Phase-32: The World Revealed
Athrun and Seren returned to the Minerva, quickly put their affairs in order in their room, and went to report to Captain Gladys. They also gave her a 'written', more detailed report on a disk. She let out a heavy sigh as she accepted it, wondering where this world was going, and praised them for protecting Lacus-sama. She was also relieved that Seren was not badly hurt and told her to get a good rest while she could. She was going to rely on her, on them both, once they received their new units. The two saluted and left.
They looked at each other and decided to go see how Shinn was faring. He was certainly a handful, but they couldn't exactly leave him alone. As much as possible, they needed to slowly start patching things with him. And they were the older ones here, so they had to take the first step. After a second of hesitation, Athrun pressed a button and spoke on the intercom.
"Shinn, do you have a moment?" They were allowed in. Rey saluted. "What are you doing?"
"Shinn, it's Athrun and Seren." Rey told his friend who had not stopped furiously typing on the computer or even looked at the new comers, indirectly asking him to greet them as the pair of FAITH agents walked up to them.
"Uh? Oh." The boy barely offered the smallest acknowledgment. He still did not stop typing or looked at them. He was as rude as ever, but they had long ceased to mind by this point. They were more interested by what he doing exactly and observed the screen that showed fighting scenes of the Freedom, which surprised the two. "Damn! Why can't I do it?!" Asuka growled.
"His reaction after the camera is directed at him is incredibly fast. His use of the thrusters is impressive too. He's controlling his unit at will." Rey shared his evaluation. Seren and Athrun said nothing but gasped slightly as they looked at them with a stunned expression.
"The Freedom is more powerful than the Impulse. Yet, he's able to control it so well." Frustration and envy dripped from Shinn's voice.
"Shinn! And you too, Rey! What are you doing?!" Zala questioned them and tried to grab Shinn's left shoulder but was shaken off.
"What am I doing? Well, as you can see. I'm engaged in a battle simulation against the Freedom. What is it?"
"Why are you doing such a thing?!"
"Because he's strong. As far as I know, this is the most powerful mobile suit out there. He even defeated that Destroy. In that case, I believe it's a good idea for me to be training with him as my opponent. Wouldn't it be a problem if something happened and there wasn't anyone in ZAFT who could defeat that thing? Since we can't make any sense of their actions as it stands."
"Shinn!" Athrun placed both his hands on Shinn's shoulders to make him face him, but Shinn pushed him away and stood up.
"What's the problem?!" The pilot of the Impulse barked, an annoyed fist raised. However, there was nothing Athrun could answer, so the two kept fiercely glaring at each other without a word... until Rey cut in-between them.
"Athrun! Shinn, you back off too." The blonde young man separated them. But then he turned towards the FAITH members. "Athrun, I don't think what Shinn said was wrong. The Freedom is strong. And although we don't know what their intentions are, they're not part of our forces. A scenario along the line Shinn described can happen. Even if he's a friend who fought alongside you in the past."
"But Kira is not an enemy!" Zala dissented.
"What?!" Asuka barked.
"Why is it?" Rey calmly inquired. "He attacked our ship at the Dardanelles. And Heine lost his life because of him. Weren't you also brought down by him? Although the ultimate battle decisions are made by the higher ranks, nobody can say for sure that the Freedom is not an enemy. So we must prepare ourselves to fight against it." He reasoned. Seeing as Athrun could not deny those sound arguments, Shinn snorted and turned away. "Athrun, Seren, if it's alright with you, we'd like some advice based on your past experiences."
"Forget it, Rey. Putting Seren aside, I don't think experiences of losing can be of any use." Shinn sat back down. After all, only Seren had managed to damage the Freedom. The Savior, on the other hand, had been shredded.
"What?" Athrun shot back, offended.
"Athrun."Seren grabbed his grabbed his arm and pulled him back while she stepped forward to face the blonde ZAKU pilot. "Rey, I see your point, but don't you think your reasoning is somewhat lacking? The Minerva certainly took a hit at the Dardanelles, but it is also true that the Freedom and the Archangel saved our vessel at the battle of Crete. Without them, the Minerva would have sunk. And remember, it was the Gaia... Stella who killed Heine when she bisected his GOUF Ignited. Did you conveniently forget those facts, or purposely chose to overlook them?" She countered, as calmly as Rey had countered Athrun. Shinn deeply growled at her when she brought up Stella. But she did not want him to ignore reality. And Rey reliably stopped him again just as the nettled child was about to stand up and menace her.
"You're right. They can both save us... or attack us... and that uncertainty is the issue. Someone this powerful whose agenda and allegiance are unknown is just too dangerous. Isn't it natural to remove potential dangers? You insist that the Freedom and Archangel are not enemies, but Seren, didn't you, yourself, seriously damaged the Freedom and Blast Wave?"
"I believe in the benefit of the doubt. And I merely gave them a piece of my mind. You may call it a siblings fight. We'd never seriously try to kill each other. And if he's this dangerous, if he's the enemy, don't you think he would have killed us time ago? They fight to put a stop to any conflict by disarming both sides, and to protect the population, just like they did in Berlin... They're trying to stop people from killing each other. They kill only when absolutely necessary. That is because they know that the more people die, the more hate and sorrow amass, and give power to that vicious cycle of revenge. They're trying to break that cycle. That has always been their guiding principle. In that case, if someone was to see them as enemies, wouldn't that mean that this person is fighting for their own ends, and not for the people? What are you fighting for? What do you think the Chairman is fighting for?"
"I cannot infer as to what the Chairman might be thinking or fighting for. As for me, and all ZAFT soldiers, we are fighting only according to orders from Headquarters. And it's possible that HQ will give us orders to fight the Freedom. We must be ready for when that command comes. Besides, right now, the only unit we have is the Impulse. In other words, everything is entirely up to Shinn. All soldiers must obey orders, even FAITH members. Is that not so?"
"But Shinn is prone to going against orders, is he not? I recall him doing so countless times. He's also the one using orders as an excuse to fulfill a personal vendetta. Also, that FAITH insignia Athrun and I have is indeed proof of our promise to the Chairman... He told us to pledge ourselves to our beliefs, and not to him personally. That is why we're here."
"But not if your beliefs put you in conflict with him."
"Oh, but he did ask us to stop him if we believed he was going the wrong way. He said he believed in our judgment. That is our promise to him. Rey, blindly following someone is not loyalty. Sometimes, because you care about them, if you think they're mistaken then you must try to stop them. That's why we fought the Freedom, the Archangel, and Orb. But while we agree with stopping them, we cannot condone killing them. That's where our difference lies." The two stared at each other for a time. They understood it was pointless to try and convince the other any more. None of them would change their mind. Seren was set on defying the Chairman and defending the Archangel in order to follow her own beliefs. While Rey was set on fulfilling whatever orders given and remove anything in the Chairman's way as per his unquestioning, unconditional, and absolute faith in Durandal. So they had silently agreed on disagreeing. The two FAITH agents left.
"As expected of a former diplomat, she truly has a way words..." Za Burrel muttered in a barely audible whisper. After all, he had been on the losing end of this verbal fight, although that did not change his own beliefs. However, Shinn was too preoccupied to hear him, not only on his battle simulations though... His typing speed had lessened as he was unwittingly pondering both Rey's and Seren's words. That was until his friend took him out of his reverie with a hand on his shoulder. "Shinn, Seren is the only one who managed to damage the Freedom to that extent. We should thoroughly analyze their battle."
"You're right. The Freedom... I'll be the one to defeat it." Shinn's eyes narrowed in determination and anger as he recalled Stella's last moments.
Athrun and Seren angrily marched in the hallway. They did not even notice as they passed Meyrin by. In any case, it was true that regardless of their feelings, Athrun and Seren had no say in anything as they had no gundams to fight with. But even if they HAD mobile suits, wouldn't they just be made to fight Orb, Kira, and the Archangel again? While Seren still felt resentment towards her family and home country, now that the world was truly starting to see them as 'enemies' as she had felt just now and in Gibraltar, rather than 'fight' them, she wanted to 'protect' them. She hit the wall with the side of her fist and swore. Athrun watched her. He might have reacted violently earlier, but in the end, he was the one who had backed off. After all, as a soldier, he understood Rey's logic better than anyone. On the other hand, Seren might have talked placidly in front of those two, but in content she had been much more aggressive than him... which had actually served to calm him down. And now, it fell on him to appease Seren. He could not help but smile as he realized once more that they had each other's back and complemented one another.
"You look tired. You haven't been sleeping much lately, have you?"
"Well... I've just been thinking... a lot..." She reluctantly admitted. Indeed, she, too, was wavering a lot, and fought with all she had to shake it off.
"Right... there were those battles against Orb and Kira, and now what happened these last few days... but all the more reason you need to rest up now." He spoke concernedly and placed a comforting hand on her back and tried leading her away.
"You know I can't. I'll just end up thinking more."
"Just come. Your injuries haven't really had time to heal, have they? Don't think I don't know." Ignoring all her protests, Zala just grabbed her left hand with his, slid his right arm around her waist, and forcefully took her to her room. He sat her down, unbuttoned the top of her collar, removed her boots, and then tucked her in bed... before doing the same and lying down with her...
"...Can you not treat me like a child to be babied and who can't sleep without someone by her side?"
"You may be fine without me but I'm not fine without you. The clingy child is me." Athrun found a comfortable position where he could hold her tight and have her head resting against his chest. After all, he was the one who was taking advantage of the situation to be more intimate with her than she would usually allow.
"... I am not fine without you." She confessed in a small mutter, her cheeks faintly dyed. The young man smiled and squeezed her tighter. Had he just tricked her into revealing her true feelings? Was he telling the truth? It probably didn't matter. The fact was, they both needed comfort. The anger they felt for Kira and the Archangel did not change their deep affection for them. But now, this ship, the world was starting to consider them as enemies, as dangerous elements to defeat. They were the only two in the Minerva who shared this frustration, worried for those people, or considered them close to their heart.
"In the last war, you're the one who told me to stop spinning my wheels alone. Now I return that line straight back to you."
"I... guess I did." Seren sighed then remarked it had been long since they had last been like this. He agreed and his fingers started stroking her arm and back.
"In the last war I was struggling between my duty as a soldier, and my feelings as a friend... and with what to do with my feelings for you. You were the one who taught me that when unsure, it was alright for me to follow my heart, that this way, I would surely have less regrets. So I chose to live in Orb... with you." He had thought that in this country, with that person, he might be able to find the answers he was searching for. "Even now I'm struggling the same way. Must I fight Kira, or aid him? But this time, unlike the last, you're with me. I'm not struggling alone. So it's fine for you to do as you wish. I believe in you."
"Athrun, is it really..." Wasn't he always nagging at her to stop doing whatever she pleased and consider his feelings more as the one who cleaned up after her?
"Isn't it what you're doing already?"
"Errr... I'm sorry."
"It's good that you understand that you're always putting me through the wringer with your crazy stunts. But I'm the one who chose you knowing how you are, and that you won't change. Rather, I find comfort in knowing that the important sides of you don't change. That's why I believe in you, and why I will stay with you no matter what you do, just like you stayed with me."
"Thank you." Seren snuggled more against him as a wave of love washed over her.
Girls idealized Athrun as the perfect knight/prince due to his status as top elite, and his belonging to an important family, without mentioning his naturally chivalrous personality. And those girls wanted to be the princess protected and treasured by the knight/prince. However, Seren was nothing like some ornamental princess to be pampered. She saw the simple man in him with his flaws and weaknesses, and supported him. Rather than someone strong enough to be fine without her, she preferred someone who needed her, and with whom she could grow together.
In the same way, Athrun saw through her habit of bluffing and whenever she couldn't quite be honest and still embraced everything about her, appeasing her fears. He was always watching over her. Her father, who had lost his wife, Kira who used to be a wimp and lost a friend and a lover, Cagalli, burdened with the weight of a whole country on top of having lost her own father and friends... Seren had to support them all... Even though she had also lost a mother, a father, and a precious friend. She would bear the pain and smile, for them. She hardly relied on people. Whether in her childhood or now, the only one she would confide in was Athrun. She had grown closer to her family and did rely on them to some extent. But the one closest to her, more than anyone, was Athrun. Whether she was being honest or putting a front didn't matter. He could always guess her feelings, and comfort her.
And Athrun too had lost people. Although she had been there when his father was killed, she wasn't anywhere near him when his mother died. And what could she say when Kira killed Nicol? Athrun had also killed Tolle. But their love was stronger than their resentment. It grew stronger. Their relationship wasn't one where only one was burdened but one where they suffered and grew together. Beyond the love Athrun and Seren felt for each other, they were also comrades in arms finding relief in the presence of an ally. That was why their bond was so strong. Though, there were times when she wondered whether she was properly returning as much love and care as he was giving her.
Now would normally be the time they would both once more confess their love to each other, kiss, and cuddle, and eventually more. But not today. Perhaps their relation had not mended enough for that, they could be uncomfortable or simply felt it was not the moment. So albeit with a touch of regret, Athrun slightly changed the subject.
"Seren, what do you think of this situation? Is it really alright like this? Back then we enrolled in ZAFT because we believed, or at least wanted to believe in the Chairman. But now..."
"This certainly doesn't feel well. Kira and the others made wrong moves, like not regaining control of Orb. But I also understand that they couldn't rush things. Third parties have a different point of view and can see the same events in a more objective manner than those involved. They waited because they wanted to carefully observe things and know more about the situation, how things evolved, who could be trusted... and now too, they aren't swayed by anyone, anything, and keep true to their principles, the same that had guided them... guided US in the last war. We had originally gone to the Chairman in order to know more, and do something. And before I knew it, things became like this. I dislike not being with my family too, but I'm still angry at them about Orb, although I know it was partly my fault as well. The more time passes, the less I can trust the Chairman. I fear his ruthless side that would sacrifice any pawn no longer useful to him. Of course, there's still the case of Lacus' assassination."
"And the attempt on YOUR life as well..."
"And there's this Meer thing too..." She added a bit more icily, pricking him.
"R-Right... that too... But I'm still not sure about staying when I know that puts you in danger. If you feel that strongly about the Chairman, then shouldn't we escape now, before we're branded as traitors and arrested... or made to fight using those new machines? I would hate having to fight my friends again for the man who tried to kill the woman I love."
"I'm tempted to do that as well. I don't feel enough to fight for his sake anymore. But that won't do. Sure, sooner or later, our conflict with the Chairman will reach a breaking point, and he'll try to remove us in plain sight, and surely in a hurry. But if we're going to escape anyway, I want to wait as much as possible, and learn as much as possible. I came to find out that man's true nature and goals. And I haven't accomplished that yet. I feel I can get more information if we can stay just a bit more. I also want more time to persuade Meer."
"Won't it be too late then? He might reveal things only the moment he arrests us so we can't get in his way anymore."
"Then we'll break out."
"How?!"
"We'll see when it happens. We should be fine as long as we have mobile suits. And someone will surely help us out."
"...I get it. It's pointless to discuss such things with you anyway." Athrun sighed. Blind optimism, overconfidence, madness... that was what his mind wanted to call her course of action. Yet, his heart was at peace and telling him to believe in her... in the both of them.
"I'm grateful for your understanding." Seren grinned innocently. In conclusion, they needed to talk to Meer and Durandal. This situation showed no sign of resolution, on the contrary, the more time passed, the more unbearable it was growing... But for now...
"In any case, we can't do anything until you've properly recovered, so get a good rest." He kissed her forehead.
The Archangel lay on a snowy valley nestled among rolling mountains south of what used to be Norway, before it became part of the Kingdom of Scandinavia. Neo Roanoke-taisa, officially a Captain of the Atlantic Federation but actually an officer of the private army of LOGOS, answering directly to Lord Djibril, and leader of the 'Phantom Pain' Autonomous Mobile Corps, had been captured by the Archangel following the Battle of Berlin and the destruction of his magenta Windam at the hands of the Freedom. Due to his injuries though, he was confined to medical bay with his hands tied. Murrue was sitting on a stool by his side, looking lost, and Chief Mechanic Kojiro Murdoch was standing nearby as well, his arms crossed. Kira entered a moment later and asked if he was still sleeping.
"Yes... I'm told he woke up briefly when his injuries were being treated and claimed to be Captain Neo Roanoke of the Earth Forces' 81st Autonomous Mobile Corps. But his physical data that we gathered during his treatment matched 100% to what we have recorded on this ship's database. This man is Mu La Flaga. At least, his body is..."
"So, how do you explain it?!" Murdoch complained. "Simply put, he's our Commander, right?"
"Yes, there is no mistake about that, but..." Kira frowned. However, their voices had awoken the patient.
"Oh boy. Just when did I become a Commander?" Neo asked them softly, making them gasp in surprise. But the strongest reaction came from Murrue who stood up in a clatter, knocking her stool over, like she was afraid of something. "I made it clear that I'm a Captain. Just because I'm a prisoner doesn't mean you can go and demote me on your own." But then he noticed the eyes of the brown-haired woman filling with tears as she brought her hand to her mouth. "Wh-what is it? Is it love at first sight, pretty lady?" That was definitely a half-joke Mu, always the ladies' man, would say. And it was definitely his voice, and usual lighthearted tone, although in that case, it might serve to hide his confusion. However, those were quite the cruel words given how much they had loved each other, how much she had suffered when he supposedly died, and right as she was starting to heal and finally accept his death, they met again in those circumstances... Not like Neo Roanoke would know though...
"Mu-san!" Kira angrily chided him after Murrue ran away.
"Huh? Who's Mu?" All three men were now confused. They were clearly not on the same page.
Ramius was leaning against a wall in a corridor, hugging herself, unable to control her weeping despite knowing she had to stay strong as everyone's captain. Miriallia came out of a room and immediately rushed to comfort her when she saw her. The Archangel was now a place where everyone supported each other as equals.
"So he doesn't have memories?" Murdoch pondered as he and Kira came out too.
"It's not like they're gone. It's like he now has different memories. Otherwise, there's no way he'd be with the Earth Forces." The two watched concernedly as Milly gently took Murrue-san away by the shoulders. "But that person is Mu-san. That's why... I..." That was because he had sensed that person when fighting the magenta Windam that he had asked Murrue to 'take care of the rest' after defeating it.
"Guess so... But without his memories, this could be hard on the captain..."
In the hangar of the Minerva, the mechanics were complaining about the unreasonable demands thrown at them. They had been told to fix the ship's mobile suits, but given the state they had ended up in after the battle of Crete, it was more restoration than repairs that was needed. It'd be much quicker to just order new ones. Well, they could still do somethings about the ZAKUs, but the Savior... And now there was the Fortuna. The Destroy's explosion and the debris had really done a number on it. Some were even embedded and had fused with it. Still, even though it was so damaged because Seren used it to protect Shinn, how could Shinn treat her like this in return? How could he be so ungrateful?! And now, the only usable mobile suit was the Impulse...
Athrun walked along the causeway overlooking the hangar, listening to the echoing conversations. Seren had fallen asleep within barely a few minutes. She had been truly exhausted, or she had felt that safe and comforted in his arms, or both. After resting for a time too and enjoying her warmth, scent, and weight against him, he had carefully placed her down and stealthily left. Although Seren had kept quiet about it, Athrun knew how much she had been overdoing it lately. He had seen the results of her medical check-ups. After the battle of Berlin, she should have had complete rest. Even some bones and muscles had been bruised. Did the Chairman read those as well? Is that why he caused her stress with that ball, and meeting, why they had Meer take her to the sauna and hammam when she should have been treated with cold compresses? And why the ambush took place at that time? He had spoken against having Seren participate, but his concerns had been dismissed. And then Seren had almost died. He tightly gripped the railing. Now again...
"As far as I know, this is the most powerful mobile suit out there. He even defeated that Destroy. Wouldn't it be a problem if something happened and there wasn't anyone in ZAFT who could defeat that thing?"
After Seren, were they planning on taking Kira from him? As he shook his head in anger and frustration, a female voice called out to him. It was Lunamaria who asked him what had brought him here. But he had no answer.
"Shinn wasn't penalized this time either. Well, I supposed it's to be expected since he wasn't even punished for what he did last time either. But still. That he starts to act like he can do whatever he wants just because he's a super-ace will breed discontent in all those around him."
"You do sound discontent. That's why you want me to talk to the Captain and have her do something about it? But you know..."
"That's not it! I just want you to work harder, Athrun. Show us how skilled you are! If you do that, I'm sure Shinn would be more willing to shut up and do as you say."
"Lunamaria..."
"You're too nice, Athrun. Although I also like that about you... it's a waste."
"A waste?"
"Yes. Since you have the authority and power, I think that you should do more as you please.
"Authority? Power?" Zala looked down pensively, frowning. This had been the conclusion he and Seren had come to, what they lacked, what they needed to protect the country and people they had wanted to protect, and what the Chairman had given them... But because of that, they had to fight Kira and the Archangel, and he couldn't be with Seren. And then... what now?
"Yes. Right?" She peered into his face, but didn't get the reaction she had wanted. He didn't cheer up but on the contrary looked more thoughtful and grave. "In that sense, Seren has you beat. It's like she never hesitates."
"Seren has always been the type to say and do as she liked. But unlike Shinn, she stays within reason. Although it caused me trouble, I like that honest, free-spirited aspect of her, but it's not like she never hesitates. She just doesn't show it. Because she had always been in a supportive role, with people relying on her, she always worked her hardest and couldn't show them weakness. Even now... So I wanted to be the one she would rely on, the one to support her... but before I knew it, I had been saved again. This time, I'll make things work..." He balled his fists in a show of determination. Luna spoke his name, remembering the time she had spied on him, Seren, and those people of the Archangel, what she had heard, what Gladys had told her after that, and Seren's words, that everything was the truth. After all, Athrun seemed really in love with Seren. Lunamaria had told him that she liked (an aspect of) him, but he had ignored it and replied that he liked (sides of) Seren.
Seren who had woken up alone and was now heading to the hangar since that was where Athrun often spent his time recently. She also remembered she had forgotten all about Chacha with the recent happenings and finally woke him up too.
Durandal was sitting at his desk, ready for the address he was going to make any minute now. Meer was sitting not far, on standby behind the cameras, gazing sadly at the chess board.
"Three, two..." The journalist said, and a cameraman waved at the Chairman.
"Everyone, I'm the Supreme Council Chairman of the PLANTs, Gilbert Durandal. Please forgive me for sending this message at a time when the war between the PLANTs and the Earth has yet to be resolved. However, I beg you, please listen to what I have to say."
"Captain! Chairman Durandal is broadcasting an emergency message! It's being broadcast to the entire world through various media outlets." Meyrin informed Talia and Arthur on the bridge of the Minerva, shocking them. Gladys instructed to have this broadcast throughout the ship and telling everyone to listen as much as possible.
Likewise, that message was also being played on the Archangel and watched by its confused bridge members, including Kira, Rayner, and Cagalli.
Durandal's speech echoed in the hangar of the Minerva too, snapping Athrun and Lunamaria out of their musings. As soon as they understood it was the Chairman's emergency message, they hurried to the lounge to watch the images as well. Shinn and Rey were already there, at the forefront, with several soldiers and mechanics. Seren, who had been passing by on her way to the hangar, had stopped upon hearing the message and come in too.
"-And the reason why the war won't end, the true reason why the world is in this state right now, and why we're at war in the first place. I'm sure many of you are not aware of this given the policies of most nations to withhold information." He stopped talking for a moment to let the shocking footage of the Destroy annihilating the ZAFT troops and razing cities from the map soak into the viewers' hearts. "These images were taken a few days ago, when the Alliance's new super weapon moved westwards from central Eurasia, devastating whole cities in its path. This weapon of mass destruction attacked without warning, annihilated three cities, along with their residents who were given no time to escape, and continued to move forward."
"What's this?!" Lord Djibril bolted from his chair in his secret underground chamber as Durandal's address was playing and the atrocities he had committed were exposed to the world. "Stop it! Hurry and intercept the broadcast!" He pressed a button and barked, clearly panicking. However, his henchmen were apparently not in a position to act.
"We immediately began a defensive battle to stop its progress. However, many lives were lost. It was the Earth Forces who staged this attack. And it was cities on Earth that were attacked. Why did this happen? The Alliance says its purpose was to 'liberate these areas from ZAFT rule' but can this be defined as 'liberation'? To burn whole cities along with their citizens?!" This time images were shown displaying how cruelly the OMNI Enforcers treated the locals, parking them like livestock, literally trampling them underfoot, holding them at gunpoint, and carelessly disposing of the corpses... and in contrast to that, how the locals had welcomed the ZAFT forces... be it at the base secretly being built close to Carpentaria with the Impulse freeing the people, or Conille Almeta's village where the Impulse, Fortuna, and Savior were standing in the middle of cheering citizens. Athrun and Lunamaria arrived at the lounge and pushed their way through. Zala recognized Seren and went to place a hand on her shoulder. The two glanced anxiously at each other before turning their attention back to the monitor.
"It is true that we have been at odds with the policies of the Alliance, and for humanitarian reasons, have supported those seeking independence from Eurasia, one of the Alliance's member nations. We've supported those who want to put an end to this pointless and perpetual warfare, those who want to return to a peaceful life." Neo, who was also watching on the small screen embedded in the wall next to his bed, saw the fall of the Destroy and turned his head, muttering Stella's name, mourning the death of his child-like subordinate whom he had manipulated into piloting that thing. "we've supported people who would rather live with their loved ones than go to the battlefield." Next, the footage included scenes of a devastated Berlin, children crying for their parents, and testimonies of survivors.
"That monster from the Alliance burned everything in its path!" A distressed woman cried out.
"Our enemy is the Alliance! ZAFT saved us! If you think I'm lying, come and see for yourselves!" A man added with others murmuring their assent behind him. To support that, a number of men had been filmed taking up arms and raising them against those who had destroyed their lives and homes, the Earth Forces.
"But rejecting our wishes for a peaceful resolution, they called traitors the people of Western Eurasia who attempted to achieve peace through dialogue and rejected a world of fighting fueled by hatred, and they mercilessly incinerated them, even the children!" Durandal, who had maintained a more or less neutral demeanor through his speech, finally revealed his anger.
"Stop it! What are you doing?! Hurry up and stop that!" Djibril yelled furiously. However, the other members of LOGOS had been watching as well, and were now starting to contact him to demand answers...
"Djibril, what is the meaning of this?"
"This problem is on YOUR shoulders."
"Just what is Durandal planning to do?"
But as the battle against the Destroy played again, Athrun and Seren noticed the total absence of the Freedom, which disturbed them even more. Shinn balled his fists and gritted his teeth when the Destroy fell after a series of explosions, remembering Stella's death. Although it bothered him that it looked as if he had been the one to kill her, he understood the Chairman's intention to erase the Freedom, elevate him instead, and avoid confusion among the people. Seren and Athrun though feared the intentions that went beyond that, what he intended to do with the Freedom, even after Seren went through the trouble of showing full footage at that conference... that was quite upsetting.
"Why is it?! Why would they do such a thing?!" Durandal slammed in fists on the table and stood up. "Who would say that peace cannot be allowed and that people must fight?! And why?! Why are we forbidden to live together hand in hand?!" But as his outrage was growing, 'Lacus', or really, Meer, came and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, shocking those of the Archangel. But soon, Kira frowned. On the other hand, those on the Minerva were happy to see 'Lacus-sama'.
"It is a fact that this war began with a major tragedy that had been instigated by a few of us, Coordinators. We will never forget the fact that we were unable to stop it, and the numerous tragedies that resulted from our inability as well. There is no end to the deep sorrow and suffering that is still experienced by those who were affected. And perhaps, it could not be helped that those events acted as a trigger for the conflict that followed. However, things must not remain as they are now!" Meer had turned to face the camera in a praying pose, making sure to appear suitably sad. The Eternal, commanded by Waltfeld and the real Lacus Clyne and hidden within an asteroid was also receiving the Chairman's message and listening intently. Lacus had a frown similar to Kira's. The following images though were not the drop of Junius Seven, but the nuclear missiles being once more aimed at the PLANTs. "There is no place for peace in this world of endless battle! Haven't we already learned all to well the suffering brought on by the endless spiral of hatred? So please wipe the tears in your eyes and look ahead." Indeed, many people had started looking at the photographs of their deceased loved ones on the walls, tables, in their lockets, phones or wallets. "After screaming about your sorrow, please listen to what others have to say! And let us return to a world overflowing with light and compassion! I believe that is what people everywhere truly desire!" Meer's perfect rendition and words filled with hope and consideration moved everyone, soothed their wounded hearts, and raised their downward gaze towards a brighter future. Many clapped, smiles on their faces. Trine removed his cap and made a tearful noise of emotion. Athrun and Seren, however, lowered their heads, full of mixed feelings.
"But there are those who will try to stop this at all costs. And they've been doing it since ancient times. They tell us to fight for the sake of their own profits." Durandal started talking again, causing a number of people to gasp...: Djibril (since he could tell it was about him), Talia, Seren, Athrun, and Shinn, who had been present during this discussion at Diocuia, as well as Murrue, Kira, Cagalli, and Rayner. They could all guess what was about to happen. But while only Shinn was pleasantly surprised that the Chairman had taken the decision to step up spite of the difficulty, the others, who could read much further, now dreaded the future. "They brand those who don't fight as cowards, and those who don't obey them as traitors. Screaming those words, they constantly place weapons in our hands, fabricate enemies, and tell us to fight! Those who will do anything to prevent the world from being peaceful! It is clear that the tragedy in Western Eurasia is those people's doing!"
"Djibril!" A LOGOS member cried.
"Stop him! Make him stop immediately! Why can't you do it?!" Djibril shouted again.
"Do you all know that the Blue Cosmos, who hates Coordinators as dangerous, mistaken beings, was also created by them? Those who stand behind Blue Cosmos, those who constantly fabricate enemies and attempt to guide the world into war, they're the military industry conglomerate and merchants of death, LOGOS." At this, he published a list with pictures of all known members: Lord Djibril, Joseph Copeland, Alwin Ritter, Bruno Azrael, Adam Vermilyea, Lucs Kohler, Graham Nelleis, Celestine Groht, Lally McWilliams, and Duncan Luis Mockelberg. Djibril recoiled in horror as his darkness was being brought to light.
"Chairman..." Asuka smiled, deeply touched.
"What I truly wish for is a peaceful world where warfare will never occur again. Therefore, I hereby declare that we will fight against LOGOS, the true enemy of the world who attempt to destroy that wish!" Gilbert strongly asserted.
"Th-this is gonna be huge trouble! Captain! Kira! Rayner!" Cagalli gasped and turned back. Kira's scowl deepened.
Seren placed a hand before her mouth and stepped back, shuddering at the consequences of the Chairman's declaration and revelations that she could perfectly envision. Chacha placed his tiny paws on her left cheek. Across the world, everyone cheered and chanted Durandal's name, revering him like the messiah, and raising their fists and weapons. Gladys, Meyrin, and those on the bridge of the Minerva were merely surprised as they heard the survivors joyously, faithfully chanting their Chairman's name around the ship. To think his message would have such a strong effect. Rey and Shinn were smiling that the world had become one, united under Durandal. Seren and Athrun were the only two whose reaction stood at the opposite of their surroundings and had consternation etched onto their faces.
"This is seriously bad... those are world companies with a foot in most countries... Does the Chairman intend to ruin economy on Earth by making the people kill their own employers, making those companies go bankrupt, and throwing governments into chaos? Has he gone mad?" Seren could not help but mutter. However, her voice had grown louder in the end. She realized her mistake when she felt Athrun's hand squeeze her shoulder tighter and looked at him. She covered her mouth again and anxiously looked around. Luna was watching her with a quizzical expression. The female FAITH member gave a reassuring smile and quickly left the room. She power walked back to her own room, maintaining her fake smile, her childhood friend hot on her trail and her robotic pet following in the air. But the moment the door of her room closed behind them, she started biting hard on her thumb and pacing back and forth, clearly much more agitated than she would show others. She paid no mind to the small mechanic animal hiding under the pillow.
"Seren..." The young man spoke her name concernedly.
"Did you see that list?! Now he gave clear targets to everyone's hatred and suffering, with names and pictures, the people will rise themselves to put an end to things, without knowing that will cause mass unemployment and strongly affect their own livelihood. It'll be a total economic crisis! But HE has to know! Yet he still dropped that bomb! How does the Chairman intend to deal with the consequences?! Or was that it? He gained the people's support in that show of transparency that revealed the beasts lurking in the darkness and made the masses act as his hands and feet. And with every country on Earth crippled and having lost the people's support, and the PLANTs being the only remaining stable superpower, they will turn to him even more. In the ensuing period of chaos, fear, and uncertainty, he'll reassure them, give them a role, and pull them further to his side, like he did with us. And then, the whole world would be controlled by a single man, Gilbert Durandal...! Is he planning to destroy the old world, create a new world order, and rule over it?! Besides, some names had deep connections to the Seirans, and thus to Orb! Orb too will suffer! How do the Seirans and the government intend to deal with that?!" She ranted, fraught with worry for the world, and her homeland.
"... If you're that worried, Cagalli, Kira and Rayner must be too. This time, they will surely return to Orb and protect it." Athrun grabbed her arms and made her face him. Despite being just as upset as her, he tried to pacify her by firmly keeping her in place physically and locking eyes with her to focus her thoughts on him and his words.
"I'm worried about them too! The Freedom didn't appear in that footage. He must be planning to do something to Kira and the Archangel! Something huge is about to happen, and I have no idea what, or what to do about it! I left to find a way to protect my family and my homeland, but now, the very people I'm serving might destroy them! And I can only watch!"
"..." Even tough Seren was gazing at him with so much despair, like begging him to deny her or find a way out of this situation, there was nothing Athrun could say to her. He didn't want to believe it, but given the assassination attempts on her and Lacus, he just could not deny the possibility that the Chairman would also try to get rid of the Archangel. Yet, without mobile suits, they had no means of fighting, of protecting those they cared about. Even worse, as ZAFT soldiers, if Headquarters insisted on designating the Archangel and Freedom as enemies to eliminate, they surely would be made to fight... to kill those they wanted to protect. They were supposed to have obtained 'power' and 'authority', but they had lost 'power' and what 'authority' they had now was useless. Really, they could only helplessly watch things unfold before their eyes. And she would see through any gilded words of reassurance. Not that he was naive or irresponsible enough to give those words they both knew could very well turn out to be lies in the first place. So Athrun offered her the only comfort he was able to. He tightly hugged her and soothingly stroked her back. He felt her clutch his uniform and snuggle to him. Come what may, they were in it together.
We've been hurt and learned about this world. Having learned, the world is trying to become one. A man rained light on the darkness, and handed a thread of hope and compassion to help those who wished to escape from the ones who had been pulling their strings and hiding in the dark. But is that thread not just another string to control them? Where does that thread lead to? Snow is falling quietly outside the window. In a world that is dyed white, we nestle close to the other's sound. A little afraid to be honest, we still were notable to say just that single word, 'I love you'. But we felt happiness just by being by each other and embracing.
Author's note: okay, I suddenly went and changed drastically something I thought was already set in stone so I had to alter the latest chapters I'm writing around Operation Fury, which took time. Plus many other things happened... basically, real life was being a pain, and I had exceedingly little time or energy to write.
So, for this chapter, some people might or might not be disappointed that things didn't go further, but I just felt it was still just a tiny little bit early. I hope you still appreciated those two growing closer though.
Next chapter will be 'Phase-33: Archangel's Fall'