A/N: Allelujah praise the lord I finally got another chapter out and its thanks to Pacifism is for the Birds who without which this chapter wouldn't have been made so a big round of applause for him. I made a minor change in the previous chapter for something that happens in this chapter, but please enjoy.

Chapter 11

Crumbling Peace

The Minerva was currently resting in the middle of the Pacific Ocean while its work and engineering crews were going through the ship examining and making any needed repairs the battleship required before they would attempt to head to Orb to deliver Cagalli and her entourage, but with the recent happenings communications were currently impossible with the fall of Junius Seven so the people aboard had no choice except wait.

At that same moment on the Marshall Islands Lacus accompanied by Kira's mother Caridad Yamato and Canard Pars as well as Reverend Malchio who were watching as the orphaned children in their care were surveying the damage to their home they had lost due to tidal waves from the fall of a Junius Seven fragment. Lacus could only watch sadly as the children were heartbroken over the lost of their possession, but the songstress was more thankful than none of them had been harmed.

Their possessions could be replaced, but not the children.

Looking up at the sky silently a feeling a dread washed over her mind as she knew what the outcome following the aftermath of this terrible disaster would be like. The anger and hate that would spread like wildfire throughout the world after the sorrow has consumed those who lived as they mourn those who have died.

"A congratulations are in order, Lord Djibril, for the diligent work with media manipulation."

Djibril leaned back, stroking his black cat as the praise was heaped upon him. It was a piece of cake to use both the images and the communications from the battle of Junius Seven to paint an extremely bad light upon PLANT. Already, news services around the world were using them to great effect, as was evidenced by the massed assemblies in numerous major cities that were left unharmed.

"Indeed, already leaders around the world are seeking consultation with us."

"Excellent," Djibril interjected, "It will be only a matter of time before we can get the world to unite again under our common flag."

"However," one of the men interjected, "there is an issue in which we want to discuss with you."

"Go on," Djibril said, suddenly sensing an issue with the direction this conversation was going.

"We are displeased with the lack of any military victory by your assets. We have provided your endeavors with numerous advanced units and funding and even with the added ZAFT units, you have yet to have any success. If you do not get any success soon, we have other means of getting success."

Djibril grit his teeth as he got up in his chair, the cat jumping down and scurrying away.

"I've handed us a casus belli against those patchwork monsters and you sit here giving me this talk about needing a military victory from ME?"

"It is nothing against your Djibril, however, there has been another who has scored some military victories as of late."

"And he has done it for less cost."

"Who are you referring to," Djibril said, keeping his voice as level as possible.

"It is none of your concern, your concern is to bring military success, we suggest you do it promptly."

The conference then ended as Djibril's fist clenched, then relaxed, before clenching again.

"CONFERENCE KUREI," he screamed

Meanwhile, the Anubis had returned back to its new home, buried deep within the icy bowels of Antarctica. Derek Azrael could only sit back and wait as the elevator lowered him deeper into its depths as it went by level after level of research, development, and production facilities that made up the facility.

It then came to a stop as it reached the deepest level of the facility that he could finally ease himself as the conveyer went into action guiding the Anubis to the cradle that awaited it, and the familiar blond headed figure of his brother.

He could only smirk as he opened the cockpit door and awaited as the Anubis finally came to a stop.

The two years had not exactly been the kindest to Murata Azrael, from a playboy who had everything to nothing had opened his eyes to how fleeting power truly was, but it also had hardened and made him a whole lot more dangerous.

He smiled as Derek exited the cockpit and clasped his arm.

"I take it the Anubis performed well?"

"Exceptionally well," Derek responded smiling, "It's a dream."

"Good."

Derek tilted his head slightly.

"This isn't like you. What are you not telling me?"

Azrael would only smile, "I found it."

"Found what?"

"You'll see," Murata stated, turning around and leading his brother.

"No, seriously Murata, what are you talking about? What is it?"

Murata said nothing as he led Derek to a door, before opening it up and leading them into a large well-lit cavern. They both then walked up to the large glass viewport that made up the wall and showed the interior of cavern.

"So what is this thing?"

"Just watch."

It was then that a loud klaxon started, and suddenly multiple doors in the extremely large cavern opened, and multiple mobile suits shot into the cavern taking flight.

Derek immediately noted that they were all Windam models, newest units just being rolled out by LOGOS to replace the 105 Daggers that made up the majority of the EA military. But what was different though were the antennas mounted on the head and shoulders.

They quickly set down in a large circle, weapons at their side, before another klaxon went off, and the Windams leapt up in the air, before firing off their weapons at one another, paintballs flying everywhere as the Windams began fighting against one another in almost a well choreographed battle, if it wasn't obvious that it was just a general furball as it seemed every single mobile suit was engaging one another.

"You remember how I've spent the last year going through the military looking for specific candidates," Murata asked of his brother.

"Yah, I remember that. What about it, you never told me why you were doing it."

"One of our moles provided a data dump on the majority of Axis's information databases. In there I found some rather interesting information on something called Newtypes. According to their information it was theorized human evolution from exposure to space would unlock portions of the brain previous locked during consciousness."

"And so?"

"What if these Newtypes also existed here? Over from where they came from, Newtypes were powerful pilots in their own right with heightened spatial awareness. If we could get our hands on them and militarize them, we could have an advantage on any of our enemies."

"And you're saying that you found one?"

"Yes," Azrael said excitedly, "All of those Windams in there, they are controlled by ONE PERSON."

Derek felt his jaw drop slightly, as he looked back out at the battle that was raging inside.

"How….how many mobile suits are out there?"

"At the moment twenty-three, but we've had her running as many as forty-one Windams at one time."

"….Wait….She?"

Murata could only smile like a cat who had swallowed a canary.

It was a short time later that Murata led Derek into another chamber, but this one was filled by scientists and various consoles as they went about their work, but the centerpiece of the room, where the scientists were obviously consciously avoiding was a large pod surrounded by a chaotic latticework of conduits and wires that connected to it like something out of Frankenstein.

"So this woman you're talking about? Who is she?"

"I'll let you introduce herself to you," Murata replied.

The pod then hissed as the contents inside were exposed to the atmosphere outside of it, and the hatch lifted open.

A scientist came running past Murata and Dennis with towel and stood at the side of pod as a figure stepped out of it and took the proffered towel before wiping her face and hair off.

It was then that Derek finally got a good look at who "she" was. Brown hair that just barely touched her shoulders, a subtly-sharp face that framed a pair of nearly iridescent green eyes. Completing the look though, was the distinctly unusual attire that she wore. A pair of low-cut black shorts and a t-shirt emblazoned with the OMNI Enforcer logo that was torn off at the midriff, obviously not professional attire, Derek noted wryly and appreciatively.

Her eyes then locked onto the Azrael brothers as Murata cleared his throat.

"Derek, this is…"

"One moment," she said, stepping past the two and sauntering towards one of the scientists who was standing over a console.

"Dieter, I was getting that weird feedback on the pod again, is it what we are thinking it is?"

"It's probably it, Keira, we were detecting that same feedback in your brainwaves, I'll have Charles run another simulation in the meantime."

"Thanks," she said, before turning around to the Azrael's who were still standing waiting for her.

"Keira Ashton," she said, extending a hand to Derek who took it, "I take it you're Azrael's brother and the pilot of that new mobile suit that just came in."

Derek shot a look at Azrael, who gave a shrug with a smile.

"How…did you?"

"How long you got," she replied, matter of fact, glancing at a chromo, "Because I need to get something to eat before we run another test."

"I have to run Derek, but why don't you join her. I think you'll find what she has…enlightening," Murata said, waving them off as he started to walk away.

Keira led Derek into the levels cafeteria and led him to a table.

"So, fire away," she said, making a motion over Derek's shoulder.

"You said you detected my mobile suit? How?"

She leaned back for a moment, before sandwich was placed before her, then waited until the man who left it was gone.

"What has Murata told you about Newtype Theory?"

"Nothing, I know he was babbling something about it a year or so ago, but he and I haven't been in contact for awhile."

"Oh good, the long method," she murmured before taking a small bite of the sandwich.

"Okay, the human brain theoretically has locked portions of the brain that aren't normally accessed in our day to day lives. Up until recently, we only had working theories of what goes on in there, and even then, it was just educated guesses."

"So what changed?"

"Axis. Azrael raided them right before the treaty for almost all the information they had. Lot of scientific information we never thought of we got from there and are being developing here. But long story short, they had a dearth of information on what they refer to as Newtypes. Newtypes according to what they have are people who have unlocked those portions of the brain that have previously been locked from conscious usage. Advanced spatial awareness, psychic ability, a whole gamut of things."

"So what are the military applications to this?"

"You're looking at one."

Derek raised an eyebrow.

"What we are working on in there will revolutionize warfare for the Earth Alliance. Imagine entire mobile suit squadrons being controlled by the will of one person, who can manipulate them with better reaction times and squad synergy than a squad of normally piloted mobile suits. Imagine if it can be done halfway across the world where no threat can affect the Newtype controller. All it requires is a strong Newtype."

"Two things, the first is finding a strong Newtype, sadly, I'm the only one that Murata has been able to find. It was planned for me to actively hunt for them when we finalize the project, but we'll just have to make do with what we have. Second, is the system itself. That pod contains three things that allows a Newtype to do what we described, the pod itself is a psychoframe enhanced with both a psycommu system….and a Zoning & Emotional Range Omitted System."

"Thank you for joining me," Chairman Durandal stated looking back from the windows out at the ocean that surrounding the megafloat.

"It is no problem Chairman," Nicholas stated, Haman nodding.

"Again, thank you for the assistance in trying destroy the remains of Junius Seven, it is tragic that our efforts were for naught and the sad consequence is the suffering now taking place on Earth."

"Indeed, Axis is offering any aid to the affected regions as of now, I take it you are doing the same," Haman asked.

"Indeed, however, it seems that current public opinion is ah…preventing such generosity."

"You're referring to the current demonstrations already taking place," Nicholas stated.

"Indeed, sadly the taint of the past still manifests itself no matter how hard we have worked towards an amicable future," Durandal responded, "there are those who still wish to cling to their xenophobic tendencies."

"You could say the same thing about the PLANTs," Haman pointed out, "it wasn't two years ago there was talk of extermination on both sides."

"Indeed, there are those same ghosts on our sides as well, and that is why we should all work towards a future in which this doesn't happen. However, at this time, it would be prudent to prepare for the worst. That is why I requested your presence."

"Continue," Haman replied, as Nicholas kept quiet.

"As soon as I return to Aprilius One, I will be releasing a statement ordering ZAFT to full military readiness."

"Are you sure that is wise," Nicholas responded, speaking up, "If ZAFT enters full military readiness, then it will inflame Earth to believe that ZAFT is preparing for war with the Earth Alliance. The Earth Alliance will accuse PLANT of deliberately causing the Break the World Incident as an attempt to cripple the Earth and as a prelude to war."

"It cannot be helped," Durandal admitted, "this is top secret information, but as allies to the PLANT, I feel that it is necessary to brief you on this. We have trusted information that there is a high probability that elements of the Atlantic Federation will be trying to attempt a direct attack upon the PLANTs within the next week or so. I cannot go into detail about what the source is or the strength of the force, but ZAFT intelligence assures me that the source is legitimate and the threat is real. If ZAFT is not fully mobilized, then a repeat of Junius Seven is inevitable."

"I see," Nicholas stated, looking to Haman.

"The reason I am sharing this with you is that I wish to ascertain if the PLANTs can depend upon Axis honoring the mutual defense pact that was signed after the first war."

Nicholas immediately spoke up, "I can guarantee that Axis will honor the treaty."

"General, I feel that I should be the one answering to this request," Haman replied, eyeing Nicholas.

"Of course, m'lady," Nicholas replied, giving a curt nod.

"Chairman, at this time, Axis is at peace, it does not have the power projection that it did have at our entrance into the previous war. Be this because of modernization, taking our economy off of a wartime footing, and replacing our heavy losses from the first war. While I cannot guarantee you the full support of Axis, I can guarantee the assets commanded by General Peacecraft during the time in which we move towards a wartime footing. We will honor our agreement, just as we would expect ZAFT forces to defend us if we came under attack, however, I refuse to place Axis forces into any operation in which ZAFT takes on the offense. We wish to be left alone, Chairman, while we figure out how to return to our homes and loved ones."

"An admirable stance, Lady Karn," Durandal agreed, "I thank you for honoring our pact."

"It is what allies do," she responded, giving a wan smile.

"Indeed. Again, I thank you for your time in speaking with me," Durandal stated, "My commanders will be in contact with General Peacecraft about the defensive preparations. General, Lady."

"Chairman," they both responded, before leaving him.

It was obvious to everyone as the two walked back to their private waiting area that there was a growing air of tension between the two.

It was after the door sealed to the room that Haman spun around and put her finger into Nicholas's chest.

"Don't you EVER undermine me like that again," she hissed, "you might be the commander of all my forces, but I am YOUR commander."

"Haman calm down," Nicholas responded, "we both knew what Durandal was going to request when he called us in."

"That doesn't excuse the fact," she responded, "that you are answering questions meant for me. We both know Axis isn't ready for any of this. We're stretched thin as it is. We don't have the personnel and material to fight a multi-front war, let alone get involved with ZAFTs endeavors. If we can just start building mobile dolls we can easily…"

"No," Nicholas responded vehemently, "no mobile dolls. I refuse to let us go down that road to where war is trivialized by dehumanizing it."

"And I'm telling you Axis can't support any larger forces than what we have without further automating our forces," she replied exasperated, "we both know Axis can't get too deep into this, we can't possibly afford it. Hell, we both know Durandal was the one who orchestrated Break the World, he's the only one with motive and means. This is the opening salvo of his damn Destin-umph."

Nicholas's hand closed over her mouth and pressed her up against the wall, his eyes blue eye sharp as he looked at her hard.

"Don't say that," he said quietly and firmly, "Not here."

Haman glared at him.

"Look, we both know it but we can't do anything about it right now, we have to play the cards we have in our hand. We have enough issues as is before we focus solely on Durandal, all the pieces are not in place."

He then leaned over and breathed in her scent before kissing her on the forehead.

"I'm sorry about that," he said, releasing her.

"You better be," she said irritably.

"You should get some rest, you've been acting erratic lately," Nicholas said giving a small smile, "you're working yourself too hard."

"You try running a nation by yourself," Haman responded, "then add on the sudden blackout of news about Mars Zeon, Scirocco running around doing what he always does, and….."

Her eyes then narrowed.

"That reminds me, I was going through a backlog of notes and I have to ask you: Where is Aloysius Knight?"

"Who," Nicholas responded.

Haman ripped herself out of his arms, "Don't play dumb with me Nicholas, I know all about you pulling Knight out of prison and putting him into your White Fang. Where is Knight?"

"Don't know, I haven't heard from him directly in almost two years now," Nicholas added in a mental oh shit as he saw Haman's face darken.

"You don't KNOW? Do you realize exactly who we are talking about? The man is almost as unpredictable and insane as Scirocco, you're telling me that you haven't heard from him in two….no….you didn't. Goddamit Nicholas, please don't tell me you did what I think you did."

"Did what?"

"You did. Goddamit Nicholas, you put that….that….that….THING in charge…"

Nicholas shot her a withering stare causing her to stop.

"Oh my god…you really did. Do you realize what you have unleashed?"

This isn't like Haman, she's usually calm and collected, why is she acting like a teenager on a bender…, Nicholas thought, as he was about to open his mouth to respond in the negative.

"No, don't even explain it Nicholas, mark my words, this is going to blow up in your face. And don't you dare say I didn't warn you, when it happens. You put your trump card into the hands of a mad wolf."

"Haman…"

"No, don't," Haman replied, holding up her hand, and massaging the bridge of her nose, "just…leave. I need to think for a bit."

"Haman," Nicholas responded, "look, I have control of this, don't worry."

He walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Things will work out fine, we both know how well I plan ahead on these kind of things. Everything is going as planned. You are right, we can't get too involved in the fight just yet, and you're right to tell me that I'm getting us too involved, but some things can't be avoided. But you go right on ahead telling me I'm an idiot, it keeps me grounded."

Haman settled in to his embrace, closing her eyes as she relented and cooled. Nicholas always had a way with words.

"Look, just, don't have your own web hang you, I'm not good at rescue missions," she said with a small smile.

Kamille looked up to the door to the brig opening again, but instead of Heero and Lunamaria like last time, this time it was Talia.

"Who are you," Kamille demanded, still retaining his seat.

"Captain Talia Gladys, this is my ship," Talia responded, standing across from the cell and looking over a datapad.

"Kamille Bidan…age 14, not much more information your friends knew about you other than you managed to somehow end up on their ship."

Kamille said nothing as Talia looked up, placing the pad down on a bench.

"Understand me when I say this, but you are in a lot of trouble young man. Mobile suit theft is a crime punishable by a long time in prison, and there is no prison for a child like you."

Kamille bowed his head slightly, considering her words. It would be stupid for him to open his mouth, he realized, it seemed to always get him into trouble.

"What I am here for, is to make you an offer."

"What kind of offer," Kamille asked.

"I've been authorized by the Supreme Chairman to drop all of the charges being placed against you for your actions, in return, you will be drafted into ZAFTs mobile suit corps and serve aboard my ship. I've personally looked over some of your mobile suits battle data and according to Ms. Hawke, you have the potential of being a fine mobile suit pilot, if you are properly trained."

Kamille eyed her, all adults were liars, they always had some kind of motive that they never said. But he had to admit, he was in a lot of trouble, and he didn't have his parents to fall back to like he usually did.

He then sighed, bowing his head.

"Fine…I'll do it," he stated in resignation.

"Good," Talia stated, nodding to a guard, "Petty Officer Cheivers here will take you to your accommodations, you will report to me in half an hour in uniform. We have a lot to talk about. In the meantime, I have some other issues to take care of."

"Thanks for waiting," Talia stated, exiting the Minerva via the gangway to a pair of people who were waiting for her, "I'm Captain Talia Gladys of the Minerva, you wished to speak with me?"

"Maria Verne," the brunette woman stated, holding out a hand, Talia taking it.

"Andrew Verne," the blond haired man responded, taking Talia's proffered, "And to answer your question, yes we're married."

"Oh," Talia responded, "So what was this you wished to speak with me about?"

"We received several shipments for you," Maria replied, "It seems that ZAFT wished for you to not only get the necessary repairs, but it seems they have shipped some mobile suit upgrades as well."

"I see," Talia responded, wondering why the two before her looked familiar, but she couldn't put a finger on it.

"Well, there is a problem with that," Andrew responded, "You see, technically, we are not allowed to load any weapons onto any foreign ship. However, if you could do it…," he trailed off.

Immediately it clicked with Talia. Of course, ORB needed to retain its pseudo-neutrality, and doing anything except repairing would place ORB in an extremely sticky situation with the Atlantic Federation.

"That is no problem. I'll have my maintenance crew get right to. I would like to thank you for the prompt repairs you have made; you seem to have handled it almost as well as ZAFT engineers would."

"There is a lot of commonality in armor and design with the Archangel and Kusanagi class," Maria admitted, "back during the first war, the Archangel was based out of here, so we had some experience with assault ships like yours. A lot of the repairs were simple replacement of the plates and fixing the ablative shielding. The fact that your ship didn't suffer any heavy damage made our lives a lot easier."

"Still, a thank you is in order," Talia stated, "Is there anything else you would like?"

"Well," Andrew stated, "We would like to ask if you would like to join us for a meal. Our shift is nearing its end, and we gather it's probably been an extremely stressful day for you. If it would make you feel better, consider it a thank you for saving the Earth."

Talia paused for a moment, a little stunned at being asked the question. Then her mind shifted to her schedule. They did have a point in some regards with it being a stressful day, and she had allowed some furlough for the crew as R&R for the stressful situation, and they were already going on it.

"How about in thirty minutes," Talia responded.

"Sounds fine," Maria said with a smile, "We'll see you at Gate 12."

Nicholas glanced down at the resting form of Haman who was leaned up on his shoulder. With the Giga-Float reporting atmosphere interference, their return to space had been delayed, and so Haman had decided to rest, using Nicholas as a pillow for her own personal use.

He had to admit, that Haman looked innocent when she was sleeping, it was almost unimaginable that this woman was the cutthroat commander of Axis who commanded large amounts of men and waged war with a type of tempered fury rarely seen nowadays.

Nicholas ran his hand through her hair, noting for the first time that she had grown her hair out just a little bit since he had seen her before Armory One; it almost took a bit of that edge off…almost.

As he was gazing down on her, he almost missed the vibrating of his mobile; he only got access to it just in time.

"Peacecraft," he whispered, making sure not to disturb Haman, he was sure he'd regret it if he did.

"It's Trowa. You wanted to speak with me?"

"Yes," Nicholas stated, closing his eyes and sighing, feeling the stress from earlier returning, almost like a case of cancer that ate away at him, it annoyed him that something could so easily get under his skin. But then again, something was off, and it annoyed him intensely, "I need you to get together a full briefing."

"What on?"

"Knight. These are orders from me, but I want you to contact and get whoever you need, and I want a comprehensive briefing on him by the time I get back to the Gwadan. Everything Trowa, leave not a single stone unturned."

"Understood," Trowa responded, "Anything else?"

"Yes. Do me a favor and pass this to you-know-who. Mordred Stirs."

"I'll pass that word along. How long until you return?"

"Probably another sixteen hours. The local atmosphere conditions are still chaotic thanks to the impacts, but it should clear up soon. Durandal had to take the only opening earlier."

"We'll be waiting here for your return," Trowa responded, cutting the connection, and leaving Nicholas alone with his thoughts.

The gun range was probably the only place that Lunamaria could ever relax. Where she could focus on her issues, and take out a little of her problems by firing a weapon into a target. It was almost like meditation for her because it allowed her to be alone with her thoughts.

At least, it used to be that way, she thought as she once again noted the gathering behind her.

Since it had come out that she was a protégé of Heero Yuy, almost everyone had questions or merely wanted to be around her. It had gotten so bad at times that she almost never had any time to herself, and despite her happy go lucky look on life, it did wear her thin.

She took aim with her handgun again, and lined up the target downrange quickly starting putting rounds downrange until she had run through the magazine, she then pulled out another clip, ejecting the old one, and continued firing downrange. She then ejected the last clip and placed the weapon down after safetying the weapon and bringing the target up.

She bit her lip in disappointment at one round missing the bullseye, imagining the disapproving look and unsaid berating Heero would have given her.

Heero and Athrun were getting ready to return to the PLANTs, for what reason she didn't know of yet. But that was beside the point, she had other concerns.

"So what's everyone gathering for? The new pin-up doll showing off her gun skills?"

…Speak of the devil, she thought glumly, as she turned around to eye Shinn who had walked into the room, complete with Rey…who she almost swore had become Shinn's little minder. Ever since it had been revealed that Heero had been her instructor before transferring to the Academy, and then her performance after Heero had given her permission to actually use her skills, had caused Shinn to become suddenly hostile to her.

"Oh, that's a pity," Shinn stated, faux disappointment lacing his tone, "You got rid of your women's uniform. How are you going to sell yourself…."

"Stop it, Shinn."

"Oh I apologize, I was just saying what a lot of people think, I didn't think it would offend you if it wasn't true."

"Shinn, that's enough," Rey spoke up finally.

"No Rey, I'm interested," Luna stated, walking up to Shinn, but remained at a respectable distance from him, "Fire away Shinn, let's see what you think everyone is thinking."

Shinn began to open his mouth, but Luna interrupted him.

"Nevermind, I think I've figured it out. You think that somehow, I got the great Heero Yuy to teach me, because I made some moves on him. Pause and think about that for a second. I would have been 15 if that happened."

"That's not what I meant," Shinn lied, horribly.

"Yes, you did," Luna stated, putting a finger into his chest, "You want the story? I had to watch my friend get killed by Rau le Creuset. I then had to pilot that same machine that killed my friend back to where it could be recovered. So don't you dare think I did nothing to actually earn being taught to do what I can do now."

Before either knew what happened, Shinn slapped Luna, causing her head to snap back, and causing an audible gasp to go through the gathering.

"So you think you're better than everyone because of that," Shinn yelled, "You think that gives you the right to throw it all in our faces?"

So that's it, Lunamaria thought, he's threatened by the fact that I'm better than him. Of course it made sense, the fact that she had pulled a Noin, for lack of better term, at the Academy in order to hide her prowess, now had Shinn threatened because he was first in the class and gained the Impulse because of that. Now that she had taken the mask off…

"I never threw it in your face," Lunamaria responded, still feeling the sting on her cheek, "if you do that again, I swear Shinn, I will put you on the ground."

"Shut up Luna, you think you're so special. You didn't have to watch your family die because of that bastard in the Freedom…"

"That's it," Luna stated, finally having enough, "You know what I think Shinn? I think you're a damn hypocrite. You make all this talk about how the Athha's are responsible for your family's death, yet you ignore the circumstances because it allows you to blame someone and make you feel good about. So how about it Shinn, what if the Athha's had decided to surrender to the Federation? We both know Blue Cosmos would have been sooooo happy to deal with all of the Coordinators there…"

"You shut up," Shinn seethed, his eyes narrowing.

"No, Shinn, because I'm tired of you screaming about how it's everyone's fault. The Athha's did what they had to because it was their only choice. Better to die on your feet than on your knees, as the saying goes. ORB's Chief Representative lost her own father, yet she seems to have more maturity than you and isn't blaming anyone for what happened, she's moved on. And what about you? You're fighting to prevent what happened to your family happen to anyone else? Have you even thought that through? You're going to be a soldier. That means you're going to kill people, ergo, you deprive people of their loved ones who are doing the exact same thing you are claiming to do….what would your family think, what would Mayu think."

"You….you…..AAAARRRRRGH."

Shinn came right at her, first already coiled back to strike her, but she was ready. Lowering her center of mass, she brought her left arm up to parry his extended right arm away, and brought her forehead straight towards Shinn, connecting brutally with his nose. She could feel the crack of the bone as it gave away. She quickly backed up, entering into back into a defensive stance, gauging Shinn's reaction as he stumbled backward, blood already flowing down his face, and his red eyes like the embers of a growing wildfire.

Instead of saying anything, he came at her again, a primal scream ripping through the air.

Immediately Lunamaria began backing up, giving ground to Shinn as he unleashed a flurry of punches towards her head….always towards the head, she thought, noting how amateur it was, before this time she struck and struck hard, an open palm again striking him in the face, causing him to yowl in pain as she struck his tender nose, she then slipped to his side and grabbed his arm before beginning to take him down.

However, things didn't exactly go as planned, as she took him down, as Shinn suddenly began fighting back, striking her in the chest and driving the air out of her lungs, causing her to stumble backwards and then down on her butt, barely avoiding the punch aimed right at her head.

She kicked the side of his knee, causing it to give up under his weight and him to stumble and fight to maintain his balance as she retreated, it was then she caught a glimpse of his face again, as she scrabbled to her feet.

Now when she saw his eyes, she only saw blankness, almost as if he were in a trance, as she realized that it was almost like looking at Heero when they sparred. Immediately, she knew she had to end this before someone really got hurt.

Judging the distance, and realizing she had an opening, she immediately dashed at Shinn, but before he could get into reaction, she dropped into a slide, using the deck's well polished features, and her uniform pants material to slide the last two feet, and clip Shinn's left shin between her thighs, as she did that, she struck Shinn right where it hurt. Taking advantage of the strike she then swivel her hips and used all the energy from the slide to swivel herself around and use her thighs to twist his leg.

However, instead of it happening like she imagined, Shinn was hardly phased, so instead of the energy from the slide, the force on his leg, and her body feeding the momentum, he fell awkwardly on his arm.

Almost immediately Luna realized what happened as Shinn screamed in agony. Instead of her being able to take him down into a hold, he had fought back, and it had resulted in him losing his footing, and when he had tried to stop his fall, and he had stuck his arm out, but the torsion created by her body on his had caused it to land completely awkward, caused him to break his wrist.

Luna got to her feet, and got away as Rey pushed her aside and a few others of the observers.

"Get a medic," Rey yelled, before shooting a glare at her, as if everything in the world was her fault.

Luna immediately made for the door, as Shinn's screaming continued, but instead of screams of pain, they were screams of absolute malice directed at her…

Quatre sighed quietly as he placed another set of datapads down.

It was a report from Lowe about reports of phantom ships that were appearing and disappearing all over the Earthsphere. He had been sent by Quatre to check up on them, and what he had gotten back was troubling in and of itself. Lowe had discovered something far worse than simple ghost ships.

Someone out there was running a cartel of gundanium and helium-3 production. No one was claiming anything, but the entire operation seemed like a drug-running operation judging by the levels of secrecy and how the operation ran. According to Lowe, buyers contacted an account to negotiate a deal and once the deal was complete, the account was closed down. Within a week, the shipment was delivered via ships with mirage colloid which merely appeared, dropped the cargo at a designated drop zone, and then disappeared just as quickly. After a preset time, a message was left with a new "ghost account" for which they could contact.

Quatre was surprised that no one had tried get in on double-crossing the operation, but that was when he discovered that a company HAD tried to do just that. If the information Duo had dug up was right, then about six months ago, a company had tried to ambush the drop point and capture the ships, with the intent on discovering who their supplier was.

He glanced at the top pad again, making sure he had it right.

All the information that he had was incomplete, because less than a week later, the company was gone, as in completely liquidated. No one knew how, but they had heard the mercenary group had simply disappeared, then the stocks for the company became worthless overnight as the entire executive board were wiped out and their stocks were short-sold by an unidentified party. All legal attempts to figure out who did it had run into brick wall. And Quatre had a feeling it would stay that way for all eternity.

Either way, the other companies quickly absorbed that company and made themselves stronger and seemed to lead to a higher demand and a better amount of trust between all of them.

Quatre could already see the web start spinning in his mind. It was one of the tricks he had learned as he had taken over the Winner Corporation, the ability to tie larger events with the smaller events to create a picture of what was going on.

But something was missing, he looked at the puzzle in his mind, this was just a smaller event of an even larger web.

"Who are you and what are you planning," he murmured to himself as he leaned back.

He was broken out of his thoughts as a chime sounded, indicating his secretary wanted his attention.

"What is it, Mira," he asked.

"A Mr. Chang is here. He wishes to speak to you."

Quatre perked up. He hadn't seen Wufei in what…..a year now? Ever since the entire USSA thing had gone south and the Atlantic Federation had succeeded in bringing them to heel. Almost everyone had thought of Wufei was dead. The fact that he had gotten onto the ReHOME without him noticing or anyone telling him was easily forgotten.

"Send him right in," he stated, stacking the datapads neatly together.

The door to the office opened and Wufei stepped in allowing it to close behind them.

Quatre did a once over on Wufei, noting that he was back in his traditional China garb, how he got a new suit Quatre did wonder, and his hair was longer than before.

"Wufei, it's so good to see you," Quatre stated, extending a hand to him, which Wufei took into a firm handshake.

"Quatre," Wufei responded.

"Would you like a drink?"

"Sure."

Quatre turned around and got to his small cabinet where he kept some tea that he knew Wufei liked and began to get to work mixing it.

"Where have you been? Everyone's been worried since you disappeared a year ago."

"I got out of the USSA a few months ago," Wufei replied, "It was hard with the country being scoured by the Earth Alliance for us."

"Oh. Well I'm glad you are safe," Quatre said walking over to hand Wufei tea in a bottle while he had grabbed a coffee for himself, "The others will be glad to hear you're safe."

Wufei took a sip of his tea before placing it down, "I'm here for supplies."

"Oh," Quatre stated, "What kind of supplies are we talking about?"

Wufei reached into his tunic and pulled out a pad and handed it to Quatre.

Quatre took it and started looking it over it for only a minute before shooting his head up at Wufei.

"This is a lot of mobile suits and equipment Wufei. What are you planning to do with it? Start another war?"

"I can't tell you Quatre, operational security."

Quatre looked back over the pad, noting that it was almost everything he had in stock. It only meant one thing, and that was that someone had exact information on the Junk Guild, information that only a select few had.

"This is a lot of equipment, and it's not exactly cheap. I can't exactly sell it to you unless I have an idea on what you are going to do with it."

Wufei sighed disappointedly, reaching into his tunic and pulling out another pad.

"I had hoped you would trust me after everything, Winner," he then handed it to him, "On this is the information to an account with the market value of everything requested plus an additional ten percent. As to what I'm going to do with it, I'm planning to use these to restore the fighting strength of the USSA independence movement."

"Can I ask who's funding this," Quatre asked worriedly.

"Sorry, they prefer to remain anonymous, even I don't know who they are," Wufei responded.

He's lying, Quatre thought as he eyed him, he could feel it. There's something he's not telling me. But if I push it….no, Wufei's been a good friend. He knows what he's doing…but I'll play it safe.

"Okay Wufei," Quatre relented, tapping a few keys on the datapad, taking the credits on the pad and depositing them into numerous Junk Guild accounts, "How would you like this delivered?"

"The coordinates will be transmitted in an hour," Wufei responded, "I wish I could stay a bit longer, but I have to get going."

"Good seeing you Wufei."

"Thank you Quatre."

He then exited as Quatre looked out the bridge to the surrounding Junk Guild yard in space. Since the end of the war, he had turned the Junk Guild into a major salvage company to where they were the first called to any salvage situation. In fact, the Junk Guild had become much like the Sweepers from his universe.

But that still didn't make them neutral, at least to Quatre.

"Mira, is Jess still in the fleet?"

"Yes Mr. Winner, he is."

"Tell him I have a job for him, one that will require his unique skillset."

"Welcome back aboard Colonel Chang."

Wufei gave a small nod as he sauntered past the captain who fell in behind him.

"The General wanted to speak with you as soon as you are on the ship."

Wufei paused for a moment, then continued walking.

"Have the Temeraire move into a shadow position as soon as the transports leave Junk Guild territory, we'll follow them to the rendezvous."

"Understood, Colonel."

Wufei continued on as the Captain walked away before entering the room that he had stopped in front of.

Immediately a whirr started up as Wufei stopped and let the room get to work.

Suddenly the darkness disappeared as the room was lit up by a view of the Libra at the edge of the room, highlighting a man sitting at a desk in the room, looking at a variety of screens scrolling information framing the Libra, which was bustling with activity, Jupiter hanging in the background.

"How did the Junk Guild go," the man spoke, as Wufei walked up beside him.

"Quatre suspects," Wufei said, "as I told you he would."

The man chuckled lowly, "I knew he would, but we have negated any type of military projection and support to any third-party players by the Junk Guild, we can't have them getting involved too early in the fight. We also need those mobile suits anyways, so it's a win-win situation for us."

He then fell silent as he looked over a certain display before typing something in a pad to his right, causing it to zoom in.

To Wufei, it was just numbers and letters, it was nothing he understood. The man had tried to explain it to him, and as brilliant as he was, Wufei had no real interest in it.

"Knight, what is the next step, you did promise to help with South America."

"I did," Aloysius Knight said, still distracted, before quickly typing something and then zooming it back out, "and I intend to honor our agreement soon, the pieces are not in place just yet."

Wufei crossed his arms.

"You were in the Mariemaia Army, Wufei," Knight spoke up, "you saw how it was built up. So you understand that if we move before the pieces are in place, then the operation will fail. Dekim Barton made a mistake of not making sure you Gundam Pilots were not negated."

A chime went off indicating an incoming transmission.

A few moments later, Edward "The Ripper" Harrelson appeared in front of the two but off to the side of the screens.

"Speaking of the devil," Knight stated, "How did your meeting with Serpent Tail go?"

"Well enough. Kazahana Adja stated that they are interested, but wish to meet with you before it goes any further."

"Fair enough, I'm surprised Murakumo was open to you acting as my envoy."

"It was nothing personal," Harrelson responded, "he was the one that demanded meeting with you."

"Hmm," Knight responded, cupping his chin, "now that, I didn't expect. That could complicate things. What's the status on Apollo and Athena?"

Edward had assumed the special operations of the White Fang for Knight as soon as he was introduced, his experience in the special operations branch of the Earth Alliance paying dividends as the White Fang's special operations had expanded and improved itself.

"They've made landfall and have already settled into the observation point. They reported their intention to meet with the target shortly."

"Good."

Silence fell back on the group as Knight stewed.

"Our sources inside the Atlantic Federation have reported that there is a strike group getting ready to move on the PLANT. In a few days time, the White House will issue a proclamation demanding that the PLANT disarms for inspections, failure to do so will be met with force. According to our information from PLANTs, Dullindal is holding a press conference announcing mobilizing their military. "

He paused, deliberating.

"Wufei, I'll meet you at the rendezvous point. Harrelson, bring the Persephone to the rendezvous point as well. We'll send the transports to Elysium for processing. When you both arrive, we'll then set course for PLANT territory. I think it's about time for us to get ready to raise the curtains."

"Heero, Athrun, good to see you," Lacus exclaimed after opening the door, then quickly wrapped Athrun in a hug.

"Hi Lacus," Athrun said, returning the hug, before letting her go.

She backed off, waving them inside the Yamato residence.

They walked by a brooding Canard who was lurking in the shadows a gun at his side, Heero nodded approvingly as Canard placed the gun away and fell in behind them.

"I'm sorry Cagalli couldn't come," Athrun said, "she's busy dealing with the Seirans again."

"It's fine," Lacus replied, leading them into the front room, "she has a nation to lead."

"Yah," Athrun said, remembering how Yuna had immediately taken Cagalli away after disembarking from the Minerva, he hadn't heard or seen from her since.

"Is Natarle here," Heero asked.

"She's in the back putting Relena to sleep," Lacus said, leading them into the living room, where Duo was already sitting and watching the news.

Duo didn't look back at them as he merely raised his hand in a wave, "Hey Heero, old buddy. Athrun."

"Hey," Heero said, sidling up across him.

"Mr. Milliardo and Ms. Noin will be here shortly," Lacus stated, as Natarle walked into the room and sat down beside Heero, their hands intertwining.

The room fell into silence as Caridad brought in some drinks, as if every party was trying to figure out what to talk about with the current albatross hanging around their necks.

"So…Heero buddy," Duo began, "You going to try and get Relena to stop trying to cause me bodily injury?"

Natarle laughed as Heero cast a questioning glance at her.

"He's referring to the tripwire connected to the airgun filled with marbles he ran across the other day," Natarle answered his unsaid query.

"Hey, they really hurt," Duo protested, drawing a smile from Lacus and Athrun, "she's only two and she's going psychotic building toy claymores."

"Maybe you should watch where you're walking," Heero pointed out, trying not to crack into a smirk, "After all having a kid is war."

"Hey….but….what….she….did you just get smart with me? Oh my god….Heero Yuy, the Perfect Soldier, is actually cracking a joke? What the hell is wrong with this world? I think I'm going to have to eat my scythe just to keep my job."

"You might get a case of indigestion," Heero stated, with a sly smile, "last time I checked, Gundanium doesn't break down in stomach acid."

"You know what…to hell with you," Duo grumbled, crossing his arms and looking away petulantly.

"Oh Duo, you know you like it," Natarle teased, "It's just how Relena says she loves you."

"Yah, she loves me so much she wants me in the ground."

"Duo," Lacus said, smiling, but stopped as she heard the doorbell ring.

"That must be Zechs and Noin," Athrun said, getting up, along with Heero who noticed that Canard had disappeared, and fell in behind Lacus as she led them to the door.

But as they opened the door, they quickly realized that it wasn't Zechs or Noin, but there were two people.

"Hi," the auburn-haired woman stated, "we just moved into the mansion a ways down and we were out for a walk and wanted to introduce ourselves to you."

"Hi," Lacus said, smiling warmly, as Heero over her shoulder noted the two.

The woman that introduced herself had a pair of brown eyes and mid-back length auburn hair, while her partner, who had blue eyes and blond hair that was almost as long had said nothing, was looking straight at Heero.

Heero's soldier sixth sense was already picking up that there was something off about them, as his hand crept to the pistol he kept behind his back.

"I'm Elois Revan and this is Michel," the woman said, as the man smiled at Lacus, "since it looks like you're having a gathering, we'll let you get back to what you were doing. It was nice meeting you."

"It was nice meeting you," Lacus responded.

The two then left as Lacus closed the door behind them.

"They seemed nice," Lacus said cheerfully, "I wonder where Miss Noin and Zechs are, they seem to be late."

"Looks like she's there," Elois stated as they walked away.

"Yah," Michel replied, casting a cautious eye around the surroundings.

"You think they will hit," she asked, almost nonchalantly.

"I don't know when, but it's a perfect setup," he responded, "I'm surprised Yuy's here."

"Yah, Intel was off, we'll have to take that into account. Have you spotted up?"

He glanced back over his shoulder at the mansion, noting that it was already in the distance, and then held his hands up fingers acting like it was making a frame.

"I have three or four positions we can set up. Ranges between 1200 to 1800 meters, we'll have to be careful with the topography, but it's workable, I'll have to set it up tonight."

"Alright, get it done," she said, "If Intel is good, we have a day or so."

He nodded, as they walked along.

A/N: Well there you have it and Pacifism is for the Birds and I are already working on the next chapter so it should hopefully be out sooner.