Disclaimer: You know it, I know it, no need for me to repeat myself

"Speaking"

"Radio"

'Thoughts'

Flashbacks

Chapter Nine: Halberton's Last Stand

Gamow

Mark sighed as he looked over his damaged Cgue, the mechanics had told him that it would be easier to build a new suit than to repair it from the damage it sustained from the mines and the Strike, it was the same with Naleen and Jacques' suits, they were to be receiving a new fresh off the line prototype suit that supposedly can match the G-weapons. He looked at the paper in his hands, it was the orders that he had received "We're all going to die." he muttered bitterly.

"Why do you say that?" A voice asked, turning Mark saw Yuuka and Lev approaching him in their uniforms.

"Simple," he said "Because the Dragon is going to lose it once he finds out who our new commander is."

Lev blinked "You're being replaced?" he questioned in surprise.

Mark nodded "I am now a regular red uniform pilot like the rest of you, I was demoted because of my constant failures to destroy the legged ship," he explained "Our new commander is Victor Amsel, he'll be arriving in a hour with our new orders and replacement suits for me Jacques and Naleen."

"But why would the Dragon lose it?" Yuuka asked "Does he have some kind of history with Commander Amsel?"

"You could say that," Mark sighed "Victor is responsible for the death of the Dragon's family."

The two pilots blink in surprise "Umm, we're in trouble than aren't we?" Yuuka asked nervously "Because I remember the last time he got pissed, and, well Athrun's suit got completely totaled in a couple of minutes."'

Mark nodded "Yes I've read the report," he said "Not surprised he reacted like that, surprised that Athrun isn't dead however as Ryu always has been protective of his friends and teammates." Mark sighed as he pushed himself off the railing he was leaning on "Well I best pack up my stuff and move it to my new quarters, see ya."

Mark walked off with his hands in his pockets leaving the two rookie red coats in the hanger "I have heard some not so nice things about this Victor Amsel," Lev commented making Yuuka look at him "He's a ruthless commander who doesn't care if innocents are harmed during battle, so long as they are Naturals, he is known as the Butcher of Ontario for his actions during the North America invasion in an attempt to destroy the EA government early in the war, Victor ordered the use of D-class equipment on civilian cities."

"What?" Yuuka whispered "How could the council allow something like that?"

Lev grimaced "Patrick Zala personally defended him saying that his actions would demoralize the Naturals," Lev explained with thinly veiled contempt "This later served to be a mistake when the Dragon of Endymion went on a warpath, of course this was before Endymion happened, the council had to call Commander Waltfield for him to team up with Commander Crueset to fight against the Dragon, thankfully they damaged his suit enough to force him to retreat, but not before he issued the warning that if he ever see Victor he will tear the fleet between him and Victor to shreds to get at him."

Yuuka groaned and hung her head while she leaned against the railing "I wish that my suit was to damaged to sortie." She complained making Lev chuckle before he moved off to check his suit.

Archangel, Rec Room

Kira snuggled contently up against Ryu with a smile on her face while he ran a hand through her soft hair. The Heliopolis volunteers and Lacus had gathered in the rec room while they linked up finally with the fifth fleet 'I wonder what will happen now?' Kira wondered as she watched Chris teach Flay martial arts while Liz sat with Lacus and Mir gossiping with each other, Sai, Kuzzy and Tolle where playing a game of pool 'I wonder who will stay and who will leave?'

Looking up as they heard the door open they saw Natarle enter with two other unknown officers "Hello Ryu," one of them said, he had the rear admiral bars on his chest causing some of them to snap up into a salute "I haven't seen you for what, two years now."

Ryu chuckled as he untangled himself from Kira and stood up grasping Halberton's hand "Been to long Admiral," Ryu said with a smile "Glad to see someone competent is still in charge of fifth fleet."

Halberton nodded and smiled at each of the Heliopolis volunteers as Ryu introduced them "Thank you all for your hard work, I've received word from the ORB government and your families are fine, they were successfully rescued and brought back to ORB," he said gratefully shaking everyone's hand as they celebrated at the good news in turn and motioned for his aid who handed out a set of papers "These are you discharge papers, in order to avoid a slew of legal problems we registered you as enlisted personal, so thank you again for your hard work."

Halberton nodded again to Ryu and turned to leave when Flay stepped forward "I would like to enlist in the Alliance." She stated surprising everyone, Halberton turned back to her with a surprised expression "I've realized during my time on this ship that I cannot hide in ignorance while so many people are fighting to protect the peace of the people they care for, I do not want to abandon this ship for without them I would have remained in complete ignorance to what's happening in the world."

Halberton stared at the girl analyzing her, Flay met his gaze defiantly almost daring him to deny her, chucking he nodded "Very well, I assume you can take it from here Natarle?" he asked turning to Natarle who nodded and led Flay away.

Once the Admiral and his aid left Ryu looked over to the others who looked like they were having doubts about leaving "Do not hesitate to do what you believe is right." He advised surprising the others before he left the rec room and headed to the hanger.

Kira bit her lip in concern as she stared at the door he left out of only to break out of her thoughts when she heard a tearing sound, turning she saw that Sai had tore his discharge papers in half "Flay's right," he said HannahdkjkjkkjHhan"We sometimes have to fight to protect our peace."

Chris grinned and followed suit tearing up his papers "This ship needs someone to pilot those Gundams." He commented smirking.

Liz grinned at her brother and followed suit "Someone need to keep your ass in line." She teased elbowing her brother.

Slowly one by one the Heliopolis volunteers tore up their papers until it was just Kira left "No one would think less of you if you chose to return home Kira," Chris reassured "We'll be fine if you and Ryu return home."

"I-I just need to think about things." Kira said as she left the room and made her way to the hanger.

Hanger

Ryu stared up at the Dragon as the mechanics were fitting the new equipment that was transferred over "The Dragon," he said as Halberton floated up beside him "I can't believe that they wanted to scrap such a suit, heh what was their loss was my gain."

Halberton chuckled as he looked up at the suit with Ryu "I still remember the day that you came to me with the plans for the Dragon," he mused with a smirk "Such a powerful suit and the brass was hesitant to produce such a suit only to produce nine others of similar strength."

Ryu smiled sadly "If only I didn't come up with those design plans," he whispered "Than maybe Heliopolis wouldn't have happened."

"You're starting to sound like a bitter old man," Halberton commented "Regretting decisions you can't change."

Ryu sighed heavily "I feel old," he admitted "Look at me I'm 18 fucking years old and I already lost my family, the majority of my squad and a fiancé," he sighed again "How could I not feel old when some elderly haven't experienced what I have."

Halberton looked at Ryu with a frown "You still blame yourself for her death." He accused.

Ryu nodded "And not just her, but those at Junius Seven as well," he admitted darkly "I know I did all I could but still, I haven't earned my redemption yet."

"Yes you have Ryu," Kira said surprising the two as they turned to see Kira coming up to them "You earned it when you protected us, when you taught us how to fight so that we could protect ourselves and others as well, you gave us the strength to protect Ryu, I think that's enough to redeem yourself."

Ryu smiled at her and placed an arm over her shoulder and drew her close "Heh, I suppose you're right Kira." he agreed.

Halberton chuckled "Not even Yuna could get you out of those moods so quickly," he observed before winking at Kira "Thank you, I was just about to try and beat some sense into him."

Ryu and Kira laughed "Wouldn't be the first time that needed to happened." Ryu said before turning to Kira "I take the others have decided to stay?"

Kira nodded and sighed "I don't know what I want to do," she admitted "A part of me wants to stay and help protect my friends on this ship, but another part of me wishes to just go home and live in peace."

"An understandable feeling," Halberton said "After all you were thrusted into this situation unwillingly, so I can understand your wish to want to get out of it."

"Do not be afraid to make a choice using your heart Kira," Ryu advised "Life is too short, live your life the way that you believe will give you the least regrets."

"What about you?" Kira asked "What will you do?"

"I have already made my decision to follow and protect you Kira," Ryu stated as he pulled her close "No matter what you decide to do I will make sure you are safe while you do it."

Kira smiled at him and looked at her Discharge papers and tore it in half "I will protect my friends," she said confidently "And I will fight beside you Ryu and watch your back while you watch mine."

Ryu grinned back at her and pulled out his discharge papers and tore his apart, Halberton smiled at them "Then it's official as Rear Admiral of the fifth fleet I hereby promote you Ryu Hisanaga to Flight Captain and place direct command of the Archangel's pilots in your hands, if you say they will launch then it will be so," he informed "Kira Yamato for your actions in defending this ship I hereby promote you to Flight Lieutenant, you will be Ryu's second in command and when he is in absentia you are in command."

"M-me?" she asked shocked.

Ryu nodded "Sounds like a good idea," he mused surprising Kira "You have a good head on your shoulders Kira, not to mention that you are now officially an ace in the EA giving you a lot of weight with the other pilots even if you're a coordinator."

Kira blushed lightly as Halberton's aid came up to them and informed Halberton it was time to leave "Well I must be going now, I hope to see the two of you again in the future." He said as way of goodbye before he moved off to the shuttle heading back to his flagship the Montgomery.

Kira sighed contently as she leaned against Ryu "I don't know why but I feel happy," she mused "Why is that?"

"Maybe it's because you made the right decision," Ryu speculated "Or it could be the fact you know I'm not leaving your side."

Kira giggled and pushed herself up in his grasp to kiss him "Or maybe it's because right now I am simply in your arms enjoying my time with you." She countered making Ryu chuckle as they kissed again.

Gamow

Mark sighed irritably as he waited for the shuttle's passenger to disembark with the other red coats, finally the door opened and out stepped a 6'3" man with black shoulder length hair and viridian eyes, Mark snapped up into a salute "Welcome aboard commander Amsel." Mark greeted as Victor returned the salute.

"Ah, Mark Cadillac the famed Samurai of Junius Seven, a pleasure to finally meet you," Victor said pleasantly "These must be the other G-weapon pilots."

"Yessir," Mark said and introduced them each in turn "What are your orders sir?"

"We are to attack the fifth fleet as soon as you, Naleen and Jacques go over your new machines," Victor said and smiled "We shall show those damn primates who the real power in the universe is."

Mark swallowed but didn't say anything only saluted and moved to inspect the machines that came aboard for them, he had to wonder though, how did they produce new models so early after receiving the technical data only weeks ago. Sighed Mark pushed those thoughts out of his head and inspected his new Machine, the ZGMF-X01A Slash, Naleen had received the ZGMF-X02A Hawk and Jacques got the ZGMF-X03A Phantom. Meanwhile Victor looked up at his personal suit the crimson colored Prototype GuAIZ 'Soon,' he thought 'Soon those dirty primates will be wiped out completely.'

Archangel

"So we're to descend to Alaska's JOSH-A base?" Ryu asked as he and the other pilots stood on the bridge while Murrue relayed their orders "I suppose it make sense to boost morale."

Murrue nodded "When we arrive we will receive our new orders," she informed "We leave once the civilian shuttle is launched."

Ryu frowned as he looked at the tactical map "Ma'am with your permission I would like to launch to escort the shuttle to the decent point." He requested "Something tells me that ZAFT is going to attack and I'd rather the civilians do not get harmed."

Murrue nodded "Very well you may launch with one other person to escort the shuttle." She said with her own frown "Who do you think would lead the attack?"

Ryu shrugged "No clue, maybe Crueset or Cadillac most likely," he ventured "Other than that no clue."

Murrue nodded her thanks as Ryu motioned for Kira to follow him and get ready for launch, standing in the Hanger they said their goodbyes to Lacus who was taking the Shuttle to ORB with the rest of the civilians "I hope we can meet again," Lacus prayed and smiled at the gathered Heliopolis volunteers turned recruits "I hope your travels are safe."

"Same to you Lacus," Kira said as she hugged the pinkette "and be sure to call me when this is over."

Lacus nodded and said goodbye to the others before boarding the shuttle "Alright you guys I want you on standby in your machines," Ryu ordered once Lacus was on "Like I said I think ZAFT will try something so be on your guard."

Boarding the Dragon Ryu double checked the new equipment and OS before loading his suit onto the catapult "Dragon Berserker Frame Engaging the Enemy!"

"Aile Strike Launching!" Kira shouted as her suit rocketed down the catapult after the Dragon and took up the left of the shuttle while Ryu took the right "All Green, Civilian Shuttle you may begin your decent."

"Rodger that Strike," the pilot said as the shuttle began its decent "Thanks for the escort."

Ryu split his attention between keeping the Dragon in stable orbit while keeping an eye on the radar and the shuttle while Kira was doing the same "Heat source detected!" the radar man for Halberton's ship shouted "It's the Second ZAFT Fleet!"

"All Ships this is Halberton," The admiral said calmly "Form a defensive perimeter around the Archangel so that it can begin it's decent to earth, THAT SHIP MUST MAKE IT!"

The ships cheered as the mobile armors launched and the ships moved in a defensive screen around the Archangel "But Admiral," Ryu protested "If they are using the G-weapons you wouldn't stand a chance."

"I know Flight Captain," Halberton said "But that ship contains our best hope of ending this war, so it is our DUTY to make sure it arrives safely."

Kira could almost hear Ryu gritting his teeth "Attention all Archangel Pilots, you are too launch and defend the Archangel during its decent," Ryu ordered "La Flaga be sure to remain close, our Gundams may be able to survive reentry but you're suit wouldn't be able to."

"Understood." The pilots coursed as they launched.

"Kira-" Ryu started only to be interrupted.

"Don't even say it Ryu," Kira said fiercely "I meant it when I said I'd watch your back."

Ryu chuckled "Hey I wasn't going to tell you to head back," he protested "I was just going to say keep sharp."

"You better have been." Kira warned before the two pilots blasted away to the frontlines.

ZAFT Lines

Mark sat in his new G-weapon as his team flew forward ready to attack the Alliance fleet in front of them, his squad consisted of himself, Jacques and Naleen, their objective, the Dragon G-weapon and it's pilot the Dragon of Endymion. Izack led his own squad consisting of himself, Dearka and Nicol on an attack against the Strike while Lev and Yuuka attacked the Archangel. They had a supporting force of over 100 GINNs, 7 Nazca-class and 4 Laurasia-class and were up against 12 Drake-class, 7 Nelson-class, 4 Agamemnon-class and too many Moebius' to count along with the legged ship and it's G-weapons.

It was a slaughter.

The defending ships and armors fought valiantly but for every one suit they took down five armors and a ship was destroyed. Mark cruised through the enemy lines his swords cutting the enemy mobile armors to shreds alongside Jacques while Naleen fired at the ships crippling them, their first warning of the Dragon arrival was the shout of a nearby GINN pilot "W-what is this!" the pilot shouted as his suit was dismembered before it was destroyed.

Looking over the trio saw the destroyed GINN and emerging from the remains was the Dragon wielding a whole lot of weapons, each of them were close combat type weapons, but they knew, they knew to the Dragon nothing like that mattered as the suits eyes flashed he charged forward meeting Mark's shotels with his own Murasame arm units blades before delivering a devastating kick to the Slash's midsection and put some minor distance between them when a single beam shot from the Hawk separated them "I see ZAFT came out with some new toys pretty quickly." Mark heard Ryu comment.

"Yeah apparently they are that good." Mark agreed grimly, they were in trouble, they knew it, their enemy knew it, they were new to these rushed suits that weren't fully out fitted, while he was in a suit he knew like the back of his hand, with a lot of weapons in his specialization, this wasn't good.

Yzack

Yzack growled as more of these cannon fodder armors got in his way from his objective, the Strike, that damn suit scarred his face and it will pay "Out of my way!" Yzack shouted as his Assault Shroud Dual tore through another mobile armor finally spotting the Strike he grinned sickly "I have you now Strike!"

And as if the pilot heard him the Strike turned to see the Dual, Buster and Blitz charging towards it, raising its rifle and the Trikeros it snapped off a series of shots forcing the pilots to break formation, falling back Nicol activated his Mirage Colloid in an attempt to sneak up on the enemy while the Buster combined it's rifles into the cannon form and started returning fire while Yzack charged forward drawing his beam saber as he went and clashed against the Strike's katana in an attempt to overpower the suit.

Breaking away the Strike danced around the Dual and kicked at seemingly nothing only for the Blitz to appear as the Mirage Colloid was deactivated "I've told you that I know the weaknesses of the Mirage Colloid Nicol." A feminine voice reprimanded surprising both Dearka and Yzack as the two sides split apart.

"Yeah I was hoping to get you off guard Kira." Nicol said sheepishly.

"You know her Nicol?" Dearka asked shocked.

"We know only each other's names," Nicol corrected "We've never met in person."

"Kira Yamato, The Valkyrie of Heliopolis." Kira said as she activated her Trikeros' beam saber and held her katana out.

"Sigh, Dearka Elsman, Pilot of the Buster." Dearka said as he took aim.

"Yzack Joule, the one who is going to kill you!" Yzack roared as he charged forward and clashed his beam saber against the katana only to be forced away when Kira brought her beam saber up and nearly dissected the Dual.

"Why?" Kira asked "Because I fight for the opposite side from you?"

"Of course!" Yzack raged as he fired his shoulder mounted rail gun and missiles as Dearka fired his cannon and missiles and Nicol fired with is beam rifle. Kira fired her Igelstellungs at the missiles detonating them as she dodged the incoming fire.

"That doesn't make any sense," she commented calmly as she returned fire with both the beam rifle and her Trikeros forcing them to to evade, charging forward using her superior mobility and speed thanks to the Aile pack she started making a series of hit and run attacks on them briefly hitting them before moving away and hitting another target "So then how will the war end with an attitude like that? With all of the Naturals dead? The Entire Earth in flames?"

Yzack growled as he tried to hit the Strike only for it to dance out of the way.

Archangel

Liz grunted as the Lightning impacted her suit in a tackle before she flipped the suit off of her and transformed into jet mode and took off after the high speed mobile suit "Just sit still will you!" Liz shouted in frustration as she made sure not to stray too far from the Archangel.

"Why so you could shoot me?" the Lightning's pilot asked teasingly as she banked hard to avoid a cluster of missiles.

"That is the point of a battle isn't it?" Liz countered sarcastically as she pulled up into a steep climb to avoid the Lightning's sudden turn around saber attack and transformed again and clashed sabers with the Lightning "Tell me, how much coffee do you give that suit to make it go that fast?"

The pilot laughed at Liz's joke "My name is Yuuka Mizuki, you?" Yuuka asked in curiosity as they broke apart.

"Elizabeth 'Liz' Dante, Rising Zephyr." Liz introduced as the pair circled "Nice to meet you!"

They charged again clashing swords as they tried to overpower each other.

Chris and Mu had teamed up against the mobile weapon platform know as Grizzly to prevent it from getting a clear shot at the Archangel as it began to descend into the atmosphere "Damn how thick is that armor?" Chris questioned as his rail blast did little more than scratch the paint of the heavily armored suit.

"Humph to thick for those weapons to pierce," the pilot commented as Mu's assault rifle did little damage "As a soldier I can't help but be impressed, as a human I can't help but be afraid."

"Huh?" Chris responded smartly "What are you talking about?"

"He's talking about the G-weapons, Right?" Mu asked as the three suits paused for a minute.

"You are correct Mu la Flaga, Hawk of Endymion," the pilot answered politely "My name is Lev Mikhail."

"Chris Dante, Black Raven." Chris said in introduction and with that out of the way the three pilots engaged in combat once more.

Ryu

Ryu ducked under Jacques Scythe and he swung with his blade forcing him to back off before he boosted to the side to avoid a beam shot from Naleen. Ryu pulled out his dual heat blades and clashed blades once more with Mark "You're taking us completely serious." Mark observed as they tried to overpower one another.

"Yeah I am," Ryu confirmed "Because I have found my redemption, I will protect my friends and that ship."

"I see." Jacques muttered as the trio of ZAFT aces faced off against the legendary EA coordinator ace who combined his two blades into a double bladed staff and extended one of his arm blades.

"Let's go." Ryu said and charged forward clashing his arm blade against Jacques' Scythe and his double bladed staff against Mark's shotels. Moving quickly Ryu disengaged from both of them and slipped between them and spun his suit lashing out with his feet kicking both suits away and charged at Naleen weaving through her fire, folding up his extended blades he returned fire with the beam pistol mounted into the unit forcing Naleen to begin to dodge while two exchanged fire, charging forward Ryu attempted to cut her down only for Jacques to intercept the sword with his Buster Shield Saber and swung Scythe around only for Ryu to flip over it and kicked Jacques into Naleen sending the pair flying.

Turing he starting exchanging fire with Mark who had his 'Reamer' beam pistol out before the pair charged in close and collided swords against each other breaking away Ryu dodged some sniper fire before blocking a strike from Jacques' heavy Scythe and kicked him away before bringing up his beam pistol and destroying the volley of missiles that Naleen fired only to get tackled by Mark when he was turning to engage Naleen.

Kicking the suit off of his own Ryu spun the Dragon in a barrel roll narrowly evading a sniper shot that would have put him out of commission he spun his staff and, to ZAFT's surprise, threw at Mark who was recovering piercing the head of the mobile suit destroying the cameras taking Mark out of the fight. Quickly retrieving the blades he blocked a strike from behind by Jacques and aimed his Beam pistol at close range and destroyed the Phantom's limbs rendering it useless, turning he focused on the Hawk and charged forward blocking a couple of shots and dodging the missiles and bullets before coming in close and severing the head and right arm of the mobile suit crippling it.

Ryu let out a breath as he saw them limping their way back to ZAFT lines covered by a squad of GINNs and grabbed his Anti-ship sword and charged towards the ZAFT frigates that were starting to break through.

Kira

Kira grunted as she recovered from a kick from Yzack "Just die already!" Yzack screamed as he swung at the Strike only for Kira to evade it and returned the favor by kicking the Dual in the head.

Boosting back Kira evaded a blast from the Buster "Is he always things angry?" she asked humorously.

"You don't know the half of it." Dearka muttered as he fired a volley of missiles that Kira destroyed before she blocked the Blitz's Lancer Darts.

Kira breathed deeply as she concentrated on the enemy in front of her, it was tempting to fall into battle lust but using it when outnumbered and waiting for the signal to fall back to the Archangel was ill advised "I won't give up." She said as she pulled out her katana and charged forward ducking under the Blitz's counter swing and swung up aiming for the joints of the arm removing it and kicked Nicol away into Dearka and clashed swords again with Yzack "Why do you fight with such anger?" Kira asked "What purpose does it serve?"

"SHUT UP!" Yzack roared as he pushed harder against the unyielding Strike "You damn Naturals think you're so much better than us, you sneer at us in contempt and say we're an affront against god, how is that possible?"

"Whoever said I was a Natural?" Kira asked making Dearka and Yzack freeze in surprise "You assume that because I am with the EA that I am a Natural, well I'm not, I am a coordinator."

"WHAT!" Yzack exploded "How could you Betray-"

"My own kind?" Kira finished "Do you mean Coordinators? Or do you mean Humanity? I hold no loyalty to ZAFT or the PLANTs because they have done nothing to gain it, my loyalty is to my friends and comrades." Yzack tried to argue but when he opened his mouth he just couldn't find anything to argue with, ZAFT had done nothing to gain her loyalty, instead they destroyed her home "Your view on Naturals, while understandable, is horribly flawed, even on the very ship you are trying to shoot down there are few people who hate the Coordinators as a whole, I have met both the good and the bad, and it is the same with Coordinators as well, I am not trying to prove myself right or you wrong, I am not trying to sway your beliefs or loyalties, I am simply presenting the facts that I have gained through personal experience."

The trio of red coats sat there as they processed what she said "That is true," Dearka admitted "But that doesn't change our orders."

"I never was trying to change your mind," Kira countered as she activated the beam saber on the Trikeros and held her katana at the ready "Let's end this."

"Agreed." Yzack said calmly.

Kira closed her eyes for a seconded and when she opened them she shot forward in a massive burst of speed and evaded the missile barrage sent by Yzack and Dearka before she ducked under Yzack's sword and swung her beam saber cutting off the legs of his mobile suit, spinning she evaded the point blank cannon blast from Dearka and threw her shield at the Buster severing the head. "Whew," Kira sighed as she saw them pulling back Looking around she spotted the Dragon Cleave its way through a Nazca-class and boosted towards him.

Chris

Chris grinned as he saw the hours he and his sister put in on the simulators pay off as he and Mu worked together to push Lev away from the Archangel, it was difficult to say the least due to the fact that the Grizzly was meant to storm fortresses and come out unharmed. "Just how much punishment can he take?" Chris wondered as he saw the Grizzly come out unharmed from a missile Barrage and fired it's beam cannons at Mu only for Mu to dodge out of the way and launch his gunbarrels unleashing a salvo of beams and missiles that Lev met with is shield.

Chris felt a violent lurch as Earth's Gravity started to pull at him "Commander La Flaga!" he shouted.

"I know, I know!" Mu shouted back "Archangel I'm returning."

Lev turned his suit around "Dammit, The Grizzly can't fight in these conditions," he stated as he fought against the gravity of earth and finally broke away and headed to the battle field "Maybe next time."

Chris snorted and transformed into his mobile armor mode and blasted away to the Archangel hoping his sister was alright.

Liz

"I think the phrase 'Well Shit' sums this situation up pretty well." Liz stated as she and Yuuka fought against Earth's gravity. The pair had been fighting when they had gotten too close to an Agamemnon-class that had exploded sending them tumbling into the point of no return. Looking over to the right and behind Liz spotted the Archangel entering its decent mode, gritting her teeth Liz made a snap decision and grabbed the Lightning and began to drag it to the Archangel.

"W-what are you doing?" Yuuka asked in shock as the Zephyr dragged the Lightning.

"We're past the point of no return and have two choices," Liz informed "Board the Archangel which can descend through the Atmosphere safely or use mobile suits that while theoretically can enter the Atmosphere I am in no mood to test that theory right now, are you?"

Yuuka was silent as she thought her options over "What will happen to me?" She asked.

Liz sighed "I won't lie, chances are we will keep you as a prisoner of war," she admitted honestly "But the crew harbors no hatred towards Coordinators."

"And how do I know that's true?" Yuuka asked suspiciously.

"Because I am a Coordinator." Liz revealed "Now are you coming or not? I'll need help from your suits thrusters to get to the Archangel."

Yuuka dumbly nodded still surprised at the revelation and the two mobile suits worked together to get to the Archangel.

Archangel, Bridge

"Ma'am, Zephyr on approach with the Lightning!" Sai shouted to Murrue "She's requesting permission to bring the Lightning aboard."

"I'll allow it!" Murrue confirmed "Have a security team on standby in the hanger, Where is the Dragon and the Strike?"'

"They are both currently engaging the ZAFT fleet alongside the remaining allied forces," Mir reported "Admiral Halberton is currently gathering his forces for one last stand!"

"Get them on the radio!" Murrue ordered "Flight Captain Hisanaga and Flight Lieutenant Yamato Why haven't you returned yet?"

"Sorry Captain," Ryu apologized as he fought his way through waves of GINNs beside the Strike "We kinda caught up in something here, continue on without me, Kira fall back I'll cover you."

"Like HELL I will Hisanaga!" Kira shouted back angrily as she cut a GINN in half "I told you I will watch your back while you watch mine."

Ryu chuckled as he shook his head "Captain can you open this to the entire ship?" he asked and receiving a nod he started speaking "Attention Archangel."

Change room

Chris and Mu looked up to the Speaker when Ryu's voice broke through "This is Flight Captain Ryu Hisanaga speaking with you for what may be the last time,"

"Don't tell me." Mu muttered as he frowned.

"It has been my honor to serve on the Archangel as an EA soldier,"

Hanger

"While our time together may have been short I can't say I regret a second of it."

"Ryu? Kira?" Liz asked in fear as all movement stopped in the Hanger.

"W-what's going on?" Yuuka asked in confusion.

"It was an honor to see such people in the EA exist, people who don't discriminate against Coordinators for how we are born."

Flay's quarters

"Some of you I know had to work hard to overcome these problems."

"A-are they?" Flay murmured in surprise.

"Please do not lose that."

Bridge

Little did Ryu know that he was in actuality announcing his speech to the entire EA fleet as well as Murrue, who realized what he was going to do, switched the comm from ship wide to fleet wide.

"It is in these troubled times that we cannot lose sight of the fact that we are in reality all are the same, Naturals and Coordinators are no different from one another, only in how we are born, we all are a part of the race known as Humanity," Ryu paused for a second to collect his thoughts "I truly believe that unity between Coordinators and Naturals can be achieved so to the crew of the Archangel I ask you of one favor, please do this in mine and Kira's place."

Hanger

"No..." Liz said collapsing to her knees in shock surprising Yuuka who was starting to understand what was happening.

Change Room

"Goddammit!" Mu shouted punching the wall while Chris simply stared off into space numbed from the revelation.

Flay's Quarters

"N-no it can't be." She whispered in fear as tears fell down her face.

Bridge

The entire bridge was silent but for Mir's sobs as Sai tried to comfort her, the senior crew and NCO's all were saluting.

"But please do not become enwrapped in hatred because of this," Ryu pleaded unaware of the mood on the Archangel "We are fighting for what we believe in, this is our final stand for the future."

"I do feel the same as Ryu," Kira confirmed cutting into the broadcast "All I ask is that you tell my parents that I love them and that I'm sorry."

With that the two cut the link and turned their focus back to the battle "All hands prepare for descent!" Murrue ordered snapping people out of their revere "Heliopolis enlistees I understand if you need to leave the bridge."

Tolle grimly shook his head "I can't leave now," he said determinedly "He is counting on us to see this ship safely to Alaska, so how can I run when he is up their fighting for us."

"Tolle's right," Mir agreed "We will have time to mourn later."

Murrue smiled "Very well, begin Decent phase two!" she ordered.

"Warning we have a ionic storm in our path!" Tolle shouted as his hands flew across his consol "If we go through it our systems will be knocked out, but at this staged the slightest deviation will get us completely off course."

"We have no choice!" Murrue shouted "Neumann go around in the shortest route to evade it and try to get us back on course!"

"Yes ma'am!" Neumann confirmed as he fought with the controls of the ship flying it around the storm "I can't get her back on course ma'am, best I can do is Northern Africa!"

"It'll have to do!" Murrue stated grimly well aware that it was ZAFT controlled territory. "Keep her steady Neumann."

Battlefield

"Sorry to drag you into this Kira." Ryu apologized as he recharged their suits using an abandoned Nelson-class.

"Don't apologize Ryu," Kira reprimanded "I chose this of my own free will, I'm sure that my parents will understand eventually."

Ryu smiled at her "I love you Kira Yamato."

"I love you Ryu Hisanaga."

The pair blasted away to rejoin the battle, it was not going well, ZAFT lost about ten GINNs and Three Nazca-classes, while the EA lost three quarters of their mobile armors, only two Drake-classes remained along with the Montgomery, an Agamemnon-class captained by Halberton and finally the Menelaos.\

"I hope you know that speech of yours was broadcasted to the entire fleet." Halberton informed in a regretful tone "It certainly has hardened the resolve of our soldiers."

"Really?" Ryu asked surprised.

Halberton chuckled "Can't you hear it?" he asked "Their war cry?"

Ryu frowned and switched over to an open channel immediately the first thin heard was "FOR A UNIFIED FUTURE!" As the Moebius pilots began to fight harder as their Resolve became fixed in concrete "FOR THE DREAM OF THE DRAGON AND THE VALKYRIE, FOR THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY!"

It started off as a chuckled but soon it became a full blown out laugh "This is so true," Ryu muttered "You ready Kira?"

"Yeah," Kira confirmed "Let's do it."

(Start Playing 'Don't be Afraid' Knight of the Round Version[Link in my profile])

"Ryu Hisanaga!"

"Kira Yamato!"

"Dragon of Endymion!"

"Valkyrie of Heliopolis!"

"Dragon Berserker Frame!"

"Aile Strike!"

Both: "Fighting for the Future!"

The pair pushed their thrusters to the limits and started tearing through the ZAFT forces with an unheard of fury as they two worked together like a well oiled machine. Pulling out his Buster Sword Ryu charged forward cutting off the Bridge of a Nazca -class while Kira used her katana to cut through several GINNs in rapid progression, the pair saw the same vision when they closed their eyes and took a breath.

A pair of seed, one green and the other amethyst circled each other before colliding in a burst of light and when the pair opened their eyes there was a major difference, Ryu's right eye was Golden with a slight pupil, while his left was Amethyst in color and a dilated pupil.

Kira's right eye was amethyst with a dilated pupil, while her left was golden with a slit pupil. Somehow, someway the two could see from each other's perspective and could feel and hear each other's thoughts and feelings 'W-what is this?' Kira questioned in her mind.

'Kira?' Ryu wondered upon hearing her voice in his head 'H-how is this possible.'

'I don't know,' Kira admitted 'But we have something to do, don't we love?'

'You got that right Beautiful,' Ryu agreed with a grin as he opened a full spectrum channel and took a deep breath and let out one of his loudest most draconic roar since Endymion "Look out you ZAFT bastards!" Ryu shouted "'Cause the Dragon is coming for you!"

ZAFT froze in shock as the pair surged forward along with the remaining EA fleet hot on their heels smashing into the ZAFT fleet like a surge of water, and smashed through the primary defensive screening as they fought countless GINNs that seemed to just keep coming, Ryu kept the pair supplied for power as he stole power from the enemy suits and ships to enable them to keep fighting.

The pair never faltered as their seemingly melded consciousness brought them a whole other level of fighting, they didn't need to speak, they didn't need to actively look for each other or the enemy, they could see from the others eyes, they could sense the pilots of the enemy fleet, even after the Dragon lost an arm from a Cannon blast he continued to wield the Buster Blade to deadly effect smashing suits together cutting entire squads apart in single swing. Kira even after losing her right leg and a stabilizer wing and a near miss from a carriers laser blast tearing her cockpit open continued to fight, they felt like they had become one with their suits, like their suits were a complete extension of themselves.

Gamow, Bridge

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEIR BREAKING THROUGH!" Victor roared from his command chair "How did this happen!"

"It was the Dragon's roar," Mark stated calmly as he analyzed the situation "Lev and the Grizzly would be useless against the pair, they are just too fast and he is to slow."

Victor growled and stood up "If you want something done right than do it yourself." He muttered as he strode to the Hanger and enter his GuAIZ "I'm launching now."

(End 'Don't be Afraid')

Kira

Kira tried to regulate her breathing as not to waste her precious supply of oxygen, she had linked her suit directly to the suits supply but that would only last so long "Kira, Ryu," Halberton said getting their attention "You both have done enough, fall back."

"No can do Halberton," Ryu stated as the pair formed up in front of the last remaining ship, the Montgomery "We decided to stick this out to the end, and that is what we will do."

"I'm with Ryu," Kira said thankful her radio was still working by some miracle "No matter what we will stand and fight."

"I see," Halberton breathed out "Thank you, both of you."

An idea crossed Kira's mind and Ryu with their new connection agreed instantly "There is one thing you can do for use Captain." She said "Can you marry the two of us?"

Halberton Chuckle along with the rest of his crew and remaining pilots "It would be my honor." He agreed "Dearly beloved," he started to some chuckles "We are gathered here to witness the union of this young couple in holy matrimony, they have overcome many trials and adversities to stand here today in front of God, Do you Ryu Hisanaga take this women to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do," Ryu confirmed as he cut a GINN in half and evaded a Laser blast

"Do you Kira Yamato take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" he asked Kira.

"I do." She Confirmed as she destroyed a GINN equipped with a laser cannon trying to sneak up on the Montgomery.

"Than By the power vested in me I pronounce you Husband and Wife." Halberton declared to a massive round off cheers and whistles.

"So I am Ryu Yamato now huh?" Ryu asked lightly surprising Kira slightly "The Hisanaga has always prided themselves on being the best soldiers, it's time for them to fade into history."

"Alright than," Kira agreed as they went back to back "Sounds better than Kira Hisanaga at any rate."

Ryu chuckled in agreement until he saw a flash of red "It can't be," he whispered "The Butcher of Ontario."

Through their link Kira could see the flashes of his memories, his home destroyed a crimson GINN hovering over his home city laughing joyfully at the destruction, Ryu's subsequent warpath, his oath 'Let's go Ryu.' Kira whispered into his mind 'Your family is my family, so he killed my parent-in-laws, so let's show him our strength.'

'Yeah.' Ryu agreed tightening his grip on his controls "Victor Amsel!" he shouted "I will kill you today!"

The two boosted forward towards the strange new mobile suit firing their beam weapons as they approached, Victor raised his shield and block the shots and started firing with his shots focusing on Ryu "Oh really, you damn Natural lover, you will never beat me!" Victor yelled as he charged at Ryu extending his beam claws and swiped at Ryu narrowly missing him and rolled out of the way from Kira's slash as she attacked from behind "You may be in G-weapons, but you will never touch my Proto GuAIZ!"

"Don't bet too much on that!" Kira countered as she and Ryu weaved back and forth as they charged forward, Kira was the first to connect with the beam claws blocking them with her katana and brought up her beam rifle in her opposite hand and fired forcing Victor to move to the right, right into the path of Ryu's buster sword that managed to cleave off a portion of armor on his right arm shocking the pilot and Kira followed it up with a shoulder tackle sending him tumbling back from the impact.

Moving as a single entity the pair continued trading blows with the crimson suit slowly cutting it to pieces "Fucking Whore!" Victor shouted as Kira cut off one of his thrusters that Ryu followed up by cutting off a leg "Son of a Bitch!" Victor tried to escape but the pair showed no mercy as they relentlessly dogged him, even after the Montgomery was destroyed they continued to fight the final words of Lewis Halberton engraved into their souls.

"Live long and strong," he said calmly as his ship crashed into the remaining Laurasia-class leaving only the Gamow, 10 GINNs, and the Proto GuAIZ that was being torn apart "And Always fight for the future."

Gamow, Bridge

Mark sighed as he went over to the communications terminal "This is Mark Cadillac, all surviving suits return to the Gamow, we are leaving this field of battle." He ordered grimly as he surveyed the destruction that was the ZAFT and EA fleet "This battle is over."

"WHAT!" Victor Yelled as his suit was dragged by a pair of GINNs "What about those traitors!"

"They have very little power left, maybe even less oxygen with nowhere to go," Mark informed "I don't think they will survive."

Victor snarled but complied anyways as the two G-weapons left the be drifting closer together.

Ryu and Kira

Kira transferred herself over to the Dragon's cockpit and sat on Ryu's lap exhausted as they felt their connection fade, Ryu transferred the last of the Strike's power and oxygen to the Dragon. Once the cockpit was repressurized they removed their helmets and kissed each other hard and passionately "I'm happy," Kira stated once they broke apart "I'm married to you of all people, I really don't mind that I may die, my only regret is not being able to say goodbye to mom and dad."

Ryu wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest "My only regret is not being able to have a child with you," Ryu admitted as the Dragon and Strike floated amongst the debris "But that I can deal with that, I'm just happy that you are here beside me."

"I'm happy to be here Ryu." Kira said as they kissed once more before their exhaustion got the better of the slipping into a deep sleep, dreaming of a pair of seeds continually circling each other.

END CHAPTER

REVIEW!

OoOoOoO

Things Not To Do On The Archangel

The following is from my faithful submitter EternalKnight219

Rule #28: Never get depressed. If you find yourself getting depressed, just remember that the man who played Mr. Belvedere once sat on his own balls and had to be rushed to the hospital.

Rule #29: Always have at least one friend who is a Jew.
Mu: Why?
Ryu: That needs no explanation.
Mu: But I don't...
Ryu: When a problem comes along, you must zip it. (Whip crack) Zip it good.

Rule #30: Don't go into politics in the PLANTs because you might run into Ezalia Joule. This is a woman who can stand next to Hitler and people would say, "Who's the bitch?"
Yzack: HEY!

The following is my own

Rule #31: Never attempt to fight Chuck Norris in a Gundam, he will roundhouse kick you to hell.
Mu: How is it that two mobile suits can go into a massive fist fight and come out with nothing more than a couple of dents, but if Chuck Norris kicks you an atomic explosion happens.
Ryu: He is just that epic

OoOoOoO

New/Upgraded Gundams

Model Number: ZGMF-X01A
Code Name: Slash
Unit Type: Prototype Close Combat Mobile Suit
Powerplant: Ultracompact energy battery, power output rating unknown
Equipment and Design Features: sensors, range unknown; Phase Shift Armor
Fixed Armament: 2x "CIWS" 75mm anti-air vulcan gun; 2x Heat Long-blades, mounted on back hand carried in use; 'Reamer' beam pistol, mount on left hip, hand carried in use.
Pilot: Mark Cadillac
Appearance: Sandrock Gundam from Gundam Wing with Primarily green coloring with a red trim
Authors Note: The Slash was designed for one purpose, destroying the enemy G-weapons, as such they equipped it with two Heat Long-blades similar to the Dragon's Heat blades only they are longer and are used like a regular sword and has a beam pistol for mid-ranged fighting.

Model Number: ZGMF-X02A
Code Name: Hawk
Unit Type: Prototype Long-ranged Support Mobile Suit
Powerplant: Ultracompact energy battery, power output rating unknown
Equipment and Design Features: sensors, range unknown; Phase Shift Armor, sniping Camera mounted behind the V fin
Fixed Armament: 2x "CIWS" 75mm anti-air vulcan gun; Heavy Beam Sniper Rifle, Weapon Shield(Has a six barreled gatling cannon attached), 5x Missile pods(Each holding 25x Serpent class Micro Missiles), mount on the body
Pilot: Naleen Lynn
Appearance: Heavyarms Gundam from Gundam Wing with A gold coloration
Authors Note: The Hawk was design for long ranged support and attack using it's missiles and sniper for long ranged offence and the Weapon Shield for mid-close ranged offence.

Model Number: ZGMF-X03A
Code Name: Phantom
Unit Type: Prototype Stealth Attack Mobile Suit
Powerplant: Ultracompact energy battery, power output rating unknown
Equipment and Design Features: sensors, range unknown; Phase Shift Armor, Mirage Colloid
Fixed Armament: 2x "CIWS" 75mm anti-air vulcan gun; Heavy Scythe, Buster Shield, contains a beam saber
Pilot: Jacques Maddox
Appearance: Deathscythe Gundam from Gundam Wing with complete black coloration
Authors Note: The Reaper was based off of the Blitz but due to the councils wish to field their new G-weapons they never had the chance to completely out fit the new G-weapon leaving it with only it's Heavy Scythe and buster shield as its weapons.

Model number: GAT-X000BF
Code name: Dragon Berserker Frame
Unit type: Prototype Close Combat Assault Mobile Suit
Powerplant: ultracompact energy battery, power output rating unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; Phase Shift (PS) armor; hard-points for mounting IWS shields; high powered sniping camera, hidden behind the V crest
Fixed armaments: 2x "Igelstellung" 75mm multi-barrel CIWS, fire-linked, mounted in head; 2x Heat Shotels, can be combined to create a double bladed sword, mounted on waist hand carried in use; 1x 15 Meter Anti-ship Heat Shotel, mounted on Back, hand carried in use, 2x Murasame Combo Arm Units, Has Beam Pistol and Heat Blades integrated into one unit, mounted on Arms, blades extended in use, Beam Pistols used when blades are folded; 6x "Armor Schneider" combat knife, stored in hip, shoulder and upper arm, hand carried in use; 2x Energy Transfer Cable.

Optional armaments: High Density Beam Rifle
Author's Notes: After the Archangel linked up with the Fifth Fleet Ryu received these weapons that they transferred over to completely rearm the Dragon, especially after Its main weapon the Mesamune Heat Blade was destroyed, it switched from an all purpose model to a close combat assault due to the fact that the EA decided to capitalize to the effectiveness of the Heat Shotel and Blade technology against Phase-Shift and Ship armor making it an Anti-Gundam and Anti-Ship suit.