Gundam Seed Destiny Fan Fiction / Gundam SEED Fan Fiction ❯ Eternal Destiny ❯ Chapter 5

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

"Eternal Destiny"

a Gundam Seed Fanfiction

Chapter Five

Started May 20, 2006

Words: 17,894

Post-war Plant

"I refuse," the seventeen year old snapped, staring dead ahead.

Eileen Canaver spared the glowering young man nary a sympathetic glance. "You have no choice in this matter," she responded instead, standing sedately before the fossilized relic. "Ezalia Joule has been placed under house arrest, pending investigation. You will sit her place in council," she stressed the command and allowed the edict to lay heavy in the silent air between them before turning to face the young man.

"You know, to many this would be seen as an honor for someone so young--"

"There is no honor in what you are asking me to do," the soldier sneered. "It's just another publicity play."

The woman's lips twitched for the first time since the young man had been admitted into her office--the Supreme Chairman of Plant's office. "Don't forget political," Canaver reminded him, turning away from the relic and moving to resume her seat behind the desk. It was still freshly bare, having only recently been cleared of Zala's belongings. "Regardless of your own feelings, Yzak, you will sit your mother's chair in the Supreme Council. It's only for a handful of months, until a new council can be reorganized with the April elections."

The boy was too proud, she thought, like his mother. Uncannily like his mother, Canaver thought as she considered another route. What had been Siegal's saying? Something about vinegar and honey? "And what of your friends?"

"What?" he demanded angrily, head jerking sharply as he finally deemed to look at her. Yes, very similar to Ezalia, this young slip of a man.

"The pilot of Buster, Dearka Elsman--"

"Was a prisoner of war and has been acquitted for all accused crimes," Yzak snapped.

But she knew this, of course. She'd been the one who'd helped Tad persuade the rest of the Zaft Council of the boy's lack of criminality. She'd even signed off on the boy's formal request for a leave of absence.

"And Justice's pilot, Athrun Zala," she continued undeterred.

His mouth snapped shut and formed an angry slash across his face. And she forcibly repressed a sigh. Canaver didn't want to fight with this young man as she had countlessly fought with his mother. They shouldn't have to fight when their goals and desires were similar.

"You're an intelligent young man, Yzak," Canaver began again, leaning forward over her desk. "Use that intelligence and help me help the soldiers of this unfortunate war. The ones who fought to protect was is right and good. The ones who saved us and don't deserve to be repaid with court marshalling. Use that intelligence to help the innocents, the men and women and children who know nothing of war and military and shouldn't have to. The victims, Yzak, and we're all victims in this bloody aftermath. Those of us with the power to do good cannot be allowed to sit back idly. These are precarious times, Yzak. Use your intelligence to help Plant reform into a better and stronger nation."

Newly elected Chairman Eileen Canaver was correct. The youngest Joule was indeed an intelligent man, and he'd used that intelligence almost ruthlessly.

As far as chain of command went, Yzak Joule was a small fry at the end of the first Valentine War. That he'd been chosen to stand in for his mother on the Supreme Council in those chaotic days after was seen as an honor by many, but to him, it was more of an insult. Ezalia Joule was out of public favor due to her zealous support of Zala's methods, but until the next vote came in, they couldn't just assign someone random person to represent Martius City. Supposedly Yzak, as her heir and legal representative, was considered qualified and was unceremoniously shoved into the spot, undeservingly.

. He'd had no choice but to returned to Aprilus-1 and attend Supreme Council meetings, forced to remain silent and listening to other members argue back and forth over what was to be done. His presence was a mockery to the system, but he held his tongue and observed his surroundings shrewdly. And when the meetings were over and the councilmen adjourned, he'd attended the formal dinners and social events that were the bane of any such existence. And there he'd whisper comments, drop tiny jewels of wisdom that faithfully resurfaced another day in meetings.

It was sickening to watch the games these people played with each other; sicker still to perpetuate and participate in them himself, and so it was a great relief when the Treaty of Junius-7 was finally signed and Plant rallied to the voting polls. Yzak was released from his duties as councilor member and given his own commission, complete with his impressive white coat of command.

He was proud of that coat. It wasn't a hand-me-out or an obligation he was required to fulfill. It was an acknowledgement of his skill and talent, his honor and his commitment to ZAFT. He chose his own team again, hand-picked from the best ZAFT had to offer him. He was one of the best, and he demanded the best from those who worked with and for him.

That's why, he rationalized to himself and to anyone who dared question him, he'd scooped Dearka up when the other pilot finally returned from his imposed exile. He didn't ask questions about the other man's whereabouts. When it came down to it, it didn't matter. Dearka was just one of those people who, once you were his friend, you were friends for life. No matter what Yzak might have said to get the other man to leave him alone, it was impossible to excommunicate yourself from the man.

Life was just falling into a neat and orderly routine. And then they'd fallen into war again, swept up in the great, galumphing mess of conflict and confusion. Not that that great idiot Zala had done anything but add to the confusion. Still, it was a relief when it was over and they'd all made it through alive.

Why the Supreme Council had chosen him, though, to meet with the Eternal and Orb forces Yzak didn't know. He suspected it might have been more political maneuvering due to his tentative ties to the commander of the Eternal, but the truth was, although both their parents had served on the Supreme Council at the same time, it was Yzak's first time to actually meet Lacus Clyne face to face. He hadn't been quite sure what he'd expected of the pink-haired idol who had been Athrun's betrothed. She was a case study of mixed signals-- the bubbly air-head who smiled and giggled for cameras and fans, the steady young woman could calmly sit in the midst of battle issuing orders. That they were one in the same didn't sit right with him.

One thing he definitely hadn't expected was to actually like the woman, or experience that flash of jealousy at how familiar Dearka and she were together. And he surely hadn't expected to respect or admire her, but he did after watching her stand before the Supreme Council and coolly inform them that she had no intention of turning over command of her ship and its fighters, calmly refuse to tell the council where the Freedom and Justice were.

"Those suits belong solely to their pilots," Lacus stated in her soft, even voice. "They are of no concern to anyone else."

The council had blustered and bellowed angrily, all save the chief councilor who remained quiet, meeting Lacus's intense gaze steadily.

"Understood," she'd announced finally, looking away. "This council will acknowledge the carrier-craft Eternal and its two fighter suits, Eternal Freedom and Eternal Justice, as the property and therefore responsibility of Lacus Clyne and the Orb Union government."

"No," Lacus responded, shaking her head slightly. "The Eternal is not Orb's either. Although it is true that both its fighter pilots are members of the Orb military, the Eternal is not."

"Then to what government do you hail allegiance to?"

"None," Lacus answered assuredly. "The Eternal is sovereign, answering to humankind."

"That's an absurd assumption!" one of the council members burst out, earning the pink-haired woman's gaze. "Those crafts were made by coordinator hands and now they're under command by members of Orb's army, and yet you stand there and try to make us believe that they hail allegiance no government? You are truly a misguided child to believe such nonsense!"

"Any more absurd than the fact of Justice's pilot being both member of Zaft's Faith, as well as Orb's military?" Lacus answered coolly. "It would do this council well to remember why the Eternal and its mobile suits were created; why they exist. Not to propagate war, but to defend and protect against that insidious constitution."

The stuffy-faced politicians continued to sit on their asses for several more days, arguing back and forth amongst themselves, but Lacus had already won her case. One ship that had been lost to them years before was hardly a prize piece when there were Peace Treaties and alliances to be made and formed in the tentative months following a conclusive battle.

Yzak disliked politics on principle--it was a twisted, messy game in which the rules were constantly changing. Better by far in his opinion was the military where there were rules and orders to follow and everything had its place. He thought he could understand the council's resistance towards just letting the Eternal and its mobile suits roam free, but in any case, it wasn't ultimately his decision to make. His vote was cast.

"Representative Joule?" Clyne caught his attention as they left the council hall to escort her back to her assigned quarters--not a cell, but still a cage which she was not allowed to leave freely. "Shall we have dinner?" she suggested cheerfully. "Unlike my last visit, I have a feeling I will be in Plant for several more days, and I should like this opportunity to get to know you better. If you're free, of course."

"Clyne-san," he returned with a small, polite bow of acquiesce.

To his continual surprise, Yzak found he'd enjoyed himself rather well that night. Lacus Clyne might smile genially more often than not, wearing a seemingly vacant expression, but her words were delivered in soft, fluent tones that belied the hidden brightness of her spirit, a sharp mind you could cut yourself on. He was only mildly aggravated when Dearka showed up for after-dinner refreshments.

"Hey there, lovely lady," the blond called out as he lifted a bottle of spirits in salute. "Fancy finding you still here, and without the usual suspects, either."

"Ah, Elsman-san, good evening," Lacus greeting gaily.

"Please," Dearka protested. "Didn't I tell you before, all my friends have a free invite--in fact, I insist-- you call me Dearka, all right?"

"Of course, Dearka, thank you," the woman responded, standing to take the bottle from him. "I'll just get us some glasses for this, hm?"

"And that would be great, yeah," Dearka answered, grabbing her about the waist and offering a quick, familiar peck against her cheek as she easily rolled out of his loose embrace and danced away with an amused giggle. He dropped into an empty chair at the private table and grinned across the centerpiece at Yzak.

"So," he continued once Lacus had returned with the promised glasses. "Where's that fiancé of yours? Or dare I hope that the fact that he's not here with you means you've finally given up on him?"

Lacus just laughed at his teasing. "No, not anytime soon. Kira returned to Orb with the Archangel and the rest of the fleet. Cagalli wanted as much of Orb's forces home as soon as possible so as not to be seen as a hovering threat."

Yzak scoffed at that. "That country is a threat," he proclaimed gloomily. "And a nuisance. First joining the Alliance, and then harboring war criminals."

"Yes," Lacus agreed sadly, refilling their drinks before they could ask. "Orb certainly had a difficult time while Cagalli was away. Isn't it amazing what one person's influence can create? Even here in Plant, one person's image has the ability to sway the populace minds."

"I bet she was pissed," Dearka grinned into his drink.

Lacus returned his smiled. "Cagalli? She was quite unhappy with circumstances, yes, but when all's said and done, I think both she and Orb will be stronger for this trial."

"And what about that other person? The fiancé?" Yzak demanded. "Is she still going to marry him?"

"No, he died," she answered, taking a quick sip from her own glass. "Killed in the Battle of Orb along with a majority of the parliament. I understand she has most of her parliament reappointed now; a new Prime Minister has been named. There is still a lot of reconstruction work to be done, but, as I said, I think we'll find Orb will become a much stronger country because of this transgression."

They were quiet through another round of drinks, mulling that and other thoughts over in their heads.

Finally, Dearka asked, "Have you heard from Athrun?"

Lacus shook her head, but it was Yzak who answered. "He was formally pardoned by the council again two weeks ago, but other than knowing he's still somewhere here in the Cities...."

"What I don't get is why did he up and rejoin Zaft?" Dearka mumbled, frowning into his drink.

"I don't think he planned to," Lacus responded with a heavy sigh. "It was just how circumstances played out."

"Bullshit," Yzak growled. "You don't just get redrafted into Zaft--especially not if you already have marks against you on your record. I don't care what former Chairwoman Canaver did to seal his records, I won't believe Chairman Durandal didn't know of that man's past."

"Of course he knew," Lacus practically snapped, her demeanor hardening immediately at the mention of the now deceased Supreme Chairman. "Don't tell me you still believe that man was all good intentions? Gilbert Durandal was a master manipulator; he knew exactly what he was doing, and he said just the right things to draw Athrun back into a mobile suit cockpit, and he made sure it was on Zaft's side."

"So he allowed himself to be used," Yzak sneered.

"We were all used by him," Lacus reminded him coolly. "Even me."

They fell quiet again at that icy rebuke.

"So," Dearka drew out, reaching for the bottle before Lacus could offer to refill his glass for him. He topped off all their glasses in the process. "How long until you and Kira tie the knot, huh?"

"I don't know. We're not in a rush," Lacus mused aloud. "Which I suppose it could be considered quite a good thing since all this business will surely take more than a few months to clean up this time."

"The formal treaty talks will be starting up in another month," Yzak agreed. "Just based on last time, they could last for a good five months."

"Longer this time," Lacus predicted, "since the first treaty was already broken, others will be less likely to trust again."

"Plant shouldn't be held responsible for the acts of terrorists," the silver-haired man growled.

"No, but it has before and will be again this time," Lacus reminded him.

"It's a shame we can't make up some alliances of our own," Dearka groused. "Wouldn't have to be anything fancy, mind. Just something simple-like: You don't attack us, we won't attack you. Short and sweet. Cut out all the fancy extras that take up so much time."

Lacus and Yzak looked at him with wide, slightly glassy eyes.

"You know," Yzak mused blurrily. "That's really not a bad idea... for a single-celled moron like you."

"It might be possible," Lacus agreed. "If the right governments were approached with a properly-worded proposition... And it would serve to ease some of the tensions that are sure to strain during the treaty talks."

Working with the pink-haired idol had given Yzak Joule a new respect for the part they all had played during both wars, for politics in general, and for the woman herself. It had in no way, however, prepared him for the brash and hard-headedly determined young woman who was the leader of Orb.

82 EC April, Undisclosed location

The library Dr. Crisner had made mention of was not difficult to find, nor was the communications console pass coded. Cagalli slid into the executive chair as she activated the computer, running a search for local schematics-- something, anything that would give her a tip off as to where on Earth she was-- while plugging in the personal code-link for her Parliament office.

"Representative Athha's--Cagalli-sama!"

"Gracia," she cut off her ecstatic secretary. "Connect me with Athrun. Is he there?"

"Oh, yes! He's almost completely settled in and we've--"

The older woman's voice cut out as the transfer connection kicked in, her secretary's fingers moving faster than her overwrought, rambling mouth could keep up with, and the next person Cagalli saw was her husband.

"Za--Cagalli!" Athrun practically shouted, jumping forward in his seat and filling the screen before the lens could adjust. "Where the hell are you?"

"I don't know," she answered, throwing a nervous look over her shoulder. "On an island somewhere. Run a trace feed on this line and see if you can't pull off anything more concrete."

"Already doing it," he replied, and indeed she could spy his talented fingers racing over the keyboard as he leaned back in his seat. "Are you all right? Are you hurt?"

"Fine. Been better," she admitted after a thought. "I have some names for you to run, too. A doctor Crisner, Helana; works on something called the 'GENESIS Project'. And someone else named 'Dana'--she's the one who... 'requested' my presence here," Cagalli informed him, mouth twisted wryly.

"Got it," he answered, typing the names down. "Where are you now?"

"In a library, a house. Mid-upper class, affluent." She looked around her and out the window. "Partly cloudy, looks like a storm might be coming up. Tropical clime. I arrived by boat, personal yacht. I'd tell you more, but I was drugged and unconscious at the time."

"Cagalli..."

"I'm fine," she pushed aside his worry determinedly. They didn't have time to deal with worry right now. "The good doctor looked me over when I arrived. Said we're both fine," she stressed, rubbing her nervous fluttering tummy.

"Both...?" he began, frowning. "Cagalli, didn't you--"

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" someone interrupted roughly from behind Cagalli, and she was pushed out of the way as the same woman from the boat slammed her palm onto the console, effectively disconnecting the call.

Cagalli cried out, grabbing at the woman's arm, but it was too late to save the connection and the stronger woman threw her off.

"No off-island communications," Amaryllis growled, glaring at Cagalli. "Now get the hell out of here. You don't belong in here."

"Gladly," Cagalli snapped back. "Give me the coordinates and a jet and I'll gladly be out of your way."

"Nice try," the dark-skinned woman replied snidely. "And after all the trouble and care we took to bring you here? I don't think so."

"Why?" Cagalli wanted to know, frustration bubbling uncomfortably like indigestion inside her. "Why are you keeping me here? Why did you bring me here?"

"It's nothing personal," Amaryllis answered, studying the scratches on her arm with half-hearted curiosity before turning towards the console and programming in a pass code to keep Cagalli off. "You just don't get to leave until after the Master is done with you, so don't go getting any smart ideas about leaving."

Cagalli was tired. Too tired to successfully win anything she might start with this woman she rationalized. This wasn't a battle she could win here and now, but later. There would be other chances later. The other woman wasn't even paying her any attention anymore, having turned her back to fiddle with the console controls. There was nothing left to be done here, she decided, reigning in her temper and frustrations.

And she was hungry, she realized. No point in starving herself when there was perfectly good food waiting to be eaten in the dining room, Cagalli reasoned. At least she could console herself with the small fact that she had reached Athrun. At least they knew she was alive and unhurt... and they had a solid lead to finding her all the sooner now.

82 April Zaft's Carpentaria Base

"Ch." Yzak huffed in disgust as he walked the short merchants' street towards the shore boardwalk, his uniform in impeccable presentation despite the fact they were currently on free time. "What's so great about the Earth anyway? We'd be better off just ignoring it and concerning ourselves with Plant"

"You're just complaining cause you don't like the extra gravity drag," Dearka responded easily. Thirty-six hours shore leave, and he had every intention of enjoying every minute of it. And his friend was going to spend at least thirty minutes off ship if he had to drag him off himself---which is pretty much exactly what he'd had to do.

Dearka had no qualms in catering to the situation--his uniform was hanging dutifully on its hanger, waiting his return. The soft pants he wore were faded and ripped in various places, the open shirt thrown over a tank top were both clean, the same which couldn't be said for the scruffy boots, and with his hair half-hidden beneath a workman's kerchief Dearka looked more like a common grease monkey or some hooligan than Yzak's second-in-command.

He might not have looked prestigious, but he was comfortable, which was more than could be said for Yzak who was gaining a peakishness thanks to the unfiltered sunlight.

"Shut up," the silver-haired commander charged. "I'm not the one who was four kilos heavier at last med-check."

"It's muscle," the taller man protested, sucking in his gut.

"Keep telling yourself that."

"Wimp," Dearka shot back as they reached the board walk. It wasn't deserted, but by no means of the imagination was it crowded, either. A few young mothers strolled the smartly styled pathway along the shore. A few more braved the sand and waves. A couple of old men were sporting fishing lines off a near-by pier. All in all, it was the makings of a picture perfect scene. "Sure it's humid and feels like your body's twenty kilos heavier--Just suck it up and deal with it. Besides, it's bad form to let the crew see you acting like a spoiled child."

"I can and will demote you," Yzak retorted, warningly. "To mess duty."

"Spoil-sport. Look at it this way," Dearka continued, hanging over one of the rails of the pier. "You keep saying you want to get together and challenge Kira to another rematch. Orb's only a hop, skip, and a jump away. You can drop in on him any old time now."

"I'm well aware of our location in reference to Orb. Thank you."

"So what's the problem?" Dearka asked, turned to lean back against the rail and watch his friend. "So the EA is busy trying to push their heads further up their asses, and we're stuck Earth-side for the duration. The Earth ain't so bad."

"It's hot, and heavy, and full of stupid people," Yzak grumbled, resting folded arms against the railing next to Dearka and frowning out over the tropical waters.

"It's also full of beaches with beautiful, scantily clad women," Dearka couldn't resist pointing out as one of those scantily clad women walked past the pier.

"Refuse removal," Yzak suggested.

Dearka wisely remained quiet and left Yzak to his thoughts for a few minutes. Not that the other man was serious in his threat, or, at least, Dearka didn't think he was, but he also knew his friend was decidedly not happy to be here for a serious reason. The rumors filtering in to Plant over the past several months had all hinted down-right blatantly to the current split of the former Earth Alliance. The higher-ups weren't surprised; they were worried.

You might have thought that a former enemy having trouble in the ranks would be a cause for cheering--not to mention some good old-fashioned jeering--but that all important word 'former' made a bit of a difference. The Earth Alliance and Plant were not friends, no, but they'd managed to maintain friendly relations since the last war. A good portion of that was due to the work of the Orb Union and the Kingdom of Scandinavia, true, but progress was progress.

War wasn't progress, Dearka thought darkly. That was part of the reason the Supreme Council had ordered Yzak down to Earth. Officially, he was to act as diplomat on behalf of Plant. Still, the earth was a pretty big place for one man to cover all by himself, and Yzak hated diplomatic work on principal. Dearka rather thought most of his friend's grumbling was more for show, but in no way, shape, or form had age mellowed Yzak Joule's lovely temperament. Taught him better how to restrain it, maybe.

"So," he spoke up again after what he deemed enough time for silent introspection, "you'll head to Orb first."

"Don't be an obtuse ass," Yzak returned.

Dearka resisting shooting his long-time friend a decidedly unamused look. "It would be rude to come all this way and not personally congratulate the happy couple," he pointed out the most logical excuse.

"Take a moment and think of how it would look if Zaft's dignitary immediately went to Orb after arriving on Earth to participate in neutrality talks?"

"So you'll go to the EAU first," Dearka offered, already knowing the answer.

"No."

"Then what are you planning to do?" he pressed knowing Yzak wouldn't be his abusive, rational self again until he'd made the decision aloud.

"I don't know yet," the silver-haired young man snapped---and that was the crutch of the matter. "Stop pestering me."

"I think you're reading too much into it," Dearka grumbled. "There's nothing wrong with some old friends meeting up and shooting some breeze."

"That's the reason you're still a supporting character and not a commander yet," Yzak told him. "Why don't you attempt to use that thing over your shoulders called a head and think? If I was to go to that country now, those annoying gossipy people will try and say that Plant is making alliances with Orb because that stupid person went and married Orb's leader. That would have repercussions for both nations."

"But we're already allied," Dearka pointed out, earning another glowering look. "Yeah, yeah, but we are allies. Isn't that what all those talks after the second war accomplished?"

"Yes," Yzak agreed grudgingly, shooting fugitive glances either way to make sure no one was trying to overhear their conversation. "To an extent."

"Then does it really matter if some noisy journalists try and spin tales of Plant and Orb joining forces?" Dearka rationalized. "After all, we can always just play the story off as Plant's most esteemed dignitary offering condolences--excuse me, I meant congratulations, to the royal couple."

"Shut up," Yzak muttered, propping his chin most undignifyingly upon his crossed arms. "You just want an excuse to go to that country so you can see that person again."

Dearka tensed immediately, the cool, easy attitude he wore like a second skin slipping before he could pull it back into place. It would be useless to even try and pretend he didn't know whom Yzak was referring to. He shrugged.

"Not really. She's not even in Orb right now."

"You follow her movements closely enough to know where she is on any given day?" Yzak scoffed, but Dearka didn't answer. There was no point in admitting such a thing blatantly. "Fine, be like that," the silver-haired man continued, straightening. "We'll be making preparations to leave port at eighteen hundred hours tomorrow. Do what you want until then."

Dearka watched him walk off back towards the base and sighed, turning back to look out over the ocean again, suddenly not caring very much how Yzak decided to spend his time off.

82 EC, April 5th, Co-Representative's Office, Orb Union.

A familiar rap on the door heralded Kira's entrance. Athrun didn't even bother to look up, his focus fixed solely on the search schemas running on his persacon.

"Kira, good, you're here. I could use your help," he greeted, fingers flying over his keyboard as he followed another possible path. "I just received a phone call from Cagalli. She's--"

"What? Where is she?" the other demanded before Athrun could finish. "Is she all right? What is she doing?"

"That's what--"Athrun began, finally glancing up and stilling when he spied a familiar young woman hovering in the doorway. His mouth snapped shut as he stared at the sergeant major.

"I'm sorry for imposing at a poor time," she began with a small bow, recapturing Kira's attention and his original purpose for coming here today.

He turned away from the desk he'd been descending upon and motioned for the woman to enter. "Athrun, this is Risa Caramen," the Specials General introduced. "Starting today, she'll be your secretary here at the Parliament House."

Green eyes widened with surprise. "You're assigning a Specials to act as my secretary?" the dark-haired man asked incredulously.

"Oh?" Kira looked a little surprised himself, but it was quickly recovered. "You know her?"

"We met on Athha's shuttle," Athrun told him, turning to face the young woman. "I must say it's quite the change, from flight attendant to secretary."

Caramen nodded. "Yes, sir. I'm getting married this summer and decided I wanted to be switched to a more stationary position."

"Congratulations," Athrun offered, "But why secretary? Surely there are other stationary positions."

She shot him a somewhat saucy grin that reminded him painfully of his wife. "Surely there are," she agreed, "but this one came with a salary too good to turn down, not to mention a promotion."

"Athrun," Kira interjected softly, watching the two carefully. "Lieutenant Caramen is highly capable, and we can all rest easier knowing that you have a bit of extra protection."

Green eyes flitted between the two people in the room. He sighed. "Got it. Okay then, Lieutenant, what do you need to get started?"

"To begin with, sir?" she asked, settling into a natural position. He nodded. "My name is 'Risa', not 'lieutenant', sir. Part of my effectiveness as a Special Forces is my ability to blend in, and if you continue to address me by my rank, that ability will be negated."

"Okay, then, Risa," Athrun agreed easily. "What else?"

She smiled and nodded. "Sir, you're the boss. What do you need me to do?"

Athrun shot Kira a look, and Kira nodded. "You're aware of the situation regarding our missing head of state?"

"Limitedly, sir," Risa answered nodding briefly.

"Five days ago Representative Athha disappeared from her home," Athrun recited clinically. "We had been unable to determine who, where, or why she was taken. Several minutes ago I received a transmission from her."

He turned back to his shiny new desk. "We have to maintain the pretense that everything is still running as normal. That task will fall mainly on your shoulders. Right now Cagalli's secretary, Gracia, has been fielding the majority of my calls on top of her normal workload, but that will be your job from now on. I suggest you go and meet with Gracia. She'll be able to tell you more concretely just what this job entails."

"Sir," Risa responded, inclining her head respectfully. "I'll go do that now, and leave you and the General to discuss this new development more."

Athrun waited until she was gone before turning to Kira. "Are you sure she'll be all right?"

"I wouldn't have entrusted your life to her otherwise," the other man responded seriously.

He waited a beat and then nodded his understanding. Quickly, Athrun typed in the command to replay the last call on the wall display screen, and Kira turned to watch as Cagalli's face flared to life.

"Za--Cagalli!" Athrun's recorded voice played off screen. "Where the hell are you?"

"I don't know," Cagalli's image answered. She looked over her shoulder as if expecting someone to be there. "On an island somewhere. Run a trace feed on this line and see if you can't pull off anything more concrete."

"Already doing it. Are you all right? Are you hurt?"

The blonde's head shook. "Fine. Been better," she answered, her affectionate expression hardening seconds later as she became all-business again, detailing what little bit of information she had to share.

They watched silently until the stranger had appeared and discontinued the transmission.

"I've never heard of the GENESIS Project before," Kira mused, frowning as his mind raced to try and fit bits and pieces together.

"Neither have I," Athrun admitted. He fell back against his plush leather chair with a heavy exhale, eyes shut as his mind raced forward. "So far I haven't been able to find anything. There are several hits for Helana Crisner, but we'll need to go through and cross check with the name 'Dana'. "

"She's all right," Kira's soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

Athrun looked up, mouth tightening, and he couldn't help but add, "...for now."

82 EC, April 6th, World-Wide News at Six

"Escalating tensions between former Earth Alliance governments is causing worry across the globe... and beyond," Emma Braxton launched into the top lead story promo. "A formal dignitary from Plant here on Earth? The Orb Union keeping secrets? All this and more. Your world, your news."

"And... we're at commercial," called one of the techies, and the short-haired leading anchor sighed and turned to check her make-up.

"We should be leading with more of the Orb story," her co-anchor announced, frowning as he stared over the layout.

"Can't," Emma snapped. "It's considered entertainment news still, and the networks want to run their own specials covering the backgrounds. You know that. All we're allowed to do is give teasing tidbits. Besides, it's not like we really have that much to go on yet. And if we do it now, we'll miss out on viewer tune-ins. No one cares that we're heading towards another war, but they'll tune-in for a royal scandal like Orb's."

Kenneth was still frowning, but he quickly smoothed the expression away when another techie called that they were about to go back on air. Both news anchors brightened their smiles and turned to the cameras.

"Good evening, this is Emma Braxton--"

"And I'm Kenneth Rivers--"

"--and this is World Wide News at six. Ambassadors between the Atlantic Federation and the Euro-Asian Federation have been locked behind closed doors for several days now, trying to reach a peaceful consensus between these two formidable nations. But despite Atlantic Federation President Bernard's continued assurances that there will not be another war, other nations are worried. Our correspondent, Caryn Lee has the story. Caryn?"

"Thank you, Emma...

"Gunfire broke out today along the East Asian and western Atlantic Federation borders today. It is still undetermined who fired first. World leaders continue to insist that there is no danger of a repeat war despite reports of amassing armies. Plant's terrestrial ambassador, Yzak Joule, left Zaft's Carpentaria base earlier this afternoon. Joule has announced that he will be visiting the Orb Union first before continuing on his international political tour. In a brief statement earlier today, Plant's Supreme council had this to say:

"'No one wants to fight. No one wants to cause more pain and suffering. That's not the aim of any government. We must realize and remember this simple fact--we all want only what is best for our nations and the Earth sphere as a whole. The governments of Earth must remember that war is not the answer, that fighting amongst ourselves does not solve any problems. We must continue to work together to build and maintain a peaceful and happy future.'

"Plant says it will continue to adhere to the strictures of the New World Peace Treaty, signed seven years ago. In addition to serving on Plant's Supreme Council twice despite his young age, Ambassador Joule also worked with pop-idol Lacus Clyne, a current Orb-resident and wife to Orb General Yamato. Joule and Clyne were two of the key orchestrators of the treaty signing between the Plant and Orb governments that concluded the second Valentine War, so it's not that surprising to see Joule choosing Orb as his first destination here on Earth. But Orb might be having some problems of its own right now. Kenneth?"

"Is there trouble in paradise?" the co-anchor Kenneth Rivers picked up. "Only a day after Athrun Zala's shocking announcement that he is the father of Orb Union Representative Cagalli Athha's baby--that the couple has, in fact, been secretly married for the past two years-- and Cagalli Athha has yet to step forward herself. Nor has she been seen anywhere for the last week. Zala told reporters on Tuesday that Orb's leader was at an undisclosed location, but he failed to say why she was gone or when she would be returning.

"And who's running the country while the princess is away? Inside sources tell us that Zala himself has been presiding over Orb's Council while Athha is only stars know where."

"In other news," Emma continued, "Neo-Euro model Chastity was reportedly injured during a photo shoot yesterday. There's been no word on the nature of the injury or her condition..."

Cagalli growled and flipped the channel, hoping to find out more about what was happening in Orb and the rest of the world. What she found instead was a home improvement channel demonstrating how to reset flooring, a kids' program containing a dancing blue octopus, and a history channel documentary concerning the Urban Revolution Wars. With an empathic curse, Cagalli chucked the remote across the room.

"You know," Crisner intoned mildly, not bothering to look up from her computer console. "If you don't like what's on, you could always just change the incoming feed code and see what's playing around the sphere."

Cagalli glared at her, but the doctor was unperturbed.

"Plant's code is 067," the older woman continued. "I don't know Orb's, but you can look it up."

She wrestled with her pride for a moment before finally caving and climbing to her feet to go retrieve the remote. It took her added time to locate the proper code for the Orb Union's local news, but she did just in time to catch the opening segue into a popular seven o'clock entertainment news program.

"It was almost twenty-eight years ago when Representative Uzumi Athha and his wife returned from a visit to Heliopolis with a pink bundle of surprise," the dark-haired pixie-like woman began with a wicked smile and sharp eyes. "Since her arrival, Cagalli Yula Athha has never let anyone forget she's not your normal cookie cutout princess. Ask anyone in Orb and they'll be able to tell you an earful.

"Her latest escapade? The revelation that not only is she expecting her own little bundle of surprise in the up-and-coming months, but also that she's married, and has been. For two years!

"So just who is this mystery man?" the reporter asked her viewers, leaning in towards with enthusiasm laced with mischievousness.

"For some, it comes as no surprise that his name is none other than Athrun Zala."

The images on screen switched to shots of Athrun at a publicity gathering in Plant from several months ago. It was good footage--the young man looked sharp and good enough to eat in his formal wear and dazzling smile.

"Zala has been a legal resident of Orb for the last five years," the reporter continued, and the images changed to show footage taken several years ago at one of Orb's charity functions. "But how much do we really know about the man who is now Orb's Consort? Test your knowledge and see how well you know this Star Prince!"

The screen faded out into a sea of stars, sweeping up to take in the awe-inspiring view of the Cities.

"Athrun Zala was born October 29, Cosmic Era 55, the only child of Patrick and Lenore Zala." The screen slid into family photos depicting a beautiful smiling woman holding a sleeping infant and a proud man presiding over them. "Although the family estate in located in December City, Athrun was born on his mother's home colony in Junius City. By the age of six, the Zala family had moved a total of eight times, finally settling in the lunar colony, Serenity."

The family pictures were replaced by a panorama shot of the moon before sliding through a series of school photographs. "The family remained on the moon where Athrun attended one of the most critically acclaimed academies for gifted children. Enrolled at the same academy was none other than Orb's current Special Forces General, Kira Yamato."

An elementary school class picture filled the screen, with two boys near the front highlighted in glowing bubbles.

"After the terrorist attack that destroyed the United Nations, Patrick Zala was elected onto Plant's Supreme Council and decided to move the entire family back to Plant. One year later, Athrun's mother, Lenore Zala, was killed in the tragedy of Junius-7--"

Space once again, and the captured footage of Junius-7's destruction followed by a graveyard shot played out on the screen before fading into a series of shots of ZAFT's training academy. "Six days after the tragedy of Junius-7, Athrun enrolled in the ZAFT military academy. His skills were quickly recognized, and Athrun graduated the top of his military class less than a year later. He joined a group of Special Forces pilots that included current Plant Ambassador Yzak Joule and entered the First Bloody Valentine War."

The picture flashed on screen was one taken directly from Athrun's military records, depicting that first fateful group of painfully young man, smiling expectantly and confidently at the camera. Before the end of the war, their number would be cut in half, but they didn't know that then. Death was still something not looking at them yet. They were young and hopeful and eager. It showed on the seven young men's faces

"It was at some point during this war that Plant's Star Prince and Orb's Princess first met."

Images switched to typical public relations' shots of war coverage--arguing diplomats interspersed between mobile suit battles and battle aftermath shots. They were not happy images.

"Although not much is known about their relationship from this time, we do know both pilots played a vital role in ending the war. Immediately after the war, Athrun Zala disappeared from public and wasn't seen again until the resurgence of the Second Bloody Valentine War. We have been unable to confirm rumors reporting that Athrun was living in Orb at the time, but what we do know is that Athrun returned to war as a member of the Zaft Military and received special recognition from Chairman Dullindal, along with the appointment as a member of Zaft's Elite Force, FAITH.

"Before the end of the war, however, Athrun left Zaft and joined Orb's Forces. Again, he played a vital role in ending the war--Athrun Zala is credited with destroying the super weapon GENESIS before he disappeared again. Thankfully, it wasn't another war to draw Athrun back out into the public's eye, but a wedding."

The scenes of war and diplomats faded in the bright sunny day and video coverage of a wedding.

"On June 16th, Cosmic Era 76, Athrun's former betrothal, Plant Idol Lacus Clyne, and his former classmate, Kira Yamato, married in Orb's most prestigious temple. After the ceremony, Athrun and Cagalli showed a unified front as they answered questions for the press in what turned out to be the first of many such joint sightings. From that point forward, Athrun remained in Orb, going so far as to formally change his registered home address and citizenship to that of the Orb Union's.

"Although his home address was listed as an apartment," the reporter's voice continued to narrate as the front face of one of Orb's more prestigious condominiums was shown, "Athrun rarely spent time there."

A slew of images slid on and off screen. A shot at the beach of Cagalli, Kira, Athrun, and Lacus splashing away in the water with the kids. Another caught Cagalli and Athrun at a fancy dinner one night, Athrun leaning over to wipe a crumb from the corner of Cagalli's mouth. Another, this time of a military function with Cagalli, Athrun, and Kira decked out in their gleaming uniforms, Lacus beside them, shimmering in a iridescent gown. Athrun and Cagalli dancing. Athrun and Cagalli caught in their 'grunge gear'--looking anything but a prince or princess.

"A wave of rumors and gossip began, surrounding the apparent closeness between Athrun and Cagalli. Rumors Cagalli and Athrun continued to deny, insisting they were only very good and personal friends.

"The rumors refused to be quieted, however. Especially when, after only a year, Athrun released his apartment in the city and moved to the Athha Estate House permanently.

"The rumors, it seems, were quite justified."

The screen view changed again; this time showcasing the wedding footage from Kira's security cameras.

"Two years ago, on August 24th, on a small island just outside of Orb territory, in the company of General Yamato and his wife, Cagalli Yula Athha and Athrun Zala exchanged vows of matrimony in a private ceremony on the beach."

The scene played out, from beginning to end, before the reporter continued.

"Their marriage remained a secret, and months later Athrun returned once more to Plant; this time as Orb's Ambassador." The screen images switch to Athrun addressing the press and sitting in at one of Plant's council meetings. More pictures of functions and meetings and galas. "Athrun remained in Plant for over a year, slowly rebuilding the weakening bridge between these two nations. And then new rumors began to fly in Orb.

"The princess was expecting.

"Shortly following the conformation of Cagalli's first pregnancy, Athrun made an announcement of his own: he would be stepping down from his position in favor of returning to home and family here in Orb."

"Orb is where the people dearest to me, my family and friends, are," Athrun was quoted saying.

"Tuesday, three weeks after announcing his intentions to return to Orb, Athrun stepped before another press gathering and confirmed that he is both the father of Cagalli's baby and the Orb leader's husband.

"Since then, neither Cagalli nor Athrun have been available for further comment," the reporter sounded accusing. "But people want to know more."

Now the video feed turned to people on the street with a microphone held out for them.

"I want to know how long they've really been a couple," one young Orbinite asked.

"I would like to know which name the baby's going to take, since they both kept their family names," a man queried thoughtfully.

"Why'd they keep it a secret?" an older gentleman asked.

"I wanna know how they met and fell in love," this by another woman.

"Not everyone has been supportive of the couple, though," the reporter warned, and indeed, the next few shots were lacking of happy faces.

"I wanna know how come they didn't tell nobody?" one man was quoted. "I mean, if you ask me, this marriage bit is all just a cover-up for something else. It's all about publicity, you know?"

"How could she? Has she forgotten who that man is? What he represents? That man is a member of Zaft," a very upset older woman accused. "He attacked us, burned our cities and countryside, killed our families. Are we just supposed to forget that?"

"That girl's always been a wild one, doing whatever she pleases. It's not wonder she went off and got married without even thinking about what it might mean for Orb."

"Is that true?" the reporter asked, looking directly into the camera and sounding clearly skeptical. "Is this marriage just another one of the princess's crazy escapades? A publicity stunt made in order to distract our focus from something else? Or is it another step in the long road she began ten years ago when her father tragically passed away during the first Valentine War? The road journeyed by a strong and independent woman fully capable of making the decisions that will continue to lead Orb into the future?

"Cagalli and Athrun haven't been available for comment, but Prime Minister Toshihiro shared his thoughts on the matter."

The screen changed over to the press conference from early that week. Koji Toshihiro smile benevolently at the gathered reporters and spoke clearly in his deep and cultured voice.

"We were all understandably surprised by the news of Cagalli's marriage, and concerned about what impact it will have on Orb. But we were also very relieved.

"Like many others, Cagalli suffered terrible personal loss during both Valentine Wars, first losing her father and then her fiancée. But unlike many others, she had to face stepping into her father's place to guide Orb through those horrible days and months after war had ravaged our lands. Cagalli persevered. By her guidance and will, Orb was able to rebuild herself into the strong and proud country she was before the wars. Cagalli's compassion did not end with her own people, however. She reached out to other suffering countries with sincerity of heart and purpose.

"Always, Cagalli has focused on what was right, what was good. For Orb and for the rest of the world. Even her marriage was a step taken to ensure Orb's protection, though many have failed to see that. Cagalli did not marry for money or a political alliance. She did not marry for only love or lust, either--if those had been her only requirements, she and Athrun would have married many years ago.

"Cagalli wanted more than just her own happiness for her country. She wanted a life partner who was strong-willed and dependable, capable of supporting her and her beliefs--the beliefs of Orb. She was blessed to find that partner in the man she already loved. When she chose Athrun as her husband she chose a young man who possesses unquestionable spirit and heart. His determination and courage to do what's right is commendable.

"Cagalli will continue to do her job and boldly lead the Orb Union to its future destiny, and Athrun will continue to be there supporting her as he has done for many years previously. The only difference now is that everyone else now knows that he's there, and he's not going anywhere."

82 EC, April 8th, Co-Representative's Office, Orb Union.

"I wish there was more I could do," Lacus confess softly, her angelic face looking quietly tortured even through the impartial medium of the view screen.

"I know," Athrun reassured her, trying to offer the woman a small smile of some sort. "I appreciate what you've been able to do already. Without you and your connections we wouldn't have even half of what we do now to work with."

"It all trails back to Mendel," Kira murmured standing off to the side and not watching the screen, not looking at anything in the room. "Hibiki. Dullindal. And now Crisner."

"Mendel was one of Plants leading research facilities for high-level projects," Athrun reminded his friend, well aware of his friend's disease with the colony. "Projects they didn't want the public masses to find out about."

"Projects like me," the other man replied hollowly.

"The GENESIS project and the UCP are both highly secured files," Lacus spoke up, her voice even and calm. Serious. "Even the Dullindal Report is top secret. The only reason we were able to discover this much about the GENESIS project is because we already possess records from Dullindal's files," she reminded them both. "They're not the complete files, though."

"But it's a start, and more than we had this morning," Athrun persisted. "Thank you, Lacus."

"If we really want to get into those files, we could," she offered, but with some hesitance. "It would take more time, though."

"No," he shook his head firmly, and the frown stretched his already tired face. "If possible I would like to avoid resorting to hacking into PLANT's security. It's not a very friendly thing for Orb to be caught doing. Especially right now with tensions so high all around. And what you've been able to give us will probably keep us busy for days."

"Shall I come over and help?" the pink-haired woman offered solicitously, with a barely hidden note of eagerness.

"No," Kira spoke before Athrun could, turning to look sideways at the screen. "It's all right. Stay with the children. They'll worry if we're both gone."

"You've done enough," Athrun assured the other woman as Kira walked further away. "And you're still not fully recovered," he added, studying her face with concern. "Don't try and deny it. I can see it."

Lacus sighed away her immediate retort and answered instead with her own observation. "You look tired, too, Athrun."

"I am," he nodded, not even bothering to deny it. Then he looked away. "I'm sorry, Lacus, for keeping Kira away from home for so long."

She shook her head and did a much better job at summoning a smile for him. "We all want to find Cagalli." Her eyes focused off-screen as her smile grew more melancholy. "He would just get in the way here, making everyone else nervous."

"Thank you."

"We're family, Athrun. No thanks are needed."

"Thanks are always needed," he corrected her. "Take care and try and rest."

"You, too. Both of you," she added shooting a fugitive look towards Kira, but the other man didn't respond. "I'll talk to you tomorrow. Good night."

Athrun severed the signal and then turned to look at the office's other occupant. "Kira?" he called when the other man didn't say anything.

He looked up, surprised as if to find someone else in the room with him. "Hmm?"

"Are you going to be okay?" Athrun asked carefully, and even as he asked, he watched that careful, easy smile slide effortlessly across Kira's face.

"Sure," Kira answered, turning around to face Athrun. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I know how you feel about the Mendel Colony," Athrun responded honestly, watching his friend's face closely, "and it looks like this mess will lead us right back there."

"I'm fine," Kira insisted as his expression grew more serious. "It's more important that we find Cagalli. Following the two leads we had proved nothing. Both the fishing boat and the private yacht were clean." He turned and gestured to the files transferring to Athrun's computer. "This is the only option open to us now. We can't hesitate to follow it if it might help us find Cagalli."

"Kira," Athrun said, not knowing how to say anything else he was feeling--regret that he knew Kira was hurting; hurting because of what he saw as a horrible scar on his past, a past that he had no control over; hurting because his sister was missing and gods only knew where; hurting because he felt just as helpless as Athrun did to do anything to find Cagalli.

"But there's a lot to read through here," Kira went on, studying the data with a small frown. "It'll probably take days for us to get through all this."

"About that," Athrun began, sitting back and swiveling to face his companion. "I would like to request a Specials agent to be assigned to this matter. Maybe even a team if we could afford to pull one together secretly without raising too much attention."

Surprise was quickly washed away with hurt and even anger. "You want to turn this over to a Specials team?" Kira asked incredulously, standing up and staring down at Athrun accusingly. "You want to trust someone else with Cagalli's safety? The safety of your children?"

"'Want to?'" Athrun repeated tightly. "No, but I don't have much of a choice, do I?" He stood quickly, anger provided restless energy; and because he feared he might actually strike out at something with the force of his frustration, he stalked across the office towards the windows. "Even if we find out where she is, I can't just leave Orb to go after her myself. I'll have to send someone else out. If it has to be someone else, then I want someone who is fully prepared, who knows the information. Because I can't go. With Cagalli missing, I'm tied here; I can't leave Orb."

"Athrun," Kira began, apologetically, but he stopped before he could voice it. He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face as if to rub away the fatigue and stress. Then he tried again. "Let's take this information home and start going through it there. And I'll see about getting that team together for you."

Athrun glanced at the reflection of fancy, stylish clock decorating the wall behind him and had to turn around to do a double take. He hadn't realized it was that late already. "Yes," he sighed heavily, walking back towards his large wood desk. "Might as well read it there as here," he agreed, saving the open files to disk and slipping it and several other hard copy files into his work satchel.

Before they could make good their escape, however, Risa stopped them. "Sir. The Zaft command fleet vessel Vanguard has just sent intent of coming to Orb. They're requesting permission to enter."

"Yzak? What the heck does he want?"

"Commander Joule is Plant's special envoy on Earth now," Kira reminded him softly. "He's scheduled to visit several nations."

"Yzak hates politics just as much as I do."

"Never the less, he's here on earth as part of a diplomatic mission. It would be rude to turn him away because of bad timing."

"Dammit," Athrun chewed, frowning. "Yzak's always had bad timing. Risa, rely a message to Kaguya that the Vanguard will be entering our territories as part of a diplomatic envoy. They are to be put to port in our diplomat docks and any high ranking officers are to be accommodated at the Gravian Hotel for the remainder of their stay."

"Yes, sir."

"And then contact the Prime Minister and warn him, please."

"Of course."

"You know, his timing might not be so bad after all," Kira mused as the young woman turned away to get started on her orders. "If he could maybe help us get into those locked files? As a diplomatic envoy and all, plus with his connections in Zaft and Plant? Rather good timing, wouldn't you say?"

"If he can really get us into these files," Athrun agreed, but he was still frowning. "I would like to avoid just hacking into them if at all possible. It wouldn't look good to be caught hacking into Plants' private records."

"It'll probably cause problems with certain council members, though," the specials general predicted rather gloomily.

"When it comes to certain council members, there will always be problems," Athrun couldn't help but growl. "At least if Toshihiro has warning, he'll be better prepared to handle Perrot and the others. Kisaka will be making the arrangements for a secured dock where the Vanguard and her crew can rest. In the meantime," Athrun sighed, shutting down the remainder of his equipment, "Let's get out of here."

Kira retrieved his own unit and packed it and its components carefully away in his carry bag. With one last glance over to make sure they weren't leaving anything important behind, the two strode towards the exit.

"Do you already have someone in mind to work on this?" Athrun asked casually as they by-passed the bank of elevators and took the staircase down to the first floor.

Kira shot him a quick look before looking ahead. "As a matter of fact," he began easily enough as they reached ground level and nodded towards the security guards who saluted crisply. "Yes. There are a couple of names that came to mind."

One of the valets rushed to open the car door before Athrun could do it for himself, and with a repressed roll of his eyes, he slid inside and made room for Kira. "Anyone I know?" he asked when the door closed behind him.

Kira fussed with his bags and seat belt, not meeting Athrun's questioning eyes. "Archangel."

Athrun's eyes widened and he leaned back into the soft cushioned bench seat, wonderingly. "Not the entire crew?" he asked after a moment.

"Skeleton," Kira corrected, pulling his hand unit back out and opening it.

Athrun nodded, working the figures out quickly in his head. "And you?"

Kira paused briefly in coding in requests and met Athrun's gaze. "...Yes."

Athrun exhaled and relaxed. "Thank you."

Surprised, Kira continued to watch him. "For what?"

It was the easiest smile he'd been able to pull up in the last three days. "I can't think of one other person or group of people I would feel more comfortable with sending in my place."

"Lacus would say no thanks are needed among family," Kira murmured, looking away again. "But, thank you. For allowing me to go."

"You'll leave the Freedom here." It wasn't a question.

"Even if I could bring it, a Gundam is too inconspicuous to take out," Kira replied, neither confirming nor denying the whereabouts of the special suit. The official story Kira had provided when he's resurfaced after the second war was that he'd left the Eternal with the Freedom and Justice and then self-destructed the two specialized suits on the moon's surface. Salvage crews had found some remaining parts in the designated area, and the CPU's for both suits had been recovered, but for some reason, Athrun had never really believed those suits were really gone, destroyed, and out of reach forever.

He'd never questioned Kira about it, however, and he wasn't about to start now. He nodded in response and then proceeded to let his mind wander as their car pulled smoothly away from the Parliament building. The commute from the Parliament House to the Athha Home Estate was a precious time; Athrun had been using it to pursue data and various papers and reports, but today his mind was content to ponder things over.

On the seat across from him, Kira had his palm unit out and was reviewing data. He would leave it to his friend and brother-in-law to recommission and pull together the Archangel team. But was it really a good idea to let a skeleton crew out on the veteran warship? Was it wise to let the veteran warship leave Orb territory at all when there was already so much unrest in the surrounding waters?

"Kira?" Athrun spoke up as the car continued to smoothly eat up the kilometers. "What if we send the Archangel out as a training exercise? We could crew her with freshies and have a plausible excuse for why an Orb warship is outside of Orb territory."

"That might work," Kira agreed slowly, running the idea through his own process channels. "It would help explain why some of the advanced officers would be aboard, too."

"Yes. Then we can send her out with a full crew and still have our strike team. Depending on how many members you can call back." Athrun thought another moment and then asked, "And isn't there a bonus offered for medaled veterans who participate in certain training exercises?"

Kira grinned. "We'll have to pass it through Kisaka's desk first, though."

"A given," Athrun allowed with a negligent shrug.

"Not to mention," Kira coldly reminded his friend, "we need to locate Cagalli before we can go out after her."

"But we're already closer to finding her," Athrun persisted, determined to remain optimistic.

"The Pacific Region is a large area with literally thousands of islands."

"But it's a start," Athrun insisted, turning to stare out at the scenery speeding by. It was a start and a hell of a lot better than having no idea at all.

82 EC, April 8th, Orb Union.

"Commander Joule?" the Vanguard's communications office called out once the ship had safely put into port. "There's a Ms. Caramen waiting to speak with you outside, sir."

Yzak looked up, unamused from where he stood conferring with his command staff. "Caramen?"

"She says she's Representative Zala's personal secretary, sir," the green coat answered. "Should I send someone to bring her in?"

"No, no that won't be necessary. I'll meet her myself," Yzak growled, turning back to his officers. "You have your orders, see to it they're extended to the crew. If something should change either myself or First Officer Elsman will inform you. That is all. Dismissed."

There was the standard snapping salute before his team departed, all save his first officer who was looking musingly impressed. "Sent his personal secretary, huh?"

"Are you coming, or do you plan on spending the entire night aboard the Vanguard?" Yzak returned, not bothering to wait for the other man as he slid into the lift.

Caramen was a willowy young woman snazzed out in an executive secretarial suit--everything well-matched and coordinated from her mauve power-pumps up to the flowery little hair ornament holding up her buttery brown hair. She stepped forward purposefully and with quiet self-assurance of her right to be there as he and Dearka descended the extended landing ramp.

"Commander Joule? Welcome to Orb," she greeted neutrally, her voice soft and ungrating upon the ears. "Representative Zala has requested that you join him and General Yamato at the Athha Estate Home upon your arrival. Arrangements have been made for your staff and crew for shore leave, should you permit it."

"I see." Yzak's lips thinned as he drew up before the woman. Even the extra centimeters of height allowed to her by her pumps barely brother her even with his chin.

"If you're ready, sir, you car has been made available." She motioned to lead him forth.

"My car?"

"Yes, sir," Caramen responded even-toned. "For your personal use while you're in Orb. Zala-sama thought you would prefer to operate your own vehicle as opposed to having a driver; however, should you prefer, a driver can be obtained."

"Does he know you or what?" Dearka bit back his laughter, but he couldn't have repressed his toothy smile for a hundred credits. Yzak's response was a razor-sharp look that did little to wipe the grin of Dearka's face.

"A driver won't be necessary, thank you," he told the woman. "And did Represenative Zala happen to mention how I should find him?"

"Sir, you can find him at the Athha Estate Home. The directions have been programmed into the Navicomp."

"Convenient. Thank you," Dearka grinned leaning in closer to catch a whiff of floral scented perfume. "You're very helpful."

"Just doing my job, sir," she answered, turning to lead them off towards the car park.

"And you do it so well," Dearka murmured, appreciating his new perspective of the young woman striding purposefully before them. Beside him Yzak made a derisive sound, but Dearka and their escort chose to ignore him.

"Dinner and refreshments will be available at the Estate, but it's approximately thirty minutes' distance from the city. Zala-sama had authorized this credit line for your convenience," the woman continued, turning and offering a card to Yzak as they waited for the lift to arrive. She quickly retracted it, however, when Dearka made to take it. "I've been expressly forbidden to hand it to you, sir," she explained, not the least bit apologetic.

Yzak's lips twitched as he took the card and slid it safely out of sight. "It seems I'm not the only one he knows well," the silver-haired man replied while Dearka displayed a sulky attitude. An attitude the quickly evaporated once they arrived at the car park and he caught sight of what was to be their vehicle.

"Sweet stars of Araius!"

"The key code for the ignition," Caramen offered, handing over a thin strip of bar-coded plastic. Dearka was already crawling inside and oozing rapture over the console and gadgets the sports coup boasted.

"Thank you for your work," Yzak intoned, taking the key code from her. "We'll be leaving now."

"Certainly, sir," Caramen returned, bowing slightly to hide the twitching of her lips as moans of joy continued to pour from the open car door. "Enjoy your stay in Orb."

*****

"Well that was a fine welcoming," were the first words out of Dearka's mouth once they were shown into the Athha Estate home office. "Where's our pomp and circumstance, huh? No brass band, no cheerleaders in skimpy bikinis--I tell you, I'm disappointed!"

Despite his weariness, Athrun found a smile tugging at his lips. "Good to see you again, too. Though I admit I hadn't expected to see you both quite so soon, and definitely not here on Earth."

"Yes, well, the Chairman was most insistent," Yzak huffed.

"She must have been if she succeeded in getting you to agree to a descent," Athrun mused, getting up to close the door behind them. Dearka had already sprawled himself out on the lone sofa.

"I guess the Council's all worried about there going to be another war or something," the blond offered, kicking back among the decorative pillows.

"With good reason," Yzak snapped, turning his glare upon Athrun as if the young man was the sole cause for all evil. "The way events are being played out it doesn't look like the Atlantic Federation is willing to let the EuroAsia Fed or the East Asian Union go without a fight. If that happens, other counties will be caught up in the brush fire."

"I don't want to believe that anyone really wants another war," Athrun sighed, detouring towards the wet bar before resuming his seat behind the desk. "Especially one that would be on such a global level. But you're right. Certain actions made by the Atlantic Fed lead me to wonder just what it is exactly that that government wants."

"And what of the Orb Union?" Yzak interjected smoothly, lifting the glass Athrun had set before him. "What does Orb want?"

"Neutrality," was the immediate answer, said without hesitation or doubt. "We will honor and maintain our neutrality."

"Will you listen to him?" Dearka hooted, sitting up to grab his own drink. "What's with this royal 'we' all of a sudden, huh?"

But Yzak and Athrun chose to ignore the blond's amused outburst. "The last couple of wars have tarnished that 'neutrality' of yours pretty badly," Yzak responded insidiously.

"All the more reason why Orb must not get involved in this skirmish," Athrun returned firmly. "We will still fight to protect ourselves should the need arise, but we will not go out and instigate any hostilities."

"Of course, but I have to wonder if your wife and the rest of Orb share these fine sentiments."

Athrun's look darkened, attracting both other men's interest. "Cagalli and I are agreed on this and always have been, despite what some others might want or think."

"Trouble in paradise?" Dearka asked, demeanor serious as he leaned forward, elbows on knees, frowning.

"Just a small case of ignoramus."

"It's that much fun, running your own county, is it?"

Athrun's lips twitched again into the I'm-amused-but-I'd-rather-not-be smile. "Words fail to describe."

"But it's under control?" Yzak countered, wanting that assurance. If Orb was to get involved in another war, too... "As you said, Orb can't afford the reputation it would receive if you fail to keep your big noses out of the fires."

"Yes, it's controllable," Athrun insisted. "Just because some people don't agree doesn't matter. Cagalli, the prime minister, and myself are agreed and that's what matters. Orb will be staying as far away removed from the battle as possible."

"Good," the silver-haired man pronounced, resting back into the stiff, formal chair. "That's how it should be. If more people refused to engage in unnecessary battles everyone would be much better off."

"Yeah, what he said," Dearka chimed in, slewing off his seriousness for his normal easy-going demeanor with a wave of a hand. "Hey, speaking of your better half--where is Cagalli? She's not still working, is she?"

Athrun exhaled. "And that's the second reason why Orb will definitely not be engaging in any hostilities," he announced. "My wife is currently not in Orb, and only a handful of people currently are aware of this fact: We don't know where she is."

"Damn, Zala!" Dearka exclaimed teasingly. "You just got down telling folks you two are together and she's already up and run off on you? Even Yzak managed to keep up pretenses with his wife for longer than a day!"

"Shut up," Yzak snapped, and like a retort of banging doors, Dearka's jaw snapped shut. "What do you mean, 'you don't know where she is'?"

"Just that," Athrun exhumed, rubbing his tired face with heavy hands. "It's been a week, Yzak. A week and it feels like we aren't any closer to finding her or getting her back than we were a week ago."

"Show us what you do have," Dearka pressed, standing up and coming around the desk. "Maybe there's something you missed, something we can help with."

"I," Athrun faltered for a moment before caving, moving to stand up and let the other man sit at his unit. "I would appreciate it. Thank you."

"Nah, man," Dearka returned, waving his thanks off. "It's okay. Just show me what you got, okay?"

Athrun's smile was a little less forced this time as he agreed, reaching over Dearka's shoulder to pull up what information they'd been able to scrap together as Yzak came up around the desk behind him to look also.

82 EC April, Undisclosed location

"Neo-Euro model Chastity was injured during a photo shoot earlier this week," the newscaster announced in his calm and serious tones. "Her manager released the statement that she is healthy and fine to continue work and that Miss Chastity is sorry for any alarm she caused anyone. She would like to thank all the wonderful people who sent her flowers and well wishes. No details about the injury were given."

"And it seems Athrun Zala, only child of former Supreme Chairman Patrick Zala, is making news again," picked up a second announcer. "Veteran hero of both Valentine Wars, Zala turned the Cities on a spin with the news that he's a happily married man... and has been for the last two years! This news is in combination with the announcement that his wife, Orb Representative Cagalli Athha, is pregnant. This will be the first child for both Zala and Athha. Kiley Mathers has this evening's special report."

The news program segued into its fancy opening for a special report before opening to footage of Athrun smiling and waving to a gathered crowd as the reporter began her narrative.

"He's one of the most popular men in the twelve Cities, possessing fame, fortune, and looks that send most women into hormone-overdrive. And now he's married.

"That's right, ladies. One of the Cities' Most Eligible is a bachelor no more. In a shocking press conference held earlier this week in his home country, the Orb Union, Athrun Zala broke many a women's hearts with the news that not only is he married, but he and wife Cagalli Athha are happily expecting their first child.

"Just who is this woman who stole the heart of one of our princes?

"Her name should sound familiar, for she's none other than Orb's very own princess and leader, Representative Cagalli Yula Athha."

An image of Orb's resort beaches faded into one of the downtown district, and Cagalli was diving for the remote to quickly change the channel to something--anything--else when Crisner snatched it up first.

"I'm rather interested in this, if you don't mind," the elder woman pronounced, tucking the remote under her folded hands as she leaned back in the easy chair.

Cagalli was face with a choice. She could try and wrestle the remote away from the woman--she was fairly sure she could overpower her, but she knew from two days experience that this program was the only thing of interest on at this time of day, unless she really wanted to watch that stupid game show where people tried to guess the price of common household products... Or she could sit there and watch this stupid editorial. Leaving wasn't an option. Amaryllis was hogging the library and it was pouring buckets outside.

In any case, the report was continuing, unheeding her dilemma.

"Born May eighteenth, Cosmic Era 55, on the space colony Heliopolis, Cagalli is the daughter of former Orb Representative Uzumi Nara Athha and inheritor of the Athha Royal line that has led the Orb Union for over a century."

"Well, there's one thing they've already screwed up," the older woman mused, and Cagalli glared at her but refused to ask. It sounded accurate to her so far, and she would think she'd know her own biography.

"But don't be fooled," the reporter announced. "Athha isn't your typical cookie cut-out princess. As a child, she was more often referred to as the Tom-boy Princess, known for finding trouble and mayhem at every corner."

Cagalli winced. She didn't need to sit here and listen to this. She didn't. And the list did seem rather long as the news announcer went through it all in a mostly chronological order: the broken arm she'd gotten from trying to jump her horse over a high fence, the incident when she'd threatened to shoot one of her tutors in the kneecaps, the skinny-dipping scandal, the jumping off a cliff as a dare, the high jacking of one of Orb's mobile suits, the sky diving incident, the...

"But Cagalli's life wasn't one of all a high-adrenaline rush of fun and games. When she was only nine years old, she lost her mother to the wasting sickness that plagued many of the Pacific nations during the early sixties. Then, seven years later, during the First Bloody Valentine War, she lost her father in the Battle of Orb, forcing Cagalli to assume leadership of the island nation at the tender age of sixteen. Two years later, tragedy struck again when her fiancé, Yuna Roma Seylan, was killed in another Battle of Orb."

"I only regret not being the one to have personally pulled the trigger," the blonde mumbered angrily from where she sat on the sofa in silent protest, arms crossed tightly and leg jittering.

"I take it it wasn't a love match," Crisner responded dryly. Cagalli just glared.

"In the ten years since Cagalli Athha has assumed leadership of Orb, the country has continued to set an example for other nations, participating in many of the Peace Talks and Seminars that continue to circulate among the terrestrial governments. Under Cagalli's guidance, Orb has been one of the lead runners in calling for a demand of a reinstanted United Nations and reminds other governments that a true United Nations council is one that represents all of the Earth Sphere and not just terrestrial domains.

"Here is a woman who truly lives up to her image." The Athha Royal crest of the Lion and the Rose panned into focus. "Orb's Lioness: proud, dignified. A leader among--"

Cagalli stood a moment longer in front of the screen, finger quivering from the pressure she'd used to jab the power switch off. Then she took a deep breath and took a step back.

"If you'll excuse me, I think I'll return to my room," she said with as much dignity she could muster while still trembling.

Crisner watched her with amusement, waiting until the blond had cleared the door at least before remoting the screen back to life. After all, she was finding the report rather amusing.

82 EC April, Somewhere in the Americas

She hissed as the cool patch was ripped off and another was slapped into place. She'd already used the epidermal, and the various lingering aches and stings were starting to abate again.

"We're going to have a hell of a time covering this up," her companion mumbled irritably, balling up the cool patch and tossing it towards the rubbish bin. He poked and prodded around a bullet wound, examining the skin grafting job for shoddy or poor workmanship, but seemed finally satisfied.

"Didn't expect them to have such impressive security," she returned tartly sullen, wincing a bit as she stretched, pulling at the grafted skin. "Besides, that's what cosmetics are for."

"Remember you have another job to do here," he snapped, barely restraining the urge to hit her--he knew from experience she would hit back and that got them no where but a wrestling match, and he wasn't much feeling in the mood for sex somehow. How could he with the mess she'd made of this trip. "Think of how it would look for your cover to be blown because you look like you've narrowly escaped an exploding building."

"I got the package, right?" she returned angrily, standing right in his face and glaring, daring him. But he didn't take it and she finally turned away to sit back in front of the stylist's mirror. "No one said anything about the place being live with detonation devices."

"You're a professional," he reminded her. "Supposedly one of the best. Act like it sometimes, won't you? Unless your name really is just an empty self-flattery... Master," he sneered.

She glared at him in the reflecting glass. "Don't you have an errand you should be running? I'd hate to know I got my ass painted with flying debris for nothing."

He shook his head disgustedly and turned on heel, pushing out of hotel room with cold, sharp gestures. She waited until she was sure he was gone and wasn't coming back, and then she stood, walked over to the door and turned the lock.

As far as relationships went, theirs had always been a dissatisfying one anyway. No real lose, she told herself, looking back at her reflection in the mirror.

82 EC April, Orb Union Territories

Miriallia Haw had the most adorable toddler curled up sleepily in her lap when her communicator started singing. Surprised and just a little annoyed, she juggled the half-asleep babe around until she could retrieve the noisy unit. Her annoyance quickly faded into surprise, however, when she caught sight of the caller's ID.

"Haw," she greeted cheerfully into her phone.

"Hey, Angel. Long time no see," the voice on the other end responded, and for a moment she had to fight to keep her body loose and relaxed. "You're in town?"

"Just got in last night," she answered easily. Just like talking to an old friend about the weather. "Visiting the folks and some friends. Why? Wanna hook up?"

"Yeah. How's five tonight sound to you?"

"You treating for dinner?" she returned just as quick, careful to maintain that friendly, easy-going tone.

"I can do that. See you, then?"

"Sounds good. I'll be there," she promised before flipping the unit closed and staring at it for a moment before tucking it safely away in her back pocket, away from clutchy, chubby fingers. She resorted to smothering the baby's chin with noisy kisses, producing happy giggles.

"Who was that?" Sai asked as he returned from what looked like a successful potty-trip with his rambunctious four-year old.

"Old military friend," she answered casually, grinning up at him. "You know, I don't think I ever asked you why you decided to leave. I mean, you were a great help during the war."

He stared out, watching his daughter tackle the jungle gym with enthusiasm. "I guess for about the same reasons you did, no? I'd done what I said I would do, didn't I?" he said finally startling her. "I followed it through to the end, but I'd never wanted to be a soldier. I don't blame the military, or think they're bad or anything, but I'd never planned on it being a part of my life. When we got caught up in the war, it was right there. It was the only way I could help. When Kira was risking his life to try and protect us, how could I just sit around and do nothing? I did what I could, and I saw it through to the end, but it wasn't what I wanted."

Sai shrugged and finally took his seat back on the bench beside her, plucking his youngest from her arms with practiced ease. "When the war was over, I was happy to be able to leave. I'd shown I could do what needed to be done, and it wasn't like I was irreplaceable there. Even Kira was replicable, wasn't he? But here? Here I've found something that isn't so easily replaced," he concluded shooting her a sheepish little smile.

"It wasn't how I'd planned it, exactly, but Wellis and the girls have given me something the military couldn't. And I have my work. I guess, in a way, I haven't completely quit the military, either, since I get commissions regularly. What about you, though?"

"Huh?"

"What you're doing now, would you give it up to return the life of a soldier?" Sai asked, settling the napping babe back in her stroller.

Miriallia thought for a moment before answering. "I enjoy photography. I'm good as it, but it's not the only thing in my life," she finally formulated. "But then, neither is being a member of the military. I guess, really, I haven't found my one purpose in life yet."

"You will," Sai told her confidently. "Sometimes life just makes you go a roundabout way towards finding it, but you will find it."

"Yeah. I'm sure you're right," she agreed, feeling a lonely ache inside and trying desperately to ignore it.

****

Miriallia waited until almost four thirty before leaving her parents' house using her younger cousin's motorbike. It took exactly eighteen minutes to reach her destination; she knew from memory. She flashed her id badge at the front gates, and the guards slashed the card through their unit before allowing her to pass. The palm-scan still held all her data and the door opened without hassle.

An aide met her on the other side of the security check point, smiling vacantly, careful to take in her features without actually looking at her. It was skill of espionage taught in this facility. She knew from personal experience.

The aide led her to a door, like so many other doors along this corridor, and bowed discreetly before leaving her there. Millie waited until the young man was around the corner and out of hearing before knocking raptitiously on the otherwise blank door.

It opened immediately, and Millie entered to familiar faces and old friends.

"Hey there, kiddo. How's life been treating you?"

Millie looked around the room, smiling warmly at the two other occupants before moving to take one of the free seats. "Captain Flaga, Captain Ramius, it's good to see you again."

"Hello, Miriallia," the older woman responded, half-turning from beside the coffee machine set up on a small table in the corner. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Yes, that would be great, thanks," the younger woman returned, coming up beside her. "So, do you have any idea what's going on?"

"None, yet," Murrue admitted with a little sigh. "I was surprised to be called in like this, although I know something's been up recently. Well, first there were those rumors about Cagalli, and then Athrun's announcement the other day..."

"I take it you two didn't know anything about that either then," Millie mused, feeling just a tiny bit better knowing she hadn't been the only one left in the dark in regards to that little matter.

"No, none," Mu spoke up. "Granted, always knew something was up between those two--you couldn't be near one for any length of time without knowing it."

"Mu," his wife warned, setting a cup of coffee down in front of him.

"I'm just saying is all," the blond inflicted innocence. "In any case, the way I'm figuring it is, it can be only one of two things: either they're expecting more of an outburst from the other governments about it, or this is about what the Earth Alliance is up to."

"There is no Earth Alliance anymore," Murrue reminded him.

A second door opened before any of them could form a reply to that, and Kira walked in beside Andrew Bartfeild. "Mu, Murrue, Millie, it's good to see you again," Kira greeted the three of them with a tired and wan smile. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."

"Well, my boss was pretty good about me heading off early today," Mu responded with a rueful grin. "I think it helped that the general himself informed him I wouldn't be available this afternoon. Pulling rank, are we now?"

"And how are the new recruits holding up?" Kira returned. "I trust they'll survive an afternoon without their trainer?"

"They're good kids." Mu answered with a negligent shrug. "We might even have a bit of potential among them."

"Any names that come to mind?'

"A few, but what would the Special Forces General want to know? Not already recruiting again, are you?" the blond accused, leaning forward to fix Kira with a piercing, questioning look.

"As a matter of fact, that's part of the reason I asked you all to come by today," Kira began as Bartfeild made faces over the coffee. "The Archangel has been commissioned for a special project. As soon as it can be outfitted, she will be departing on a special training expedition. This procedure is designed to accomplish a number of targets."

Each body turned to watch him curiously as he continued.

"First, it will be an opportunity to observe selected new officers in a more natural battle environment. This mission is primarily a training expedition, and that is how it will be sold to the public."

"A training mission is hardly cause to bring old vets like us in, Kira," Murrue pointed out reasonably. "What aren't you telling us?"

"Second," Kira continued, ignoring the question for the moment, "and the bit we won't formally admit to is that we hope to remind the other governments that while Orb may be labeled as neutral, that does not mean we are defenseless."

"I think it's pretty hard for them to forget it after the last two wars," Mu commented, but again Kira didn't respond except to continue his little speech.

"And the third and most important target is to retrieve our head of state."

Complete shock-filled silence met this final statement, and Kira forced himself to remain still while imparting his next bit of news.

"Seven nights ago, Cagalli was taken from her home. Three days ago, Athrun received a transmission from her. From the transmission we know she is alive and for the moment at least, safe. It has also been confirmed," he added, shooting a look towards Walfed, "That she was taken and is being held against her will. We were unable to pinpoint her location, but we were able to narrow down a search area."

A view screen in the wall opened up and flashed a map of the Southern Pacific. "This is where the Archangel will be running her mock battle simulations while searching for Cagalli."

"Kira," Millie began hesitantly, overwhelmed by the task he was proposing, "There are literally thousands of islands in the South Pacific. She could be on any one of them."

"Which is why we are also following some other possible leads," he responded, undeterred. "The Archangel will represent a front force capable of being in the area and close enough to get in and out. Most of the islands here are uninhabitant. Those that aren't are listed as neutral territories, too small to capture the interest of the larger governing bodies. It shouldn't be a problem for the Archangel to be seen there."

"It's like searching for a needle in a haystack, you realize that, don't you?" Mu exhaled, scratching his face as he thought the proposed idea over. "I gotta admit, I've been wanting to see how my kids will react to real-world situations. Especially now with all the hoppulla going on. It looks like we're going to have another war pretty soon. But this..."

"Kira, how long do you expect this mission to run?" Murrue asked, frowning.

"Optimistically? No more than a week. Realistically, it might be closer to several weeks." He sighed again. "I've designated a full month for the purpose of the training mission, but make no mistake as to what our real purpose is."

"And what about you?" Mu asked, turning on Bartfeild with a suspicious eye. "You've been awfully quiet throughout all this."

Andrew raised a shoulder negligently and tilted his head away. "The boy already knows my opinions on this. I'm signed on. I've been working on this almost from the beginning anyway, and it's important we find the little girl. These are bad times for her to've gone and gotten herself kidnapped in."

"I'm sure she didn't plan for it," Murrue replied, lips twitching, and Mu looked away, scowling.

"I don't think you should go."

Murrue looked at her husband uncomprehending for a moment, before starting to rally. He continued before she could begin.

"You should stay here with Julian," Mu explained, still frowning.

"The boy's in junior high," she exclaimed disbelievingly. "He's capable of staying with a guardian, Mu. He could even stay in the school dormitories if need be."

"But there isn't a need," the blond captain responded. "If Bartfeild and I go, and I guess Kira will be coming along, too, right? That's three. And since Miriallia's here, I assume she's coming along, so that'll be four special agents working this angle."

"And I don't believe it's your choice to make," Murrue returned coolly. "The Archangel is still my ship. If she's going out, there would have to be a damn good reason why I'm not on her."

Millie took one look at the glowering couple and then turned to Kira. "I'm in. Just tell me where and when."

He sent her a grateful look that almost made her feel guilty. "I'll send the information to your unit tonight, but I expect to leave as early as possible. No later than tomorrow afternoon."

"Will you be able to pull in the rest of the crew that soon?" she asked, trying to hide her surprise behind mild curiosity.

"The rest of the ship will be manned by junior officers," Bartfeild supplied. "Remember our cover? A training mission. It doesn't look too good if we have too many seasoned officers."

"Each department will have higher officers, of course," Kira amended. "But the crew will be largely staffed by lieutenants, sergeants, and privates."

"I see. Well, then," she cast a quick glance towards the married couple. "If that's all... I hate to cut this short and run, but if it's going to be my last night in Orb for a while, I'd like to spend as much time with my parents... sir," she tacked on as an after-thought, although formality had never been a part of this group's inner-interactions.

Kira returned her salute after only a moment's surprise and nodded. "See you tomorrow, Millie, and... it's good to see you back in Orb."

She tossed him an easy grin and wink over her shoulder. "It was good to be back, no matter how short the time period!"

And then left him to deal with the two decidedly not-happy captains. She knew a tricky situation when she saw one---that had been part of her training, too, after all.

****

Kira hesitated only a moment before answering the incoming call.

"Kira," his wife greeted pleasantly immediately.

"Lacus," he returned, a small, tired smile tugging at his lips as he relaxed back into his chair. "The kids?"

"They're fine. Asleep already," she answered easily with a discreet nod to reaffirm that the connection was secure from her end. "You're leaving."

It wasn't a question, and for a moment he wondered at how truly fortunate he was to be able to share his life with this wonderful woman who understood him so well.

"When do you leave," Lacus asked simply at his short nod.

"They're already supplying the Archangel," he explained, splitting the screen in two and transferring her data he had. "She'll be ready to deploy by tomorrow, early afternoon at the latest."

"I see." She sighed and her name fell from his lips in a whisper. "I wish that I could go with you," she stopped him from saying anything useless between them. "But that might create more difficulties than aide our cause."

"Lacus," Kira repeated, sounding torn, but his wife continued pressing on, her voice its delicate lilting tones.

"As part of a training exercise for possible specials officers it's only right that you should be there, but your wife, who is only a civilian, has no purpose for being present on a war ship during such an exercise."

"If," he started to suggest before cutting the statement off. "What about you and the children?" he asked instead.

"It might be best if we moved back to the main island for the duration," Lacus mused. "It would be a nice break for the children, and maybe we can help ease some tension if we stayed with Athrun. You're taking Captain Ramius and Flaga, too, I see," she noted, eyes flickering in the tricky lens as thoughts were generated and processed. "Perhaps we can offer to watch Julian."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Kira asked, still nervous from this afternoon. Other than Cagalli and Athrun, and Yzak who was just argumentative by nature, he was rather unaccustomed to witnessing two people who he cared about and respected fighting each other.

"You'll be gone for at least two weeks, regardless of how soon you find Cagalli," Lacus reasoned. "You need to be away at least that long to effectively maintain your cover as a training expedition, no? And Bartfield-san is leaving with you." Her slim shoulders shifted in a negligent gesture. "It will be fine, Kira. The children and I will continue to carry on without you for as long as you need, so please go and do what you feel you must."

"You disagree with my going," he responded desolately, but Lacus simply shook her head and murmured a denouncement.

"No. I merely worry for your safety and Cagalli's." She reached out as if to touch him and then remembering she couldn't, curled her fingers back into a tiny fist which she hid in her lap. "Please promise me you'll be careful? These are dangerous waters now with unseen forces at work. While I'm sure Cagalli is safe wherever she is, I worry about you being out of reach."

"We'll be careful, Lacus," he promised, knowing there was nothing more he could say to her now. For the time being he had to go and leave her behind, but she would be safe here. And he would keep his word and be careful out on those open waters. "I'll call you again. Soon. Take care."

"You, too," she whispered back, but the connection was already cut short by guilty fingers.

82 EC April, Political News Program "Parle!" with Patricia Morgan

"All I'm saying is, is it really such a big deal that she married a coordinator? I think you all are getting wrapped up in the wrong issues here. Yes, it's a historic event, and if we'd found out about it when it happened two years ago then, yes, I could understand all the hoopla, but right now, to be sitting around arguing over whether what she did was right or wrong is just asinine when there are more important matters occurring daily."

"You're referring to the unrest between the former Earth Alliance."

"Referring? Heck no. I'm down and out saying it's more important to be focusing our attentions on the war front."

"Aren't you jumping a little ahead of yourself there? War hasn't been called."

"I believe in calling a spade a spade. You have two countries glaring at each other, pointing weapons at each other, and threatening to kill and destroy. That's war. And you're all allowing yourselves to e blinded to the real important issues: the Atlantic Fed and what it's doing out in the Pacific.

"Have you noticed it's the AF who are shouting the loudest about Orb's supposed scandal? They're the ones pointing the finger and saying, 'Look, everyone! Look over there at Orb! Look at Orb! How dare that woman get married to someone she loves and respects and then not tell anyone. Oh, and he's a coordinator, too. Let's just bring up every bad thing any coordinator's ever done and then, when your focus is all directed at Orb, you won't notice that nineteen Atlantic Federation bombs were dropped in Philipinna yesterday. It's not like the fact that major cities were destroyed, over one thousand people wounded or killed is as important as Orb's princess going off and getting knocked up by her husband.

"People are dying. War has returned, but no one seems to care! They're too busy wagging their tongues and waving their fingers at Orb for keeping such a secret. You know what? Cagalli Athha is not a stupid woman. She knew what she was doing when she decided to keep her marriage out of the public know. Everyone's bellyaching and lamenting---Oh! What's going to happen to Orb now? It's as if you all expect Orb will decide the fate of the entire Earth Sphere.

"Here's a news flash for you people: Orb is just one country. One small country, and it runs on neutrality. Do you know what that means? I actually went and looked it up in the dictionary this morning, so let me give you a direct quote here. From Webster's to you---neutrality is the state of being neutral. Hn. Well, then, what the heck does 'neutral' mean, I wonder? Why it means not favoring either side. It means being neither one thing nor the other. It means Orb likes to keep its nose out of other government's businesses unless they themselves are pushed to an extreme.

"And here's another news flash for you: Athha and Zala have been married for over two years now. Two years, and the sky hasn't fallen. Orb and Zaft haven't joined forces and attacked anyone, and I don't think they will any time soon. Unless, of course, the Atlantic Fed continues to press them into a corner. And then I think we can all expect to see those two nations rear their heads again. The past has proven that Orb and Zaft are more than willing to protect themselves, and I think the Atlantic Federation would do well to remember their history."

82 EC April, Undisclosed location

Politics had forced her to learn the value of patience, but there was only so much patience one could reasonably be expected to display. After four days of having nothing to do but watch news feeds and horrible daytime dramas, Cagalli's patience had run out.

Contacting Athrun, talking with him for even that short period of time, had gone a long way in reassuring and calming her. But as the days continued to pass and rescue failed to arrive, Cagalli grew more and more annoyed. She tried to use her time productively--exploring the island, getting a feel for the lay of the land, trying to determine where exactly she was. It was a small island; private, with only the one house and a few outbuildings. Off shore were several other islands, but if they were inhabitant, Cagalli couldn't tell.

But there were literally hundreds, maybe thousands of such islands in the Pacific regions alone. The weather was a bit warmer than Orb was for this time of year, so it was probably that she was closer to the equator, but again, that still didn't help her much. There was nothing inside the house to give away their location, either. No addressed envelops or stationary she could find.

And Cagalli had searched. She'd made sure to keep an eye out for Amaryllis, and then she's poked around into whatever doors and drawers were unlocked. The computer, unfortunately, was blocked. Whatever Amaryllis had done, it had ensured Cagalli wouldn't be able to use the unit.

She was, the young woman thought, quite out of options other than to continue to sit there on her ass, waiting for someone to come rescue her. She had used up all her patience to sit that option out. So Cagalli dressed carefully, made sure to eat plenty the night before and loaded up on calories that morning, and then she left the house.

Amaryllis looked up to glare at her as she strolled calmly past the open garage where the woman was tinkering with an antiquated automobile. "Don't stay out too long," the dark golden-skinned woman growled. "There's gonna be a squall this afternoon."

Cagalli didn't reply as she continued past. She walked down towards the pier first--today, like all the days previously, its moorings were naked, bereft of any vehicle. She hadn't really expected any to be there, but there was always hope.

Sighing, she walked out along the stretch of beach, the silky fine sand shifting beneath her sandals. It was a good sign. It meant she probably wouldn't encounter any coral reefs in this direction. The water was a clear turquoise, with only one spot of darker blue separating this island from the next. Cagalli judged the distance as being maybe only a couple handfuls of kilometers long.

She stared out at that island for several long minutes, glancing out to the east where darker clouds were starting to build.

And then Cagalli slid off her sandals, burying the pretty foot gear in the sand. She gathered the hem of her skirt up, knotted it up so her legs were unencumbered, and the she walked out into the water. She waded out into the swells, testing the pull of the current. The water was chillier than she'd expected, and a bit rough, too, but that was likely because of the approaching storm. She didn't stop her slow forward process until the waves slapped against her hips.

She sucked in a deep, fortifying breath, and then plunged in to her shoulders, gasping as the cold water engulfed her. She was a bit out of shape--sitting behind a desk most hours of the day just didn't really lend itself to cardiovascular activity--and her muscles felt the stretch and pull before she marked the first kilometer.

Eyes focused on the island ahead of her, she didn't stop.

Finished August 10, 2006

[On to Chapter Six]