Editing KSGU:Volume 2 Chapter 3 (section)

===Part 21===

The flames that blow aside the airlock is rising up from the floor to the ceiling, and the handling port is burning. Banagher feels the heat flowing on his back and stares at the man sitting on the linear seat.

It’s Cardeas Vist. His face that’s covered with ash look rather sick, and there’s blood seeping out from his abdomen due to the breathing. However, the sharp expression on his face never changes. That’s really the owner of the Vist Foundation that has tremendous influence in the financial world, the owner of the ‘Snail’ Audrey wished to see, and the arrogant man who viewed him like a stray dog. And most likely, he’s the reason why this meaningless war began—

It’s been more than 20 minutes since the wireless communicator was cut off with the sound of gunshots, and Banagher still can’t find any normal suits for use. He activated the display monitor to check the map of the ‘Snail’, and this face appeared in front of him. Banagher knows that he has a lot of questions he has to ask, and he knows that it’s of utmost priority to treat someone who’s hurt, but he can’t move his own limbs freely. It’s not the stench of blood that prevents him from going near Cardeas, but those eyes. As Banagher grabbed that body that was almost swallowed by flames and brought him to the cockpit, those eyes were still staring at him. The eyes are so sharp and yet so moist, causing Banagher to remain there.

There’s no sense of thanksgiving or bewilderment in his eyes. One gets the feeling that he’s looking down on others, but there’s a hidden serenity in his eyes. ''Why?'' Banagher mutters in his heart. ''This is really uncomfortable. Why are you looking at me like that…?''

“Why are you here?”

About several seconds later, Cardeas speaks up. This voice is different from the voice Banagher heard in the villa, and it seem that he’s a changed man. He is speechless.

“Why, you ask…where’s Audrey?”

Since he has to respond, Banagher says out the question he wanted to ask most. Cardeas seem to be surprised as he twitches his eyebrows and asks, “You came here for her?” Banagher grips his fists and whispers softly again, “Where is she?”

“…I don’t know, but she’s definitely alive. She has escaped death countless times ever since she was born.”

“So even you don’t know…”

''What kind of answer is this.'' Banagher thinks, but Cardeas, who starts to cough as he looks down, doesn’t say anything else. Banagher feels that his feet floating in zero gravity is being unstable. ''Then, this guy left Audrey behind and ran off alone? He’s letting other people die and intends to use this mobile suit to escape? ''

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!!?”

Banagher shouts so loudly that even he’s surprised by this, and this voice echoes through the cramped cockpit. Cardeas lifts his head slightly.

“Saying such so-called impressive words and yet unable to do anything. Audrey came to meet you so that she could stop the war! How many people do you think have died!? Everyone was still living alright just now. They still had things they wanted to do tomorrow or the next week. But…but then, how can people die just like that!?”

Cardeas wordlessly narrows his eyes and mutters, “How can…people, die like this?” Banagher doesn’t seem to realize what he’s saying and yells, “ISN’T IT!?”

“People have ways to live and die that only belong to humans. How can they just die so stupidly in war, burned to death, bleed to death…a war that cost half of humanity; WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU ADULTS THINKING!?”

The feelings Banagher can’t vent out fully reach his fingertips, and he leans over at Cardeas. Banagher grabs onto the display monitor to try and adjust his posture, but Cardeas grabs onto his shoulder first.

“…Do you still remember?”

The eyes in front of him seem to be probing for something as they give off a sharp tinge. Banagher, who’s being stared at, forgets to push off the hand on his shoulder and frowns.

“Through the possibilities within, humanity’s power and kindness is shown to the world…to the humans who devoured the Earth and are looking for an exit in space, this is a duty we have to do. Or rather, this is our hope…”

Cardeas looks over at the all-view monitor that isn’t showing anything. Banagher feels something heavy pulsating in his forehead, causing his shoulder with the hand on it to jerk. He hurriedly shakes off Cardeas’ hand, retreats to the cockpit door and leans his back on the wall.

''I know this. I never heard of this, yet I know. The words hidden in my mind that has been repeating themselves ever since the war started—''

“You’re asking what we want to do…that’s not the case. We never did anything. We have the power to resist this monster called the Federation, and for 100 years, we wanted to use it to resist it…but unknowingly, we ourselves became monsters. So…”

The surrounding explosions and tremors that ring stop Cardeas from continuing, Banagher hurriedly covers Cardeas and uses his back to block the storm that’s blown into the cockpit.

The loud rumbling sound of the metal collapsing rings, and the gateway to the handling port is gradually wrecked by the pressure outside. Hot air again blows in from the cracks. The outside flashes 2, 3 times, and they can hear the same number of explosions as the flashes. This is the sound of the mega-particle cannons. Mobile suits are fighting again. Banagher sees that what looks like a mobile suit with 4 wings is shooting out blueish-white thruster jets and flying through. He puts his hand behind Cardeas’ neck and tries to pull him up from the linear seat. Cardeas can’t help but moan, perhaps because the wound’s touched. Banagher again carries Cardeas and simply says, “Let’s get out of here.” 

“Pull yourself together. We can’t grumble if we’re shot when we ride this.”

It’s zero gravity, but it’s rather tough having to move a person. Banagher’s feet step on a side of the all-view monitor and intends to carry Cardeas’ large body. “Wait.” A commanding tone that doesn’t allow for any rebuttals causes Banagher to stop.

“You came here to save ‘her’, right…is your heart still the same?”

It’s another probing expression again. Banagher hears his heart beating clearly and loudly.

“The burden ‘she’s bearing is very heavy…since you decide to help her, that means you have to bear some of this burden. Is this fine with you?”

It’s not merely a feeling. Cardeas’ hand on his shoulder is becoming heavier. Banagher is somewhat stunned and instinctively asks, “Now’s not the time to talk about this, right!?”

“I have to find her. Takuya and Micott are still here.”

''That’s why you’re leading the way.'' Before he can say this, Banagher sees Cardeas’ expression, and can’t help but gasp.

The bloodied lips are curling up, and a smiling face is right in front of Banagher. It’s not a wry smile nor a mocking smile, but a satisfied smile that’s mixed with pride and some sadness—''why?''. Cardeas moves his arm before Banagher can react, and pushes him onto the linear seat.

“Take this and go.”

He puts the display monitor back to its original position and puts Banagher’s hands on the control sticks on both left and right side. The chilliness of his hand causes Banagher to tremble a bit and ask in a puzzled manner, “Wha, what is it…?” Cardeas doesn’t look at Banagher as he says sternly, “Don’t move.” He then works on the touch-screen keyboard on the display, and puts his hand on it.

The palmprint identification light flashes, and the words access authorized is shown on the screen. Cardeas moves out of the cockpit, and the all-view screen lets out a green light. A strong light that’s flashing like a laser appears in front of Banagher’s eyes. The light that forms a screen inside the inner wall of the ball-shaped object moves from right to left and up to down, scanning throughout the whole cockpit, displaying the data collected on the monitor. A 3D CG silhouette shows someone sitting on the linear seat, and the light screen scans this silhouette before disappearing again.

The word ‘complete’ appears on the monitor and continues to blink. Banagher finally manages to ask “What are you doing…”, and Cardeas ignores Banagher’s doubts as he returns back into the cockpit. He works on the touchscreen keyboard, and the high-pitched sound of the engine being activated rings, causing the cockpit to jerk lightly.

A reserve power supply isn’t enough for such an action, so this reaction—is the thermonuclear reactor core, the main generator being activated. The screen that forms the all-view monitor starts to activate, covering the two of them through a 360 degrees view without any openings. All sorts of system check windows are closing one after another, and the noise of the generator starts to get louder and louder. Banagher finally understands the meaning of the words ‘take this away’, and hurriedly lets go of the control sticks.

His heart is beating, and the sweat continues to flow under his armpits. Banager is speechless and can only look at Cardeas with a bewildered expression. “That’s good…” Cardeas says silently.

“The <<Unicorn>> will only listen to you now. If it feels that you’re a rider that suits it, it will give you unsurpassed power, and the door leading to the <<Laplace Box>> will most likely open.”

“What are you saying? I don’t understand. What’s this <<Laplace Box>>…”

Banagher feels that his head is all messed up and about to explode, and wants to hurry up and get off the linear seat, but is held down by Cardeas’ hand pressing on his chest. “You should be able to understand.” The deep voice passes through Banagher, robbing him the strength to resist.

“The curse has bound our Vist Foundation for 100 years…but if we can use this curse well, we’ll bring about a bright future to the Universal Century.”

It seems that another explosion happened beside the feet of the machine, and the gust that strikes blows the silver hair on Cardeas forehead. Banagher looks back at the eyes that seem to be trying to say something so important that even words can’t express them, and feels that something in his forehead is breaking open.

“Bound…curse?”

''I don’t know what he’s saying…no, I understand. The curse bound on the Vist family…yes, because of this, mom—''

“Anna…your mother, hates to be bound by this curse, and disappeared in front of me.”

''My head’s dizzy. My body’s shaking. I don’t want to hear. I don’t want to know. Don’t say it!'' Banagher yells. ''Why at this time? This isn’t something that you should be randomly saying in a casual tone!''

“I suppose Anna hates me, and so do you. I can’t do anything for you two, and even pushed this burden onto you…but now, we can only accept this coincidence.”

“What are you…trying to say…”

The pulsating spreads from his forehead to his temples, and each pulsating causes his memories to become clearer. The tapestry in the Vist villa…the resounding piano tune in the wide room…the pianist was his mother. His mother was facing the piano and playing a clear tone. A voice can be heard with the sound, and wide arms are carrying him. The finger is pointing to a tapestry on the wall, the gentle voice is something that’s hard to understand seriously, and the face in his sights was—

The explosion that rings nearby interrupts Banagher’s thoughts. He recovers and hears that man, who’s right in front of him now, say, “Go, Banagher.”

“Do not fear. Believe in yourself. Believe in the possibilities you have. As long as you believe and try your best, a path will naturally open up for you. Go do what you feel you have to do!”

After saying that, Cardeas leans down and starts to cough. His arm is losing strength, and the arms that were extremely strong and sturdy before are now so weak and so unreliable, as they use up the last of their strength. Banagher sees the blood blobs floating out from the drooping head, and grabs onto Cardeas’ hand with an emotion even he doesn’t understand.

“You want me to believe in myself…isn’t that too selfish of you to say that now!? What do you know about me!?”

''You never even attended mom’s funeral. You called me here, and never even come over to meet me.'' Banagher feels the emotions in his heart start to melt, and holds back the heat rising up his throat, not letting go of Cardeas’ hand like he’s relying on him. “I understand.” This strong voice causes Banagher’s voice to jerk.

“I…understood, everything…and right now, I’m very happy.”

Cardeas smiles slightly and uses that empty hand of his to stroke Banagher’s face. That hand seems to have no blood in it as it feels icy cold, but the movement’s so gentle. The fingers seem like they’re trying to pass over the little warmth left in the body, and the irreplaceable touch resonates with the heat inside Banagher’s heart.

Banagher gathers the surging emotions into words, but before he can speak up, the fingers touching his face shuts his mouth. The icy cold hand is released from Cardeas, and his tall and large body floats out of the cockpit.

[[Image:KSGU2 188.jpg|thumb]]

“I hope you can forgive me of my selfishness…I still, want, to be, with you…”

Cardeas floats out of the cockpit, and is moving further and further away. ''He’s going. There’re a lot of things I want to ask him, to talk to him about, but he’s going away now. '' Banagher forces himself off the linear seat and wants to rush out of the cockpit too. However, the flames that come from the side surround Cardeas’ body, and the hot debris smash that profile to smithereens.

“DAD!!” The voice is blocked off by the cockpit that suddenly closes, and the empty echo rings inside it. The machine’s self-defense system detects the heat and the storm of this danger area and closes the door. Right now, there’s no gap in that panel that form the all-view monitor. Banagher, who’s clutching at the cockpit door, looks for Cardeas’ profile on the all-view monitor. From the field of vision of the 20m tall mobile suit, all he can see is a sea of flames, and the gate at the front is half-wrecked. There’s no signs of Cardeas, only countless falling sparks landing on the all-view screen, leaving a few remains of thin light on the hi-definition monitor.

“Dad…did I just say dad…?”

The emotions that swell in Banagher form words that comes out, and they were unable to be released as Cardeas covered his mouth—it’s like saying that he himself didn’t have the right to be called that. Banagher sits on the linear seat and uses both hands to press onto his temples that are in sharp pain. ''That’s a lie. Something must be wrong somewhere.'' But no matter how many times he repeats this to himself, the surging sharp pain in him never vanishes as the pulse expands and contracts, telling him that this is the truth. The seal of his memories are released…no, it’s because the seal wasn’t complete that he just felt ‘disjointed’ all this while. The knowledge, decision making and responsiveness that was ingrained into him when he was young was how he managed to get himself to move, and managed to live till now. Perhaps he has unknowingly wished for such a thing to happen when his mother passed away and when he accepted his dad’s invitation.

Hope? Did I hope for this? He grips his hands holding onto the temples and opens his eyes. He sees that there’s a drink straw beside him amongst the floating blood. This is something he found in the survival vest when he rummaged through the spare supplies.

''I should have let him drink it.'' This thought appears in his mind, and the block of suppressed emotions inside his heart is melted immediately. Banagher senses that his vision is blurry. He lost so much blood, and must be thirsty. I wanted to let him drink it after he finished talking—

“Why…am I crying…”

He wipes his eyes again, but tears continue to swell out. The transparent water form beads that float in the air with the blood. He’s not sad about the death of his dad, or what may be his dad, but that he didn’t’ manage to let him take a drink, and he’s so sad that he doesn’t even realize it. However, no matter how much he regret it, what’s gone is gone, can’t be taken back, and there’s no second chance. The entire reality of this is so painful, sad and infuriating.

How many people—have their second chances simply robbed just like that? Banagher looks at the front, passes through the collapsed remains of the gate, and can see the thruster jet lights of the mobile suit with four wings and continuous explosions. In the midst of the fire, it continues to leap towards the next target like a monster. However, that machine doesn’t have the decision making ability of a death god, just scattering death randomly without order. This ugly machine has mercilessly crushed many lives that aren’t long enough, that want to do a lot of things that they want to do, that want to pass their messages to others.

''That kind of death isn’t one that belongs to humans, and I have to eliminate it.'' Such a thought appears in Banagher’s mind, and he grips onto the control joysticks on both left and right sides. ''Is this something decided out of my own will, or that the knowledge ingrained in me that tell me to do so?'' His palms feel the rumbling of the engines, and just when he’s feeling slightly uncomfortable, a familiar girl’s voice suddenly flashes through his mind.

(YOU CAN’T DO THAT! MARIDA!)

It’s not a voice, but an unknown thing that can only be described as a voice appears as a flash past his forehead. Banagher hurriedly grips onto the control joysticks. ‘She’s in the place the 4-winged machine is going to. ‘She’s in danger, and even in danger, her thoughts are still calm. Banagher doesn’t think about why he understands this. ''The machine’s controls are basically similar to a mini-mobile suit. I can do this.'' Banagher looks at the display monitor, makes the minimum level of checking, and becomes a part of the machine his dad handed him.

The mobile suit called the <<Unicorn>> moves its body that’s being restrained and lifts its head. The optical sensors hidden under the visor are glowing, looking like eyes as they look forward.