While due to security reasons and the tensions in the air; the crews of the three ships are not allowed to leave until further notice with an exception of the mechanics so they could help the dock workers with the repairs. However the captains of each vessel are asked to depart and meet in a special meeting room with the representative of the PLANT Supreme Council sent to negotiate with them.
In the waiting room Murrue, Andy and Kisaka wait patiently for the representative to arrive. Under normal circumstances, neither would be edgy, or impatient. As it was, all three were exhausted mentally as well as physically, and wanted to find the nearest bed and fall into it.
“I hope the representative doesn’t make us wait too long, I’m looking rather forward to a date with a bed.” Andy remarked if just to break the silence in the room.
“You are not the only one hoping this is a fast talk Mr. Waltfeld.” Kisaka said as he stood perfectly still in the military “at ease” posture. While the Orb officer looked non-frazzled he was just as exhausted as his fellow captains in the room.
Murrue didn’t speak her eyes vacant and wandering. Her mind kept going back to the Strike using its shield to hold back the Dominion’s Lohengrin cannon blast, and then subsequently exploding after hearing Mu say confidently his trademark saying. Dammit he PROMISED her he’d come back! He promised…
Just then the door to the room opened; a blonde haired woman wearing a long blue overcoat that was associated with those on the PLANT Supreme Council. She smiled at the three as she shut the doors. ‘Captian Ramius, Comander Waltfeld, and Lieutenant Kisaka, welcome to September City. I’m Eileen Canaver.”
”Councilwoman Canaver, this is a welcome surprise. Glad to know we have a level-headed member of the council meeting us.” Andy said with a genuine smile. Besides the late Siegel Clyne, Eileen Canaver was one of the most level-headed councilor members who didn’t hold a prejudice against Naturals and worked to end the war than escalate it.
Eileen nodded, as that was the reason she was the one chosen to see them. She could easily see their tired expressions and decided to make this brief. “I came to inform the three of you that peace talks between the PLANTS and the Earth Alliance have begun in earnest with the help of Reverend Malchio. While I’m certain you all would like to depart your ships and stretch, I’d like to ask that the crews of each ship please remain onboard for their safety until further notice.
“A wise action considering both the Archangel and Kusanagi’s crews are mostly Naturals with a few exceptions, and the Eternal and its crew were labeled traitors.” Kisaka said as he nodded in agreement with the terms. “I’m certain even with the ceasefire some Coordinators wouldn’t mind exacting revenge for the prejudice placed against them by most Naturals.”
“You would be right as much as I wish I could say our people would not act like Blue Cosmos terrorists, some would, especially after all the propaganda Patrick Zala fed them.” Eileen sighed, before turning to Andy in particular. “Commander Waltfeld as it is, we’re looking into lifting the traitor stance placed on you, Lacus Clyne and the crew of the Eternal by Zala, but it will take some time.”
”No problem.” Andy nodded. “I’m just glad an effort to clear our names is being done.”
“So we’re to remain onboard our ships until further notice? How long is until further notice?” Murrue asked.
”I wish I could say.” Eileen admitted. “But we will provide all three ships with supplies, food and anything else you need.”
Back at the docks a young worker who looked barely in his teens was walking down one of the catwalks above the three ships, watching as tech-crews were busy at work to replace battered hull armor, unloading injured, and rolling out damaged mobile suits for repairs.
“Man these guys took a beating.” He muttered to himself, flicking a few spiky bangs from his face. He then froze as he spotted the body of the Freedom being unloaded; his eyes widened almost mimicking the trance-like look one has when going into Seed-Mode as his mind flashed.
He saw what looked like the skeleton of a mobile suit, except for the frame, and the basic motor parts installed and the head it was barely assembled. However what stood out was the design looked hauntingly familiar to the Freedom’s. His mind then flashes to the blueprints of the Freedom, the Justice and Providence Gundams.
Grabbing his head, the mechanic raced across the catwalk nearly knocking over two other workers as he then jumped down to float to a lower deck and out of the dock.
”Sheesh, what had him spooked?”
“Beats me,” said another worker. “Hell I never saw him before, he a new guy?”
”Looked too young to me…wonder what he was doing here.”
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(Posted Mon, 25 Apr 2005 04:37)
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