I know i said I was considering rewriting this but I couldn't come up with a more detailed vrrsion on the fly so I'll keep this going...for the time being. Rewriting it isn't off the table jist yet
With the arc introducing High Judgment over it is time to get on with meeting the eighth fleet and proper repairs to the Archangel and Strike and what still needs to be fixed on the Hope and also the introduction of another major OC ;)
Disclaimer I don't own GS
A mobile armor pilot screamed in fear as one of the High Judgment CGUEs closed in on them and cut the mobile armor in half with their CGUE's heavy sword.
At the same time Rooks had shot out the bridge of one the EA frigates and Greyson shot three more EA pilot down consecutively.
"That should be the last of them." Rooks said looking around to confirm that the fleet under the departed Vice Admiral Frank Williams command were indeed all wiped.
"Good we need to head back to our base and decide our next move against the EA and Zaft." Barclay said.
"What about Raglan?"
"I'd have preferred to have had him brought with us for dissection and examination to see if my hunch about him was correct but thanks to the interruption by the EA forces we were forced to let him go, still losing him doesn't deter anything."
"Maybe but I think he's still worth pursuing." Rooks declared.
"If that's the case I'll leave the matter in your hands but for now let us leave this place."
"Roger all Data and other schematics being kept here have been clear ot so we can depart immediately."
XXXXX
"While I am glad to see you're OK. I need to ask why did attempt to give ms Clyne back to Zaft under our noses." Ramius inquired to Eric who was standing before her on the bridge of the Archangel.
"Because if you were allowed to bring her to an EA base she would've been interrogated for information she can't possible have and used as a hostage at best." Eric answer
"What do you mean by that?" Ramius asked trying to suppress building anger.
"If Lacus remained in your side's hands then whatever future awaited would likely make death a kindness."
"Just what do you take us for?"
"What you and EA actually are."
Natarle's eyes narrowed to slits, it was no surprise that she was becoming pissed with Eric badmouthing the Earth Alliance. Mu sighed having a good idea of where this conversation was going.
"Eric our side might not have made the best decisions but the EA's not the monster you make it out to be."
"And how is that? You guys persecuted and discriminated against Coordinators in every manner possible until you drove them off of the Earth because you couldn't get over your petty jealousy issues then when they try to make a home for themselves in space you forbid them from making their own food so you can exploit them for one sided gain that you didn't have any right to by any means, then after they break off from the Earth and try to walk away from the conflict peacefully what do you do? You try putting on a show of force and nuke one of their colonies trying to intimidate them into letting you oppress them again and when that doesn't go as you so superciliously thought it would your side decides to start an all out war."
Ramius felt her anger getting close to its peak and what Eric said next didn't do anything to defuse it.
"You all want to sit here thinking you some force for good and justice but in reality you're all nothing but genocidal scum and persecutors trying to enslave people who just want to be left in peace! You're not the heroes you're just tryants you can't accept the eixistence of those who are different from you, in fact this entire war only happened because of the EA's refusal to leave Coordinators alone!"
It was then Eric felt something impact his cheek and hard. When Eric regained his senses and looked at Ramius who's right arm was now stretched to her left it immediately became apparent that she had slapped him.
"If you think so little of us then why did you help us at all?" Ramius demanded more so then asked.
"Because my friends and family are on board this ship." Eric said before turning around.
"There's one more thing I need to know."
"I'm listening."
"During the time you initially fought Barclay both you and him mentioned the name Shirou numerous times and from the sound of it I'd venture to guess that this person had something to do with the Hope G weapon's creation."
Eric turned away from Ramius not wanting to confirm that but with everything that he and Barclay had said over the radio there was no use trying to avoid it.
"He's the one who designed it and made me its pilot."
"So you were keeping information from us?"
"Yeah."
"Tell me what really happened." Ramius demanded.
Eric sighed and gave them the details of what really happened when he told them about the events leading up to when Shirou gave him the Hope Gundam. Initially they didn't believe him until he told them about the one year worth of training via the mobile suit simulator Shirou let Eric use further angering Ramius with the realization that he lied about simply figuring out how to pilot the Hope on the spot like Kira did with the Strike.
"I suspect you lied about not knowing how to undo the lock on the Hope so you better tell us how to remove it or things will become much worse for you." Natarle said early causing Eric to laugh.
"Sorry to disappoint you but that was the one thing I was being honest about, I didn't even know about that DNA lock until you guys called me to deactivate that first time though it doesn't matter anymore I found out when I got the Hope back that High Judgment removed it."
XXXXX
"On board the Vesalius members of the media were all berating Lacus with questions of what had happened during her time being held by High judgment.
"Ms Clyne did you meet this organizations leader?"One of them asked.
"Did these people at High Judgment tell you who's side they're on?" Inquired another
Lacus looked less than comfortable with the near constant stream of questions which Athrun was quick to take notice of. Tit wasn't hard to see the reason for the discomfort Lacus had just been through near death when the memorial crew was initially attacked, used as a hostage by the Earth Alliance, then was given a scare when the Pilot of the Hope lost to the Fulfillment, and forced to escape from High Judgment's grasp amidst a battle field between it and Zaft forces until that Vice Admiral of the EA showed up.
"Ms Clyne what is your relationship with the Pilot that recued you?"
And that his que to intervene at least as far as he was concerned. Acting quickly Athrun walked over to where Lacus was and grabbed her hand. "Lacus has been through a lot so your questions will have to wait until another time." Athrun said dragging her away.
"Mr Zala do you believe the pilot of that shite and silver mobile suit is in love with your fiancé?" one of the media asked.
"It doesn't matter he and Lacus won't ever meet again." Athrun announced earning an unnoticed near scowl from his betrothed. Personally though Athrun still didn't have a high opinion of Eric, he may have returned Lacus but he was still responsible for killing Miguel and had interfered when Athrun tried to get Kira to come back with him to Zaft. That wasn't accounting for the fact that Eric was piloting the sixth g weapon and fighting under the banner of the EA so by the end of the day he was an enemy.
Once him and Lacus were away from the media members Athrun finally let go of lacus' hand. "Sorry about suddenly grabbing you like that."
"It's OK I wanted to get away from those people for a little bit."
"Make sense you've been though a lot. Still the EA didn't hurt you did they?"
"No Crew was good to me and I was with Eric for a lot of the time."
Athrun felt a sense of worry one over him upon hearing his Fiancé mention the pilot of the Hope's name. Athrun placed his hands on Lacus' shoulders.
"Lacus I think it would be best if you forget everything that happened between you and that guy."
"But he hasn't done anything wrong." Lacus said pulling herself away from Athrun.
"Lacus he may have saved you but if you hadn't met him you never would've been in danger in the first place."
Few witnessed Lacus ever being upset about something since to took a lot to anger her and as such it was rather rare but had there been any third party bystanders they would have bore witness to it now as a slight but visible glare decorated her face.
"That's not true." Lacus declared firmly causing Athrun to fall silent as she continued.
"It wasn't Eric who attacked the memorial unit and those that did were after my life, and he had nothing to do with my being held hostage, He simply brought me to the ship to help me after stopping my would be assassins."
Athrun remained silent.
"And if you don't recall correctly I chose to go to High Judgment of my own free will so I could know if he was ok and it was only by his ability to pilot the Hope that I escaped."
It looked like Nicol was right on the money when he suggested Lacus being worried about the Hope's pilot when she went with High Judgment.
"If anything, I wouldn't be standing here now if not for Eric's actions."
"So-sorry." Athrun said realizing he stepped on something of a land mine.
"It's alright but I'd appreciate it if you didn't try to blame the entire ordeal with High Judgment and the EA on him." Lacus said before walking off on her own.
Now left alone Athrun found himself mentally stunned, while Lacus would stand up for practically anyone she felt was wronged she never showed such passion for it like she just did for Eric. Athrun could only hope she wouldn't do or say anything to add fuel to the fire in the form of inevitable rumors that the media was going to start spreading around the Plants and his father wasn't going to be particularly pleased since his credibility would be damaged if people bought into them.
XXXXX
On his way to his assigned room Eric by some off chance passed by the medical ward and saw Abram still lying on a hospital bed. Walking into the room Eric sat Down in the only chair and the room and stared at Abram's seemingly unconscious form.
"Hey dad I made a special friend today, though you and probably no one in Orb would believe me unless they vouched for me." Eric said chuckling a bit.
"The friend in question is probably the absolute last person you'd expect it to be but against all odds it actually happen"
"I know I heard you speak with Lacus. While you were here the last time you spoke with me." Abram's voice suddenly said.
"Dad?" Eric asked wide seeing Abram now facing him.
"Dad your…?" Eric couldn't bring himself to finish before he threw his arms around Abram.
"I'm out of the coma now." Abram said returning the embrace which lasted almost a full minute before the two separated.
"Dad a lot happened since the time at the Artemis base."
"I'm somewhat aware."
"You are?"
"Yes while I was in a coma I could still hear everything.
"So you know about…"
"I just said as much only moments ago. I have to say though to think you'd actually end up meeting Lacus Clyne of all people."
"Yeah when I initially found her escape pod I never would have dreamed in a million years that I would actually get to meet her." 'Or become so unexpectedly close to her as I did in such a short time.'
"Speaking of which there was two things I wanted to tell you."
"Ok."
"First Lacus was right in doubting that you deserved to be in danger back when we arrived at the Artemis base."
"I was the one they were after you and no one else should have been in danger."
"And you expect me, Callahan, or any of your friends to happy with the idea of you being held at gun point?"
Eric couldn't bring himself to answer. He remembered how Lacus told him that told about Abram trying to intervene when Garcia tried to have Eric reset the Hope's self detonation because he didn't want to let Garcia do whatever he wished with Eric.
"Eric the reason I did what I had was because I didn't want to standby and let that Vice Admiral hurt you or force you into something that could've endangered your life. You may have been adopted but you mean just as much to me as Callahan does."
Yep it was pretty much as Lacus said. Though on that same note Eric doubted Abram would approve of Eric killing Garcia anymore than Lacus herself did.
"Ok, I'll do my best to avoid unnecessary danger. But what was that second thing you wanted to tell me?"
"Please forgive Callahan now and in the future, He may disagree with you about the EA but it's not because of ignorance of their wrong doings.
"Alright." Eric said slightly confused by what Abram was requesting. While he wasn't happy about Callahan vuonteering to help the EA crew but Eric could forgive him for that but that left the question as to Abram wanted Eric to also forgive him in the future.
Was Callahan foing to do something that Eric wouldn't like? If so Eric highly doubted it could be anything as bad as when he vulonteered to help the EA crew.
XXXXX
"So what's the condition of the Hope?" Mu asked as he come into the docking bay.
"Not nearly as good as it looks." Replied Murdoch catching Mu by surprise.
"Really? I would've thought that aside from its missing limbs and one of its shoulder cannons it was in perfect condition."
"Yeah that's what we all initially thought but after inspecting it we found out it's barely repaired enough to be operationsal."
"Could've fooled me."
"Can't really blame you there, while it might not have looked like it. Raglan was actually pretty damn lucky that the machine didn't break down during the fighting."
"So how long will it take you to repair it."
"A week mabye two and that's after we meet up with the eighth fleet."
"You realize that means we can't use either mobile suit if Zaft attacks us again right?"
"Yeah but we don't have the resources to repair the Hope cpmpetely nor the means to simplify the Strike's OS simcd the only person on board who specailizes in that field is still recovering in the medical room."
Mu could only sigh and scratch the back of his head. "Well it looks we'll just have to get to the eighth fleet before Zaft shows up again. It should be pretty easy since they're likely preoccupied with bringing that pink princess back to Plants."
XXXXX
A few days had passed since the recue of Lacus and after assuring everyone that the beloved idol of Plants was safe many news stations were initially praising Rau and the team under him as Heero's but as soon as their cowokers who accompanied the Zaft personnel to the place were High Judgment was staying informerd the stations of what had happened particularly with Eric Raglans actions on the battle field and the first confrontation between Eric and Barclay when he was initially caputred thanks to Dearka letting it slip the number of people questioning the nature of the raltionship betwwen Lacus Clyne and Eric Raglan increased dramatically.
still its not like Rau La Cruset cared, any rumors floating around would be Athrun and indiretly Zala's problem who speaking of which was who Rau was about to meet as he walked down a hall with the door to Zala's office right if front of him.
He could only only imagine how forious Zala would about the existense of a third party who not only had the strength to match either side but a suit that was more powerful than anything in Zaft's possession including the G weapons.
Upon opening the door to the secretary of defense's office Rau instantly found out the reaction Zala had to the existense of High Judgement was far more priceless than he could have imagined.
furniture was scattered everywhere and anything that was made of glass save for the windows was shattered. Zala himself was standing over the desk gritting his teeth together and glowing profusely, to add to the alread overreactrativwe scene some of ther blood vessels in Zala's left were pop showing just how far his anger had peeked.
Rau had to adimit this was overboared even for Zala, while Zala wasn't exactly one to conceal anger he was usually much more composed than he currently was now. While the existense of High Judgment wasn't something to scoff at especially since they had mobile suits and skill that underestimating could be fatal for anyone going against them.
Still Zala was arrogant in his beliefs that Coordinaters were supperior beings; while the Zaft commander knew Zala wouldn't be the least bit happy about the situation Rau had honestly expected Zala to keep his anger all but contained and scoff off what happened and underestimate High Judgment inisting they were just another junk guild.
"Sir I've come to ask you what you want done about this High Judgement group." Rau said getting Zala's attention.
"I'm going to have to meet with the rest of the Zaft council to decide that tomarrow but personally it should already be obvious."
'I can already guess what you want done.' Rau thought.
"Wipe those thieves out with extreme prejudice! They need to pay for taking the trump card belongs to us! One that shouldn't even be working no less."
Rau raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Zala sighed before replying.
"Tell me, do you know of the X8 colonies?"
"Vaguely all I've ever heard were that they were destroyed by the EA for reasons unkown that is assuming the colonies ever existed to begin with."
"They most certainly did but their existense was kept secret from most on Earth and space."
Had the explanation came from anyone else Rau likely woukd have written off the claim as a joke since if the implications about X8 were true they were basically a group of colonies attempting to form a nation independent of both Earth or the Plants. Needless to say concealing something like that wasn't exactly something that could be easily done assuming it was actually possible.
Still since Zala was far from the type to joke about anything...
"Was there any particular reasoning for their secrecy."
"Mainly inevitable bad relations they'd have with the EA as soon they made themselves known to the world."
"We're they intending to go to war with the EA."
"Not Nessecarily but they wanted time to build up their own militia until they were strong enough to hold their own if war ever did come to their door step."
"Then why would they have to deal with the eventuality of unpleasant relations?"
"Namely because they intended to become a nation similar to Orb but with one key difference."
"That being?"
"They'd intended to take an anti EA or more to the point anti Blue Cosmos and Atlantic Federation stance."
"You mean a nation that opposed the anti Coordinator ideals the Americans are so consumed by?"
"Yes and to prove their intentions at least to those of us who knew of their forming they began a series of Colaberation projects with Zaft' namely in weaponry to give us an advantage over our current enemy which is what birthed the first mobile suits giving our side its current technological advantage over the Naturals."
"I see."
"Amongst these joint projects was that Blue mobile suit that had attacked the G weapon our agents failed to recover."
"Are you saying these X8 colonies hand a hand in creating that machine?"
"Along with us. Much like the Gat series built on Heliopolis the machine was built by both our side and theirs with the intent that it would be a trump card against the enemy but unfortunely the EA found out about X8's dealings with us and launched and special invading force." Zala said before continueing.
"We stantioned our own defensive troops to assist with the X8 colonies defenses but because of an unkown leak to the EA our efforts were ultimately in vain and all the joint projects we worked on with them including that Machine dissapeared."
"You mean they were stolen?"
"Yes, at first I had believed it was the EA but they had not delpoyed a single weapon we worked on with the X8 colonies even once during the entirety of this war."
"Then we may need to thank to High Judgment for deciding to come out into the open. We now know where those weapon projects are."
"True but that's what also makes them a major threat in spite of being little more than a collective military." Zala retorted before finally meeting Rau's.
"I'll convince the rest of the Zaft Council to list them as a high priority target it shouldn't be too hard with them having the Fulfillment."
'The still begs the questions as why Barclay's mobile suit is so far above the G weapons built on Heliopolis...and why it isn't supposed to be working. what aren't you telling me Zala?' Rau thought before simply deciding to to look into the coordinates that Barclay had sent him during the skirmish with High Judgment.
XXXXX
"It looks like we be meeting with the eighth fleet soon." Callahan said as he Eric and the others save for Flay were looking out the window.
"Finally I really want to get to Orb and forget any of this happened." Kuzzy replied before Mirriallia followed up.
"Well soon everything with be like it was before we got caught up in this war."
"Yeah." Said Sai even though he was wasn't certain that Mirriallia's were completely true considering Flay's grief striken state.
"I'm just glad we don't have to deal with those High Judgement guys." Kuzzy said.
"I think we all feel relieved about that." Mirriallia replied.
"Yeah if even Zaft couldn't take them with the other G weapons or Eric when his machine suddenly got faster I don't think there's anyone that could."
Eric felt a jolt of anger rise up in him at the mention of High Judgment as well as their strength. Unfortunately however Eric was forced to accept the reality that he couldn't do anything aganist them nor their leader Barclay.
The Hope Gundam as he found out was much further from fully repaired then it had initially looked. If Eric had to guess he'd think it was safe to assume that High Judgment mechanics prioritized their repairs to the cockpit and outer chest alone. Still without any real form of confirmation there was no way to tell for sure.
Not that any of it mattered in the end since the Hope's DNA lock was removed meaning the machine could now be piloted by anyone and the EA would without a doubt assign it to someone who was more enthusiastic about their genocidal campaign.
Still in spite of how frustrating any of it may have been there wasn't anything Eric could really do about the situation anymore.
The only way Eric could possibly keep the Hope Gundam was if he joined the EA officially but the only way he'd ever even consider that is if it became the only way to protect his family and friends.
'I guess by the end of the day simply going to Orb's mainland is the best thing that could happen.'
Eric's gaze tilted downwards slightly. 'Sorry Shirou but whatever you were hoping for me to do is something that's out of my reach.' He thought as he began leaving and heading back to his room.
Meanwhile Callahan stared intently at the various shiloutes of the making up the EA's eigth fleet as a contemplation began to run through his mind.
'If I simply head back to Orb all the danger will be over but mom's still out there on battle field fighting against Zaft.'
XXXXX
Walking through the hall of the capital Plant's office building where the Zaft Council Lacus was headed for the first elevator she could find to get to the upper floors and visit her father however...
"Lacus!" Another voice suddenly exclaimed from behind her causing her to turn around to see a teen girl around her age with shoulder length black hair tied in a thin pony tail and blue eyes wearing a Zaft red uniform.
Upon recignition of who the other girl was Lacus smiled and quickly walked over and hugged the Zaft red who instantly returned the embrace.
"Imogen it's so good to see you!" Lacus exlaimed.
"I could say the same to you." The girl known as Imogen and Lacus' long time friend replied before letting go of the songstress adopting a more serious demeanor and continuing.
"I heard you were captured by the EA and then some terrorist group."
"Well truthfully the EA rescued me unkowningly but the crew was good to me regardless."
"What about this other group calling themselves High Judgment?"
"They didn't do anything to me. Eric managed to get both of us out of their clutches before they could attempt anything."
"Eric? That's the pilot of the Hope G weapon that our forces didn't discover right?"
"Yes I met him when he first found the escape pod I was on."
"Speaking of him... You know that thanks to all the stuff he was helping about wanting to protect you and not caring what the EA wanted has a lot of people wandering what his relationship with you is."
"So you saw the footage of the fight."
"Yeah I gotta say I never thought I'd see the day when the EA tried to one up their own teamates." Imogen said refferring to how the vice adimiral from the EA's moonbase tried double cross thd Crew of the legged ship.
"Well the situation was resolved I'm just relieved Eric didn't let himself become consumed by hatred for the EA for what they did to X8 colonies."
Upon hearing the mention of the X8 colonies Imogen's eyes widened considerably.
"X8 you mean?"
"Yes your former home."
Imogen went Silent for a few moments slightly worrying the songstress.
"Lacus I'm sorry but could you tell me everything you know about this pilot named Eric Raglan."
XXXXX
"Arrgggg"
"Take it slowly Eric we all know you're bandaged up but don't push yourself.' Tolle said as Eric barely kept from falling to his knees when another jolt of pain shot through his body from the injuries he'd received from his clash with Barclay.
XXXXX
"Greyson there's no need for you to join me on this mission, the machine Shirou created is only a secondary priority now." Rooks said after the door to the bridge of the ship he was on opened revealing the boy in question.
"That may be but that doesn't change what my reason for living is now that everything else was taken from me."
Room stayed silent for a few moments. It was true now that Greyson Landry had essentially lost anyone and everyone he cared about that his only purpose was to support Barcaly in his goals for the world but the irony behind it was that Greyson's motivation didn't come from any form of gratidude but rather dispair.
In simple terms the teen had decided to give up on anything else aside from High Judgment's cause.
'Fate truly can be twisted but in the end all humans can do is head in the direction it points them in or forfeit all significance.' Rooks that before shooting a momentary glance at Greyson.
'I suppose he and Raglan are both living proof of that.'
Alright that's another chapter down sorry nothing action wose really happened but I mainly wanted to use this chapter to set things up for the next few arks.
Sorry Imogen didn't get that much screen time but I wanted to hurry up and get this chapter out of the way so I can focus on other stories for the time being. She'll be seen again in future chapters
Preview for next time.
The archangel meets with the eigth fleet where Eric expects to go head back to Orb with everyone else until Zaft shows up and Flay and more so Callahan make a shocking decision.
Until next time callahan's chosen path. Now I'm off to make much needed spelling corrections to the previous chapter and get back to work on a new reason to live.
