The accommodation from the Kingdom was a high standard of luxury. Canard watched the horror of opening the last torpedo. He was thankful for following his gut and not messing with her. That woman was a killer. No emotion in her eyes at all, and these were the people she worked with on the daily. He agreed with the recommendations the medical staff recommended him. He had to be reminded that it was his choice, they could only recommend but he still did as they suggested. Canard did ask if he was going to be interrogated. One of the nurses let him know that if he wanted to help out, he could, but not to push himself as it must have been a traumatic situation. They would be here waiting patiently. They asked him if he wanted to speak with someone about the events that had transpired.
Canard nodded in silence, trying to keep tears from coming. He wanted to curse the princess. Such a deadly woman with such a superb team of caregivers. He didn't know how it felt like to be actually cared for. He was treated as a person, not as someone who had his genetics tested on who could be the next weapon. He wanted to curse her as she had made him feelings he had never felt before.
Canard was then transferred to a complex where there were others in similar situation as him. A place where information was controlled as to not disturb the healing process. He did not get to witness the oncoming threat from Ra, along with the infamous wedding between him and Selena.
The two young men were surprised at their savior's response. The green haired man felt relief as he knew she would do anything to protect them. The light brown haired man got shivers seeing someone so menacing. The two complied with the medical staff after watching her. They did request not to be separated as the two had stuck together. The medical staff complied. They also agreed that it would be beneficial for the two to continue depending on each other, as it may help with the healing process.
The two were moved to the same suburb where Aisha was living. The two got share a house together.
"I never thought we would become housemates!" The brown haired man looked around the house. He was surprised from how far they come. "She's scary but she's amazing! Look! We're living a great life!"
"Yeah," the light green haired man agreed. He stared around the house and its plain furnishings.
"They said we could go down to the store, and pick out things to make it our own!" The brown haired man came to where his friend was at. "Oh yeah, did you pick a name?" His friend nodded. "Okay, well, let's introduce ourselves. I don't want to keep going on without us knowing each other's names." He put his hand out for him. The light green haired man took his hand with a smile. The brown haired man beamed. "HI! I'm Tolle."
"Hi Tolle," the green haired man shook his hand. "I'm Nicol." A smile spread across his face.
"Nice to finally meet you, Nicol," Tolle kept shaking his hand. "Now let's go to the store!" He turned Nicol around, heading outside through the front door with Nicol trying to keep up behind him.
The two did not know of anything going on. Their care was a bit different from Canard's. They did ask about him. They were told he was off in a different area as his recuperation is different from theirs. Although, there could be a chance when they could meet up again. That left them hopeful. Nicol did ask about their savior. The medical staff gave them the same answer as Canards. Nicol and Tolle didn't want to change their hairstyles but were okay with not being covered in bandages head to toe. They still felt a bit defenseless without having something to hide themselves. They were offered glasses that were clear. It was a way to help them ease out of that feeling.
It had worked. The two had long hair and glasses but wore civilian clothing and walked about in the suburban area without feeling like they need hide away. As the two were situated, the two along with the rest in the suburbia had no idea what the outside world was doing. Though, the family members were notified that their presence was requested at the Kingdom, if they were not already there.
Jess and Miriallia did not have the same treatment. The two were asked to explain how they arrived to the situation of getting the four torpedoes. The two of them stood strong even when they were apart, and did not confess. It was not a matter to the royal soldiers, as they knew there would be a confession. Miriallia and Jess were separated in rooms that were similar to a prison cell. A toilet and a sink to one side while a bed was in the other. There was no table for them to get their meals. It was almost like solitary confinement. Both of them thought the meals would get scarce but it didn't. The meals were plain and bland. No one came to greet them. The meal was given with no personal contact.
Both of them caved around five days into their solitary confinement. The two didn't know they had missed a turning point, the proclamation of a possible oncoming war, and the marriage of Ra and Selena. The two confessed everything. They felt guilty for what they have done, but they received no punishment. The two were moved from that confinement to a more relaxed area. It seemed more like a hotel, but they were informed that they would be needed later on.
It was silent in the captain's quarters on the Minerva. Declan and Arthur had just finished watching Ra's declaration. Arthur was too stunned to speak. He waited for his captain's reaction, but Declan was still the same stern person staring at the screen. Minutes later, Declan broke the tension by letting out a sigh.
"This is what it has come to," Declan closed his eyes in disappointment.
"D-does that mean we will have another war on our hands?" Arthur was really worried about their situation. "And do you think we're hostages right now? Since we are in her territory."
Declan opened his eyes. He let out another sigh. "It's a tough situation. We must tread lightly. The group must be back. Let's hear what they have to say about what is happening on the surface." Arthur nodded. He left Declan to get the debriefing.
As Arthur was getting the information from the soldiers, the Junk Guild's vessel was being brought further into the hanger. The giant hanger doors opened. The vessel was slowly brought inside by chain conveyor it was on.
ZAFT and Serpent Tail watched with curiosity as the hanger doors closed, blocking their view of the vessel. Gai was leaning on the captain's chair in the bridge of his vessel. "Well, what sort of deal did he make to get special treatment?" He looked at the other screen to see ZAFT soldiers interested in what happened. "I wonder how they're feeling?"
"Probably shaking in their boots," Reed leaned back in his chair. "How's our Mistilteinn?"
Gai looked around. "Probably hiding his emotions again."
"Well, the lady who saw through his façade when she first met him," Reed explained. "Looked blissfully happy as she married the guy who just declared war. I would be drowning myself."
"Either drowning or filling up the room with empty cans," Gai chuckled. "Ah, I think we'll be fine. The Princess isn't about swindling us. Let's just watch what happens." Reed nodded in agreement.
Lowe opened the hanger to his vessel when it stopped. Royal soldiers were lined up with heavy machinery to place inside the vessel. Lowe left the crew to organize the new additions. He followed one of the soldiers to a side room with a brief case in hand.
"She's not going to come visit, is she?" Lowe asked. He saw an identical briefcase with cords hooked into from the wall.
"The Princess is busy at the moment," the soldier only explained. Lowe smirked. He knew they wouldn't give him answer. "However, she still holds up her end of the deal. She wanted to give you this early even though her goal has not been reached yet."
"Is that 8?" Lowe could see it was the one he gave to Jess.
"That's correct," the soldier continued. "He's receiving an upgrade. We wanted to extend the upgrade to the rest of them."
A bright smile spread across Lowe's face. "She knows how to make me beam!" Lowe handed over the briefcase. "I'm a bit jealous of my AI. An upgrade by the Technical Goddess herself. Absolutely something to be envied." The soldier didn't respond. He only hooked up the briefcase. "I saw she took in a few familiar faces, how are they?"
"They're fine," the soldier answered. Lowe was surprised to hear an answer. He thought he was going to another vague answer. "The upgrade shouldn't take long. I'll leave you here to communicate with your device." He left a laptop for him. The soldier didn't wait for a response, but left to stand guard outside of the room.
Lowe sat down while typing on the computer. He couldn't help himself. His fingers were already itching to see what the upgrades were.
Is that you, Lowe?
"8!" Lowe accessed the speaker and microphone so he wouldn't have to type anymore. "How have you been?"
Thank goodness we can meet up once again! I have so much to inform you. However, I am afraid of the information I might spill.
"We're in good hands," Lowe explained. "We're safe as we are in Her Highness' Kingdom."
Oh, no wonder this felt nice. She must be the one giving me the upgrades. I have been sifting through them. Would you like to see what the upgrade is?
"You know I would!" Lowe smiled. He stared at the screen waiting for the explanation.
I am still trying to figure things out on my end, but what do you think?
Lowe's curiosity faltered as he waited for 8 to further explain. Something moved behind the laptop. Lowe glanced up, thinking it was the guard coming back in. He looked back to the screen. Lowe froze. He moved his head up but kept his eyes on the screen. He couldn't believe what he just saw. Lowe moved his eyes to see ahead of him. He was frozen. Selena could always make his jaw drop with all of her works.
On the Minerva, Arthur finished the debriefing. He headed back to Declan with the information. Everyone was on edge as they were now in enemy territory. Declan was speaking with another soldier when Arthur came into the quarters. The soldier left.
"What did they say?" Declan asked.
Arthur was hesitant at first but swallowed his fear. "The citizens didn't really react like we did. Serpent Tail's Gai Murakumo and Elijah Kiel took two of our soldiers to an alley to discuss the video. It seems that Serpent Tail isn't worried about the situation, and explained to the two of them we shouldn't worry either. He stated that we should be out of here in a timely manner the Kingdom Royal soldiers explained we would."
"Hm," Declan could only respond.
"May I speak freely?" Arthur asked. Declan raised his eyebrows in surprise. Declan waved him to go ahead. "I agree with Serpent Tail. I don't know what is exactly going on, but it just doesn't line up. Hearing that there were no reactions from the citizens, not even from the royals or governing system here either, seems as if they're waiting for something."
Declan nodded. "Glad we're on the same page. I have been feeling that way as well. Her soldiers are too relaxed for something like that." Arthur let out a sigh of relief. He didn't really speak his opinions as he didn't know how Declan would take them. "We have orders to go back to space after this. The Chairwoman wants us to be one of the vessels."
"So, it is happening," Arthur's shoulders drooped.
Declan leaned back in his chair. "Yes. After the threat of a looming war, everyone wants to make sure it doesn't come to that. Two machines have been put on the top of the list to make up for the ones we lost. We all wish it did not come to this, but it seems inevitable."
The end of the week came, with still no word from the Kingdom about the recent marriage of its princess. All three vessels were repaired and well stocked. The Junk Guild's vessel came out of the hanger a few hours later when it was first hauled in.
The Junk Guild and Serpent Tail were the first to leave the hidden bay. The Minerva headed out last. They headed to the equator to use one of the Mass-drivers to get back into space.
Shinn watched a screen showing that their vessel had just left the Kingdom's territory. Lunamaria came into the room, seeing him watching the screen intently.
"You know its hard to take a stranger's words especially when they're right," she sat down next to him. He didn't budge. "We're not expected to get any sort of action until we're back into space. We get our machines back." Still nothing. She let out a sigh. "Want to tell me what's going on?"
"I don't get it," Shinn mumbled.
"Huh?" Lunamaria leaned in close.
"I don't understand anything anymore," Shinn glanced over to her. "I keep thinking about everything that led up to this point. It doesn't make sense."
"Does war ever make sense?" Lunamaria countered. "It doesn't have to. What makes sense for us is to stop it from continuing. So, shall we sharpen up our skills so we'll be ready for another fight."
Shinn looked over to her, he could always count on her. He nodded. Lunamaria grabbed his hand, bringing him to his feet. The two headed towards the bay, to fight in the simulations.
At Orb, Murrue, Mu, and the others were getting the Archangel ready to launch into space. It was a battle they were going to need to pull out all the stops. Cagalli had Soga and Ledonir prepare the Kusangi as well. Andrew had headed out so he could captain the Eternal.
At the secret base, Sai was staring at the screen. It had been chaotic after the Ra went live. Especially with the video of him marrying the princess. He couldn't believe he had walked into becoming a pawn of the enemy. He not only walked but all his time and effort were for something that had evil intentions.
Feeling sorry for yourself won't get you anywhere. A text appeared in the form of a prompt.
Sai flinched as he read it. He glanced around. Another prompt appeared.
It's funny how you think you would be able to see me that easily. You have a choice to make.
"What choice?" He whispered.
You want to protect your friends. I know your history. Make the choice.
"But how?" Sai was angry with himself. If he knew he would have already done it.
A proposal arrives. Make a choice. He read it before it disappeared.
He heard the door opening. Sai looked over to see a soldier come over to him.
"Sai Argyle," the soldier stood in front of him.
"Y-yes!" Sai stood up.
"You were part of the Archangel as a CIC operator," the soldier spoke. "In charge of detecting enemies and identifying electronic warfare, were you not?"
"I was, yes," Sai answered. He started to feel guilty.
"No need to get scared," the soldier could see him buckle. "We're only asking for additional employees to join the Morningstar."
Sai understood what the mysterious prompts were talking about now. "I would like to join then."
"Understood, I will relay your response to the captain," the soldier handed him a paper. "Here are the details of boarding the vessel, and when we shall leave. Please make the necessary arrangements."
"I will," Sai nodded. He started to it over. The soldier left. A prompt came back on his screen. Sai did a double take.
Great choice. Keep a watchful eye on Diana.
Sai blinked and the message was gone. It didn't sound threatening to him, but anything could be up for interpretation. He did make a great choice, as he reminded himself. He knew how to sabotage the Archangel if it came down to it. He didn't know if this is what the prompts were wanting him to do. However, why would he be needed if this virus could take down their whole system? Wouldn't it just be toying with him instead? Making him do the dirty work, well he felt like he had already done enough, what's a little more to do. If anything, did it help cancel out on some of the things he did. He couldn't think about it anymore. He needed to prepare to board the vessel.