Athrun's Defection

"Guard the entrances! Search every room and the surrounding area!"

Armed soldiers shouted as they ran down the corridor.

They appeared to be the base's security troops.

Meyrin Hawke had been heading back to her dorm room. Seeing them, she quickly pressed herself against the wall and let the large group pass.

"Take him alive if possible. If necessary, shoot him on sight!"

Meyrin found those words terrifying.

Had something serious happened?

Once they had gone, Meyrin hurried back to her room.

Outside the window, sweeping searchlights carved through the deep night.

She sat down at her desk and turned on her computer.

"What on earth is going on? What happened—?"

She connected to the base intelligence center and browsed the security reports, hoping to find the latest information that had been released.

Just then, her door opened a crack, and a figure silently slipped through it.

Meyrin noticed and jumped in fright, only to see wet black hair, a handsome face, and a red uniform—

"Athrun...?"

The cry that escaped her was immediately muffled by a hand over her mouth.

Their faces drew close in an instant. Meyrin could even see her own reflection in Athrun's green eyes.

"...Sorry. I just want to leave. Please... don't make a sound."

A sharp light shone in his eyes, though his voice was remarkably calm. Meyrin could not help blushing and hurriedly nodded.

Only then did Athrun remove his hand.

He held a rifle in his other hand.

Her heart pounded. The person she admired was standing so close to her, making such a bold and furtive move, that Meyrin's mind became a complete mess.

Confused, she whispered:

"Are you... being hunted? Why...?"

Why would a hero of the previous war, and a FAITH, be hunted down?

Athrun spat irritably. "Ask Ray