New Phase 09
Miriallia was relieved to have some free time before her shift on the bridge was to begin. She strode through the halls on her way to the showers. With all the ice that the crew had collected, there was no need to ration any further. She happened to pass by the commissary and could just overhear a number of different conversations. However, the topic was the same for all of them; everyone talked about seeing their families again. She reached the showers and went inside to find a person with familiar red hair, but an unfamiliar pale face. She shuddered in surprise.
"Oh, come now, Mir." Flay groaned, "What is it?"
"What you mean?" Miriallia countered, "What is with that stuff?"
"It's just a facial mask." Flay answered as she peeled it off, "Can't you tell?"
"It figures you'd have that, but why'd you even bring it along?"
"Well, my dad is coming with the advance fleet, and the daughter of a Vice Minister of the Atlantic Federation has to keep up appearances. Besides, I own it to him since I haven't seen him in a long time."
"Yeah, whatever." Miriallia shrugged as she disrobed and stepped into one of the showers.
Flay continued to look herself over in the mirror. "Now if there only something I could do with my hair." She sighed, tugging at it. "Oh well, I guess it'll have to do, this is a crisis we're in after all."
Miriallia would have rolled her eyes had seen she not been shampooing her hair. The way that Flay carried made it seem like she was preparing for some beauty contest and not in a combat zone.
Meanwhile on the bridge, the signal from the Montgomery came in clear, free from interference. Her captain, Captain Copeman, appeared on the screen. "Our ships will wait here for you to rendezvous with us. At that time, the Archangel will fall under our command. We will then rejoin the rest of the fleet and escort you to the moon."
Murrue was relieved at the thought of finally being back in the fold. She looked forward to accepting orders, not give them.
Another man appeared on the screen next to Copeman. He was middle-aged, dressed in an expensive looking business suit. "I am George Allster, Vice Minister of the Atlantic Federation." He self introduced, "I must thank you all for rescuing the stranded civilians from Heliopolis. I must understand my surprise when I had gone over the roster and found my daughter's name on the list. I was wondering if I might be able to speak to her now."
Copeman raised a hand. "Now Vice Minister, there'll be enough time for that after the rendezvous."
Sai cracked a smile from his operation seat. "No doubt about it, that's Flay's father." He whispered.
Down in the hanger, Kira busily typed away on the keyboard, continuing to modify the Gundam's OS. He only paused when he saw Murdoch appeared in front of him. "Yes, is something the matter?"
"No, I was just checking on you." Murdoch answered, "It looks like we'll join the Eighth Fleet soon, so you won't have to worry about this machine. That is, unless you decide to stay on." He then left.
No way in hell I'm staying. Kira thought to himself. Once everything was said and done, he was going to return to civilian life. He thought about his time piloting the Strike up to this point. Soon it'd be over.
Meanwhile, the Vesalius, still on its search and rescue mission for Lacus Clyne, detected the group of Earth Alliance ships on the radar screens. It indeed wasn't expected and it caught the ZAFT soldiers' curiosity.
"What could the Earth Forces be doing all the way out here?" Ades wondered.
Le Creuset rubbed his chin as he gazed at the readings. "Perhaps the legged ship is planning to rendezvous with these before it reaches the moon." The term legged ship was what the ZAFT forces gave the Archangel thanks to the image of the ship's design looking like a crouching beast.
"But then what?" Ades asked, "Will they re-supply, or maybe rejoin their fleet?"
"The Lacony and Porto Teams are unfortunately behind schedule and won't be joining us for some time." Le Creuset said, "However, if the Naturals intend to re-supply, we simply cannot let them go."
"We can't?" Ades asked. They were only one ship up against a small fleet, so this was a matter that shouldn't be taken lightly. He wondered what the Commander was thinking as he looked at the thin smile on his face.
"We are soldier, first and foremost." Le Creuset said, "We cannot overlook the chance to deal a blow to the enemy for the sake of one girl. We'd be remembered in history as laughingstocks."
Excited mutters filled the bridge as the Montgomery appeared on the radar screens at last. However, Officer Pal frowned at his own screen. He tried to adjust the gauges, but nothing changed. "What is this…?" he murmured.
Murrue twisted her head. "What's wrong?" she asked, concerned.
"N-Jammers!" Pal shouted, "The interference is increasing!"
The merriment turned to despair, the crew's excitement dashed. The enemy had found them and was closing in fast.
The Montgomery also detected the approaching ZAFT ships. The crew was thrown into a frenzy as Copeman barked orders. "Contact the Archangel, tell them to withdraw."
Vice Minister Allster's jaw dropped. "We're canceling the rendezvous? Then I came all this way for absolutely nothing!"
"If this ship is sunk," Copeman told him, "then it will have been for less than nothing."
Murrue couldn't believe what was happening. It was like a recurring nightmare when the crew detected the Aegis along with several GINNs. That meant that the one Nazca-class had crossed paths with them again. She clenched her fists.
"Captain, there's an incoming message from the Montgomery." Pal called. "It reads 'Rendezvous has been cancelled, Archangel is to withdraw immeadatily.'"
Sai stood up. "But we have to join that fleet! And Flay's father is with them!"
Murrue bent her head down, unsure of what to do. Right now, the crew depended on her judgment. She had to make the call. "Even if we withdraw, there's no guarantee that we'll escape. All hands, level one battle stations! We're going to continue the advance!"
Klaxons blared loudly, and Kira dashed for the locker room. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed that the door to Lacus' room was open once more. She poked her head outside and saw him coming.
"What's going on here?" she asked, "What's with all the noise?"
"It's an alert." He answered. "You really need to stay inside."
"Is there going to be another fight?"
He nodded. "Yes, but it may have already started." He gently pushed her back inside her room.
"Are you going to fight as well?"
Kira looked into her ice-blue eyes, trying to find the right words to say. "Look, it's important that you stay inside, all right? Please just stay right here." He nudged her back and locked the door, momentarily wondering what the problem with the lock actually was. He then felt someone tug at his arm. He turned to find Flay.
"Kira, what's all this about a battle?" she nervously asked. "Is my dad all right?"
He could hardly think straight with her clinging to him, and to make things more uneasy, her eyes were welling up.
"My dad will be fine, right? Nothing's going to happen to him?"
He didn't have the time for this; he had to get out there to fight. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Yes, everything's going to be fine. I promise you that." He smiled reassuringly and gently pulled her hand away. Then he ran down the hall once more, practically undressing as he went. Once he made it to the locker room, he changed in record time and rushed down to the hanger. He had just enough time to see La Flaga's Zero take off.
"Hey you're late, kid!" Murdoch hollered.
"I know, I know!" Kira answered, almost apologetically as he leapt into the cockpit. He started up the Strike as Miriallia briefed him on the situation.
"It's the Nacza-class, five GINNs, and the Aegis. Be careful out there."
His hands paused slightly at the news of the Aegis. That meant Athrun was back.
Sai's voice came from the intercom. "Kira, remember that Flay's father is aboard the Montgomery. Please make sure that nothing happens to them."
That only put more pressure on him. Fighting Athrun while trying to protect the Montgomery would be daunting. With a sense of foreboding over him, he moved the Strike to the launching pad.
Athrun flew his Gundam in between the ships. He felt preoccupied with the fact he didn't know whether Lacus was alive or dead. He wanted to find her and be done with it. He hoped that he wouldn't have to fight Kira this time.
"Hey, Athrun!" the pilot of the GINN nearest him hailed, "Let's see what that mobile suit of yours can do!" There was no mistaking the excitement in his voice.
A trio of Moebius streaked from one of the Earth Forces' ships and immeadatily fired a barrage of missiles. The Aegis effortlessly evaded and shot down the missiles, then went to work on the mobile armors. A single shot from the beam rifle brought all three mobile armors down. With them out of his way, Athrun set on his sights the closet enemy ship. He came within range, targeted the engines, and opened fire. With its engines out of commission, the ship was venerable
On board on the Montgomery, a controller called out, "Sir, escort ship Bernard has been hit! X303 is now engaging the Law!"
Vice Minister Allster gawked in disbelief. "We're being defeated by one of own machines?! This is simply absurd!"
A GINN closed in the disabled Bernard. A Moebius attempted to flank it, but it was shot down. Suddenly, a burst of cannon fire tore through the ZAFT mobile suit. Everyone looked to find the Archangel charging right into the battle.
Allster was overcome with a sense of relief. "They've come to help us!"
However, Copeman didn't share his joy. "Those fools." He growled, clenching his fists. "They shouldn't have come."
Athrun maneuvered to the next ship and switched the Aegis to its mobile armor mode. The front claws opened, revealing the Scylla multiphase energy cannon, and a blast of blinding light shot forward, eviscerating the Law's hull. From the side, Athrun saw the approaching Strike. He returned his Gundam to its mobile suit form and opened fire.
La Flaga had already shot down one GINN right from the start and took out the second right after. The final two were now double teaming him, trying to box him in. He deployed his gun barrels, trying to at least take one down. However, the ZAFT pilots took the advantage and fired on the Zero. A single missile struck the mobile armor.
"Crap!" La Flaga shouted. That last hit all but crippled his mobile armor. He now had no choice but to withdraw.
Through the mayhem, Flay had managed to sneak onto the bridge. She stepped inside in time to hear Miriallia report that the Zero was returning to the ship. Murrue was shocked, knowing only the Strike and the remaining Moebius units were left to fight now.
"Missiles from the Vesalius are heading for the Law!" Pal shouted.
"Align Gottfried number one!" Murrue ordered, "Fire!"
Fear gripped Flay as the screens flashed, people shouted, and weapons fired. Everything was happening fast, but only one thing had her primary concern. She ran to Kuzzey at his station. "My dad! Where's my dad's ship?"
Kuzzey nearly did a double take. "What are you doing here?"
Natarle craned her neck back. "We're in the middle of a battle!" she growled, "Leave the bridge now!"
But she refused. "No, what about my dad? Where's the ship he's aboard?"
On the screen, the Law took numerous missile hits, and the ship shook before exploding into a fireball. Flay's face went pale at the sight.
Copeman's face appeared on the monitor. "Archangel, leave here immeadatily! That's a direct order!"
"But, sir-" Murrue began to protest, but was interrupted by Flay's cries when she saw her father sitting behind Copeman.
"Captain, this is unthinkable!" Allster yelled, "If they leave us now-"
Copeman cut him off. "Archangel, get out of here, understand?" He switched off the communications, turning to a subordinate officer. "Get Vice Minister Allster to an escape pod, quickly!"
Back on the Archangel, Flay was even more hysterical as Sai tried to get her off the bridge. She had grappled to the railing, but he overpowered her and dragged her out.
"Captain, mobile suits are heading for the Montgomery! They only have one mobile armor left!" Pal reported.
The doors closed and Flay fell to her knees, whimpering. Sai did what he could to comfort her. "Kira. What's he doing?" she whispered.
"What?"
"He told me everything would be all right." She looked up in despair. "Where is he?"
"He's fighting the Aegis." Sai explained, "But it's a tough fight. Don't worry, everything will be all right." He kept repeating that as he got her to her feet and walked her down to her room.
Further down the hall, they could hear the faint sounds of singing. Sai recognized the gentle voice; it was the girl, Lacus. A dark frown formed on Flay's face and she tore herself from Sai's grip. She dashed over to the door and threw it open, finding Lacus and her little robot.
"Yes?" she smiled, "What is it?"
Malice and detest filled Flay as she gripped Lacus' arm. "Come with me." She growled.
Natarle watched the horrifying battle continue. The last of the mobile armors had been shot down, and now the GINNs concentrated on the Montgomery. They were being backed into a corner. "Prepare to fire the Lohengrins!" she shouted, "Where the hell is the Strike?!"
La Flaga suddenly entered the bridge, looking tired, but unharmed. "Don't worry about the kid, he's fine. Let's just pull back or we won't make it."
The Strike was so preoccupied with the Aegis, that Kira couldn't support the ship. After Flay's outburst, Murrue couldn't concentrate on what to do. Her lack of experience annoyed Natarle. Everyone watched as a GINN hefted its bazooka and fired, its round destroying the Montgomery's main gun. The doors open and Flay entered once more, only this time she dragged Lacus behind her.
"Tell them that this I'll kill this girl if they destroy my dad's ship!" she screamed, her eyes crazed, "Tell them now!"
Natarle liked the way Flay thought, but it was already too late. On the screen, the Vesalius fired its guns and scored a direct hit. The hull of the Montgomery split open and the ship was engulfed in an orange explosion. Not a single escape pod was launched. All that remained were fragments.
Flay stood motionless for a moment before completely breaking down. She fell to the floor, screaming and sobbing. Sai and Flay stared at her as she quivered. The ZAFT forces now had their sights set on the Archangel. Murrue froze, not knowing what to do next.
"Captain!" Natarle said, but she didn't wait for an answer. Instead, she leapt up to upper level, and snatched Kuzzey's intercom. "Attention ZAFT forces, this is the Earth Alliance ship, Archangel. We presently have custody of Lacus Clyne, daughter of Supreme Council Chairman Siegel Clyne. Hold your fire."
Murrue blankly stared at her, wondering what she was planning.
On the Vesalius, Ades saw the pink haired girl on the screen. "It is Miss Lacus."
Natarle's broadcast continued. "We discovered her lifepod and rescued her as a humanitarian gesture and she has been under our care. Should you attack this ship, we will see it as an insult to our goodwill." She paused before coldly adding, "Furthermore, it will be seen as abandonment of Miss Clyne and we will act accordingly."
It was easily to see through the minced words, if they attacked, Lacus would be executed. Le Creuset sneered. "They claim it to be goodwill, yet they use her as a shield when backed into a corner." He turned to Ades. "Recall our remaining forces and withdraw."
The mobile suits had heard Natarle's broadcast too. Kira couldn't believe what he heard.
"Bastards!" Athrun spat. "You call this justice, using a civilian hostage as a shield? Are these cowards the friends you've chosen to fight along side, Kira?"
Kira couldn't answer. There was nothing he could say.
Athrun and the remaining GINNs began to pull back. "I swear that I will rescue her." He said before the Aegis streaked away.
Kira had never felt so ashamed.
Back on the bridge, tension filled the air. Murrue violently switched off the intercom and she and Natarle exchanged a harsh stare down.
"I couldn't allow this ship and the Strike to be destroyed." Natarle said, defending her actions.
"I'm aware of that, Ensign." Murrue stiffly replied, harshly reminding Natarle of her rank.
Elsewhere, Sai watched over Flay as she slept. She had to be given a sedative to calm her down. Meanwhile, Lacus was escorted back to her room. She didn't know why, but she felt horrible about what had happened.
