Chapter 71
It was early morning the day after Athrun and Meyrin's escape.
But while most of the large amount of Zaft soldiers station at Gibraltar, where already quite busy. The base's hospital area was relatively quiet. Something the slowly waking up Nicol Amalfi was more then a little grateful for, seeing as he presently had the worst migraine to data.
"God damn that guy. I can't believe...that he actually knock me out with the lid of a trash can..." the green haired man complained softly, while gently rubbing his highly aching head, in an almost desperate attempt, to lessen the deep pain he was feeling. Not that he had much luck with that.
Yet as the young man sat there in the hospital bed, mentally complaining about the highly obnoxious talkative spy, that had help out Athrun. Nicol did not notice the door to the room, being opened, much less the deeply sadden, red haired girl that slowly stepped inside.
It had only been a little over ten minutes since Lunamaria Hawke had heard about her younger sister's involvement in Athrun's escape. Yet as she stood there in the doorway to Nicol's hospital room, she could do nothing to stop the many tears from leaving her slightly red eyes.
And as a large sob shook her entire body, the girl growled out a few hateful curses. "Damn you Athrun...you...you bastar..." that was all she manage to get out before she was interrupt by another loud sob.
Hearing that familiar voice, immediately made Nicol look up from his lap, and over in the direction the voice had came from. And the sight of Luna standing in the doorway to his room, crying her beautiful blue eyes out. Instantly made Nicol forget all about his headache and that annoying spy.
His primary concern now, was the girl he had shared his first kiss with, only a few short days ago. "Luna what...what's wrong...?"
Almost instantly after that question, had left Nicol's mouth, Lunamaria slowly raised her sadden gaze away from the floor, and looked directly at him for a brief moment.
And before Nicol could repeat his question, or do anything else, the redhead raced full speed towards him, and practically leaped up on to the bed. Where she instantly wrapped both of her arms, around his neck, and began weeping loudly against his left shoulder.
"It's...It's Athrun...he...he..." Luna sobbed.
Tightening his grip on the crying redhead slightly, Nicol got a deeply serious look in each one of his brown eyes. "He's dead, ain't he...?" Nicol asked softly, into her ear. Sincerely doubting, that his old buddy, had actually been able to elude the many Zaft soldiers, here at Gibraltar.
"No he...he...they don't know what happened to him...He escaped from here in a GOUF...Yet from what I was told, he didn't get very far before Rey and Shinn caught up with him in their new machines...I...I don't know all that much about what happened in that battle...but...apparently Shinn ended up shooting the GOUF down..." the devastate red haired girl sobbed against Nicol's shoulder.
Slowly running both his hands, up and down the red haired woman's back in an attempt to comfort her, Nicol tried his best to decide just what in the world, he could say to her, to make her feel better.
Yet what Lunamaria told him next, would probably have made him fall out of the bed. If it wasn't because she was hugging him so tightly.
"Athrun he...he took...took...before he left he took...took!" Those few words where all Lunamaria Hawke, got out, before another deeply depressed sob shook her entire body.
Having a very, very bad feeling about whatever it was the redhead, was trying so hard to tell him, the Adamant pilot swallowed loudly a single time. "Luna what did Athrun do?" He asked, sounding both very serious, and more than a little worried.
"When...when Athrun left...he...he...took...Meyrin with him!" Lunamaria sobbed loudly into Nicol's ear, as even more tears made their way down her face. With both her's and Meyrin's parents gone, she just couldn't get over the fact that she had now lost her younger sister too. All thanks to a man she had truthfully respect quite a bit.
Of all that things Nicol had expect Lunamaria to say, that was most certainly not one of them. He just couldn't believe that Athrun at some point during his escape, had gotten Meyrin involved, in the whole ordeal. Why the heck had it been necessary for that stupid bastard, to involve Meyrin, in his traitory. Why couldn't he have left her out of it.
"Please...Please tell me that you ain't serious Luna...Athrun didn't really do, what you just said he did...DID he?" Nicol asked in a low tone, already knowing what Lunamaria's response, was going to be. There was noway, she would be crying like this, over a bad joke, which the green haired teen, could not help but sincerely hope, all of this was.
"No It's...it's real Nicol...Athrun took my sister...and...and...got her killed..." Lunamaria cried just barely understandable. As she snuggled even closer in towards the man holding her.
And so while mentally cursing his old teammate, for all of the suffering, he had caused Luna. Nicol truly did everything he could think of to comfort the older Hawke sister. Even though, it really did seem like she was never going to run out of tears, and that she was going to keep on crying like this, for the rest of the day. Not that Nicol would blame her, if she actually did that.
'Ah damn you, Athrun! If you are still alive out there somewhere. You can be damn sure, that I am going to make you pay for doing this. You just wait and see Athrun Zala!' Nicol mentally promised, his old friend, while he continued holding the sobbing redhead.
It took almost a whole hour before Lunamaria's loud sobbing, was replace by a light sniffle. And that soon disappeared too, as the deep exhaustion she had been feeling finally claim her, and she softly drift off into a deep sleep, while resting up against him.
Silently watching the sleeping redhead for a few seconds, Nicol slowly closed both of his eyes, more than ready to join, the older Hawke sister in dreamland. Yet as luck would have it he did not get enough time to actually fall asleep, when he suddenly heard, the unmistakable sound of the door to the room being opened. Raising his head and looked over in the direction of the door, he saw Gilbert Durandal standing there, with a friendly smile on his face.
"Oh Mr Chairman I did not expect to see you here" Nicol confessed in a low tone, while giving the Chairman, a small yet respectful salute.
Letting out a soft chuckle, Durandal stepped even further into the room. "I'm sorry to disturb you. Especially since, you are still recovering from that bump on your head, Nicol, but I have a few things I need to talk with you about" the black haired man said, in a quiet tone. As he briefly wondered, how Talia would react if she where to see her two crew members, cuddling together like this.
Talia might not show it overly much these days. Especially since she was still furious at him, for what had happened to Athrun Zala and Meyrin Hawke, but Gilbert knew better than most people, that Talia was quite romantic and truly loved, stuff like this. So if she actually saw Nicol and Lunamaria like this, she would most likely have a tough time, keeping up her professional facade.
Gilbert did however not get long to think about, his lover, when Nicol asked him, what he wanted to talk with him about. And hearing that, the Zaft Chairman hurried shook his head a few times to get his mind back on track.
"I'm sure that Miss Luna there, told you what happened to the GOUF Athrun and Meyrin Hawke, ran off in. But what she didn't tell you, is that during Rey and Shinn's battle with Athrun, a totally unknown mobile suit showed up to help, Athrun. And I was kinda hoping, that you had some useful information about this mobile suit, Nicol" Gilbert explained, as he reached down into his right pocket, and pull out a photo of the weird mobile suit, which he instantly hand over to the green haired teen on the bed.
Thoroughly studying the slightly unclear photograph, which had obviously been taken in quite a hurry, during Shinn and Rey's encounter with the black and golden mobile suit.
"Hmm...I have never seen the machine itself before...But it's arms...they however do look quite familiar...Both of them, have likely been taken from the Blitz, which means that it is safe to assume, that this mobile suit is from Orb. Seeing as I left the Blitz back there, when I went back home after the last war. And knowing Erica Simmons, it's very likely that she would use the few remaining parts of the Blitz, on another machine. Which is mostly likely what she has done here" Nicol growled in a thoughtful tone, and with a cranky look, in both of his eyes. He seriously despise the fact, that even parts of his old machine, was now being used against them.
While it might have been somewhat difficult to understand, what the Adamant pilot had been saying just now, since it was done almost in a whisper. Gilbert had still heard more than enough of the teenager's words, to confirm his deep nagging suspicion about the golden yet mostly black, Mirage Colloid equipped mobile suit, on the unclear photo.
"Hmm, I figured that mobile suit originate from Orb. Why else would it show up to help, our little traitor. Yet what's really bothering me, is how the woman piloting that weird black machine knew that Athrun was out there, and that he needed her help" Gilbert said, while slowly rubbing his chin.
Hearing those words, instantly made Nicol snap out of his thoughts about the Blitz, and look up at the Zaft leader with narrowed eyes. "I think I know how that woman knew, that Athrun would need her help out there" the slightly pissed off teen said.
And when he saw Durandal, give him a questionable look. He instantaneously began telling the Chairman everything he could remember, about that talkative spy. Who had saved Athrun the exact moment, he had been about to shot the bastard.
Thinking hard about, what Nicol had just told him. The Zaft Chairman found himself, rubbing his chin in a thoughtful manner, while mentally promising himself to have a serious chat, with the Gibraltar base's Commander about the security around here.
Gilbert could accept the fact, that Athrun had been able to elude pretty much the entire base, and steal that GOUF, thanks to Meyrin Hawke, hacking into the base's mainframe, and setting of that alarm, down near the harbor.
Yet knowing now, that somebody on Athrun's side, had been snooping around the Gibraltar base, for who know how long, without anybody noticing, was most certainly not something Gilbert was pleased about. There was just no way to tell, how many secrets that spy had manage to find, while being here.
"Hmm so he was dress in a Earth Forces uniform, and had green eyes. That's not much information to work with Nicol. But that certainly doesn't mean that we ain't going to do something about this. Once I leave here, I'll go start a full investigation about who Athrun's your trash can lid, wielding friend is. And HOW exactly he manage to sneak in here in the first place" Gilbert promised loudly, not doing anything to hide the fact, that the base's Commander, was going to answer for this blunder. It wasn't like, they where running a daycare center, for spys HERE.
And while still thinking about that, Durandal turned, and slowly made his way over door, where he stopped and looked back at the green haired man, sitting on the bed. "You make sure to get penalty of rest now Nicol. It wouldn't be long now before we launch our assault on Heaven's Base. That is where Djibril and the rest of the Logos leaders are hiding out. And I would prefer Nicol to have you and the Adamant along, for this attack" he said.
"Yes sir" Nicol said, with a light smirk on his face, already knowing what the true purpose was, with this attack. Yet as Nicol was about to raise his right hand to salute the Chairman. The still sound asleep Lunamaria, suddenly began moving around, on the bed, in an attempt to get into a more comfortable position. And once she was done doing that, Nicol's arm, was pinned tightly below her body.
Seeing the green haired boy's small dilemma, Gilbert chuckle, softly to himself, then turned, and left the small room, without say anything else to the boy. And as the door flew shut behind him, he began making his way back to his office, totally determined, to get a hold on the base's top Commander, as soon as possible. So he could have a 'nice friendly chat' with that man, about the base's security, or to be more exact, lack of security.
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Yet while this was going on, Shinn was sitting by himself at the edge of the pier, where the Minerva was dock. Staring intensely down into the dark blue water below him.
Yet as peaceful as the boy looked right now, his thoughts was going a hundred miles a minute. Even now he could still clearly see the top part of Athrun and Meyrin's GOUF being blown off by a shot from the Destiny's long-range beam cannon.
"Damn you Athrun...you moron" the red eyed teenager cursed under his breath, probably for the hundred time, since he had gotten there. It wasn't really a big secret around the Minerva that Athrun and he had, had their fair share of trouble, getting along. But while Shinn had honestly found himself wanting to beat the crap out of Athrun, more then a few times, having both his and Meyrin's death on his conscience was definitely not something he was happy about.
And as the dark haired teenager sat there wondering how the heck he was suppose to face Lunamaria and look her in the eyes, after killing her younger sister, Shinn reached down into his right pocket, and pull out the pink mobile phone he always had with him.
Yet listening to the messages, Mayu had place on the devise, did not really do a whole lot much to improve his mood. It actually made him feel even more depressed.
"Mayu...wh...why did I have to do something so terrible? I know Athrun could be bit of an idiot at times. But neither him...nor Meyrin deserved to die in such a gruesome way..." Shinn growled softly to the phone, before putting it back down into the same pocket, where he had found it in the first place. And once he felt absolutely sure, that it was safely hidden away down there, he once more, turned his attention outward towards the sea, where he could see a couple of Vosgulov class slowly approaching the base.
Yet watching the two green Zaft submarines, only served as a brief distraction, from his deeply disturbing thoughts about everything that had happened yesterday.
Fortunately Shinn was somehow able to keep his thoughts focus mostly on the black and golden mobile suit, Rey and him had encounter during their pursued of the stolen GOUF, Athrun and Meyrin had ran off in. The red eyed teenager, might not know overly much about that overall annoying stealth type mobile suit.
Not even it's name.
Yet one thing Shinn did know for certain, was that he despised that damn machine with a passion. It had almost been as annoying, as the Freedom had been. And so while watching a pair of noisy seagulls, fight each other over a fish, one of them had caught, he seriously wondered, if Rey and him, would ever get the chance, to get even with that stupid black mobile suit.
Yet as Shinn sat there, so far away in his own thoughts, he did not notice the attractive young woman, that was slowly approaching him from behind. It was only once she start speaking to him, that the Destiny pilot finally realized that she was there.
"Excuse me. But you wouldn't happen to be a part of the Minerva's crew would you? You see, as of today, I am suppose to be joining the Minerva's crew. But seeing as I do not know my way around this ship yet. I was hoping that you wouldn't mind showing me the way to the Captain's quarter? I really don't want to get lost on this huge ship, before I have a chance to inform the Captain that I am on board her vessel" the girl said in a deeply serious tone of voice.
Instantly turning around, at the sound of her voice, Shinn was just about to tell the girl, that he was busy, and that she could find her own way on board the Minerva. It wasn't like the crew would harm her if she was wearing a Zaft uniform. Yet one single look at the woman, sanding only a few feet behind him, was more then enough to make Shinn stop, and slowly close his mouth again, without saying a word.
'Wow she's cute...' was the first thing that enter the young man's mind, as he slowly looked her over. She had short shoulder length blonde hair, that framed her face in a adorable manner, and was dress in a green female uniform, that fit her quite well. And as she took a single step towards him, Shinn found himself, without even realizing it, momentarily distracted by the almost entrancing sight of the lower part of her legs. That was peeking out, from underneath her knee long skirt.
Thankfully the blond haired girl, did not noticing how the slightly younger man was staring at her legs. She was far more interested in the Minerva right now than him. It truly was a most impressive looking ship, and she was really looking forward to be serving on it, and so while still thinking about that, she once more looked back over at the dark haired boy, where she instantly took notice of the somewhat far away expression, he had on his face. Which kinda made her curious about what was going through his head, at the moment.
"Heeello anybody home?" She asked waving her hand in front of his face.
Quickly snapping out of his deep thoughts, Shinn looked up into the blond's grey eyes. "Emm sorry about that. I have a lot on my mind right now" he said in a soft tone.
'Ahh why did I go totally gaga over her. I'm not suppose to look at other girls like that...I...I got Stella...' he angrily reminded himself. Yet as he stared sadly down, into the dark gloomy water, below his feet. He saw, the dreadful images of Stella's mobile suit being shoot down by the Destroy gundam, over Berlin.
If only he somehow been able, to get past the Freedom, back then, he could have helped Stella take out those three bothersome Murasames, she had been fighting. Then gotten her safely away from the battlefield afterwards.
'Damn you Freedom. You bastard...It's your fault, I couldn't save her!' He mentally coursed.
Yet before Shinn could give Stella's death, all that much thought. He was pull back to reality, when the cute blond haired woman, standing not that far away from him, asked once again if he would help her find her way, to the Captain Gladys' room.
"Sure...why not. It's not like I got anything else to do" the red eyed teenager answered softly, while slowly getting up on to his feet for the first time, since he had gotten there so many hours ago. Yet once he stood up straight he was a bit surprise to discover, just how sore his legs and back had become, from sitting in the same position for so long.
"Ouuch, holy crap I'm sore right now" he complained, while using both hands to rub his back, in an attempt to get rid of some of the soreness. Not that he had much luck with that, the only really cure for his problem, was to move around and not sit still anytime soon.
Giggling slightly at his small dilemma, the young blond haired woman, took a single step backwards. Where she immediately grab on to, her overly large orange suitcase, and after taking a deep breath, she pushed it over towards the red eyed boy.
"Would you mind carrying this for me? It's a little heavy" the girl request in a sweet tone, and with an innocent expression on her face.
Taking a glance down at the suitcase, Shinn reached down with one hand and took a hold, on the piece of luggage. Yet once he tried to lift the suitcase, he was more than a little taken back to discover, that he could not, move this thing around, with just one hand.
'Holy mother of God, this is a little heavy. What the heck she got in this damn thing, the Destiny?' Shinn questioned himself, while seriously wondering, just how in the world, this woman had manage to get his new mobile suit, down into a suitcase.
So while glaring slightly, at the chuckling blond haired girl, he grabbed tightly on to the suitcase's handle with both hands. "Ah how the heck...did you get this thing down here in the first place...?" Shinn breathed out, just barely able to hold, the extremely heavy piece of luggage.
"One of my friends drove me down here. He was also complaining none stop about me packing way to much stuff, but the thing is, I was actually assigned to the Laurasia class, Avenger. Yet before I could join that ship's crew, it was destroyed during the battle of Aprilius One. And seeing as I was expecting to be serving on a ship, with no gravity. I just took everything I want with me, so when the Avenger was destroyed, there wasn't really all that many ships around, that needed a new CIC. So I ended up being transferred down here instead" the girl explained.
Hearing those words, and knowing now that this girl was here to replace Meyrin, as the Minerva's CIC, was almost enough to make Shinn trip over his own feet, as he stared with wide shocked eyes, at the back of the blond haired girl, walking a few steps ahead of him.
No matter how many times, the young man twisted and turned it in his head. He could not deny, that he found this girl, more then just a little cute, and highly attractive, yet knowing he would never have met this person, if he hadn't kill Meyrin, frankly served to make him feel even worse about everything that had happened yesterday, than he did already.
Yet those deep feelings of guilt, quickly disappeared again, once the blond's cheerful voice, call out after him. "Hey what are you doing back there? If you are really planning on standing there, the rest of the day, holding my suitcase. I might need to take a few things with me, before I go on board the Minerva"
Staring silently at her round face for a few seconds, it was impossible for Shinn, not to notice the slightly mischievous smirk, on the girl's lips. And that alone was enough for him to decide, to answer her back, in the same teasing manner.
"Well truth is, I was actually considering just dumping your suitcase in the sea. Buut I guess that would be a pretty bad first impression, to make on a woman. By the way what's your name?" Shinn asked, with a small grin on his face.
Giggling softly at his clever response to her teasing. "I'm Abbey Windsor. It is nice to meet youuuu...?"
"I am Shinn Asuka. I'm one of the Minerva's pilots" Shinn answered, as the two of them continued in a slow pace, towards the entrance to the enormous grey space ship.
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Meanwhile on board the Minerva, in Captain's quarter, Talia was finishing her fifth cup of coffee. With everything that had happened yesterday, she had not surprisingly, found herself having a very, very difficult time falling asleep.
And when Talia at long last finally had drift off to sleep, it had taken less then two short hours, before she found herself wide awake again. From one of the worst nightmares, she had ever had.
Even now, as she was sitting there sipping her coffee, Talia could clearly see the gruesome images of Meyrin and Athrun, slowly bleeding to death, only a few short steps, away from her. But as much as she had sincerely wanted, to help the two of them out, she was stop by an invisible wall, that prevent her from getting anywhere near, the two injured teenagers.
"Dear God, once this war is over, I'm going to need a long vacation far away from everything..." she mumbled to herself, then took a glance over at the small frame standing on her desk.
And as she studied her son's bright smiling face, the young mother, could not help but wonder, what her child was doing right now. Since it had been such a long time since, she had last seen her little troublemaker, Talia could not, even begin to describe, just how much she truly missed him. Especially now, after losing two of her ship's crew members.
It did however not take very long, before the light brown haired woman turned her tired gaze downwards, at the two piece of paper laying in front of her.
No matter how she looked at it, the Minerva Captain sincerely wished, with all of her heart, that she did not sign these damn things. Seeing as they would allow some of the Gibraltar Base's personnel, to come on board the Minerva to take a look in Athrun, and Meyrin's rooms, while it was truth, that somebody need to go thought the two dead teenagers possessions, incase they had left any clues behind, that could shed just a bit more light, on their defection. Talia seriously did not like the idea of some careless idiot messing around, down in their rooms.
She would much rather have Arthur or somebody else she trust, take a look thought Athrun's and the younger Hawke sister's belongings. That way, she could at least make certain, that nothing got broken, while their rooms was searched.
And so while trying to come up with suitable solution, to this dilemma, Talia slowly reached out for her half empty coffee cup. And after quickly swallowing what was left of the hot brown liquid, she reached up and rubbed first her eyes, and then her forehead, in a frustrated manner. With her lack of sleep, it was quite difficult for her to figure out just what in the world she could say, to convince high command, to let some of her crew handle the search of Meyrin and Athrun's rooms.
Then after sitting there a bit long she let out a heave a sigh, as she found herself considering the idea of asking the ship's doctor to give her something to sleep on. With her being so unbelievable tired, it was highly doubtful that she would get much work done today.
Yet as much as the deeply exhausted Captain of the Minerva sincerely wished to just sleep the rest of the day away, Talia knew, that as soon as her head came in contact with her soft pillow, it would be pretty much impossible for her, to keep her thoughts away, from Athrun Zala and Meyrin Hawke.
Yet the thought of taking sleeping pills did NOT sit all that well with her. Talia had never, NEVER liked taking any kind of medicine, unless it was absolutely necessary. It was however very unlikely, that she was going to become totally addicted to taking sleeping medicine, from taking one or two small pills.
And so with that in mind, Talia reached out towards the intercom and was just about to press the button, so she could speak with the doctor, down in the Minerva's med-bay, when somebody just happened to choose that exact moment to knock loudly on the door.
"Ohhh God! I reeally hope this is not something important...I really don't feel like having a long discussion, with anybody right now" she sighed, then called out for whoever was outside her room to come on in.
Yet the very instant she saw the Destiny pilot step through the doorway, Talia could do nothing to prevent herself from sending the red eyed teen, a angry glare. No matter how she looked at it, Talia still could not believe what Shinn had done yesterday. The Minerva Captain knew, that the boy was absolutely determined to put a end to this war, as swiftly as possible. But the fact that he had so mercilessly killed, two of their own comrades, really sickened her. And Talia knew, that it would take a VERY long time, before she would be able to look Shinn in the eyes again.
"What do you want Shinn?" She asked, in a not too friendly tone.
Somewhat taken back by the tone of voice the woman was using, and the likewise angry glare she was sending him, Shinn rubbed the back of his neck slightly, while wondering just how many others of the Minerva's crew, was mad at him, for the awful things he had been forced to do yesterday, to stop Athrun and Meyrin from escaping.
'Damn, if the Captain is this mad at me, for following orders...I fear how Lunamaria is going to react when she sees me. I did kill her sister after all...' the young man thought sadly, then quickly shook away those truly grotesque images of Athrun and Meyrin's stolen GOUF, disappearing down into the sea, after he had destroyed the top part of the blue close-quarters combat mobile suit.
And so while doing his best, to ignore the deep almost painful guilt, he was feeling. Shinn stared straight into the Captain's blue eyes, with a none caring look on his face, that showed not one hint of how much yesterday's event, still tortured him.
"I'm sorry to bother you Captain" Shinn said. Even though it was highly obvious that the Minerva's Captain wasn't really doing anything, all that important.
And when he received no response whatsoever for his apology, the red eyed young man, swiftly forced away his deep temptation, to comment on how the Captain kept on glaring at him.
"You see, Captain. Abbey Windsor here, asked me to show her the way to your office. She is going to be join the Minerva from today, Captain. She is...she is our new CIC...Captain" Shinn said, sounding somewhat absent minded. While Shinn might only have met, Abbey Windsor a few short minutes ago, he was reeally looking forward, to be working together with the cute blond. Yet whenever he thought about what position Abbey was going to have up on the Minerva's bridge, Shinn could clear see Meyrin's happy face, smiling brightly at him. And that alone, was more then enough, to put quite a damper on his enthusiasm.
Having known Shinn for as long as she had, Talia Gladyes could of course easily tell, that he was not his usual self. Yet since she herself. was in such a bad mood, the Minerva Captain quickly decide, that she was in no mood to pamper, or play nursemaid the spoiled boy. If he wanted somebody to feel sorry for him right now, he could go ask Gilbert to do it.
Gilbert was after all willing, to let Shinn do whatever he want, without punishment, which was one main reasons why, Talia was seriously starting to dislike, having Shinn Asuka on board the Minerva. That and the fact, that he had a huge tendency, to just ignore the orders, he didn't like, which was something, he did not get punished for either. If it had been anybody else, they would have been send to the brig a long time ago. While it was certainly truth that Shinn's skills in a mobile suit was, almost indispensable, Talia would very much like to show red eyed teenager once and for all, that no matter how good a pilot he was, he was still suppose to do what SHE said.
Yet knowing that it was totally pointless thinking about that, since Gilbert had apparently decide, that no matter how bad Shinn's disobedience got. It was a praise worth paying for the boy's skills.
'I wonder what line Shinn would have to cross, before Gilbert will finally lose his patient and punish the boy?' The Minerva Captain thought, then slowly turned her attention towards the young blond haired woman, standing not that far behind Shinn.
"Welcome onboard Abbey Windsor. I hope that you are going to like being here on the Minerva"
"Thank you Captain. It's a real honor being assigned to your ship. I have heard a lot of great things about the Minerva, and I am really looking forward to be working together with you, and your crew Ma'am!" Abbey said loudly, while saluting the other woman the entire time.
Smiling slightly at that, Talia leaned slowly forward in her chair, and rest both elbows on her wooden desk. "I'm glad to hear that Abbey. Do you have any questions you would like to ask me"
"Yes Ma'am, there is something I am kinda curious about. While Shinn was leading me here, I notice that the few crew members we past, seemed somewhat depressed. And if you don't mind me saying so Ma'am, you too...looks a bit sad. So I'm kinda wondering what's going on around here?" The blond asked with a slightly curious look in her eyes.
Having honestly not expect her ship's newest crew member, to ask her that of all things, Talia stared silently down at the table, she seriously did not feel like having long conversation about yesterday's event.
But as much as she would honestly prefer avoid it, the exhausted Captain of the Minerva, figured that it was kinda her responsibility to tell Abbey why, the rest of the crew was so gloomy today.
"You heard about what happened yesterday, didn't you?"
"Not much. The only thing I know, is that it was a spy that ran of with one of the base's mobile suits" the girl answered.
"That...'spy' use to be one of the Minerva's pilots. And when he made his escape from here...he took our old CIC with him..." Talia explained, not once raising her gaze from the table.
Not saying anything to that at first, Abbey just stood there, staring at the floor with a thoughtful look in each one of her eyes. "I see, thank you for telling me that Captain. I'll do my utmost to be as good a CIC, as your old one" Abbey promised, with as great deal of determination in her voice.
"Glad to hear it Abbey, just don't overexert yourself, the very first day joining us. You just take it easy today, and get settle in" she told the girl, then took a glance over at Shinn, who had been amazingly quiet, during her conversation with Abbey. Normally he usually did had a few things to complain about, when he was around her, not that Talia had anything against, him keeping his trap shut for a change.
And so while wondering briefly what was be going through Shinn's head at the moment, Talia asked him, if he would please show Abbey the way to the empty cabin, across from Meyrin's old one.
Nodding rapidly at that. "Of course, just follow me, Abbey!" The Destiny pilot said loudly, not doing a thing to hide, just how overly eager he was to get the hell out of there. With the Captain so mad at him, Shinn did not want to be anywhere near her, right now, then without waiting for a response from Abbey, he swiftly turned around, and practically ran out of the room.
Watching her new friend, and fellow crew-mate leave like that. Abbey could not help but wonder why, Shinn had been in such a big hurry, to get out of there. Actually now that she gave it some thought, it really had seemed like him and the Captain, had been more ready to start bickering with each other at any moment.
And while still wondering what, all of this was about, Abbey looked back at the Captain, who was staring at the closed door, with a slightly dishearten look in each one of her eyes, and just seeing that, served as a pretty clear sign, that she was far from happy about the obvious hostility, between her and Shinn.
"What's this about Captain?" Abbey finally asked after a few seconds.
Shaking her head slightly, Talia tore her gaze away from the door, and looked at the girl instead. "It's...kinda hard to explain, Abbey. I know I shouldn't be mad at him. I know that he was just following orders. But...But I just can't get Athrun and Meyrin out of my head, and how Shinn shoot them down like they where two enemies, he knew nothing about...For God sake those two where his friends..." the Captain said. Simply unable to stop herself, from telling her newest crew member, what was bothering her.
Nodding slowly at the Captain's words. Abbey took off her green cap, and brush away the bit of hair, hanging down in front of her eyes.
"It most be really tough losing anybody, under your command Captain. But the thing is, I think it's equally hard on Shinn. I for one could not even begin to image, how terrible it most be, to kill two of your own comrades" the young blond haired woman said, with a great deal of thoughtfulness in her voice.
Taking a few short seconds, to seriously consider Abbey's words, Talia had to admit that the blonde, was right. While it was certainly true, that Shinn Asuka was a prideful young man, that truly hate to admit, when he made any kind of mistake. The Minerva Captain knew without a doubt, that Shinn was most likely, even more broken up over yesterday's event, than anybody else on board the Minerva. Except Lunamaria of course, who had lost her little sister.
"I see what you mean, Abbey. And if I could ask a small favor of you Abbey, I would like it, if you and Shinn could became friends. I have a feeling that he is going to need a good friend or two, to get over what happened yesterday" Talia said, honestly feeling a little guilty about the cranky way she had behaved, towards Shinn. It wasn't like he was the one to blame for Athrun and Meyrin betraying them, like they had.
It was at that point Abbey's kind voice interrupt her thoughts. "You don't even have to ask me that Captain. I might only have met Shinn twenty minutes ago, but I actually think he is a pretty nice guy. You see, I practically brought half a Laurasia-class with me, in my suitcase. And amazingly enough, he did not complain at all, about carrying it on board for me" the blonde inform the Captain with a small smile on her face.
Smiling slightly. "I'm glad to hear that he made such a good first impression on you. Now you better get going, knowing him he is most likely running low on patient, waiting for you out in the hallway" Talia said.
A bit taken back by the Captain's words, Abbey took a short glance in the direction of the door. "Do you really think he is still out there? We have been talking for quite awhile now" the surprised blonde exclaimed loudly.
"Yeah I think he is. I might not have order him to show you, to your new room. But since he went through the trouble of carrying your heavy suitcase all the way here, I believe he is quite determined to carry it the rest of the way to your new room. That just the type of person he is. But why don't you go see for yourself Abbey, if he is still out there"
Honestly quite curious to see, if Captain Gladys was right about Shinn waiting for her out in the hall, Abbey gave her new superior a short salute, before she hurried turned away and walked with loud steps, over to the door, where she stop and looked back at Captain.
"I'll see you later Ma'am" was Abbey's last words before leaving the room.
Watching the metal door slide back shut, after the young woman. Talia let out a short sigh, as she stood up and went over to her bed.
And without the least bit hesitation she kick off both of her shoes. Then practically fell face first, down into her bed, where she immediately hugged her pillow, pressing her face up against the fluffy object. It wasn't much, but Talia did feel a tiny bit better, after having voiced her feelings to Abbey about the deaths of Athrun and Meyrin.
And so while thinking briefly about, how truly grateful she was over the fact that it would still be a few days, before they went after Logos, and their crazy leader Djibril, Talia Gladys slowly fell into a dreamless sleep.
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Meanwhile just outside in the hallway.
Abbey was pleased to see Shinn leaning against the opposite wall, waiting for her. "I actually thought, you would have left a long time ago"
Pushing himself away from the wall, Shinn stood up straight again, while scratching the back of his neck in a manner, that could only be described as somewhat bashful.
"I do have today off, but I don't really feel like going to the base's arcade or anywhere else, with a lot of people. So I figured, that helping out a new crew mate get settle in, is a pretty decent way, to spend my free time" Shinn explained, just as he grab on to the heavy suitcase again, and began dragging it down the hall.
Seeing him do that, Abbey smiled slightly. "I really do appreciate your help Shinn. Perhaps once you have shown me to my room, you would show me around the Minerva. I would like to know where both the bridge and the mess hall is. And I would also very much like to see that hangar"
Taking a glance away from the suitcase, and over at the blond, Shinn nodded slowly a few times, as a response to her request. Only complaining softly under his breath a moment later, about how heavy her suitcase was. And how tired he was of lugging the damn thing around.
Letting out a soft giggle at his unhappy words, Abbey asked him, what there was to do for fun around the Minerva.
"Hm there is a airhockey table down in the mess hall if you like that. And there is also a few video game consoles, down there" he explained, while changing his hold on the suitcase in an attempt to get a better hold on it.
"That sounds great. I hereby challenge you to a game of airhockey Shinn Asuka! I am going to whip the floor with you!" Abbey boast loudly.
Hearing the girl say those words to him, Shinn immediately stopped his slow pace. And after placing the suitcase down on the floor, he turned slowly, and looked back at her with narrowed eyes.
"I accept your challenge Abbey Windsor. I'm going to wipe that smirk right off your face!" Shinn boasted back even louder than Abbey.
And so while still discussing loudly back and forth, how badly they where going to beat each other, in their upcoming game of airhockey, the two teens continued slowly down the Minerva's long hallway.
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Yet while this was going on.
Rey Za Burrel was hastily approaching the enormous Zaft base in the Legend gundam, and as the blond haired man got ready to land near the harbor area of the base, he saw a lonely figure waiting for him.
And knowing who it was, Rey quickly reduced the powerful grey mobile suit's speed, then cautiously brought the gundam down a few steps away from the man he respect so unbelievable much.
And after pulling of his helmet, he immediately got the cockpit open, then low himself as quickly as possible. Yet before he could get his mouth open and say anything to Gilbert. The Zaft Chairman cut him off by handing him a bottle water, which instantly made Rey realize, just how thirsty he was right now. So without saying a word to Gilbert, he took the offer bottle and quickly got it opened.
Watching silently, as Rey empty about half of the bottle's content into his mouth, it was only once he saw the blond haired man, slowly move the bottle away, that Gilbert start talking to him.
"So Rey did you find anything out?" The Chairman asked softly.
Narrowing each one of his eyes at that question, Rey slowly shook his head a few times. "No unfortunately not, Gil. I found a few parts of the GOUF, but there was no sign of the cockpit anywhere. So I think it's safe to assume that the woman piloting that strange black mobile suit, found the cockpit and took it with her" Rey explained in a displeased tone.
Staying totally silent for almost two whole minutes, the deeply thoughtful expression on Gilbert Durandal's face, showed not one hint of how annoyed he truly was with the news Rey, had just given him.
"Hm...I see! That means that our dear friend Athrun, might still be alive out there somewhere..." the black haired Zaft leader said, with an equal amount of sarcasm and annoyance in his voice.
"Yeeeah, that might very well be the case. So what now? If Athrun is still alive out there somewhere, it's doubtful he will stay hidden for long, sooner or later he is going to try and stop us. He might not know everything we have planned Gil, but he certainly have his suspicion" the Legend pilot said, thinking briefly about some of the things Athrun had said to Shinn yesterday, during his escape. Especially that dictator comment linger for a few seconds, until Gilbert's relatively calm voice, interrupted his thoughts.
"There is not a whole lot we can do Rey. Other then keep our suspicion about Athrun Zala and Meyrin Hawke's survival a secret. Talia did after all care about both of them, so she might be reluctant to fight them, should the Minerva come across them at some point in time. And that goes for Lunamaria Hawke too, if she ever found out that her sister was alive, she might be tempt to leave Zaft, to go search for her. And from what you and Talia have told me about the girl. She is a pretty decent pilot, who's skills we can not afford to lose. So lets just keep this between the two of us Rey"
Easily capable of seeing the logic in Gilbert's words. Rey nodded slowly a single time in understanding. Then asked if Nicol had any usable knowledge about the black stealth type mobile suit, Shinn and him encounter yesterday.
"Unfortunately not. The only thing he could say for certain, was that a few of the parts on the unknown mobile suit, had been taken from the Blitz. And that means that mobile suit is likely a part of the Orb military" the Zaft Chairman explained, honestly more then a little displeased, with their limited knowledge about the black and golden gundam.
Unless that mobile suit was brand-new, and yesterday had been the very first time it had seen live combat, it did not make any sense why, they didn't have anymore information about that machine.
And after standing there mentally complaining about that for a few short moments, Gilbert let out a small yet frustrate sigh, as he moved his thoughtful gaze away from the ground, and looked back over at Rey.
"Just make sure to keep an eye out for that mobile suit in the future Rey. And destroy it, if you get the chance. I do not know, what that woman's intentions are, but since, she has already interfered once, in our plans. I want her gone from the equation, so she wouldn't cause, any further problems" Gilbert said in a cold tone.
"I'll do my utmost to end that woman's life, Gilbert. Yet if it is alright with you, I would very much like to try capture, her mobile suit. Whatever it's name is, I find that black gundam quite fascinating. There is no doubt in my mind, that a mobile suit such as that, would be a big help in carrying out our objektives" the blond man said.
Honestly somewhat surprise to hear, that Rey had such a huge interest in that black mobile suit. So after letting out a soft chuckling, the Chairman gave his most loyal follower a response to his request.
"If you do get the chance to capture that mobile suit, Rey, then you don't have to ask for my permission to do so. Just don't make your fascination with that mobile suit, get in the way of your other responsibilities. When the time comes for us to go after Logos, we are going to be in the need your skills, Rey" Gilbert said in a praising tone, while giving Rey, a friendly pat on his left shoulder.
Taking a quick mouthful from the water bottle, he was still holding on to, Rey swallowed the liquid slowly. "You don't need to remind me, of my responsibilities Gil. I already know what I have to do"
"Glad to hear it. Now then, there is a few other things, I would like to discuss with you Rey. So lets go somewhere else so we can sit dow..." yet before Gilbert could finish that sentence, he was cut off by his cell phone ringing loudly down in his pocket.
Finding this interruption highly annoying, the black haired man let out a deep sound of annoyance, as he hurried pull out the device. And after pressing one of the many buttons on the phone, he brought it up to his ear.
"Durandal here, what is it?" He asked.
Those words had just barely left Gilbert's mouth, When Rey saw a deep vein slowly appearing on the Zaft leader's forehead. And that alone, was all Rey Za Burrel needed to tell, that whatever the individual on the other end of the line was telling Gil, it was something important that would require his attention immediately after the phone call was over, which meant that whatever Gilbert want to discuss with him, simply had to wait for another time.
And knowing that, was the case. The young pilot of the Legend gave Gilbert a small sign to tell him, that he was going to go now, and that he would see him later.
Which Gilbert immediately response to with a quick wave, and a likewise quick nod. "Alright! I understand, tell them that I'll be there shortly!" The Zaft leader yell loudly into the phone. As he watched Rey walk in a slow pace, towards the DRAGOON equipped gundam, standing not that far away from them.
And as Rey used the thick cable, to get up to the Legend's cockpit, Gilbert swirled around on one foot, and hurried began making his way back, to the base's main building, still talking loudly into the phone.
He was however force to take a small break when Rey got the Legend airborne, and took off in the direction of the Minerva that could be seen in the distance.
And once the grey mobile suit had disappeared from his sight, Gilbert found himself rolling his eyes a single time, as the person he was talking with on the phone, told him a third time that he was need at the main building.
"I get that already. Why don't you take a deep breath and calm down, it's not like I can get from one end of the base to another, in just a few seconds. I do need a little more time to get there, just give the Alliance commander a cup of coffee, and tell him that I'll be there, as soon as I can" Durandal said into the phone, then hurried hung up before the loud chatty woman, had a chance to repeat herself to him, one more time.
To be continued.
As I am sure you guys figured out, Abbey is going to be Shinn's love interest in this story, let me know what you think about that guys. She is not really a character that gets much attention in the anime.