Chapter Three: Longing
MORGANRATE HANGAR 1800H
Xeth walked towards the hangar and found her friend sitting in front of the two GUNDAMs. “Jesse!”
Jesse immediately stood up. “We’re the only ones left, Xeth. These two…are the only high-powered GUNDAMs left here. Of course…unless Athrun and the others are willing to power theirs…” Jesse sighed and walked towards her GUNDAM, the Tempo. “I need to readjust the settings… I mean, there’s bound to be chaos now…” She rode on the lifter and saw her friend do the same. “Got the same idea, huh?”
“Yeah…” Xeth smiled. “Let’s just put it this way… Now, we can’t complain and go guilty about not having to do anything but reports…” She got off her lifter and entered the Pulse’s cockpit.
“I agree… Totally!” Jesse shouted the answer from her own cockpit.
“HEY! LITTLE MISSUS! WE’RE GOING TO HAVE DINNER! WILL YOU TWO BE OKAY THERE?” The chief mechanic shouted.
“Don’t worry, Mr. T! We got this one!” Jesse shouted back. “We’ll be here a bit though…”
“NO PROBLEM! JUST LEAVE A NOTE IF YOU WANT ANYTHING CHANGED! We’re leaving now…”
Xeth watched as all the mechanics left them alone. Then, silence came. Only the clicking sound of the keyboards in their cockpits can be heard. Urgh… She can’t help but feel guilty. “Hey Jesse?”
“Yeah?” Jesse replied as she kept on typing something.
“I got to tell you something…” She said in a softer tone.
“WHAT?!” Jesse asked back. “Can’t hear you! Don’t you realize we’re in our cockpits? Shout it out!”
Xeth snorted and poked her head out of her cockpit. “OKAY! NOW LISTEN!” She saw Jesse’s head poke out from the Tempo’s cockpit. “I…well…” She looks around.
“This has got to be important. You look like you’re hiding something. Murdered anyone lately?” Jesse asked jokingly. “Coz you look like you did.”
“No…” Xeth scratched her head and said in a low tone, “Worst… My virginity’s gone.”
“What was that?” Jesse strained her ears to hear.
“I said… My virginity’s gone.” Xeth answered in a louder tone.
“What?” Jesse asked again.
Xeth got irritated and shouted, “I said, I’m not a virgin anymore! Got that?!”
Jesse was shocked. She stared at her friend for a whole minute and made a snorting sound.
“What? Can you please say something? I feel like a total fool right now…” Xeth stared back. Then she heard Jesse laugh. “Now what’s so funny?”
“Oh My Gosh! You lost it?! Really?!” Jesse asked in total excitement. “Wait! With who?!”
Xeth reddened at the question. “I…”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t know!” Jesse said in utter shock.
“IDIOT! Of course I know!” Xeth shouted back. “It’s…well…it’s Commander- “
“NO WAY! Not Commander Raize!” Jesse shouted.
“NO!” Xeth retorted. “Stop filling in the blanks!”
“Oh my god! Commander Joule…” Jesse now looks like she saw a ghost. Suddenly, all that happened the last night they were aboard the Sovereign added up. “You two were…”
Xeth nodded silently. “We were dating for five months… Then when I found out it was his birthday, I decided to go with it…you know…” She wanted to cry.
“But…” Jesse got confused. “He let you go? Did you two break up after that night?! Oh no… That is just way too cold…” Jesse saw her friend’s reaction. Her confused look turned to anger. “That BASTARD!”
“It wasn’t his fault…” Xeth sighed.
“Goddamn it’s not!” Jesse stood up. “What an arrogant bastard! You gave him your first time and he treats you like that?! He lets you go without anything at all?! Screw him!”
Xeth laughed bitterly. “I already did, silly!” She feels a lot better now that her best friend knows about the incident. Now, she could go on. “Don’t worry… I’m okay now. At least, I learned a lesson… To hell with him!” Xeth stood up too.
Jesse smiled. “I’m glad you’re alright, girl…” She then wore her mischievous face. “Tell me… Is he good?”
“Good in what?” Xeth asked, confused.
“Sex, stupid!” Jesse rolled her eyes.
Xeth blushed.
Jesse shook her head slowly. “That good, huh? Wow…wish I could have spied on your first time…” She sighed. “Like what did he do? Give you multiple orgasms?”
Xeth blushed even more.
Jesse closed her eyes. “I don’t even want to ask about positions…let’s just stay with the basic news. With that, let’s go back to working.” She entered her cockpit.
Xeth thank God that it was over – the interrogation. She’s glad that it was over. Now I could start anew. There will be no stopping me… The past is the past… She went back to working.
Jesse poked out her cockpit. “Really though… Is he that good? Coz it’s unfair! How can one person have everything?!”
JUPITER AIRFIELD
“You are risking a lot here, Yzak.” Dearka reasoned as they entered the airport. “Remember, the Orb military is strict about soldiers nowadays since the news broke.”
“I know that, Dearka.” Yzak answered, annoyed. “For the hundredth time, just drop this argument because you know and I know that I am not listening to you.” He paused. “Tell anyone who asks that I am visiting my mother. That will shut them up.” He sighed and left.
When he entered the gate, he looked about. Hundreds of Naturals were lining up for inspection. He, traveling in his other identity as Miguel Whelm has a pass as a military adviser and will be seated in a private compartment in the jet where no one will be able to disturb him. In minutes, they were called to board the jet. He immediately boarded and seated himself comfortably. He decided to sleep.
A/N: The dream sequence is RATED. Please PM me if you want to read it. Thank you. ONE WITH THE STORY! XD
Yzak woke up immediately. He noticed he’s been sweating a lot. Not that dream again… He muttered to himself. He looked out of the window to see the Orb Airfield. He has arrived.
ATTHA MANSION 1530H
Athrun entered the house and saw the butler coming up to him. “Yes, Walter? What is it? I could see that you’re anxious…” He smiled as he took his coat off.
“Sir…there is someone from…” He walked closer and whispered, “Zaft… Here to see you…” He took Athrun’s jacket and bowed low. “He’s in the lounge, sir.”
Athrun became confused for a while then nods, “Thank you, Walter. Has Cagalli left any messages so far?”
“None, sir.” Walter answered. “She’s having a meeting with the Emirs…still. You know how they are sir…”
“That’s all, Walter.” Athrun hurried towards the lounge leaving the old man. Who could be… When he entered, the first thing he saw is silver. “Yzak?!”
Yzak turned and stared at his former comrade. “Athrun.” The name sounded bizarre in his tongue.
He motioned for Yzak to sit down. “What are you doing here?” Athrun asked as he sat opposite to his friend.
“Well, I’m happy to see you too…” Yzak replied sarcastically. “Look, Athrun. I’m here to settle this little misunderstanding. The men I’ve seen in the video tape you sent Zaft are not my men or any Zaft soldier.”
“Wait a minute, Yzak. I think I’m not the one you should be talking with and just because you talked to me… Don’t expect things to change. You know how crucial the subject of peace is to the people. And with it in the line, we have to tread carefully…” Athrun explained. “I know how you feel and I believe you. The question is, who did it…”
Yzak sighed and went silent for a moment. “Zaft has no idea. I’m here to ask if you have…”
“Obviously…I don’t.” Athrun sighed. “Cagalli has been pulling the strings to stop the war but it’s going to be hard keeping it that way…” Athrun leaned closer. “Look. I know you didn’t do it but we don’t have a choice in this. I can’t testify against a recorded theft…you know that. I have been finding ways to try and turn the table but…I can’t see any way out, Yzak.”
“Are you saying that we should just let it be then?” Yzak scowled.
“No.” Athrun grunted. “For the moment, we can’t do anything. But I’m sure we’ll find out something…somehow. It’s too early in the game to catch the mouse. We have to wait a while longer for him to show up.”
Yzak smiled. “I’m glad to hear that you have a plan. I was worried your little princess is letting things slip…”
“Cagalli is experienced in the politics, Yzak. She has learned through the years…and it’s in her blood.” Athrun said proudly. “Of course, she made some hard mistakes in the past but…I’m confident about her knowledge now…”
“I guess so…but she’s still a Natural, Athrun.” Yzak answered blatantly.
“Athrun?!”
The voice took Yzak’s attention. It sounds familiar…
Athrun stood up. “Wait here, Yzak. I have to talk with someone…” Then, Athrun stopped. “Hey…on second thought… You both know each other anyway…” He called out to the person looking for him, “Over here!”
“Chairman Zala…” Eric entered the lounge with Xeth in his arms. “Xeth got a little accident with the –“ He stopped as soon as he saw the Zaft Commander. “What a surprise… Commander Joule…”
Yzak stood up. His blood boiled as he saw Xeth…’his’ Xeth’ in the arms of Commander Raize. He stood and gave a quick nod to acknowledge the presence of the other.
Xeth slowly got herself down from the commander’s arms. “Thank you, sir. Um… Athrun…I got into a little accident.” She explained.
“She fell from her cockpit, chairman.” Eric answered, smiling and laughing a bit.
Xeth blushed and looked away from the men, especially away from Yzak. “I was careless. Commander Raize helped me get home as you can see…”
“Thank you, Eric.” Athrun grinned. He slowly supported Xeth in his arms.
“I better go, chairman. I have lots of things to attend to. Please do take care, Xeth.” Eric bowed and left immediately.
Athrun chuckled as he heard the girl curse. “You don’t have to be ashamed at all. Things happen…” He helped her sit on the couch opposite the Zaft commander. “I do believe you two have met, of course! Ahaha! Well, Xeth… Yzak decided to visit…”
Yzak breathed in and said in his most business-like tone, “I’ve heard it was your men on guard that night, Major Cobalt… Is this true?”
Xeth’s insides immediately convulsed. “Yes, sir.”
“But you weren’t present… You just trained them?” Yzak asked once again.
“Yes, sir.” Xeth answered yet again.
Athrun stared at the two soldiers who seemed to be in a lot of tension. “Yzak…you don’t have to be too formal to Xeth… She’s Cagalli’s cousin… We’re like family.” Athrun wanted to laugh but stopped when he saw Yzak’s distressed face.
Great…they’re family… Yzak said to himself.
That night, Xeth felt a little thirsty. As she was about to go down the stairs, she saw a figure standing in the hallways. She immediately knew who it is. The moonlight played with his silver tresses. Yzak... She looked away and was about to step down when two hands helped her. She looked up and saw his sad face. “Yzak…”
“Yes, major?” Yzak asked. “I see you need help walking down…”
Xeth cursed inside. He’s angry at what he saw this afternoon? Oh hell! Who does he think he is?! What am I, your possession?! She stood still, refusing to step down with him. “Why are you here?”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Cobalt.” Yzak answered coldly.
“I don’t need your help, commander. I can go downstairs just fine.” She slowly stepped down as she clutched the banister.
“Oh yes… I forgot. Only Commander Raize can help you now, huh?” Yzak asked bitterly.
Xeth glared back. “There is nothing going on with me and Commander Raize…commander. And if there is, it’s none of your business.” She hissed.
Yzak clenched his fists. He so wanted to hug her and tell her he loves her but with what she said, he’d rather push her down the stairs. “I see… So there is something going on…” Yzak muttered.
Xeth continued walking down slowly. “Think what you like, commander.” She replied as she took the last step.
Yzak walked down and took her by the arm immediately. He can’t stand it any longer. “What do you want me to do? You know I’m angry…” He said in an almost desperate tone – so unlike who he is. “You think I’d just let that pass?! He was holding you, touching you!” He shouted.
Xeth looked about immediately. “Are you mad? Stop shouting.” She shushed. “People are sleeping.”
Yzak gritted his teeth in anger and looked away as if he doesn’t know what to do with his controlled anger. He looks back at her. “Is this because of my answer to your question that day?”
Xeth, despite the fast beating of her heart at how desperate Yzak looked, wanted to laugh. She contained it. “No.” She answered with a straight face. She could see it now. Yzak is actually desperate. This is…new… She sighed. “Look… What we had, was great. But…”
At her words, Yzak’s face fell. “But what?”
“But… Like what you’ve said before, commander…” Xeth looked up. “It was all just a fling… I’m a Natural…you’re a Coordinator. I saw that now… And with this war that’s about to start, I think it’s inevitable.”
Yzak angrily shook her arm. “Athrun and the others are trying to stop it and you’re telling me it’s inevitable?! Who the heck told you that?!”
Xeth smiled. Somehow, she feels a lot stronger. “Even Athrun knows that they have to start the war to know who’s responsible for it… You can’t catch a mouse when it’s hiding, commander. You told me that yourself.” She shook herself free from his grasp. “Besides, it’s my men in the line. I think I trust them more that I trust someone…no offense.” She walked off towards the kitchen.
Yzak walked briskly towards her. He immediately hugged her from the back. “Xeth…please don’t…do this…” It was like a drug to him – her scent. He breathed in deeply. Tell her you love her, idiot! Something scolded him inside.
Xeth’s eyes watered. Don’t get into this again, idiot. Sweet nothings…don’t fall for it! She herself breathed in sharply and said, “Yzak…we’re over, remember? It was wonderful and I enjoyed it. There’s going to be a war. Weren’t you the one who taught me to not let your feelings stand when there’s war?” She was about to say something else when the lights turned on. She looked about and found Cagalli staring at them from the kitchen door.
“Woow…am I disturbing –“ Cagalli looked away. This has got to be a dream… Yzak hugging a girl?! Impossible! And my cousin! Double Impossible! She turned off the lights and walked away towards her room where Athrun woke up.
“Cagalli?” Athrun asked in the darkness.
Cagalli immediately joined him in bed. “It’s me…” They stayed silent for a while as Athrun held her to him. “Um…Athrun?”
“Hmm?” Athrun asked sleepily.
“I have a question…” Cagalli started, still looking up at the ceiling.
“Hmm?” Athrun sighed tiredly. “Go ahead…” He mumbled.
Cagalli looked at her fiancé. “What will you do if you find out Yzak hugging a girl?”
Athrun chuckled. “Yeah right! I’d bet my life on it! He’d never do that.” He kissed Cagalli’s forehead.
“Well… You shouldn’t.” Cagalli answered. “Coz I found him hugging my cousin downstairs.”
Athrun immediately sat up. “No way!”
Cagalli could only nod in answer.
Next day
Xeth woke up early and went to Morganrate with her friend Jesse. They were called to test flight the newly readjusted sequence of their mobile suits. Xeth and Jesse took flight and maneuvered the machines easily. They both looked down from where they are and they saw the whole of Orb.
“Beautiful, huh?” Jesse asked in a mesmerized tone.
“Yeah…” Xeth sighed. “Pretty soon…it’ll all burn… You know, with the war that’s about to start…”
“You shouldn’t be too pessimistic, Xeth.” Jesse grinned. “I heard loverboy is in your family mansion…”
“Loverboy is no longer…loverboy.” Xeth shouted from her mobile suit. “And shut up! Jesse, our cockpit sessions are recorded… Don’t start with me.” Xeth snorted as she directed her mobile suit’s sword at the Tempo.
“Cool down…” Jesse laughed. “I didn’t say a name…” She paused and looked back at Orb. “You know…I wonder what will happen now that Zaft is denying everything…”
“Yeah... I bet Cagalli is now having a hard time talking the old gulls…” Xeth sniggered. “Got to hand it to her…she’s one tough cousin…” She looked about and saw Zaft jets landing on the airfield below. “Pulse to tower 1… Do you copy?”
“Go ahead, Pulse.” The radio replied.
“May I ask what the status down there is? A Zaft jet just landed.” Xeth asked.
“It’s the Ambassador’s jet, ma’am. Chairman Joule’s private jet. They’re here to talk with Chairman Zala.” The tower responded.
“Woow…” Jesse smiled.
“Do we have any orders from Commander Raize so far, tower?” Xeth asked, a bit worried. She saw several Zaku’s walking out of the large jet.
“None, major. You are free to land as you please.”
Xeth looked at the Tempo beside her. “Let’s land, Jesse. I need a bath…”
Hours later, a message was delivered to both of the pilots about a dinner they should attend. Jesse decided to go with Xeth in picking up a formal attire for the night. The dinner is to celebrate that the Zaft found the three mobile suits that were stolen. This proved it they don’t have anything to do with it. The night became even more joyous when the famous celebrity, Elisa Maxwell.
Xeth sat with Jesse and Andrew. She was introduced to several Zaft mobile suit pilots who gave her lots of their attention. But Xeth’s eyes weren’t with any of them. She stared at the ‘happy’ couple, Yzak Joule and Elisa Maxwell. Their engagement was announced earlier in the party. She saw Yzak staring at her more than a couple of times. She knew then that he’s marrying for convenience. But it didn’t help. Once again, she saw Yzak staring at her. She gritted her teeth, stood up and walked out of the party. Cagalli has been asking her about her respond to a 2-year volunteer work with the lunar base refugees. Guess I know what the answer to that question is…
To be continued. . .
