Being Athrun Zala

Author: pratz

Notes: Partly was inspired by A Sub-Enchanted Evening episode from the series Commander in Chief. I like political movies and dramas, yes. Now, frankly speaking, sometimes I’m tempted to leave this story for a more light-hearted writing. Do me a favour and tell me that I shouldn’t leave just like this, would you?

A gigantic basket of love for dearest Fledgling, whose patience and support I will always cherish.

Chapter 6

H-5 Before the World Peace Conference

GMT +5, East Indonesian Time

Athrun decided that he hated the rain.

The soil beneath his boots was wet and slippery, and the skin under his field uniform felt clammy. Drops of rain constantly wetted his face. Next to him, pressed against his right arm, was an equally soaked Shinn Asuka. Crouched behind Shinn were three men, Athrun’s subordinates in the National Domestic Security Affair Office. They had all taken shelter under a giant tree in unfamiliar tropical plantations, and had to hunker down as low as they could to the wet earth. Every now and then Athrun could smell the sickening smell of moist bryophytes around them.

Athrun glanced at the military watch on his left wrist. Operation Salvaging Freedom was due in twenty three minutes. A Nazca Class submarine was secretly waiting for them on off-shore of the Republic of Indonesia’s territory, but it seemed that they had no easy way to get there. The Papuan forest, the most unadulterated part of the border of Neo Equator and Indonesia, definitely was not one to be conquered easily.

“I hate this forest.” Shinn said what Athrun was unwilling to say aloud. “Have your ever been in a forest where the mosquitoes are as big as your fists?” Not only are the mosquitoes here carriers of malaria, they're probably the results of a mutant experiment, Shinn thought.

“No. But I’ve been in an island where you can find as many crabs as the number of hair you have.”

“You’re kidding.” Shinn snorted, his breath coming out as a puff from his mouth.

Athrun glanced again at his watch. The compass told him that they were in the north-east direction of their supposed goal. “It’s time.”

“I take it you’ve planned everything down to the details.” Shinn paused, then, “Have you?”

“No, I haven’t,” Athrun answered truthfully. “I’ve only been in this area twice. And it’s a forest; nothing stays the same.”

Shinn exhaled loudly, growling in his throat. “I thought you—never mind.”

Athrun was almost sure that Shinn recollected the time when he first acted as Shinn’s commanding officer in a liberation operation during his re-service in ZAFT. (1)

“Sir, we’re running out of ammo,” an agent piped in. “All that’s left are two hand-grenades, one pack of full-metal jacket bullets and several darts.”

“Darts?” Shinn asked in disbelief and half-annoyance—that was expected, though. “I’m stuck with a bunch of nature-hookers. Just great. I forgot that I’m with David Livingstone here.”

“Traditional weapons are effective here, Shinn. They’re poisonous. Primitive, I know, but adequate in times of crisis. Now, gentlemen, get your pack,” Athrun ordered, reaching for his rifle and rising. He gave the weapon to his former teammate. “Shinn, take the front position. I’ll be behind. We’re the only ones who still have enough ammo.” The we’re more capable to handle this than them because we’re Coordinators remained unsaid, however. “We’re moving.”

Shinn nodded sullenly. They were being pursued by a tracking team and thus being followed closely at their heels. It was one thing to be a good tracker, Athrun realized, but it was another thing entirely to avoid being tracked. Commonly, people thought that rain would erase any footpaths or broken twigs left, but the truth was, the wet earth would cause deep footpaths, clear enough to see—and soldiers tended to leave deep footpaths. After all, soldiers were trained to put most of their weight on the joints of their big toes in order to move faster and lighter.

In addition, a well-trained soldier like Athrun could pick out a faraway noise even through the sound of the rain hitting leaves and the forest floor. “Our pursuers are getting closer,” he said. He knew that the ship would leave, according to the plan, if they did not reach it in time.

Shinn had never looked more solemn than he did during that moment, when his eyes met Athrun's.

H-6 Before the World Peace Conference

GMT +15, 16.12 Orb Time (2)

Cagalli and Dietmar blinked repeatedly when they found the person they were looking for. Athrun was lying on his stomach, looking like a human cactus with acupuncture needles jutting out all over his back. He was almost naked except for a pair of short boxers. Cagalli raised her brows as she too noticed the needles. They were very thin, even thinner than hair, but she could not help flinching anyway at the sight of them on Athrun’s back.

“Kira-ojiki said acupuncture will help him to relax,” Dietmar offered an explanation. “So Athrun did make an appointment today.”

She realized that Athrun always looked uptight, especially after their so-called break. “But why acupuncture? Why not, for example, taking a sauna bath or going to a massage house? And why does it have to be done here?” She put stress on the last word. It was true. Even though Kira was the person who occupied the Athha Mansion the most, the grandiose castle-alike mansion still belonged to Cagalli, the Athha heir.

Dietmar only shrugged. “I don’t know, Princess.”

“Kira is really the king of all that is evil.” Sighing to dramatize the situation, Cagalli shook her head. “I really am surrounded by masochistic people.”

“Is Athrun?”

“He’s the worst.”

Dietmar face fell lightly. “Oh.”

“Forget it.” Cagalli waved her hand. “Dietmar dear, do me a favour? Tell him to see me in the library in ten minutes. Can you do that?”

“Yes, Princess.”

“That’s a good boy.” She patted his head and turned to leave. Not long after her departure, the doctor who was responsible for Athrun’s acupuncture session came into the room. Pulling out all the needles, he gently shook Athrun to wake him up.

He rubbed his eyes. “I’m asleep?”

“Isn’t it obvious, Mr. Dino?” the doctor said good-humouredly.

Cracking the joints of his fingers, Athrun then reached for his shirt next to the make-shift bed he was lying upon. Slipping both arms inside, he wore his shirt but left two upper buttons unbuttoned. Next went on his black, loose pants, but he did not tuck his shirt in. “Thanks, Doc.”

“It's an honour to service you, Mr. Dino.” The doctor smiled. “So? Have you decided to believe in holistic treatment?”

“With an exception for green tea, I think so.” Athrun accompanied the doctor to the doorway. Only after the doctor left did he turn to Dietmar, who was waiting patiently at the side of the room. “Something you want to tell me?”

“First things first, Athrun, I think you should button your shirt up,” Dietmar paused, then said while grinning, “unless you want to flirt with hot chicks with big boobs down there on the beach.”

Athrun’s first reaction to Dietmar’s foul choice of vocabulary was to glare heatedly at his boy. He knew exactly the very person to blame for this. He strode furiously to the room next to his and opened the door without announcing his arrival beforehand. “Keep your filthy stuff out of my boy’s reach when you’re around him, Dearka!” he bellowed.

The room’s residents, namely Dearka and Miriallia, could only stare at the newest occupant that just barged in. “What the hell, Athrun?” Dearka rose to come near his friend. “Butting in like that. What if Milli and I were in the middle of making out?”

“Would you be making out without locking the door?”

“Well, it’s more interesting to have an onlooker, don’t you think?”

In a flash, Miriallia smacked the back of Dearka’s head soundly, giving Athrun a small sense of satisfaction. “Ignore him, Athrun.” She turned to Athrun. “Tell me again?”

“Tell your man to keep all of his stuff away from children when he’s here,” Athrun said, not caring that his shirt was still gaping open. “It’s one thing if Dietmar tries to understand Freud’s writing in my study, but it’s completely another thing to read... adult stuff in his age.”

“Protective, aren’t you?” Dearka taunted.

Athrun glared more crossly. “If you can’t keep your libido in check, at least don’t spread it around. There are innocent children in this place, you know.”

Miriallia pulled Dearka aside before he could shoot back at Athrun, but Dearka was quick to retaliate. “What, Milli? I was just trying to make that boy loosen up. After all, that boy needs attention.” At that, his poor head received another loud smack from Miriallia. “Hey! There’s no need to express your affection physically in front of another man!”

“And this ‘other man’ happens to be the father of the very boy you’re disgustingly trying to corrupt,” Miriallia hissed dangerously close to Dearka’s face, the low tone in her voice indicating how irritated she was. “You’re so going to explain to me, Dearka Elthman.”

Athrun had had enough. He was not going to witness any more arguing sessions between the two. He left Dearka’s room only to find Dietmar had tailed him, now standing in the hallway. “From now on, you are to stay away from things you’re not old enough to know. Is that understood?”

Dietmar nodded weakly, giving Athrun his kicked puppy look. Athrun hated it the most when the boy was close to tear because another puppy called guilt would follow him afterward.

“Are you upset?”

“I’ll be lying if I say I’m not,” Athrun answered dryly. “But it’s not your fault. Not entirely.” I can be blamed, too, for not paying enough attention to you these last weeks. “I admit that I’m upset, so don’t do it again.” He crouched before his boy, bringing himself to Dietmar’s level. “Promise me?”

Dietmar looked guiltier. “I’m sorry.”

Athrun wanted to say that he was sorry, too, but he held his tongue, knowing that his boy had something to tell him.

“The Princess is waiting for you in the library.”

Athrun offered a weak smile. “I thought she told you not to call her Princess anymore.”

“But I like it.”

“It doesn’t mean she likes it, too.” Athrun ruffled Dietmar’s hair. “Well, I have to go. Go find Kira-ojiki and Elaine and wait for me, will you? We’ll have dinner together.” It would be their first dinner together in a while, actually, since the World Peace Conference was approaching. As Dietmar disappeared from his sight at the turn in the hallway, Athrun immediately headed to the library.

Coincidentally, he met Cagalli halfway to the library. Elegant blonde eyebrows rose in half-amusement and half-irritation as Cagalli took in his appearance. “However nice it is to see the expanse of your skin, please button up your shirt. I know it’s summer break, but we’re not on vacation.”

He knew immediately that this was Cagalli the Head Representative of Orb speaking. “Yes, Ma’am. I’m sorry.” He did as he was asked.

As he recognized the people already in the library, Athrun realized in gloom regret that his precious dinner with Dietmar had to be postponed. The mere sight of Yzak, Hathaway, Kisaka, and some members of Orb Representative Council standing together brought Athrun a sense of ominous foreboding.

H-5 Before the World Peace Conference

GMT+15, 23.39 Orb Time

A mobile suit pilot is extraordinary. A pilot must be able to withstand the gravitation force to a sometimes unbelievable level. A jet fighter pilot might have to endure up to 5G, but a mobile suit pilot, especially those in outer space, might have to face up to more than that. Death is inevitable from that point, the reasons ranging from losing consciousness to the inability to adjust the internal organs to the higher gravitational force. For this reason, there were proposals offered to ZAFT to limit the number of times a soldier someone could pilot a mobile suit in his or her service.

Somehow Athrun wondered if Yzak would toss the proposals into the trash bin right away.

Athrun could feel the expected shake as the Nazca Class submarine he boarded coming out from the depth into the water surface, abandoning the pressure of the ocean a while ago enveloping and trying to clench the submarine into remnants of metal waste. Though long used to being a pilot, he wondered if his stamina could only handle so much. He swallowed to wet his dry throat. Boarding a submarine and a space shuttle right after was not a healthy practice even for a professional pilot, he knew. A pilot perhaps is extraordinary, but he’s still a human.

“Someday your body won’t be able to catch up with all the pressure you’ve endured.”

Opening his eyes, Athrun turned his head to the side. Shinn was looking straight ahead. It was only when he knew he had Athrun’s attention did he turn to look at his former commander. “That’s what Dullindal once said to me and Rey. You know, back then. In FAITH.”

“Oh.”

Shinn closed his eyes. “As we grow older, there’s only so much our bodies can handle. Gravitation force is only one simple example.” He paused, then, “I think that’s why we Coordinator were made. To make up for the loss of tolerance of the body, that is.”

“Born,” Athrun corrected dispassionately. “Not made.”

“It’s nothing big in disparity for us,” Shinn countered. “It’s human’s nature to be greedy; they always want more. Want to be stronger, cleverer, faster. Want to be more in everything, anything. It’s the only reason why there are us—Coordinators.”

Athrun leaned back again in his seat. “I know someone who once thought like you.”

The emotion that flashed on Shinn’s face did not escape Athrun’s keen eyes. “Kira-san?”

Athrun only smiled faintly.

Knowing that he would not get further confirmation from Athrun, Shinn slowly leaned back into his seat. “I wasn’t surprised when they told me you need a hand. I think,” Shinn considered his next words for a while, then continued, “it’s time I’m needed, and it’s time to answer Kira-san’s call.”

Athrun did not say anything. Five years ago, Kira and Shinn met each other for the first time in front of the Memorial Site for Victims of War on an Orb’s coast. We will build this world anew, Kira had said back then. Even if there will be people who step on the flower of peace we’ve grown, we will plant it again and again. (3) Athrun himself, never being asked the same thing, was honestly glad that both Kira and Shinn were now on a better term.

Athrun knew that a month after the younger man’s first meeting with Kira, Shinn resigned his post in FAITH and returned his badge back to the ZAFT Supreme Council. He had been astonished when Shinn privately came to him the night before the day Shinn returned his badge.

“I will never be anyone’s weapon again.” Athrun raised his head again at Shinn's words, and this time Shinn was looking at him, eyes open, determined and clear, without any hesitation. “That’s what I promised you—and myself—five years ago.”

And suddenly the realization hit him. A pilot was, by all means, a weapon, and the use of a weapon depended on the user. “I... didn’t mean to take an advantage of you,” Athrun said glumly.

Shinn shook his head quietly. “I know.” He offered a small, awkward smile to Athrun. “But if it’s you or Kira-san, I am willing to go even miles to answer.”

The submarine finally reached an Orb Military base. It was Athrun’s personal request not to make this operation public, and Hathaway had granted him his request. “I’m going to report to the Head Representative. You could head to the Athha Mansion. I think Lunamaria’s already there.” Athrun smirked as he noticed a short scowl slip through Shinn’s lips. Some things just never changed, really. Shinn’s inability to hide his feeling on his face was only one of those things.

The younger ex-FAITH member only rolled his eyes in a well-aimed sarcastic gesture. “Say that to yourself.”

Athrun faked a dejected sigh. “But who am I to kidding, really?”

“You’re Dr. Livingstone, I presume.”

Cagalli, for all the time that Athrun had known her, had been a woman of integrity. Being one of the heroes of the Second War, she continued to bear the responsibility of being the servant of her people today. As the Head Representative of the Orb Representative Council, she was responsible for the policy of Orb and its dealing with other sovereign countries. For that, Athrun was glad, because he knew no other person more suitable for the office but Cagalli.

Cagalli’s office in her current residence, the Athha Mansion, was spacious but not intimidating. Unlike other Orb Representative Council members, she did not brag with royal ornaments in her office. The only tribute to the noble blood that she inherited was an ancient gold sword on the wall, together with a photograph of her late father. Though he understood Cagalli’s preference for a formal style, Athrun was a bit saddened by the fact that there was nothing to prove that Cagalli had a family of her own. Or, to be more bluntly, there was nothing about Kira or Elaine to be seen in Cagalli’s office.

It was as if in the life of Cagalli the politician there was no room for her family.

The door was opened. Turning towards the direction of a voice, Athrun gave a formal salutation to the office’s owner. “Her Excellency.”

Cagalli diminished the salutation with a nod. “Cut the formality, Athrun. I take it that Operation Salvaging Freedom has succeeded, hasn’t it?”

“Our three agents have headed to Morgenroete. I’ll hand you the full report of the mission tomorrow.”

Releasing a long sigh, Cagalli threw herself on one of her sofas. She looked utterly worn out, sporting bags under her eyes, and Athrun had a good guess that she had not allowed herself even a blink of sleep in the last two days. Guilt once again ate at him.

“You should rest.”

Cagalli immediately threw him a cross look. “What makes you think I can rest during the time like this?” Somehow, he could hear the silent accusation in her words. “For Haumea’s sake, Athrun, your actions can lead to unnecessary clashes.”

Athrun considered his reply for a while then he said, “We didn’t fail.”

“I know you didn’t.” The thin line of Cagalli’s lips turned into a diminutive pout. Athrun almost wanted to smile, but he knew better. “I don’t like going about ifs or buts either, but in my position, everything’s a possibility.”

He understood. Politics was the art of possibility.

Cagalli heaved another sigh. “Don’t do that again.” The warning, and, to some extent, the plea referred to both his previous act and the one following the previous.

Athrun understood what she meant, but his tongue was tied, for he did not want to promise he wouldn't do it again. He was responsible for sending an intelligent team to the Neo Equator’s territory to investigate a hidden camp belonging to the radical group—the one who had previously sent them a threatening message. He was responsible, too, for the fact that the team had gotten stuck in the middle of the Papuan forest and had been in critical condition when its existence was discovered by the radical group and the hovercraft intended to carry them back to Orb was drowned. That was why it was only natural that he, the supervisor of the intelligent mission, had to retrieve the team back himself according to the back up plan he had set up.

Athrun could still remember the gazes that fell onto him as he entered library in the Athha Mansion yesterday. None of them were appreciative or sorry, not even Hathaway’s, but he could bear that. After all, his major and foremost responsibility was Cagalli’s well being. He did not care about anything else. Or rather, he would not. That was why one and a half hours after he was granted the consent to execute the rescue mission yesterday, Major Alex Dino found himself boarding a space shuttle to PLANT to have access to Shinn from Dearka’s unit.

“I want you to understand that you’ve risked the lives of our men by sending them to an area hardly known to our intelligence,” Cagalli said. “And I want you to know that acting on your own without giving any notification to your superiors can be considered disloyalty or even treason.”

He frowned. The charge was serious, but why could not Cagalli understand? Why would she risk her own life above others’ lives? “The team has retrieved useful information that can be used to our advantage. I believe that was the main purpose of the mission.”

Giving up a strangled moan, Cagalli messed her hair, making it look more untidy than usual. “Why don't you get it?”

“Why don't you get it?”

“I will not risk Orb for anything.”

“Not even your own life?”

“Yes.” The instant answer held not even a scrap of hesitation. “Not even my own life.”

Athrun was silent for a long time. There was no point to argue right now, he knew. We have world peace, but we don’t have any peace of mind for ourselves. That was the price, and he knew that it was their burden to bear. Lacus had to give up the chance to show up in public with Kira and Elaine, while Kira had to live under an alias, like him. Athrun sometimes wondered if Cagalli had made the biggest sacrifice among them all. She doesn’t give you up, Athrun, Kira once had said. So don’t ever think to give up on her either. Yet Athrun forlornly knew that Cagalli had given up a life she had desired the most, a life where she could simply be not an Athha.

“I’m not ungrateful that the mission’s accomplished, but I’d prefer other possible moves.” Cagalli quickly raised a hand, effectively stopping Athrun before he could respond. “Remind me again that we have a hierarchical structure of organization. As for the sending of an intelligent mission, I believe you need my agreement to be able to send one.”

Athrun wanted to slam his hand on Cagalli's table. “If the intelligence needs your agreement on each and every single small thing, it won’t take too much time to see this mansion bombed.”

“This isn’t a small thing,” Cagalli retaliated. “We’re talking about our men being sent to a country that doesn’t have a good diplomatic relation with us and where a radical group possibly hides. So let me repeat this until you get bored and finally listen to me, really listen to me: this can be a serious diplomatic offence.” At that, Athrun became silent again. Looking away to watch the light rain through the window, Cagalli continued, less hostile though still clearly upset, “There are more important things we have to deal with right now, but I expect more careful action from you in the future.”

Despite his uneasiness towards the recent situation, Athrun could not help but think of how much Cagalli had matured these past few years. Up to the expectancy of your people, Athrun thought, but he quickly shook his thought. No. Not someone to fill Uzumi-san’s shoes. It’s her. She’ll do it as herself.

“It’s for you.”

Cagalli snapped her head up at that. “So it doesn’t matter to risk our men’s lives or yours for mine? It doesn’t matter if Orb has to face a diplomatic conflict as long as I’m safe? To hell with it, Athrun! I know you’re just taking a step ahead, but—” Cagalli was on the edge of shouting with frustration. When Athrun was being stubborn, she knew there was nothing that could bend him. If they were to continue discussing this sensitive subject, all they would do was running in an endless circle. “...Forget it. I think you’d better take your leave. Good night.”

Half disappointed, Athrun was forced to bend to Cagalli’s authority no matter how he hated being forced. “Yes, Your Excellency.” At the doorway, he paused, his steps halting. “Have a good rest, Your Excellency.”

On his way to the exit of the mansion, he ran into Hathaway. It seemed that Cagalli was not the only one who was unable to get any sleep. They both came to a halt in their steps, facing each other.

“So,” Hathaway began. “I believe she’s already done the lecturing, am I right?”

“My apologies, sir.” He knew that, deliberately or not, he had gotten Hathaway into this tangled mess.

The old colonel shook his head. “I’m used to having similar words thrown at my face. Not to be boasting here, Alex, but I’ve been in this field longer than you.” Hathaway tilted his head up, staring at the white ceiling. “I’ve been here since Narendra Reinhardt was the Head Representative, the one before Uzumi-san. I’ve served four Heads, three of them from the House of Athha. I’ve watched leaders struggle with foreign policies, secret missions, science research and tax cuts. It's really an honour to have their trust.” He averted his eyes from the ceiling to Athrun so that he faced his deputy. “You’re the youngest deputy to ever work under me, and I’m not one to judge people by their ages. I know your ability, and I admit that you’re one of the best aids I’ve ever had, if not the best. We know that there are some things better left unspoken,” Hathaway paused, clearly referring to Athrun’s most hidden secret—his true identity, before continuing, “and I still trust you, Alex.”

To Athrun, the unspoken yet demanded ‘why’ rang all too clearly.

“Hathaway-san, this is entirely my responsibility. I knew perfectly well from the beginning when I set this up that this could possibly endanger you, and I never want you to be in a difficult position because of me.” Too bad, Athrun, he said to himself. You’ve already put him in a difficult position. “Have I failed you, sir,” he swallowed the sudden lump coming to his throat, “I would do my best to make amend for it.”

“Alex.” The old colonel stood placed one of his hands on Athrun’s arms. “Answer me this question, just this one.” He was now looking into Athrun’s eyes, his grey eyes grim but still coloured with fatherly gentleness. “Tell me who you are loyal to.”

Athrun did not expect this kind of question, truth be told, not from Hathaway. Did Hathaway want him to answer that he was loyal to Orb? Or to the Representative Council? Or to the Head Representative? To him, loyalty mattered a lot. It was easy to say something, anything, but he did not want to lie to Hathaway.

“My loyalty isn’t to Orb or to the Representative Council,” Athrun finally said, grave and definite. “It’s Cagalli Yula Athha I serve.”

Judging from the absence of shocked expression on Hathaway’s face, it seemed that his superior had guessed his answer all the time. “What if she fails your trust?”

Athrun recalled Cagalli’s upset look just before, his stomach tightening suddenly. “There’s no if. She loves Orb too much to let it happen.”

A weary yet understanding smiled dawned on Hathaway’s face, reminding Athrun so much of Kira’s own smile when his best friend preached him about his not-so healthy but ever growing devotion to Cagalli. “I really am getting old, aren’t I?” He patted Athrun’s left shoulder caringly. “Go home, son. You need your good night sleep.”

The clock on his car’s dashboard, placed under Dietmar’s yellow duckling, showed that it was 02.52 when Athrun finally left the Athha Mansion. And it was still raining, though lightly.

He really hated the rain.

H-4 Before the World Peace Conference

03.38 Orb Time

Of all people that could already be awake before dawn, Athrun never thought that it would be Miriallia. The photographer, too, looked a bit surprised as they met by chance in the kitchen.

“Hey,” she greeted. “Just arrived?”

“And you’re already awake.”

She beamed a wide grin, not minding Athrun’s bored tone in stating the obvious. “I was looking for one of our books—mine and Dearka’s.” In no time, in her hand was a copy of Jared Diamond’s Why is Sex Fun? At Athrun’s rolling eyes, she said, “Finally found this in your room, under Dietmar’s pillow.”

“What?!”

“Oh come on, Athrun. There’s nothing graphic in this book.”

Athrun shook his head dejectedly. “I wonder why I trust Dietmar in your care when Kira and I are off.”

“We never can be sure about that, can we?” She winked playfully. “Well, will you be angry if I say it’s because we’re nice and Dietmar likes us?”

“Whatever, Milli.” He pulled open the refrigerator door to grab a bottle of water and downed its contents in a swig.

Miriallia whistled briefly at that. “You must be hungry. If you want, I can cook something.”

“I can manage it.” Athrun moved to open the cabinets one by one, looking for anything simple he could cook fast and eat. “Where’s Dearka?”

“Off with Yzak-san to welcome Lacus-san at the military airport,” she looked at the clock above Athrun’s dark head, “at 4.15.”

“Really?” Athrun halted, putting eggs and vegetables on the kitchen counter. “I didn't know she’s going to be here that early. Well, actually I just want to say thanks to Dearka for allowing Shinn to help me—it’s really a big aid.”

“The conference isn’t going to run until four days ahead, but yes, she’ll be here today.” Athrun realized that Miriallia, being a Getty Images photographer, would be in the Conference, too. That was why she was here in the first hand, after all. “Anyway, Athrun, do you read Extravaganza?”

Vaguely, Athrun remembered hearing the name, but he could not pinpoint anything about it precisely. Must be something off politics, he thought. “Why?”

“Geez, Athrun, it’s not really that awful to read gossips sometimes, you know. Just read tomorrow’s copy.”

“What’s in it?” He cracked open two eggs and mixed them together with vegetables to make an omelette. Once in a while he read such newspapers, but he admitted that he never paid attention to one named Extravaganza. “If this has something to do with another ridiculous polling, I have no interest for it.”

Grinning, Miriallia raised both eyebrows. “Why? Afraid of someone jumping you, Mr. Most Wanted?”

“Of course not,” he scowled. Why can’t cracks about that Most Wanted issue stop? It was heartening to be able to see a sense of humour these days, but Athrun did not want anything to do with his so-called triumph in Orb’s Most Wanted Men poll. “So?”

Still grinning, Miriallia reached inside her jacket—Dearka’s jacket, Athrun noticed, because it was two sizes too big for her—and put a photograph on the kitchen counter, next to the bowl Athrun used to prepare his omelette. “This is one of them.”

Staring wide-eyed at the photograph, Athrun’s jaw dropped immediately.

“What?” she challenged. “Interesting as it is, it’s not mine, I swear. I just want you to know this will be on Extravaganza’s front page tomorrow. And you can’t sue them, you know. The beach is not a private beach, not even if the site around it belongs to the Athhas.”

“Milli,” he groaned, feeling the need to have another acupuncture session to lessen the sudden rising headache.

“And this,” Miriallia placed another photograph near his hand, “is the one I want you to see.” Noticing the deep frown and the troubled, darkening expression on Athrun’s face, Miriallia almost wanted to take the second photograph back. “I don’t think it has anything to do with the Conference, but Globe, Le Monde and Time will put this on their front pages tomorrow—I mean today.”

“No,” Athrun mumbled, his voice shaking, though too lightly to be noticed. “It has everything to do with it.” The second photograph involuntarily reminded him of Dmitrij Feyedorov’s unneeded opinion for Cagalli, the one asking her to consider transforming Orb into a republic. He guessed that Miriallia knew, too, about Feyedorov’s efforts to stick his oar in Orb politics. For her to do this much, he really owed Miriallia then, although actually they had never engaged themselves in a long conversation before. “Thanks for letting me know, Milli.”

Miriallia smiled knowingly. “No problem, Athrun. I’m a little bit uncomfortable myself with their... closeness.”

His omelette was now ready to be served. “Want some?” he offered.

“Thanks, but no. I have an appointment with Erica-san at 05.00.” She let out a light laugh at Athrun’s disbelieving expression. “You’re not the only one with a ridiculous schedule, you know.” She turned to head back to her room, having to prepare for the day. She was a war photographer first and politics photographer then, after all. Who was better to dig news from than the Director of the Scientific Research and Manufacturing Office of Orb, the world’s leading country of advanced technology research and also one of the most politically handful countries on Earth? After all, it was not a secret that Cagalli was closer to Director Simmons than to Orb’s Minister of Research himself.

Athrun picked up his plate of omelette and put it on the table, pulling a chair to sit. He brought the two photographs near his plate. The first one would create an unnecessary gossip, if not a scandalous uproar of his private life, really. There was no need at all for the world to see an almost naked Alex Dino, wearing only a pair of swim shorts and a ruby-stoned necklace, wet hair slicked back, at an Orb’s white-sanded beach. It was taken two days ago, Athrun believed in disgust, when he was accompanying Dietmar and Elaine playing at the beach in the morning. He was only fortunate that the daring photographer did not have a chance to take pictures of the children. Or else they'll title it as ‘Prince charming breaks hearts’—though it’ll be all the better for me, Athrun joked sarcastically. He could imagine his co-workers and colleagues—if they were still talking to him of course—jeer at him non-stop at work.

The second photograph, however, made Athrun want to tear it to miniscule pieces or, better, strangle the inept photographer. The photograph could raise such a sensitive issue to the surface, and if it happened, it would be a massive disturbance not only to him but also to Orb and Cagalli. Thinking of the possibility of said disturbance, Athrun almost crumpled the photograph.

The Cagalli in the photograph would never know his distress, though, partially being distracted by the dear embrace and kiss on the cheek tenderly given by Feyedorov.

When Athrun took the first bite of his omelette, the bland taste cruelly reminded him that he had forgotten to put in the salt.

Notes:

(1) from Destiny Phase 18. One of the most heartening moments between Athrun and Shinn to me is when they liberated a village, that one episode where Shinn was commanded to fly through a dark cavern.

(2) I take the liberty to decide that Orb is in the same time ordinate with Alaska. My current residence, Jakarta, is GMT+7, and Alaska has 8 hours of time difference from Jakarta. I hope it’s okay.

(3) from the last scene in Destiny Final Plus between Kira and Shinn on an Orb coast.

As for Shinn’s nickname for Athrun, David Livingstone (1813-1873) was a Scottish missionary and explorer. He served during Queen Victoria’s reign and was most famous when he became the first European to see the Victoria Falls.