up against the wall.
Honestly not in the mood to talk right now. This was just so utterly gruesome and terrible.
That he quite seriously doubt, that he would be able to put his feelings in to words. To tell the truth a big part of him was pretty much screaming at him to turn around and leave this place as quickly as possible.
Not really sure how to react to this place. Shinn pretty much did what came natural to him, he pulled his foot back and gave the only empty cylinder in there a hard kick, seriously trying to destroy the damn thing.
But much to his deep irritation these things was made to take quite the beating. So nothing really happened to the cylinder, even with all the power he had put in to his kick.
It did however make the short tempered boy realize one thing. And that was that there was just no way he could destroy any of the equipment in there, with only raw power alone.
And that realization, made him let out a loud grunt and a few curses.
"To hell with them! How the heck could those bastard do something like this? Don't any of them have even one shade of compassion in them?" He asked loudly.
Just before he once more gave the cylinder a hard kick, not having any more luck destroying it this time. It did however served to vent out some of the deep anger he was currently feeling.
So with his foot somewhat sore. He slowly made his way over to the others, that was just waiting for him and the deputy captain.
Once over there. He turned around and took one last look back at the deeply disturbing room. And after a few minor seconds he again muttered out a single curse.
"Damn them, they should all try and go to the same kind of pain these children went through!" He said. As both of his eyes fell shut, trying hard to forget what he and the others had found in there.
Also having some trouble figuring out how he should react to this. Arthur slowly looked over all of the cylinders.
Still utterly terrified, about what he and the others had found.
He just could not believe, that there was actually anybody in this world. That would treat so many innocence children. Like they where nothing more, then a bunch of lab rats.
"Captain...I...I...know that we came here to find some information about the Earth Forces. But do you think it would be possible that we bury them before we leave. I truly do think they deserve at least that much" he said.
Trying everything not show anybody there, how deeply sadden he was about all of this. The entire thing was just seemed so unreal to him. And even now he was having a tough time believing what they had all seen in there.
Yet before he could give it all that much thought the only woman currently present began talking to him in a gentle tone.
"Of course we are going to bury them Arthur. It wouldn't feel right to just leave them here, after everything they been through" she said softly.
While thinking about her little boy back home at the Plants. She truly missed him right now, yet she knew that it could take quite some time, before she would be able to see him again.
Yet she truly hoped that he was doing all right and that he didn't miss her too much. So while still thinking about his happy smiling face she slowly lifted her gaze away from the floor, and looked back over at Arthur.
"But before we do that, I think it would be wise, that we take a look inside the next room. I have a feeling that we can find what we are looking for in there" she said.
Just before she turned around, and slowly made her way over to the closed door, with everybody else following closely behind her.
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It wasn't long after before they where inside the next room.
Talia was sitting by an old computer, writing away at the keyboard in front of her, trying hard to find some information about this place.
Fortunately for them there had been no password on this thing, so it was pretty easy for her to go over whatever data that was inside this thing.
Yet the only somewhat interesting thing she had succeed in finding yet, was a small report about two of the children, that had tried to escape from here. But had been hunted down by some of them more obedient children.
Which had resolute in, that one of them had been shot by some boy named Auel Neider.
That apparently had some of them more murderous skills the Earth Forces's scientists there had been searching for. And even true Talia tried her best to figure out what exactly had happened to the other escapee, there was nothing in the report about it, that could tell them if he or she had actually manage to get away from this awful place.
Yet even as she continued working. The others was taking a look around in there, the room was kinda small and impersonal.
But even so. There was still three or four shelves in there, that was fill up with a bunch of small insulated glass containers, which seemed like they where each contenting what looked like a human brain.
"I seriously don't know which room was most disturbing, the last one or this one" Shinn muttered angrily.
Just before he reached out, and pinked up a random container, using a few minor seconds to look it over.
While once more thinking about how utterly disgusting this place truly was. He might not show it all that much, but he was really, really looking forward to get out of there. And get some nice fresh air down in to his lungs.
With the many dead bodies lying around all over the place.
The so call air in there was quite far from a pleasant one. Truth be told, the deeply rotten stench around the base, was just as grotesque as everything else they had seen in there.
Yet as Shinn was thinking about that. Nicol began talking to him in a quiet tone, just as he placed one of the containers back where he had found it.
Being somewhat careful not to break the thick glass. He seriously did not want to see, what this brain like thing would look like, should it fall down from it's rightful place on the shelf.
"I honestly believe Shinn, that the two rooms a just about even. I can quite frankly say, that I have seen something in both of these comrade. I could most definitely have lived without!" The green haired man said, while slowly brushing away the small amount of dust on each of his hands.
After doing that he stepped over behind the captain and looked down at the screen, to see what she was working on now.
Not that there was much of interest on the screen. Yet just as he was about to step away from her again, the brown haired woman suddenly call out after the Saviour pilot in a loud tone.
"I think I just found something here, that might just interest you Athrun!" She said loudly. Just before she turned the monitor over towards him.
Which meant that he and the others, could now see a few video footages off the Forbidden, Calamity and Raider, fighting an entire squadron of Earth Forces Strike Daggers. Which obviously didn't stand a chances against the three gundams.
And just as they all saw, the massively armed blue gundam, destroy two more of the Daggers. Athrun slowly opened his mouth and began talking in a small tone, that the others could just barely hear.
"I thought as much. But I do wonder if that was the way the choose the pilots to those machines. The three of them had a pretty lunacies fighting style" the blue haired man said. While thinking briefly about his previous encounters with the three Earth Forces gundams.
He did however not think long about it, before he again continued talking in the same tone as before.
"But I guess, that if anybody went through the exact same treatment, as those children out in the next room. They had to be pretty lucky, to get out of here without going completely insane!" He said.
Not once moving his eyes away from the Raider gundam that quickly landed on the ground. Where it immediately throw it's mace, directly in to the side of the closed opponent, destroying the grey coloured mobile suit completely.
Also watching the screen with great interest. Nicol couldn't help but narrow his eyes quite bit when he saw the Calamity.
Just the sight of the blue gundam was more then enough to bring up it's share of bad memoirs. Even now he could clearly see how that machine had mercilessly shoot down Mayura's M1 Astray.
And just the deeply painful thoughts of what the Calamity had taken from him, was more then enough to make him take a single step forward and press down on one of the buttons on the keyboard.
Which immediately brought the long video footages, of the three highly deadly mobile suits to an end. Yet it was only when he slowly pull his hand away from the old keyboard.
That a minor part of him realized, that everybody else in there, was now watching him. And knowing that Athrun was the only one there, that knew the reason for his actions, he said the very first thing that enter his mind.
"I don't want to see those machines anymore. I hate especially the Calamity!" He growled, with a deeply murderous look on his face. That none of the people gather together in the small room, had ever seen before.
Even Athrun was slightly taken back by that expression.
He had realized shortly after meeting Nicol the first time on the Minerva. That it was still a very touchy subject for Nicol to talk about Mayura. Which was the sole reason why, Athrun had been extra cautious about mention any of the Astray girls's names to him.
Unfortunately once he had found the Forbidden's scythe outside. His deep curiosity about the three mobile suits, had somehow made him forget that Nicol had lost a very, very important person to one of them.
And it was only now, that he saw the pained look in both of his eyes, that Athrun realized the mistake he had just made.
So after making absolute certain that none of the others, was about to start of the same video footages again. He slowly stepped over beside Nicol who by now was leaning up against wall. Actually sounding a bit like he was having trouble breathing properly right now.
And the look in his eyes, made it pretty clear to all of them. That he was just about ready to start, destroying everything in there.
But even true Athrun could easily tell, that the former Blitz pilot truly wanted to be left alone at the moment.
He made the decision, that it was properly, best that he apologize immediately. That way it might just be easier for Nicol, to get his thoughts over on something else other then the Calamity gundam and Mayura.
"I'm really sorry that I brought it up Nicol. It wasn't my intention to bring up any bad memories" Athrun said in a small tone, that the others just badly manage to hear.
And with a slightly guilty expression on his face. He slowly turned his sad gaze away from Nicol, and downwards at the floor. Looking at it like it was the most interesting thing in the whole world.
Hearing him say those words. Nicol immediately lift his eyes and glare somewhat angrily at his friend.
"I guess it's...it's all right Athrun, you didn't do it on purpose. Now if there is nothing more to talk about! I'll be going now, I can't stay in here any longer, I just need to get out of here!" He growled out. Just before he hastily turned around on one foot, and began making his way towards the door.
With everybody else in there looking after him. Yet before he could get all that far, Shinn call out to him in a loud tone, asking the one question Nicol truly didn't want to answer.
"Hey wait just a sec Nicol! What is it about the Calamity gundam that makes you hate it so much? Ever since I first meet you, I can't remember ever seeing you this angry before. So could you please tell us why that machine makes your blood boil so much?" The pilot of the Impulse asked loudly.
Not realizing that he was asking about a subject, that Nicol would have preferred not to talk with him or anybody else about.
Yet not really knowing what he should do with himself right now.
Nicol just kept on standing there with a completely ruffled up expression all over his face, and with a far away glimmer in both of his eyes. Not that any of the others in there, could actually see it.
And after five whole minutes had gone by in absolute silence. The displeased green haired man reach out and took a hold on the door knob, holding on to it so tightly that it actually looked a bit like he was just about ready to tear it off.
He did however not do anything like that. He just stood there with all five of his fingers firmly wrapped around the somewhat rusty handle like he was actually scared that he was going to fall over if he let the thing go.
Yet just as all of them where starting to doubt that he was going to say anything.
He let out a long breath, that actually seemed a bit like, it had been stuck somewhere down in his throat just after Shinn had asked his deeply painful question.
"The Calamity...the Calamity gundam...killed the woman I was in-love with two years ago!" He pretty much grasped out.
Just as he hurried turned the old handle and left the room. Not giving any of the people in there, the opportunity to say anything about what he had just told them.
And it was only shortly after that, when the door was once more slammed back shut, with so much force that it could most likely be heard, through half of the compound.
After that a deep silence, once more fell over the old dusty room.
"Damn it. I hadn't thought it was something as terrible like that, I just assumed that maybe the Blitz was destroyed by the Calamity. I never thought he actually lost a girlfriend to that damn machine!" Shinn muttered out through his teeth. Truly regretting that he had been so overly curious about knowing Nicol's reason, for hating the blue mobile suit.
Hearing that. Athrun slowly looked away from the door and over at him.
"Just leave him alone for now Shinn. I'm certain he will be back to his usual self in a day or two. But please don't ask him any more questions about the Calamity or Mayura, he really was crushed when she was kill by that machine" Athrun said. While thinking briefly about some of the more gruesome things, that had happened in the second battle of Jachin Due.
He did however not do that for very long. Before he once more opened his mouth, and continued talking in the same quiet tone as before.
"And to tell you the honest truth, I think a part of him is still blaming himself for not being able to do anything to save her" Athrun said, also deeply sadden about what had happened to the red haired Astray pilot. Which had meant so incredibly much to Nicol.
Not really needing a hold lot of time to think up an answer to that request. Shinn slowly nodded his response.
"You got it Athrun, I wouldn't say anything else about that mobile suit, or the girl for that matter. But I will definitely apologize to him the next time I see him" the dark haired teenage said, in a tone that made it pretty clear for all of them. That he was not going to change his mind about that.
And even true Athrun wasn't entirely sure, that it was a wise idea for any of them to mention this conversation to Nicol. He just could not bring himself to try and talk the Impulse pilot out of apologizing.
"Just don't do it right after we get out of here Shinn, give him a little time to calm down" Athrun said. Just before he turned his attention over towards the captain and Arthur, who had been pretty quiet the last few minutes, while all of this was taking place.
Yet when the blue haired FAITH member, asked if there was anything else useful for their cause inside the old computer. The captain immediately turned and once more began typing away at the keyboard.
And fortunately it did not take much time, for her to find something else interesting in there.
"It would seem like I was correct in my assumption, this really is the place where the Earth Forces have trained and created their Extendeds!" Talia said. While letting her eyes ran over the data that was now slowly running over the screen in front of her.
Hearing her say that. Shinn immediately took a step closer to her and took a look at the screen too.
"Extendeds! What the heck is that captain?" He asked. While looking confused at the many images on the screen, that show a great deal of people, who all truly did look like they where quite insane or just on the verge of being it.
Most of them truly seemed like they where ready to kill at a moment notice. And the rest of them had a none caring expression on their faces, like they didn't have any reason to live.
Yet as Shinn stood there looking at the many faces, the only other pilot in there began talking in a far away tone.
"The Extendeds Shinn, is a bunch of people, who the Earth Forces is trying to enlarge their abilities to fight. Yet unlike the military academy back at the Plants, this is done with drugs and other more painful means. Like those cylinders we saw in the last room!" Athrun explained, while the screen showed the Raider gundam and the person that apparently had been piloting it.
Yet once the screen jumped to the next picture, that showed some crazy looking brown haired girl. Athrun once more continued talking.
"But even true there is properly only a few people, that actually survivor the entire process. The Earth Forces and Blue Cosmos doesn't really care about them all that much, they are just meant to be soldiers that can fight Coordinators on an even grounds" Athrun said. While thinking about all of his previous encounters with some of the more crazy Extendeds.
Thinking thoroughly about everything Athrun had just told him. Shinn couldn't help but give his low lips an extremely hard bite.
"Damn, and I thought Blue Cosmos was crazy enough already. But this is really far out if you ask me, what the heck where does stupid bastards thinking about, don't they realize that it's other peoples life they are messing around with?" He asked in a loud angry tone.
Just before giving the wall beside him a hard kick. Truly wishing that it was the face of one of the bastards that had done so many terrible things, to the children out in the last room.
Totally agreeing with everything Shinn had said about Blue Cosmos. One seriously didn't have to look that far back in time.
To realize that the way the terrorist group and the Earth Forces was handling the whole war situation, was completely and utterly crazy, there was just so many things that could have been avoided if Blue Cosmos hadn't existed.
Yet Talia knew better then most people, that dreaming about something like that, was pretty pointless at this moment in time. It wasn't like those kind of people was just going to magically disappear all of a sudden.
And with that in mind. Talia once more turned her attention back towards screen. Truly hoping that the information they had discovered, could somehow be used to put a stop to Blue Cosmos, or at the very least put a damper on some of the more nasty things, they where trying to accomplish in the war.
So while copying down all the important data they had found in there. She slowly turned and looked over at the two pilots.
"I know that we are each pretty shake up about what we discovered in here. But I truly do believe that all of this data about the Earth Forces Extendeds project was worth going in here for. Perhaps with this in our hands, we can somehow find away prevent them from hurting people like that ever again!" The brown haired woman said in a deeply serious tone.
That was more then enough, to make both of the pilots, and Arthur nod slowly in agreement. As they all stood there waiting somewhat impatiently, for the extremely slow machine to finish copying down all the data.
Which did take quite a long time. Seeing as none of them where totally sure about, what was really important in there.
To be continued.