This chapter is a few little confrontations of ZAU and the fleet heading for the U.S. The conflicts may seem short and blunt but most have a strong reason and purpose that will appear later in the story.
Confrontations
"Mr. Watfeld, we are detecting three mobile suits just launched from the Minerva. It's the Destiny, the Impulse, and an experimental N-Zaku sir." A voice said.
"N-Zaku?" Kira said. "Mr. Watfeld what is that?"
"The N-Zaku is an experimental Zaku that ZAFT had been working on during the Second Bloody Valentine War. It is a nuclear powered Zaku, I'll show you the blueprint, it is on the database of the Eternal."
A blueprint of a familiar looking mobile suit showed up on the screen of the Freedom. The N-Zaku looked almost exactly like the Zaku but there were a few differences between the two. The left arm of the Zaku was much larger than the other and had a pincer like weapon attached instead of a hand. The weapon looked like it was meant for grabbing and holding mobile suits. The right arm was just like the one on the original and had a laser rifle equipped. On the back of the N-Zaku was a beam sword.
The largest difference Kira noticed between the Zaku and N-Zaku was a Large cannon mounted on the right shoulder. The barrel opening was about a foot long and the cannon was about five feet long. It was attached to the shoulder by a strange arm that looked like it could move.
Kira looked over the specifications of the N-Zaku and noticed it was a two seated. It had no shield because the left arm was the shield, and like the Destiny an energy field could emit from the shield to absorb hits. After two minutes of looking over the N-Zaku he began speaking to Mr. Watfeild again.
"Why does it seat two people?" Kira asked.
"The N-Zaku has two pilots, one to pilot the mobile suit and one to control the gun. This allows the gun to be used to its full extent and fire anywhere. Kira you need to launch now, Athrun and Ryo are already out there and they can't fight off all of these mobile suits on their own."
"Ok, I'm leaving now." Kira said launching from the Eternal.
Athrun was surrounded by Strike Daggers when Kira got out of the Eternal. Lacus held him tight as he flew full speed into the battle in front of him. He was heading for Athrun when a green beam stopped him He turned to see the N-Zaku with its rifle pointed at him. Pressing the pedal Kira flew above the shot before it could hit him and fired a shot back at the N-Zaku.
"Still fighting the same I see." A voice from the past said to Kira.
"Yzak?" Kira asked.
"Yeah and his good buddy Dearka." Dearka replied.
"Why are you two fighting for ZAU, how could you fight beside those monsters?" Athrun asked from a distance away.
"Because we believe in what the chairmen has to say, and we will fight to make his dream a reality." Yzak said.
A gold blur flew past Kira chasing a white blur. He glanced over as the Akatsuki fought the Impulse. Athrun had finally broke free of the Strike Daggers and was now fighting the Destiny. Ryo was not far away fighting off Strike Daggers with Cagalli nearby in the Strike Rouge.
Kira pulled out the beam saber and charged the N-Zaku at full speed, but before he could get close Dearka fired the canon off and a large beam of energy just grazed the shoulder of the Freedom. Lacus let out a little squeal as the Freedom shook. Kira quickly recovered and slashed out at Yzak and Dearka but Yzak easily maneuvered away. Kira brought the beam sword back up in a second slash aimed at the right arm. Yzak yanked back on the controls trying to get the arm out of the way but the experimental mobile suit didn't respond. The N-Zaku shook as the arm was cut off. Yzak yelled in anger at what just happened. He thrust out with the left arm and grabbed hold of the Freedom around the waste.
"Now I got you." Yzak said. "Go ahead Dearka finish them."
"I'm sorry Miriallia." Dearka said apologizing for what he was about to do. He aimed the canon at the freedom and hovered his thumb over the trigger.
Kira looked down at Lacus and saw the fear in her eyes, he pulled her close to him so tight that nothing would pull them apart. He look at her face to see tears streaming down her eyes because she knew what was about to happen.
"I'm... I'm sorry Lacus. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." Kira said as he saw the canon begin to glow bright orange as it prepared to fire.
Dearka brought his thumb down on the trigger. The orange energy began to release from the canon but nothing happened to the Freedom. The N-Zaku shook violently as the canon exploded. Dearka looked around to find the source of the attack. Out of the corner of his eye he saw an orange and black mobile suit that looked just like the Freedom carrying a large green energy ax. Dearka looked at it in confusion because it looked like the unknown mobile suit was holding the ax like a gun. A large orb of energy appeared at the end of the ax and shot forward cutting the left arm off the N-Zaku.
"Ah... Damn experimental piece of shit." Yzak shouted as the N-Zaku shook. He quickly flew the N-Zaku out of the area before either mobile suit could shoot it down.
"You two alright in there." Kira heard his cousin's voice say.
"Thanks to you." Lacus said.
"Yea thanks, Ryo look out behind you its the Destiny." Kira said.
"I got him." Ryo said. "I can take him you go help Athrun with the Impulse and Strike Daggers."
"Ryo let me help you." Kira said as Ryo blocked a shot out from the Destiny.
"Go Kira, I can handle him." Ryo said.
"Ok." Kira said and piloted the Freedom over to help Athrun.
"So Shin, is it still you that pilots the Destiny?" Ryo asked.
"I must have impressed you for you to know my name." Shin said gloatingly.
"No honestly it's the opposite." Ryo said firing of a shot from the gun inside the ax. The Destiny barely blocked the shot.
"What? I'll kill you for that." Shin said. Firing off shots and trying to get behind Ryo.
"It's always the same with you isn't it? That's always your solution." Ryo said.
"What do you know, you're just some kid." Shin said.
"A kid that can beat you easily." Ryo said.
"Just try." Shin said flying straight at Ryo. He fired off two shots then pulled out the sword and tried to get behind Ryo. Shin relied on the speed of the Destiny hoping to get around Ryo. He successfully got behind Ryo but before he could attack he was hit near the cockpit by an asteroid. Before Shin could react Ryo was already above him with the ax back and ready to swing. The Destiny shook as its arms were both cut off.
"You rely too much on the power of your mobile suit. I could have beaten you in an Astray. The only time you can pilot that mobile suit well is when you activate the SEED. Your lucky I don't kill you. Now get out of here before I change my mind." Ryo yelled and the Destiny flew away.
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"Wow Ryo that was incredible." Mu said to Ryo as he climbed out of the Crusader.
"He isn't that good of a pilot anymore. He used to be pretty decent with help from the Impulse but since he got the Destiny he only relies on the power of his mobile suit. Power corrupted him and now only relies on power." Ryo said.
"Well in any case you still beat him." Mu said.
"RYO!" Meyrin shouted and ran towards him. "That was great, you are such a strong pilot."
"Well uh.. It was really nothing." Ryo said blushing at the comment.
"Hmm I leave you two alone, it looks like you have a lot to talk about." Mu said laughing slightly and winking at Ryo as he left the hangar.
"Are you hungry?" Meyrin asked.
"Uh yeah sure let's go get some food."
They started to walk away but were stopped when the communicator on the Crusader activated. A familiar voice came out of the speakers and Ryo jumped into the cockpit.
"Ryo are you there, please respond." Cagalli's voice rang out,
"Yeah I'm here whats going on?" Ryo asked.
"We have a problem over here on the Eternal. During the fight a group of ZAU coordinators blew a hole in the hangar and entered the Eternal. The Eternal is repaired and fine and the group has left, but they took something with them. We need you over here on the bridge now."
"Alright I'm coming." Ryo said turning off the communicator and turning to Meyrin. "Sorry Meyrin I have to go."
"It's ok, you do what you need to." She said smiling.
"Thank you." Ryo said closing the cockpit of the Crusader and leaving the Archangel.
Ryo flew full speed to the Eternal and entered the hangar. He piloted the Crusader to an open slot and jumped out. He ran full speed out of the hangar to the bridge, nearly running over many people in the process. He entered the bridge soon and found many people there already in a conversation.
"WHERE DID THEY TAKE HER?" Kira shouted more in fear then anger.
"We don't know exactly but we have a stealth Astray tracking them now." Mr. Watfeld said.
"Who would take Lacus? Who would do such a thing?" Cagalli asked. As soon as Ryo heard this a wave of shock hit him. He listened to the silence of the bridge at this question.
"They took her to get to Kira." Ryo said seriously making everyone turn to him in surprise. No one had seen him enter the bridge.
"I fear that is the answer to your question Cagalli." Mr. Watfeld said. "Ryo is right."
"We have to get her back, as soon as you here where they took her I will fly there and get her back." Kira said with anger in his eyes.
"No." Ryo said, "That's exactly what they want Kira, you can't go. It's a trap and if you go they will have you exactly where they want you."
"I will go and you can't stop me Ryo." Kira said. Ryo or anyone on the bridge had never seen Kira act like this before. Ryo could see the determination in Kira's eyes, and Ryo knew he couldn't stop Kira.
"Fine, but I'm going with you." Ryo said.
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Ryo sat in the locker room of the Eternal on a bench. Kira sat across from him. Ryo once again cleaned the assault rifle that was in his hands and checked every part of it to make sure it was working properly. Kira looked at him confused and Ryo walked over to him holding the rifle out to him.
"What is that for?" Kira asked.
"If we are going to rescue Lacus we are not going to be able to do it in mobile suits. They will have her inside the colony. Mr. Watfeld got us clearance because it's a Eurasia colony, and they are still our friends. We will land in the hangar and go from there."
"Alright, let's go."
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Kira walked behind Ryo through the streets of the colony. They approached a small house, that the stealth Astray pilot had tailed the group that had taken Lacus to. The two walked around to the back hiding in the shadows of the night. Ryo pulled out his assault rifle and slid in a clip. Kira did the same and took a deep breath. Ryo walked over to the door and kicked it down. Shouts were heard from the men inside as they desperately searched for their pistols but Kira and Ryo had taken them all out before they could react.
Ryo had never seen Kira kill a man until now. The anger he had because of the men taking Lacus must have been controlling his decisions. Two men ran down the steps shouting and firing off two shots at Kira and Ryo. Ryo jumped behind an overturned table as the shots hit the wall behind him. He pulled out his pistol with his right hand and held the rifle over the edge of the table with his left like he was getting ready to fire. The two men scattered at the sight of this but fell for the trap as Ryo shot one with the pistol as the man came into view and Kira shot the other.
Ryo replaced the pistol and the two headed up the steps. There were no more men upstairs but they heard a muffled scream coming from one of the rooms. Ryo stood by the wall and pushed the door open making sure no part of his body showed. A burst of shots flew through the opening and hit the wall on the other side of the hall. Ryo crouched and rolled into the opening quickly picking out the man in the room and shooting him. The room was clear of men and all that was left in the room was a chair with a pink haired girl tied up. Her mouth was taped shut and her blue eyes were watering. Kira ran over and quickly untied her from the chair. Lacus stood up and wrapped her arms around Kira. Tears rolled down her eyes.
"Hey guys we gotta go now before anyone else shows up." Ryo said. "We caught them by surprise now that's why this was so quick but if we give time for the others to get ready we will be in trouble."
"Right let's go." Kira said.
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It had been about a week since Ryo and Kira had rescued Lacus. The fleet was now entering U.S controlled space and were making their way to the rendezvous spot. ZAU forces had been catching them really quickly and they were hoping they would rendezvous with the U.S fleet before ZAU could catch them but that was becoming increasingly difficult.
"All hands level 1 battle stations we are under attack." Miriallia said over the speakers.
"Miss Murrue incoming message from the U.S." Meyrin said.
"Put it on screen." Murrue said.
"Greetings Archangel, we detected that you have been engaged by ZAU in our territory. We are sending the rendezvous to meet you. The USS Liberty just launched and should meet you within ten minutes."
"ONE SHIP, THAT'S THE RENDEZVOUS FLEET?" Murrue asked slightly angry at the ignorance of the man on screen.
"Don't be angry this one ship is all you will need."
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For all you Shin fans out there please don't be mad, the only reason he lost so quick is to set up something I have planed for later in the story. Please RR, I will try and update the next chapter quicker.