Legacy Saga
Gundam Seed
Up to now, the fight had only been between the ship Archangel and the ZAFT forces chasing after it. In a desperate attempt to save itself, the ship used Lacus Clyne as a shield so that the enemy forces will cease their fire.
Kira didn't like this arrangement, even though it is to protect themselves. Kira discovered that this Lacus Clyne knew Athrun, his childhood friend and was engaged to be married to him.
Kira wanted to return her home, disobeying orders and left the ship to send her back. At gunpoint, he and Athrun said their final farewell and broke their bond of friendship perhaps forever.
Phase 7
The Waking Blade
"History in the end was only a collection of small things: a father's sacrifice, a mother's pendant, the sound of children's laughter, a young girl with flowers in her hair, the wind and the waves pounding against the shores he might never see, a shooting star. All these things taken and collected and treasured in glass boxes of words, kept so that even death and war and destruction could not erase them."
Wufei Chang
The Archangel now continues its course to rendezvous with the 8th Fleet. The ship was still tense after another narrow escape from the ZAFT forces.
Inside, Kira was having a military tribunal for his defiance of orders. Badgiruel was the prosecutor and Flaga acts in Kira's defense. Van stood behind and watched.
"The defendant ignored the risks and put the entire ship in danger." Badgiruel said
"This is all speculations, I like to request to check the records." Flaga said on Kira's defense
"Request approved," Ramius said, who acted as the judge in this trial.
Flaga looked at a book of rules and regulations,
"Well, even though civilians were taken hostage, I consider this incident to be…"
"-classified under the special section of C of battle tactics." Badgiruel finished for him since she knows more about rules and regulations.
"Special section C?" Flaga was a bit confused, not knowing what that was, "What is that?"
Flaga skimmed through the huge book again.
"Uh, however the Nazca didn't leave simply because the hostage was released. We overcame the crisis."
"But that is just a conclusion."
Ramius looked up at Kira,
"Kira Yamato, do you wish to defend yourself?" Kira didn't answer, "Why did you act upon your own will?"
"…She wasn't saved so that she could be used as a hostage." Kira said
"Precisely, only girlfriends are fit for that." Flaga joked, which made Badgiruel upset about the statement
"Objections!"
"Will the defendant please watch his words?" Ramius said. Flaga backed down, but was still smiling, "Kira Yamato has broken rule No. 3B, of section.10F, as well as No. 13C…Within war times is consider treason, punishable by death….Nevertheless, this is a martial court. It holds no authority over civilians. I hope you will proceed with caution from now on. This court now rest."
Kira didn't know what to say,
"Watch what you do next." Flaga said throwing away the hand book of regulation into the air and let it float away.
Badgiruel stood up and thought this mock trial was a big waste of their time.
Kira left the room, where outside, Sai and Mille were waiting for him.
"Kira, is everything alright?" Sai asked
"What did they say?" Mille asked
"You have to do cleaning duty, too?"
"What a great idea!" Flaga interrupted, hearing the thought, "Isn't this nice?"
Flaga floated away and came next was Badgiruel, who silently walked along.
"Everything is alright," Kira said with a smile
"Wait, does that mean, it's just me and Mille?" Sai asked referring to their punishment of clean up duty.
Mille placed a hand on Sai's shoulder and smiled.
"I'll help out if you want."
"Nah, we can do it ourselves." Sai said, "We'll be meeting the 8th fleet soon. It's no big deal."
Kira and Sai were walking along.
"Kuzzey said that he overheard your conversation with that girl. The pilot of the Aegis, was he your friend? I was indeed somewhat worried to speak the truth, but thank goodness you're back."
Sai then wave off as he went his own direction.
"Well, I'm changing my shift." Sai and Mille walked away.
Kira went to an elevator and went in. Around the corner, Fllay was out of bed and overheard the conversation the three were having.
Not too far off, the Gamow finally was able to get away from Artemis and resumed their chase for the Archangel.
"Though they barely managed to meet up, we will have 10 minutes before takeoff." Nicol said
"When we join with the moon fleet, we'll have no problem," Dearka said
"Did you say 10 minutes?" Yzak asked, "Get out of here, I thought there were more? I have no wish to let that meeting even take place."
"My sentiments exactly," Dearka said, "The success of an ambush is not based on how much time there is."
"Of course I know that."
"The Vesalius will return once they drop Miss Clyne off. Before that, we would have sink 'longlegs'. Understand?"
"Ok, then," Dearka said
"Understood," Nicol said
The Vesalius was on its way back home to drop off Lacus.
Athrun was heading to his room, where he left Lacus. The door then open and Haro flew out of it. Athrun manage to catch it before it hit his face.
"(sigh), Lacus," He looked to see Lacus was out of the room.
"Look how perky Haro is. It's happy to see you."
"Haro is not emotionally equipped." Athrun said, "You may be a guest of honor here, but Vesalius is still a military ship. Please stay in the room."
Athrun led Lacus back to the room,
"Everyone kept telling me that; how annoying."
"That is the way things are. You can't change the rules."
"Oh, did you want to see me?"
"I was just checking up on you. I didn't expect that a hostage would have any privileges."
"Well, I'm fine. Your friend was nice to me."
"I see."
"Kira is a very considerate person. He is also terribly formidable."
"He's just a fool. Even though he isn't a soldier he still stayed with those people. They are just using him, talking him into being friends. Both his parents were Naturals. That's why he…"
Lacus raised her hand to touch Athrun's face to soothe him.
"He has no wish to fight you."
"Neither does me. I have no desire to…" Athrun stopped and calms down, then takes Lacus's hand off, "Please excuse me. I have work to do."
Athrun was about to leave when she spoke again.
"You have been putting that same long face recently."
"No one enters a battlefield with a grin." Athrun leaves.
The Archangel was 30 minutes out before meeting up with the fleet.
"Another 30 minutes before the meeting," Ramius said, "We're almost there."
"I want tighten up of security," Badgiruel said, "The enemy may still be nearby."
The crew responded and got to work.
In the mess hall, Kuzzey and Sai ate.
"Many things have happened." Kuzzey said, "We'll be there shortly. I wonder will they let us go back to Earth."
"What?" Sai asked
"Don't you remember what the Captain said?"
'No matter what happens, you have already been exposed to a confidential military secret. Before the relevant authorities decide to do with you, you have to go where I go.'
Ramius said that back at Heliopolis
"Well isn't the fleet a relevant authority?"
"I suppose, but…"
"But?"
"What will happen to Kira? Will they let him go too? After all he has done."
Just then, Kira entered the room, and the two went silent. Kira went to get a drink. Then Sai saw Fllay at the door.
"Fllay?" Sai got up and walked to her, "Are you alright? You should get some rest."
"I'm fine," Fllay said as she walked up to Kira. Her face was no longer angry and sad. "Kira…I'm so sorry about what happened."
This took Kira by surprised.
"I wasn't able to control myself. I said some awful things to you. Please forgive me. You risked your life to protect us…"
"Fllay, that was nothing, but I…"
"I was aware of all that you have done for us."
"Thank you, Fllay, but I still wasn't able to protect your father."
"War can be so terrible. How I wish it would end soon."
"Yes, let's hope it would end soon."
Back in the bridge, Pal saw on the radar three red blimps on the screen.
"What the hell?" he said to himself. Then the radar was breaking up.
"We go some radar interference. Disruptions have increased" another crewmember said
The Mobile Suits that were targeting them was Buster, Duel, and Blitz. The three activated their Phase Shift armor and were ready to attack.
"Enter level 1 battle stations!" Ramius shouted.
The radar confirmed the enemies.
"At 103 Tango, bearing 025, Mobile Suits detected. It's Buster, Duel, and Blitz!"
"Those guys are attacking us now of all times." Badgiruel said
Throughout the ship, the alarm sounded. The PA shouted out,
"Red Alert, we are under attack! Red Alert, we are under attack! All hands battle stations!"
Kira, Sai, and Kuzzey rushed out of the mess hall. Kira then accidentally knocked over a little girl. He turned around to help her up.
"Are you alright?"
Then, Fllay helped picked the girl back to her feet.
"I'm sorry, but big brother is very busy." Fllay said to the little girl, "Even though we are in trouble, big brother will fight for us."
"Oh really?" the little girl asked
"Yeah, he'll get rid of all those bad guys."
Kira was spacing out for a bit, until Sai called him out.
"Hey, Kira, let's go!" Sai shouted
"Oh, right!" Kira ran to catch up
Fllay looked at Kira and smiled a bit.
"Yes…he'll kill them all for us." Fllay said
Van and Flaga were already readied and went to their respected machines.
"Damn it, at a time like this," Flaga said as he entered his fighter.
"Well, it can't be helped," Van said
"Mwu La Flaga, dusting off."
The Zero flew out of the hanger.
"This is Van Fanel, taking off."
The Escaflowne took off, holding its shield and rifle. Its wings spread as it went out and Phase Shift armor went on.
Kira followed after the two launched, he went into his cockpit and strapped in.
"Kira, the enemy has one frigate with three Mobile Suits, Duel, Buster, and Blitz." Mille said over the comm.
Kira knew those machines by heart now.
"Yzak, Dearka, and Nicol?" Kira was again swayed by the fact that he will have to fight his friends again.
"Activate APU. Install Aile pack." Mille said, "Attach Strike onto catapult. All systems green. You are cleared for launch, Kira."
"This is Kira Yamato; I'm launching!"
"The 8th fleet is still too far off to assist us." Ramius said, "We're still on our own."
"Shields up, all weapons online!" Badgiruel shouted
The three Gundams went their separate ways to attack the ship in all directions, and dividing the Archangel's forces. The frigate, Gamow fired one of its twin cannons and made a direct hit on the Archangel.
"This is getting serious," Flaga said. He deployed his weapons pods which each opened up to fire their twin energy cannons at the three.
Van flew next to Flaga and fired his beam rifle at the three as well. Flaga separate and went after Buster. He fired his cannons and hit the Mobile Suit.
"Heh, what audacity." Dearka said as he fired back his weapons.
Kira went to back Flaga up, but Yzak stopped him. He fired and chased Kira away.
"I'll lure this MS away from the ship. I'll be counting on you to take care of it!"
Dearka used his combined weapon to fire on Flaga again. Yzak took out his beam saber and attack Kira again.
"So we meet again, Kira Yamato!" Yzak shouted as he attacked. Kira blocked the attack with his shield.
"Yzak!" Kira said
The Archangel took aim with its guns.
"Valiant # 1, fire!" Badgiruel shouted
Nicol dodged the attack and then his Gundam disappeared into thin air.
"Blitz has just disappeared!"
"It must have activated its mirage colloid system. Deploy refractive mines!"
Nicol fire his beam rifle, but the Archangel launched a couple of mines that exploded around it, creating a temporary shield that reflects beam attacks. The mines also reflect light and Nicol's armor only reflects the light around it to a degree, not a light show.
"Locate Blitz!" the computers discovered Nicol's position, "Fire clustered missiles!"
The Archangel fired several missiles that then broke into many smaller missiles and flew at Nicol. Nicol had to reactivate his Phase Shift armor since when he is cloaked he can't use it to protect himself from attack.
"Well, I guess they should know their own weapons if it is used against them," Nicol cloaked himself again.
"Screen the entire field with all weapons. Fire until you hit something!"
The auto guns on the ship fired in all directions and one of them managed to hit Nicol with its shells.
"Got him!"
"Fire torpedoes!"
Bright orange colored anti-matter weapons flew out of the Archangel, and straight toward where Nicol is, but missed. He went back into invisible mode.
Yzak was still charging at Kira with his saber at the ready.
"You're not getting away today!" Yzak shouted
Kira then abandons his rifle and took out his beam saber.
"I won't die here!" Kira shouted as he attacked. The two crossed blades and then pushed each other back.
"He's better than I thought," Yzak said feeling himself having difficulty handling who he thought was just a rookie.
The Archangel came about and fired its linear cannons at the Gamow again.
"Enemy has locked onto us again!"
"Evasive action!" Ramius shouted, "Return fire with the Gottfrieds!"
The Archangel managed to dodge another shot from the Gamow's twin energy cannons. The Archangel turned around and brought out its twin cannons.
"Gottfrieds, fire!" Badgiruel ordered and the cannons' twin green particle energy shot out in a beam and hit the Gamow.
The Gamow fired back and hit the Archangel directly on the port side.
"Direct hit, shields are down to 70!" Pal shouted
"Take us in. Ready photon torpedoes and fire when ready!" Badgueirel shouted
The Archangel dived under the Gamow, and fired 4 scores of photon torpedoes at the underbelly of the enemy ship. The Gamow moved away and returned fire with its cannons.
"Hull breach on decks 10 and 18; emergency hatches have been in place!" Pal shouted
"Shields are down to 50!" Chandra shouted
"Turn right at 20 degrees!" Ramius shouted
"Blitz is approaching us!"
"What are Strike and Escaflowne doing! Recall them back to support!" Badgiruel shouted
"Strike is fighting Duel and both Zero and Escaflowne are taking on Buster!" Sai replied
Kira attacked with his saber and clashed with Yzak. The two knocked each other away.
"You're not getting away this time, Kira!" Yzak shouted
Buster was chasing Flaga and firing his cannons at the same time.
"Damn Mobile Armor, just die!" Dearka shouted as he fired again, but missed
Van was flying back to the Archangel just when Nicol flew to the underside of the ship and fired its beam rifle.
"It's too close for the ship to deploy bombs!" Badgueirel shouted, "Kira, get back here!"
Kira turned around and saw that the Archangel was in trouble.
"Damn it, the Archangel is…" Kira began to have some flashbacks of the escort fleet that was sent to help them get destroyed in his mind. His focus was now away from the battle and to Fllay who said that he protects them. "I will not let them die!"
Kira saw something else in his mind. It was an image of some kind of purple colored rock that was slowly falling onto dark rainbow colored water. When the rock hit the water, it shattered into many pieces. Kira looked back up at Yzak and his eyes were all blank.
When Yzak tried to attack Kira again, Kira flew over him and onto his rear where he attacks with his saber and hit Yzak's side with it, causing major damage. Kira then flies away towards the Archangel. Yzak pursued him and fired his beam rifle, but kept on missing as Kira dodged all the shots.
Nicol managed to disable the Archangel's shields and landed on its hull. He opened fire with his rifle. The Archangel's outer hull armor was protected by an anti-beam coating to protect it against beam attacks if the shields were down.
Then Kira dropped on Nicol, who barely managed to jump away, narrowly dodging Kira's saber attack. He then pushes off the Archangel and kicked Nicol in the cockpit and sent him flying back. Yzak then came from behind him with his saber.
"Why don't you die?" Yzak shouted as he attacks, but Kira reacted to him much quicker, taking out one of his Gundam's combat knives out. He used his shield to parry the saber attack and stabbed his knife into the side of Yzak's cockpit.
Yzak's main screen exploded in front of him. He was knocked back, but Nicol helped him up.
"Yzak, are you alright!" Nicol shouted,
Yzak was holding his face, which was injured by the explosion.
"Dearka, retreat!" Nicol shouted to Dearka, "Yzak's been injured!"
Dearka turned and left his battle with Flaga and Van and helped Nicol carry Yzak away. Kira landed on the Archangel, breathing heavily from the ordeal.
"Looks like they're leaving," Van said, "Well done, Kira."
Kira looked up at his view screen and Van saw the look in his eyes.
"What the…" Van said softly.
"What?"
"Nothing…" Van said, "What a formidable kid."
"Look, it's the 8th Fleet!" Flaga shouted and the two of them looked up to see more ships coming nearer to them.
Meanwhile, Fllay was in her room watching the battle ended on a screen in her room.
"Yes...Kira fights for us. He'll kill all of them." She said
The 8th Fleet loomed closer.
Not too far off, the Vesalius was sending Lacus away in a shuttle craft.
"What a pity," Lacus said to Athrun, "Finally, I get to see you and now I have to leave."
"It can't be helped." Athrun said as he guided her to the shuttle.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Commander Creuset."
"The pleasure was all mines, Miss Clyne. Have a safe trip back home."
"Will the Vesalius return for the memorial?"
"Who knows? We are on another mission to win this war."
"I know it is important to win battles, but we must not forget to recognize those who had sacrificed themselves. Wars can be so complicated." She looked to Athrun, "I'll look forward to another meeting with you."
Lacus enters the shuttle that takes it to another ship that will take her home. Athrun and Creuset watches from a window.
"Did you hear about Yzak?" Creuset asked
"Yes, he's very upset about his face."
Creuset began to walk away.
"Remember Athrun. Strike…If you don't shoot it, it will shoot you."
The Archangel had finally met up with the 8th Fleet. The fleet itself had over three dozen ships. It was called the Alliance's most powerful fleets. Amongst the massive fleet were comprised of Nelson and Drake classes and there were only a handful of capital ships called, Agamemnon classes. This fleet's main task was the protection of the Luna base with serves as the main shipyard for the Earth's star force."
The Archangel was readying to descend onto the Earth. The ship itself was designed for atmospheric flight and it can land and operate in and even under the water if it wants to. It is a new generation of warships.
"Turn about 180 degrees!" Ramius ordered, "Reduce speeds down to 70."
The Archangel turned and caught up with the same speeds as the fleet was going. It was a side by side with the fleet's flagship, the Montreal.
"We are at matched speeds with the Admiral's flagship." Tonomura said
"I'm sure Admiral Halberton would love to have a gander at this ship." Ramius said, "Open a channel."
Pal set up the communications and nodded at the captain.
"This is Captain Ramius of the Archangel."
The main screen flashed and the face of a man, with short, almost silver colored hair and a little mustache, smiled.
"Welcome to Earth Space, Captain Ramius," The man said in a slightly raspy voice. "It is good to see that you have made it. You're entire crew is to be commended for their efforts."
The man that spoke was named, Lewis Halberton, the one who is in charge of the 8th Fleet.
"Thank you, sir. Would you mind coming aboard, I'd like to show you around this ship."
"I'd be glad to."
In the ship, Kira and his friends discuss about what will happen to them next.
"We'll all be sent to the Montreal after this," Kuzzey said, "but what will happen to us?"
"We'll all be released. We are still civilians after all." Mille said
In the bridge, Ramius got out to go meet the Admiral.
"Wait up, Captain." Badgiruel said as she jumps up and went into the elevator before it closed. "What are we going to do about Strike?"
"What do you mean?"
"Kira is still here. It was thanks to him that we have gone this far. Everyone aboard is well aware of that. Will be leave the ship?"
The elevator stopped and Ramius got off, followed by Badgiruel.
"I know what you are saying. Though Kira may not be a soldier, he is still indispensable."
"How can we just let him go like this?"
"Even if he possesses formidable abilities, we have no right to force this upon him." Ramius went to another direction, leaving Badgiruel behind.
In the hanger, Flaga was just floating around while Kira did repairs to his fighter.
"The meeting has already started," Kira said, "What's all the rush with repairs?"
"Because of the insecurities eating us away."
"The fleet might be very fierce in size, but it is mostly manned by fresh recruits." Murdoch said, "Should anything happen, the lieutenant will have to face the music."
"What about the Strike?" Kira asked, "Are we fine with the status quo?"
"I understand, but it will be too much trouble returning to the previous state."
"I've always have inclined to have someone sitting there." Ramius voice said as the three turned to see her floating towards them.
"Uh captain?" Kira said, surprised to see the captain in the hanger.
"Look at where we are at now." Flaga said
Ramius landed on Flaga's fighter.
"Sorry everyone, but I have to speak to Kira."
Kira gave Ramius a weird look,
"Don't look so suspicious…Though I completely expected it coming."
Ramius and Kira had a walk and then stopped in front of the Strike to talk.
"I have to be honest with you. With all the time we had, there was never a good time to have a real chat with you." Ramius took a deep breath as if she was preparing to do something big, "Anyway, I just wanted to thank you properly before you go."
Kira was a bit surprised by the comment. Ramius turned to him.
"I am really sorry for all I've put you through; for all the unpleasant memories I have given you." Ramius bowed at him in Japanese fashion, hands at the side and bending forward almost completely, which was always used in that culture for showing respect and to apologize.
"Uh…I…" Kira was again taken by surprised by what Ramius is doing.
Kira could understand a little compliment from her, but this was not what he was expecting from the woman who once was willing to kill him for knowing the secret of the Imperial Alliance. He really didn't know what to say.
"I also apologize for my selfish demands. Thank you so much."
"No really, Captain." Kira said back, "I should thank you for giving me the honor of piloting the Strike."
"No," Ramius smiled a bit, and stood up straight, "From the moment I saw you took control of that machine, I knew you and this Gundam were meant for each other. "Though nobody actually says it, we are all grateful to you. Under such circumstances it may be difficult to return to Earth, but let's do our best."
Ramius extends her hand for a hand shake. Kira looked at the hand for a moment. To him it was a long time since he actually shook someone's hand and meant it. He has always done it when meeting new professors at school or meeting someone famous, but this time it felt different. There was something more meaningful about this moment and Kira smiled and brought up his hand and shook Ramius's.
"With one journey completed, another one will begin, Murrue-san," Kira said the captain's first name with respects to her, "It was an honor to have met you."
"Same here, Kira-kun."
It had been a few hours later before the Admiral's shuttle arrived at the Archangel. Almost the entire main crew was present in the hanger to give the admiral their warmest welcome. The shuttle stopped and landed on the ground of the large loading bay. The admiral stepped out of the small ship with his own staff following behind him. Though he was supposed to be the symbol of a proper soldier when dressed in uniform, he was known to have his hat shifted lighted to one side for some strange reason and that turned out in the end to be the man's trademark and was how he was more known for.
Admiral Halberton looked down to see the crew of the Archangel, with Ramius and Badgiruel in from saluting him. The silver colored hair man smiled a bit and walked down the stairs. He walked up to Ramius and returned the salute.
"When I first heard that Heliopolis was destroyed, I thought all hope was lost," the admiral said, "I thought I would never either of you again all together."
"Thank you for your concern, sir," Ramius said," It's been a long time since we've last met."
"Reports came in to say that you were in a battle just before you've met up with us. Everyone was worried. Are you all right?"
The Admiral looked at the other senior officers present, Natarle Badgiruel, Mwu Flaga, and of course, Van himself.
"Pleasure to meet again, Ensign Badgiruel," The Admiral said and then looked at Flaga who he didn't know.
"1st Lt. Mwu La Flaga of the 7th Fleet." The Admiral moved to the man and felt a great sense of honor to be, "How lucky the Archangel you have you."
Van also saluted when the Admiral approached him.
"And as always, it's an honor to be in the present of your highness."
"I wished to be addressed by rank if possible…Admiral Halberton." Van said
"Of course…Major Fanel," The Admiral looked behind the four to the younger crew members. "And who are they?"
Ramius turned and was proud to tell him who they are.
"These were our helpers. The students of Heliopolis," Ramius said with a small hint of pride in her voice.
Sai and Kuzzey stood next to Kira in the middle and behind them were Tolle and Mille. Behind them was the rest of the crew. Halberton walked to the group.
"We have confirmed where your families are. Everyone is safe." Everyone showed signs of relief and joy to learn of this. "I understand the unusually tough circumstances. Please accept my profuse thanks."
Ramius and the Admiral began to walk, with Badgiruel following closely behind.
"I know who you were really worried about," Ramius said and looked back a bit to Badgiruel.
To be completely technical, Admiral Halberton was not as old as his rank would say he would be. He looked like a man in his late mid to late 30s, and Ramius was actually one that was older than Halberton and so was Flaga. It had been modern cosmetics and they just say living healthily that had led everyone to believe that they are actually younger than they looked.
"We can all talk normally," Ramius said, "I know you and her want some time together."
Elsewhere, the Vesalius was sailing with its forces closer to the fleet's position.
"The meeting of the fleet has occurred," Creuset said
"What few has known is that the fleet has been drastically reduced in size." Captain Ades said
"I thought they would return to their HQ first." The two got up and walked to the tactical table, "It never occurred to me that they would send 'longlegs' directly to Earth."
"You think their destination is Alaska?"
"Not if we sink it before it gets there."
"The Shakura had six Ginns. We have five and the Aegis. Buster and Blitz are both ready for combat and the Gamow itself has 4 Ginns. I heard that the Duel unit had an upgrade as well. The fleet might outnumber us, but we have the better tech and power than they have."
Creuset looked at the map again and smiled.
"The great Halberton…time to shut the curtains on this actor for good."
Back at the fleet, in the Archangel, Halberton and the command crew of the Archangel were discussion about the events that had followed. Ramius stood in the middle of the group with Badgiruel to her right and Van and Flaga to her left. The four had their hats off and left them at the side with their arms.
"We shall look at the events that had transpired as actual tests for this ship and the Gundam unit. They will become valuable assets to the Earth forces one day." Halberton's second said
The Admiral grinned a bit,
"Hmp, the Earth forces of today have little understanding of galactic battles are…These four understand me. There's no doubt about that."
Halberton's second in command looked at his data pad.
"There will be no further discussion regarding the Coordinator amongst us. We wish to keep this information under wraps. It would stir too much trouble.
"Kira Yamato only went aboard the Strike to protect his friends." Ramius said, "We wouldn't have been able to escape if not for his added effort. Circumstances coerced him to face the fact of fighting his own kind. It has troubled him deeply. He was not trained for this kind of work. He is a good and honest boy. We should give him the trust that he deserves."
"But…" Halberton's second said, "To just let him go like this…"
Badgiruel stepped forward a bit to speak,
"I may be out of line here, but I believe the colonel shares my opinion." She said, agreeing with Halberton's second in command, "Everyone can see that he is indeed an adept pilot, but he has been exposed to nearly all the secrets of Project G."
"Heh, four of the machine had been secured by ZAFT," Halberton said, "There aren't many secrets left for him to reveal to the ZAFT forces if he were to turn or captured now."
"But sir, he is a valuable asset. If possible, I would recommend him to officially join the Imperial forces."
The others were moved by what Badgiruel had said.
"But from what the captain just said, I have no such intentions at all."
"Both his parents are Naturals, escaped from Heliopolis just before the war began. If the army would provide protection for them-," Badgiruel was suddenly interrupted by the man's fist to the table in front of him.
"What a joke. Can we deploy such soldiers in this situation?" The commanding sound of his voice made even the once looked to stern ensign back down with almost fear in her eyes.
"Forgive me, sir." She bowed a bit and stepped back next to Ramius.
Halberton stood up.
"Let's not talk about the past. We should be discussing ways to handle the future." He began to calm down from his out burst, "After this, the Archangel will land on the Alaskan Headquarters."
A few hours later, thee refugees of Heliopolis were all getting ready to be transported in a shuttle to the Montreal where from there they will begin their landing onto Earth to their homeland, Orb.
Kira was already out of his uniform and back in his clothes that he wore to his day to school the few weeks earlier. He walked passed the hanger that was beginning to load the civilians.
Outside, a supply ship was loading the Archangel with fresh supplies of ammunition and among other things. The chief machinic, Murdoch, checked the load and saw that they were being given a few new mobile weapons.
"Hmmm, two Skygrasper assault fighters and two Spearhead fighters." Murdoch read off the data pad in his hand.
Flaga would take one of the fighters since they were designed for flight on the Earth. They ship also had two of the only surviving pilots, from the escort fleet, that had not been killed. They were assigned to the Archangel as well as Flaga and Van.
Back in the conference room, the Admiral began to conclude the meeting.
"That is all then," Halberton said
"I'll do my best to personally relay your message to Alaska as faithfully as possible." Ramius saluted,
Flaga stepped up a bit,
"It was difficult rejecting this being a survivor," Flaga said
The Admiral himself bowed a bit to the four of them.
"Thank you,"
The group left and went about their own separate business, Van waited until everyone was left. Halberton was about to walk out when Van spoke out,
"I think the last time we met was…9 years ago." Van said
Halberton's mask that he was holding to the other came off.
"It has really been a long time…Milliardo Peacecraft."
The man Van was addressing narrowed his eyes at Van, pretending that he didn't understand what he was talking about.
"You think I am too young to remember or can see who you once were…"
Halberton was silent for a moment and the laughed a bit,
"You are truly the son of Jacen Fanel."
"I thought you gave up your habit of changing names." Van said
"Times were different back then. After the fall of the Federation, any of Jacen's loyalists were in danger. Noin and I had to change our names and go our separate ways. I can see Mwu and Murrue blending in just fine without changing their names, but Noin and I are more known than the two of them."
"Of course, it must be hard on you, hearing that name that really isn't your name…but I think you are used to being called someone else. During the Great Eve War, you were known as Zechs Marquise, the ace pilot of the OZ forces."
"What is your point, Van?"
Van turned to leave,
"I just want to convene something my father had said to me once… 'A name is what signifies the existence of an object or a person…Therefore if the name is false…then its existence itself is also false…'" Van then quietly walked out of the room.
Elsewhere on the ship, Tolle, Sai, Mille, and Kuzzey were handed papers. The papers meant that they official resign as military personnel.
"Resignation papers?" Mille asked, "Doesn't that make us soldiers?"
"This says here that were assigned to the Archangel of the 8th Fleet," Kuzzey said
"Because it is absolutely illegal to even think of using civilians to even just assist a military vessel in operations let alone go into battle." Badgiruel said, "Where is Kira?-Oh forget it. Give it to him the next time you see him."
"As an evasive maneuver, we've wrote down that you all enlisted a few months prior to the events at Heliopolis to make it legal." The colonel that was with Halberton said, "So now all you have to do is sign your name on those pieces of paper and you can be on your way…that is unless you want to stay, that is at your discretion…Now as for the military secrets, you should all know that-,"
"Um…" Fllay raised her hand from behind the crowd
"What is it Fllay?" Badgiruel asked
Fllay stepped up to the Ensign.
"I…I want to volunteer and enlist in the force." Fllay said
This came to a shock to everyone.
"Fllay?" Sai was shocked the most of all.
In the Mobile Suit hanger where the Strike was kept, Kira looked at his Gundam…no…it was never HIS Gundam to begin with, but he had created a bond with it. As he looked at the machine, memories of the passed 2 weeks came back to him. He remembered the first time he jumped in. How Ramius was having a hell of a time trying to get it running. How he had defeated his first Mobile Suit. He didn't want to say it was fun, but it was very memorable.
"Can't bear to leave, Kira?" Van said as he walked up to him.
"Oh, Van-san, I didn't see you there."
Van looked at the Strike.
"I must have looked at this thing a hundred times now, and am still impressed by such surprising candor. With the Coordinators having a bigger leap in technology than Earth, we decided to jump ahead of them even more. We've created demonic machines"
"I wouldn't call such things as demons." Kira said
The two were silent for a moment.
"You're parents are Naturals, right?"
"Yes…what dreams did they hope to achieve by turning you into a Coordinator?"
"Uh," Kira didn't know what to say to that. Should he be insulted?
"I'm sorry, that was uncalled for…I assume you know about my father through your history books?"
"Yes, he was a great man, very respectful."
Van smiled a bit,
"Some called him a fool, others 'The beloved tyrant'. He was born into this world unlike all the others. He was a very different man who had a vision…peace and unity…You know Kira, some would call me a Coordinator because I am genetically not very natural. There is nothing in my body that isn't augmented from the time I was born…but to tell you the truth, my father and mother were the real Coordinators."
Kira was a little surprised. None of the history books he had read about or seen had once said that the great Duke Jacen Fanel was ever a Coordinator.
"They were more than that actually. They were the products of genetic manipulation and genetic engineering. Many would say that that's what a Coordinator is, but they were different…While the Coordinators we know of are augmented humans, my parents…and some others such as the famous Gundam pilot Heero Yuy, was specifically designed for wars and battles. I on the other hand was born from the union of the love my parents had for each other, but as they say, your genetics comes back to haunt you eventually."
A crewmember walks up to Van, saluting first before giving his message.
"Major, the Admiral is about to leave."
"Thank you, I better go see the old man off." Van started to walk out, "If we ever get the chance we should talk more…you and I have a lot more in common than you think…Don't die until the good times come."
Van walks off. Then, Kira spoke out from his silence.
"Um what will happen to the Archangel?"
"The Archangel will head straight for Earth. Another battlefield awaits it…and another battlefield awaits me."
"Well…I…" Kira was not able to find the right words to come out,
"I know what you have in mind. Your strength is tremendous for a soldier, your bloodline is reflected in the strength, but even you will not be able to win this war by yourself. Don't think TOO highly of yourself, Kira."
"Well do whatever you can without me then."
"Those without the will…shall end up with nothing." Van then walks away, "See you around…Kira Yamato."
"What a joke, Miss Allster," Badgiruel said to Fllay about her saying she is enlisting.
"I am not joking." Fllay said, not with a more confident voice, "My mind has been a whirlwind since my father's death. After my father's mishap, all I can think of was to leave this place, but after all this, I felt strange. I am compelled to stay. Is there consolation now? Is there peace now?-No, even if I return to Earth, the war is not over. The world is still at war. It has eluded me only because I had been in a neutral state all along. My father worked hard to end wars, even though he'll never measure up to Relena Peacecraft. If true consolation and peace can only be attain through wars…then I will inherit my father's destiny and enter combat and do all I can to contribute to the cause."
She was stronger than before. She was no longer the timid girl from the start ho only cared about herself. She was sincere to her words. The strength in her words can only have come from her father.
Kira was in the hanger along with the other refugees, preparing to leave. He was still conflicting with himself about leaving. The things Van had said to him. He wondered in his mind was Van right? But what could he do?
Kira stood there, thinking.
Fllay was taken away with Badgiruel and the Colonel to discuss this with the captain, leaving the others behind. Sai turned to his friends.
"Is the world still engaged in wars?" Sai asked himself
Everyone looked at the piece of paper in their hands. They wondered what they really want to do.
Kira was waiting in line as he was guided to the shuttle. Then the same little girl he had bumped into from before walked to him. She reached into her small bag and took out a paper flower she made and gave it to Kira.
"Thank you for protecting us." The girl said
Kira was actually surprised to hear this from the girl. He was thanked by those who he fought with…now he was thanked by this little girl whom he had protected…He was never really thanked for such deeds in his life. He wondered now was he running away from his true duty.
Sai ripped the piece of paper in half, shocking his friends before him.
"Sai, what are you doing!" Kuzzey shouted
Sai looked down on the ripped piece of paper and then looked up.
"Fllay has spoken my mind." Sai said, "Besides, we just can't leave her alone here."
Tolle smiled and then ripped his paper as well with great enthusiasm.
"You took the words right out of my mouth, Sai…And the Archangel is understaffed anyway. I don't think they'll mind us helping out a little more. I hate to see this ship get struck down right after we leave, knowing that we might have helped."
Mille then ripped her paper as well,
"Well, if you are staying, then of course I'm staying." The two turned to Kuzzey, who also ripped his as well
"Well if you are all going off on an adventure, how can I let you have all the fun without me?"
"You're such a fool," Mille said
"No you are," Kuzzey said,
"No, you are," Sai said and the four began to laugh it out.
Tolle then looked at the piece of paper on the bed which belonged to Kira.
"You think he'll leave?" Tolle asked
"He is a grown boy, he can decide for himself," Mille said
Kira bent down to the girl's height, and took the flower from her.
"Thank you." The little girl floated back to her mother and waved back to him
Not too far off, the ZAFT fleet of three ships was preparing to attack the fleet. Their biggest advantages were the four Gundams they had stolen from the Alliance. They might be outnumbered, but they were the elite.
"MS will depart in five minutes," someone announced over the PA in the hanger of one of the ships, "All pilots prepare for launch."
Athrun got in his unit and checked his systems, turning his Gundam on.
On the Gamow, Yzak walked out of sickbay, with the doctor trying to get him back in.
"Lieutenant, you can't go out in your condition!" the doctor shouted
"Whatever, I'm going out there!" Yzak shouted as he shoved the man off and ran out.
Yzak had a bandage around his forehead and one covering his right eye.
Back on the Archangel, the refugees were already boarding the shuttle. Kira then turned around at the sound of his name.
"Kira, wait!" Tolle shouted
Tolle was accompanied by the others. He was holding the resignation paper in his hand.
"Where have you all been?" Kira asked
"Here, take this," Tolle grabbed Kira's hand and handed him the piece of paper. "Your resignation,"
Kira looked at his friends, and realized that they are all still in uniform. It then hit them…they were not leaving with him.
"We've decided to stay with the Archangel and with the Earth Forces," Sai said
In the bridge of the Montreal,
"Sir, sensors have detected three ZAFT warships heading this way, a destroyer and two frigates!"
"At a time like this…" Halberton said to himself.
On the Archangel's bridge, they had already detected the incoming ships as well.
"Get the shuttle out of here." Ramius ordered, "Once it is out, go to level 1 battle stations! Go to red alert!"
In a locker room somewhere in the ship, Fllay had picked a uniform and wore it, discarding her old clothes.
"Fllay has decided to join the force before us…" Sai said, "We can't just leave her here."
This new information shocked Kira even more. Just as he was about to say something, the alarm was raised.
"All hands go to level 1 battle stations. Red alert! This is not a drill…repeat, this is not a drill."
"Go on Kira," Tolle said, giving Kira a push in the direction of the shuttle "Such is fate, hope you return safely to Earth."
The four began to leave.
"Stay alive, Kira," Sai said as he left the room.
The ZAFT ships had already sent out their units. They were waiting for the rest to move out.
Athrun's Gundam was on the launch pad.
"This is Athrun Zala, dusting off." Athrun flew out of the hanger and activated his Phase Shift armor, giving his Gundam its familiar red color.
Yzak had quickly got into his slight suit and jumped into his Gundam against the advices of the others.
"Lt, please reconsider!" one of the techs implored him, but he was too stubborn to listen.
Yzak's Duel Gundam was upgraded with the "Assault Shroud", giving it twice the fire power and armor than before. It was fiercer than ever.
"Leave me alone!" Yzak shouted as he moved his Gundam to the catapult. "Damn you Kira…I'll make you pay for this…count on it."
Back on the Archangel, Kira was frozen in his place, not knowing what to do. Around him, combat preparations were at work. He can see the Moebius Zero and the Escaflowne being prepped. Words of orders from Murdoch to the other techs were about. He looked at the form in his hand and then at the flower that the little girl gave her.
'Thank you for protecting us.' The little girl said
'What luck to return to Earth…Go then, I wish you well.' Ramius had said to him
'Just do whatever you can,' Flaga's words came in mind.
'Those without the will…shall end up with nothing,' Van's last words to him were.
Kira then crumbled the paper in his hands and then throws it away.
"Let's go," He jumps off to the door looking at the yellow paper flower in his hand.
To be continued…
Tech info
Agamemnon class battleship
The Earth Alliance's Agamemnon class battleship is primarily designed to serve as a fleet's flagship. It is armed with high energy cannons much like the Gottfrieds that the Archangel has and it can launch its compliments of Mobile Armors much quicker than the Nelson or Drake class. The Agamemnon class ship, Montreal, served as the flagship of the 8th Fleet under the command of Rear Admiral Lewis Halberton.
GAT-X102 Duel Gundam Assault Shroud
After sustaining heavy damage in combat against strike, Duel was refitted with an "Assault Shroud", a set of extra equipment designed to increase its mobility and firepower. Based on similar devices used by other ZAFT Mobile Suits, the Assault includes a compact 115mm "Shiva" railgun on the right shoulder, a 5-barrel missile pod on the left shoulder, as well as an extra layer of armor and additional vernier thrusters to compensate for the added weight.
With this upgraded Mobile Suit, Yzak vows to get revenge on Kira, who scarred his face in the last battle between them.
Characters
Lewis Halberton
The Commander of the Imperial Alliance's 8th Fleet, and the chief proponent of the development project that created the Archangel, and the five new Gundams. Admiral Halberton is a bold and talented leader who had led many battles in the past, during the Great War. Respected by his enemies and admired by the people under his command and he is prepared to ensure that the Alliance's new weapons make it safely to Earth.
A moment in the story was when Van addressed the Admiral by a different name, as a man known to really Milliardo Peacecraft, a famous war veteran of the Great War. He was one of many that were the loyalists to his father before the collapse of the old Federation government and had changed his name and even the way he looks to escape. Natarle Badgiruel, Mwu La Flaga, and Murrue Ramius were others that changed their identity and had reintegrated themselves into the Imperial military