We Met Two Years Ago

by Ben Firebird

The sequel to the story But We Just Meet, many of the pairings will remain the same, like Lacus/Kira and Cagalli/Athrun, but there will of course also be a few new once. This goes on in the Second Bloody Valentine War with quite a few change, like Shinn's sister Mayu still being alive.

59. Chapter 59

Chapter 59

It was a few days after Shinn had returned from one of the most awful experiences in his young life.

Putting the girl he had a crush on to rest, had literally broken his heart. The only other time he remember crying this much, was the day when his parents and little sister had gotten killed back in Orb.

But unlike that time where he had been so utterly powerless. This time around he actually had the means to get revenge, which was something he was completely and utterly determined to get no matter what.

"I just have to find his weakness. There has to be something there I can use against him!" The red eyed Zaft pilot growled determinedly, while watching the images of the Freedom gundam firing all of it's weapons at a minor bunch of Murasames and Windams.

He did however not get long to study the overly powerful mobile suit when the door suddenly flew open. And in stepped the brown haired woman that was in charge of the Minerva. "Shinn, I need to speak with you for a minute" She told him in a somewhat kind tone, which kinda made Shinn suspect that her reason for being there wasn't just to talk with him.

So while pressing the pause button on the video footages just as his enemy was about to tear the Saviour apart. The boy slowly turned around in his seat, and looked up at the woman with a none caring look in his eyes.

He might not say it out loud but he seriously didn't feel like talking with her or anybody else right now.

Yet fortunately for him the more reasonable part of his mind was quick to remind him, that this conversation wasn't really one he could avoid and that he would most likely get in a whole lot of trouble, if he told his Commanding officer to come back later.

And with that in mind, he did his best to ignore the part of him that just wanted to be left alone.

So he could concentrate fully on studying the somewhat unique fighting style of whoever the moron was that was piloting the Freedom gundam. "What is it?" The boy asked. Trying to sound as respectful as he could under the circumstances.

Looking quietly at him for a short moment, the brown haired woman tried her very best to decipher from the young man's expression just how exactly he was feeling right now.

But unfortunately the highly cranky look on his face, did not really give her a whole lot of information about, what exactly was going through his mind at the moment.

So while feeling more than a little worried about how the boy was handling the death of that blond woman he had risked so much for. Talia slowly moved her eyes away from him and took a brief glance over at the screen, where she could of course not help but notice the powerful white and blue gundam, that had cost them so much trouble since it had first reappeared together with the Archangel.

And instantly realizing that the short tempered teenager, was most likely trying to find someway to defeat the Freedom, Talia narrowed both of her eyes in a thoughtful manner, just before she once more moved her gaze back over at the boy.

"I just wanted to see how you where handling things, after what happened back in Berlin. I might not have approved of it, Shinn, but it wasn't really all that hard to tell that you and the Gaia pilot had grown pretty close. And even though I didn't really like that girl, Shinn. Please do believe me when I say that I truly am sorry that she had to die in such a gruesome manner" Talia said in a sadden tone.

Not saying anything to that at first, Shinn just sat there staring intensely at the Captain, seriously wondering just how sincere her words to him truly was.

Those few weeks which Stella had been here on the Minerva, it had been pretty obvious, that the Captain did not really like how much time he was spending down in the med-bay together with Stella.

So now that the Captain was saying such things to him, the Zaft pilot was having a few doubts about her sincereness. And it was only once his overly conflicting mind went over her words, and he bother taking a really good look at her face. That he finally came to the realization, that she truly was sorry about what had happened to Stella.

And knowing that he took another brief glance over at the frozen picture of the Freedom, before he once more looked back at the brunette haired woman. "I'm...I'm all right. Captain! I already know what I have to do" the boy said determinedly, just as he once again tried to figure out just what exactly the Freedom pilot's main weakness was.

Hearing him say that and seeing the slightly wicked expression on his face. Talia could not stop herself from giving her lower lips a light thoughtful bite as she too took a glance over at the monitor, which quite honestly made her wonder if beating the Freedom was the only thing Shinn had on his mind now.

But even though Talia was far from happy with the idea, that the only thing he was fighting for now was revenge. She knew that it would be a complete waste of time on her part to try and talk him out of it.

Beside it had only been a few hours ago, when she had spoken with Gilbert that he had hinted to her that he had some special plans to put an end to the Archangel and the Freedom's continuous interference.

Which meant that it was probably wise if Shinn had as much knowledge about the Freedom and it's pilot, as he could possibly get.

And with that in mind, she let out a light sigh as she slowly turned her worried gaze away from the monitor and back over at the boy. "I do understand what you are trying to do, Shinn. But please do make sure that you get some rest. It wouldn't really do you or anybody else any good if you collapse from exhaustion" the woman said in a somewhat bossy tone. Then turned around and quickly left the room before Shinn had the chance to give her a response.

Watching as the door fly shut after her, Shinn once more turned his attention back towards the monitor and immediately reached over and got the video footages of the white and blue gundam up and running again.

Yet while he was so utterly fixated on watching the Freedom's two sabers cut their way through the Saviour's thick armor, he didn't really notice that the red gundam seemed just a tiny bit reluctant to fight back. Like Athrun had actually wanted for the Freedom to take out the Saviour.

But with the young pilot of the Impulse so much more interested in studying the Freedom's unbelievable fast yet still smooth movements, he simply didn't pay all that much attention, to the red transformable mobile suit, and even if he had, it would still had been extremely difficult for him to tell just what exactly, Athrun was really doing on these images.

"I just don't get how he can pilot such a powerful machine so easily" Shinn growled highly displeased.

Then slowly reached out and pressed a button on the keyboard, to make the next round of video footages appear on the small screen.

Yet once he discovered that it was the Gaia gundam the swift blue winged mobile suit was going up against this time, he did not hesitate even a second in pressing the button one more time, seriously not in the mood to watch his crush get beaten up by the stupid bastard in the Freedom.

And when he saw that it was one of his own battles with the Freedom that now appeared, he instantly got a deep thoughtful frown on his face as he watched himself trying to take out the highly annoying white mobile suit, with the Blast Impulse.

"Hmm, maybe if I watched this a few times I can determined what mistakes I made in that battle and not repeat them the next time I face off against him" Shinn growled to himself underneath his breath.

Frankly not liking to admit that he might have made a few errors here and there, when doing battle with the Freedom, but it was just that whenever he saw that damn machine it always made his blood boil more then ever before. And he simply couldn't stop himself from wanting to beat the crap out of the powerful white gundam as quickly as possible, which usually resulted in that he rushed off without even trying to come up with a battle plan.

Yet now that he was really giving it some serious thought, the young man somewhat reluctantly realized, that if there was one thing all of his previous encounters, with the extremely fast white gundam had taught him, then it was that there was simply noway he was going to beat the Freedom. If he fought like he usually did, he just had to find some kind of strategy to take this guy out and that was harder said than done.

"Ahhhh, damn it all! Whoever designed that mobile suit really is a moron. Who the hell thought that it was a good idea, to give the Feeedom so damn many long range weapons, it's almost impossible to get near that guy unless he actually wants you to do so" the angry boy pilot growled.

While watching himself use the javelin to duel quite violently with the Freedom.

And after doing that for a few long moments he let out a deep thoughtful breath. "Well one thing is definitely certain, I can't use the Blast against him! I'll need a whole lot more speed than that Silhouette pack can give me" the red eyed boy mumbled quietly, while at the same time wondering which one of the other Silhouette packs would be most useful when fighting the Freedom.

Yet in the end he realized that even though it would definitely be quite entertaining to tear the Freedom completely apart with the two swords from the Sword Silhouette pack. There was a more reasonable part of his mind that knew, that it would be more than a little difficult getting close to the blue and white mobile suit armed mostly with close combat weapons.

"It looks like the Force is the best choice, when the time comes for me to put an end to that annoying bastard!" The dark haired teenager growled softly. Then thought briefly about how much more speed the Force Silhouette pack gave him compared to the other two.

And while still thinking about that, he used the mouse to change the video footages over to his short yet highly savage encounter with the Freedom over the German capital.

And even though it was kinda obvious that the knucklehead piloting the Freedom gundam was much more interested in fighting the Destroy than him. It didn't really take the world's biggest genius to tell, that he was with no doubt, handling himself that much better against the Freedom, when he had the Force Silhouette pack equipped instead of the Blast.

"All right then! So now I know which Silhouette pack to use, but it would definitely be a whole lot easier to beat this guy could I find his main weakness" the teenager growled underneath his breath.

Then continued thoroughly studying what video footages they had of the overly powerful mobile suit.

000000

Meanwhile elsewhere on the ship.

Lunamaria Hawke was sitting on the soft black leather couch down in the mess hall reading her newest romance novel. Which was to say it mildly a bit of a challenge seeing as she still wasn't able to use her left arm.

But even though that seriously did annoy her quite a bit, what really pissed her off right now was that Meyrin was sitting just beside her, reading one of her brain dead gossip magazine.

But as tempted as Luna was to try and scratch the magazine away from Meyrin, the older Hawke sister knew that if she did that she would be forced to leave her overly thick book behind. Seeing as there was no way she could carry both the magazine and the novel with just one hand.

And it wasn't like it was overly hard to figure out what, her young sister would do, if she took the magazine away from her. Then she would most likely use her novel as trading material to get the worthless crap of a magazine back again. And knowing just how much money her romance novel had cost compared to Meyrin's stupid magazine.

It wasn't all that hard to figure out who of them would have the upper hand in this so-called 'hostage' situation.

And seriously not wanting to run the risk of Meyrin actually ripping out the last couple of pages in the thick book. The older Hawke sister came to the conclusion that if she ran off with that magazine now, there was a huge possibility that this whole matter would end up with something she would dislike even more, than all of Meyrin's gossip magazines combined.

And just the mere thought of Meyrin flushing one pages after another down into one of the Minerva's many toilets, was more than enough to send a light shiver down her spine. As she turned her head and send her younger sister a highly displeased glare, then once more turned her attention back towards the book.

Yet while she was doing that the green haired person sitting on the other side of her couldn't help but chuckle softly to himself. Lunamaria might just be doing her best to hide it, but it was pretty easy to guess what was going through her head at the moment. She still disliked it quite a bit, that Meyrin was wasting so much of her time reading all of those gossip magazines.

And the way she kept on glaring over at her younger sister was a pretty obvious sign that she was more than just a little tempted, to scratch the magazine away from her and run off as quickly as her strong legs could carry her.

And knowing just how much this whole thing with Meyrin's reading habits was bothering the cute redhead. The former pilot of the Blitz gundam simply could not help but wonder why, Lunamaria hadn't tried to get her hands on the magazines yet.

Yet before he could give it all that much thought, Athrun just happened to enter the mess hall. And having long since noticed how utterly distance his old friend had seemed these last couple of weeks Nicol seriously wanted to speak with him now that he had the chance.

So after taking one last glance at the two Hawke sisters, the young green haired man, got up from his comfortable location on the couch. And began making his way over to the former Justice pilot. "Hey Athrun, do you have a minute?" He asked in his usual well manner tone.

Having been so far away in his own thoughts, Athrun jumped slightly when Nicol's voice asked that question right behind him. And it took him a couple of seconds to get over the minor shock which his old team mate had just given him.

And it was only once he was completely certain that the surprised look could no longer be seen on his face, that the blue haired man turned, and smiled slightly at his fellow pilot. "Of course I do, Nicol. It's not like I have a whole lot to do around here with the Saviour gone" Athrun said, of course realizing that it was his own fault, that his newest mobile suit had been reduced to nothing else than a pile of useless crap.

He was after all the one who had told Kira to destroy the red gundam back at the battle at Crete. But that certainly did not mean that he didn't miss having something to do around the Minerva.

It wasn't like he could actually search for clues about the Chairman's plans when everybody else was busy working around the ship.

Which meant that he did not really have a whole lot to do during the day. Other than go through what little information he already had gathered, and that honestly got boring very quickly.

It was not like what little data he had download from Rey's ZAKU, actually told him all that much about, what the blond man and the Chairman was planning to do to this world.

Yet as Athrun was thinking about all of that, he did not notice that Nicol was studying his face with a slightly thoughtful look in both of his brown eyes.

The green haired man simply couldn't help but wonder just what exactly could be going through his old friend's head, at this very moment in time. "Are you all right, Athrun? You have seemed somewhat distance, for quite a while now. And I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a little worried about you" Nicol explained in a calm voice.

Which was just barely enough, to snap Athrun back out of his deep thoughts. "There is no need for you to worry about me, Nicol. I have just been having a lot on my mind since Kira destroyed the Saviour" he said trying to sound just as polite as Nicol, even though he knew that he was only telling his old friend half the truth.

The entire thing with Cagalli's pregnancy had also been something which had been occupying his thoughts. Ever since Kira had so violently told him that he was going to be a father, just shortly after the incident where Lacus and Mr Waltfeld, had stolen the very shuttle meant to transport the Gaia gundam back to the Plants.

And having known back then just how much the whole matter of losing the Gaia one more time, had bothered just about everybody on board the Minerva.

Athrun had truthfully not given it a whole lot of thought, seeing as it had been almost impossible,for him to stop thinking about the whole thing with him becoming a father. He had been wondering what name to give the kid, and what gender it was going to be. And most importantly, he had thought deeply about if he was going to be a good father to his and Cagalli's child.

It wasn't like he had anybody he could look to for guidance, when it came to something like that. His own father Patrick Zala had after all behaved like a highly strict nut case after Athrun's mother had been kill during the Bloody Valentine Tragedy.

And Athrun had long since made the decision, that there was just noway he would ever treat his own kid, in the same manner his father had treated him, after Junius Seven had been destroyed.

He did however not get long to think about that before Nicol once more interrupted his thoughts.

"You know Athrun you might be really good at hiding your feelings. But it is quite obvious that there is something bothering you. So if you are in the need of a friendly ear. You do know where to find me" the green haired man said, with a friendly smile on his face.

Hearing Nicol's offer, the soon to be father, didn't say anything at first. He just stood there looking quietly at his friend for a long moment or two. Seriously more than just a little unsure if he should actually tell Nicol that Cagalli was pregnant with his child.

Yet after giving it some serious thought, the young man decided that it was best that he kept his mouth shut for now. It was not like he didn't believe that Nicol could not keep a secret between the two of them. He just felt like it was really important that he spoke with Cagalli about the pregnancy first. Before anybody else.

Beside the best way to make certain that Shinn would never know anything about Cagalli's pregnancy was to remain completely silent. If there was one thing the pilot of the Impulse had made completely clear for just about everybody on the Minerva, then it was that he hated Cagalli with a deep burning passion and that he firmly believed, that she did not deserved any kind of happiness. For what happened to his family two years ago back in Orb.

So if that stubborn fool, somehow figured out that Cagalli was pregnant. Then he might just feel that much more determined, to end Cagalli's life. And that was simply not something Athrun could allow. He would rather die himself than lose her and his unborn child.

And while still thinking about that he moved his down turned gaze away from the floor and back up at Nicol. "I really do appreciate the offer. It's just after seeing so much of Berlin being destroyed I feel kinda frustrated not having a mobile suit of my own around here. I can't even begin to describe how much I wanted to help you and Shinn out against the Destroy" Athrun said quietly, while mentally adding Kira and Dearka.

Seeing as it was without any doubt those two, and the rest of the Archangel crew who had done the most to stop the Earth Forces from wrecking the entire German capital. And thereby preventing the Destroy and the rest of the Earth Forces, from continuing further onward up through the country.

Thinking briefly about everything Athrun had just told him, the green haired teenager got a somewhat far away look on his face. As he thought a small moment or two about the condition his own mobile suit, was in right now. "Yeah well, I kinda do understand how you feel, Athrun, with the beating Dearka and Kira gave my mobile suit. It's definitely going to take a very long time before I'll be able to enter combat again" Nicol said highly displeased and with a sour expression covering his face.

Hearing him say that, Athrun was reminded of a question. Which he had been wanting to ask Nicol for quite a while now. "Now that you mention it, Nicol. Why exactly where you so keen on fighting with Dearka?" Athrun asked somewhat curious.

"Hmm to tell you the truth, Athrun, I have actually been wondering about that myself. I seriously do feel like I wasted my time fighting with him. Instead of trying to stop some of the other Windams. It's just that when I tried to help him out against that purple Windam. He told me to leave him alone, and that it was really important that they capture this guy alive" Nicol explained.

Then took a deep breath before he continued. "And when I thought about, just how much information such a good pilot could have about the Earth Forces. I felt like it was in our best interest that the Archangel's crew didn't get their hands on that guy, and that's the reason why I fought against Dearka" the green haired boy said in a low tone.

Which made it pretty clear that he was still highly puzzled over why it had been so utterly important for Dearka to stop that purple mobile suit, without killing it's pilot.

Having also been wondering why in God's name Dearka had been holding back against that guy in the purple Windam. Athrun reached up and scratched his hair in a thoughtful way. He did however not get the opportunity to say anything else before a familiar voice ran through the ship.

"Greeting people of Earth and citizens of the Plants! As many of you probably already knows my name is Gilbert Durandal and I'm the Chairman of the Zaft Supreme Council. I am here today to speak with all of you about what has been going on in our world these last few months" he said in a deeply serious voice, while looking straight into the camera located directly in front of him.

It was almost like, he was actually trying to see what kind of expressions the people watching this, now had on their faces. And it was only after sitting there silently for a few small seconds that he once more began talking in the same highly serious tone as before.

"Two years ago! After the last war was brought to an end after the terrible battle at Jachin Due. We all sworn that we would never fight with each other like that ever again!" He said sadly. Just as a single tear left his right eye and ran down his cheek.

"But unfortunately, even though we all tried so hard to keep that promise! It was broken a few months ago when Junius Seven fell. And since then Naturals and Coordinators have been fighting each other precisely in the same manner as we did in the past" Gilbert explained to the millions watching this.

And as a few images from some of the battles that had been fought ran over the screen, Lunamaria who was currently standing beside both of the former members of the Le Creuset team. "What do you think he is trying to do with this?" She asked in a low voice.

Taking a glance away from the screen and over at her, Nicol hurried shook his head one or two time before he again turned his attention back over at the long haired man on the monitor. "I don't know, Luna. I guess we just have to wait and see" he whispered softly into her ear.

Just before the top leader of Zaft and the Plants once more continued with his speech. "Yet what many of you doesn't realize is, that we were actually manipulated by few certain individuals into starting the war again. People who benefits from having us fighting each other like we are now!" Gilbert explained loudly. While squeezing both of his fist together in an angry fashion.

While the millions of Naturals and Coordinators watching this, where all wondering just who in the world could be responsible for the outbreak of the second Bloody Valentine War.

They did however not have to wait long to get a respond before the Chairman lifted his gaze away from the table and looked into the camera again.

"All of you know about the Blue Cosmos. The terrorist organization who wants to kill and destroy as many Coordinators as possible. But what many of you probably don't know is that Blue Cosmos is nothing more than a cover for an even bigger terrorist organization. And it's those people, who has tricked us into fighting each other once again!" Gilbert practically yelled out to all the deeply shocked people watching this broadcast.

And as he turned his sadden gaze downwards away from the camera, it took even less than a second before a large amount of pictures start running over the screen showing of the very people responsible for all of this fighting and killing.

But while more and more faces was shown to the population of both the Plants and Earth. It did not take long before they could all hear the Chairman's depressed voice once again.

"These people are better known as the mercenaries of death. People who actually earn their living by having us do war on one another. They shout about how we Coordinators are monsters and a error from the past! But in my eyes these people are the true monsters of this world. They don't care at all about what kind of pain they cause other people in their sick effort to have us fight each other constantly!".

Before the images changed away from the many faces. And was now showing some of the video footages found at the Lodonia Laboratory.

Which meant that now they could all see, how a little boy was being tortured with electricity. In an attempt to turn him into one of the Extended pilots. "This is what the people who are calling us Coordinators monsters have been doing around the world" Gilbert said in a deeply sadden tone.

Then remained completely silent for a small moment or two. So everybody around the world had the chance to really get what he was saying and what was presently being shown to them.

The long haired man did however not remain silent for long, before he again began speaking in a quiet tone. "These individuals are without saying more than willing to kill and slaughter everybody, who does not share their twist point of view on Coordinators. And THAT includes even women and children!" Durandal said angrily.

Just before the next group of images appeared up on the screen. Now showing the whole world how the Destroy mobile suit was mercilessly making it's way through the German capital. Destroying about three tall buildings in just one shot. And heartlessly killing the terrified innocent people, fleeing down on the street in a desperate attempt to get as far away from the gigantic mobile suit as possible.

Yet when the next scene show the Impulse doing battle with the Destroy. Both of Athrun's green eyes widen slightly as he instantaneously realized that a certain white and blue mobile suit had carefully and very stealthy been cut out off these images.

"What...the Freedom it's...gone" he said quietly. Seriously not getting why exactly the Chairman found it necessary to keep the Freedom's involvement in this battle a secret.

And as the Chairman began explaining to the world how Zaft forces had fought so bravely to stop the Destroy gundam's attack on North Eurasia.

The young Zala felt like so many times before. The deep nagging suspicion in the back of his mind. That the Chairman was only telling the world what was convenient for him. And that this whole thing was nothing else other than some well thought out play, he had put together for the millions of people watching.

'Just what the heck is that man up to?' Athrun questioned inside his mind. While tightly squeezing his right fist together in a deeply frustrated fashion, as he tried his best to figure out the true meaning to what the Chairman was saying right now.

Yet while the blue haired man was so occupied doing that. He didn't really notice, that Nicol was currently studying his face with a deep thoughtful look in both of his brown eyes.

He did not really know why. But for some reason just hearing Athrun's small comment about the Freedom's disappearance from these videos, really served to make the former pilot of the Blitz gundam, that much more suspicious about his old friend's anti-social behavior these last few weeks.

But before either one of the teens had the necessary time to really go over what was going through their minds right now. Their thoughts was loudly brought to an end when the Chairman slammed both of his hands down into his desk.

"And that's just some of the things these terrorist have done. They will do everything to make sure that we continue fighting each other for as long as possible! But the honest truth is, that neither of us truly wants to keep on doing battle with each other, through one gruesome war after another. And that means that the only sure way we can obtain ever lasting peace is by getting rid of these terrorist!" He explained loudly to the entire world.

Just as a certain pink haired woman slowly entered from the right, and made her way over next to him. Where she gently place a hand on his left shoulder. "The Chairman is right, everybody, we need to work together to put an end to all of this. And make it so that we can all finally live in peace and harmony together without being manipulated to fight by these people" Meer Campbell said in a calm tone, while smiling softly to the many people watching this.

Taking a brief glance up at one of his more expensive investments. The Chairman could not help but smirk slightly to himself. He felt absolutely certain, that if there had been any kind of doubt about the sincerity in his words, it would mostly be gone now from just the mere sight of this girl.

Having spend such a large amount of money on making Meer Campbell look exactly like Lacus Yamato had definitely been worth it.

Just hearing this woman agreeing with him about how much of a threat Logos was to all of them, should be more than enough to make just about everybody fall right into the palm of his hand. Which meant that it would not be long now, before a very big part of humanity would be following his will blindly without question.

And while still thinking about how he would soon be manipulating a huge part of this world's population. Durandal once more, began talking to the millions of soon to be servants out there.

"And seeing as there is just noway Lord Djibril and the other Logos members will ever cease with their cruelty against all of humanity. I'm going to launch a campaign with the sole intention of putting an end to Logos once and for all!" Gilbert said in a deeply determined tone.

Which instantly made just about every man and woman around the world cheer loudly. Each and every one of them, sincerely believing that they would soon be living in peace again because of what the Chairman was going to do. And it only took a few minor seconds, then a huge part of the world's population was continuously chanting Durandal again and again.

Yet while pretty much everybody else gather down there in the Minerva's mess hall was smiling and cheerfully talking about what was going on right now. The former pilot of the Justice gundam had a completely different reaction to all of this. No matter how Athrun looked at this, he just couldn't help but thinking that it was a bad idea that Gilbert Durandal had so much influence over the world.

So after just standing there a few seconds longer listening to the others talk about how great the Chairman was, he slowly turned around and started making his way over towards the exit of the mess hall, with a deep highly thoughtful frown on his forehead.

Watching as her crush left the room without saying a word to anybody. Meyrin felt a deeply worried expression appear on her face as she turned and looked over at her older sister. "I wonder what could be bothering him. He did seem a tiny bit absent minded under the Chairman's speech" the pigtail girl said, not doing anything to hide how concerned she was about Athrun right now.

Having of course also noticed Athrun's somewhat weird behavior, Lunamaria tried her best not to show her little sister that she too was honestly a bit worried about him right now.

The female pilot might have gotten over her own crush on Athrun Zala. But she knew that was far from the case with her little sister and that Meyrin still held a deep admiration towards the blue haired man.

Even though it was pretty obvious that he himself was deeply in-love with Cagalli Yula Athha and didn't have eyes for anybody else than her.

Which was the reason why Lunamaria sincerely wished, that Meyrin could somehow get over whatever feelings she had for Athrun and find somebody else, who would return her feelings. Before the day came when the war was over and the blue haired man was reunited with his blonde love and her younger sister would end up with a broken heart, at seeing the two of them together.

And while still thinking about that, Lunamaria slowly reached over, and placed her one good hand on Meyrin's shoulder. "With all the things the Chairman just told us in his speech, Meyrin. Athrun is probably a little rattled up right now, and just needs a little time to himself to figure it all out. So please try not to worry to much about him, Meyrin" the older redhead said in a reassuring voice, while giving her sister's shoulder a light calming squeeze.

Remaining completely silent for a short moment or two, Meyrin gave her lower lips a light bite while looking down at the floor with a deeply far away gaze in both of her blue eyes.

Meyrin might not say it out loud, but the younger redhead was quite frankly having some serious doubts, that it had only been the Chairman's speech which had been bothering Athrun. In her eyes he had actually looked extremely pissed off about something when leaving the room.

And just remembering the highly displeased expression on his face, really served to make the pigtail girl wonder, just what exactly could have been going through his mind at that exact moment in time.

But even though it was pretty impossible for the young woman to deny how much she wanted to head off and go search for Athrun right now. There was a small part of her that reluctantly realized, that even if she did find him, it was highly unlikely that he was actually going to tell her anything seeing as the two of them wasn't nearly as close, as Meyrin sincerely wished they were.

And knowing that if Athrun really did have some kind of problem, he would probably much rather talk it through, with either Nicol or her sister. Then a person which he had just barely spoken with more than two or three times around the ship.

So while trying her best not to show Luna or Nicol her disappointment over not being able to help out her crush, Meyrin let out a deep sigh as she started making her way over to the place, where she had left her gossip magazine.

Seeing her leave like that and having a pretty good idea about what was going on in her sister's mind right now, Lunamaria simply couldn't help but feel slightly sorry for her right now.

But even though Lunamaria honestly hated seeing her sister so far down in the dumps. She had long since realized that there was not a single thing she could do to help Meyrin get over the crush she had on Athrun Zala. Other than being ready with a huge bucket of ice cream when Meyrin finally realized that his heart belong to Cagalli Yula Athha and nobody else.

Yet while Luna was standing there worrying about her younger sister. Nicol was seriously wondering if the things bothering Athrun was really as simple as Lunamaria had made them seem to be.

But as much as Nicol wanted to talk with Athrun about all of this, it was pretty obvious from their little chat earlier, that Athrun was completely determined to keep his mouth shut about the real problem, no matter what. 'Guess there is nothing else I can do than wait until he feels like taking about it' Nicol thought with a sour look on his face.

Then turned and looked over at the lovely redhead beside him. "By the way, Luna. Isn't it about that time you are suppose to be down in the med-bay to have the doctor do that small check-up on you arm he mentioned to you yesterday?" The green haired man asked in usual well mannered tone.

Hearing that question, Lunamaria instantly snapped back out of her thoughts and looked down at her watch. "Ahh damn it all! Why didn't you remind me about that sooner, Nicol? I had to be down there twenty minutes ago!" She yelled so loud that not one person in the mess hall had any kind of trouble hearing her.

But just as she was about to rush off, she suddenly stopped in her tracks and looked back at Nicol. "As punishment for not saying anything about this sooner you are going to escort me down there, Nicol Amalfi!" She declared in a loud tone which made it completely obvious that he had no choice.

So he just remained quiet as Lunamaria dragged him along with her out of the mess hall.

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Meanwhile back in Rey's and Shinn's room.

The red eyed boy slowly turned around in his seat, and looked back at Rey, who had shown up about three minutes after Captain Gladys had left the room. "Do you really think he is going to go through with this, Rey?" The teenager asked, while thinking about everything the Chairman had said in his speech to the world.

Smiling confidently at his dark haired friend, the blond man began talking in a voice, which matched the look on his face perfectly. "I do believe he is, Shinn. And you and I are going to do our utmost to help him accomplish these goals, we can always start with that" Rey said. As he nodded a single time towards the frozen image of the Freedom gundam.

Hearing those words Shinn didn't waste anytime in turning his attention back towards the blue and white mobile suit. And after looking at it for a small moments it did not take long, before a more wicked look appeared on the young man's face.

"Yeah, you are right Rey let's continue. I still don't know how yet but I promise you that I am going to be the one to defeat the Freedom" the boy growled with an evil glint in both of his eyes.

Seeing that look, and knowing how serious Shinn was taking this and with him so utterly determined to avenge the pilot of the Gaia. Rey Za Burrel felt pretty certain that it would only be a matter of a little time now, then they would finally be able to put an end to the Archangel and Kira Yamato.

And just the mere thought, of finally being able to correct that mistake called the Ultimate Coordinator, was more than enough to make the grin on Rey's face grew that much bigger.

"I'm really pleased to hear that, Shinn, just be careful that you do NOT underestimate this guy. Even though I dislike the Freedom pilot greatly. It can most certainly can not be denied, that he does have some very impressive skills in that machine. He is actually moving that mobile suit around, like a normal person would move around one's own body" Rey explained in a highly serious tone.

Just as the extremely fast blue winged mobile suit on the screen, disconnected the right arm on Heine's orange GOUF.

"That's why! I have been studying all of these video footages of him fighting for the last five hours now, Rey. There is just no way I'm going to lose to this guy ever again, Rey. I know that the Freedom is a more powerful machine than the Impulse. But with all of the Silhouette packs I should have a few advantages against this guy" Shinn said not once taking his eyes away from the Freedom.

Nodding slightly at that Rey slowly brought his hand up, and rubbed his chin in a thoughtful manner. "Hmm, you are right, Shinn. The Silhouette packs definitely are the key to beat this guy. You might not have noticed it yet, Shinn. But the Freedom pilot actually do have a pretty large weakness in his fighting style. Which the Impulse's changing ability could easily take advantages off" Rey explained calmly.

Quickly blinking a couple of times at that, Shinn slowly moved his eyes over the screen.

But with the Freedom's incredible fast movements, he didn't really notice what the white and blue gundam was doing differently than anybody else.

"I don't really get it, Rey. He moves fast and his shots are so damn accura..." the short tempered teen said. When he suddenly realized that he had found what he had been looking for.

And truly happy to know that his red eyed friend had finally noticed, the one thing about the way Kira Yamato fought in the Freedom that would help him immensely when the time came, for him to do battle with the white and blue mobile suit. "That's correct, Shinn. He always leaves the cockpit intact and only goes for the camera or the weapons. And that's the way the Impulse is going to win" Rey said calmly.

Then reached over and pressed a few buttons on the keyboard. Which made the status report over the Saviour's damage appear up on the screen. Where one could easily tell that even with all of the damages the red transformable mobile suit had sustained in it's final moments. It hadn't been anywhere near it's cockpit.

"This is it, Rey! I can use this against him" Shinn said in a wicked tone. Extremely pleased with this discovery.

But even after finding this highly important information about the Freedom. The two Minerva pilots continued their hunt for anymore weakness' in the Freedom pilot's fighting style.

Each one of them realizing that the more knowledge they had about this guy, the better Shinn's chances was to defeat him.

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At the same time elsewhere.

Two glass' and an expensive looking laptop, was violently thrown of a desk and down on the floor where all three items broke on contact. Not that Lord Djibril cared all that much about that right now.

The only thing going through the terrorist leader's mind was what Gilbert Durandal had just done. "To hell with that man! If I ever get the chance, I'm going to strangle him with my bare hands!" Djibril promised himself loudly.

And without even a moments hesitation, he picked up his chair and threw it with full force, into the about thirty videophones located on the wall, destroying a large part of them in the process. Which didn't really matter all that much to him at the moment. Truth be told it did actually help calm him down a tiny bit after hearing Durandal tell just about every person in existence about him and his organization.

So while standing there looking over all the destruction he had caused in his own office. He came to the realization, that if he could not kill Gilbert Durandal right here and now, he needed something else to take his frustration out on instead.

And with that in mind, the pissed off terrorist leader pulled his right leg back and gave his desk an extremely hard kick. Sending it and everything on it, crashing loudly to the floor. And making his small cat miaw in a frightened manner, as the poor animal hurried raced across the room, and over to a large potted plant in the corner, which it had the habit of sleeping behind.

Now however it was obviously a somewhat desperate attempt to get away from him and his loud rampage, before he could continue with his mindless destruction of the once nice room.

But with pretty much everything in there now broken, there wasn't really much else he could take his anger out on. So in the end he just stood there tightly squeezing both of his fist together, while muttering about how much he truly hated Gilbert Durandal and the rest of those accursed Coordinators.

"Someday Durandal I'm going to send you and the rest of your kind straight to hell!" He growled angrily.

Then slowly went over to the place where his pet was hiding. "Come here Emperor, we need to get out of here. Before some of those idiots who believes Durandal's words shows up here searching for trouble" the sliver haired man muttered, with more than a little hatred in his voice, as he kneel down and picked up the still frightened animal.

That did seem somewhat tempted to try and get away from him, but that was only until he began stroking it's soft fur. Then it instantly purred softly in enjoyment as it visibly relaxed in his arms.

And once the terrorist leader was absolutely certain that the cat wouldn't run off, should it get the chance.

He hurried made his way over to the door. Completely determined to get away from this place before any of Durandal's new followers could show up.

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Meanwhile on the Archangel.

None of the crew members gathered up on the ship's bridge was overly cheerful after hearing what the Chairman had just told the world. "Holy chap, this is bad! No wait, it actually gives the word BAD a whole new meaning!" Dearka complained loudly, from where he was standing next to Miriallia's seat.

Only to turn his attention over on Kira immediately afterwards. "Am I really the only one here who feels like taking off for the nearest Zaft base and just beat the crap out of the entire place?" He asked. Even though he realized that it was highly unlikely that they where actually going to do something like that.

Thinking briefly about his friend's question, Kira honestly had to admit that he too was quite tempted to start making trouble for Zaft and the Chairman. Especially when he thought about how the Chairman had tried to have Lacus assassinated not long ago.

And just the mere thought of how close Gilbert Durandal had been to take away his wife and a great deal of other people who he loved and cared about, was more than enough to send an almost freezing cold shiver, down his spine. "As much as I want to stop the Chairman as quickly as possible Dearka. I seriously don't think it would be wise for us to destroy a Zaft base now. Especially not when the entire world sees Durandal as a hero" Kira growled displeased.

Having of course no trouble at all understanding the logic in what Kira had just said, Cagalli simply could not stop herself from narrowing both of her eyes in a deeply angry fashion.

"Then what the heck are we suppose to do, Kira? We can't just sit around here and do nothing after this!" The highly cranky woman told him loudly.

Not saying a single thing to that at first, the male Yamato, just stood there with a far away expression on his face. Obviously thinking quite hard about what Cagalli had just said to him.

And finally after what seemed like an eternity for everybody else up there, he let out a deep thoughtful breath, which made the few strands of hair hanging down in front of his forehead fly around slightly. "I think it would probably be best, if we start preparing to head back to Orb. I seriously have no idea about what his next move are going to be. But the only sure way we can make certain that Orb is prepared for whatever is going to happen next, is by getting you back there, Cagalli" the Freedom pilot said in a tone, which made it completely clear to all of them that he was taking this matter highly serious.

Looking silently at him for a small moment or two, the young woman realized that her brother was right. If something did happen back home in Orb, it was more than a little unlikely, that the Seirans would be able to do anything about it, knowing how utterly selfish both Unato and Yuna truly was, it didn't take a genius to tell that if the country did fall under attack from either Zaft or somebody else.

Those two idiots would most likely be more interested in saving their own hides, than any of the Orb citizens. And just the mere thought of those two bastards getting away unpunished, after everything they had done, was all that was needed to make Cagalli's blood boil more than ever before.

"You are right, Kira. We need to get back there as quickly as possible! I want to be there so I can make certain that it's not the citizens, that ends up paying for all of Yuna's and his father's brain dead mistakes!" The blond woman growled determinedly.

And with a sour look in her eyes, which made it completely clear to all of them, that she was really looking forward to show the two Seirans what she really thought of them and everything they had done since this war broke out.

She did however not get long to really daydream about just how great it would be to strangle both Unato and Yuna, when Dearka's loud voice, suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

"That sounds like a plan to me! So when do we leave exactly?" The blond man asked. Seriously hoping that it would not take much time for them to get back there. Since it had been quite a while now since they had last heard anything from Kazuma, and with him being their eyes and ears on the Orb politicians, there was of course the possibility that he had been discovered by somebody.

And if that really was the case, the only thing the former Zaft pilot could do was hope that his fellow Murasame pilot and friend had been locked up somewhere. And not lost his life to some of the Seiran's mindless supporters.

Yet while he stood there considering just how big a beating he was going to give the two male Seirans had they really gotten his newest friend killed.

Cagalli was studying the slightly angry expression on his face, which kinda made the pregnant woman wonder, just what in the world he could be thinking about right now. But quickly realizing that it had most likely something to do with the Seirans.

The pregnant woman was about to tell Dearka, that they where leaving right away and that they would not stop until they reached Orb.

But before she could even get her mouth open, Murrue cut her off. "We'll leave at dawn tomorrow morning. So I'll strongly advise that we all turn in early tonight and get some much needed sleep. It can not be denied that it is quite a long trip back to Orb, and there definitely is the possibility that somebody will try and attack us while we are still over land. And I do believe that we will better be able to handle something like that, if we are all well rested!" The Captain said in a highly serious tone.

Not overly pleased with the idea of delaying their departure, Cagalli felt more than just a little tempted to start complaining and insist on that they left for Orb right this instant. But unwillingly realizing that she herself was quite exhausted right now, and could really use a few hours of sleep.

So while forcing back a yawn, she softly told the people up there what she was going to do next.

"I really, really want to leave now, but I guess that not even Arnold can't pilot the Archangel if he is half asleep. So if there is nothing more to talk about, I think I'll go down and have something to eat. And then go to bed afterwards" the blond woman said, then turned and walked slowly out of the room, before any of the others had the chance to say anything else to her.

Watching his blond sister leave like that, Kira could not help but smile a bit. "Hmm, that was a surprise. I was seriously expecting her to start complaining" the Freedom pilot said. Honestly a bit relieved that they did not have to get into a long discussion with Cagalli about their plans for departure.

Hearing him say that, Miriallia slowly turned her attention away from the door and over at him. "She is probably quite worn out right now, being pregnant can be quite exhausting with all of the changes the body goes through" the brunette explained.

Then slowly stood up, and stretched both of her arms up over her head, while smiling slightly at the people around her. "But I do think we should follow her example and go get something to eat" the girl said next, just as she reached out and gently wrapped her fingers around Dearka's hand.

Totally agreeing with her big sister on that, Mayu yelled out a single thing, before she rushed full speed out of the room. "I second that! I'm famished over here!" The girl shouted loudly.

And as the door flew shut behind her, Murrue slowly shook her head a few times, as she and everybody else up there went after their youngest crew member.

To be continued.

Hey guys, this chapter was a tough one to write, I did not want Durandal's speech to be an exact copy of the one in the anime. I think I only half succeed in changing it, hopefully you guys still find it interesting. Next as for Djibril's cat, I really have no idea about what that animal is called, but I thought that the name Emperor was a pretty good name for a terrorist leader's pet.