☄ XXIX

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

"The Council of Admirals today, in a rare show of bipartisanship, voted unanimously to indict former Admiral and One Year War veteran Aiguille Delaz on charges of treason, terrorism, jeopardizing a diplomatic alliance, firing on friendly units, conspiracy, and attempted regicide, all of which carry the death penalty. Moderate Admiral Martin Prochnow of the H.Z.M. Jotunheim, called the vote 'a strong showing of unity, while pro-war Admiral Gottn Goh of the Endra had this to say:

'I haven't lost any sleep over the news of dead Titans. But I can't ignore such a reckless action as to use a weapon of mass destruction so close to our most valuable allies in the Earth Sphere, let alone attempt to kill the Regent. And neither should anyone else.'

In related news, Princess Mineva Zabi has reportedly fallen ill... again... and will therefore not be making a public appearance any time soon. A statement from the Royal Guard claims that it was induced by 'panic and anxiety attacks' associated with the attempted assassination of Regent Karn.

In related news, rumors are once again circulating that Regent Karn has rekindled her romance with Royal Guard captain and One Year War veteran Char Aznable, also known as the Red Comet. Both the Regent's office and the Royal Guard returned identical statements to our requests for comment as they did when the Regent abruptly left Axis for the White Chalice three months ago: 'We're at war. Don't they have anything better to talk about?' Pro-war advocates are again insisting that this is proof that Haman is using Mineva as a political tool, despite the rumors having very little publicly available evidence supporting it."

[ Char had been slowly recovering from the broken ribs. He was fully capable of moving on his own, and his grounding was almost ready to expire pending one last check-up with Doctor Zero. With nothing better to do, Char had been closely following the debates of the Council of Admirals, now that Axis was about ready to launch their invasion of the Earth Sphere. Some admirals were wanting Delaz dealt with first, while others felt it was imperative to strike now before those Mobile Dolls became any more numerous.

But finally, he had to get up to leave for his last X-ray of his ribs, to ensure they healed right. Little did he know that Mineva was 'gone.' It wasn't until his lieutenant in the Elite Guard assigned to the White Chalice came up to him, out of breath and with the color drained from his face, that Char bolted off running for Kamille and Cynthia's room.

Hopefully he doesn't bump into anyone on the way. In the literal sense, of course. ]

Comments

[zetahatsudo.livejournal.com]

[No one runs into Char on the way to Kamille's room.]

[In fact, no one is IN Kamille's room at the moment.]

[Try ringing him up on his communicator?]

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ Which he does. ]

Kamille. It's Char. Tell me Mineva is with you.

[zetahatsudo.livejournal.com]

[Hm?] Huh? Oh, OH! Yeah, yeah, she's here with me-IXA, COME ON, THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!? [He appears to be in the middle of something.] Anyway, no worries, I'm here with her, you can call the search off.

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

May I speak with her, Kamille?

[zetahatsudo.livejournal.com]

[There's a bit of background chatter, but it sounds like Mineva and Kamille are having a discussion about whatever it is they're doing] Wha-there's no way he's the father, that doesn't even make sense-Here you go, Char. [Have fun chatting with Mineva, she seems really excited about what she's been doing: Watching Kamen Rider]

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

Mineva... why did you run off like that? Haman's nearly crawling out of her skin in worry.

[ Something about Mineva running off to watch television, something she almost never got to do at Axis. ]

Couldn't you have at least told the Guard where you were going, so we wouldn't worry?

[ Blah blah blah, thought Kamille would tell them, the Guard never lets her have any fun, blah blah blah. ]

If that's the case, I could have gone with you.

[ More excuses, and then screaming and laughing at the next scene. Char sighs, shakes his head, and walks off to find Haman. ]

[2hell-weride.livejournal.com]

[[You won't be running into MarKus. He's busy watching Kamen Rider with some kid(s)]]

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ He's panicking, MarKus. He might just be darting past your room, desperately trying to find Mineva. It doesn't occur to him that she might have wandered into some strange man's room. ]

[2hell-weride.livejournal.com]

[[Spoilers: MarKus isn't in his room.

Sorry! Your Rider is in another room! /Toad]]

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ In that case, he's now going to go find Haman. He's dreading her reaction, if she hasn't already sensed him panicking with Newtypey senses. ]

[zeonfunnelcake.livejournal.com]

(http://s861.photobucket.com/albums/ab173/GreybillGirls/Haman%20Icons/?action=view&current=tumblr_lxi3s4pRqw1qa2su2o1_500.jpg)

Haman was about frantic herself, if she haden't been following his feeling in her head, she would have run smack into him. Her dark hallow are where wide, and filled with dread as she grabbed his sleeve.
"Tell me she's with you!"

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ All he can do is shake his head. ]

The guard is looking all over for her. I... should probably tell Dan, too.

[zeonfunnelcake.livejournal.com]

Haman stood there a moment, trying to find the right words.
"This is all my fault! she said she had to go to the bathroom, I let her go by herself. She wants to be independent, I didn't think anything would happen!"

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ The bathroom... the bathroom... right. Of course. ]

Alright, alright... think... stay calm...

[ He was more trying to convince himself, than her. ]</small. She's safe, here. She just... wandered off. Stay calm... where would she go?

[zeonfunnelcake.livejournal.com]

"I don't know!" His paniced energy only fed into Haman's own worry. "I should have never let her go by herself." She shook her head, pink lock sweeping across her worried brow. "Why didn't I give her her own comm unit!"

"Do you think someone with anti-zeonic sentimwnta might have..." She dared not say the terriable things she was thinking.

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

Haman, don't blame yourself.

[ Char's trying desperately to stay calm, to think rationally. But... it's difficult. She hadn't done this before. ]

No. They'd never try that on this ship.

[zeonfunnelcake.livejournal.com]

(http://s861.photobucket.com/albums/ab173/GreybillGirls/Haman%20Icons/?action=view&current=HK06c.jpg)

"Because, I swear, if I find one rumbled hair on her head-" Haman cut herself off, and took a deep breath. She hadn't expected this strange instinct to take over so completely, this physical need to verify Mineva's well being, and deep sensation of rage at even the thought that someone might have hurt her.

"She's such an obedient child it seems so unlikely she's just wandered off. I had hoped she had ran into you, or Kamille or Cynthia, and that's why she didn't come back right away. She knows better than to go with anyone else. Either way, she couldn't have gone far could she? We won't find her standing here."

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

"She's fine, Haman," though it likely sounds more like he's convincing himself more than he's trying to convince her. "We just... we just need to think of the places she'd be most likely to run off to."

He brings his hands to his face, trying to think. "She wouldn't go to the hangar... she hates war, so she wouldn't want to see the mobile suits. She'd... she might go to the cafeteria to try to find ice cream."

[zeonfunnelcake.livejournal.com]

(http://s861.photobucket.com/albums/ab173/GreybillGirls/Haman%20Icons/?action=view&current=tumblr_lgtbvxD1pg1qhpf9go1_1280.jpg)

"Alright." Haman Nodded in agreement, any idea was better than standing here and panicking. She reached out and wrapped her fingers around his hand for a moment, holding it tightly, the warmth of his skin pushing back to the demons of guilt and fear.
"We'll go check there first. " Haman looked up at him with a strange look on her face, confusions and fear where dulled by the warmth of his hand. It was funny how quickly love could manipulate ones emotions, and thoughts.
Yet all the same, Haman felt this deep epiphany forming in the depth of her mind.

[g4merqu33n.livejournal.com]

[Cynthia's heard the reports, and she smiles a bit to herself. It was nice to hear that her efforts on that day had paid off...]

[She'll be in her room playing games, feel free to barge in on her~]

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ And there's Char barging into their room. ][ He demands. Nope, not here either. Shit. He's panicking. ]

[g4merqu33n.livejournal.com]

H-hey! Don't just come in without knocking!

[Her blush fades quickly as she notices the panicked look on Char's face.]

...what's wrong.

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ Yes, yes, he knows that rule. That's what happens when he shares a bedroom with two women. ]

Cynthia... have you seen Mineva? Please tell me you have.

[g4merqu33n.livejournal.com]

[FFFF. Big Sis is counting on me to look after her, too!]

She's not with you or Sis? How'd she get away?

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

That's what I want to find out. Come on.

[g4merqu33n.livejournal.com]

[Nods, flipping off the game console.]

I'll check this and the next floor, and the girls restrooms. You've get below!

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

Right. Let's go. [ And off he goes, on a panicked search for a lost princess. ]

[zaku-for-xmas.livejournal.com]

"mm-mm."

[ Walking casually down the hallway was a familiar blonde with his arms at the back of his head. Luckily Char could only see his back ]

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ Only he can rock the blonde with sunglasses look, Bernie. Char runs up to him. ]

Wiseman... have... [ huff, puff. ] you seen Her Majesty?

1/3

[zaku-for-xmas.livejournal.com]

"Huh, oh well, I..."

2/3

[zaku-for-xmas.livejournal.com]

[Eyebrows raised, jaw dropped. Bernie is surprised to see Aznable. Mainly in the exhausted condition that he is]

? !

[zaku-for-xmas.livejournal.com]

"Commander! Why are you.."

Against the wall?! Out of bed? Bernie paused; then, he realized, recalling Char's question.

"Wait, Lady Minerva? No, I haven't see her. Please go back to bed, Commander."

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

I'll be fine, Bernie.

[ Still panting, wincing in pain a bit every time because even though his bones are back together for the most part, his chest is still pretty tender. ]

She's missing!

This is Unicorn!!

[zaku-for-xmas.livejournal.com]

Bernie sighed; knowing how much of a determined, or stubborn, person Char was, Bernie wouldn't complain. Then, he heard the shocking part.

"What?!"

Bernie looked over his shoulder, then back to Char, reducing his voice to a whisper.

"What? I ... I don't know sir. Where would she go?!"

Re: This is Unicorn!!

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ Char shook his head. ]

I don't know. I already checked the cafeteria, she isn't there.

[ He starts for the door. ]

We have to find her. Somehow. let's go.

Re: This is Unicorn!!

[zaku-for-xmas.livejournal.com]

"But sir..."

Despite what Aznable said, Bernie wanted to tell the Zeon vet to take it easy. Still, he couldn't help but worry, and try to find a way to swerve him away. Bernie didn't want further pressure to slow down the convalesce. The situation about the missing Lady Minerva sounded too serious...

"Please go back. I'll grab a few people to help find her. You don't have to do this. It won't give you relief."

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ Char pauses just as he's about to run out of the door. He then shakes his head. ]

It's not about me. It's my job. I'm sworn to protect Mineva, and I'll do so, even if it kills me.

[ And off he goes. ]

[zaku-for-xmas.livejournal.com]

"Doesn't look like I can persuade you." Bernie sighed; he couldn't face against Aznable's pride, or was it stubbornness? Still, the greenhorn could keep an eye out for him.

And they had to find Lady Zabi ASAP, to put everybody at ease.

"Where do you think she is?"

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

"We already checked the cafeteria and the pool. She's at neither." He's only got a few ideas left, and he doesn't let up running for an instant. "Maybe she tried going to the bridge?"

[zaku-for-xmas.livejournal.com]

"Oh? Maybe! Good thinking sir!" Raising a finger, Bernie tries to sound, and look enthusiastic. She had to be on the ship; honestly, Bernie didn't want to believe in the worse.

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

There was no way the best soldiers Zeon had to offer were that incompetent. "You check there. I'm going to ask Dan if he's seen her."

Yay, topic inspiration!

[zaku-for-xmas.livejournal.com]

"yes sir! I'll go to the bridge immediately!"