In the hidden hanger, the Minerva, Serpent Tail, and the Junk Guild were told that their vessels will be ready to head out in a week. It was normal for Serpent Tail and Junk Guild but it was fast for the Minerva. The royal military crew worked in shifts getting the work done.
Declan allowed some of the soldiers to head to the surface to get intel of the Kingdom and it's civilians. Shinn and Lunamaria were some of the soldiers ordered to head to the surface. The ZAFT soldiers fell in with a small group that were being directed to the surface. Carts with multiple seating took them further into the hanger. They passed through the room where Selena was released. The cart came to a stop, where there was a railway system. Shinn and Lunamaria were in awe as their eyes traveled along the rail ways to see where it splits off. The group boarded the train. It took them inland to an area around the city. Shinn tried to memorize the twists and turns. Lunamaria kept count of the different pathways.
The group headed out of the typical railway car onto an immaculate and decorative hall. It was surreal stepping into an elaborate station. It didn't feel like they just came from deep underground from a war ship. Luckily, they came during the warm weather season. Shinn and Lunamaria split up from the group, they ventured through the city on their own. The two did see some of the local sites and try food from the local eateries. At times they were having too much fun, they almost forgot they were on a mission and not a date. The views were breathtaking. Tall mountains next to the ocean. Six to seven story high buildings of various colors. Boats everywhere.
The people around them didn't take a second glance to them. The two felt liked they belong. The atmosphere was the same in Orb, Shinn thought to himself. He missed this feeling. Blissful happiness. Naïve ignorance. Living in their bubble without a care for the outside world. It made him feel a bit homesick. He knew his family was gone but it brought up the emotion that he could walk home and they would be there. He shook that feeling away. He needed to focus.
In the private mansion, Yzak stuck to his routine, if he started to over think he would start to get a headache. He was focused on keeping his mind blank while trying to work out his body to get it back into prime, that he did not notice his clothes, personal items, and belongings were all missing. He headed down to the pool. He swam a few laps, headed over to the hot spring, and just relaxed. He did not know that his swim trunks were taken. He was resting his eyes, trying hard to keep his mind blank.
At the secret compound, Ra was in his finest attire. His red suit with golden embroidery. Gold epaulettes with a long golden cloak. He was sitting on a red velvet chair. He wore a matte golden mask. Almost similar to the first clone, Rau Le Creuset. Behind the chair was a backdrop with the same golden bird insignia.
"Ten, nine, eight, seven," a camera man counted down. He mouthed the numbers to cue in Ra.
Screens all throughout the planets and areas of space were taken over by the image of Ra from his upper torso and up. It was a close up for now. The only screens that didn't have him were encrypted and firewalled proof to keep his hack from coming in. His presence made everyone curious. He didn't speak for the first moment. His silence drawing more people in.
"Humans have come a long way," his voice soft and light. "It took only sixty-six years from the first airplane to landing on the moon. Now we have floating colonies, inhabited uninhabitable moon and planet. We're expanding our horizons, continuously advancing technologies. Humans have advanced themselves by genetic modifications to keep up with interstellar travel and living in space.
"We're still lacking as humans as those differences amongst others have held us back. We've had countless leaders bring us into a cult, hoping another war of genocidal dominance would not unleash but instead of thinking about our feelings and opinions, their fascism led us into two wars. Wars that could have been avoided. Wars that were about control, greed." His calm state had millions giving him their full attention. "Wars that did not spare countless of innocent lives. And for what? For Naturals and Coordinators to try to claim the winner of who was better. We've come a long way in a short time to only to continue battling who was more dominant just because of our differences, no matter how small they were.
"I say, we're better than that," he had people hanging onto every word he spoke. "We can all get along. We can all advance. Some places already have that, but its not quite perfected. Some leaders tried to implement it, but it had backlashes. What I am wanting to achieve. What I am wanting to give to you all. Is something that none of them could actually give, actual freedom. Actual freedom to live as humans are supposed to do. Freedom to be as humans are actually need to be. Whether genetically modified or not. Putting away our differences to focus on the furtherment of advancing humankind. If we continue to pull one another down, we're only going to continue repeating history, over and over again. How long must we continue on fighting instead of the trying to go for the solution that everyone wants? Living in a era where humans just live. Weren't that what wars were originally fought? So that the younger generations could paint, lounge, enjoy life to the fullest?
"How about you, living in this Cosmic Era?" He questioned. "Don't you want to live in peace with this type of freedom?" He continued to persuade his audience with his alluring speech. Drawing in more onlookers.
Sven was standing in the common area with the screens all out, similar to when Selena had arrived. He was focused onto the screens, not hearing Yzak had come up the elevator. Yzak was confused on where his swim trunks had went. He entered his room only to find, all of his belongings were gone. He could no longer wear the bathrobe that was placed where his swim trunks should have been. He had gone in the sauna with just a towel, only to find out they were gone. Thankfully, there were some clothes available in his room. Unfortunately, the clothes were the exact same lounge wear that Sven was wearing. The lounge wear was all in the pastel colors he saw Sven in. Yzak groaned internally. Things were just getting a bit worse.
Yzak dawned the pastel blue set. He walked out of the room to ask for a maid, only to see Sven standing in front of the screens in the common area. Yzak came in closer, he listened in on the voice speaking. It sounded familiar. Yzak stopped. The person on the screen looked like his late Commander. No. It was another clone. He was about to ask Sven, but he got caught up with what the clone was saying.
"I implore you all to think over it very carefully," Ra explained. "Such opportunities in life are always taken for granted. This is not one of them. To show how serious I am, I think I have already demonstrated that. I have taken down the new vessel from the royal military of the Kingdom of Scandinavia with one blast from my laser. I know the leaders will go against me as they believe that my way of creating and upholding the freedom is wrong, but was their way any right either? Even though I have taken down that vessel, the two of us have no longer have any hostility between us. In fact, it has become quite the opposite."
The screen panned out to show Selena in a similar uniform except her uniform was white with silver. Her hair was artfully pulled back with a silver crescent moon, poking out from the bun. She stood off to the side of him. Her left hand out for everyone to see the glimmering ring upon it.
"We learned we actually have a lot in common and want the same things," Ra smiled. "So much that we joined together, even in holy matrimony." Sven clenched his fist. Yzak stiffened. "I hope the leaders could come to a conclusion and understanding. We only want peace and freedom. I will give your leaders a month's time to decide. I shall send out the coordinates in space to meet up, that way we all have equal ground. I don't want to start dropping colonies. If the people want freedom, well let's give to them. If your leaders can not go with what their people want, then we must condone them. Remember a month's time.
"It would be sooner," Ra grabbed Selena's hand. "However, I promised her a long honeymoon. I will even let you see some of our wedding as a treat. All we want is for humans to live free and be at peace. We shall see you again in a month."
The live feed disappeared but instead it popped up a small movie of the wedding. The wedding took place a large hanger. The two shiny ZAKUs were placed in the area where guests would have sat. Red fabric was draped down the sides of the hanger walls. The golden bird insignia was strategically placed through out the décor. A white carpet came from the back of the hanger to the front where a Cardinal in formal robes was waiting. Red, gold, silver, and white flowers were decorated everywhere. Beside the Cardinal was Ra, in an all gold attire similar to his usual red and gold attire he wore. There was no insignia on his chest. His golden cape had red inlay. His mask was similar to the one he wore on the live broadcast. In his hair, sitting on his head with a golden disk, that made it look like he had a sun beam or a solid halo. Almost like a golden knight from a fairytale.
The video showed him turning to view the long white carpet that was in between the two mobile armors. A figure was walking slowly down to him. Selena was in a white dress that was draped along the bodice. In between the crevices of the draping were silver pearls. It made it look like she had silver stripes on the sides of her torso. The fabric draped down with two slits. Her legs had silver braces that came up to her calves. She wore matching heels. Her arms had white fabric draping each silver band that connected as one big piece. It draped behind her, forming a train. Her neck glimmered with an intricate diamond necklace. Her hair was half up to encompass the silver disc in her hair. Similar as Ra's. The bouquet of white flowers and silver accents were formed in a tear drop.
Selena walked down the aisle with a serene smile. She looked lovingly towards the man who awaited her. The video panned back to Ra who stood there with happiness and joy. The next clip was the two of them joining together in front of the cardinal. The next shot was showing the exchanging of rings, and lastly the kiss between them.
The video disappeared after the last clip of the two walking down the aisle together with the full view of the ZAKUs surrounding them.
On some channels the continued to play the wedding video on loop. Each person who watched it had a different reaction.
Gatlin was in the middle of announcing the nominees at a music award show with Setona's help. When the wedding video played, the color started to drain from his face. He fainted when he watched Selena kiss the blonde haired man. Setona could not react as she tried catching her manager and friend. Vincent, the black-haired rocker came running onto the stage, helping Setona to manage the unconscious Gatlin.
Cagalli was in the middle of a meeting with the rest of the Orb representatives. The group agreed to take an hour break to reconvene with their thoughts over this new troubling matter. She was at a loss of words. Selena was now an enemy and the evidence was now all over the media.
Athrun felt a bit smug. He had been repeating himself that Selena was the enemy and yet few believed him. Yet here it was, her marrying the enemy.
Murrue and Mu were concerned as this put some of their plans back now that it had gone public.
Andrew spat out his coffee as he saw Selena standing next to the clone. He dropped his coffee cup when he saw her walk down the aisle in bliss and harmony.
Sven walked out of the room, heading through the two common areas in haste. Yzak stood frozen continuously watching the wedding video that played on loop.
Dearka had to sit down. Lacus was in a similar situation like Cagalli's. Lacus was in a council meeting. It was silent after hearing the offer. Kira hardened himself. He knew it was only a matter of time. He wondered how Lacus had felt.
Shinn and Lunamaria were shocked as they were in the Kingdom, and could possibly be hostages. Shinn started to panic. He looked around to see the people's reaction.
"Hey, easy now," a hand planted firmly on his shoulder. "Don't get too worked up."
Shinn looked to see Gai with his orange tinted glasses. Gai was in a blue button up shirt with the sleeves scrunched up. Shinn could see a silver haired man with scar over his face. He was also in similar civilian clothes.
"We're-" Shinn started.
"Ah-ah-ah," Gai squeezed Shinn's shoulder. "Let's go somewhere else to discuss."
Gai moved Shinn through the crowd with Elijah and Lunamaria following behind them. The four ended up in an alley way away from the town center. Shinn slipped out of Gai's grasp. He turned to face Gai.
"She tried to kill us!" Shinn had been mulling over his thoughts as they had walked away. "Now she's with the enemy. We're in her territory. We're going to be hostages!" Lunamaria came over to his side. Gai put his hands in his pockets, letting out a sigh. Elijah was focused on his phone. "She's the pilot of that silver ZAKU. She's the pilot that tried killing us. No hesitation. And you worked with her! Both you and Junk Guild!"
"Are you done yet?" Gai questioned. "Or do you need to rant some more?"
"What was it that she had us deliver here?!" Shinn got up in Gai's face. "Was it all a trap?"
Gai waited until Shinn was done with his ranting before speaking again. "You saw the reaction of the citizens, right?" Lunamaria nodded. Shinn didn't answer him. "None of them were in shock. None of them really seemed to care."
"That's because they're ignorant!" Shinn spat.
"No," Gai shook his head. He took his hands out of his pockets to cross his arms. "That's because Her Highness isn't in power here."
"Not yet," Lunamaria added.
"Obviously," Gai nodded. "The citizens of the Kingdom aren't going to worry because nothing was official."
"It could happen later," Shinn argued.
"Do you actually think with that brain of yours or is everything impulsive?" Gai was getting tired. "Then again you used to pilot the Impulse, it seems fitting now." Shinn glared at him. "Whatever you take back to your Commander, remember what you actually see and hear. You'll leave in a week just like they said. Your vessel will be well repaired and fully furnished. Come on, let's go, its time anyways."
The four of them headed back to the train station. Lunamaria and Shinn continued to take in what's around them. Gai was teasing Elijah who could not look away from his phone.
"You actually took a screen shot!" Gia laughed while trying to take Elijah's phone. Shinn ignored them. "How many photos did you save? Oh, even a video! Well, you're going to be single forever now. She's taken." Gai patted Elijah on the back still making fun of him.
The group passed through the twists and turns on the train down to the bottom again.
"Ah Mistilteinn!" A royal military soldier greeted Elijah. "Gai!"
Shinn looked over to them. Lunamaria tuned in as well. More royal soldiers were greeting the two but saying that foreign name to Elijah.
"What are they calling him?" Shinn asked Gai as they sat down on the seats in the cart to take them back to the vessels that were docked.
"You know his nickname, right?" Gai glanced at Elijah who was ignoring everyone, just staring off into space.
"The Hero Killer," Shinn answered. "He killed a deserter a Hero of ZAFT." Gai nodded, although it was not the truth but he wasn't going to correct him.
"In Nordic legend, Baldur was a god loved by all," Gai explained. "He was the God of Light, a son of Odin. He had a dream once foretelling his death. His mother Frigg had taken oaths from earth, iron, fire, animals, beings, and such to not kill or harm her son. Since they all swore not to, the gods decided to through items at him, showing his immunity, amongst other things. Loki, God of Mischief found out that the young plant, Mistletoe had not sworn to Baldur. He did not let the plant swear the oath but took a branch and made it into an arrow for another god, Hother to shoot at him. Hother shot the arrow, killing Baldur. A hero. Mistletoe must now never be a weapon and must seek repentance by spreading goodness. That is why those who are under mistletoe should kiss. Each kiss helps Mistletoe gain atonement."
"They call him mistletoe?" Lunamaria was trying not to laugh.
"It was a nickname bestowed upon him by Her Highness," Gai continued to explain. "It stuck with the rest of the royal soldiers. There are other nicknames she could have given him, but this one fit him the most." He had a faint smile. "Don't get overworked up too much. We'll all be out of here soon."
On board the vessel that headed to Mars, Nahe was trying to convince Ergnes not to make the command of turning the vessel back around. The two had watched the live broadcast and the wedding video.
"You must not give the command!" Nahe had locked the doors so Ergnes could not go out. "We must trust Her Highness."
"I trust Her Highness!" Ergnes was pacing back and forth. "It's the rest I don't trust. That woman beside that man was not Her Highness."
"It was Her Highness," Nahe didn't want to go over this conversation again.
"You don't understand!" Ergnes brought up the image of Selena next to Ra in the live feed, and Selena next to Ra in the wedding. "These are two different people." He pointed out. "This one is the fake. This one is real."
"But they look the same to me," Nahe was getting tired of going in circles.
"I feel it with every fiber of my being that this woman is a fake!" He pointed to the one in the live feed. "It's the same with the other one when we first came down."
"First one?" Nahe was confused.
"Lacus Clyne!" Ergnes was tired of trying to explain to him. "Lacus Clyne had a fake. It's the same here."
"But if Her Highness had married him, why did she not show up then?" Nahe poked holes in his argument.
"That, I don't know," Ergnes went back to pacing back and forth.
"We cannot give the command to head back, we're halfway there," Nahe tried to persuade.
"Fine," Ergnes agreed. Nahe let out a sigh of relief. "But we must keep watching this unfold. Something is going on down there. I don't like it. Also, where is that commander whom Isaac thinks I'm like. What is he doing? Isn't he my rival of some sort. See this is why I can't trust others! She would never marry a blonde!"