Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam SEED/Gundam Seed Destiny.
The Minerva continued down on it's course southwest towards the Adriatic Sea at maximum speed. The massive red and gray vessel gracefully flew over the city of Zagreb. As it made it's way past the area where the evacuation of the city, which was now being canceled, was taking place, the camera cuts to show the people of the city wave at the ship and blow kisses at it, indicating their gratitude after the Destroy had been halted and Auel surrendered. On board the bridge Arthur was sitting in the Captain's Chair with a neutral look on his face as the Minerva followed its course.
"Executive Officer Trine, what's going to happen?" Malik turned and asked.
"Ya, I thought ORB, or at least Cagalli's side, were supposed to be the good guys? I mean, they did what they could when we were fighting for Diocula a couple of weeks ago at the Dardanelles straight." Meyrin said.
"And we have that plaque from the Princess. Captain makes sure that thing never gets dusty..." Bart said. Arthur Trine sighed. The camera cuts to show the plaque honoring the Minerva that was on the bridge. Indeed, it was as shiny as ever due to Captain Gladys' actions.
"Guys... these are questions you're going to need to ask the Captain when she gets out of her office. The fact of the matter is although we have grown to respect the Archangel and it's crew for what they've done, it may all be a hoax. Besides, the Captain is far wiser than I am, I'm sure she'll be able to tell us a thing or two about that disk when she gets out. Or, we might be in trouble. For all we know that disc may contain a virus that was intended to trigger the self destruct sequence on the Archangel." The Executive Officer said just before he realized his words. "OH GOD! WHAT IF IT IS LIKE THAT THEN WE'RE ALL DEAD!" He yelled. "All hands brace yourself!" He ducked. The bridge crew just looked at him with a glare, except Meyrin who giggled.
"You're so funny sometimes!" She said.
"Quite! I was serious, Meyrin!" Arthur said with red cheeks.
Captain Talia Gladys and Shinn Asuka were both looking at the screen that displayed the video of the man who claimed to be the younger brother of PLANT Supreme Council Chairman Gilbert Durandal.
"I know, this may come as a surprise to you. However, looking at me, you can tell I look like old Gilbert. If you're watching this video right now it means that you got this disk from Auel Neider, the pilot of that blasted Destroy gundam. As a result of this, I'm guessing I'm probably dead as you're reading this." The image of Oscar Durandal said.
"Wow... this guy's..." Shinn said.
"Someone who plans ahead and is clever... just like the Chairman..." Talia cut him off, rubbing her hand on her chin. 'Honestly... I don't know whether or not to believe him... yet.'
"Now, onto business... Princess you may be wondering why I have decided to send this message to you, and although you may have a positive opinion of my older brother, that will soon change. I will tell you right now that the reason why I have given you this information is because Gilbert Durandal is a dreamer and a revolutionary at heart and because of that he needs to be stopped at all costs, or else the world may fall into darkness forever." Oscar informed.
"WHAT THE?" Shinn yelled.
"Shh...!" Talia said.
"You may recall the... how can I say this... many times that my brother has either spouted about the ridiculous idea that he wants to end war forever. If he hasn't said it himself, he's had the annoying pop singer Lacus Clyne say it for him. Now, if you pay close attention to his speeches you'll realize that he NEVER actually explains how he intends to 'end war forever', only that he wants to do it. The reason is for him, the ends justify the means. He knows this... and he knows that to end war forever he will have to subdue humanity. He will need to bend over the collective will of the human race like a police officer presses a criminal against his car and then arrests it, makes it stand trial, and then throws it in prison for the rest of it's life. As his brother I will say that he has too big of an ambition and now that he's in power he will try to put that ambition to reality. This cannot be allowed to happen."
"Get to the point, Oscar." Talia groaned.
"Now, the reason why Gilbert Durandal is trying to end war forever is two fold. One: He thinks it's possible. Two: He's an idealist who doesn't understand human nature nor the concept of nature vs. nurture. Okay... i've gone on long enough. Here's what he's going to try to do: It's called the Destiny Plan. What he plans to do is to assign a newborn person their role in life, their occupation, their place of living, and to some extent, who they will live with, all based upon their genetic code. For example, if someone is born with genes that would make them a good teacher, they will become a teacher, and they would have no choice in this matter, even if they would not want to be a teacher. Although this is cruel, unjust, and a blatant violation of every freedom that mankind as worked at for the entirety of it's existence, he justifies it under the notion that if everyone has no choice and that choice is made for them, people will never be upset and therefore war will never break out again. He fails to realize however that people will not be happy with their lives this way because even though it is true that genes do set certain parameters on what defines a human being, whether it be their eye color or even their personality, their life experiences play a huge role in this as well. In addition to this, he plans to force every pregnant women to undergo an operation that will change the genetic structure of their fetus into that of an Ultimate Coordinator. Princess Cagalli, your brother is the Ultimate Coordinator, his genes were modified in an artificial womb because of the nature of the natural womb of a female human." He explained.
"I didn't know that Kira was like that..." Talia said.
"Wow... so is Kira like some... super human?" Shinn asked in awe. 'Even then, why would he make a mistake like the one he did that killed my family?' The red eyed coordinator thought.
"Now I'm not sure as to what something like that could do to the mother if they try to force her body to accept the heavily modified fetus, but for all we know it could potentially kill her. Gilbert wouldn't care though, if it leads him to his war-less society one day, he's fine with it. You might be asking me why I know this... it's because I'm his brother and we spent a lot of time together when we were siblings before we grew up. Even then, he always spoke of how he hated the idea of war and wanted to end it, no matter the cost. When we got older, he began to develop theories as to how to end war, and they... frightened me. One day, I confronted him, and told him how insane he was and how he needed to cleanse his head of all the thoughts that he had birthed in his mind. It was the day I would be leaving the PLANTs and going to Earth. Needless to say he didn't take to kindly to my words and well..." The picture of Neo points to the scar on his face. "You can guess how things went."
"Are you serious?" Shinn asked.
"The Chairman... how could he..." Talia said in a low tone.
"Regardless... you don't need to worry about me. Now, since you're probably asking yourself how you could possibly ever grow to like that man who is my brother, let me just say that he has a way with words... he's a very good talker, and ways was the highest mark in his class when it came to speeches and essays, so don't underestimate him. That's besides the point though, and the point is why I'm telling you this, despite the fact that I am technically a soldier of the Earth Alliance. The reason is simple: As far as I'm concerned ORB is the only nation that can stop him, the only thing that truly stands in his way. Your nation is the most technologically advanced on Earth, and has a sizable army that is incredibly well trained. In addition to this, they have you. By allowing a coordinator to be your personal bodyguard for a while and due to the fact that you respect your brother, I can guess that you are tolerant of coordinators. You are not like the leaders of the Earth Alliance; you are not some racist who is controlled by corporate fascists. Believe me when I say this, the leaders of the Eurasian and Atlantic Federation are in bed with the CEO's of many major corporations on Earth, as are those idiot Seirans in ORB. Now you may be asking why I am exactly a soldier in the Earth Alliance and why I was leading the Destroy mission.
I am in the Earth Alliance because I needed to figure out for myself if the people who control that entity behind the scenes would could possibly be convinced of the truth about my brother. After all, even though the Earth Alliance is more based on quantity than quality, they are rather powerful. What I actually found out is that the Earth Alliance is controlled by a bunch of corporate CEO's in addition to people like the President of the Atlantic Federation and the Chancellor of Eurasia, and that Blue Cosmos is inseparable from the Alliance. With that in mind, I figured that even if the leaders could believe the truth about Durandal, they would want to destroy all coordinators in addition to stopping my brother's plan, and knowing of the Ultimate Coordinator project and Gilbert Durandal's ambitions about it, they would use that information to try to convince the world that genetic engineering is terrible and that would be a step back for humanity, a step back that would take a long time to heal before we could step forward again. However, when I realized that I had chosen the wrong side, it was too late. I lead the mission commanding the team with the Destroy for two reasons: The first being that I knew you would come and try to stop us, and the second reason being that somebody needed to have Auel stop his maddening rampage, before he killed even more innocent people and gave my brother fuel to use in his propaganda. Trust me, if I know my brother he will see the assault by the Destroy as the perfect time to reveal the men behind both Blue Cosmos and this war itself. I would not be surprised if the PLANTs issue an emergency broadcast to the entire world in short time.
When he does that the people of the world will be outraged and will side with Durandal. When that happens he will seize this opportunity to try to take the world over, end the war, and install the Destiny Plan on humanity. However, you can stop him. With the information I have given you, you could possibly stop him. If you go back to ORB and take control of your nation... and put up a fight... you might have a chance I think. Anyway... enough of my rabble. I've told you all that I can. Princess Cagalli Yula Attha of the ORB Union... I BEG you to do everything in your power to stop Gilbert Durandal and stop the Destiny Plan. However I must tell you not to give this information to the nearest news station. Should the people of Earth hear of this, chaos will ensue, and very quickly. A fight will break out between the believers and the doubters and the people who agree with the Destiny Plan and the people who do not. So do what you must do to stop my brother, but... don't cause global panic!" Oscar stopped talking for a second.
"What the..." Shinn said.
"Quiet! He looks like he's not finished." Talia said in a commanding tone.
"Oh, and one more thing. This is more or less something for Stella and Auel. I'm sorry I can't be with you any longer, as the father figure you looked up to, as the commander who you took orders from, as Neo Roanoke. When I was assigned the mission I accepted the fact that my time on Earth may in fact come to a close soon. However, I didn't care. I didn't care if I died if it meant this information could be delivered to the leader of the nation that could stop my brother while at the same time not going to far in their own ambition. I ask both of you to do something for me: I want you to continue living the remainder of your life as best you can and do what you wish to do with your life from now on.
You born and raised to be human machines meant for killing... in a sense, one could say that my brother's Destiny Plan has already been put partially into practice in a way, and the ones who were heavily modified, given no choice in life and then told how to live were you and the rest of the Alliance's Extendeds... the rest of your siblings. Do you really want to have to go back to a lifestyle that is based upon a similar concept of biological dictatorship, or would you rather enjoy your newly found freedom in life? Honestly, Stella, I think it was actually a blessing that you were captured by the Archangel that one fateful day, because it meant you had a chance at freedom, a chance that you would not get by being with the Earth Alliance as an Extended. I hope you are enjoying your time on that great ship, and I hope you've made some friends. Auel, I turn to you now and I give my order from beyond the grave, or rather, a request: Should the Destroy still be functional, I want you to use it for good and justice.
I want you to become an extra limb of the body that will fight the Destiny Plan. Just because something was meant for pure destruction does not mean that it can't be used for good, and that machine is proof. Use it to destroy my brother's sick, twisted dreams. Even if it was one of the ORB soldiers who personally ended me, I want you to listen to them, they will treat you far better then what you were treated like as a 'tool' for Lord Djibril's devious schemes. So with that, I end off this recording, and I put my hopes in your hands." The video ended with Oscar Durandal looking at the camera with a neutral expressionless face for a second before the screen went black.
"I... I can't believe it... the Chairman... how... could he..." Talia said, getting out of her chair and stepping back as if she had just heard something she found unbelievable while at the same time not doubting the legitimacy of it.
"This... this... I don't want to believe it... but at the same time... it doesn't seem to be completely impossible. After all, the Chairman has failed to tell us how he intends to end war forever, and doesn't he have some background in genetics?" Shinn asked. The Captain of the Minerva turned to her lone pilot and looked him in the eye.
"The reason why you were assigned the Impulse and not Rey was because of the Chairman's background in genetics. Actually from what he said when I talked to him when I first heard of the mobile suits and pilots that were to be originally assigned to the Minerva he said... oh dammit! He said you were given the Impulse over Rey because your genes seemed to be better for it, and because you were a coordinator..." Talia said.
"So I guess both of us can agree that what this Oscar bastard said is true?" Shinn asked.
"I think so, Shinn. However, the question is what should we do next?" Talia asked.
"I... I..." Shinn tried to say, thinking of something. While he did that Talia remembered how Shinn looked to have been crying as he entered her office a couple of minutes ago.
"Tell me, Shinn. Why exactly were you crying when you came back? There must have been something more to it." Talia said. Shinn sighed.
"Captain... although this is personal I guess I'll tell you. Remember how I always hated ORB for thinking that they were responsible for the death of my mother, father, and little sister? Well... I've learned the truth about that. It wasn't ORB that was responsible, it was Kira Yamato himself." Shinn said. Talia gasped.
"Kira... Kira Yamato? But... why? Knowing his 'history' I can't ever see him killing civilians." Talia asked.
"He didn't do it on purpose." Shinn clenched his fists. "He said it was an accident!" A tear formed in the boy's eyes. "However that doesn't change the fact that HE DID IT! He killed them and now they're never coming back! I will never forgive him for that! I'll make him pay! I'll make sure that it is I who..." Shinn tried to say however he was interrupted by a loud smack across the face from Talia. "What was that for?" He asked, tears rolling down his face.
"Shinn, you need to stop it. Don't let hatred fill your soul. As he told you, it was an accident. He did not intend to kill your family and I'm telling you right now that if he was given the chance to go back and mend that mistake he would. I know you can get incredibly emotional at times but this is something that I need to talk to you about. From what I've seen about you, you like to be the best you can, and you hate mistakes. Your academy record proves this, as does your experience on the battlefield. You're an excellent pilot Shinn and I've rarely seen you make a mistake that you have failed to correct. However, you have to realize that mistakes sometimes happen and that accidents are a part of life. I know your upset that your family died and I emphasize with you, however you have to realize that even a pilot like Kira Yamato can make mistakes, and mistakes on the battlefield cost lives, period." She said.
"But..." Shinn tried to say. Talia shook her head at the pilot.
"No. Buts. Okay?" She said in an incredibly stern voice. "Now, get that through your head now. I don't want to hear another angry thought like that which finds it's roots in emotion and irrationality. Those two things alone are what can critically compromise a soldier on the battlefield and if you're not careful they could end up costing you your life, Shinn. UNDERSTAND? Just look at Athrun for example. I think you already know this but during the time he spent piloting the Aegis he was reluctant to harm Kira, even though Kira was an unskilled pilot at the time and he was a trained ace. As a result of this, Kira managed to get better and better and better, while Athrun's team continued to fail in their mission to sink the Archangel and either capture or destroy the Strike gundam and as a result of this many Zaft pilots lost their lives including one of Athrun's best friends and his fellow pilot, Nicol Amalfi. If Athrun had not allowed his emotions to get in the way he might have ended up getting Kira in the end. However, looking at his combat record and how he acted on board this ship, I'm not impressed. However that's a tale for another." Talia finished. Shinn had his head down in defeat, but then huffed.
"Fine then, Captain." He said in a sharp, condescending tone. "I won't act like that anymore." He lifted his head up. "But what are we, as Zaft soldiers, going to do now that we know something like that? Are we going to walk up to the Chairman and ask him to confirm or deny it? What if we don't agree with it? I'm sorry to say this but right now... after seeing what's happened to my family, and seeing what's happened to that Extended girl Stella... I don't like the 'Destiny Plan'. At. All. It's too idealistic... much like ORB is..." Shinn said. Talia looked her ace pilot in the eye.
"I want you to go to your room. Maybe have something to eat first, and then go to your room. I don't want you to tell a soul what you've just learned right now, got it? That's a direct order from me, your Captain. Now, carry those orders out, soldier!" Talia ordered.
"Yes ma'am!" Shinn said as he wiped the tears from his eyes and saluted his Captain, she saluting back, both of them with neutral, expressionless looks on their faces as Shinn left the room. Talia sat back down in her chair, and then put her hat over her face.
'Things... are going to get very awkward very quickly... what do I, as a soldier of Zaft, as a person who wishes to uphold the idea of freedom as stated in Zaft's name, to do? Can I even trust the military I belong to anymore?' She thought to herself as images of Kendan Westenfluss and other officers, such as Joseph Ruddle, the man in charge of the Mahamul base, who said that they fully supported the policies of Chairman Gilbert Durandal, flashed through her twenty-nine year old genetically modified mind. 'What will happen to me now that I know this information, if it gets out? Will I be imprisoned for knowing too much? So many questions... all unanswered. Then again... Shinn did say this message was meant for Princess Cagalli... so does that mean we are being chased down right now... dammit! The Archangel could be just out of our sensor range and trying to hunt us down right this second' She thought.
During the time that Shinn and Talia listen to the video from Oscar Durandal and discuss other matters:
The Archangel had landed on the ground near the Destroy gundam. Kira, Stella, and Auel had made their way onto the ship, and now Murrue and Cagalli waited while the three of them got out of their mobile suits and descended to the deck, Auel in the Gaia with Stella. An armed guard surrounded the Princess of ORB, protecting her just in case Auel was not the person he seemed to be.
"Cagalli, Stella thinks the guards should put down their guns." Stella said to the Princess. One of the guards spoke.
"Hey! We're just protecting the Princess in case the pilot of that machine has a trick or two up his sleeve." He said as Cagalli walked forward.
"Stella, are you sure we can trust the pilot of the machine that just recently destroyed a couple of cities and killed millions of people? Are you absolutely sure?" The Princess asked. Auel turned his nose up and spoke.
"Well, it's not as if I had a piece of data to give to you... if that little punk in the transforming machine didn't think it was secret Alliance data and ran off to that ship of his." The blue haired boy said.
"What? Data? Kira, what is this kid talking about?" Cagalli asked.
"The name's Auel, okay Princess?" Auel said in an antagonizing tone. Cagalli raised her fist.
"Why you!" She said as Kira stepped in front of her and blocked her.
"Cagalli... stop it. Apparently from what this guy... err.. Auel said, he was supposed to give you a disk with some data from somebody in the Earth Alliance. However, Shinn took it and ran after I... well I'll tell you that later." Kira said, a tear seeming to form in his left eye. Cagalli could only muster a face of pure confusion as she heard this.
"But? Why would somebody in the Earth Forces want to give me a piece of data? Were not working with them at all! In fact, I'd say the Alliance is probably my worst enemy!" Cagalli said. Stella turned to her life friend.
"Yes, Stella is confused. Who gave Auel a data disk?" She asked in a curious tone.
"Neo did." Auel replied in a cold tone.
"Neo?" Kira, Cagalli, and Murrue asked at once.
"Stella is the Neo Auel's talking about the same Neo that you worked under before you came here?" The Ultimate Coordinator asked.
"Yes, he is. Neo was our boss. Here, let me explain since he would want me to tell you this." Auel began. "Neo gave me a disk with some data a couple of minutes before I launched with that... thing... He told me... that he didn't expect to live through the battle, and that you guys would eventually come up and try to save the day. He told me to defend myself as best I could, however when it seemed like I was going to die, I was to surrender to you guys, and that no matter what happens I was to give the data disk to a 'Princess Cagalli Yula Attha' so she could watch it and understand what was on it. He said that she reading it would decide the fate of the world..." Auel explained. Everyone looked to be skeptical as they heard this. "Believe me... I'm wondering what's on that disk as well." Auel said.
"Who the hell would? Why me? Why would I need to see this disk? I'm curious." Cagalli said as she turned to Captain Murrue Ramius. "Captain, set a pursuit course after the Minerva as soon as you get back on the bridge and signal Todaka to cut them off if they pass in his direction again, but make sure not to damage them unless they try to fire back. I want that disk. Auel has me wondering what's on it and if the fate of the world hangs in the balance... then I need to see it." Cagalli said. Murrue nodded. However, as everyone's eyes were fixed on Cagalli, Stella seemed to drop and faint as quick as a loonie falls to floor after it's rolled off of a table.
"Stella?" Kira said as he leaned over and grabbed her, holding the short blonde haired girl in his arms.
"Stella? Oh no? What's happened to her?" Auel turned to Kira. "Have you guys yelled 'die' at her in a vigorous tone at all?" The blue haired boy asked with an angry look.
"Yes... well it wasn't me. It was the pilot of the Impulse during the battle at the Dardanelles." Kira said. Auel snapped his fingers.
"Dammit! She's had her Block Word used! This is bad! Stella's in trouble! Get her to sick bay, now! She needs to see a doctor stat!" He ordered. Kira began to walk with Stella but Cagalli interrupted him.
"Wait? What are we going to do with that 'thing' out there? We can't just leave it for any random guy to take it! Image the damage they could do!" She said.
"I'll go back and pilot it again... and follow you guys... that thing's kind of fast in it's mobile armor mode." Auel said. Cagalli looked as if she was going to scream at him.
"Hey, listen! I don't care who you are! I'm not letting you get back in that thing after what you did with it! Kira, you pilot that monster. Auel... take Stella to sick bay and have our doctor look at her! At least I know that if you've worked with her you probably care for her." Cagalli said. Kira looked sad and looked at Stella before seeming to hand her over to Auel, the two boys looking each other in the eyes.
"Okay, fine then. I'm going out there right now. Make sure Stella is okay, alright?" Kira said as he began to run for one of the exits of the Archangel.
"Of course I will!" Auel said as he picked up the unconscious Stella and threw her over his shoulder before running to the elevator, and then stopping. "Can someone please show me the way to the sick bay? This is my first time on an Archangel-class!" Auel complained.
"Oh, right! Follow me!" Cagalli said as she went up to Auel and began to guide him to sick bay, Captain Ramius heading back to the bridge.
Kira entered the Destroy gundam's cockpit and was incredibly surprised at how massive and fancy looking it was.
"Wow... this sure is a monster. All these weapons... who the hell had this made anyway?" He asked, turning the machine on with what he assumed to be the proper buttons to turn it on. Seeing as Kira was a programmer and had used a number of mobile suits in the past, he could easily figure out how to make this machine work. As the system turned on he read the acronym to himself. "Gigantic Unilateral Numerous Dominating Ammunition Fortress... ya you got that right." He said as he got the thing to lift off and prepared to follow the Archangel after it would take off.
"Captain?" Neumann asked as he saw the brunette walk onto the bridge.
"Kira's in that machine, just in case you were wondering. What's the last known heading of the Minerva? Dalida?" The Captain asked.
"Southwest. It looked as if they're headed back towards the sea, back the way we saw them come from." The radar operating man with glasses said.
"Neumann, launch the Archangel. Set a pursuit course to follow the last known route of the Zaft vessel LHM-BB01 Minerva as soon as possible., at maximum thrust." She ordered.
"Right Captain. Preparing to launch the Archangel. Powering up main engines. Engaging vertical lift in ten seconds." Neumann informed.
"Hey Captain. What's this whole 'chase the Minerva' and 'Kira's in that machine' thing all about? Mind explaining?" Andrew Waltfeld asked.
"Apparently the man who commanded Stella before she came aboard the ship had something to give to Cagalli... and he gave it to the pilot of that machine, Auel, and told him to surrender to us after a while of fighting because the disk he gave him is critically important. However, the Minerva's pilot stole it, and now were going after that ship to get it back. Kira's in that machine to prevent anyone else from just taking it." Murrue explained.
"What the?" Neumann said as he lifted the Archangel off the ice. Outside the massive white and red vessel turned and headed towards the city of Zagreb, the Destroy following it.
"Well... that sure is a mouthful. However, I think we might be in for some trouble. The Captain of the Minerva never seemed to be a women who would just bow down so easily. I don't think she'll just let us have that information back." Andrew said.
"Well then that's Captain Gladys' mistake for going the wrong way. Mirallia, send a message to the Takemikazuchi. Tell them that we think the Minerva is heading their way and that it has something from ours and that we want it back intact. Captain Todaka can figure out the rest, I'm sure of it. Also tell them that we're bringing that machine with us." Murrue ordered, a stern look on her face.
"Yes ma'am! Right away." Mirallia said as she began to press buttons on the consoles of the Archangel.
The ship was now heading over the place where the refugees were, as was the Destroy. People seemed to freak out as they saw the giant black mobile armor fly over them, even though it was just following the Archangel.
"Ahh! What!"
"They didn't manage to stop it?"
"Did they join forces with the Alliance just then?"
"We're all doomed!"
"No, it's not attacking. In fact, it's flying away from us..."
"Phew... that thing looks to be scary. I'm glad our city was saved however I pray for those who died."
"Indeed. This was a tragic event."
"Wait, doesn't that ship belong to Lady Cagalli Yula Attha? The Chief Representative of the ORB Union?"
"Yes it does. So that means it was those guys who saved us?"
"I guess so! Woo hoo! I love ORB. Always been a huge fan of the Princess."
"Ya she's a smokin' hot little fireball that one. I wonder what her next move is?"
"I guess we'll all have to watch the news to watch out. One thing's for certain, and that is that things are going to get interesting."
Archangel sick bay:
"Hey? Who's the doctor around here?" Auel said as he barged into the room, carrying the unconscious Stella over his shoulder, Cagalli following. The Archangel's doctor turned and faced the light blue haired boy.
"Hey, who are you? What are you doing with Stella?" The doctor asked.
"I'm Auel Neider and..." The male Extended tried to say.
"Doctor it's not important. Stella randomly fainted in the hanger bay for no apparent reason. We need you to look at her." Cagalli said.
"She had her Block Word used! That's why! She's in serious trouble!" Auel said as he set the younger blonde haired girl on the bed and walked back slightly as the doctor and nurse closed in and began to examine the female Extended.
"Block Word? Son you'll have to fill me in." The doctor said as he took his stethoscope and began to check Stella's heart rate. "Okay her heart rate is fine..." He mumbled.
"It's a word the Alliance use to control us. Hers is 'die'. If she hears it yelled at her then she'll lose herself for a little bit and act all weird." Auel said as Cagalli remembered the time when she was with Stella and Shinn at Diocula. "However I think it needs to be treated after it's said or else we suffer a deteriorating condition after. And since apparently she was told her word... a couple of weeks ago... and I'm guessing you guys have no clue how to treat it, that means she's in big trouble!" Auel said.
"Trouble? How much trouble?' Cagalli asked.
"AS IN SHE COULD DIE SOON!" Auel yelled. Cagalli gasped.
"Sir, you need to look at this..." The nurse said as the doctor looked at the information from the device that was hooked up to Stella's body.
"Damn. This kid's right. She's... by the look of it... she may not have much time left if she's not treated soon. A matter of days at best." The doctor said in a grim tone. Cagalli stomped her foot on the ground in anger.
"DAMMIT! DAMMIT!" She said as she slammed her fist against the wall, making a lot of noise. "But... do you know how to cure it?" Cagalli asked Auel.
"No, I don't. I'm not one of those crazy ass doctors they hire to perform those insane experiments." Auel said.
"Then... how could we find out how to save her? How? Stella's... a friend and I refuse to just let her die!" Cagalli said. Auel nodded at her in a positive way.
"Ya, I don't want to have Stella die! She's like a sister to me... and now that Neo and Sting are dead... she's all I have left!" Auel said. Cagalli looked at the light blue haired boy.. emphasizing with him to an extent.
"Come on, we have to think of something!" Cagalli said.
"I got it! Aren't we going after that other ship? Well?" Auel asked, getting excited.
"Yes, right now we are." Cagalli responded.
"Well a couple weeks ago one of the labs where the Alliance does their experiments on me and Stella was compromised. Zaft found it and apparently took all of it's data. Maybe that ship might have some of that data!" Auel said.
"Yes. You're right... when we find the Minerva we'll force them to give us that data as well. I'm sure Captain Gladys may not mind if it's going to be used to save someone. Even then... if we manage to corner the Minerva, they'll have no choice." Cagalli said in a stern tone, the doctor and nurse in the background doing everything they could for Stella. The Princess of ORB then got up and began to walk towards the phone. 'Now to tell the Captain about the information regarding Stella that we need...' She said.
The Takemikazuchi as well as the rest of the ORB fleet waited patiently at the Adriatic Coast, waiting for the Minerva to come near them. Captain Todaka sat on his bridge, a stone faced look on his face.
"Any report from our recon unit?" He asked, turning to one of his officers.
"Nothing yet sir... hold on. Unit four has just transmitted something back. Ship silhouette detected. Distance: forty five kilometers and closing. Identifying heat signature as Zaft vessel LHM-BB01 Minerva and it's headed our way." The officer reported.
"Bring the fleet to level one battle stations and prepare mobile suit teams six through eight for launch however I do not want to see one offensive mobile suit in the air until I order the launch. Prepare for anti-ship and anti-mobile suit combat. Have the fleet spread out into a formation that will minimize damage dealt should they attempt to fire their positron cannon." Todaka ordered with in a serious tone.
"Yes sir!" The bridge crew responded as the warning lights and beepers went off on every ship in the Princess' fleet.
"Captain Todaka, aren't our orders to bring that disk back intact?" Lieutenant Amagi asked. The elder officer looked at his subordinate.
"Yes, they are. We're presenting ourselves in a fashion that will inform them that we will not harm them if they hand over what we're after. However, at the same time were not going to look weak and pathetic. If push comes to shove we will go after that ship." The Captain of the Takemikazuchi said. 'I really wish it doesn't come to this however if we do indeed need to face off against the Minerva then we'll be better prepared than last time.' Todaka thought.
Auel and Cagalli were idling in the Archangel's sick bay, watching over Stella. The doctor had decreed it okay for them to look over her considering how worried they were.
"So basically the pilot of the Impulse took that disk from you?" Cagalli asked.
"Ya, he seemed to be a raging ball of hatred, little punk. Just screamed at me and took the disk before running as fast as he could. Would have got him if I didn't slip on the ice..." Auel said, clenching his fists.
"Shinn's... that's his name. His name is Shinn Asuka." Cagalli said to Auel.
"What of it? He's an enemy pilot and I hope that ship puts up a fight so that we can end him once and for all!" Auel raised the volume of his voice and took on a laughing tone. "Ow..!" He said as he felt Cagalli smack him across the face. "Hey!"
"Don't say that! Shinn's... he's a troubled boy, but from what i've seen, his heart is alright. Yes he may seem like a complete and utter asshole at times but if you actually realize what kind of past he's been through, you can't help but feel... sad for him." Cagalli said. 'Wait... why am I saying these things about... Shinn of all people?' She thought to herself.
"Well whatever. All I'm worried about is getting that disk back and of course... Stella. If he stands in the way... so be it." Auel said.
"You really do care about Stella, don't you?" Cagalli asked in an inquisitive tone.
"Hey, don't take it the wrong way. We've known each other since... forever. She's like a sister to me, and one could say she's the only family that I have left. That's why I'm so concerned with getting the information back on how to cure her, so that she's okay. Although at the same time... I don't know about that other guy... the one who's piloting the Destroy right now..." Auel said.
"Kira? He's my brother. Why? What's wrong with him?" Cagalli asked.
"In the battle he tried to calm me by saying that killing him would make Stella unhappy because they've apparently fallen in love with each other. Hahaha... Stella fall in love. She's too much of a dimwit at times to ever fall in love. That's so fake..." Auel said as Cagalli's eyes went wide open as she heard that information. "Hey, you okay Princess?" Auel asked.
'Kira... is in love... with Stella? But... even though they came closer I never... thought... in love with her...' Cagalli thought for a second as memories of her times with Kira flashed before her eyes. When he first met her at Heliopolis, when he met her again in Libya, when they talked on the Archangel deck that one day, how she mourned his 'death' and how she flew into his arms... or rather tackled him when she saw him alive and well again, when he came to her rescue to prevent her from marrying Yuna, and the last bit, not in chronological order, the stinging feeling she felt when she found out that the man, or rather boy, that she had a crush on, or perhaps the male she may have had even stronger feelings for, turned out to be her brother. 'So... if Kira and Stella are allowed to develop their relationship further... does that mean I'll have to let Stella be closer to my one and only brother, and be forced to back off for their own happiness? I... don't want to... but at the same time... if Kira's fallen in love... it's the right thing to do. At the same time though... what about me? Who will be there for me?' She thought, a tear rolling down her red right cheek. 'Kira... if this is true then it seems as if you've finally found someone to be with... if she lives... which hopefully she will. I like Stella too... but at the same time... I guess I have to move on too... we could never be together Kira but we tried to be as close as possible.'
"Um... are you okay?" Auel asked, looking utterly confused.
"Oh, it's nothing." Cagalli said as she turned and faced him.
"Ya... Stella finding love... haha..." Auel joked.
"Hey! Maybe she did find love in my brother. Maybe it is genuine! All the more reason why we need to save her!" Cagalli ranted.
"Alright. Ya ya... Hopefully we find that ship soon." Auel said. Cagalli huffed and turned away, tears continually falling down her cheek as no one looked to notice her sadness.
Captain Talia Gladys walked on board the Minerva's bridge, her crewman looking at her as she did.
"Well Captain, what was on that disk?" Arthur asked.
"Arthur... never mind... not right now. What's our current heading?" She asked as Arthur silenced himself and looked to get a little sad as the Captain found her way to her seat.
"We're going back the way we came. We'll arrive at the Adriatic Coast in a couple of minutes." Malik said.
"Ma'am..." Bart said. "We're detecting that ORB fleet still holding position in exactly the same spot it was in before, and it looks as if they've powered up their weapons. No mobile suits have been launched from any of their ships though, and I'm not detecting anything in the air besides MVF-M11C Murasame Reconnaissance Type mobile suits." Bart informed.
"Shall be go to condition red? Captain?" Arthur seemed to freak out. Talia raised her hand at him and then put her hand on her chin.
"So... It seems as if they may want it back." She said to herself. 'I still don't know what I'm going to do... this sure is a predicament...' Talia thought to herself.
"Captain we're entering visual range of the ORB fleet." Meyrin reported as one of the Minerva's screens showed the Takemikazuchi and other vessels evenly spread out. "We're receiving a message from their carrier." Meyrin informed.
'And they've spread out so that even if we decide to fire the Tannhauser most of their forces will still make it out alive. However, with the lack of mobile suits out there... I'm guessing their not going to just open fire on us.' Talia thought. "What is it? Oh, and cut thrust by half Malik." She ordered her communications officer and helmsmen. Meyrin nodded before pressing a couple of buttons on her control panel before bringing up an image of Captain Todaka.
"Zaft vessel Minerva. It has come to our attention that one of your pilots has stolen a data disk that was intended to be delivered to Lady Cagalli Yula Attha, Chief Representative of the ORB Union. It has also come to this vessel's attention that you may or may not posses data on the Earth Alliance's Extendeds project, specifically the data needed to counteract the phrase known as the 'Block Word'. We request that you hand over the data disk to us and that you also give us the information on the Alliance's Extendeds project immediately. Failure to do so will result in the destruction of your vessel." Todaka announced. Arthur turned to his Captain.
"But can't we just turn around and head the other direction?" The Executive Officer asked.
"Arthur... I don't think." Talia began to say.
"Even if you turn away you won't get away. The Archangel is headed for us right at this moment and following it is the machine that Alliance used to level several cities that we have captured and taken." Todaka said. Bart then added something to the conversation.
"He's correct. Two large heat sources detected heading for us from behind. Identified as LCAM-01XA Archangel as well as the mobile suit/mobile armor that was trying to attack Zagreb. They both seem to be coming in fast. We don't have much time until they intercept us." The radar operator added. The camera cuts to show Talia Gladys with an incredibly nervous look on her face as she realized that she couldn't run.
'What do we do? We're surrounded. Try to go forward? That fleet with crush us? Try to turn around? We'll be stopped in our tracks by that... 'thing' and the Archangel. However... even if I give up that information... what will happen once I get back to base? I'll have to tell them of what was on that disk an I'll have to tell them that I was forced to give it up when I could potentially 'break though them'... I'm in serious trouble... wait... what if...? Okay... it's worth a try... But even then... my crew... it's worth a try...' Talia thought to herself.
"Captain?" Arthur asked, looking at the sweating women.
"Captain Todaka, the Minerva requests one hour of isolation while we decide our next move. During this time we shall not either launch the Impulse gundam or power up any of our weapons. In addition to this, our ship will land somewhere on the shore and will cut it's engines for that hour. However during this time we request to be left alone." Talia asked. Todaka raised an eyebrow and then looked her in the eye.
"Very well. Your offer is acceptable. I will try to ensure that no ORB mobile suit nor ship attacks the Minerva during this one hour however if Lady Cagalli says otherwise then there's nothing I can do. However, I hope she will be reasonable. You now have your one hour." Todaka said as the line was cut.
"What?" Arthur asked.
"Arthur... just calm down. Malik, set us down on that flat surface over there and cut our engines." Talia said as the helmsmen began to navigate the Minerva to it's destination. Outside the massive vessel landed on the ground and the blue light coming from it's engines faded as it's two main wings folded in. Captain Gladys then picked up her phone. "All hands this is your Captain. I am now ordering every crew member aboard the Minerva to head to their own quarters and stay there until further notice. In addition to this I am ordering you to turn on your computers and prepare to receive a ship wide message from your terminal. That is all, Gladys out." She said as she got up and walked towards the elevator, her bridge crew looking befuddled. "Well, did I not just give you all a direct order?" She asked.
"Um... yes ma'am!" Arthur said as he and the rest of the bridge crew followed her off of the bridge.
Every crew member of the Zaft battle ship Minerva sat impatiently in front of their computers as they waited for what would happen next. Suddenly, the intercom turned on and everyone heard the voice of their Captain address them once more.
"All hands, this is your Captain again. As you all know we just fought the massive monster the Earth Alliance just deployed in Eurasia that has killed many innocent people in cold blood and has dealt billions... or even trillions of dollars of damage to a number of cities. However, the machine's pilot surrendered. When he did, Shinn was able to take a disk with some data from the pilot and bring it here. That disk was supposedly intended for the eyes of Princess Cagalli Yula Attha. I am going to broadcast the video that is on this disk on every computer monitor on board the Minerva. At the same time I am ordering each and every one of you to report the ships hanger bay right after the video comes to an end for a ship wide discussion. That is all." Her voice echoed throughout the advanced war vessel as tiny discussions broke out among the crew members of the Minerva. In his quarters Shinn looked rather surprised.
"What? She's doing this? What is she thinking?" Shinn asked himself as his computer began to show an image of Oscar Durandal as the video started.
"Greetings Princess Cagalli Yula Attha of ORB, I am Oscar Durandal, the little brother of PLANT Supreme Council Chairman Gilbert Durandal. I am also called Neo Roanoke... and I have something important to tell you this day... Something very important..." Oscar said. Everyone sat on the edge of their seat as they began to listen to the words of the man who claimed to be the brother of the Chairman of the Supreme Council of PLANT...
The Archangel closed in on the idling Minerva. On the bridge you could see Captain Murrue Ramius sitting from her seat as Cagalli walked onto the bridge.
"What are they doing? Why are they just sitting there like that?" The blonde Princess asked.
"We received a message from the Takemikazuchi a couple of minutes ago. Apparently the Minerva has requested that we allow it one hour to decide what it's next move is. Captain Todaka agreed to this. It's been fifteen minutes since then." The Captain of the Archangel said.
"Hmm... so forty five minutes? And then what?" Cagalli asked.
"We'll probably ask them what they intend to do. Hopefully things don't take a turn for the worse." Murrue answered.
"Yes, let's hope things don't take a turn for the worse. However, if they do... well... hopefully they won't." Andrew Waltfeld said.
"Neumann, carefully land the Archangel. I want us no closer than eight hundred meters from the Minerva." Murrue ordered.
"Yes ma'am." Neumann responded as he began to fiddle with the Archangel's controls.
"Captain, are you sure thats..." Cagalli tried to say, looking over Murrue's shoulder and putting her right hand on the captain's headrest.
"I trust Captain Gladys to not make any sudden moves, Cagalli." Murrue responded as the Archangel landed on the ground some distance away from the Minerva, the ORB fleet sitting out on the water a couple of kilometers away from the ships.
The crew of the Minerva had gathered in the massive hanger bay of the gray and red vessel, and were gathered up in a large ball as they waited for their Captain to appear and tell them what all this was about. However, as they waited for their commanding officer to address them, they chatted amongst each other.
"Gee... what the hell... was that video?"
"My god! Is the Chairman really like that?"
"My mind has been completely blown. Just... wow."
"A little brother? I didn't know the Chairman had one. But then again, there are some aspects of his younger life that he fails to talk about often."
"I wonder if what this... Oscar man said was actually true."
"If it is... then we're in trouble. That whole Destiny Plan nonsense doesn't sound too good to me."
"Indeed. I mean, I'm a coordinator, you're a coordinator, but that's because either are parents were coordinators or they chose to have us modified. He wants to take away that choice."
"And even worse, perhaps what Oscar said about what might happen to the pregnant girl who has that operation done... wow... that's sick."
"Are you guys so sure that man was the Chairman's brother? I mean..."
"He looked and sounded a lot like Chairman Gilbert Durandal. Like so much so that I doubt it would be fake."
"Ya, he seemed to be the real thing for sure."
"What's really got me interested is why he wanted ORB to stop him."
"Well look at that girl that leads the country. Sure she may not be there right now but when she was in charge for those two years that country recovered at a quick rate. In addition, she seems rather nice."
As the crew chatted Captain Gladys could be seen walking around the side of the crowd towards one of the platforms that was usually used to take somebody up into a mobile suits cockpit. Crewmen who did notice their Captain stopped their talking immediately and saluted her. The one soldier white suited soldier on the Minerva reached the platform and pressed a button, causing it to rise and taking her above the rest of the crew as she began her announcement.
"Quiet... QUIET!" She yelled, getting everyone's attention. "Alright... that did it. Now... I'm guessing that each and every one of you are probably shocked beyond belief after you finished watching that video. I'll tell you right now I was just as shocked. Now, when I finished watching Oscar expose the Destiny Plan I felt my world go upside down. I am going to say this right now: I do not agree with the Destiny Plan. We, as soldiers of Zaft are supposed to stand for the principles of freedom and justice. This plan is, from what I understood, the anti-thesis of both of those things. To me, the Destiny Plan is absolutely disgusting. Therefore, as a soldier of Zaft, I feel that I may no longer be standing for the things I believe in anymore. Yes, I believe this Oscar Durandal man. From what he said, he seems to be telling the truth. Now, the reason I have called you down here is because our ship is stuck in a rut right now. As you should be aware, that information was meant for the eyes of the Princess of ORB, Cagalli Yula Attha.
However, she did not receive it, but she knows of the disk's existence. Our ship is currently landed somewhere on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. I ordered this to happen because sitting just ahead of us, blocking our only pathway, is that ORB carrier we fought in the Dardanelles, the Takemikazuchi as its called, in addition to the rest of the ORB navel vessels that survived that battle. I went onto the bridge before coming here and checked the radar. To my 'delight', I found that the Archangel, as well as that massive mobile suit that surrendered to them, is blocking our path to the rear inland." She said as the crew began to gossip to themselves again, trying to be quiet.
"Oh my..."
"What are we going to do?"
"ENOUGH!" Talia yelled. "I'm very stressed as you can all see, and stressed is how you all should be right now too, because our ship has no where to run right now and I GUARANTEE you right now that if we try to engage and break through the ORB forces blocking our path from either direction we will have mobile suits numbering in the triple digits coming after us we will not live to tell the tale, and neither will our ship. Now, they have requested that we hand over the disk to them. They have also requested that we give them the information of the Extendeds that we acquired a couple of weeks ago. I asked them if the Minerva could have an hour to decide it's next move, and ORB agreed. We currently have twenty minutes left as it stands, I need to be quick. I fully intend to give the ORB forces what they want.
I am not stupid enough to engage in a battle that I know for a fact I will lose. However, at the same time, I feel that I... as a Captain and as a soldier, have just lost my trust for Zaft, considering how many people in this military organization are outspoken supporters of Gilbert Durandal. Whether or not they know of the Destiny Plan is unknown, but I do know that a lot of people work for Zaft and are fighting for something which I do not believe in. I also know that one way or another I will have to tell Fleet Command Headquarters about both the information disk and the Extended data that we will be giving to the ORB forces. I know that if I am forced to do this, I will probably somehow lose my position as Captain of the Minerva at the very least and you guys will suffer for it as well. Now... with that in mind... I have to ask you all something, as the people who man the vessel known as the Minerva, do you want to continue staying with Zaft, or would you rather just outright defect and join forces with the ORB fleet and help them crush the Chairman's twisted ambitions?
I know I found Athrun Zala to be a pain while he was aboard, and I know some of you simply branded him as a traitor, but now I emphasize with him... kind of. With him he defected because he didn't understand fully what he was fighting for, and with me, I know right now that I'm not fighting for what I believe in and therefore I am going to stop it. However, I am only the Captain, and if you all decide that you want to stay with Zaft, then mutiny me right here and now for my treason." Talia finished her speech. The entire hanger bay was then filled with a dull and eerie silence as everyone was shocked and didn't know what to say. "I see the... then I guess I'll take that as a no..." Talia tried to say as she reached for her hat. However, at the same time, Arthur stepped forward.
"Captain... I've worked under you for some time... and I've grown to know you. However, I also think that I've also grown to know this ship and its crew. So with that fact in mind, I think its my duty right now to tell you that we as a ship do accept your proposal to defect." The Executive Officer said. A smile seemed to creep onto the Captain's face.
"YA!"
"LET'S CRUSH THAT TWISTED PLAN!"
"LET'S DO IT!" The hanger bay erupted with all sorts of positive shouting. It seemed that the crew of the Minerva agreed to defect from Zaft after hearing what they had just heard. The smile that had crept onto Captain Talia Gladys' face bloomed. Shinn seemed to be smiling too when he heard this.
'Now I might be able to fight Athrun and defeat him, rather than fight alongside him and be forced to take orders from the bastard.' He thought.
The crew had returned to their stations and the Captain and the bridge crew sat in their seats on the bridge until the hour was up, which seemed like an eternity.
"Captain, we're being hailed by the Archangel." Meyrin reported.
"Put it through." Talia ordered in a stern tone. In short time an image of Murrue Ramius appeared on the screen.
"Has the Minerva decided what it is going to do next?" The Captain of the Archangel asked.
"Yes, we have. We will give you the requested pieces of data. However I request that several key members of both vessels meet in the field between the ships to perform the exchange, without mobile suits or weaponry." Talia said. Murrue looked at her for a second before responding.
"Very well then. Meet us in the field between our ships." She said as the line was cut.
"Arthur, call Shinn to the hanger bay. We're going." The Captain said as she got up out of her chair and walked towards the exit of the bridge.
In the middle of the dirt between the Archangel and Minerva two vehicles approached each other, one from each ship. Inside the Minerva's vehicle was Captain Talia Gladys, Executive Officer Arthur Trine, and Shinn Asuka, pilot of the Impulse gundam. Inside the Archangel's vehicle was Captain Murrue Ramius, Princess Cagalli Yula Attha, and Kira Yamato. The six people approached each other, Talia carrying some data chips in her hand.
"Here... here they are." The women in the white and black suit with an image of an hourglass on her shoulder and hat said as she handed the data over to the Princess of ORB.
"I thank you for his. Now, we'll be able to help Stella." Cagalli said. Shinn looked as if he was going to say something but was interrupted when Talia began to speak again.
"Oh, and one more thing, Princess. This may seem come as a joke, but be certain that I am serious. Due to the circumstances that have come up, and due to the data that is present on that disk, the vessel known as the Minerva informs you that it wishes to defect to the ORB Union and serve under Lady Cagalli in her conflict. I hope you accept our sincerity in allowing us to join your faction." Talia said as she bowed before the literally stunned blonde Princess, Arthur also bowing when he got the message and Shinn reluctantly bowing.
"The... Minerva's... defecting...? You wish to serve... ORB... and me?" Cagalli asked in a stunned tone, a look of pure awe on her face.
Author's Note:
I went into this chapter knowing full well that some people may like where the story is headed and some may hate it. However, you have to realize that there's two branching plots, and this is just the first. I hope you liked this phase, and I hope you realize that this was the direction I plotted the story to go in from the very beginning, so yes it is according to plan.
Addressing Reviews:
Shadow wolf wrote: An interesting start... Hopefully there will be more enemies to fight other than Durandal. But wait, if Oscar is Neo, then what happened to Mu? And does the disc show Djibril's plan and the Destiny Plan?
Response: Can I slap you in the face? Seriously? Please? (jk) Mwu La Flaga is dead according to this fic. What happened at the end of cannon GS? He got hit by the positron cannon from the Dominion in order to save the Archangel and perished (do you know how powerful a positron cannon is supposed to be? It's anti-matter!). Although I liked him his death meant something. It meant that he would defend the Archangel and Murrue until the bitter end. His survival into GSD was utter nonsense and just plain stupid because a lot of GSD fans don't realize that in gundam people have a tendancy to die and bad things happen (look at the end of Zeta gundam, which is considered the best gundam series by a lot of... how can i say this... the expert gundam community that has seen it all and not just Wing/Seed/00 and then declared them to be the best anime ever), even if they're on the good side and you know them well. Okay?
Nightmarefire wrote: Well this is pretty good so far I liked the scene with Kira and Shinn. Er Mu is dead permanitly in this one right. So is this the Lighter Path or the Darker one
Response: This is the lighter path. Also, since you recognized Mwu as dead, I give you a cookie! (Gives cookie =D)