Chapter 66
It was a few hours later after their arrival at Gibraltar.
And not really all that surprising, it wasn't only the bridge that was noisy now. The rest of the Minerva, was full of activity too. Seeing as most of the grey space ship's crew was now, hard at work with whatever job they had around the enormous ship.
Like helping out with the resupplying or repairing what minor damage they had received during their so call battle with the Archangel. Not that there was overly much to repair in the first place. Which was actually quite a big relieved to the mechanic staff, that all clearly remembered how much damage, the Freedom gundam and that blue Murasame had made on the Minerva, when they had blown up the Tannhauser.
So there wasn't anybody among the mechanics that complained overly much about what they had to do right now. It was after all kinda obvious to most of them, that it wouldn't take that many hours, to fix the small amount of damage.
There was however three certain people that wasn't really doing anything right now, other then slacking off on the black leather couch, near one of the soda machines down in the mess hall.
Yet while Rey and Shinn was busy discoursing just what exactly what their next move was going to be. The older one of the Hawke siblings was behaving very much like she had no idea about what was going on around her. She was simply far to occupied with playing around with the bright orange soda can she was presently holding on to, and thinking about what had happened between her and Nicol not that long ago.
But not really all that surprising her weird behavior really served to make her two male friends, wonder just what in the world was going on with her. "Hello Minerva here to Lunamaria, please response. We are losing contact with you. Please tell us what the heck is the matter with you?!" Shinn said in a loud tone, which could only be described as highly provoking.
Hearing those words, instantly snapped Lunamaria out of her deeply confusing thoughts about Nicol, and after blinking one or two times she slowly turned her now highly skeptical gaze over on the pilot of the Impulse.
"Oh grown up already Shinn, you are suppose to be sixteenth-years-old, not five!" The redhead informed him in a not so pleasant tone.
Honestly feeling more then a little insulted, by the way she had answered him. Shinn narrowed both of his dark red eyes in a extremely pissed off fashion. "Geez Luna why don't you just bite my head off while you are at it?! And here I was actually worried about you!"
Letting out a loud sigh that could easily be heard through the entire room. Lunamaria did not say anything at first, she just sat there staring at the dark haired boy for a couple of extremely tense seconds, until she finally rolled her eyes a single time at his immature behavior.
"Well thank you for the concern, Shinn! But lets just say that I have a lot on my mind that really isn't any of your business!" She told in a tone of voice, which would under normal circumstance be more then enough, to make it absolutely clear to most people, that it would be a wise idea to leave her alone right now.
Unfortunately Shinn Asuka just happened to choose that exact moment to be dense, and speak without really thinking it through properly. "Wow! Somebody here is PMSing today" the pilot of the Impulse mindlessly stated.
And instantaneously after that comment had left his mouth, Lunamaria's entire face turned completely red in anger, while she got a highly murderous look in both of her eyes, that would most likely have killed Shinn right then and there, had her gaze actually had the ability to carry out such a task.
"Why you...you stupid IDIOT! SHUT THE HELL UP OR I SWEAR TO GOD THAT I'M GOING TO STRANGLE YOU!" The girl shouted so loudly, that it could very well be heard through the entire ship.
Then without wasting even a second, Lunamaria leaped full speed up from her position, on the black leather couch, where she immediately raised her right hand, and gave the mindless fool a hard smack, directly on top of his mostly empty head.
Which of course resulted in that Shinn let out a loud yelp of pain. And while that did calm the redhead down slightly, there was no denying that she was still extremely and utterly pissed off, as she hurried swirl around on one foot. Then walked with loud angry steps, out of the mess hall without looking back even once.
And once the cranky girl vanished completely from their sight, there was simply nothing Rey could do, to stop himself from letting out a huge laugh. "Damn Shinn do you have a death wish or something? I'm quite amazed that you got away with that PMS comment, with only a single slap. I was honestly expecting her to kill you, or at the very least dump the entire contents of her soda on you! Whatever is bothering our dear Lunamaria, most be quite important" the blond man said, doing nothing to hide the large amused grin on his face.
Slowly rubbing the highly aching spot on his head, which the half crazy redhead, had punch only seconds ago, Shinn glared angrily over at his best friend.
"Yeah very funny Rey a million laughs right there. But if you ask me, her hitting me is more then punishment enough for my little comment! That crazy woman does after all have a pretty nasty right hook!" The boy complained, while seriously wondering if there was anything he could do to make Lunamaria pay for hitting him like that.
But before the somewhat dense teenager could come up with some ingenious plan. That would most likely result in the female pilot breaking more then a half of the bones in his body, he was instantly pull back out of his slightly wicked thoughts when he heard Rey let out another huge laugh.
And as he looked back over at his friend, Shinn Asuka could immediately tell, that Rey still found this whole situation more then just a little amusing. "Mind telling me just what exactly is so damn funny Rey?!" The dark haired teenager asked, in a loud demanding tone. That would without a doubt have made most people think twice about not giving him some sort of answer.
Yet much to Shinn's deep irritation, Rey obviously did not take his threat, all that serious. Seeing as he began laughing even louder then before. "At time such as these Shinn, it kinda amazes me, that you where actually able to get a Zaft red uniform in the first place! But if you really need me to, then I don't really mind answering your question" the blond haired man said, with a great deal of humor in his voice.
So while simply ignoring the highly cranky glare Shinn was presently sending him, Rey took a deep breath as he began explaining the reason why he found his friend's brief argument with Lunamaria so utterly amusing.
"Ever since the very first day at the academy! Lunamaria made it pretty clear, that she was more then willing to beat the crap out of you when you tease her. So what I'm laughing about my slow learning friend, is that you are apparently unable to understand just how bad an idea it is to provoke Luna! Especially when she is already in a foul mood" Rey said. Of course already realizing that having something like that pointed out to him, would very likely annoy the Impulse pilot immensely. Yet maybe it could somehow help the dark haired boy, to think just a little more about his words. Before he said something so totally stupid and idiotic, that would result in either Lunamaria or some other girl hitting him.
If it was possible for Shinn to actually do that, he would most likely also be able to improve his ability to judge some of the more dangerous situations out in the middle of a battlefield, which could very well mean that he could become an even better soldier and mobile suit pilot than he was already.
With Athrun Zala's usefulness pretty much at an end. It seriously did not hurt that Shinn was well prepared to deal with the blue haired man.
Yet if Gilbert really had brought along the newly assemble mobile suits, he had told him briefly about. Back when Rey had inform him, of the Freedom gundam's long awaited destruction. With those machines nearby, and with the large amount of Zaft forced currently gather there, it should be next to impossible for Athrun to escape from Gibraltar with his life.
If everything went like it was suppose to, the very last one of the Zala family, would soon be joining all of his comrades from the Archangel in hell.
But as Rey sat there seriously trying to figure out just how exactly Gilbert and him could most conveniently get rid of the blue haired man, Shinn's loud voice suddenly interrupted his highly wicked thoughts, and brought him back to reality.
"I really have no idea why I enjoy teasing Lunamaria so much. I guess it's because I can't help but find it kinda funny, seeing her all tick off like that" the boy said, with small diabolical grin on his lips.
Slowly shaking his head a couple of times at Shinn's definition of fun. No matter how Rey looked at it, the blond haired teenager was simply unable to understand why in the world, it was suppose to be so entertaining getting on another person's nerves for no apparent reason, other then making them mad enough to actually hit you.
He himself had never been able to take enjoyment in something so utterly pointless. But as long as Shinn was in one piece, and the older Hawke sister did not beat him up to badly, Rey figure that it wasn't really any of his business if Lunamaria knock a little sense into the pilot of the Impulse from time to time.
"You do of course realize Shinn, that if Lunamaria ever got wind of you saying such things, the possibility of you surviving her wrath is rather slim" Rey informed his fellow pilot in a half serious tone of voice.
Yet it did not really come as much of a surprise to the blond, that Shinn's only reaction to his warning was nothing more then a light chuckle. "Well seeing as you are the only person here who could possibly tell her, Rey. I frankly don't think I have overly much to worry about. No offense Rey but you are not really much of a tattletale" the younger one of the two men said. Now with a somewhat confident expression covering his face.
Narrowing both of his blue eyes slightly at that comment, Rey slowly reached up and rubbed his chin in a somewhat thoughtful manner. "Hm maybe I should consider changing that Shinn, what do you think?" He asked, already having a pretty good idea what his friend's response would be to that question.
Instantaneously after hearing those words leave his roommate's mouth. Shinn could do nothing to hide, the slightly panicky look in each one of his eyes. As he swiftly sat up straight on the black leather couch, where he studied Rey's face thoroughly in a small attempt to figure out, if he was actually serious about what he had just said.
But as luck would have it, Rey's calm expression made it more then a little difficult to figure out, what was going on inside his head at the moment. And after watching him silently for a few seconds, Shinn finally let out a short breath as he hastily gave Rey a reply.
"I...I would very much like if you didn't do that, Rey! For some weird reason I kinda prefer having my head attach to my neck and shoulders, instead of having Lunamaria tear it off" the dark haired teenager said. Frankly doing a pretty decent job, of imitating a small naughty child, who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
Having of course already realized that Shinn was probably right in his assumption. When he said that older Hawke sister would probably react violently, if he were to tell her what Shinn had just said. And knowing that, Rey smiled wickedly at his friend.
"All right Shinn, I'll be sure to keep my mouth shut, but you kinda do owe me a small favor now" the blond stated softly. Even though Rey had never actually plan on saying anything to Lunamaria in the first place.
But for some reason it was kinda amusing seeing Shinn all nervous and jumpy like this, the complete opposite of when he had left to fight the Freedom and it's pilot Kira Yamato, only a few short days ago. Back then he had been more then just a little self-confident and smug.
So the blond haired teenager simply could not deny, just how utterly entertaining it was, to see Shinn so overly nervous about pissing Lunamaria even more off than he already had.
It was about that time, when Shinn mutter out a few barely understandable words. "Yeah, yeah I know, Rey! It's not like this it's the first favor, I owe you" the young mobile suit pilot said slightly absent minded. Then thought briefly about how much Rey's assistance and many useful advises had helped him defeat the Freedom.
Shinn did however not think about that for very long, before he swiftly shook those thoughts out of his mind.
Then change the subject of their conversation back over to the very first thing they had been discoursing before he had 'accidently' insulted the more cranky one of the Hawke sisters.
"So Rey any idea what our next mission is going to be? Now we don't have to worry about the Archangel and the Freedom"
"I would very much imagine Shinn, that our next objective is to find and defeat Logos. This truly is the best time for us to deal with Djibril and his many followers" Rey said in a low yet deeply earnest tone of voice.
Now seriously wondering how exactly the next part of Gilbert's plan for the world was going to play out. With them not completely certain how Djibril and the rest of Logos was going to react to everything Gilbert had said about them, it was kinda hard to anticipate what their reaction was going to bem which meant that manipulating the terrorist leader to follow their will could actually be quite troublesome.
Yet just as long as Djibril's next move was something which truly made it clear to the world, just how dangerous Logos truly was. It quite frankly didn't matter all that much what that man did.
It was not really overly hard to tell that Logos' merciless attack on Berlin, had already made it so, most of the world was now more then willing to follow Zaft and the Chairman into hell itself.
Which was exactly what they had strived so hard for since the very beginning of the second Bloody Valentine war.
But even though things up until now had gone precisely the way he and Gilbert desired, there was still a minor possibility that the insane terrorist leader, would do something so utterly crazy, that it would completely ruin everything they had worked so damn hard to accomplish, these last few weeks.
'I do wish there was an easier way for us to manipulate and control Djibril. He is without question, a very dangerous individual. It's a real shame that we can't get rid of him just yet' the blond man thought wickedly.
It was at that point, when Shinn decided to share his opinion about what they where going to do next. "That just the type of mission I was hoping for Rey! To tell you the truth I have actually been looking forward to teach that damn bastard Djibril and the rest of Logos a serious lesson for everything they have done. Especially after the way they so carelessly toyed with Stella's, and the rest of the Extended's lives!" Shinn practically growled out, while thinking about just how much suffering Logos had put Stella through by making her an Extended.
And that one thought alone was more then enough to make Shinn that much more determined to put an end to Logos as soon as possible.
000000
Yet while those two where busy with their discussion about how they where going to destroy Logos.
The youngish one of the Hawke sisters was slowly making her way through one of the Minerva's halls carefully carrying a tray of food. But while the pigtailed woman was like usual looking forward quite a bit, to see her crush this morning, Meyrin was also somewhat sadden that Athrun had stayed cooped up in his room for such a long time now.
She honestly did understand why Athrun was so reluctant about talking with anybody, after what had happened to the Archangel. From what Meyrin knew there had been quite a few people on board the white space ship, who had been really important to him.
And having seen first hand just how incredible much, the destruction of the Archangel and the Freedom gundam had hurt her crush.
The young woman had honestly found herself sincerely wishing more than just a few times, that Zaft's high command could have found some other way to deal with the Archangel, and the powerful blue winged mobile suit, better know as the Freedom, who Athrun's best friend, had apparently been piloting when Shinn had shot it down.
And knowing just how badly Athrun had taken it when Heine had gotten kill by the Gaia gundam, it quite frankly did not take much of a genius to figure out, that losing so many people he loved and cared about, had to be twice as difficult for him.
"If only there was something else I could do to help him get through this. Other then bring him a boring meal, three times a day" the girl muttered softly under her breath.
Just before she slowly turned her attention downwards, towards the small amount of food, which she was presently carrying. This truly was the most most boring meal ever, no doubt about that, the only things on the small red tray, was two pieces of toast cover by a thick layer of strawberry jam. And right next to them laid a slightly green yet juicy looking apple.
And finally to help wash the small amount of food down. The young woman had also brought along a huge glass of nice refreshing milk.
"I do hope he is feeling a little better today. I really don't like seeing him all depressed like that, not that I blame him for being sad. Frankly now that I am thinking back on everything the Archangel has done, I can't really find any good reason why, it deserved to be destroyed. From what I remember it has actually helped us out a few times" the younger Hawke sister said in a tiny whisper, which it was impossible for any of the people around her to hear.
Yet after standing there silently, for a few long moments, sincerely wondering what exactly the Archangel had done, to deserve such a gruesome fate, Meyrin quickly shook her head a couple of times, before she once more continued onward towards Athrun's room.
And seeing as the redhead hadn't really been that far away from her destination to begin with. It only took about two short minutes, before she found herself standing directly in front blue haired man's chamber. But while the young woman simply could not deny, that she really was looking forward to see her crush this morning.
The redhead did not do anything at first, she only stood there, staring intensely at the door, seriously trying to make up her mind about just what in the world she was gone say once she got in there. Yet no matter how many times she twist and turn it in her head, Meyrin was simply unable to come up with anything, which lead her to give her lower lips a hard sharp bite.
Honestly somewhat disappointed and mad at herself, for not being able to think of anything that would at the very least make Athrun feel just a little better after what had happened to the Archangel and the Freedom.
So while mentally scolding herself, the younger Hawke sister carefully moved the small red tray around a bit so she was only holding it with left hand. And after making completely sure that it wouldn't suddenly slip away from her, Meyrin slowly reached out and hesitantly knock on the thick metal door.
Of course just like she had expected, she did not receive a reply from in there right away. Athrun might not have said anything about it out-loud, but it was more then a little obvious, that he hadn't really been in the mood for company these last few days.
Not that Meyrin could actually blame him for that. Truth be told the young woman was almost completely certain, that if she had been in his shoes she would behave even more distant and anti-social than he was.
Frankly now that she was giving it a little thought. It actually amazed the pigtailed girl slightly, that even with everything he had gone through, Athrun hadn't been rude to her in anyway, whenever she show up with a meal for him.
If it had been the other way around, the younger Hawke sister was FAR from certain, that she could have behaved anywhere near as polite as Athrun had these last few days. The pigtailed girl did of course realize better then anybody else, that she could be somewhat shy from time to time.
Yet if anybody actually did succeed in pissing her off. Meyrin knew, that she could be just as violent and short tempered, as her older sister.
But it was apparently just that much easier getting on Lunamaria's nerves. Which was truthfully something the red haired woman, was sincerely grateful for, she could honestly live without having Shinn, or some other moron teasing her constantly whenever they got bored.
And so while still thinking about that, the redhead again reached out, and knocked strongly on the metal door. Which much to her minor astonishment flew open only a brief moment later, where she saw Athrun Zala looking at her, with an expression on his face, that would have made it pretty obvious even to the most slow person in the world that he had been sound asleep, when she had start pounding on the door.
And instantaneously realizing that it had been because of her disturbance, that the blue haired man had been forced out of dreamland, did actually make Meyrin feel somewhat guilty.
It had after all been kinda obvious. the last couple of days, that Athrun had not been sleeping well at all. "I'm really sorry that I woke you up, Athrun! I just want to bring you some breakfast" the girl explained in a kind tone. As she took yet another glance down at the surprisingly still highly boring meal.
Nodding briefly in understanding to the redhead's words, Athrun was simply unable to prevent an enormous yawn, from leaving his mouth. "It's...it's all right, Meyrin I am actually kinda hungry" he mumbled in a quiet tone of voice. That really made it clear that he was still quite tired after having just been woken up.
The former member of the Le Creuset team might not be the type of person who could easily sleep half the day away, like Kira and Lacus would usually do. Yet if he had to be completely honest, it was not like he actually enjoy it, when his noisy alarm clock or something else, decided to disturb him in the morning.
Especially if he was already exhaust in the first place, or if a certain blond haired woman just happened to be sleeping beside him. And the mere thought that he might never again experience the lovely feeling of just holding Cagalli in his arms, the early hours of the morning, was more then enough to make a slightly discontented look appear in both of his green eyes.
But while it might be kinda hard to see for most people, Meyrin was slowly starting to developing the ability to tell, when Athrun Zala had something on his mind, that was in someways bothering him. Yet while Meyrin could not deny just how truly sorry she felt for him right now, she sadly realized, that they where not close enough for him to accept, any kind of comfort from her.
Yet as much as that simple fact truly depressed Meyrin, the redhead, actually did do a pretty decent job of hiding her somewhat low spirited mood.
Pretty much the only thing she did, as she stood there watching him, was swallow loudly in an attempt to get rid of the unbelievable huge lump stuck in her throat. "So umm how are you feeling this morning?" The girl asked, while tilting her head a bit to the side in a curious manner, just as she handed him the tray of food.
Having been quite distracted with his thoughts about Cagalli, it was only once he heard Meyrin asking him that question that he snapped back out of his thoughts and finally took a glance down at what his breakfast contain.
And while it might not be the most overly interesting meal in the world. It actually kinda suited the mood he was in right now.
If asked Athrun could honestly say, that if it had been anything to overly fancy Meyrin Hawke had brought him. He would most likely not have touch it at all. So after placing the tray down on his desk, Athrun hurried snatch one of the jam cover pieces of toast which he instantly took a huge bite of. And as he was slowly chewing the food now in his mouth, he smiled slightly at his visitor.
"Well I would be lying if I said I was ready to go out partying anytime soon. But I guess that I'm kinda all right" Athrun said in a low tone of voice, before he reached out and picked up the glass of milk.
And as he took a small mouthful of the white liquid, he was quick to discover that it was lukewarm, and while there was no denying, that Athrun would under normal circumstance have found the taste of half warm milk highly distasteful. This time around he didn't really care all that much about it, as he quickly swallow about half of the glass' contents.
Honestly feeling quite uncertain if Athrun's otherwise reassuring words really was truth. The younger Hawke sister found herself staring intensely at the floor, for a few long moments. Trying her very best to decide just what she was suppose to say to him next.
Unfortunately before the girl could really think of anything, Arthur's voice could suddenly be heard through the grey space ship's speakers. Asking for Meyrin Hawke to report up on bridge immediately.
And with her having so much trouble figuring out what to say, Meyrin wasn't really sure, if the Deputy Captain's interruption was actually a good thing or not.
But even so it did not change the simple fact, that she was needed up on the Minerva's bridge. "I better get going now, Athrun. But I truly am relieved to hear that you are all right" the sweet red haired girl said in a soft tone, and with a gentle smile on her lips. Even though she could not deny, that she was still somewhat unsure if Athrun really was telling her the whole truth about his condition, and wasn't just saying what she wanted to hear.
So after silently standing there studying the expression on Athrun's face for a brief moment or two. Meyrin hastily told him, that she would talk with him later, and without giving him the chance to come up with a response she swirl around on one foot then raced full speed out of the small room. Absolutely determined, to get up to the bridge as swiftly as possible, before either Captain Gladys, or the second in-command could run completely out of patient waiting for her.
Watching as the mechanical door flew back shut after the pigtailed girl. Athrun slowly brought the toast up to his mouth, and took yet another bite of it. "Well anyway thank you for the food, Meyrin" he mumbled softly to himself, under his breath.
Then slowly reached out, and press the one small button, that made it so the door was now again securely locked. Even though Athrun quite seriously doubted, that anybody else was going to drop in for a visit.
Except for the youngish Hawke sister, the rest of the Minerva's crew had pretty much avoid him like the plague itself, since their almost nightmarish encounter with the Archangel, and all of his friends and family on board the powerful white space ship. Something which the blue haired man was honestly quite grateful for, he really didn't want anything to do with Shinn Asuka, if he could avoid it.
To say it mildly Athrun was far from certain that he would be able to control his temper. Should that thick-headed moron once more start bragging about how he had defeated Kira and the Freedom. And after quickly shaking away the image of the Impulse's beam sword impaling his best friend's mobile suit, Athrun slowly went over to the only window in the small room.
Now that they had at long last gotten to Gibraltar, Athrun Zala did of course realize, that he had to stay completely vigilant and keep a very close eye out for anything that would finally enable him to make his escape from Zaft.
And as Athrun stood there watching a unique silver colored BABI, leading four other mobile suit of the same kind past the Minerva, the blue haired teenager seriously wondered if it was actually possible for him to get his hands on one of those machines. The BABI atmosphere flight mobile suit was after all very well armed, and most importantly quite fast. Especially in their mobile armor mode which they where currently in.
And as the five war machines transformed almost simultaneously, Athrun's narrowed green eyes did not stray away from them even for a second, as they each slowly descent towards the ground. Obviously getting ready to touchdown near one of the more busy hangars in the proximity of the harbor.
Yet while Athrun could not deny that he seriously doubt that the mechanics and particularly the soldiers down in that hangar, would actually allow him to simply waltz in there and board the first and the best newer Zaft mass-produced mobile suits he came across.
The deeply thoughtful young man of course realized that once it started to get dark outside, the activity around that hangar would most likely lessen quite a bit. Which was the reason why Athrun made absolutely certain to mentally map the location of that exact hangar. Just incase it happened to be nearby, when the time finally came for him to make his escape.
000000
At the exact same time down in the grey spaceship's giant hangar.
Nicol Amalfi could presently be found inside his armless GOUF, busy trying to figure out just how much he could mess up, the mobile suit's OS. If there was one thing the green haired man surely realized better than anybody else, then it was just how utterly unlikely it truly would be, that he would be going out into combat in this mobile suit ever again.
But for some inexplicable reason, it kinda did help the deeply confused teenager relax. Just being in there messing and playing around with the yellow GOUF's otherwise complicated functions. Without having to worry all that much about screwing things up too badly.
It wasn't like it took a genius in engineering to figure out, that it would take a very, very long time together with more then a few highly clever mechanics. To get either one of the Minerva's mass-produced mobile suits, up and running properly again. And Aves had actually mention to him shortly after he had first enter the hangar that it would only be a matter of a little time, before some of the base's personnel, would show up to fetch the three highly damage mobile suits, and what little that was left of the Saviour gundam.
Yet as of right now it really was the perfect place, for the young man to be alone for awhile with his own thoughts. Something which he most definitely needed quite a bit.
After Lunamaria had given him that brief kiss. It had simply been next to impossible, for Nicol to keep the beautiful red haired woman, out of his mind. Nicol had of course long since realized, that he cared a great deal for the older Hawke sister and that she cared about him too.
Yet that small kissing incident or whatever he was suppose to call it was quite frankly more than a little confusing to him. The former pilot of the Blitz was simply unable to figure out if that kiss had been nothing more then an accident on Lunamaria's part, or if it actually meant that whatever her feelings for him, was more then just those of friendship.
And if it was, then what? Was he truly prepared to take the almost overwhelmingly huge step, and once again open his heart and actually let somebody in there, after having that utterly insane crackpot, who had been piloting the Calamity gundam take Mayura so ruthlessly away from him. And the mere thought alone that he could somehow end up actually losing Lunamaria too, was almost enough to make him want to throw up inside the cockpit.
The green haired man could not deny the small part of him, that sincerely wished, that there was somebody around the Minerva, that could help him sort through all of these highly complicated emotions.
But of course realizing that other then the one certain beautiful redhead. He was having so much trouble keeping out of his mind, there was only Athrun left on board the enormous Zaft war ship, that the former Blitz pilot, would even consider talking to about such personal feelings.
Yet with Nicol's own unwillingness to speak up, both before and after their last dreadful encounter with the Archangel and the Freedom. The deeply thoughtful teen, could very easily figure out, that if he actually where to head on down to Athrun's room now. The chances that the blue haired man would want to speak with him, was pretty much none existing.
Knowing just how severely he had hurt Athrun's feelings with his none caring attitude towards the destruction of the Archangel and the death of Kira. Nicol felt pretty certain, that Athrun would not hesitate even one second about telling him to get lost, the very instant after he saw him.
But as much as it sincerely sadden Nicol that he might have lost Athrun as a friend. The young green haired man still firmly believed, that he was truly doing the right thing by helping Gilbert Durandal. "Ahhh why the heck does this have to be so difficult? I kinda wish that I could just ignore all of these complicated emotions and pretend that they don't exist" he growled out displeased.
As his deeply confused mind, kept on loudly insisting that the best way for him to deal with those feelings he was slow but surely getting for Lunamaria, was to distant himself as much as possible, from the red haired beauty, to avoid the pain of getting his heart broken again.
Yet if Nicol had actually bother to listen to his pounding heart at that exact moment. He would most certainly have realized, that there was simply noway that it would ever accept that, and that Lunamaria Hawke had already gain entrance to his heart, and had plant herself quite securely in it.
And as his brain and heart was struggling quite severely against each other. The young troubled man continued slowly typing away at the keyboard locate directly in front of him.
000000
Meanwhile elsewhere on the base.
Gilbert Durandal was slowly making his way through one of the base's hallways, with a great deal of people following him. And at the very back of the large group of talkative people, was Meer Campbell better known as the fake Lacus Clyne.
But while most people would probably have found the conversation between the Chairman and the many high ranking officers, around him quite informative. The pink haired woman could without a doubt not have cared less about what they where discussing.
Simply put she was much more interest in the fact that the Minerva was suppose to be at this base. Something she was definitely planning on using to her advantage, by once more trying to make Athrun Zala realize, just how empty and meaningless his life would be without her.
And as Meer slowly reached up and rub her chin in a slightly thoughtful manner, she tried hard to figure out how she could best seduce the blue haired man. It wasn't like she had much luck when she had crawl into bed with him last time.
Frankly now that she was giving it some thought, the pink haired woman could not even remember the last time, somebody had been yelling at her like that.
But once she had gotten over the deep disappointment she had felt from his rejection.
She had reach the conclusion that it was not because Athrun didn't want her. But because he had been in a bad mood about something else, in her eyes it was simply impossible that anybody would reject Lacus Clyne.
So this time around the pink haired woman was absolutely determined, to really show Athrun what a foolish mistake he had made, when he had thrown her out of his room the last time.
With the large amount of sexy clothes the 'celebrity' had brought alone with her from the Plants for no other reason than to seduce Athrun Zala. She felt pretty certain that it would only be a matter of time now, before the handsome blue haired man would only have eyes for her, and nobody else.
Yet while the fake Lacus Clyne was so preoccupied with daydreaming about how she would soon be able to call Athrun Zala her boyfriend. The completely absent minded woman did not hear even a single word of what the people in front of her, was presently talking about. And it was to say it mildly, quite an interesting conversation.
"So how many Alliance forces has presently joined us?" Gilbert asked in a friendly tone, and with a slightly curious on his face expression on his face.
Honestly a bit unsure about the precise response to that question. The only other female present, beside Meer Campbell immediately took a swift glance down at the report she had been carrying around for the last half hour now.
"Well according to this Mr Chairman quite a few actually! Especially the numbers of the north Eurasia forces are almost unbelievable sir! I guess it's because they are all real eager to pay Logos back, for what they did to Berlin!" The young woman explained loudly.
Just before she once more turn her half serious gazes away from the report and back over at the Chairman, where she immediately noticed that the black haired man was smiling softly at her. "Yeah that certainly does sound like a logical explanation for their high numbers! I for one am sincerely grateful for their assistance, if we are to defeat Logos, and bring Lord Djibril to justice we all need to stand together" Gilbert said, with a great deal of pride in his voice.
As each and every one of the high-ranking soldier walking around him, instantaneously voiced their agreement. After that, they all walked quietly for a couple of brief moments until, Gilbert brought the silence to an end with yet another highly important question.
"What about our three newly assembled gifts for the Minerva, are they secured? I do NOT want a repeat of what happened at Armory One!" The long haired leader of Zaft stated seriously.
Not bothering to hide that it was a bit of a touchy subject for him, that it had been so damn easy for somebody to just enter a Zaft military base and run off with three mobile suits, as powerful as the Chaos, Gaia and Abyss.
After Kira Yamato had so easily gotten away with the Freedom gundam two years ago, they should definitely have been prepared, for the possibility that somebody might just try to steal the so call Second Stage gundams too.
Unfortunately it had only been once Gilbert had seen the Chaos, Gaia and Abyss blow their way through Armory One's otherwise powerful hull. That he had realized what a terrible error they had surely made, by not strengthening the security around those three machines.
And having four such powerful mobile suits, including the Justice gundam end up in enemy hands. Through both the first and the second Bloody Valentine war. Had most definitely proven that it was a very, very bad idea to underestimate whatever individual, that wanted to try and get their hands on one of their mobile suits.
And seeing as it wasn't long since. He had received yet another warning from Rey about Athrun being untrustworthy, it was imperative that the black haired leader of Zaft knew for certain, that it would not in anyway be a piece of cake, getting near the three newly crafted gundams.
Gilbert Durandal did not want to see, anymore of their machines fighting on the opposite side of what they where suppose to.
It was at that point when the base's top Commander interrupted his thoughts. "All three machines are thoroughly stash away in our most secure hangar Sir! And I have taken the liberty of doubling the guards around the place! So if any uninvited guests, actually have the audacity to try and break in there, they have to be more then just a little insane. These are some of the best marksman you will ever find!" The Commander said in a self-assured tone, that made it sound a bit like he actually believed that these soldiers keeping watch over what was hidden away inside that very hangar, was incapable of making mistakes.
But while Gilbert honestly did find the Commander's smug attitude somewhat annoying, he did not say anything about it. He just smiled slightly at the man as he slowly nodded a single time in understanding.
"Excellent work Commander! If all goes well it should not be much longer now, before I will be presenting them to their pilots. Yet even so, I would very much prefer that your people remain where they are, until each one of the mobile suits, are safely on board the Minerva" the Zaft Chairman order loudly. Of course realizing that the biggest threat to losing one of these truly grand machines, came from inside his own forces.
But even though ever reasonable part of Gilbert's mind was practically screaming at him to have Athrun Zala restraint right here and now. He still want to at least try and regain the blue haired man's loyalty.
He seriously hate the very thought of wasting such a valiant and powerful warrior as the last Zala. 'It much certainly is quite a shame, that we have been unable to find any of Alliance's brainwashing equipment'.
Knowing that if they had such technology at hand, it would just be so utterly simple to 'convince' Athrun Zala, to forget about all those extremely bothersome feelings he had for Cagalli Yula Athha, and everybody else he apparently cared about.
If it was somehow possible to remove all those caring emotions, from the blue haired man, Durandal felt absolutely certain, that the former pilot of the Justice gundam would surely become useful again. He truly would be the perfect warrior without any of those emotions. Completely loyal to him and Zaft.
And while those highly wicked thoughts was going through Gilbert Durandal's head. He and his followers continued onward down the long hallway.
000000
Having finished most of the necessary work around the Minerva, through the early hours of morning. It was not really overly strange, that most of the Zaft ship's crew had the afternoon off. Something which they of course all made sure to take full advantage off.
But while a small part of the crew choose to take this opportunity to get off the Minerva, to get some fresh air, and explore the unbelievable huge base. Most actually preferred to take it easy and just relax down in the mess hall with a cold soda, after this extremely hectic morning they had all had.
Yet there was one certain area on the enormous grey spaceship, where the crew simply did not have time to relax, just yet. Far from it actually. The people currently gather up on the Minerva's bridge was still quite busy making sure, that EVERYTHING around the ship was functioning like it was suppose to.
Fortunately much to all of their relief there wasn't really anything overly complicated wrong.
Truthfully the few minor problems they did encounter was immediately resolved by pressing a few buttons. Yet just when it was starting to seem like they would soon be done, with this somewhat mediocre tasks, they all suddenly heard, a loud well-known beeping sound from the younger Hawke sister's console. Which served as a pretty obvious sign, that somebody had something to tell them.
But as curious as Talia Gladys quite frankly was about the message, the woman did not say anything at first. She wait patiently until Meyrin was done reading through the long message.
And finally after only a few short seconds, the redhead swiftly turn her seat around, and looked directly at the captain. "Ma'am according to this! A car is being send here to pick up Nicol Amalfi, Shinn Asuka and Athrun Zala! Evedently the Chairman himself is personally requesting their present, for something important, he wants to show them!" The younger red haired woman explained, simply unable to hide that she was actually somewhat curious about just what exactly it was, the Chairman had to show the three pilots.
Having quite frankly suspected, that it would only be a matter of time before Gilbert would call upon some of the Minerva's pilots, Talia didn't really need a whole lot of time to think about Meyrin's words.
But seeing as she was still quite displeased with her lover for the whole mess with the Archangel, Talia was kinda tempt to try and get on Gilbert's nerves by not saying anything to the pilots for a little while, and thereby having them stay on board the ship for the next twenty minutes or so.
Yet as entertaining as the otherwise serious woman, truly found the idea of testing Gilbert's patience, in such a manner, the more reasonable part of her mind realized, that it would be kinda bad on morale to involve three crew members in this soon to be quarrel between herself and Gilbert.
So after using a brief moment or two, to try and figure out just how many things, she had to discuss with her long time lover, Talia let out a long breath, before smiling slightly at the younger Hawke sister. "Hmmm I see. Please do inform the three of them about this immediately, Meyrin! We do not want to keep the Chairman waiting now!" She order loudly. Sounding just as serious and business like, as usual.
Hearing that order and having kinda expect it, Meyrin immediately gave the Captain a quick response, that consist of nothing more then a short, yes Ma'am.
And once those words had left her mouth, the redhead again turn her attention back towards her console, where she swiftly press a few buttons. Which meant that it was only one or two brief seconds later, when her voice could be heard echoing through, the entire spaceship.
Loudly informing Shinn, Nicol and Athrun about what they had to do.
000000
Of course! Deeply curious about what was going on. It did not even take five minutes before Shinn and Nicol step out of the ship, where each one of the two teens instantly took notice of just how dry and muggy, the air out there felt, at the moment. One certainly didn't have to know overly much about the weather, to be able to figure out that it would only be a matter of time, before they would be in for quite a downpour and maybe even a thunderstorm.
"Geez I really hate it when it's so damn hot outside!" Shinn growled displeased, already missing the aircondition on board the Minerva.
Also finding himself having a tough time, handling this unbelievable high temperature, Nicol could only nod in agreement, as he used the back of his left hand to slowly remove the few drops of sweat already on his forehead. "Yeah you are right Shinn, this heat is quite unbearable. But look on the bight side, the ocean breeze does at least help cold things of a little bit" the green haired man said.
Even though he was unable to deny, that he kinda wished that he had thought ahead, and brought along something cold to drink, while waiting for whoever was coming to pick them up. That thought had however just barely enter his mind when he saw a Zaft military jeep come around the corner.
And by the way the chauffeur was driving straight towards them, it wasn't overly hard to tell that he was there to get them.
And once he got the car to a complete hold, he look out at them with a slightly impatient expression on his face, that made it pretty obvious to both Shinn and Nicol that he was quite busy, and had things to do elsewhere.
"Are you guys ready to go yet?!" He asked in a tone that actually match his expression quite well.
Having honestly less then no idea about just where exactly Athrun could be right now, Nicol turned and took a quick glance over in the direction of the Minerva's still opened door. But with still no sign of their blue haired comrade, the former Blitz pilot narrow both of his eyes in a slightly thoughtful manner. Seriously wondering just what in the world was keeping the last Zala at the moment.
After having known Athrun Zala for such a long time, Nicol knew that it was extremely rare, for him to be late for anything. Athrun had made it completely clear from the early days at the academy, that he was not the type of person that liked keeping others waiting.
The blue haired teen, along with himself and Rusty was always some of the first to show up for whatever lesson they had.
Actually now that Nicol was giving it a little thought, he remembered that there was even a few times back then, that they manage to beat the instructor to wherever they needed to go. So it was quite frankly more than just a little weird to Nicol that Athrun wasn't there yet.
So as Nicol Amalfi stood there seriously considering going off to search for the former pilot of the Justice gundam, he again moved his thoughtful brown gaze over at the highly impatient soldier in the car. "Unfortunately we are still missing somebody. But hopefully it should not be much longer now, before he will get here" the green haired man explained in a apologetic tone.
Far from happy with those news, the chauffeur instantly let out a loud displeased growl sound. "Ah damn it! With so many Alliance forces joining us here, everything around here is just SOO damn chaotic! I actually have two other places where I need to be right now. So the whoever the fellow is better hurry the hell up! Where is he anyway?!" The cranky soldier asked.
Honestly having a few problems coming up with a response of some kind to that question, the green haired teen found himself slowly rubbing the back of his neck as he tried hard to come up with something to say, that would explain Athrun's absent. But before he could really think of anything to say,
Shinn's smug voice cut into the conversation.
"He is probably still back in his room whining about how I defeat the Freedom" he boast with a proud smirk plaster all over his face.
Hearing the boy's loud boasting the chauffeur looked silently at the red eyed boy, for a few long seconds. Having only seen a few pictures of the Freedom gundam, it did not really mean a whole lot to him, to meet the guy who had destroyed the powerful white and blue mobile suit.
It quite frankly impressed him that much more, that with the kid's ego obviously being as inflated as it was. That the smug red eyed teen was actually still standing on the ground, and hadn't blown away a long time ago.
Yet as utterly tempted as he truly was to say something about that, the cranky chauffeur could very easily tell from the stripes on the still smirking boy's uniform, that he had a high rank then him. Which was more than enough reason for him to keep his many comments to himself.
He seriously didn't feel like getting in trouble for insulting a superior officer. No matter how unbelievable thick-headed, he truly thought they where.
So without bothering saying even one word to the egocentric teenager, about his victory over the Freedom, the immensely impatient man again turn his attention back over on the not so annoying one of the Minerva's pilots, where he immediately noticed, that the green haired boy was presently watching the ship's still open door. Obviously greatly confused over the exact whereabouts of their missing comrade.
"Does this guy normally take so long?" The chauffeur asked. Now sounding like this assignment was, the most boring and tiresome one he had ever had, in his entire military career.
His question on the other hand, was one Nicol could answer immediately. "No usually he is very promptly" with that said, all three of them where silent for a few long somewhat tense seconds.
Yet just when Nicol was about to declare, that he would be going back on board the Minerva to search for their missing comrade, Athrun Zala did amazingly enough choose that exact moment, to step out of the grey spaceship.
And with this actually being the first time in the last three days he had been outside. Athrun simply could not deny, that the bright yellow glowing sun was kinda hurtful to his eyes, and it briefly made him wish, that he could somehow get his hands on the highly expensive sunglass Cagalli had so generously given him for Christmas, or perhaps just a cheap pair.
Yet in the end, the blue haired teenager simply had to settle with using his left hand, to shield his eyes from the sharp glowing orb above him. As he made his way over to the three people, clearly waiting for him. "Sorry for the delay" he said with a none caring expression on his face, which made it highly obvious to all of them, that he did not really mean any of those words. And that he was not going to tell them what he had been doing all of this time.
But if any of them had actually possess the ability to read Athrun's busy mind, they would instantly have know, that the reason why, it had taken him such a long time to get there, was because he had quite a tough time figuring out, what to do with the data he had stolen from Rey's ZAKU.
Honestly not really all that surprising, Athrun did not want to get caught carrying around that data. It wasn't like it was overly difficult to figure out where he had gotten it from in the first place, but while he had actually been quite tempt, to leave the data disk hidden away somewhere in his room.
He had however quickly realized, that with him just waiting for the right kind of moment, to get the hell away from Zaft. The chances of him being able to get back on board Minerva again to pick up the disk, was actually rather slim, which had lead him to briefly consider the possibility of simply destroying the disk. Yet with the great deal of trouble he had gone through to get his hands on the date in first place. That idea wasn't really all that appealing to him either. Especially since he wasn't entirely certain if there was anything more important, hidden away between all the footage Rey had gather of the Freedom. To put it simply he needed somebody with better hacking skills then himself, like Miriallia or perhaps even Erica Simmons.
And that was why the disk was now safely hidden away in his inside pocket not that far from where he kept his gun.
But while both Nicol and the chauffeur, thought that it was a waste of their already limited time, to complain about Athrun's bad excuse for being late. The pilot of the Impulse could not help but think about the few times the blue haired man had scold him for being late.
So now that it was the other way around, Shinn was more then ready to use this opportunity to get a little pay back, yet much to his deep irritation he didn't even get one word out before the chauffeur's irritable voice cut him of.
"Just hurry the heck up you guys and get in the car already! My Commander is most likely going to tear my poor head off, when she discover what time I showed up for my next assignment!" The man shout as loud as he could. Not really bothering to hide how utterly much he dreaded the very thought of having to explain to his female officer, why in the world such a simple task as picking up three people, and then dropping them off somewhere else, could take so damn long.
Of course not realizing just how unbelievable much Shinn Asuka wanted to start criticizing the blue haired man right now, the two former members of the Le Creuset team began making their way over to the jeep. None them noticing the highly sour glare the red eyed boy was presently sending Athrun.
And it was only when he saw Athrun get into the front seat of the military car, that the pilot of the Impulse gundam finally stop sending the blue haired moron the evil eye, and hurried went after the two other Minerva pilots.
But even as he got at least somewhat comfortable in the only empty seat left in the jeep, Shinn mentally promised himself, to make sure to give Athrun Zala a piece of his mind, once their meeting with the Chairman was over and done with.
Those thoughts did however immediately disappear from his mind when the highly cranky chauffeur started the military vehicle's powerful engine again. And raced off with such speed, that it was actually a bit of a miracle that they did not end up in the harbor at the very first turn.
Apparently the driver was quite determined to try and lessen his delay as much as possible. Even if that meant driving like a completely nut case, who had only learnt how to driver yesterday.
Yet as they got around the first corner it seem very much like they where going to smash straight into a shutdown GINN, that was standing directly in front of a open hangar. But the chauffeur's skills in drivering was clearly shown when he effortlessly maneuvred the fast car around the Zaft war machine.
After that he continued on straight for a few immensely tense seconds until he practically throw the vehicle to the left and around a sharp corner. Where he almost ran over two female Zaft soldiers that barely got out of the way in time. "Will you watch where the hell you are going big brother you brain dead fool?! You just wait until I tell Commander Kazami about this! Then she is going to tear your empty head straight off?!" One of the girls shout as loud as she could after the chauffeur.
That pretty much instantly let out a loud sound of annoyance. "Uhhhh I really have to remember thank mom and dad, for giving me such a bratty little sister" he mutter just loud enough for his three passengers to hear it.
Yet even as he was saying those words he still slow down a tiny bit. Now that he had messed up in such a grand manner. He kinda figured that it did not really matter all that much now, if he show up late for his next assignment.
He was surely going to be in for quite the scolding from Commander Kazami the next time he saw her. Especially since his 'adorable' little sister did have the tendency to exaggerate quite bit.
So she was certainly going to make the whole thing with him almost driving her over sound worse then it actually was. "And here I thought this day could not possibly get any worse. Guess that really goes to show how much I know" he growled angrily. Even though deep inside, he was actually quite relieved that he had not hit his sister and the other woman with the car. He would never in a million years, have been able to forgiven himself had he done something so terrible.
It was just one of those days, where everything he touch went completely haywire. 'I better make sure to apologize properly the next time I see those two' he thought determinedly.
After that, the rest of the trip proceed more calmly until the chauffeur brought the car to a hold near a well secure hangar, where four ZAKU Warriors could be seen keeping thoroughly guard, over the only visible open entrance to the enormous complex.
And even before the chauffeur had the chance to say anything to them. The three slightly shaken up men, immediately start getting out of the Zaft vehicle. Each one of them seriously wondering how it was even possible for them to have reach their destination in one piece, with the completely and utterly insane way this crackpot had been steering the car.
So after standing there a few moments watching him drive off. Shinn looked over at Nicol who was standing beside him, he too with a somewhat freaked out look in his eyes. "Holy crap man! I can hereby promise you, that I will never get in a car with that guy behind the wheel ever again! I seriously thought there for a moment that he was going to run those two chicks right over," the red eyed boy said. As he rub away a bit of the sweat on his forehead.
Also feeling very much like the inside of his stomach had made more then just a half dozen of flip-flops on their brief trip there, Nicol was on slowly rubbing his slightly troubled belly, as he gave the Impulse pilot a response.
"Yeah no kidding! I however can not help but wonder, just how mentally unstable the person who taught him how to drive was. One frankly has to be smoking some really nasty and unhealthy stuff to even consider giving that guy a license" the green haired boy said. Seriously having a difficult time believing just how utterly reckless, that man had been behind the wheel of a car. And Nicol sincerely hoped that whoever Commander Kazami was, would give him quite the severe scolding, that was something he most certainly deserve, no doubt about that.
Yet neither one of them got the chance to continue their loud debate, about that nincompoop's driving skills, when the third person there slowly step past them on his way to the door.
Athrun had truthfully also found their rough trip there, more than just a little unpleasant. But he still didn't feel like talking with Shinn and Nicol, so he simply choose to keep his not so nice comments he had about the chauffeur, to himself.
One thing Athrun Zala had instantaneously realized the mere second after he had step out of the Minerva, was that he was still feeling very much like beating the living crap out of both Nicol Amalfi and Shinn Asuka. And one thing the blue haired man knew for certain was, that the most effective way for him to put a damper on all of these hostile emotions, was simply by keeping his distance from the two of them as much as possible.
Otherwise it was quite unlikely that he would be able to keep his deep anger in check, should either one of them say anything the least bit provoking. He did not even bother slowing down, when Shinn called out for him to wait up. Athrun simply kept on walking, until he disappeared through the wide opened door.
So of course realizing, that now probably wasn't the best time for them to be discussing this subject, the two Minerva crew members took a short glance over at each other. And without saying even one word, they each slowly nodded a single time in agreement, before the hurried rush off in the same direction as Athrun.
000000
Once they step inside the enormous mobile suit hangar.
Each one of the young men, was somewhat taken back to to discover that most of the hangar was presently cover in complete darkness. Pretty much the only thing that could be seen at the moment was Gilbert Durandal and 'Lacus Clyne' waiting not that far ahead for them.
Yet as they step closer, they could also see the silhouettes of three giants standing at the very back of the immensely huge building.
But while it truthfully it did not take a overly smart person to figure out that they where some sort of mobile suits, it was extremely difficult to tell what kind of machines they where, in the somewhat gloomy darkness in there.
And as Athrun slowly made his way down the narrow walkway, with the two other Minerva pilots following not that far behind him, the blue haired teenager had little trouble figuring out just how utterly excited both Nicol and Shinn found this whole situation. And that they could barely wait to get a better look at the three mobile suits hidden in the darkness.
Athrun on the other hand honestly found this whole thing more unnerving than anything else.
Especially if these machines truly was what he sincerely feared they might be. The mere thought that Zaft would have three more gundams to throw into the war, was more then enough to send an almost deadly cold shiver down Athrun's spine.
Yet at the exact moment he heard a loud well-known voice scream out his name, Athrun Zala momentarily forget about those immensely disturbing thoughts and practically froze midstep, as his serious green eyes, quickly locate the source of the deeply obnoxious shouting. And at the mere sight of Meer Campbell rushing full speed towards him, with outstretched arms, instantaneously made it completely obvious to him, that the annoying copy of his best friend's wife, was preparing to give him the kind of embrace that would end up with him having to force his way out of her overly clinging grip.
And seriously not in the mood to be groped or anywhere near this nutcase of a woman, who obviously believe, that just about the entire world was ready to do her bidding, simply because she had been made to look like Lacus.
So without showing any kind of hesitation, Athrun did the only thing he could think of to avoid getting hugged by the fake Lacus. He swiftly moved to the side, which result in, that the pink haired woman literally flew full speed past him.
Thereby wrapping her arms around the individual who had been walking only a couple of steps behind Athrun.
To say that Shinn was surprised to find himself suddenly getting hugged by Lacus Clyne, was quite frankly a serious understatement. Yet before the young pilot of the Impulse gundam could even try and figure out how he was suppose to handle this situation, the celebrity snuggled even closer to him, and let out a light content sigh.
And with Shinn Asuka being of the male gender and a teenager, none the less, it was pretty much completely impossible, for him not to enjoy this.
There was after all no denying that Lacus Clyne was quite an attractive woman. And the way she kept on pressing her unbelievable huge breasts up against his strong chest, was more then enough to make even him speechless.
But as much as Shinn was enjoying the feeling of this beautiful girl clinging to him like glue. And would VERY much have like for the tight embrace, to last a couple of hours, it only took about a minute before the celebrity backed slightly away from him, and looked directly up at his face with her blue dreamy eyes
Yet the very second Meer realized that the person she was holding on to was not the one she had lunge for, the girl rapidly blinked a few time, like she actually thought her eyes was playing tricks on her. Yet once it finally became clear to her that it was the wrong man she was trying so hard to seduce, she instantaneously let out a loud panicky scream, that could easily be heard through the entire hangar.
And it was more by share luck than anything else, that the confused pink haired girl, did not end up crashing quite hard on the floor, as she literally stumbled over her own feet, to get away from the individual she had been rubbing herself so seductively up against the last few minutes.
But even as the fake Lacus stood there, almost shaking in utter disbelief over what had happened, when she had attempt to embrace her future boyfriend, she slowly turned her head to locate what she firmly believed would be a severely jealous Athrun Zala.
Yet while the uninterested expression she saw on Athrun's handsome face, when her highly bewildered blue eyes finally found him, would most certainly have served as a pretty obvious sign, for even the most simple-minded people around, that he could probably not have cared any less about how she had accidently been trying to seduce another man.
But even after seeing Athrun behave so none caringly about this whole thing, Meer simply put refused to believe that he wasn't angry and severely jealous over seeing somebody else, receiving the deep affection that was reserve solely for him.
And so with that conclusion made, the pink haired woman once more turned her attention back over on the person, who was surely the one to blame for ruining her long await reunion with Athrun. And it was only necessary for her to glare briefly at Shinn to notice, that it was not only his eyes that was red now. Each one of his cheeks, had a light red glow too, which served in Meer's eyes as clear evidence that he was thinking about something perverted.
And the exact moment the fake Lacus caught the dumb kid taking a swift glance downwards at her breasts, was more then enough to make the already huge vein on her forehead grow even larger. She simply did not want to be the source of whatever perverted fantasy this annoying boy was having right now. "Get your mind out of the gutter idiot! Don't you think for even a second here, that it was you I want to embrace!" The deeply piss off woman roared, at the very peak of her lungs, only to end her loud angry speech, by giving Shinn an immensely hard slap on the right side of his face.
Having frankly been so busy daydreaming, Shinn had not bother paying any kind of attention to the woman's otherwise loud words. That slap however was one thing that was impossible for the red eyed teen to ignore. "Owww damn it, that hurt! There is no need for you to hit me like that, you crazy woman! If I remember correctly you where the one who embrace me! Not the other way around!" Shinn yelled back. Seriously wondering what in the world he had done, to deserve having so many woman beating him up today. First Lunamaria had smack him quite hard this morning, and now Lacus Clyne was obviously ready to tear him apart too.
Hearing the brat talk back to her in such a impolite manner, Meer gave him a look that surely would have kill him had her eyes actually produce the ability to do such gruesome things. "Why you little..." that was about all the fake Lacus Clyne got out before a friendly voice cut her off.
"I most admit that I do find it quite amusing seeing the two of you bickering like this. But to tell you the truth I would very much like to get the show on the road. So if it's not too much to ask, could you please put your 'minor' disagreement on hold, until we are done in here?" Gilbert Durandal asked kindly.
While there was noway the Zaft Chairman could deny that he had found it greatly entertaining watching the two of them bickering the last few minutes. It wasn't really overly hard to figure out, that if the two stubborn teens actually where to start arguing in full fury, it would most likely take a VERY long time, before they would stop yelling at each other again. And that was simply not something he had the time for right now.
There was after all a few other things that needed his attention before he would finally be able to turn in for the night. Like talking with Rey about a certain blue haired man's loyalty, or to be more exact lack thereof. And as he Gilbert took a small glance over at Athrun, he saw that the young man, had a deeply serious expression on his face, as he clearly tried to get a better look at the three mobile suits hidden away in there.
But while Gilbert was honestly quite curious about what could be going through, the last Zala's head at the moment. He didn't really get a whole lot of time to wonder about that, when two meek voices mutter out a small apologize, amazingly enough at exactly the same time.
Grinning slightly at that, Gilbert slowly turned his thoughtful gaze away from Athrun, and back over at the two hostile teenagers.
And just seeing the overly murderous glare the two of them where presently sending one another, made it highly obvious that they where still more than ready to start yelling at each other at a moment's notice. And quickly reaching the decision, that it was probably a bad idea on his part to tempt faith, by keeping quiet too long, the black haired leader of Zaft cough slightly a single time, then began talking in a loud serious tone of voice.
"All right then, lets not waste anymore time now! I would like very much to introduce you all to the ZGMF-X666S Legend!" And momentarily after those words had left Gilbert Durandal's mouth the light was immediately turn on above the mobile suit furthers to the left.
But while Shinn was greatly impressed by how utterly powerful this backpack carrying new Zaft mobile suit look. It honestly freaked both Nicol and especially Athrun out, how unbelievable much this machine, had been made to look like the probably most dangerous mobile suit one could possibly come across, during the finally battle at Jachin Due. The Providence gundam.
Yet neither one of them got much time, to really think about Rau Le Creuset's one and only gundam type mobile suit, when the Chairman apparently decide that they had all gotten more then enough time to look the DRAGOON equipped mobile suit over.
"Next we have the ZGMF-X42S Destiny" Gilbert said, with a small yet proud smirk on his face. Just as the light was turn on, directly above the middle one of the three highly deadly giants in there, which meant that they could now all see a green eyed machine with a nasty looking cannon on the left side of it's back, that clearly content a great deal of fire power. And a equally nasty looking, beam sword which was also locate on the back of the gundam, just on the opposite side of the huge cannon.
And it frankly did not take much of an ace pilot to tell, that this mobile suit was extremely dangerous both in long distance and short range combat. But while the sight of this clearly powerful mobile suit made both Shinn and Nicol smile brightly, and whisper a few things to each other about how Logos would never in a million years be able to beat them with these machines.
Yet while those two where briefly discussing how they where going to make Djibril pay for every single thing that bastard had done to this world. Athrun on the other hand remained completely silent, sincerely trying his best to hide, the large amount of frustration, he was feeling at the moment. And as he slowly moved his thoughtful green eyes back and forth a few times, between the two reveal Zaft mobile suit, his gaze finally found it's way over, to the one mobile suit still hidden away in the darkness.
And even though he could not see the third gundam properly, the blue haired man still gave his lower lips a severely hard bite. 'Ahhh damn it all! With all the power these mobile suits obviously possess, how the heck are we gone beat them, when the only gundams we have left are the Gaia and the Duel Rouge?! Even if we had a small army of Murasames and Astrays, to throw at them, they will most likely get slaughter in no time! And with the Duel Rouge being as outdated as it is, it wouldn't be of much use either! Which leaves us with only the Gaia gundam...' Athrun thought angrily. Then once more looked back over at the Destiny and the Legend.
So as Athrun Zala stood there staring intensely at the two visible gundams. The deep frown on his forehead, grew even bigger. 'I damn well hope that Erica Simmons have something on the drawing board that will give us a fighting chance against these machines!' The soon to be father thought hopefully.
Those thoughts, did however immediately disappear from Athrun's mind. When the Chairman start introducing the final unit. "Last but definitely not least, we have the ZGMF-X87S Adamant!" Gilbert said loudly. Sounding just as proud of this machine, as he had with the other two.
To be continued.
Let me know what you think guys, there will of course be more about the Adamant gundam in the next chapter.