Chapter 09: Utter Defeat Pt 1


Aprilius One, Council Chamber:

Inside the chamber there was a uniform no one would of thought would be in there ever. Standing in the light, was a man wearing that of an Earth Forces Lieutenant uniform. "I take it you are the client that asked me to come here?" the voice told him, as the man fixed his orange sunglasses.

"Yes." the one behind the desk began. "I hear that you are quite good at working well with others during your missions." the person told the man.

"A Mercenary can work with anyone, if that's the job." he told his host. "So what is my Mission, Chairman Clyne?" the man questioned.

Siegel Clyne nodded, "Right to business aren't you Gai?" he questioned. Gai Murakumo nodded, at times through the past, Gai has been the thorn to ZAFT at times, and others a great ally, being hired by Siegel or other Commanders of ZAFT teams. "Well, I wish to ask you to accept the mission of finding my daughter, and bringing her back alive. If she is when you find her." he said a bit saddened.

Gai nodded, "Search and Rescue, not a normal thing we do, but for you Chairman, we'll do it. At a lower cost then usual." he told him.

Clyne nodded, "Thank you. Also, well for a secondary objective if its able to be done. I wish for you to destroy the Legged Ship, and bring back one of their machines." he began, as Gai nodded.

"Does it matter which?" he asked, as Clyne nodded.

"I wish for you to retrieve the GAT-X108 Predator." he told Gai. "I will give you supplies and a sum, and if at all possible, I wish for its pilot to be alive." he added.

Gai nodded, "Don't worry, I always complete my mission." Gai told him, as he turned to return.

"One last thing Gai." Siegel began. "Join up with the Creuset Team, they are searching for my daughter, and if you find her first, you don't have to do anything about the Legged Ship, alright?" he asked.

Gai nodded, "Alright, The Safety of your daughter is our main job, the other parts is only optional." he admitted. "What of opposition?" he asked.

Siegel sighed, "Follow your own judgement there Gai." he told him, with that, the Serpent Tail Mercenary had left.


Archangel Hangar:

"Whoa whoa whoa, wait a second." Murdoch began. "Did you say Lacus Clyne your Fiancé?" he asked.

Lacus looked around, "Um Hi." she said with a smile on her face.

Sebastian rested a hand on her shoulder. "Yeah Mr. Murdoch, this is Lacus Clyne, who is indeed my fiancé" Sebastian answered him.

Lacus was still in disbelief that Sebastian was indeed him, "Sebastian is it really you?" she asked him.

Sebastian looked at her for a moment, "Perhaps this'll help." he told her, as infront of the entire Crew that were present saw Sebastian plant a gentle kiss upon the girls lips. It was soft and delicate, with a rather calm energy radiated from it. The two seperated.

Lacus' cheeks gently blushed. "Yep you are him!" Haro called out waving its flaps.

Lacus giggled a bit, "Only you could do that Sebastian." she told him.

"Hm hm." Alex began, to get their attention. "It certainly has been a while Miss Clyne." he began, walking closer.

Natarle looked on, "He must know her from living in the PLANTs do to his family connections." she pointed out to the captain. Rondo Mina just looked to the catwalk, Sam was still there, but not saying a thing.

Lacus looked at Alex, "Mr. Strassmeier, oh excuse me Alex." she amended, recalling his dislike of formalities. "What are you two doing here?" she asked, as she then saw Sebastian's volunteer uniforms Insignia. "This isn't a ZAFT Vessel is it?" she asked.

Many saw that she did not expect to be onboard an Earth Forces Vessel. "No, this is an Earth Forces ship." Kira informed her.

The pink ball jumped up, "Oh No, Oh No!" it called out, its flaps moving rapidly.

Alex shook his head, as Sebastian looked at Lacus, "This is actually the Archangel, an Atlantic Federation ship." he informed her.

Murrue sighed a moment, "I think we should continue in Private." Murrue admitted.

Alex nodded, "That would be a good idea." he told her.

Murrue nodded, "Natarle, could you take the bridge?" she asked her second in command. Only to be saluted by the woman. "Lieutenant, Sebastian, Alex, could you join us with Miss Lacus?" she asked, as Alex and Sebastian nodded.

"This would be a good idea." Sebastian admitted, as with that, the hangar began to empty.

Alex stopped for a moment, as Sam appeared from above. "Alex, keep Lacus safe." he began to tell his cousin.

"What are you getting at?" Alex began.

Sam cocked an eyebrow, "I believe your rubbing off on me, I have a feeling that these people may use her. She is Chairman Clyne's daughter after all." he told him. "Trust me, if she is dubbed a hostage or Prisoner, by my terms of it I will attack this ship." he told him.

Alex smirked, "I doubt even Sebastian would stop you." he told Sam, and with that, Alex followed the group, while Sam and Mina went for the Jade Frame, to return to the Valkyrie.


Archangel Lacus' New Quarters:

Sebastian leaned against the wall, beside the Chair Lacus was sitting in. Across from them, was Murrue sitting in a chair normally, while Mu was in one, though it was backwards to Lacus and Sebastian. Alex on the otherhand was leaning back on a pair of bunks. Murrue, looked right at Lacus, "To begin, I am deeply puzzled, what would bring the daughter of the Supreme Council Chairman, to the Debris belt?" she questioned. She then stated that, "This is rather unusual."

Lacus, looked at her, but Alex lowered his head, "Is it not obvious Murrue?" he asked, her.

Lacus answered anyways. "As you know, the one year anniversary of the Bloody Valentine is eleven days away. I came as part of a committee to prepare for a memorial ceremony. However, we encountered an Earth Forces vessel shortly after we arrived. When they learned we were from the PLANTs, they demanded that we allow an inspection party aboard."

"An inspection party?" Mu repeated.

She nodded. "Seeing no harm in this, I agreed, but when they came aboard, they began to argue with the ship's crew. They insisted we were a ZAFT vessel, and then things grew violent. Someone pushed me into a lifepod, and that was the last thing I saw." Lacus sighed. "I hope everyone is all right."

Sebastian lowered his head, "Lacus." he began, as she looked at him. "We found the ship, and the only pod we found was your own. I'm sorry." he told her.

"Oh no!" she said with a large amount of grief seen on her face. "Are you sure?" she asked.

Alex nodded, "Yeah, he's sure Lacus." he told her.

Mu let out a sigh, "What are we going to do now though?" he asked. "Its bad enough having Alex here with us, being Ezalia Joule's nephew, but now we also have the Chairman's daughter here as well." he then looked at Sebastian, "Let alone one of the more renowned ZAFT soldiers working along side us." he added.

"The endless challenges we face." Alex admitted. "It'll be hard to make ZAFT believe that we did not do that to the Silverwind." he added.

Murrue nodded, as Sebastian sighed, "At least with them knowing we are here Alex. We can be sure that some of the heat will be alright, once they find out." he added.

Murrue then looked at Lacus, "Well I can say this for sure, Miss Lacus, is that you are safe for now. And that you're a guest, not a prisoner, and will be treated as such." she admitted. "Sebastian, I guess you can escort her around, but to be safe, I don't want her on the bridge, alright?" she asked him.

Sebastian nodded, "I guess that is fair." he told her.

Lacus bowed slightly, "Thank you Miss Ramius." she told her.

"Haro, Thank you, Thank you!" the pink ball said flapping.

"What is this thing?" Mu asked, as he looked at the bouncing pink ball.

Lacus smiled, "Oh, this is Haro, a gift from a dear friend. His name is Mr. Pink." she told him, as Sebastian rolled his eyes.


Valkyrie Sahaku Quarters:

Sam sat down at the desks chair, and began typeing, as he looked at it. "Whatcha doing?" Mina asked him, as Sam entered the command, as the screen flashed: 'Connecting' With that, the emblem of Orb appeared on screen. In a few minutes, the screen came on again. On the screen was a woman in her mid-late twenties, with dark brown hair, and wearing a Red Jacket. Mina then smiled, seeing this.

"Ahh, Mr Lewis, and Miss Sahaku. Thank goodness you two are alright." Erica began.

Sam nodded, "Its good to hear we were worried about." he told her. "Though, that is only part of why I am calling you." he told her, as Erica cocked an eyebrow. "I'm sending some data on the Astray Prototypes right now. I'm sure you have gotten some info. But this is from Jade, and I know the location of the Prototype 02." he added.

Erica cocked an eyebrow, "Where is this?" she wondered.

Sam looked at her, "Its of the Junk Guild now." he told her, as the data ended in the sending. "Now for another thing. You can be sure that the Princess of Orb is safe." he told her.

Eria got a surprised look, "Wait, you mean. . ." she began.

Sam nodded, "She is onboard the ship we are on. Its a twin of the Archangel Class ship of the Earth Alliance, though it was made by another party. We can trust them." he told her.

Erica nodded, "Thank goodness. And thanks for the data, this will help with the Astray Program." she added, "And I'll inform Representative Athha of his daughters safety." she added.

"Alright. Samuel out." Sam told her, as he rested back, letting out a long sigh.

Mina just looked at him, "I guess our next step is to get back to Orb then." she said with a small smirk to the silver haired pilot.

Sam sighed again, "Yeah, I guess we are going to move out here soon enough."


Archangel Cafeteria:

Mir handed Flay a tray with a meal on it. "Here Flay take this to our new guest." Mir told her, as Flay just sighed.

"Do I really have to be the one to do so?" she whined a bit, feeling rather annoyed being charge with such a task.

Mir rolled her eyes, "Listen Flay, many of the civilians around here are pulling their weight around." Mir told her, forcing the tray into Flay's hands.

"Ahh, this sucks." she began.

Kira looked at Kuzzey, "What's going on?" he asked him.

Sai shrugged, "Mir is trying to get Flay to take some food to the girl you found in the Debris belt." he answered Kira, as he saw the disappointment on Flay's face, as she began to leave the Cafeteria.

About a few moments later, the sound of a plate shattering on the ground, and the tray hitting there as well, with a scream from Flay. Kuzzey, Kira, and Sai got from their seats, and went out into the hall with Miriallia, they saw on the ground was Flay with a ruined pink outfit, while standing just barely as Sebastian Conner was able to catch her. "Haro, Big Mess Uh-Oh"

The pink ball just flapped, "Oh, I'm so sorry." Lacus began, as Flay looked up, Lacus had also seemed to have gotten the stake that was prepared for her, on her own white clothes, and some on her purple dress.

Flay looked up, a bit frightened that it was indeed Lacus, and clicking that she was indeed a coordinator. "No, I'm sorry." she began, as Sai came over.

"Here Flay, let me help you." Sai told her, as he began to pick up some of the broken food.

"I'll go get a mop and broom." Kuzzey pointed out leaving.

Lacus kneeled down, and helped Flay to pick up the broken plate. "I'm so sorry Miss. . ." she began.

Flay just looked at her for a moment, "Flay." she said quietly.

Sebastian smiled a bit, 'She's come a long way since Heliopolis' he thought to himself. "Lacus." he began, as the pink haired maiden looked up. "This is Flay Allster, my cousin." he told her, as Kira and Sai got a look of shock hearing the news for the first time.

Flay looked at Sai, and nodded, "Its true, I did not believe it at first, but at Junius Seven, it truly sunk in for me." she told her fiancé.

"Wow, from what Sebastian told me, I never thought I'd get to meet any more of his family." Lacus told him, looking at Flay.

Kira looked at the girls, "Flay, Miss Lacus, mind going to your rooms?" he asked them. Flay looked at him for a moment. "I'm just saying that it would be wise. I'll get yeahs some extra clothes while your own washes." he told them.

Flay sighed, "Yeah I guess your right." with that, she stood up, "Miss Lacus, it was good to meet you." she told her, as she turned to head for the quarters she stayed at.

Lacus smiled, "She seems rather nice, though she also seems to show a bit of sadness." she admitted.

Sebastian lowered his head, "She had some bad feelings come up a short while ago, I'll tell you about it." he told her, leading her to their room.


Garmow, Pilots Lounge

Yzak Joule sat on a couch, brooding. He was alone, just as he preferred; while he appreciated his teammates' sympathy, he wasn't one to wallow in it. Right now, his thoughts were focused inward, as he contemplated the trinket in his hand. It had been a gift from his cousin Alex, four years before.

He still remembered that day. "A tooth?" he'd said, puzzled.

Alex had smiled ruefully. "It's from the shark that bit my arm off," he'd replied, flexing his prosthesis. "I know you're interested in folklore, so I figured you'd be interested. South Sea islanders used shark teeth for, among other things, currency."

Yzak remembered his cousin's fascination with such creatures; it came with being the son of an ichthyologist, he supposed. "I'll take your word for it," he said with a smile, pocketing the tooth. "Thanks."

Alex had run a hand through his space-black hair, done in the same style as Yzak's. Both of their parents had commented on the similarity in their appearances, along with how, though their temperaments were almost exact opposites (Alex was cold and methodical, while Yzak was hotheaded and impulsive), they were close enough to be brothers. "Think of it as a link, cousin. You and I, different though we may be, are alike in the ways that truly matter."

Tears stung Yzak's eyes, and he angrily dashed them away, thankful no one else was present. Now was not the time or place for such things. Even though Andrea was still missing, he couldn't afford to give in, not now. Too much was at stake.

He sighed. "Alex, wherever you are, whatever you're up to...keep yourself alive, okay?"

Little did he know that, at that very moment, his cousin was having similar thoughts.


Valkyrie Alex's quarters:

Alex was sprawled out on his bunk, gazing at a tooth. He remembered in the past, he gave his little cousin one that was similar. Both of the in question teeth came from the same terror of the deep shark. He too remembered that day four years ago. He remembered it all to well. That was when the door chimed, "Its open." he told the one on the other side, as he stared at the ceiling.

The hatch slid aside, and Cagalli stepped in. "We've topped the water supply." she began, as she walked in, taking a seat on the chair at his desk. "We'll be departing soon, alongside the Archangel." she admitted.

Alex sighed, "Well at least we haven't run into anything, I'm surprised that GINN's team hasn't come back yet." he took note, turning to his side, so he could see Cagalli. "The biggest surprise however was us finding the Storm Wolfs fiancé in midst of the debris belt."

Cagalli shrugged, "I've seen stranger things happen, like your cousin has been fraternizing with a Sahaku." she told him, with her arms crossed.

Alex let out a small grunt trying to keep from laughing. "You got a point there, that certainly is strange." he said as he gotten a sad look, "Though it is good to see he was alive. . ." he added.

Cagalli saw the sadness, Alex was hard to read at times, but right now the cover of his book was wide open. She felt a need to change of topic. "How is. . . Lacus?" she asked.

Alex let out a small sigh, relieved of the change of topic. "Better that I would of expected from someone in her position." he replied, frowning slightly. "It's as if she doesn't realize that she is on an enemy warship." he told her. "She was unfailingly polite, and didn't show any fear."

Cagalli looked at him, "Wouldn't that be because you, and her husband to be are here?" she asked him. "With you two she would likley be able to relax." she answered. "And Sam likley have something to say about it."

Alex nodded, "Sam had few words mainly, as if she is declared a hostage or prisoner, he'd attack the Archangel." he then snorted a bit. "In anycase, she barely reacted when she heard Sebastian and I were fighting along side the Earth Forces; I may seem emotionless, most of the time, but my hatred for that bunch isn't exactly a secret."

"Maybe she's had a sheltered life."

Alex considered that, then shook his head. "Unlikely. That girl is more than just a pop star, and I have a hard time believing Siegel Clyne's daughter to be a complete idiot. Besides which, it's pretty hard to have a sheltered life in the PLANTs, particularly after Junius Seven. No, I think there's something else." He chuckled softly. "Now that I think about it, maybe my presence here isn't that much of a surprise, either. I haven't exactly hidden my opinion of Patrick Zala."

"You got that right," Cagalli said, chuckling herself.

He started to reply, then closed his mouth as another thought struck him. "It just occurred to me that Lacus's presence could complicate things even more." When the princess raised her eyebrows, he grimaced. "You can bet there'll be a search party or three headed this way in the near future, since she obviously hasn't been heard from. . ." he was cut off from the door.

Just then the door slid open, standing at the entrance was Sam. "Well well, you two on a date or something? Being all alone in Alex's room and all."

Cagalli looked at him, "It is not like that at all!" she told him.

Alex looked at him with a stern look, "Come on you know me better." he commented.

Sam smirked, "Yeah, and I know you have a thing for tomboys." he joked.

Cagalli's cheeks began to blush a very light rosey pink. "Its not like that, we're only friends." she told him, as Sam smirked.

"Sure Princess, though I'll accept that answer for now." he told her, letting out a small laugh throughout his words. He then came in, leaning against the wall. "The ship is ready to move out." he informed Alex.

Alex rolled his eyes, "And you or Lia couldn't radio me, rather then bargeing on in?" he questioned.

Sam smirked, "I saw her come in earlier, so I just had to spoil your fun." he then looked at the tooth that was not normally over Alex's collar. "Thinking of Yzak Alex?" he questioned.

Alex felt the sharktooth he had. "You could say that." he began, feeling a little down. Cagalli came over, and gave him a quick hug, much to the surprise of both of the men in the room. "You'll make up someday, I'm sure of it." she told him.

Sam smirked, "I wasn't far off to begin with." he duely noted.

"Shut it Sam." Cagalli nearly shouted at him, catching the silver haired mobile suit pilot by surprise. "And if you tell anyone about this, I will see to it, that Sahaku will be looking for a new body guard."

Sam was caught offguard beyond belief with such a sudden threat. "Um, . . . Yeah. . . . Sure." he studdered. He then looked at Alex, "We'll be a family once again someday." he told his little cousin.

Alex smirked, "I hope you're right Sam." he added in.

Cagalli shot them both a look, "Don't either of you think otherwise." she told them firmly. "Besides, I'd like to meet this Yzak fellow."

Alex managed a smile. "Then we'll just have to make sure we all get out of this alive." With that, Alex looked out to the stars, and made himself a promise. That they would find his sister Andrea. 'Yzak, keep yourself alive out there. You, Sam, and I will find Andrea, and help put an end this this war.' he thought to himself.


Argama Lounge:

Standing on stage Fiona took the microphone in her left hand. She wore common clothes of blue jeans, and a yellow striped white shirt. Her long darkish green hair was flat on her back as she took in a breath. "I thought I'd sing to the ship." she began, her voice echoing throughout the corridors of the ship. "In remembrance of the Bloody Valentine."

"In this quiet night I'm waiting for you.

Forgiving the past, and dreaming of you

Time passes by and memories fade.

But time can't erase the love that we made.

And the stars in the sky, that I wish upon,

can bring you back to my side (Back to my side)

Though your not here with me, I dream of the day

that we'll meet again (We'll meet again)

Hold me close, so deep in your heart I will find you

No matter where . . ."

Char entered into the room, as he leaned against the wall to listen.

"I have to go and dream of peace, for I will be there.

Follow the stars that lead, in this quiet night (Quiet Night)

I'm waiting for you forgetting the past and dreaming of you

Time passes by, and memories fade, but time can't erase,

the love that we made. And the stars in the sky, that I wish upon

can bring you back to my side. Though your not here with me

I dream of the day, we'll meet again (meet again)

Hold me close So dear in your heart, I will find you

No matter where I am. To go and dream of me, for I will be there

Follow the stars that lead Into the quiet night (into the quiet night)

(into the quiet night)(into the quiet night)

Fiona slowly stopped, taking a breath. Vyse soon came on the stage, Fiona looked at him with a smile. "What did you think?" she questioned him, lowering her head onto his chest.

Vyse smiled brushing her hair, "You did great." he told her.

Char came in clapping, "Wonderful Miss Heartily" he told her, clapping the whole time. "I would not of been able to tell the difference if it was you, or Miss Clyne singing there."

"Commander Char" The PA system rang out. "Two Nazca's detected, they are heading this way, they have been confirmed to belong to the Yun Law team." they informed him.

Char raised a hand to his chin, "Hmm, I wonder." he pondered, "Move the ship so that we are being hidden by the sun." he ordered. "If they head for the Debris belt, be ready to launch our mobile suits." With that, he left, though stopped before leaving the room "Vyse suit up, Fiona, you have the bridge." Char told them. "Bridge, inform Jerid to get mounted up for anti mobile suit and ship combat."

With that, the Argama banked so that the incoming ships line of sight will be interrupted by the sun's gamma rays, and other rays of light.


Argama hangar:

Vyse and Char emerged from the pilot's ready room. Char got to his machine, "How are the new thrusters?" he questioned.

The mechanic saluted, "They have been installed sir, all that is needed is the OS's recalibration." the mechanic admitted, quietly admitting.

Char nodded, "It will do." he told him, as he went into the CGUE's while not far, Jerid climbed into his GINN, while Vyse was closing the cockpit of the Silver Astray. Both the CGUE and GINN began to move, grabbing a beam rifle each. "Alright." he began, as the mobile suits got on catapults, waiting until the clear for launch.


Archangel:

A short while later, Sai was at his station, taking a drink of water from his container. Then fast moving blips could be seen, "What?" he wondered, as he got to work. "Captain." he called, as Murrue was talking to Natarle. "Mobile suits detected, Six GINN's moving in from outside the belt." he told her.

Murrue and Natarle went for their stations. "How did they find us?" Murrue questioned. "Go to Level One Battlestations!" she ordered.

Natarle got in, "Crewman Buskirk, radio the Valkyrie, they should be informed of the incoming mobile suits." she ordered.


Outside the Debris belt Argama:

"Six machines have went into the belt." Fiona's voice informed the pilots.

Char nodded, "Alright, Jerid Vyse, we're moving out!" he ordered, with that, the GINN and CGUE's hatches opened, into decompression, and then moved into space. The pair of catapults got ready.

"This is Jerid, GINN moving out." he called, with that his colored GINN took off, heading towards the Nazca's.

Char nodded, as he hit the accelerator. As the linear catapult launched him into the void. His machine's newer thrusters coming to life increasing his speed.

The Silver Frame soon came out on the catapult. "This is Vyse. . ." he began.

Fiona's face came on, "Be careful Vyse." she told him, as he nodded.

"I will. Silver Frame, heading out!" he called out, with that, the machine launched, the upper wired weapons of his spread open, and acted as bonus thrusters, sending the machine out.

He caught up with Char, "Let us begin, I want to test out the abilities of my new equipment." he began, as he pulled on ahead. Vyse stopped taking aim with his rifle. "One more thing you two. These ships are not our enemies, if you can attempt to disable their mobile suits and the ships."

"Whatever." Jerid began, as he took aim, the newly designed beam rifle his machine held fired. The beam streaked across space it soared until it pierced through the bow of the first Nazca.


Nazca Class Adorno:

"Commander, the Abelard was just hit!" the communications officer called.

"Where are the attackers coming from?" the commander questioned.

"We don't know, the attack came from. . . The Sun?"

"Scramble the mobile suits, they'll be attacking us soon, call the squad back from the Debris belt!" she ordered.


Debris Belt Archangel:

"Captain." Sai began, "The GINN's, they're turning. . . back?" he questioned.

Sebastian's face came back on screen, "What's going on?" he asked.

Murrue looked up, "The attack force we detected, they're retreating."


On the Valkyrie Alex pondered, "The only reason they would do that, is that their ships have come under attack." he pointed out.

"Is it Earth Forces?" Natarle questioned.

"The only way we can tell, is if we go." Mu told them.

Murrue calmly tried to think. "Archangel is moving out!" she ordered.


Outside the Debris belt, Char was pulling some maneuvers the enemy pilots did not expect. "He's fast." one soldier called though before he knew it, Silver Frame came in, slashing its beam saber through the middle of the back of the war machine. He continued onward towards the ship. As soon as he was within range, he dodged their large beam cannons, and sent out his four wired remote weapons. Each one took aim at a different weapon on the ship and opened fire. Two of them destroyed the ships hundred twenty centimeter high energy beam cannons, and the pair of sixty six milimeter dual Railguns.

Char smirked as he fired at the VLS on the same Nazca disabling the missile launchers.

Jerid sneered as he detected forces coming at them. "Here they come." he informed the other two, as he changed course, heading after the incoming forces.

Char smiled, "Alright, Vyse, disable the other Nazca, Jerid and I will handle their mobile suits." he informed him.

Vyse nodded, "Gotcha sir." he radioed, as his remote weapons reconnected to the Silver Frame. The Red CGUE and GINN went to meet with their opponents.

Char flew in, and fired, the beam searing through the main optical sensor on the first GINN he fired at. With that, as he moved down dodging some machine gun fire. "Not good enough." he admitted, firing the beam searing through the heavy machine gun.

Jerid on the otherhand, had drawn his Heavy Sword, stabbing one of the GINN's right in the cockpit. He raised his beamrifle firing at another GINN blasting the beam through the right leg as the GINN was barely able to dodge the attack. Char then detected something, "So its coming out. The Trojan Horse." he began, as he backed away, firing at a GINN blasting away its arms. "Jerid Vyse." Char began.

Jerid saw the Archangel, "I see it." he began.

Vyse just seared through the last of the VLS of the last Nazca to have them completely disarmed besides just having their engines. They had managed to launch their GINN's but the two lower remote weapons fired in two different directions destroying the two. "I'm on my way sir." he told Char, as the two remote weapons reattached, and the upper two split apart. With that, the mobile suit went towards where the small battle was happening, though only two of the Nazca's GINN's were left of the attack force.


Archangel:

"Captain, mobile suit ID's are coming through." Sai reported, "I am detecting three GINN's, a CGUE with modified engines, and. . ." he began. "Captain, an Astray Prototype, Silver Frame!" he informed her.

"Those guys again." Natarle began.

Murrue looked at Sai, "Have we even detected their mothership yet?" she questioned.

Sai shook his head, "I am only detecting two heavily damaged Nazca's, none of their weapons are online." he informed her.

Murrue sighed, "Let us Assume their ship went into the Debris then." she began.

Lia nodded on screen, "I agree, We'll send Shinobi and Scorpion to look around in the belt." she told them.

Murrue nodded, "That would be wise, Get ready to Launch mobile suits." she commanded.


In the hangar:

"Strike and Predator to catapults." Miriallia's voice rang throughout the hangar, as the two machines walked onto their catapults.

Predator did not get any extra equipment, though the Strike was equipped with the Aile Striker. Sebastian calmly breathed, "Alright Kira, its these guys again, you ready?" he asked.

Kira nodded, "Yeah."

"Strike, you are clear for launch." Mir's voice rang.

"Strike here, heading out." Kira called as the Strike launched, its phase shift becoming active.

"Predator, you are clear for Launch." Mir informed him.

Sebastian nodded, "Predator heading out." he called, as his mobile suit as well took off.


Valkyrie:

The Jade Frame had just finished equipping its Binsoku pack. "This is the Jade Frame, heading out." he called as the white and green machine launched, a few seconds before that of the Stormbird.

The Four Gundam's rushed in towards the combat.

Char smirked, "Lets test out your reaction times of your G-Weapons." he began, as his CGUE took off towards the new opponents.

Vyse blasted towards them with him, "Fiona, prepare targeting Argama's weapons just in-case we need some support fire." he ordered as on the communications com, Fiona nodded.

Alex then sensed the incoming pilots, "It really is them." he admitted, as the mobile suit came in after the Silver Frame.

Kira was getting closer to the incoming CGUE. "Who are you?" he questioned. His crosshairs locking onto the target. With that he fired his beam rifle, though the CGUE nimbly dodged the attack. "I missed?" he questioned. Just then he had to bring the Strike's anti beam shield as the beam from the CGUE struck the shield.

"The main forces now have beam rifles?" Sebastian questioned, as he charged at the CGUE, drawing the Gerbera, as the black and blue blade could be seen.

"A new sword huh?" Char concurred, as he disengaged the Vulcan System. He drew his Heavy Sword, though as the Predator came in with a vertical slash. The mobile suit dodged a bit to the left of the attack.

Sebastian was surprised, as he brought his Katana up to block the heavy sword. "Who is this guy?" he questioned. As he noticed the mobile suit backed away to dodge a beam from the Strike. With that, the CGUE was in full reverse firing at the Predator with the beam rifle.

"Damn." Sebastian quarreled, as the mobile suit he was flying was able to dodge the attacks.

Alex grimaced as he took four direct hits to his shield. "No you don't!" he ordered, firing a single beam towards the mobile suit, only to be dodged. He had to quickly move as the Silver mobile suit moved above him. Though realized a possible fatal mistake. The silver mobile suit had left two of the pods behind, and with the Stormbird in full swing to chase after the mobile suit. It was a wide open target for the weapons. "No. . ." was all Alex calmly said.

Just then as the beams fired, both beams splattered against the anti beam shield of the Jade Frame. "Alex!" Sam called out as he saw the two pods return to the Silver Frame. "This pilot is unlike others we have fought."

Alex nodded, "No kidding, he's like me." he told Sam.

Sam sighed, 'and me as well'

Alex did not hear what Sam had just said, as he fired a pair of beams at the Astray. The mobile suit returned fire. The shield of the Stormbird blocked the attack, just then Jerid's GINN came out of nowhere and fired at the mobile suit.


Argama:

Fiona and the others of the bridge watched the battle unfold. "Airla, what is the current powerlevel of our mobile suits?" she questioned, as Airla brought it up.

"The GINN and Astray are running low." she informed Fiona.

Fiona looked a bit nervous, 'Vyse' she thought to herself. "Get our weapons ready." she commanded. With that, side panels on the Starboard and port sides of the ship opened. A pair of single barrel weapons appeared from the yellow hatches. "Get ready to go at full." she commanded.

"Yes mam!" The bridge called out.


Outside Debris belt:

The Yun Law teams pair of Nazca's gathered what units they could and began to retreat, while their enemy forces were busy engaging each other. Alex and Sam both fired mutliple beams towards the Silver Frame. Though the mobile suit was dodgeing the attacks. With this though, the Silver Frame drew its beam saber, and went for the Stormbird.

Alex dropped his beam rifle and drew his own beam saber, which clashed with the same colored beam of the saber. Alex made sure Stormbird was durable, and it seemed the test of strength here is showing it. "This is a real fight." he thought to himself, as he backed away from the Silver mobile suits sudden move to do a horizontal slash against the Stormbird. Alex was really puzzled, as the only other times hes faced a machine that could hurt him was Yzak.

That was when Silver had to stop its pursuit and block incoming beams from the Jade Frame. "Alex!" Sam called out, as he tossed his beam rifle and drew the saber from beneath his anti beam shield, and went for the machine.

Vyse looked on, "I don't think so." he began, and with that, the top two remote weapons of his came out, and opened fire. Sam nimbly dodged the attacks, and began to fly on past them. The beam saber, seared through both of the mobile suits remote weapons cables. The two remote weapons floated there in space. Vyse looked on as he retracted what was left of the weapons cable.

Alex took this time, to return his beam saber to its docked position, and grab his floating beam rifle, and fired at the Silver Frame. Vyse sneered, as his bottom two came off the suit, and came shortly out to fire at Stormbird. Jade Frame however took aim, and opened fire with machine gun fire from its igelstellungs. The kinetic weapons though useless to phase shift. Were cutting the wires that connected Silver Frame's remote weapon pod off. The shots though continued as they splashed off of Stormbird's phase shift armor without much effect on the mobile suit.

"What damn!?" Vyse called.

Though not far, Char dodged, as he fired his beam rifle destroying the Strike's own rifle. "Vyse." Char called, as he was about to go help his subordinate, but he dodged the horizontal slash from Predators Gerbera. "Persistant one aren't you?" he questioned, as he flew backwards, which was rather reduced speed as the engines it had was not that well in effect. "And where is Jerid?" he questioned.

The GINN pilot was coming towards the Archangel. "Your mine!" he called, as he fired his beam at the ship.

The Archangel had the beam splash off of it, as the area it heated cooled rapidly.

Natarle ordered the next attack, "Helldarts, Fire!" she called, as several missiles from behind the bridge flew from behind and then towards the GINN.

Jerid sneared, as he had to fly back while firing at the missiles, though he was not fast enough to get them all. Two missiles scored direct hits to the GINN's head, and right arm, destroying the GINN's beam rifle in the process. "Argh!!" he yelled, as he was slowly flying backwards. "Damn it." he began. "I have to retreat." he said punching his console. With that, he took off, in a direction Sai noted.

"Enemy GINN his heading Orange Alpha." he declared.

Natarle told the Captain something after that, "Captain, he's not heading into the Debris belt." she informed her.

"I can see that." just then it hit her. "Their ship, its not in the debris belt! They are using the Sun to block their location!" she told the bridge crew.

Natarle cursed, "Impressive Military Strategy." she admitted.

Kuzzey looked around, "Why do you say that?" he asked.

Chandra peered over, "Do to the N-Jammers from those Nazca's, we are unable to detect them, within our short distance, and using the sun, blocks our ability to actually see them." he informed Kuzzey.

"Kira, Sebastian!" Miriallia began, as she informed them.

Sebastian cused, as he stopped his attack. "Kira handle this guy, I'm going for the ship!" he ordered.

Kira nodded, as the Strike drew its Aile Striker's beam saber. "Right." he called, going after the Red CGUE. Predator soon blasted off.

"Leaving so soon?" Char wondered, as he had to refocus his attention on the Strike. "Ahh its that unit." he began, as he blasted out of the way of the Strike. Just then he noticed Predator's course. "What?" he began. "THEY KNOW!" he said alarmed, as Vyse heard him.

"They. . ." he began. "Shit!" he called out, as his last pod was destroyed by Alex's shot when Vyse was preoccupied in his mind.


Argama Bridge:

"Jerid is returning to the ship." Fiona was informed, as she cursed.

Airla turned, "Silver Frame's pods have all been destroyed or disconnected from his unit." she informed Fiona. "We are also detecting one of the Trojan Horses Mobile suits heading right for us!" she called out.

Fiona looked out, "We have been discovered, Move the ship out! Charge the Lohengrin!" she called out. "Get me a direct link to Vyse!" she ordered.

"Yes mam. Connection established." the mobile suit observer informed her.

Fiona, looked on, "Vyse, listen to me." she began.


Vyse dodged a shot from Stormbird, and then blocked a beam saber from Jade Frame with his own. "I'm a bit busy Fiona." he told her, dodging attacks from the Valkyrie's personally built Gundam.

"Vyse." Fiona began. "Your pods are not lost to you." she informed him as he got a questionable look. "I've done some altercations, through particle transmissions, you should be able to control them, but only for a short period of time." she told him.

"Are you serious?" he asked her, as she nodded.

"Yes, just go to use them like you would normally." she told him, as Vyse sighed.

"Alright." he began. "Catch me if you can." he taunted, as Silver took off, going right past the Stormbird. Sam took chase as did Alex. Sam and Alex flew closer and closer, but suddenly the Silver Frame did a 180, extending the mobile suits hand. "Hit the MARK!" he called out.

As soon as he said that within his cockpit, the three detached pods that Sam had taken off of the mobile suit earlier, lost their cable like tails. Compartments on each of the rears opened, and emitted small particles. But all of a sudden, their thrusters came to life, and rushed right behind the two mobile suits.

Alex suddenly felt something. "Sam!" he called out.

All of a sudden, all three of the detached pods came at them, doing fancy maneuvers. Each one firing beams in rapid succession. Sam was unable to dodge completely, his mobile suits right leg was blown away from one beam, and the left arm was blown away from the elbow. And two more beams struck the shoulders, melting them half away.

Alex was able to get his shield up in time too block four beams however one beam struck the head and melted half of the Stormbird's head away, and the left leg was blown away from the knee down. The Beam rifle was also no more, from the sudden blitz attack of beams from the weapons.

They were hit hard by the sudden beam shower. "What the!?" Sam called, as the pods reattached to the Silver Frame.

Vyse looked at his power meter, "Captain, its time for us to leave!" he called.

Char nodded, "I agree." he began, as he suddenly flew at the Strike, Kira was surprised, as the CGUE gave a hard kick to the area of the cockpit of the mobile suit. Kira was forced back, as both the Red CGUE and Silver Astray flew.

Sebastian got a warning about the damage Jade and Stormbird had taken. "Damn." He began, as he had to block his eyes. However all of a sudden, he had to dodge a Positron cannon. "Whoa, that was close." he called, but then, a pair of beams fired from the same origin. He brought the Gerbera up, and blocked the beam in time, though his mobile suit was forced back.

As he was forced back, both the CGUE and Silver Frame flew on by. Though Char turned, "Time to leave us be." he told the Predator through universal communications channel, as he opened fire.

Sebastian blocked the beam with his Gerbera. All the while Char going backwards, as he saw it. The white and red ship flying away from the belt. He also saw side panels open allowing the Silver Frame to return to the ship. "Is that what has been pursuing us all this time?" he asked, as he slowly flew back, while the Red CGUE got into the ship. The ships engines having it go in full retreat. Though while it was, Sebastian quickly had been taking scans of it, using Predator's sensors.


Twenty Minutes Later Valkyrie Bridge:

The pilots of Valkyrie's machines circled the room, as did Archangel's pilots along with Murrue. "So just what exactly are we dealing with here?" Mu questioned, as Sebastian sighed, as he activated the Holotable. On it, was a scale version of the ship. With what they estimated was its actual image. "This ship, I've never seen that design before." he began.

Sam snorted, "It looks to me to be somewhat designed like that of the Archangel." he told Mu.

Sebastian raised a hand to his chin, "Y'know, Sam has a point, particulary the bridge area, its a spitting image of the Archangels."

Alex looked on, "My question is who? It has opening attacked us, and ZAFT." he acknowledged. This earned an erie silence.

Sebastian sighed, "I wish I knew. Whoever they are they're good." he told them.

Mu shook his head, "Rau said something at Heliopolis when that triangle fight of ours with that GINN." he began, rubbing his chin. "He called him Char, or the Red Comet." he pointed out.

Their was a silence, "The Red Comet, I heard of him, a former ZAFT soldier, Elite Red if I'm not mistaking." Alex took note.

Sebastian nodded, "Yeah, he left about two months before I did. He was awarded the Order of the Nebula and awarded a CGUE after the battle of Yggdrasil." he noted.

Alex looked at him, "Just like Rau huh?" he asked.

Sebastian nodded, "The strange thing though, Char was always wearing a mask, or sunglasses." he noted.

Sam was silent since the last time when he said of the resemblance to the Archangel. Rondo Mina Sahaku knew of the reason why, though she did not speak. "How about the other part. Just what happened when Stormbird, and the Jade Frame took damage?" she suddenly questioned. "The Silver Frame was designed with wired remote weapons." she pointed out.

Alex sighed, "Apparently he temporary used Particle Transmissions, something hard to do with the N-Jammers." he commented, as he watched the footage. "I'm wondering who this pilot is. He is definitely like Mu and I as he can handle remote weapons like that." he admitted.

Lia sighed a bit this time, "So we know the Red CGUE pilot is Char Aznable, the Red Comet. And that the Silver Frame's pilot definitely has Heightened Spatial Awareness." she stated. "But the biggest question, is what now?" she questioned.

Sam looked out of the viewport, "A very good question." he concured.

"Captain, receiving message from the Archangel." the communications officer informed the meeting.

Lia nodded, "Put it through." Lia told the officer.

With that Natarle came on screen, "What is it Natarle?" Murrue asked.

"Captain, we are receiving a transmission." Natarle told her. "Its been decrypted, though it has just ended, I thought you would want to hear it." she admitted.

With that, the Archangel played the Transmission. The message was broken up by interference, but still partially understandable. "This... Earth Forces Eighth Fleet... Archangel, respond. This is... Montgomery... and Law. Rendezvous at these coordinates."

"They're under Admiral Halberton's command!" Ramius said in relief.

The bridge crew of the Archangel could be heard, as they all began speaking at once. "The Montgomery... that's Koopman's ship, right?"

"We've made it!"

"Nothing's going to stop us now!"

It looked like the Earth Alliance Forces Mobile Assault Ship Archangelwas finally out of danger, after two long weeks fleeing ZAFT Forces. Once this advance force reached them, the enemy wouldn't dare attack.

On the Valkyrie, Sam had a serious look, in which Alex and Cagalli took notice of. Sam though looked at Mina, who nodded, as the two went and left the bridge.

"Where are they going?" Cagalli questioned, as Alex looked on.

Alex shook his head, "He's heading to get some insurance so to speak."


A/N: Done of the first half of the Advance Fleets fall. And what is Sam still thinking, and what of Gai. What is his mission now? Will this Mercenary complete, or fail his mission. Lets hold on and wait and see.