Chapter 55
It was a half hour after the battle had ended and the Archangel had left the city.
But even though it was somewhat of a relief to many of the civilian that they had survived this truly awful nightmare.
That however did not in anyway mean that the atmosphere in the city had calm down much. There was a whole group of uninjured civilians that was currently helping the reinforcement Zaft forces digging through the rubble.
Sincerely hoping that they could find survivors or maybe even some of their loved once.
Especially one specific person was searching around the rubble in an almost fanatical fashion, while he kept on continuously muttering out just about every single curse know to mankind.
"Damn it all to hell! She just has to be here somewhere! SHE JUST HAS TO!" Shinn yelled out, while doing everything to keep the many tears that was dangerously close to start running down his face any second now.
Yet as much as he felt like crying, he knew that now wasn't the best time for it. He just had to keep on searching for her. The lovely woman which he cared so deeply about just had to be here somewhere.
So while thinking back to everything that had happened in the battle not long ago.
The boy got a deeply hateful look in both of his eyes. When he thought about how that moron piloting the Freedom had prevented him from taking out those irritating Murasames, thereby getting over to Stella.
"Damn you Freedom! If you had just minded your own goddamn business Stella would not have gotten hurt like this!" He growled loudly.
Simply refusing to think about how it had actually been him, the Destroy pilot had been shooting at and not the Freedom. The deeply sadden boy just couldn't fathom the thought that there might be the possibility, that it was his own fault that Stella had been hurt like this.
It was just so much easier blaming the Freedom and it's idiotic pilot for what had happened to the Chaos and Stella.
Even while he was once again wondering just how great it would be, to tear the Freedom apart. He kneel down and started digging through a small pile of bricks that was most likely from the same building as the one Stella had crashed into.
He did however not do that for long before he reluctantly came to the realization. That if Stella really was buried, under all of these stupid rocks there was just noway she could still be alive.
So after angrily throwing away a few more of the grey colored rocks. He once more stood up straight, where he immediately let both of his eyes glide over all of the destruction surrounding him. Sincerely hoping with all of his being that it would not take much longer, before he find the very person he was searching so desperately for.
Yet much to his deep annoyance there was no sign of the blond sweet girl anywhere. It was kinda like the earth itself had been mean enough to open up and swallow her whole, when she had crash landed.
But even though it seemed pretty much impossible to find one single person, between all of these bricks and mobile suit parts. Shinn was completely determined to keep on looking for Stella no matter what.
Even if it meant that he actually had to spend the rest of his life here in Berlin digging through all of this worthless junk with his bare hands.
So while still feeling the dire need to find Stella as quickly as possible the dark haired teen kept on making his way through all the rubble.
Continuously moving his two angry red eyes over his surroundings, in a somewhat desperate attempt to find the innocent girl. Which had most likely been forced by that Neo bastard to pilot the Chaos in this battle.
And just the mere thought of how that blue Murasame had prevented Nicol from taking that lying bastard out, was more then enough to make the highly displeased vein on his forehead grew even larger, if that was even possible.
"I'm seriously starting to hate the Archangel and everybody on that ship. Especially that moron piloting the Freedom" he growled loudly.
Not even close to realizing that there was actually one person on the enormous white space ship that meant the world to him, and that he had wished more than just a few times, these last two years would miraculously come back to him.
Yet as he continued complaining about how annoying the Archangel was, the cranky teen started making his way up over a big pile of bricks. Still muttering whatever curse that just happened to enter his mind.
He did however only get a few short moments to do that. For when he was finally able to reach the top of the small mountain of bricks. His two red eyes, immediately spotted the very person which he had been trying to find for the last hour now.
"STELLA!" The boy yelled loudly.
Then hurried rushed full speed down towards the obviously injured girl almost slipping a few times because of the more loose stones in the brick pile. "Damn it, I can't fall now, I need to get to her!" He cry out determinedly.
Just as he swiftly jumped away from the many broken rocks, landing only a couple of steps away from her, almost spraining his left ankle with that little stunt.
And it was only thanks to all of the adrenaline that was currently running through his body, that he was actually able to ignore the brief amount of pain which suddenly shoot through his foot.
So while letting out a small growling sound over the minor injury.
He practically jump on his right foot the rest of the way over to the blond girl, where he immediately kneel down beside her, instantly taking notice of how utterly pale her cute little face was right now.
"Stella, please say something. You just have to be all right!" He called out to her with a great deal of fear and concern in his voice, while he reluctantly moved his hand down and place two fingers at that one spot on her neck, that would tell him if she was still alive.
Yet once his fingers touched her soft skin, she slowly opened both of her eyes and looked up at him with a slightly far away gaze in each of them. "Shinn...you said that you would protect Stella...! Shinn, I feel so tired right...now" she said in a small depressed tone. Then laid her head back down on the ground and let her eyes glide shut for the very last time.
"No, this is not what was suppose to happen, I wanted you to live a normal life without war. So please hold on Stella until I get you back to the Minerva. Please open your eyes Stella...Stella...STTTTTTEEEEELLLLLLAAAAA!" He cried painfully, while he keep on softly shaking her body in a somewhat desperate attempt to wake her up again.
But even while he was doing that.
There was a tiny unwanted part of the teenager, that was slowly but unwillingly realizing that these few prayers was going to be unanswered. It was painfully becoming more and more obvious to him, that the lovely girl was never going to wake up again, smile at him again, or even just look at him again.
"Damn it damn it! This just can't be true! This is impossible!" The heart broken teen sobbed loudly. Only to collapse in tears a brief moment later now crying softly into the blond girl's silent chest, sobbing out her name with every small second that went by.
And it was only after crying like that for ten whole minutes, that he finally pulled away from her again and sat up straight. "I'm sorry Stella...I'm really am sorry that I failed to protect you! But you can be damn sure I'm going to make the once responsible for this pay" he quietly promised the dead woman, as he reached down and slowly picked her up in bridal style.
Then stood there silently looking at her beautiful face for a small moment or two, then start walking carefully back to the Impulse gundam still with a few tears making their way down his face.
And even though it felt like an eternity to get over to the mobile suit, it only took a few short minutes before he reached the machine. Once there, the teenager didn't really do anything at first, he just looked at her for who knew how long, thinking hard about who's fault it was that she had ended up like this.
"The Freedom! I just have to find someway to beat that machine" he growled hatefully. Before he slowly reached out and wrapped his left hand around the cable that was suppose to take him and his dead crush up to the gundam's cockpit.
Once there he carefully backed into the machine and sat down.
Where he sat quietly the next couple of minutes just watching Stella's pretty looking face. Until he slowly reached out and gently brushed some of her short blond hair away from her forehead.
"Stella, I'm going to miss you so much" he whispered softly to the extremely beautiful girl.
Just before he removed his hand from her face again, then started powering up the highly powerful Zaft mobile suit. Which of course was a task that didn't really take all that long.
But even when the mobile suit was ready to take off, the young pilot didn't do anything. He just sat there, with a far away expression on his face. Thinking hard about what he was going to do now.
As unfair as Shinn honestly believed it was. The Zaft pilot realized that there was simply noway anybody here in Berlin would give Stella the truly honorable funereal she so rightfully deserved, with everything the Earth Forces had done to the city.
Which left him with only one option, he himself had to find a place where Stella would be able to rest peacefully.
And with that in mind he tightly grasped on to the Impulse's controls. "Once I get back here I'll have to talk with Rey about finding away to destroy the Freedom. No matter what that guy most have some sort of weakness in his fighting style" the angry boy growled out, while thinking briefly about all of his encounters, with the white and blue gundam.
He did however not do that for long before he once more turned his eyes downwards at the lovely blond girl, which not surprisingly was all that was needed to make the angry look disappear again and make the much more sadden one reappear.
"I really do wish, that the two of us could have spend some more time together" he softly told her. Just before he slowly leaned down and place a small gentle kiss on her forehead.
After that he just sat there quietly studying her face a bit longer. Before he once more turned his attention outwards, towards all the gruesome destruction surrounding his gundam.
And even though just about every fiber of his very being and soul truly disliked the mere thought of not being able to do anything more for the sweet girl, which he cared so indecipherable much about.
Shinn Asuka knew deep inside that there was noway that he would ever in a million years allow anybody else other than himself to carry out this deed. He just had to make absolutely certain, that everything was done actually right, so Stella Loussier would be able to rest in peace.
And of course realizing that thinking to much about this highly awful ordeal would not make it any easier.
Shinn somewhat hesitantly got the Impulse up in there air and started heading slowly in the direction that seemed most appealing to him right now.
Not that he actually had any idea about just where exactly he was going.
If somebody where to ask him and he had to tell the honest truth the only thing he knew for sure at the moment was that he had to find some place far away from any kind of civilization.
So without saying even one word to the Captain about where he was going. Shinn flew off in the southeast direction where he sincerely hoped that he could find some place, where humans rarely showed up.
000000
At the exact same time on the Minerva's bridge.
Meyrin could of course not help but notice what Shinn was doing right now. And realizing that it would definitely be a wise to inform the ship's two top officers about this, the red haired girl hurried turned around in her seat and looked over at the Captain.
"Ma'am! Shinn isn't coming back here! He is currently heading away from the area in a slow pace!" The girl explained loudly, seriously hoping that this would not turn out like the last time Shinn had left the Minerva without permission.
She might not have shown it all that much back then. But there had actually been a part of her that had understood why. Shinn had risked so much to save the Gaia's pilot.
He had done all of those thing because he cared deeply about that blond girl and wanted to do everything possible to protect her which was something Meyrin found herself thinking was more than just a little romantic.
And she sincerely wish that she had somebody in her life that would do the same thing for her. And as the redhead tried briefly to imagine just what exactly her knight in Shinnying Armour would look like it did not take many seconds, before Athrun's handsome face appeared in her mind.
But knowing from her's and Lunamaria's visit to his room shortly after the Saviour had been destroyed. That he was already deeply in-love with Cagalli Yula Athha.
The clever girl was quick to shake away those slightly depressing thoughts and once more turned her upwards towards the Captain, now just waiting to hear what she had to say about Shinn's departure from the area.
And even though Meyrin had honestly expected that the Captain would start yelling at her to call Shinn back there immediately. The brown haired woman just sat quietly in her chair with a somewhat thoughtful look in each of her two eyes.
Which made it kinda hard to tell if she had even heard what Meyrin had told her only a couple of second ago.
But just when the young woman was about to tell the Captain that it wouldn't be long now before the Impulse would be out of sight. The Deputy Captain's loud voice brought an end to the slightly tense silence up there.
"Hurry up and establish contact with him. We simply can not allow our only combat capable pilot to run off on his own now!" The second in-command said in a loud serious tone, while keeping both of his eyes firmly glued to the main monitor. Which was showing the Impulse, as it kept on getting smaller and smaller the further away it got from them.
Yet before any of them had the chance to even begin, carrying out the man's loud order. The Minerva's Captain decide to share her opinion about the matter. "Just let him go, Arthur. All of us up here of course already knows who it was piloting the Chaos gundam. And even though I did not approve Shinn's relationship with that Earth Forces girl. Now that she is dead, he will definitely need some time to deal with the lost" Talia said, feeling more than just a little sorry for the boy.
Feeling more than just a little uncertain about what to say to that at first. Arthur got a slightly far away look in each of his eyes, as he went over everything the Captain had just said.
And it wasn't long after that, before he found himself nodding slowly in understanding. "I guess you are right, Captain. But I still ain't totally sure that it is wise to let him leave on his own like this. He could be having some serious physical problems. After witnessing that girl getting killed like that by one of her own comrades" the second in-command said. Doing nothing to hide how concerned he was about the boy's mental health.
Looking at him a brief moment or two it did not take long before Talia gave him a small reassuring smile. "I don't think you have to worry, Arthur. I'm sure that he will be back when he is ready. Beside even if he does suffer mentally from all of this. You know as well as me that it's only Rey that can make Shinn talk about things that is bothering him" the woman said.
Not entirely happy that Shinn was always so anti-social whenever he was having some sort of problem, he was in dire need to discourse with somebody.
Almost immediately realizing that the Captain was right about everything. Arthur slowly brought his hand up and removed his cap from his head then scratch his hair in a somewhat thoughtful manner.
And it was only after giving his lower lips a light bite and placing the cap back where it belonged that he once more started talking to the brown haired woman.
"Then we should probably ask Rey to keep an eye on him once he gets back here" the Deputy Captain suggest loudly, while at the same time wondering just where exactly Shinn was going right now.
Seeing nothing wrong with Arthur's suggestion about talking with the blond pilot after this. Talia nodded a single time in agreement just as she changed the subject over to something else entirely.
"Are there any new reports about rescued survives, Meyrin?" The Captain asked in a deep serious tone, as she watch the only other woman up there turned around in her seat where she immediately started typing away at the keyboard located at her station.
And even though every single crew member up there sincerely hoped that the redhead had some good news. The small break she suddenly took was more than enough to tell all of them that the rescue work outside wasn't going as well as they had all hoped.
"I guess that's not really surprising. That monstrosity really was one of the most horrifying mobile suit I have ever seen since joining up with Zaft" Malik said in a soft voice, while he tried to figure out just how sick one had to be to actually bring something like that into a city.
He did however not get long to think about that before Meyrin interrupted his thoughts. "There isn't really much too say at the moment. The Josefine's crew have only found a few people buried in the rubble, among them a single Zaft soldier carrying a little boy" the younger Hawke sister said. Slightly happy that she was at least able to give her fellow crew members some good news after all of this meaningless destruction.
Deeply pleased to know, that there was at least a few people that had managed to survive the Destroy's rampage.
The Captain of the extremely powerful Zaft ship smiled slightly at the red haired teenager, as she slowly leaned back in her seat where she just couldn't help but let out a tiny yet relieved sigh.
Just as she again began speaking in the same highly serious tone as before. "Those people might be on a different side in this war. But I am actually quite relieved that the Archangel and the Freedom was here to keep the Earth Forces busy before we showed up. If it had not been for their interference, the entire city could have ended up being destroyed in this battle" the woman said.
Not overly taken back by all of the surprised looks, she was currently receiving from the rest of the crew up there.
And it took an unknown number of seconds. Before Arthur finally decided to tell his opinion about the white space ship and her crew. "I guess that there is simply no denying that their presence here wasn't a good thing. But no matter what I do, I find myself wondering at times just what exactly their real intentions are" the grey haired man said.
Looking a bit at him, Talia thought briefly about the recording Lunamaria had taken of Athrun and Nicol's conversation, with miss Cagalli and those other people from the Archangel.
Some of those things the pilot of the Freedom had said doing that meeting, made it pretty clear why those people preferred to do things on their own instead of joining up with Zaft.
But though she definitely had a lot more knowledge about the subject than most of her crew. Talia did honestly believed that it was best if she kept whatever knowledge she had about the Archangel to herself.
It seriously wouldn't be a good thing if a big part of her crew where to suddenly began wondering about what kind of motivation, the white space ship had for fighting on it's own. Which meant that it was without a doubt best that she kept her mouth firmly shut about the matter.
And with that in mind Talia decided that it was yet again time to change the subject. "What about Nicol, how is he doing after all of this? His mobile suit did take quite a beating from that blue Murasame and the Freedom" the woman asked with a slightly worried look in her eyes.
Not having a whole lot of trouble finding the answer to that question. The younger Hawke sister hurried pressed a few buttons. Before she turned her seat around so she ended up getting eye contact with the Captain.
"Well, according to the small report we received from Aves not long ago. The only injuries Nicol got out there, was a few minor scratches on his pride. And they should heal up just fine with Lunamaria looking after him" Meyrin said.
Not totally sure if she liked the way the chief engineer, was joking around about how her older sister and Nicol had been spending time together ever since Lunamaria had been injured doing the battle at Crete.
It wasn't like Meyrin did not appreciate Nicol's deep concern for her only family member.
But since the first time Nicol had started sleeping in Lunamaria's room there had been more than just a few rumors going around the Minerva about their relationship being more than just friendship.
And even though Meyrin could honestly say, that she had nothing against the idea of Nicol and Lunamaria getting together. It frankly was a little weird thinking about the two of them like that.
Ever since meeting the green haired man, Meyrin had always liked him a lot.
He was almost like the sweet and kind older brother she never had. So if Lunamaria and him actually where to end up dating each other. It would definitely take a lot of time, before she would get used to see the two of them act all lovey-dovey.
Frankly just the thought of her older sister and Nicol making out somewhere was actually a bit repulsive to her. It was just unbelievable odd thinking about those two in a close relationship with one another, not that she wasn't happy for them far from it actually.
Yet while she sat there thinking about what the future had in store for her older sister and Nicol her thoughts was brought to a hold by the Captain's voice. "I'm happy to know that he is all right. But with his GOUF in the sad state it's in now, we are in dire need of some new mobile suits. We would have a serious disadvantage should we encounter a large group of enemies with only the Impulse" Talia said. While trying to figure out, when they would get the next opportunity to get some new mobile suits on board.
It was just about that time, when Arthur interrupted her thoughts. "It's a real shame that we have no idea about what our next destination is going to be. If we actually knew that, we could send of a request for them to have four new mobile suits ready for us!" The grey haired man said.
Seriously hoping that they could avoid some of the more nasty battles now that they only had one machine on board. But at the very least they did not have to worry about the Chaos, Gaia and Abyss any longer with two of the gundams destroyed, and the last one out in space somewhere, most likely on board the Eternal.
And even though he honestly found it more than a bit annoying that the Desert Tiger had gotten away with that mobile suit so easily. The grey haired man was somewhat pleased to know, that they would not be facing the Gaia again anytime soon. That mobile suit had already proven more than a few times, that it was an incredible dangerous machine.
And just the thought of it in Andrew Waltfeld's hands, was more than enough to send a light shiver down his spine.
It was a well know fact, that the Desert Tiger was an extremely well trained pilot when using a four legged mobile suit. And now that he was actually using the Gaia it would definitely, take more than just a few good soldiers to bring that man down.
But as curious as he was about just how exactly a battle with the traitorous man would turn out he did not really get a whole lot of time to wonder about that, before Talia began talking to him in a low tone.
"I completely agree with you, Arthur! At the present moment in time we have five excellent pilots on board, where four of them doesn't have anything to pilot which is frankly a huge waste of their talents. But as long as we don't have any new orders the last one still stand which was to protect Berlin no matter the cost. So we'll remain here until somebody tells us what our next task will be" the woman said.
Just as she slowly turned her attention away from him, and looked out of the window, with a slightly far away look in both of her blue eyes. Sincerely wondering how long it would take to rebuild everything that had been destroyed doing the attack.
Yet pretty much the only thing the Minerva's Captain could determined for sure, was that it would definitely take a very long time and a great deal of manpower to get Berlin back to the truly lovely city it used to be.
So while silently cursing the Earth Forces' disrespect for human lives. Talia once more turned her attention back towards Arthur. "Besides it's not like we can actually leave without Shinn. I just hope that he doesn't travel to far away from Berlin" the woman said. Deeply hoping that the depressed boy wasn't planing on staying away for more than a few hours.
Of course knowing that the Captain was right about that, Arthur nodded a single time in agreement. While he slowly went over, and dropped down in his own seat where he immediately started working on the console in front of him.
Which meant that nothing else was said between them for who knew how long. As pretty much every person up there, was completely focused on whatever job they needed to do.
And even though the bridge wasn't completely silent at the moment, Talia Gladys could not help but close her eyes a few seconds, and just sit there listening to the sound of her crew hard at work at their stations.
Unfortunately she did not get much time to enjoy the silence as she would have liked, before the Josefine's top officer appear up on the main screen. "Captain Gladys I would like to talk with you for a few minutes!" The man said with a deep serious expression on his face.
Looking at him for a second or two, Talia tried her best not to show the big man that she frankly wasn't in the mood for a long discussion right now. "What can I help you with, Captain Hiraga?" She asked in a somewhat polite tone.
Just as the man began explaining to her in a loud cranky voice. That they would need both a lot more manpower and a whole bunch of equipment to make the search for survivors that much more effective.
Having already realized that Talia gave a brief nod in agreement. "Yes that much is obvious. But we also need both drinking water and food for the survivors. It would not do any of them much good if they ended up starving to death after getting pull out of the ruins" the female captain said, while softly rubbing her chin in a thoughtful manner, trying hard to determined what else they would need to help out all of these innocent people.
"It would probably also be wise if we find a place where people can spend the night. I have already dispatch a few of my people to take a look around the area. And they reported back not long ago, that they have found an old school that is still standing. And I seriously do believe that would be the best place to house the civilians for the time being" the man said.
Then took a small break to regain his breath before he once more continued talking. "But unfortunately that building is out of power. So if you have a good electrician, Captain Gladys, if you could send him over there to do something about that. Normally I would send my own. But he is presently busy trying to get power back to the hospital not far from here" the man explained.
Knowing how important electricity was right now Talia instantly gave the other Zaft officer a reply.
"Once we are done taking. I'll make sure to tell Aves and a few other people, to head on over there immediately. Hopefully they will be able to get everything up and running before nightfall" Talia said, then took a small glance out at the slowly descending sun.
Yet fortunately as far as she could tell, they would still have a few more hours of working time before it would be completely dark outside. "Thank you, Gladys. I'll be sure to inform my boys that your electrician is on his way" the huge man said. Then gave her a polite nod which she immediately returned before the man disappeared from the main monitor.
Knowing that their conversation was over Talia instantly turned her attention over on Arthur, where she hurried asked him to get a hold on Aves and tell him what his next job was going to be.
Nodding briefly to what the Captain had just said. Arthur swiftly began working on the small task which she had just asked him to do.
000000
Yet while all of this was going on up on the bridge.
Nicol was down in the hangar having a serious conversation with Aves and Vino about his damaged mobile suit. "So do you think that you can fix it?" The green haired man asked while the images of his fight with Dearka and Kira continued running through his mind.
Taking a short glance up at the GOUF the Chief Engineer slowly reached up and scratched his hair in a thoughtful way. "I really wish I could, Nicol. Yet as luck would have it, the only spare part I have left for a mass-produced mobile suit is a right arm to Lunamaria's ZAKU. And it frankly wouldn't be of much use even if we did find away to fit the ZAKU part on to the GOUF" Aves said in a tone, that did nothing to hide how much it was bothering him, that there wasn't a single thing he could do to repair the yellow machine.
But without any of the right parts it was simply impossible for him or anybody else to fix the GOUF at the current moment in time. But perhaps he could try and contact the Josefine and ask them if they had any spare GOUF parts they could go without.
He did however not get a whole lot of time to consider that. Before Arthur's voice suddenly started talking loudly out over the speakers. Asking him to get in contact with the bridge immediately.
Having instantly realized from the urgency in the Deputy Captain's voice. That it was very important whatever it was the Minerva's commanding officers wanted to talk with him about.
And not wanting to give either the Captain or the second in-command, the opportunity to run out of patience. He hastily said one last thing to the green haired teenager before he turned around and left.
"I'll have to go now, Nicol, I will talk with you later" he promised loudly. Then without giving Nicol anytime to come up with a reply the Chief Engineer hurried rushed off in the direction of one of the radios down there.
Seeing him leave in such a hurry Nicol simply couldn't help but let out a huge sigh. As he once more turned and looked back at his armless machine. There really was no denying, that the yellow colored mobile suit truly was in a pitiful state right now.
And even though that did bother him quite a bit. He did of course realize that the real reason why he felt so utterly frustrated was because he hadn't been able to do a single thing, to prevent the Archangel's crew from getting their hands on the pilot of that purple Windam.
And for some strange unknown reason he felt like that was a bad thing.
Especially when he thought about how overly determined Dearka had been in keeping him away from the Earth Forces mobile suit. "I really wonder who exactly was inside that machine and why Dearka was willing to go so far to capture him? And what interest could miss Murrue have in a Earth Forces soldier?" The young man softly asked himself.
Almost feeling like his brain was on the edge of exploding with the large amount of questions, which was currently running thought it. "Ahhh, I seriously wish I could at the very least, have gotten a small glint of whoever was inside that Windam" he growled quietly under his breath.
While carefully going over each and everyone of his actions doing the last battle over Berlin. Trying his very best to determined what changes he should have made to get a different outcome other than the one where Kira and Dearka removed both arms on his mobile suit.
But knowing better than most people how awesome pilots those two where. It was actually more than a little difficult thinking up a scenario where his yellow machine didn't get some kind of damage, when fighting both of them at once.
Yet as he stood there with all of those thoughts about his extremely brutal encounter with his two former comrades in arms. He did not notice that Luna was currently heading straight towards him.
To be completely honest, it was only when she started talking to him in a loud voice that he actually realized. That his temporary roommate was at this very moment, standing only one or two small steps behind him.
"Are you ok there, Nicol? You seem somewhat distracted right now" the red haired girl stated in a worried tone, while carefully scanning him for any signs of injuries.
Yet much her deep relief Nicol seemed to be perfectly healthy. Even with the large amount of damage on his mobile suit. So while doing everything she could think of to not make it completely obvious to everybody down there, that she had been more than just a little concerned about his safety when the Freedom gundam and the blue colored Murasame had teamed up against him.
So while letting out a small yet relieved sigh the redhead slowly moved her gaze upwards and looked directly into Nicol's deep brown eyes. Where the girl could of course easily tell that it wasn't just the extremely sad condition of his mobile suit that was bothering him right now.
"What's wrong? You look really depressed" the redhead told him in a soft tone. Then reached out with her one good hand, and gently brushed away a few strands of green hair that was hanging down in front of his eyes.
Not really certain what to say to the girl right now. The young Amalfi just stood there with a far away expression on his face as he tried to come up with the best way to describe the mood he was presently in.
Yet finally after a few long seconds, he let out a long stressful breath. "It's not like I'm really all that depressed, Luna. But when I think about how hard I fought to stop the Archangel from capturing that guy in the purple Windam. It's more than just a little frustrating. That there was nothing I could do to prevent Kira and Dearka from doing that" he said in highly displeased tone, while pointing up at the GOUF.
Taking a brief glance up at the armless Zaft mobile suit. It did not take that much of a genius to figure out why he was feeling so frustrated about not being able to use his machine again anytime soon.
She herself had after all tried that not long ago. When her ZAKU had been destroyed by that stupid Murasame that had done so much damage on the Minerva doing their last battle with Orb.
Which had lead the girl to feel somewhat powerless from time to time, without having someway to help protect the Minerva. Yet now that she was actually taking the time to give it some serious thought. She realized that it was probably much worth in Nicol's case, seeing as it was two of his old comrades that had put his mobile suit in this smash-up condition.
And while still thinking about how utterly brutal it had looked when the two Archangel mobile suits had removed both arms on the GOUF.
The older Hawke sister again turned her attention back towards her roommate. "I'm just...just so relieved that those two still cared so much about you, that they didn't want to hurt you" the redhead said.
Hearing that Nicol immediately moved his gaze away from the GOUF and over at her, where he could not help but give her words some very serious thought. And it did not take him long to realized that she was right. Neither Kira or Dearka had seemed all that interested in hurting him in the last battle.
It was actually Kira that had told him to pull back after they had disconnect the two arms.
And while smiling slightly over that, he began speaking softly to the girl. "Hmm, I guess you are right, Luna. It's actually a bit of a shame that we are on different sides in this war. We seriously could use both of their help to put an end to all of this" he said in a thoughtful tone, wondering briefly just what it would be like to fight together with those two again.
But even though Nicol definitely couldn't deny that it would be really great to be fighting along Dearka and Kira's side, once more.
It did not take many seconds before he slowly shook his head a few time, having already realized since their small meeting at Crete that it simply wouldn't do him any good thinking about such things.
Just one small look at all of the Archangel's past actions since it had first reappeared, did after all make it completely obvious to just about everybody. That they where not going to join up with Zaft anytime soon.
Even with everything Durandal had done to put a swift end, to this terrible war. The Archangel crew simply refused to listen to reason and trust the Chairman and Zaft to bring peace and prosperity back to both the Plants and earth.
Which was a pretty obvious sign that the three of them would most likely remain enemies for a very long time. And that was most definitely not something Nicol liked to think about all that much.
Frankly if anybody asked him, he could honestly say without lying that he would much rather have Kira and Dearka covering his back instead of ready to blow or rip it apart. "Even though I do wish that we could just put our hostility aside, and be friends like we where in the past, Luna. I honestly do not believe that will be possible as long as they keep on insisting that they want nothing to do with Zaft" Nicol said with a great deal of bitterness in his voice.
Watching the highly sour look on his face for a few long second. Lunamaria felt more than just a bit uncertain about, what exactly she was suppose to say to him right now. She truly did want to try something to cheer him up.
But seeing that it was simply impossible for the young woman to know. If he would ever get the opportunity to patch up his friendship with the Freedom pilot plus the guy piloting that blue Murasame, and everybody else on the white spaceship.
So while giving her lower lips a light thoughtful bite the redhead slowly moved over and wrapped her one good arm around him. Hugging him softly in a small attempt to cheer him up, and make him think about something else other than the Archangel.
More than just a little taken back at having the pretty red haired girl embrace him like this. Nicol Amalfi just couldn't help but blink a couple of times in surprise. As he moved his eyes downwards and looked directly at the red round top of the female pilot's head, which was at this very moment in time resting calmly up against his chest.
But even though he could not deny that this was kinda nice. Nicol still wasn't all that good at the whole opposite sex matter. To be completely honest he did not really know for sure if he was actually suppose to hug her back now or just stand there and wait until she was done hugging him.
Yet after feeling her hand run up and down his back a few times in a comforting manner he slowly brought both of his arms up and hugged the highly beautiful woman back.
And that tiny action alone was all that was needed to make Lunamaria sigh loudly in contentment, while she slowly snuggled a tiny bit closer to the boy, truly enjoying the feeling of being in his arms like this.
They did however not stay like that for long before Luna slowly backed away from Nicol and smiled gently at him. "Do you want to go get something to eat? I know that the whole thing with your mobile suit is still bothering you. But it's not like you can do anything about it even if you stay down here. Beside I'm actually starting to get quite hungry myself" she said just as her small stomach let out a loud growling sound.
Thinking briefly about everything Lunamaria had just said, Nicol slowly turned and took one more glance up at his armless mobile suit.
Where the young man of course immediately noticed. That the one mechanic that was presently over by his machine wasn't really doing anything other than writing on the small mechanical pad which he was currently holding.
Obviously trying his best to fill out a small status report about the GOUF's highly depressing conditions. And thinking back to what Aves had said about not having the right parts to repair the machine.
Nicol somewhat unwillingly realized that Lunamaria was right. It really wouldn't do him much good if he kept on hanging around down there. It wasn't like his present down there would magically reassemble the yellow mobile suit.
And with that in mind he once more looked back at the lovely red haired girl which he had been hugging only a few seconds ago. "You are right, Luna. It really would be nice to sit down for a bit, and get a nice hot meal" the exhaust teen said. Then hurried used his right hand to cover up the small yawn that left his mouth immediately afterwards.
"I'm pleased that you agree, Nicol. Now let's hurry up and get out of her before the rest of the crew eats everything the chef has made this evening"
And without even waiting for him to give her a response. The young woman tightly grasp on to his left arm, and started dragging him along with her towards the exit of the Minerva's giant hangar.
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Meanwhile else where on the ship.
Rey was in his and Shinn's almost totally dark room, with the only source of light in there coming from the small monitor that he was currently looking at. "So how did it go, Rey? I am quite curious about hearing your report about all of this" Gilbert said with a somewhat unreadable expression on his face as he waited for the young man to give him a response.
Narrowing both of his blue eyes slightly. Rey softly gave his lower lips a tiny unhappy bite, which Gilbert could of course not help but notice. "Well, Shinn did a pretty good job out there, Gil. Unfortunately it did not work like you had originally intented it wasn't Shinn who took out the Destroy. It was Kira Yamato and the Freedom that did most of the work" Rey explained.
Just as the image of the powerful white and blue gundam, fighting the Destroy once more flew through his mind. He really wasn't happy that the Ultimate Coordinator and his friends had interfered in this.
It would without a doubt have been so much better if Shinn and the rest of the Minerva crew actually been able to handle this entire matter on their own. It would have benefit Gilbert's plans that much more if Zaft had been the one to take out the Destroy gundam.
Hearing that Kira Yamato and the Archangel had once more interfered in what he was trying so hard to accomplish. Made a deeply displeased look appear in both of Gilbert's eyes.
"It would very much seem like that man will not stop being a thorn in my side until he is dead" the Chairman said in a tone that made it completely obvious to Rey that he was getting quite frustrated with Kira's continuous attempts to mess up his plans for this world.
But having more than just that one reason to have been wanting to speak with the man he respected more than anybody else. The blond boy moved around a bit until he got into a more comfortable position in the chair.
"Well, about that Gil. I honestly do believe that Shinn is more than ready to do battle with him now. He actually did pretty well against the Freedom in the brief fight he had with it over Berlin. Which leads me to believe Gil, that if he has just the right kind of strategy he should be able to finally defeat Kira Yamato" Rey said with a wicked grin on his face.
Which did nothing to hide how much the blond teenager was truly looking forward to put his plan for Kira Yamato's final demise in motion.
And knowing just how utterly important Kira's death was to the blond man. Gilbert used the next few seconds to go over everything his highly loyal comrade had just said to him.
Until he finally nodded slowly in understanding. "I see, Rey. I'm confident that you strategy for the Freedom's destruction will be nothing more than successful you just send me a message when Shinn is ready. Then I will immediately issue the order for Operation Angel Down. We have already located the Archangel's hiding place a few days ago. So now we are just waiting for the last piece of the puzzle to fit together" Gilbert said sounding somewhat calm about the whole matter.
Hearing that they already knew where the Archangel was, the wicked grin on Rey's face grew slightly in size. "That's really great, Gilbert, that will save us the trouble of looking for it" he said happily.
While at the same time trying to figure out just how long it would take, before they would be completely ready to carry out their final assault on the white spaceship and the Freedom gundam.
The blond teenager did however only get a few brief moments to wonder about that. Before Gilbert's voice interrupted his thoughts. "By the way how are things going with Athrun? You told me in your last report that he has been really anti-social since the loss of the Saviour" the Zaft leader said with a great deal of seriousness in his tone.
Narrowing both of his eyes slightly at that question, the smile that had been covering Rey's face through most of the conversation immediately disappeared.
"He is still very much like that, Gil. And from what I can tell he doesn't really speak to anybody not even Nicol. To be completely honest with you, Gilbert. He behaves more like a stranger, than as a part of the crew. It is almost like he doesn't belong here any longer" Rey said seriously, then took a small breath before he continued.
"And once Operation Angel Down commence. I'm absolutely certain that he will not remain loyal to you any longer. If he has ever been that in the first place" he said with an expression on his face, that could only be interpreted as pure hatred.
Thinking hard about Rey's words. The black haired man slowly reached up and rubbed his chin in a thoughtful manner. "Hmm, there is really nothing we can do about him right now. So let's just focus on taking down the Archangel and Kira Yamato for now. Afterwards we can always turn our attention over at Athrun Zala. To be honest Rey, I have already thought about what to do with him should he not feel up to the task" the Chairman explained with a small yet calm smile on his face.
"That's excellent news indeed, Gil. I'll do my best to make sure, that Shinn is combat ready as quickly as possible" the blond pilot promised. Then wondered briefly when exactly the dark haired boy would return back to the Minerva.
Yet before he could give it all that much thought Gilbert began talking to him in a calm tone.
"Just don't rush things to much, Rey. Knowing the Archangel I highly doubt we will get more than just one shot at this. And I seriously do not want any screw ups in this mission simply because we are impatient. So do take your time Rey and train him properly. If the Archangel where to disappear down in to the sea again. It will be almost impossible to find it" Gilbert said more than a little serious, as he watched Rey nod a single time in understanding.
And having an agreement about that. It did not take long before the two men, continued their calm discussion about the Archangel, the Freedom gundam and Athrun Zala.
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Meanwhile that exact person which Rey and the Chairman was currently talking about, was standing by himself up on the Minerva's upper deck. Watching as the rescue team, was still working hard on digging through the large amount of rubble many of the cities' otherwise tall buildings had been reduced to.
"Damn this really is terrible. I'm really glad that Kira and the others was here to help out. There is seriously no telling how Berlin would have ended up if they hadn't tried so hard to stop that monster" Athrun mumbled to himself, as he tighten his grip on the railing a bit more.
He might not say it out loud, but there was quite frankly a huge part of him, that highly doubt that Shinn would actually have been able to stop the Destroy's assault all on his own.
Especially not when he had been so utterly fixated on protecting the Chaos.
It was almost like Shinn had completely forgotten about everything else. That was going on around him once he had discovered that it was that blond haired woman who had been piloting the Chaos.
"Shinn might just be a pretty skilled mobile suit pilot no doubt about that. But I seriously don't get why they insist on calling him Super Ace. The only times he actually do follow orders is when it's convenient for him" Athrun mumbled while thinking about how the stubborn brat had been fighting more with the Freedom in the last battle, than the Destroy.
And just that thought alone, was enough to make the blue haired youngster release his grip on the railing. And stand up straight once more. "I might as well stop lying to myself already. The more time I spend here on the Minerva the more I feel like I don't belong here any longer. I'm seriously starting to miss the more homely feeling that's on board the Archangel" Athrun said quietly to himself then turned and took a small glance up at the Minerva's bridge.
Where he just couldn't help but narrow both of his eyes in a low spirited fashion. "I really am starting to regret that I decide to join up with Zaft in the first place. I feel like I haven't really accomplished anything other than fighting with Orb and the people I consider as my family" he whispered unhappily.
Then used the next few minutes to go over everything he had done since he had let Chairman Durandal convince him to become a part of Zaft again.
Yet in the end he reluctantly realized that there wasn't really any of his many actions that he was generally proud of. Which was a realization that made the blue haired man sigh loudly in dissatisfaction.
"I really messed up, when I let the Chairman to persuade me into joining Zaft again" he mumbled quietly. Just as he once more turned his gaze downwards towards the half destroyed city below him.
Trying hard to figure out when he would get the next opportunity to leave the Minerva. No matter how many times he twisted and turned it in his mind he simply could not find any good reason why, he should remain here on the grey color spaceship.
With him still having next to no idea about what Chairman Durandal was really trying to accomplish. Athrun was quite frankly starting to feel like it was getting way to dangerous for him to keep on playing spy here on the Minerva.
And while all of those thoughts kept on flying hastily through his mind. He gave his lower lips a hard determined bite.
"I seriously need to keep my eyes pile for an opportunity to leave the Minerva, and go search for the Archangel. I really don't understand what the Chairman is trying to do with all of this. But I'm starting to get the feeling, that he isn't as interested in peace as he claims" the young man growled displeased. Sincerely wishing that he had actually listen to what Kira and Cagalli had said when he had spoken to them back at Crete.
And with those regretting thoughts going through his head. He turned and began slowly making his way towards the entrance to the grey spaceship.
To be continued.