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"Talking"

'Thinking'

"Radio"

Chapter Ten: Battle within the Debris Belt


Mugen Kano, Bridge


"Hey Joker!" the RADAR officer, a young man named Jace Conrad, who had light blue hair with silver hair, dressed in a comfortable pair of blue jeans with a black t-shirt and a pair of Virtual Display glasses, called out. "We got a Nazca-class approaching from the rear, IFF reads it as the Mediterranean."

"Huh," Joker replied. "I guess they want our guest back sooner rather than later," he mused, before triggering the intercom. "Boss, we got a Nazca coming up behind us - I'd imagine they're here for at least preliminary negotiations for returning our guest."

"Thanks for the heads up, Joker," Kira replied after a minute. "Athrun and I will be up in a minute."

"Understood, Boss," Joker replied. "Joker out." He closed down the intercom, and sighed. "Well, here's hoping these talks go well…"

The Comm officer, Naomi Nagasaki - a twenty something year old woman with military cut brown hair and sharp blue eyes snorted. "Either they're polite and have something to bargain with, or they're rude and our bosses kick their asses five ways to Sunday."

"Yeah, or something else pops up, and things start going in completely unexpected directions," Joker mused, then paused for a moment, before he sighed. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I probably just jinxed us, there," he muttered.

"Thanks for that Joker, really, thank you so much," the Weapons control officer, Lasse Aeon, a man looking to be in his mid twenties with closely cut black hair and brown eyes, snarked from his console. "Just what we needed on our maiden voyage as a full guild."

Joker sighed. "Yeah, need to learn to internalize those extremely random third options," he remarked. "Vocalizing them tends to unintentionally invoke one of Murphy's many Laws."

"The Mediterranean is hailing us!" Naomi informed. "They wish to bargain with us!"

"Well, so far so good," Joker remarked. "Once the Boss gets up here, we can get the actual negotiations underway."

"So, what's this about negotiations?" Kira asked as she and Athrun entered the bridge. "They're not attacking? Huh, must not be Rau in charge then…"

Athrun nodded. "Yeah, Commander le Creuset can be pretty ruthless - guess word of that managed to reach even your group, huh?"

"Victor Amsel," Kira informed. "He and Creuset have a history apparently."

"Yeah," Joker remarked. "Any time he gets to talking about his time in ZAFT, expect to hear at least one rant about 'Old Mask Face'."

"Uhh, boss lady, ZAFT is still waiting for a response," Naomi informed slowly. "A… Courtney Heironimus is their representative."

"Alright," Kira replied, slipping into the Captain's Chair as Athrun stood beside her. "Put him on the screen, if you would, Naomi."

Naomi nodded as she hit a few commands, allowing a video of a brown haired, blue eyed man to appear on screen. "My thanks for responding to my hail," Courtney said gratefully. "I would prefer for this not to become a battle, Athrun, I am glad to see you are alright."

"It's good to see you as well, Commander Heironimus," Athrun replied. "I am rather surprised Commander le Creuset isn't taking part, too, given that I was a member of his team."

"He has been ordered to return to the PLANTs pending an investigation into his unauthorized attack on a neutral Colony," Courtney informed. "We would like to negotiate for the release of Athrun Zala and the Technical Specs for the G-Weapons if possible."

Kira nodded. "Good to see him facing at least some punishment for that," she said. "As for negotiations, we were planning on sending Athrun back to ZAFT once we reached safe port of call, so we could likely send him over now if it's feasible… as to the Technical Specs… we'll need to have some discussions amongst ourselves about that. What are you offering in trade?"

"The PLANT Council is prepared to offer you, in return for the safe return of Athrun Zala and the technical specs to the G-Weapons, access to Integrated Design Bureau's factories for the production of a Mobile Suit Carrier for your use, as well as an offer for access to any future technologies developed by ZAFT," Courtney informed. "ZAFT has always respected the work that you have done for us in the past as a solo Mercenary and we wish for that relationship to continue."

"Sounds like a decent offer," she remarked. "I'll need to talk it over with all parties involved, but-"

"COMMANDER! Emergency call from the PLANTs! They have lost contact with the Silverwind within the Debris Belt!" The Mediterranean's communications officer informed.

"That's… Lacus' ship! What was she doing in the Debris Belt?" Athrun asked in a near panic. "Only the Junk Guild can fly it with any chance of not being smashed!"

"Given the Anniversary of the Bloody Valentine coming up, there was an inspection committee gearing up to go to the ruins of Junius Seven that had drifted into the Belt," Courtney replied. "Miss Clyne was selected as part of the committee, so…"

"Dammit, how can we rescue her?" Athrun asked, his teeth gritting in frustration. "The Nazca-class is horrible for navigating the debris belt."

"We could do it," Kira remarked. As both Courtney and Athrun turned to her, she elaborated, "Our course actually takes us through the Debris Belt - near where the Junius Seven ruins are, to be precise. It's not a standard route, but then our helmsman isn't your standard helmsman, either."

"Hello, best pilot in the goddamn universe!" Joker bragged over his shoulder.

Kira laughed. "So, yeah, we'd be willing to take a minor detour to search for the Silverwind for you," she said.

Courtney saluted. "You have our thanks," he said gratefully. "Athrun, will you be transferring over? Or will you stay and search for Miss Clyne?"

"I'll stay here on the Mugen Kano," Athrun replied. "I… I need to make sure Lacus is alright…"

Kira nodded. "Commander Heironimus, I can discuss the terms of trade you gave for the G-Weapon specs with my crew, and then finalize those negotiations, as well as my payment for undertaking this new task, with the PLANT Supreme Council once we get to our destination. Will that be alright with you?"

Courtney nodded in agreement. "I will inform the Council," he informed. "I am sure they will prefer to complete the final negotiations themselves, again, you have our thanks for this undertaking."

"You're welcome," Kira replied. "I look forward to meeting with the Council, and possibly meeting with you again in the future. Fenrir out."

The screen closed off as Kira flicked on the ship-wide comm. "Switch to Level Two Battlestations, all personnel are to report to their stations and all Pilots are to stand by in the ready room," Kira announced. "We have received a mission from ZAFT to search and rescue Lacus Clyne from the Debris belt, chances are they were attacked by either pirates or O.M.N.I. Enforcers." She paused. "I request that our newest members and guest from Heliopolis join me in the ready room, as well." She then stood up. "Come on, Athrun, if you're going to be helping us, we'll need to introduce you to the pilots you're working with, and set you up with a temporary Mobile Suit."

Athrun nodded in agreement as he followed his friend down to the ready room where all of the pilots were waiting, clad in their flight suits, the former students looking a bit uncomfortable in them as they tugged at their collars.

"So, we're going to be playing Prince Charming and gallop off to rescue the Princess of the PLANTs?" Ethan asked in amusement as Kira entered. "What's next, a Princess from the EA to complete the set?"

Flay raised a hand. "We… we already technically have an EA Princess…" she remarked. "Or, to be more specific, a runaway Princess who needed to escape from her father and his beliefs…"

Ethan blinked as he looked at Flay for a minute. "Shutting up now," he informed as he sat back.

"As I said over the comm, I am expecting combat with either Pirates or O.M.N.I. Enforcers," Kira informed, looking over to the former students. "We'll be using this as a training opportunity for our newest recruits, Ryu, what's the progress on Aegis' transformation system?"

"Almost finished, the unit can launch as is, but it can't transform, any attempt to at this point will cause it to fall apart," Ryu informed. "So don't try it."

"Right," Sai remarked. "Hopefully we can get that finished soon."

"Umm, what will I be doing?" Cagalli asked from where she was sitting, clad in an orange flight suit.

"You will be piloting Ryu's old Suit," Kira informed. "Our techs are already switching the old OS with a Natural Use one, Athrun, you'll be using my old Patriot."

Athrun nodded. "Thanks," he said. "And again, thanks for letting me come along to rescue Lacus."

Kira nodded. "I'll be partnering Cagalli with you," she informed. "Tolle, you're partnering with me for this mission, Shinn, you are with Jade and the Strike will be equipped with the Aile Pack, you'll need the maneuverability, Flay, I am partnering you with Jinn, the two of you will be our main search party using the Mirage Colloid, operate under no contact, Mir, you are Partnered with Victor and Ethan, provide them with Artillery Support."

They all nodded. "So, is Ryu-nii partnering with anyone, or is he operating on his own?" Jade asked.

"Operating on my own as overwatch," Ryu informed. "Due to the magnetic disturbances within the Debris belt radios are less than reliable, so I will be operating as a relay for communications between teams and keep a look out for any enemy units and take out any that you miss."

They nodded again. Kira then stepped over to the intercom. "Joker, ETA to Junius Seven?"

"ETA, Five Minutes," Joker informed. "We are just about to enter the Debris Belt."

"I'll launch then, get myself into position," Ryu informed as he headed for the hangar door. "Fly safe, everyone."

"Right - you be safe too, Ryu," Kira replied as her husband left for the Hangar, before turning to the others. "Alright, everyone get to your machines and prepare to deploy!"

"Right!"

"What about me?" Kagami asked, having not yet switched back from the episode in the ship's cafeteria.

Kira paused as she considered Kagami. "Any chance of you 'switching out' in the middle of combat?" she asked seriously.

"Nope," Kagami shook her head. "The stress from combat would bleed through to Hanami and keep her unconscious anyway."

Kira nodded as she thought. "You will fly with me and Tolle, then," she informed. "Any questions from anyone?"

"Did we bring on board any of the Exodus's backpack add-ons? I think I might need something with a little more thrust to navigate the Debris Belt faster," Kagami asked.

"It's all in storage, just let CIC know what loadout you want," Kira informed. "They will get you loaded out."

"Well… I haven't set up my cargo container loadouts with them yet… I guess I'll have to make do later," the silver-haired pilot sighed.

"Glad that the Marines recovered my Striker Packs, though," Shinn remarked. "I admit that the idea of swappable packs is a good idea, but they left the base suit under-armed because of it."

"Tell me about it," Kagami grumbled. "You get several simple sets of armaments, but it's not easy thinking of loadouts for my Exodus, what with all the options. It's a little overwhelming, but I guess I'll get used to it sooner or later. Honestly, the way they set it up, you'd think only a Coordinator would be able to use it to its full potential."

"Load yourself out with a basic armament for now," Kira informed. "We can go over the Exodus' armaments later and get a few packs set up for yourself."

"I'll just take a pair of Beam Multi-Rifles and a Revolver Bazooka then. No sense bringing a cargo container out unloaded," Kagami mused. "Those, and the Ion Lifter Wings."

"Just let CIC know when you're loaded onto the catapult," Kira said, a slight smile on her face. "Alright everyone, load up, it's time to get to work!"


Debris Belt, several minutes later


The Mugen Kano had arrived at the Debris Belt, and was heading towards the location of Junius Seven as best they could, Joker deftly navigating them around the debris. All their machines were also deployed, and were searching the debris as they went for any signs of the Silverwind.

"This is Overwatch, I have set up relay beacon," Ryu reported as he flicked a few switches on the overhead console. "All squads, report in."

"This is Ghost Squadron, we read you Overwatch," Jinn reported calmly. "Nothing wrong so far."

"Valkyrie Squad here, nothing so far," Kira remarked. "Definitely hoping nothing happened to the ship, but be ready for anything."

"Katana Squad reporting nothing," Victor informed. "Nothing as of now."

"Lightning Squad here," Shinn said. "Nothing concrete yet, but I am picking up faint readings ahead, closer to the Junius Seven area."

"Shield Squadron, we're close by, moving in," Athrun reported.

Ryu rotated his unit slightly before activating his sniper camera and brought down the sniper control unit to scan the Junius Seven area. "This is overwatch to all units, Silverwind is spotted," he informed. "Five Moebius Units spotted, searching for home ship."

"Roger," Kira replied. "Send us the data, and we'll move in."

"Data sent," Ryu informed. "Will inform you when mothership is spotted."

"Understood," Kira replied. "Everyone, form up and move to the coordinate data Ryu sent - we need to ascertain the status of the Silverwind and drive off any attackers!"

"Roger that," Athrun replied, banking the Custom Patriot Kira loaned him, closely followed by Cagalli in Ryu's old CGUE. "We're close by now, we'll maintain distance for now."

"On our way now," Shinn reported. "See you all there."

"En route," was Jinn's brisque reply.

"Coming, Boss," Victor remarked.

Ryu frowned as something caught his eyes. "Eyes open squads," he informed. "Looks like O.M.N.I has some other Mobile Suits outside of the G-Weapons."

"Well, that makes things interesting," Kira remarked. "Won't stop us, though, right, everyone?"

"Nothin' to it," Victor declared as with quick bursts from his B.T.S he nimbly navigated through the asteroids. "After all, who can match our units?"

"Not many, that's for sure," Shinn remarked. "The G-Weapons likely come close, but I don't doubt yours are superior in some way."

"Many ways, kid, many ways," Ryu informed. "I spotted their mothership, moving in to cripple it now."

"Right," Athrun replied. "Let's go save Lacus!"


Silverwind, Hangar


"Did you find her?" A man wearing an Earth Alliance Officer's Uniform asked angrily. "We need to capture that Coordinator Bitch to regain the momentum of Blue Cosmos!"

"Not yet, sir," a soldier answered, "though we did notice that the only lifepod on the ship was deployed, though we have no idea where it is now."

"FIND HER!" the officer shouted. "We must capture her before High Command finds out, ever since that weakling Halberton took charge they've become corrupted with sympathy for those patchworkers."

"Yes, sir!" the soldier replied with a salute.

"Sir! We've picked up several mobile suits entering the Asteroid Field, IFF flags them as Fenrir Mercenary Guild!" another soldier reported.

"Dammit, what are they doing here?" the officer muttered. "We can't let them find her before we do - order all Mobile Suits to engage!"

"Sir!" the soldier replied as he saluted before turning to his radio. "All Dagger and Moebius Teams are to engage the Fenrir Mercenary Guild!"

All the pilots turned their machines to engage, not knowing how screwed they were.


Cockpit of the Valkyrie


Kira's eyes darted all around her as she flew through the debris belt, tracking the assorted debris surrounding her as she weaved through them, searching for the Silverwind. "Silverwind spotted!" Victor informed as the ship came into view, along with several Moebius units and several Strike-like Mobile suits surrounding it. "I count a total of thirty mobile suits and ten Moebius'!"

"Let's wipe them out quickly, then ascertain the Silverwind's status," she ordered. "Keep an eye out for any Lifepods, too, just in case, and if you find one, bring it back to the Mugen Kano!"

"Roger that!" Everyone reported back as Kira brought up the Gatling Shield of her Aegis Pack and opened fire on the lead mobile suit group, shortly followed by Tolle launching a grenade into their midst.

The enemy machines were already turning to engage, but Kira and Tolle's opening fire took out two of the Moebius units instantly, and a Mobile Suit fell to Beam Rifle fire from Shinn and the Strike before they could properly begin returning fire.

An enemy mobile suit with enough sense to dodge a bazooka round turned to face Kagami's Exodus, but was perforated by flying debris from where the high-explosive round had hit a derelict ship. Before it could do anything else, a beam followed up and put it out of its misery.

Victor cleaved his way through a unit, his Anti-Ship Sword smashing one of the Mobile suits in half before a throw from a dagger took out a moebius unit, quick usage of his B.T.S brought him under a beam from one of the mobile suits before his H.D.V.R.S activated and smashed into the unit.

Several machines were trying to take pot shots at the Exceed, but suddenly found themselves bisected by a Beam Saber that appeared out of nowhere, the Blitz fading into view as they exploded.

"Thanks for the cover, Flay!" Jade shouted out as she deftly maneuvered around the debris before using the beam cannons to blast a pair of Moebius'. "C'mon slowpokes, can't you go any faster?"

Sai fired off a volley of Beam Rifle blasts from the Aegis, taking out another couple of the enemy Mobile Suits. "Man, these guys don't give up!" he shouted as he evaded return fire from another Mobile Suit. "I wouldn't be surprised if they're Blue Cosmos or something similar!"

"I think you might be right, Sai!" Mir agreed as she laid down suppressing fire onto a group of mobile suits, pinning them down long enough for Ethan and Victor to close in with their melee weapons.

Athrun and Cagalli were fighting their own way through the Mobile Armors, machine gun rounds trashing the Moebius units, as Athrun continued searching for a Lifepod.

"I found it!" Athrun declared as his machine registered a rescue beacon. "I found the lifepod!"

"Right," Kira replied. "Get it back to the Mugen Kano! Everyone else, continue taking down the machines! Ryu, have you found the carrier yet?"

"Found and engaging!" Ryu informed. "Already crippled their engines and a dozen mobile suits and those new units of theirs, if you can bring back as much as possible for analysis!"

"Right," Kira replied. "Miriallia, go assist Ryu - the Buster's firepower was designed for attacking warships. Everyone else, finish up the remaining enemy units!"

"Roger that!" Mir replied as she boosted away from the battle and towards Ryu's position.

"These Mass Produced Models the EA made, they could really trounce ZAFTs GiNN," Victor commented. "Especially considering ZAFT doesn't really have Mobile Suit Beam Weaponry even out of Lab Testing, let alone mass production."

"ZAFT does have more experienced pilots though - it'll probably just be a straight fight between quantity and quality considering the EA's industrial power," Kagami mused as the Exodus's rear weapons swung out and turned a pair of approaching mobile suits into swiss cheese without her even looking their way.

"These new units the EA have produced were pushed off the line too quickly, they lack any EMP shielding whatsoever," Jin informed as around him several mobile suits floated lifelessly, their pilots forcefully ejected from their units. "Incidentally, I have captured four intact EA Units, should be interesting to analyse them, and how they have a Natural-Use OS."

"Understood," Kira replied. "Ferry them back to the Mugen Kano as best you can. Let's wrap this up!"

"Yes ma'am!" the majority of them coursed as they engaged the remaining units, quickly dispatching them.

"Kira…" Ryu started. "Did they just… ma'am you?"

"Yeah… yeah, I guess they did," she replied. "I'll need to see about making sure they remember we're not as formal as regular militaries."

Ryu chuckled in response. "Still, sixteen and getting ma'am'd, kinda funny," he informed, as he chuckled again.

"Careful, Ryu," Kira remarked. "You know what I'm capable of… even if you haven't been on the receiving end of it yet, but there's always a first time…"

"Alright, Alright, I shan't say anymore," he informed, suppressing his own chuckles. "Me and Mir are almost done here, just need to finish off the Drake-class."

"Whipped," Kagami commented.

"And I think we're done," Mir remarked, as she fired a Hyper-Impulse Sniper Rifle shot, coring through the Drake.

They were silent for a few seconds. "Confirmed," Ryu announced. "Mir did a direct hit on the ship's reactor, it's gone."

"Understood," Kira replied. "Return to the ship. Ryu, once we get back, assemble a team of Commandos to sweep the Silverwind of any boarding troops - I'm assuming it's BC forces here, but we need to know for sure, so make sure they capture at least one high-ranking individual."

"Roger that, I'll radio ahead and have them on standby for boarding actions," Ryu confirmed. "We'll have it cleared in no time."

"Good to hear," Kira replied as all the machines returned to the Mugen Kano, Tolle, Miriallia, Shinn, and Flay giving Jinn a hand with his captured machines.

As soon as Ryu had landed he was out of his unit, even as it was still being moved into the docking port, and to the boarding shuttle that had two squads of Former EA Commandoes, now Fenrir Marines, ready for orders, pausing only long enough to pick up an assault rifle with a shotgun underbarrel. "Gentlemen, our orders are to board the Silverwind and sweep it clean, our boss wants confirmation that it was a Blue Cosmos attack," Ryu informed as they loaded into the shuttle. "Fire if fired upon and immediately secure any Silverwind survivors, any questions?"

There were none.

"Alright then, Pilot! Take us out!" he shouted to the cockpit as he and the Marines secured themselves to the seats.

As the shuttle took off, Kira and the others were securing their own machines in the hangar, as well as the captured machines that they'd brought in. Shortly followed by Athrun and Cagalli bringing in the Lifepod.

"Security Detail, is on standby, boss," Maes announced as he stepped up next to Kira. "I know you believe Miss Clyne to be in here, but, it's best to take precautions."

"Right, that's fine," Kira replied. "Still… I definitely have a hunch that it is Miss Clyne in there."

"Whatever you say, boss," Maes agreed with a grin. "So, we're three for three for rescued princesses, what's next, Martian Princess?"

Kira giggled. "Who knows?" she remarked. "We'll see what happens when it happens."

As soon Athrun was down with Cagalli, the tech who was working on unlocking the pod gave a thumbs up, indicating it was ready to be opened, at Kira's nod the pod hissed open and they were greeted by a… pink floating mechanical ball that was flapping two round flaps.

Almost everyone was gawking at the ball as it floated into the hangar, repeatedly saying the word 'Haro'.

The only two that weren't gawking were Athrun and Kira, Athrun having created the thing, and Kira recognizing it from her session designing an improved one with Athrun.

"Haro, come back here!" A feminine voice called out, quickly followed by a mass of pink hair attached to an attractive young woman with Pale Cerulean eyes wearing a white and purple dress, grabbing ahold of the rogue Haro she looked around. "Oh, Athrun! Are you here to rescue me?" she asked, with complete and utter innocence.

"Lacus!" Athrun called out as he floated over to her and enfolded her in a hug. "I'm glad you're alright… when I heard you were missing, I…"

"I am fine, the crew of the Silverwind put me into the lifepod almost as soon as the Earth Alliance vessel hailed us," she informed. "Umm, what happened to them?"

"We don't know yet," Kira replied. "We have a team going over to the ship now - we'll find out what happened over there soon enough."

"I hope they weren't too injured…" she murmured in concern as she looked around. "Umm… this… isn't a ZAFT Ship, is it?"

"No, it isn't," Kira replied. "This is the Mugen Kano, Carrier ship and home base for the Fenrir Guild. I'm Kira Hisanaga, leader of the Guild."

"Oh, it's nice to meet you, my name is Lacus Clyne," she greeted with a bow. "I am in your care."

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Clyne," Kira replied. "We're on another job at the moment, as well, so we can't return you to the PLANTs just yet - but our other job will take us to the ORB Union, where we should be able to get you transport to the PLANTs."

"Really, ORB?" Lacus asked, looking excited by the prospect. "I've always wanted to visit ORB!"

"I see… well, if you want to take a vacation when we get there, that's your business," Kira remarked. "We'll do everything in our power to get you there, though."

"Thank you," Lacus said gratefully before a thoughtful look came across her face. "Umm… excuse me, but are perhaps the Kira that Athrun always talks about from Lunar Academy?"

Kira looked a bit surprised, but then nodded. "Yes, I am," she said. "I discovered my piloting abilities soon after Athrun left, and decided to use them as a Mercenary, to help protect those who didn't want to get involved in this war."

"A noble ideal that I wholeheartedly support," Lacus said approvingly. "I wish you luck in your goals."

"Thank you," Kira replied. "Now, we should probably get you some guest quarters for the duration of your stay here."

Lacus nodded cheerfully as Kira led her and Athrun out of the hanger and towards the crew quarters.


Aboard the Silverwind


The Fenrir Marines moved through the civilian ship, firing on any EA soldier that fired upon them.

Ryu chuckled as he took cover behind a corner, firing blindly around the corner. "Nothing like a firefight to get your blood pumping," he commented. "Zulu-Team, any luck for survivors?"

"Nothing yet so far, sir," the Zulu-Team leader replied. "We're seeing a lot of dead bodies, though."

"Copy that," Ryu announced, a grimace working its way onto his face as he grabbed a grenade before popping the pin and threw it down the hall, quickly followed by an explosion and screams. "Move forward! Punch a hole!"

"Right!" came the reply of the Marines with him as they charged forward.

As soon as the hallway was clear they came up to the bridge of the Silverwind, where the last of the EA boarding forces were hold up. "Breach on the door, flashbangs at the ready," Ryu ordered as the squad stacked up on the door, a shape charge was quickly place on in. "In three… two… one… now!"

The charge blew, obliterating the door, quickly followed by five flashbangs being tossed in, blinding and deafening the people within as the Marines charged in.

There were only five people from the Silverwind's crew still alive, bound and stowed in a corner of the bridge. There were plenty of EA soldiers though, including an officer in a Captain's uniform, all disoriented from the Flashbangs.

The Marines rushed the EA soldiers and quickly subdued them, pinning them to the ground before handcuffing them, then stepping back from them with their weapons trained on the recovering soldiers. "Well now, who do we have here," Ryu mused as he quickly pulled a wallet out of the officer's pocket. "An idiot firstly, never bring a wallet for a under the table mission, secondly, Captain James O'Haren, well Captain O'Haren, you realize just how much shit you're in with breaking several Rules of Engagement by attacking a civilian transport, a diplomatic civilian transport at that, add in several murder charges, attempted kidnapping, and all while you're wearing your uniform, bad idea, obviously you've never done anything like this before… So, anything to say, former Captain O'Haren?"

The Captain spat at him. "The 'Rules of Engagement' do not apply to those Space Monsters!" he growled. "They will be purged, for the preservation of our blue and pure-"

A bullet quickly silenced him as Ryu wiped the blood splatter from his visor with a dispassionate look. "Execute them," he announced to the Marines, his voice cold. "Except that one," he pointed out the youngest and most fearful soldier of the bunch. "You, are going to tell of what happened here, and you are going to inform your friends, that it is now open season on any Blue Cosmos FUCKER who dares cross our paths or does something that catches our attention, Marines, consider it a standing order, any EA military personnel who openly sides with the terrorist organization Blue Cosmos, is FREE GAME, so kid, you are going to go back to your friends, and tell them what I just said, understand?"

The soldier nodded his head as if his life depended on it - which it most likely did.

"Good, throw him into a Lifepod and shoot him out of the Debris Belt," Ryu ordered before turning to the surviving crew of the Silverwind. "Sorry you had to see that side of me, I don't like showing it," he apologised to them as he began to cut them free of their bonds. "Are you alright, do you need medical attention?"

"Mostly fine - a few bumps and bruises from rough handling," one of the survivors remarked. "If you hadn't come, though, it would likely have been a lot worse - thank you."

Ryu smiled. "Let's get you into some Normal Suits, unfortunately the hangar is not pressurized," he informed as he signalled the Marines. "We recovered a Lifepod from this ship, I assume Miss Clyne was in it?"

The survivor sighed in relief. "Yes, she was," he replied. "We got her in there almost as soon as the EA ship started hailing us - some of us could tell they didn't have good intentions. Is she alright?"

"I didn't stick around to find out unfortunately, but, it's safe to assume that she's fine," Ryu assured. "I'll radio our ship to make certain on the way back."

"Th… thank you," the survivor replied. "Thank you for everything you've done…"

"Just doing the job we're being paid to do," he informed. "Buy me a drink when we hit dirtside and I'll call it even."

"A… alright," the survivor replied. "Again… thank you…"


END CHAPTER