Chapter Four: A New Dawn
4 years later
Lunar airfield
Commander Yzak Joule patiently waited for his delayed jet. He’s been in the waiting area for 2 hours now, have seen several people went on in their flight and is starting to get irritated. He stood up immediately to walk towards the information area when someone bumped on hi his leg. He looks down to find a young boy looking up at him with his large green eyes and straight black hair tied to the back.
“Sorry, sir…” The young boy smiled shyly. “But are you a Zaft mobile suit pilot, sir?”
Yzak raised an eyebrow and then smiled at the curiosity and the guts that the young boy showed. He kneeled down and nods. “As a matter of fact, I am.”
“Wow! I would like to be a Zaft or an Orb mobile suit pilot!” The young boy grinned happily.
Yzak is bothered at the familiar looks of the young boy. "Are you all alone?" Yzak asked as the boy kept on staring at him admiringly.
"Yes, yes. Mama said I'm a big boy...so I don't have to travel with someone." The little boy answered happily. He took his large ID and showed the man. "See? See? This is called an Identification Card. The pretty girl gave it to me..." He looks about. "I'm confused... There are a lot of pretty girls looking the same in the airfield... Same clothes…same hair…" He looks back at Yzak.
Yzak observed the ID and saw the name: ZALA, SHAWN ATTHA; 3 yrs old; Orb Citizen. He looks up. "Shawn Zala? You're Athrun's son?"
Shawn grins and nods. "Boy, mister! You're the only one who called papa by his first name... You should know him a lot... No one calls him Athrun around here." He swings his little black bag side to side as he continues to look at the Zaft soldier.
Yzak grins back. He kind of likes the boy but for some reason, he reminds him not of Athrun or Cagalli at all. "I know your father..."
"I thought so! You know...people kept on calling papa, chairman... Is papa's complete name Chairman Athrun Zala? Chairman sounds weird..." Shawn's little brows furrowed in cute confusion as he placed his index finger on his mouth.
"Flight FE-154 heading for Orb is Boarding... Please step up to the gate. We apologize for the delay and thank you for bearing with us."
"WAH! That's my flight!" Little Shawn jumps up, his long raven hair flowing behind him. "My flight! I'll be home in hours! I will see papa and mama and auntie and uncle!" He hurried towards the gate.
Yzak also took his suitcase and headed for the gate.
Shawn looked back and saw the Zaft pilot. "WaH! We're in the same flight! Yehey!" He took Yzak's hand and pulled him towards the gate. “I won’t be bored. I’m with a Zaft soldier!” He beamed as they passed by a flight attendant.
As they seated themselves in their seats, Yzak sighed. He doesn't really want to spend a peaceful flight with a loud boy beside him.
"You know? Uncle Andrew told me the Zaft military Infiltration Unit is one of the best...in fact, they're in the top 3." Shawn beamed. "I can see you're one of them... Your suitcase indicates it..." He pointed out.
Yzak was impressed. He is not that knowledgeable about kids but this young one intrigues him. "Would you mind answering why you are in the lunar base?"
"Oh! My auntie is a great GUNDAM pilot, you know. Also! She’s a part of the Orb Infiltration Unit. Cool, huh?" Shawn answered excitedly. "I was visiting her but she's on her way to a mission. We'll be meeting as soon as I arrive."
Yzak's heart jumped at the possibility. Could he be referring to Xeth? He coughed a bit. "Is that so? Who is this GUNDAM pilot auntie of yours then? Maybe I know her..."
"Major Xeth Cobalt." Shawn took out a small book from his bag and showed a certain page to the man beside him.
Yzak looked at the picture in the book. There is a woman carrying a younger version of the boy beside her. She cut off her hair... The hair he loves to touch and smooth once upon a time. He also noticed the resemblance of the boy’s features to Xeth. Shawn couldn't be Athrun's son...or Cagalli's... He stared for a long time until the boy took his attention.
"Hey mister... You didn't tell me your name." Shawn took the book and waited for an answer.
"Well...um...I'm Commander Yzak Joule of the Zaft Ship, Sovereign." Yzak answered discreetly.
"WOW!" Shawn immediately sat up. "It's an honor to meet you, sir!" He shouted in all delight. "My auntie told me so much of your adventures and stories of the war of Junius 7... And how you rescued her and saved her life. You’re a hero!"
He means...Xeth? Why would Xeth tell a child about...me? Yzak smiled at the overly active boy and at the thought that Xeth still thinks of him. "Well, that's flattering..." Yzak chuckled. For the rest of the flight, he wasn’t able to sleep at all. Shawn seems to be one of those kids who can go through a 2-hour trip without sleeping – totally over active. He admires that in a young boy – it reminds him of his childhood and how impatient he was. Maybe this is how a child is… He thought. In his two years of marriage it seems impossible for his wife to bear a child. He blamed himself for that too. He looks at the young boy who is still talking.
“When I first saw the GUNDAM, I was like…WOW! And then, Wooow…it’s big, papa… It’s big! Auntie Jesse went down and gave me a miniature version of Tempo. And then auntie went down. I love Auntie Xeth… She’s so cool… She’s always there even when papa and mama are busy… She’s like an angel… Everytime I cry, she’s there…”
Yzak wanted to laugh. An angel, huh? Yeah…she was my angel… He thought sadly. He never got to think about Xeth by the time he got married. It was all political. He tried to find a way to talk with her but he found out then that she left for the Refugee Camp of the moon colony. What we had should never have ended… He looked at the child once again. Shawn’s hers… There is no mistake about it. Those green eyes are proof of that. That means some idiot left her…
“WAAAH! We’re here, we’re here!”
The shout took his attention. Shawn scampered towards the window beside him. “I wanna see,” he said to him. Yzak took him by the armpits and placed him on his lap. “Here you go.” He smiled. As they both looked at the Orb Airfield, a nice feeling rushed to him. This must be how a father feels… He thought to himself as Shawn kept on pointing at the landmarks and explaining them to him.
Cagalli closed her phone as she saw Shawn running towards her. But then, when the boy is closer, she saw that he’s holding onto someone’s hand. Cagalli looks up and her eyes grew. Yzak Joule?! She looked about for someone else.
“Mama!” Shawn dragged the Zaft pilot with him.
Cagalli, hugged by the young boy, forced a laugh. She bends down and kissed Shawn. “How’s your flight?”
“GREAT! I met this man! He’s Commander Yzak Joule of the Zaft Army!” Shawn shouted excitedly.
Cagalli then stood up and looked at Yzak. “Yzak.” She reached out to shake his hand. “It’s been a while…” She could see that Yzak knows Shawn’s not hers.
Yzak nods and smiled. “Fine, Mrs. Zala…” He answered but was surprised when someone patted his back. “Athrun!”
“Yzak! I never thought you’d be here! Haha! What a reunion.” Athrun said with a big smile. “So? How’s married life?”
Pretty bad… Yzak wanted to say. “Great…I guess…” He fixed himself. “I took the flight with your son.”
Athrun took Shawn in his arms. “Heh! Did he annoy you, Yzak?”
“I didn’t, papa!” Shawn pouted but was smiling again. “He listened to everything I said!”
Athrun laughed at this. “Really!? Well, he’s your Uncle Yzak after all…”
“Put me down, papa! Put me down!” Shawn shouted as he saw something from afar. Athrun let him go. He went running towards another gate. “Auntie! Auntie! It’s me!”
Xeth smiled at the sight of her son. “No way! Is it you?” She asked jokingly as she kneels down in front of the boy.
“Yes, yes! It’s me!” Shawn answered with all the excitement.
“But my little Shawn is this high…” Xeth indicated a shorter height. “You can’t be my little Shawn…”
“But it’s me! I grew up! I’m taller! I’m Shawn…your little Shawn!” Shawn laughed as he hugs his most loved auntie. “It’s me, it’s me!”
Xeth carried the boy with her and walked towards Athrun and Cagalli who seem to be talking with someone. As she came closer, her eyes saw silver. Oh no… She stopped as the man her cousin is talking to turned to face her.
Yzak wanted to smile but at that moment when their eyes met, he didn’t know what to do. He just stared at her. Slowly, his eyes traveled to Shawn. There is no mistake that Shawn’s hers… He suddenly felt a pang of pain in his heart. That should have been mine… He said to himself as he stared at them. A woman he loves and a son to carry on his name.
Athrun sensed the tension. “Well then…” He turned to Xeth. “How are the moon colonies so far, Xeth?”
Xeth was taken away from the memories she was reminiscing. “Oh! Well… I have the reports here…” She motioned towards her suitcase. “So far, everything’s going smoothly.” She forced a smile.
“Great!” Athrun then turned towards Yzak. “Where are you staying?”
“Well…the 56th Division requested for training… So I am expecting them to be here any minute now.” Yzak answered.
“I never thought you’re the one they chose!” Athrun laughed. “Those wisecracks are lousy in every way… Expect a lot of shouting and disciplining, Yzak… I’ve been there…” A soldier walked towards him and informed him that their car is waiting outside. Athrun looks at his family and then at Yzak. “I will try talking to Commander Jyren if he could let you stay with us in the mansion… Unless you’d rather be in the hotel, of course…”
Yzak smiled. “We’ll see, Athrun. First, I have to check the division. I might need extra help judging at how you described them… But let’s play it by ear.” He waved. Athrun went on followed by Cagalli. Xeth passed by him carrying Shawn in her arms. “It’s nice to see you again, Xeth…” He said in a hushed tone. Xeth didn’t even look at him.
“Bye, bye…commander!” Shawn gave him a salute. “See you around! Let’s play when we meet again! I’ll teach you how to play AUTORACE 4! It’ll be fun! Bye, bye!”
Yzak waved at the boy. He sighed. Xeth…
ATTHA MANSION 1500H
Cagalli stared at her cousin as they sat across each other in the inner gardens. Jesse Arden yawns at them and looked towards the blooming flowers. Cagalli shook her head at the present problem. Taking her cup of coffee she sighed. “What’s your plan now? He knows Shawn’s not my son.”
“I don’t know…” Xeth stared at her cup of coffee.
“He doesn’t know about it, Xeth… Everything will be okay.” Jesse offered a smile. “Besides, there’s Jared to keep him away from you.”
“That’s what I’m worried about…” Cagalli placed her cup down and looked seriously at the girls. “Yzak Joule is still in love with you. That one’s obvious. We all know he married for convenience – following his mother’s steps to political power.”
“And that’s the reason why he’s not worthy of Xeth at all.” Jesse spat. “He’s too ambitious!”
Cagalli snorted. “Hear the ever supporting friend! Hail, Jesse!” She laughed. “It seems that Shawn in oblivious to this too…poor thing. I mean, he’s my son now but I still consider you his mother, Xeth. How are you feeling?”
Xeth smirked. “I’m fine. It’s not like I’ve thought about him in the 4 years that we’ve separated…”
“Hah! Yeah right!” Jesse laughed out nearly choking her coffee.
“I have forgotten about him until yesterday, you know…” Xeth retorted. “Besides, with Shawn near me, I don’t need anything else…”
“True, true…” Jesse nodded in agreement. “He’s such a charmer…” She giggled. “Can’t wait to have one of mine…”
“Don’t go following Xeth…” Cagalli joked.
“Yeah… But you’re pretty lucky huh…” Xeth smiled. “Your first time didn’t get you pregnant… While mine… Sheesh! Bad luck follows me everywhere!” She laughed at herself. “God! It’s good to talk with you guys again…”
“Same here.” Jesse answered. “So? Come on…tell us what you’re planning. You can’t just avoid Mr. Silver for the rest of your life…”
“What do I have to plan? It’s simple.” Xeth answered as she took a sip. “Life goes on. I have a son; he’s married to some celebrity… There’s nothing to plan there…”
Cagalli leaned in closer. “You’re not going to tell him?”
“HELL NO!” Xeth shouted.
Jesse laughed aloud. “Revenge is sweet! Come to think of it… He has a son with you…he didn’t even know it. And it’s no secret that his wife can’t bear any children…”
“Jesse!” Cagalli warned. “Don’t be so harsh…”
“Hey…it’s a fact. You know what I heard?” Jesse leaned in closer too. “Elisa really devised it so that she can’t bear any child – the media said she’s afraid of growing fat…” She whispered. “Poor commander…” Jesse snorted in laughter.
Xeth suddenly feels a bit sorry for Yzak. It must be hard on him… She thought. Yzak used to tell her how he would love to try out being a good father. He used to tell her that he’d like to be a good father since he never got to experience his father’s love – the late Commander Joule died at a young age. Is it fair to separate Shawn? She asked herself.
ORB AIRFIELD
The 56th Division is giving him a hard time…and he is giving them a hell of a time being punished. He is wearing ordinary white Zaft Training T-shirt and fatigue pants for the hard training. He took his cap and headed for the car waiting for him at the gate. It’s been a week since he last saw Xeth and yet he can’t take her off his mind. Never could… He thought as he got out of the gate. He saw Athrun getting out of the car. “Hey!” He greeted.
“Told you they’d give you a hard time…” Athrun smirked. “The family’s having a picnic by the beach. Come on.”
Yzak thought about the invitation carefully. It’s a chance to see Xeth again. And her son… The thought infuriates him. But this picnic could give him information about the 4 years of absence. And I could identify the bastard who did it to her too… He hissed inside of him. “Sure, Athrun.” He entered the car with Athrun. “You sure they won’t mind?”
“Nah…” Athrun said, starting the car. “Cagalli knows…”
As they drove towards the beach, Yzak started asking questions. “Athrun…”
“Yep?”
“Would you mind if I ask you who Shawn really is?” Yzak asked.
Athrun took his time before answering. “Cagalli and I adopted him.” He paused. “You know he’s Xeth’s. I don’t have to tell you that.”
Yzak stayed silent then.
“You want to ask who the father is?” Athrun brought up the topic.
Yzak immediately turned to face him.
“We don’t know. Xeth, after serving in the moon colony for two years brought him back to earth.” Athrun explained. “We tried asking who the father is but Xeth said she doesn’t know. She said something about being drunk and having to chat with a soldier. She asked us to adopt Shawn. Cagalli and I are not yet planning on having a baby but…well, who can resist Shawn?” Athrun chuckled. “Even Yzak Joule can’t resist him…”
“Careless…” Yzak said in a whisper. He also made a mental note to check all the soldiers that were designated in the lunar base colony when he has time.
“What?” Athrun looked at him.
“She’s careless…” Yzak answered. “She shouldn’t have entered a bar without escorts…”
Athrun shrugged. “Well… Things happen… We can’t really turn back time…” He parked the car near the beach. From afar, he could see the white tents put up for the picnic. “There they are…” He took a couple of wine bottles in the trunk and locked the car. “Help me with these, will you?” He handed Yzak three bottles as he carried four. “Come on.”
Yzak followed Athrun. As he trudged along the beach, his heart pounded hard once again. He could see her from afar playing with little Shawn. He doesn’t know why it hurts him to see them so happy. Maybe I’m just jealous…that her life didn’t turn out that bad even when Shawn’s father left her… And yet mine is a mess even if everything I did is right… He looked at Athrun’s back instead. He can’t help think what could have happened if he ran after her that day. Maybe I would’ve been happily married to her even if I was shunned by mother… Maybe I’m now playing with Shawn… Maybe Shawn doesn’t have to call Athrun, papa…
“Papa! Papa!”
Yzak immediately stopped and looked at the boy. But Shawn was referring to Athrun who is beside him. Oh… He smiled sadly as he placed the wine bottles on the table. He watched Athrun carry the boy in his arms, zooming him around.
“Hey…”
He looked up and saw Xeth smiling at him. “Hey…” He answered…a bit unsure if she’s talking to him.
“It’s been a long time, huh?” Xeth smiled ruefully.
Yzak smiled. “Yeah… How are you?”
“Fine.” Xeth answered as she tried to open on bottle.
Yzak took the bottle. Their hands touched but he didn’t mind. “Let me.” He opened the cork.
The touch made her look away. “How are you, Yzak?” She asked the question in a low tone.
Yzak knew then that she is referring to his married life. “Fine…” He answered. Xeth only uses his first name when she’s comfortable with talking. This is a good sign that she’s open to anything… He told himself. “A bit bumpy…but fine.” He took two glasses of wine and poured. “And Shawn?”
Xeth shrugged. “Well…he’s my angel… Though I can’t really raise him without a father figure… So, I decided to let Cagalli and Athrun adopt him.” She took the other glass that Yzak offered.
“He looks so much like you…” Yzak commented. “I didn’t have any doubt when I first saw him. He’s yours.” He smiled remembering the first time he met Shawn. He looks so much like you… And I know that…
Xeth’s heart is hurting little by little. And yours, Yzak… He’s yours too… She brought her lips into a thin line. She knew he couldn’t tell him. “Oh well…” She sighs and looked at the horizon in front of them. “Rest assured he’d grow up to be a heartbreaker…” She chuckled at the thought.
“No doubt about it.” Yzak said as he raised his glass.
The way Yzak said it made her feel flushed. Is he telling me something? She raised her own glass in reply.
Jesse interrupted the two as she took a sandwich from the table. “Hey there, commander!” She greeted. “How’s life in space so far?”
Yzak smiled. “Pretty good…”
“Why not, huh? You’re mother’s the chairman, you’ve been promoted to high commander, and you have a wife for a celebrity…” Jesse said as she began munching on the sandwich. “If you ask me, it’s ‘the’ life.” She saw Xeth gave her a glare. Nu-uh that’s not going to stop me from asking him about his life, Xeth… She sighed heavily and asked, “How’s your wife, commander?”
Yzak became a bit conscious in talking about his wife in front of Xeth. He looks at Cagalli and Athrun as he answers. “She’s fine.”
“When can we expect a little commander, commander?” Jesse asked happily. She’s rather enjoying the interrogation. “I mean, you’ve been married for 4 years. Isn’t it time to start a little clan?”
Yzak gritted his teeth at the question. She was and always will be stingy… He stared at the young woman smiling innocently at him. “We’re trying…”
Jesse laughed out loud and patted the commander at the back. “Well, try harder commander! Major Cobalt here beat you to it!” She continued laughing as she left the two.
Xeth stayed silent as she felt the blood rushed to her face. That idiot! How could she say that? Can’t she see Yzak’s hurting? She looked up and found Yzak looking at her.
“When did it happen? Athrun told me…” He asked, now averting his eyes to the sand under his feet.
Xeth breathed in and started to explain. “It was when I left for the moon colony. I know Athrun told you… After that night, I got pregnant. I went back after giving birth to Shawn and left him with Cagalli and Athrun since I have to finish my contract with the moon colonies.” She paused. “When I got back, I found Shawn calling Cagalli and Athrun his mama and papa. So, I decided to let them be.”
“It must hurt…” Yzak said sadly.
Xeth shook her head slowly. “Not really… Besides, Cagalli and Athrun are family. And Shawn always looks at me as his second mother… its better he grows up with a father figure…”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Yzak asked, the question hurting him a lot more than he could imagine.
Xeth smiled ruefully. “I can’t disrupt your perfect life, Yzak. Besides, what we had didn’t work out.” She saw him tighten his grip on the glass he’s holding. “Knowing you, you would have come to my rescue. How would it look then? Rumors will fly everywhere… I wouldn’t have liked it anyways…” She took a sip. “Everything is in the past… I didn’t’ regret having Shawn. He’s perfect.” She turned her head to look at Shawn laughing and running after Jesse. “And I don’t blame you at all…”
Yzak nodded. She has accepted everything…then. He looks at the woman beside her. It seems that I’m the only one left in a world we created once… I should not drag her down. He sighed and changed his frame of mind. “He’s one active kid, I should say…”
“Yeah…” Xeth answered happily, seeing that Yzak is now relaxed. “Don’t you that he’s planning on being a GUNDAM pilot in the future?”
“Hmm… Just like someone I know…” Yzak gave her a knowing smile. “You were over-active then, major…” He said jokingly. “Is it possible that you’ve dominated his genes?”
“And why not?!” Xeth laughed as she began walking towards the group. Yzak followed behind her. “Besides, he’s mine. So, it’s just right that he should have all the best parts!”
Yzak grinned. She’s truly happy… He thought. I shouldn’t be here… He sighed as he stopped and watched the group a few feet away. He left the PLANT because he’s having a hard time with his wife. They have made love for three years. And almost every goddamn night… He took another sip from his glass of wine. He questioned his wife if she’s taking in pills or some medication. It’s impossible that they can’t make a child. They tried, that’s what he thought. But unfortunately, his wife’s only in it for the sex. He investigated what’s happening in their house and found out that Elisa was hiding birth control pills and other medications to prevent her from conceiving. His vain wife reasoned out when he got angry… ‘I don’t want to look hideous, you bastard! Try getting yourself pregnant!’ That’s what Elisa shouted at him. He slapped her, of course. He was so angry…he could have killed her. So, he decided to take on the invitation of the Orb Army.
“Uncle Yzak!”
Shawn’s voice woke him. He saw the boy waving at him and pointing at something above him. He looked up only to find a Frisbee heading straight towards his head. It was took late for him to dodge. He fell on his back.
Shawn was immediately beside him. “Uncle Yzak? Uncle Yzak?”
Yzak slowly opened his eyes to see Shawn’s worried face – eyes watering.
Shawn cried out loud. “I killed Uncle Yzak! Mommy!” He stood up and run towards Cagalli who immediately held the boy.
Yzak slowly sat up. “Ow…” He slowly touched his bruised forehead.
“Are you okay?”
He looks up to see Xeth’s worried face. “I’m fine… Just a bit disoriented…” He chuckled at himself. “Nothing serious… You should tell Shawn… He thinks I’m dead…”
Xeth placed a cold towel over Yzak’s forehead. “You should have paid attention…” She said seriously. “It could have hit your eyes…”
The worry in her voice made him stop chuckling. He lets her take care of the bruise. “I didn’t know you still care, Xeth…” He said softly.
Xeth smiled. “I still do. Perhaps because we shared something special a long time ago…” She simply answered.
Shawn, now not crying slowly walked towards the Zaft commander. “Uncle Yzak?”
Yzak looked at the boy who is hiding behind Xeth’s legs. “Yes, Shawn?”
“I’m sorry…” Shawn apologized, turning red.
“It’s nothing, Shawn… You didn’t mean it.” Yzak answered as he took Shawn and carried him in his arms. “Besides, it was a terrific throw.”
“Really?!” Shawn now looks excited. “Want to play with me, Uncle Yzak? I promise I won’t hit your head again…” He beamed at the chuckling man.
Yzak placed the boy on his shoulder and carried him towards Athrun who is still by the beach with the Frisbee.
Xeth’s eyes watered at the sight.
To be continued. . .
Notes: Please Comment if you have something to say. TY ^^
