Gundam Seed: The Federation

by Blackshadow999

Different telling of Gundam Seed. With the conflict between Naturals and Coordinators getting worse as time passes, some nations have banded together and formed the organization known as the Human Federation. Will the Federation be able to help bring peace or will the hatred between Naturals and Coordinators destroy everything and bring extinction of humanity? Cover by SaddlePatch

11. Phase 11: Down to Earth

A/n

I'm finding and I'm sure some of you are noticing that the more recent the chapter has been put out, the less that is different. Anyways, I don't own nothing from the Gundam universe, only my own original characters and musings with which I write stories with. If you see similarities, it's a coincidence, that's my reasoning and I'm sticking to it! Now, on with the story!

---

Phase 11: Down to Earth

February 20th, 71 C.E.

---

-Neutral pov-

The Archangel

"We are entering Atmospheric Interface phase three, deploying ablative gel in preparation for entering the thermosphere," announced Arnold. And shortly after he had made the statement, the Archangel began to shake noticeably as the effect of friction with Earth's Atmosphere, and most visual pictures became distorted from the atmospheric heat.

"Mu, to your right, it's the three mobile suits!" shouted Krystal, with tones of growing dismay.

The crew also stared in horror as the Strike, Asuka and Shadow came into view of the bridge viewing ports and the sight of them plunging into the atmosphere on their own caused serious worry and panic. The feelings increased as it became clearer that the three mobile suits were falling in completely different paths from one another and the Archangel itself. The Strike was shorter distance away than the other two suits, but even the Strike was a sizable distance from the ship as it fell. Perhaps if they had full or three-quarters power levels, the Strike might be able to make it back to the ship, yet the Asuka and the Shadow even with fully charged batteries, it would be a stretch for them to return to the Archangel. However, all three were low on power after the battle, due to its length and the odds stacked against them, so they were in a harsh position that they may have to do atmospheric reentry on their own.

"Kira! Lacus! Tyler!" cried Tolle as he watched what the scene playing out.

"No way," muttered Sai with growing concern.

"They not seriously thinking of attempting reentry on their own?!" questioned Natarle incredulously.

"They may not have a choice with the situation as it is," said Sophia. "How accurate are those specs on those suits mentioned before, cause there is a chance they're going to be put to the test?!"

"The specs don't matter at this point!" said Arnold. "Their descent angle differs from our own! Even if they make it through reentry, they're going to land in completely different places than we will!"

Tolle pushing aside his worry about their friends, knowing that panicking wouldn't help in this. He quickly started inputting data on his console to do something that would help in this situation. Once the data of where the suits would end out with their current descent vectors came up Tolle read what was on the screen, "Calculations say that Lacus will land around the coastline to the south of the Middle East." he said, pausing as the calculations for the Asuka's and Shadow's courses appeared, "The Asuka and Shadow, somewhere within the Equatorial Union boundaries, but likely in different places."

"That puts the Strike very close to ZAFT territory! The other two would be separated from us for who knows how long or if they would get help," exclaimed Pal.

"And there's no way for any of them to make it back here in their current state," muttered Murrue, considering the options there were to change things. She only saw one that could give their pilots a chance, even if it complicated the Archangel's mission for an amount of time. "Alright then, bring us closer to them! The Archangel's thrusters should be powerful enough to get the Strike and give the other two a chance to get to the ship!"

"Yes ma'am!" said Arnold without hesitation.

Then Arnold beginning to divert their course, knowing that doing during this phase of reentry or later is risky, as it could do extensive damage and cause the ship to have a more difficult time through reentry if the ship got through at all. But, the risk was seen as worth it to give all three of the Archangel's mobile suit a chance to get back to the ship and not have to do reentry on their own. Those suit's pilots had protected this ship and those on board more than enough for them all to wish to help those young Coordinators out of the jam they were in.

"If they can get on the top deck, then the Archangel should be able to shield them from the worst of the atmospheric heat," said Sophia, doing some quick figuring of the dangers that the pilots still faced. "Haw! Instruct them to land on the upper deck as soon as possible!"

The Archangel fired up all its thrusters hard and moved itself closer to the falling mobile suits. The Strike saw the Archangel moving closer and made its way to it, quickly landing on the upper deck. Those on the white ship stared at the Asuka and Shadow, hoping to see them get closer so that they could land on the ship. However, that wasn't what was happening, the distance wasn't decreasing enough for the two mobile suits to get to the Archangel in the limited timeframe there was before things became worse. Then, as all watched, as there was movement with the two distant mobile suits and then, the Asuka quickly flying towards the Archangel. Just as the Asuka got to be above the ship, the Strike leapt up and caught the hand of the other mobile suit and brought them both back on to the upper deck of the Archangel.

Sai was looking over his station's display, which still showed the signals of the three mobile suits. Yet, suddenly, one signal disappeared from the screen and his eyes widened. "Captain, we've lost the signal of the Shadow," he said.

All the students looked worried, as they understood that they didn't know where Tyler was anymore. None of them believed for a second, that Tyler had died, where he was… none could say, but alive they were sure of! Murrue gritted her teeth and sighed at the difficult decision she was about to make, "I'm sorry to say that the Shadow will be on its own. Arnold hold our descent vector as it is now and continued on our present entry vector," she ordered.

Arnold hesitated as did all the rest of the bridge crew, even Natarle at being told that Tyler would be on his own. He had become a member of the crew not too long after coming back, so to be told to leave them… was weighing on him. Then the Archangel's pilot nodded, "Understood ma'am, continuing descent down to Earth… and good luck to Tyler on getting through reentry and landing," he commented.

The rest on the bridge nodded and muttered agreement to the statement as the Archangel resumed its journey down to Earth. The view of the southwestern most area of the Eurasia Federation, was getting larger all the time as the Archangel flew lower and lower.

-Line Break-

-Tyler's pov-

Lower Exosphere

The farewell to my friend as we were parting ways was shorter than I would've liked, but it was the best under the current circumstances that come be given. I watched as the Asuka sailed in the direction of the Archangel, knowing that I'd made the best decision in sending Kira back instead of going myself. Kira Yamato, as naïve as he is at times, has the heart of gold and the resolve to protect those on board the Alliance vessel if the need arises, and I've complete confidence in him in that. An alarm going off in the cockpit, called back my attention to the matter at hand, which got me looking down at the readouts on the center display screen. The sensors were telling me that the distance I'd fallen, which had me under 800 kilometers from Earth's surface. I would be soon entering the Thermosphere and that is the roughest part of the atmosphere. So then, it wouldn't be all that long before the first major difficulty of reentry comes, besides the landing portion of the process and I would deal with that when it came.

The question that comes to mind right now is, who was it that designed the systems that the mobile suit will depend on to prevent me from dying or losing consciousness before getting through the atmosphere and then land on the ground. If they were Federation scientists or personnel, then I'm less worried about how things would go. However, if the Earth Alliance personnel were responsible for the necessary system for reentry, then I'm seriously concerned! Nevertheless, I no longer get the choice in this instance, so I work with what I get and pray that those who built this machine knew what they were talking about!

I started by using the mobile suit's thrusters to maneuver myself into a more controlled fall, this in the effort to lock in as stable of a descent vector as I could get. Doing so, had me facing downward towards Earth's surface, along with my machine to have as much surface area as it could. My adjustments made, I then shifted the Shadow's shield to be in front of the cockpit, to lessen the heat I would have to feel… I hope. The temperature inside the cockpit was already above a hundred degrees and it was still climbing, it felt like I was in an oven.

Once my course was set, I looked down below and saw the Earth sphere laid out before me and what a view it was! It was breathtaking, the southern half of the Asian continent was slightly above the center of my view. I saw my homeland, the Republic of East Asia below, the Shania Sea to the south of the Republic, shined blue mixed with the white of the clouds above its surface. The old Indonesian islands that were a part of the Equatorial Union were also visible from my current perspective. Even at times like this, seeing a beautiful sight like this, makes me wonder why those who wish for this war to keep going, it makes no sense. Yet, I didn't get to look at the view below me for all that long as the buffeting around that came with reentry starting and I was forced to concentrate harder.

On the peripherals of my vision, I spotted something descending to be beside me on the right-side screen, when I looked to my right, I saw it was a Federation Delta Fighter coming into position along side me. There was no doubt who was the pilot was in my mind, so I opened a com-channel, "I take it your planning to join me for the reentry process then, are you Lisa," I asked.

"I certainly don't intend to allow you to go through the process alone, especially in an untested mobile suit," she replied.

I couldn't disagree about the untested suit making this an experience that I'm not liking or looking forward to. "So then, can I assume that Allen and Luke won't be joining us for this and will be meeting up with us later" I returned.

"You would be correct Tyler, they'll return to the Donnen for the time being," answered Lisa.

The shaking that the Shadow had been undergoing became worse than before, meaning Lisa and I were about to come into the thermosphere where the really 'ride' of reentry happens. There are three different parts to the process of reentry to get down to earth; that's descend into the atmosphere, getting through the atmosphere itself and lastly, landing of course. Right now, Lisa and I were in the first part of this process which takes place in the exosphere and above it. The second part of reentry, started when you hit the thermosphere and lasts until you reach the stratosphere and then the landing is still left. I've done reentry before, but that had been in a Delta Fighter and those are made to do this task and they've been heavily tested to make sure of it.

However, for this round, I'm in a mobile suit that "in theory" can do reentry on its own, but no guarantees that it can do the job, yet I'm about to do reentry anyways. I'm already wishing that I could find those who built this machine and stuff them into this cockpit and have them do this first, but that's not an option right now. While I was quietly cursing the builders and designers of this suit to myself, I observed the main wings of Lisa's fighter retract in a little, making it easier for my companion to steer her machine through the descent. There was only minutes before things became even more rocky as the two of us continued the descent towards Earth's surface. It was then, the Shadow's sensors, which was kind of surprising to me, picked up two signals behind Lisa and I. Risking a glance, I moved my mobile suit's head to look backward and what I saw… was the Aegis and a black CGUE falling a short distance behind us.

The Aegis was in its mobile armor attack mode, with its four limbs outstretched to grab and hold of objects. That made me think that Athrun was about to try to grab the CGUE and then will probably try to fly up out of the atmosphere like he had a little while ago with a different mobile suit. Now, under most circumstances, that's not a bad plan to go with, if not for one particular wrinkle in this, power supply. I would bet and even assume that the Aegis is running well below half of its battery's full capacity by this point. With that in mind, even should my blue haired friend grab the other mobile suit, he wouldn't have enough power for the Aegis's thrusters to escape the pull of Earth's gravity with how deep we are in it. So, knowing that fact, that meant that not only would Lisa and I be going through the reentry process, so would the Aegis and the CGUE.

The other issue in this for me, the black CGUE… belongs to Sakura Clyne and that fact doesn't sit well with me. I may not like how Sakura acts around me or what she does to me when she catches me, but that doesn't mean that I want Sakura dead. The woman that was Lacus's older sister, isn't as bad as her reputation suggests, the quirk of the way she acts around me aside. If Sakura would just leave me alone, not catch me and try to dominate me, then things would be fine! But silly me, I'm too much of a damn nice guy to look the other way most of the time, I just can't bring myself to do it and be able to live with myself afterward. That's the way I am and so, I couldn't help the eye roll that happened because of the frustration I felt at the sight behind me.

I opened a channel to the two machines behind us, "You know, the things that one does to have you taking such risks like this, are probably not my business, and normally I wouldn't pry into other's chosen hobbies. However, I feel the need to speak up and say something, when this particular type of thrill seeking is being done by those who should really know better," I remarked over the com-line.

"Tye," muttered Athrun.

"Tyler! Fate has brought us together once again!" said Sakura happily.

And there's the weird behavior from her again, I couldn't help the sigh that escaped me at hearing Sakura. "Now's not the time for that Sakura, do give attention to the current situation, please, mistakes in this environment can easily get you killed and normally do so."

I focused on what needed to be done, now there were going to be four us in this group of descent there needed to be changes. Athrun would be running lower on power and CGUEs weren't designed to do this task at all. And so, I quickly thought up a plan that was one that was seriously "flying by the seam of our pants", but that's all I got! "Athrun listen to me, you won't be able to escape the pull of gravity with the power you likely have left by this point, so don't try it. I know the specs of that machine better than you would think and I would guess you're working with less than half of the suit's full power. Even with full power, I would question if you could make it out at this stage. Instead, put as much of what you have left into the Aegis's phase shift armor system, it should provide the best possible protection from the heat. Then use the Aegis's attack mode and latch on to my suit, it should be able to provide enough shielding from heat to make up for power your suit's lacking and get you through reentry." I took a breath, "And you Sakura, as ZAFT CGUE suit models aren't built with doing atmospheric reentry without a descent pod, you'll need to ride my colleague's fighter down."

"Tye, what are you," Athrun started.

Nevertheless, my friend was cut off by Sakura herself, "Do as he says Zala. We're going to go through atmospheric reentry and there is no way out of that anymore, we're in too deep."

I readjusted the Shadow to return it to the vector I'd been on before noticing Athrun and Sakura. While I did that, Sakura descended and gently landed on top of Lisa's fighter and Athrun moved the Aegis lower and latched the mobile suit to my own. A dull thunk registered as the Aegis tapped the back of my machines, followed by four more bumps as the Aegis's limbs closed around the Shadow's frame. Then, we all steeled ourselves as we then came into the thermosphere and the temperature and the shaking increased a large amount as we kept descending downward towards the Earth's surface.

The buffeting around from the shaking that my mobile suit was being put through from the effects of atmospheric reentry, wasn't nice at all. Being bounced around inside the cockpit was harsh enough, but added to that, the cockpit was also feeling like an professional grade oven too and I'm not meat to roast. Inside the Shadow, things had gone beyond hot, I was literally roasting and only my pilot suit was preventing my body from overheating and me dying. Heck, it didn't take long for my pilot suit's medical support system to activated and attempt to keep me from fainting. The lower my group fell towards the Earth's surface, the harder things became. Not only was gravity getting stronger, but the high the temperature climbed, the less effective my ability for my brain and body to function became. My hands clenched the controls tightly in what was close to a death grip, doing the utmost to maintain the entry vector that I'd set. I'd taken the time to switch off the systems that weren't necessary and diverted the power to go into the phase shift armor system to make my chances as high as possible not to have issues. This threw the cockpit into darkness except the glow from the displays and some of the controls.

Yet, my body temperature was still climbing along with the temperature in the cockpit and it was very unhealthy. The medical support system in my suit is one that's standard in Federation pilot suits. The system's function is to assist the body in working at times that the pilot is injured or is in serious trouble. The support system was doing the best it could to keep my body temperature from rising too high, where it would put my life in danger. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be able to keep up long with the kind of temperatures that you experience in the atmosphere, found that out the previous time did an atmospheric descent in a Delta Fighter.

My grip on the suit's controls tightened even more as the shaking increased in violence and was rocking of the suit good. It was taking a noticeably more effort to hold the descent vector that had been set. The descent vector I had chosen to go with was on the steeper end of the spectrum, but with untested machines, I wanted the reentry process done as quickly as possible so, I chose less fall time over a less rough ride. The exchange that came with that, is reentry is a good deal rougher than if you chose a shallower entry vector. I was certainly thankful to the restraints that strapped me into the pilot seat, or I would likely be thrown around the cockpit if I wasn't. And then, I wouldn't doubt I would be getting to experience some serious whiplash and I would prefer not to do that when I don't have to. I gritted my teeth as the shaking kept up, holding the controls where they were to make sure I stayed on the path, that would hopefully get me through this steep reentry in one piece.

The view of Earth's surface was now narrower but still of the southeastern part of Asia, that included the Equatorial Union and the Republic of East Asia. There was also the northern half of the Oceania Union in the view that we had, but it was disappearing. Our current course would have myself and the others with me coming down off the eastern coastline of the Republic, so if things go bad, there would be help around to assist. For the next ten to fifteen minutes, which felt twice as long if not more than the time it was, I steeled myself against the tremors rocking my mobile suit. No doubt I would be sore later from all this buffeting around, the human body isn't made to undergo this kind of abuse for long periods of time.

But then finally, the shaking died off along with the orange glow of the flames that came from the friction from the atmosphere went away. My group had arrived in the Stratosphere and now comes the next and final leg of the descent, landing. The issue thus far, I was dead tired and would lose consciousness soon enough due to the effects of steep reentry, would be worse if not for the work of the medical support system in my pilot suit. I hoped I was still able enough to do what I saw would be needed for the last leg of the journey. Crashing kind makes reentry almost pointless since you didn't live through it and I would like to avoid slamming into the ground if at all possible.

The Aegis detached from the Shadow and floated backward a short distance. After confirming Athrun was behind me, I pushed the throttle for my mobile suit's thrusters forward… and I felt nothing, but heard I audible bang. My intuition tells me that the series of sounds I just heard, doesn't bode well for the current situation, more like I'm screwed as things stand. Next moment, an alarm began going off and upon looking at the forward screen, the reason was being displayed, and what I saw didn't comfort me. By what was iterated, the thrusters, all eight of them, had taken enough damage in the thermosphere and weren't responding to commands from the cockpit controls. So, landing by my own power… isn't going to be possible with the Shadow's thrusters as they are. Well, suppose I should check with the others to see what how their situation is, have to see what else there will be to deal with. I would bet a large sum of money that there'll be other problems besides my own, "What's everyone's status?" I asked in a tired voice.

The first to answer my injunction was Athrun, "The Aegis's thrusters aren't working." Athrun uttered over the com-channel.

My friend's voice clearly told that he was fighting to stay awake from the draining effects of reentry, much like I was. Yet, in Athrun's case, I believe the battle we all fought, he was closer to the end of it. "I'm okay, but I don't know how much longer it will stay that way," responded Lisa.

"I think all of us are in that position," commented Sakura and even she sounded tired and out of it.

Unfortunately, I do believe Sakura is right in what she said, we are all just a short period of time before we lose consciousness. That's problem number one, none of us are up to landing safely on our own. Issue number two, crashing into the water wouldn't be good, as then we would have to be fished out and can't begin to guess how long that will take. Third point to add to the list, my sensor screen showed… of all things, the two Alliance shuttles with the refugees from before were located a small distance behind the four of us.

That left us with really one option in this for all of us to land safely and not crash, that was to call for assistance from the Federation military. I switched over the com-channel and took a deep breath, "This is Commander Tyler McGregor, identification code 13 A 57 U 62 E 29 S, requesting immediate assistance. My team and I are unable to land on our own, machines' thrusters are not responding. Our team is made up of two unclassed mobile suits, one CGUE and one Delta fighter. There are also two shuttles coming in behind us, their passengers are refugees from Heliopolis, over," I stated.

I didn't have to wait long for the response to my request, "We hear you commander, we have you and your team on sensors. A fighter squadron is scrambling to assist you. We also have the two shuttles and will take care of them and refugees when they land," responded a voice from the other end, that was likely from the military command center in the Republic.

Within the passing of a couple of minutes, in which the surface of the ocean got a sizable amount closer, twelve delta fighters flew past us and then came up behind us. "Commander McGregor, this is Lieutenant Coal, we're coming up behind you. One of us will get under you and have you land on the fighter, and then we'll take you and your team into land," said Lieutenant Coal.

I was beginning to breathe harder as I had to fight actively to stay awake, I switched the com on, "Understood Lieutenant," I got out.

A fighter came into view below me, though I don't have the main thrusters, I can still maneuver my mobile suit enough for what I needed. Shortly after the fighter positioned below me, I came down and landed on the top of them and then held on the best I could. Looking at my sensor screen, I saw that what had been done for me was being done for the Aegis. I switched the com-channel, "Athrun… (huff) you okay?" I asked.

I heard nothing in reply… meaning Athrun was likely out cold at this point, I sighed and shook my head to try and keep myself from passing out. "Lisa, you still with me? We already lost one of us so far I believe," I asked.

Heard Lisa gasping, "Switching my fighter… over to do an automated landing sequence," said my female friend.

It sounded like Lisa was close to being gone to la la land, in fact I heard switches being flipped before a faint bump came over the line… which I took to mean Lisa had fainted. Even in Delta fighters, atmospheric reentry is still hard on the pilot and making it through awake upon landing, it's around fifty percent success rate, perhaps a little more. That was before you take into account the entry vector I picked, that makes it much harder. It's really why there's an automate landing sequence programed into the fighters for most make it through the first two phases of reentry and that's long enough to input the commands to do that sequence.

So, that's two out of four of us down, felt the waves of pain and tiredness washing over me and knew right then and there I wouldn't make it to the ground conscious. The issue is, there's still things that needed to be said before I fainted myself! I got back on the com-line and told Lieutenant Coal that the Aegis would need Earth Alliance codes that were third tier ranking. Then I transferred the codes I used for the Shadow as I wouldn't likely aware enough, if I was awake at all to open the cockpit. Just after I finished transferring the information, I could fight the encroaching grey tunnel no more and I fell into the embrace of unconsciousness.

-Line Break-

-Neutral pov-

The fighters that were carrying the Shadow and the Aegis broke off from the squadron and lined up with the runway at the Republic's airfields that were on the southeast coast. It was at the edge of the large city that was built along the coastline, the city was Shira, the capital of the Republic of East Asia.

The city itself encompassed an area of almost fifty kilometers in total and was close to an oval shape. Shira was divided into five major sections, the northern sector, which was mostly used for residential purposes. The eastern sector was commercial, and business used areas. The western was the industrial district where factories tended to end out in. Then the docking facilities and airport and other things that go with the two, took up the southern part of Shira. Finally, the central sector of the city, was where the government and administration buildings were.

The two fighters, the one holding the Shadow in the lead, came down and landed on the runway. The magnetic deceleration system caught the landing gear and began to assist the fighter to slowdown as the Shadow provided extra weight for the fighter to have to balance with. While at the other end of the runway, a magnetic repulsing emitter was also helping the fighter come to a stop safely. The second fighter with the Aegis on top of it, bumped down onto the runway in a path parallel to the first craft, mobile suit still on top. It also when through the same magnetic deceleration assistance before coming to a stop. The fighter that had come down with the third mobile suit, locked in its approach to the runway then landed perfectly, with the CGUE still holding on to the top.

The rest of the fighter squadron maneuvered themselves to escort the two Alliance shuttles as they descended towards a separate runway ahead of them. Many of the refugees on the shuttles were praying that they would land safely, even when the shuttle pilots said they would be coming to land in one of the nations that was allied with the Human Federation. As the wheels of the lead shuttle bumped onto the runway, a number of the passengers were breathing sighs of relief as the craft they were on was on the ground in one piece and alive.

Further down the airfield, the Shadow and the Aegis had been removed off the fighters that had brought them down and had been flipped over by cranes so that the hatches to their cockpits were facing upward. The black mobile suit became grey as its armor system shut off with no power being provided to it, the Aegis shortly followed suit. Federation pilots and workers were putting forth their efforts to open the Shadow's cockpit. As Tyler had given them the access codes, it didn't take long for the hatch to open and reveal the cockpit with Tyler inside, his breathing ragged and him out cold. Tyler was lifted out of the cockpit by two Federation pilots and lowered down towards the ground.

At the same time, an ambulance, sirens wailing, came barreling down the runway towards the mobile suits. By the time Tyler was at ground level, the paramedics had gotten out and retrieved a stretcher and headed towards the pilots carrying him. Tyler was quickly laid on the stretcher, helmet removed so that an oxygen mask could be put over his face, then he was being pushed back towards the ambulance.

Sakura was helped out of her black CGUE, and was standing, be it shakily on her own legs with the support of two Federation pilots. Her helmet had been taken off and she was glancing ahead, and she had enough time to see Tyler, helmetless on a stretcher being put into the ambulance. Just after she had the view, Sakura wasn't able to stay standing and then she, the last of the four that had descended to Earth fainted. She was quickly put into the ambulance along with Tyler and were driven to the closest hospital. While that happened, the unloading of the two shuttles began shortly after they landed on the runways at Shira. Government personnel quickly appeared and helped organize the process of unloading and identifying the refugees from Heliopolis. The vast majority of them were tired and shaken, but were grateful to feel solid ground under their feet.

As things moved along, a black car pulled up close to the shuttles and a woman got out of the vehicle and looked over the scene. She was 5'6" in height with Hazel eyes, which were looking over the numbers of people coming off the shuttles. Her hair was mostly brown, but had a small number of grey strands coming in, most of it in the back. The hair style was that of a braid that fell on the left side of the lady's face and went down to her upper chest. The woman was wearing a business suit, that was black and made up of a suit jacket and dress pants. The white blouse had ruffles that I could see between the V of the suit jacket that was held shut by a silver button a little more than halfway down.

The woman was Ellen Blass, the prime minister of the Republic and she'd come here as soon as she had been informed of the unfolding situation to take it in herself. What had been happening to these refugees from the Orb Union's colony Heliopolis, had been unfortunate in many ways. Ellen had heard the worries that Uzumi Athha had last night when he had called her to talk. What had befallen Heliopolis and its citizens hadn't been Uzumi's fault, and yet the man blamed himself. At least now, Ellen could soon put the Uzumi's mind at ease with the citizens that had been unaccounted, were now here on Earth and safe. Uzumi had been a friend and had helped her through hard times as well, so it was nice to be able to do the same.

Ellen came up to one of those trying to keep order, and asked him how things were going with the refugees. She was told that for most of the refugees were tired, battered and shaken, but most were calming down now they were on Earth and away from the fighting. The feeling was completely understandable, Lord knows that these people had seen far more of the ongoing war between the Alliance and ZAFT during the trip here than they should have to. Ellen after being briefed on the situation, walked through the crowd of people, trying to assist where she could. It was this habit of hers that had made Ellen known as a representative of the people and was well-liked by the citizen of the Republic. She'd never had an issue getting down to the same level as even the most impoverished person and treat them like they were a friend close to family.

As she mingled with the refugees, Ellen came across a man that she didn't expect to at all, not with these people. The man was middle aged, around the same age range as Ellen herself. He had dark brown hair and brown eyes. The man was wearing a light brown suit that was not well kept at the moment. Ellen herself, had met the man, his name was George Allster and since he was the Atlantic Federation's Vice Foreign Minister, she'd been required to deal with him. The man hadn't appeared to notice Ellen, so she spoke up, "George Allster, quite a surprise to find you among these people. Perhaps you're working on a change in yourself and position?"

George Allster turned and faced Ellen, "Blass… of course, I'm not changing things for myself and what would you care anyways?!" He replied.

Ellen sighed at Allster's reaction, "I see, suppose that hoping for improvement is still unfulfilled," she remarked.

The conversation that ensued between herself and George Allster was one that Ellen wasn't fond of. But then, the times before this that Ellen had been forced to be around this man, had not been pleasant to her. George Allster had proven to Ellen beyond a shadow of a doubt that his judgement was affected by his disliked and distain of non-Natural-type humans. Although, even if Ellen didn't say it, such mentality didn't sit well with her at all, more so with her son being a Coordinator. So, Ellen was silently relieved when the man moved along and ended their conversation.

Ellen resumed moving among the people from the shuttles, seeing what needs they had and if they could be met. This went on, until Ellen came across a young blonde-haired girl that was under the age of ten and she was clearly upset about something as she was quietly sobbing. Ellen knelt down in front of the child, taking out a handkerchief, "There there dear, things will be okay." Ellen brought the little girl into an embrace, quickly feeling the girl hugging back.

Memories of her daughter Lana, came to her mind as times that she had comforted her had felt quite similar to this. Ellen had the girl blow her nose and managed to calm down the child, "Now then dear, what has you crying? Perhaps I can be of help to you."

The girl sniffled and looked up at Ellen, "I-I lost my mommy, a-a-and I can't find herrrrrrrrrr," she said, breaking down into crying once more.

Ellen scooped up the girl and rocked her in her own arms, "Don't worry yourself about it, there are a lot of people around here, so finding one person is harder. But, I will help you find your mother, I wouldn't doubt that she's just as worried and sad at not knowing where you are as yourself," Ellen soothed.

The girl looked at Ellen, "You'd help me find my mommy?" she asked.

The woman, whose formerly crisp looking blouse was now somewhat messy from the crying girl pushing her face into the piece of clothing, smiled at the girl. "Of course I will dear, so then, what's your name?" she returned.

"My name is El nice lady," she replied.

Ellen continued to smile as she rose back up to her full height with El in her arms, "Well then El, let's go find your mother then, shall we?"

It took a little over five minutes, until El spotted her mother. Ellen made her way in the direction that the girl had indicated her mother was in. The woman was overjoyed to see her daughter again, and was thanking Ellen for bringing back her daughter, when one of the government personnel saw Ellen. The man snapped to attention at seeing Ellen, "Madam Prime Minister! There was talk that you were here, but I didn't know that you actually were ma'am."

Ellen waved at the man, "No need to be so formal during this kinds of events, the more help in this, the better I would say. So, I came down here as soon as I could to see what could be done to help these people. They have gone through far more than any should have, seen the horrible things that the war between the Alliance and ZAFT has brought about. It's best that they get some actual rest and peace of mind as quickly as they can."

The man nodded and continued along his way, while Ellen turned back to the pair of mother and daughter. El was staring curiously at Ellen, while her mother was looking at Ellen with a bit of embarrassment at spotting the mess that her daughter had very likely caused to Ellen's blouse. "Why was that man acting like that? And what is a brime minester?" El asked.

Ellen smiled at the young girl, "The man was being unnecessarily formal, some are like that. Then, the title is pronounced 'prime minister' and it simply means that I'm the one that manages and leads the country that you are currently in," Ellen answered.

El's mother bowed to Ellen, "I'm so sorry for the trouble my daughter has caused!" she said, clearly worried.

Ellen waved a hand in a dismissive gesture, "Oh don't worry about it. It was no trouble at all really, glad I was able to help. I'm not as intimidating as leaders from the Earth Alliance or ZAFT would say I am, especially with the nickname they have given me, I'm quite the opposite in fact. I tend to be one that will get to know most of those who I represent, and that's apparently why I keep getting reelected as prime minister."

Both El and her mother continued forward towards the check points that were screening people through and letting them into Shira. It was as Ellen was about to keep moving through the crowd to see what could be done, when she spotted a blonde-haired teenaged young woman a short distance from her current position.

The teen, who looked to be between fifteen and sixteen years of age, stood at five and a quarter feet in height, and appeared fit, yet not muscular. Her blonde hair was medium length and ended at about the bottom of her neck with the exception of her bangs which came down to just above her eyes. The girl had amber eyes, which complimented her blonde hair. She was wearing tan pants and a red-orange short-sleeved shirt. The reason that Ellen noticed her, was she recognized the girl even if she hadn't seen her for months, nor spoken to her in that time frame and that was unusual. The teen's name was Cagalli Yula Athha and she was the daughter of Uzumi Athha, the leader of Orb.

Ellen closed the distance that separated her and Cagalli and put a hand on the teen's shoulder, "Cagalli? I can't say that I expected to see you here, at least not with the Heliopolis refugees," she greeted.

Cagalli twisted around and looked at Ellen, her eyes widening slightly, "Prime Minister Blass," she uttered, quickly going into a bit of a panic.

Ellen smiled a bit, "I've told you to not use the title, Ellen is fine especially with the relationship we have. And you being among the refugees could explain why your father is as worried as he's been the last few weeks."

After Cagalli got ahold of herself, she and Ellen moved out of the crowd and entered the car that Ellen had used to get here. The car drove back to the Minister's residence and shortly after arriving, Cagalli found herself sitting in a chair, facing the leader of the Republic. It wasn't like Cagalli was nervous or afraid of the older woman or anything like that. Cagalli actually liked Ellen, she'd been like the mother that Cagalli never had really. Ellen had never complained when Cagalli had called in the middle of the night and woke her up, just to talk to another female about what was going on in her life. And Cagalli hadn't really had another female around her that she could talk to about things that she felt she couldn't speak to her father about, definitely not a mother figure.

Yet, Cagalli hadn't told her father about her trip to Heliopolis in anyway. The journey was supposed to be just to check on the rumor that the Alliance might be using Orb for their own purpose. However, the simple trip had gone so wrong, so quickly that Cagalli couldn't understand how things developed into the way events had played out. In fact, Cagalli found herself, talking about everything that had happened, without being able to stop herself from doing so. The whole chain of events had spiraled out of control and had become crazy so fast, even Cagalli had wondered how things had got to what they were.

Ellen had come to see Cagalli like a daughter, and Uzumi certainly hadn't a single issue with Ellen being a mother figure to her. In fact, it was more like Uzumi had been glad that his 'wild princess' daughter that she could sometimes be like, found a woman that she could honestly talk to. And perhaps learn some skills and good manners from, Uzumi had confided that could hope for such a thing for Cagalli. So, Ellen sat in her chair and just listened to Cagalli get the time away from Earth off her chest, for it seemed that the girl had been through a great deal.

Still, the chain of events that had come upon this girl and those from Heliopolis were far harsher than Ellen had imagined they were from the reports she'd read. None of it should have happened to begin with, from the attack on Heliopolis, to the refugees seeing the battlefields they had. Granted, it probably would've been better if Uzumi had announced that the Orb Union had joined the Human Federation last year. Nonetheless, she knew of and understood the reasons that Uzumi had to not announce the idea, but still. Unfortunately, Uzumi hadn't found who it was that had gone behind all the rest of Orb's government and had done an under-the-table deal with some from the Atlantic Federation. He had eliminated a good number and so was closing in on who it could be, but a sizable amount of damage had been done already.

It was also apparent, that Cagalli wasn't aware that there had been behind the scenes dealing with the Atlantic Federation by some within Orb's governing body. It hurt worse as Ellen knew Cagalli had a good heart and that it was in the right place.

-Line Break-

The Archangel, Eurasian Territory, southern Middle Eastern coastline

Both Kira and Lacus found themselves alone and falling through a sea of blackness, plummeting endlessly through the void. As they fell, voices shouting from unknown places from within the void…

"Kira! Lacus! Tyler!"

Random images floating around both Lacus and Kira as they kept falling forever through the black nothingness…

Countless heavy attacks bearing down on them… Ships of different shapes and sizes fighting one another flashed all around them at random.

Names of important people…

Athrun… Sakura…

Sai… Miriallia…

Tolle… Kuzzey…

Flay…

Tyler…

"Birdee!" came the mechanical chirp of a green robotic bird as it flitted from one high place to another as it looked at two young teenagers in two beds.

"Lacus! We got a problem! Lacus!" demanded a robotic voice that belonged to a pink ball shaped robot. The said robot was bouncing up and down, and then sometimes rolling around the floor of the room, repeating the one line over and over as it did so.

On the parallel beds in the Archangel's infirmary, Kira and Lacus laid, delirious and suffering from heavy fevers, tossed and turned in their beds. They had both been brought here after being pulled from their mobile suits, for they had been in no condition to get out themselves. Their body temperatures had been dangerously high, even for Coordinators, and they hadn't gone down much with the time that had past. In the hours that had gone by since being brought to the infirmary, the ship's doctor had been doing his best to keep the two teens' fluids up and lower their temperatures.

The volunteers from Heliopolis had been taking turns, including Flay at watching over their friends, so they didn't get worse. But, there was so little they could do for them and that frustrated them more than watching the two in their current condition. At the moment, Flay was watching over both Kira and Lacus along with Sai. The others came in after a bit, and were asking the doctor if there was anything they could do, much like they had many times now. Doctor Mark Graham didn't mind them asking the same thing over and over, it was easy to tell they were extremely worried about their friends. And he reassured them that with Kira and Lacus being Coordinators and that they would be fine given time. He would have said more, but Kira accidentally knocking the curtains around his bed open and he thrashed around. That drew the attention of the friends there to attend to them.

Meanwhile Mu and Murrue were in the captain's quarters, discussing the situation as it now stood. Natarle and Krystal were on duty to keep things running as smoothly as it was possible at the moment.

"This is Alaska," said Mu. He was pointing to the northwestern most section of the deep blue province of North America. Before moving his hand across the map and pointing to a place that was close to the dark red region of northern Africa to the west and a blue area to the north that was Eurasia's Middle Eastern coastline. Further east was white territory, which was the color that was used on digital map displays to signify Human Federation territory. "And this is our location currently. It could be worse, but not by all that much. We're in neutral territory, yet close to Eurasia, who are on none too nice terms with us since Artemis. ZAFT territory is behind us with the northern African Community and then we have Federation member nation, the Equatorial Union ahead of us."

Taking a sip of her coffee before sighing, Murrue spoke up, "There wasn't much choice," she said sadly. "Our alternative was to get separated from the Strike and Asuka, and we couldn't afford to do that." Murrue leaned forward slightly, twirling her hair around her fingers while she frowned, "I wish we could have retrieved the Shadow before coming down to Earth, but that wasn't possible at the time. It had to be done the way it ended out… for the best of all of us on the Archangel. Despite what happened, our ship's objectives and destination remain the same. We need to make our way to JOSH-A and deliver the Strike."

Mu caught the tone of regret at not being able to assist Tyler up in the atmosphere, "I wouldn't doubt that Tyler made it and we'll come across him at some point. The kid is resourceful in ways I haven't ever seen before and his drive is something else. But aside from that, is everything all right?" asked Mu, sitting down.

"They should be," replied Murrue absent mindedly.

"I meant the issue with the deputy commander," said Mu, seeing that she misinterpreted his question. Murrue glanced at him, remembering her brief confrontation with Natarle on the bridge when the woman gave the three pilots approval to launch.

"Everything's all right," said Murrue, wanting to reassure him and herself, "Natarle made the best decision back at the time, now that I've had time to think back and assess things," she said. If the mobile suits and armors hadn't launch when they did, ZAFT forces that were breaking through the 8th Fleet, probably would've destroyed the Archangel rather than just managing to divert the original planned course. Then neither Mu or herself would be here right now, and that was the truth.

"Very pleased to hear that," said Mu. "Let me see now… think I'll stop by to see how the kids are doing, and then I'll get some shuteye." Mu stood up and strode out of the office, stopping at the door to look back at the captain. "You should get some sleep too. A commanding officer mustn't allow herself to get worn out and exhausted. Not good," his voice held a slight teasing tone that Murrue found more than a little exasperating, but before she could respond, he left the room.

While back in the infirmary, Doctor Graham was explaining in more detail the condition of his two charges. "So, as I said, despite their fevers, there's no sign of internal damage or infection," said Doctor Graham to the newly enlisted students along with Flay and Sophia, the latter two attending to Kira and Lacus. "Right now, we can't do much more than give them plenty of liquids and try to lower their body temperature."

"That's all that can be done?" asked Sai.

"Well," said the doctor a little hesitantly, "this is the first time I've had to give medical treatment to Coordinators. I don't claim to be an expert when it comes to diagnosing them medically by the symptoms. However, what I do understand is that their physical functions are far superior to ours. So, if I were you, I wouldn't worry too much about it, though I wish I could do something for these teens. They're some of the bravest I've met, to go out and do what they did… most would shrink from what they've faced."

"But still," began Sai.

"As much as they may look the same as the rest of us," said Sophia suddenly, drawing everyone's attention, " they're internal capabilities are on a completely different level from ours."

Flay didn't say anything, but was mentally agreeing, Coordinators surpassed Hybrids, and she was familiar with the sorts of abilities Hybrids could have. Graham nodded, "They have bodies physically capable of greater strength," he said, "and minds capable of acquiring more knowledge, and so on. No fatal disease will develop with that immune system they have, rest assured. Sure, a bullet wound could prove lethal, and sometimes they may get sick, but it would be a greater risk to us than to them."

Lacus moaned softly, drawing Flay's attention, and the girl gently wiped away some of the sweat collecting on the rosette's head. She glanced back at Kira, who seemed to be doing better than Lacus was at that particular moment.

"For example, did you hear about the extreme temperatures they were exposed to inside their mobile suits cockpits?" asked Graham.

"No, we didn't," piped up Tolle.

"Well, I can assure you none of us would be doing anywhere near as well as these two. I would assume for the other pilot I've heard about probably went through more having to experience the full reentry process," said the doctor.

That reminded the younger crew members about their other friend that had once more become separated from the Archangel. None knew or had even a clue where Tyler could have ended out, sight and signal of the Shadow had been lost. The assumption was that he in the Shadow had gone through atmospheric reentry and managed to land somewhere. Where that was none knew or calculated, not without the vector the Shadow would have been on and no one could even guess that.

"I heard about it as well," said Sophia. "It's strange, Yamato, Don and I wouldn't doubt this McGregor that I keep hearing about, all made it out of some really tough stuff. My little brother Ken… well, he's a Coordinator too and can do incredible things. Then, I've studied genetics as something of a hobby myself as well as to try and understand my brother. But, even most Coordinators wouldn't only come off with fevers as the only effect to worry about from those temperatures and that's not taking into account the fighting they were doing at the same time. All of that really increased the heat they were experiencing out there, who knows? They'd probably be recuperating in their rooms if not for those factors."

"An interesting point Lieutenant," said Graham before turning back to the former students. "Anyways, there's nothing to worry about. These fevers are nothing in comparison to those cockpit temperatures."

"La Flaga here," came Mu's voice from the other side of the door, "I'm coming in." The infirmary door slid open and the mobile armor ace stepped through, glancing at the civilian volunteers or cadets now, in surprise. "Huh? Is there something I should know about?"

"Uh, no, nothing's wrong lieutenant," said the doctor standing up. "I was just taking the time to explain to these youngsters that their friends will be fine."

Sai watched them quietly for a moment before he looked away, 'I always knew that their internal abilities were on an entirely different level from ours,' he thought, 'but still… I hate it when something like this drives it home. It feels like the world is trying to force a barrier between us and them…'

Kira was Sai's best friend, the idea of a barrier like that forming between them was unbearable for him. Yet it was then, something that Tyler often said came to his mind, 'whether one is a Natural or Coordinator or any other type of human, they are first and foremost human beings. Nothing will change that fact, as much as many would love to deny it. That fact alone proves that we have more in common than many would admit or think about. One just has to stop looking at the differences and start looking at what's the same between us, then you can see there is more in common than different.'

As Sai considered the idea that Tyler had been making heard, it was like a light turned on in his head and he understood better what he had been saying. Tyler had been saying that, no matter which kind of human you are, the fact is you're still human and that wouldn't change. That point alone would always be one that Sai and Kira would have in common, and Sai held to that, thankful that he had remembered that line from Tyler.

-Line Break-

-Tyler's pov-

Unknown Location

I opened my eyes slowly, feeling pain, mostly a throbbing in my head, but I wasn't sweating puddles like I'd been doing while coming down to Earth. Next thing I noticed, was I'd an IV in my right arm along with the oxygen tube over my face and the ends put into my nose. I felt tired both physically and mentally at the moment while I was laying, presumably in a bed. I let out a soft groan as the pain sharply increased for a moment as I tried to figure out what happened and where I was, for I had no idea of the answer to either question.

The sound of the door opening to my right caught my attention, I turned my head, still on the pillow and saw a woman in a nurse's uniform. The lady glanced over the room and locked her gaze on me, seeing that I was looking back, she gained an expression of surprise. "Oh, Mr. McGregor, you're awake, that's good. Let me go inform the doctor on duty, so that they can check you over." She said before she turned and left the room.

In what seemed like near no time at all, the nurse returned and this time with another blonde-haired woman in a white doctor's coat and came over to the bed that I was laying in. "Good evening Mr. McGregor, I'm Doctor Hessing. Tell me can you understand what I'm saying to you?" the woman asked me.

I nodded, "Yes, I do. Where am I doc?" I inquired, not bothering to sit up just yet.

Doctor Hessing smiled, "You're at Whereta General Hospital in the western sector of Shira and you've been here for close to two days since you landed. You here with high fevers, a common symptom that comes during and stays after the atmospheric reentry process," Dr. Hessing said in answer.

So then, I'm in the capital of the Republic, my homeland, that's a good point to start with. Add to that, I've been in Whereta Hospital for nearly two days laying in a bed out cold, that's not so good. Then, I've no idea where the Archangel is right now, nor if Lisa, Sakura or Athrun are here in this hospital or somewhere else. So, my situation hasn't improved all that much from what I had up in the upper atmosphere, just has changed in some ways. My mission is still unfinished and the longer that's the case the higher risk that failure will occur, and the Alliance gets mobile suits they can mass produce them. I can't see much of a way for my current situation much worse, but all thing considered, I'm doing fairly well when I think about it. Doctor Hessing was checking my vitals and my condition over, while she was, I was becoming more aware of my surroundings and what was going on.

Once, the doctor was done, she told me that I did have a visitor, which made me wonder, for I hadn't expected anyone to visit me already. I said to have them come in and when the door opened, I kind of wished I hadn't done so, but was also glad I did. They certainly got me to sit up, painfully, but still managed to get my upper body to an upright position.

A woman stepped into the room, and the second I saw her, I got worried about what would happen to me. Her hazel eyes, which were looking at me with a stern expression set. She's forty-six years of age as of earlier this year, and yes, I'm sure of her age. The woman was wearing a less crisp than usual business suit she wore. Now, some would ask how I know so much about this woman, well there's a reason I know her. That particular reason would be… well, kind of complicated, yet also simple at the same time. I smiled slightly as she stared at me, "Hello mom, you're looking well since last time I was able to make the time to swing around home," I greeted a little nervously.

Yes, this woman standing in this room to visit me, whose name is Ellen Blass, is my mother, the woman that brought me into the world. Where a portion of Coordinators are born from artificial wombs, not all of them are, only a little above fifty percent or so. I'm not one of those that came from an artificial womb, the woman before me had given birth to me through natural mean. My dad told me when I asked upon the subject of my origins, my mother did go through hours of labor to bring me into the world. Some of my genes are still altered, I'm a Coordinator after all, but I was naturally born. She's also the only member of my family still alive and that's a fact we share in common.

I don't see her often as she's busy with work, and I'm working most of the time as well. My mom was the current Prime Minister of the Republic of East Asia, the political leader of the nation and she has been for a decent period of time. The position is a four-year elected office, no term limits, so she's held the office for the last four terms, since I was two and while she was pregnant with Lana. The citizens have kept reelecting her as they have come to trust her to keep the peoples best interest in the forefront of the decision made by the government. So, she could probably have the job for as long as she wants before retiring when she chooses to. Although, as a good point of character for my mother, she did take the time so that she could spend it with my dad, Lana and me, even with her busy schedule.

Then, with me being a member of the Federation military, a choice that my mom wasn't the fondest of, we don't see one another every day, or often much anymore. So, getting time with my mom wasn't easy from my end any more than it was for her. In fact, I'm lucky if I get to spend a couple weeks out of the year with my mom, between me being on assignment and her fulfilling the duties of her office.

My mother strode over to my bed, and I prepared myself to get a detailed lecture of how I shouldn't put my life in danger like I do. It wouldn't be the first time I've gotten such a lecture, nor in different variations, since I haven't been the safest decision maker throughout my life. Yet, what I received, was an embrace from the one who had given birth to me, "Why do you insist on putting your life in jeopardy Tyler," my mom asked as she hugged me. "Do you have any idea how I dread that I will receive a report that you've died on one of the missions you are assigned?"

I carefully put my arms around my mom, to make sure that the things connected to me didn't come out as they would be put back in. "Sorry mom, I don't try to do such things, but circumstances just so love putting me in the position that I put my life on the line for others," I answered.

My mom drew back and sighed, "You are so much like your father, always thinking of others before yourself, it can be irritating as well as endearing," she remarked.

I smiled in response, "I take that as a compliment to be told I'm like dad. It means a lot to me to be compared to him," I returned.

Dr. Hessing returned with a clipboard in hand, "Forgive the interruption Madam Prime Minister, but Mr. McGregor's tests are done, he is good to check out. However, I wouldn't recommend that he drive himself just yet, the pain killers are still in effect," she said.

Ah ha, that explains why I'm in far less pain than I probably should be right now. I'm not one to normally be for having drugs, but they can sure help with some things! Mom nodded to the suggestion and then the nurse in the room started to take out the tubes and other devices that were attached to me. I was given my pilot suit back, and as that was the only piece of clothing I had to work with, I walked to the bathroom, changed back into the suit, leaving the collar open, before exiting the small room. The check-out process was fairly simple and so not that time involved. Mom then took me to the car she had waiting, and we were driven back to the place I had for myself.

Now the house that I have, and yes, I know that most eighteen-year-olds don't have a place for themselves. However, I did some forced growing up when my dad and Lana died in the Bloody Valentine Incident, so even if I'm eighteen, I'm more mature than many my age. Anyways, my place is a medium sized, one floor house. Normally, when I'm around it, I'm the only person living in the house, even if it's a house for four or more individuals.

The house's dimensions were as follows; four bedrooms, one being the master bedroom, three and a half bathrooms. The entrance of the place was on the south side of the house and the front door was on the inside and on the left of the front porch. The master suite was in the west side of the house along with the office, the garage that did have a car that was mine in it and the half bathroom with just toilet and sink. The east side was made up of the three other smaller bedrooms, with one slightly bigger than the other two, along with the two other bathrooms. In the center of the place, was where the kitchen, dining area, family room or den, living room and a small room for utilities. I get a nice view of the ocean from the back of my house, I admit and enjoy it when I'm here.

My mom helped me into my house and got me to my room which was the master suite. I said my farewell, saying that I would come and visit her soon and then, I changed my clothes before falling onto my bed and fell asleep quickly.

When I woke up the next morning, I felt less tired than the day before when I was in the hospital, though I didn't feel 100% either. I rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom, I really needed a shower, it's kind of hard to remember the last time I got one. After I was clean and changed into a more casual set of clothes. My plan was to go see if those who came down with me were in Whereta hospital, if they were, find out if they had woken up yet.

Preparing for the chance that one or more of the three would be awake, I grabbed a set of mine own clothes, since Athrun isn't that much shorter than me and he has approximately the same body shape as I do. My issue came with the two females that I would be seeing. When it comes to Lisa and Sakura, none of the clothing that I have would fit them well, if at all, so I need an alternative. Maybe if I visited my mother, she could help me with this dilemma… been meaning to pay her a visit anyways to thank her for helping me out yesterday.

I went to the garage and smiled at the sight of the car that was mine. This vehicle was based on a model of car that's a classic now, but was once a machine known for speed, power and sleek design. The car model was still called a Lamborghini, where the name came from, I don't have a clue. But, the car certainly has power and speed, which I can really appreciate. The specific type, as Lamborghinis had different variations, is the Murcielago, which is pretty aerodynamic. The vehicle was black, had the driver seat and passenger seat next to that and two back seats, which wasn't standard to Lamborghinis historically by what I'm to understand, though the back seats weren't as comfortable as the front two.

The car doors on either side didn't open outward as most cars do, but upward and forward. The engine wasn't the old fashion V-12 gasoline block type engine like these cars used to have in them. Due to the uses of fossil fuels dropping tremendously after the end of the reconstruction war caused by heavy embargoes and tax that were put on those products as they put out heavy pollutants. So, this vehicle like almost all these days, use a fuel cell instead as it's the more efficient alternative fuel these days. The cell is on the higher-powered end of the spectrum for automotive machines, for my car, when it's combined with the compact engine, they give me a range of 700 horse power at 9000 rpms… to 850 horse power at 10,000 rpms if I push it. The fuel cells thankfully can be recharged easily enough, so 'refueling' is no issue at all. Apparently, when gasoline combustion engines were used, they guzzled and burned the fuel that was put in them at a ridiculously inefficient rate… something like 21 to 22 liters for every 100 kilometers, which is a HORRIBLE waste. A normal fuel cell gets at least eight to ten times that amount on average.

Now… this car wasn't cheap, and I'd to pay for half of it and that was half a year's pay check for me… on the one busy year yet, it was worth it to me! I opened the driver side door, put the set of clothes I grabbed for Athrun in the back of my car. Pulled the door closed and buckled myself into the seat with the five-point harness that I installed. Perhaps it's because I might like to put my foot down and zoom down a road when I can get away with it. Or maybe, it's my love of drifting and I know my mother would hound me for not doing so safely… along with doing such things at all. Still, I will neither confirm or deny such to any authorities were they to inquire as I would get into trouble if I did.

I started the car by pressing the starter button and glanced over the dashboard and central display screen. The central screen showed that the engine was running in good shape, told me energy consumption compared to mileage, along with the basic readouts of the car's condition. Once I saw that everything was in working order, I pulled the lever under the steering wheel that was for shifting down in the transmission. With the car now in reverse, I backed out of the garage and drove over to the mansion type residence that my mom lived in since she's the Prime Minister.

The staff there let me in as they knew me well by now since this was the house I grew up in. I asked my mother for her help after laying out my plight of having two female companions that I don't have clothing for. As I've said, I'm a gentleman, so I'm trying to think of Sakura and Lisa in this. My mother, being the nice woman that she is, hence where I learned such good manners from, she agreed to assist me and lend me some of her clothes to let my two female companions something to wear. I put both sets of clothing in the backseat with the set I had for Athrun and got back in my car and headed to the hospital.

I went to the front reception desk and asked the secretary first, if others were brought here with me and if so, then what their condition was. By what I was told, Lisa had woken up earlier this morning, yet Sakura and Athrun had yet to show a conscious response to give signs that they were awake. Once I got the room number, I thanked the receptionist and went back out to my car and fetched one of the sets of clothes I'd borrowed from my mom. Then I headed back into the hospital and up to the room that I'd been in, which apparently, Lisa was still in now. Yet, I ran into a doctor. I asked them about Lisa and her condition, and they said she was doing good enough to check out.

I knocked on the door before I stepped into the room, and was happy to see my comrade and friend sitting up in her bed. I smiled, "Nice to see you sitting up in bed Lisa," I remarked.

Lisa glanced over at me and smiled weakly, "Thanks for the visit Tyler, it is appreciated," she replied.

I sat down in the chair next to the bed, "How do you feel," I inquired.

She took a moment to think, "I've been better, but it could be much worse, around the same the last time I had to do atmospheric reentry in a single pilot craft. I did get a call from Alan saying that he and Luke will be coming down to Earth sometime in the next week. Also, received a call from my mom," Lisa said trailing off.

From what she had told me, Lisa's mom lives in the PLANTs, specifically Maius 2. Her father works on the Legislative Committee, one of the governing sections of the PLANTs and have representatives on the Supreme Council as well. Both her parents are big supporters of ZAFT and her father leans towards the radical standing in politics, not so much her mother. Lisa disagreed with her father's views and that had created a bit of a wedge between her and her father. It was apparently, because of the man, Lisa left her original home in the PLANTs. She still talks to her mother every once and a while, gets updated with the family she used to have is, but her father doesn't really speak to her since she left the PLANTs and changed her last name.

"It's not my business, but how did it go talking with her?" I asked.

Lisa shrugged, "About the same as it usually does, she's polite to me, yet I think she wants me to visit, but her husband… Legislator Minti I believe pretty much stands by what he said when I left over five years ago. I'm not his daughter anymore, I'm a stranger to him and am not welcome around him or his family," she said drily.

I frowned, family issues can really hurt, especially when one side is unwilling to compromise at all. "Sorry to hear that Lisa, has to suck to have such issues. Anyways, the doctor I bumped into, said that you were good to check out. So, since that's the case, it's lucky that I happen to bring a set of clothes for you to wear out instead of your pilot suit," I said.

Lisa smiled a bit, "Still a gentleman I see," she remarked.

I set the clothes down on the bed and stepped out of the room to be polite and give my friend her privacy. I'm a gentleman after all, I don't do things that can be misconstrued as me being a pervert. After five minutes, Lisa exited the room, dressed in the slacks and blue collared blouse and she fit the clothes pretty good considering the small difference in figure and size from my mother.

"I take it, that you borrowed these from your mother, judging they're more a formal style and knowing that's the type of clothing that your mother tends to wear," Lisa said.

I nodded, "Yep, you would be right," I answered.

The two of us stopped by my car and picked up the other two sets of clothes and then we made our way to the second room that was at the other end of the hospital, which Athrun and Sakura were in. I'd found out the information from the receptionist at the front desk of not just which room Lisa was in, but also where Athrun and Sakura were as well. Neither of them might be awake yet, but I couldn't call myself a friend if I didn't come and visit Athrun while he's in the hospital. Sakura, well… I'm not complaining about her being unable to chase and catch me for the time being, had more than enough to last me a while.

Lisa and I entered the double room and I saw to my relief, Athrun was sitting up, moving and responding to the nurse that was checking him over. I felt a smile form on my face at seeing Athrun was okay, "Good morning Sun Shine," I said in greeting to my other best friend aside from Kira.

Athrun glanced over at me as I strode over to his bed, "Tyler," he mumbled.

The nurse doing tests on Athrun quickly finished up, before she bowed and left the room, leaving us alone with Athrun and Sakura, which said pink-haired woman was still out at the moment. Lisa stayed by the door, while I put the set of clothes I had down on the bed. Then I grabbed a chair, spun it around and sat down straddling the chair next to Athrun's bed, "So then, how do you feel Athrun," I inquired.

"I'm okay," he answered me.

I nodded at the reply, "Well, that's good to hear, atmospheric reentry really is a harsh experience, at least it has been for the two times I've done it. By the way, you're currently at Whereta General Hospital in Shira within the Republic of East Asia. There's no need to worry, even though you're a part of ZAFT, that doesn't make much of an issue here. So, if you were thinking about taking a vacation, now would be a great time, since you'll need to recover anyways," I informed.

I would've made a suggestion or two of what Athrun could do while he was here in the Republic. It has been more than two years since he had come to visit, and it had just been him, not his father, something about the man being busy with work. But, then there was a soft groan heard and all of us turned to the occupant of the other bed in the room. I personally tensed a small margin and seeing that Sakura was waking up. She sat up slowly, put a hand to her head, "Where am I?" Sakura asked in a flat voice that was emotionless.

That's the way I expect Sakura to talk with the reputation she has, yet, so rarely hear it when she's around me. I wonder how long it will be before it reverts back to how she is with yours truly. It was me that answered the stated question, "You're currently in Whereta Hospital, within Shira the capital of the Republic of East Asia."

Literally, seconds after I had answered her question, Sakura's expression completely morphed into what I've unfortunately become accustom to. "Tyler! How wonderful of you to come and see me!" She said in a happy tone of voice with her smiling.

I stared at Sakura for a moment with an expression of consternation, silence filled the room, until I scooted my chair ever so slightly to be farther away from Sakura's bed. "Well, um… since you two are awake, it shouldn't take all that long for the both of you to be able to check out of this place. Thinking ahead, I brought you both some clothes to change into so that you don't have to put your pilot suits back on right now, they don't feel nice after reentry," I iterated.

I'd hardly finished speaking when a nurse came into the room, and seeing that Sakura was awake began checking her over. I helped Athrun out of his bed, picking up the set of clothes I had brought and helped Athrun over to the bathroom and handed him the clothes. I stood outside the door and waited as Athrun changed into the clothes. Thankfully, my friend, though a tad shorter than I am, has similar body shape to me, so my clothes should fit. By the time he was done, Sakura was being unhooked from the various tubes and devices that she had been attached to. Both Athrun and I stepped out of the room as Lisa handed Sakura the set of clothes I'd borrowed for her. For me, it was also to not give Sakura the opportunity to capture me and do whatever is her fancy.

When Sakura had changed into the clothes, both she and Lisa exited the room, and I got a look at the two women. I was forced to pause at seeing the two women, for… let's just say that they're hard to not notice dressed as they are. I'll admit, Lisa fills the clothes she has on much like my mother does, perhaps a tiny margin tighter on Lisa than my mother as they have slightly different proportions, but fairly hard to tell unless you look hard. However, with Lisa standing next to Sakura… well, it shows that Lacus's older sister was a different story than Lisa is and the difference was defined enough that you couldn't miss. I'm not blind or dumb, I'm aware that Sakura Clyne has a more voluptuous figure than my most of the women that I know have, easily larger than average. But, the set of clothes I'd borrowed from my mother, they certainly emphasized the point well. If I were to say that the blouse was a 'tight fit', I would be exaggerating, I might just end out buying my mother a new blouse. The most noticeable sign of the tight fit for Sakura, was that the buttons were straining keeping the shirt together.

Moving on, once that was done, the four of us head back to the parking lot, a bit slow so that Athrun and Sakura could take it easy since they're still recovering. However, I couldn't help the smirk that came to my face when Athrun gaped at seeing my car, for it was taken as a compliment by me. After snapping Athrun out of his trance, we piled into the car, Lisa and Sakura were in the backseat while Athrun sat in the passenger seat. I wasn't about to allow Sakura to sit in the seat next to me, far too much opportunity for her to do things to me that I don't want while I drive, it's too dangerous! I drove them to my house as that's where they will be staying for the time being, which is fine with me… even with Sakura. Although, that woman still worries me, because she'll have such opportunity to do who knows what with her being in my house. But I can't think of a viable reason to deny her staying and justify it.

I gave them a short tour of my place, there really not much to see in my home so the tour wasn't long. Now, as I'm a single guy living in this house that is meant for four people or more, I don't have a lot of clothing for females. I had to literally go to my mother and borrowed some clothing from her for Lisa and Sakura, but just one set for each of them. I thought about what to do to solve this issue as it would quickly become a big thing if nothing is done. In the end, I went to Lisa and asked her to take Sakura out and buy clothes for themselves. I trust her more than Sakura as I also gave her access to my funds. Sent off the two women, allowing Lisa to drive my car, which was hard as I really like that car and so don't lend it out to just anyone.

Those two went off to go shopping… who knows how long that will take those girls? I'd sat down in one of the recliners in the den and Athrun took the sofa across from me, the look on his face told me that he wanted to have a serious talk with me. Knew the need of a discussion would come up between Athrun and me, best to get it over with. I took in a deep breath, "So clearly, you want to ask questions of me Athrun, go right ahead, I'll answer them the best I can." I stated.

Athrun was silent for a minute, then he looked at me in the eye, "First, why were you at Heliopolis? You mentioned something about a Federation investigation team," he asked.

I took a moment to order my thoughts, before I began to give my response, "Officially, records will say that I was there on an educational exchange. However, obviously, that was a cover for what I was really there to do, which unofficially, was to look into information that had been acquired before that. Of course, I wasn't there alone but part of the Federation investigation team sent to Heliopolis." I paused, "The information had been in the form of a rumor that a 'group' within the Earth Alliance, was doing weapon development in neutral territory. That's how this got started as far as I know, I won't doubt there's more to the story, but I don't know about it."

My friend nodded in understanding, "You then at some point, found out Morgenroete was being used by the Alliance, but how long ago did you know?"

I hesitated at that question, for the answer wasn't one that I liked really. I'd wanted to confiscate the Archangel and the mobile suits when we had found out about them and be done with the matter. Yet, that hadn't been my decision, and so, I'd to wait for those that it was the decision of. I assume that the delay had something to do with politics or some type of agreement that the Federation has with someone else. But, what's done is done and I can't deny what happened, even if I didn't like it, "A tad less than six months before the colony collapse, I didn't like having to wait, but that was a decision that was out of my hands," I returned.

Athrun stared at me in shock, "Almost six months?! But why would the Federation wait that long against a clear threat?" he asked.

I shrugged, "I haven't the faintest idea, like I said, it wasn't my choice to make, didn't like how long it took, but that's in the past. However, when the decision was finally made, had felt relief… until a ZAFT commander by the name of Rau Le Creuset interfered," I remarked.

Athrun broke my gaze at the mention of Creuset, as the man is apparently a sore subject, I switched the subject, "Don't blame yourself for what happened Athrun, won't help change how things are right now, so moving on to the next question then."

"Um… where did the black and winged suits come from?" Athrun asked.

Oh those, yeah… figured that they would come up at some point during this question and answer session, "Yes, those machines. I happened to come across them while the theft of the Alliance prototypes by you and your comrades was going on. They were at the back of the Morgenroete factory floor, even I was slightly confused and surprised to find them in construction docks. There was never any hint about either of them, I didn't even know they existed until I saw them," I returned, before I asked my first inquiry. "So, a question for you Athrun, have you noticed the change of… perspective within the PLANTs and ZAFT held by many? The shift towards the more aggressive and radical view that all who are Naturals should pay for things that have been and are done to Coordinators. Not naming names, but I would assume you know the type I'm referring to."

Athrun didn't meet my gaze at the inquiry and that was answer enough for me, "So you have noticed the shift then," I commented quietly.

Athrun changed the subject and I let him as the question I'd asked referred to those like his father and that hurt my blue-haired friend. "You said back at the PLANTs that you would go back to the… Archangel if given the chance, why?" posed Athrun changing the subject.

Put a finger to my chin, "Well, by choice, it was to protect my friends I made at Heliopolis. However, I got an assignment that had me chasing the Archangel anyways and so going back to the Archangel was easier. The goal of the mission and still is, to prevent the Earth Alliance from getting mobile suits. After some digging, I would say the goal has changed a bit to include also stopping mobile suit data from getting to one of the two Alliance headquarters as well," I replied.

Athrun gained a confused expression, "Mobile suit data? I would think a mobile would be easier and better?" he asked me.

I shook my head, "A mobile suit would work in the end however, data would allow the Alliance to begin producing mobile suits in mass immediately without further work. Whereas if they have a mobile suit, then they have to take the time to reverse engineer it before starting production. Plus, that would only give the Alliance one design to work with and they want more than one," I explained.

My friend gained a thoughtful look, "By what you say, there's already mobile suit data somewhere then. Where would it be hidden," he mused.

I smiled slightly, "Oh, I already know where the data is, stumbled across some of it and it didn't take much to find the rest. The pattern the Alliance used to hide the data is fair, but I've not only seen the method before, but whoever did it was being lazy. So, in the end, the data was easy to find and didn't take me long to do. That data collection would include complete blueprints of all five of the Alliance prototype mobile suits. It's all imbedded in the systems of the Archangel, the ship you've been chasing, and done so they're hidden in such a way that the crew won't notice it being there at all, and none of it will interfere with the ship operating systems. That being said, I wouldn't doubt that there will be techs and engineers at JOSH-A or had been at the Alliance's Lunar base to extract the data should the Archangel get there," I finished.

Athrun nodded slowly, "That would make logical sense, if something happened to either the ship or the mobile suits themselves, then there would be a second way to guard the information and get it to those who can use it," he said.

And there's Athrun's logic and problem-solving skills at work, sharp as ever I see and how nice it to know that he keeps them that way. Of course, I'd come to the same conclusion as my friend had, in that the Alliance had enough foresight to comprehend that there was a chance that their work could be compromised in some way. So, someone or a group of people had made sure there was two copies of the prototype mobile suits, the suits themselves and the data blueprints for them. Right now, the blueprints are in my view the more dangerous than the X105 Strike, for the simple reason that the collection of blueprints include all five prototypes.

"So then, the Alliance getting mobile suit is seen as an issue by the Federation as it is for the PLANTs and ZAFT, isn't it?" Athrun asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.

I looked my blue-haired friend straight in the eyes, "Absolutely the Federation sees the Alliance getting the ability to use and mass produce mobile suits as a problem and a serious one at that." I paused for a moment, thinking about how I could accurately get across the idea I was attempting to have Athrun understand. "Look at it this way Athrun, the Alliance is losing bad right now, and should they get and a way to match ZAFT, do you honestly think they wouldn't use such an idea right away? Then, why stop there? It's no real secret that the Earth Alliance dislikes that the Human Federation has remained neutral in this war. Granted, ZAFT hasn't been very appreciative of the point either, but they accept it and left the Federation mostly alone. The Earth Alliance hasn't done the same, they've been constantly trying to sway and convince any they can to join them in their fight against the "evil Coordinators" that make up ZAFT and live in the PLANTs. It has been fairly clear that many in high and/or in influential positions have been setting and adding fuel to the fire that is the hatred and fear of Coordinators."

"But they haven't succeeded in that, have they?" Posed Athrun.

I shook my head, "No, of course not any parts of the Federation, but honestly, it's no longer a question of if, rather of when the Alliance gets mobile suits. And when they do get them, how long it will be before they use them to enforce their views on those that disagree and assert their control? Rest assured, when the Earth Alliance does get the ability to use and produce mobile suits, they will use them to attack the member nations of the Human Federation," I said tiredly.

Athrun appeared worried about my statements, but what I had said was the truth as I knew it and that came with contributions from the Federation's Information Network. We kept talking about what had happened since we had last had a chance to catch up. There was a great amount of things that had occurred to both of us over the last near five years.

The sound of a car brought my attention back to the world around us and I glanced down at my watch and saw that almost two hours had passed since the girls left. Looked behind me to the route that lead to the garage, and less than a minute later, both Lisa and Sakura entered the room. I instantly took in the number of bags they were carrying between themselves. …Just how much did these two females spend of my money?! I gave a quizzical looked to Lisa, silently asking her if I wanted to know how much all they had bought would cost me. The response I got was Lisa looking away, which told me I would be feeling pain about my decision of sending the two women shopping later. Sakura on the other hand, looked like a child on their birthday, having been let lose in a toy or candy store, which increased my worry more.

And yet, with Sakura here, I fear that if I don't state the dos and don'ts, she will do much more than if I do not say anything. So, I let out a sigh and I got down to business, "Okay, nice to see you back ladies… moving on to room assignments as you three will be staying here for the time being." I said turning towards my blue haired friend, "Athrun, you'll get the first bedroom down the hall." I pointed toward the west side doorway in the den to motion where I was talking about before I continued, "Lisa, you get the bedroom in the middle." Finally, I turned to Sakura, "You Sakura, get the bedroom at the end of the hall."

I'd barely finished speaking, when Sakura shot past all the rest of us and down the hall to the bedroom I had mentioned. That was completely from left field and it got me to blink a few times, before I turned to Lisa, "Should I even ask why she would be running to the bedroom as she did? Or perhaps you wish to warn me of what's coming, since I've a feeling she'll show me soon enough," I queried in a tired voice.

Lisa frowned, which told me that Sakura had something I would likely not like in store for me. I exhaled heavily, "Okay, next question, do I ask how much you two spent or would it be better for me to not and just assume that it was more than I had figured?"

Before Lisa could answer me, I heard footsteps coming back down the hall and as we all turned, Sakura came back into the den. She was wearing a pink blouse and blue knee length skirt, spinning around a bit, clearly to show me what she got. Sakura used the time until dinner to show off what outfits were bought with my money, not that the clothing was bad, looked quite nice on her. But it was clear to me, that Sakura had bought what she had, in the intent to impress me or have me like her appearance.

After dinner, I knew that I still needed to establish a ground rule before we retired for the night so that there would be less risk for all… rather for me. So, before we all went our separate ways, I gathered everyone back into the den so that I could make sure all knew the rule. I cleared my throat, "Okay, before we all go to bed, I would like to declare a rule as is my right as the owner of this house. The rule is, no sneaking into another's room or bed," I pinned Sakura with my gaze, "Admittedly, this rule is specifically for you Sakura, as I don't see Athrun or Lisa doing such things. You on the other hand, I can see you trying, so read my lips, do not sneak into my room or bed during the night!"

-Line Break-

-Neutral pov-

The Archangel

2047 Hours Local Time

"Birdee! Birdee!"

With a headache like he had, Kira wanted to throttle the little noisemaker that Athrun had made for him and gave to Kira at their last meeting before they and Tyler went their separate ways. As it was, he barely had the energy to force his eyes open, turn his head to the robot, which was flitting between high places and spoke, "Hey Tori… please shut up," Kira croaked.

The curtain around Kira's bed was suddenly pushed aside to reveal Flay, staring down at him with a concerned expression… Kira couldn't say for sure. However, Kira then began taking note of his surroundings, since he saw the rest of the room with the curtain had been opened. The action had also let in the full light of the room they were in and with the light coming in now, forced Kira to squeeze his eyes shut to stop the headache from getting worse.

"Kira, you're awake," said Flay quietly.

"Flay," muttered Kira, slowly cracking his eyes open again. He tried to sit up, but the redhead put a hand on his shoulder to hold him down. In his condition, Coordinator or not, even a delicate Natural girl like Flay could easily pin him with just that.

"No," she said firmly, "you shouldn't try to sit up so suddenly like that."

The girl turned her attention away from him and reached out to grab a glass of water. "Where am I, Flay?" Kira asked.

"The infirmary," she answered, reaching an arm partially under him to help him lift his head and put the glass of water to his lips. "You and Lacus were unconscious when others pulled you from your machines when they were brought back onboard, so I guess you might not remember."

"Lacus," muttered Kira after he stopped drinking and Flay laid his head back down, "is she?"

"She's fine," said Flay with a weak smile, glancing at the bed opposite Kira's, which still had the curtains pulled around it. "She's still resting, as she was a bit worse off than you are. Lieutenant Falco said it's probably because you're a first-generation Coordinator, so your body's a bit tougher than hers."

"I see… so, we must've landed on Earth after all. Then where is the Archangel now?" Kira asked.

"We landed in the ocean off the Middle East coast by what the bridge crew say," she said. "It was early yesterday morning for us, but it's really early morning local time now." A touch of humor showed in her smile. "The shifting biological clock is going to be tough to deal with."

"I lived on Earth when I was really young," said Kira, "and then it was the moon before I came to Heliopolis. But I was living in Orb, so the clock never shifted that much for me. It'll be a new experience."

Flay smiled at that before standing up, "I'll go get Doctor Graham," she said. "Don't try to get up or anything until he's had a chance to look you over."

Kira watched as Flay went off, when thoughts of his friend Tyler came to mind. What had happened to him? Tyler had sent Kira back to the Archangel, but hadn't come himself, so where did he come down at? The worries about his friend wouldn't leave Kira's mind as he laid in the bed.

-Line Break-

Mu was having a hard time sleeping as of late, with so many unanswered questions and so little-known information that could answer any of them. So, to distract himself, he fell back on his habit to work on something while others slept, it made it so they would be less likely to disturb him and it took his mind off of the issues that kept running through. This night, he had been down in the hanger looking over information on the new piece of equipment the Archangel had received the Skygrasper craft with only Chief Murdoch and Sophia Flaco for company. "I went through the manual last night," said Mu as he looked at the Skygrasper he would be using. "This thing sure looks like a lot of fun." Something else came to mind though, and he turned to look at Sophia as she had been helping the mechanics out due to the limited crew, "It can mount the Striker Packs, which is great and all, but what does that make me now? Some sort of delivery boy?!"

"Well, that's the intended primary function intended," said Sophia, "but even so, only when the ensign needs it, otherwise you can feel free to use the weaponry as much as you like. Trust me, it can make a difference, I would know as I helped design these things, before being assigned to the 8th fleet. They might not be able to match mobile suits or Federation fighters, but they do better than mobile armors do up in space."

Murdoch chuckled, "She's right lieutenant," he said, "But when the time comes, in your hands, all deliveries are guaranteed whether near or far."

Mu walked over and looked the Skygrasper over more thoroughly, "The vote of confidence is nice and all, but little good it does right now with both of the kids unable to pilot. And then, our third mobile suit pilot we had, no word on where he ended out."

"The students are all regular military now," said Murdoch, ignoring Mu's comment. "I mean, the kids are even ensigns already! Ah well, they are pilots after all. If what McGregor said is correct, then he's a commander in the Federation military." Although truthfully, he was somewhat miffed that Kira and Lacus were barely more than half his age, yet still his superiors in the chain of command.

Sophia looked at the two men, somewhat confused by what they had said. She herself, had hear a few things about this 'Tyler McGregor', supposedly a teen like the volunteers, but a year or two older than the rest. However, this was the first time Sophia had heard mention of the said teen being a part of the Federation military AND a high-ranking member at that. "I beg you pardon from both of you," Sophia spoke up, gaining the attention from both men, "But, did you just say this Tyler McGregor is not only part of the Federation military and a commander as well, all before he enters his twenties?!"

Chief Murdoch put a hand to the back of his head, "Yeah, hard to believe when you first meet the kid, know the feeling myself. Yet, he's proven that he's no joke and knows how to pilot mobile weapons, whether it's a mobile suit, mobile armor or a Federation fighter."

"I'd have to second that, Tyler has skills that terrify the hell out of me were I have to go against them. But, he has a good heart as far as I've seen, heck who know, if this war wasn't going, Tyler might not even have enlisted," Mu added. "And besides Kira and Lacus, the rest of the volunteers are crewmen, second-class, man oh man."

"Heh, they'll develop into great soldiers before you know it," said Murdoch. Sophia's eyes turned away, though primarily an engineer, that was a thought she could do without having on her mind. The volunteers and their friends had all appeared to be good kids and yet, they were roped into this war and it had been going much longer than any had expected. "By the way, how are the kids' fevers?" she asked, changing the subject.

"I hear they finally dropped to acceptable levels earlier this morning," said Mu as he climbed up and looked into the fighter's cockpit. "Seriously, I don't know whose construction is more impressive: The Strike and Asuka's frames, or their pilots, and the same I wouldn't doubt can be said about the Shadow and its pilot, wherever they are. Just feel kind of useless not being able to be out there fighting next to them, perhaps in future…"

"Asuka?" questioned Sophia, "Wasn't that what Yamato call his machine that before the launch in orbit?"

"Yeah, it's a nickname attached to the machine when he found it," said Murdoch. "From what he said, its official name is Asuka Astray Frame, the prototype in a series most likely."

"And speaking of nicknames," said Mu, looking back at Murdoch, "do you have any idea why Kira and Lacus keep referring to these mobile suits as 'Gundams'?" Mu's question peaked Sophia's interest, and she walked over to them curiously. She hadn't heard anything about this.

"Oh that, it appears on the activation screen," said Murdoch. "Uh, General Unilateral Neuro – link… something or other, can't remember what the rest is at the moment. Anyway, take the first letter of each word and that's what you get. Better than the military simply calling them G-weapons."

Sophia shook her head, smiling slightly as she looked up at the Strike and Sakura, "Yeah," she said, drawing the attention of the two men. "Gundam… it really does sound better than G-weapon, don't you think?"

"Heh," chuckled Mu, "That it does."

Even with it being as late at night as it was, Miriallia and Tolle had gotten off duty were heading towards the mess hall to get a meal, before they planned to stop by the infirmary to check on Kira and Lacus. Along the way, they bumped into Sai and Kuzzey, and they asked about their friends as they all moved towards the mess hall. "Wait, what?" questioned Miriallia. "You're saying Kira's regained consciousness already?"

"Yeah, it happened just a little while ago," said Kuzzey.

"Doctor Graham said that Kira's doing well enough now," said Sai, "That he's been transferred back to his quarters. Flay went over there to take his meal to him."

The four reached the mess and got 'dinner' and sat down and kept the conversation going, shifting to asking about Lacus's condition. Shortly after this began, the doors of the mess hall opened, and Flay herself stepped through, drawing the attention of the four off-duty cadets.

"Hello Flay," said Miriallia.

"On a shift change?" asked Flay absentmindedly as she carried the empty tray to the counter. She hadn't expected all four of them to be let off-duty at once.

"So, how's Kira doing?" asked Miriallia.

"He really seems to be alright," said Flay. "He's got a healthy appetite anyway. Lacus is awake too and has been transferred out of the infirmary, so I was going to grab a meal for her. Anyway, it's as if the last two days never happened for them, though the doctor advised them to stay in bed for the day." Flay stopped momentarily. "Their bodies… I always knew what they could do was really different… but it's never been driven home quite like this," Flay continued to walk as Tolle and Miriallia gasped softly at the words, worried that Flay's anti-Coordinator feelings might be reignited.

"I see," said Miriallia, deciding to brush it off for now. "But, I'm just so relieved that both Kira and Lacus are starting to feel better."

Sai rose and closed the distance between Flay and himself, "You must be exhausted," he said with concern. "You've been by their side for a while now; don't you think you should get some rest yourself?"

"I'm doing just fine," said Flay as she filled up two glasses of water. "Really, I just finished eating with Kira. And it's not like I actually have a job on this ship yet, not like the rest of you."

"Flay?" muttered Sai.

"It's vital that they get better as soon as possible," said Flay softly. Sai looked at her curiously. "We're in not in allied or even friendly territory after all. I'm still a little worried, so I'm going back to their quarters."

Now Sai was really getting worried, for Flay was acting more and more… out of character. Even though Sai was almost as certain of Kira's and Lacus's feelings for each other as everyone else, he also knew that Kira used to have a crush on Flay… and was fearful that she might be returning the affection when it would be better to not happen. "Flay," said Sai standing up, and striding over to grab her shoulder, "hold on for a moment."

"What is it Sai?" asked Flay, looking back at him with some concern.

"Well," said Sai, now feeling silly for worrying about her recent actions. "As nice as it is of you to worry and help Kira and Lacus, there is also the need to give them space to do things themselves… Plus, you need to take care of your own health as well."

Flay sighed and looked away, "Listen Sai," she said softly, "if you want, we can talk more later when Kira and Lacus are fully recovered. For now, it's best to make sure they're in as good of condition as possible, and we don't want you guys exhausting yourselves either. The ship barely has enough crew to function, so those with duties need to be as capable for them as possible, since there are no substitutes. So, I just happen to be ideal for this sort of thing."

Slowly, Sai nodded, "Okay," he said. "Just don't drive yourself to the point of exhaustion; that would just worry Kira and Lacus."

"Yeah, I know." Flay replied.

-Line Break-

-Tyler's pov-

Shira, East Side of Northern Housing District, the Republic

I came out of the dream I was having can't remember a lot of it, just that it was one that was odd and didn't make much sense. It was still dark as light wasn't falling on my face, so it was still early morning currently. Since I had no pressing engagements for today or the next few days… none until I find out where the Archangel is honestly, I could sleep in! And I fully intend to take advantage of the opportunity as it's so rare for me! Especially with my bed as warm and comfortable as it is… hold on… there's something off with the current warmth. Yes, my bed can get this warm, but it doesn't happen often. And now that I take the time to take in my surroundings, there's more weight than there should be with just me laying in the bed.

I cracked my eyes open slowly as I wasn't very interested of waking up right now, but the oddity of the warmth and extra weight held my attention and wouldn't let me drop off again without explanation. My room was dark, yet my eyes were adjusting to see somewhat with the current lighting and, so I began looking around. To my left, the was nothing out of the ordinary when I turned my head that direction. However, that wasn't the case upon turning to the right, I had to blink hard a few times to make sure that I wasn't still in the dream I had been having. Right next to me in MY bed, was Sakura Clyne, the female that has a serious interest in me that I can't figure out why she has such for me. …I know I specifically told her to NOT sneak into my bed! Yet, here she is having done exactly what I told her not to do. Should I get a restraining order or something like that?! …No, that wouldn't make a difference to Sakura, she would still chase me and ignore the legal order.

My brain quickly came to full wakefulness at realizing that Sakura wasn't just in my bed, but was also rather close to me. I… attempted to roll away from the woman and out of bed, yet when I did, a pair of arms circled around my upper torso and pulled me back down to the mattress. I found myself now pulled against the woman that hadn't been invited and hold me in an embrace that I don't think I could get out of. Sakura always had strength that I could never understand how she had. Nevertheless, back to my issue, I worked to turn myself around in the embrace as I'd started with my back against Sakura's front. I then got my hands onto Sakura's shoulders and began to shake her to wake her up and get an explanation. "Sakura, wake up, get up right now as you have explaining to do," I said in a firm voice.

It took around half a minute to get Sakura to open her eyes and blink tiredly, followed by her rubbed her eyes, which released me from her embrace. I took that chance to put some distance between the woman and myself, sitting on the other side of the bed, waiting for Sakura to wake up. "Tyler, why are you awake this early?" Sakura asked.

I crossed my arms and frowned a bit, "You tell me why you're in my bed, and I'll tell you why I'm up this early." I returned in a flat tone, "Now, sit up and give me an explanation of why you did the opposite of what I set as a ground rule last night."

Oh, did I ever regret telling Sakura to sit up… for, when she had, my brain slammed on the brakes, bringing all its processes to a halt as I got a full view of what she was wearing! Sakura was wearing light salmon colored one-piece nightgown, which the word 'short' applies, but that was stretching it. The bottom ended at few inches below her hips, even clothing that are 'called' mini are longer than this piece was. The gown was held on Sakura's body by two thin spaghetti straps, one over each shoulder, which attached on the front and back of the rest of the gown. What Sakura was wearing wasn't completely revealing, but it certainly wasn't covering what most appropriate clothes do! I mean, the parts of this nightgown that cover her chest, they were somewhat see-through, and though she had underwear on, it was clear that that underwear wasn't something you find in a 'normal' store. Not that I know what stores that carry female underwear supply, just assume that it's logical and appropriate for most of it. Anyway, the rest of the gown appeared to be made of silk and it hugged her body, and appeared to be pretty thin. It clearly showed off her well defined womanly curves and brought attention to her flawless cream-colored skin.

My mouth of its own accord fell open slightly as I gaped at Sakura and the apparel she had chosen to sleep in. Words failed me, as a good amount of my logic and intelligence followed suit. In my defense, this is nature doing its job, I'm an adult after all, at least done with puberty. Seriously, I'm an eighteen-year-old male and there's a scantily clad female that's only a couple of years older than me.

Sakura woke up more fully and she noticed me staring like I was, she then gained a very confident smirk, "Like what you see Tyler?" She asked with a slightly seductive tone of voice, "I don't mind since it's you, go right ahead… or perhaps you would be interested in something more?"

Her words didn't help me, did the opposite as I muttered incoherently at both questions, which only seemed to encourage Sakura to keep going with she was. Sakura crawled forward on her hands and knees slowly towards me as she stared at me with that confident yet seductive expression. In response to that, I moved backward, until I came to the edge of the bed, my choice is to either fall to the floor or I need to change direction in which I'm crawling backwards. I moved to the right, yet, Sakura followed me as I made my way back to the middle of my king-size bed, not allowing our locked gazes to break. The woman didn't let me make an increased distance between her and myself. All the while, Sakura's confident smirk had an air of seduction growing and it really worried me!

My running or speedy crawling was brought to an end as Sakura cornered me and cut off my escape routes. I was trapped in the middle of the bed, with us being around two feet apart. The pink-haired woman looked like a cat about to pounce on its prey, all she needs are ears and a tail and it would be a precise picture. I tensed myself, preparing to throw my body either left or right when Sakura launched herself at me. I didn't have to wait long for Sakura did just that, she pounced at me and let me tell you, as pretty as Sakura is, it was scary when she's lunging at me! Even though I prepared to evade the incoming attack, Sakura was a step ahead of me and was ready for my escape attempt. The woman managed to wrap her arms around my neck and quickly pinned me down, not letting me get away from her. Next thing I know, Sakura had pressed her lips against mine in a kiss.

My mind is being torn in two by my current situation, on the one side my brain was shouting that this was dangerous and to get away immediately! The other side of this in me was being influenced by the incoming sensory input I was getting, telling me to let this happen. All I can say in this for the moment, I had no idea that Sakura would be this good at kissing! The way she was kneading my lips with her own, it didn't let me even think about ignoring the motion. That wasn't the only thing that I was noticing, like a couple of the times before now when she has chased and caught me, Sakura had a scent. Not like a perfume, the smell that I got when Sakura is around me that I believe comes from her, yet it's a fragrance that I can't breakdown exactly. There was a hint of a rosy smell and a few other things, but that's the best I can come up with to explain it.

However, the thing that I detected almost as much as Sakura kissing me, would be her body positioned over me. Hell, it's kind of hard not to note the feel of her body pressing against mine specifically, two soft somethings pressing against my chest. Now, I'm not an idiot, I've learned enough about health and specifically the female anatomy to give a very educated guess of what was pressing against my front. Admittedly, this was my first actual experience of having a woman's assets touching me on purpose… and I got to say, they're softer than I would've imagined them to be. This thought tangent kept running through my mind as I recalled, what exactly Sakura was wearing currently. All that separated the skin of our bodies, was just one layer of thin silk fabric and the cotton t-shirt and a pair of shorts I had on. And with Sakura moving and grinding her body against me like she was as she kissed me, her gown had been riding up higher and higher!

After about a minute, Sakura finally stopped pressing her lips against mine and pulled back slightly, which allowed me to breathe again. I gasped and gulped in air now that my mouth wasn't covered over, my eyes were shut as I focused on getting oxygen into my lungs. Once my head was swimming less and became clearer, I opened my eyes and saw that Sakura's face was still very close to mine, her nose was less than a centimeter from touching my own. Her body hadn't been removed from being against mine. This situation is going deep into very dangerous territory! …I can only think of one way out of this that will likely get the result I want before Sakura gets busy getting what she's after, if her actions are anything to judge by. The only problem that causes me to hesitate, what I would need to do is so outright embarrassing to me!

I took a deep breath… I'll keep my silence about this action I'm about to commit and take it to my grave… none but those closest to me can or shall ever learn about this! "HELP, I'M ABOUT TO BE RAPED!" I screamed as loud as I could, in blood curdling tones.

If my scream hadn't woken up the other two staying at my house, when I could've probably woken the dead, then they would have to be deaf or completely drugged beyond coherent thought, and I they better not be! Sakura ignored my desperate cry for help to the others and continued her… cuddling with me, and she added giggling softly as she clung to me. The next few minutes felt like a small yet long eternity as I was in the clutches of Sakura Clyne, she was having her way with me… and given enough time, that could take something from me that I can't retrieve back ever again.

However, thankfully, the door to my room burst open with a bang, I raised my head and saw that the salvation I'd yelled for had arrived in the form of Lisa and Athrun coming through the door, Athrun slightly behind Lisa. My struggling against Sakura increased with friends here, hoping that seeing me doing what I could to break and free myself from the woman on top of me, would get them to help me out of my plight. The attempt I was making to get free, seemed to spur the pink-haired woman onward and forward in this activity. Lisa came forward shortly after getting through the door and seeing my struggling, Athrun joined her quickly and they both began to pull Sakura off me. It took a couple of minutes for them to get Sakura off me, as she fought them and clung to me as much as she could. Yet, in the end Lisa and Athrun prevailed and managed to pry the woman away from me, to my intense relieve!

Lisa then dragged Sakura out of my bedroom. Sakura, the woman known to be colder than cold, shows little emotion, the feared Black Zephyr of ZAFT, was complaining and whining like a child being denied what they want by their parents the whole way to her room. Yes, Sakura was throwing a small tantrum as she was pulled out of my bedroom and the sounds that came from the hallway, Sakura continued her fit as Lisa kept dragging her back to her room proved the idea.

I let out a sigh and shook my head and the event I had just been forced to go through, "Tye, what was that about," asked Athrun still clearly not sure he had been seeing correctly.

My attention shifted to my blue-haired friend, "No, you weren't seeing things Athrun, that was Sakura Clyne, the infamous Black Zephyr and the Blood Princess of ZAFT. She acts quite differently when she's around me, as you saw… I'm still not used to the vast difference between the two," I replied. Then I put a hand to my temple, "But I didn't think she would go this far already… thanks for the save my friend."

Athrun slowly nodded and left my room, after he did, I exhaled, looked at the clock in the room and saw that though it was early, it wasn't worth going back to bed. So, I rolled myself out of bed to start the day, giving up the dream of sleeping in, as there was a chance that Sakura would return to my room. Then, I'd made arrangements yesterday, to have a meeting with my mom, and as my luck would have it, today is her day off for the week. Part of the reason I scheduled the meeting, was to have my mom get through the procedures for Athrun and Sakura being here. My mother had said she would be free this morning, so I had intended to wake up kind of early this morning, just not to when I did.

That being said, after an hour and a half to get everyone together and in order, which took far longer than it should've if you ask me. Athrun and I were dressed, had eaten breakfast and were ready to go in around forty-five minutes upon us waking up. Lisa and Sakura… took twice that, I'll never will understand why women need so much time to get themselves ready for things. Anyways, once we were all ready, the four of us piled into my car and I drove them and myself to the minister's residence. We were let in by the staff, Athrun and Sakura seemed to be looking around and were thinking about something, what I couldn't guess. I'd told them that they were going to meet the Republic's Prime Minister yesterday.

To say that the reaction to that statement had been interesting, would be putting it mildly. Athrun had seemed nervous about meeting with my mom. Athrun's response had been sort of funny, for he had met my mother before, but it's been a few years since he's seen her. However, he seemed nervous about this meeting, though my mother isn't mean or anything like that, maybe he's intimidated by her, though I can't think of why. Lisa had been indifferent as she was aware that the Prime Minister was my mother… one of the few that do know. I had told the point before, so this would be a friend meeting my mom.

Sakura appeared somewhat annoyed, but with Sakura, I would assume with her position, she probably has to meet with political figures often enough. Politics with the PLANTs aren't all that different than how they are on Earth, there are those that have their own agendas and see nothing wrong with doing deals with others to get what they want. So in this, with Sakura's probable experience with politics, along with her father being the Chairman of the PLANT's Supreme Council, she could go either way good or bad. But around me, I can't predict how the woman will act at all, I just hope and pray that she doesn't embarrass me in front of my mother.

It's unfortunate, but I've had to go to great lengths to hide the identity of my family, specifically my parents' identity. Although, it shames me to do it, the need to separate my reputation and what I do for the Federation military from my private life, has been clearer the longer I've been in the service. The major reason I saw it to be so necessary, was my mother would take a hit should I get into trouble or for what I do. The Earth Alliance hasn't appreciated the things I've done against them at all and if they knew my real identity, things wouldn't end nicely. There are those in the Alliance that would not only make my life hell, but would go as far as to do the same to any related to me and those I care about. For my mom, I don't see it to be a good idea to create a political fiasco out of the things I do to protect others.

I drove all of us to the Minister's Estate and the four of us were escorted to the office in the house after we arrived. Behind the desk was my mom, the sight of her at her desk looking over documents, gave me yet another example of where I get my stubborn work ethic. Even though it's supposed to be her day off, my mother was going through paperwork, still doing work, typical. However, the expression on her face, didn't speak well of whatever she was going over, it was an expression I've seen and was when she was going over things that she didn't like or saw as ridiculous. I cleared my throat to alert the older woman of her visitors, and my mother did look up and noticed we were there. "Ah, you're a little early," my mom greeted.

I shrugged in response, "As I recall, you always did insist that punctuality is an important quality to cultivate. Oh, how did you put it so often… oh yeah, I quote, 'if you're early, you're on time. If you're on time, you're late and should be ashamed of yourself. If you're late, then things started without you and it's your fault and loss,' end quote. At least, that's how I remember you saying the idea most of the time," I replied.

My mom sighed at what I said, putting a hand to her temple, yet I saw a small smile form on her face. "I suppose I should at least be glad that some of the ideas I tried to teach you did stick in your memory and that you apply the lessons intended. It means that you did listen to your father and me on occasion," she returned.

I chuckled a bit at my mother's reply, and kind of forgot that there were others in the room with us, but I was quickly reminded of my three companions. "You two clearly know each other so, what's the relationship?" asked Sakura, with a subtle tone of jealousy.

I twisted around, and was made aware of the others here in the same room, then focused on Sakura as she had been the one to ask the question. However, the tone she had, made me wonder if she implied something against my mother. Then, I shook my head and spoke to the group at large, "Everyone, meet the current Prime Minister of the Republic of East Asia, Ellen Blass, who as it happens, is also my mother." I spun around to face my mom, "Mom, you remember my friend Athrun Zala I would hope. This is Lisa Malto, a more recently made friend," I said pointing to Athrun and Lisa in turn as I introduced them, "And Sakura Clyne."

There was silence for a bit after I made the introductions, yet it was Sakura's voice that broke it. "Wait, you're the son of the Prime Minister of the Republic?" she asked, somewhat surprised.

I nodded, "Like you're the eldest daughter of the Chairman of the PLANT's Supreme Council, yep," I replied.

My mother rose from the desk and came around and bowed to those with me, "It is nice to meet the two of you," mom greeted, talking to Lisa and Sakura, before she turned to Athrun, "It is good to see you again Athrun, you look even more like your mother than when you were younger."

Athrun rubbed the back of his head with a hand, "Thank you ma'am, that's very kind of you to say that," he returned.

My mother hadn't only met Athrun's mother, Lenore Zala, the two had become very good friends. The woman had visited the Republic a few times as well, which had always been enjoyable, she was a very nice lady. However, I refocused my attention back on the present, "So mom, what were you looking over that has you in an irritated mood," I questioned.

My mom sighed while putting a hand to her forehead, "You noticed Tyler?" she posed.

I gave an affirmative nod, as I've picked up the skill over the years. My mother walked back over to the desk and picked up a page, then came over to me and held out the said page. I took the paper and looked at it, and in a few seconds, I fully understood why my mother was irritated like she was. The page was part of a document and went as follows:

To the government of the Republic of East Asia

The Republic, a neutral nation that allies itself with the Human Federation, is not taking into consideration the current state of world affairs as they have become. It is urged to review current events and consider its lack of action and what such shows to the rest of the world. As a nation on and of Earth, there is a responsibility to protect the world, its best interests and not to only seek to preserve its own domestic peace. The Republic has received continually repeated requests for cooperation in efforts to make the whole world safe and not just part of it. On behalf of all participating member states of the united Earth Alliance ask and urge the Republic to assist in this conflict that involves the Earth and those who threaten it. We await your reply and hope that you make the right decision in this.

The President and Members of the Leadership of the Atlantic Federation, along with the other member states of the Earth Alliance

The document went on with the drivel that the senders were saying the government of the Republic should do. I stopped scanning the 'suggestions' after the first three as each made me angry and fed a desire to break something. It was obvious to me, by the wording and the suggestions, whom the senders were. The Atlantic Federation, the senders, were basically saying to leave the Human Federation, throw away our values, both moral and political, to become 'members' of the Earth Alliance and do what they said going forward. What the words meant, were different than what was inferred and implied, like night and day in my opinion. The Alliance wasn't doing well against ZAFT, there was lots of mounting evidence that proved the facts as they were. Although the leaders of the Alliance won't admit that they're losing right now so instead, they're putting pressure on those who were a part of the Federation to work for them plus, I would assume they are desperate to get their hands on Federation tech. It's not a threat… just yet, but I get the feeling that it'll become so soon enough.

I handed the page back to my mom and gritted my teeth, "I understand… why you're irritated mother, what's on the page is not only a load of stinking crap, but complete malarkey," I growled low. "I'm really not surprised it's being put the way it is, since it's coming from the leadership of the Atlantic Federation. Those at their head never have cared about anyone or anything other than themselves, their views and vendettas."

"What are you talking about Tyler?" asked Lisa.

It wasn't me that answered the question, but my mother, "A… request, from the Atlantic Federation, on behalf of the Earth Alliance the document says. Urging those of us who are the political leaders of the Republic, to reconsider our current standing within the Federation and side with the Alliance," my mom remarked flatly.

Sakura stayed silent, yet Athrun didn't, "But, why would any part of the Alliance's leadership even ask any of the member nations of the Human Federation, especially one of the two founding ones, to join them? It doesn't make sense, more so with the treaty between the Alliance and the Federation," he said.

My mom gained a pitying expression, "To most people, especially those who possess common sense, it doesn't make logical sense at all Athrun. However, something you must understand, from behind the scenes, there is a growing group in the leadership of the Earth Alliance that have extremely differing views than the Human Federation as well as most in the PLANTs and ZAFT. Yet, they want the power that the Federation has to protect its citizens and interests, to fulfill their ambitions," my mother iterated.

I snorted, "In other words, they're so focused on their hatred of Coordinators, that they don't care who gets hurt or killed for them to get what they want. For the Republic specifically, the reason the Alliance wants this nation at their beckon and call, is for the 'Shen Lóng', our massdriver, along with the Teswa Research & Development complex," I added.

My mother sighed, "Yes, they certainly want them, and add to that, they are nonverbally slapping and discounting the values we hold here, moral and non-moral ones, by telling us to essentially throw them away. For instance, in the document, one of the suggestions given, is that we exile or deport all the Coordinators that live within our nation. Or the other form of the idea suggested as a separate item, would be in my personal view worse, to register and 'tag' Coordinators and use them for our own benefit without treating them as people. Either way is a type of abuse that is unacceptable to be done to anyone. It should not matter whether one is a Natural-type or a Coordinator, or any other type of human, they are all human beings when all is said and done. What matters is what a person does with what they have that matters the most and how a person with be judged," she stated.

I nodded strongly, "Right you are mom! Honestly, the 'leadership' of the Atlantic Federation can go screw themselves and have it recorded if you ask me. For them to try to force their ridiculous views and hatred of those that are different, it's wrong! They're using the 'crime of existence' to justify what they do and that's not right," I remarked.

"Crime of existence? What are you talking about Tye," asked Athrun in slight confusion.

It was my mom that answered the question that was a very philosophical one in its subject matter. "The 'crime of existence' is a philosophical argument that has been debated for an unknown length of time, but it was around even before the beginning of the Cosmic Era as historical records have noted. The idea of Natural vs. Coordinator falls under the age-old argument much like different ethnicity did long ago. The easiest way to explain this, is to use an allegory. Let us say that a man and a woman have a child, to some this child represents a danger of some sort. Then there's a group that reasons, if the child had not been born, then the world would be a safer place as there would be no danger." Athrun was about to interrupt, but mom held up a hand to stop him, "Whether that view is true or not, is irrelevant to this allegory. The two who brought this child into the world are also blamed for the possible danger however, not as much as the child who the hatred is aimed at from those who fear them. Yet, the child has done nothing wrong at all, and only wishes to live their life in peace. Do you see the glaring contradiction within this example," my mother finished.

"Simply put, the child's crime is simply being born, which accusation itself isn't in any way fair. A child can no more be held responsible for coming into life as they are, than someone can stop the movement of the plants of the solar system around the sun. Hence, the conundrum in this argument and why it makes no logical sense. You can't truly and honestly blame someone for an event they had absolutely no control over or choice in," I stated clearly.

-Line Break-

-Neutral pov-

The Archangel

It was mid-evening of the fourth day since landing on Earth, Kira and Lacus had been allowed to go back to their quarters for the rest of their recovery. Flay, wishing to help, decided to keep an eye on both Kira and Lacus, until they both recovered fully. So, the red head made her way to their quarters and knocked on the door, "Kira, Lacus? I'm coming in," said Flay.

She opened the door to Kira's quarters, which they were sharing for now, to see the two sitting on their respective beds, their robot pets twirling around them. She smiled softly as the two looked up at her, "I was just bringing something to you," she said, just as she'd told Sai, she'd spent a lot of time watching over the two, with nothing else to do for the time being.

Flay held out two paper flowers to them. "The mechanics found these in the cockpits of the Strike and Asuka… they look like the ones we made for Junius Seven." Flay looked at them uncertainly. "Is… there a connection there?"

"Sort of," said Lacus as she accepted the blue flower. "You remember that girl, El? She gave these to us before boarding the Menelaos launch, as a thank you."

"Oh, I see," said Flay as Kira accepted the yellow flower. The redhead smiled. "I think she picked that color because it matches your eyes."

"Hmm…" mused Lacus.

"Well, it's late," said Flay. "I'm going to bed now, you two just rest."

"Okay," said Kira. "Good night Flay."

"Good night," added Lacus. Flay gave them a slight nod and left.

They were quiet for a few minutes, staring at the flowers, before Kira turned to Lacus to continue the conversation Flay had unwittingly interrupted.

"So, Sakura was leading that last battle?" asked Kira, "by what chief Murdoch said, Tye said as much."

Lacus nodded, clutching the paper flower a little tighter, "Yes, she was, but Sakura was… well, she was acting different," she said. "Kira, the last time you saw Sakura was almost four years ago. You remember?"

Kira nodded, thinking back to that time.

-Flashback-

Yamato Residence, Copernicus City

Sakura watched her little sister Lacus as she 'cuddled' with her friend Kira Yamato. She hadn't much of an issue with the boy, it was odd as most males that tried to get close to Lacus irked Sakura greatly and she made sure that such fools knew that she felt that way. But, as she kept watching the pair, there shortly came a point that Sakura would not say quiet. "You two really should try to be a LITTLE less affectionate with each other," she commented teasingly as she smiled down at the two twelve-year-olds leaning against each other as they watched TV. The two sprang apart, blushing faintly, looking up at her. Sakura smiled. "You wouldn't want your fiancée getting jealous, now would you?"

Lacus glared at Sakura, "You'd rather he gets jealous or call things off anyway," she said with a slight huff.

Sakura laughed a bit, "That's true, but that's because I'm protecting you, since no one else seems to do the job. Even Kira doesn't have my approval yet, but he's closer than Athrun Zala," returned Sakura.

"Really Sakura, it isn't like that, and Athrun didn't get a choice in the arrangement either, he told me that," muttered Kira.

"Sure it isn't, I'll believe you for the moment, now… what are you two watching?" Sakura glanced at the TV and blinked, "A concert?"

"Kira seems to enjoy listening to female pop artists," said Lacus with a slight grin. Kira blushed slightly, shaking his head in denial. "Oh, don't try that with us Kira!" said Lacus.

"Well, music is one of the most wondrous thing in the world," said Sakura with a bit of a far-off look in her eyes.

"Well… my interest was piqued a few years ago by Sheryl Nomie," admitted Kira. Sakura and Lacus both shared shocked looks at that. "I know she disappeared from the music scene before I was even born, but when I heard her music… well, I guess you could say I fell in love with it. I started listening to music a lot after that, so," Kira trailed off in his mumbling.

"I see," said Lacus softly. "Hmm," She coughed, clearing her throat, then took a deep breath.

Everyone calls me "fairy"
I try to live up to it.

Kira and Sakura stared at Lacus in surprise as she began to sing one of Nomie's songs in a near-perfect imitation.

I can't feel the weight in my heart.
That's why I chose to fly in the sky.

"Lacus," breathed Sakura softly, staring at her baby sister in shock… and what might possibly could've been a touch of envy.

Kira started to relax, listening to his friend's perfect singing of a song that he remembered listening to over and over again just a few years back.

I was shaken by love from meeting you, and my wings lost their way.
Exposed to the rain, they are wet, and they woke the sleeping lifeforms.
Fly away, for another day.
Call for me with your voice.

-End Flashback -

Kira shook away the memory before he got distracted and went about asking Lacus to sing something, which wouldn't be good for her health right now anyway. "I remember," he said. "It was the first time I heard you sing." Kira said.

Lacus nodded, "You know all about the resentment between us," she said. "I was always living in Sakura's shadow, but I had the one talent Sakura wished to have more than the ones she possessed. What you don't know is a lot of other stuff that happened with her."

"Like?" asked Kira.

"Well, Sakura discovered her talent for combat," said Lacus. "Combat, military leadership… she had a knack for it. She's always been highly capable at almost anything she puts her mind to, but she was a really good fighter and commander. So, she worked to cultivate those skills. She's called the Blood Princess for a reason… and there's also reasons she's called the Black Zephyr too."

"That would be?" questioned Kira.

"For a while, sis was… someone who fights for the sake of it. She loved combat and challenges, the adrenaline rush was, to use an old metaphor, better than sex for her… not that I think she's done that with anyone. Yet, she still hates war in and of itself, but she loves combat, for the push and challenges that it provides. However, killing, destruction and hatred, those are the roots of her hatred for war, even though it's where she thrives. But then Endymion happened, and she lost her team… her second family, including her childhood friend who she cherished and opened up to, perhaps more than her own family."

"Wow," said Kira slowly, "I didn't know that…"

Lacus continued, "After the events at Endymion, Sakura was lethargic in public, so most didn't even think much of it, but in private, Sakura was falling apart into a complete wreck. She blamed herself for getting everyone killed, and then, when she was sent back out to L4, she was mostly going through the motions… until Lieutenant La Flaga showed up. The prospect of a challenge that even the other two top ZAFT aces had never quite beat brought her fighting spirit back out, though she's a lot more restrained." Lacus paused, "Still, she'll keep coming after us as long as she can, keeping her lips sealed… and going out of her way to fight the two of us head-on, both to help us improve and for the sake of challenging our mobile suits. But she'll do what she can to keep us safe."

"Considering what she hit us with back in orbit, she has a funny way of showing it," mutter Kira.

"Yes, but I don't think she'd have done that lightly," said Lacus.

She hesitated, remembering the change and vast difference Sakura had shown when Tyler had shown up. Her sister had been acting happier than she had when she'd been with her team. It had made so little sense to Lacus and she wouldn't have believed that her sister would be like that if she hadn't seen it herself! Looking at the paper flower and clutched it to her chest, she spoke again, "Kira," said Lacus.

Kira looked to his pink haired friend in slight confusion, "Yes?" He asked.

"Well, there was something… odd recently, during the battle in Orbit in fact. You remember how Tye has said he avoids my sister," Lacus inquired.

Kira thought for a moment, Tyler had indeed told Kira himself about an 'issue' that he had with Sakura. By what he had described, it had sounded like Sakura had be stalking him or something like that. It had sounded crazy and hard to believe, especially with some of the specifics times that Tyler had described, Kira thought he had been exaggerating since Sakura wouldn't do such things. Kira nodded slowly, "Yeah, I remember much of what Tye has said, probably has bad experiences with Sakura in the past. But, he wouldn't want to hurt your feeling since you respect her so much, so he describes them in an odd way. Why do you ask Lacus," he asked.

Lacus hesitated, "Well, while Sakura and I were fighting each other in the atmosphere, Tye got between us and just after he spoke… Sakura changed. She sounded happy and… well, infatuated with Tyler I think. I haven't heard her talk like she did for years… since before the war started. It makes me wonder if what Tye has said about my sister and what she has done around him, isn't actually true in some way. I mean, Tye doesn't have a tendency to lie to us," she said.

Kira was silent for a moment, "So then, there is a chance that we will have to go against her again?" he asked.

Lacus nodded, "I believe so, though I can't say when it will happen or where." She answered.

In the ship's hangar, Murdoch finished typing on a computer connected to Skygrasper One. He heaved a sigh of weariness, wiping sweat from his forehead, and turned to face the pilot sitting in the Skygrasper in question.

"Listen Lieutenant," called Murdoch, "what do you say we call it a night? You won't really know what fine adjustments are needed until you get it up in the air. And quite honestly, we both need sleep to be effective in this work."

Mu stretched, heaving a sigh himself. "Yeah, you're right," he said as he clambered out of the cockpit. "The health of our two young pilots is definitely starting to improve by what I hear, so, we may be able to get out of here as early as tomorrow. Although I would've preferred getting on our way and into safer territory than we are in right now."

The door to the hanger opened and Sophia and Krystal came in, "Didn't I tell you Sophia, Mu and Murdoch would still be down here working?" Krystal said to Sophia.

Sophia sighed and nodded, "Yes, you are right Krystal, Mu probably works himself more than he should," both women turned to face the two in the hanger, "Although, I'm agree with you Lieutenant La Flaga," Sophia said. "You two need to put down the tools and get some sleep."

Both men looked at one another and knew it would be best to admit defeat as these two women would unlikely give up and leave them alone. So, best to call it a night…

Meanwhile, on the Archangel's bridge, it was quiet as the ship kept moving forward. "The ship can be cooled by routing excess heat through the black hole exhaust system," said Pal to Kuzzey in the CIC, wanting to reassure the boy that they probably wouldn't have a fight on their hands in the near future. "As long as we can evade infrared scans by satellites, we just might pull this off. Our radar's unreliable, but that means theirs is too."

At that moment, the main door of the bridge opened, and Tolle and Miriallia stepped through.

"We're here to begin our shift," said Miriallia.

"Don't give me that!" said Arnold sternly. "You're late!"

"Sorry," apologized Miriallia.

Arnold just shook his head and decided not to worry about it as the two sat at their stations. The help of the students from Heliopolis was appreciated, but they had so much to learn about what being a member of the military was about, since they enlisted.

"And that's all because of the Neutron jammers?" asked Kuzzey, returning to the subject he'd been on with Pal before his friends arrived. "But isn't there a way to get rid of them?"

"That's impossible," said Pal, shaking his head. "They've been fired deep below the Earth's surface. We don't even know how many there are or where a lot of them are located. If it were possible, then someone would've done it already. The way they came down, it's suspected that specific targets were chosen before they were sent down to Earth. But, as a result, radio waves and fission-based energy have been adversely affected, might as well say the barely work, if they do at all. However, it's still a lot better than having nuclear missiles flying around all over the place. If ZAFT had retaliated in kind after the nuclear attack on Junius Seven, then there would be no Earth right now. Even if the Earth Alliance doesn't want to admit it, ZAFT made a hard yet noble choice in not blasting us with nuclear missile after the Bloody Valentine occurred."

"Anything unusual?" asked Natarle as she stepped unexpectedly into the bridge.

"Nothing detected ma'am," said Pal, looking up from the CIC for a moment. Of course, this was Kuzzey's station, but no harm in sparing the kid from the need for military discipline, if only for a moment.

Natarle mentally noted Pal's report as she walked to the front of the bridge and offered a bottle of water to Arnold. "Do we have the data on the hull's distortion?" she asked.

"Yes. Thanks," said Arnold as he took the bottle. "These are just simple measurements. The stress distortion seems to be within acceptable limits, the details can be seen…" Arnold trailed off as he tried releasing the water bottle in mid-air and it dropped unceremoniously to the floor.

"Petty officer Neumann, please," said Natarle as she stepped around him and retrieved the bottle, "try to remember we're no longer in a weightless state here on Earth."

"I-I'm sorry about that," he apologized.

"Sonar is detecting only biologics below us," said Natarle, scanning Arnold's station read-out boards.

"What does that mean?" asked Tolle.

Arnold turned to look at the copilot. "That there's nothing out of the ordinary in the ocean we're in right now." Arnold then turned to Natarle, "So then, where's our next destination?"

Natarle thought for a moment, "We can't go back and our eventual goal is still JOSH-A Alaska, however, we need supplies." She looked over the small map on Arnold's display, "The best course right now would be to Human Federation territory. They aren't against resupplying ships from the Alliance or ZAFT."

Nodding, Arnold looked at the map as well, "The closest in that would be the Equatorial Union."

Natarle agreed, "Set course for Delias then," she said.

Phase end

A/n

The ending point is the same. Now a 'question' for you readers. I have considered whether to make a scene after the two shuttles land in the Republic. The scene would be Cagalli meeting with Ellen Blass and having a talk about things. Would any be interested in seeing something like that, or would it be a waste and detract? As always, please some of you take the time to write a review and tell me what you think. Until next time, peace out to you all!