It was mostly silent for the whole day, until the switching of guards. The room was comfortable enough as it was large enough to fit a bed, a small desk area that doubled as a table, and a bathroom with a tub and shower combination. Almost like staying in a hotel only a hotel that locks its guests inside while performing medical procedures on them occasionally.

Canard was lounging on the bed, trying to pass his time. The back of his head resting on his arms. Around this time, he would have an afternoon nap but the chattering outside his door kept him awake.

He sat up trying to make no noise while trying to keep listening. Canard headed towards the door. The guards usually kept silent unless something major was happening. He did have a sliver of hope that it was Murrue coming to save him. He knew better though. It's been a while since his interaction with her. She probably forgot about him already.

Canard sat down. He placed a piece of soap in the metal flap where his food tray would come in. It was small enough to pry it open without them noticing.

"I'm scared," one of the guards spoke. "Their whole team was taken out. Sander's team has been tasked with it now. If Sander's team ends up the same, then it's my team. I-I can't do this anymore if that happens."

"Just don't be an idiot," the other guard told him. "Dario touched what he shouldn't have. That's a weapon of mass destruction. I heard the Raptor watched everything."

The first guard gulped. "He obviously is like any other ruler. We're just numbers to him."

"Of course," the second guard agreed. "But once he rewires that weapon, everyone will fall in line."

"He-he's going to try to rewire?!" The first guard started to raise his voice.

"Shhh!" The other guard shushed him. "What else do you think is going to happen? He didn't go through all the trouble not to rewire. That is soon going to be our weapon of mass destruction. Lives have been lost but it won't be in vain. I'm guessing we're going to have some bumps along the way during the rewiring process, but it will be worth it."

The guards went silent after that. Canard took his piece of soap out of the lid. He moved away from the door. He had a lot to think about now. He wondered what weapon their leader stole. Canard lounged back on the bed with his hands behind his head. He stared up at the ceiling trying to piece the bits of information he had together. His thoughts were easier to align than usual. One perk of being here. They fixed him in a sense.

Canard was lost in thought until he heard a knock on his door. He looked over to the door. It felt too early for a meal. He waited to see what would happen next. Another knock rasped upon the door.

"Pars, wake up," a familiar voice called out.

Canard smirked. He sat up to get off the bed. He knew what was coming next. Canard slid off the bed to go towards a wall. He stood there, waiting.

"I know you hate us but I've got a special treat for you," the voice called out. "Assume the position so we can go for a walk."

Canard placed his arms out as if he was to be cuffed. The door opened to show a soldier with special metal cuffs that went to the elbows.

"I thought they were done fixing me?" Canard teased.

"They are," the soldier locked the cuffs in place. "This time, they have something different."

"Oh?" He followed the soldier that started to walk off. It had been weeks since he had last been let out. The only time he was out of the room was when he overheard from the guards that someone was recently captured, only for it to be Murrue. The soldier led him through different hallways. Sometimes they would pass other soldiers, sometimes medical staff. Canard noticed the golden bird emblem everywhere. It wasn't there before. "Did you guys get a mascot?"

"Huh, so you noticed?" The soldier joked. "Things have been going on the up and up around here."

"So, I have heard," Canard kept glancing around. "Heard also there is a newly acquired weapon of mass destruction that the Raptor is trying to rewire." He eyed the soldier to get a reaction.

The soldier stopped abruptly. He turned around to face Canard. He was taken aback by concerned look. "I may not be your friend due to the side I am on, but I shall warn you now." Canard became curious. "If something happens and that weapon malfunctions, stay in your room. Do not come out. Do not engage. If you happen to get out, don't go towards the screaming, run away from it."

Canard flinched. He was now curious on what the weapon actually was and what group created it. He kept staring at the soldier.

"Trust me," the soldier continued on. "I know your room is locked, but it's locked with the help of technology. That way you can't pickpocket your way out. Don't be stupid."

"Oscar, how will I know if this weapon malfunctions?" Canard tilted his head to the side.

Oscar turned around. "You'll know. Oh, you'll know."

As the two continued, Canard spotted a few wearing silver bird emblems. That struck him as odd. Everywhere was the golden bird but only a few wore similar outfits but in silver. Maybe it was a special division. The soldier stopped in front of double doors.

"This is your exercise room," Oscar explained. "Do good, and you get to keep coming back. Do terrible."

"Yeah, yeah," Canard lifted up his wrists. "I know the drill. Let's get this over with." Oscar smirked before opening the doors.

In another section of the facility, Diana was walking towards her destination. She finally got to wear the new uniform; it was all in silver. She wore the skirt version. She stopped in front of a door with a key pad. She entered the code before going in. It was a small area with chairs and equipment. She could see monitors all over. She didn't want to see what was on the screens. There were flashing of lights. One screen had a conditioning movie going. Diana could see the health monitors.

"Don't be afraid to look on the screen," a voice called out to her. She flinched to see it was Ra. He grabbed her chin, turning it to face the screen. "I need you to memorize everything. I need you to see what she goes through to act like her accordingly." Diana tried to close her eyes. "Don't!" He jerked her head a bit. "Watch closely. See how she still thrives after the latest conditioning method. She's not an easy lock to crack. Of course, she wouldn't be. She's Lilith. Exquisite, deadly, Lilith." Diana was getting scared. Ra pressed his fingers into her cheek, making her skin pucker in areas. "Watch her. Even her body, pushed to the limits, her mind frazzled, her eyes never waver." Diana could see the body panting, glistening with sweat. Diana saw the focus in the void eyes. Although it seemed like it was staring into the far off distance, those eyes held focus. The person wasn't a shell but it also felt like they were a shell. Almost dissociating like Diana was trying to do in the moment. "Come here often, don't neglect your other duties, but make sure you can watch the process." Diana nodded trying to get out of his grip. She stood next to him, as he sat down in a chair, watching the monitor with fascination.

After an hour, Diana was allowed to leave. She could not get the image out of her mind. It was going to leave a deep scar her. She thought she was doing good in the world, but seeing what was before her, was she really doing good? Were her acting skills really helping people? She headed back to her office in a daze. Questioning her whole existence. She looked at the files once she sat down in her chair. Countless people she mirrored in hopes of helping patients remember their past. All of those fluffy good feelings she got each time hoping that it would stir the mind even if there was no result, were just empty points. Empty and null compared to what she what she just to witnessed. Was she supposed to recreate the tragedy? Not necessarily. She didn't want to see what the end result would be. Diana was told she was trying to bring back people who they once were, but with what happened, it seems like Ra was trying to create a whole new person, in her eyes.

Back at the PLANTs, the chess game, blueprints of mobile armors, and a laptop was still on the table. Yzak was laying on the couch, trying to ease his mind. It was an impasse. Nothing seemed like it was fitting in place. Earlier, he had gotten a call from Dearka who was checking up on him. Dearka chastised him for continuing to work and not resting. He remembered Dearka's words. My job is stressful enough taking half your duties and you can't even take the rest you need. He's right. He needed to rest to fully recuperate and come back, with that a knock was upon his door.

Yzak didn't move. He stayed still. The knock happened again. He slowly turned to get up, when he heard the door open. Yzak jolted up, only to hurt himself in the process. He gasped out in pain. He heard the door shut and the running of footsteps. He stared over to see Gatlin putting down another edible fruit bouquet.

"Phew!" Gatlin came over to him sit up. "I thought the worst."

"Why are you here?" Yzak gritted his teeth bearing the pain.

"Checking up on you again," Gatlin set Yzak against the back of the couch. He placed a hand on his forehead. "You think

"I don't have a fever," Yzak stared at him. "However, I am seeing a delusion."

"Oh, so you're a comedian now," Gatlin removed his hand. "How's that going for ya? Did chess master and pilot not work out?" Yzak just stared at him. Gatlin gave him a cheeky grin while he sat next to him. "Haven't thought of a choice of what to pilot next? Mm. Still on that chess game." Gatlin grabbed the board. He rearranged the pieces back to the starting point. "Let's play a game, you and me."

Yzak gave in. It would help him take his mind off of things. "What set are you?"

"Hm," Gatlin stared at the pieces. "Black!" He turned the board around. Yzak raised his eyebrows before moving a piece. "You know, I actually have been playing this game for years now. I may not be at the level you are at, but I'm getting there." Gatlin moved his piece. Yzak moved a piece after his with no hesitation, making Gatlin draw back as he was not ready for that fast pace. "I have to remember I'm going against a master. Any avid chess players in ZAFT?"

"Don't know," Yzak moved a piece right after Gatlin's each time. Gatlin tried to keep his cool but made a face. It became amusing. Yzak had the board memorized. He didn't really need to look at the pieces when he moved them across the board. The game slowly became more intense. Yzak would wait on Gatlin who was looking all around the board, figuring out where to place his next piece. Yzak felt a little bad as he could guess what Gatlin's next move was going to be.

"Check mate," Yzak placed his last piece.

"Ah!" Gatlin expressed. "It was a good game."

"It was," Yzak agreed. "You lasted longer than I thought you would. You have improved." Gatlin felt proud of himself after hearing Yzak praise him. Gatlin reveled in that moment. However, the moment was short lived as a knock came upon Yzak's door.

"I'll get it," Gatlin got off the couch.

"It's my house," Yzak craned his neck.

"Like that has ever stopped me before," Gatlin teased. He turned back to face the door. He opened it to see who was out there. Gatlin shut it with the same intensity.

Yzak blinked. That was not how that was supposed to go. The knock came again. Yzak got himself up since he had rested a bit while playing the game. He started to head over to the door. "Who was it?"

"No one," Gatlin kept staring at the door.

"Move," Yzak pushed him out of the way. He let out a sigh as Gatlin stood behind him. Yzak let out a sigh. Same as always. Yzak opened the door. Standing outside was a young woman in sunglasses, a handkerchief covering her hair, and a long trench coat. Next to her was a guy with long black hair with sporadic and colorful highlights. He had a grey headband. Black eyeliner and lip piercings. He wore a leather jacket with silver spikes over a tank that could barely be a tank. It was just material draped over his chest. He had jeans and black boots. Yzak recognized him as a famous musician. He guessed another famous person was next to him.

"Commander Joule," the woman spoke. Yzak knew that voice, it was Setona. She continued. "May we come in?"

Yzak nodded, moving to the side, letting them in. The two looked over to Gatlin who wasn't looking at them anymore. Yzak knew they weren't there for him. He headed over to the edible bouquet to start munching on it and watching the drama unfold. There was always drama when Gatlin was around.

Setona took off her sun glasses. "Gatlin, we have been looking for you everywhere."

"Didn't take you long to find me though," Gatlin glanced at the black-haired man. "You even asked for help."

"Vincent is only here to make sure you stay in line as well as support," Setona explained. "We all saw how you handled your anniversary of your famous song Fairytale." This was new to Yzak. He raised his eyebrows in interest. Maybe he should have the tv on as background noise from now on.

"I handled it just fine," Gatlin crossed his arms.

"Commander Joule, may I use your tv?" Setona asked him. Yzak handed her the remote. She turned on the tv, flipped it through a few channels before finding a channel covering the latest story.

The four watched as the reporter explained before showing the clip of Gatlin crying while singing and playing the piano. The camera zoomed on his face, showing streams of tears before panning out. Gatlin didn't stop crying as he took a bow.

"I was really into my performance," Gatlin defended himself. The three gave him deadpan looks. He backed up a few steps from their stares. "Alright, I was a tad bit emotional. That's a really hard song not to get emotional to. Thankfully, I only had to lip sync it while skating with the muse of the song. Besides that's not why you're really here. You're really here because you want to sing your latest song with that hip hop guy. I declined it, as your manager. Stop pestering me about it."

"You didn't decline it," Setona argued. "And we already recorded and filmed Secret Love Song. You just need to sign off on it. I know its not from her collection, but I cowrote the song with Irving as a way to pay homage to her, and you. It's a song about secret love however their statuses cannot allow them to love one another in public."

"Hm yes," Gatlin nodded. "But the lyric do you call his name like you do when you're with me doesn't suggest that. It suggests the both of them are having an affair. It should be Scandalous Love Song instead."

Setona brightened up. "You did read the lyrics!" Gatlin's face expression dropped. He just gave himself away.

"Alright, alright," Gatlin frowned. "I'll permit it." Setona jumped with glee. "Only! Only if you make a version without Irving. One that is just about secret love. No affairs. I'll permit them both."

"Done!" Setona hugged him. "Thank you-thank you-thank you!" She stepped away, facing Yzak. "My apologies Commander Joule, I didn't mean to intrude on your rest."

Yzak waved her off. "You didn't intrude. It was a nice moment. Drama always follows the Fairy Prince." Gatlin stuck out his tongue to him. Yzak smirked. It was a nice change of pace.

"How did you know I was here?" Gatlin looked over to Setona.

"Well, since Princess Selena is back in the Kingdom," Setona explained. "I could only think of you visiting a friend, especially since the recent incidents with ZAFT. You're too caring. Donating to ZAFT along with getting others to help out too. It was only to be expected that you would be with Commander Joule."

"Then why is Vincent with you?" Gatlin looked over to Vincent, who was waiting calmly.

"He was looking for you too!" Setona moved towards Yzak to give the two some space. "I let him come with me. He showed me how to move around paparazzi. Lots of handy tricks."

"May we have a moment?" Gatlin glanced between Yzak and Vincent. Yzak nodded. Gatlin and Vincent headed to another room to talk.

"Commander Joule," Setona whispered. "Did you know about those two?"

Yzak gave her a small smile. She widened her eyes in surprise. She wanted to ask him further but he stopped her. "I've known him a long time. He's even tried to date Selena's brother in retaliation of her not being able to date anyone." This shocked Setona. "Vincent doesn't seem to be a fling even if Gatlin tries to make it out to be. He just can't get over his first love. Sometimes you still hold onto the last sliver of hope, thinking you still may have a chance to be with them. Once the engagement is announced, and if its not Gatlin, he'll give Vincent his whole heart after he heals."

"Oh," Setona looked away. She felt saddened by that bittersweet explanation. She wondered if Yzak was doing the same.