Editing KSGU:Volume 3 Chapter 2 (section)

===Part 6===

<nowiki><All personnel, regaining space visual department. All passages open.></nowiki>

A vague voice could be heard as it echoed through the speakers inside the ships. As he saw the sergeant beside him heave a sigh and remove his helmet, Banagher asked, “Is it over?”

“Yeah. You can take it off too.” The sergeant answered while he took off the fastener of the normal suit. This middle-aged sergeant who was giving off a vibe that he trained officer was an NCO who was assigned to guard the command post, and it seemed that he was an old-timer who had the most experience in being a guard. He was the one who brought Banagher here to evacuate after the siren alert for battle rang. They were near the “Unicorn”s maintenance hangar, and several rows of normal suits were lined up in this room. Currently, he and Banagher were the only ones around.

As the wireless network in the ship was activated during battle, they could hear the conversations between the bridge and all the other departments. However, Banagher still could not say that he could even vaguely understand the conversations that included lot of technical jargon. Even though he could roughly tell that this raid was a bogus judgment, it was still a mystery why the main cannon of the ship was fired. As they were evacuating, he could hear messages like <nowiki><Backup personnel, swap duties 5 minutes earlier></nowiki> and <nowiki><Execute Assignment A></nowiki>, and he could see the passengers walking around frantically at the doors. ''They’re working, huh?'' Banagher thought blankly. ''Even if they’re the military, there’s nothing unique about them. They’re just like the workers in the factories, doing their own duties to let the ship move, that’s all—''

“That’s why I’m asking where you’re bringing me to…haa? How will I know if the squad leader doesn’t?”

The sergeant growled angrily into the room’s internal phone he picked up. The lax assignment of duties caused the crew to be unable to handle the unexpected situation. ''Everyone’s not used to an actual battle, huh?'' As he thought about that, Banagher was about to keep the normal suit he put on as a familiar color and shape crossed by him.

“Haro…?” 

Banagher did not think that he made a mistake in identifying it. He went after the green ball that moved past the door and arrived outside the locker room. “Oi, don’t just run out like that!” the sergeant growled. “That’s mine.” Banagher answered and held onto the grip lift. “Oi, wait!” Banagher kicked the floor as he ignored the sergeant who left the phone behind.

Banagher thought that he could catch Haro immediately, but it ignored his calls as it flapped its ears and nimbly turned around the corner. “Oi, you! Hold it!” as he heard the sergeant’s growls behind him, Banagher switched grip lifts at a cross junction and moved down a narrow passage 90 degrees aside. ''That’s weird. There’s no reason for Haro to ignore me like this. Maybe somebody else gave it a verbal command. If the memory’s not deliberately deleted later, Haro will treat the owner and anyone it talked to for a long time as a friend. If it can follow even a simple command, the only ones on this ship who are registered as friends are Takuya, Micott, and as for the rest—''

At the second turn of the cross junction, Banagher finally caught up to Haro just before it turned around the corner. As he carried it, he felt that it stopped on its own, and said, “This isn’t good. You have to be with everyone.” Haro’s eyes merely flickered as it answered, ''<Haro>'' Banagher was about to return to the locker room when a hand reached out for the coat of the collar.

Banagher was pulled from the back of his head and went into a door on the passage that was opened. He wanted to share it off immediately, but got a glimpse of the emerald green eyes that shone in the dim light, and his heart pounded crazily.

“There’s no time, Banagher. Listen to me.”

''Audrey.'' The mouth of the emerald-eyed girl covered Banagher who was about to call her name, and she showed an irritated look, muttering quickly, “Oi, brat. Answer me!” On hearing the sergeant’s angry growl pass by the door, Banagher nodded at her. Audrey released the hand holding Banagher down and led him deep into a room that was like a storeroom with all the lights switched off.

The light that shone in through the door caused the purple cape that fluttered with the air to appear. ''Why is she here? What happened to Ensign Mihiro and the rest? There were a lot of things Banagher really wanted to ask, but he did not even have the time to ask as Audrey pushed him to the pile of cardboard boxes that was fastened with a belt, and brought her face close to a distance where he could feel her breathing. She let out a questioning voice, “Did you really activate the “Unicorn Gundam”?”

“Unicorn…Gundam?”

The term was something he knew, yet it felt alien to him. Banagher repeated the term that was that felt like a mysterious curse, sometimes safe and sometimes dangerous like a parrot. "So that was the name of that machine." Banagher accepted it in his heart unconditionally. “What happened?” Audrey’s anxious voice repeated.

“Seemed that way…”

“You say it seems—”

“I don’t really know. Everything happened so quickly. There wasn’t even a warning or something…”

Banagher diverted his eyes away from the frowning Audrey as his eyes escaped to the shadow formed by the gaps between the boxes. The bloodied face in his nightmare appeared in the shadows , causing him to clench his fists.

On one hand, Cardeas talked about believing in possibilities and doing what one had to do. On the other hand, he could hear Cardeas talk through the wireless network like a war merchant. "Which one is the real you?" Banagher thought as he recalled the words Alberto said. “Alright.” At this moment, Audrey sighed. She turned away as she made up her mind.

“Can you still activate it?”

Audrey’s voice sounded rather sound. "Eh?" Banagher thought as he looked up. As he was held down by the intimidating stare in her eyes, he answered, “I guess…”

“Then, leave this place with me.”

Her calm voice caused Banagher to hold his breath and gasp. He looked around meaninglessly, and then asked, “Here, as in, this ship?” as he stared at Audrey who was floating 30cm away from him. She however did not even nod.

“Impossible. I can’t do this.”

“There’s always a way when you get onto the Gundam. The ship crew here isn’t experienced enough. The remaining problem is to shake off the Special Forces.”

Audrey said as she diverted her eyes to a corner of the ceiling. Banagher realized that there was a surveillance camera there, and exchanged looks with her serious expression. He eked out a voice, “Audrey…”

“You can still make it back to Industrial 7 now. Once you reach there, I’ll deal with the machine. You’ll be fine when you say that you were threatened, right?”

“But…”

“That’s a dangerous machine that can’t be handed to anyone. We have to destroy it before it docks in the Federation base…”

“Please wait for a while, okay…!”

Banagher was driven by the fear that was about to blow him up from within as he subconsciously grabbed Audrey’s shoulders. He pulled her body down from the air and stared at the eyes that were at the same height level as him. Audrey looked over with an expression that was hard to discern.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. What did you say that mobile suit is? Please explain it clearly to me.”

“There’s no time now. I’ll explain the details to you later. First…”

“How can I decide on something without knowing what’s going on!? Why must you talk to me like this!?”

“Like this…?”

“Like you have to do this, like there’s a need to do that. It’s really too sly to try and force someone to accept it in such a way…besides, ain’t I not someone you don’t nee?”

Even though he felt that it was sneaky of him to say it, Banagher still said it. Everyone only thought of saying what would be convenient to them and not actually talking heart to heart. Even though those were the words of others, he could only feel empty as he was left in the lurch. "What can I believe now when some things have to be decided in such a situation now?"

Banagher felt that his stomach was starting to heat up as he shut up and turned his back on Audrey. He pressed a fist against a cardboard box and muttered with clenched fists, “Everyone’s making decisions on their own…”

“You too, the people here too, even that man…” The heat continued to swell and rise in him, breaking through his restrain. Realizing this, Banagher closed his eyes and squeezed out his remaining words, “Saying that he’s my father out of a sudden…”

“Father?”

“Forcing that kind of mobile suit to me, saying it’s the curse of the Vist Family, and the Laplace Box or something…I don’t even know what’s what now!”

Banagher felt that Audrey held her breath. “Are you talking, about that Cardeas Vist? Then, you’re the Vist family—”

“I don’t know! I was separated from him when I was young, and I couldn’t even remember his face. He didn’t come over to mother’s funeral, he wouldn’t even meet us, and now out of a sudden…”

The thoughts after that never became words. The hatch limiting his emotions was gone. Fear and anger raged on in his abdomen as if it was a backlash of emotions that was held for several hours. After a stunned silence, Audrey muttered, “Such things happened…” Banagher could hear the surprised voice that seemed to understand something from behind him as he moved to reach for Haro that was floating in the air with nowhere to go.

This was an old toy that he continued to maintain and update ever since he received it as a Christmas gift at the age of 5. The familiar touch entered his clutches safely. At that time, the fad for toys ended in less than a year, and it was a long time ago since the time when the manufacturer stopped sales of Haro. Even so, Banagher never let go of Haro when he entered middle school. He would try his best to repair it himself whenever it was spoilt, and his mother would often nag at him in an annoyed manner,

''“Just give it up already. Haro’s already at its limit. Isn’t it weird to go around with an old toy?”''

''“It can still move if I repair it. That’s nothing bad about it.”''

How did the mother feel when she knew who gave that Haro to this son of hers who argued back? No, Banagher had already realized that it was a gift from his father, and his mother knew that Banagher already knew about that. Even though nobody said it out, both of them viewed that as an unspoken secret and accepted Haro as a family member. ''Why am I still bringing it around? Is it because it’s the only thing linking me to the father I know? I never had the feeling of wanting to meet my father before.''

''No—I probably still want to meet him. I created an impression of father myself though mother’s words and the immaturity of my sealed memories. I let myself believe to make up for the ‘absent’ reality, and there are still a lot of things I should really look forward too.'' Banagher was hoping that he could one day lift his head up high and meet the man who was his father, and such an idea gave him his minimum level of aspiration and made him not stay inside the slums that were his hometown. Perhaps it was this motivation to improve that was effective in a certain way that was able to allow him to endure his mother’s death and take on that loneliness of being isolated by the world.

''But in reality—''Banagher put down Haro and closed up the seal of his memories. Haro floated around in zero gravity, hit the wall and flicker its eyes, flapping its ears and making some sounds.

“…A long time ago, there was a story that was passed down like a legend.”

As Haro made noises, Audrey’s voice directed itself at Banagher, who moved his face slightly.

“Once the Laplace Box is opened, the Federation government will reach its end.”

Banagher was driven by a pulsating feeling and turned behind. He saw Audrey rooted over there, a figure in the darkness.

“This isn’t something everyone knows of. However, something that involves the center of what they call society will naturally reach some people’s ears somewhere. One must fear the Vist Foundation. They have the Box. Those that follow the Foundation will have riches and honors, and those who disobey will have death…”

It felt like a supernatural story. Banagher swallowed his saliva, but Audrey shrugged him aside as she continued to state calmly,

“Nobody knows what was inside that Box, but they knew it really existed. The Laplace Box was a form of convenience obtained from the government, an invisible pressure on the government’s eyes. The most triumphant example is the Anaheim Electronics company. It single-handedly controls the military needs and public needs, and won’t be pursued even when it was helping Neo Zeon. Without the backing of the Vist Foundation, it would be impossible to imagine that they would have such rights.”

Banagher unwittingly used his hand to touch the chest of his jumper. The initials and crest of Anaheim Electronics was printed on it, and they left a rough feeling on his fingers.

“Cardeas Vist intended to hand that Box over to the “Sleeves”…Neo Zeon. The location was Industrial 7, the colony builder that was under the name of the Vist Foundation. However, the Federation army sniffed out signs of the deal and sent this ship and the Special Forces over. And then…”

That battle happened. Banahger sense that his body was about to tumble over as he used his hand to hold onto the pile of cardboard boxes.

“I had to prevent the Laplace Box from being handed over to Neo Zeon. I don’t know Cardeas Vist’s real intent. However, Neo Zeon still can’t use that Box. Once that power that can topple the Federation land in their hands, there will undoubtedly be a war that will be like the One Year War, causing devastation on both sides.”

Banagher recalled the history shows he once saw on the television, the images of the colony landing on earth. It was an idea of ‘throwing a colony down’ that a colony in orbit was slowed down to act as a mass bomb. The military country controlled by the Zabi family, the atrocities of Zeon, the moment the megacity was wiped out, and how the landscape was changed as a result, bringing about all sorts of calamities onto the earth. There was no need for special technology and expenses. By manipulating the resources around them, they were able to cause a disaster that never happened before—''that’s right, it’s not difficult to destroy the world just like that.'' Banagher abruptly thought.

''With some imagination and madness to do it, it’s not difficult to destroy the world. There are definitely many chances to start a war of total annihilation, but people probably haven’t discovered them yet. If the Laplace Box contains such methods, and if they end up in the hands of Neo Zeon that is the descendant of Zeon…''

“Neo Zeon hasn’t obtained the Box yet, but since they know it exists, they will come for it no matter how many times. The same thing as yesterday will happen again. A war will start. We have to destroy it before it actually happens.”

“Don’t tell me, that is…”

''There’s no need to hear the answer.'' Audrey answered with her eyes.

“It’s not the Box itself, but a guide to the Box. Cardeas Vist handed the key to open the Box, the “Unicorn Gundam”…that machine to you, his heir.”

The last words Cardeas left behind and the words about the “Unicorn Gundam” everyone on the ship was rambling about started to echo in Banagher’s head. He slowly floated around in zero gravity, leaning his back on the cardboard boxes. Audrey stared at him and twitched her long eyelashes slightly.

“I don’t feel that the current world is perfect. We have a lot we want to say as well, but if we let so many people die…I think there’s still a way to gradually change the world’s thinking. Up till now, humanity has managed to survive like this. It’s better not to have such a thing like the Laplace Box—”

“Who, who are you?”

''I couldn’t listen to everything you said.'' He said. Audrey’s shoulders jerked slightly.

“It’s like you know everything about Neo Zeon…it’s like I’m listening to some great person. It’s different from your voice in Industrial 7.”

Audrey lowered her head and closed her mouth. It was the same whenever she faced him and raised some unreasonable requests; it was the same when she said that she did not need him, the helpless look she showed during that short moment after she finished her words. The wavering of emotions that were restrained showed that she was actually rather delicate. She was smart and had a strong sense of responsibility, but in contrast, those emerald eyes would not see anything else once she was determined. The side of her face that showed a slight smile when she called herself duckweed was alluring enough to drag him in. It was not simply because Banagher could resonate with her emotionally, but that he realized that there’s a spark in the resonance to her existence.

Right now, Audrey did not have that charisma. Even as she pretended to talk in like an adult, it was the same. The way she held back by her position as she spoke covered her up. ''Is it because she can’t remain undefended against me once she feels that I’m necessary to her? If that’s the case, I might as well be someone unnecessary to her.'' “Let me hear your voice.” Banagher said. ''This alone won’t be able to create a spark because I’m not smart enough to act based on logic.''

“I want to hear, not about what you have to do, but what you want to do. If you’re willing to tell me…”

What can I do then? Banagher’s voice softened as he spoke, and he was unhappy about his own sputtering as he waited for Audrey to speak up. ''Logic doesn’t matter. Just find something that allows you to find your passion. Find a passion that allows us to be together, that passion that can’t be created in the disjointed world, that passion that can resist the icy cold world.'' Banagher felt that no matter whom Audrey was, that would be enough for him to escape from here. ''To save her, I have to bear the weight of the world—''even if Cardeas’ words became reality.

Audrey lowered her eyes and clenched her fists, having finally showed an expression of realization. She stared at Banagher.

“I want—”

“What are you two doing?”

A cold voice suddenly rang, interrupting the rest of the words. Banagher froze and at the door from past Audrey’s shoulders, who in turn was stunned. With the light source shining from the corridor, Banagher could tell that it was Micott standing at the door.

“Being all sneaky over here…what are you doing, you? Pretending to be missing along with everyone, is there something you want to discuss with Banagher?”

Micott let out stinging words as she grabbed tightly onto the door frame. Banagher felt the icy expression from her eyes as he stood in front of Audrey. “I’ll take to you later, Micott…” he said “WHEN’S LATER!?” Micott’s loud voice echoed throughout the room, causing the skin to tremble.

“A lot of thing was messed up ever since this woman appeared here! Are you one of the terrorists allies? Now you’re intending to trick Banagher? What are you planning?”

''I just entered a trap I dug myself and forgot about''—he had such a feeling. “I…” Audrey muttered softly, only to stop midway and bite her lips. Banagher saw this and instinctively growled back, “Micott, that’s not right of you.” “What…” Micott cringed back as her eyes showed signs of tears.

“The colony we lived in is ruined! Slyvia and Mario disappeared like dust! Even Anaheim Electronics was blown with the ground…do you think I can forgive her!?”

No response. He felt that Micott’s response was the normal one, and yet felt that he had to continue to keep a secret. Both these issues bore down on Banagher’s heart, and the thought of him being the worst traitor bored down on his heart. ''I can’t go back to Industrial 7. I can’t remain in the days with the disjointed feeling. It’s really a path of no return.'' All sorts of thoughts appeared in Banagher’s heart.

“If you’re allied with the terrorists, I—”

She stared at Audrey with teary eyes and eked out a voice before stopping there. “Ah, over here.” “Miss Micott, disappearing like that out of a sudden is really…” as they wondered why other voices came over from the passage, Takuya and Ensign Mihiro appeared at the door.

Takuya first noticed them in the room as he blinked and said, “Huh, Banagher?” Mihiro, who put his hand on Micott’s shoulder, showed a shocked expression as she said with an absent-minded tone, “What are you doing here, Miss Audrey? Everyone’s been looking for you.” After a short pause, “Sorry, but I’m still not used to controlling the liftgrip.” Audrey said the answer she had already prepared beforehand. Banagher looked back in Micott’s direction after seeing Audrey answer, and realized that they would be doomed if things were revealed here. However, Micott did not look at anyone as she merely shook of Mihiro’s hand to leave the scene.

“Wait, Miss Micott!” Mihiro called out as she chased after her. Banagher too got onto the corridor and witnessed Mihiro turn around the cross junction. Takuya then got up from behind to clamp Banagher on the neck and whisper, “What exactly is going on?”

“Even if you ask…”

“I did help you speak up the last time, but actually, I still haven’t accepted things yet.”

Takuya put his hand on Banagher’s hand and glanced at the door of the room where Audrey was in. Banagher’s fingers that were placed on Takuya’s arm shuddered slightly.

“Her lack of immigration record will be exposed once we get back to “Industrial 7”. You better put an end to this before that happens.”

Takuya quickly finished and released Banagher, stepping on the floor to leave. ''He’s not actually angry, but worried about me.'' Banagher stared at the back of Takuya that gave this vibe and saw a glimmer of hope. He then met Audrey’s eyes at the door. ''Put an end to this—how?'' As both their eyes gazed into each other’s “You brats actually came all the way here!?” a rude grol rang through the corridor, and the guard showed a completely different expression as he stood at the cross junction.