RP Dump the second. Part 2
Apr. 25th, 2006 11:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Hahaha, the other Post got too long.
>.> More as soon as they finish. I promise.
AKWARD+RELEASING THE DEMONS-Ed, Cherry, Kaz
The small shuttle set down in the docking bay of the Cold Wind, steam hissing as the ship settled in; it's black hull reflected little light, the blazing red-yellow symbol of the Covert Operations and Missions Enforcer Team emblazoned across the side of the vessel. With a hiss, the hatch opened, allowing the man to exit from the inside of the ship. He ran a hand over his bald head and almost swore; he knew immediately that he'd need to shave it again - Matilda would complain, because she had always wanted him to regrow his hair, but he much preferred it cut like this. It looked more... intimidating.
Another man dashed forward, giving a quick salute, "Commander Vyers! This is an unexpected visit... If we had more warning we would have prepa-"
"No need to worry, kid," Michael said, fiddling with his sunglasses as he pushed them into place. "I'm here on urgent business - the Emperor requested I deliver this report directly to him as soon it was complete." He held up a datapad in his hand, then looked to the two mobile suits behind him, "As it appears his lordship is currently in, I'll make this quick and just drop it off."
The other man nodded, "Then I shall not delay you, sir. Emperor Frost's quarters are on deck six, section nine. I doubt you'll have trouble finding them." He saluted again, and Vyers returned the gesture before pushing off into the lift to take him to the main ship.
A few moments later, he touched down just outside the quarters of the Emperor. The lunar gravity allowed short leaps and bounds, making the trip much quicker and less stressful, but still provided the familiar sensation of being able to walk when he so wished. Thus, he straightened himself and reached out to hit the switch to open the door. However, his hand paused as he noticed the symbol showing the door was locked.
"Hm," he muttered. "Guess he must be off on debriefing with the mercenaries from the recent raids." Pausing, he looked up and down the hall, then set to work quickly on the lock; he'd be in and out before anyone ever even the door was opened and Raziel would return to find the report placed squarely on his desk. COMET's stealth would remain without rival, and he could go back to the comfort of Aprilius City, away from the front lines. Matilda was already going to kill him when she found he had gone personally to deliver the report in the middle of what could be a battlezone.
Twenty two and a quarter seconds later, the lock changed colours, showing it was open. 'Yatta," he grinned, thumbing the switch to open the door and stepping in.
The room was bathed in the lighting from the hallway, offering only a dim view of the interior. His gaze swept the room, looking for the desk - shelving, table, bed, de - His gazed shifted back suddenly as something move. A half second later, his jaw dropped, his sunglasses following suit by sliding half an inch down his nose.
"... now there's something you don't see every day."
::Raziel looked up from the bed, seeing his best friend standing in the door way. He turned, his face beet red, to Kazée. In the dim light, he could tell her face was just as red as his. She brought up the blankets to cover her chest. He sat straight up, and rubbed his face with his hands, his hair out of the pony tail and draped over his shoulders::
"... shit..." he muttered, shaking his head as the room was dead silent.
::The trio each stared at each other, not quite sure what to say. Raziel looked around, trying to figure out some way out of this sticky situation. Kazée's sweater was lying on the floor, and his shirt and jacket were on the chair near his desk. And the fact that they were both naked underneath his blankets didn't help much. Well, he was naked anyways, he was sure she was still wearing her bottoms. Raziel cleared his throat, and looked straight at Michael::
"... don't you ever knock!?"
"I really didn't think I had any reason to," he began to explain, his brain only half realizing the situation. Well, it could have been fully understanding the situation, but repressing the reality of the situation. He looked to the pad in his hand, tossing it to Raziel, "I uhh... I guess this is yours."
Then, suddenly, realizing his sunglasses were down, he pushed them back up his nose with his right hand. He looked around, trying to stop his face from turning red - after all, he had been in worse situations. Like that time Ethan had waddled into the room in the middle of the night... He coughed, breaking th silence, "So uhhh... it's uhh... been awhile." He paused, then chimed in, "How's life?"
::Raziel dropped his head, and stared down at his blankets. He was lucky they were just starting. Had Michael walked in just a few minutes later... it would have been especially bad. He then looked back up at his friend, eyes sullen and a slight show of displeasure in his face::
"It's good, Michael. Life is good. And yes, it has been awhile. I've been busy with missions and things, you know, running an Empire and all..." he muttered, forcing a very unconvincing smile across his face as he glared at his good friend.
::Raziel didn't even bother with covering his bare stomach up with the blanket, letting Kazée take as much as she needed. And with her... tracts of land, quite a bit was required. He snickered a little bit at the thought, then glared back at his friend, then looked down at the data pad that had been tossed at him::
"... you came all the way out here, and barged into my private quarters... sliced the lock, and interuppted... us... for something you could have just left with my secretary..." he said, growing more and more irritated as each word escaped his lips.
::Michael stood there, a smile plastered on his face, as he shrugged::
"Had to give it directly to you. After all, don't know who we can trust, what with such lax security and all... by the way, you might want to consider getting a better lock. It took me just over twenty-two seconds to crack it," replied Michael, trying to keep his face from turning as red as the pair in the bed.
::Raziel shook his head once again::
"I think it's people like you who make ZAFT security a laughingstock, Michael. And it took you just over twenty-two seconds. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're slowing down, showing your age there, eh?"
Trying not to look in the direction of the girl, he shrugged, his gaze hidden behind the dark sunglasses, "Just remember, Julie, you're older than I am." He turned to the door, "I could've done it in record time, but working with one hand and wondering just how much the makeup dinner for bringing myself to the frontlines is going to cost... well, it tends to distract the mind and slow one down." He quietly appologized in his mind to Kazée - he'd have to vocalize those later - then tilted his head to the side, "Of course, you'd be quite familiar with the distraction of working with only one hand, hm?"
He paused, then considered the line about ZAFT security for a moment, "I suppose you want to me to have a go at the locks then, hm? Maybe in the future if they're a bit better, you can have a few seconds warning to finish future... debriefings." He smirked, the facial expression hidden in the dark.
Well....This was certainly the most akward situation she'd ever been in. Hearing the men chattering; Raziel's voice laced with fury, Micheals with apology.
She realized that the blankets were doing little to cover her assests, so she simply slid under them, twisting around and groping in the dark and heat for her camisol. It was still on the bed, she knew. She'd felt it a moment ago with her foot. Finally, her hand connected with fabric of a different feel of the sheets. She closed her fingers around it, and sat up under the blankets.
She heard Raziel yelp and grab some back. Evidently she'd pulled too hard.
"Sorry," she muttered, struggling under the swath of the blankets to get her shirt back on. A moment later, she reemerged with mused hair and a slightly sheepish grin. Her lover's jade eyed were fixated in a half hearted glare, but it didn't last long as the mercenary finally addressed the intruder.
"You are aware that I'm half tempted to throttle you, right, Micheal?"
Luckily for the shaved head Vyers, the opportune placement of his body between the door, the only source of light, and the bed, combined with the dark coverings on his eyes, spared him a sight he might otherwise have regretted. He bowed his head slightly, "I'm afraid there's a line for that, Ms. Virgo. The missus doesn't take too kindly to me coming all the way out here from the PLANT cluster to deliver things like this." He sighed, trying to make light on the situation, "I swear, she's got me on a leash so tight, I can hardly even take a breath some days."
His gaze shifted suddenly to Raziel, pointing a finger as the man who was fumbling with the blankets, "Don't even get started on that captain crap either, Julie. I just have more luck with the ladies then you can ever hope..." He smiled a bit, the look hidden slightly in the shadow, "No offense to you, Miss Virgo, but between me and you, Raziel's luck is more than a little hit or miss, if you know what I mean."
Kaz stiffled a laugh as she slid out of the covers, searching for her pants.
"In a way that makes him luckier, you know? No leashes. But I can believe that. Razzy's just a bit forceful sometimes."
"Oh shut up," the redhead muttered, "You like it."
"Cause I can still top you, sure," came her retort as she finally located her jeans. Sliding into them quickly, she fixed her whitey-green stare back onto the bald man. In the dim light, they seemed to glow a bit.
"Micheal," she said, her voice slipping into a dangeroulsy low tone, "If you tell a soul what you've seen...."
::Raziel leaned over the bed, reaching around for his shorts, trying not to slide out of the bed. He knew they were done for the night, the damage had been done. His hand brushed against the lump on the floor, and he picked them up, sliding them underneat the blankets, and shifting into them. It was a little awkward trying to get dressed without standing up. After they were securly on, and nothing was hanging out, Raziel stepped out of the bed, walking over to where Kazée stood, now addressing Michael::
"She's right. Even though I know he won't tell anyone, I have to make sure he gets it through his thick skull," he thought, putting his right arm around Kazée's shoulders, holding her close.
::His jade eyes glared straight at his best friend, picking up instantly on the cue given him by Kazée::
"... I'll personally make sure that you remember what silence really is, Michael. I don't like resorting to threats, especially to you, of all people, but you have to understand the gravity of this situation," said Raziel, trying to keep his demeanor.
"It's not like I'm ashamed of this, don't get me wrong. If things were any different, I would announce it to the world that I am with her. But the problem is, we live in a sick and depraved world. It wouldn't look good, especially for her, if it were announced that she and I were together. She is a mercenary, and has several thousand civilians who left to escape the war in her charge. I don't want to bring them into the war. And there is also another factor into this equation. Her son..."
Michael turned away from the two for a moment, his hand coming up to stroke his chin, "The little tyke, eh?" He paused, contemplating it for a second as a dark smile crossed his face; he'd have to remember about the boy. Turning back, he grinned widely, "Don't worry - not a word from me." He pointed at Raziel, "After all, I still haven't told anyone about that time in Carpentaria where you had a few too many drinks and mistook that ship captain for - "
He looked to Kazée then back to Raziel, "Aheh... nevermind. Look, the point is, your secret is safe with me. I won't mention so much as a word of this to anyone. And if I do..." He trailed off, pondering for a minute, turning to Raziel, "If I do, you can personally tell Matilda about every crazy, stupid and immature thing I ever did. After that, I'll be wishing I was dead."
He looked between the two, "Come on, how is that for a deal?" He paused as neither seemed convinced, "... what?"
::Raziel looked quickly over to his lover, as the words 'her son...' escaped his lips. Immiedietally, he regretted bringing it up. Her soft features were harshened, even in the dim lighting. She looked visibly perturbed, and he could feel her tears forming, just by looking at her eyes. He'd crossed a line, he knew. Nothing he could think of at the moment could really say how sorry he felt at that exact moment::
"Fuck. I'm an ass..." he thought to himself, bringing her around in his arms, holding her close, trying his best to comfort her, letting her rest her head on his chest. He glanced up, noticing Michael turn his back to them.
::Even though it was only a moment, it was the longest moment of his life, at that time. The way Michael turned away from him. Something about it seemed out of place. His friend certainly was acting strangely. And then his proposal. Something odd about it. Not even Michael would throw that out as a suggestion. Of course, it might just be paranoia getting the better of him. Michael was his best friend, he wouldn't do anything. He shrugged it off::
"I might agree to that, Michael, but you might need her permission first. And also... never turn away from me when we are speaking, ever. Not even you have that right, Michael Faustus."
She pushed herself against her lover, tensing up at the mention of her dearly beloved. She heard his heart racing, he was kind of tense. He knew his mistake and she knew that too. She peered up, willing tears not to arise. He glanced down, then back up.
She followed his gaze to the taller man near the door. There was something about his stance that betrayed his mind. He wasn't being completely honest.
She heard Raziel's threat, saw the tall man tense again...
But this was looking to turn ugly.
She lifted herself away from the redhead, and crossed to the door, pausing beside the bald man.
"I will find out, Micheal. Don't doubt me. Raziel, I'll be in my room."
He shrugged a little as Kazée went by, her words to Raziel floating by. As she left, he looked to Raziel, "Don't look at me like that, Julie. You know me - I won't open my mouth about this to anyone. If you can't trust me to keep quiet, then who can you trust?" He paused, "Look... I came here to deliver that report. So, want the rest of the news too, or are you too busy staring daggers at me to care?"
The slightly older man sighed resignedly, "All right..."
Michael turned, closing the door and hitting a quick key sequence to lock it and bring the lights up a bit, "I don't know how much longer we can trust the mercenaries, Raziel. My men are reporting increasing disappearances from the OMNI payroll, and it seems to me like it has to be slipping somewhere." He paused, turning to Raziel, "It's not Miss Virgo I don't trust, but how do we know we can trust everyone in her employ?"
He paused, "Listen to me... if you extend your trust too far, we'll be seeing another failure like Guardia. We can ill afford that..." Sighing, he lowered his sunglasses, "If you ask me, Raziel, friend to friend, this policy can not spell anything aside from disaster for ZAFT!"
::Raziel rubbed his face with his hands as he listened to Michael give his report. He knew of his growing concerns, and they stood to reason. Trust was becoming more and more of a key issue. It always had been, even during the days of his youth. And it bothered him that Michael thought he didn't think that Raziel knew this::
"Here's the thing, Michael. I don't trust any of the other mercenaries. I only trust Miss Virgo. That's why I only talk business through her, and none of her subordinates. I'm very careful with who I trust. I'm not one to just be taking people into my council just on a whim, Michael. I'd think you, more than anyone else, would know that," replied Raziel, staring straight at his friend.
::He walked around, keeping his eyes on his friend, taking in the words, running them over in his mind. He didn't like where this conversation was going. And then the pointing out of the blunder at Guardia, something inside Raziel snapped::
"Get out! Get out now, and don't come back unless I call you, do you hear me, Michael! I will not tolerate that type of attitude. I understand your concerns, but your train of thought betrays you. It's exactly like Quinze! That man had no emotion, something I cannot stand. I'd hope that you, in your position, would understand that. It pains me that you want to continue with his plan. The man was pure evil. I know because he tried to control me, tried to make me something I was not. I'm tired of being in his shadow, and his shadow clouds all of ZAFT. It's an anachronox, Michael," said Raziel, standing toe to toe with his friend.
::The two men stared at each other, no words being spoken between the two. Was this truly how their friendship had strained over the years? Since they hadn't seen each other in some time, was it truly the end for them::
"Quinze was a disgusting man, filled with distrust, only truly trusting those he had under his brainwashing techniques. Something I didn't appreciate being put under. If you still truly feel his plan is the correct way, a plan with no emotion, without our own very emotions, then get off my ship."
"I have a child of my own, Raziel, one I'd love to see grow up without worrying about those filthy naturals influencing him," Michael said, taking a slow breath. "I don't want him to have to worry about those god damned bastards getting their filthy, tainted hands on him." He backed away, putting some space between them, "After Ethan, there'll be another - and I don't want her to have to worry about things... I don't want her to experience the same things Gabby did."
He turned and took a few steps away, then took a breath and spun back, "I don't like working with the naturals in the Fallen Angels. And with our own coordinator brethern working to wipe us out... Raziel, Quinze's plan is sounding better and better by the day. We still haven't gotten those who were responsible for tearing us or ZAFT apart... Krensky's still at large." He pushed his sunglasses up his nose, "I'll do whatever I have to do to keep my kids safe, whether it appeals to your sense of honour or not."
Raziel balled his hand up, and Michael glanced down to it, "I may have overstayed my visit. I've already been here too long for such a simple job... Maybe next time we can sit down for drinks like old times." He walked towards the door and looked backto Raziel, "Goodbye, Raziel. There's no honour amongst spies and thieves - you'd do well to remember that."
He unlocked the door and stepped out into the corridor, disappearing from sight.
His office was dark. Fitting, he thought, leaning back in his chair; the only thing that might've been darker than the room, he knew, were the thoughts crossing through his mind. No, it wasn't betrayal - after all, protecting one's home land did not break the code of honour, truly. There was a very dark and distinct line between treason and upholding an oath.
"But at what cost?" he murmured. "Is it all worth losing the majority of the last nine years?"
"Commander Vyers?"
The words broke him from his thoughts, causing him to sit up a little and hit a switch, bringing the illumination up so the room was a dim yellow. He ran a hand through his non-existant hair, "What is it, Rowe?"
"Sir, your sister's here to see you," Rowe responded. "And... she doesn't exactly look to be in the most... patient of moods." There was some shouting in the background that Michael could easily identify as Gabby, causing a smile to cross his face. A moment later, the voice of Rowe returned, "S-should I send her in?"
"Yes, Rowe," Vyers responded. "You're too valuable a person here to have you delay her any longer. Send her right in." The communication line went dead. Moments later, the door burst open and Gabby stormed in, her face displaying her anger as she moved to the desk, "What the hell is this about, Michael?"
Calmly, Michael reached for another switch, triggering the automatic closing mechanism on the door. He looked up, taking off his sunglasses and revealing the icy eyes beneath, "I don't have any idea what you're talking about, Gabrielle. You came here on your own will, not with any request from me."
"You know damned well what I'm talking about!" she shouted, tossing a piece of paper down on the desk. "Raziel's revoked my field commander priviledges, and your signature's on that paper too! Why the hell are you guys pulling me off my command duties?"
"Ah, that," responded the elder Vyers. "It would seem you haven't received the second notice yet, then?" He tapped a couple of keys on his computer, then turned the monitor towards his sister, "You're being reassigned."
"Re...reassigned?" the anger in her voice clearly was not fading.
"Yes - reassigned," Michael said, the calm not subsiding. "You are no longer under the jurisdiction of the regular forces. His Lordship has given me permission to asign you to the Covert Operations and Mission Enforcer Team."
Gabby stopped dead still for a second, narrowing her eyes, "Something isn't right, Michael." She picked up the paper, examining it, then looked to her brother, "You forged this. Raziel doesn't know about this, does he?"
The bald man shook his head, "Not in the least. He won't find out about it for another few weeks, either, and by then, he won't be able to transfer you back even in he wanted to." He sighed, "I... I don't know if we can trust Raziel to follow through on Lord Krishishima's plans." His mind drifted to the thoughts of what he had seen on board the Cold Wind, of how Raziel and Kazée had been together. He looked down, missing the wide eyed expression that crossed his sister's face. As he looked back up, the look had already vanished, "If we can't, then it may very well come to COMET taking on the responsibilities of the old Shayol Ghul. When that time comes, I want the best pilots available."
"You're willing to go against the Emperor?" she mused.
"No," replied Vyers. "We do not defy the Emperor, merely continue on with the freedom that he gave our branch to operate under." He smiled, "Using that freedom, we'll just create the red and burning Terra we envisioned so long ago. Now you understand..."
Gabrielle nodded slowly, her mind still digesting the images she had skimmed from her sibling's mind. "I... I s-should go then... I'll return to Earth and... continue."
Michael nodded, "Very well then. Dismissed."
She saluted then turned, leaving the room. Michael reached out and dropped the lighting again. A few long moments later, he hit the communication switch, "Rowe, activate Comm Protocol Alpha-Epsilon. And don't let anyone disturb me - I wish to have my conversation in private..."
Elsewhere, Gabrielle walked slowly, he mind still going over the images. Could Michael have been thinking that? It had to be the truth for the images to be that strong. She grinned, "Raziel and that little mercenary woman... who ever would have thought of that?"
The small shuttle set down in the docking bay of the Cold Wind, steam hissing as the ship settled in; it's black hull reflected little light, the blazing red-yellow symbol of the Covert Operations and Missions Enforcer Team emblazoned across the side of the vessel. With a hiss, the hatch opened, allowing the man to exit from the inside of the ship. He ran a hand over his bald head and almost swore; he knew immediately that he'd need to shave it again - Matilda would complain, because she had always wanted him to regrow his hair, but he much preferred it cut like this. It looked more... intimidating.
Another man dashed forward, giving a quick salute, "Commander Vyers! This is an unexpected visit... If we had more warning we would have prepa-"
"No need to worry, kid," Michael said, fiddling with his sunglasses as he pushed them into place. "I'm here on urgent business - the Emperor requested I deliver this report directly to him as soon it was complete." He held up a datapad in his hand, then looked to the two mobile suits behind him, "As it appears his lordship is currently in, I'll make this quick and just drop it off."
The other man nodded, "Then I shall not delay you, sir. Emperor Frost's quarters are on deck six, section nine. I doubt you'll have trouble finding them." He saluted again, and Vyers returned the gesture before pushing off into the lift to take him to the main ship.
A few moments later, he touched down just outside the quarters of the Emperor. The lunar gravity allowed short leaps and bounds, making the trip much quicker and less stressful, but still provided the familiar sensation of being able to walk when he so wished. Thus, he straightened himself and reached out to hit the switch to open the door. However, his hand paused as he noticed the symbol showing the door was locked.
"Hm," he muttered. "Guess he must be off on debriefing with the mercenaries from the recent raids." Pausing, he looked up and down the hall, then set to work quickly on the lock; he'd be in and out before anyone ever even the door was opened and Raziel would return to find the report placed squarely on his desk. COMET's stealth would remain without rival, and he could go back to the comfort of Aprilius City, away from the front lines. Matilda was already going to kill him when she found he had gone personally to deliver the report in the middle of what could be a battlezone.
Twenty two and a quarter seconds later, the lock changed colours, showing it was open. 'Yatta," he grinned, thumbing the switch to open the door and stepping in.
The room was bathed in the lighting from the hallway, offering only a dim view of the interior. His gaze swept the room, looking for the desk - shelving, table, bed, de - His gazed shifted back suddenly as something move. A half second later, his jaw dropped, his sunglasses following suit by sliding half an inch down his nose.
"... now there's something you don't see every day."
::Raziel looked up from the bed, seeing his best friend standing in the door way. He turned, his face beet red, to Kazée. In the dim light, he could tell her face was just as red as his. She brought up the blankets to cover her chest. He sat straight up, and rubbed his face with his hands, his hair out of the pony tail and draped over his shoulders::
"... shit..." he muttered, shaking his head as the room was dead silent.
::The trio each stared at each other, not quite sure what to say. Raziel looked around, trying to figure out some way out of this sticky situation. Kazée's sweater was lying on the floor, and his shirt and jacket were on the chair near his desk. And the fact that they were both naked underneath his blankets didn't help much. Well, he was naked anyways, he was sure she was still wearing her bottoms. Raziel cleared his throat, and looked straight at Michael::
"... don't you ever knock!?"
"I really didn't think I had any reason to," he began to explain, his brain only half realizing the situation. Well, it could have been fully understanding the situation, but repressing the reality of the situation. He looked to the pad in his hand, tossing it to Raziel, "I uhh... I guess this is yours."
Then, suddenly, realizing his sunglasses were down, he pushed them back up his nose with his right hand. He looked around, trying to stop his face from turning red - after all, he had been in worse situations. Like that time Ethan had waddled into the room in the middle of the night... He coughed, breaking th silence, "So uhhh... it's uhh... been awhile." He paused, then chimed in, "How's life?"
::Raziel dropped his head, and stared down at his blankets. He was lucky they were just starting. Had Michael walked in just a few minutes later... it would have been especially bad. He then looked back up at his friend, eyes sullen and a slight show of displeasure in his face::
"It's good, Michael. Life is good. And yes, it has been awhile. I've been busy with missions and things, you know, running an Empire and all..." he muttered, forcing a very unconvincing smile across his face as he glared at his good friend.
::Raziel didn't even bother with covering his bare stomach up with the blanket, letting Kazée take as much as she needed. And with her... tracts of land, quite a bit was required. He snickered a little bit at the thought, then glared back at his friend, then looked down at the data pad that had been tossed at him::
"... you came all the way out here, and barged into my private quarters... sliced the lock, and interuppted... us... for something you could have just left with my secretary..." he said, growing more and more irritated as each word escaped his lips.
::Michael stood there, a smile plastered on his face, as he shrugged::
"Had to give it directly to you. After all, don't know who we can trust, what with such lax security and all... by the way, you might want to consider getting a better lock. It took me just over twenty-two seconds to crack it," replied Michael, trying to keep his face from turning as red as the pair in the bed.
::Raziel shook his head once again::
"I think it's people like you who make ZAFT security a laughingstock, Michael. And it took you just over twenty-two seconds. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're slowing down, showing your age there, eh?"
Trying not to look in the direction of the girl, he shrugged, his gaze hidden behind the dark sunglasses, "Just remember, Julie, you're older than I am." He turned to the door, "I could've done it in record time, but working with one hand and wondering just how much the makeup dinner for bringing myself to the frontlines is going to cost... well, it tends to distract the mind and slow one down." He quietly appologized in his mind to Kazée - he'd have to vocalize those later - then tilted his head to the side, "Of course, you'd be quite familiar with the distraction of working with only one hand, hm?"
He paused, then considered the line about ZAFT security for a moment, "I suppose you want to me to have a go at the locks then, hm? Maybe in the future if they're a bit better, you can have a few seconds warning to finish future... debriefings." He smirked, the facial expression hidden in the dark.
Well....This was certainly the most akward situation she'd ever been in. Hearing the men chattering; Raziel's voice laced with fury, Micheals with apology.
She realized that the blankets were doing little to cover her assests, so she simply slid under them, twisting around and groping in the dark and heat for her camisol. It was still on the bed, she knew. She'd felt it a moment ago with her foot. Finally, her hand connected with fabric of a different feel of the sheets. She closed her fingers around it, and sat up under the blankets.
She heard Raziel yelp and grab some back. Evidently she'd pulled too hard.
"Sorry," she muttered, struggling under the swath of the blankets to get her shirt back on. A moment later, she reemerged with mused hair and a slightly sheepish grin. Her lover's jade eyed were fixated in a half hearted glare, but it didn't last long as the mercenary finally addressed the intruder.
"You are aware that I'm half tempted to throttle you, right, Micheal?"
Luckily for the shaved head Vyers, the opportune placement of his body between the door, the only source of light, and the bed, combined with the dark coverings on his eyes, spared him a sight he might otherwise have regretted. He bowed his head slightly, "I'm afraid there's a line for that, Ms. Virgo. The missus doesn't take too kindly to me coming all the way out here from the PLANT cluster to deliver things like this." He sighed, trying to make light on the situation, "I swear, she's got me on a leash so tight, I can hardly even take a breath some days."
His gaze shifted suddenly to Raziel, pointing a finger as the man who was fumbling with the blankets, "Don't even get started on that captain crap either, Julie. I just have more luck with the ladies then you can ever hope..." He smiled a bit, the look hidden slightly in the shadow, "No offense to you, Miss Virgo, but between me and you, Raziel's luck is more than a little hit or miss, if you know what I mean."
Kaz stiffled a laugh as she slid out of the covers, searching for her pants.
"In a way that makes him luckier, you know? No leashes. But I can believe that. Razzy's just a bit forceful sometimes."
"Oh shut up," the redhead muttered, "You like it."
"Cause I can still top you, sure," came her retort as she finally located her jeans. Sliding into them quickly, she fixed her whitey-green stare back onto the bald man. In the dim light, they seemed to glow a bit.
"Micheal," she said, her voice slipping into a dangeroulsy low tone, "If you tell a soul what you've seen...."
::Raziel leaned over the bed, reaching around for his shorts, trying not to slide out of the bed. He knew they were done for the night, the damage had been done. His hand brushed against the lump on the floor, and he picked them up, sliding them underneat the blankets, and shifting into them. It was a little awkward trying to get dressed without standing up. After they were securly on, and nothing was hanging out, Raziel stepped out of the bed, walking over to where Kazée stood, now addressing Michael::
"She's right. Even though I know he won't tell anyone, I have to make sure he gets it through his thick skull," he thought, putting his right arm around Kazée's shoulders, holding her close.
::His jade eyes glared straight at his best friend, picking up instantly on the cue given him by Kazée::
"... I'll personally make sure that you remember what silence really is, Michael. I don't like resorting to threats, especially to you, of all people, but you have to understand the gravity of this situation," said Raziel, trying to keep his demeanor.
"It's not like I'm ashamed of this, don't get me wrong. If things were any different, I would announce it to the world that I am with her. But the problem is, we live in a sick and depraved world. It wouldn't look good, especially for her, if it were announced that she and I were together. She is a mercenary, and has several thousand civilians who left to escape the war in her charge. I don't want to bring them into the war. And there is also another factor into this equation. Her son..."
Michael turned away from the two for a moment, his hand coming up to stroke his chin, "The little tyke, eh?" He paused, contemplating it for a second as a dark smile crossed his face; he'd have to remember about the boy. Turning back, he grinned widely, "Don't worry - not a word from me." He pointed at Raziel, "After all, I still haven't told anyone about that time in Carpentaria where you had a few too many drinks and mistook that ship captain for - "
He looked to Kazée then back to Raziel, "Aheh... nevermind. Look, the point is, your secret is safe with me. I won't mention so much as a word of this to anyone. And if I do..." He trailed off, pondering for a minute, turning to Raziel, "If I do, you can personally tell Matilda about every crazy, stupid and immature thing I ever did. After that, I'll be wishing I was dead."
He looked between the two, "Come on, how is that for a deal?" He paused as neither seemed convinced, "... what?"
::Raziel looked quickly over to his lover, as the words 'her son...' escaped his lips. Immiedietally, he regretted bringing it up. Her soft features were harshened, even in the dim lighting. She looked visibly perturbed, and he could feel her tears forming, just by looking at her eyes. He'd crossed a line, he knew. Nothing he could think of at the moment could really say how sorry he felt at that exact moment::
"Fuck. I'm an ass..." he thought to himself, bringing her around in his arms, holding her close, trying his best to comfort her, letting her rest her head on his chest. He glanced up, noticing Michael turn his back to them.
::Even though it was only a moment, it was the longest moment of his life, at that time. The way Michael turned away from him. Something about it seemed out of place. His friend certainly was acting strangely. And then his proposal. Something odd about it. Not even Michael would throw that out as a suggestion. Of course, it might just be paranoia getting the better of him. Michael was his best friend, he wouldn't do anything. He shrugged it off::
"I might agree to that, Michael, but you might need her permission first. And also... never turn away from me when we are speaking, ever. Not even you have that right, Michael Faustus."
She pushed herself against her lover, tensing up at the mention of her dearly beloved. She heard his heart racing, he was kind of tense. He knew his mistake and she knew that too. She peered up, willing tears not to arise. He glanced down, then back up.
She followed his gaze to the taller man near the door. There was something about his stance that betrayed his mind. He wasn't being completely honest.
She heard Raziel's threat, saw the tall man tense again...
But this was looking to turn ugly.
She lifted herself away from the redhead, and crossed to the door, pausing beside the bald man.
"I will find out, Micheal. Don't doubt me. Raziel, I'll be in my room."
He shrugged a little as Kazée went by, her words to Raziel floating by. As she left, he looked to Raziel, "Don't look at me like that, Julie. You know me - I won't open my mouth about this to anyone. If you can't trust me to keep quiet, then who can you trust?" He paused, "Look... I came here to deliver that report. So, want the rest of the news too, or are you too busy staring daggers at me to care?"
The slightly older man sighed resignedly, "All right..."
Michael turned, closing the door and hitting a quick key sequence to lock it and bring the lights up a bit, "I don't know how much longer we can trust the mercenaries, Raziel. My men are reporting increasing disappearances from the OMNI payroll, and it seems to me like it has to be slipping somewhere." He paused, turning to Raziel, "It's not Miss Virgo I don't trust, but how do we know we can trust everyone in her employ?"
He paused, "Listen to me... if you extend your trust too far, we'll be seeing another failure like Guardia. We can ill afford that..." Sighing, he lowered his sunglasses, "If you ask me, Raziel, friend to friend, this policy can not spell anything aside from disaster for ZAFT!"
::Raziel rubbed his face with his hands as he listened to Michael give his report. He knew of his growing concerns, and they stood to reason. Trust was becoming more and more of a key issue. It always had been, even during the days of his youth. And it bothered him that Michael thought he didn't think that Raziel knew this::
"Here's the thing, Michael. I don't trust any of the other mercenaries. I only trust Miss Virgo. That's why I only talk business through her, and none of her subordinates. I'm very careful with who I trust. I'm not one to just be taking people into my council just on a whim, Michael. I'd think you, more than anyone else, would know that," replied Raziel, staring straight at his friend.
::He walked around, keeping his eyes on his friend, taking in the words, running them over in his mind. He didn't like where this conversation was going. And then the pointing out of the blunder at Guardia, something inside Raziel snapped::
"Get out! Get out now, and don't come back unless I call you, do you hear me, Michael! I will not tolerate that type of attitude. I understand your concerns, but your train of thought betrays you. It's exactly like Quinze! That man had no emotion, something I cannot stand. I'd hope that you, in your position, would understand that. It pains me that you want to continue with his plan. The man was pure evil. I know because he tried to control me, tried to make me something I was not. I'm tired of being in his shadow, and his shadow clouds all of ZAFT. It's an anachronox, Michael," said Raziel, standing toe to toe with his friend.
::The two men stared at each other, no words being spoken between the two. Was this truly how their friendship had strained over the years? Since they hadn't seen each other in some time, was it truly the end for them::
"Quinze was a disgusting man, filled with distrust, only truly trusting those he had under his brainwashing techniques. Something I didn't appreciate being put under. If you still truly feel his plan is the correct way, a plan with no emotion, without our own very emotions, then get off my ship."
"I have a child of my own, Raziel, one I'd love to see grow up without worrying about those filthy naturals influencing him," Michael said, taking a slow breath. "I don't want him to have to worry about those god damned bastards getting their filthy, tainted hands on him." He backed away, putting some space between them, "After Ethan, there'll be another - and I don't want her to have to worry about things... I don't want her to experience the same things Gabby did."
He turned and took a few steps away, then took a breath and spun back, "I don't like working with the naturals in the Fallen Angels. And with our own coordinator brethern working to wipe us out... Raziel, Quinze's plan is sounding better and better by the day. We still haven't gotten those who were responsible for tearing us or ZAFT apart... Krensky's still at large." He pushed his sunglasses up his nose, "I'll do whatever I have to do to keep my kids safe, whether it appeals to your sense of honour or not."
Raziel balled his hand up, and Michael glanced down to it, "I may have overstayed my visit. I've already been here too long for such a simple job... Maybe next time we can sit down for drinks like old times." He walked towards the door and looked backto Raziel, "Goodbye, Raziel. There's no honour amongst spies and thieves - you'd do well to remember that."
He unlocked the door and stepped out into the corridor, disappearing from sight.
His office was dark. Fitting, he thought, leaning back in his chair; the only thing that might've been darker than the room, he knew, were the thoughts crossing through his mind. No, it wasn't betrayal - after all, protecting one's home land did not break the code of honour, truly. There was a very dark and distinct line between treason and upholding an oath.
"But at what cost?" he murmured. "Is it all worth losing the majority of the last nine years?"
"Commander Vyers?"
The words broke him from his thoughts, causing him to sit up a little and hit a switch, bringing the illumination up so the room was a dim yellow. He ran a hand through his non-existant hair, "What is it, Rowe?"
"Sir, your sister's here to see you," Rowe responded. "And... she doesn't exactly look to be in the most... patient of moods." There was some shouting in the background that Michael could easily identify as Gabby, causing a smile to cross his face. A moment later, the voice of Rowe returned, "S-should I send her in?"
"Yes, Rowe," Vyers responded. "You're too valuable a person here to have you delay her any longer. Send her right in." The communication line went dead. Moments later, the door burst open and Gabby stormed in, her face displaying her anger as she moved to the desk, "What the hell is this about, Michael?"
Calmly, Michael reached for another switch, triggering the automatic closing mechanism on the door. He looked up, taking off his sunglasses and revealing the icy eyes beneath, "I don't have any idea what you're talking about, Gabrielle. You came here on your own will, not with any request from me."
"You know damned well what I'm talking about!" she shouted, tossing a piece of paper down on the desk. "Raziel's revoked my field commander priviledges, and your signature's on that paper too! Why the hell are you guys pulling me off my command duties?"
"Ah, that," responded the elder Vyers. "It would seem you haven't received the second notice yet, then?" He tapped a couple of keys on his computer, then turned the monitor towards his sister, "You're being reassigned."
"Re...reassigned?" the anger in her voice clearly was not fading.
"Yes - reassigned," Michael said, the calm not subsiding. "You are no longer under the jurisdiction of the regular forces. His Lordship has given me permission to asign you to the Covert Operations and Mission Enforcer Team."
Gabby stopped dead still for a second, narrowing her eyes, "Something isn't right, Michael." She picked up the paper, examining it, then looked to her brother, "You forged this. Raziel doesn't know about this, does he?"
The bald man shook his head, "Not in the least. He won't find out about it for another few weeks, either, and by then, he won't be able to transfer you back even in he wanted to." He sighed, "I... I don't know if we can trust Raziel to follow through on Lord Krishishima's plans." His mind drifted to the thoughts of what he had seen on board the Cold Wind, of how Raziel and Kazée had been together. He looked down, missing the wide eyed expression that crossed his sister's face. As he looked back up, the look had already vanished, "If we can't, then it may very well come to COMET taking on the responsibilities of the old Shayol Ghul. When that time comes, I want the best pilots available."
"You're willing to go against the Emperor?" she mused.
"No," replied Vyers. "We do not defy the Emperor, merely continue on with the freedom that he gave our branch to operate under." He smiled, "Using that freedom, we'll just create the red and burning Terra we envisioned so long ago. Now you understand..."
Gabrielle nodded slowly, her mind still digesting the images she had skimmed from her sibling's mind. "I... I s-should go then... I'll return to Earth and... continue."
Michael nodded, "Very well then. Dismissed."
She saluted then turned, leaving the room. Michael reached out and dropped the lighting again. A few long moments later, he hit the communication switch, "Rowe, activate Comm Protocol Alpha-Epsilon. And don't let anyone disturb me - I wish to have my conversation in private..."
Elsewhere, Gabrielle walked slowly, he mind still going over the images. Could Michael have been thinking that? It had to be the truth for the images to be that strong. She grinned, "Raziel and that little mercenary woman... who ever would have thought of that?"
>.> More as soon as they finish. I promise.