Phase-05: Scars that won't heal
"Solar wind velocity remains the same. Flare level at S3. Estimated arrival time: 30 seconds."
"Hurry. What about unit 9?" Sato, a man with black hair, sharp eyes and features, and a scar across his nose, questioned. He and many other ZAFT units were standing guard and checking the progress of the operation. Those ZGMF-1017M2 GINN High Maneuver Type II were designed for high mobility. Rather and being equipped with MMI-M729 thruster engines in its backpack, it was fitted with large versions of normal thrusters for higher mobility during close combat. The suit also featured additional, enhanced vernier thrusters, an improved sensor system in its head, and was armed with a MA-M92 sword modeled after a katana, a shield, and a MMI-M636K beam carbine. It might not be very armed but this sword could easily slice a ZAKU's armor, and a skilled pilot could bisect three GINNs in a row with a single slash. Worker pods finished fixing innumerable machines to the remains of Junius Seven, and notably to the cables floating like the tentacles of a jellyfish. Those flare motors would harness the solar winds and make the wrecked colony deviate from its orbit.
"Yes, almost ready."
"Emitted particle arrival confirmed. Beginning countdown to flare motors activation." The pods pressed numbers on the giant numerical pads and quickly left the area with their escorts. "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. Particle flux, detected! Flare motors activated!" The blue light on the machines turned red, and the ruins groaned and rumbled sinisterly as they were forced off their immutable course. "Junius Seven has started to move." The mobile suits saluted.
"Allen... Christine..." The scarred man gazed at the three photos taped to his cockpit. On one there were three friendly ZAFT pilots in green suits. On the second, he and the woman he was holding were smiling happily. And on the last, a young man alone in green uniform. "After this, I can finally see you again..." His voice full of emotions, he lowered his head and closed his eyes. "Now, fall! Our great tombstone! On a world that has forgotten the voices of lamentations, that closes its eyes to reality, and continues to live in overflowing deception!"
Panic and confusion had taken over ZAFT's orbital station where the all too alarming situation concerning the vestiges of the PLANT destroyed during the Bloody Valentine Incident in C.E. 70 was continually and thoroughly monitored. Junius Seven had accelerated by another 2% and remained on a collision course with Earth. They were frantically trying to find out why such a thing could be happening. Considering its mass, it was unthinkable its course could be changed so easily! And they still hadn't been able to contact the Chairman aboard the Minerva! What steps could they take to avoid the collision?! What to do about warning Earth?!
In the Minerva that was still undergoing reparations next to the asteroid, Burt Heim also suddenly detected the change of orbit of Junius Seven... as well as its new destination... Talia draped a sheet over her naked body and answered the communication on her laptop. It was Meyrin, she had the Supreme Council online for the Chairman. The woman turned to Gilbert who was on her bed, wearing just a bathrobe. He lifted his eyes from the files he was looking through and nodded gravely at her.
"What?! Junius Seven is moving?! But why?!" Cagalli exclaimed after the Chairman and captain had explained the situation to her and her companions. They were in the same meeting room as when they had convened right after the ship left Armory One. However, Durandal didn't know the answer to that question either. The undeniable fact was it was moving, at great speed, and on the most dangerous possible route. Talia added they had been able to confirm the same with their own crew. Alex insisted. Junius Seven was supposed to be on a stable orbit, safe for hundreds of years! How could that happen? Gilbert suggested a collision with a meteor, or some other factor. But the bottom line was that even as they were speaking, it was heading towards Earth. "If it falls... if it falls, what'll happen to Orb, and to Earth?" Cagalli clasped her hands that had started trembling. She was clearly beginning to panic.
"...Given its size and mass, you surely know the answer to that question very well without asking." Seren replied after a time. She looked poised as she sat next to her sister. But from her stiffness, her voice she was trying to contain, and her fists balled on her lap, you could tell it was just a façade. Chacha was back in her pocket.
"The PLANTs are doing everything they can to find out how this happened as well as how to avoid this collision. I must apologize for involving you in yet another accident but I have ordered the Minerva to proceed towards Junius Seven as soon as the repairs are finished. Fortunately, we happen to be in close proximity. I hope for your understanding, princess." Durandal informed. The surprised teens looked at each other and turned back to him.
"Of course! This is a grave concern to us too... no... especially to us!" The Chief Representative of Orb hung her head that she held in her hands before looking up again and curling her fists. "If... if there's anything at all that I can do to help..." She stammered.
"For now please calm down. Fretting so much won't do any good. The worse the situation, the clearer your head needs to be in order to find a solution." Ledford placed a hand on Cagalli's shoulder.
"I understand your feelings. If there's anything you can do, we'll be sure to ask you." The Chairman assented. Talia told them that although that might be difficult, they were going to try and establish direct contact with Orb, and also that they were taking steps to have a ship pick them up as soon as possible. Her head down, the Orb leader apologized for the trouble and thanked them. She looked so distraught.
In the lounge, all the youngest crew members, those under twenty, had gathered to discuss the latest events, and notably Junius Seven. The participants included the three Red Coats, as well as Vino, Yolan, Meyrin (who, as part of the bridge staff, was usually the first one informed of anything) and two other members. Vino also wondered how the colony could have moved, and Yolan gave the same answer as the Chairman. Shinn asked if it was really on a collision course with Earth and Meyrin confirmed. That was what Burt-san had said. Luna complained. First the robbery at Armory One, and now that... even though the first incident wasn't even settled... Just what was going on?
"But what should we do?" Cagalli wondered in a low voice, unaware that Lunamaria was asking the same question to her comrades. The female pilot looked at Yolan, who looked at Vino, who turned to Shinn. The three Orb civilians had left the room and were walking in a hallway, with the blonde girl in the middle.
"It's not like we have many options... no, actually, there's only one..." The ambassadress said grimly.
"Smash it to pieces. That's the only solution." Athrun and Rey replied simultaneously, shocking the others.
"It's impossible to change its orbit, if we want to avoid a collision, there's no choice but to smash it." Rey reasoned. The mechanics argued that thing was huge, even split in half, its diameter was at least 8km. How could they smash something that big? The three youngsters from Orb stopped by the entrance and peered in the lounge as they overheard the conversation.
"And many of the bodies of those who died are still there." Meyrin noted sadly. Ledford hung her head. It was also the grave of Athrun's mother.
"But if it collides, Earth will be annihilated." The blonde pilot maintained. Seren drew closer to Athrun and gripped his hand when he made a pained expression. He hung his head and tightly squeezed her hand. "After that, nothing will remain... nothing that lives there now." Rey added.
"Earth... destroyed?" Vino stuttered fearfully.
"That's right." His dark-skinned friend confirmed. Meyrin said it was terrible. She sounded really sad. Shinn looked down, keeping quiet. From his expression, he seemed to have conflicted feelings about it. Za Burrel observed his reactions. "But well, that's not something that can be helped, can it?" Kent continued. Since he had his back to them, he did not notice the Orb envoys at the door, or how much his careless remark had appalled the Representative. "It's beyond our control! But it might end up being easier for us the PLANTs since it'll eliminate all kinds of hassles."
"How can you guys talk that way?!" Cagalli snapped as she entered, startling everyone. The seated stood up and saluted. "'It can't be helped'?! 'End up being easier'?! Do you have any idea how serious this is?! What could happen to Earth?! How many people will die as a result?! Do you realize what you're saying?!" She stormed. The contrite boy apologized. Luna glanced back at Shinn, the only one who had not saluted, and who had until now, pretended not to see them. The head of state gritted her teeth. What was that feeble excuse of an apology? Seren spoke her name warningly but she didn't listen. "Or is that the way you people from ZAFT think after all? We went through that war! We suffered so much! And finally under Chairman Durandal's administration things seemed to be changing! Is that not the case?!" She cried out.
"That's enough, Cagalli." Seren stepped forth and firmly placed her hands on her shoulders and made her face her. From her expression and tone, it was obvious she believed her sister had said too much.
"It's not as if Yolan really meant what he said." Asuka intervened. Cagalli glared at him. "You can't even understand that?" He questioned disdainfully.
"What was that?!" Athha said menacingly and was about to march towards him but Seren extended her arm before her, stopping her.
"However, you people should also understand that this is not the time for that sort of careless remarks. Please be careful not to voice such words that would invite misunderstandings, because such misunderstandings lead to conflicts. If something similar happened to the PLANTs and people from Earth could do something about it but someone joked inconsiderately 'It's beyond our control so it can't be helped. More like if it could destroy those annoying hourglasses, it could save us a lot of trouble...' How would you react? By being thoughtful of others, putting yourself in their position, you may reach an understanding and help avoid conflict." The diplomat spoke strictly. Yolan apologized again, even more earnestly. "It's fine if you understand." Ledford smiled gently and understandingly.
"There it is, that disgusting hypocrisy... What do you mean by 'being thoughtful of others and putting yourself in their position'? When have you ever done that?" Shinn retorted, full of bitterness and contempt. Rey berated him for his rudeness. "Oh, that's right. Those people are important aren't they? They're Orb's Representative and Ambassadress after all." He closed his eyes and smiled smugly, his polite speech only serving to show his sarcasm more keenly given his disrespectful phrasing and attitude. That caused the blonde leader to snap again, and once more, her sibling stopped her.
"Cagalli, he seems to be at the rebellious age and constantly challenges authority. Every child goes through that. But you have better things to do than reply to his cheap provocations, right?" The brown-haired girl wrapped an arm around her sister's shoulders.
"What?!" Shinn shot angrily. He apparently detested being treated like a child.
"I take it you dislike Orb. May I ask why?" Athrun stepped forth to defend the girls. "I hear you used to live there. If you're trying to pick a fight with the Representative and Ambassadress for some unrelated, trivial reason, I will not allow it." He warned sternly.
"Trivial? I won't allow anyone to call it trivial! And unrelated? You're completely wrong on that too!" He threateningly marched towards the two women. "My family was killed by the Athhas! We believed in the nation... and we believed in your so-called ideals... and in the end, my family was killed at Onogoro!" Tears of rage and sorrow had started beading at the corner of his red eyes. He glared accusingly at the Orb leader who recoiled. "That's why I will never believe you! And I will never believe the nation of Orb! I'll never believe any of your idealism again! When you said you'd protect this nation's justice, did you ever stop to think how many lives would be lost as a result of your insistence?!" He raged, crunching his can of black coffee in his hand. Cagalli was bewildered, distressed, horrified... the lives that were lost... like her father and her friends Mayura, Asagi, and Juri... "I don't want someone who doesn't have a clue to talk like she knows everything!" He burst at them. Seren balled her fists. She too was thinking about her own father who died with Uzumi-sama. She was thinking about all those who died defending Orb, their nation's ideals and who had entrusted them with the light of hope... She thought of those who died at Jachin Due, Mu-san, Natarle-san, Flay, Cagalli's friends, and so many others... What did HE know about them and the weight on their shoulders?! And catching her expression, Athrun found himself regretting his military uniform, had he been wearing a military uniform, he might or might not have done it but at least he would have had the authority to punch that guy.
"You... what's your name? How old are you?" Ledford inquired.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Are you scared?"
"...Shinn Asuka, I'm 16."
"Shinn... you're right. Back then, we didn't have the strength to protect everyone, and we still don't. And we're resenting it even now. So, knowing that if Orb sided with the Earth Alliance, we would have been forced to help destroy or be destroyed by ZAFT – and if we sided with ZAFT, we would have been forced to help destroy, or be destroyed by the Earth Alliance... what should have been done? Then, had you been the Chief Representative of Orb then, what would YOU have done?! If you know that much, and you're always right, then please, by all means, enlighten us." Seren smiled, but it was an extremely cold smile.
"Eh? That's... I... I would have..."
"Or maybe you think it's alright to burn other countries as long as only you are safe?"
"I didn't say that!"
"Then, did you think you're the only one who lost people in that war? Did you know that the Orb leaders also sacrificed themselves at Onogoro for what they believed in? And that Cagalli too lost her family that day? And that she lost friends at Jachin Due? If you don't believe in our ideals, then what do you believe in? What do you fight for? If you think we were wrong to stay neutral, then who would you have sided with? What do you think would have happened then? What should have been done to prevent all those lives from being lost? You must have the solution since you're shooting your mouth off like this. It must be easy for you, since you know better, right?" Ledford challenged him relentlessly, cynically.
"Th-that's-"
"We wanted a world where Coordinators like you, like us, wouldn't be discriminated and could be together with Naturals, and we decided to dedicate our entire lives to that cause, because without a cause, war is nothing but plain destruction and mass slaughter. It's easy to criticize, blame, resent, and hate others. It's much more difficult to understand and actually find some constructive solutions like we're trying to do. We know what we did, and we're the ones who bear the lives and wishes of those people on our shoulders. So you too, think, think like you never did before, wrack your brain, wreck your nerves, agonize as you search your hardest for an answer. The more people think about it, the better. We'll gladly listen to ideas." She glared at him. Even though she looked and sounded implacable, it was not impossible to detect the desperation in her voice and amber eyes. "But now, you're just shooting your mouth off without offering any sort of constructive answer or even trying to think of one. You don't know what it means to bear the weight of a country, and speak just like a pissed-off brat who believes he's the only unhappy guy and can't do anything but blame others to vent his anger and frustration..." The brown haired girl suddenly smiled condescendingly after a pause. Shinn could be quite brutal and exacting but Seren even more so.
"What did you say?!" He balled his fists and took a step forward, all the more outraged since he felt that this woman had hit the bull's-eye. "Shinn!" Rey yelled warningly. Shinn glared at him, the two Orb women, and stormed away after bumping into them. Vino ran after his friend. Athrun glanced back at them.
"I guess I said too much. That was unbecoming of me. I still have a lot to learn." Ledford sighed and smiled good-heartedly. The last part of her speech had been unnecessary. After all... "a pissed-off brat who thinks he's the only unhappy guy and can't do anything" huh? I'm not exactly one to talk since I was the same at his age... and so was Kira... But of course Ledford did not pipe a word about it. She should have handled things better... but her fatigue was starting to get the best of her. Ever since the end of the war, she had never stopped fighting. The diplomatic front was just another battlefield, though different from the one she was used to. She was feeling the tension mounting, the pressure she was under rising, then this attack on Armory One, the pursuit... and now Junius Seven... "And what about you? What are your names?" She recovered her gentle demeanor. Lunamaria Hawke, Rey Za Burrel, Meyrin Hawke, Yolan Kent, and the others awkwardly introduced themselves. "We're in the middle of a gunpowder plant. Everything can go up in flames at a moment's notice. We'll need everyone's best effort to stop this. Front or rear doesn't matter. Everyone is fighting in their own ways. That's why we'll be counting on you." She smiled so openly, so candidly and her voice was so clear. The listeners were charmed by her strength and tenderness, her sincerity and faith in them... and before they noticed, they couldn't help but respond to her feelings. They saluted. "Please relay that message to the two who ran off as well." It was then Chacha came out of her pocket and climbed her arm to her shoulder. Ledford noticed the expressions some women and youngsters had as they stared at the cute little thing. She cradled her robotic companion in her hands and showed it to them. "Want to pet it?" She offered. The squirrel chattered. The Hawke sisters, and notable Meyrin gladly accepted. Watching them, Rey smiled slightly but kindly, closed his eyes, and walked away.
A large manor on Earth, surrounded by forests and mountains –
Men, obviously possessing significant wealth and influence had gathered in a room to discuss the current situation. Some of them were playing billiards, drinking, smoking... while coolly talking about the unprecedented danger the Earth was in, a scenario of the destruction of the world... The youngest member, Djibril, new leader of Blue Cosmos, had ordered Phantom Pain to return and investigate it just in case. The others questioned the point of an investigation, but that was exactly what was going to be investigated. One of the billiards player, Bruno Azrael, relative of deceased Blue Cosmos leader Muruta Azrael commented about the Atlantic Federation's position. He couldn't imagine them sitting back and letting that thing fall, but they'd be busy with evacuation issues and plans should it fall. Djibril expressed his shock he had received when he had heard about Junius Seven. How could it be?! Why in the world?! At first that was all he could think about. Lally McWilliams, Graham Nelleis, and Celestine Groht told him to stop with the useless preamble but that was precisely the point. Given the situation, the whole world was soon going to ask the same questions. Then they had to provide them with answers. Duncan Luis Mockelberg and the young Adam Vermilyea were listening attentively to the debate. Durandal of the PLANTs had already issued a warning to all Earth nations and sent the message that he was doing everything in his power to avoid a collision and deal with the situation. His fellows noted the PLANTs' Chairman quick reactions. Well, they were panicking too. Then, was that fall truly a natural phenomenon? Alwin Ritter wondered. If that was the case...
"No, none of that matters anymore... What's important is what happens after this disaster... When the people search for answers as they weep, the answers we provide them will be important. Regardless of what caused it, it's a fact that one clumsy stupid object above our heads is going to fall to Earth very soon. Think about it! Because of that thing, we end up looking spineless as we run around trying to find a way out of this mess! Somebody must pay for that humiliation. But who?! Why, of course, the Coordinators who built that thing in the first place! Am I wrong?!" He prompted them. There were murmurs. There were fine with it but Bruno argued that at this rate, depending on the amount of casualties, they may no longer have the strength to fight a war. "That's why I have gathered you here today. Taking shelter and escaping are fine, but immediately after that, we will attack them at once... with that plan. I wanted you all to understand this beforehand." Despite his youth, or probably because of it Djibril was clearly the most ambitious and aggressive of the group, which made him the de-facto leader of this secret society. The proposal appeared to meet general consensus. With a growing hatred for Coordinators, the people will be fired up... if there were any left. They would unite those people with a love called 'hatred'… As Alwin concluded, the plan was approved by everyone. Djibril thanked them. However, he was required to have a detailed strategy ready after the incident, when they would all meet again.
The head of Blue Cosmos watched his peers leave his manor. They were still worried about the casualties. Wars were fine but those sorts of things were troublesome. And indeed, all those aristocratic men were actually the picture of decadence... LOGOS... the merchants of deaths... a large paramilitary industrial organization that started wars to stir up profits. Well, whatever the case, it was all for the sake of their 'blue and pure world'. Djibril took a billiards ball and threw it. The sound of broken glass was heard. He might have successfully manipulated those wishy-washy old geezers into accepting his plan but every single time, it was still too much to get a single thing done. There shouldn't be a need for their approval!
However, while there were those like them who sat back, far in the darkest shadows of the rear and pulled the strings from there, there were youths who would fight at the front. Although right now, Auel and Sting were playing a card game. Stella was mesmerized by tropical fishes in an aquarium. And aboard his Nazca-class destroyer Voltaire, Yzak Joule, wearing the white uniform of the Commander, was speaking with a subordinate. The scar he had received in a fight against the Strike and the Blast had been removed. If a scar was considered to be the symbol of a promise to oneself, or a humiliating experience, a symbol of hate and thirst for vengeance, then the fact that he had it removed certainly meant he had come to peace with himself, and with others. Dearka Elsman was there too as his friend's right hand man. However, because of his defection to the Archangel in the previous war, he had been stripped of his elite status and downgraded to being a green uniform. Aside from the Voltaire, Yzak had another Nazca-class, the Rousseau, under his command.
The engines started and the Minerva darted as fast as it could through the debris towards Junius Seven. Talia informed that the Voltaire and Rousseau had loaded the meteor breakers and gone ahead. The Chairman said they should hurry too. Trine asked if the Earth Forces had taken any action but Durandal told him they had yet to receive any word from them. He also noted that even if ships departed from the moon now, they shouldn't be able to make it in time. The best they could do was to fire missiles from the Earth surface but that wouldn't do much more than scorch the surface.
"In any case, Earth is the motherland for us as well. We must do everything we can to deal with this unprecedented danger. What we can do with this ship and its equipment might be limited but I ask that each and every one of you give it your all." The PLANTs' leader declared.
Seren and Athrun entered the room they shared with Cagalli. The female Coordinator had taken Chacha back from its new fans. The blonde and dejected girl was sitting on the armchair, spacing out, her head downcast. She had not even switched the light on. Ledford put a tray of snacks on the desk and Zala the bottles of water. The brunette sighed and knelt down before her and looked up to meet her gaze. They had the same amber eyes.
"Cagalli, you know we can't change the past, so you don't have to beat yourself over it. You already have enough on your shoulders with the present and future. And you knew there would be people who felt this way too." Seren stroked her beloved sister's cheek.
"But...! For him to talk about my father... about our fathers that way..." Cagalli teared up as she recalled her goodbyes with Uzumi Nara Athha when he forced her to board the Kusanagi. Tobias Haydn Ledford, Seren's father, had been there too... to ask her to convey his parting words to his daughter. He had been forced to lie and promise to meet her again or Seren would have stayed and tried to do something about him instead of doing her duty to protect the Archangel and Kusanagi and soar with them into space. And then Uzumi and Tobias had gone up in flames along with the leadership of Orb and military facilities in order to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. The sacrifices from that day were made to protect the larger numbers, to protect the future... a future where people, children, grandchildren, wouldn't be forced to choose a side and fight against the other, where coexistence was possible. But, that didn't lessen the pain and loss in any way, not Cagalli's, and not Seren's, and of course, not Shinn's. But Seren did not allow her emotions to show on her face. That was not the time. "My father suffered a great deal over the decision he made. And yet..."
"But you can't expect him to understand now after all this time simply because I told him off." The brown haired girl tightly hugged her sibling and stroked her hair comfortingly. "Even though you understand, it still pains you, right? Reason doesn't work on pain. Those things take time, a very long time... especially since his head seems to be particularly hard." She plastered a smile.
"Right, there's no way he can understand now. I'm sure it's overwhelming enough for him just to deal with his own feelings." Athrun agreed. He had been the same after that nuclear missile had destroyed Junius Seven, killing 243 721 people, including his own mother. And Kira and Seren had been the same after Heliopolis, and the three of them were forced to fight each other... until they lost Nicol and Tolle... and nearly killed each other.
"So cry a lot, rest a lot, and then start walking again, and thinking of what to do once we're back in Orb depending on how things will unfold. What you can and must do now is not dwell on the past but steel yourself and think of ways to avoid more tragedies." Seren pulled away to better look at her sister's tear-filled face and smiled softly, encouragingly. And Cagalli tackled her in a hug, crying her name, and sobbed on her shoulder. Ledford had also grown used to being tackled by her. She hugged her back and comforted her while Athrun was fondly gazing at them.
"Looking at it again, that thing's really huge." Dearka commented as he looked upon the ruins of Junius Seven.
"Of course it is! We live on one just like this, you know." Yzak replied sharply.
"I'm just telling you that I realize how big our mission to shatter something like this is." The dark skinned blonde young man started leaving.
"Listen! It's not as if we have a lot of time! The Minerva's also on its way. Work effectively!" Commander Joule reminded him. Dearka rogered and saluted with a smile.
"Confirming dodeca-pralimate charges loaded. Ignition on breakers one through four to be set to 215. All others, set to 738." A voiced spoke through the speakers of the hangar of the Voltaire.
Cagalli cried so much she fell asleep, so Ledford and Dino put her on the bed. Seren stroked her sibling's hair one last time and placed Chacha next to her. The robotic flying squirrel chattered a little and curled up on the pillow next to Cagalli's head. The two Coordinators left. But suddenly Athrun took Seren in his arms. She awkwardly asked what it was for.
"You don't need to act strong and cool in front of me. Shinn's words also affected you, right? For Cagalli's sake you held it in and supported her, so you should let me support you." He said softly. Her eyes widened for a second and she tightly hugged him back.
"And here I thought I had nicely concealed my emotions and had confidence I wouldn't be found out. But as usual, you see right through me." She sighed before burying her face in his neck. Her words might have sounded like self-derision, but there was just no way she could properly express how happy and grateful she was to him... how much his words, his embrace, his presence meant to her and comforted her. She could appear strong before others because she had someone with whom she could be weak, because if you kept bottling things up, sooner or later, the bottle would break.
"That's because I'm always looking at you, and I love you. Besides, you could say the same." The young man smiled tenderly. She too could see right through him.
"Right, I could." The girl replied with a faint smile. "I love you." She gazed up at him so earnestly. He was the only one to whom she would show her vulnerable side. Athrun leant in and they kissed. It was a gentle kiss full of love. Then they decided to go. They pecked again and headed towards the bridge with determined expressions. Without even discussing it, they had taken the same decision.
As they reached an elevator, they saw Luna coming out of it. The pilot inquired about the condition of the princess, although it seemed to be only out of politeness and without real interest. To Seren it even sounded as if she was being sarcastic and she considered Cagalli to be an overly emotional, maybe even weak little princess and in need of constant care. But it could also be because Seren was biased.
"She fought in the last war, survived, overcame the death of her father, her friends, and she even rebuilt her destroyed country. She can get over something like this. Thank you for your concern." Ledford answered somewhat sharply with a cynical smile and boarded the elevator before innerly berating herself again: just now she should have apologized for having overreacted earlier, she should have reacted a lot more coolly, instead of making things worse like she just did. Lunamaria turned to her. Apparently, that one had pricked her conscience a little bit.
"I apologize for her abruptness. But just so you know Seren too lost her father and friends during the war. And given what had happened to her mother, it wouldn't have been strange for her to become a bundle of hate and resentment. Instead, she became Cagalli's right hand, her prop and shield on the path to peace and coexistence. So both her and Cagalli... it's not like they don't have a clue." Alex joined his companion in the elevator and Seren pressed a button. The door closed.
"You didn't have to say that. More like, those lines could be sent right back at you. And I did become a bundle of resentment... until I met you and Kira." She stared at him. He too had lost his father, and his comrades... some of them at her and Kira's hands. And despite that, he had once more become their precious friend during the war, and he and Seren had even become lovers, and they were still together. The three of them had been such close friends during their childhood on the moon too.
But before going to the moon, Seren had lost her mother, Helen Ledford, born Canaver, Eileen Canaver's sister, and also a Coordinator. Originally part of the PLANTs, Helen had been recognized as an authority in information science and diplomacy and was systematically part of any embassy sent to foreign countries. A pacifist to the core, she also believed that one should fight for what they believed in and could prove extremely tenacious and fearsome regardless of her 'opponents'. She had met Tobias during one of her missions in Orb and they had fallen in love. She lost her life during a Blue Cosmos attack, although she had managed to protect Seren. Her death had devastated her family. Seren had become utterly withdrawn and Tobias unable to properly do his work as an Orb Representative. So Uzumi-sama and Charles Grant Ledford, Tobias's brother and head of the Ledford family, one of the five noble families of Orb, had decided to send them to the moon to heal quietly. There, Seren met Kira and Athrun who healed her. And later Athrun returned to the PLANTs while Kira's and Seren's families moved to Heliopolis. Well, that said it was only two years ago that she had learned that she had no blood ties to the Ledfords or the Canavers. The only two people to whom she was related by blood were Cagalli and Kira.
"I said it because I wanted to." Because he didn't want her to be misunderstood. And he too had been practically overwhelmed by that spirit of vengeance after Nicol was killed, and until he returned to Orb that was on the verge of destruction by the Earth Alliance and spoke to Kira and Seren.
Shinn was in a lounge, staring at the mobile suits in the hangar. He was dressed in the red pilot suit of the elites whose design had changed since the days of the first war. Rey entered and started typing on a screen. His pilot suit was of the same design but with customized colors. He noticed Shinn anxiously staring at him like a child waiting for his mother to scold him and asked what it was. Asuka looked away and stammered it was nothing.
"Don't worry about it. I'm not upset. What you said was correct." Rey said, guessing the reason behind his friend's uneasiness. Relieved, Shinn smiled slightly. "Although the ambassadress was correct too." The blonde boy added with a teasing smile, causing his comrade to scowl again.
Seren and Athrun entered the bridge. They heard a distance of 1200 was left until they reached Junius Seven. They brought up the optical image. The captain wanted to open a line to the Voltaire but they still couldn't get a normal line.
"What is the matter, Miss Ledford, Athrun, ah, no, Alex, was it?" The Chairman inquired.
"While knowing full well how unreasonable it is, we're still asking you. Please lend my escort and me a mobile suit." The ambassadress requested.
"It's certainly very unreasonable. Do you seriously think I would authorize civilians from another country to pilot our units? And especially a statesperson like you... please consider your position, and the possible danger you could be in. There's also your attendant's situation. Do you want to waste former Chairwoman Canaver's efforts?" Gladys rebuked her. As a diplomat, Ledford should know better than that. She shouldn't be so naïve.
"I think former Chairwoman Canaver would agree this is an emergency, and not the time to be bogged down by bureaucracy and regulations. We have little manpower, exceedingly little time, and a huge task. We should use whatever hands are available. You don't need to worry about me. I can handle myself. I believe you're already well aware of that. This is a crisis. If you can't be flexible when the time demands it because you're afraid of taking responsibility, you might be unable to save those who could be saved. Please consider the stakes. What's letting civilians pilot mobile suits if it can help save the Earth from annihilation? Besides, it'd be for demolition work, right? We want to save our home, we have the ability, please lend us the power to do it. Let us do what we can to help." Seren insisted. The captain was momentarily taken aback by the sheer strength of her voice, her eyes, her convictions... Indeed, that girl had a way with words... and her passion and sincerity grasped people's heart and lit a spark in their soul. Although it was small and short-lived now, there was no telling how great she could become in the future, once she gained years and experience. Well, it was also a fact that despite being very capable, Seren was also strongly willful and independent; she liked and needed to be able to do as she pleased or she couldn't display her potential to its fullest... and that part of her didn't mesh well with the rigidity of the military's rules.
"Do you also feel the same?" Durandal asked the young man.
"Actually I'd also prefer the ambassadress to stay safe here but given the current circumstances, I don't think she'd listen to anyone. And I agree with her. I too, can't just watch and do nothing. If you have machines that are usable, please lend them to us." Athrun bowed, and so did Seren. Talia was still reluctant.
"Very well, I permit it, under my authority as Chairman, for special cases." Gilbert declared. Gladys protested. "They're right. The more machines we can get out, the better. This is not a battle situation. The ambassadress has given valid arguments. And as she said, you should be well aware of their great skills."
Meantime, Dearka and other men had already landed on Junius Seven and were deploying the meteor breakers that were over twice the size of their mobile suits. Those giant drills were to perforate the rock, causing fissures to appear and ultimately breaking it apart. However, they had barely began the installation of the devices that they came under attack. Even Dearka was just able to evade. However, the real stunner wasn't the ambush but the fact that the attackers were GINNs... ZAFT mobile suits like them!
"What's going on?! Which unit do they belong to?!" Joule barked.
"Unknown! No response from the IFF!" His subordinate replied.
"What?!"
Unbeknownst to every Coordinator thanks to its Mirage Colloid camouflage system, the Girty Lue was also observing the battle on Junius Seven from very close. Lee-kanchou asked Roanoke's opinion about the presence of ZAFT mobile suits at the site. The Captain couldn't tell, but perhaps this disturbance wasn't the whimsical act of God after all. He also gave the order to send Sting and the others since he wanted a better grasp of the situation. They should record as much detail about this as possible.
"Three minutes to mobile suit launch. All pilots are to standby aboard your machines." Meyrin spoke through the speakers. She repeated the order. Rey boarded his unit. Lunamaria stopped at the cockpit entrance of her ZAKU Warrior.
"I know the mission is to support smashing it apart but what are we expected to do?" She questioned Yolan next to her, though he didn't know either. But then they noticed two other red suits, a male pilot and a female pilot... Athrun Zala and Seren Ledford, each accompanied by a mechanic.
"Those two are flying out as well, I'm told. They say for support work like this, the more machines we can get out, the better." Kent said.
"Eh? I understand Athrun Zala, but the Ambassadress too?"
"Well, normally it's true you'd call that a whim, but..."
"Right, she can pilot a mobile suit." Luna concluded. Well, it was really nice they were allowed to help, but leaving their abilities aside, it was surprising they'd let civilians from another country use their machines, especially the ambassadress. If something happened to her, it could cause a diplomatic incident. However she also understood the reasoning behind the authorization to let them out, and both were renowned ace pilots, so it should be fine. Shinn had received the same information from Vino, and was just as surprised. The two Orb Coordinators boarded their respective ZAKUs. It was a ZAKU Warrior for Athrun and a ZAKU Phantom for Seren.
"One minute before mobile suit launch." Meyrin stated.
"Tell me to follow the orders of Commander Joule once they get there." Talia instructed.
"Detecting heat emissions indicating a battle at Junius Seven! They're mobile suits!" Burt suddenly reported.
"Abort launch! A change in the situation! The Joule Team is engaged with unknown opponents at Junius Seven!" The announcement shocked the pilots, Athrun and Seren all the more so since their friend Yzak was involved... but unknown opponents? "All units, alter your equipment for anti-mobile suit combat."
"Bogey One also confirmed! Green 25, Delta!" Heim added, causing another upset.
"What's going on?!" Alex demanded. His irritation was understandable. Unknown enemies, plus Bogey One whose affiliation was also unknown, like a three-way battle... could the situation grow even more confusing and chaotic?
"I have no idea. What remains unchanged is that our mission is to support the Joule Team!" Meyrin replied. "Upon completing equipment switch, please proceed for take off." She instructed. Alex's ZAKU was equipped with a Blaze wizard pack consisting of two large thruster pods for improved mobility, each containing a 14-round missile launcher. The appearance and standard armament of Seren's ZAKU Phantom was almost identical to the ZAKU Warrior (four hand grenades, a MMI-M633 beam assault rifle stored in the back waist armor and a M68 "Cattus" 500mm recoilless rifle), except for an additional shield and beam tomahawk, as well as a blade antenna on its head for command, control, communication, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. However, since its performance was higher than the ZAKU Warrior, she had opted for the close-range combat Slash wizard pack that featured two beam Gatling cannons and a large beam axe. "Central catapult online. Launch area, commencing depressurization sequence. Emergency crew, please stand by. Core Splendor, all systems online. Commencing take-off sequence." Meyrin said. Shinn typed on the keyboard of the Core Splendor and braced himself. If even Bogey One was there, then those three units too... Lunamaria outfitted her usual Gunner pack.
"The situation has changed. It could be dangerous. Would you rather not go? Especially you, Ambassadress, it would be bad if something happened to you..." Luna's image appeared on the video communication screen in both Athrun's and Seren's cockpit.
"Don't mock me." Zala glared slightly. Again, that girl had sounded like she was testing them, or underrating them... especially Ledford... the fact that she was now a stateswoman and messenger of peace didn't mean she couldn't defend herself.
"You little chick... You don't need to try and distract your anxiety by acting like this. We'll be comrades for this battle, so I'll protect you guys too." The Ambassadress grinned. And although Seren certainly wasn't going for that purpose, in that battle, that Lunamaria, Shinn, and the others were certainly going to see for themselves the difference in experience between them, and veteran pilots who survived the first war like her, Athrun, Yzak, and Dearka (who was surely with Yzak as usual).
"Shinn Asuka, Core Splendor, taking off!" The Core Splendor launched, followed by the other Flyers. The Chaos, Abyss, and Gaia left the Girty Lue and activated their variable phase shift armor.
"Rey Za Burrel, ZAKU, launching!"
"Lunamaria Hawke, ZAKU, taking off!"
"Athrun Zala, heading out!" Not Alex Dino but Athrun Zala. If he was to fight, then he wanted... and was going to fight as himself.
"Seren Ledford, heading out!"
They sortied. And with determination reflected in their eyes, Athrun and Seren flew once more into battle.
"Don't be afraid, the morning we dread will not come", we keep repeating that to ourselves, but Darkness is stirring in our hearts and slowly take shape. That is the shadow of a new conflict. There is no other choice but to cut it apart before it grows. That is why we must once more take a sword in our hands... in order to protect our world, our dream, our family, our friends, everyone. Now is not the time to sit still.
Author's note: alright, I FINALLY got one out. However, I decided to revise some of the future chapters I've already written, plus, the future chapters I'll be writing will probably need lots of work, plus, I've started preparing/thinking about the chapters up to the end and since I want to try and put in some ideas, that should require even more work. So, I apologize in advance as the releases will likely be quite slow. Still, encouragements and PROPER feedback on already released chapters will make me happy and allow me to work harder :)