Gundam SEED: Mechwarrior

by DreamersLTD

If you can dream, then anything is possible. – DreamersLTD Motto

Before you read: This story combines the world of Mechwarrior/Battletech and Gundam together. If you don't fully understand the concepts that will be used, I recommend that you look some info up on Wiki or BattleTechWiki. Mainly the genetic portion, clan customs and groups, and the technology used, as they will be applied to the story. And any MS or MA can now be ridiculously heavier as the techs used are lighter and more resilient. But now, enough of my speech.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything written here except for the storyline and my custom characters and mecha.


"Targets confirmed. Threat level: Moderately High. Recommendation: Weaken the targets with long-range bombardment," stated an AI.

"No. I have a better plan. I'm going in alone," said a brown-haired and emotionless man.

"Are you sure? There are several anti-MS emplacements."

"Notify the rest of my forces that I shall single-handedly take this town."

"As you command, Shadow Khan Yamato."

In the stillness of the night, a lone unit standing before a small group of others began to silently make its way towards the town. Not one of the others offered to help or support him. Each pilot knew full well how strong their Shadow Khan was.

--

Outside the town, a young female with long, flowing pink hair was strolling through a field filled with blooming evening flowers and enchanted with the presence of glowing fireflies.

"Konna ni tsumetai tobari no fukaku de,

anata wa hitori de nemutteru,

inori no utagoe sabishii nohara wo,

chiisa na hikari ga terashiteta…"

The female had begun to sing a song that she had recently come up with. As she began to delve deeper into the song, she began to make gentle, operatic gestures to help express her feelings with the song.

"Anata no yume wo miteta,

kodomo no you ni waratteta,

natsukashiku mada tooku,

sore wa mirai no yakusoku…"

Her melodious singing and gentle motions combined with the setting made her seem like an enchanted fairy.

"Itsuka midori no asa ni,

itsuka tadoritsukeru to,

fuyugareta kono sora wo,

shinjiteiru kara,

Fields of Hope…"

Little did this young woman know that her evening walk would signify the beginning of a new and drastically different path… one that she had no warning of.

"Umarete kita hi ni dakishimete kureta

yasashii ano te wo sagashiteru–"

A sudden flash of light, followed moments later by a sudden, harsh explosion of sound; caused her to immediately stop in mid-song. She turned to the source… to find that her town was being set ablaze.

"No…! Mother…! Father…!" She ran towards the town as more flashes and explosions lit the peaceful landscape into bursts of harsh black and white.

--

Back as the town, the lone mech fired mercilessly into buildings and fleeing citizens.

"…If you had only surrendered peacefully and agreed to serve as our bondsmen, this would not have happened." The brown-haired male continued to mercilessly devastate the town, letting nothing stand… civilians included.

"Incoming missiles detected," warned the AI.

"Scramble them. Let this town burn further by their own weapons."

"Aff."

The missiles shortly fell off course and added their power to the destruction. Soon, the town was all up in flames. Hundreds of civilians lay dead, littering the roads and sidewalks. "Attention all warriors: spread out and capture any survivors that managed to escape the town. They will be given a second chance to work as bondsmen. Quiaff?"

"Aff!" responded his fellow Clanners. With the superior technology of the clans, all the survivors were quickly rounded up… except for one.

--

Elsewhere in the town, one person was desperately searching for her loved ones. "Mother! Father! Where are you!?" the young girl called out as she warily ventured into her family's burning mansion. "Mother!! Father!!"

Suddenly, a part of the first floor ceiling fell and knocked the young female unconscious. 'Am I… going to die… here…? Mother… Father… I hope you both managed to escape…' she last thought.

As the place began to further collapse, a suited individual calmly entered and spotted the unconscious female. "So, this is where you escaped to." His helmet's scanner confirmed that the female was still alive but unconscious. The man then quickly but gently picked up the girl, turned, and effortlessly made his way out of the building before it fully collapsed.

"Sir, all surviving civilians have been captured. Shall we head back for the EisenSturm?" a subordinate asked the Shadow Khan.

"Aff. We will sort out which ones are worthy of serving Clan Star Lion. I will make my return shortly. Quiaff?"

"Aff. We will make our back to the EisenSturm."

The Shadow Khan looked down at his prize. The young girl had pink hair, signifying that she was a Coordinator, and the fact that she lived in a neutral town meant that she had to be a Freeborn; conceived and born the normal way. Though covered in soot, she was admittedly pretty. After examining his prize, the Shadow Khan made his way back to his unit, the XSLX-010 Freedom Gundam.

"Welcome back, Shadow Khan Yamato," greeted the unit's computer. "I've detected a second human within the cockpit. Are you in need of assistance?" In other words, the computer asked; 'Is the second human with you a friend or foe?'

"Neg. She is my bondswoman. She is no threat," stated the Shadow Khan. "Please set a course for the EisenSturm."

"Aff. Setting course for the EisenSturm." The Freedom slowly rose into the air, turned, and then sped off into the night; leaving behind only a burning town.

--

By the time the Freedom touched down within the dropship EisenSturm, the surviving civilians that were taken from the raid were gathered into a group in the center of the landing bay. Several Shadow Guard mechs and several personnel had their beam weapons trained at the huddled group.

As the Shadow Khan left the Freedom, most of his unit saluted him. The rest were ensuring that no civilians escaped from the group. Since he still had the unconscious Lacus in his arms, he nodded back at his cadre. "I will be right back. Strip them down, scan and process them, and do not let any of them escape. Quiaff?"

"Aff!" responded his entire team.

The Shadow Khan turned, and made his way to his quarters. Upon arriving, he gently deposited the unconscious girl onto his bed, and cuffed her arms to the headboard, just to make sure she didn't try to escape. She was a valuable find after all, what with her being the only daughter of Siegel Clyne. Before he could go back to the hangar, his console beeped, warning him of an incoming message. Sighing, he turned back and activated the message system. "Shadow Khan Yamato," he stated.

"Kira! Why were you not answering my communiques!?" demanded a blonde woman wearing a formal white and gold uniform with a matching cape that was held around her neck via a gold chain connected to two gold lion crests. She had an annoyed expression and her gloved hands on her hips. She seemed to be tapping her right foot as well.

The Shadow Khan, aka Kira Yamato, formally bowed. "I am sorry. I was on a mission on planet Daybreak, attempting to convince the planetary governor, Siegel Clyne, to peacefully surrender the whole planet to Clan Star Lion. They refused, so I razed the town that the governor lived in as an example. Any survivors were collected to become potential bondsmen. That is the reason I failed to answer any of your communiques, Khan Yula Athha."

The blonde woman's face went from annoyed to exasperated as she shook her head and palmed the left side of her face. "You did it again. If the person or group of people that you are negotiating with says no, do not just blow the nearest town up. Try to reason out with them." She sighed. "And how many times to I have to say this? Call me by my first name; Cagalli. Ca-ga-lli. We are coincidental twins, after all."

"But Khan Yu–"

"Cagalli."

"Fine, Cagalli... you know as well as I that I was the only successful product of my sibko. And you were just born the exact same time I was. Our genetic male donor was the same man, but our genetic female donors were different. I do not see how we can be sibko members, much less twins."

Cagalli, Khan of Clan Star Lion, then smiled. "Kira, though I was born a Freeborn, my father was your father, or male genetic donor. He was a great warrior and scientist, despite the negative comments about being an elite warrior and studying the lower caste field of science, and he applied some of the experiments that would be used to create you to an egg of my mother. The woman he coupled with, my mother, gave birth to me the exact same time you came into being. As we share the same father, we are twins. And as such, I am your half-sister, or half sibko member."

"...I do not see why we continue to argue this."

"Because it is true. You, a strong Trueborn through and through, and me, a Freeborn raised and bred like a Trueborn, share the same genetic male donor." Before Kira could counter with anything else, Cagalli continued. "Well, the reason I contacted you was because I need you to get to planet Axelim. The Freeborns there are revolting against the government we set up there, and are also disrupting the flow of raw materials needed for warship construction. In this instance, I grant you full authorization to use whatever you have at your disposal to silence the rebellion. We need those materials. Quiaff?"

"Aff. I will do as you say."

"You can finish negotiating with Daybreak after you end the crisis on Axelim. Khan Yula Athha, out."

Kira took a long moment staring at the blank screen, then sighed. He just wasn't used to a Khan acting so openly. Remembering the captives from the siege, he turn and headed out.

--

Meanwhile, as soon as Cagalli ended the conversation with her brother, she heard two knocks on her door. 'I wonder who would disturb me at a time like this...?' she wondered as she walked towards her private condominium's entrance. Two more knocks resounded as she approached the door. "Let us see who is here?" she murmured to herself as she glanced at the screen near the door. Her eyes widened momentarily. "Khan Zala? What is he doing here this late?"

She opened the door, and formally greeted the man. "Good evening, Khan Zala. What brings you to my place here on Strata Mechty?" She took note of what the Khan was wearing. His dark blue hair signified that he was a Coordinator, and that he was wearing full formal regalia, uniform, cape and all, signified that he had just come from a formal meeting with others. She found that during her tenure as Khan, she had a slight preference for Khan Zala.

"Good evening to you as well, Khan Yula Athha. Is a Khan not allowed to visit another Khan?" Khan Zala asked after bowing, a small smile gracing his face.

"Well, there is not a law against that... but at their home away from home?" she questioned.

Khan Zala stepped forward, slightly towering over Cagalli, and preventing her from closing the door. "Khan Yula Athha, I wish to couple with you."

That caused Cagalli to step back in surprise. "Khan Zala...?" she meekly questioned.

Slightly emboldened, Khan Zala stepped in a bit further, once again coming close to Cagalli. "I wish to couple with you." He gently cupped her left cheek with a gloved hand. "I find that I have an interest in you, and that I wish to begin to know you a bit better."

Cagalli had never coupled with anyone before, so she was at a loss. "I too, have an interest in you, Khan Zala, but do you think that this is a bit sudden, when we have never met formally or informally?" For reasons unknown to her, she found that her heart was beating unusually fast.

"Well then, I am Khan Athrun Zala of Clan Blaze Phoenix, and I'm honored to be in your presence, Khan Cagalli Yula Athha of Clan Star Lion." Athrun calmly stated. By now, he had pinned Cagalli against the nearby wall, while discreetly closing the door behind him. He continued to caress Cagalli's cheek.

Cagalli couldn't figure out this man, but she was loosing her self-control. "Khan Zala..."

"Please, just call me Athrun. No formalities while we are alone." Athrun leaned towards Cagalli in preparation for a kiss.

"Then just call me Cagalli..." whatever she wanted to finish saying, she never got the chance as Athrun claimed her lips in a rather passionate way, one that rather defied normal Clan standards.

After breaking it up for some air, Athrun smiled again. "Cagalli, I wish to couple with you. Will you accept, quiaff?

"Aff..." Cagalli responded breathlessly as she allowed Athrun to claim her lips again. Afterwards, she quietly led Athrun to her bedroom, where they then proceeded to couple.

--

Back on the EisenSturm, Kira was busy sorting out potential bondsmen. "Male, 21, good physique... He will be useful as a bondsman. Send him to the male holding bay for now. He will work with tech Murdock once we get back to the Archangel Noir." Kira was facing the group of now naked POW's. Some of them were crying in shame, others were very pissed with the Clansmen; Kira especially, once they found out that he was the one in command.

"Damn you, Clanner! I'll make you pay for this!" roared the man that Kira sent to the holding bay.

Kira merely ignored him. "Next!" he commanded. Two soldiers dragged out a young female. Ashamed of her nudity, she attempted to cover herself while trying hard not to cry like a baby. "Female, 19, decent physique, showing false bravado despite the circumstances... She will make a good bondswoman. Send her to the female holding bay. She will be assigned to Captain Ramius when we board the Archangel Noir. Next!"

The young girl whimpered and sniffled as she was dragged off. The next person was another girl, who was crying her heart out.

"Female, 18, unacceptable physique, yet she shows hidden potential... It would be a waste not to attempt harvesting that potential, so she will be sent to the scientists for experimentation. Next!"

That caused the young girl to cry harder. "NO!! PLEASE!! Noooo...!" she wailed as she was taken to another portion of the ship. Meanwhile another man took the stage.

"Male, 20, useless physique... Exterminate him. He does not have any viable potential that could be harvested. Next!"

Screams and gunfire ricocheted off the walls as the man was shot in the chest. Afterwards, several maintenance crews dragged off the body and cleaned the mess before another male was placed before Kira.

"Male, 34, good physique... He will be useful to the Clan. Take him to the male holding bay for now." Before Kira could say anything else, the man suddenly charged him.

"TAKE THIS, YOU ACCURSED CLANNER!!" He swung his fist at the calm clansman.

Kira merely smiled as he effortlessly evaded. "Quick to temper..." he dodged another punch. "Quick to fight..." again, dodged. "But unfortunately, wasted energy." Kira delivered a swift, clean punch to the man's arm as it passed his head, snapping it in two. As the man screamed in agony, he jumped and performed a 180 degree kick to the man's head, dislodging 3 teeth. Taking his gun out, he pointed it at the man's head. "You would have been spared, if you just followed directions." His finger tightened on the trigger.

"STOP! That's my husband!" wailed a voice from the group of POW's.

"Oh really? I do not think that he has the right to live, for futilely attempting to assault me."

"Please, I'll do anything you want! Just don't kill him!" wailed the woman, who was now brought to stand before Kira. She had three children with her.

"Hmm..." while holding the man at gunpoint, he reviewed the scan results. "Female, 29, mother of three children... unacceptable physique..." He then glanced at the children. "Female, 4, has very good potential... Male, 2, shows some potential... Female, 1, genetics show potential..." Kira debated the list. "Well, as a mother, you are useless, but your children show some valuable potential..."

"Not my children! Anything but my children!"

"That is too bad. It is either, I kill you and your husband and take the children for raising, or I spare you and your husband's life, leave you with two children, while I take one for raising. Choose. I will give you 5 minutes. Oh, and before you decide, it is your 4-year old daughter that we will take for raising; as she shows the most potential. Now, you have 5 Minutes..."

The mother began to sweat in severe nervousness. "Oh god..." She looked at her children with helplessness, then looked at her husband, who was still pinned down.

"4 minutes..." Kira calmly twirled the gun around while waiting.

"Um..." The mother didn't want to go with either plan, but since she didn't have any support, she had to decide, and soon.

"Mommy? Are you okay?" questioned the 4-year old daughter.

"3 minutes..." Kira stated while he reviewed the other prisoners, sorting them out while waiting.

"Honey, sweetie... Please don't disturb mommy. She's very busy at the moment..." the mother tried to comfort her daughter, who's fate was on the line.

"Don't... do... it..." muttered the injured father from under Kira's metal boot.

"2 minutes..." Kira had quietly sorted out the prisoners, and was giving his cadre the order to take the ones he decided were useful while leaving the ones that were useless in the middle of the dropship's main bay for final judgment.

"1 minute..."

"I didn't have enough time! Please, give me more time!" wailed the mother. She was going into a borderline nervous breakdown.

"Mommy, what's going on? Why is daddy on the floor?

"Sweetie, this isn't the time...!"

"But why?"

"Time is up." Kira pointed the gun down at the husband. "I guess you chose to die with him."

"STOP!!"

"You had the chance, and you wasted it."

"I'll trade... my daughter... for my husband's life..." the woman whispered.

"What was that? I could not hear you."

"I said; I'll trade... my daughter... for my husband's life...!" stated the mother before she fell to the ground, hugging her children close while crying.

Kira removed his boot from the husband's head. "Your wife has decided to let you live. Get out of my sight." He turned and walked towards the mother and children. "Time to hand your daughter over."

"No... not yet...!"

"Are you trying to avoid the agreement?"

"No...! But... just let me hold her one last time...!"

Kira was bored out of his mind. "There. You held her. Now surrender the girl, or I will simply kill you and your husband right here and now." To his soldiers, he commanded, "Give all the children some clothes, and those that I decided were usable. The rest, just leave them be. Quiaff?"

"Aff!" Several soldiers left to carry out the order.

The mother reluctantly let go of her daughter. "Goodbye, sweetie... Everything's going to be okay..."

"Mommy, what's going on...?"

"You'll be taken far away from mommy and daddy... but you'll be fine..."

"But I don't want to leave you and daddy!"

"You must... or bad things will happen to mommy and daddy...!"

"Bad things...?"

"Yes, bad things. Very bad things... So please, just go...!"

Kira kneeled before the 4-year old. "Hello, what is your name?" He sounded as innocent as possible.

The little girl turned to him. "I'm Melanie! And I'm 4 years old!" she proudly stated.

"4 years old? Wow! You are growing up fast, Melanie!" The mother quietly sobbed as she listened to her daughter befriend the man.

"I am! And I hope to do great things when I grow up!" Melanie happily stated.

"Really? I hope to do great things as well!"

"You do? Really?"

"Yes. And I want you to come with me. Join Clan Star Lion. I will get someone to help you do great things."

"Well, I luv lions... and I want to be famous... Will you really help me do great things?"

"Yes. But you will have to leave mommy and daddy behind. They already did great things, and they are too old to do anymore."

"Really? Mommy said that I have to go anyway, or bad things will happen to them."

"Your mother is a smart woman. She knows that bad people are after her, and that if she does not leave you in the care of some friends, you too, will have bad things come to you." Kira was warping the girl's reality.

"Really? So are you one of mommy's friends?"

"Yes. My name is Kira Yamato. Your mother does not speak often of me, since it has been a long time since we last saw each other."

"Is that true, mommy?" Melanie turned to her mother for confirmation.

"Yes... It's true..." the mother was still weeping.

"Oh, ok then. I'll go with you. I don't want bad things to happen to mommy and daddy. And I want to be famous and play with lions."

Kira smiled. "Ok. But first, put this on." He took a jumpsuit for children that was handed to him and held it out for the girl.

"Um... I don't know how to wear it. Could you help me?"

"Sure." Kira assisted Melanie into the suit, and zipped up the back. "Now you look like a brave lion cub!"

"Really?" the girl innocently tilted her head. "But I thought that lions have fur all over."

"Do not worry, you will eventually gain your fur. But for now, follow me."

"Ok." The girl turned to her mother. "Bye mommy! See you soon!"

"Bye, Melanie... Be good, okay...?"

"I will!" She turned back to Kira. "Um, can you carry me? I'm tired..."

Inwardly, Kira rolled his eyes. But he knew that the fastest way to get a child to willingly follow was by playing nice. "Sure." He picked up the girl, and was surprised to find the girl wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Thank you..." Melanie quickly drifted into sleep.

Without looking back, Kira headed for another room, labeled, "Stasis Pod Room". Upon entering, several rows of pods containing humans lined the side walls. Going to a section geared for children, he opened a spare pod and gently placed Melanie into it. "Sleep well," he stated as the pod closed, attached monitoring equipment to the jumpsuit, and filled the pod with life-sustaining liquid. Afterwards, he turned and left.

--

Lacus awoke to the splashing of water. The first thing she realized was that she was naked. The second thing she realized was that she was handcuffed to a bar behind her. The third thing she realized was that she was in a bathtub filled with water. And the fourth and most worrisome thing she realized was... that a man was scrubbing her down. So in a situation like that, she screamed. "YAAAAAAHHH!!"

"Holy–!" the man yelped in surprise as he pulled a gun out and aimed it at her. Realizing the situation, he calmed and put the gun back. "Well, what a way to announce that you awoke."

"Where am I!? Who are you!? And why am I cuffed and nude in a bathroom!?" yelled Lacus.

"You are a prisoner aboard the EisenSturm; taken in when you fainted in your father's home that I set ablaze."

"Wait, then you're the one that burned the town!? Why did you do such a thing, you monster!?"

"I was negotiating the peaceful surrender of planet Daybreak with your father, Planetary Governor Siegel Clyne. He refused, so I burned the nearest town, which happened to be where the Clyne family resided."

"You killed my friends, my family!"

"Your friends, maybe. Your family, not so. They have gone into hiding somewhere else on the planet. But with you as my prisoner, I hope to make the acquirement of planet Daybreak quick and painless."

"And just who are you!?"

"I am known by many as the Shadow Khan of Clan Star Lion."

Lacus's eyes widened. "It can't be... You're the Shadow Khan, Kira Yamato...!?"

Kira formally bowed to her. "Pleasure to meet you, Lacus Clyne."

Remembering that she was naked and handcuffed, she then demanded, "Why am I handcuffed and helpless in a bathtub!?"

"You had the scent of ash and soot, and you were dressed in it as well. I merely washed you off to make you presentable."

Lacus angrily blushed. "Well, thank you for your concern. Now please untie me and I'll finish washing myself!"

"Sorry, no can do."

"What!? Why!?"

"It would do neither of us any good. You would splash soap into my eyes, attempt to kill me or run away, and I would have to either shoot you or beat you into submission for trying, or if you do manage to escape my quarters, you will end up captured and turned into a loyal cyborg. So either way, I will finish washing you. Now hold still before I decide to tranquilize you."

Lacus didn't want anything to happen to her, and so she reluctantly submitted. "H-how far... have you... washed me...?" she questioned.

"I just have to finish cleansing your chest, back, and hair. Then I will be done."

Lacus's face heated up again. "You mean to say that you already washed me... down there?"

"Of course. It is not washing unless you have been thoroughly cleansed from the feet up."

Lacus quickly banished a mental thought before continuing. "Did you rape me while I was unconscious...?"

"There is no need, as I do not feel the sexual urge to. So be quiet and let me finish. The sooner, the faster you will be dried and given clothing."

Lacus reluctantly tried her best to remain calm as the Shadow Khan scrubbed her back, her chest (she really wanted to faint from embarrassment), and shampoo'd and rinsed her hair. Finally, he drained the tub, before using a hose with an attached showerhead to rinse off any last vestiges of soap.

"Get up," Kira commanded as he put away the showering materials.

"I want a towel."

"Get up, otherwise I will just leave you here as is."

Lacus, color stealing into her cheeks, reluctantly managed to stand while cuffed to the bar. She futilely tried to cover her lower half by crossing her knees, to no avail.

Kira simply held out a black, silk bathrobe (lined with cashmere) that had his custom insignia on the back, a smaller insignia of Clan Star Lion on the right chest area, and his name and rank on the left chest area. "Scream or attempt to escape while I assist you with this, and I will not hesitate to rape you or beat you into submission."

Lacus nodded, and Kira uncuffed one hand. She slipped her right arm into the sleeve, and slowly began to pull it over her. Kira leaned in too close for her liking, though he was merely doing it to ensure that she couldn't escape while he uncuffed the other hand. Sliding her arm into the other sleeve, she was honestly surprised at the softness of the robe, despite the fact that it teased her skin. She was brought back to reality when Kira firmly (but not tightly) tied the band around her waist before re-cuffing her hands. She then pulled out as much of her hair as she could from beneath the robe.

"If you want to dry your hair, you will just have to use the air dryer." Kira pointed out a hole in the wall. "Just set your hair in, then lean back into it. The downward air will dry all of your hair in minutes. I just use it to dry my face or my hands, though it was also designed to rapidly dry hair as well. And do not worry; the vents are clean and will not get any dirt or grime on your hair."

Lacus did as followed, closing her eyes as she let the rushing air quickly dry her long, silky hair. Within minutes, her hair was completely dry. She pulled her head out of the dryer, automatically shutting it off. "I don't get it... why are you, the feared and dangerous Shadow Khan helping me, a mere female that isn't part of any clan?"

"Because you are a valuable hostage, and must be treated well. At least, until you decide to abuse any gesture of goodwill I give." You should be dry by now, thanks to the robe, so come this way. Kira led Lacus to a tiny semicircular area. "This is my closet. It may look just like a curved, empty space, but you will soon find out that is not the case." He activated a panel, causing the small 'room' to light up along the seams. "Stand in the center. I will give you a jumpsuit for now, as that is the only attire other than the robe that this ship has."

Lacus did as directed. Suddenly, two scanning bars came down and circled her, starting with her feet. She watched in awe as the first one replaced robe and bare skin with socks, panties, bra, and a gold and silvery white hair clip in her hair. The second bar placed leather boots and the one-piece jumpsuit over the first set of clothing and a nice centimeter-wide, gold choker with a blue jewel in the front. Soon, Lacus was completely dressed, though she wished that the suit wasn't as form fitting as it was, or for a better color other than black. "The hair clip and choker are nice... but is black the only color available?"

"Yes. There was no need for any other color than the ones in the Clan and my insignias. I will allow you to bring some clothes closer to your style on board at a later date. But for now, you will remain here, as a prisoner. If you attempt to leave this room without my explicit authorization, the cuffs will paralyze you until I get back. You can check the time either on the suit's built-in screen on your left arm, or via the clock on the wall. I will bring up your dinner in about two hours. In the meantime, you can either watch the news or adore the evening view in the windows. Quiaff?" stated Kira.

Remembering that the Clans used 'Quiaff'' as a reference for 'any questions?' or 'Understood?', Lacus gave back the appropriate response. "Um... Aff..."

"That will be all." Kira then turned and left without a further ado.

--

It was early morning on Strata Mechty when Cagalli opened her eyes. She didn't move, as the arm of the Khan she coupled with last night held her still. She lightly blushed at the memory despite her upbringing as a Trueborn. She sighed softly.

"Awake, Cagalli...?" the tenor voice of Khan Zala softly played along the back of her neck. He 'walked' his fingers up and down the blonde Khan's right side, before switching to languidly trailing his hand up and down her stomach and waist in a clear sign of possessiveness.

Cagalli, trying to ignore the sensations, responded. "Aff... I am awake..." unfortunately for her, it came out a bit husky; something that the Blaze Phoenix Khan picked up on.

"Last night was your first time to couple with anyone, Quiaff?" Athrun pulled the younger Khan closer to him, as if they weren't already touching.

"Aff... But it does not seem to be the same for you, Quiaff?" For reasons unknown, Cagalli felt a slight, un-clanlike sadness at what she knew was a clear answer.

"Aff, though I think you will be my last and eternal partner," replied Athrun.

Surprised by that, Cagalli turned her head as best as she could to him. "What do you mean by that? Our coupling was only for one night, Quiaff? Then you would return to your Clan without a second thought."

"Neg. I did not wish to couple with you merely for relief. I wished to couple with you because you interest me. I also wish to negotiate a formal alliance between Clan Blaze Phoenix and Clan Star Lion." Athrun had stopped him ministrations on Cagalli's body.

"Just a sudden alliance? What for? And how do I interest you so, where there are other warriors that look better than I?" questioned the Star Lion Khan.

"I will explain my reasons for the alliance shortly; but first, why I am so interested in you. You see, I have studied your codex, and reviewed your battles from when you began your time as a warrior, and I have found that you possess a very unique and rare skill, one that I myself have."

"Pardon, but may I inquire as to what you are referring to?"

"The unusual ability to see everything happening in slow motion; the ability to see so clearly in the midst of a grand battle. The ability that only activates in a dire moment; the one ability that will allow you to turn a likely defeat into an outstanding victory. I know you have that ability, Khan Cagalli Yula Athha. The power of SEED, Quiaff?"

Realizing that she couldn't hide her secret, she surrendered. "...Aff. I do not know how you found out, but I want to know why you are bringing it up, Khan Athrun Zala."

"Of course. I brought it up since I too have that power. If you do not believe me, you may check my codex. During my Trials, especially for the Zala Bloodname, you will find that I somehow turned a disaster into an amazing success. I have seen the exact same thing occur during your Trials. You and I both have honed our skills to reduce our reliance on that ability, but you know as well as I that it exists; and only within the two of us."

"But why did you bring it up, exactly?" Cagalli became curious, as she initially believed that she was the only one with that power.

"Two reasons; first, I do not wish to eventually fight against the only other person who has the same ability as I, for it will surely result in severely weakening both our Clans; hence my wish to form an alliance with you, and second, I wish to start a secret Sibko using only our genes."

Cagalli was stunned. "The sharing of genes between Clans without a Trial of Possession is strictly forbidden! You know that, Quiaff?"

"Aff. But think about it. If we form an alliance, both of us has to trade something of equal value; whether it be allowing warriors from the other Clan into your ranks, or trading vehicles and equipment. I merely wish to begin a secret Sibko created using only our genetics. They will train solely under our guidance, so that the powerful SEED ability will not be misused."

"So you wish to begin a secret Sibko of SEED users, Quiaff?" Cagalli had since rested her head back on the pillow.

"Aff, but for both our use as secret bodyguards and powerful Aces." Athrun buried his face into Cagalli's hair and neck.

"I am not exactly ready to decide yet. Give me some time." Cagalli made an attempt to get up, but was pulled back almost immediately.

"I will give you the time you need. But for now, I wish to couple with you again. I find that I enjoy your company..." he trailed one hand down and the other up. "Very much."

Turning to him, Cagalli lightly kissed Athrun. "Though I find it rather un-clanlike, I do find that I have an unusual interest in you as well. I accept your wish." She let the Khan of Blaze Phoenix pin her underneath while she pulled him close to her.

Nothing more was said as the two proceeded to couple.


To Be Continued...


New Personnel:

Name: Kira Yamato

Age: 20

Callsign: Shadow Khan (commonly known), Shadow Khan of Star Lion (only to a select few)

Bio: Kira is the living embodiment of Clan Star Lion's dark side, and is the leader of the Black Knight and Nightmare Leigions. He will not hesitate to use force if needed. He has the SEED ability, though no one knows; not even his fraternal twin, Khan Cagalli Yula Athha. He earned the Yamato Bloodname in a brutal Trial, where he killed all but two of the Trial participants. Cagalli is the only person who can openly argue with him without fear of retaliation. All his subordinates consider it a blessing and a curse working in his team; a blessing as it means that they do have what it takes to survive, a curse in that the slightest mistake can cost them their rank and honor.

Name: Cagalli Yula Athha

Callsign: Khan of Clan Star Lion, Orb Lioness (when on Orb, the Clan's homeworld), Bloody Roar

Age: 20

Bio: Cagalli is the youngest person to ever become a Khan within Clan Star Lion despite the fact that she was born a Freeborn. She was given special exception due to the fact that her father was a skilled though eccentric warrior within the upper echelons of the Clan. She proved that a Freeborn could be as strong as, or better than, a Trueborn, especially after winning the Yula Athha Bloodname. Taken for training at the age of 4, she was reeducated with the mindset of a Trueborn, though she never really forgot her Freeborn instincts and way of life, no matter how short it was. She is the only one that can order the feared Shadow Khan, Kira Yamato around, as well as argue with him without fear of retaliation. She is the fraternal sister to Kira, and has the SEED ability as well.

Name: Athrun Zala

Age: 20 (three months older than Cagalli)

Callsign: Khan of Clan Blaze Phoenix, Red Knight

Bio: Athrun is the third person of the Zala Bloodline to become a Khan, especially at a young age. He is rather mature for his age, and was at one point a bit of a lady-killer. He is skilled in negotiating deals that usually benefit both parties, or if not in a friendly mood, his Clan. He has taken an interest in the newest Khan, Cagalli Yula Athha of Clan Star Lion, due to the fact that she is the only other person that has found to have the SEED ability as well, and also due to the fact that he as felt an un-clanlike wanting for her.

Name: Lacus Clyne

Age. 19 (five months younger than Kira)

Bio: The daughter of planet Daybreak's Planetary Governor, Siegel Clyne. Her home was destroyed, and she was taken captive, by the Shadow Khan, Kira Yamato. She loves to sing, and abhors war. She is currently being held onboard the EisenSturm.