And then there was the traitor

[zaku_for_xmas]

[1]

After the mission to intercept the A-LAWS, Bernie headed for the lunchroom; he didn't look too happy after leaving from the Gaza D's cockpit.

"Well, I should've saw this coming." He said after sitting down at a table. Captain Aznable, Lady Haman... Bernie rubbed his fingers through his hair.

"That guy named 'Cello'. What did he remind of? A puppet?"

[2]

Bernie is in the hangar, observing the salvaged equipment. from the A-LAWS and Neo Zeon. Zeon soldier folded his arms.

"Definitely an arms race. If they had their gotten their hands on the Celestial Being equipment...who knows what would've happened."

Bernie cupped his chin.

Comments

[armored_runaway]

[[SEMI-GLOMP!]]

OI! So Ah see ya decided to stick around, ah? 'Preciate ye stayin 'roun' loik thah!

((Trying to type that accent is hard!))

[zaku_for_xmas]

"Whoa!" Bernie is obviously surprised. After a moment, he couldn't help but smile.

"I-it...it's not problem. None at all!"

[armored_runaway]

"S'watcha gunna do now? I mean... ya got those Zeon thingies ya pilotin... Gunna stick with that thing?" Have a swat on the back!

"'Re ya gunna go try an be the new-age hero and talk some sense into them by punchin 'em in the face. Ya'd be s'prised how offen that seemta happen here!:"

[zaku_for_xmas]

"Stick with it? The Gaza? It's actually my new unit," Bernie nodded his head. "I used to pilot the Zaku II Kai."

Then, his smile slanted...

"Punching people in the face?"

[armored_runaway]

"Yep! Yanno, th' only way ta git yer feelin's across is to channel them knuckles ta nose." Alliteration, Bernie!

"I seen it work. Ya beat up some guy, then afterward, ya git a pint, and soon yer singin songs t'gether like ya been mates fer years."

1/2

[zaku_for_xmas]

Bernie twitches from an awkward thought that he had.

2/2

[zaku_for_xmas]

"I...I can't punch the Captain and the Lady...in the nose."

Re: 2/2

[armored_runaway]

"Sure ya can! It's not like yer jes tryin ta beat 'em up! Yer tryin ta knocksum sense inta them!"

Have a smack on the back! Motivation Bernie, Motivation!

mmm...

[zaku_for_xmas]

After the back smack, Bernie was totally imagining it, and the very idea made his body taut. Haman would totally scream at him in a voice that demanded his utter destruction; The Red Comet would probably blow up the boy immediately.

Bernie was silent, and he had an uncertain look on his face.

I'll die... he thought, tightening his lip.

Re: mmm...

[armored_runaway]

"OI! Wot's that look fer? Yer s'posed to be smilin, not lookin like ya seen a ghostie!"

What's up with this kid. So serious all the time... Dangit Bernie.

Re: mmm...

[zaku_for_xmas]

"You could say that...because it sounds dangerous," he said. Yeah, he felt like he would become a real ghost of Zeon for sure.

But determination gradually returns. His face shows it.

"But, I would have to fight them one day, right?"

Re: mmm...

[armored_runaway]

"Prolly so. Weither ya punch em in the face or blow up all their toys... watcha gotta do is get your point 'cross. Tell em they gota quit bein stupid an worryin 'bout their own junk!"

your nose is too long...

[zaku_for_xmas]

"One way or another, I'll open their eyes."

Your face is too angry!

[armored_runaway]

"Good on ya! Dun worry, we'll help ya out, mate!"

1

[nietzsche_waifu]

I wonder how do you feel at the moment.

[Devon sits herself near. She has no food, so she only wishes to talk.]

It cannot be easy.

Excellent question!

[zaku_for_xmas]

"Who, me?" Yes you Bernie Bernie looked surprised; of course he knew, and tried to feign being dumbfounded. He shook his head.

"Well, uh...it's pretty obvious. I've decided to stay because I felt that following the past was wrong. I know that what the Federation has been doing were wrong, but so were the ambitions of Delaz were wrong. We keep going in circles."

[nietzsche_waifu]

It must have been a hard decision to make. Some from Zeon may consider you a traitor to their cause.

But... hard as it was, it was the right one.

[Devon pats Bernie on his shoulder.]

Let's work to solve this situation, somehow.

[zaku_for_xmas]

"You really think so?" Bernie felt comfort and encouragement from the shoulder pat, and he smiled for a brief moment. Then, his face would show his annoyance.

"'Lady Haman's goal' he said. Zeon wasn't brought up to be a warmonger nation. Least I don't think so."

[nietzsche_waifu]

Whenever a nation is built around an ideal, that ideal is usually noble. Zeon is no exception.

But people are willing to do horrible things in the name of noble ideas. Or at least, they pretend these ideas is what motivates them.

[zaku_for_xmas]

"When you say that, I remember what a nice tall man used to tell me," Bernie leaned his head into his hand.

[nietzsche_waifu]

Really? Who was it, and what did he say?

[zaku_for_xmas]

"I don't think I ever got his name, but he was a tall humble guy." Bernie tilted his head and crossed his arms, looking thoughtful. He closed his eyes.

"I think he said that we shouldn't justify reasons to fight and kill. Or see it as a luxury. A lot of the factions we've faced so far, including Zeon, have a lot of parallels."

He nodded, "He was a quiet type. So when he told me his story, it kind of stuck to me and Doggie."

[nietzsche_waifu]

That's the kind of world we live in, huh...

[zaku_for_xmas]

"Yeah, so we don't have time to think of what's "right" and "wrong". It's hard to explain, but there's always reason to fight. Then, there's that Virtue guy..."

[nietzsche_waifu]

So what you are saying is, everyone believes they're right. No one fights for reasons he or she thinks are wrong.

Virtue guy? What of him?

[zaku_for_xmas]

"Of course a lot of us believe we're right. We all have a method of justice. But, it all has to do with how we're feeling. As for the virtue guy, or maybe I should call him the Paragon, uhhh...something to do with our feelings in battle."

[nietzsche_waifu]

Feelings, hmm. I wonder what his "Codex" has to say about them.

[zaku_for_xmas]

"Codex?"

[nietzsche_waifu]

It is the book whose code of conduct he lives by. Recently... it turned out to be a trap, written by some malicious third party to entrap well-meaning souls who fail to live up to its standards.

Yet, knowing that he still continues to follow its principles.

[zaku_for_xmas]

"He said that the Paragon are subjected to a horrible fate, but that doesn't mean that he's wrong."

[nietzsche_waifu]

Hmm.

I wonder what all the Codex's principles are, exactly.

[zaku_for_xmas]

"I don't remember everything that he told me, but we have a ton of virtues. Okay, maybe eight?"

[nietzsche_waifu]

Yes, there is eight. I remember that, but which one of them stands for what...

The only way to know is to ask him.

1

[zetahatsudo]

It's finally happened then, Bernie? [Kamille's standing by the hallway to the lunchroom, he's been waiting, it seems.]

Re: 1

[zaku_for_xmas]

Bernie nodded his head, "Total traitor."

Re: 1

[zetahatsudo]

[Kamille's putting a hand on your shoulder and walking with you now] We've got a long road ahead of us it seems. [A thought crosses his mind] This 'Cello' you met... what was he like? [Haman often mentioned a Mashmyre Cello, even said she wanted him to emulate the man in his service to her.]

Re: 1

[zaku_for_xmas]

"What was he like?" Bernie closed his eyes, looking thoughtful. He tried to remember. The answer was in this words and tone.

"Dignified. Like a very devoted servant. He deeply follows Lady Haman and her will. With that said, and considering the actions of Zeon at Side 1, it made me wonder what she was thinking."

He nodded his head, "You might've been right, Kamille."

Re: 1

[zetahatsudo]

I see. ['A dignified servant, is it? I'd be more than willing to help her, sure, but a servant? That's just...'] He sounds like a walking cliche.

[He thinks on it a moment, before finally speaking] I hope you don't take offense when I say I'm not happy you think so. Haman was a friend, almost a sister to me, and Char was like the big brother I never had. ['Don't think on the implications of that statement, don't stop, carry on-!'] Hatred is an awful thing, Bernie. It claims our souls and drags us to our damnation, taking as many people as it can. I'm afraid, not just for Haman and Char, but for Lady Mineva as well...

Re: 1

[zaku_for_xmas]

"I understand Kamille. It's just strange that I missed it. It looked they like really want a light in the future. I still think that's there, but now they're taking drastic measures. What's actually worrisome now is the Captain. Haven't heard of what he's doing."