Okay, this one may need som explaining, but if you'd rather read, just scroll down to the first page break.
A while ago I started writing my own original Gundam series, Mobile Suit Gundam Eternal, and for a while it was all good. I felt the characters wern't Mary and gary Stu's, the suits were original...ish (A few inspirations from past mobile suits, but not enough to to instil copyright theft), and there was a few of reverances to past Gundam series which had inspired me (As is my custom when writing original fics)
But after completing the eleventh chapter, I noticed something.
Unlike Gundam, which most of the time has at least one mech fight per episode, my story had only three or four giant robot fights out of a total of eleven chapters. In fact, when I looked over it, I realised the layout was more similiar to that of Full Metal Panic then Gundam (Which is just as good I might add).
I also felt that what gundam fighting there was seemed a little generic and identical.
So I came up with an idea. To try and get over the fighting problem, I decided to try my hand at writing several fan fics based on series that had fights in them on a episode by episode basis (Sort of like what I did for Star Trek: Infinite Ryvius for example).
The end results were my on-going Avatar: The Last Airbender fic: AVATAR: Last of the Black Core (Which itself was retreived from the remains of another fan-fic: Project Avatar) and this one.
Mobile Suit Gundam MS Igloo is a pretty good series(I don't think they should dub it though, because english words would be hard to match up to thier japanese speaking mouths), and I thought, seeing as many think Gundam Seed is a remake of the original Gundam, why not take this small series and see what I could do with it?
As to why I set it before Bloody Valentine, There arn't many fics that seem to be from that time, and I thought it'd be interesting to set it there, simple as that.
Last note, I've set the status to complete because each episode, aside from the last two, are seperate stories, so no cliff hangers, and so technically complete.

Anyway, I hope this makes good reading, annd I hope you enjoy it.

Enjoy,

PHASE 01

THE VANISHING SERPENT

DATE: NOVEMBER 25th, COSMIC ERA: SIXTY-NINE

Space is so…quiet.

An empty void, with nothing but my own breathing to keep my company.

…

I hated space suits.

It's why I focused on my engineering skills rather then the piloting ones everyone seemed to go for in this time of tension.

Everyone wants to get behind the controls of a GINN, and even I'll admit, it is tempting to request a transfer.

But then I'd have to wear these skin tight things more often then I liked.

Besides, what's the point of training for war when there's no war to fight?

Then again…

I inclined my head slightly, allowing the curved emerald prow of the Laurasia Class carrier Valiant to rotate into view, the last segments of my first assignment ambling slowly along the dotted yellow line from the boxy cargo ship just out of site.

War had always been a possibility, but I had never thought it to be a reality until I graduated from the ZAFT academy. I had heard about the skirmishes of course. Far away battles that had erupted when tensions rose to far, only to be quickly quelled through negotiation and diplomacy.

But on this day, November 25th, Cosmic Era Sixty-Nine, A full scale conflict between Naturals and Coordinators seemed reduced to these passing battles and nothing more.

The Valiant quickly disappeared off to my left as I let my rotation go to far, the blue marble of Earth quickly replacing in the far off distance.

I smiled slightly as shifted to slow to a halt, gently holding up a hand towards the place of my birth, and "holding" it between my thumb and forefinger.

A friend of mine had once told me she Earth must be a confined place. Well…maybe it was in the grand scheme of things, that's why we built the PLANTs.

Doesn't look that way from here though.

"Emergency warning! Incoming!"

I snapped out of my daydream as the Valiant's Communication's officer's voice broke through my thoughts, my body spinning round just in time to see the guiding lines disappear with a wink.

"What the…?"

"All hands to battle stations!" The Captain's voice rang through my ears as I squinted through the void for the illusive enemy, "I repeat all hands to battle stations,"

It didn't take me long to find what I was looking for.

Nelsons. Two of them.

No good would come of this.

"Hurry up and get those engines started! The Laurasia class is supposed to be the pride of the ZAFT fleet, let's not disappoint the boys back home!"

"Yes sir!"

Captain Gregory Jenkins winced slightly as the first energised beam shots sailed across the bridge's main viewport, mission the ship by inches.

"This is definitely not what I signed up for," the Captain smirked as he pushed his hat up along his bald dome, "How close were we to death that time?"

"Estimated forty metres of port bow," the CIC officer looked back towards her commander with relief, "We're currently too far away for them to get off a decent shot," her smile faded slightly, "Unfortunately we'll be in optimal target range within five minutes,"

"The Myria is heading to intercept Captain," Jenkins barely heard his communications officer as their accompanying ship roared past, "Also reporting the Paraná has dumped the last of it's cargo and is making it's escape,"

"Then we'll give it some cover," the Captain nodded to himself, "Weigh anchor, put us between the Nelsons and the Paraná, but don't return fire unless we have too. We don't want a battle on our hands…"

"Are you serious!?!"

Jenkins' winced at the heavily Russian accented voice as a portly officer stood up in a rage, small blue eyes glowering in disbelief as his scratchy bearded mouth turned into a thin line.

"We're not going to stand and fight? We're just gonna turn and leave with our tail between our legs while the Myria takes all the glory!?"

"Gunnery Chief…"

"Come on! Two Laurasias against a pair of Nelsons? That's an even match! More then that even,"

"Gunnery Chief Simmons," The Captain rose dangerously from his chair, the gunner not even flinching in the face of his superior, "I understand your position, however…"

"If you'd understood, then you'd let me shoot!" Jenkins winced slightly at the spray of spit that lashed his face, "What's the point of having turrets if we're not going to use them!?"

"The point is knowing when to use them, and when not to use them," I smiled grimly as I floated onto the Bridge, all eyes turning to me as I came to a halt at the captain's chair, letting my helmet float aimlessly beside my pale brown haired head, "And right now we shouldn't fire, but neither should we retreat. The Paraná's cargo was vital to our assignment. Our main objective should be to capture the last pods that were ejected before a stray shot takes them out,"

"Ah shut you're your face you redcoat egomaniac!" I bristled as the gunner turned his attention to me, "What do you know about battle tactics? We should fight now, and we can pick up your "precious" cargo later!"

"If we don't retrieve it now, we might not get a second chance!" I felt my hands clench at my sides as I stared Simmons down, "That equipment could change the course of future battles if we save it!"

"Don't talk rot! Nothing can beat a descent blaster kid, not even those fancy GINNs they've been churning out…"

"ENOUGH!!!" The Captain's voice thundered about the Bridge, causing me to involuntarily snap to attention, "I WILL HAVE SILENCE ON MY BRIDGE DO YOU HEAR ME!?!"

"Captain! The Paraná!"

A flash of white grasped my attention as another pair of emerald beam shots soared by the Valiant, my hazel eyes just catching the silhouette of the cargo ship framed against it's own explosion before the ship I had stood on mere hours before hand detonated in spectacular display of light and shrapnel.

"Well soldier," I turned back to the Captain as he stared me down darkly, "We've just lost good men and women for your cargo. I hope it's worth it,"

"Incoming message from the Myria!" The Comm. Officer put a hand to her ear piece as she frowned slightly, "Reporting one Nelson destroyed, the other in full retreat,"

"Now see what you've done!" I scowled darkly as Simmons slumped angrily back into his seat, "All this bickering cost us a good fight! Lousy redcoats, think they know everything…"

"That will do Simmons," Jenkins held up a hand for silence, before turning back to me grimly, "Let's use this moment of peace before they come back with reinforcements. Get your cargo son, but be quick about it,"

DATE: NOVEMBER 19TH, COSMIC ERA: SIXTY-NINE.

LOCATION: ZAFT MILITARY ACADEMY CAMPUS, APRILIUS ONE.

"Marcus Alexander Westfield," Ezalia Joule tapped the file in front of her as her dark eyes travelled the length of my body, as though studying me, "Born July 15th, CE Fifty-Three, London, Earth. A First Generation. You're parents are Naturals?"

"Yes Ma'am," I nodded quickly, "But my Uncle is a Coordinator. My grandparents were always for the use of genetic manipulation but…well…my father was the result of…"

"Say no more," the grey haired woman held up an understanding hand, "I obviously didn't summon you here for your life story," the council member leaned forward slightly with a mysterious smile, "No, I summoned you, on your graduation day no less, because you're one of the best students the Academy's churned out recently. A redcoat, an elite…and an engineer no less. I must say I'm surprised. Many of your fellows have been assigned to the mobile suit divisions, but you…"

"I'm…not fond of pilot suits Ma'am," I winced slightly at the glare she gave me from interrupting, "Especially fighting in them. Also…my father was an engineer, as was my grandfather. I guess I just wanted to carry on the tradition,"

"Well…you certainty speak your mind," Joule smirked slightly, "You better watch your tongue though Mr. Westfield, it might get you in trouble with your new superiors. You've been assigned to the 603rd Technical Evaluation Unit aboard the Valiant, a Laurasia Class Carrier under the command of Captain Gregory Jenkins. With tensions as they are, many of us on the Council fear that war will soon be upon us. As such, new weapons and defensive technologies are being developed as we speak. It will be your job to test them for us, and evaluate their effectiveness in actual combat situations,"

"Actual Combat situations?"

"You've no doubt seen them on the news," she waved her hand dismissively, "Small conflicts have been erupting throughout space and within our allies territories on Earth. Nothing substantial as of yet but…" She faded off as pulled herself out of the chair, walking over to the large bay windows that overlooked the Academy's parade ground down below, watching the festivities of the graduation ceremonies unfold before, "If it's any consolation, Both myself and National Defence Chairman Zala are…unhappy with placing an officer fresh from the Academy in the line of fire…into this witch's pot as it were,"

"Witch's pot…Ma'am?"

The council member chuckled slightly as she turned to take in my confusion, "Chairman Zala made the comment. He said the 603rd Technical Evaluation Unit would be like a pot of stew. A Captain, whose last command was a fifty year old passenger transport. A ship, The Valiant, that was originally designed as a cargo freighter. Add to that one green engineer. And finally to top it all off, a hot headed commander who has to have everything go her way. Quite the concoction if you ask me,"

"Will this Commander be my superior then Ma'am?"

"To a certain extent. On the Valiant, Captain Jenkins' word is law in all things not related to any equipment you might be testing. The Commander makes all decisions relating to your assignments however," Joule smiled at me as she walked back over to her desk, "So in a sense, you will have to superiors to contend with,"

"I will be able to handle it Ma'am," I nodded effeminately, "I will do my best to see that my reports are as accurate as possible. Technology that is truly useful will always gain the proper recognition. If I feel a machine is not worth mass production, I am sure the Commander will agree with me,"

"We shall see," Joule pressed a button on the desk, a amll screen embedded into the nearby wall lighting up with the symbol of ZAFT, at 0800 hours tomorrow, report to the cargo ship Paraná. It will take to your rendezvous with the Valiant at L4, in addition to your first assignment,"

The screen changed, a blue and white schematic filling the monitor. My eyes widened as I took in the data before me, a lump forming in my throat as I realised how much destructive power Ezalia Joule had just handed over to me.

"This is…"

DATE: NOVEMBER 25th, COSMIC ERA: SIXTY-NINE

The Bridge was a lot calmer when I floated in an hour later, now properly dressed in my crimson uniform. Nevertheless, there was definitely a eeriness to the quiet as I came to a stop in front of the captain, as though the battle before a stunned everyone into silence.

"Marcus Westfield, reporting for duty Captain Jenkins," I saluted smartly as my superior stared down at me calmly from his seat on high, "I have been assigned to this ship as part of the 603rd Technical Evaluation Unit. Also, I feel I must apologise for my earlier interruption. I…I panicked,"

"That's an understatement,"

"Simmons, enough," The Captain growled at his gunnery chief as the bearded man sulked back to his console, "At ease Mr. Westfield, and don't punish yourself so much. I didn't expect a officer fresh from the Academy to make rational decisions in his first taste of battle. That said…" he steeped his fingers as he continued to gaze down at me, "Do you know how many lives were lost with the sinking of the Paraná?"

"I was only on board the Paraná for under a week sir," I shifted uncomfortably in the zero gravity, "but for a ship of it's class, and considering no escape pods were jettisoned prior to the explosion…I would say…one hundred fifty,"

"Indeed," Jenkins sighed as he pushed off the chair to the deck below, "The reason that ship was targeted first was due to it's speed. The Captain of the Nelson no doubt was trying to take out all ships so there would be no one to tell of the attack,"

"Do you really think the Earth Alliance would be so ruthless?"

"Oh yes," the Captain's answer came without hesitation, "I may have been captain of civilian vessels, prior to this assignment, but I know the way Natural commanders think. War is coming son, and every Earth Alliance Captain out there wants to kill as many Coordinators as he can so when the call is officially announced, they'll have an even greater number advantage against us, and with all due respect to your…enthusiasm, I'd much rather protect innocent civilians, then a cargo I know nothing about,"

"That unknown cargo may change the course of the coming war Captain," I turned around in surprise as a new, feminine voice entered the conversation, "I will admit your attempt to protect the Paraná was…courageous, but retrieval of the cargo should have been a priority as well,"

The white coat that adorned her lithe form was the first thing I noticed about this newcomer, my hand coming up to my head in salute almost automatically as she came up beside me.

I got the distinct impression she was one of those people was attractive and knew it, her flame red hair, contrasting with her pale skin, tied back into a pony-tail at the top of her skull, allowing for a sing lock to trail across her face in the zero gravity, a smile that didn't quite meet her pale blue eyes sent my way as she returned the salute, before turning her attention to the Captain.

"I heard about the skirmish earlier," her voice was clipped and to the point, "Do you need to be reminded that this ship is a frigate, not a passenger liner? If the need arises, this ship can defend itself, and could of held off the Nelsons, allowed the Paraná to escape and retrieved the cargo in relatively quick time, or was your mind still back in your civilian days?"

Jenkins scowled darkly, "You're awfully young to be talking to your elders like that,"

"I'm seventeen sir," the woman smirked, "I graduated with top honours from the Academy class of 68. I've earned this uniform. Besides," she glanced at me out of the corner of her eye, "It looks like you're going to have to get used to the younger generation if this is the evaluation engineer they sent," She returned her gaze to the Captain as I frowned at her tone of voice, "The Myria fought…valiantly…throughout the battle to it's end, and thus fulfilled it's duties as a ship of the Fleet, which is more then I can say for this ship, which not only tried to escape without firing a single shot, but failed to attempt to retrieve the property of ZAFT until the battle was over. I wonder Captain Gregory Jenkins, which commanding officer will receive the greater praise in the reports from this skirmish?"

Jenkins smiled tightly, one hand clenching hard enough for his knuckles to turn white.

"You're a tough customer I'll grant you that," his eyes narrowed to slits, "But still, nothing I haven't already seen in my civilian duties. Do you have a name by any chance? Or do I have to call you Sir all the time?"

"Commander Sarah Michaels," she held out a pale hand towards him, "I've been assigned to this ship as part of the 603rd Technical Evaluation Unit," she smiled almost sweetly…almost, "I look foreword to working with you,"

"It will certainty be an…interesting venture," the Captain's smile continued to be slightly forced as he turned to me, "Well, now that we're all here, perhaps Mr. Westfield can tell us what exactly was so important that I couldn't focus on protecting a ship full of civilians,"

"Yes sir," I swallowed nervously as two pairs of eyes turned to me, "Well…I could tell you…but it's slightly easier to explain if I just show you…"

Commander Michaels, Captain Jenkins," I swept my hand across the observation window to the busy storage hanger below, "I present to you the first prototype of Project GENESIS: the XASC-76A Jörmungandr,"

I smiled nervously as the two officers stared down into the chaos that my first assignment had left the Valiant's storage hanger in.

Flying as best they could around the separated segments of the super weapon, various engineers shouted to one another as the parts were secured for transport, a few careful to avoid the pair of GINNs that seemed to be standing in everybody's way.

"Is it supposed to be in pieces?"

"Yes it's supposed to be in pieces…Ma'am," I added hastily as Michaels glared at me sharply, "But it's designed for easy assembly. Once the engineers have practiced several times, it's been estimated at a maximum of fifteen minutes,"

The Commander frowned as she returned her gaze to the bedlam below, "That doesn't sound very quick,"

"With respect Ma'am, considering it's a two hundred and thirty one metre long super weapon….yes it is," I tried my best to smile reassuringly, only to fail as it earned me another stern look, my own hazel eyes turning to the clipboard held in my hands, "According to it's design, the Jörmungandr is able to lock onto an enemy ship long before it can lock onto the weapon. In addition, Digital simulations indicate that this anti-ship cannon has the power to easily take out a Nelson in a single shot, and definitely the experimental Agamemnon flagships the Alliance has been developing,"

"Intelligence reports indicate the Agamemnon to be over three hundred metres long," Jenkins folded his arms across his chest as he watched the engineers at work, "That's a lot of firepower you've got there Mr. Westfield. Mind telling us how it achieves such a high destructive power output,"
"Yes sir," I touched a keypad built into the corner of my clipboard, the nearby screen blinking onto the schematics a moment later, "The Jörmungandr was originally based on a design for a type of engine that would enable fast travel throughout most of the solar system. Simply put, it uses three nuclear reactors to produce a massive burst of radiation, which is then reflected by a expendable mirror which is then reflected by a second mirror to create an incredibly deadly laser beam. In addition, once the laser is fired, the expendable mirror is fired along with the beam, thus creating a solid projectile which increases damage sustained, if that's at all possible, in addition to clearing the barrel quickly for the next shot,"

"Do we have a estimated power ratio?" Michaels turned her gaze from the window to the semantics as she leaned back in the zero gravity.

"Hard to tell," I frowned as I scanned through my notes, radiation isn't measured the same as weaponry, but…apparently it would be something akin to that of 150, 000 kilowatts,"

"Range?"

"Optimum range is around three hundred kilometres but at maximum I'd say you still have a maximum impact of the beam alone at around one thousand eight hundred to two thousand kilometres,"

"Well well, that's all very interesting redcoat," I froze at the Russian accent as a certain gunnery chief ambled into the operation lounge, "I can see why the Council has pinned such high hopes on your little pop gun there,"

"You're late Mr. Simmons…"

"Ah don't go busting my balls," I grasped the chair in front of me as the officer slapped me round the back, the wind knocked clear out of me, "I'll just leave you engineers to your construction project," he smirked as he floated out the way he had come, "You just let me know when I have a big gun to fire and I'll be there. Commander," he snapped off a salute as he headed out the door, "Captain,"

"Bizarre man," Michaels frowned after the departing officer, turning to the Captain as I gasped for breath, "Where did you find him?"

Jenkins merely shrugged, "He came with the ship,"

"Captain Jenkins come in,"

The captain sidled over to the comm. Line embedded in the nearby wall, "What is it Bridge?"

"Nothing important sir but…well…I thought you may want to see this,"

The semantic faded, replaced a moment later by images of the vacuum outside.

What I saw made my heart stop.

Drop-ships. Hundreds of old cargo freighters hurriedly refitted with large cone like pods, each being filled with large yellow cylinders, a large menacing looking drill fitted to one end of each.

"What…" my throat had gone dry, I could barely speak, "What are those? Nuclear missiles?"

"No worse," I turned to the Commander expectantly, a part of my mind stunned as I took in her lowered head and clenched fists, "Their Neutron Cancellers. They're…collateral, in case the Naturals get…trigger happy,"

"Trigger happy?" I glared at her angrily, "What are you going to do with them? Plant them in the Earth. That's…" realisation dawned on me as she turned her head further away from me, "That's it exactly isn't it? Kill Nuclear power and the threat of the missiles goes away,"

"It's…it's only if they fire them first," she turned away full from me now, "The GINNs will be able to mobilise more then fast enough to take out anything the Alliance throws at us, but if it's nukes…" she looked over her shoulder at me darkly, "Then the Council has authorised those drop-ships to launch, and when they do…"

"Every single one of those jammers will be released and ploughed deep into Earth's surface," I scowled as the rest of the plan came into my mind, "That's disgusting,"

"It's not like we're firing first," she spun around angrily, "They'll only get it if they attack with nuclear.."

"Do you have any idea what will happen to power on Earth if that plan goes a head," she gasped in pain as I rammed her up against the observation window, Jenkins watching quietly from the sidelines as I dug my nails into her shoulders, "We're talking about a planet wide energy crisis here! Do you know of the chaos that will ensue? The people that will die as a result of a lack of energy? Who are we to deny innocent civilians their power just because their governments are complete bastards!?"
"And who are you to question the decisions of the PLANT supreme council!?" She glared at me fiercely, her panting breath hot on my face, "If those N-Jammers are deployed, it will no one's fault but the Naturals!" she closed her eyes as though to calm herself, for only a moment, "Haven't you heard the saying, an eye for an eye…"

"And a tooth for a tooth," I frowned as I stared into her light blue eyes before pushing away from her towards the door, "That's the basic rules of war isn't first they attack, then we attack in retaliation, and the cycle goes on and on and on…" I gave a half hearted salute as the doors opened with a hiss behind me, "I apologise for assaulting you Commander Michaels. It won't happen again,"

"That man," Sarah glared after the engineer as the doors hissed shut, "That…man! Who the hell does he think he is, attacking a superior officer like that? When I'm through with my report, he'll be lucky if he's dishonourably discharged!"

"If I were you Commander," Jenkins pushed off a nearby chair towards the door, "I'd let his attack slide this time,"

"Slide?" Michaels stared after him in disbelief, "He assaulted me! It's not my fault the Council came to this decision. You're my witness. Are you saying you won't stand by me?"

"I'm saying you should understand his circumstances," Gregory stopped at the doorway, adjusting his hat slightly to give the Commander a piercing stare.

"His circumstances?" she glowered at him angrily, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't file for court-marshal? Just one!"

"It's something us Second Generation Coordinators don't understand as well," the Captain smiled sadly as he pushed himself out of the doorway, "His parents are Naturals, living in London, Earth. If those Jammers are deployed, we just might have signed their death sentences,"

The doors hissed shut as he left the observation lounge, leaving the Commander, stunned and alone, with nothing but images of the space beyond to comfort her.

DATE: DECEMBER 2nd, COSMIC ERA: SIXTY-NINE

It was only a matter of time before they found us.

Mind you, considering the fact we'd been building up our own forces in the area, it wouldn't have surprised me if the location of the N-Jammers may have been leaked on purpose to the Alliance military.

So it was that we, the ZAFT organisation, and the Earth Alliance would clash at Lagrangian Point Four, a conflict that would become a mere footnote on the pages of history books in the face of the war that had yet to come.

But for those of us that fought, it was a time of judgement, for the Valiant, and the Jörmungandr.

It was time for this sleeping serpent to bare it's fangs.

Simmons had never been fond of open space. With such a large weapon, it was impossible for it to be fired from his comfortable chair on the Valiant's Bridge. Still, that said, why the attached command centre was open to the void was beyond him.

It was a simple box, consoles lining three sides, with the top and back removed, a small window out of the front allowing a small view of the coming area.

He supposed the lack of a wall and ceiling did save mony on building giant windows to allow him to see his new toy being constructed.

"Bridge, this is Simmons," the Russian gazed up towards Jörmungandr as he watched the three nuclear reactors slowly locked into place with the segmented barrel, "I understand the basics of this weapon. We should be able ready for firing at 1030 hours,"

"Gunnery chief!" the older man looked up from his thoughts at the sound of one of his comrades, "Look sir! The fleet!"

Simmons followed the younger man's gaze up to where he indicated, his eyes widening as he gazed upon the awesome sight.

Then he laughed. Long and loud, shaking his fists in victory as his comrades cheered them on.

High above them, thirty Laurasia class frigates soured over head, half peeling off to hide for a surprise attack amidst the wreckage of long forgotten space colonies.

The Earth Forces didn't stand a chance.

"Reading a signal from the flagship of the fleet," I turned as the Communications officer called out to her Captain, "Message reads: the outcome of this battle will be determined by you and the new weapon. Our fleet will split into two battle groups. The first will engage the enemy until the last of your ammunition had been used up, the second will attack the remaining forces once you have desecrated the enemy fleet,"

"Give them this response," Jenkins smiled as he saluted the passing fleet, "We eagerly await for the fleet to send us precise coordinates for the long range attack. We give our thanks in advance. Good hunting,"

DATE: DECEMBER 2nd, COSMIC ERA: SIXTY-NINE

TIME: 1045 HOURS.

"Bridge this is Simmons," I clenched my fists slightly as the Gunnery Chief's voice pierced the tense atmosphere that enveloped the Bridge, "Assembly of the Jörmungandr is complete. All technicians have withdrawn back to the Valiant,"

"Roger that Gunnery Chief," I nodded quietly, "This is Marcus Westfield at the experimental monitoring station. Once tactical data has been sent, I will send you the exact coordinates, understand,"

"Yeah yeah, keep your britches on redcoat,"

"Mr. Westfield," I turned to regard the Commander as she stared at me sternly from her chair beside Jenkins, "Please keep in mind that it is the Captain's decision for when the Jörmungandr should be fired, not yours,"

"Roger that Ma'am,"

"And Mr. Westfield,"

"Ma'am?"

"Make sure…do a good job alright?"

"Yes Ma'am,"

I gazed out of the main viewport at the Jörmungandr as it set it's sights ahead to the battlefield; an ugly weapon when I looked at it properly, the trio of nuclear reactors locked into a triangle formation behind a giant barrel, a line of six expendable mirrors embedded into the loading slot near the middle of the weapon, the control centre locked by a mechanical arm jutting out from behind the reactors.

"Coolant preparation completed," I heard Simmons chuckle in my ear, "I'm staking my reputation as a gunner on this pop gun of yours Redcoat,"

I smirked as I switched my viewer to external cameras, "Just do us proud Gunny,"

"Gunny? Hah! You've got guts after all kid, I like that. Reminds my of my mother, a Russian spirit to the end! LOAD THE FIRST ROUND!!!"

"Reports form the front line indicate beam fire! ZAFT Forces returning. Intel indicates fifteen Nelsons and twelve Drakes," the CIC officer grinned from his station, "It's certainty going to be quite a fight!"

"So, it's begun," Simmons smirked as he gazed into the target sensor, one hand clasped firmly around the trigger joystick, "Any word from the observation crews?"

"None yet sir,"

"What?" he looked up from his duties, "Are you sure? The link is strong?"

"The link is perfect sir,"

"Then why the hell aren't we receiving any tactical data!?"

"The Fitzpatrick is confirmed sunk! I repeat, the Fitzpatrick is confirmed sunk! Formation is breaking up!"

"Why?" Michaels ran a hand through her hair as she stared at the screen with agitation, "Why are we getting all this useless information?"

"I'm not sure," I scowled darkly at my readouts, "Sensors indicate the fleet is keeping a fair distance from the Alliance forces. If they just closed for the attack…"

"They're ignoring us!"

"Ma'am?"

"It's so obvious," Jenkins gritted his teeth angrily, "This is clear evidence that they want us to do nothing more then sit on the sidelines! If not, this kind of fighting…"

"Why haven't I received any tactical data?" Simmons' angry helmeted head appeared on the screen above the viewport, "if I don't get anything real soon, I'm gonna start firing on my own!"

"Negative Mr. Simmons!" The Commander stood up quickly, her eyes wide and panicky, "The information will come I know it! They probably just…"

"If I keep waiting, the battle will be over!" Simmons bared his teeth, "This is no good. Jörmungandr firing!"

"No wait!"

With a roar, a burning red beam of light erupted from the Jörmungandr's barrel, the remains of the first expendable mirror soaring across the darkness into the battle beyond.

"Such power," Michaels slumped back into her seat as she watched the shot soar towards the conflict, "Amazing,"

"To bad it didn't hit anything," I frowned as I watched the beam sail through the enemy lines, a single Nelson buckling from the gravitational forces, but relatively unharmed, "This weapon is useless without the proper data," I stood up slowly as I came to a conclusion, "If our own forces won't get that data for us, then someone here has to do it for them!"

"Are you sure this is wise Mr. Westfield?" The Captain gazed at me sternly from the GINN's Comm. Line, "Going out into the heat of battle in a single mobile suit, with no back-up…or a pilot suit?"

"I don't like pilot suits," I scowled darkly as I completed my final checks, "They're tight and itchy, and cockpits are claustrophobic enough as it is. Besides, nine times out of ten the shot that pierces the cockpit destroys the machine,"

"And the one time out of ten that the suit isn't destroyed by that piercing shot?"

"The odds just don't work in my favour that way,"

"Remember Mr. Westfield," Michaels stern face replaced the Captain's, "Head in straight and fast. We need that tactical data as fast as possible," She smirked slightly, "Let's just hope your as good a pilot as you say you're an engineer,"

I snapped off a salute with a smile, "I'll try my hardest Commander. This is Marcus Westfield. GINN, heading out!"

I bit my lip hard as I was thrust into the back of my chair as Valiant's catapult launched me into space, the GINN's thruters further propelling me into the fray.

"Attention all ZAFT vessels, this is Marcus Westfield of the Valiant. In order to gain tactical data for the firing of the Jörmungandr. This is an emergency situation, do not fire on me,"

The GINN rocked as another blood red beam and expendable mirror shot past, my hands clenching tightly around the control sticks as my mobile suit caught the gravitation forces.

"Gunny, hold off on the firing until I send you the tactical data. Please just be patient for a little while longer,"

"Well be quick about it redcoat!" Simmons' eyes narrowed on the comm. screen, "I'm running out off…"

The cockpit was suddenly dyed red as an alert signal blotted Simmons from view.

"What?" I hastily brought my assault rifle to bear, "Incoming?"

I soon realised I wouldn't need it.

Like a swarm of angry bees, ninety GINNs swooped overhead, their rifles aimed and ready as they jumped into the battle, proceeding to cut through the beam fire and slash through the enemy.

"What in the…world?"

"Attention pilot Marcus Westfield of the 603rd Technical Evaluation Unit carrier Valiant," I blinked as I suddenly realised a snow white mobile suit had pulled up along side me, realisation dawning in my eyes as I recognised the blond hair and blue eyes of it's operator on the comm. screen, "You are to convey these instructions to your ship. We are in the middle of an operation. You will leave this battle to the mobile suit squadrons. Is that clear?"

"But sir I…"

"Is that clear Mr. Westfield?"

I gritted my teeth angrily as I stared into his solemn eyes, before slumping back into my chair, my own orbs cast down to me feet,"

"Orders…acknowledged…Rau Le Creuset,"

I let my head thump back against the headrest as the channel was cut without another word. All I could do was watch as ninety GINNs tore the Earth ships apart.

Drakes and Nelsons alike fell to their combined might, explosions lighting up the sky as the battle turned in our favour.

Clearly the second battle group hadn't been waiting for us to deplete our mirrors, they'd been waiting for the perfect moment to deploy their mobile suits and catch the Earth Forces off guard.

"Attention Valiant, this is Westfield," I sighed heavily as I turned my GINN around at headed back the way I had come, "Returning home in accordance with new orders,"

The Bridge was near silent as Marcus signed off. No one spoke, no one moved for a full minute.

"Not…Not only were ignored," Sarah finally found her voice, shaking her head, as though not quite believing what she'd heard, "We weren't even in the battle plan at all…"

"So…what are you saying?" Simmons didn't look up from his position on the screen, "That from the start…there was no reason for us being here!?" He looked up angrily, "Well I don't care. I don't care if we were taken by the council and hung out to dry! Even if it doesn't help us win this fight, I'm still gonna fire this accursed thing!!!"

"Valiant!" The Commander looked up as Westfield's voice resonated through the Bridge, "Incoming missiles!"

The ship rocked as the missile barrage exploded across Valiant's stern, Simmons' image distorting as he cried out in pain before dissolving into static.

"Valiant come in," Marcus' worried face replaced the Gunnery Chief's through the static, "You have a incoming Nelson that broke through the lines. It took out the Jörmungandr's control centre and I don't think I can take it out with what ammunition I have. Please abandon the cannon and get out of there as quickly as you can,"

"Commander Michaels?" Jenkins rolled his head over to gaze at the young officer, Sarah staring ahead at Westfield's desperate face, "All decisions regarding the experimental technologies aboard this ship come under your authority. Do you want us to abandon the Jörmungandr, or should we stand and fight?"

"Captain Jenkins," her voice was harsh and low, barely a whisper, "It is my official opinion…that if the council doesn't see the point of such a weapon, neither do I. you may order the ship to retreat. Mr. Westfield," she focused on him now, "I know you have only used Proto GINNs prior to this encounter…but please try to slow down the Nelson until we have evacuated the gunnery crew,"

"Roger that Ma'am,"

"All Jörmungandr Gunnery Crew members," Jenkins called out as Sarah slumped back in her chair, "If you can hear me, return to the Valiant immediately,"

"…return to the Valiant immediately,"

Simmons laughed harshly as he watched blobs of blood splatter across his helmet. He was the only one left of the Gunnery Crew, the others having been blown clear away by the explosion. He had only managed to survivie because some engineer had had the brains to make the wires in the firing joystick super tough, the stick now jarred loose from it's holding and pulled taunt by the gunner's weight.

"Bridge, this is Simmons," every move he made caused pain, but he made a constant effort to sound strong int eh face of death, "Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not going anywhere. I…can't feel anything below my chest. Everything's numb. Besides…" he swung his arm around to rotate the targeting viewer into his vision, "Even if I could move…I wouldn't make it in time with the rate that ship's baring down on us," He grinned as he watched a solitary GINN dot around the Nelson, trying it's hardest to get the ship's attention, "Heh, you keep at it redcoat,"

"Hang in there Mr. Simmons," The captain's voice was stern in his ears, "We're sending out a shuttle to pick you up. Valiant may have been abandoned, but that doesn't mean we say the same for our own,"

"Ah, that's the spirit Captain," Simmons grinned as he wiggled the joystick until the target fell upon the Nelson's prow, "Unfortunately the enemy's heading this way, you'd only be creating unnecessary casualties if you sent someone out to get me. Besides, they're coming straight at me, not like I can miss for a third time eh?"

A beam shot soared over head mere minutes before the turret was destroyed my Marcus' gunfire, causing the Russian's grin to increase, "Looks like the redcoat's causing them to panic. No doubt they'll try to take me out before they run out of offensive weaponry,"

"It doesn't matter Gunny," Westfield's voice echoed through his ears as stars began to dance at the edge of his vision, "I'm out of ammo. I'm coming in to pick you up…"

"You stay where you are redcoat," Simmons scowled darkly, pain now wracking his body with the slightest of movements as the world went dark, "It seems to me…mobile suits will be the key to the door of victory in this upcoming war. At least…from here I can…end the era of the big guns…with a bang…"

The button depressed, the cannon shook as his final shot was fired, and darkness encompassed him.

All I could do was watch.

Watch as Jörmungandr's barrel fired one last shot across space, the expendable mirror tearing through the Nelson's bow like it was made of tin foil, the following gamma ray laser beam slicing through one end of the hull and out the other, the entire ship ballooning out of shape before exploding in a ball of blue light, shockwaves forcing me to grasp the GINN's control sticks as I was temporarily blinded by the luminosity that engulfed my cameras.

But the time the light faded, there was nothing left, save for a few floating pieces of scrap metal, and the sheer awe I felt at the realisation of the power of the cannon that nobody wanted.

Dear Shiho,

My first assignment out in the field was not all I had expected it to be. While I had initially hoped to be assigned to somewhere Earth-bound, I did feel honoured to be selected by Committee member Joule as a member of the 603rd Technical Evaluation Unit.

As I said however, my first assignment was not what I expected it to be.

The Jörmungandr's power…astounded me. Even though of the three fired three shots only one hit it's mark, the fact it actually destroyed a Nelson Class battleship in one attack is…incredible. Despite this, due to the fact we were blatantly ignored during the course of the skirmish, and were never given the proper tactical data we needed, this super weapon was never given the chance to prove itself, or have a major outcome on the battle. Perhaps it was for the best, for even I fear the consequences of using such a destructive weapon may have created a more power hungry hand then ZAFT and the PLANTs can handle.

Also, the loss of Aleksandro Simmons, the gunner of the Jörmungandr to the end, was also a great loss to us.

At the same time, I got to see, and even pilot, a GINN mobile weapon in actual combat. Watching those machines in action, even feeling the thrill of piloting one myself, was amazing in it's self. I can't help but think however…if Jörmungandr had been given the same attention as the GINNs…I firmly believe that it's potential would have been the same, possibly greater.

But as I said, perhaps it is better this serpent never rears it's fangs again, lest even bigger snakes are spawned form it's legacy.

As usual give my love to your parents, and tell my Uncle not to worry so much, as I know he will be after watching the news feeds.

My best regards,

Marcus.

If any of you are wondering why he's writing to Shiho, I have a back story running around my head, which I might post as part of this fic, or maybe as a seperate one-shot, but she is one of my fav characters, so that's the real world explanation. Also, Marcus Westfield is the main character of Gundam Eternal, which is why he's different from Oliver May, the protagonist of Gundam MS Igloo. I just felt it'd be eaiser to write and compare to Eternal this way.

I hope you enjoyed this. If you are going to review though (And I really hope you do) please don't flame. I accept constructive criticism.

Again I hope you enjoyed, and I hope you'll be reading the next chapter once it's finished.

Dearing