Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed Destiny or Gundam 00, both are owned by Sunrise.

Collision

Chapter 5

The PLANT National Defense Committee was assembled in a large, rectangular room, lit from above by powerful fluorescent lights. The committee members were sitting around a large rectangular table, Defense Committee Chairman Takao Schreiber at the head. To his left and right were two more civilian members, with the remaining six members all military officers, wearing the white uniforms of ZAFT team leaders, three wearing FAITH badges on their collars.

Rear Admiral Cheng stood before the table, face carefully composed and hands folded behind him, presenting a stoic and resolute front before a potential enemy. As the Federation representative in this matter, he would be first to add onto what first impressions PLANT and ZAFT had already gained of the Federation, be it from their brief encounter with the EFF above Junius Seven's ruins, or obtained from accessing the global networks remotely. Or indeed, both.

As such, he needed to make it clear that while the Federation was prepared to extend a hand of friendship and peace, the Federation was also not to be trifled with.

"So as I understand it," Schreiber began, his hands folded on the table on top of a folder containing pertinent documents from the Earth Sphere Federation. "The Federation government is extending a formal request to hold a diplomatic conference with the aim of discussing the establishment of formal diplomatic and economic ties between our two nations. And in preparation for this conference, a request is also being extended for a quiet, pre-conference meeting between representatives of our two governments, to discuss the location, time, and agenda for the conference. Is that correct?"

"That is correct, Your Excellency." Cheng said with a nod. "Furthermore, while formal recognition and public disclosure of such will have to wait until after the conference proper, the Federation government at this time is already willing to acknowledge the PLANT Supreme Council and its subordinate organizations, as legitimate. Also as part of this, the sovereignty of your government over your home colonies will be recognized and not be considered up for debate at the conference, as will be the area of space defined as part of La Grange Five being considered as an exclusive area of interest for PLANT."

"That is very encouraging on the part of the Federation government." Schreiber said while sitting back with a smile. "In contrast to our experiences with the nations of Earth in the Cosmic Era, the Federation government is clearly genuine in its desire for peaceful coexistence."

"I can assure you now Your Excellency, that the people of the Earth Sphere Federation hold no ill will against your people for your genetic modifications, modifications that none of you had any say in obtaining in the first place." Cheng said. "And while I cannot deny that it is statistically-probable that extremists may appear in time, is that not greater reason for good relations between our nations to be the case from the very beginning, in order to deny such parties fertile ground to sow their poisonous ideologies in?"

"Certainly, for coexistence between Naturals and Coordinators in this new world to begin and grow as a peaceful and mutually-beneficial matter would go a long way in nipping such extremist developments in the bud." Schreiber agreed. "With regard to recognition of sovereignty and exclusive areas of interest, however, I notice that La Grange Four was not mentioned in that light."

"With regard to the Armory One colony, of course, the Federation government is prepared to recognize it as sovereign PLANT territory." Cheng replied. "However, as the Federation also has a territorial claim in La Grange Four with the Quanqiu colony, we are not prepared to surrender all claims to that area of space."

"But you are prepared to negotiate on that matter?" Schreiber asked.

"We are prepared to accept such to be part of the agenda at the conference." Cheng replied.

"That is fair enough." Schreiber said, as the committee began whispering to each other. Cheng stayed silent as the committee conferred for a few minutes, with Schreiber quietly discussing some points with one of his civilian subordinates.

"Questions of territorial sovereignty aside," Commander Rory Maxwell began. "There is also the question of armaments limitations. As you know, our forces are currently limited as per the terms of the Treaty of Junius Seven. A treaty that is however, arguably defunct, what with every other signatory non-existent from our perspective. The question now is how would the Federation regard the issue."

"As a sovereign nation I would say you have the right to self-defense." Cheng answered. "But I would also say that the Federation has no hostile intentions towards PLANT, nor any desire to engage in a potentially wasteful and self-destructive arms race."

"And what are your personal opinions on the issue, rear admiral?" Commander Arnold Lindeman asked.

Cheng closed his eyes for a few moments. "An arms limitation agreement would help prevent an arms race." He admitted. "But that is a matter to be discussed between our nations' diplomats."

"That much is certainly true." Schreiber said, reentering the discussion. "And I agree. An arms race would serve no purpose other than to increase tensions, fuel distrust, undermine efforts towards peaceful coexistence, and potentially set the stage for a future war. While the Treaty of Junius Seven is defunct, its principles should be brought up for discussion as part of any agreement between PLANT and the Earth Sphere Federation."

There was some murmuring across the committee at this. "Would that include our nations' respective nuclear arsenals?" Lindeman asked.

"Nuclear weapons are nuclear weapons." Schreiber said. "They should of course be included in any discussions with regard to arms limitations, even more so given the articles of the treaty covering N-Jammer Cancelers indirectly pertain to such weapons. And as one of the few nations in history to have tasted nuclear fire used outside of experimental detonations…preventing their use in such a manner in the future should be a top priority."

There were nods all around the table at that. "In any case," Schreiber continued. "Questions of territorial extent and sovereignty aside, as well as that of arms limitations in general and nuclear weapons in particular, I see no reason to oppose the Federation government's requests. Of course, the final decision is not ours to make, and will have to be brought up before the Supreme Council which will have the final say on the matter. That said, I can assure you now, rear admiral, that I will perform my all to endorse acceptance of your government's efforts towards peaceful coexistence."

Cheng bowed in acceptance. "If there is any other concern…?" Schreiber asked, trailing off while sweeping his gaze across the committee's members, all of whom stayed silent. Schreiber nodded. "Very well then…the National Defense Committee will now discuss the report to be presented before the Supreme Council. Rear Admiral, thank you for your time, and while you are of course free to return to your ship, if you would accept it, we would also offer you our government's hospitality here, at Aprilius One."

"Then I will take you at your kind word." Cheng said with another bow.

Schreiber nodded and pressing a button, summoned an aide into the room. "Please guide the rear admiral to the officer's lounge." He said. "Also, have accommodations prepared for the rear admiral and his staff, until the Supreme Council has a reply ready for the Federation government."

"Yes sir." The man said with a salute, before turning to Cheng. "If you would please follow me, sir?"

Cheng nodded, and with a salute at Schreiber followed the aide out of the room. Once the doors were sealed, Schreiber turned back to the rest of the National Defense Committee. "Well," he began. "What do you think?"

"The Federation government thinks they're being clever." The reply immediately came. "Offer one hand, but arm the other."

"What makes you say that?" Schreiber asked.

"It doesn't cost them to let La Grange Five go," Commander Donald Mackenzie said. "Not without having to start and fight a war over it. But, as shown by their digging their heels in over La Grange Four, they don't actually see us as equals. Not really."

"I wouldn't go that far." Maxwell said. "And considering all the effort they put into building up an economical means of transport from Earth's surface to space, it's not surprising that they're unwilling to give up ideal places to build space colonies at, that is the La Grange points."

"And," Marcus Braille added. "Legally-speaking the presence of Quanqiu at La Grange Four does give the Federation a valid claim on that region of space. And they have been there longer than we have, technically-speaking."

"That may be so," Mackenzie conceded. "But our primary concern should be to ensure PLANT's security. And the best way to achieve that is to eliminate the presence of all other nations in space, and secure forward bases of operation to project power from on Earth. If possible, Earth should also be divided into smaller states that can then be turned against each other…"

"Attempting to do any of those will only result in starting a war," Schreiber interrupted. "A course of action that I will not condone, so long as I am Defense Committee Chairman. And if I may dare say so, the same would go for the Supreme Council Chairman."

Mackenzie subsided, though only after a second or so of glaring between himself and the chairman. "While I do find Commander Mackenzie's aims to be rather extreme," Lindeman began. "He does have a good point. PLANT's security is our primary concern. Now, while I too will not support provocative measures that could lead to another war, I do think PLANT's defenses could be further improved."

"What do you have in mind, Commander Lindeman?" Schreiber asked.

"Messiah aside," Lindeman said. "Additional fortresses on similar scales as Boaz and Jachin Due would go a long way to securing PLANT's airspace. Stepping up the construction of Messiah would also improve our ability to project power if not on Earth, then at least in space."

"Space fortresses on such a scale would require a great deal of manpower, time, and resources to complete." Braille pointed out. "And if arms limitations are brought up at the conference, then manning the fortresses could prove problematic."

"Then we should avoid bringing them up, shouldn't we?" Mackenzie asked. "Arms limitations are counterproductive anyway, at least in my opinion. It's like asking us to fight a war with a hand tied behind our backs."

"You'd want just that, wouldn't you?" Commander Archibald Hood asked coolly. "Fighting a war, that is."

"War is inevitable, sooner or later." Mackenzie said just as coldly. "For now the people of this Earth are unaware of the vast difference between them and us, but once they realize just how left behind they are, they will grow jealous, then resentful, and finally hateful. Blue Cosmos or something similar will rise from the shadows, seeking our destruction…"

"In short," Hood interrupted. "Destroy them before they destroy us? Ridiculous…how different are you in the end from Blue Cosmos with that kind of thinking?"

"I'm no fanatic." Mackenzie scoffed. "Just a realist."

Hood snorted. "Indeed," he said. "Keep telling yourself just that."

Mackenzie's eyes narrowed but he said nothing. "I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the Naturals of this timeline." Maxwell cautiously ventured. "They're evolving, something the Naturals of the Cosmic Era never showed themselves capable of. Those Innovators…if I remember the intelligence report right, they're supposed to be adapted to life in space, aren't they? And their abilities…while in some ways they're still inferior to us, in others they are equal. I don't think jealousy and resentment over our superior abilities would reach the level needed to bring a Blue Cosmos-like organization into existence, at least not on the same scale, when the Naturals are already growing into our level."

"That may be the case," Mackenzie conceded. "But I would think it too optimistic. As you say in some ways our abilities are still superior to those the Innovators are purported to possess, and even if that weren't the case, then the situation might very well become inverted."

"What do you mean?" Maxwell asked.

"Our own people might find themselves redundant, compared to the Innovators." Mackenzie said. "As George Glenn once said, we Coordinators are the bridge between Humanity's past and future. But if Naturals are able to cross from the former to the latter without us…then what place is there left for us?"

"…there's something really off with you, Commander Mackenzie." Maxwell snarled. "You might call yourself a realist, and in some ways you are, but in other ways I can't help but wonder at all the demagoguery you spew all the time…"

"Enough." Schreiber snapped. "I will not allow this meeting to devolve into slinging personal insults at each other, or to fester with pessimistic sentiments. Our responsibility is to ensure PLANT's security, there is no doubt about that. But, PLANT's security isn't a matter of solely destroying our enemies, it's also a matter of keeping PLANT's people from having to lose their lives in a war that doesn't need to be fought. Even more so, given just how valuable every single Coordinator life is."

That brought everyone up short, a reminder of the critical issue that was slowly but steadily casting its shadow over Coordinator society for years now. Specifically, that of the large number of third-generation Coordinators that had been born sterile, and the predictions that succeeding generations would suffer from greater percentages of sterility.

"And ultimately," Schreiber continued. "This meeting was to discuss the matter of the Federation envoy and the word he brings with him from his government. And while we still have to bring things to a vote, as I have said earlier, the Federation government does seem genuine in its desire for peace, and no obstructions seem to be visible in bringing this matter up favorably before the Supreme Council for a final decision."

There were nods all around, though some, such as Commanders Mackenzie and Maria Columbiana, did so with carefully-neutral faces. "Given how it seems tempers seem to be running rather high," Schreiber said. "We'll recess for twenty minutes, and on returning go over the documents from the Federation one more time before bringing it to a vote. Now, if there's nothing else…?"

There was none, and Schreiber nodded. "Very good then," he said. "Then let us go on recess."

A pair of dark-colored Dagger L's navigated their way through a debris field, making their way back towards the Mendel colony. "Reporting," one pilot began over an encrypted line. "No signs of enemy or Federation vessels and mobile suits in the surrounding area. Projected course is clear, standing by for new orders."

Seated on the Girty Lue's bridge, Neo nodded before turning to the stealth battleship's captain and his immediate subordinate, Captain Ian Lee. The two men shared a nod, and then Neo turned to face the rest of the bridge. "Alright," he began. "Start the main engines, and ease us out to twenty-five per cent maximum thrust. Maintain that speed until we exit the debris field, and standby on Mirage Colloid. Signal our mobile suits, keep an eye out."

The bridge crew worked methodically at their stations, and in moments the Girty Lue began to move, plasma flaring from its engines. Building up speed, the stealth battleship left the abandoned colony's dock, and began to navigate its way through the debris field surrounding Mendel.

"Keep an eye out now." Neo ordered. "Don't get too dependent on our screen, let's do our part as well."

Lee nodded and drew himself up. "Load missile tubes with Corinthos missiles." He ordered. "Have the Igelstellung on standby."

The man paused, and then turned to Neo. "I know that our objective is to get out of this area and stealthily get to Earth, but…" he said, but trailed off as Neo nodded.

"No, it's fine." Neo said. "As I said, let's do our part as well. If things go south, having the CIWS on standby and our missile tubes locked and loaded could be the difference between life and death. And I for one would rather like to stay alive, how about you?"

Lee gave a rare smile. "I have no arguments there, sir." He said, and Neo nodded.

"The rest of our mobile suits are on standby, aren't they?" he asked.

"They are, sir." Lee said. "Including those three…"

Neo smiled. "Any complaints?" he asked.

"No," Lee said. "Well, not really…just my instincts with regard to those three and those who made them, and who used to give us our orders. That said, I understand we need those three in better shape than they normally are if they're going to be of real interest to the Federation, so it's nothing really."

Neo hummed and nodded slowly. "Personally," he cautiously began. "I was never all that comfortable with what those three were, so…patching them up like this…"

"But," Lee began. "Aren't they necessary to be able to keep up with the Coordinators' abilities?"

"…true," Neo conceded. "But we shouldn't get too dependent on them either…"

Neo trailed off and sighed. "No," he said. "This is a distasteful topic, so let's just leave it at that, and focus on getting out of this, alright?"

"Yes sir."

Neo nodded. "Right," he said before raising his voice. "You all know the plan. Once we clear the debris field, recall our mobile suits, change course for the Earth, and bring our engines to full power. Once we reach maximum speed, cut the engines, switch to stealth mode, and activate the Mirage Colloid. Don't get sloppy!"

"Roger!" the chorus went up, and Neo nodded slowly. Behind his mask, eyes narrowed at the memory of another time and place, of an attempted silent run from a ruined space colony to a place of supposed safety.

Here goes nothing.

The beeping of an alarm had Athrun stirring from where he was lying in bed next to Cagalli. Moving carefully to avoid disturbing her rest, Athrun pushed the sheets off himself before getting to his feet.

Not carefully enough, apparently though: Cagalli began to stir, rubbing at her eyes and blinking at Athrun in the dark. "Athrun…?" she groggily murmured. "What…?"

"It's fine." Athrun said, moving closer to reassure her. "Probably just an update…I'll be back soon, so go back to sleep."

Cagalli sleepily mumbled a response, curling up under the sheets as Athrun pulled on more of his clothes and tried to fix his hair into some semblance of dignity in case it was a live call. It didn't really do much, which was why the young man was so thankful on seeing it wasn't a live call.

"I see." Athrun thought as he read the update sent by the Diplomatic Committee. "So the Supreme Council has decided to accept the request from the Federation government to hold a conference with regard to future relations. And before that, the Diplomatic Committee Chairman will meet with the Federation's Secretary of State to discuss the agenda and other pertinent matters…"

Athrun let the thought trail off, before resting his chin against the entwined fingers of his hands. His eyes narrowed as he thought back to the terrorists – Coordinator extremists fanatically devoted to his father's mad beliefs about Coordinator supremacy – who had attempted to drop Junius Seven on Earth, and how the investigations into how they were even able to obtain the resources to try and pull off such insanity had kept running into dead ends and cold trails.

"Sympathizers…or even backers on the inside…" he thought grimly. "It would be unreasonable to assume there won't be…the conference…the meeting before that…a lot of things can go wrong…if they do…"

Athrun closed his eyes, memories of watching Junius Seven going up in nuclear fire coming to mind, followed by others. The raid on and the subsequent destruction of Heliopolis…the long chase of the Archangel and the Strike across space and the Earth itself…Nicol's death…the battle to near-death in the South Pacific…returning to PLANT…the debacle at Alaska…receiving the Justice…returning to Earth…battle after battle on Orb and then across space…the climax of it all at Jachin Due…GENESIS and nuclear fire…

"No…it can't happen again…the whole world so close to falling over the edge into oblivion…to think there are people who want to bring it all back. And many if not all of them fought in the war too…they know what it's like, just like I do. So…why…?"

Athrun grit his teeth and ran a hand through his hair, while clenching his other hand into a fist. "…are they just addicted to war?" he silently asked himself. "Everything they say…everything they claim to believe in…could it all be just an excuse? Maybe even trying to convince themselves that they aren't any different from the ones who destroyed Junius Seven?"

Sighing, Athrun ran a hand through his hair before powering down the terminal. Heading to the suite's small kitchen, he poured himself a glass of water and drank before returning to the bedroom.

Cagalli had already fallen back to sleep, and Athrun took care to avoid waking her up while slipping into bed beside her. Again, not carefully enough, as she turned and curled up against him. Blinking in the dark, Athrun wrapped his arms around Cagalli, and holding her close, closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

Morning in Aprilius One was crisp and sunny, reflected sunlight shining down over the space colony's interior. A motorcade made its way down an expressway, running from the urban area towards the dock area, or rather to an ancillary one.

"Things seemed to have gone well, haven't they sir?" Michael Lapland asked while driving an armored car trailing behind the one carrying the Federation envoy and his adjutant.

"They certainly seem to be going that way, Michael." Richard Carmichael answered. "And here's to hoping they keep going that way. If they don't, then it's not too hard to imagine things going down the same or a similar road which led to the previous war."

"But," Michael began. "Didn't you fight in that war?"

"So what if I did?" Richard asked. "Trust me kid, you don't want to get into a war. The history books might say it was necessary, throw around all kinds of justification and reasons for it, the propaganda might spew out all sorts of shit about how glorious and noble fighting for the homeland is, but when it's all said and done, it's all bullshit. War is hell, kid. Nothing more and nothing less."

"B-but…"

"Yeah, I know." Richard said with a sigh. "For all that it's bullshit, there's a bit of truth to it. It was necessary, especially after what happened to Junius Seven. They'd have killed everyone if we hadn't fought back. But…what we had to do in that war…by the end of it all, if it wasn't for Clyne and her men…we wouldn't have been any different to those fuckers from Blue Cosmos."

"Sir…"

The sound of squealing brakes and of metal striking metal and breaking through with incredible force jolted through the two ZAFT soldiers' consciousness. And then they were seeing a white van slam into the side of the Federation envoy's vehicle and throwing it around in a wild spin. Snarling angrily, Michael barely managed to bring their own vehicle to a stop in time.

Moments later and gunfire was ringing out, as figures jumped out of the van with submachine guns blazing. Gurgling whistles joined the sound of gunfire, and gas grenades went flying through the air to land among the ZAFT soldiers. Green fumes hissed out, and men fell as more gas grenades came flying.

Tires screeched in protest as Michael put their vehicle into reverse and hurtled backwards, trying to get some distance between them and the assassins. Richard was already pulling his sidearm from his uniform's holster as bullets stitched a line across the windscreen, cracks spider-webbing across the bulletproof glass but being stopped regardless. "What are you waiting for?" he snapped, lying flat on his reclined seat and pushing himself up to the window on his elbows.

Cursing, Michael pulled out his own sidearm while reclining his own seat and clumsily clambering over into the back. Lying on the seat, he pushed himself up to the window on his elbows and joined in on returning fire.

Another gas grenade shot past, landing by a newly-arrived APC as ZAFT soldiers poured out. It was a dud however, and the nearest soldiers carefully moved it away while their fellow soldiers opened fire. Bullets ripped through the van's front, and literally collapsed it. A masked figure unwisely emerged from cover, then fell dead as return fire literally sent him flying.

Gunfire continued to ring out for a few more minutes, and then an all too familiar silence fell over the battlefield. "Aprilius One a battlefield…this isn't right." Richard thought bitterly. "And in the worst case…it'll just be the first of many. Damn it…even though we're in a whole new world…damn it all…"

Then time seemed to come to a halt as ZAFT soldiers surrounded the armored car which had been carrying the Federation envoy. One soldier gestured for everyone else to stay where they were, all the while cautiously moving forward. Then he came to a halt, holding a hand to his face while falling back. The wind was blowing whatever it was in the gas grenades away from their direction, but even so…the expression on his fellow soldier's face…it was causing Richard's gut to freeze.

The Federation envoy…is he alright?

A/N

Oh dear, and things seemed to be going so well too.