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Chapter Two: New Path to Tread “Zala Team?” The official looked them over. “You’re good to go. Your flight will be leaving in 30 minutes. I suggest you go ahead and board.”
“Thank you, sir.” Athrun looked around. “Things are pretty busy around here, aren’t they, sir?”
“Mm-hm. Operation Spit Break will be launched soon.” The soldier’s eyes crinkled, and he glanced around secretively before adding in a whisper, “I’m technically not supposed to reveal this, but since you’re elites…There’s rumors flying that the operation will be launched tomorrow!”
“Tomorrow, sir?” Athrun gaped.
“Yep.” He straightened, looking proud. “We’ll give those filthy Naturals what they deserve!”
“Y-yes sir.” Athrun quickly nodded and continued on his way.
“…give those filthy Naturals what they deserve!” Did all Coordinators see Naturals as nothing but enemies?
Good thing Kira wasn’t in Panama.
“So far so good,” Yzak muttered, behind him.
“I’ll feel better once we’re at the PLANTs,” Dearka mumbled.
“Where’s Rynae?” Athrun asked, in an undertone, to Nicol.
“She’s going to be on the same shuttle as us, but contact is forbidden,” the younger boy replied softly. “When we arrive, Commander Creuset will talk to us. I suppose we’ll get to see her then, before we’re separated.”
Athrun touched Nicol’s shoulder comfortingly. Somehow it helped to know that he wasn’t alone in missing the one he loved.
They left Carpentaria without further incident. As Nicol had said, Ryn was kept somewhere in the shuttle- they weren’t informed where, and to ask more would have been suspicious, so Athrun shut his mouth and prayed there wouldn’t be any problems.
By the time they arrived at Aprilius One (1), Athrun was jittery with nerves. Nicol wasn’t much better- Athrun remembered he had reacted horribly when Ryn had told them she was to be their bait, and now those apprehensions were coming back full force. The boy sat alone with his music for long, long times in the dark. Apparently he and Rynae had done a lot about his concert and pieces, and now he reviewed those notes, and vividly replayed memories. Athrun found himself worrying for the other Coordinator. It was a change from being sunk in misery about Kira.
Dearka and Yzak were probably getting along the best of all of them. They were together, without worries of being separated. It was nice to see them still behaving like children- Dearka annoys Yzak, Yzak whacks him, the cycle repeats- and it took everyone’s mind off the coming danger. Well, mostly.
The journey through space ended without any incidents.
“Athrun, Yzak, Dearka! Nice to see you back! And you, too, Nicol.” Yuki Amarfi smiled warmly at his son. Nicol smiled back, temporarily brightening. “Commander Creuset wants to see you. I’ll lead you there.”
“How’re things here, Commander?” Athrun asked, falling into step behind the tall man.
“Pretty busy, what with the launch of Operation Spit Break coming up.”
“I’d heard. Is everything ready?”
“All in order. It will begin within the next day or two, if my predictions are accurate.” He stopped in front of a closed door. “Here you are. I believe you’ll all have time off after some short meetings. Enjoy it; you’ve worked hard.” He nodded at their salutes, before walking away.
“I can’t see my father opposing us,” Nicol said quietly.
“I can’t either,” Athrun muttered. “Perhaps he’ll support us.”
“Hopefully,” Yzak said. “Now open the door. I’d like to get this over with.” Despite the arrogant words, his face was somewhat paler than usual. Yzak had had little trouble reverting to his old ways, although sometimes he stumbled over his words now.
The door slid open with a small click, and Athrun stepped in first, immediately spotting the masked ZAFT soldier sitting behind the lone desk in the room. He saluted.
“At ease,” Le Creuset said simply after a moment. “You’re to be given a short break here at the PLANTs. I’m sure you’ve heard of Operation Spit Break’s closeness. I myself will be leaving shortly to lead part of it, but you all will stay here. After the operation, however, things might move quickly- so be prepared to be sent out at any time after the next couple of days. Your skills might be required.” He smiled. Athrun nodded.
“Sir!”
“For the moment, however, I’m afraid there are some questions regarding that prisoner of yours.”
“Sir?” Athrun sensed Nicol shift behind him. Stay quiet, Nicol…just for now…
“There are some powerful people who would rather news not get around about her.” He paused, swept a searching gaze over them. “She was indeed the survivor of Junius 7.”
“Survivor? So what she was saying was true?”
“Yes indeed. The only one, I’m afraid. Apparently she escaped from here awhile ago while being interrogated about what happened. She has much value as a survivor of such a tragic event.
“I really wasn’t supposed to tell you all that,” Le Creuset continued. “I don’t see the harm in it, however. I trust that you will keep this confidential. It is of utmost importance that nothing will be leaked to the public until they are…ready.”
“Yes sir.”
“I know you won’t tell anyone,” Le Creuset said softly, smoothly. “But others will need proof. You must all undergo a small interrogation. No, don’t worry- it’s nothing but questions. Easily answered.”
“Why-” Yzak began indignantly. The commander lifted a hand, and he stopped.
“I’m sorry, Yzak, but there are some political tangles in all this.” Le Creuset sighed. “I wouldn’t think too much about it. You’ll all be released after a short time, and will be on leave until further notice. Come this way.”
No one said anything as Athrun, Nicol, Dearka, and Yzak followed the commander obediently. There was nothing to discuss anymore- luck would be the factor now. Planning wouldn’t help. Athrun just hoped Nicol didn’t break down…
“Were you in close contact with the prisoner?”
“No sir. We simply confined her when we caught her around our base.”
“What did she say?”
“Only that she survived Junius 7, sir...”
“Nothing else? Nothing at all?”
“Nothing we paid attention to, sir. I’m afraid we all ignored what she said, as she seemed a little…unbalanced.”
“I see. Did she try to attack you?”
“No sir, not after the first attempt when we found her. She was easily subdued.”
“Any talk of the PLANTs at all?”
“None, sir.”
When they finally left the dim, cavernous room everyone was literally shaking. Yzak and Dearka stuck closer together than usual. Nicol’s trembling stemmed more from anger than nervousness, Athrun thought, but the young boy didn’t say a word.
“Now that that’s over with,” Commander Creuset said, unruffled, as he met up with them outside the doors, “you are to be given leave. Until you are summoned here again, you all are free to take a break. Enjoy your stay.”
“Commander!”
“Yes, Athrun?”
“Will you leaving for the front lines soon?”
“In fact, I will be leaving in a few hours.”
“I see. Good luck, Commander.”
“Luck has nothing to do with it, Athrun. It’s all destined.” He briefly saluted and then walked away.
“Let’s get out of here,” Nicol said after a moment, finally speaking up. “Should we split up?”
“I say we really do take a break for a bit,” Dearka put in. “It’s almost night here. We won’t be able to seriously talk with Lacus Clyne right now.”
“A break? Now? With all this going on?”
“Well, yeah.”
“We can talk to Lacus tomorrow, like Dearka says,” Athrun muttered pensively. “And talking with our families comes last…so I guess all we can do now is prepare, and think.”
“I’m going to see if I can find where Rynae is being held.” Nicol’s eyes gleamed determinedly. “Shouldn’t be too hard.”
“Don’t go by yourself, Nicol,” Athrun cautioned.
Nicol smiled sadly, and only said, “See you guys later, then,” before heading off.
“You think he’ll be okay?” Yzak asked after a pause.
“He’ll be fine. Nicol’s not stupid.”
“I’d better get going too. Get some rest, you two.” Athrun strode off to his quarters, leaving Yzak and Dearka standing alone. They looked at each other and shrugged.
“We might as well stay together. Nothing unusual in that, and there’s nothing we can do otherwise.”
“Come on. My house’ll be fine.”
Athrun shut the door behind him with a sigh.
It had always been lonely in the place he called home- his mother was dead, his father constantly busy elsewhere as head of the Supreme Council. He had gotten used to it, even welcomed the peace and quiet…but after Kira…
Warmth. A body curled around his, arms holding him, a face pressed against his neck, soft lips kissing his flesh…
“Love you,” Kira whispers against flushed skin. His legs fold around Athrun, arms too, shifting until their bodies are too entwined to tell where one ends and the other begins.
Athrun shivered, wrapping his arms around himself as he trudged to the kitchen. Food. He should eat, build his strength.
“Here. Try this.”
Kira looks up at him, eyes crinkling. “What is it?”
“Chicken casserole.”
“Your newest invention?”
“It won’t kill you.”
“Says you.” Kira tentatively brings a bite to his mouth, and Athrun watches as he chews slowly, face unreadable.
“Well?”
“Why don’t you try it?” Kira breathes, and kisses Athrun before the other boy realizes he’s even moved.
He tastes of chicken, of herbs, pepper and salt, and of many other flavors. Athrun shudders. The delicious combination, mixed with Kira’s unique taste, is incredible.
They break the kiss to get much-needed air. Kira smiles at Athrun.
“It’s good,” he purrs.
“Little bit more salt,” Athrun says breathlessly, and kisses Kira again- hard.
“That can be fixed…”
The food tasted like ashes. Athrun swallowed with effort, pushed the rest away.
He had never really been loved before Kira came along. His father had been distant even then. His mother was kind, but she could bring no flame to his heart. When he had been friends with Kira, little kids, he had felt for the first time something akin to love- a deep bond with this young boy, a trust and a need. When that friendship blossomed into love later, Athrun often felt overwhelmed by it- such affection! He had never been so cared for.
Now that Kira was gone…
Athrun mentally kicked himself. Feeling self-pity wasn’t going to change a thing. Kira would yell at him for the very thought. In spite of himself, Athrun smiled.
Bed. Yes. Sleep sounded good. He yawned, feeling genuinely tired for the first time in days.
“Nicol! Welcome back!”
Nicol smiled warmly at his mother. “Hi, Mom. I’m sorry, but I don’t know how long I can stay…”
“Yes, I know. It’s a miracle you’re even here, what with Operation Spit Break happening. I’m glad, Nicol.”
He hugged her tightly. Oh, Mother. Do you even suspect I could be a traitor? Could you imagine me leaving ZAFT? Would you support my decisions and my opinions?
“Do whatever you want, Nicol. I must leave to see your father in a few hours. Don’t forget to eat dinner.”
“I won’t, Mom.”
As soon as he was alone, Nicol headed to his room. He had a computer, although he didn’t utilize it frequently, preferring the piano as his companion when on break. Now, though, it could come in handy.
Networking wasn’t his specialty, but he had learned many things at the ZAFT training academy- not all of them legal. Let’s see whether I remember the hacking tricks…
To his relief, Nicol found clearance to the top secret files without too much trouble. He was taking a great risk, using his own computer to hack, but there was nowhere else to go- and besides, as unused as this one usually was, tracing would be more difficult. It wasn’t connected to any official databases, although Mr. Amarfi had wanted his son’s computer to be more updated. Luckily Nicol had insisted it be a plain, ordinary device.
The real secrets, scandals and plots, could not be reached from this level of security. Nicol didn’t dare go any higher. The location of Rynae shouldn’t be too hard to find- it was new, and as of yet her position in the game of politics was undecided, so…
There! Nicol rubbed his eyes as the screen blurred before him. He was tired- hadn’t been sleeping well lately- but now was not the time to think of that. He clicked the file, and quickly scanned the contents.
She was being held in a laboratory facility, not too far from the Council’s meeting place. A twenty-minute drive would suffice to get him there.
Hastily, Nicol scribbled the address on a notepad. He didn’t want to spend too much time on the computer, lest it be traced. Lastly he printed out a map of the lab’s interior. The information he had now would be enough to get him into the complex, and get Rynae out.
Now. Now he was ready. Any time within the next few days, when they left with Lacus, he wasn’t trusting to luck and fate that Ryn would make it. He’d personally help.
It was foolish, he knew, to do such a thing. It could endanger their whole mission, and get Ryn and him killed. But he couldn’t just stand back and watch. He had to do something.
Nicol tucked the papers into his pocket, logged off the terminal, and left the room without a backward glance.
Music, sweet and soft, achingly beautiful, soon filled the Amarfi household.
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