3x → XI [Char's Temporary Departure]

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ It's the middle of the night. Char has barely asked for permission to leave, but he was given an order from Kamille. Even if he's dreading it, he knew it would have to be done eventually. Just... not so soon, or under these circumstances.

A Zeon H.L.V. would be seen in the hangar, Char surrounded by two Zeon Military Police soldiers. Thankfully, the White Chalice was now over an uninhabited area of the Mojave Desert whose scars from war were still clearly visible, so it was unlikely that anyone would see the H.L.V. leave the White Chalice's docks. ]

So... let's get this over with. [ Char says simply. One of the MP's then explained that while Haman was very angry with Char for abandoning his post, Mineva Zabi pleaded with Haman to show him clemency, and that was why he wasn't under arrest... yet. He was going to be allowed to explain himself, and could still possibly be facing a court martial for desertion, if not treason. It depended on how merciful Haman was feeling, or if she'd even forgive him. ]

I would like to say goodbye to the others, first. [ Char asked, and the MP's nodded. They knew full well his sister was onboard the ship, and even though she was a former Federation soldier, they weren't going to deny him the opportunity. ]

Comments

[2good4thegundam.livejournal.com]

So, you're heading back...

...Is Mineva doing alright?

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

Art-- ... Sayla. Kamille ordered me to try to gain Axis as allies. I promise, I will try to come back, even if Haman has me court martialed.

[ He sighs. ]

Yes. It was recently her eighth birthday.

[2good4thegundam.livejournal.com]

Really? I wish you had told me earlier, I would have gotten her something...

[Sayla trails off, and the room just hangs in awkward silence for a little while.]




...Are you sure you want to do this?

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, Sayla. I will tell her that you wished her a happy birthday regardless.

[ Char frowned at her question. But then, he approached her, and pulled her into a hug. ]

Kamille asked this of me, and if this is how I can help the AEUG and the White Chalice, I have to try. I knew I would have to confront Haman again eventually... I'm just glad this way you won't have to be drawn into it.

[2good4thegundam.livejournal.com]

Well...I guess this means goodbye, then.

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

For now. But I swear, as your brother, I will come back. With or without Axis' forces.

[2good4thegundam.livejournal.com]

Well, I'll see you then. Later.

[And she's off, giving a slight wave with her back turned.]

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ Char fights back a tear as he watches his sister leave. She really is all he has left, with Lalah, Natalie, and his unborn child dead. Unless, of course, you count Asuka... where was she, anyway? ]

[curseu-reflexes.livejournal.com]

[Hey. Char. Guess who's just giving you The Look.]

[bakaribbon.livejournal.com]

Oh, hey Julia...I haven't seen you around much.

[curseu-reflexes.livejournal.com]

[Oh hey, Haruka. Damn, if you'd caught Julia only a few days earlier she might have been giving YOU The Look regarding the whole Perrine thing. Of course, now in hindsight she can only feel angry she let that offend her to such a tremendous degree.]

Sorry. I've been... distracted.

The stuff with Char especially, right now.

[bakaribbon.livejournal.com]

Yeah...did he say why he was leaving? Axis is a long way away...

[curseu-reflexes.livejournal.com]

He's leaving so the White Chalice can save face, after nearly triggering a tragedy and then blaming Adventus on it.

[bakaribbon.livejournal.com]

Oh...

...I hope everything turns out alright...

[curseu-reflexes.livejournal.com]

As it stands, we'll have to wait and see.

But I think the more gifted orators on the ship should be careful in the future. Accusing people of playing dirty when you're to blame is more damning that way.

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ Guess who doesn't seem to mind, because he knows he deserves it. ]

[curseu-reflexes.livejournal.com]

[That doesn't win him sympathy though. Fuck-ups like this deserve to be punished, no matter how willing the transgressor is to atone.]

It's funny. As the former mascot for one of the largest weapons developers in the outer colonies, I know all about how people can make disastrous errors while giving a speech, and it's usually the more eloquent of the lot that make the grandest of said errors.

Mr. Aznable, I hope you don't make such stupid actions in the future.

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

I did what I did to ensure the image of the White Chalice isn't damaged by Aventus' scheme. I'm not going to explain any further than that.

[curseu-reflexes.livejournal.com]

There was no scheme. The pilots of the Advents made a stupid mistake of their own, but that was all. Mr. Gatsby was already taking the blame for the incident anyways too.

At least have the courtesy to not whitewash your own mistakes and call them necessary.

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

As I said, I'm not going to explain my actions more than I already have.

As it stands, Kamille asked me to gain Axis' support for the White Chalice. I'm going to do just that.

[bakaribbon.livejournal.com]

Char...you're leaving?

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

Just for a little while, Haruka. I'll be back, no matter what Haman says.

[bakaribbon.livejournal.com]

Alright then. Come back soon!

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

I know what I did was foolish, Haruka. But this way, the White Chalice won't be implicated. It's not as if Zeon has a spotless record anyway.

[bakaribbon.livejournal.com]

But, won't Axis be really mad with you about all this?

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

They don't have much to lose. The Titans were founded mostly because of them, after all.

[bakaribbon.livejournal.com]

Right...good luck, then.

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ Char lightly pats her head. ]

Thank you, Haruka.

[fermionprincess]

Sir Char...

[Dramatic convenience means there's no way Alessandra could have missed this event.]

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

Miss Langelier... [ He lightly pats her head. ] Try to stay out of trouble until I get back, okay?

[fermionprincess]

Do promise to return though. Not necessarily soon, but eventually.

You will return, will you not?

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

Of course. I couldn't leave you or the others behind for long. [ Char tries to smile reassuringly. ] Kamille asked me to return to Axis, to try to gain them as allies. I have to try, for everyone's sake.

[fermionprincess]

I wish you the best luck then.

[Looks conflicted for a sec - but Alessandra is not the one to hesitate when making decisions.

So she hugs Char tightly. Really tightly - her embrace can be very strong when she wants to.]

Let this be a political victory for everyone involved!

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ Quite an intense grip there, Alessandra; but even though his lower back cracks a bit at her bear-like hug, Char returns it. ]

Even if Haman tries to have me charged, I'll come back here. The White Chalice is too important.

[fermionprincess]

Please do take care of yourself while you are gone. You still have your dream vision to put into reality, after all.

[The spinebreaking hold lets go as Alessandra says this rather ominous statement. You are free to go, Char.]

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ His 'dream vision...' Indeed. ]

Thank you, Alessandra.

[newtypeamuro.livejournal.com]

Char.

[It's a curt address, and this might not be the most friendly of farewells, but- Given the situation at hand... After a brief, awkwardly silent moment the man turns and offers a somewhat more sincere statement-]

-Good luck.

1/2

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ Amuro's tone isn't lost on him. Why would Amuro be pleasant, anyway? Char took a dive for the White Chalice that had a 50/50 shot at backfiring, just for the simple reason of guilt by association. ]

2/2

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ But the 'good luck' actually made things a bit better. ]

... Thank you, Amuro.

[ The least he can do for Caduceus now was to come back with good news. ]

[newtypeamuro.livejournal.com]

Do you think you'll be able to reach them? Axis, I mean.

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

They'll take me there. Though their estimated traveling time was strangely low.

[ Char seemed slightly unsure. If that meant what he thought it meant... ]

[newtypeamuro.livejournal.com]

There's something not right about that, isn't there.

[Amuro frowned. Not just his rival's attitude about it- Intuition told him the same.]

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

No. It should take twice as long to get to the asteroid belt. According to what they told me... I estimate Axis is closer to Mars now.

[newtypeamuro.livejournal.com]

That would mean they're already on the move...

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

That is what I'm worried about. I need to get there as soon as possible.

[vjockey.livejournal.com]

Commander Char sir.

[He salutes the man he essentially saw and respected as a superior. He honestly cannot say much for the man's actions out there, but somehow he gets the feeling that the Red Comet has his reasons.]

I wish you a safe journey back to your comrades.

[Somehow you one would get the feeling he meant it as "Good luck, come back safely" just as much as a safe trip to Axis]

[redfckngcomet.livejournal.com]

[ Char couldn't help but smile at the salute and respectful tone. Not for his ego, but simply for the change of pace. ]

At ease. [ He said simply. ] I'll come back here, with or without Axis in tow. I'm not going to allow the White Chalice to suffer after all that it has done.

[vjockey.livejournal.com]

[Cheng nods calmly.]

That is good to hear sir. We have... been through much. I wouldn't want any of it to be wasted any more than you do.