Meanwhile, on the ZAFT submarine "Cousteau," Yzak rushed up to Captain Monroe at the command post and yelled, "What about Athrun and Dearka?!"
Monroe glanced at him, looking at the bandage wrapped around his forehead, and asked, "How are you doing?"
His wound was caused from an impact after being hit and falling. Again humiliated by being injured by the Strike, Yzak distorted his face, but it was more in concern than anything at the moment.
"The ship is moving?"
He looked at the panel, and rather than the Cousteau heading north, he noticed it was facing the opposite direction. He raised his voice angrily. "What's the situation?! Have they returned?!"
Being talked to one-sidedly, Monroe gave him a stern look, before quickly glancing away. "... Those two's situation is unknown."
Yzak's eyes opened widely, momentarily unable to cope with such an unexpected answer. "Unknown? What do you mean unknown!"
"I don't know the full details of the situation." The captain was still, trying not to meet [Yzak's] eyes, and continued indifferently. "First, we lost communication with the Buster, then after confirming a large explosion, communication with the Aegis was cut off."
Yzak was stunned as he listened, but eventually came to his senses enough to ask, impatiently, "Emergency signals?"
The answer to that, however, was obvious. "Nothing has been received from either of them."
It hardly needed to be said. If an emergency signal was picked up, the ship would be heading to their rescue.
That means-- that means-- this is...
Yzak's head refused to think beyond that. He persisted the matter directly before him, as he put off that conclusion. "What about the Strike and the Legged Ship!?"
The answer to his question was unexpected "The Paw is being pursued by the Bozman squad. We received a return order from Commander Creuset."
"That's ridiculous!" Yzak finally shouted, angry and unconvinced. The prey that they've chased all the way to this point and have been unable to capture, suddenly being called back to Carpentaria right in the middle of that...
And, now that he was all alone--
"That's stupid… turn the ship around immediately!" Yzak pressed the captain with a rush of momentum. "Do you think those two would die so easily? We don't wear red for nothing!"
Yes, there's no way those two can be dead! They're all ace pilots allowed to don the red suits. First Nicol, and now Athrun and Dearka? Such a thing... Such a stupid thing is impossible!
However, Monroe chastised Yzak for his angry protest. "As someone who also dons that uniform, you should be able to calmly judge the situation. Didn't I just say it? We were ordered to return."
(This short part I had difficulty with, but what I think happens here is Monroe gives Yzak a somewhat pitied look, that Yzak notices and thinks - Why should he be pitied since Athrun and Dearka could still be alive, yet Monroe is looking at him as if he's already part of a now-extinct squadron?)
It can't be that way!
But Monroe continued cooly, "A separate force will be dispatched to search."
"But--!"
He continued in a hard voice rather than suppressing Yzak, who continued to try to interject. "There are reports that Orb is in the area as well. Do you understand?"
That was an order, though an order issued in the form of a question. Yzak had no choice but to stay silent.
Athrun was then put on a boat, and taken to a ZAFT helicopter waiting near the coast. Yzak was leaning against the hatch, and burst out in anger when he saw him. "Bastard! You have some nerve showing your face again!"
While yelling, he realized Athrun's condition with his arm hanging down, so kneeled and reached out of the hatch to help him get on.
"... The Strike has been destroyed," Athrun murmured in a tired voice as he passed by. For a moment he thought Yzak was going to get mad, but instead his mouth flashed a smile. He's only thinking about himself, Athrun thinks to himself, dazed.
My head doesn't work at all. What was I doing…?
"What are you standing up for? Rest right there! You're injured!" Yzak yelled at him lowly, with an unexpected concern as he lied Athrun down on the bed of the helicopter. As Athrun fell asleep, he thought vaguely that it was a dream, because [Yzak] only thinks about himself.
It's a dream… everything is…
As Athrun started to walk, there was someone standing there. Yzak Jule stood as a barrier, not meeting his gaze. There was no need to stand in such a place, so he was probably waiting for Athrun. Thinking to himself that such stubbornness is just like Yzak, Athrun smiled and walked up to him.
As Athrun approached, Yzak uncrossed his arms and stood from leaning on the wall, turning to him. The two boys stared silently at each other for a moment.
They were the only two left... Rusty, Miguel, Nicol was gone, Dearka was missing.
And now I'm going to leave…
Yzak, staring at Athrun, started to speak bluntly. "I'll go there soon, too."
Athrun smiled at the rival-like words that were uttered. Then, almost as though the other boy thought he was being made a fool of, he turned away with a sullen look on his handsome face.
"Someone like YOU in the special task force…!"
Athrun put his bag down on the floor and held out his hand. Yzak looked down at it, puzzled.
"I'm sorry for a lot of things. And thank you, for everything."
He thought it would be ignored, but Yzak silently grabbed Athrun's hand. He was trying to maintain a unfriendly face, but his grip was painfully strong. At first, he didn't realize the unexpected severity of this boy. Only after repeated clashes, losing their friends, and sharing the same pains, now they may have been able to understand each other a little better. That seemed to be a good thing.
"Well then…"
Athrun felt his eyelids grow hot, letting go of Yzak's hand with a feeling of shame. When he moved to grab his bag and walk away, Yzak turned and spoke suddenly.
"Next time, you'll be MY subordinate!"
His arrogance hadn't changed at all, but now Athrun was also aware of the awkward warmth that was there.
"Until then… don't die!"
The words that followed made Athrun feel guilty. He nodded, doubting that he was entitled to receive such concern.
"Understood."
With that, the two boys parted. The next time they meet again, neither know if that day will come.
He wasn't sure if the news was reported back to the country. It felt strange to Dearka when he imagined he was thought of as dead. Yzak… he'd probably talk down about him and call him stupid, but just like with Nicol, he'd cry over it as well. Which doesn't suit his usually zealous face.
Inside the Duel, Yzak heard the message and doubted what he heard.
< Both sides, stop combat and withdraw immediately! I repeat… >
The source came from a machine that suddenly descended from the sky to protect the Archangel. Though it looked similar to the GAT series at first glance, it had huge, wing-shaped vernier thrusters that had allowed it to fly through the atmosphere - was this the Earth Force's new mobile suit?
It must be. Considering that it was protecting an Earth Alliance ship. What else could it be?
In that case--
"I'm not falling for that…!" Yzak screamed, and attacked the machine. He thought it was a bluff to distract them. "Activate CYCLOPS? If they did that, every single one of their own soldiers would die. Even if they made such an inhumane move, why are you revealing such a strategy by yourself?"
If ZAFT retreated here, the operation itself would have failed. Therefore, Yzak took it that the enemy machine was just making a false statement to save their fleet.
--this guy was disgraceful!
Duel approached the unknown unit, drawing its beam saber. "Haaaah!" But the enemy was quick to dodge the attack, and tried to push the Duel away.
< I told you to stop! Do you want to die?!" > The speaker blared, as Yzak got angry.
"What did you say?!" It was like being told that he had no chance to win. Losing his cool, he slashed, and the unknown unit easily dodged the blow, and pulled out its own beam saber which was mounted at the waist.
--this was bad. Gazing at the blade of light approaching the cockpit, Yzak's spine froze.
This was it - he thought, but then the next moment the saber's trajectory changed. The blade cut off both of Duel's legs, and while Yzak was dumbfounded and immobile, his unit was kicked off its balancer by the enemy mobile suit.
"Ehh?!"
A GINN that was flying nearby quickly grabbed the Duel, that had lost both legs.
< Get out of here! > The voice that had been calling out repeated painfully. < And stop it already! >
The voice sounded so young, it seemed to belong to a boy around his age. Yzak didn't know what to say when he heard the voice. He thought he was about to die. The opponent's sword was coming straight for his cockpit. However, the blade suddenly moved and instead took the Duel's legs.
Why?
At the last moment, the enemy seemed to be dissuaded from killing Yzak.
But that was the enemy… wasn't it?
< Are you okay? >
Suddenly another voice was heard, and Yzak came to his senses. It was the GINN pilot that was carrying the Duel.
"Y.. yeah…"
< Let's return for the time being >
"But...!" Yzak couldn't help but say.
< You can't fight if your machine doesn't have legs. In any case, even though we're down for now, our victory is all but decided. >
He spoke cheerfully, then went silent.
Yzak turned to gaze at the mysterious unit moving away in the monitor as he was being pulled away. "Who is he…?"
Athrun inadvertently muttered. Yzak and Rau also participated in Spitbreak, didn't they? He thought of Yzak, whose face he just saw and left yesterday, and felt the shock of a sudden chill.
Completely wiped out?
Yzak too? It was only just a little while ago that we parted, saying that we wouldn't die!
Athrun was listening to the exchange between his father and his assistant, but was relieved at the report. At least Rau seemed unbeatable. So he was sure that Yzak, too…
It seemed that everyone he reached out for was spilling through his fingers. Kira. Nicol. Dearka. Saying goodbye to Yzak, and finally, even Lacus…
Then, Yzak Jule joined in on the GINN attack. At first, he felt excited about this mission, but at the sight of his comrades indiscriminately killing at random, his exaltation quickly ceased. He muttered, "A waste of bullets…! How can you enjoy shooting enemies that can't even move?" There were no enemies here. His lifted his unit and turned back.
Something like the Strike, that could fight back against him was worthy to be considered an enemy. The rest were just small fish. Small fish - enemies who were rendered completely unable to fight, he didn't want to fight against something like that. That's all. He was somewhat scared of the unexpected cruelty that his comrades showed…
The scene he witnessed at Alaska overlapped with the slaughter currently being carried out before his eyes. Yzak, who had believed that they were different from Naturals, wondered where the advantage of their superiority was, watching the grievous acts that his comrades were carrying out.
Superiority - that's right, the strange mobile suit pilot who called to save every life in Alaska, regardless of if they were friend or foe.
To repeat the cycle of slaughter driven by fear and vengeance like a bloodthirsty beast was no different from how the old human race used to be - Yzak suddenly felt horrified when that thought came to mind. But, every morning when he looks into the mirror and sees the scar on his face, every time he thinks of his lost comrades, desperate for vengeance on an enemy - was there any difference between him and those who were indulging in this slaughter like animals?
Gungnirs - the thunder of God
But, are we Coordinators beings that should be considered above God?
Confused, Yzak began to feel doubt in his heart.
After speaking, he left the command post, Yzak following beside him. Yzak followed Rau through the narrow submarine passage in a moody silence. Glancing at the boy's expression, Rau teased, "You don't look very pleased, Yzak. Would you like to head out and fight?"
"Eh? .. no." Yzak quickly shook his head.
"Orb is denying support from ZAFT … so we really have no choice." Rau continued.
"I'm not interested in that…" Yzak said, looking disconcerted.
To soothe him, Rau continued, "We'll watch for a little while longer, and then return to Carpentaria. I know you're tired of being in such a small space since Panama, but please bear with it for a little longer."
Rau seemed to assume that Yzak was restless having been confined to this one ship, however Yzak's real issue was not that. In his confusion, Yzak suddenly spoke boldly. "Commander."
"Hm..?"
"--what's with that girl?" As his superior turned to glance at him, Yzak continued, his tone tight. The 'girl' was an Earth Alliance soldier that had been kept in one of Rau's private rooms. Rau never seemed to hesitate about the existence of the girl, but it was something already known to Yzak. "If she's a prisoner, she should be treated like one…!" To a senior office who should normally be looked up to, Yzak's disposition was unexpectedly angry.
However, Rau replied with some mysterious words. "Yzak… war isn't simply pointing and shooting guns at each other."
"Huh?" Yzak was suddenly surprised and silent.
"I've been searching for a 'key'." Rau continued despite Yzak's lost look, speaking more similar words. "And I've finally found it. Or so I believe..."
--A key? Maybe it was some sort of metaphor. Did the girl have some kind of key?
With a conciliatory smile, Rau turned away from the mystified Yzak, and left.
In the past, Rau always used to speak using deep and meaningful words. And though it was difficult to make sense of them all, Yzak always admired those reserved words. Perhaps with this as well, he had some sort of deep idea.
Or perhaps he was using that way of speaking to fool others?
Feeling indecisive, Yzak watched his superior head off.
< We must struggle now in the present, so that we can have a bright and peaceful future! >
At the ZAFT military base in Carpentaria, Patrick Zala's speech was being broadcast. Yzak Jule listened to it with mixed feelings. Rau Le Creuset politely spoke his own thoughts, though he had a faint smile on his face. "It seems the Chairman is having a lot of trouble with Lacus Clyne."
Gathered in the briefing room was the Creuset team, that included newly dispatched members. Yzak was the only member left from the original team. Rusty, Miguel, Olor, even Nicol and Dearka were all gone. Thinking about that, he feels a hatred rise toward the enemies who robbed them from him. However unlike his former self, there was a slight hesitation there as well.
"That's probably why we haven't been given a return order yet." Rau half joked, which made the newcomers smile a little. But from Yzak's mouth came doubt.
"But... I can't believe [Lacus] is a traitor..."
Even Yzak had a fascination of the songs of the diva who was the idol of the people, as a fan. He didn't like her being Athrun's fiance, but even Yzak who saw Athrun as a rival had to admit they made a good match. It seemed unlikely that a girl like her would just betray and sell out her own people. The new teammates had expressions that seemed to agree with his words.
However, Rau disagreed with Yzak. "She's being used by the Clyne faction. How could you be deceived as well?"
In the past, Yzak would have been ashamed of himself to receive a remark like that from his superior. But now, Rau's words seemed suspicious. That was because of the red haired girl standing in the corner with a ZAFT uniform on just like a regular member of the army. Nobody knew why she was there or why she was always with him. But she was a Natural, the enemy. (The next two lines I can't 100% do with confidence, it's a line about asking about intent, and then something about thinking about Rau waking her up in her room? It comes off as creepo but I'm not sure what's being implied there, though considering the next paragraph and what Yzak draws a parallel to it might be? Idk!)
It irritated Yzak. Waltfeld was also accompanied by a woman on the battlefield, though it was hard to say if such an act was considered acceptable. Moreover, this Natural girl always looked like she had been thrown into the monster's den, frequently shrinking back with a look of fear on her face, that also got on Yzak's nerves.
"The thoughts of many get tangled up in war. Don't lose sight of what you're fighting against." Rau spoke with his usual, insidious smile. Yzak, along with the rest of the crew sat up straight with a 'yes!', but internally his mind was still plagued with doubts.
Patrick Zala's speech, that if you continued to fight and destroy your enemies, you will reach the promised land where honey drips.
Yzak did not simply accept those words. But at the same time he had no choice but to keep following those words. If you don't want to be destroyed, you have to destroy your enemy. Thinking of Alaska and Panama, his friends that are all gone--
Or - is there some other way?
"You haven't been home in quite a while, Yzak." Rau said smoothly as he entered the shuttle, moving up to his seat. "Show your face to your family and reassure them."
"Yes. Thank you very much."
Fllay stood in the aisle and looked around, until the platinum blond boy behind her yelled out, annoyed, "Hurry up and sit down!"
With a wince, Fllay moved forward. The boy called Yzak was one of Rau's more noticeable pilots. Despite having a handsome face, his scar that ran across it as well as his sharp eyes frightened Fllay. Getting away from the boy, she quickly moved and sat down next to Rau. After all, she had no choice but to rely on this cold, indescribable man. It was no use asking for anyone for help. All around her where enemy Coordinators. That thought terrified her. Even that Yzak boy who looked around the same age as Ssigh and her other friends was a Coordinator. But one shouldn't be fooled by appearances, and moreover, as a mobile suit pilot he was someone who had threatened them many times in the past.
< Lacus Clyne is only being used! With a heart that wishes for peace... >
Ezalia Jule's decree was broadcast on both sides of the TV. A man was watching the broadcast in his office. He met her son, Yzak Jule once.