ZAFT Carrier Sub.
Briefing Room.
"Pilot Shawn Regal reporting sir," Shawn saluted stepping into the briefing room.
"Are you supposed to be guarding the prisoner?" Yzak sneered from his seat.
"While I doubt Yzak's concern for the girl I believe you should sit this battle out. There will be other chances to use Strike Noir's power," Le Creuset countermanded standing beside the big screen.
"Strike Noir believes this battle will last six hours without us. If we join the mission we can deploy the Gungnirs three or four hours ahead of schedule and we can keep casualties on our side to a minimum," Shawn explained, ignoring Yzak completely. "Even the Duel has its limitations in an atmosphere."
"Hey! Who are you to question my piloting skills!" Yzak shouted getting up from his seat. "Don't forget that I'm a redcoat too."
"I was not questioning your piloting skills. Merely stating that your machine can't fight like the Strike Noir can, which has four times the manoeuvrability of a Dinn. You need the Strike Noir for this battle Commander," Shawn clarified.
"Very well, I permit you to join the attack on Panama," Le Creuset replied.
"Thank you sir," Shawn said taking an empty seat.
"Now then our main objective in this attack is to take control of five target points so our forces in orbit can deploy the Gungnirs which will knock out all their electronic devices. Because they don't expect us to attack so soon after Alaska all forces will commence the operation in 30 minutes to catch them off guard," Le Creuset explained a sadistic smile forming on his face. "I want everyone to standby in their machines. Once the Gungnirs are activated you may do what you wish with any survivors."
I don't like the way he acts so causal about that order. But I've never had a problem following Commander Le Creuset's orders so why do I feel uneasy? Are you saying Chairman Zala's way is wrong Strike Noir? It's too soon for me to make any move so I'll keep playing the obedient soldier for now and see if you're right, Shawn thought following the other pilots to the locker room.
"Listen up Regal, don't get in my way out there," Yzak threatened bumping him with his shoulder on purpose. "I intend to be the one giving orders someday."
"I have a feeling you will, but I'm only here to fight and follow orders," Shawn replied brushing off Yzak's threat.
Plants.
Zala's Office.
Three Hours Later.
"Excuse me Chairman Zala I have Garen Kanzaki here to see you,"
"Send him in," Zala replied reading a report from the construction teams at Jachin Due.
"Yes sir,"
Looking up from his computer screen Zala waited as the doors opened for Garen to enter with something slung over his shoulders. At first he thought it was Lacus' corpse and one of her allies but when he noticed the familiar clothing of the secret service agents, he knew something was wrong.
"What is the meaning of this Kanzaki?" Zala demanded.
"I should be asking you the same question Zala," Garen replied letting the corpses drop to the floor. "Why did you send these clowns to kill Lacus when you knew what would happen if anyone interfered with me? What's more they threatened to kill Athrun and myself if we didn't let them handle the investigation."
"Then you should have listened. Lacus Clyne is a dangerous woman, her words encourage peace through talk and understanding. That's not how to win the war. Lowering ourselves to talk with the naturals only shows them we are weak. We can't let ourselves go back to being naturals when we've evolved into a superior species. And because we are coordinators the naturals exploit our abilities and call us space monsters," Zala prattled. "Once every last natural is dead we can being anew with a world created by the strength of coordinators."
"We evolved? Last time I checked evolution took millions of years and coordinators have been around for 200. Coordinators aren't the next step in human evolution Zala we're just artificially enhanced naturals. And if we're as superior as you say we are, why have ZAFT soldiers been killed in combat? And don't forget my sister is a natural Zala," Garen spat back. "You're only after revenge for the death of your wife and the only thing you'll be remembered as is a genocidal madman. And one last thing, Lacus is still alive. She escaped because of your boy scouts so this is your screw up."
"Kanzaki," Zala seethed.
"Just remember if Lacus or my sister dies the naturals will be the last thing you need to worry about," he smirked walking casually out of Zala's office.
Damn him. He always finds a way to undermine me, Zala fumed.
Earth.
Earth Forces Panama Base.
Three Hours into the Attack.
Yzak hated to admit it but Shawn was right, in the three hours since the attack commenced ZAFT forces had destroyed 60% of the anti-air defences and were now working to secure the drop points. There were six times when EF fighter planes came close to destroying his Guul only to have they sliced apart with the Strike Noir's twin beam guns. The Ginn forces on the ground were encountering very little opposition since all they were up against were tanks and anti-air turrets that had no effect on ZAFT's standard Mobilesuits.
"Is this all we have to fight against? This is as easy as Alaska?" Yzak complained blowing up another line of missile batteries with the Duel's beam rifle. "I thought they sent most of their forces here."
"Maybe so but we did catch them off guard by our sudden attack. If they had detected us they would have been able to mount an effective defence," Shawn replied slicing a row of tanks with the linear gun. "Plus we attacked at dawn so most of the soldiers were most likely asleep at the time."
"Then I guess we've got this battle all wrapped up," Yzak scoffed looking down at the Strike Noir standing in the flaming wreckage.
"Not yet! They're sending out reinforcements, 30 contacts confirmed and heading for the Foster Team!" Shawn reported launching Strike Noir into the air.
"What are you so worried about anyway? All the Earth Forces have are tanks and jets," Yzak reminded following after the Strike Noir nonetheless.
"I'm not sure," Shawn answered feeling an increase from the Zero System.
"Damn it Regal you'd better tell me what the hell is going on!" Yzak demanded barely hearing the order to deploy the Gungnirs.
"This is the Foster Team! We're under attack by enemy Mobilesuits! 30 of them confirmed!"
"This is Shawn in the Strike Noir, I'm on my way," Shawn replied.
Damn that Mobilesuit is fast, Yzak cursed following behind in the Duel.
Orb Territory.
Archangel.
Kira's Quarters.
"ZAFT's attacking Panama?" Shinobu asked doing up her hair in a ponytail.
"Yeah, from what we've gathered they've been under attack since dawn," Cagalli confirmed ignoring the fact that Kira and Shinobu were half naked.
"I thought the Earth Forces had stationed most of their forces at Panama. Won't that make things harder for ZAFT?" Kira asked keeping a hand around Shinobu's bare waist.
"Apparently the Earth Forces had a new machine built at Alaska but it wasn't moved in time and it now looks like that machine is being used in the attack," Cagalli explained dressed in her normal red shirt and green cargo pants.
"I wonder what kind of capabilities it has?" Cagalli wondered.
We'll know if we ever face if in combat, Kira thought wondering how Garen and Lacus were doing. "How are the repairs to the Archangel progressing?"
"Right on schedule. And Commander La Flaga's Mobilesuit training is almost complete, he's even better than most of the Astray pilots," Cagalli answered suddenly feeling very aroused at the thought of a certain blue haired pilot. "But right now I feel overdressed, thinking about ZAFT makes me think about Athrun. I probably would have let him screw me when we were on that island."
"What's this? Cagalli Yula Athha likes bondage sex," Shinobu teased making Kira bury his head in a pillow to stop himself from laughing, and failing miserably. "Would you like me to tie you up and lick you out?"
"Uh no I think I'll wait till we meet up with Athrun," Cagalli replied her face matching her shirt.
Plants.
Wing-Zero Hanger.
Zero's Cockpit.
"Athrun before we take off there's something I think you should know," Garen said waiting as the technicians ran over the Justice's final check list. "Do you remember that blue and white fighter you destroyed when you were fighting Kira before you destroyed the Aegis?"
"It's one of the things I try to forget about this war," Athrun replied remorsefully going through the start-up sequence.
"The pilot's girlfriend was aboard the Archangel since it left Heliopolis and he was piloting fighter you destroyed. He and his girlfriend were civilians like Kira but they enlisted so they could help Kira fight. Tolle died the same way Nicole did, only you didn't kill Tolle accidentally," Garen explained closing his helmet visor.
"Do you think she'll try to get revenge?" he asked pausing his typing.
"No, Miriallia's not the type to hold a grudge. But just remember that I'm not as forgiving, betray me and I will get revenge," Garen warned giving Athrun my 'death glare'.
"Uh right," Athrun mumbled.
"Power levels normal, conduit separation from X-09A Justice confirmed,"
"Wing-Zero launch path clear,"
"Garen Kanzaki, Wing-Zero launching!"
"Course clear, may our Justice have the divine protection of the stars,"
"Athrun Zala, Justice launching!"
Earth.
Earth Forces Panama Base. (What's left of it).
Strike Noir's Cockpit.
This is just disgraceful, Shawn thought watching the remaining Ginns murdering the surviving naturals in cold blood. We look at them like nothing more than cockroaches yet they see us as space monsters just because we've had our genes altered. Is this what I should be fighting Strike Noir? Fighting against people who can't accept someone just because of their genes? Then where do I start? Wing-Zero. You can't find him, so we'll just have to wait for him to come to us.
"Hey Regal. Why aren't you joining them?" Yzak asked sitting beside the Strike Noir in the Duel. "I thought you were trained to hate all naturals."
"I am beginning to question the very reason for this war," Shawn replied firing up Strike Noir's jets. "Some coordinators are no better than Blue Cosmos."
"I can't argue with that," Yzak said watching the carnage with disgust.
Back at the Carriers.
After securing Strike Noir in its restrains and changing out of his flight-suit Shawn made his way back to his quarters when he heard a feminine shriek of terror coming from the cafeteria. Sprinting there in ten seconds flat what Shawn saw made his blood boil for reasons he couldn't explain. Two soldiers had a terrified Flay held down on one of the tables with her borrowed uniform top open exposing her tank top which was pulled up to reveal her breast, her skirt was somewhere on the floor and her panties were hanging off her right ankle. One of the soldiers was holding her legs open while thrusting into her rough and hard with a huge smirk on his face while the other had a firm grasp on her wrists in one hand and the other hand stroking himself. Everyone else was standing around the table watching show. Jacking off and chuckling at Flay's pitiful attempts to struggle and pleas to stop. Moving faster than anyone thought possible Shawn was in the cafeteria and landed a hard roundhouse kick to the mouth of the soldier thrusting into the girl, sending him hitting the wall and knocking him unconscious and breaking his jaw. The only sounds came from Flay as she whimpered on the table, curling herself into a ball. Tears streaming from her tightly shut eyes.
"Next one to touch her will have to come through me," Shawn said defiantly kneeling beside her on the table.
"Come on Shawn, she's just a stinking natural. Why do you care if we have some fun with her?" one of the others asked. "If you wanted to bang her first you should have said something."
"Scum like you are the reason we're at war," Shawn replied straightening up Flay's clothes. "You're no better than Blue Cosmos."
"Take that back you bastard!" another shouted trying to hit Shawn over the head with a metal lunch tray, not noticing the yellow glow in his eyes.
"What's going on here!?" Commander Le Creuset bellowed causing the fight to stop. "Now I want an explanation."
"We were just having a little fun with this natural when Shawn here barged in and kicked Olfot in the face," the soldier holding the tray explained.
"In other words you were raping the girl is that correct?" Le Creuset asked looking at the whimpering Flay particularly her lack of clothing as she clung to Shawn's side.
"It's just one little natural girl Commander. We're at war so who cares what we do to her," another commented earning his nose a painful meeting with Shawn's fist.
"You're all no better than Blue Cosmos!" Shawn shouted kneeing the same soldier in the gut.
"Shawn that's enough!" Le Creuset ordered. "Now take the girl to sickbay then return to your quarters and remain there until I sort this mess out."
"Understood Commander," Shawn replied picking Flay up bridal style where she immediately burrowed into his warmth. The yellow glow fading from his eyes.
Hmm, this is interesting. Shawn should have ignored what the boys were doing to that girl, instead he attacks them and defends her. It seems his exposure to the girl and the Zero System are having an adverse effect on Shawn's personality, something chairman Zala didn't account for. This is very entertaining indeed, Le Creuset mentally snickered.
Sickbay.
"Well there doesn't appear to be any serious damage to your vagina, so aside from some tenderness for the next few days you'll be fine," the doctor said putting the medical equipment away. "I still can't believe the crew would go so low as to actually rape an innocent girl like you."
"They raped me because I'm a natural, so I can understand if you didn't like the idea of treating me even though you were ordered," Flay replied indifferently pulling her panties back on.
"Actually it doesn't bother me that you're a natural at all. But what surprises me is that Shawn here would attack his own side to defend you. He was after all trained since he was very young to hate all naturals," the doctor explained writing up the report. "But ever since he encountered that new machine he's been acting differently, sure he's silent but the fact that he said the guys in the cafeteria were no better than Blue Cosmos, it's like he's starting to doubt his original training."
"He and I are the same," Flay said sliding her arms through Shawn's red coat.
"In what way?" the doctor asked turning away from the computer.
"I hated coordinators because I thought you were all monsters since you're genes were altered with. I even threatened to kill Lacus Clyne when my father's ship was under attack in space. But after Alaska I've come to realise how wrong I was, even coordinators can makes mistakes just like naturals do," Flay replied securing the belt around her waist.
Orb Territory.
Archangel.
Murrue's Quarters.
"What did you say? Panama's been destroyed?" Murrue demanded shooting up from her chair, her breast bouncing as she stood.
"That's right. From what we've been able to gather a new machine took place in the attack that was built by the Earth Forces in Alaska. This new machine was supporting ZAFT forces during the battle," Kisaka replied seeing their looks of shock.
"Man this is depressing," Mu whined resting his hands behind his head.
"Then why don't you find something to do instead of stating the obvious," Murrue suggested cynically.
"And leave my captain sulking in her room? I don't think so," Mu replied wagging his finger at her. "Hey Kisaka, know any good places to get a bite to eat?"
"Hmm, there are a few ocean side restaurants that serve great seafood. Lord Uzumi has allowed you and your crew to leave the ship at their own discretion and roam freely anywhere in the nation as long as they take a military cash card and emergency dog tags with them. Also a cell phone will be issued should we need to get hold of your crew at any time," Kisaka explained.
"That'll do fine. Captain I believe you need to get off this ship before you lose your cool, so with that in mind would you care to join me for lunch?" Mu asked sporting his usual grin.
"Huh? What?" she asked bewilderedly.
"I expect you to be dressed in casual clothes by the time I get back Captain," Mu said heading for the door.
"Hey wait a minutes Commander! I didn't agree to leave the ship," Murrue protested, but she should have known not to argue with Mu La Flaga.
"Be back in ten minutes" he chuckled waving back as he disappeared into the corridor.
"Sometimes I wonder why I bother with that man," Murrue huffed dropping her head in defeat. "Colonel Kisaka, would you please relay Lord Uzumi's declaration to the entire crew. I have to get ready for my lunch date with Mu La Flaga."
"As you wish Captain, and have fun," Kisaka replied saluted before leaving.
Why can't I say no to that man, she wondered heading for her wardrobe for something to wear that would hopefully leaving Mu speechless. If he wasn't so charmingly annoying I'd give him a piece of my mind. But at least I can count on him to lighten the crew's spirits, and mine. Not to mention that handsome face of his, she stopped undressing at the thought, a strong blush colouring her face. .All right I admit that I might have feelings for him so let's see if I can make him beg for a kiss, she smirked removing her military issue underwear. Now where did I leave my lingerie?
Archangel Corridors.
"Shinobu, Kira, wait up a sec!" Cagalli called running up the casually dressed couple.
"What's up Cagalli?" Shinobu asked sporting a simple light blue spaghetti strap shirt and matching denim mini skirt.
"I've got great news, my father is allowing the crew of the Archangel to leave the ship so I was wondering if you wanted to go out to lunch with me?" Cagalli suggested.
"We were actually going to see that captain about that so I could take Shinobu shopping," Kira replied a blush forming on his face. "She wants me to watch while she tries on lingerie."
"Why are you blushing? We both know you'll enjoy it" Shinobu practically purred, right in his ear. "What I really want to look for is new clothes, that includes sexy underwear," Shinobu clarified pulling at the hem of her shirt. "I mean I only have three pairs of underwear plus two pairs of overalls and aside from what I'm wearing now I've only got a pair of cut-offs and a t-shirt."
"Then let's go shopping right after lunch, I might find something to wear when Athrun and I get together," Cagalli gushed feeling her shopping instincts kick in.
"I guess I'm driving then," Kira sighed.
Location Unknown.
ZAFT Carrier Sub.
Shawn's Quarters.
While Flay was in the shower washing off the filth from her rape in the cafeteria, Shawn was having a heated discussion with Strike Noir about his behaviour towards the soldiers who were committing the horrendous act. He had never felt such an overwhelming need to protect someone when he saw Flay on that table. Yet somehow the urge to protect was so strong he had to do everything in his power to stop what was happening and punish those responsible by any means necessary. A brief flash of Wing-Zero's pilot came to his mind with images of the people close to him like Miss Lacus. His sister and the crew of the legged ship and the strong desire to keep them safe even if it meant his own death.
Is this what is feels like to protect someone Strike Noir? Do I really want to protect the legged ship and Flay? Shawn pondered hearing the shower shut off. "Flay?"
"Yes," she replied sticking her head out of the shower stall.
"What can you tell me about Wing-Zero's pilot?" Shawn asked setting her uniform and underwear by the shower door.
"Garen Kanzaki is someone who will do whatever it takes to protect his friends and family, even avenge their deaths." She began stepping out of the stall with a towel wrapped around her. "Before the Tallgeese and Epyon were used by ZAFT two of Garen's friends piloted those suits. He used Wing-Zero to destroy both suits because he wouldn't allow his father's work to be used racists. I got a taste of his protectiveness up close when he said he'd tear me apart if I tried hurting his sister and I believe he'd carry out his threat. So if ZAFT destroys the Archangel you can beat that the Earth Forces will be the last thing you need to worry about."
"That must be why I reacted to your rape the way I did, the Zero System imprinted Garen's protectiveness onto me. Anytime I start thinking of my training I get sick to my stomach, now I don't believe naturals are what I should be fighting against," Shawn replied watching intently as Flay shed her towel.
Orb Territory.
Four Hours Later.
Oceanside Amusement Park.
"So how's your Mobilesuit training progressing Commander?" Murrue asked as she and Mu waited in line for the spinning swing ride.
"Well firstly Miss Murrue, no rank is to be mentioned while we're on this little date and secondly my training is going smoothly. In fact I'm almost as good as Kira," Mu replied wagging his finger at the mention of his rank.
"So this is a date we're on? I knew you were up to something besides a casual lunch," Murrue fumed playfully.
"At least you're having fun, aren't you?" Mu asked leaning in closer with an arm wrapped around her shoulder.
Before she could answer the cell phone she had been issued before leaving the Archangel began buzzing in her purse, glad for the distraction Murrue quickly yanked it out.
"Murrue Ramius here," she said.
"Captain, it's Kisaka. We've received a disturbing transmission from the Earth Forces. We're sending a transport to retrieve you and Commander La Flaga and bring you to Orb Military HQ."
"Understood. We'll be waiting outside the amusement park, Murrue out," she replied pressing the end call button.
"Well damn and we were next in line," Mu pouted childishly.
Three hours before Attack.
Orb was in trouble. The Earth Forces had demanded that the neutral nation join them in their ongoing campaign against the Plants or be declared an enemy of the Atlantic Federation. Having no intention of giving into the insane demands Orb ordered the entire evacuation of its people and the readiness of its military forces in anticipation of an attack. The Archangel having seen how corrupt the Earth Forces were decided to join the fight to protect Orb. Murrue had given the entire crew a choice to stay and fight or leave the ship, fortunately only 11 left which is what Mu told her as the stood on the bridge together. Totally alone.
"Commander, there's something I want to know about Joshua. Why'd you return?" Murrue asked leaning her head against the glass.
"Huh? Oh yeah, your question just made me remember what I'd forgotten to do," Mu replied gathering her up in his arms and crushing her lips under his.
At first she couldn't believe that Mu was actually kissing her but soon she closed her eyes, letting the shock fade away. Only to pull away for air.
"You ought to know I really can't stand mobile armour pilots," she said a faint blush staining her cheeks.
"Well, I guess it's a good thing I'm a Mobilesuit pilot now," Mu grinned, pulling her in for another kiss, adding a little tongue this time and placing a hand behind her head.
Alaska Base Ruins.
"I don't believe it! How could they blatantly sacrifice so many of their own soldiers like this?" Athrun asked as He and Garen circled the crater of what used to be the Earth Forces headquarters.
"Why does this surprise you Athrun? All they did was press a button and Junius seven was obliterated because it was easier than this. Here they needed it to look like there was something to defend so not one of the soldiers who died here were told they were being used as cannon fodder," Garen replied cynically transforming Zero and aiming the buster rifle at the Justice. "What if I told you I was going to kill you, would you just sit there if I ordered you to? Would you let yourself be killed just to lure the enemy into you base so they could be destroyed, yourself included?"
"No, I wouldn't?" Athrun answered sullenly.
"I didn't think so," Garen said lowering the buster rifle. "Let's get going, it'll take us a good three hours to get to Orb."
"Why Orb?" Athrun asked.
"Don't you want to see Cagalli?" Garen inquired not missing the slight reddening of his cheeks. "Zero picked up a communication regarding an Earth Forces fleet heading that way and if I'm right Orb is the only place the Archangel could have gone after escaping from this place."
"I guess you're right," Athrun replied still shaken at the devastation.
"Alright then, let's get there fast. I have a feeling Shinobu's going to do something crazy like piloting the Buster," Garen said transforming Zero back to mobile armour mode. "That's assuming your friend Elsman isn't using it."
An Hour Later.
Orb Territory.
Morganraete Facility.
"What do you mean you're going to pilot an M1? Do you even know how to pilot a Mobilesuit under battle conditions?" Kira demanded, the second Shinobu hopped off the M1 descent cable Kira cornered her nearly begging her not to pilot an Astray.
"I wouldn't be volunteering if I didn't," Shinobu pointed out removing her helmet. "I've done all I can to upgrade the Archangel's weapons and this is the only way I can help defend Orb from the Earth Forces."
"But an M1 doesn't have the mobility of the Strike or the Freedom. Hell the Buster would be a better choice," Kira replied grabbing her shoulders.
"I've tried the Buster and even with the OS you wrote I still have a hard time keeping track of the controls. Besides even when the battle starts I'll be with Asagi and the other girls. And if you don't let me pilot I'll never let you have sex with me again," Shinobu threatened swatting his hands away.
"I don't care about having sex with you, Shinobu! I just don't want you to die out there!" Kira shouted halting all activity in the hanger. "If the Earth Forces shot you down I'd be helping him take revenge."
"You'd kill every last human being for me?" She asked disbelievingly.
"Most likely, but I'd detonate the Freedom's reactor in the middle of their fleet if it meant keeping you safe," he replied tears threatening to fall from his eyes.
"Don't worry Kira, I know it won't come to that. And besides the EF will most likely ignore a damaged Mobilesuit so I just have to avoid getting hit in the cockpit or main body," she said trying her best to reassure him.
"I'm not going to get you to back out of this am I?" he asked secretly studying the way her flight-suit hugged her curves.
"No," she answered sweetly. "You could always tie me up in our room but then I wouldn't let you sleep with me for a whole year if you did."
"Since when do I need an excuse to tie you up?" he smirked devilishly giving her butt a playful squeeze which made her squeak in surprise. "I see Cagalli's not the only one who likes bondage sex."
"Kira Yamato you have a dirty mind," she stated poking him lightly on the nose.
"Yeah, I wonder why?" he wondered staring pointedly at her.
"All personnel level 1 battle stations! All personnel level 1 battle stations! The Earth Forces have been spotted entering our boarder! Mobilesuit forces standby to launch! Kira Yamato to the Archangel! Kira Yamato to the Archangel!"
"You better go," Shinobu whispered pulling him in for a deep passionate kiss.
"Don't worry I'll make sure we hold out till Wing-Zero gets here," he replied sprinting off to the Archangel's hanger bay.
Orb Boarder.
Earth Forces Fleet.
Command Carrier.
"So Captain, is everything underway?" Muruta Azrael asked stepping onto the bridge.
"Our forces have begun their attack, we're just waiting on your three machines," the captain answered looking back from his chair. "Just how effective are these pilots of yours?"
"Unfortunately that's classified information. Only people at the top can ask me those kinds of questions," Azrael replied taking his seat. "Hopefully with the Calamity, Raider and Forbidden joining the fight this battle should be over long before sunset."
"Captain we're detecting a warship silhouette joining the Orb forces. Thermal patterns confirm it's the Archangel sir."
"You mean it survived the destruction of the Alaska base?" Azrael wondered out loud.
"It must have been Mu La Flaga who warned them about the Cyclops system, he wasn't among those who were evacuated," the captain said.
"Oh well it doesn't really matter, we'll destroy it and there'll be nothing more to worry about," Azrael shrugged.
Onogoro Island.
Two Hours Later.
Surprisingly Shinobu was able to last two whole hours shooting down missiles and EF Mobilesuits with Asagi, Mayura and Juri backing her up so Kira was able to focus on fighting the Calamity, Raider and Forbidden Gundams. (A/N: Just to remind you not to expect any big battle scene here since I never really planned the battle in great detail.) Even more of a surprise was the Buster making an impromptu entry to the battle and backed up the Strike but without the Freedom to help, the Orb forces were steadily being overwhelmed by the Strike Daggers.
(A/N: Ok sorry you know what I can't do this battle scene. It's just too hard for me to do multiple view point for one thing so I'll just tell you what happens. Wing-Zero and the Justice come in and help fight the Earth Forces but when Shinobu's M1 takes a hit the Zero System for the first time hits its maximum intensity which makes the green thing in its chest glow and I think I end this little commentary.)
"Loss of strategic advantage. Maximum combat levels confirmed."
"Garen! Garen what's going on?" Athrun asked still fighting the Raider and Forbidden alongside the Freedom as Wing-Zero just hovered above the battlefield.
"Number of enemy units confirmed, commencing attack."
Location Unknown.
ZAFT Carrier Sub.
"Well this is an unexpected development," Le Creuset murmured watching Wing-Zero's unusual behaviour as it sliced up Strike Daggers effortlessly. "An M1 gets shot down and this happens. Perhaps Garen Kanzaki's sister was piloting that machine."
"That would explain this sir, I've read the report from Andrew Waltfeld regarding a young man's behaviour when his sister was injured during a Blue Cosmos attack. Now that I've seeing this I believe it confirms your theory," the captain replied.
"Captain we've got an unauthorised Mobilesuit launch in progress!"
"Which suit?" the captain demanded.
"It's the Strike Noir sir! Reports say it's using the underwater Mobilesuit tubes!"
"Contact the Strike Noir! Tell Regal to stand down!" the captain ordered.
"Belay that order!" Le Creuset interrupted. "Open the doors and let him go."
"You sure about the sir?" the captain asked.
"The Strike Noir is also equipped with the Zero System. Let's see what happens when they're pitted against each other," Le Creuset instructed calmly. (More like sadistically)
"Understood."
Flashback.
Shawn's Quarters.
Five Minutes Prior.
After Flay's rape yesterday Shawn always made sure to bring her meals to his quarters and for some reason she trusted him enough to sleep naked only dressing when they had company, or she was too scared to sleep on her own. Today Shawn was just finishing his lunch when his head snapped up and he dropped his fork on his food tray.
"Shawn? What's wrong?" Flay asked from her place on his bed.
"An echo of the Zero System only far stronger than I've previously felt," Shawn replied heading for the door. "Lock the door after I leave, I'm going out in Strike Noir."
End Flashback.
Back on the Battlefield.
Wing-Zero had taken out half of the Earth Forces Mobilesuits before they had to retreat leaving the Rader, Forbidden and Calamity pilots behind to deal with the Freedom and Justice until their bodies reached their limits forcing them to retreat as well.
"Garen, can you hear us? Garen respond, this is Kira in the Freedom please respond!" Kira shouted bring the Freedom closer to Wing-Zero.
"Additional targets confirmed, Freedom and Justice targeted. Locking on," came Garen's monotone voice as Zero aimed at the Freedom.
"Garen! What're you doing? Kira's not the enemy, why are you targeting him?" Athrun asked positioning the Justice behind Zero.
Archangel Bridge.
Having been retrieved from her M1 by the Strike Shinobu stood beside Murrue watching Zero decimate the Earth Forces Mobilesuits.
"Shinobu, has Wing-Zero ever done something like this before?" Murrue asked.
"No this is the first time I've seen its chest light up like that," Shinobu replied.
"What's causing it?" Miriallia asked.
"The Zero System must be at level 12, up till now it's only been at level 11," Shinobu answered.
"Can Garen handle it?" Sai asked getting an incoming alarm from his console. "Incoming unknown Mobilesuit!"
Battlefield.
"Unknown Mobilesuit detected. Additional Zero System presents confirmed. Commence interception and destruction."
Lowering the buster rifle away from the Freedom Zero aimed and fired towards the open ocean which just happened to be void of any Earth Forces ships, the blast evaporating several hundred gallons of water instantly.
"Garen! What the hell are you firing at?" Athrun demanded pulling the shield in front of the Justice's torso just in time to block a horizontal strike from Zero's beam sabre. "Garen! Why are you attacking me?"
"Freedom and Justice presents not required. Retreat now or be destroyed," Garen replied, sounding like a computer.
"Athrun, let's just back off like he says. I think the Zero System's taken full control," Kira warned, urging his friend to fall back.
Strike Noir's Cockpit.
So, he can detect us through the Zero System and he seems intent on destroying us Strike Noir. But why hasn't he continued his assault if he's detected us? Shawn wondered hiding Strike Noir behind the wreckage of an Earth Forces ship. I'm just lucky his buster rifle can't work underwater like all beam weapons. But why did I come out here? Do you want me to fight Wing-Zero? Then let's see what we can do Strike Noir.