Gundam SEED Fan Fiction ❯ Gundan SEED - The Beginning of a New Era ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Looks around "Reviews?"

Authoress Seak looks under the table but finds nothing "Reviews?" she asks in a small voice.

She turns to her bed and looks under it, braving the monsters that she knew lives there. She screams as a clawed hand shoots out and scrambles away, no her reviews weren't there.

She sniffs, her eyes wide with possible tears as she puts on her virtual reality headset and enters the Fanfiction world.

"A REVIEW!" she shrieks happily.

And immediately clutches her one and only review for this story. "Thank you Sakura!"

......................................................... ........................................................................... ............

Gundam SEED - The Beginning of a New Era

By Seak

Chapter Two

Captain Andrew Bartfeldt sat in his office, drinking coffee, the bittersweet taste seemingly relaxing for him as he stared at the photo of his beloved. He ran his finger across the picture and closed his eyes - he could almost hear her voice, see her smile and smell her scent, the feel of her body pressed up against him as her arms wrapped around him. He missed her, this woman of his.

"Aisha," he whispered.

Perhaps he will see her again in the afterlife but now, now he had to live for her.

She would have been proud of him and his actions.

He had always wanted to see the farms that grew the coffee beans, perhaps he would be able to build one and create his very own coffee brand.

"Perhaps," he murmured and grinned down at the photo.

~/~

Captain Edneil floated along the corridors of the Archangel, searching for his elusive commander and came upon the cafeteria. He spotted the girl Milliaria sitting on her own and went to her. The girl seemed startled to see him but smiled.

"Have you seen Cagalli?" he asked her.

A surprised look came across her face. "Didn't you see her?" she asked, "She was in the hanger the last time I was there."

Edneil frowned. "No I didn't, do you know where Asurren is then?"

"He was with her." Millie stated.

Edneil grunted, he had always sensed that there was something between those two and if he continued with his search, he suspected that he'll come across something very embarrassing. Perhaps he'll look for her tomorrow.

He nodded at Milliaria. "Thank you." And headed back towards his ship, he knew now was not the time to talk to Captain Maryu.

He needed to get some things done and put into order first before he searched for his own rest. He was tired but happy that Cagalli was safe.

~/~

Milliaria watched Captain Edneil leave the cafeteria before looking down at her dinner tray, she couldn't seem to eat anything at the moment, her stomach was still in knots and she found herself unable to stop thinking about Dearka.

Dearka - pilot of the Mobile Armor Buster. Brash, confident and smart mouthed Dearka.

"Is everything alright?" a familiar voice asked behind her.

Milliaria's head snapped up and she turned around a little. Dearka was standing behind her, dressed in the standard white military pants and a red shirt.

She sniffed, "Everything's fine," she told him and couldn't help but smile, "How about you?"

He sat down next to her and looked straight ahead, as if he was looking past the wall and beyond.

Milliaria had this over whelming feeling to run her hand through his blond hair as if to comfort him - he seemed so serious, so sad.

He turned to her, his pink eyes seemingly searching for something. "What happens now?" he asked her, "What do we do now?"

Milliaria turned away, she didn't have an answer to that. "I don't know," she whispered looking at his hand, this hand that had killed hundreds, this hand that had fired at the Archangel and yet there was nothing on that hand that showed this. She reached out carefully and placed her hand over his, so warm she thought and stared at her tray unable to believe what she was doing but… she wanted to comfort him.

Dearka eyes softened as he stared at her hand and looked at her, she was staring at her tray but that simple gesture spoke of something beyond words and he found that he was glad, his heart lifted and his hand moved to hold her fingers in his.

She raised her head and stared at him startled and then looked away, a slight blush stained across her cheeks and they sat like that for a long time - simply content to hold each others hand.

~/~

Isaac stared out of the window from his seat on one of the Z.A.F.T ships that had picked him and his Mobile Armor up. He wandered what Asurren and Dearka were doing. They were his comrades, his friends and yet he couldn't seem to understand why they would betray Z.A.F.T like that, why would they side with the pilot who had killed Nicole?

What had happened to make them do that?

Why? Simply because they didn't want to kill Naturals anymore? What kind of excuse was that?

He turned away from the view and yet he couldn't find it in himself to be angry, they had to fight in what they believed in, he knew that. He fought to protect the colonies but isn't that what Asurren and Dearka were doing? Protecting the colonies?

They were still his friends, he realized, they were still comrades, just because they didn't fight with him didn't mean they fought against him.

He felt something lift from his shoulders as if he had been carrying a heavy burden and it occurred to him that he had known that, he knew it all along, why else did he save Dearka and that pink Mobile Armor? He eyes softened but his face remained expressionless, he hoped that he would be able to see them soon - his friends.

~/~

Maryu leaned against the wall next to the medical bay and waited, she had been waiting since yesterday. She was tired and she knew that she wasn't a very pretty sight, what with her blood shot eyes and her hair being a mess but she couldn't find it in herself to care.

Suddenly the Medical bays door slid opened and the female doctor that she had previously spoken to stepped out, there was a tired look in her eyes and for a moment Maryu's heart stopped. She found that she couldn't breathe, the blood pounded in her head and she heard a roaring drum in her ears.

She licked her lips but found herself unable to ask the question that she so desperately wanted to ask, she was afraid - afraid of the answer that she knew could break her heart.

And the woman looked at her and smiled.

Maryu's eyes widened with hope.

"He's going to be fine," the female doctor told her.

Maryu felt the relief that seemed to overwhelm her and she gave out a sigh, closing her eyes against the tears that floated away from her. "Thank you," she whispered past the lump in her throat.

She opened her eyes and smiled, "Thank you," and grasped the woman's hand, "Thank you," she repeated. "Can I see him?"

The woman nodded and smiled, "His asleep at the moment but I'm sure there is no problem for the Captain of the ship to visit him."

Maryu turned and entered the Medical bay, she saw him lying so still in his bed and remembered the last time she saw him like this not long ago. She found the seat next to him and sat down, watching his sleeping face and smiled, reaching out to run her warm hand over his cool face. His real, not a ghost she told herself. She laid her hand over his chest and felt his heart beating strongly and she trembled.

"You foolish man," she whispered, crying "You foolish man."

~/~

Kira jerked awake and found himself wrapped around Rakusu, both of them dressed in pajamas. He watched her face, she was beautiful, this precious person of his, he ran his hand through her soft pink hair and breathed in her scent as he closed his eyes. He didn't want to move, he found he was content to lie here with her. Yesterday, they had been so tired and weary that they had both decided on sleep, there was no need to rush their relationship, they had all the time to be together.

He wasn't going out to fight anymore.

There wouldn't be a day when he would wander if he would be able to make out of this fight alive. Now - now he was going to live.

~/~

Asurren smiled and ran his hand over Cagalli's naked shoulder. He could feel her soft skin beneath his fingertips and his lips tingled as he imagined running his lips where his fingers were. She's sleeping, he told himself, he shouldn't disturb her but he found himself unable to resist and leaned down trailing his lips against her soft skin as his tongue flickered, tasting her.

"Asurren!" Cagalli shrieked laughing, the sensation tickling and she was a very ticklish person.

Asurren drew back startled, he had thought she was asleep and smiled before promptly going back for more.

~/~

Dearka walked out of his room and the door slid closed behind him as he continued down the corridor. He wandered where Milliaria was, probably at the cafeteria eating breakfast. He found himself wanting to see her, this girl whose emotional strength was unbelievable, this girl who somehow had captured his interest and his fingers tingled as he remembered the feel of her hand in his.

"Asurren!" A female voice cried through one of the quarters that he had just passed, breaking through his thoughts.

A startled expression crossed his face and then that of curiosity he backtracked towards the door that he heard the cry come from and pressed his ear against it.

His eyebrows shot up as the cries and panting penetrated through the metal door, he smirked knowing that this was great material to tease and mock Asurren with - lucky bastard that he was.

"Dearka, what are you doing?" An incredulous female voice demanded behind him.

Dearka mentally cursed. Milliaria - he'd recognize that voice anywhere and shot up, whipping around to face her, trying to act as innocently as possible. "Ah… nothing!" He lied.

Milliaria eyes narrowed, she clearly didn't believe him.

Dearka played it safe, acting casually as if it was normal to have your ear pressed against someone's door.

There was a moment of silence as they stared at each other, neither one standing down.

"Cagalli!" The male cry seemed to be incredibly loud coming through the door.

Milliaria gasped, her mouth dropping open and an expression of shock crossed her features as she stared incredulously at the door where the cry came from..

Dearka chuckled and quickly smothered it when Milliaria expression turned down right threatening. He took a step back, knowing that she had a temper and it was not pretty - in fact it was down right scary.

She stalked towards him and he took another step back until he was pressed up against the door.

"Your pervert," she growled at him.

"I'm not!" he said defensively and then laughed nervously when her look shifted to out right disbelief.

"Oh?" she purred in a sugar sweet tone that was laced in acid, "And what were you doing?"

Dearka shrugged, "Its great teasing material," he said casually but true-fully.

Milliaria's eyes narrowed and abruptly Dearka felt that his life may come to a sudden bloody end. She growled and it occurred to him that that sound was sexy as hell and why in the bloody hell was he thinking of that at a time like this?!

Her hand shot out and she grabbed him by the ear, twisting viscously, Dearka cried out and then she was dragging him towards the cafeteria.

Dearka was going to protest, he knew that he could easily twist out of her grasp but something far more interesting caught his attention - he was so close to her ass… He quickly shook himself, he was not going to think of her that way, he respected her too much to think of such lewd thoughts of her.

He sighed but he didn't want to hurt her either.

"Argh, Millie! I promise I'll be good!" He told her grabbing her hand over his ear.

Milliaria stopped and let him go, he sensed something wrong when she didn't move - in fact she was incredibly still.

"Milliaria, what wrong?" he asked her, his hand still holding hers.

"It felt good," she whispered, "To act normal."

Dearka remained silent, he knew what she meant - it had felt good. "I know."

She turned around and looked at him, her eyes shining with tears. "So why then, do I feel so guilty?"

Dearka knew the answer to that but he wasn't sure that she would like it, he reached out and ran his fingers over her cheeks, wiping away her tears. "Milliaria."

She pushed roughly away from him, "Don't bother!" she snapped at him and then she choked, fighting back the tears. "I already know." The words so very soft.

~/~

Isaac got off the ship once it had landed on the military base within the colonies and watched as his Mobile Armor was off loaded.

"Captain Isaac Jewel!" A regular officer cried as he came towards him and saluted.

Isaac returned the salute. "What is it?" he asked.

"Your mother Chancellor Jewel has been arrested!" The officer informed him.

"What?"

"Chancellor Jewel was found to be part of the plan to destroy half of the Earth's population. Chancellor Kanaba has instructed me that she wants to meet with you."

Isaac nodded, his eyes hard and cold as he followed the officer. Why wasn't he surprised that his mother would willingly do such a thing? But then he hadn't really pressed her for details, had he? But then why arrest his mother? Everyone had known of the Genesis and its plan to destroy the Earth Alliance Military force and the Naturals. What was going on here?

The young officer directed him to an awaiting chauffeured car, the soldier driving him saluted and he returned it before getting in.

There was silence through out the ride, but it mattered very little to him, his mind ran in circles of confusion and he sensed something was very wrong. A memory played on his mind, troubling him.

"You're being tricked," he yelled, his gun pointed at Dearka, didn't Dearka understand that?

Dearka turned around and looked at him, his eyes hard. "I wander who the one being tricked is."

He blinked and the memory was gone.

The car stopped and the driver escorting him got out and opened his door. "We're here Captain Jewel."

Isaac nodded and stepped out, he found himself looking at a mansion with its ivory walls and elegant lawns. He stood tall and followed the driver to the front doors.

The carved wooden doors opened and a butler stood before them as if he was specifically waiting for them. "Good morning sir, Chancellor Kanaba has been waiting for you," the butler said as he closed the doors behind them, "This way please."

The driver stayed behind and Isaac followed the butler, walking past elegant corridors with white plush carpeting and golden penciled walls. They came upon a door and the butler opened it, gesturing for him to enter.

Isaac entered and found Chancellor Kanaba sitting behind her desk. "Chancellor Kanaba, you asked to see me?" he asked, his face remaining blank but his light blue eyes were decidedly hard.

Chancellor looked at her butler and nodded - a signal for him to close the door behind him and then turned to Isaac. "Yes I did. Your mother Chancellor Jewel has been charged with attempted mass murder. Now I know that is hypocritical seeing as you're a soldier and you've killed plenty of men but tell me… have you ever killed a child? A family? People not involved in the war?"

Isaac remained silent for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "The military has always involved tactics that were considered harsh and brutal. Don't give me that talk about soldiers only killing soldiers. War isn't as pretty as that."

Chancellor Kanaba smiled. "I've noticed how you answered the question but at the same time didn't answer it."

Isaac expression hardened.

"But don't worry this isn't about you or your actions." The Chancellor continued.

"Then what is this about?"

"We are willing to give your mother a second chance, considering that she was only doing it to protect the colonies and the fact that she was manipulated into such a position." Chancellor informed him, her green eyes cool.

Surprise crossed his features, "Manipulated?" he asked stunned, "You mean blackmailed?"

The Chancellor laughed, "Blackmail, Captain Isaac Jewel is not the only form of manipulation there is. Sex - playing upon emotions and beliefs - they can be forms of manipulations."

Icy, cold rage came upon him. "Are you saying that that was what manipulated my mother into doing this?!" He demanded, "Sex? Emotions and beliefs?" Scorn flickered in his eyes. "My mother isn't an idiot, Chancellor."

Chancellor Kanaba smiled, "No, she isn't, she's a brilliant woman Captain Jewel." The woman paused and stared at her pen, rolling it across her fingers. "Tell me… what do you think of Commander Raul Cruz?"

A startled expression descended upon him, why the change of the subject? They were talking about his mother. Why now his commander? Were they trying to get him to incriminate him? His face hardened until they were once again cold. The man was dead, he would not do that to his commander. "Commander Cruz was an honorable man he fought with pride and strength for Z.A.F.T and the colonies."

"Really?" Chancellor Kanaba asked, arching a blond eyebrow and she smiled "I want to show you something, Captain." And she reached out and grabbed a smooth round control, pointing it at a blank wall on her left.

Suddenly a holoscreen flickered to life and on it was a girl sitting in an interrogation room. He knew that girl, he realized, she was the girl Commander Cruz had kept around.

"Please state name and rank." A voice stated unemotionally.

The girl flinched and seemed to shrink in her seat. "My name is Frey, Frey Ulster and my rank is Airman."

Chancellor Kanaba smiled at him. "We'll skip this bit shall we? And get to the more interesting bit. Computer, please forward to position 10."

A loud beep sounded and then the screen flickered.

The image stilled and the scene began to play before him.

"Are you aware of the person who gave you this disk?" A male voice asked.

"Yes," Frey replied, hugging herself.

A scowl appeared on Isaac's lips. How pathetic, he thought.

"Please state that person's name."

"Commander Raul Cruz."

Isaac's eyes widened and a sense of disbelief hit him, she was lying he raged silently.

"Are you aware of the information stored on the disk?"

"No," she whispered looking down at the metal desk. "He said that it was a key."

Isaac's eyes widened, a key? Why was that so familiar to him? And then it hit him - a memory.

"What's with that girl?" he asked, "If she's a captive, we should treat her like one." He knew he sounded critical of his commander but he couldn't help it, such behavior was unusual.

His commander gave a little laugh as if he was amused by him, "Isaac… pointing a gun and shooting is not the only way in a war."

"Huh?" Isaac uttered, having no idea what his commander had just said. Isn't pointing a gun and shooting what war was about?

"I've been searching for a key," his commander said smoothly, "And I've picked one up… perhaps…" he smiled, that mysterious smile as if he had something planned and he was going to enjoy every minute of it.

Isaac shook himself and the memory disappeared. It couldn't be, he thought, it just couldn't be, but the sinking feeling in his stomach wouldn't go away.

"Would you please elaborate on that Airman Ulster?"

The girl began to shake and she hugged herself tightly, "He said that it was the key to end the war!" She burst, tears trailing down her cheeks. "Why hasn't it ended?!" She screamed.

Isaac stiffened, frozen to the spot and a chill ran down his spine. He turned and glared at the Chancellor. "What is this?" he demanded. "Why are you doing this? The man is already dead, why are you dishonoring his name?!" he shouted, furious.

Chancellor picked up the control and ended the trailer, the screen vanished. She looked at him, her eyes serious. "Do you want to know what was on that disk, Captain Jewel?"

For a moment he fell silent, he knew by simply looking the woman in the eye that whatever was on the disk wasn't good.

He took in a deep breath as if stilling himself against the impact that he knew was to come. "What was it?" he asked as calmly as he could.

"Perhaps I should show you, Captain," and with those words she raised the controller again and the screen again popped up. Suddenly information on the Neutron Jammer Canceller appeared, from its designs, it schematics, to the finishing results.

The two Mobile Armors, Freedom and Justice flickered across the screens in rapid succession, the endless information on the suits rolling down the screen and all he could do was watch as the realization that his commander had been a traitor.

"This was what caused the nuclear attack on Boaz, the Earth Alliance feared our sudden use of nuclear weapons and retaliated with the attack and then… well you know the results after that." The Chancellor remarked, watching him, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. "It seemed that Commander Cruz wasn't just a traitor Captain, he had or-castrated this knowing the results that would occur. The war would end… yes but so would mankind."

Isaac smothered the cry that almost escaped his lips. This wasn't happening he told himself, was he that much of a fool that he didn't notice it? The evidence was too damning for him not to believe. Dearka's implication was right he realized, he was the one being tricked.

He straightened, refusing to show the woman any weakness, he would recover from this, just as he had recovered from what he had thought was Asurren, Dearka, Captain Bartfeldt and Rakusu's betrayal.

"Why are you telling me this?" he demanded, "Such information would be classified."

"You're right of course, we needed you to know this information because we want you to be the ambassador to enter on the ships, Archangel, Eternal and Kusanagis. We have taken a step at peace with the Earth Alliance and now we want peace with them as well, we want peace with the people who had saved mankind from their own destruction." She stated, smiling at him. "You know the pilots of Justice and Buster, after all they were your comrades - you have fought with them and studied with them. You even know Captain Bartfeldt and Rakusu Klein, clearly you're the best person we have for this assignment."

For a moment he couldn't believe his ears. "And my mother?" he asked.

"She is free to go, however she has been stripped of her position, rank and power. We simply can not have her back on the committee."

Isaac looked away, his mother's job had been her life - to suddenly have that taken away must have been devastating. But he understood as to how his mother could have been manipulated, he himself had also been manipulated without realizing it. He nodded. "Understood."

"So you choose to take this assignment then?" Chancellor Kanaba asked.

He looked at her startled, "I have a choice?"

She smiled amused at his shock, "Of course Captain, we're not forcing you to do this. Your mother will still be free and nothing will happen to you if you refuse. We'd simply like this to be as pleasant as possible."

Isaac remained silent as he stared at the pottered plant in the corner of the room and then looked up at the Chancellor. "I'll do it," he told her, determination evident in his tone and eyes.

She smiled and held out a file to him. "We'll be having a video conference with the leaders of the three ships and the Earth Alliance in 09:00 hours. We'd like you to be there when we request permission to send out our ambassador."

Isaac nodded, "Of course Chancellor Kanaba," he replied taking the file from her.

"Good, we'll see you then Captain Jewel."

He tucked the file under his arm and left her office, never once looking back, his eyes staring straight ahead.

It seemed he was going to see his comrades sooner then he had thought.

T.B.C