Chapter 17
It was a few hours after the Archangel had left Orb.
And even true the country was still trying to come up with a way to located the white space ship, everything was somewhat calm at the moment.
Which was something most of the Cagalli supports used to their advantage, while the people that was on the Seiran's side in this was still complaining about how terrible it was having miss Cagalli kidnapped so close to the wedding.
None of them really thought about how she ended up on the Archangel.
And the only thing the media was told, was that the Archangel had brutally kidnapped Orb's leader against her will, and that they where doing everything possible to save her from their evil grasp.
But not even and hour after that statement, an unknown person had let it out that miss Cagalli ran away on her own. And that the people who had forced her to leave was none other then the Seirans.
So now the Seiran supports was looking for two things, the Archangel and the person that had given those information to the public.
But while the Orb government was busy doing all of those things, they soon got something else to worry about.
Seeing as an unknown machine was currently heading straight towards Orb. So now most of their attention was turned towards getting their defense ready to take care of whatever was coming here.
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Outside in the approaching mobile armor.
Athrun was trying his best to get in contact with Orb, telling them that he was suppose to rendezvous with the Minerva.
But for some bizarre reason, he didn't get any kind of reply from anybody. It was like they where totally ignoring him, which really made him wonder what the heck was going on.
He knew that it was a normal procedure, that when something unknown was approaching Orbs airspace, they would almost immediately began asking him for some kind of identification.
Now however there was no response to anything he had just said, which actually worried him a bit, something strange was going on. But he just couldn't figure out what, it could be that they hadn't seen him yet.
But even as he was considering that possibility. He noticed three other machines coming right at him, which was a big surprise, seeing as he hadn't shown no kind of hostility towards the country.
And everybody there pretty much knew, that he was Cagalli's personal bodyguard.
But as he tried one last time to get in contact with Orb, the first one of the Murasames got over in to it's mobile suit mode where it immediately fired two shots after him.
Seeing that Athrun quickly rolled to the side, evading both of the attacks from the mobile suit. But even as he was doing that, the Murasame continued trying to shoot him down with it's beam rifle.
"What the heck are you guys doing? I didn't come here to fight, so why are you attacking me without reason? I already explained why I was here!" Athrun said in a loud tone.
Just as the two other Murasames out there began using him as target practice too, forcing him to evade down under their heavy assault, so he was almost touching the ocean surface.
But as he was flying around down there, the shots from the three Murasame kept on hailing down towards him. Each beam hitting the cold water he was still so close to, which of course meant, that it did not take long before a great deal of steam was began slowly engulfing the Saviour.
And that was something Athrun was quick to take advantage of by getting the red gundam over in to it's mobile suit mode, where he hurried turned around and fired three beams back up after the Murasames, being extra careful not to do any kind of damage to any of them.
He seriously didn't feel like explain to his fiancée why, he was destroying her countries mobile suits.
But his little attack on the Murasames still had the effect he want, now that they could see that he was shooting back they immediately made sure to get a little more distance between them.
And just as they where about to start shooting at him again.
He flew full speed out of the hot steam, now heading straight towards them, while firing his own beam rifle a few more times. Still making sure that he did not hurt any of his opponents.
That by now was a bit more cautious about attacking him directly, now that they had finally realized what they where up against.
And seeing the way these guys was flying around now made it clear for Athrun, that none of them had much experience in fighting a gundam, something he also made sure to take advantage of by flying in a out between the beams until he was right behind the lead of the bunch.
Where he gave the back of the Murasame a small tap with the Saviour's shield.
And just seeing him pull of such a difficult move, with no trouble at all, was more then enough to make the two other Murasame pilot hesitate in trying to attack him again, now that he was directly behind their commander and could take him out with one single move.
Not that Athrun was planing to do something like that, he just want a few answers.
"Now then, could one of you please tell me, why you are attacking me? When I have already explained that I wasn't here to fight" Athrun asked in a serious tone, while making sure to keep a close eye on the two other Murasames.
That obviously was trying to find some clever ingenious way, to attack him again without hurting their comrade.
And it was only when Athrun gave the Murasame another tap with the shield, that one of the pilots finally began talking to him in a loud yet slightly nervous tone of voice.
That made it quite clear for Athrun, that the pilot of the Orb mobile suit truly hated telling him what he want to know.
"The reason why we where attacking you is because you have no reason to be here, the Minerva left a few days ago, leaving nothing else other then a great deal of death and destruction behind!" The man said, doing nothing to hide how much he truly despised the grey space ship.
Not that Athrun was really listening to the man any longer, he just sat there with a somewhat thoughtful look on his face.
As he was trying to figure out why the Minerva would leave so suddenly.
He did however not think about that for long, before he noticed that one of the other mobile suits there was trying to sneak behind him, seeing that he immediately throw the Saviour backwards.
And before any of them even had the opportunity to attack him again. He hurried got the Saviour back over in it's mobile armor mode, and flew with great haste away from the area.
Leaving the three Murasames to look after him until he was completely out of sight. "Damn that guy was tough!" One of them exclaimed in a loud shocked tone.
Just as he turned around and began flying back to Orb, leaving his two friends to just hang there looking after the red gundam, they had just been fighting against.
He still couldn't quite believe how well this guy, had just fought.
And he seriously hoped that it would be a very long time, before he had to go up against him again. If this guy had been fighting serious they would all surely be dead now, which was not really something he liked thinking about.
So maybe once he got back to Orb, he should consider asking for the rest of the day off, he could really use it right now.
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And while Athrun was once more heading away from Orb.
The two Hawke sister was busy getting the most necessary items they would need for when the Minerva was leaving Carpentaria.
Up until now, Lunamaria had about two bottles of shampoo and a few other things she would clearly need to take a good long relaxing shower, once they got back to the ship.
While Meyrin on the other hand had more then enough soap to clean just about half of the Zaft army.
And what was actually surprise Lunamaira a bit, was that her sister wasn't done collecting all the things she wanted. She just kept on putting more and more things in to the basket she was holding on to.
"Meyrin do you really want to use all you money on that stuff, you kinda makes it seem like we are never going to see land again. It's not like when we leave Carpentaria that you wouldn't ever see soap again" Lunamaria said, while looking over everything her younger sibling thought she needed once they left Carpentaria.
It really was quite amazing what Meyrin wanted to throw her money away on.
And now that Luna was getting a really good look at all the things that was in the basket, she could easily tell that there was a few things in there, that had end up there by mistake.
As far as she knew Meyrin wasn't really the type of girl that needed a bottle of after shave.
Unless she wanted to use it as a gift to somebody.
But after thinking it over a bit she realized that all of their male friends birthdays was still quite far away. But before she could even try and tell Meyrin that she had something like that in her basket.
The youngish of the two girls suddenly realized that there was a few other things she want, now that they where there.
So before Lunamaria could even get her mouth haftway open. Meyrin ran off yelling something about wanting a new towel, since her old one had been ruined the last time she was washed it.
And just seeing her little sister act in such a crazy manner was more then enough to make Luna roll her eyes a single time.
Just as she slowly went after Meyrin so she ended up standing right behind her, and without saying anything she hurried began removing all the things from the basket that Meyrun didn't have any need for.
She knew that her little sister would be sad if she used all of her money, on a bunch of crap she really didn't have any need for.
And once Luna was certain that there was nothing else in the basket that was a complete wasted of her sister hard earn salary. She turned away and began putting everything she had just taken from the basket, back to where it belonged in the store.
Once done with that she saw that Meyrin had found a soft looking blue and yellow towel, that she apparently liked a lot.
And just seeing the way she was studying it, Luna could not help but smile a bit as she walked back over to her sister. "If you really like that one, I don't mind paying for it" she said in a gently tone.
It had after all been some time now, since she had last given Meyrin a present of some kind.
And they always use to give each other things when they where living back home at the Plants. Yet since the two of them had joined Zaft, that tradition had pretty much been forgotten.
And truth be told Lunamaria kinda missed it a bit, so if she could renew the tradition once more by giving her sister that big fluffy towel.
She truly didn't have anything against using her money on it. And seeing that big smile Meyrin had on her face right now, was enough to make her feel very happy that she offered to buy that thing for her sister.
"That's great sis, this one feels even soft then my green one!" Meyrin said in a truly delightful tone, while once more looking the object she was holding in both of her hands over.
And after doing that she placed it on top of all the other things she wanted, not noticing that the contents of her basket had been reduced quite a bit. She was more focused trying to figure out, if there was anything else she want now that they where there.
But much to Luna's big relief her sister was finally ready to get out of the damn store, and get back to the Minerva.
How the hell Meyrin could use almost a half hour in such a small shop, was something Lunamaria would never understand in a million years. Not that she got long to think about that, before her little sister interrupted her thoughts.
"So what about you sis, are you sure you shouldn't get a few more bottles of shampoo?" Meyrin asked, truly wondering if three small bottles was all her sister was going to need once the Minerva left Carpentaria.
But Lunamaria just gave her a small smile, while telling her that if she did run out of shampoo she could always borrow one of her many bottles. It was not like she was going to run out of them, anytime soon.
Hearing her say that Meyrin hurried took a small glance down at everything in her basket, where she immediately noticed that she only had about ten big bottles of shampoo.
But now that Lunamaria was telling her that she was going to borrow some of it.
She was actually begin to consider taking a few more bottles.
Yet before she could do that, Luna reached out and took a hold on her arm and began pulling her along to the checkout counter. And just before Meyrin could even think about asking her sister to let go of her arm.
Lunamaria turned and took one small glance back at her, explaining to her that if she had to stay even one minute longer in this damn shop, Meyrin could pay for the towel herself.
And hearing her say something like that, was more then enough to make Meyrin decide that she certainly didn't want to lose the fluffy towel, her sister had so kindly offered to buy for her.
And with that in mind it did not take long before the two girls was leaving the shop, with everything they had just bought.
But even true Luna had been quite tired of being inside that shop for so long. It only took a few minute of walking around outside in the fresh air, before she once more had a big smile on her face.
Which meant that it did not take long before the two sisters was busy talking about everything that was happening around them, there was just so many new things to see around here.
There was a ton of mobile suits pretty much all over the place, some of them undergoing some serious repair, while a few others was apparently on their way back to their hangar.
And just seeing all of these machines, was more then enough to make one certain very interesting question appear Meyrin's mind.
"Hey sis! Do you think that once we leave this place, we will get a few more mobile suits along with us? I mean there is more then enough space down in the hangar for a few more machines, and I was just think about how cool those new BABI mobile suits is. Do you think we will get a few of them with us?" The youngish of the two sister's asked in a curious tone.
Thinking a moment or two about her little sister's question, Luna got a thoughtful look in both of her eyes.
Just as she stopped and looked up at one of the mobile suit, that was suppose to be a replacement for the DINN.
Up until now she had not once seen a BABI in real combat, so she didn't really knew all that much about what it could do. But she was pretty sure that Meyrin was right about that having a few of them on board the Minerva would be very useful.
So maybe once they got back to the ship she should make sure to mention this to one of the high-ups.
The three stolen gundams was truth be told still running around out there somewhere. And if they had to face of against them again, it certainly wouldn't hurt having a little extra help on board.
She did however not get long to consider all of these things, before Meyrin called out to her in a loud tone.
"You could at least give me some kind of answer, instead of standing there daydreaming sis!" She said, finally getting Luna to move her eyes away from the BABI and over at her.
Where the older girl immediately noticed the slightly angry glare her sister was sending her, seeing that she couldn't help but smile a bit, while she turned and took one last glance up at the BABI.
"I'm sorry about that Meyrin, I just had a few things on my mind. But you are right, it really would be great, having a few of those fellows along for the ride" Luna said, still sounding very thoughtful about the whole thing.
And it didn't even take a minute before she continued talking in the same far away tone. "I was actually considering mention this conversation to one of the officers, I'm sure that they would agree on that we need more fighting power, to take down the Gaia, Chaos and Abyss!" The red haired girl said, thinking about who of them she should talk with about this, once they reached the ship.
So now it was Meyrin's turn to look a bit thoughtful.
She did however not take nearly as much time to tell what was on her mind. "If I where you, I think I'll go to the second in command" Meyrin said, while the two of them continued walking past the squadron of atmosphere flight mobile suits.
"Why should I talk with him?" Luna asked in a wondering tone. Looking over at her little sister, not understanding why it was best to talk with second in command of the Minerva.
"Well the captain has been quite busy since we got here, it's actually been a few days since I last saw her up on the bridge, while the second in command is up there almost all the time" Meyrin explained.
Just before she stopped and looked over at a group of soldiers that was busy playing a game of basketball on a big empty yard. That apparently had been made for the sole reason of give the people station there, a place to have fun and play around.
She did however not watch them for long, before the two girls continued on their way.
None of them had all that much interested in basketball, which meant that it did not take long before they where once more caught up in their conversation about getting a few BABIs stationed on board the Minerva.
"Ok Meyrin I will try and talk with the second in command, about this once we get back to the ship!" Luna said in a loud determined tone, while thinking about what she should say to the man, to get him to realized the logic in her words.
But if it was for the safety of the ship, she was completely certain, that it wouldn't be hard to convince him that she was right about all of this.
And while still thinking about that, the two women didn't say much else. Each of them just walked slowly beside each other, back towards the enormous grey space ship, they could see in the distance.
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Meanwhile some place else on the base.
Shinn was also out taking a look around the place, and even true he didn't show it all that much, he was impressed with the share numbers of Zaft mobile suits that was gather at this place.
It really was no wonder why this was Zafts most powerful base on earth, it really was quite amazing that there was enough space for all of these mobile suits.
Which made the boy wonder a bit just how many mobile suits that was actually here. But as he continued walking around between all the enormous hangars, that had obviously been made to house, a great deal of the war machines the base had.
Another thought suddenly enter his mind, as he wondered a bit if the Impulse was the only gundam around the place. He might have explored the base for a very long time now, yet he had still not seen another gundam at this place.
But perhaps if there really was any more of those machine here, they wouldn't keep them standing outside in an open area, where pretty much everybody could see them.
The most logical place to hide mobile suits like that was someplace where nobody would even think about looking for them.
But where in the world could that be, which of these hangars could be hiding something like that.
None of those close to him looked all that important, and as much as he really want to explore the place even more thoroughly. He knew that it was most likely not a smart move for him to be sniffing around in places where he was not permitted to be.
He might be wearing a Zaft red uniform, but that did not mean he could stick his nose in everything that was going on at the base, no matter how much he truly want to do that.
But if he did happen to see another gundam around this place, there was really nothing preventing him from taking a look at it.
And with that in mind, he was just about to continue his exploring of the base.
When he suddenly spotted a red mobile armor approaching the base with great speed.
At the first he was a bit worried that it was actually going to attack the base, but if that was the case then the alarms would have gone of already, so whatever the hell that strange looking thing was, it was most likely friendly.
And just as he was begin to wonder what the heck that red machine was.
It suddenly transformed over in to what could be nothing else other then a gundam. And just as he was trying to figure out where it was going to land, it began slowly descending towards the Minerva's already opening hangar.
Seeing that, he immediately felt a small grin run over his face.
"Hmm it doesn't look like I have to look all that far to find another gundam around this place. And from the looks of things, I'll say it's going to be coming with us, once we leave this place" the boy said in a happy tone.
Then he took of full speed towards the Minerva, determined to get a real good look at both the red mobile suit and it's pilot.
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At the same time at Shinn's and the red gundam's destination.
Nicol was down in the hangar, talking with Vino and Yolant about where the ship was going next.
None of the boys had much to do right now, since the Minerva and all the mobile suits on board was already fully repaired. Which meant that the only thing they could do was taking a look around outside of the ship, or stay on board and just hang around without doing anything.
Which was actually something the three boys enjoyed a lot right now.
It really was nice that they didn't have anything to do for a chance.
So they could get some time to just relax and talk for a bit. But unfortunately the peace and quiet was brought to a hold, when the hangar door suddenly without warning began opening.
And before any of them had the time to get up from their resting places, a red mobile suit entered the hangar, where it immediately began making it's way over to the empty spot beside Nicol's yellow GOUF.
"What is that thing?" Vino asked in a loud tone, that could be heard all over the hangar.
"I don't know the name of it. But it's obviously a gundam of some kind!" Nicol said, while looking the now grey mobile suit over. Wondering who in the world could be piloting something like this, and what reason the pilot had to be here.
But as he stood there trying to come up with some answers to his own question.
Shinn, Luna and Meyrin enter the hangar, all of them just as interested in getting a good look at the newly arrived mobile suit, as everybody else down in the hangar.
And just as Lunamaria was about to ask what was going on, the cockpit of the gundam flew open, which meant that it did not take long before it's pilot was slowly descending down to the floor.
The only one down there that could actually tell, who this strange person was without even seeing his face, was Nicol and he could not help but smile as he stepped over to greet his old friend, just as both of his feet land on the ground.
"Hello Athrun it's good to see you again!" The green hair boy said in a truly happy tone.
While Athrun reached up and removed his helmet, showing everybody down there that Nicol had been right about who this person really was. And before they had time to get over the shock of seeing him again.
The blue haired teenager placed his suitcase and helmet down on the floor, after that he slowly lifted his right hand and gave them all a small saluted.
Once that was over and done with, he gave Nicol the same kind of smile back. "It's good to see you too Nicol. It looks like the two of us will be working together again, since I was order by the Chairman to be a part of the Minervas crew!" The Saviour pilot said in a loud tone, that made another shock reaction ran through the other crew members.
That however did not slow Athrun's talk down at all, he just continued speaking to Nicol in the same calm manner as before.
"But as much as I would like to have a good long talk with you Nicol, I think it would properly be best that I meet the captain first, there is a few things I need to discourse with her" Athrun explained, while glancing away from Nicol and over at everybody else presence down there.
But he didn't really get much time to do that, before Nicol stepped over and placed one of his hands on Athrun's shoulder, making the blue haired boy look back at him again.
"If you want to talk with the captain Athrun, I don't mind taking you to her" Nicol offered in his usual friendly tone, while still smiling kindly at his old friend, he was really looking forward to have a good long talk with Athrun.
They hadn't really had much time to do that the last time he and miss Cagalli had been on board.
But now that Athrun was a proper member of the crew.
Nicol knew for sure that he would have plenty of time to catch up on things with his old team mate. But for now it was properly best to take Athrun to the captain so he could tell her the reason for why he was there.
Truth be told Nicol too was a bit curious about knowing why Athrun had made the decision to become a part of Zaft again. It wasn't like he would just run away from Orb, and leave miss Cagalli behind.
So it certainly was going to be interesting in hearing this conversation.
"Let's get going Athrun, I'm sure that the captain is already expecting you" Nicol said, just as he turned around and walked of with Athrun following closely behind him.
Leaving the rest of the crew members, looking after them until they where out of sight. And it was only then that the deep silence that was spreading between them was brought to an end.
"I did not think he was going to be the one inside that mobile suit, this is just great!" Lunamaria said in a cheerful tone. Not doing anything to hide how much she was looking forward to have the opportunity to get to know Athrun Zala even better.
There was just so many things, she want to know about the handsome blue haired boy.
But while Lunamaria was daydreaming about getting to know the gundam piloted even better, she did not noticed the wistful look her younger sister had on her face.
If she had actually done that, she would easily have been able to figure out, that she wasn't the only female on board the Minerva, that had an interested in the ships newest crew member.
Shinn was pretty much the only one there, that really didn't have much of an opinion about having Athrun on board.
But if the new gundam he had arrived in, was as powerful as the Impulse he would surely be a great help in the next battle they would get in to. And with that in mind he quickly turned around, and walked off in the same direction he had came from.
Determined to find Rey and ask him, if he thought that it was a good idea to have Athrun Zala back on board the Minerva.
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And while Shinn was searching for his best friend on the grey space ship.
Two other friends was inside one of the ships elevator, Athrun leading up against one of the walls in there.
Not really bothering to hide how tired he was right now, it had been a very long time since he had last been able to get a pleasant night of sleep, which really made him hope that the meeting with the captain of the ship, wouldn't take to long.
But as he stood there with all of those thoughts going through his head, the other person in there suddenly interrupted his deep thoughts.
"By the way Athrun, what's the name of that mobile suit you arrived here in?" Nicol asked him in a slightly curious tone.
While thinking back to the red gundam, that had enter the Minerva's hangar not long ago. It really had looked quite powerful and he was truly wondering what exactly the mobile suit could do.
He might only have seen that mobile suit a single time. But that was more then enough to make Nicol feel very keen, on finding as much information as possible about the red gundam.
And fortunately he did not have to wait all that long, before Athrun brought his almost visible curiosity to an end. "Well it's call the Saviour" Athrun said thinking back the few small tests he had run on the gundam while heading back to earth.
And as he was doing that it didn't take long, before he continued telling Nicol about how the Saviour could transform in to a mobile armor and what kind of weapons the machine had.
Hearing everything the Saviour could do Nicol nodded slowly in understanding. Just as the elevator stopped and both doors flew open, so the two boys could finally get out and walk the rest of the way to the captain's cabin.
Once there, Nicol slowly reached out and knocked gently on the door.
"Nicol Amalfi here miss captain, I brought our newest crew member to meet you!" The green haired boy said in a loud tone, making sure that the woman on the other side of the door could hear everything he was saying.
And it really didn't take all that long, before both of them heard the captain of the Minerva tell the two of them that they could come in.
Which made Nicol reach out and pressed down on the small button that was located just beside the door, and it only took about a small second before the two boys had access to the cabin.
Where they could see Talia Gladys sitting by her desk working hard on a few pieces of paper that was spread out in front of her, while the second in command Arthur Trine was standing beside her obviously watching her work.
But when Nicol and Athrun stepped inside, Talia immediately turned her attention away from the paper and over at the two boys, where she couldn't help but smile a bit when she saw who their newest crew member was.
"It's nice to see you again Athrun Zala, I truly didn't think we would be seeing you again anytime soon!" Talia said, as she stood up from her seat and walked over to the two teens.
Where Athrun hurried lift up his hand and gave her a respectful salute, while Nicol did the same from his location over by the entrance to the room, clearly ready to leave if anybody in there asked him to do that.
But none of the other people in there gave him much attention. Seeing as the captain and second in command was much more interested in talking with Athrun Zala right now.
"It's good to be back here again captain Gladys, I have been order by the Chairman to be a mobile suit pilot on board this ship" the blue haired teenager explained.
Using a deep respectful tone, while taking a small glance away from the woman and over at the second in command.
Where he could quite easily tell, from the man's expression that he was just as surprise about having him back on board again, as everybody else down in the hangar had been.
He did however not get the opportunity to mention anything about that, before Talia beat him to it and began talking again in a understanding tone. "I see, that's good to hear Athrun, I was thinking about asking for a few more mobile suits before we would leave Carpentaria. But now that you are here, I don't believe that would be necessary" the woman said, thinking about what little she actually knew about the Saviour gundam.
But her knowledge of that machine was somewhat minimal. Seeing as she had only seen a few photo of that gundam before they left the Plants.
But no matter what powers the mobile suit possessed, it would no doubt be a great help to all of them, once they where order to finally get going out and head for their next destination.
"By the way captain I been meaning to ask you what you guys are doing here? I did go to Orb first, but I was chased away from there by three Murasames. I didn't even get the opportunity to talk with Cagalli and ask what was going on" Athrun said, while the smiling face of his fiancée was running slowly through his head.
He just couldn't stop thinking about what was happening back in Orb.
And he truly wanted to have a good long talk with the woman he loved.
But if he couldn't enter Orb there wasn't really much to do about it, until he somehow found a way to enter the country again. But as he stood there thinking about all of the people he cared about, that was still back in Orb.
The captain of the Minerva studied the young man for a few seconds, until she interrupted his thoughts, with her next few words.
"So from what you are telling me, I can pretty much guess that you don't know that Orb has joined forces with the Earth Alliance" Talia said.
Making the blue haired teen's eyes snap away from the floor and back at her, where his expression immediately told her that he was quite shock about getting such depressed information.
And before Talia could say anything else to the boy.
She heard him mutter something that sound very much like how in the world Cagalli could do something like that. But before he had the opportunity to figure out what Cagalli was thinking.
Talia made the decision to tell Athrun what other information she had about Orb.
"I don't think you should blame your girlfriend too much Athrun. From what I have heard this was all decided by the Seiran family, after the Chief Representative was kidnapped by the Archangel" Talia explained in a somewhat thoughtful tone.
Not even noticing, how much it truly shocked the two boys, hearing the Archangel's name once more. And it took almost entire minute before Nicol somehow found his voice again.
"Arch...Archangel...but I...thought that...!" That was pretty much all he said, while thinking back to all of the friends he had on the white space ship. It might have been two years since he had last seen any of them.
But that did not mean, he didn't care about all of them, they had after all been through a lot together.
Which made him wonder a bit why the ship hadn't volunteered to help out Zaft. They could really use their help to bring all of this to an end, before it got to much out of hand.
Unfortunately he did not get long to think about what the Archangel was up too. Before Athrun finally recover his voice again, and asked the one question they both truly wanted some kind of answer to.
"Do you know where the Archangel is captain?" The blue haired teenager asked in a far away tone, truly wondering what in the world that could have gotten Kira and the others to take the white space ship out of it's hiding place.
But no matter what he just couldn't find any kind of response to his own questions.
And as much as he wanted to run off and search for the Archangel, there was no way he could leave the Minerva just after arriving at the ship.
So while still thinking about the Archangel and what it could be doing right now. He again looked back at the captain of the Minerva, that had obviously been waiting to get his attention again.
"No, I'm sorry Athrun, I have been wondering about that too. But according to the few reports we have, the ship disappeared almost immediately after kidnapping the Chief Representative!" Talia said, while trying a bit to figure out what the two boys could be thinking about at the moment.
Both of them seemed to be quite far away in their own thoughts.
But it did not take long before Nicol stepped over behind Athrun where he gave his friends shoulder a light pat.
Which made Athrun turn a bit and look back at him, clearly still having a great deal of things on his mind. "Let's go Athrun, I'm sure that captain Gladys would like to return to her work!" Nicol said, hoping that they did not have to stay in there any longer.
Truthfully he would actually like very much to find a place, where they could talk a bit about the Archangel.
And it did not take long before Athrun realized that this was not really the right place for him to stand around thinking about his fiancée and the rest of his friends on the Archangel.
And with that in mind he reached down for his suitcase then looked back at the captain.
"Thank you for telling me all of this captain Gladys, by the way I was asked by the Chairman to deliver this to you" Athrun said. Just as he placed a small box in front of the woman.
After doing that he hurried gave her a respectful bow, before he turned around and began heading slowly towards the still open door.
Where Nicol was waiting for him. And after the green haired boy had given the captain and second in command of the Minerva a short salute, the two friends hurried left the room, before Talia or Arthur had the chance to say anything else to them.
Once they got out of the room, the two boys walked slowly beside each other down the hall, both of them with a far of look on their faces.
And it was only after five minutes, before Nicol took a glance over at Athrun. "Where do you think they could be?" He asked in a tone, that was just loud enough for Athrun to heard it.
But Athrun didn't really say anything back he just stopped, and looked at the wall, still having that thoughtful expression covering his entire face.
And it was only when Nicol was about to repeat the question, that Athrun finally turned and looked back at him.
"I honestly don't know where they could be Nicol, I just can't figure out where in the world they could have disappeared to!" Athrun said, thinking hard about where the Archangel could be.
Hiding something with such an enormous size as the Archangel on land, wasn't really the most easy task to do.
It could after all quite easily be spotted from the air. But if he remember correctly he could recall hearing Erica Simmons mention something about the ship being able to go under water now.
And that seriously gave the Archangel, a lot of places to lay low for a while. They could pretty much be anywhere down in the ocean, and they would certainly need more then just a few Vosgulovs to find the white space ship.
"Perhaps when we get a little time off, we can try and find her Nicol. But for now there isn't really much else we can do but guess, and that wouldn't give us many clues about where the Archangel could be!" Athrun said, just as they arrived at the observation deck.
Where they both saw Shinn laying on a blue couch that was in there, reading in a new comic book, he had purchase not long.
They did however not give him much attention, before they walked over to the window at the end of the room.
Both of them looking out at the sunset that could be seen in the distance. Each of them so far away in their own thoughts, that they didn't even noticed that Shinn was now looking at them with a slightly curious look on his face.
But after a minute or two, he decided that his comic book, was much more interesting, then trying to figure out what those two where thinking so hard about.
So without giving the two other pilots another thought. He laided back down on the couch, and continued reading like Nicol and Athrun where not even presence at the moment.
He didn't even hear what else the two other teenagers was talking about.
"Hmm you are properly right Athrun, we just have to wait until they make some kind of move" Nicol said, as the faces of all the people he had been fighting together with two years earlier ran slowly through his mind.
But when he got to Mayura he quickly shook his head a few times, to get his thoughts away from the red haired girl. He seriously didn't want to think about her right now, it always made him feel so depressed and lonely when he did that.
And that was certainly not something he wanted either Athrun or Shinn to see. But much to his small fortunate both of them had their attention turned elsewhere.
Athrun was far more busy looking at the slowly descending sun, while Shinn had his nose buried in his thick comic book. And that meant none of them had noticed the slightly sad look, that had just made it's way over Nicol's face.
And before any of them could realized that he was feeling somewhat depressed at the moment. He continued his discussion with Athrun about the Archangel and her crew, like nothing was wrong at all.
000000
Meanwhile back in Talia Gladys room.
The captain was busy looking over the FAITH badges Athrun had given her just before he had left her office.
And even true she was greatly honour getting such a promotion. She could not help but wonder a bit why Gilbert thought this was a good idea. It wasn't like she was the most brilliant officer that had left the academy.
And there was already flying a few rumour around about her's and Gilbert's relationship, and now that she was a member of FAITH.
Those rumour would no doubt get much worth, and that was surely not something she was looking forward to. She actually did consider talking with Gilbert about this.
But she knew better then most people, that if he had first made up his mind about something there was nothing that could change it.
And with that in mind she slowly reached down and took the small badges, and placed it on the left side of her uniform. After that she turned her eyes over towards Arthur that was watching her with a curious expression on his face.
"Congratulations captain!" The man said in a tone, that told her that he quite clearly very excited about the whole thing.
And there was just no way that Talia wanted to ruin his good mood, so in the end she gave him a small caring smile.
"Thank you very much Arthur. Now then let's get back to work, we have quite an early day ahead of us tomorrow" the brown haired woman said, while turning her eyes down towards the paper, that was still laying all over her desk.
To be continued.