It's been months since I've updated this.. Life has really gotten in the way but thank you to everyone who followed or favourited, the E-mails keep it in my mind and pushed me to want to continue

Chapter 4- Collapsing Land

The combat around Heliopolis dies down as the colony is secured by Lila's forces and three new Titan ships. Lila watches with a scornful look as the command ship, the Alexandra docks in the damaged colony. She fidgets having heard nothing from Graham since the fighting died down and the ZAFT forces pulled back to a nearby asteroid field.

Inside the colony Kira powers down the Strike as the massive Archangel finds a place to land on the damaged landscape. Murrue stands talking to Bright and Emma, Kira can't make out what they are talking about as his friends come over to greet him and make sure he is okay.

"So that's the situation Captain Bright." Murrue had just finished explaining the situation to both officers. Bright looks to Kira thinking to himself.

"Do you think ZAFT will just leave as is?" Emma ponders aloud, Murrue lets out a sigh but shakes her head.

"We can only hope." but her tone doesn't fill Emma with any confidence. All three officers knew it was more likely for ZAFT to strike again to try and finish the job.

"I highly doubt ZAFT will just go home at this point and leave us with a Gundam. Lieutenant Ramius I think it will be best if you return to the Archangel with the Gundam for now. Lieutenant Emma, lets you and me try and get in touch with Bask, he should be the commander of the base here. We need to work out a plan so that no more of the colony is damaged. Kacricon should have went ahead of us."

"Right" Both woman salute and acknowledge Bright's plan.

In space the AEUG Mobile Suits link up with the Argama and Radish space carriers. Kamille watches the colony from inside the MKII as the hanger door shuts. Soon the cockpit of the MKII opens and he is greeted by Lieutenant Quattro on the other side. Quattro pauses having seen Kamille "(So young)" He thinks as he extends his hand to Kamille. Kamille takes it and is helped out of the cockpit. Apolly, Roberto and other works watch from below some holding guns which they lower after seeing Kamille.

"Don't mind them. My name is Lieutenant Quattro Bajeena of the AEUG" He reassures Kamille.

"Kamille. Kamille Bidan, thank you for trusting me" Kamille has a strange feeling as he looks back at Quattro almost pressure.

"That's fine, your talented. The captain would like to meet you as well, come with me, Kamille."

"It was my first time out in the Mark 2 Sir and it wasn't fully prepped for combat against that many enemies! I didn't expect the other Mark 2 to have been taken over and Jerid not be inside it!"

Bright hears Kacricon's excuses as he walks towards the door to the Heliopolis command room inside the Titan base flanked by Emma. He opens the door catching the attention of Kacricon and the other three Titans inside. Sat in his chair is Bask Om, the commander of the Titans in Heliopolis.

"That's enough, but I want to know how someone else got into unit three." Bask questions, the annoyance in his voice plain.

"Captain Bask! I demand to know why the Titans had the testing for both the Mark II and G projects in this colony! If we had did this at Green Noa 2 then all of this could have been avoided and Orb civilians would not have been dragged into this war!" Bask's attention moves to the visibly annoyed Bright. "Further more just what do you plan to do about the ZAFT ships still in the vicinity. What do you-"

Bright is cut off as Bask raises to his feet and launches a fist right at Bright punching him to the ground. Emma goes to help.

"Commander Bright!"

"Leave him be! How dare you barge in here trying to lecture me! A Titan! Bright your just a common officer the Titans work under their own rules!"

Bright begins to get back up wiping the blood from his lip. "You're no different to me, the Titans are still just a branch of the Earth forces"

"Our job as the Titans is to wipe out any Zeon remnants or sympathisers' here in space like the AEUG. ZAFT is something you should be dealing with along with the rest of the regular forces. How can we do our job if we are worried about the lives of those pathetic spacenoids!"

"Can't you see how that attitude alienates the people who were here before you! All your doing is breeding more hate and doing the AEUG's job for them!"

"Quiet! The captain already explained that!" Kacricon steps in punching Bright as well knocking him back.

"What! How dare you do that to a superior officer!" Bright yells back holding his cheek.

Kacricon smirks "Your in Titan jurisdiction now, our discipline is different from the regular forces"

"You really have no idea how your methods' are just breeding more hate do you!" Bright shouts back before another Titan lunges and punches him in the face knocking him to the ground.

"Shut up! You have no authority over the Titians!" The Titans crowd around him punching and kicking as Emma can do little but look on in fear as Bright is beaten by her colleagues. Bask looks out at the ruins of the colony "Prep the Alexandria, we are going back to Green Noa, we'll bring reinforcements and deal with these AEUG and ZAFT scum"

On the Archangel's deck the Strike lands near the hatch to the hanger, Kira's friends gather as he leaves the cockpit and lowers himself down to them. Natarle is surprised to see the boy was the one who piloted the machine.

"What?! It's just a kid! He was piloting it!"

"That was a great job Kira!" Tolle basically shouts at his friend as they reunite.

"Weren't you scared at all?" Kuzzey asks more fear in his own voice than anything. Sai and Miriallia also gather as Kira feels a little blitzed by them all.

"Eh.. Thanks" He manages to smile uncomfortably. Natarle turns to Murrue more outraged than anything.

"Lt. Ramius, what is the meaning of this!? Why is a civilian piloting the G-weapon?!" Murrue just turns her head trying to think the best way to explain things
"Hey! Can't you be a bit more grateful!" Tolle shouts back quick to defend his friend.

"What?!" Natarle snaps back before been cut off by Graham who arrives
" Kid's right." Graham walks towards the group looking at the collection of students and the shining Gundam beside them.

" Lt. Aker.." Natarle calms herself as the pilot heads towards them. He stops and salutes but remains quite relaxed
"Thanks for letting me use your ship, I can't get in contact with my own. It might be bad out there. Anyway this kid helped protect the G-weapon and also beat a GINN I heard, that's impressive in its own right." His eyes shift towards Kira who lowers his head but keeps eye contact. Graham gives a grin.
"So kid, you're a coordinator right?" He inquires to the shock of the rest of the crew, Murrue looks away as Natarle turns to her expecting an explanation. Kira just stares at Graham but makes no attempt to deny the accusation. Mu scratches the back of his head at the awkwardness..

Kira finally chooses to speak and break the air "Yes, I'm a first generation coordinator."

Mu had thought as much and chooses to speak next "Which means your mother and father are naturals. Right?"
Kira nods confirming Mu's thoughts "Yes." At this the other crew members step forward, some drawing guns prompting Tolle to shield his friend. Tolle grits his teeth "Hey! What are you doing!"

"Stand down! " Graham shouts finally ending the standoff annoyed at the situation he created.
"But he's a coordinator!" One of the crew members shout back
"He's also a member of a neutral colony who the Union is indebted to for letting us make this base in secret in the first place." Graham states back "And that's even if you forget the fact us been here has ended with his home been ruined!"

The crew members lower their guns as Tolle lowers his arms. Graham steps forward again
" I'll tell you this once, ZAFT is the enemy in this war. Not Coordinators, like those Blue Cosmos nutjobs will tell you! "

Murrue steps forward letting herself smile "Thank you for that lieutenant" Graham turns and nods "Not at all". Murrue sighs and turns back to Natarle

"Natarle, what happened to the captain?" Natarle steps back
"They all died in the explosion.. I managed to round up some remaining crew members and other people we could find but.. all the head officers died." both Mu and Murrue are taken aback, Graham closes his eyes.
"no…" Is all Murrue can say. Seeing the loss of focus from Murrue, Natarle steps forward
" With everyone dead, you Lt. Ramius are the highest ranking officer of the crew remaining. I believe that makes you captain."
"What? Me?" Murrue can't believe it.
"Shall we discuss this elsewhere, I'm sure the kids want to have a chance to relax." Mu decides to cut in, both to move the conversation elsewhere and to let the students gather themselves
Murrue nods "Right, yes"

In space on the Vesalius Athrun works on the Aegis typing franticly with purpose as his eyes scan the various screens, he stops almost allowing a smile." Finally done, it's amazing the naturals could even do tests with this system as it is." Athrun thinks as he gazes at the hangers hatch almost through it and back to the colony, his thoughts broken by the voice of Rusty
"Athrun!" Rusty floats up as Athrun opens the cockpits hatch. Athrun helps his friend stop.

"How's the arm?"Atrhun asks, Rusty flexes the arm he had been shot in and smirks.

"Good as new! Sorry I wasn't able to be with you back there.. We could have gotten both of them the two of us."

Athrun flashes to seeing Kira at the Strike "It's okay."

Rusty pauses before continuing "The commander is hell bent on getting that last Gundam, it's got to the point that he either wants it or wants it turned into scrap. He's given the order for the GINN's in the next raid to use weapon config 3."

Athruns eyes widen "3! That could destroy the whole colony!"

"Like that's a problem?" Yzak followed by Nicol and Dearka float over. "Them damned Naturals tried to hide a Titan and Union base inside it, pretending it's a neutral colony."

"That's not the point." Athrun protests his agitation showing.

"You're worried about the civilians?" Rusty asks. Athrun closes his eyes as he turns away.

"Of course (but). Sorry maybe I'm just tired... I'm going to take a break" Athrun pushes past his team mates as he floats down and towards the door. The others watch him leave.

"What's his deal?" Yzak asks as Athrun leaves.

Archangel's bridge, the officers are all present, Murrue sits in the captains chair uncomfortable that all eyes are on her. Mu sits down on one of the chairs backwards resting his arms over the back of the chair.

"So what's our next move then?" He looks around at Murrue, Graham and Natarle, hoping the conversation will go in some direction. Natarle is the first to speak with a sigh.

"Before that, we need to decide what it is we do with the Gundam."

"What do you mean?" Mu responds

"Which of you two will be piloting it?" Natarle questions her eyes shifting from Mu to Graham. Graham though steps back defensively shaking his head and hands.

"Don't look at me!" Graham defends looking at Mu, Natarles gaze moves back to Mu, who scratches his head.

"That's not going to work. Have you SEEN what that kid did to the control system of that machine?! It's insane, no normal human could grasp that."

Natarle looks shocked and confused "What do you mean?"

Before Mu can talk Graham chips in as well "I agree with the Lieutenant. After looking over it, it makes no sense. Those coordinators just have a better grasp of this stuff. No way I feel comfortable trying to go out in that thing."

"So what! We just leave it in the hands of a civilian kid?! A Coordinator kid at that!?" Natarle shouts back

"It's that or just not use the thing..." Mu remarks, making Natarle recoil back somewhat.

Murrue finally decides to stop things "In either case, we need to know his thoughts on things as well."

"I agree and we should do it soon. Hang about here long enough and ZAFT is likely to come back." Mu gets up.

"Yeah, it would be best to try and leave before the Titans get their act together as well. The last thing this ship needs is been roped into something by them" Graham states looking at his fellow officers and getting some confirmation in there faces.

The command room of the Vesalius, Rau and Ades meet with Athrun, who pleads with his commanding officers.

"Please! Let me join the next sortie commander!"

"Athrun... There's no need for you to go out now, you did a great job getting the Gundam for us, leave the rest to Miguel's team." Ades tries to calm Athrun who looks to Rau the commander, Rau rests his cheek on his hand as he looks at Athrun.

"Sorry, but I can't allow it. Miguel has something to prove after his embarrassment at the hands of the Gundam. Sit this one out Athrun." Rau coldly states, Athrun can only clench his fist in frustration before storming out.

Shortly after in the Vesalius hanger. The GINN's are loaded with large missile launchers and Beam cannons, as Deraka and Yzak watch drinking water, Miguel ready's himself inside his GINN.
" Alright everyone! Our target is the ship and the Gundam, anything else is just collateral damage!" Miguel tells his team as his GINN team begin to launch, five GINN's in total leave the ship. However just as they finish leaving, the Aegis's eyes light up as it moves to the catapult while the support crew panic. The Aegis launches after the GINN's as Ades's slams his fist on his chair.

"What the hell is his doing!? Call him back now!" Ades' shouts before Rau silences him.

"Don't bother Ades, we already have all the data we need from that unit. And besides aren't you just a little interested in watching a fight between two Earth Forces Gundam's?" Rau smiles.

"Didn't think I'd see that from you Athrun" Miguel shouts to him as the Aegis joins the formation of GINN's. Athrun's silent response has Miguel grin " Alright, show us the will that made you disobey orders"

"Wait! How come you can't let us off!" Tolle shouts back on the Archangel, him and the rest of the students have been gathered by Mu, Murrue and Graham.

"The fact is you kids have been exposed to some of our most top secret weapons, we can't just leave you here at this point." Murrue tells them

"Listen, we don't like having to do this but we have to." Mu adds as the kids look at each other before Murrue steps forward looking at Kira.

"Also Kira, we've decided that we want you to pilot the Strike at least until we are safe in Union territory, please we need your help." Kira shocked, steps back

"What! I'm sorry we're neutral, we don't want anything to do with your war! Why are you trying to bring us into this!"
"Is that the excuse your gonna give these guys when this ship goes down" Graham cuts Kira off.
" What?" Kira replys looking back at Graham
"Listen, you have two choices, either you sit here, block your ears and eyes to what's going on around you, saying your neutral and hoping not to die or you stand up and take things in your own hands and make sure you live!" Graham tells Kira who looks down
"Thats… you people aren't been fair.. we're only.."
"Life's not fair kid, but don't get me wrong, we aren't asking you to fight for us or to join this war, I'm asking you to fight for them" Graham points towards Kira's friends
"You're the only one that can pilot the Strike now and we need your help to protect this ship and the people on it."
Mu moves to put his hand on Kira's shoulder "Kira, if you have the power to make a difference, don't you think you should put it to use? There's only so much we can do, we need some help if we are to make it through this."
Graham relaxes a bit "so what do you say?" he stares at Kira who is still hesitant, the silence is broken as an announcement rings out in the ship.

"Enemy's incoming! Mobile Suits detected! Can Captain Ramus report to the bridge now! Emergency!"
Murrue is caught off guard by the announcement " Wait?! Captain Ramius?" She looks towards Mu who shrugs
"Don't worry, I'm a higher rank but I don't know the first thing about this ship. You'll do fine." he winks and gives a thumbs up, Murrue lowers her shoulders and sighs. Graham turns to Kira
" WellWe're out of time, now you have a choice that impacts everyone, fight or sit here and pray. What will it be Kira?"
Kira looks down and clenches his fists before looking up at Graham defiantly
" Fine.. I'll do it."

The GINN's break through the colony's exterior and are quickly picked up by the Archangel's sensors as Murrue and Mu arrive on the bridge. Murrue takes the captains chair.

" Lt. La Flaga, can you man the CIWS since your unit is still been repaired?"

Mu looks to the controls and nods "No problem." He takes his seat putting on the headset. Graham is on the screen
"Don't shoot me down Lieutenant"
Mu laughs " I'll try not too"
Natarle sits down taking her place as commander of the weapon systems, "This isn't the time for idle chat."
Graham smirks "Aye mam! Graham Aker! Union Flag! Heading out!"
Graham's Flag launches in MA mode, Kira in the Strike is brought up next, Natarle appears on his screen as he checks over the controls
"We're Equipping Sword Striker pack. Your ready to go, Kira Yamato"
Kira looks over the specs on his right screen"(A Sword..) Right. Kira Yamato! Strike Gundam launching!"

The Strike launches out from the Archangel but before he can get his bearings Kira is shouted by Graham "Watch it!"
Kira boosts upwards with a grunt pulling away from a beam cannon shot from one of the GINN's, he looks up to see Miguel's GINN
"Missed! Alright guys, you handle the Flag and ship. Athrun back me up! We're going for the Gundam!" Miguel exclaims as Athrun falls in behind muttering a hesitant "Roger"

One of the GINN's fires Rockets at Graham who evades them spinning. They hit the ground damaging the colony.
"Damn ZAFT, what are they doing with those weapons inside a colony!" Graham fires back but misses
"This isn't good it looks like ZAFT are using heavy weapons" Natarle reports to Murrue who bites a nail
" Grr, So if we dodge..."
"This whole place is going down at this rate! Well then!" Graham swoops upwards and transforms with a grunt, he speeds towards a GINN firing , he hits it's leg then chest blowing it up. Meanwhile Miguel fires his beam cannon at Kira, who dodges.
"Damn it! Get behind him Athrun!" Miguel shouts, Kira notices the Aegis behind, they circle each other
"(Is it really you Kira?)"
"That's the suit... Athrun…" The two hesitate before been broken up when Graham fires at the Aegis and Athrun has to move away.
"Not so fast!" Graham closes in on Athrun each drawing sabers and clashing. Miguel moves to line up a shot at Kira who dodges upwards and counters by throwing the beam boomerang towards Miguel. Miguel evades and moves back to fire grinning "I have you now, Gundam!"
The beam blade comes back around however slicing through the leg of the GINN, Miguel looks in terror as his suit is thrown off balance " Wwhat!" Kira roars as he charges towards the GINN drawing the Anti-Ship sword and carving through the GINN which goes up in a large explosion. Athrun watches still locked in combat with Graham, he forces Graham away with a roar "Miguel!"

Graham pulls back to reassess the battle "The kid got one, but the Archangel is!"
The Archangel fends off the other GINN's, one of them moves in front of the Gottfried, Mu takes aim. "Got You!" he fires taking out the GINN, however the four missiles it was carrying are shot off and hit the main pillar of the Colony which begins to collapse. As the colony begins to break Kira and Athrun face each other, finally Athrun reaches Kira's comms
" Kira! Kira Yamato!"
" Athrun? Athrun Zala..."
" So it is you! Isn't it Kira! What are you doing in that machine! Why are you with the naturals! Answer me Kira!"
"Athrun..." Before Kira can fully grasp the situation the colony finally breaks apart separating the friends as the two Mobile Suits are thrown away from each other.

Outside away from the battle on the Argama, Kamille and Quttro watch, Kamille puts his hand to the glass as he watches his home shatter. Quattro lowers his glasses "It's breaking up... So fragile..". A feeling of powerlessness goes over Kamille "(Fa… everybody)"