Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic SEED

Chapter Four

Escape from Luna II

XXXX

Luna II…

The first asteroid to be successfully captured and towed back to Earth's orbit in the late 2165 Amino Domino. Later on in 2189 AD, a mere eleven years before the Cosmic Era calendar was adopted, it was displaced into a Lagrange Point for both security and safety reasons.

Since then, it has been used as a wayport to and from various areas in the Earth Sphere and was a popular destination point as well.

But, the peace of the asteroid was not to last.

Shortly after the construction of military bases began in space and the formation of the United Federal States of the Atlantic Space Forces, the asteroid was selected to be militarized.

From a strategic standpoint, Luna II was militarily valuable as a Naval Port. Its position astride important space lanes made it too tempting to target in any war fought in space. Additionally, the UFSA Military saw the potential in using Luna II for at the time Theoretical Orbital Drop Assaults behind enemy lines on Earth.

Economically, the denizens of Luna II saw the militarization of their home as a life saver. Although Luna II still had plenty of resources to tap, the demand just wasn't there anymore and with the rise of the PLANTS and the arrival of more mining asteroids, there just wasn't the high price on its metals anymore. Additionally, when the mass exodus of Coordinators from Earth began, the tourism trade began to flounder. It was further damaged and began to collapse when Blue Cosmos began regular attacks throughout space, including targeting Luna II on more than one occasion. These attacks were found and proven often in response for biting criticism and allowing Coordinators to either visit or settle on the asteroid.

The conversion from a purely mining and tourist asteroid to a military port was fairly easy and the conversion was quickly completed. Additionally, because of its mining history and untapped resources, Luna II quickly became extremely valuable as a strategic asset to the Atlantic Federation. The asteroid was expanded as a result to include shipyards and its own manufacturing capabilities as well. There were only two things that Luna II lacked as a result, Food and Water Production, both needing to be shipped in from Earth or nearby colonies.

Shortly after the start of the Valentine War, Zeon attempted to assail this fortress in space. With most of its supply lines cut or the colonies it was depended on destroyed, Luna II should have easily fallen to the Zeon forces sent to capture it. Instead, it stubbornly held out having been heavily stocked prior to the war and most of its forces had yet to be deployed for combat. As such, its combat strength and ability to withstand siege was high and durable.

What should have been a quick and easy victory for Zeon turned into a grueling battle of attrition. The Zeon Space Attack Forces under Generaladmiral Dolza Zabi began systematic attacks early on against the Enforcer units stationed at Luna II. Despite overwhelming early victories, here, the Zeon offensive in space began to grind to a halt. It was made worse for the Zeon Space Attack Forces when the remnants of several Enforcer Battle Groups were able to regroup at other locations and form ad hoc fleets to end the siege and reopen vital supply routes. The siege ended with only moderate Zeon losses, but was also a complete failure as Luna II stood proud and strong at the end of the siege.

The Zeon High Command after the battle had commissioned a Post-Siege Battle Analysis which revealed that the early rapid victories had overestimated numbers reported among enemy losses. As such, the Space Attack Forces had to contend with the bulk of the Alliance military space forces still being largely intact, if fewer in numbers, and ready for combat. Coupled with the failure to conquer all of the moon, the higher than expected losses at the Battle of the Loum, and the month long fighting for the Nova Resource Asteroid, Zeon simply no longer had the ability to lay siege to Luna II, especially after the Earth Drop Operations began. In addition to those, the assembled commissioned reported on widespread intelligence failures, poor enemy damage assessment reports, and a lack of heavy weapons and support forces for laying siege to asteroid bases among other cited issues.

Recommendations were made to address a number of general flaws and specific flaws that came out of the Luna II Post Siege Battle Analysis. Along with those recommendations, a strong emphasis had been put on capturing Luna II as soon as it possible and that the Side 7 Space Colonies be neutralized immediately there after. But these recommendations were only addressed partially or haphazardly, often on the whim of the commanders. Additionally, the Zeon military chose to ignore Luna II and the far side colonies of the Side 7.

In January of CE 71, this short sightedness would come back to harm the PLANTS and Zeon with the successful deployment of the RX-75, RX-77, and RX-78 V-Project Prototypes along with the large scale introduction of the RGM-79 GM series.

XXXX

As the guards and gunners watched the majestic ship pass by their positions as patrol ships continued their 'Death by Boredom' patrol routes, they all could agree to the same conclusion.

Talk about a good looking ship.

EFS White Base, their newest warship, sailed by to begin its docking procedures. The vessel was met by tug boats and a harbor pilot was transferred over. The pilot was a little unsure of the controls, but found them easy enough to operate, though he did question why the massive old fashion design and Bright could only shrug.

As the large ship began her maneuvering to dock, the Andrew Messa passed by on her patrol. The slightly shorter at 300 meter long Agamemnon-class Carrier was leading the patrol sweeps that would protect the Earth Federation base and colony. Formerly a Eurasian Federation Space Naval Force ship, YVP Kalinin Stoykiy. The ship was salvaged by the Earth Federation after the First Battle of Artemis had seen the ship abandoned due to uncontrollable fires.

Repaired and put back into service with the Earth Federation Space Forces, the ship was renamed the Andrew Messa after the Atlantic Federation President that tried to avoid war. She was also the lead ship of a new subvariant since during her refit, considerable useless equipment had been removed and she was given some more teeth in the form of VLS launch clusters, 76mm AA defenses, and two additional beam cannon turrets were added on her ventral side. Furthermore, the Andrew Messa-class had its Fighter Group also increased so they could now carry up 70 Mobile Armor or 100 Space Fighters thanks to rearrangements and improved armor configuration of the ship.

"So that's an Andrew Messa-class," Mirai commented at seeing the patrol leader leading her pack of two Destroyer Variants of the Drake-class and several Drake-class Frigates. "I've heard that the Andrew Messa has seen a lot of action."

"Yes," Bright confirmed as he watched the tugs and harbor pilot bring them in. "She's not a year old under the name of Andrew Messa, but she's seen battle at Second Loum, Second Artemis, and the Nova Campaign, among other smaller engagements."

"I see," Mirai could tell that Bright was holding out as he was a bit stoic in his response. She wondered why? Perhaps it had something to do on a personal level. She mentally shrugged. It wasn't any of her business. Once docked, she was going to be leaving immediately for her 'winter' home on Heliopolis.

XXXX

Elsewhere in the harbor, Rear Admiral Upper Half Gene Wolfgang Wakkein, originally Watkein, but a clerical error had misspelled his name ever since, watched as White Base entered. He found the timing annoying as Vice Admiral N'duhlle Gilford had just recently left with a large part of the Luna II Fleet for training maneuvers. It would be a while before she got back and if the reports about who was now sitting just outside his patrols was true, he couldn't decide if that was good or bad.

Still, he had his orders. Word had been fast tracked to Earth HQ. Then they had fast tracked a message to him. So he had read the orders. He could tell they were still organizing things down there, little surprise, when he read them. A few made no sense, likely an officer who didn't fully understand the situation, and others ran contrary to what needed to be done. Fortunately, someone else had found out and fast tracked him some more comprehensive orders. In summary, he hoped the civilians and crew were tired. They would be less likely to give him trouble and he could avoid a riot.

"Sir, Madagascar is on her way in," one of his aides informed him. She was the messenger runner for Admiral Gilford. An improved Salamis-class Light Cruiser with heavier than normal firepower for her tonnage, she had been re-equipped with a large number of the new missiles that were able to somewhat operate under N-Jammer and Minovsky Particles. Coupled with heavier defenses against Mobile Suit and Armor attacks plus a new and improved engine and powerplant and she could outshoot and outrun just about anything ZAFT and Zeon had.

The Madagascar Subclass was not something many Nazca-class Destroyer captains had enjoyed becoming entangled with in the last few weeks.

"Right, get them in and situated," Wakkein rose from his desk, thankful for the new gravity plating. "I'll address White Base personally."

"Yes sir," the aide saluted, knowing the orders were the kind a base commander took responsibility for and not passed onto a lower ranked staff officer.

XXXX

"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Generaladmiral Dolza Zabi shouted into the phone as he came wide awake and began to pull himself out of bed, much to his pregnant wife's annoyance. Though the way he was shouting made it clear that it was serious. What little that she knew of what was going on, it couldn't be Char Anzable. His attack wasn't due for another several hours.

"Dear what's wrong?" she rubbed her eyes as she yawned, but Dolza was shouting at the other person on the other side of the line.

"It can't be?!" and she was wide awake. "YES! Send every available vessel! NO! Tell the Red Comet to press his attack! We can't let that ship get away no matter what! Understood? Good! Carry on," and he hung up the phone as he hurriedly got out of bed, grabbing a change of uniform in the process.

"Dear?" he heard his wife call to him, sounding fearful.

"We just learned that Heliopolis was attacked by ZAFT," Dolza sighed. Usually it was them, the Zeon who broke treaties, but ZAFT had gone and done it now. Zeon intelligence had confirmed an Alliance project under the auspices of Morgenroete, but had decided against attacking. After all, it wasn't like Orb wasn't selling them items. Orb had to maintain its economy, but someone in ZAFT had decided to change that. "The colony was completely destroyed."

He heard his wife gasp. But he paid it no mind. He had a battle and a rescue operation to take command of.

'Char…' the generaladmiral thought as he got himself presentable, 'We need Luna II to fall today.'

XXXX

Approaching Luna II's primary docking port, the EFS Madagascar began to slow down and received its harbor pilot. Outwardly with a cursory glance it appeared as any other Salamis-class Light Cruiser, but when one took a closer and detailed look they could see that was not the case. Additionally, under the proverbial hood, they would find that Madagascar, like all her systems of the 'Island-class Light Cruiser' had improved engines for greater speed, more maneuvering thrusters, a superior power grid, and were the first line ships to get the latest gravity plating. Also, if one looked at the bridge tower, they would note it was actually lower and slightly longer than the contemporary Salamis-class and also had wider sensor and communication arrays compensating for the battlefields it was expected to fight.

Weapon wise, Madagascar still had the same mounts, though there were obviously more AA mounts and some additional missile launch tubes. Her torpedo tubes had been reduced from six to four and the space used for other uses. A closer examination of the weapons though, would reveal that all Madagascar-class ships had more powerful weapons. The main guns were still single mount, though a few were testing twin mounts, but they were cannons expected of larger ships allowing the Madagascars to more readily challenge the Musai-class Light Cruiser to nearly equal combat despite the Zeon's use of Mega Particle Cannons. The gun barrels were also noticeably flatter looking with slightly wider muzzles which reportedly gave them better range, higher accuracy, and greater rate of fire than contemporary rounded barrel beam cannons.

Like many of the newer ships, the Madagascar's AA weapons were complemented with the addition of 76mm CIWS Rotary Gatling Cannons to repel mobile suits and larger missiles while leaving the smaller 40mm AA guns to fend off fighters and most missile types. The missile launchers were identically placed, save for some newer flank and VLS missile launchers, though not many were added. The missiles used the latest tracking technology and can, to a respectable degree, penetrate both Minovsky Particles and Neutron Jammer systems.

But for now, the improved Light Cruiser was coming into port from Earth side. The view was always breath taking. The giant blue jewel that was Earth was a sight to behold from Luna II. Once one of its many tourist draws, it was now a constant reminder of just why the Federation garrison fought.

The Light Cruiser followed its instructions from Docking Control as it entered the guidance lights, "Madagascar locked on beacon." Originally bright lasers and homing guidance systems were used, but those have since been replaced by guide lights strung out on wires and laser designated visual guide beacons, "Docking speed maximum minus two your altitude is looking good." The pilot knew their stuff as the ship began to enter the cavernous entry port, passing gun batteries, patrols, and other fortification and defenses.

"Madagascar entering port," harbor pilot reported as the ship crossed the threshold and entered Luna II, "Prepare to secure the ship."

Even before the ship had entered the passageway, Luna II personnel were rushing to get badly needed stores ready. In war, time waits for no one. As such, the a Quartermaster aboard the Madagascar was shouting at his people to get ready, "Weapon loaders on the double!" Especially given how close the Red Comet was.

"Recreation services where are you?" inquired an officer from Madagascar. Despite the possibility of combat, it would take a few days to fully turn around the ship. In the mean time, the crew would need a break as the ship had been at combat alert status since departing her main fleet. "Are you ready to receive our crew?" The crew would need all the RnR they could get until called upon to fight again.

A Harbormaster then reported in, "Pier Number Two ready. Secondary battle supplies will be loaded as soon as the Madagascar is docked."

"Roger," the Port Captain responded as he observed the ship enter the main harbour.

XXXX

Meanwhile, White Base, docked and tethered into position was having some slight difficulties.

The base personnel were reluctant to take on the Side 7 refugees. As such, Bright Noah was speaking with the senior officer available at the moment. The officer was making it clear though, that Luna II didn't want the refugees, but he was at least hearing Bright out. Though in the background, Amuro Ray was once again fiddling with his collar. His complaint was still open about it as it chafed and was drawing more of his attention as he leaned against one of the walls with Fraw Bow to his right, still in her dress from Side 7, and the three small orphans on his left, also dressed in their own clothes. He could see a bit more to his left Marina Ismail tending to several other orphans that had been found hiding out on the ship until a few hours earlier.

Amuro also saw Shirin Birkin and Mirai Yashima next to Mr. Noah trying to talk the officer into accepting the civilians with Sayla Mass, Kai Shiden, Hayato Kobuyashi, and Ryu Jose forming a line just behind them. But as far as he could see, she was having no luck either. Amuro did recall that the armed guards were largely there to insure no one left the ship. Largely to keep them from wandering where they didn't belong or to where there was danger on top of the possibility of an enemy spy slipping through. So all he could do was wait and work at that damnable collar!

"Listen we have over 100 civilians with us," Bright argued and he barely had the crew and personnel to watch them all, "We barely made it out of Side 7 when it was attacked."

"Hey! Listen," the officer began, he felt sympathy for the cadet officer, but he also knew the danger, "I'd love to take them, really I would," he knew they could easily support them for the long term under normal conditions, "but Luna II has been under constant threat and it wouldn't be safe."

Bright didn't give up, "We risked our lives to get to a Federation base and we can't even rest here?"

"Please sir," Shirin interrupted suddenly, "Princess Royal Marina Ismail will gladly take them off your hands as soon as we have chartered the needed shuttles to carry them to other colonies."

Before the man could respond, another voice spoke up.

"Let me explain the situation to you."

The four turned their heads to see another, somewhat younger officer having arrived with a small knot of officers and a couple squads of Military Police personnel. The junior officer immediately saluted his superior. Whereas the first officer that Bright had been talking to was a career port officer with graying hair and aged lines from his years, this new officer was younger with blonde hair with youngish gray eyes. He had a face that was just above average with a strong nose, something that would stand out, and there was a sternness to his face as an officer of his rank would be expected to have, but it was clear he sided with the White Base and her crew and refugees and yet had his orders.

"Sir," the junior officer went to attention.

Folding his arms behind his back and turning to address Bright and the two women to either side of him, "My name is Gene Wolfgang Watkein, Upper Half Rear Admiral and I'm the commander of the Luna II Garrison and you must be Cadet Bright Noah."

"Sir," Bright came to attention after saluting when addressed.

Taking a datapad with all the names of the surviving crew, personnel, and evacuees aboard White Base, Watkein proceeded to read through it. Additional notes indicated what some civilians had done aboard ship as well. It also stated some of them needed debrief he would need to get as soon as there was a chance, which there would likely be plenty in the immediate future.

As he read, Bright began to plead the civilians' case to the man.

"The evacuees are completely exhausted sir," Bright saw him read through the information and was careful not to interrupt him, "I would like to find them a place to rest as soon as possible."

Mirai then spoke up as well, "We're tired sir. We've been defending ourselves from nonstop Zeon attacks," admittedly that was bit of an embellishment, but Watkein could see she was a civilian and from the Yashima family, so he let it slide.

"Also Admiral Watkein," Shirin spoke as well, "Princess Marina is prepared to finance out of pocket chartered shuttles to take all the refugees to other Colonies to meet up with family and friends or return to their own nations, such as Her Highness' cousin who is in need of a visit to his family doctor."

Watkein looked up at the three. He had already confirmed that the Azadistan Princess Royal was aboard White Base. Her being on Side 7 was a matter of record for the Federation. It was also known that she had been in talks with the Zeon, ironically as it was, that had proven fruitful for her people.

"We can't take civilians on Luna II at this time," he announced to everyone surprising everyone who heard him. The mere thought that Luna II couldn't take civilians at any time was simply absurd! The whole asteroid had originally been a civilian mining colony years ago. As such, there were still civilians living on the colony and thus should have enabled them to take on the evacuees.

"Why not?" Bright inquired, keeping his voice straight.

Amuro on the other hand growled and made to go forward until Fraw's hand landed on his shoulder. Turning to look at her, he saw her shake her head and he stepped back against the wall. Though he was still clearly unhappy. He'll keep his peace… for now.

The admiral continued on with an announcement for everyone.

"Additionally, as per orders from Earth Federation Headquarters, I must inform everyone here that most of you here will be sent to Earth," that was a shock that had people questioning what was going on. Some voices even began arguing about returning to Side 7, either unaware or not caring that there was a giant hole in its side and that the colony has long since gone dark. Of course others wanted to go to the few other colonies in the Side 7 Bunch or even to the neutral colonies also there, but the admiral was also not done and he felt only some ease at the number of Military Police that had been quietly filing into the large area and surrounding the civilians, Side 7 personnel, and the crew of the White Base, though it was clear that Princess Marina's personal bodyguards had seen the movement and were already in a place to protect her.

"Also, the following people will also be separated from the civilians," Admiral Watkein could only curse this bit mentally, but orders were orders.

"Bright Noah, Mirai Yashima, Ryu Jose, Sayla Mass, Kai Shidan, Hayato Kobuyashi," the small knot looked stunned and dumbfounded as their names were read and then Fraw and Amuro found Military Police pointing rifles at them which set off Haro and the orphans before Fraw calmed them, "Fraw Bow, Amuro Ray, Job John," Job, the Markers, and a number of others surrendered without a struggle as their names were read and then came a shocking name, "Kira Yamato."

Both Shirin and Marina gasped and the bodyguards made themselves ready for anything. They had to be prepared to fight, despite the disproportionate difference in strength and numbers. Then there was the fact that the MPs were all armored and heavily armed. Though thankfully, a majority of them carried Riot Shields and Stun Batons instead of firearms. The admiral didn't want a bloodbath and it could be determined that the rifles had Stun Bullets in them rather than Live Ammo.

When the last name was read off, Bright promptly began demanding.

"Watkein give us an explanation!?" Bright demanded of the admiral, completely out of line, but the admiral wasn't about to call him on it. The orders were, of course, quite absurd and he was working on getting them addressed. Yet some of the orders made some sense. It was just that how he was being ordered to address them was the problem.

Yet he answered Bright without looking at him.

"Cadets and civilians have taken control of Class Triple A Classified Technology," Watkein began, "Namely the advance prototypes known as White Base, Guntank, Gundam, and Gundam Striker," then he let the other shoe drop, "This action was unauthorized and there will be a military court martial."

Mirai stepped forward shocked, unable to form words that came out as more a sound than words.

"White Base shall be impounded now," Watkein continued, "and the Mobile Suits shall be secure and brought under military jurisdiction as of now. That is all," he concluded, hating such a mixed up and stupid order. He had an idea of who as well. His personal opinion of the man couldn't get any lower and yet, it seemed it had just now.

Amuro of course began protesting.

"I don't believe this!" causing Watkein to look over to him. "You don't even know what happened on Side 7, do you?" that was the truth, but orders were orders, "I can't believe you're treating us like a bunch of criminals!"

Watkein kept his eyes on Amuro as he turned to leave. But just as he turned his head, he heard something that made him turn back. It was the White Base's captain. His medical bed was being pushed along to the exit, along with all the other wounded following.

He and the officer saluted along with several others as two of the MPs came to attention as Captain Paolo Cassius' bed was brought to a stop next to the admiral. The captain managed to open his eyes and turn to the admiral who leaned in.

"I'm Watkein of Luna II, commanding captain."

Remembering the name well enough, despite his mind addled by painkillers, "Right. Take care of repairs to White Base," Captain Cassuis stalled as pain briefly lanced through him, "Also… the children…"

"Yes, leave it all to me captain," Watkein informed the older ship commander, "After you have had some rest, we will talk some more," and then he leaned back nodding to the medical technician.

The man acknowledged the admiral and continued to lead the group on. Given the severity of his wounds and the seniority of his rank, the technician headed for a small medical transport at the front of White Base's main hangar bay. Passing through a small airlock, he gently eased the captain's bed into place and allowed the automatic locks to seize and hold it in place. After a brief check, he nodded to the pilot and the small harbor craft detached once the hatch had closed and sealed and green lights lit his board.

Over in the side maintenance and launch area, military technicians and Military Police were locking the mobile suits into place.

"We will deal with the Guntank after we secure the Gundam," the lead technician stated as he floated by others at work.

"What do we do with it though?" another questioned as he worked to secure one of the arms, "It's badly damaged."

"Nothing for now," a third technician responded as he brought another strap to be bolted down around a leg, "Watkein is pretty strict about his orders."

"Then we get the Striker next after that right?" a fourth inquired looking over to the Gundam Striker.

Once again, the Striker had been taken apart and pieces were tied down near it. Which of course made a problem for them. After all, with it mostly undone, they would have to put it back together and then tie it down in its maintenance cradle.

Sighing, the lead technician reported Striker's condition. He had read the report that it wasn't fully operational and had been hurriedly put together and taken apart a few times already. He just hadn't realized it had been once more taken apart after its last battle again.

A few minutes later, one of the officers decided on his own volition to have any battle damage addressed and to get Striker put back together as the design plans dictated.

"All that's going to take a couple of days!" one of the men whined. The others felt their nerves grate at his whining, but they understood what he meant. The poor guy had liberty coming up and he was planning to spend it doting on his wife and newborn twin daughter and son.

"I'll see about sending you home early," the leader stated and indicated for his men to get to work.

XXXX

Meanwhile, Bright and Watkein had gotten into argument over whether or not Char would attack.

As far as Watkein was concerned, there was at least one Musai, maybe two Zeon ships. Even then, he felt little reason to be concerned. The Luna II Base was well protected from ship attack. Additionally, he had both the RRF-06 Zanny Mobile Suit and several new RGM-79(E) GM Precession Mobile Suits, also known in some circles as the Early Type, even if it hasn't been in service particularly long. He had several wings of fighters and mobile armor along with a few dozen ships and several squadrons of the new RB-79 Mobile Ball. His command's sensors were some of the best in all of the war. Even IF the Red Comet had more forces, he would be a fool to try and attack.

Bright disagreed.

He argued that the Red Comet had as many as six ships that were known and a large mobile suit force altogether. Additionally, the majority were ZAFT soldiers under Commander Mikhail Coast, the infamous Doctor. To Bright Noah, Luna II was vulnerable to an attack right now.

Truthfully, Watkein didn't doubt it. But he had his orders and the base was truly formidable. In case of commandoes, he had deployed a number of patrols to protect Luna II from such a threat. So far, they hadn't reported anything wrong. Plus, with Madagascar bringing a message from Vice Admiral Gilford about her return in the immediate future, he didn't need to worry.

The Red Comet should be aware that a large part of the Luna II's forces were away and if he attacked now, he ran the chance of being encircled.

"You're an unqualified officer and I can see how you might panic over this Mister Noah," Watkein had ended the argument then and there. "However, the Red Comet is an experienced soldier and he isn't about to jeopardize himself, his crew, or others," there was a mark arrogance as Watkein said that, "Challenging Luna II would be suicide."

There was just a small detail the admiral overlooked.

He had come up on warships and didn't think like the largely independent fighter and mobile armor pilots. Worse, Char Aznable was a Mobile Suit pilot and knew how his equipment worked.

He would attack.

And attack soon.

XXXX

Well away from Luna II and terrain hugging as closely as the helmsmen dared, Char lead his little battle group in preparation to attack. Successfully hiding his forces behind Minovsky Particles and keeping their emissions low, Char had brought his forces right underneath Luna II's defenses and well inside its defense envelope.

"It's so strange being so close to them," Char remarked as he gazed out at the side of Luna II, "Funny. Now that technology has gotten so advanced, we're now back to fighting one another face to face the way people did centuries ago."

Kaptain Erich Wolfenstein Dren could only agree, but they also needed a plan of attack. For now, Mikhail Coast was letting Char operate as the sole commander. Unlike himself, Char was a professional soldier and thus was letting Char and Dren decide the path to battle. But the Kaptain knew they needed a plan of attack and soon.

"Oberstleutnant," Dren had an arm crossed over his waist and was bent forward a little, "Shall we begin our attack on Luna II?"

Char briefly looked behind him. He saw how Dren looked and mentally compared it to some stereotypical henchman of some stereotypical villain of some vid or another. Yet the look on Dren's face was totally focused and eager. It was clear he was ready for another round.

"Let's just hope the crew is as eager for battle as you," then he turned to look out the viewport, "Luna II is known to have extensive fortifications and defensive facilities," as the Falmel maneuvered around an outcropping, Char saw a stunning view of Earth framed by a pair of other outcroppings which if he had been a poet, would have lead him to believe something. Instead, he was thinking solely of Luna II as he spoke, "You're average military commander would not expect an attack from such a small force, especially given how Luna II resisted much heavier forces in a prolonged siege already."

"Shall we proceed with the attack, sir?" Dren inquired once more.

Getting slightly annoyed at Dren's attitude, Char lightly snapped back, "I'll let you know when the time comes."

Bowing deeper, "I remain at your service."

With that out of the way, Char began to allow his mind to wander back to that moment on Side 7. To the encounter with the younger blonde teenage girl that reminded him so much of Artesia. It was strange though. His sister had been too gentle than what he had seen. Yet the young woman's face when he had removed his mask had been one of total shock. She had known him. But it couldn't be his sister, his Artesia. That one had been too strong, too confident.

Yet he couldn't get the image of the blonde girl in pink holding a pistol, poised to shoot at him and yet… her face was one of bewildered longing.

'What if that girl really was my sister?' he wondered internally at the thought. 'It has been ten years, but no… that girl, that woman was too brave to be Artesia.'

And yet, despite that, he couldn't get that moment they had encountered one another out of his mind.

XXXX

Flashback

"Collect it and let's-" as he bent down to pick up a part...

"Don't. Move." a young lady's voice ordered and he turned, he could hear his men calling to him, but he was able to tone the volume down as he looked over to her, hearing the cocking of a gun, "Drop it. Now," she ordered and he complied.

He then stood up, to his full height as he observed the blonde in a pink coat and pants, "You're brave," he admitted as he eyed her, "But! You don't look like much of a soldier, are you," it was a statement of fact as he then took a step forward, but she spoke back strongly.

"Move and I'll shoot," and he recoiled, not from the command, but from her face.

"She looks just like..." he began, but then she began to order him again.

Char did that, taking off his helmet slowly with a grunt. He ideally wondered as he put it under his arm and brought his right hand up to rip his mask off, if it was her? If so, would she recognize him? He couldn't stop his musings on the what ifs that were now presented before him.

Then she saw his face and immediately lost her composure. His face was full of burning defiance and determination, but she'd known it well even so.

Char took advantage of it to lash out with a powerful kick.

She backed away immediately from him. At the same time, Char also backed up. His own disbelief clear on his face.

XXXX

'It was her, but Artesia was much more gentle,' and he realized he had to know more.

Char spun around on his heel to look his bridge crew and officer over as he made his decision.

"We will approach the enemy in Kommando Suits!" he ordered and his men took steps back in shock and surprise. That was not something they were expecting. Not in the least bit and some voiced it, but Char continued on.

"Our Primary Objective is to capture the Federation's new Mobile Suit," he stopped to let that sink in, "Second Objective, capture of the enemy's new Trojan Horse warship despite the risk involved," he glanced down, to capture both, would mean to capture the entire port. "Yet if we can't capture them, we're destroy them and that's it."

"Sir!" the men all came to attention.

"Signal all forces! Prepare for combat!" Dren ordered as he gave orders for the ships and Char communicated over tight laser communications with Mikhail Coast.

XXXX

In Luna II's old gravity block, used back during the days it was a solely a mining outpost, the detained members of White Base sat in their cells. Now the old gravity block was used for detention. This left the crew with some free time as guards pushed trays loaded with food down the passageway to be delivered to the prisoners.

"You're rations," a guard announced as he pushed a tray into room where Bright, Amuro, Kai, Hayato, and Ryu all sat around. Kira was laid out on one of the beds sleeping lightly after his painkillers took effect. The plan was to move him to a more permanent medical bay once the current occupants, all Zeon soldiers, had been transferred to the POW Military Hospital later the next day.

The guard was quick to secure the door as Bright had charged him wanting to speak with the Rear Admiral. As he left, he could hear Bright pounding on the door and demanding to speak to Watkein. The guard had to admit, that the orders were very absurd. If from what he heard was correct, then they had saved Federation secrets rather than stolen them.

'Ours is not reason why, but to do or die,' the guard thought the old saying from so long ago.

Back inside the cell, Amuro had managed to get Bright to stop. Though Bright had only turned to Amuro to state that Char was going to attack and the base hadn't realized that. It was understandable about his turn in opinion from the trip over. During the voyage to arrive, Bright had thought it over and concluded that Char had lost too much to turn back now. He was going to attack, regardless of the battle strength. The base had to fully prepare before that happened.

"Mister Noah," Kira groaned as he was awoken by the shouting, "Knock it off and be an officer," thankfully the gravity was light enough to allow Kira to move without seriously feeling any pain as he sat up and swung his legs over the side before stretching and yawning, an audible popping in his back followed by Kira nearly folding over in pain made everyone sigh as Amuro helped him lean back up again.

"Well in the mean time we might as well chow down while we can," Kai picked up one of the trays and noted what was on it, "OH! They're at least giving us some of the good stuff. I see mixed vegetables, mash potatoes, raspberry pudding, and some chicken fried steak."

"Pass it out Kai," Kira said with a slight smirk at the look Kai was giving him, "First to Food, Last to Eat."

"HEY! That ain't fair!" Kai protested much to the amusement of Kira, Ryu, and Hayato.

"But at least you have the right idea Kai," Ryu finished chuckling at the grey haired coward as he stepped forward and took two trays. "Food is a lot like fuel for my fighter. Gotta fill up or I'm going no where at all."

"That is true," Kira gratefully accepted his tray from Ryu, "Kai may be a coward, but even coward's have right ideas."

"HEY!" the room descended back into laughter at Kai's expense as Hayato, Bright, and Amuro grabbed their own trays and sat down to eat as well.

Small talk began to fill the room. The small knot of unlikely comrades joking as they ate their food. Topics ranged from the mundane usual to things about White Base and its flight wing. Eventually, the topic of the Gundams was broached and how they could keep fighting so good, especially given Amuro's complete lack of training.

XXXX

Char and his raiders moved stealthily along the surface of Luna II. Their Kommando-class space sleds would get them in close. Once there, they would leave them behind and proceed by vernier booster. They would still have to go low and hope they don't run into any Anti-Personnel Mines.

Using hand signs, Char indicated for the group to go to the point he had spotted. It was a sheltered position. A bomb crater if the scorching was any indicator. Once they arrived, Char designated three men to keep a look out and maintain a tight LASCOMM to their ships. He could only hope that the other raiders were doing as well as his team was. Otherwise, this mission would be a bust and they would do things the hard way.

Departing the sleds with Char in the lead, the group of commando raiders carefully checked their usage of their vernier and check their breathing. Every bit they saved would be their very life if they were going to make it through this. The silence that was there was all encompassing as no one spoke and the sound of space was, as always, quiet with no sound but the blood in one's ears.

For this kind of work, troops were taught a variety of techniques to compensate. Sound was a very much important part of animal life. Humans were no different. So the men did what they could to fight off the silence, to have something nice. It was actually quite common for them to have music gently playing in their helmets at times like this. More than one space trooper had been found dead with music still playing in their helmet.

As the group of Zeon commandos and their famed leader moved through the crevices, they occasionally had to come to a stop and detour as they found AP Mines. Other times, it was the discovery of a bunker or machine gun nest. One time, it was a reinforced patrol with a pair of militarized Work Pods covering them. Another time, it was a pair of Federation Space Buggies with their occupants observing a particularly long stretch of an open plain. Char lead his men quietly and carefully past them, completely ignoring them.

There were other patrols, even a pair of Mobile Suits that looked like they had been Zakus at one point. Char and his men avoided them all, if barely at times. It was long. It was tedious. It was harrowing. It had the Zeon men on the edge until, at long last, they got through and came upon the very first structure that wasn't military.

Originally part of the old mining complex, a half finished upgrade building came into view. There, two Federation guards were posted. The two were keeping an eye out, but Char and his men were well hidden currently.

Indicating to one of his marksmen, the man moved forward and with excellent skill and a quick shot each, both Federation guards were dead. The first was hit just between a joint on his suit where the armor was joined. The bullet had the power to go through, bounce off something internally and made it to his heart. The other was hit just above the neck guard and below the helmet, killing him instantly. Both men and their rifles now floated up from the force of impact and the spasm of their final moments. Then they began to slowly settle back to Luna II.

Char and his men were on the move. Past this incomplete mining area was the first of the defenses. The area had been used by the Federation as a staging ground by their defenses during the previous siege. It was clear that Zeon had hit the place with some heavy ordnance as there was damage.

But the Federation had taken advantage and turned the area into a bristling fortress itself. Char and his men could easily make out bunkers, pillboxes, machine gun nests, murder holes, and trenches. There was no way to get through this place without dedicated mobile suit support.

Fortunately, one of Char's men found a small area that the Federation had overlooked. It would allow them to bypass anymore patrols and avoid the defenses. Taking it, Char and his men easily began to bypass the defenses. The only downside was that they had to travel in a bit of a line due to how narrow it was and how exposed to any high positioned sentry.

As they approached the main part of the base itself, the raiders began to join with the other teams. Mikhail Coast himself was terrible at commando ops and had elected to remain aboard ship. His own commando squads, the Nightingales, was an all female commando force. They were designated as Squads 1-2, 1-4, 1-5, and 1-9 in order to make them appear larger in number.

Now they moved with the Zeon soldiers to begin operations against the port itself.

XXXX

"Hey Kira, how you think the Red Comet will attack?" Kai had suddenly asked out of the clear blue, interrupting Amuro's talk on Gundam's technology.

Kira, who was partially napping, though was keenly listening to Amuro, didn't take more than a moment to come awake and think it over for another moment. Once he had finished shuffling through possibilities and theory, he spoke.

"Well," he still organized his thoughts, "A commando raid would likely begin it. Using space sleds specially designed for the task. Once in close enough, they can approach by vernier pack. After that, it is avoiding all the mines, detection systems -easily enough there actually-, patrols, and defenses."

"Sounds simple," Kai nodded as he crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back a little in the weak gravity.

"It is that simple," Kira agreed, keeping his eyes close as he laid on the bench. "The key is that the execution is much harder. But if he can get by all that, he'll only have to worry about the posted guards on the anti-ship weapon emplacements and launch chutes."

Ryu added his two creds, "Makes sense."

Kira continued, "The port, though, will have a honey combed style gate closed. Along that, emergency shudders of solid metal can be closed, barring access to the port. Additionally, behind it, is a full array of trip sensors that would alert the entire base to their presence."

"What kind of array?" Hayato asked, curious.

XXXX

"Look at that," Char held up full spectrum binoculars to observe beyond the gate.

Behind him, one of his men, the leader of the commandos themselves brought his up and gaped in shock at what he was seeing.

"Motion Detectors, Infrared, Thermal Scanners, Laser Scanners," Char brought down his vision piece and shook his head, "Talk about being prepared. There's also roving guards and Mobile units on the opposite side of that."

"What do we do then Oberstleutnant?" the man inquired as he brought his down as well.

"Deploy the mines without setting off the alarms," Char responded. For as long as they don't set off any alarms, nothing has changed. The system was on the inside, waiting for a foolish raiding party.

XXXX

"So all you have to do is remember that there are two settings in the block contact lever," Amuro tapped the side of his tray with his fork while indicating the diagram he had created in his pudding, "And that is what makes this machine completely different from just about any other Mobile Suit, especially the Zakus that we've been up against and the GINNs we will soon be fighting."

"Just for the life of me, I don't get what makes Gundam so much better than even a Zaku," Kai grumbled in reply as he, Ryu, and Hayato sat crosslegged across from Amuro, Kai to Amuro's right, Hayato to the front of Amuro, and Ryu to the left of Amuro and right of Hayato. Bright was leaning over to have a look himself and Kira was again partially napping, but intently listening after his earlier explanation. In the middle of the four seated pilots on the floor, was Amuro's food tray with the diagram on it.

"Because it's self-learning!" Amuro stated heatedly and holding up his fork at Kai's tone, "Unlike any other Mobile Suit, Gundam has the amazing capacity to keep all its experience in memory," Amuro used his fork to point to his own head.

Kai was taken back as Amuro lowered his fork, "Are you telling me that it learns stuff as it is fighting?" Kira made a small sound only Bright heard as Kai went on, "So what you're saying is that the more it fights, the better it gets in combat because it remembers what it did and becomes even smarter?!"

"That's right," Amuro said as he turned back to his small diagram. "That's why a rookie like me can fight against those guys. It's the reason I can go up against a better fighter like Char Anzable," Kira opened his eyes and shifted to get a better look at Amuro as the boy talked, "Not because of any talent, but because of the self learning abilities of the Gundam's computer."

At that moment a hand landed on Amuro's shoulder and he turned to see a chuckling Ryu had shifted to sit next to him. With a big smile and a positive attitude, Ryu spoke to Amuro on that, "I'm guessing you still had a little something to do with it."

"Sounds like Adaptive AI," Bright muttered as he thought over Amuro's explanation.

Even as Amuro was sticking his fork in to get some pudding to eat, Kira thought quietly to himself.

'None of them realize that all of the V-Project Prototypes have that installed,' he observed Amuro bringing the putting up to his mouth to chew. Turning his head and closing his eyes, Kira continued his thought.

'Additionally we only ever worked them up partially in training and testing exercises against older model Zakus and GINNs. On top of that we never unlocked the systems when the Red Comet's recon team attacked us. Otherwise, we could have held them off. Yet, Amuro is teaching the Gundam in a w-'

Even as Amuro swallowed his pudding, an explosion suddenly rocked their cell. The gravity controls suddenly failed as the rotating block came to a sudden halt. Kai and Hayato were thrown across the room into the wall. Amuro and Ryu slammed back first into it. Bright managed to grab onto the bench Kira was resting on and prevented the crippled pilot from being flung into as well as he held onto it for dear life.

The loose items in the cell also went flying to the wall. Splattering of food and the pounding of trays responded. Kai was struck in the stomach by a book while Hayato was short enough to get in the face from a magazine. A stray fork embedded itself into the wall right next to Ryu's head, scaring the portly pilot.

The cell shook fiercely as shockwaves continued to roll through it. The the six males were stuck where they were and had to ride it out. Eventually the shaking subsided as items and the occupants began to float.

"Huh? The artificial gravity has been cut!" Bright shouted as the four against the wall began to peel themselves off the wall and clear their heads.

Immediately, the lights failed, having valiantly managed to stay on until that moment. Then the emergency lights came on, flooding the room in red. That as followed by the emergency alarms.

Kai spoke up in a fear as Hayato floated up to the ceiling above him, "Maybe the power plant has been hit by a missile or something."

Amuro, though, didn't miss a beat as he realized what it was, "It's Char Anzable."

XXXX

Outside of Luna II, missiles and cannon fire slammed into the asteroid base.

Emplacements and chutes previously noted, as well as weak points in the facilities and construction were hammered away at. Explosions breached into multiple areas, including the docks and port area, secondary passageways, and hangar bays. Even the harbor suffered damage as secondary explosions reached it.

A whole row of space fighters undergoing maintenance were destroyed by a secondary explosion. An area in the port, near a Salamis-class Cruiser exploded, a large chunk of debris crushing a patrolling Zanny against a far wall. Another area took a direct hit that killed a number of dock personnel and severely damaging a nearby Drake-class Frigate.

Despite the suddenness of the attack, the patrol group under the Andrew Messa's command quickly rallied and formed up. Immediately the ships interposed themselves between Luna II and the enemy. Their guns rotated and cannon fire began heading in the direction of the attackers. Their AA defenses began to swat down incoming missiles.

From the carrier, Mobile Armor and Mobile Suits began launching. Her escorts released their own Mobile Armor and Space Fighters. They rushed out to meet the attack that was being spearheaded by the Coast Team.

Up in the control room, Admiral Watkain arrived to assess the situation. He was not getting good news. Several harbor exits had been completely destroyed. Others were currently blocked and a missile had entered an open chute to annihilate the 223rd Space Fighter Squadron as their FF-4 Toriares Fighters were beginning to launch.

If that wasn't bad enough, several areas close to the power plants had been hit, causing power fluctuations. DC Crews were on it along with engineering, but it was going to take time. They would have to power down most of their gun batteries and other power intensive defensive systems to stabilize power and to keep systems online.

Right before White Base, a Drake-class Destroyer variant trying to deploy itself was hit by an explosion that tore through several panels, throwing them into the bridge of the ship. The Drake immediately veered off course, but the helmsmen had survived and managed to correct and fire emergency thrusters. Yet still the ship bellied out, crushing its ventral turret and dislocating missile and engine pods in the process.

"How could the enemy sneak in under our radar?" Watkein wondered allowed, lamenting on how they had been caught so completely by surprise.

An operator next to him suddenly spoke up, "Admiral, it appears the enemy is a special forces unit equipped with Commando Suits and heavy attack Mobile Suits."

"Well Cadet Noah called it," one of the admiral's aides noted. Watkein turned to the man and growled at him. "SIR!" the man turned to the admiral, saluting.

"What vessels do we have left to deploy?" the blonde man inquired to the Port Captain.

The man looked over the immediately available ships that could launch. Most had been ready, but power surges had damaged their conduits when their shore power stations were hit by the renegade energy running rampant throughout the base. Of those not affected, a good number were in ports that had their harbor exits destroyed. Narrowing down the field, he found only one ship immediately ready to set sail. Problem was, it was the Magellan.

"Only the Magellan can sortie at this time Admiral," the Port Captain winced at the the man's look in his direction and for good reason.

The EFS Magellan was easily the most likely candidate for the scrapper's torch if it hadn't been for the war. Nevertheless, she had spent more time in port than on patrol. She was the first of her class and was easily over 20 years old. She was one of the first ships the Earth Federation Space Forces had gotten, because the crew had mutinied when they had barely escaped death at Endymion Crater.

The Earth Federation Space Forces had used her as a training ship for several months before placing her into ordinary and holding her in reserve. She was due to be scrapped when the war ended, if the Federation couldn't find some other use for her. Like being an expendable target. But being a Flight I Class, her firepower was great, her frames strong, armor thick, but her engines were slow and she was still old making her largely outdated.

Nevertheless, the Commander of Luna II knew what had to be done.

"Deploy the Magellan now."

"Yes sir," the Port Captain began ordering the ship to be prepared for combat departure.

XXXX

Back in their cell, Bright Noah was pounding away at the cell door.

"Open."

Bang.

"This."

Bang.

"Door!"

Bang.

"They're probably so busy, they've forgotten about us Mister Noah!" Amuro stated from the back of the cell.

Turning back to Amuro, Bright responded, "Yes, but if it keeps up likes this…" Bright trailed off turning back to the door and slamming his fist straight into it, "No!" Then leaning against the piece of metal keeping them from escaping, Bright knew the battle lost when the door suddenly jerked and partially opened. "Would you look at that."

The others looked on surprise until Amuro had an uptake of breath as he realized something, "Of course! The power's been cut. I bet you every power lock has been disabled."

Kira wasn't so sure, but it was a possibility as he voiced his own opinion, "This used to be used by miners as a living space. Maybe the old emergency systems weren't removed and are only beginning to engage themselves."

"Does it matter?" Ryu voiced, "Let's go!" he called out and the six made good on their escape, but Ryu couldn't help but notice how quickly and easily Kira was moving now. He wondered what was up with that as he seemed alert and perfectly fine.

"Where are Mirai and Sayla?" Amuro questioned as they left their cell, recalling the two had been with them until they had all been locked up.

"They should be right next door!" Bright responded as another door opened to allow Job, the Markers, and Omar to spill out, "You men okay?"

"Yes Mister Noah," Cadet Omar Fang spoke up for all four of them. "A little bruised from when the gravity was lost. But fully able otherwise."

Bright nodded as he gave his orders, "Get to White Base now! Free any of our crew you find along the way!"

"Sir!" the four saluted and then headed off doing so even as others of their crew stumbled out. They were gathered up and began heading down the hallway to get to their ship, freeing any shipmates they found.

Bright meanwhile floated over to a cell that hadn't open and hit the emergency override. The lock disengaged and the door opened on its own emergency power. Inside, Bright not only found Mirai and Sayla, but also Fraw. The three were relieved to see him as they to exit their cell.

XXXX

In the back of the main port area, the docking arms and lines holding the SBB-1 EFS Magellan retracted into their holding places. The shore power lines were disengaged and the ship fired docking thrusters to hold herself steady.

Inside, the undermanned crew ran about getting their ship ready. Most were caretaker crew and had never served on a fully active ship in their lives. But right now, that didn't matter as they read through checklists and brought the ship up to combat status.

"Crew of the Magellan," Watkein spoke to the crew over the intercom, "This is an emergency launch. Prepare for battle at once and clear the docking bay immediately. I wish you all the best of luck and good fortune to our ship, the Magellan."

"Aye-Aye sir!" an officer called back as the ship's engine began to come to life. Four glowing spheres of blue light from her engines began to form. Once they had reached a certain point, the energy was slightly released, causing the old battleship to begin to slowly inch forward.

Eventually, she built up the necessary momentum and her engines flared as she began to achieve emergency combat speed and depart.

"Momentum increasing, Combat Speed in 72 seconds," the senior helm officer reported.

"Very good," Watkein sat in the Captain's Chair. The Magellan had been without an official commanding officer for three weeks, something he had been trying to address during that time. Now he was taking official command as admiral. "Alert the Andrew Messa that we're on our way," he told communications.

"Aye sir, informing now," was the immediate response.

"Tactical prepare all weapons," Watkein ordered nexted, "Designate targets at your discretion as we depart the harbor."

"Prepare all weapons, designate targets at Tactical's discretion during harbor departure, aye sir!" the Tactical station at least had a competent officer who read back his orders for confirmation.

"Confirm," the admiral replied, "Magellan departing for battle."

Throughout the ship, the crew cheered.

XXXX

On the White Base, even as the Magellan was passing the white ship on the outside to go into battle, Shirin was getting into an argument with the two guards at the exit to the base. She was demanding why they hadn't been evacuated somewhere safer. The guard's response was less than thrilling and he was resisting her demands that he call his superior and find out what his orders are concerning the civilians aboard White Base.

"Ma'am we don't have any orders at this time to move you," the guard reiterated keeping himself as calm as possible. "On top of that, we need orders from Admiral Watkein himself and he's likely busy commanding the defense."

The three orphans that Fraw had been looking after were also with Shirin. They had chosen to follow her in hopes they might help convince the guards to let everyone off. As Shirin spoke with the guard, the blonde little girl Kikka Kikimoto, happen to spot something down the passageway. When she looked closely, she saw a number of the people who had been taken away, including Amuro who made a silent gesture. Nonetheless, the little girl briefly waved to him before looking up at the talking guard.

"Please contact the Admiral right now," Shirin demanded of the guard.

The guard, keeping his cool responded, "I'm pretty sure the admiral has his hands full right now," and that moment when he finished, Kikka threw all of her strength and weight of her 4-year old body own the guard's foot, "YEO-OOOW!" the guard jumped up on his good foot as he recoiled in pain.

Kikka only giggled and laughed at the guard as she turned to run behind Shirin.

While the guard had been keeping it cool, he had been annoyed by Shirin that had been verging on being angry with her. Now that his foot had been stomped on, he was mad. Bringing his rifle around threatening, though not intending to use it on a kid no matter how much that felt good doing right now, he called after Kikka, "You little brat, get back here right now!"

The other guard noticed movement out of the side of his eye, "Huh?" he voiced aloud to catch the first guard's attention as they both looked back to Bright and Amuro slam into them, knocking them out.

Unfortunately, there were two other guards and they immediately brought their rifles up.

"HALT!" one of them shouted, only for Kira to fly around the corner, catching both guards off guard.

He kicked one in the face, knocking him out cold, and slammed the other one into his left knee, knocking him out cold too.

Another pair of guards on the opposite side brought their rifles up, but soon released them where they floated for a few moments before Omar and Job grabbed them.

"Captain Noah, good to see you sir," the injured detail leader of Marina's bodyguards stepped out from behind the Federation soldiers, "I'm glad we made it in time."

"Yes thank you," Bright looked as relieved as he felt, "I thought there would be fewer."

"Eh," Kira shrugged his shoulders, something that Shirin knew would send a jolt of pain through him from how he was doing it, but he was appearing just fine and only had slight irritation on his face from it, "It happens Mister Noah. Still, glad you guys are here. How's Marina holding up?" he was deathly worried for his cousin.

The leader nodded to Kira, "She's nervous Lord Kira, but nothing serious has happened to her."

"I'm glad," Kira released a sigh of relief, "Please continue to watch over her until we get you all to safety."

"We will," the man nodded back.

"All right, that settled?" and Kira nodded to Bright, "Good," clapping his hands together and rubbing them while turning to his crew, "Gather everyone together. We're moving White Base out before the enemy gets to her. All pilots see about freeing our Mobile Suits and fighters immediately!"

"Yes sir!" everyone called out and they began to go about their tasks. The two Federation guards still conscious were passed their unconscious counterparts and booted off the ship. An explosion tore down the passageway and the half dozen men were pulled back on board as a blast door closed.

They were going to have to wait it out on board.

XXXX

As Magellan began to finally clear the harbor, passing by the not quite ready Salamis EFS Albania in the process, a technician at a control booth made sure to guide the ship out. Explosions had finally stopped inside the harbor and ports. Her armored suit was dented and scarred from several close shaves, with a piece of shoulder armor partially shaved off in fact.

Outside, Char and his raiders watched and were surprised to see the Magellan herself mobilizing to fight. Her big 01 painted on her hull made it clear who she was. They were half expecting a carrier might try. Instead, they were getting something better.

One of the Magellan's drawbacks was that she had poor emergency thrusters. There were not enough of them and the ones there were very weak compared to smaller vessels with less bulk to move. She was also very susceptible to mines as well.

And once that happened, the harbor would be blocked off.

Several guards noticed them and began to fire at them. In response, they fired back killing a number. One of the raiders was hit in the neck though. The round going straight into his head. He was dead before his helmet could vent.

"Well," Char began as he returned fire with a Machine Pistol, "This is getting hairy."

For a few moments both sides traded fire. Then the Magellan was beginning her final approach to exit. One of the Federation soldiers went to light off flares to stop her, but a Nightingale got him in the back, bursting one of his air tanks and sending him jetting off into the port.

"Here comes the Magellan Oberstleutnant!" the raider leader shouted as a burst of LMG fire killed one of his men.

"Let's get out of here then!" Char called out and his troops began to disengage and escape.

The Federation soldiers tried desperately to signal Magellan as she began to pass them. As she did so, the mines detected her and began to active one by one. The desperate soldiers began to fire their rifles at their ship to gain her attention, but it didn't work. The Magellan continued to pass by unaware to her fate.

The soldiers then escaped for cover, knowing that it was too late. As they fled, the Magellan was struck by the first mine to go off. One after another, the mines detonated. Caught flat footed, the Magellan lost control.

The remaining soldiers out of cover were lucky. No debris or blast came near them. But they wish some had. All they could do was watch in horror as the Magellan listed and nosed down. The bow struck the metal flooring of the harbor exit and began to dig in, crushing a section of the bow as it broke through the metal decking and dug into the rock below. Magellan then began to twist as her stern rose up, slamming an engine against the top of the exit. The metal held there and crushed the engine in with a small explosion that damaged the other three. The previous twisting motion was the only thing that saved the whole engine section from being crushed and/or torn off. Yet now it jerked the ship and a terribly audible sound of her hull straining and possibly being bent could be heard.

Inside, the crew were thrown about like rag dolls. Those in seats held onto dear life, but some were still ejected from their seats. Among them was Watkein who slammed up against the forward viewport, nearly dislocating his right arm.

In a few moments, Watkein pushed himself up with a groan as he realized what had happen, "Oh no," he saw the extent of the damage down the length of the bow, "They had set a trap and I sailed Magellan straight into it!" he punched the viewport with with good arm.

The Magellan was now effectively blocking anymore ships from exiting.

XXXX

Aboard White Base, Bright had watched in horror as Magellan had become trapped. Knowing that the patrol group battling for their lives was dependant on reinforcements as soon as possible, Bright had to come up with a plan.

"The Magellan has blocked the exit out," he reported to his crew as they scrambled to make ready their ship, "We're going to have to improvise."

"Got a plan already Mister Noah," Kira appeared on a nearby screen.

"Go ahead Mister Yamato," Bright was all ears to this battle veteran and tech specialist.

"The Striker Gundam is equipped with a Sword Role Pack, similar to that used by the Enforcers' GAT-X105 Strike," Kira began, even though he knew that Bright had no idea what the GAT-X105 Strike was, "As such, the Anti-Ship Sword, Curtana, should be able to cut away the most damage sections of the Magellan, leaving the ship able to resume combat as a stationary gun battery."

"I see," Bright rubbed his chin in thought. But only for a moment, "We're already going to be court martialed, might as well go all the way. Make it possible immediately. The Andrew Messa and her group are out there alone with no reinforcements."

"Roger, right away," Kira disappeared from the screen.

"Start Engines!" Bright called to Mirai.

"Starting Engines," Mirai responded as she typed in the command.

"Engineering here," the engineering officer called up, "Engines weren't completely shut down, they were still in standby. T-Minus 670 seconds until Engine Start."

"Roger that Engineering," Mirai responded as she began to bring the autocontrols online.

"Hanger," Bright stated next and he saw an image of the hanger including men frantically freeing Ryu's Core Fighter and Gundam in its maintenance cradle, "Ryu, Kai, Amuro! Haven't you guys been able to free Gundam yet?"

Kai then appeared, his faceplate open since the hanger was still sealed, "We just got started, so yelling like that doesn't really help Mister Noah!" Kai then made a panically noise before moving off screen.

"Miss Mass, how are the evacuees?" Bright turned to the blond girl.

"Princess Marina had already started moving them to the safety of the Gravity Block," Sayla reported, relieved someone had kept their cool. "They should all be in there shortly."

"Excellent," Bright stated, "I'll go check on Gundam," the officer cadet turned ship captain stated loudly before turning to Mirai, "Miss Yashima," Mirai turned to Bright, "Once the Engines are back online, begin moving the ship out slowly. You're also in command until I return."

"Sir," Mirai responded, though she hid her nervousness at being left in command, and Bright made for the Hanger Bay.

XXXX

The MacMillian took a direct hit to her bridge as a GINN Assault passed by her. It began to turn to see about another target, but was speared through by a Zanny's cannon fire. Both the Drake-class Frigate and the GINN Assault began to 'fall down' to Luna II. On the way, the Mobile Suit exploded and was shortly followed by the MacMillian breaking in two as a secondary explosion tore her in half.

The victorious Zanny could only fight for its life as it watched the end of the Frigate. The Zanny pilot evaded, doing all he could to avoid death. He had three Zaku IIs and a GINN HM closing on him. All four were firing and he returned the favor. Three of the Mobile Suits exploded as the last Zaku jinked to escape.

"Hold still you Zeon Ra- GAHH!" the pilot cried out as he cough up blood.

Mikhail Coast removed his bayonet from the Zanny and pushed it off. Jetting away from the now 'falling' Federation Mobile Suit, he took the time to take stock of the battle.

He observed that the major defenses were offline. Flashing lights and arcs of electricity indicated a serious power fluctuation. The entire defense net was completely down. Coupled with the loss of so many chutes and port exits, the Federation couldn't mobilize their full force.

But that didn't mean that the Andrew Messa was quitting.

No. That ship and her patrol group had been putting up a serious battle. Already, one of his ships was withdrawing due to battle damage and another was so severely damage she could-

That thought ended as he watched the Asclepius explode from a reactor breach. The ship bulged violently where the powerplant sat in the center of. Then the liberated energy began to find ways out. Viewports, hatches, airlocks, and areas of damage began to stream liberated energy like geysers. Then the hull began to pull apart and the ship was ripped in two as the ship exploded and vanished.

Coast dodged a shot before he could request a SITREP. A Zanny pilot doggedly chased after him. The pilot showing unusual skill and understanding.

But Mikhail was a patient man. He had to be. He had been a doctor after all. An impatient doctor didn't keep the title for long nor the job.

Then his chance appeared as the Zanny dodged a flaming Moebius.

The GINN HM snapped up its SMG and fired burst after burst. The head of the Zanny was blown off along with the right arm and left leg. The GINN HM pressed its advantage, but found another Mobile Suit appearing with the swing of a massive sword.

"I am Sanger Zonvolt!" the newly arrived pilot declared, "I am the Sword that cuts through Evil!"

And the Gundam-looking Mobile Suit attacked with the pilot releasing a fierce battlecry.

"Sanger Zonvolt, damn!" was all Mikhail could say as he dodged the modern era Samurai's charge, and only just barely.

XXXX

"KIRA!" and the aforementioned pilot turned his head rolling his shoulders in the process as Marina entered the Pilot Ready Room.

The dark haired, blue eyed princess of a Middle Eastern nation took one look at her cousin and saw a change. Kira stood perfectly erect, to his full height without a touch of pain on his face. His shoulders were squared and he stood with a sure confidence brought on only by experience.

Then he turned back to the comm screen before him.

"How much longer Shirin?" he inquired and Marina heard the release of a sigh of resignation from her long time friend.

"Right now Lord Kira, we're finishing assembly and should have it mounted by the time you arrive," Shirin reported even as the ship shook in time to another explosion getting through the defenses, what existed anyways. "We should have it mounted by the time you arrive. But I'll need at least another 10 minutes to ready myself as well."

"No time," Kira stated plainly, "Either find a way to be ready by the time I launch or I fly alone this time."

Shirin didn't even skip a beat, "I'll be ready," and she closed the connection as she pushed off to go and suit up to go and suit up in a pilot's suit.

Kira killed his end too and looked to Ryu who was standing there with him.

"You got the plan now?" Kira inquired to the round pilot.

Humming to himself, Ryu went over it one last time. He was amazed by how well their forces had put up. A Nelson-class Battlecruiser had just arrived as well with two escorting Drake-class Destroyers. It was one of those with the Mobile Suit hangar bays on the sides. From within, four RGM-79 GMs had been launched. Possibly early models, but also testbed custom units. But it was still a losing battle.

Fortunately, Ryu was confident that they could pull another miracle out of their hats.

"Yeah, I got it," Ryu replied as he tapped the screen and zoomed in how the plan would work out.

The plan was simple and to the point. Amuro would go out and be a piece of bait to draw off Char and anyone else eager enough to pursue him. Kira would cut away the two most damaged section of the Magellan and then sortie as a close in defense unit as some tugs they had managed to round up would then pull Magellan out into battle. Once clear to act as a stationary gun battery, Magellan would be out of the way and the fleet would then deploy to ultimate victory. Of course, for that to happen, they would need to be on their game.

Kai and Hayato would also deploy on a lift to the surface and engage hostile forces attacking the defenses of the base. This would allow the Federation garrison to deploy the ships without fear of an enemy attack from behind. Ryu was to fly over the entire battlespace to attack targets of opportunity as he saw them. At the same time, White Base would make a run on the enemy ships, deploying the Guncannon with Job John in control as an escort.

Job had at least taken the training he had been given heading to Luna II seriously enough that he could at least handle the Guncannon.

His fighter scores were so bad, Ryu would rather not think about it.

"Remember to stress to Job that he's to be a gun turret," Kira explained once more, stressing it himself to Ryu. "He doesn't have the snowball's chance in a blast furnace, which is what this battle is turning into, if he launches off the ship."

Ryu could only nod solemnly in agreement.

"Any questions?" Kira asked and Ryu shook his head, "Then let's go say hello to the neighbors."

And with that, both grabbed their helmets and began to file out. Though while Ryu did exit, Kira stopped and turned to Marina. Ryu ignored it as he headed down to help free the Mobile Suits and his fighter. Fortunately, Guncannon and Striker weren't as lashed down as Guntank and Gundam. His own fighter was also only tied down so much and would be easily free before he even arrived.

"Marina-" Kira started, but Marina put a finger on Kira's lips to shush him. When he waited for her to speak, she did something else.

She embraced him.

Even in heels, Kira was the taller of the two at last. Nevertheless, she had him in a hug she did not want to release. She felt Kira return it immediately, even taking time to find the scent of her hair.

They may have been cousins, but it was a few generations since their line was one. Now Kira alone had a serious change to his own DNA as a Coordinator and introduction of different ethnic heritage to her's which was still largely of her homeland.

Thus, if they had met differently, perhaps they could have started a romantic and intimate relationship.

Technically, they could. Both of their nations allowed males to marry into polygamy. But, with Marina as the Royal Princess Heiress, she could not marry Kira who was not only foreign and of lower birth, but also already married. While the foreign issue could have been addressed by a high enough rank, the marriage of him to his wife Shiho who had already given him a handsome son named Shiro, it was impossible.

That didn't mean, that they couldn't just lay as a couple at times.

But now, Kira Yamato fought to return to his wife, son, and mother. He would return to them, protecting his dearest cousin from harm in the process. It was who he is now.

And seemingly, he was back to health she had never seen him in since they met a year ago.

"Go with Grace and Honor," Marina finally said as she withdrew, tears in her eyes.

Kira held his hands on her shoulders looking at her from top to bottom, before suddenly pulling her back in close to kiss her on the lips.

Marina's eyes went wide for but a moment, before she closed them. She would savor this one kiss as a woman in love with the man she loved. She felt the world stop for them and them alone. An eternity she wished for the kiss to last.

Kira knew that he could easily stay with Marina. He loved her, and by the Gods and Goddesses of the Pacific Ocean, did he love her. In his mind's eye, he could see Marina smiling with a hand on her belly, swelled with their child. He could see her as Queen of Azadistan and just as easily a simple housewife with a warm, loving smile. He even saw her holding Shiro, his son with Shiho, learning from Shiho the fine details of being a mother. The two giggling like school girls who just found out something that no school boy was supposed to learn and was better off not learning. So simple and carefree that he wanted this moment to last forever.

But then he released her lips, with great reluctance that was clear to them both as he stepped back.

In Marina's hands, she held the Federation Service Personal Defense Sidearm from his suit's holster.

"Marina…" he trailed off watching as she ran her hands over it and wonder if it would ever be used. Used beyond the firing range on the ship or some other place.

Marina was no fool. Guns didn't kill people. In fact, before guns there were axes and bows. Axes could kill people, but also chopped down wood for lumber. Like guns after them, bows could kill people as well, but were also used to hunt. The same of the spear as well. Hammers were used to build, but could also kill as well. Knives were used for domestic and utilitarian reasons to this day and yet a butter knife could still be used to kill a person.

So she returned the pistol to Kira's holster, praying he'll never need it because he would be in great danger otherwise.

"Please return, Kira," Marina looked up into his amethyst eyes with her blue eyes, "Please return to all of us."

Kira didn't need another thought. He spoke honestly, "I will."

Then he stepped out, out into the hallway to head back into the flames of war.

XXXX

A small shuttle left the Magellan. It was a simple launch with red painted engines attached to a white painted cabin hull carrying out the most injured members of the crew. A good number could walk, at least under the light gravity of Luna II, so it wasn't terribly crowded with litters. Among the injured men was Admiral Watkein with a corpsman as the admiral grunted in pain from his arm.

"Are you hurt Admiral?" the corpsman helped to steady the senior officer.

"It's alright," Watkein replied with some pain in his voice, his arm alternating between numb and pins and needles, "I think I got through this with just a scratch."

"Understood sir," the corpsman wasn't too sure what their chances were now that Magellan was wrecked and the fleet trapped.

Suddenly, as the small launch passed by White Base, the launch hangar opened its two piece hatch. Through the opening pieces, one could see space suited men and women frantically working to free the Gundam and that Guntank was already rolling into position to depart the hangar. A Core Fighter could also be seen being positioned for launch as well on the catapult.

"Unauthorized Persons have taken over the White Base!" the admiral shouted in anger and surprise before turning to the launch pilots, "Get this ship alongside now!"

XXXX

"Hurry up with that final load of ammunition!" someone shouted over the comms as Guncannon was freed from its bindings.

Inside of Guncannon, Job began to go over final details of operation. He could hear the CIWS Vulcans close shut as the mobile suit was still in an area of thin atmosphere that quickly ended. Job took a deep breath as he read through the manual.

Ryu checked his fighter before nodding and climbing into it to begin his checklist. Once White Base left, he'll be launching into battle. He noticed something as he was read his checklist. His nerves weren't troubling him this time and he had a supreme confidence he hadn't even felt when they had attacked Char previously.

"Gundam Striker Role Pack attached," another voice, a young girl this time, announced, "Launching Gundam Striker. Hayato Kobayashi please report to Guntank immediately for launch."

Hayato could be seen pushing off from his work on freeing Gundam. It was still strapped down. The binding cables holding it were the most extensive.

Then as Amuro was cutting through one segment, it snapped and Gundam was now partially free.

Suddenly, Watkein made his appearance along with some guards, "What are you people doing there?!" he demanded, a PDS in his left hand as his right was still unresponsive.

Amuro looked down and was only briefly taken back by the sight of the admiral before speaking, "Only Gundam is capable of fighting Char Aznable!"

"I order you to leave," Watkein responded, only for Striker to step right by.

"Sorry Admiral," Kira called over the comms, "But I got a date to free the Magellan."

And Striker pushed off even as several RGM-79 production models suddenly appeared, heading for the battle through the main harbor entrance.

With a hand signal, the leader welcomed Kira and Shirin in the Striker and the Striker easily joined the throng as RB-79 Ball production models joined up to increase their overall firepower.

Back on White Base, Bright had taken advantage of Kira's actions to jump down from atop Gundam and stand before Admiral Wakkein.

"I'm willing to face the consequences," Bright told the admiral, facing down the man's sidearm, "I'm not afraid, Admiral Watkein." Bright told the admiral point blank, "You have to decide who your enemy is sir. Make up your mind if it is the Zeon or us."

Surprised, Watkein could only ground out, "How dare you."

That seemed to spur the makeshift crew of the White Base. Amuro and the team working to free Gundam resumed cutting the tie downs. Soon it would be free.

XXXXX

At the same time, Kai grunted and drove the Guntank out of White Base and set a path for a nearby lift. Already a pair of Balls, Zannies, a GM Precision Type, and a GM production model were there as others of various groups started up to the 'surface' to do battle. A flight of fighters and mobile armors passed by overhead of the Guntank, heading for the harbor entrance as Guntank rolled onto a lift and the operator began sending the mobile suits and pods up as well.

XXXXX

"I won't lecture you on the chain of command," Watkein began angrily, "BUT you are expected to obey my orders or face the consequences," and he began to apply pressure to the trigger, not enough to pull it, but enough to show he was deadly serious.

"The chain of command is the least of our worries," Watkein blinked as he turned to a side mounted monitor that showed Mirai glaring at him evenly from the bridge, "You soldiers can decide how you live and die by whatever rules you want, Admiral. You can play any games you want, but civilians shouldn't have to lose their lives as a result. Should they?"

Further surprised, all Admiral Watkein could do was muster a, "What?"

"Admiral Watkein," an elderly voice with some command authority left to it suddenly spoke up.

"Captain Cassius!" and Watkein watched as Mirai stepped aside to show the White Base's badly wounded master somehow back aboard his ship, on his bridge no less, and with one of the orphans standing near him, looking ready to assist the wounded Captain.

"I have a suggestion that might resolve this son," the older officer spoke to the admiral. "The White Base and Gundam, as well as the Guncannon, Guntank, Core Fighter and Gundam Striker were classified top secret until this moment."

XXXX

Gundam Striker alighted on the trapped Magellan. Coordinating with the crew on board, Kira and Shirin set about to cut away the critically damaged engine section and a small segment of the bow to free the trapped ship.

XXXX

"Sir I know," Watkein responded to Captain Cassius.

XXXX

Up on the bridge, Captain Paolo Cassius continued to speaking to the younger admiral, "That's precisely why, quite sadly, that those kids are more familiar with the machines than your own soldiers are."

XXXX

An Assault GINN fired a heavy rocket into one of the Federation lifts after it arrived and disgorged the Guntank leading the attack and easily shrugging off intense gunfire. The rocket, though, was intercepted by the CIWS of the GM Precision Type. The explosion created a cloud of dust and disconnected particles before Guntank fired its main guns through the smoke, clearing it.

The two rounds hit home, destroying a pair of captured Federation strongpoints. A machine gun pillbox that had trapped two platoons of Federation Marines and a heavily fortified bunker that threatened an entire company of Federations soldiers. Even as Kai drove forward, firing the BOP Missiles into the earlier offending Assault GINN.

Now with both gone, the Federation Space Infantry and Marines were free to maneuver as mobile suits and mobile pods began to deploy in ever increasing numbers.

XXXX

"They've already handled them in two battles and have also gained some experience," Captain Cassius finished.

"But Captain I-" Watkein began to argue, but Paolo Cassius knew the truth as well.

"I know," the captain stated softly, knowing the full weight of his words, "They're basically… complete novices. But as their captain, I urge you to give them all the support they need to win this battle. I'll take responsibility."

The bridge was full of silence as Admiral Watkein looked at the badly wounded officer. In truth, for the admiral, he should have been in that gurney. Captain Paolo Cassius was several times the officer Admiral Gene Wolfgang Watkein is. The admiral knew it too as did the captain, but the latter understood that Watkein could be a great admiral with the right push and words.

Captain Paolo Cassius was sure that Read Admiral (Upper Half) Gene Wolfgang Watkein would make the right decision. For that was one thing about the younger admiral that the captain could count on. The man had a strong sense of listening to others well enough. And then acting in accordance. When left to think for himself, the only drawback was inexperience, but the blond admiral was still one to make quick, decisive decisions.

"Yes, I understand," the admiral acknowledged, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath before opening his eyes back up and releasing that breath, "I'll do exactly as you say captain."

Then Admiral Watkeing brought up his right arm and saluted the older officer who acknowledged it with a salute of his own, both men showing more than just decorum, but also a high level of respect for one another.

Minutes later, Gundam launched and Core Fighter was also launched right after. The decision to do so was a modification by the admiral. The battle was already pitting inexperienced pilots against veterans and he wanted the Core Fighter out immediately to provide support and experience to the rookie pilots.

At the same time, Tugs began heading to the Magellan which was now partially free.

XXXX

Char flew beneath a section of Luna II, trying to avoid the main battle. Despite heavier than expected losses and increasing resistance, the military port of Luna II was still drastically vulnerable. A good push now and it would fall.

A quartet of Zannies 'dropped' in front of the Red Comet and opened fired.

Fix and Roland opened up and two of the Zannies died immediately. At the same time, Tropp walked fire across the body of another Zanny which exploded and 'fell' to Luna II. Matthew's target fled with the loss of its head and both arms and heavy torso damage. It escaped thanks to another pair of Zannies arriving, but Char quickly destroyed both himself.

Then a pair of elements of FF-4 Toriares Space Fighters began an attack run. The pilots clearly hoping to use boom and zoom tactics. But against the Red Comet and his men, that was a fatal move and all eight fighters were quickly destroyed.

Once all clear, the five continued on as Char laid out his plan to his fellow pilots.

"Matthew, Fix, listen to me," he ordered and the two pilots began listening to the in flight briefing, "We will entered the Federation port and captured the enemy Trojan Horse and mobile suit at the same time."

"Roger," Matthew, slightly shorter than his wingmen and with a pencil thin mustache above rather large lips, responded.

"Roger," Fix, a pilot with a serious looking face and disposition, also responded.

"Tropp and Roland," Char continued, "Will continue on and seize the Federation Port itself from within."

"Roger," Tropp, a pilot that was the roundest of all of Char's pilots, responded looking eager to capture the port at long last.

"Roger," responded Roland, a pencil thin pilot who was also one of the tallest men on the ship.

The five Zakus began to spread out into an attack formation just as Amuro guided Gundam out with a team of GMs.

"It's Char," Amuro reported and indicated for the GMs to spread out to have maneuvering space between them. Amuro brought his targeting computer around to improve his aim with the Hyper Bazooka. He recalled how quick Char was and planned to rapid fire two rockets at him. "Spread out and be careful," Amuro ordered the GMs, "Char doesn't take the idiots under his command."

"Roger that sir," the lead GM responded and the four spread out to begin engaging, only for a pair of GINN HMs to come in from above and immediately entangle themselves among Amuro's support.

Amuro ignored the furball as he fired on Char. The two rockets left with timed space in between them. But nevertheless, the Red Comet lived up to his name and dodged both. Amuro had just enough time to take stock of his miss and watch the red Zaku II Commander Type Custom accelerate towards him firing a burst of machine gun fire.

Amuro got his shield up and blocked the incoming fire. This time, he wasn't scared or panicked. He was calm and cool. He glared at the approaching red Zaku as its mono sensor eye flashed. Amuro did notice off to one side one his supporting GMs about to be destroyed by a GINN HM and managed to get a shot off from the Hyper Bazooka saving the GM and its pilot who maneuvered to kill the other GINN HM.

Then, when he turned back, Char had was just about on top of him. The machine gun was noted to be put away as the red Zaku tried to quick draw its Heat Hawk for a quick kill. Amuro blocked with his shield, but found that Char was pushing harder than he had previously done and that immediately worried Amuro. Another slashing attack was barely fended off and then another succeeded into cleaving the barrel of the Hyper Bazooka off just before the hand guard.

Growling, Char pressed his attack in response to Amuro back pedaling, but Amuro managed to draw a beam saber and begin to fight back.

Fix then positioned himself to fire on Gundam. Amuro was alerted to the incoming fire and managed to deflect a slash from Char and block the burst of gunfire.

Before Fix could fire again, a burst of gunfire went over his shoulder. He turned to find the Core Fighter leading a charge of Toriares space fighters at him with Ryu clearly focused inside his cockpit. He turned to return fire, but the fighters all slipped by him and he turned around and managed a couple of missed bursts, but missed.

Next, Matthew tried to intercept the Core Fighter by bringing the stock of his machine gun down on the fighter, but Ryu deftly maneuvered around the attack and past the Zaku with Ryu feeling his confidence rise with each evasion.

Roland then died as the GMs all ganged up on him and stabbed his Zaku from four different directions. The GMs withdrew as the Zaku exploded.

Tropp desperately tried to maneuver only for a Ball to grapple onto his Zaku and crush the face mounted ventilator and then rip it off. A back hand forced the Ball to retreat, tearing his spiked shoulder armor off in the process. Then, before Tropp could regroup, he looked up to see a Moebius dive in on him, firing its Linear Cannon.

"Yeah! Alright!" the mobile armor pilot cheered as he watched the Zaku get holed through and then explode.

XXXX

"That's the last piece Lord Kira," Shirin confirmed as she leaned back and the tugs were already gently righting the Magellan.

Even as he felt the shapely woman lean back against him, causing him to instinctively put an arm around her thin waist much to her surprise, Kira was at work coordinating the GMs and Balls that would escort and protect the Magellan.

"Remember, Magellan will be immobile except for the tugs, so stay in close," he stated after going over the plan with the GM and Ball leaders.

"Roger that," both women responded before they signed off.

"Magellan," Kira communicated with the damaged ship, "Status and you better be ready," he looked to one side, seeing White Base approaching with several ships behind it, "The fleet's ready to roll out."

"Magellan Alternative here," the ship's XO responded, "We're ready. All guns set and charged. Missiles are green across the board. Even managed to get some of our docking thrusters working again."

"Kira!" Shirin suddenly shouted and pointed outside of the port, "It's the Musai!"

Kira's eyes narrowed as the Falmel made its approach. The Andrew Messa then appeared, charging the smaller, but more lethal vessel. The badly damaged Andrew Messa didn't stand a chance even as it lashed out with its two dorsal turrets. The Falmel responded with fire from its missile bays to which the Andrew Messa's CIWS defeated all incoming missiles and then rolled to avoid a three shot attack from all of the Falmel's turrets.

The Andrew Messa then fired its ventral turrets and scored a series of hits on the passing Falmel. But the Suevi chose that moment to get mixed up in the fight. Its guns, all more powerful at a higher rate of fire to the Falmel's own guns, flashed green light as they lashed the length and underside of the Andrew Messa.

The Andrew Messa finished her roll though, revealing minor damage to her underside and length and began a knife fight engagement with Suevi.

Magellan chose to no longer be silent at that moment and fired.

With tugs pulling her at full power, Magellan shocked the Zeon and ZAFT forces with her appearance. They were confidant she had been trapped and would in turn trap the entire Luna II Fleet. Instead, she was cut in two places and was being towed out into battle as the Luna II ships followed the White Base out and began to deploy.

"The Magellan!" Amuro cried out happily as the Federation forces cheered her arrival.

Aboard the stricken Andrew Messa, the ship's captain gave a bloody cough as he smiled. There was his victory. The Luna II Garrison Fleet was now deploying itself for battle. Fighters, Mobile Suits, Mobile Pods, and Mobile Armor were deploying now from each ship and the base itself.

The flashing emergency red lights of the bridge finally winked out as the captain looked around his devastated bridge and saw the Suevi was too stunned to notice that Andrew Messa was on course for her. Surrounded by the dead bridge crew and stapled to his command chair by debris, the captain entered his final orders even as the badly damaged reactor began to reach its final critical levels.

"Victory my crew and ship," the captain smiled one last time as he entered the confirmation command and the Andrew Messa, weapons on auto, charged guns blazing at the Suevi who belatedly began to respond even as Matthew was killed by the Magellan's guns.

XXXX

Rising from the White Base's command chair, Admiral Watkein watched in horror, "The Andrew Messa!"

And he wasn't the only one. The whole bridge crew watched in horror as the carrier made her final charge into the Suevi. As the two ships lashed out at one another, the Andrew Messa stabbed her pointed bow right into the Germani before them. The visible results were spectacular as as metal was crushed and compartments on both ships opened to space. Surprisingly, there was almost no venting from the Andrew Messa and the Markers could see why.

"The Andrew Messa's powerplant is wildly fluctuating," Marker Clan reported sadly, "Looks like it was damaged pretty badly."

"Heavy damage all around as well," Oscar 'Marker' Dublin reported as well, "She's already opened up to space on most decks and broken bulkheads between frames."

Then the Andrew Messa's reactor went. In a blinding light as great as the sun's, the two ships vanished for all eternity. Destroyed in that one moment to never be seen again.

The force of the blast was strong, though. Enough to rattle the entire battlefield. Crew and Passengers on the White Base held on for dear life with Admiral Watkein's aid discovering a terrible fact. The Striker fought against the force and realized too late that a GINN HM, the last one on the battlefield, had gotten the drop on it.

"KIRA!" Mirai suddenly shouted and saw a GINN HM slam the Sword Striker into an outcropping of Luna II from one of the White Base's side cameras.

"The Striker," Watkein ground his teeth, but chose to handle the matter at hand. There was still the Musai and two Laurasia and none of them looked ready to backed down yet. "We'll let SAR Teams worry about Striker, concentrate on the battle at hand so they can rescue them!"

XXXX

With a battlecry, Fix charged the Gundam from behind. Too many of his comrades and friends were dead now. He had to defeat the Gundam here and now. Then the Trojan Horse would fall next. It was the only way to make their losses count!

But Amuro deftly stored Gundam's shield in a single fluid motion and drew the second beam saber to stab Fix in the cockpit.

"Fix, no!" Char cried out and cursed as Gundam turned to it, supported by the Core Fighter, GMs, and Balls. "Dammit," Char turned to pull back, even as two of Suevi's surviving Zakus tried to support him. "Fall back!" Char called out, but it was too late. A beam speared one Zaku and the other was raked by cannon fire.

"You're not getting away Char!" Amuro began to pursue only for Char to chuck his Heat Hawk at him.

"Oberstleutnant!" Dren's voice reached Char, "It's the squadron of ships! They're here! We can still win this!"

And sure enough, lead by Nord Albion, Char's reinforcements had arrived.

"IT'S A MONSTER!" someone shouted over the radio followed by a strange sound and Char looked for the source to discover that Striker had pulled itself from the rocky outcropping.

It then proceeded to tear through the remaining Zakus from the Suevi, killing all three and dispatching the last of the Assault GINNs as well. That was done despite a torrent of fire, including missiles, directed at it.

Gone was the similarity to the Gundam. The Striker now looked more heavily armored and that was before the Role Pack. Mikhail Coast attempt to strafe it, but even as the shots bounced off the armor, it brought up an arm and fired a rocket anchor that smashed the GINN HM's submachine gun to pieces before retracting. The other arm came up holding a really large sword that easily cleaved through The Doctor's own sword and the arm that held it.

The Doctor was already rocketing to escape, even as Federation fighters pursued his damaged mobile suit.

The Gundam Striker also pursued, but a hail of gunfire from one of Coast's ships tried to halt the Federation advance. Instead, Striker easily weaved through its fire as the fighters broke off to avoid being destroyed. The Striker then past over the Laurasia, spun head over feet with a turn and charged back with sword held high and with a battlecry, Kira dug Curtana deep into the ship's hull.

With a burst of vernier, Kira proceeded to drag the anti-ship sword down the length of the ZAFT ship ripping open entire compartments. A GM then arrived with a horn on its head and a revolver spike on one arm with large weapon pods on both shoulders and heavily armored head to toe. The pods opened up and began to pour a stream of titanium balls into the damaged areas. This was joined by another GM with modified pods that released a pair of remote weapons that stormed in, to tear apart weapon emplacements allowing a winged GM with a large rifle to fire a stream of beam energy rivaling a Cruiser into the ZAFT Frigate even as another GM, Sanger Zonvolt, joined Kira and both sword wielding mobile suits cut open additional areas that quickly compromised the Laurasia and caused her to finally begin to explode even as the crew abandoned ship.

"Negative Dren!" Char called back to his second in command. "We're... retreating once more," he finally ground out angrily.

The red Zaku barely made it back to the Falmel which in turn barely escaped the torrent of beams from the Luna II fleet. Under cover of a smoke screen laid by their own reinforcements, the two surviving ships of the attack force that Char had mustered, retreated damaged and battered from battle.

"That Char Aznable…" Amuro breathed out, exhausted from the battle, "What… What kind of man is he?" he wondered aloud.

XXXX

On the bridge of the White Base, Bright turned to his captain, "Hey, Captain. We pulled it off sir," but instead of the expected response, Bright and Watkein found the Admiral's aide carefully pulling the tan bed covers over Captain Paolo Cassius' head.

"I'm sorry sirs," the aide began with a bit of emotion in his voice, "to report that Captain Paolo Cassius has joined the Eternal Patrol."

"Oh no," Admiral Watkein breathed out unable to believe it, but seeing it with his own eyes confirmed it.

Bright's own eyes widened as he looked at the now still form of his captain. The confident, caring captain that he had set off from Earth with. A man who had seemed to would be able to survive the worse wounds that Bright hoped to never see and never see again. Instead, as the young cadet turned ship's captain looked on, the aide placed his own officer's cover on the covered form, so everyone would know who it was.

But it was only a beginning of pain to come as down in the hangar, Kira managed to land the Striker. On his lap, the unconscious, but living form of Shirin Bakhtiar. She had a thin trail of blood on her face and some droplets in her helmet, but after a check, he was confidant that it was only because when they crashed, she had slammed her helmet into his. In fact, his face plate was completely cracked open. So he made his way into the central hangar to allow the others to land.

There, he spotted the GM with the large sword. With a smile, once Job gave Kira the okay, the First Generation Coordinator opened his hatch and gently handed off Shirin's form to medics who pronounced she would live. Then he headed on over to the white haired, tall, broad shouldered form of Major Sanger Zonvolt. The man who had been his mentor in the AF Army and a dear friend from that time.

"Sanger!" Kira pushed off to meet the man with a large grin and his eyes closed as he remembered the good old days. Thus he missed the sorrowful look on the man's face as he opened his eyes to safely alight next to him. Only when he turned to look up at the taller male did he realize something amiss. "Sanger? Sir?" Kira was now worried.

The man closed his eyes and took a deep breath before releasing it and opening his eyes once more to look at his former student.

"Kira," Sanger began, there was no easy way to put it, "Heliopolis has recently been destroyed by ZAFT." Sanger watched as all color drained from Kira's face, "You're family has been listed as missing."

Then Sanger grabbed Kira by the shoulder as the young pilot turned to push back off for Striker. Before Kira could bring his greater strength to bear and get free of Sanger, the white haired man buried his fist into Kira's midsection. With a cough and wide eyes, Kira went limp as he fell unconscious and Sanger gently pulled his protege from floating off even as his newest protege called for a litter for Kira.

A bittersweet end to a hard fought and victorious battle.

XXXX

A few days later, Admiral Watkein watched as White Base left in the company of the EFS Salamis. He spoke with his aide who wondered if it was a good idea to send out the Salamis with her eight escorts to take White Base to Earth.

"Admiral?" the aide still wondering if it was a good idea.

"It is good idea if we left them alone, for now," the admiral held a message in his hand from his superior stating that she was going to remain in the field and make RV with the Enforcer 8th Lunar Fleet. It seemed like things were getting crazier by the hour. "At least until they reach Earth, that is what Captain Paolo Cassius recommended." Then the admiral looked away, still finding the pain fresh and bitter.

The aide knew his commander was going through a lot, "Admiral, we did all we could."

"There have been so many casualties and now our war with the Zeon is getting more and more violent," Admiral Wakkein stated aloud as he looked to the departing ships, "We keep losing these people who have so much to teach us. It's a cruel time to be alive isn't it."

Watkein then became lost in the memories of the funerals and memorials to those who had died. The loss of Captain Cassius Paolo was especially hard. All of the refugees and the entire crew of White Base had turned out for it. As had many others from Luna II, both military and civilian alike.

He remembered that Acting Captain Bright Noah's last words to his now deceased captain.

"Captain. Please accept my word that my crew and I will do everything in our power to safely deliver White Base to Earth."

Afterwards, Rear Admiral (Upper Half) Cassius Paolo began his Eternal Patrol as he was buried with full honors into space. He and the men and women who had fallen with him since Side 7. Perhaps, with them out there, the Earth Sphere would know peace once more.

But not all could be put at ease by a memorial and funeral. No. Not all.

The young Amuro Ray had asked the admiral about SAR efforts around Side 7. His father, Lieutenant Senior Grade Tem Ray was currently Missing in Action. So far there had been no word about his fate. Nothing known as of yet.

But despite that, Amuro Ray was taking it as best he could. He was functioning and moving forward. That was good for the time being. Admiral Wakkein had promised to dispatch additional forces to assist in the recovery efforts at Side 7 as soon as Luna II was secure once more.

But while one took it well, another did not.

Gene Wolfgang Watkein still remembered finding young Kira Yamato, huddled alone. His face stained by the tears he had shed for his now missing family. A picture of his wife, child, and mother in happier times clutched in his hand. The people that meant life itself to him… Missing.

Perhaps gone.

Dead.

In that moment, the Admiral was the one thing that got the young man back on his feet and his composure restored. Officers had a way with their men that no one could fully understand. Once there was a bridge of trust formed, it existed deeply.

But Kira Yamato would never recover until he learned the truth. Until he found out what happened to his family.

For now, all Wakkein had done, was turn a husk into the shadow of a person.

But one thing was for sure as the ships began to disappear from the observation room's sight…

It was, indeed, a cruel time to be alive.

XXXX

The successful defense of Luna II has repelled two of the best commanders in the Zeon and ZAFT forces. With heavy losses and no support in sight, it appears that White Base has been granted a fortunate safe passage.

But it is not to be.

While heading to the descent point, White Base stumbles upon another battle. This time, it is the OMNI Enforcer's newest warship and the last of their prototype Mobile Suits. The unit that has more tied to the RX-79S Gundam Striker than at first appears.

When Kira Yamato hears that familiar voice calling out, he responds.

Will he succeed?

Next time on "Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front,"

"Orbital Reunion"

Who will survive?

XXXXX

Tomcat A/N:

Dang nabbit!

I took nearly a whole year just to do one chapter?! That simply isn't acceptable. So I shall aim to have the next chapter out sooner. Much, MUCH sooner.

Here we've seen the great defense of Luna II. The casualties have been terrible, but the victory is absolute.

We also saw the introduction of the RGM-79 GM and RB-79 Ball much earlier than is canon. Job Jon also sorties much earlier. Though only as a turret on White Base.

In addition to all of that Magellan also survived. Though there is reason for that. How many here think that if Magellan was actually shot, as in canon, it would have done more harm than good?

My point exactly.

Suevi bought the farm and boy did it ever. A heroic stand by the Andrew Messa. For those who are Zeta Fans, yes, as in Jerid Messa. His OC father in this story. Mentioned at the opening to Chapter One. Died thanks to Blue Cosmos. Or rather because of them. Still, it was a great ending between the two.

We also see Kira has now mysteriously recovered from his previous state. More to come on that in the next chapter. We also see him now breaking down because of his family's disappearance and the destruction of Heliopolis. I wanted it longer, but couldn't find the right pieces for that. Thus, I'll be spreading it out over the next chapter.

Though it leaves Luna II, White Base leaves on excellent terms with allies there and a battle group to see it to Earth. Now the next chapter will be explosive. Promised. Well… Hopefully anyways.

Now on to Xamusel with the weather update- I mean with his own Author's Note.

Take it away Xam.

(Walks off whistling Dixie, Union Version)

#

Xamusel: *sighs heavily* Yeah, this chapter was really a long time coming, and we both apologize for the length of time involved. If it's any compensation, the length of this chapter should more than make up for the lack of updates, hopefully.

As far as any potential reviewers out there… please, for the love of everything that is good and right and so true, don't be rude about the reviews! Tomcat has had plenty of rude comments already thrown his way by someone who was reviewing his ideas… even if I think the person who was commenting had some valid points, the way he was going about it? Er, yeahnot such a good way to do it. Don't get me started on the attitude of drinking Whiskey while playing Golf (100 points to whoever gets the hidden meaning)... and, even then, don't make people think negatively about things that are written just for fun (unless it's yourself, in which case, please don't force those thoughts on others).

Thank you for reading this chapter.

XXXXX

Tomcat: I once saw a guy drink Scotch and Golf at the same time. First time and only time I ever saw a Golf Club/Police Stick do battle too. Cop won. So you shouldn't drink and golf at the same time. Especially if you have been hitting the hard stuff all day.

Well, with that said… LET'S GET THIS POSTED!