Gundam SEED Fan Fiction ❯ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: Last Impression ❯ Episode 16: The Burning Cloud of Sand ( Chapter 16 )

Last Impression

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Episode 16: The Burning Cloud of Sand

Legend

Word denotes character thought

Word denotes setting, time

-Word- denotes sound effect

Word denotes flashback thought

“Word” denotes flashback dialogue

-Word- denotes sound effect during flashback dialogue

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Timeline: C.E. 71, February 15; +2230hours

Location: Africa --- Libyan Desert

In another desert area not far from the Archangel's position, a particular ZAFT commander observed the ship with a pair of army-standard binoculars in hand. Increasing zoom on the ship, his eyes drank in the ship's form, taking mental note of every little detail. His lips turned into a small grin of satisfaction.

 

“Ah... so that's the legged ship from the reports. What luck,” he remarked.

 

Behind him, 5 ZAFT pilots stood by near 5 parked BuCUEs, waiting for their superior's commands.

 

The commander set down his binoculars, turning around facing the pilots. His distinct black-yellow uniform shifted in view, along with 2-red and yellow stripes on his left chest, indicating his rank as Commander. His long, spiky brown hair swayed fro with his movement.

 

“Alright, guys, we'll prepare to attack the legged ship that's just within a distance from us. We're going to test its capabilities first,” he stated.

 

One of the pilots raised his right hand, asking a question.

 

“Commander Waltfeld, can we destroy it?”

 

The aforementioned `Desert Tiger' Andrew `Andy' Waltfeld shrugged off the question with his left hand, shaking his head in disagreement.

 

“We'll do that when the time comes. Besides, Commander Creuset's team couldn't shoot down the ship, and the EA 8th Fleet's Admiral Halberton sacrificed his fleet to get it to Earth. The ship must be a valuable asset to the EA, and the EA 8th Fleet's sacrifice clearly confirms that. For now, we'll stick to checking the ship's capabilities first.”

 

The pilot nodded in reply, folding his arms.

 

Andy glanced back at the Archangel with a grim look on his face. His gut feeling was telling him something unexpected, and he could feel the thought working his brain into caution. He rubbed underneath his shaven chin with his left hand, raising a left eyebrow.

 

Something's not right though… but why's my stomach telling me a different story? I better keep tabs on this one… this may turn out to be more than I bargained for.

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Meanwhile a few blocks away from the Archangel, the cloaked Seraph Gundam hovered about nearby the armed hovership of the small ZAFT unit it pursued before, monitoring it. Inside its cockpit, Kenji studied the ship's detail on the center CIS with folded arms.

 

Hmm… if my memory of ZAFT military serves me right, that's a land battleship, the Lesseps. It's the only land battleship to travel half-submerged in the sand, using the arrays of microscopic scale motors on its lower hull to liquefy the ground and propel the ship forward.

 

Wait… if that's the Lesseps I'm seeing in front of me now, that means…

 

An amusing conclusion from his mind answered the thought, prompting him to close his eyes and ponder on a flashback from his memory.

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Flashback

Timeline: C.E. 70August 10; +0100hours

Location: ZAFT-PLANTs; Aprilius-One colony, Aprilius City

16 year old Kenji Hyne, docked in a white ZAFT uniform designated for commanders, slung over his right shoulder a black duffel bag containing his personal belongings. He floated slowly to a shuttle prepared for him in the docking bay, feeling his heart sink slowly as the distance between him and the shuttle closed on each other little by little. His eyes focused on the shuttle's opened passenger door, beckoning him to step in for a new journey.

 

This is what I should do… I'm making the right choice.

 

A smiling face of his late first love etched on his mind.

 

Lunamaria… I'm sorry… but I can no longer follow this path as a ZAFT soldier.

 

Kenji's face etched in a passive look, hiding deep down a lingering regret since his first love's death in the `Bloody Valentine' tragedy. His eyes remained fixed on the shuttle, not minding few ZAFT officers nearby watching him pass by them. They whispered close to each other, initiating gossip on the famed ZAFT ace.

 

“So the `Dark Avenger' really resigned from duty? What's he thinking, doing this?”

 

“Yeah… it's unbelievable… but word has it that he got tired serving ZAFT.”

 

“It's more likely the `Bloody Valentine' incident that affected him most.”

 

Another small group of female ZAFT officers gazed Kenji with sad eyes.

 

“It's a shame… he's such a hottie to boot!Does he have to go?”

 

“Hey, not so loud…! He might hear you!”

 

“-Sigh- He's so dreamy…”

 

“But, still, there's also Commander Shinonome! Weren't he and Commander Hyne good friends?”

 

“…I heard they were on bad terms after a dispute.”

 

“No way…!”

 

Kenji slightly shook his head, amused by their gossip as he continued on. He could already make out what they were saying, thanks to his departure.

 

So much for a quiet departure…

 

His instincts kicked in, feeling a certain presence approaching him from behind. He stopped his tracks and turned around slowly, facing Andrew `Andy' Waltfeld with a glamorous, coquettish young woman next him. They both were docked in pilot suits --- black-orange with stripes for Andy and black-white for the woman.

 

As Kenji glanced at the woman, he did a double-take, unfamiliar with her features --- long dark-blue hair with 2 gold highlights at the front sides, blue eyes, pleasing mouth, and clear, white skin.

 

“So… you're really leaving, huh? I didn't think you'd have the heart to do so,” Andy casually remarked. The woman smiled mischievously at his remark, placing her hands on his shoulders from behind.

 

Kenji looked passively at the two, his lips curving little upwards.

 

“Sometimes I surprise myself, Waltfeld-sensei. By the way, what are you and her doing here? Weren't you supposed to be on Earth for the northern Africa campaign?”

 

The woman pouted in disappointment.

 

“Shame on you, Kenji… you don't remember me? It's unkind of you to refer me as the `woman'.”

 

Andy chuckled, glancing back at his female companion.

 

“Come on, Aisha, he hasn't seen you with me for a long time.”

 

“-Sigh- I guess so,Andy.”

 

Kenji chuckled to himself deep down. He shrugged his shoulders at them.

 

“Sorry, Aisha, I couldn't help but pretend not knowing you. I wanted to see the look on your face when I did so.”

 

The woman known as Aisha pouted once more, and then smiled, wagging her left forefinger at Kenji and giving him a left wink.

 

“Smooth, Kenji, I'll remember that…”

 

With a nod to her, Andy motioned his female companion to follow after, as he approached the ZAFT commander standing in front of him. His eyes beamed with pride at his student, for having accomplished many feats and earning his just rewards for his service in ZAFT, and molding him into the image he was seeing now.

 

“To answer your previous question, Aisha and I were called in by the National Defense Chairman regarding the Northern Africa campaign. An abrupt call that is… but, it sounded pretty important, so no time to wilt away the chairman's patience.”

 

Kenji smirked little by the remark. Seeing one of his few mentors during his days in ZAFT Military Academy made him glad to meet him one more time before his departure.

 

“Your lectures on enemy recon are still on my mind when I see you, Waltfeld-sensei. You were always the intriguing instructor among the restback in the academy.”

 

Andy laughed, shaking his head in amusement. He folded his arms, with Aisha gripping him affectionately close from behind.

 

“You and Eiji were among the few who could understand my knack for recon. Besides, it's always interesting to gage your enemy up-close before the battle. But still… your batch was the top class graduating rapidly within 2 years instead of the regular 4. You two were mostly recognizable for your achievements.”

 

Kenji waved him off with his left hand.

 

“…You certainly didn't come to see me and talk about the good old days in the academy, Waltfeld-sensei. What is it you want to talk to me about?”

 

Aisha smiled mischievously.

 

“My, you're always straight to business, Kenji, you're no fun.”

 

Andy chuckled, not bothering to remark on the amusing interaction between Aisha and Kenji. He extended his opened left hand to his student, opting for a handshake.

 

“Well… we've come at least to see you off. What, there's no farewell party?”

 

Not wanting to incur another flirty remark from Aisha, Kenji accepted the handshake, gripping firmly on his mentor's hand with respect. As he retracted his left hand, his mentor placed his right hand on his shoulder, looking sagely at him with a curled lip, withholding few words to say.

 

“Take care, Kenji. It's been a privilege having you as a bright student.”

 

“Waltfeld-sensei… thank you, I will.”

 

Andy let out an exasperated sigh, shrugging his shoulders.

 

“If you're ever on northern Africa, you're always welcome in my base at Banadiya. In just a matter of days, my unit might be assigned to take on EA ground forces to begin attack on the South African Union. Right now, Aisha and I will head over to the National Defense Chairman for clarification on the campaign.”

 

Kenji raised a left eyebrow, glancing at his mentor wonderingly.

 

“Why personally meet with the chairman when you can do video-conferencing? Surely that will save you the trouble getting here to meet up with him.”

 

Aisha shared the same feeling, shrugging her shoulders in resignation.

 

“Yes, that's true, but… Andy here always prefers to dispense with the formalities.”

 

Andy patted her hands rested on his shoulders, glancing back at her.

 

“It can't be helped, Aisha. You know how Patrick Zala is, ever since the `Bloody Valentine' sparked him to be a war-hawk in the Supreme Council.”

 

Kenji patted his mentor's left arm, reassuring him.

 

“Good luck with him. By the way… what flagship will you be commandeering again? It's just out of curiosity.”

 

“Oh that… it's a land hovership actually, named the Lesseps. Well, we don't want to hold you any longer, your shuttle is waiting.”

 

Aisha then walked over to Kenji, surprising him with a kiss on his right cheek. His face flushed up, prompting him to stagger back in embarrassment from her.

 

“W-What was that for, Aisha?”

 

“-Giggle- A good-bye kiss, silly Kenji. I'm going to miss you.”

 

Kenji glanced back at his mentor, fearing a jealous response coursing him by the kiss. Instead, he found him rolling over his eyes, drawing Aisha close to his side with a smile.

 

“Relax, I'm not the jealous type, I trust Aisha. I'm not that easy to provoke, you know?”

 

“-Giggle- Oh Andy… you…!”

 

An anime-style sweatdrop could be formed behind Kenji's head as he stared peculiarly at the two people in front of him, flirting openly with each other.

 

“Right… I'll be leaving then. Take care, you two.”

 

With that said, he turned around entering inside the shuttle, with its door closing after him. As the shuttle slowly pulled away from the docking space and into the launching area, everyone in the docking bay watched silently its retreating form with mixed feelings.

 

Andy folded his arms, with his lover standing close by his side.

 

“Aisha… I don't think this is the last time we'll see of the “Dark Avenger”. My gut feeling is telling me that.”

 

“Of course, Andy dear… I share your sentiments exactly.”

End Flashback

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“Waltfeld-sensei…” the Seraph pilot sadly remarked. His right hand reached for the small crucifix necklace worn, clutching it with an enclosed fist.

 

The Seraph continued hovering motionlessly, perched high in the sky like a silent ghost.

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Meanwhile in the Archangel's hangar, Mwu and Murdoch were at hard work preparing the two Skygrasper units for the Moebius Zero pilot to use.

 

Checking up Skygrasper-1's controls, Mwu looked down at Murdoch's legs, finding him lain on a rolling cart underneath Skygrasper-1 body, opening it up and adjusting some screws with a wrench. Sweat trickled down his head, mixed with some oil from the special fighter unit.

 

“How's it going down there, Murdoch?” Mwu asked.

 

“Hmm… this will take longer than I thought, lieutenant, we might not be able to finish repairs on Skygrasper-1 at this hour.”

 

The Moebius Zero pilot blew the front bangs of his blonde hair in tired dejection, throwing his hands up in the air. He looked at his Moebius Zero parked facing the Strike Gundam.

 

“Oh boy… I might be a delivery man for Kira starting after the next sortie. Man… I miss piloting the Moebius Zero… if only it could perform well here in Earth, not just in space.”

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In her dimly-lighted quarters, Murrue was asleep, dressed in a white tank top with bra worn underneath, and white panties. She curled about in a fetus position lying on her bed, her hands grasping a pair of dog tags. Her blanket was set aside, minding the rising temperature of the outside environment.

 

In her mind were her thoughts of the late Admiral Halberton, one of her close mentors during her EA academy days. Her lips curved downwards, with a single tear trailing down from her right eye on her cheek.

 

Her hands grasped firmly on the dog tags in reflex.

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In her quarters, Natarle was restless on her bed, dressed in a black bra and panties. Her hands were rested behind her head, as she stared up the dark ceiling. Her blanket was pulled down, thanks to the present hot temperature of her room.

 

Her mind was filled with concerned and worried thoughts regarding Kenji. Deep down her heat ached, and she was already missing his presence onboard the ship.

 

Kenji…

 

Her black eyes shimmered. With a restless sigh, she got up from her bed, walking up to her window, with her hands resting on its glass. She watched the dim morning of the desert outside.

 

Deep down, she was amazed by the contributions Kenji made for the ship and its crew up until present. Slowly and surely, she was entranced by the Seraph pilot's unique personality. It seemed there was more to him than meets the eye, and a lingering air of mystery from him continued to attract her even more.

 

To think I'd be so interested in him since his first appearance in this ship.

 

An image of Kenji, docked in his EA pilot suit and smiling genuinely popped in her mind.

 

“-Chuckle-Is that a compliment, ma'am? Why, thank you.”

 

His smile and the tone of his voice was enough making her cheeks flush. Her heart sped fast, echoing her developing feelings for the Seraph pilot. Natarle shook her head, trying to calm herself down.

 

Not again…! Damn you, Kenji Hyne, for making me feel this way now!

 

Her lips curved upwards into a sad smile as she stared up at the sky.

 

I think… I'm falling for you.

 

That statement seemed to reassure her of her feelings.

 

I know you're here in Earth… somewhere… alive. I just know it.

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In the Hynes' quarters, Peter was fast asleep in sleeping attire consisting of pajamas, with his blanket tucking him. Deep down, a memory locked inside began to surface.

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Flashback

Timeline: C.E. 56, January1; +1800hours

Location: Lagrangepoint 4, Mendel Colony

23 year old research scientist Peter Hyne knocked twice on the door leading to Ulen Hibiki's office.

 

“Enter please,” a feminine voice beckoned inside.

 

Peter raised a right eyebrow in wonder and opened the door, allowing himself in and closing the door behind. He found a woman garbed in lab coat attire as him, standing to the side with two pictures in her hand. Her head whipped around slowly, facing him. Her long, orange hair swayed about with her movements, her yellow eyes shimmering with pain and sadness.

 

“Peter… I'm glad you received my call,” she started.

 

“What happened? Is something the matter?”

 

The woman walked slowly towards him, handing him the pictures. Peter glanced at them, noticing one to be a picture of her holding two babies tucked underneath her arms. Upon closer inspection, they were a boy and a girl --- the boy having brown hair and amethyst eyes, and the girl having blonde hair and golden-brown eyes. Peter looked up at the woman in astonishment.

 

“Twins…? Via, that's wonderful!”

 

The woman, Via Hibiki, smiled at his remark.

 

“Take a look at the second picture, Peter.”

 

Peter did as instructed, observing the second picture showing a baby boy held in an incubator with life-support. The male scientist's eyes widen with surprise, and he let out a shocked gasp.

 

“What's this? Another baby…? But, when…?”

 

“He was born a year before the previous two, whom I named Kira and Cagalli. His name is Kenji.”

 

“Splendid! So that makes 3 children! But, what's with the sad disposition?”

 

“…Kenji… was the first baby born from an artificial womb.”

 

The statement stunned Peter, prompting him to drop the pictures floating down to the ground.

 

“No… it can't be…”

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In the colony's docking bay, the doors leading there closed after Peter Hyne and Via Hibiki hurriedly entered in, with the female research scientist safely holding two bundles of baby twins --- a boy and a girl --- wrapped around in small blankets. The twins were amazingly asleep, devious of the chaotic situation their mother was at present.

 

While on the other hand, Peter was holding a bundle of a baby boy sleeping peacefully in his right arm. Running up to the keypad lock posted on the side, he furiously keyed the door lock, sealing the doors from within.

 

“Via, run for thatshuttlenear you!” Peter exclaimed to the said woman.

 

The two research scientists were on a mad dash to a shuttle parked in the colony's docking bay, running from their pursuers sent by Ulen.

 

“But, Peter…! What about you?” Via exclaimed helplessly, after she was steps away from an unmanned shuttle parked close to her.

 

Gunfire was heard from outside the doors, along with gruff voices.

 

“They've locked the doors! Open fire!”

 

-BA-DA-DA-DA-DA- -BA-DA-DA-DA-DA-

 

“Damn it…! It's reinforced steel! Bring in the heavy weapons!”

 

Peter stared alarmingly at the banged up doors, then to her.

 

“Forget me…! I'll take care of Kenji! You escape with Kira and Cagalli!”

 

“But…!”

 

“NOW…! GO…!”

 

Giving one last worried glance at him, Via climbed in the parked shuttle, activating its controls. As her shuttle whirled into life and slowly pulled away from its parking space, Peter searched around the docking bay for another shuttle. His eyes then caught one parked in a far corner.

 

I have to hurry!

 

Fishing out a small-sized device of his right lab coat pocket with his free hand, he pressed two blue buttons on it, with a countdown display etched on it as well.

 

00:60

 

He laid the device a few inches away from the doors, and picked up his pace, hurrying to the parked shuttle. He took a quick glance along the way at the other shuttle which finally made it out of the launching bay.

 

Good… she finally made it out.

 

Finally climbing inside the shuttle, he seated himself in the pilot's seat, strapping the bundle to the co-pilot seat with a seat belt. He flipped open the switches, starting the shuttle's ignition, which gave a hum sound of activity.

 

00:40

 

He looked at the tiny bundle, smiling little at the sleeping baby.

 

Hang on tight, Kenji, this is going to be a wild ride.

 

Peter's shuttle then pulled away from its parking space. At the same time, the doors suddenly burst open with a big explosion.

 

-BOOM-

 

Several guards quickly stormed in through the opened door with rifles in hand. Among them, a male research scientist forced his way out, and spotted Peter's shuttle, pointing at it. His blue eyes mirrored anger and frustration at the shuttle's pilot, with his short, blonde hair swaying fro.

 

“Curse you, Peter! How dare you and my wife make off with my success projects?”

 

Ulen Hibiki looked around at his guards, exasperated at seeing them standing by his side, waiting for his orders.

 

“What are you all standing for? Stop the shuttle!Open fire at it!”

 

“But sir…we can't! One of your projects is on aboard!”

 

“You moron, use your brain! Seal off the docking bay gates!”

 

At his cue, the guards quickly fled to the docking bay control room, leaving a few of their buddies in guard of Ulen.

 

00:20

 

Peter glanced back at the pursuers, and floored the shuttle's speed to the max.

 

Sorry,Ulen… but I won'tlet you have your way with this baby's life!

 

Ulen's ears then caught a beeping sound below, prompting him and few of his guards looking down on the device Peter had lain before. His eyes widen in shock at the countdown display.

 

00:00

 

“AH…& #8230;!” the scientist let out a shriek of horror, flailing his arms to shield himself from the inevitable. The guards started to back away from it, sharing the same feeling.

 

But it was too late.

 

-KA-BOOM-

 

The explosion took him and his small cadre of guards out instantly.

 

In another few seconds, multiple explosions erupted from well-placed areas in the colony, where Peter had attached C4 explosives, just before Via's and him planned escape attempt with her newborn children out of the colony. The explosions' impact rocked the colony interior.

 

Just in time, Peter's shuttle barely shot out of the docking bay, with its doors closing after it, and into space. As it jettisoned far away from the exploding colony, the research scientist stared back at it with a heavy heart, his face turning regretful.

 

I'm sorry it had to come to this, Ulen. But your wife can't bear the overwhelming subjugation of Kenji and Kira… the Ultimate Coordinators.

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Timeline: C.E. 56, January 10; +0000hours

Location: Lagrange point 3, Heliopolis

10 days after their escape attempt from the Mendel Colony, Peter Hyne and Via Hibiki sought shelter in the resource satellite, Heliopolis, bringing with them the female Hibiki's three children.

 

Having secured a temporary apartment in the residential area, Peter ushered in the female Hibiki and her children, closing and locking the front door after them. Inside, the apartment was moderately furnished, having a joint living/dining room, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, and 1 bedroom with a balcony.

 

“Let me take your coat, you must be tired from the trip. Please, sit down,” Peter beckoned, taking his guest's lab coat and hanging it on a coat racket near the door. He had also placed down her babies on a small crib he found in the bedroom after her entrance.

 

As Via sat down on the living room sofa, a wave of nausea swept in her, knocking her faint, but not before being caught in time by Peter, who was instantly alarmed by her condition. He gently laid her down on the sofa, propping her legs on it from the floor.

 

“Via…! Are you feeling well? What's the matter?”

 

The female Hibiki opened her eyes slightly, smiling weakly at him. She shakily reached for his hands, grasping them over with hers. Peter knelt down, facing her at her level.

 

“Peter… I… didn't tell you this… but… I'm dying.”

 

“…No… why…?”

 

Via coughed little, trying to get her breath. Peter checked her pulse, placing his right forefinger and middle finger on her neck and wrists. His eyes widen with alarm as he noticed her skin turning slowly into a pale blue. He checked the temperature on her forehead with the back of his right hand. It was slowly cold.

 

“Your skin…! It's turning into pale blue! And your temperature… it's dropping slowly! What'shappeningto you?”

 

“Peter… I've contracted a disease during my pregnancy… when I first had Kenji before Kira and Cagalli. It's incurable… I'm afraid.”

 

Peter gritted his teeth in despair, clasping tightly her hands with his while staring at her calm, peaceful face.

 

“I have only a few years to live… after I gave birth to Kira and Cagalli, my condition turned for the worse. Ulen… he tried to find a cure for my condition… but alas, he gave up in defeat, deciding to continue ahead… with his maddening project.”