Chapter 24
It was a bit over an hour later.
When Shinn and Stella was sitting beside each other in a military jeep. Looking around for anything that could help them get Stella safely back home.
Yet seeing as it was getting quite dark outside. The blond girl was having some trouble recognizing exactly where she was, and what road she had taken to end up down by the cliff.
It wasn't like she was paying all that much attention to her surroundings when she was caught up dancing around.
"So little miss, do you have any idea about where we should go from here?" Heine asked in a kind tone, as he stopped the car by the side of the road, which meant that they now had a somewhat clear view of the very ocean the two teenagers had fallen in not long ago.
Yet after looking around a bit the girl slowly shook her head a few times. She just couldn't recall how she gotten down there in the first place.
But that wasn't the only thing that kept her from telling the orange haired man what he wanted to know. She had realized not long ago, that this guy was seriously trying to help her get home.
Yet a small part of her couldn't help but be a bit afraid of him. He was after all a dressed in a Zaft red uniform, which could only mean that he was one of those very people she had almost been raised to fight.
And her mind kept on yelling and screaming at her not to tell this guy anything. He might just be trying to get some kind of information out of her.
But before she could think all that much about, how she truly disliked the orange haired man in the front seat. The sweet person that was sitting beside her began talking to her in a gentle tone.
"It's going to be all right Stella. I'm absolutely certain that we can find some way to get you back home, so would you please try and take one more look around. That way you might just remember which direction you came from!" Shinn said.
Just before he slowly reach over and wrapped his fingers around her hand. Which he gave a small gentle squeeze.
Blinking a few times at his words, Stella slowly moved both of her eyes away from his smiling face and out at the area around them, trying hard to figure out how she got down on this cliff in the first places.
"I really don't know, everything looked so different when the sun is up" She said in a tone that made it obvious for the two Zaft soldiers that she was feeling a little guilty about not being able to remember.
Looking at her for a bit. Shinn got a somewhat thoughtful expression on his face, as he tried to come up with another idea, that would help bring Stella back to where she belonged.
But before he could think all that much about it. They all suddenly heard two male voices arguing quite loudly not that far away from their location. "She better be down here! I seriously don't want to waste an entire evening searching for her, there is a TV show on I really want to watch!" One of them said, in a tone that made it clear that wandering around down here was not something he wanted to do.
Yet the next voices sounded much more calm and down to earth. "I don't remember asking you to follow me down here Auel. You can go back if you really don't want to help, but you do realize that if we can't find her, then Neo will surely be mad at us" Sting said, while taking a glance back at his sulking team mate.
He just didn't get why the heck, Auel had volunteer to go with him down there to look for Stella, when all he had been doing since the two of them had left the house was complain.
Yet one glance at the Abyss pilot's face, made it completely clear that even with all of the complaining he was doing right now. He was still very concerned about their female team mate.
"Well if I didn't go with you down here, you might end up getting lost too. Then I had to search for both of you fools be myself, which would be an even bigger pain in the ass!" Auel grumble unhappily.
As he quickly walked past his green haired friend, letting both of his narrowed eyes run slowly over the evening scenery, hoping to somehow spot the person the two of them where down here to look for.
"Hey Sting, isn't that a Zaft military car down there?" The blue haired boy asked. Now with an even more displeased expression on his face, as he slowly reach up in to his jacket, to make sure that his gun was where it was suppose to be.
The chance of having to fight the Zaft bastards down there was quite minor. But he seriously wouldn't mind, having something to wend out a bit of his frustration on.
Looking a few seconds at the enemy vehicle. Sting once more turned his attention towards his friend. Where he could easily tell, that Auel was just about ready to race full speed down there, to massacre whoever was inside the green car.
And knowing that it was quite a bad idea for them to start stirring up some kind of trouble now.
Sting slowly reached over and gave Auel's arm a firm push. That was enough to get him to stop fooling around with the gun.
There might not be anybody else nearby. But if somebody was saw what Auel was doing, they might just be able to figure out what he was playing around with. And if something like that where to happen. It would no doubt lead to a lot of unnecessarily trouble, that could easily have been avoided.
"You are right Auel, that really is a Zaft jeep. I wonder what the heck they are doing all the way out here" he said in a thoughtful tone.
Just as he once more looked down at the military vehicle. Trying hard to figure out what in the world that could have made the few Zaft soldiers in that car drive all the way out here.
It wasn't like there was much for them to do at such a desolated place.
Yet before Sting had enough time to come up with some answer to his own question. The person beside him began talking in a somewhat discontented tone that did next to nothing to hide, how much hatred Auel had towards the Zaft soldiers down in the jeep.
"Do you think those bastards, know anything about Stella?" Auel asked, while glaring hatefully at the mostly green car.
Hastily going over that question in his mind. It didn't take long, before a small wicked smile ran over Sting's face. As he again looked back at his blue haired comrade that by now was just standing there waiting to hear what he had to say.
"Why don't we just go down there and ask them. It's not like they actually knows that we are the once inside the Chaos and Abyss" the green haired man said.
Looking a bit at the older teenager Auel couldn't help but roll both of his eyes a single time.
If somebody asked him, and he had to give a honest reply, he would much rather just use the Zaft morons in the jeep as living target practice. That would definitely be much more entertaining then just talking with them.
"I would actually prefer to just kill them. But I guess we can't always get what we want" he said, still sounding somewhat unhappy about not being able to spill some blood tonight.
Not bothering taking the necessary time, to give Auel a reply. The Chaos pilot began making his way down to the the Zaft vehicle, with Auel following closely behind him. Yet they hadn't gotten all that far before both of them saw a orange haired man come out of the car.
And just the sight of the red uniform he had on, was enough to make both of them tense up a bit.
"We can still change our mind about killing them" Auel whispered in a small tone. While looking the enemy soldier over. And just one look at him was pretty much all he needed, to tell that this guy wasn't really prepared to fight for his life right now.
And that could only mean, that he would definitely be an easy target to take out.
Yet when Sting told him to shut the hell up. He immediately decided not to mention anything else about killing this guy.
That however did not stop him from imagining, how amusing it would be to create a few extra breathing holes in this bastards. Unfortunately he did not get much time to really daydream about that. Before the Zaft soldier began talking to them in a loud tone.
"Evening guys! You wouldn't happen to be down here, to search for a cute blond hair girl would you?" Heine asked loudly, while giving both of the enemy mobile suit pilots a friendly smile that show no sign of hostility.
It wasn't like there was anyway for him to know, how much these two men would have prefered to just beat the crap out of him. Then have a nice friendly conversation with him.
And even true he did notice the sharp glance the two of them took of each other, when he asked about the girl. He seriously didn't think it was anything to be concerned about.
Yet when none of them gave him any kind of reply. He did get a tiny bit suspicious. It wasn't like it was a truly difficult question he had asked them. And just as he was about to repeat what he had just said.
The green haired man took a single step over towards him.
"Yes that's correct! She should have been back home a long time ago. So we decided to go out and look for her, we where getting quite worried about her. And seeing as you know what she looks like, would you please be so kind and tell us where you saw her last?" Sting asked, sounding even more friendly and kind then the Zaft soldier.
Giving each of them a big smile. Heine turned and looked back over at the jeep.
"She is not really that far away, she is sitting together with one of my comrade in the back seat of my car!" He said in a loud tone. Not noticing the murderous glare the blue haired teen was giving him, now that his back was turned.
But when he once more turned his attention back towards them, the glare was immediately replaced by a small smile.
And before Heine had enough time, to figure out if he had just been imagining the hateful glare. The green haired one brought the silence to an end.
"And what exactly is she doing inside a Zaft military car?" He asked calmly. Trying his best to figure out what in the world that could have brought Stella in such close contact with some of those people they had almost sworn to destroy no matter the cost.
Yet seeing as fighting with this guy now, would increase the possibility of the blond girl getting hurt.
Sting made sure to stay calm.
There really was no telling, what could happen if they tried anything against this guy. Now that he had the chance to really look at him, he could easily tell that this guy was a member of FAITH.
Which meant that he was properly even more dangerous then he and Auel had first believed. Yet before Sting had enough time to really give it some thought, the Zaft red's friendly voice suddenly interrupted his deep thoughts.
"Well I don't know the whole story myself. But it would seem like your blond friend fell of the cliff over there, and my friend jumped in to save her!" Heine explained.
Yet before either Sting or Auel had enough time to start getting worrying about their team mate. The left car door suddenly flew open, and out came an exhaust looking dark haired boy that looked ready to collapse at any minute now.
And seeing just how easy a target this Zaft bastard was, almost made Auel reach for his gun one more time. The only reason why he didn't succeed in getting out the weapon, was because Sting hurried moved back and stepped quite hard on his right foot.
"Ouch damn it Sting! Watch where you are going!" He yelled out completely forgetting, how close he had been to start fighting with the two enemy soldiers.
It was just about that time, that the younger kid helped a well known blond haired girl out of the car. And just one look at her, was enough for both of them to tell that she was even more worn out, then the boy assisting her was.
And before Auel could ask in his own colourful way what the heck had happened to her. Sting slowly made his way over to the dark haired teen, where he looked at him for a few seconds until he slowly lift his hand.
"Both Auel and I would like very much to thank you for helping our step-sister" he said in a kind tone, that showed no trace of hostility.
Looking a bit at the green haired man in front of him. Shinn couldn't help but smile back, as he reached out and took his hand. "I was just doing what everybody else would have done. I'm just so relieved that I was there to help her" he said. Thinking about what could have become of Stella, had he not been there to pull her out of the ocean.
Taking a brief glance away from the boy and over at the cliff. The Chaos pilot could easily tell, that not everybody would have been brave enough to take the risk of jumping out from such a high place.
There was just no telling how deep the water below them really was. So one could without a doubt get seriously hurt by falling down from up here.
"Well from what I understand you where the only person nearby that could really do anything to save her. And by doing that you did something I am eternally grateful for, and even true I would honestly like to talk a bit more with you. I do believe that it would be best that we get Stella home in a hurry so she can get some rest!" He said, while taking a glance over at the blond girl. Who was resting her head peacefully against the dark haired kid's shoulder.
Not able to keep himself from feeling a tiny bit sad. Shinn turned and took a glance down at the tired girl. He truthfully wanted to spend some more time with the cute girl.
But there was no way he could argue against the logic, in what the older boy had just said. He knew that it would be a very good idea, to get Stella in to a bed as quickly as possible.
If they didn't do that. There was a possibility that she might just past out from exhaustion.
So after studying her face a bit longer. He gently pulled her in a small embrace, that would have looked very cute to most people.
But seeing as both Sting and Auel saw the dark haired boy as a enemy. They just couldn't stop themselves, from getting a deeply displeased look in their eyes.
And even true Heine did notice both of them doing that. He just figured it was because they where each feeling very protective of their sister. Especially whenever a boy was trying to get close to her.
Yet as the two of them where busy sulking by themselves. Shinn whispered a few soft words in to Stella's ear.
"Please take care of yourself Stella. Maybe someday the two of us will meet again" he said in a somewhat hopeful tone.
Just as he slowly moved away from the hug, and carefully hand her over to her older brother, which he told to wait until he got something from the car that he wanted to give to her.
And without saying another word. He hurried turned around and made his way over to the jeep, where he reached in and picked up the white seashell, he had given to Stella down on the beach.
But seeing as she was now fast asleep in her older brother's arms. He walked over to the quiet blue haired boy, that up until now hadn't said a single thing to him.
"Could you please give this to her once she wakes up? She seemed to like it a lot, when the two of us was trapped down on that beach" Shinn explained, while hanging the seashell over to the other boy. That just stood there glaring at him like there was no day tomorrow.
Yet finally after just standing there for a long time without doing anything.
The blue haired man slowly reached out, and almost violently pulled the big seashell out of his hand. Telling him that he would make sure, that she got it once they got back home.
Feeling somewhat unsure if it was really a good idea for him to trust the blue haired guy. For some unknown reason he seemed to despise him a lot, without even having any real reason for it. But even true Shinn wasn't entirely sure that he liked the idea of letting this cranky fellow run around with something so important to both Stella and him.
He realized somewhat unhappily. That this was properly the only way he would ever be able to give Stella the seashell.
And he honestly wanted her to have it no matter what.
So after mumbling out a small thank you. He once more turned his attention over on the still fast asleep girl, that truly looked like she was having quite a nice dream at the moment.
Even with everything the two of them had been through today. Unfortunately he did not get long to watch her. Before the green haired man, began talking to him in a friendly yet somewhat creepy tone.
"Well it truly was a pleasure to meet you two! I kinda wish we could stay and get to know each other a little better. But each of you look as good as dead, you both really should hurry home and get a good long nap, you never know when it's going to be the last one!" He said, smiling a bit at the two Zaft soldiers.
Before he turned around and walked off, without giving Shinn or Heine the opportunity to say anything back.
Yet the blue haired kid stayed behind to glare at them a bit longer. And it was only when the older teen told him to hurry up. That he rushed off after his friend, with both Zaft soldiers watching them quietly for a few minutes.
"Those two where kinda strange. It was almost like they where just waiting for the right opportunity to attack us!" Heine said. As he continued watching the two men until he was sure, that they where was completely out of sight.
Taking a brief glance away from the direction, the two somewhat hostile males and the sweet girl had disappeared in.
Shinn could not help but agree with what Heine had just said. Especially the blue haired one, had seemed like he was just waiting for the right excuse to begin making some kind of trouble.
And when Shinn had handed the seashell over to him. It was almost like he had been ready to punch him right then and there.
"Yeah you are right Heine, those guys where a bit weird. But perhaps they are some of those people, who despise Zaft and Coordinators" Shinn said quietly. Feeling a bit sad, that there was still people like that in this world.
If that foolish hatred didn't existed. This war properly wouldn't have broken out in the first places.
Yet he knew better then most, that wishing for something to change wasn't enough to make it happen. And that was one of the reasons why he was so determined to help the Chairman put an end to this war, before even more people could lose their loved once.
And as he was standing there thinking about that.
He didn't notice, that Heine was now watching him with a thoughtful look in both of his eyes. "I'm not really sure that was the reason for why they hated us!" He said now with a mischievous grin on his face.
"I think it was more because they did not like the idea of you being alone with their dear little sister. But who the heck could blame them, from what I saw you really did get a good look at her, you lucky bastard!" The orange haired man said.
As he gave Shinn a hard slap on his back. Then turned away and began making his way back to the car, fully aware of the angry glare Shinn was now sending him.
But once he got over to the car he turned and looked back at Shinn. "Are you planing to spend the entire night out here, I'm quite tired over here. I jumped in to the ocean to save a truly lovely looking girl. And then I was trapped down on the beach with her for God knows how long!" Heine yelled, while opening the door to the car and sat down in front of the steering wheel.
Hearing him sat that Shinn couldn't help but smile a bit as he followed the other Zaft mobile suit piloted over to the car. Where he immediately got in next to his friend, that still had that big grin on his face.
"Not to ruin your parade or anything Heine. But I was the one who did all of that!" The pilot of the Impulse said. While trying to sound at least a little angry, not that he had much luck with that.
Seeing as he was having quiet a tough time hiding that big grin that was threatening to appear on his face.
And when Heine turned and looked over at him with a truly surprised look on his face. He couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "Are you sure about that? I'm pretty sure that I remember something about a beach. But maybe I'm even more tired then I first thought!" He said, doing his best to sound truly shock over what Shinn had just told him. Yet that smile he had on his face made it pretty clear, that he was actually having fun acting like a fool.
Rolling his eyes a single time. Shinn asked the one question that enter his mind. "How the heck did you manage to become a part of FAITH?" He asked, while taking a glance down at the small angel wing like badges on Heine's chest.
Honestly wondering how in the world the orange haired man had gotten his hand on something like that. It was almost like he was completely incapable of being serious.
Looking a bit thoughtful at the gundam pilot beside to him, Heine smile a bit as he reached out and started the car. "Well truth be told I actually found this badges on the street one day, beside some wasted guy who had spend the whole night partying!" He explained. Actually sounding completely serious about everything he had just told Shinn.
Quickly realizing that Heine was once more kidding around. Shinn made the decision not to talk anymore with Heine tonight, he might find the GOUF pilot hilarious under normal circumstances.
But right now he was completely exhausted, which meant that the only thing he could think about right now, was getting back to headquarters and get some much needed sleep.
It truly had been a long hard day. And with that mind he slowly leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, utterly determined to just sit there and relax until they got back home.
Noticing that his friend wasn't in the mood to talk anymore. Heine turned his attention back towards the almost black road in front of the car.
He knew that it was going to take a while for them to get back home, not that there was much traffic out there. But he was pretty sure that once they reached the city that would change, there might be a war going on.
But that certainly did not change the fact, that there was still people in this world, that enjoyed going out at night to have a good time.
Perhaps if he hadn't been so worn out. He too would have liked to go out and get a couple of beers together with a few pals.
Yet right now that was most definitely a stupid thing to do.
Seeing as he had next to no idea about what was going to happen tomorrow. And it would without a doubt be complete suicide if he went out in his GOUF drunk or with a hangover.
But it just might be funny as hell trying the combat simulator in such a state. Maybe once things calm down a bit and he was sure that there wasn't the possibility that they had to enter combat the next day.
He should consider trying something like that out, who knows maybe he would be an even better pilot with a little alcohol in his blood then he normally was.
It might also be a good idea to try asking some of the other pilots on the Minerva, if they where willing to try out his newly invented game. Perhaps it would even be more fun to see just how badly the others would control their mobile suits under the influence of a little alcohol. It wasn't like he would be able to remember anything if he was completely wasted.
So while still sitting there making plans for a more bright future. He could stop himself from letting a few mischievous chuckles. "I have to remember this idea to when the war is over!" He mumbled to himself. Just as he shifted gear and began driving just a bit faster down the somewhat empty road.
Hearing him say that. Shinn tiredly opened one of his eyes and took a small glance over at Heine. "What idea are you talking about?" He asked, while forcing back a yawn.
Not moving his gaze away from the road in front of them. Heine smile slightly as he turned the wheel a bit to the left, so they slowly past by another car that obviously wasn't in as big a hurry as they where.
"It's nothing really, I was just thinking out loud" he explained, still grinning like a complete idiot when thinking about his somewhat childlike plans for the future.
Yet for now he decided that it was properly best just to keep his somewhat crazy scheme to himself. There was really no telling how grumpy some people would get if they ever heard about his brilliant plan for living things up a bit.
000000
It was about ten hours after that.
When Athrun and Heine was up on the Minerva's bridge, busy discoursing the ship new orders, with the captain and the deputy commander. And where exactly they would be going once they left this place.
"So what you are saying captain, is that an Earth Alliance is fleet playing around in the Sea of Marmara, and that we and a few other Zaft force has been order to put a hold on their activates before they start making some kind of trouble out there?" Heine asked seriously.
While looking at the big digital map between them. Frankly wondering what in the world the Earth Forces could be doing out there.
One thing was certain, it was clearly a good strategy to head out to meet them before they could begin attacking one of the many Zaft bases in the area.
"Yes that's correct Heine. But what really worries me, are that they are not alone out there. Apparently there is an Orb fleet too, which seems to be backing up the Earth Forces!" Talia explained in a serious tone.
As she took a glance away from Heine and over at Athrun, where she immediately took notice of the shock look on his face.
He did after all have a lot to do with Orb. First of all he was in a pretty close relationship with the leader of that country. And Talia was absolutely certain that he had a great deal of friends back there too. So a small part of her just couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. If the Orb fleet truly was assisting the Earth Forces. There was a very good chance that they would have to fight them too.
And while still thinking about that, she let out a small sigh as she turned her attention away from Athrun and back towards the map.
"But it isn't just the Orb fleet that worries me. I'm pretty certain that once we get out there. There is a very big chance that we would have to face of against our three stolen machine" the captain said.
While thinking about how much trouble the Chaos, Gaia and Abyss had made up until now. And she frankly hoped, that they would somehow be able to get rid of at least one of them, this time around.
Yet before she could think all that much about it. Arthur's voice suddenly interrupted her deep thoughts.
"Which...which one of them, do you think will be the most dangerous one in this battle captain?" He asked. Doing nothing to hide how much it worried him, that they would had to go up against those three machines one more time.
Just thinking back to their previous encounters with the stolen gundams. Was more then enough to make him feel all sweaty and nervous. It wasn't like they had been having much luck, against them before.
Hearing him asked that. Talia got a somewhat thoughtful expression on her face. "That's kinda hard to say Arthur. But seeing as we apparently will be fighting near or above water. It surely would be wise of us to keep a close eye on the Abyss! You know as well as me, what that mobile suit did the last time" the woman said, while thinking a bit sadly about what the Abyss had done to the Vosgulov class Nyiragongo.
"That does sound very clever captain. But our problem is that we don't really have any mobile suits that can fight under water. Maybe we should put in a request to get some of those!" Arthur said. While trying to figure out which one of Zaft's mass-produced water type mobile suit, that would be most effective against a machine as powerful as the Abyss.
Yet he was somewhat disappointed when Talia told him. That they did not have time to make such a request. And that they had to handle the Abyss without help from other water type mobile suits.
And even true the deputy captain obviously didn't like the idea of heading out without having something that could fight the Abyss under water.
He knew that the captain was right. They did not have the necessary time to ask for something like that. It would after all not be long now before they would have to leave this place. And it was pretty much impossible for them to get a couple of new mobile suits that fast.
And with that in mind the conversation continued about what else kind of resistance they could expect to meet out in the Sea of Marmara.
So after just standing there listening to them for a few minutes.
Heine slowly turned his attention away from them, and over at Athrun. That was just standing there with a far away look on his face, that made it pretty clear that he was having a lot on his mind right now.
"Hey Athrun, which one of those stolen gundams are the most challenging one?" He asked in a whisper that was just loud enough to get Athrun back to reality.
Yet that did not mean that he got a reply immediately. It took a couple of minutes, before Athrun finally opened his mouth and began telling Heine his opinion about the three gundams.
"I'm not entirely sure which of them is the most dangerous, they are after all made for completely different kinds of combat. Yet I do have a small score to settle with the Chaos" Athrun said quietly. Thinking back to his last fight with the green gundam.
One thing was sure if he got the opportunity this time. He would surely take that mobile suit out, before it could course any more trouble for them.
Hearing him say that. Heine nodded a few times in understanding. "I see, the Chaos is the green one right?" He asked, still talking in the same whisper like manner as before.
He really didn't want to disturb the captain and the second in command, that was still busy discoursing what could be waiting for them once they arrived at the Sea of Marmara.
Not really giving his friend's question much thought.
Athrun just turned and took a small glance over at the other pilot, where he watched him a second or two, before he told him which one was which of the three stolen mobile suits.
"Hmm that's nice to know, thank you for the information Athrun. I really don't know much about them seeing as I haven't fought any of them yet. But once we come across them, I'll make sure to leave the Chaos to you!" He said in a serious voice, while smiling a bit at his fellow pilot.
Just as he again took a glance over at the two leaders of the Minerva. But they where still quite far away in their own conversation.
So it did not take long before the two pilots was once more talking with each other about the stolen gundams.
"You don't have to stay away from the mobile suit for my sake Heine. If you get the opportunity to take it out then please take it. It's not like this is a competition about who of us can destroy the most mobile suits!" Athrun said, making sure that Heine knew he was serious about everything he had just said.
Hearing those words Heine smile a bit. He knew what it was like carrying a grudge against another pilot. And going in to battle with nothing else in mind then to beat a certain opponent could be somewhat dangerous.
Those mobile suit pilots who got caught up doing something like that. Did have the tendency from time to time to forget about the rest of the battlefield and all of their other comrades on it. Simply because they where to focused on taking out that one enemy.
"All right then Athrun. If I do come across the Chaos, I promise you that I'll show that little bastard what happens to little mobile suit thieves" the orange haired man said with a slightly confident tone in his voice. As he saw the other FAITH member nod a single time, obviously still quite far away in his own thoughts.
And quickly realizing that Athrun was not in the mood to talk. It did not take long before Heine once more turned his attention over on Talia and Arthur that by now was discoursing the condition of their own mobile suits.
And with nothing better to do at the moment. He began listening to everything the two chief commanders of the ship was saying each other.
Yet the conversation wasn't really that interesting. Seeing as he already knew that all of the mobile suits the Minerva had on board, was completely repaired and fully ready to head out in to combat. Which pretty much meant that their conversation was kinda boring.
And with Athrun's mind still busy visiting another galaxy. He really didn't have much to do at the moment.
But as Heine was standing there truly wondering, if it was his destiny to die of boredom.
Athrun was trying hard to figure out what he should do if he was forced to to go up against Orb.
He seriously did not want to do battle with his own fiancée's country. That would without a doubt hurt Cagalli badly, which was definitely not something he wanted to do.
Yet he did realize that he could not just stand back and do nothing. While the Chairman and everybody else was doing pretty much everything possible to bring this war to a quick end.
He just had to do something to help all of them out, even if it meant that he had to fight against Orb.
Yet even as he was standing there making up his mind about what to do. He could not help but curse the two Seirans a bit. If those two morons hadn't forced Cagalli to leave Orb. He was pretty sure that the small country would still be neutral like it had always been in the past.
Cagalli did after all desire the same peaceful path for the country as her father did. Yet thanks to Yuna Roma Seiran and his father that small wish had been somewhat brought to a hold. He just hoped that someday in the future Cagalli would be able to once again regain control of Orb, and somehow get the small country back to it's normal peace loving ways.
Yet as he stood there with all of those thoughts about Orb and his lovely fiancée flying through his head. The captain of the ship slowly turned away from Arthur and looked over at the two FAITH members.
Where she could easily tell that Heine was bored out of his mind. And that Athrun was thinking very hard about something, most likely the whole situation.
And even true she still felt somewhat sorry for him she didn't really show it much.
She had noticed shortly after the Junius Seven incident. Just how strongly Athrun and miss Cagalli's feelings was for each other, and having to fight against somebody you cared so much about, truly had to be terrible.
She couldn't even bring herself to image just how utterly conflicted the pilot of the Saviour was right now. She just hoped that he would be feeling a little better once they arrived at the Sea of Marmara.
So after watching both pilots a bit longer she cough slightly to get the two FAITH members attention over on her, and once she was completely sure that she had eye contact with each of them, she began talking in a firm tone.
"Now why don't the two of you get out of here. It will still take a while before we are leaving from here, so you two should really use this to your advantage and get some rest or something to eat" she said kindly, while giving each of the pilots a friendly smile.
Hearing the captain tell them that they where free to leave. The two pilots each gave her a short yet respectful salute, as they hurried turned around and left the bridge, without saying anything else.
Yet they had just badly stepped out in to the hall, when Heine stopped and looked over at his friend with a slightly curious expression on his face.
"Not that it's really any of my business Athrun. But do you mind telling me what's bothering you so much?" He asked in a tone, that was more then enough to make it completely clear for Athrun, that this was a very, very serious discussion.
And after using a couple of very long minutes to think about the question. Athrun slowly reached up and rubbed his eyes a few time, as he let out a deep breath that did sound a tiny bit exhausting.
"I'm not really keen on having to fight Orb. I really like that country and there are more then a few people back there that I care a lot about. So it's kinda hard for me to go up against them" the blue haired man explained. While thinking back to how happy and excited Cagalli had been, that day he had kneel down and asked her to marry him.
Quickly realizing that Athrun had once more disappearing back in to his own thoughts. The orange haired mobile suit piloted immediately made the decision to put in his two cents about the subject.
"I get what you are saying Athrun, and I really don't like it either. I have never been to Orb myself. Yet one of my old friends used to live there, and he always kept on talking about how great the country was!" Heine said in a loud voice, to prevent Athrun from once again begin thinking about all of those people he cared about back in Orb.
And when he was completely certain that all of the other pilot's attention was turned fully over on him. He slowly opened his mouth and once more began talking in a deeply serious tone.
"But you have to snap out of it. If you continue acting in this far away manner you will surely die out there. Then you will never be able to see any of those people ever again" Heine told him hardly. Just before he turned around and hurried walked off, leaving Athrun by himself so he could get some time to think about everything he had just said.
He just hoped that the pilot of the Saviour would take his advise.
He seriously did not want to see one more of his friends die at the hands of some random enemy mobile suit. Which was something he had already experienced more then a few times in the past.
And just thinking about it was more then enough to make a small unhappy frown ran over his forehead. As he began walking even fast down the hall.
Utterly determined to at the very least get a somewhat good meal down in his stomach, before the Minerva left this place.
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At the same time Athrun was looking after Heine with a somewhat thoughtful expression on his face.
He knew that the other FAITH member was right, he seriously needed to snap out of this. If he went in to combat feeling guilty and depressed there was a very large chance that he or one of his comrades could end up getting hurt.
And if something like that happened because he wasn't paying attention to the battle. He would never be able to forgive himself.
So he just had to be fully ready to go out and fight. Once the Minerva was done with whatever few preparation that was left.
And with that in mind he began making his way back to his chamber. He had woken up quite early this morning simply because he was hungry, yet as of right now he could most definitely use a good long nap.
And knowing that his mobile suit was fully ready to head out at any moment. He really didn't have anything to worry about right now.
He just hoped that there wasn't anybody around that need his help for something when he had finally fallen asleep. For some unknown reason some people did have the tendency to want to talk with him, whenever he was fast asleep.
Yet if he just made sure to luck his door. Then he was pretty certain that he could at the very least get a half hour of well needed rest. Before somebody decided that it was a good idea to wake him up again.
And just the thought about getting a small nap was more then enough to make him yawn loudly. Which he made sure to cover up with his hand, but as he continued walking down the hall.
He did not noticed a single female crew member watching him with a pair of curious eyes.
"He is just so incredible cute!" Meyrin quietly squealed to herself, while a soft blush slowly appeared on both of her cheeks, as her two pretty eyes continued looking after the handsome mobile suit pilot until he was completely out of sight.
Yet it took a couple of minutes for her to finally get her mind back to reality.
But even as she once more began make her way back to the bridge with slow steps. She just couldn't stop herself from thinking about how much she wished that she was able to overcome her embarrassment and actually say more then a few words to the truly handsome man. Yet no matter how much time went by she had always been somewhat shy around boys.
And that feeling was even higher around Athrun. Seeing as she was developing quite the crush on the blue haired pilot. She just hoped that she was somehow able to get over her embarrassment before her older sister showed him how she felt about him.
Why the heck did both of them have to like the exact same boy.
Why couldn't her older sister, have liked one of the other boys on the ship. Meyrin honestly did find Shinn way to childish for her taste. But he could actually be quite cute when he wanted to.
And Nicol was always so incredibly considerate towards both of them. So why in the world couldn't Lunamaria have liked one of those two instead of the cute blue haired gundam pilot.
Yet as she was walking there thinking about that, she almost walked straight in to one of the very people she was thinking so hard about. It was only when he let out a small cry of surprise, that she finally realized what had been about to happen.
"Wow hello there Meyrin, that was close! What where you daydreaming about this time?" Nicol asked in a friendly tone. While smiling kindly at the red haired girl in front of him. He knew that Meyrin did have the tendency to disappear in to her own thoughts, when she wasn't hard at work up on the bridge.
Yet even true he didn't show it much. He was a bit curious about what she had been thinking about this time.
Looking a bit at him. Meyrin felt her face get somewhat flushed again. Yet before Nicol could actually notice that. She quickly shook her head a couple of times in an attempt to remove the deep redness from her cheeks.
"It's nothing really. I was just thinking about everything that needs to be done before we leave this place!" She said, somewhat hoping that he hadn't notice how red her face was.
But much to her small misfortune. All the redness that was covering pretty much her entire face was kinda hard to miss. "Hm I understand. But please try not to work too hard Meyrin. You do look a bit flushed over there, you might just be coming down with something!" The green haired teen said in a slightly concerned tone.
As he slowly reached over and placed his hand on her forehead, trying to figure out if she was having a fever.
And from what he could tell she was a bit warm at the moment. Which made him consider telling her to go back to her room and relax for a bit. But before he could do that, she hurried reached up and push his hand away.
Now feeling even more embarrassed then before. Both because of her dreamy thoughts about being Athrun's girlfriend, and the fact that Nicol was so worried about her.
"I'm...I'm all right Nicol. It's nothing for you to worry about. I just have a lot on my mind right now!" She told him, wishing slightly that she could find someway to get out of there, before Nicol could ask her any more questions.
She was just feeling so shy and embarrassed at the moment. That it was kinda hard for the young woman to concentrate on both hiding her red face, and having a somewhat normal conversation with Nicol
Studying her face a bit longer.
Nicol wasn't entirely sure that he believed everything she had just said. She quite frankly did look somewhat fatigued right now, like she was either very close to getting sick or already was it.
Yet it could be that it wasn't nearly as bad as he had first thought. Perhaps she was simply feeling a bit stressed out.
It wasn't like the red haired girl had the most easy job on the ship. He knew quite well, that it could be very stressful being the CIC. Not that he had ever tried having that job himself. Yet he could clearly remember how exhausted miss Miriallia had been, from time to time two years ago.
And he was pretty certain. That Meyrin felt almost exactly the same way, when things got a little hectic around the ship.
So after just standing there for a few seconds just watching her. He once more opened his mouth and began talking to her in a gentle voice. "You really don't look all that well Meyrin. If I where you I would consider getting of my feet for at least a moment or two and just sit down a bit. And maybe get something to drink too. You really do look like you could use it" he said. Doing nothing to hide that he was still a bit concerned about her health.
Hearing him say that Meyrin couldn't help but smile a bit at her green haired friend. It was after all nice to know that he cared about her. "Hmm if you think that's for the best Nicol, then I'll go down to the mess hall and get a soda. I am actually kinda thirsty now that I really think about it" she said. Watching as Nicol smiled a bit in return.
"I'm happy to hear that Meyrin. Do you want me to go with you down there?" He asked in a gentle tone. Obviously still somewhat worried about her.
But Meyrin just shook her head a few times. Then told him that she would be all right and that she could make it there on her own. It wasn't like they where that far away from the mess hall.
Looking at her for a second or two more, Nicol nodded slowly in understanding. "I see. But do try and take it easy Meyrin, none of us here wants you to overexert yourself. So maybe once we are done out in the Sea of Marmara you should consider asking the captain, for a few days of to get some rest. It really do seem like you could use it!"
Slowly going over everything Nicol had just said. The girl got a somewhat thoughtful look on her face. "I highly doubt that it will be possible for me to get a few days of work Nicol. But I promise you that I'll immediately ask the captain about it, once we get back from the Sea of Marmara" she said, while dreaming about how nice it would be to have a few days of to just slack of and not do anything.
She did however not get much time, to really imagine just how cool it would be to have a weekend off, to play a few of her newly purchased video games or read one of her many books, without having to worry about anybody disturbing her.
"Well that's good to hear Meyrin. But unfortunately I have to get going now, there is few things I need to discourse with Yolant and Vino about my mobile suit" Nicol explained. Just as he turned around and slowly walked off, with Meyrin calling out after him that she would see him later.
And once he was completely out of sight. The young woman began making her way down to the mess hall, to get something to drink, like Nicol had so kindly advised her to do.
But even as her light footsteps could be heard echoing in the mostly empty hall. She couldn't stop herself from once more begin thinking about the handsome pilot of the Saviour gundam.
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Elsewhere on the Minerva.
Shinn and Lunamaria was sitting across from each other down in the mess hall. Having a very serious conversation about what was going to happen in just a few hours.
"Are you really sure about that Luna?" The boy asked loudly. As he used his fork to play around a bit with his food. Just before he took an enormous bite of the meal, chewing it thoroughly a couple of time before he finally swallowed it. After that he slowly reach over for the can of soda, that was standing not too far away from his plate of food.
But even with all five of his fingers wrapped around the tin object. He didn't do anything else, he just sat there staring at the female pilot with a angry glare in both of his eyes.
"Yep according to everything I heard Malik and Bart tell a little while ago. It really does seem like Orb is reinforcing them" the red haired girl explained.
While trying hard to figure out just how exactly Shinn was feeling about all of this. Orb was after all his home country.
Yet the only thing the pilot of the Impulse did was mutter something that sounded very much like that foolish country and their brain dead leaders. Once those words had left his mouth. He again began eating his dinner still with that displeased expression.
And even true Lunamaria quite frankly did want to continue the conversation with him.
She could easily tell by all his grumpy muttering that he seriously didn't felt like talking anymore. So after watching him a bit longer she also turned her attention back towards her own meal.
Yet the deep silence that was surrounding them at the moment, was somewhat nerve wrecking.
And she was truly relieved once she saw her younger sister enter the mess hall.
She hurried took one last glance over at Shinn's unhappy face. Then she stood up and immediately made her way over to Meyrin, determined to speak with her for a bit before the almost unbearable silence, could get any worse.
To be continued.