Seven years later, CE 80.
Standing at the observation deck overlooking Earth, Sai Argyle looked at his watch. "It's 23th December," he said wistfully.
"Yes, Minister Argyle," his aide, a soldier wearing a military uniform distinct from ZAFT and Earth Alliance said.
"Calling me by that makes me feel old. Just call me Sai when we're alone. We're supposed to be friends, and being so formal to me is not helping it"
"Yes…"
Sai smiled in irony. If they had met eleven years ago, he and his aide would have been enemies. At twenty seven years old, Sai Argyle has become the youngest minister of the United Governments Alliance Treaty or UGAT for short, a federation composing of both Earth and PLANTs nations established after the second war. Its inception was to promote peace and cooperation between Naturals and Coordinators, it has met with various problems and opposition from extremists from both sides. However, UGAT was mainly successful in its objective, maintaining peace by preventing crises from breaking up. As a Minister of Defense, Sai was tasked with the integration of armies from former Earth Alliance and ZAFT. It was a task that proves challenging, as both sides has been trained to think of the other party as enemy. Despite, he enjoyed his work because he knew that it is important for UGAT specifically and mankind in general. The work did leave him little time for anything else, though.
Sai turned to look at Earth. "Two days from now, it'll be Christmas. The snow has probably come down in my hometown"
"Sir… I mean… Mr. Sai, we also have snow here. The emulation system has been turned on since yesterday. It'll snow anytime soon"
As if on cue, a lone snowflake landed on the tip of Sai's nose, melting almost immediately. He looked up to see more and more snowflakes coming in from above. He smiled again, but this time it was a bittersweet smile. "It's not the snow, Dong Hwan. I'm just feeling a bit homesick, that's all"
"I understand, Sir… Sai" Dong Hwan was still having problem calling Sai by his first name. "You have been working hard and had little time to rest. Even though I'm a Coordinator, I don't think I can do even half you have accomplished"
"I can do what you can't, but there are some things you can do that I can't…," Sai said softly, trailing off.
"I beg your pardon?"
Sai shook his head. "No, just recalling something that my friend once said to me. Something about each of us being unique and has different strengths and weaknesses. Ah, please tone down your calling me Sir or Minister"
Dong Hwan nodded before saying, "Perhaps you would like to take a break for a few days to celebrate Christmas? If you want, I can delay your visit to the Orbital Defense Factory-03"
"Don't worry about me. It's not that I can share it with someone"
"You and me… Sai"
"Don't you have a girlfriend or something?"
"Was. We broke off because of incompatibilities"
"So, that means I don't you'll probably wouldn't be taking any leave until next year"
"Yes"
"Good. They say misery loves a company," Sai said jokingly.
"But I don't think they will like a corporation" Dong Hwan said, getting into the mood.
They shared a small laugh.
"Well then, let's go to ODF-03. We don't want to keep them waiting, do we?"
They were in a shuttle flying toward ODF-03, escorted by few Windams and Gouf. Suddenly the alarm inside it went off. "Minister Argyle, we're probably running into some problems," the pilot announced coolly, almost sounding bored despite the situation.
Sai and Dong Hwan's seats became encapsulated by protective walls to protect them should the shuttle explodes. "What happened?" Sai asked through the communication panel.
"A few unknown mobile suits coming our way. Probably from Neo-LOGOS"
"Our escorts?"
"Moving to intercept" the pilot replied. Suddenly he grabbed the control. The shuttle swerved to the left while releasing two capsules. The orbs burst and a field full of small red glowing orbs. Five missiles appeared from nowhere and rammed into the field, exploding upon contact. "Phew. The good thing we have Starburst equipped"
The fight between the shuttle's escorts and their unknown enemies escalated, with the enemy slowly winning with their technological and numerical strength. A shot hit one of the Windams in the cockpit, killing the pilot instantly while a Gouf was slashed into two. Despite that, the escorts fought back valiantly, taking down a few of them as well. But it was no mistaking that there fight will end soon and UGAF convoy would be destroyed. "Well, Minister Argyle," the shuttle pilot said. "I think that we'll be buying it anytime soon. Before that happens, the co-pilot and I would like to express my pleasure to have you and Mr. Dong Hwan on board"
"It's been our pleasure too" Sai replied. Dying with people he didn't even know wasn't on top of his to-do list, but even he could see that the situation was hopeless.
"It seemed that we have another newcomer to the scene…" the pilot announced. As the shuttle spun to evade a beam shot, the pilot continued, "It seems that our cavalry has arrived, incoming"
A screen in front of Sai's seat displayed the convoy's would be savior. UGXAT-16S Shadow Fallen. Aside from its name and number, there was no other known fact about the enigmatic mobile suit. Black in color and with storm grey lining, the mobile suit resembled its predecessor ZGMF-X16S Fallen. But instead of a three barrel beam machine gun, it was equipped with newly developed automated beam shotgun. And it was with this beam gun Shadow Fallen quickly blast an enemy mobile suit that was near the shuttle to oblivion.
"Shuttle-10, do you copy?" a voice that Sai seemed to recognize came on the speakers.
"This is Shuttle-10. Glad to see you here, Commander Yume. Your reputation precedes you"
As Shadow Fallen raised its Témoignage beam shield to protect the shuttle from a small positron blast, it fired again, this time saving a crippled Windam. "Thanks. How's Minister Argyle?"
"He and his aide is doing fine"
Sai listened to the conversation and felt strange. He was sure that he knew Fallen's pilot, but there was no name that came to his mind.
Fallen quickly make a short work of the remaining enemy mobile suits, destroying them in less than five minutes before setting off in an unknown direction. It stopped at a spot and pointed its gun in the middle of nowhere. Sai was wondering what its pilot was thinking when slowly, a large silhouette began to emerge. To his utter shock, it was Yamashita, the Neo-LOGOS's flagship. Fallen was pointing its gun at the bridge, guaranteeing that the ship would be instantly destroyed if it tried to do anything funny.
"Shuttle-10, please remain here. My ship will arrive shortly. Then I'll escort you to ODF-03," Fallen's pilot instructed.
"Roger"
Five minutes later, another ship appeared on the scene. Sai recognize it as a Cherubim III class ship. It quickly launched its mobile suits and surrounded Yamashita. Meanwhile, Shadows Fallen disengaged and moved toward the shuttle and its remaining escorts. Then, they set out for ODF-03. The rest of the journey was uneventful, probably because the capture of Yamashita has a very big effect on Neo-LOGOS. The black mobile suit escorted the shuttle until they were 50 kilometers from the factory. Fallen stopped and raised its hand before turning to fly toward another direction. As it became smaller and smaller in Sai's view, he wondered who was the one piloting the mobile suit. No matter, he decided. He can find out about this later.
Sai raised his eyes in surprise when he saw the man who was waiting for him at ODF shuttle bay. "Commander Fllaga!"
The man shook his finger. "No, no, no. I'm not Commander Fllaga"
"But…"
"It's Admiral Fllaga to you, Minister Argyle, and don't you forget it," he said seriously. A second later, the look disappeared and was replaced by a boyish grin. Despite the rank, Fllaga still hasn't changed much. "Good to see you, Sai," Fllaga said while patting Sai's back good-naturedly, earning a frown from Dong Hwan for his lack of respect for protocol. The blonde admiral seemed to notice it and said to Dong Hwan. "Don't blow an ion accelerator over it. God knows how many times I save your minister's butt from washroom duty"
Sai smirked. "Actually, you often asked me to fill in your duty"
"Fillin schmillin. Let's not be picky about our past, shall we?"
"Right… Dong Hwan, this is Admiral Fllaga. Admiral Fllaga, this is Dong Hwan"
The two of them shook hands.
"By the way, where's Murrue?"
Fllaga looked at his watch "Well, since it's still early, she'll still be sleeping. With beautiful three girls and two handsome boys she's taking care off, I figured she needed the rest"
"Wait… I don't know you have two boys"
"Nope, only one" Fllaga flashed his rogue grin.
Then Sai understood what Fllaga meant. "Oh, and I bet one of that handsome boys has been tiring her out last night"
Fllaga whapped Sai's back. "Atta boy. A few more days here and you'll be as cool as me"
They began to float away from the hangar to Fllaga's office. While on the way, Sai remembered about the earlier fight he was involved in. He was curious about the mobile suit that escorted them to the base. "Fllaga, surely you know about what happened earlier?"
The admiral shrugged. "Yeah, so what's about it?"
"Shadow Fallen" Few words conveyed so many questions.
"A multi-role mobile suit, built based on its ZAFT predecessor when the later got marooned at the end of the second war. It's stationed on Berhard Nobel, a Cherubim III class ship which is supposedly commanded by the famous Athrun Zala. Engaged in various secret insurgency and peacekeeping missions. The mobile suit and its carrier ship are classified secret and UGAF doesn't admit its existence" They stopped by an elevator and Fllaga pressed a button. "It was listed few websites, along with some 'unconfirmed' stats and pictures"
Sai sighed. "I suppose there will be a leak from an unnamed source that Yamashita has been captured, maybe not more than a few lines on those websites?"
"Nah. Someone will make a claim about it in one of the chat channels"
"I love propaganda," Sai said sarcastically.
"Hey, whatever that works. That mobile suit has become one of our symbols for peace"
"How about the pilot?" Dong Hwan interrupted. "Commander Yume. We know that it's not her real name. Who is she?"
"Now, that information is really classified"
They entered the elevator. As the elevator moves, Fllaga explained, "Even the Minister of Defense doesn't have the authorization to that file. You have to replace President Ghazali if you want to know"
"But you know?" Sai asked.
Fllaga gave his mysterious smile. "Yup. And in case you're wondering, it's not Kira. He's still at ORB, a doting father and a peace advocate"
"Kira is male, Fllaga," Sai commented dryly.
"Well, I was not convinced until Lacus gave birth to little Shizuka. But I wonder…" Fllaga stopped, letting the hidden question slide.
"That's a cruel joke on behalf of our friend"
Fllaga help up his hands defensively. "Come on, Shizuka is the female version Kira. There isn't even an iota of a doubt of who is her father. Come, let's get those electronic forms filled in and I will give you a tour of the whole place. I want to show you where they serve the best real steak, flown from Junius 5 and prepared by the best chef from Paris"
Sai and Dong Hwan quickly went through their work after they have checked in a hotel in the colony linked to the factory. After they have finished, Fllaga, true to his promise gave them a tour of the colony. After having their dinner, Fllaga suddenly received a call. After putting down the phone, he looked at his two guests apologetically. "Sorry. Something very important just came up. I have to go now"
"Don't worry. We'll know how to get back," Sai said.
Fllaga nodded. "I'll see you later" He was about to leave when he stopped and turned toward Sai, "You know, there has been a nasty lie going around in the city that Bernhard Nobel docked at a nearby secret hangar just an hour after you arrived"
"Oh, is that so?"
"Since it's a lie, I personally think that you wouldn't find any crew from the ship going around the city"
After Fllaga has left, Dong Hwan decided to return to the hotel, leaving Sai who decided to take a stroll around the colony's park. The park was empty at night, with lights illuminating the pathway. Sai wasn't worried about possible mugging; colonies have almost zero crime rates since they have very harsh penalties against criminals. After all, all of its inhabitants are working and their welfare was looked after. Sai looked at his watch. 9.23 p.m. It was time to go back to the hotel. Just as he was crossing a road, he saw something that caused his blood to turn cold. It was her, the red haired he met a few years ago. He rubbed his eyes. She has disappeared. Unnerved, Sai hastened his steps to the hotel. He'll need a stiff drink to unwind.
Fllaga shook Sai hand. "I'm sorry that I'm getting rid of you sooner"
"Ha. Ha. I'll be around sooner than you think," Sai said as he entered the shuttle.
"Sent my regards to the bigwigs on Earth. Tell them to give me a year's bonus"
"Fat chance," Sai answered as the shuttle closed.
The shuttle ferried slowly out of ODF-03 before engaging its boosters, moving to Earth. It was joined with a familiar mobile suit.
"Fallen," Sai said.
Fallen's pilot called over the radio. "This is Yume. I'm going to be your escort for your trip to Earth" Fallen flew beside the shuttle.
Sai smiled as he looked out of the window. He would find out about her after all.
It took all of his political clout to keep Fallen and its pilot at the base. However, he was having no luck in trying to meet its pilot. Being a member of FAITH, she wasn't tied by normal military regulations. She could do anything she wanted, even refusing to meet the President if she wanted to. And she exercised that right by making herself scarce whenever Sai was around. It was frustrating him to no end.
Finally decided to leave it at that, Sai decided to go to a nearby café. He declined to be driven there as he wanted to walk around. After all, it has been awhile since he experienced winter on Earth. The snow on Earth was better than the one on PLANTs, he told himself. After all, there's no place like home. After ten minutes walk, he arrived at the café. It was there at the pladce when he saw her again. The red haired woman from his past. She was drinking from a cup of coffee.
"Hello again, Cinderella"
She looked at him in shock before storming out of the café. Sai promptly chased after her. Despite being a woman, she was very fast. Fortunately for Sai, she tripped on something and fell to the ground. He managed to catch up with her, panting. "I was just saying hello. Why did you run away from me?"
She looked away, not wanting to answer the question.
Sai sighed. "Please tell me. Who are you? No, don't tell me your name is Yume"
She looked down. "Does it matter? Either way, you wouldn't like the answer"
He shook his head. "In order to heal, we must be hurt first"
She turned her head and looked at him, not caring about a lone tear coming down her cheek. "Are you sure you want to know?"
Sai wiped away the tear using the back of his hand. "Yes"
The woman smiled bittersweetly and took a hold of his hand, pushing it away slowly. "When we met in the ORB that time, I really didn't remember who you are, Sai"
It took a few seconds for Sai to process the information she told him. "Fllay," he whispered hoarsely.
Fllay nodded.
"How? How did you…"
"I was saved by those LOGOS bastards" Her eyes held pains as she continued on, "I don't think I can tell you what they did to me. I was trained to be one of the next generation Biological CPUs. That was why I had faster reflex. You saw how I catch the plate. And I guess that you wouldn't be surprised if I tell you that I'm Fallen's pilot"
He nodded.
"Cherubim freed more from their clutches. When I met you at that time, I was with one of the crews. Cherubim's captain was hoping that I will remember something or someone might recognize me" She laughed emptily. "I should have trusted my instinct when it told me to stay with you"
Sai heard her explanation in silence. "So now you remember everything"
"Every single thing. Even me betraying you and using Kira" She couldn't stop torrents of tears running down her face. "Sai," she whispered. "I'm sorry"
He didn't know how to react to her crying. But after a while, he put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her into a hug. "There, there," he said to Fllay, trying to comfort her.
"I was mean to all of you," Fllay said, between sobbing.
"It was in the past, Fllay. I don't hate you for that"
"Really?"
"Yes" he said, lowering his voice. "All of us were foolish that time. It leaves a bad memory in our mind, but that's okay as long as we grow wiser from it" He put his thumb on her chin. "And it's not wrong to create a happy memory in spite of what happened"
When she heard it, her eyes became wide. It was what she told him a few years back.
Sai smiled softly. "I was told about this gem of a wisdom by someone I liked along time ago. She also said that it isn't wrong to create happier memories with other people. I agree with her, but I would like to add to her words. It's also not wrong to have happier memories with the same person" He lowered his head and captured her lips in a kiss. After a while, she responded to his kiss, embracing him passionately. Despite the snow falling around them, they felt warm. They may not be together forever, but they will create happier memories while they still had each other.
1
Author's Note (25 December 2005)
1. I know I said that the previous chapter was the last one, but I decided that I need some practice in writing romantic scene. Oh well. The main problem with the story still plague me though. Two days ago, when i started writing for this chapter, I was planning 4 chapters for it, one for each season. with this being the second one. So it's supposed to be in this sequence : Spring, Winter, Summer, Autumn. In each chapters, some GS and GSD characters will be making cameo appearance. Some a bit of crisis here and there, and Sai would finally be together with his girl in chapter 4. But I go blank in the middle of the chapter and end up writing up the final scene from the fourth chapters. So, a two chapter story it is. Sorry for a not so satisfying ending.
2. Yup, I decided that this is a Sai / Fllay exclusive. And this story is an AU of Fallen Angel which is also an AU. Thanks to Zidane for Shadow Fallen name suggestion. For some of you readers who also read Fallen Angel, please not that this story diverged from it.