While the Archangel makes its way to Artemis...
Rau Le Creuset may not show it, but he was fuming inside. On top of Mu La Flaga's impunity in the earlier battle, Athrun Zala's mercy towards the Strike and its pilot was also getting on his nerves. It would have been better if he didn't know that the 2 boys were friends, but that's the problem: he KNEW. Although Athrun had promised to shoot down the Strike, he has yet to do so. Time to stop this little charade, he thought to himself. He spoke into the intercom.
"Get me Yzak Joule, Dearka Elsman and Nicol Amarfi," he ordered in his silky smooth voice.
"You wished to see us, Commander," asked Yzak as the trio saluted their commander.
"Take your seats. I have important information for the three of you," said Rau in an even tone.
As the trio sat down, Nicol was a little nervous. He had a slight fear of his commander, in part because of that mask he always wore. He knew he was overly sensitive but somehow, a superior who kept his face hidden gave him the creeps.
Rau stood up and placed his hands on the table as he looked straight at them.
"Athrun Zala is a friend of the Strike's pilot."
It was a simple statment but it was a bombshell to the 3 teens. Yzak couldn't contain his rage.
"WHAT! No wonder he insisted on capturing the Strike that time while I was about to finish it," thundered Yzak. "Damn you, Athrun!"
"That goes a lot towards explaining his sorry performance," sneered Dearka with his usual sarcasm.
"I don't understand. Surely Athrun.." Nicol questioned.
"Nicol, Athrun confirmed that fact with me himself. As it turned out, those two were the best of friends." With that, Rau silenced the younger boy.
"What are your orders then, Commander?" Yzak had finally calmed down after his outburst.
"Once the Vesalius has been repaired, I will take Athrun back to the PLANT. The three of you will remain behind on the Gamow and pursue the legged ship and Strike. Remember, now that you know that the Strike's pilot is a Coordinator, act accordingly."
Rau turned towards Yzak.
"I hope the next news I hear from you will be the demise of Strike and the legged ship, Yzak," said the commander with a thin smile.
"I will not disappoint you, Commander," said Yzak as he saluted.
"Oh, and one more thing: what I've just told you must remain within this room. We wouldn't want to embarrass Defence Chairman Zala by spreading the word that his son's friend is among the ranks of the enemy. That's all from me. Any questions?"
The 3 pilots shook their heads. They then saluted and took their leave.
Rau Le Creuset's smile grew wider. Without Athrun's interference, the Strike will be an easier target. He hoped that Yzak will be the one to destroy Strike; the boy's ambition will go a long way towards helping Rau's own plans...
Much later, on the bridge of the Archangel, while heading towards the moon fleet...
Murrue Ramius was thinking hard. Besides deciding their course of action when they linked up with the fleet, she had been wondering about the Strike's behaviour in battle. Though she could find nothing to criticize Kira's performance, something just didn't add up, especially when the Aegis comes into the picture...
"A penny for your thoughts, Captain?"
Murrue turned around. It was La Flaga.
"Nothing... just thinking about the Strike and the Aegis, that's all."
"So, you noticed it too, didn't you," said the Hawk in a serious tone.
Murrue sat up straight.
"You mean..."
"Skinny always acts a little strangely around the Aegis, and so does the Aegis around the Strike." Mu knew what he was talking about. Though he had found it odd that the Aegis had tried to drag the Strike away instead of destroying it outright before the Archangel reached Artemis, he had put it down to Le Creuset's orders to capture the Suit. Now that Murrue too had her doubts, perhaps it's time to talk.
"I'm not sure if I should say this, but let's not forget that the Strike specifically asked for the AEGIS during the transfer of Lacus Clyne." pointed out Romero Pal. The rest of the crew on duty nodded. Thankfully, none of Kira's friends were around.
Murrue thought very hard. She knew that Natarle Badgiruel must still be chewing Kira out for letting Lacus go.
"Let's pay the kid a little visit," she told La Flaga.
In the interrogation room, Natarle was indeed giving Kira a dressing down. He wasn't paying much attention when suddenly, Murrue Ramius and Mu La Flaga stepped into the room.
"Captain, I thought you should be at the bridge," Natarle exclaimed. Murrue knew that her first mate valued rules above almost anything else; Kira's matter, however, cannot wait.
"I, or rather we, have some things to ask Kira," said Murrue, gesturing towards herself and La Flaga.
Kira sat up straight. He respected his captain and the Hawk, although he had no idea what they wanted from him.
"Tell us the truth, Skinny. Is there something going on with you and the Aegis?" As always, Mu wasted no time in getting to the point. For greater effect, he placed his hands on the table and leaned towards Kira.
Murrue was observing Kira very closely. She already had the answer she needed; now, it's only up to Kira to confirm it.
Kira was taken aback. He was sure that no one knew about him and Athrun. So how did...
"We're Naturals, Kira. But that doesn't mean we're idiots. Even the least observant of people will ask questions after seeing what you did during the transfer of Lacus Clyne and what the Aegis did to you back before we reached Artemis," continued Mu.
"Lacus was Athrun's fiancee..." began Kira.
"You even KNEW his name. Nice one, Kira Yamato," Natarle was now raising her voice as she glared at the pilot.
Murrue was slowly shaking her head. Mu, on the other hand, smiled grimly.
"Lacus told me his name. I.. I swear I don't know him beforehand," cried Kira. He was close to tears.
"Did Miss Clyne know that this Athrun was piloting the Aegis?" Murrue was getting angry. That day in Heliopolis... She remembered the ZAFT soldier stopping before Kira while he was closing in on her. It all finally made sense.
Kira decided to admit everything. Among the crew, only he knew that the Aegis was piloted by Athrun Zala, his former best friend. As he told the 3 officers his story, he couldn't help but think of how disappointed Captain Ramius must be. She had trusted him with the lives of everyone on board the Archangel. Although he had not abused that trust, he had not told her everything either.
"Captain Ramius.." Natarle began. Clearly, she believed that Kira was no longer trustworthy enough to pilot the Strike. Although she admitted that Kira's abilities were great, this latest piece of information was too much for her to stomach.
"I know what to do, Ensign Badgiruel. As for you..." Ramius stared at Kira.
"You will no longer be allowed to engage the Aegis in combat from now on."
"But, Captain," protested the ensign.
"It's for his own good, and ours as well. We need him, Natarle. But, I do acknowledge your concerns. I promise you, should this young man engage the Aegis other than for self defence, he WILL be grounded." She turned towards the teen.
"That was what you wanted all along, didn't you?"
Despite himself, Kira smiled. From now on, he could finally disregard the Aegis and concentrate on the other Gundams. He resolved not to let the captain and her crew down. That would mean that he will have to remain on board the Archangel. He didn't mind; as long as he didn't have to fight Athrun, he will do his part to end the war.
La Flaga grabbed the teen playfully.
"So, that means from now on, I'll be the one spoiling the Aegis's fun, eh," he said jokingly while ruffling Kira's hair.
"Kira."
La Flaga stopped his teasing as Murrue looked at the teen.
"I hope you understand that what you've just told us must remain here. That goes for the two of you as well," she declared, looking at Natarle as she made her statement. Everyone, including the ensign, nodded.
Natarle bit her lip. The captain did not trust her to keep this matter a secret. True, she still had her misgivings about letting Yamato to continue piloting the Strike. But she wouldn't resort to telling the teen's friends or the rest of the crew about Kira's link to ZAFT; it served no purpose. She gave Kira a side glance as the teen went out of the room.
On his part, Kira was glad that now, the officers knew his secret; still, his friends must be kept in the dark. The more understanding ones wouldn't kick up a fuss. But Flay... He didn't have time to think much about her; Tolle and Miriallia were waiting outside the room...
Murrue gave a sigh. Although she had wanted Kira to leave the battlefield, she realised that it would be impossible now that she, and Natarle, knew of Kira's friendship with the Aegis's pilot. Besides Kira's exceptional skill, given Natarle's nature, she will recommend that Kira be interred for the war's duration if he was released from the EAF; he knew too much about the Archangel and the Strike. Also, she was fond of the kid; the thought of him spending his days in a cell instead of helping to end the war was unacceptable to her.
La Flaga had a thin smile on his face. Now that Kira had finally told someone this big secret of his, his mood will definitely improve. Though many battles still lie ahead for the teen, Mu had no doubt that Skinny will be in a better position to handle them now. Come to think about it, he's already a man for his willingness to tell the truth, however unsavoury it may be. Looks like things might get a little more interesting from now on...
Afterthoughts (Atogaki)
-This retelling is assuming that the adults on both sides had bothered to spot the relationship between Athrun and Kira. Parts not mentioned follow the original storyline. It'll be a bore for you guys to read them again.
-Please RnR!