Gundam Seed: Iron Brotherhood

by The Watchman

Gundam Seed in the POV of soldiers. Each having seen and lived war. Each one with a story, some with painful memories, others with dark secrets. All struggling in a world gone mad by war. A GSeed AU with slight Wing and UC crossover, Read for pairings

14. Phase11: Behind the scenes

A/N: Hey all, sorry for the long hiatus, I've been busy for the last couple of months. Just a few cameos of the regular Seed characters in this one, this chapter is going to be a largely OC and non-canon character focused affair. Well, I guess I should cut to the chase and get it over with…

Phase 11: Behind the scenes

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Archangel, Captain's Office

Lt. Col. Naomi Fletcher stands in front of the captain's desk, Captain Ramius sat behind the desk, Ens. Badgiruel and Lt. La Flaga were on either of the captain. She was going to explain to them the project behind the Spartans.

"Project Leonidas, no. 0069-1060317F also know as the Project Spartan." Naomi says as she present the officers with a cache of files uploaded on her PDA. "The project started 10 years ago, its purpose was to be exploratory probe into biological and cybernetic enhancement on Naturals for use in the military. Subjects of the project have special glands implanted which they can voluntarily activate. Once activated, special hormones are secreted throughout the body. When that happens, the subject enters a temporary state, where he or she can perform several times more than normal capacity at times beyond the capacity of a coordinator. Their reflexes, decision functions and five senses are all heightened; physical strength, stamina and endurance is doubled, in some cases can also be tripled. In rare cases, subjects are able gain Spatial Awareness through constant use."

"However," Naomi continues. "There's a flipside, if a subject stays in this state too long, they'll start suffering the side effects. This starts out as severe pain and bleeding through out the body, then hallucinations, after a while they'll start vomiting out blood and bile."

"There are several more…" Naomi notices the faces the officers were making at the images of the symptoms just described. "But I don't really think you need to know. And in case you're wondering, those men were death row convicts scheduled to die that day, not soldiers."

"Right…" Mu cringes at the very graphic images.

"A healthy body subject's body can eventually counteract this, however it takes days for first timers and if use is longer than 8 minutes," The Lt. Colonel then shows them the syringe containing the neon blue liquid. "This is used to speed that up. Gamma Gliphalium, it's either taken in orally or injected into the bloodstream, what it does is to force the glands to stop secreting immediately. This has to be applied normally about ten minutes after the gland is activated. If they don't take it after twenty, they'll be forced to take a more heavy duty treatment."

"So that's the reason…" Mu mutters. "Even back when Ant was training me in a Moebius Zero, he always took those things after a tough sortie. I've always thought they were steroids or something."

"How did Antonio get involved in the project?" Natarle asks.

"He volunteered actually," The medical officer replies.

Natarle raises an eyebrow, "He did?"

Naomi nods.

"I see… I understand, please continue."

"At the start, there were only four subjects, Lt. Col. Antonio Le Saint Claire, Mjr. Michael Takahashi, Adm. Anya Samsonov and retired Col. Nathaniel Wolfthorne, technically they were volunteers but they were what remained after they and forty two others were thoroughly screened. After the project lasted for couple of years and made quite a lot of progress, we expanded the research to other fields, including medical use for the civilian sector. We began accepting more volunteers with varying ages, ethnic backgrounds, race, blood type, etcetera."

"Eventually, the high brass from Orb, EU, Scandinavia and Oceania, wanted to organize the subjects of the project into military units."

Naomi taps a button on her PDA to show the Spartan's Emblem, a classical Greco-Spartan helmet facing to the left, a sword and spear crossed behind it and an olive crown encircled around it. On the top of the emblem was the official name of the unit, Special Guards Division, on the bottom of the emblem was the unit's motto in Latin, 'Invictus', 'Unconquerable'.

"And like they say, 'the rest is history.'"

Whilst browsing through the files her terminal, Murrue comes across an image of a woman is shown, her face was round but seem, she had long blonde hair which was tied in a ponytail and eyes colored turquoise blue, shaped that of almonds. The smile she had on her face was warm and inviting.

"Who's this?"

Naomi goes to her see what she looking at, "Mjr. Julian Weather, she was the one who started this all. She's a member of IMSR (Institute of Medical and Scientific Research) of and an M.D."

Just then, Naomi's cellphone rings. "Excuse me… Fletcher…?"

The Archangel's officers see that her face then shows a look of surprise, which quickly turns to annoyance. "Oh of all the…! Oh no, no… it's alright I'll look for him myself… thanks for telling, just take care of others."

She sighs in exasperation, she quickly composes herself to Captain Ramius. "Sorry Captain, I have to leave now, I have to go look for a certain patient of mine."

Murrue nods, a little unsure on what was going. "Yes you may, thank you Lt. Col. Fletcher."

"You're welcome ma'am," Naomi salutes. "If there's anything else you want to know, it's in the most probably in the file."

She was about to leave the room when Badgiruel calls her.

"Let me guess," The ensign shows a dimpled smile. "It's Anton, isn't it?"

Naomi smiles tiredly back, "Yup."

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Somewhere in the Libyan Desert, African Community

The young girl who had accompanied Michael and Antonio looked on at a camp that was set up under the shadow of a large mesa several miles north of Banadiya.

Her name was Cagalli Yula Athha, daughter of Uzumi Nara Athha, the present chief representative of Orb. She was accompanied by her bodyguard, Col. Ledonir Kisaka a rather large man who once lived in these parts, his dark skin was testament to that. Also accompanying them, were men of the Desert Dawn, an anti-ZAFT resistance group. Among them, was a man in his middle ages, who seem to be in charge of the group. He had a thick black beard and wore a green bandana, there was a scar on his left cheek, which was partially concealed by his beard. He was Sahib, leader of the Desert Dawn. Also, there was a young teen named Ahmed, he was just as old as Cagalli. He held his assault rifle with nervous anticipation. The sun glared angrily over their heads, all of them were sweating profusely, even though they lived in this desert.

The camp they were watching wasn't theirs, it belonged to a contingent force of Blue Cosmos. They were no friend of the Desert Dawn, in fact, most of the men saw them no different to ZAFT and the Desert Tiger. Their interest however was who was supposed to coming here, word in Banadiya was the Desert Tiger was going to attack the camp. Normally that only seemed significant unless when they were attempting an ambush on the ZAFT commander. This time however, they were here to watch him, he was going to use two mercenaries he had hired on the camp.

Cagalli scanned the horizon, looking for the distingue outline of the Lesseps. She, Kisaka and Sahib all wanted to see what the mercenaries can do. From she had learned in Banadiya, there were only two of them. Both of them however were supposed to be excellent pilots, veterans of the Eurasian-Pacific conflict. What troubled her was the fact that one may be a Spartan, and soon the Tiger may set him loose against them.

About several kliks south east of the camps position

The Tiger's Lesseps-class land carrier moves seamlessly over the desert sands, it was escorted by four TMF/A-802 BuCUEs that walked beside it. There were also two mobilesuits standing on top of the land carrier. One was a EUMS-Mk104 Legionnaire in Dragonfly configuration, it was colored generally black and grey. It had an insignia on its right shoulder, a grinning wolf looking sideward, biting on a sword, "S. Guards Division, 1st Corps," was inscribed below it.

The other was the Hyperion, similar to what had decimated the ZAFT force during the Odessa operation.

Vincent had made some slight modifications on the unit, it was now sporting an aerial maneuver pack to make it capable of over boosting and flight for short distances. It now also had a sword rack to hold the Durandal.

"I don't get it…" Kirkwood said to his fellow BuCUE pilots. "Why did the commander bother hiring those guys? We're just doing fine as we are."

"Who knows," Maylam another pilot replied. "They're supposed to be some really top talent."

Kirkwood snorts, "Yeah, I wonder if they're any good out here?"

"More than you'll ever be," The deep voice of Andrew Waltfeld replied to his question. He was riding on the passenger side of a jeep his second-in-command Martin DaCosta was driving.

"C-commander… I-I didn't mean to…"

"It's all right," The ZAFT commander said. "If you must know, I hired those two as an auxiliary detachment. They're going to operate separately to the normal unit."

"That is," Martin continued as Waltfeld turns off the radio. "If they're any good."

"Oh that's not really a worry," the tiger replied. "Those two are some of the best, both knew the 'Todes Jaeger' well. One was his one of his Pilus Priors and the other was his nemesis."

Martin looks at corner of his eye for one moment, "Nemesis?"

Andy nods, "Vincent Allen Schellezar, the Bloody Joker, he was one of members of the Eurasian Konig Kobra special forces unit. We knew him better by his unit callsign, Black Sorrow."

His protégé nods, recognizing the name quickly, Black Sorrow was a Eurasian credited for single handedly taking down an entire ZAFT expeditionary unit in Scandinavia back during the last war. "His partner is also well-known I believe?"

"I'm surprised you never heard him," the ZAFT commander replied. "He's one of the best pilots of the Water Corps. Master Pierce Rayer, 'O Lykos', that's Greek for 'the Wolf'. He's better known as the –"

"Beast of Kaohsiung," DaCosta nods as he finished. "I've heard."

Waltfeld brings up his binoculars looking for the target for the day. "We should be close… Tell them to get ready."

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It was still early morning in Septemberius Four

Eileen places her hand on where thought Visch was, but her hand finds nothing, Eileen lifts he head, discovering Visch wasn't there at all.

"Visch…?"

She quickly something on the table on his side of the bed, a piece of paper on top it was a small box. She pulls herself to where was, and gets hold of both items. The box was the type jewelers used, Eileen opens the box and finds a jeweled brooch, shaped that of a flower. The petals were formed with 7 blue gems embedded in a silver backing, she turns the brooch over to find an engraving of a poem.

By all these lovely tokens

September days are here

With summer's best of weather

And autumn's best of cheer

Eileen then looks at the note, she quickly recognizes the handwriting as that of Visch's.

September was once the seventh month of year in the old Roman calendar, hence, the Latin word it came from, septum, means seven.

Happy birthday, Blue eyes, I would have got you something with your birthstone but most of the quotes for February were just too damn cheesy.

Besides, ever since we got the 'Valentine present' it didn't think it's appropriate.

I just went out to do a few things, I'll be back ten.

You're man, Visch

Eileen smiles as she read the note, "He remembered…" She closes the box and leaves it on her side of the bed, the councilwoman then heads to bathroom and takes a shower.

Visch took the monorail to spaceport,

He had left Eileen's home rather early, he didn't want to let you know where he was going. Today was the day he was to meet up with Grey.

Visch yawns loudly, not bothering to cover his mouth as he was the only one in the passenger car. The Zaft veteran didn't have much sleep the night before, he was too busy thinking about the meeting. He felt his arrangement with Grey, maybe it's just because he was used to Zaft red tape but it felt a little too easy. Could he walking into a trap?

Visch rubbed his eye patch, he can't help but heed to the feeling he had. But then again, instincts are like everything else, half of the time they're right, half of the time they're wrong.

Januarius Six, half an hour later

It didn't take to long for Visch to find the meeting spot, a small café in the middle of downtown. Visch however didn't go straight there, he has the cab he was riding stop several blocks away, he then begins walking. To get rid of any tails that maybe following him, he first walks randomly and in circles for a while, forcing anyone following him to reveal themselves to him. A half hour later, he was satisfied and heads straight to the meeting point.

The café itself was a pretty out of the way place, the reason why Visch found it easily was because he had the address. He knocks at the door, tapping the glass four times, then three, two and finally one. The door opens, he was greeted by a waitress. Visch's eyebrow rises slightly, he could've sworn he saw her somewhere…

"Please come in sir," the young girl says courteously, Visch does so. So far so good, things were going fine…. until he felt something hard suddenly prodded against his back.

"Commander Donahue, please don't move," The young waitress says. "Elsa."

"Right," Another waitress searches Visch, she takes his sidearm and three clips and his cellphone. "We'll give you these back later, sir."

After a little more searching, Elsa was satisfied. "He's clean."

"Well you missed a few spots," the other waitress quips with a grin and raised eyebrow.

"Meg!" Elsa yells indignantly, she was flushing intensely.

Visch smirks, "So… can I see Grey now?"

"Well, well, well…"

Grey says as he sees his old teammate. "Look what the cat drugged in. C'mon, make yourself at home."

Visch enters the back room, it was a small, well worn office, he saw a lot of old pictures of the Swords, back when they've been formed in 67. Back then, the team was made up of him, Miyuki, Lenneth, Eileen, Grey, Andrew Waltfeld and Aisha. Visch smiles slightly as the pictures reminded him of simpler times.

Grey notes of this and remarks, "Yes, every time I'm here, I'm much living in the past."

Visch gives him a smirk, "Essentially this is your happy place, I never thought you've be one to be sentimental."

"Touché," The masked officer chuckled.

"I guess you want a lowdown of what happening behind scenes," Grey says suddenly.

His jovial tone was gone, replaced by a serious one, signaling to Visch it was time to get back to business.

Visch nods again, "Yeah…"

"I can tell right now," Grey sighs, settling into his chair. "It isn't pretty."

He eyes Visch as he goes to his desk for files he gathered, "Does Ellie know what your doing?"

"No…" The one-eyed team commander frowns at the question, "Why…? Is she…?"

"Nah," Grey quickly says. "It's not what you think, she's completely loyal to old Siegel, I'm just wondering how she's doing these days."

"Pretty well," Visch replies, easing himself back into his chair, "Though the rigors of her position seem to grind her down a bit."

"That's common for politicians, but knowing her, she must be overworking herself to death."

"Well anyway," Grey then says, going back to the files, he hands them to Visch. "Here"

Visch immediately opens the folder, what he sees are a list of serial numbers and names with corresponding security codes. He recognizes the document as a personnel file showing where troops were being scheduled to move.

It didn't seem to be out of the ordinary, so Visch looks at his former colleague a raised eyebrow. "So…?"

"Look at it more closely," Grey replies, "To be specific, look at which are units being moved and their destinations."

Visch does so, at first he didn't see anything wrong with them, he was about to say something to Grey when he sees it. He frowns, most of the unit and personnel serial numbers had the series 071-02 in them, meaning they just been commissioned that month and these units and men were being sent to stop-over points on their way to active fronts.

"What the hell…?" Visch says, "Why's high command sending green troops into the hot zones?"

"The high command and the NDC are planning to expand the war," Grey replied bluntly, "It's a response to the new weapons the Alliance have developed"

Visch scowls, "What? Troop deployment is already spread thin as it is and sending fresh troops to the main fronts is going to cost us," He points out.

Grey shrugs, "They want to break our current stalemate with the Alliance before the new machines will into mass-production. Zala's been pressuring Clyne to approve Operation Spitbreak for months, be thankful Siegel's holding him off. If the situation doesn't change, the proposal will be thrown out, even with the discovery in Heliopolis."

"IF the situation doesn't change?" Visch sourly parrots, "You and me both know that the situation IS going to change."

Visch sighs, sinking into his chair. "Ah, forget it. It's not as if severe loss of life is a new thing… Anyway, what can you tell me of the GENESIS project anyway?"

Grey tilts his head slightly sideways, "Oh? Yuki told you about GENESIS?"

"Enough to know that it's now one giant death star."

Grey seems to stare at him for a several moments, he then nods. "I see, very well. Where do you want to start?"

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Meanwhile… elsewhere in space,

"Richards," Captain Anya Samsonov calls inside the UNAAF carrier group flagship, Agares. "What the status of the units?"

"Unit one is ready, the other ships have also already confirmed. We're ready to begin."

Anya nods, she sifts through her papers for the required activation codes. She comes across the memorandum given to her earlier by 2nd Fleet Admiral John Lawson. It was a warning of her rash actions during the Aprilius One exchange, though personally the Admiral commended her actions, the high command were understandably a little jumpy of these types of action since the Heliopolis incident.

Une absently crumbled the note with right hand, she did so with a calm face.

Back in the day when she was still member of the Leonidas project, she would have torn that paper in fit of rage. At the start, the Spartan was just the four of them, Mike, Antonio, Nathaniel and her. Back then, she was a quite condescending and autocratic, she looked down at everyone who was not of noble birth, seeing them as inferior more or less. Her three fellow Spartan Eternals taught her otherwise, opening her eyes to what people can do.

"All Units commence Operation Meteor," The officer in CIC relays the message, a general count down begins.

Une finds what she's looking for and speaks out again, "All XG-Units, I'm sending your respective security codes."

Five pilots receive the transmission, they were each in different ships all over across Earth's orbit.

They were all equipped for orbital descent, all wore the protective masks and their mobilesuits were all encased in specially made re-entry pods, their units couldn't fit properly in the ZAFT-made ones.

Their units were G-unit prototypes just like the ones in Heliopolis, except these were completely made in Scandinavia by the Royal Arms Bureau, the kingdom's chief arms manufacturer. The pilots were all specially picked for this job, all of them were good soldiers that have remarkable records from the last war.

But what really made them special was their unit designations, all of them were members of the Equatorial Union's dreaded Sapientes Arcanum, "Order of the Arcane" also as known the Arcani and as the Black Immortals for the black painted mobile suits they used during the Eurasian-Pacific war. They were just like Spartans but with one major difference, they were coordinators.

While Project Leonidas was focused on work with Naturals, the Arcani was a separate project done by the Equatorial Union to see the results of Coordinators integrated with the Spartan's special implants. Needless to say, they were quite effective, though the Arcani is relatively smaller in number compared to the Spartans.

Capt. Samsonov calls them via a relayed feed

"Your primary objective is testing the capabilities of your respective units. Secondary objectives shall be given to you by your support unit when you rendezvous with them. As Arcani, I will permit you use any means to accomplish your mission. As usual, excessive loss of civilian life shall not be tolerated."

"Yes captain," All five Arcani responds.

The captain nods as the countdown was nearing zero, "Good luck to all of you."

At the same time she says this, the five pods were launched. Operation Meteor has begun.

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Back in Libya,

"Vince, I have a visual." Pierce calls via radio from his open cockpit, he eyes the target with binoculars. It would have been easier if he just used his mobilesuit's scanners, but since they're close to a cluster of N-jammers, most sensors and scanners are hampered by the inference when in close range, it was impossible.

"This won't be too hard," he commented. "They have a few missile launchers. I see a tank on the east side, that's pretty much all their heavy fire power. Their hand-carried anti-armor's probably just 50 cal. MG's and Stingers."

"That's not much," Vincent commented. "Should the two of us bother even going out there? This is going to be a turkey shoot for even just one of us."

"Might as well, do it anyway." Pierce replies, "We'd want to give a good impression on our potential boss."

"Right…" Vince sits in his cockpit rubbing his hands. "So… do you have any sort of plan for this one?"

"Are you kidding?" Pierce smirked, "Do what you want. Just think of this as practice with live rounds."

"Copy."

By now, both the Desert Dawn and the Blue Cosmos had spotted the Lesseps

The Blue Cosmos soldiers were scrambling to their defensive positions, whilst the Desert Dawn were all hunkered down to watch the fireflies.

Cagalli notes that the tiger's forces weren't combat ready, the BuCUEs were set in a defensive formation protecting the Lesseps. She then sees the two mobilesuits on top of the ZAFT Land Carrier.

"One Equatorial Legionnaire, it looks pretty old, looks like a 69 model." She said looking through pair binoculars. "And another mobilesuit, I never seen this one before… it must be a prototype."

"Is it one of the prototypes from Heliopolis?" Sahib asked.

She shook her head, "No… the basic frames are similar, but don't think so."

"Wasn't there suppose to have been another prototype that fought in somewhere in East Eurasia?" Sahib asked.

"It's a possibility," Cagalli replied, she was scanning through the two mobilesuits for the last time when she notices the insignia on the Legionnaire's shoulder. She frowns at the sight of it.

Ahmed notices this, "Is there something wrong?"

Cagalli doesn't answer at first until after several moments, "The pilot of the Legionnaire is might just be a Spartan… a Water Corps member to be more exact."

"Do you know which one?" Sahib asked as he uses his own binoculars to see the insignia.

"No… most Spartans use different insignias, but I can tell what rank he may have been. The sword on the wolf's teeth is the Spartan rank symbol for 'Pilus Prior.' The Corp's designation is under the wolf, Antonio only picks the best to hold a position like that."

"I see…"Sahib kept calm despite hearing this, "But we still can't be sure of this man is even actually a Spartan, until he fights."

Cagalli nods, she then looks at the direction of the Lesseps. Personally, she hoped it was just some poser. She didn't want fight someone who may be close to her dear friend and mentor. And in addition, Spartans, even the lowest ranked ones, were dangerous opponents.

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Back up in the Archangel, Captain's Office

Lt Col. Fletcher had left the office together with Ens. Badgiruel to look for her commanding officer, who was supposed to be resting in the infirmary. Capt. Ramius and Lt. La Flaga both remain in the office, going through the Project files.

"They've covered a lot of bases with this," Mu mutters as goes through several pages. "Combat performance in different terrains, climate, underwater, space… resistance of the body and brain during stressful situations… active combat evaluation and tactical leadership of subjects during enhanced state… Metabolic and recovery rate of subjects during enhanced state…"

Murrue shakes as she goes her head as goes through files in her terminal, "This is a very major project, it's amazing that they've covered so much ground in just several years. The Spartan Guard was formed 6 years after the project was started, right"

"And the Doc wasn't kidding when she said volunteers were thoroughly screened," The blonde mobile armor pilot mutters as he reads a personnel file report. "There were a lot of guys who volunteered, but looks like only one out of twenty are taken in. And most of the guys who taken in were already hardened vets. Looks like you have to be the next best thing to sign up."

Mu shakes his head, "No chance in hell would I make the grade."

Murrue rests her head on her palms as they were planted on the desk, "Makes you wonder how much of a piece of work the Lt. Colonel was when he joined in."

Mu chuckles, "He must've been the reincarnation of Audi Murphy, especially since he's the project's very first volunteer."

"Maybe he got in through Dr. Weather," Murrue suggests with a smirk. "Take a look at this."

Mu goes to her side, on the terminal he sees an old images that show the four Spartan Eternals and several Spartans, Naomi and Julian Weather all having good time in what looked a night club. A picture in particular caught his eyes, it was of Antonio playfully cuddling the project director, they seemed to look very close.

Mu grins at the find, "How did you…"

"Dr. Fletcher probably downloaded it by mistake," Murrue couldn't help but laugh. "He's already a flirt back then… Looks like some things never change."

Mu laughs with her, "Yeah, the poor ensign, hope she can put with him."

"They've been steady for a year," the brunette captain reminds him. "She's probably doing fine."

The mobile armor then looks at him mischievously, "How 'bout you?"

Murrue looks at him with a question look, "What about me?"

"Oh c'mon," Mu prods at her. "You like 'em too don't you?"

"Of course I like him, I…" Murrue's eyes widen as she quickly realizes what he meant, a blush starts to form in her face. "No! I-I do like him… but as a friend…!"

Mu nods, "Suuure… that's what they all say…"

"Lt. La Flaga!"

Archangel, Hangar

Kira was as usual, inside the cockpit of the Strike, making yet more adjustments on the Operating System. Wynn, who had finished making regular maintenance on her Wyvern, goes to see him.

"Hey partner," She as gets up to the cockpit. "Working on your OS again?"

Kira looks up, "Yeah… I'm just tinkering here and there… I guess it just turned to habit."

"Well keep at it," His friend replies. "It's a good way to get to know your machine. Well, at least until we finally bring the Archangel into actual friendly forces."

Wynn's smile then vanishes, "And hopefully, we don't have to fight the Le Creuset team anymore."

Her eyes met his, Kira sighs, knowing what she meant.

"Me too, Wynn."

Athrun was on both pilot's minds, they haven't met since their chance encounter in Heliopolis, hopefully it'll stay that way.

"I hope so too."

"I wouldn't be sure about that," a voice calls from below them, from the base of the Strike.

Both of them look down to find Antonio Le Saint Claire, wearing his usual fatigue uniform. He was also a pair of heavily tinted glasses, his eyes still haven't fully recovered from the last battle, they're sensitive to the light.

"Sir…" Wynn salutes, surprised by his presence. "Shouldn't you be in the in infirmary?"

"Thanks for you concern," he gives her a wink. "But that can wait."

Wynn sighs, shaking her head, "Yes sir."

"What's the status of the Chimera, Lieutenant?" Her commander asks.

"It's still under repair sir," She replies. "It took quite a tool from the last battle. Mr. Murdoch and crew have just finished repairing the phase shift armor, but they're still working battery wiring and the mirage colloid emitters. Ms. Kajiura had been spending the last few days restoring the Chimera and Sol Striker, she's… a little miffed at you."

Antonio rolls his eyes, "I can imagine."

He turns his attention to the young coordinator in the Strike's cockpit. "You must be Kira Yamato, we haven't really talked since Heliopolis haven't we?"

Kira nods, a little unsure on how to respond, "No, we haven't."

"Well, I guess I should reintroduce myself," He gives him his hand. "Lt. Col. Antonio Le Saint Claire, unit commander of UNAAF Special Taskforce Bravo. I'm Wynn's superior."

The young coordinator nods again, taking his hand. "Nice to see you sir."

"I'd like to thank you for helping us out." Antonio continues, "I understand this is all well beyond what you should be doing, hopefully I can repay you for your services when this is all over."

Kira shook his head, "Thanks… But its okay that I'm just helping out, I'm not expecting anything in return. Just being able to protect my friends is enough."

Antonio nods at his response, "I see… They must really be close for you to go to this much trouble."

"They are."

"Well keep them very close to you," Antonio pats him on the shoulder.

"Y'know…" he continues, leaning on the side of the cockpit door. "I've been looking on your combat data from the last few battles…"

When she heard this, Wynn suddenly felt uneasy. Did he come here for that reason?

"…needless to say I'm quite impressed."

Kira frowns, apparently knowing where this was going. "No, I'm not joining the Alliance or the UNAAF, I'm just piloting this suit because I had to."

"I'm not trying to recruit you," Antonio eyes him.

"Then why do you sound like you are," Kira voice was starting to be defensive.

"Sir…" Wynn starts, trying support her friend, but she quickly stops as Antonio held his hand up.

"I'm just curious." He replies.

"Curious about what?" Kira asks suspiciously.

"When I first met you in Heliopolis. You handle a mobilesuit like you have been in one for years. It's an accomplishment to just out maneuver some of ZAFT's elite pilots let alone beat them, yet you've managed to take several pilots down during Heliopolis. You can match wits with Moebius Zero pilot without sustaining as much as a scratch. And from what I understand, until just recently, you're supposed to be just a working high school student from Heliopolis."

Kira notes that the Lt. Colonel's look was very hard to read. He was just speaking to his in a casual manner.

"Even if you're coordinator, I'm finding it a little hard to believe." He looks into the young boy's eyes, "Are you sure you're not hiding anything?"

"Sir!" Wynn didn't like how her commander was treating her friend. "You shouldn't be interrogating him, he hasn't done anything wrong."

"If hasn't done anything wrong," Antonio responds in an even voice. "Then he shouldn't have a problem answering me."

Wynn bit her lip, he had a point.

He turns his attention back to Kira, "Well Kira?"

Kira looks down the terminal, "I…" He didn't really know what to say. He didn't have answers himself. "I don't know myself… It just seem to come to me… when I was pushed against the wall with no where to go, something in me just seems to click on. I… I… can't explain it any other way."

Antonio studies him, nothing told him the kid was lying, either he was telling the truth, or he was also a splendid actor.

"Is that so?" He says after a while, he tone was a little gentler. "I guess I can reason that part out… now there's the part of those radio transmissions."

Kira and Wynn both look at him with raise eyebrows. "Radio transmissions?" Both say in unison.

Antonio looks at them, "During Heliopolis, the Strike has made several communications links with the captured unit, Aegis."

Both teens stare at him in shock, but didn't say anything.

"I came across them when Luke and I were checking the combat data of your units." Antonio explains, "I haven't told it to anyone in the bridge yet."

"Luke said there were attempts in erasing that data, fortunately he was still able to retrieve them. Though I found he was a bit reluctant. I had a feeling he was covering for you guys." The thirty-two year old UN officer switches to a softer tone. "I need you two to tell me the truth, I'm trying to help you here. Please come clean with me now, I'll decide what'll happen next then."

Both Kira and Wynn were taken aback by this, they have been caught.

Kira looks at his friend. Wynn sighs, "Its okay Kira, I'll tell him."

"No, I will." Kira looks at Antonio and gathers his courage. "I'm sorry sir."

He tells him about Athrun, how they and Wynn were such close friends, how hard it was for him to be forced to fight his dear friend. Antonio listens intently, nodding occasionally.

After Kira was finished, the first thing Antonio was look at Wynn. "Y'know, I could've helped you two if you just went to me. What? You didn't trust me?"

Wynn looks down at the floor, "I… I'm sorry sir…" Her tone was very ashamed, she knew Antonio was a very trusting person, it wasn't easy for her at all to keep their secret from him. "I… just thought…"

Antonio gently places a hand on shoulder, shushing her gently like he was her daughter. "It's okay, you weren't sure how I'd react, I can understand that."

"So…" Kira begins, "Are you going to…"

The older pilot shakes his head, "No, I won't. Don't worry."

"I grilled you because I thought you were a ZAFT agent." Antonio explains, "It's a natural assumption if you look at the facts in a military point of view. I wanted to make sure this isn't just a plain misunderstanding."

Wynn nods, "You could have just reported it to the Captain if wanted… thank you sir."

"So…" Kira nervously inquires, "What's going to happen now?"

Antonio smirks, "Nothing. There's technically nothing wrong anyway."

"Besides," he gives them a disk, then winks. "That is the only record left of the Strike's communication with Aegis."

Kira looks at the disk, flabbergasted. "Th-thank you sir. I don't know how to…"

"Just keep up your excellent performance," Antonio replies in his usual cheery, laid-back tone. "And from now on, you and Wynn will be the only ones who'll engage the Aegis."

The two friends look at other, surprised and smiling at their good fortune. "Thank you sir!" Both said.

"No prob," Antonio grins.

They then hear the much annoyed voice of Naomi Fletcher calling out his name.

"Do me ONE favor," The veteran pilot cautiously leaves the cockpit. "I wasn't here."

Both gladly nod.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere in Southern Iceland, Atlantic Federation

"Sierra One, this is Blade," The pilot of the first unit, SK/XG-01W Wing calls, "Have landed safely."

"I've encountered an OMNI-Enforcer patrol, I've dealt with them accordingly." The Wing's head look over the remains of the helicopters that respond to the descent, "I have not made contact with my support. I repeat, I have not made contact with my…"

The pilot spots what looked like a GAT-01D Long Dagger, as soon as spots it, the dagger pulls out one of his beamsabers.

"Sierra One, I've got company. Not the friendly kind." He calls his handler, "I'll get back to you in a moment."

The Wing, stows away its beamrifle and pulls out its own beamsaber from under its shield, he boosts toward the dagger with full thrust of the wings. The Long Dagger uses its saber to parry the incoming attack. He also uses its shield to block the Wing's saber, as though he knew that the Wing was more powerful than his own unit. The dagger uses the impact of the charge to push itself away, he then charges in to counterattack with a thrust. The Wing sidesteps it, and counters with a downward cut. The Long Dagger blocks this with its shield, he then goes in for another thrust. Just the dagger did so, the Wing pulls back quickly, thanks to the thrusters in its wings.

"Obviously, you haven't slouching in your regular training," The Long Dagger calls suddenly, "Heero Yuy."

Heero quickly recognizes the voice of the Long Dagger's pilot and says in a somewhat annoyed tone, "Zechs Merquise…"

Zechs chuckles at the younger man's tone, "Sounds like you're happy to see me."

The young coordinator ignores the comment and asks, "What's with the Long Dagger?"

"This piece was captured during operations in Odessa," Zech replies. "The brass wanted me to use it so as to throw our friends in OMNI out of the loop."

Heero nods, "Copy, so what's out objective?"

"As usual, no nonsense and straight to business," The former Wind corps 2nd in command says, "It's no wonder my cousin likes you."

In the cockpit of the Wing, Heero winces slightly but does not say anything.

"Our objective is to hit a base under construction near here. It's an OMNI-Enforcer base but the Eurasians currently have full control of it. According to our data from Odessa, they're using the base's facilities as temporary research post. It's possible they have Gamma Gliphalium chambers. Objective is to take those out."

"Any Intel on our welcome wagon?"

"A little," Zech replies. "They got the usual conventional hardware plus super spearheads, there may be Longs D's and coordinators mercs with different variation ZAFT mobilesuits."

"Okay," Heero answers simply. "When do we start?"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, Republic of East Asia

"Sierra One, this is Scythe," The pilot of the second unit, SK/XG-02D Deathscythe calls, "My unit has landed in one piece, and we've just rendezvoused with our support."

Duo Maxwell looks out his cockpit across the deck of the transport carrier he was on. His companions, several Special Forces technicians from the EU, began prepping up several EMP bombs, they were relatively small compared to Gungnir but still very capable to cause havoc with electronic devices.

"Duo," D.N. Lockwood, the pilot of Astray Black frame walks toward the Deathscythe's side. "We better take your boy below deck for now. Most of the defenses in the base are airborne, they got a lot of airborne surveillance."

"Right," Duo moves his unit toward the deck elevator.

After stowing away the Deathscythe, D.N. and Duo both go over the plan.

"While we take care of the base defenses," D.N. says as she shows Duo the layout of the base. "Your team will concentrate on our main objective, the converted missile bunker on the center of the base. The thing is an underground research facility the Eurasian are using to something similar to what was found in Odessa."

"The thing's a basic reinforced concrete/ steel structure on the outside that's just the shell. Below that, is real thing," She continues. "The steel shield covering it is designed to take a direct hit from a nuke. But a couple of M8 hollowed charges should be enough to pierce it."

"After that," Duo finishes. "It's just a case of dropping the EMP packs and get the hell out of dodge."

"This should be over in just minutes."

Duo nods, "Yeah, this shouldn't be too hard. Still, we better be careful over there when the fireworks start flying."

"That's goes double to you, Duo," a bespectacled, dark brown haired woman wearing a mechanic's uniform next to D.N. said as she adjusts her glasses.

"Oh c'mon Reese," Duo gripes. "Don't be so uptight."

"Hmph, you'd be dead if I wasn't." Reese Vickers snorts, she was one of D.N.'s regular partners when it came to her jobs. She was a coordinator, formerly from the Plants, she had been in ZAFT until she left in 69CE.

Duo brushes her off, "Yeah, yeah whatever."

D.N. rolls her eyes, "Oh c'mon you guys, we're supposed to a team here. Can you two at least try getting along?"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

North of Gdansk, Poland, Eurasian Federation

"Sierra One, this is Crossbow," The pilot of the third unit, SK/XG-03H Heavy Arms calls, "I have landed safely, I am about to link with my support."

Just as he said that, Xuiying Hong's Tallgeese and several Leos walk toward him. The Leos had olive drab camouflage paint over them to match to their surroundings as the area they were in was a heavily wooded. The Tallgeese was draped with heavy camo netting.

"Ballista," The Equatorial officer calls the G-unit. "Have you landed without problems?"

"Affirmative ma'am," The pilot replies simply. "All systems are functioning normally."

Xuiying nods, "Good, let's move out then."

The Heavy Arms joins the group, walking beside the Tallgeese.

"Our target is an out of the way army base a little east from Gdansk, we've confirmed it's a major arms stockpile to insurgents threatening Scandinavia, we are to destroy the base as thoroughly a possible."

"Affirmative, commander."

"Hey…" She calls the pilot, "I never met you before." She says, "Care to give a name? Mine's Xuiying Hong."

The G-Unit's pilot was silent at first, but after while he replies. "Trowa, Trowa Barton."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

East of Iranshahr, Iran, Eurasian Federation

"Sierra One, this is Sickle," The pilot of the fourth unit, SK/XG-04SR Sand Rock reports politely, "I made it safely and have just linked up with my support. We're on our way to the target."

The pilot had met up with Nathaniel Wolfthorne and the Shroud soon after had landed, he and his unit were currently inside the Javelin's hangar. They were traveling overland through desert cloaked in Mirage Colloid, though it wasn't perfect thanks to the heat from the desert sand, it still did the job.

Before leaving Turkey, Nathaniel had the Javelin modified to his specifications equipping the ship. With his connections and since the Equatorial Union and Scandinavian governments were some of the Shroud's regular customers, Nathaniel had managed to bargain several weapon system technologies not counted in the standard Skiold-class package.

"Hey, Quatre," The dark skinned commander of the mercenary group calls from the base of the mobile suit.

"Coming," the young coordinator replies, he quickly gets down via the zipline.

As soon as Quatre Raberba Winner, get down, Nathaniel briefs him right off the bat.

"Okay Kiddo, out main objective is an underground military base not too far from the Afghan border. Eurasia and East Asia have been training insurgents in this location who in turn cause a lot of violent attacks along the border with the EU. Our objective obviously is to take down this place. Base defenses are rather standard; linear tanks, assault helicopters, missile trucks and whatnot."

"I made a few wires to some of the local Mujahideen," Nathaniel continues. "Don't get your hopes up, but I think we can count them for infantry and light artillery support. So watch your fire."

There were a lot of Iranians who resent the control of the Eurasians, fierce fighting against the central government and military have been going on for a long time now. This led to formation of various Mujahideen or resistance groups, their methods range from aggressive diplomacy to out-and-out terrorism.

The blonde teen nods, "I understand."

Quatre then looks up the Sand Rock, "I just hope he and I can hold our own."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

East of Salahlah, Oman, African Community

"Sierra One, this is Halberd," The pilot of the fifth unit, SK/XG-05S Shen Long yells at his headset.

He squints to see in the distance as the sand was kicking up. He was in a hot, dusty desert, he began sweating the moment he had opened the cockpit for better look.

"I landed safely, I'm more or less several miles south of my target."

The pilot spots something kicking up dust in the distance. After checking it with his binoculars, he calls to his handler. "I think I'm about to link up with my support."

He was pretty sure it was them because there weren't very many people in Oman who could afford three large flatbed utility trucks with what looked like two mobilesuits covered in canvas on each.

When the trucks got closer, the pilot waves at them with both hands. All three eventually stop in front of it.

Lucrencia Noin gets out one of the trucks. She looks up to the pilot and waves back at the pilot, "It's been a while, Wufei Chang."

"It's you…" Wufei crosses his arms, "Have your skills improved, woman?"

Noin frowned, though she was expecting it, she never got used to the young Arcani's bluntness. "Of course they have, I hope you're not skimping on your training."

"Don't bet on it," He snorted. Wufei then looks it the flatbeds, "What do you got there?"

"Dinns," she replies. "Five of them."

"Five?" the young black hair coordinator raises an eyebrow, "What's the sixth machine?"

"A Guul," Noin answers, "I heard your unit doesn't have long range aerial thrusters, I thought you might need them."

Wufei kept silent for moment, "I see… thank you."

Noin grinned when she saw the slight squirm in his face, she found it very satisfying. The young Scandinavian officer knew he hated being reliant to anyone, he saw that as weakness.

"C'mon," She calls. "Sunset'll be in a few hours, let's move out!"

After several minutes, they were all airborne, and on their way to their Eurasian target.

Despite being considered a ZAFT allied nation, the African community was actually taking both sides, it just depends which region you're in. Oman and Yemen for example was still largely under Earth Alliance control most especially in the coast line. Wufei and Noin's target was a Eurasian navy base, the Eurasian 3rd Naval fleet was stationed there. Equatorial analysts have suspected that insurgents were being ferried from that base to the various coastal regions west of the EU.

"The base's defenses are largely aircraft," Noin explains. "There's conventional land hardware, but it isn't anything to worry about."

"Right," The gruff teen grunted. "Don't get in my way."

"Whatever," She replies.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

September City, Canaver Residence

Eileen Canaver was in her kitchen, wearing a white blouse and a black full length skirt. She was about the leave for her office when remembered she was on forced leave. So now, she was sitting by her kitchen counter, checking the news on her PDA, she braces herself for what she knew, wasn't going to be pretty.

She was right.

"Yesterday, the Plants Supreme Council has held an inquiry into the destruction of United Emirates of Orb colony, Heliopolis in Larange point four during January 25th of this year…"

As she expected, the first thing the reporter mentions was the shouting match that had occurred after the soldier's statements have been given. After that headache, followed the decision of the inquiry, the Supreme Council had found despite some misconduct by ZAFT forces, the blame of the collapse belong to the squarely on Earth Alliance force. The council had also decided that the UNAAF garrison stationed in the colony was only doing what it was meant to do. The Earth force's experimental mobilesuits and the ship that was supposed to carry were also made public.

The reporter then goes back to the argument, enumerating what had happened with surprisingly good detail. This eventually brings up the topic of the major division of the council, the Moderates and the Radicals, which also the major dividing factor among the people in the Plants. You were either with the war or against it.

A related article mentions of an anti-Orb rally that had taken place just a block outside of the Council. The rally turned violent after Aprilius One security attempted to break it. Six people were killed. While in Maius City, the trial of Hannah Marques, the fiancé of ZAFT pilot Domio Woodrow who died during testing of an experimental weapon, was to start today. She stands accused of treason and the willful destruction of ZAFT property. However, despite those serious charges, Eileen knew ZAFT high command and the Radicals were willing to pardon her. Last thing they needed was a conviction that would undermine their right to continue the war. And finally, a man from October city commits suicide in front of the National Defense Council office, setting himself on fire. The man lost all four of his sons to the war, the suicide note the man left declares his action was in protest of the war. The last part of the note was directed toward Supreme Council and ZAFT.

How much more blood will it take before you all are satisfied?

Eileen rubbed her face, she her PDA off before she sees anything else that could depress her even more. The man who committed suicide had a very painful point. She took a long straight gulp from her coffee.

How much more people had to die before enough was enough? The people of the Plants already loss so much, when will this ever end? By the end of the month, almost a third of a million ZAFT soldiers had died, more than three times what they had lost in Bloody Valentine.

Is the war even worth it? What would they possibly achieve or prove if they did? Prove that Blue Cosmos was right and we're nothing but space monsters created by misguided scientists years ago?

Eileen stares into space, her mind was processing the possible scenarios of what may occur. Most of what she could think of wouldn't make the man who committed suicide happy, most involved expansion of the war, lowering the minimum draft age, sending more reserves to the front, possibly declaring war against Orb for it's transgressions in Heliopolis.

Eileen sighs, covering her face as her elbows were placed on the counter

"Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living." Eileen mumbles, remembering the excerpt from a book. It was from General Omar Bradley, an American general during world war two, his words couldn't have been truer.

Visch shook his head as he looks at the schematics for the whole structure of GENESIS

"You've got be kidding me…" he shakes his head, "it's at least ten times larger than GENESIS Alpha and Omega. And those are bad enough… this is just going over the edge."

"Patrick Zala's state of mind has been there since Bloody Valentine," Grey remarks. "To tell you the truth, I'm not sure if we can pull off stopping this thing."

The one-eyed pilot shakes his even more, "And that's comin' from you… well for starters, we're gonna need support. From what I see, you only have a couple dozen people with you…"

"Well, I have a mobilesuit development team under of one of my aliases. There's at least sixty people in it. I also got a few in military intelligence and internal affairs."

"Marshall and the others are in for sure." Visch thought for a moment, "I can talk a few buddies of mine in special forces and a few more in MI."

"That can help," Grey nods. "But we're gonna need support from the regulars, maybe even someone a little high up."

"That'll time a while," Visch murmurs. "How 'bout the other Swords?"

Grey shook his head slowly, "Definitely not Lenneth… she's way loyal to the Plants, it gonna take more than our word to convince her and besides she's in Gibraltar with Belenus. Andy and Aisha are in Libya. Rusty's unit will be a problem. Ditto with Leona's and she's still shook up when we lost Kazuma in Endymion. And no, Eileen is too dangerous to consider right now, we're pretty much asking her to join a coup here."

"How 'bout Chris and Shiho?" Visch asks.

"Chris is worth a shot, but I'm not of Shiho though…"

Donahue frowns, "What do you mean? Miyuki took her under her wing, she pretty much looked up to her."

"Yeah I know," Grey sighs, "But she's been casting a lot of doubt since Yuki escaped, it really hurt her. From what I'm getting, she's pretty much accepted that Yuki is a deserter."

Visch shook his head, "Even so, we don't have any options."

Grey nods reluctantly, "You're right…"

Meanwhile, back in space, the Plants

"What?-!" Athrun uncharacteristically raises his voice against his commander, "Lacus has gone missing?-!"

Rau reluctantly nods, "Yes, the Supreme Council and high command had known this for quite a while, they've sent a long-range reconnaissance ginn to the area to where the Silverwind was last traced to… However, it has yet to report back."

Athrun looks door to the floor, Lacus…

"So," The young Redcoat looks at his commander. "Have we been given orders to…"

Le Creuset nods, "Yes, along with the Donahue team."

"When are we going?"

"As soon as get a hold a hold of Commander Donahue," a woman's voice says behind him, "The man has habit of going missing when needed."

Athrun turns find a white clad officer, her blonde hair was tied to a ponytail behind her neck. Though she was smiling at him, he felt a cold chill when his eyes met with her amethyst colored ones.

The young coordinator recovers and quickly salutes, "Commander Knowles."

Knowles nods plainly, "As you were."

The woman turns her direction to Rau, "Commander Le Creuset, I'd like you to know that I have volunteered to join in the search for Miss Clyne."

Rau nods back, a little wary of her. Anyone who trusted Cynthia Knowles deserves the knife she plants on their back, she was loyal to only the Supreme council and high command, anyone else was expendable.

"I see… I appreciate your assistance."

"Don't be," She replies bluntly. "I'm just coming along to make sure you and Donahue don't screw this up. Personally, I care little of Miss Clyne but I can't deny she's valuable to the Plant's morale, losing her would be a disaster.

Rau winces at her remarks, "That… will be duly noted."

Athrun glares at the woman, she was one of the tactical military advisors to his father.

Cynthia notes his look and says indifferently, "Sorry, I understand she's your fiancée' but that just how I feel."

Athrun simply nods.

He then salutes at his commander and Knowles, "Excuse me sir, ma'am, I'll go and inform Miguel and the others of the mission."

Rau nods, "Permission granted, you may go Athrun."

The young pilot got away from there as fast as he could without running, he couldn't stand that woman. She was a loyalist of the Radical faction since the start, she quickly made clear of her disdain towards the Moderates most especially the Clynes. He never liked her for that, he personally preferred his father's other advisor, Commander Kajiura.

Despite the loss of her own husband, she had carried his father through the Bloody Valentine, she also helped him go through his own sorrow. He could still remember her gentle, soothing voice as she held him in front of his mother's grave as he broke down. It was almost like his own mother's voice.

"Commander Kajiura…" Athrun mutters, "Where did you go?"

Visch raises an eyebrow as he reads the message Marshall had sent to his cellphone after he got it back from Grey's guards

"Well, well, well…" He goes to Grey, ignoring Elsa's protests. "Yo G!, check this out."

Grey reads the messages, "Huh, talk about perfect timing…"

The message was largely about the Donahue team being assigned to the search for Lacus Clyne, but really made it astonishing was the unit being embedded with Visch's group, The DEEP Arms project unit.

"No need to set up a meeting anymore," The masked officer says. "And you've got plenty of time to talk with them."

"That just leaves me with only one problem," Visch says.

Grey looks at him, "What?"

Visch sighs tiredly, "What in hell should I tell Ellie when I get back to September?"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UNAAF 2nd Fleet ship Agares, somewhere in orbit

"Captain," the communications operators calls her superior. "All units have reached designated targets, phase one of operation is complete."

Une nods, "Proceed to phase two of Operation Meteor."

"Ma'am!" The operator repeats the order through the radio.

The fairly young captain was getting a little anxious, the sheer scale of the operation was overwhelming considering how limited your resources were. So far, in the last few hours they've been lucky, none of the units have been detected despite traveling through enemy terrain. Now the tension was going to increase by several notches, the attack and the following extraction.

There were literally a million ways to how this operation could fail.

She sits up alert on her chair as she hears the pilots acknowledge and proceeding with the plan, her heart was starting to race.

But they've made it this far, it's too way late to turn back.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Down in Libya

"Tiger to Jackals," Waltfeld's voice cracked from Rayer's receiver. "It's lunch time."

"Copy," Master Pierce Rayer replies, he takes off his headset and replaces them with a pair ear pieces which are plugged in with a music player, he wasn't going to need to communicate with Vincent. Pierce was confident enough of his skills to get out of this one with zero damage.

And besides, the cockpit had its own radio.

The young wasn't wearing a pilot suit, a common practice among Spartan, the only times they use a suit was where they're working underwater or in space. The suits tend to slow down and slightly restrict movement, a problem since Spartans also operated on foot sometimes. Pierce instead was wearing a desert patterned fatigue with the two top buttons undone revealing the white T- shirt underneath and a gun vest.

He cracks his weathered knuckles, "Let the bodies hit the floor… Let the bodies hit the floor… Let the bodies hit the floor…" He turns on the player, the loud wails of the song "Bodies" by Drowning Pool plays.

---

Let the bodies hit the floor…
Let the bodies hit the floor…
Let the bodies hit the floor…
Let the bodies hit the floor Beaten why for
Can't take much more

---

Master's Dragonfly takes off, the Hyperion follows, Rayer strafes left of the Lesseps, while Vincent takes right. The dragonfly dons its long range linear rifle, it aims and fires the first shot. The round travels for about a quarter mile before hitting a missile truck. Rayer fires his CIWS in a slashing motion taking out three attack helicopters in the air.

---

One - Nothing wrong with me
Two - Nothing wrong with me
Three - Nothing wrong with me
Four - Nothing wrong with me

---

Vincent lands on the sand, with the aid of the newly installed booster, it begins overboosting toward the Blue Cosmos camp. The Hyperion boosts towards what looked like the only tank the Blue Cosmos contingent had. The tank attacks by firing a linear round at it, which was effortlessly deflected by a shield formed by Armure Lumiere. As the he closes in, Vincent changes the shield into a saber. As he passes it by, he makes a quick swipe which cuts the tank turret in half.

---

One - Something's got to give
Two - Something's got to give
Three - Something's got to give
Now
Vincent spots a pair of helicopters attempting to strafe him. As he dodges their missiles, he pulls out the nodachi "Durandal" out of its rack. Vincent then boosts upward, turning 360 degrees as the Durandal and the saber formed by the Armure Lumiere cut the two attack helicopters.

---

Let the bodies hit the floor…
Let the bodies hit the floor…
Let the bodies hit the floor…

---

Rayer's Dragonfly heads straight to the middle of the base. After firing several rounds, he stows away the linear rifle. The hatches of the missilepods open, the dragonfly unloads all of it missiles onto the base, causing widespread havoc and destruction. After firing them all, Pierce then pulls of his MKE16 assault rifle. He puts the Dragonfly into a slow spin fire the rifle along with his CIWS, AW18s and the 40mm. short-barrel minigun mounted into his Ghazi close combat shield. The camp was quickly riddled with various caliber rounds.

---

Push me again
This is the end
Skin against skin blood and bone
You're all by yourself but you're not alone

You wanted in now you're here
Driven by hate consumed by fear

---

Adding more to the decimation, Vincent lands the Hyperion on the sand, after distributing its weight, lower the two Forfanterie beam canons down and aims them at the direction of the camp. He fires.

The beam strikes the mesa looking over the camp. Vincent moves the mobilesuit so as the beam would hit more of the rock, the blast causing large boulders to give away, crashing onto the camp. In a matter of seconds, half of the camp was buried in rubble along with the occupants.

---

Let the bodies hit the floor…
Let the bodies hit the floor…
Let the bodies hit the floor…

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Same time, Eurasian Naval Base, Oman, African Community

Five Dinn aerial combat mobilesuits flew above the Eurasian third fleet, sporadic triple A was coming from the base's defenses and from the ships, but the cover the night was masking their presence. The mobilesuits strafes left and right close at the different ships, too close for the surface-to-air missiles to be fired safely

As Lucrencia Noin cuts through the air, she eyes to her left the Shen Long as continues to do its objective. "C'mon Wufei, we don't have all night."

"Why do you think I'm rushing this?-!" Wufei snaps. The SK/XG-05S Shen Long jumps on top of a Des Moines-class ship and plunges his glaive into it then cutting through to the side. He jumps off, and land on his Guul.

"We've already been here for eight minutes, we're behind schedule!"

"Oh fine!" Wufei yells, "If that's how you put it!"

The Shen Long extends his right hand, several pieces of its forearm flip forward, forming something that looks like a dragon. Two streams of flame emerge from its 'mouth'. The flame strikes the side of another Des Moines-class, the extreme heat causes the munitions of ship to explode.

Noin nods as she watches several more ship getting a similar fate. "That's more like it."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

South West of Iranshahr, Iran, Eurasian Federation base

A large number well-armed militiamen from a local Mujahideen, storm the base's front. Several men formed mortar teams and began hurling 80mm.shells at the defenses. While the rest hammered on the guards by the gate with assault rifles, RPGs and grenades.

Because of the ferocity of the attack, the base launches its best defense, coordinator mercenaries in ginns. Ten units in all form a defensive line in front of the battle that just started.

Supporting the insurgents, were a Legionnaire Scorpion, Legionnaire Firefly, Headhunter, two Dinns and the SK/XG-04SR Sandrock.

Quatre pulls out the mobilesuit's main weapons, the enormous beam shotels. He fires his CIWS at missiles being fired from the base.

"I'll move on ahead," Quatre calls the others. "High command wants as much combat data on this suit as possible."

"Don't go too far," Simon calls as his Firefly shoots its shoulder mounted linear guns at an automatic gun emplacement.

Quatre takes the safety cap off a button, "Activating Mirage Colloid."

The grey and black mobilesuits vanishes into the night.

"D-did you see that…" One of the pilots scans the surroundings, "Where did he go…?"

The Sandrock reappears behind two ginns, cutting them in the torso with its shotels. The other ginns react and fire their machineguns at him, their attacks deflect uselessly off the PSA. Quatre crosses the Sandrock's arms and suddenly swings them, letting go of the shotel. They spin rapidly and cut several more ginns.

Quatre switches his radio to a general, "If you value your lives, disarm your mobilesuits and leave."

His warnings went unheeded as the surviving suits attack with their swords.

Quatre sighs sadly, "I warned you…"

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Gdansk Army Research Facility, Poland, Eurasian Federation

The base was being attacked from two sides. On the east side, they were being attacked by several mobilesuits, it was too dark to tell what models they were but the base assumed they were ginns. However on the west, they could clearly see the mobilesuit, but no one knew what it was.

Inside the SK/XG-03H Heavy Arms, Trowa's eyes dart from the various monitors. "Six tanks… 50 rounds each…"

He fires the Heavy Arm's beam gatling gun at the six incoming linear tanks, disabling each with precisely 50 rounds each.

"Crossbow," Xuiying calls. "You've got several attack helicopters heading your way from the south."

"Copy that," The Heavy Arms looks at the approximate direction of the incoming hostiles. Even though they were hardly even visible, Trowa's mobilesuit quickly locks on all of them. The Arcani pilot fires his Igelstellungs and AW22s, several explosions appear in the distance.

The Heavy Arms then assumes its march toward the base, when he makes it passed the base's perimeter fences. Trowa lifts the safety cap of a button. The mobilesuit's chest opens revealing a Scylla energy cannon, it discharges a large blast that goes right through a building. He follows with a barrage missiles coming from various compartments of the mobilesuit, it completely decimates the target.

"Primary target, the armory stockpile destroyed," Trowa report, "Proceeding to secondary target."

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Kadena Airbase, Okinawa, Japan, Republic of East Asia

D.N. in the Astray Black Frame and Reese Vickers in one of several dinns made up the diversionary force, while Duo in the SK/XG-02 Deathscythe and a dozen ginns formed the primary force.

Their attack had gone smoothly thus far, D.N. and Reese's team had destroyed the base's runways, making the base's spearheads almost useless as they cannot take off vertically. Those that did try take off were quickly shot. They left only attack helicopters, automatic gun emplacements and a handful of armored vehicles to defend the base. Duo's team didn't waste time and had straight the missile bunker.

"Knock, knock!" Duo twirls the beam scythe before he cuts down the missile bunker's front gate, it goes down with a resounding crash.

"Move it!" The young pilot barks at his team, "Get those babies in there, I'll hold the fort out here!"

As says this, a group of helicopters attempt to attack them by launching a barrage of missiles.

"Ah, ah ,ah," The Deathscythe once again twirls its weapon, this time much more rapidly. Along with its Igelstellungs and AW22s, takes out the missiles before they do any real damage. "I don't think so."

Duo raises his suit's left arm to use its Trikeros system, firing the lancer darts. Each dart hits a helicopter, one collides with two others as it plummets down. He then fires the M20/K "Imp" 200mm. short beamcanon repeatedly to take several more. One had manages to make in close and begin strafing the Deathscythe with its minigun. Duo uses the third weapon of the Trikeros, a beam saber, to cut the craft's tail rotor. It swings out of control and craft lands.

"Hey pal," Duo says to the enemy pilot through his suit's speakers. "You're pretty lucky, so don't push your luck and just get out of our way."

The brown haired coordinator smirks, "Because you're dealing the God of Death."

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Site of Heaven's Base, Southern Iceland, Atlantic Federation

Heero Yuy and the SK/XG-01W Wing was pretty much running in the still under construction base single-handedly taking on the defenses, he had volunteered to provide a diversion as Zechs went deep into the base to plant charges to destroy the targeted facility within the base's complex.

Spearheads and attack helicopters, missiles disintegrated in the barrage of mobilesuit's multiple CIWS and automatic guns. Occasionally, he cut an aircraft with the mobilesuit's beam blades along its wings as he flies past it. The base's Long Daggers and the conventional land vehicles didn't fare any better; daggers would either be impaled with his shield's sharp end, stabbed in the cockpit area by Armor Schneiders or be cut to ribbons by beam saber; while the tanks, missile trucks and whatnot would simply be blown away by the guns.

After several minutes of this, Heero patches a link with his partner. "Zechs, how are things on your end?"

"I've already set the charges and just exited the complex, time to make our leave."

"Affirmative," The Wing shoots straight up going to a certain height, it pulls out its main and most powerful weapon, the 220mm. Mk. I "Buster" hyper beamcanon. The weapon slowly charges, its target, the Eurasian 4th Fleet docked by the base's shipyard.

After several seconds, Heero pulls the trigger, letting loose a hellacious burst of energy arguably equivalent to a Lohengrin blast. The beam pierces through a Tarawa-class like it were made of paper, Heero pivots the rifle, making the beam strike another ship, then another. Heero fires the Buster rifle two more times, after that, there hardly a fleet left, safe for a handful Des Moines classes and few Fraser-classes, all that was left were scuttled hunks.

Heero looks down at the chaos and decimation he caused in the base.

He then mumbles to himself. "Mission Accomplished."

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Canaver Residence, September Four, Plants,

Eileen's heart fell when she finds out of Visch's unexpected mission. "I see…"

"I'm going to have to go ASAP," Visch holds her close, he was wishing he didn't have to let go. "I'm sorry, Ellie…"

"It's okay," The diplomatic council woman says sadly, resting her head on his chest. "It's your duty, I completely understand that."

"I don't know what'll happen to Siegel of he loses Lacus, I don't him want to end up like Yuki and Patrick Zala."

After hearing this, Visch could help but ask, "Do you still hate Yuki and Len for the Ides?"

She shakes her head, "They had all the reason to be angry, Darren was important to them. Miyuki lost her husband, Lenneth lost a good friend. I'd do what they did if they too died too Bloody Valentine. I really wish I tried to understand what they felt was no different to what I felt when I lost my brother in the last war. I don't think I can take those words I said or my friends back"

The two look at each in a dazed gaze, then press their lips together.

When they withdraw, Eileen rests her head again against Visch.

"Just come back in one piece, I don't want to lose you too."

"I won't, I promise."

"Be back soon." Eileen smiles, "It can get very lonely here, not many visitors come here since the war started.

Visch too smiles, "I won't"

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Archangel, Infirmary

"C'mon, Naomi," Antonio gripes as the medical officer helps him take off his uniform. "I'm entitled to a little exercise aren't I?"

"You're also entitled to a little rest once and while," Naomi counters, she hands him a set of clothes. "Now put this is on or I'll do for you."

Antonio makes a face, and takes the clothes. "Yes, Mother."

Without giving her warning, he drops his pants.

Naomi quickly turns around. "Anton!" She yells, disgusted, "Really!"

When Antonio finally settles in his bed, their grumpy mood towards each other disappears, their professionalism takes over. Naomi began giving her report on what was going on in the Basilisk and Archangel. Antonio gives issues her corresponding orders.

"By the way," Antonio gives her a look. "You've already done the autopsy on Darren right?"

She nods, "Just a minute." She leaves the room, after several minutes she comes back with a recorder, the write-up of what was in it and actual autopsy report.

Antonio takes a pair of earphones from the table from a table beside of the bed, he jacks it into the recorder.

"I have some things to do," Naomi says. "Is it alright that I leave you right now?"

Her superior nods a bit absently, "Sure…"

The recording started with usual formalities, Naomi, who was the medical examiner for the autopsy, she identified herself, gave the date, the time, and the names of those who witness the autopsy, his friend Michael was one of them, and then proceeded to an external description of the corpse.

"The body is that of an adult, well-nourished white male, scale weight 172 pounds, measured height five feet ten inches."

I thought he was taller than that, Antonio murmurs to himself.

"There is a bullet wound of entrance approximately a centimeter of the right ear, exited the left ear. It consists of a one-centimeter circular perforation and a surrounding abrasion collar that becomes one half inch long inferiorly and medially…"

Antonio goes through the official preliminary report as he continues to listen. Only one bullet was found near the body, or what's left of it. Fragments of a 9mm. JHP Parabellum, standard service rounds for the AF armed forces. Darren didn't have any drugs on him, and he had almost zero alcohol in his system, so there wasn't a chance he was under influence when he died.

How did you die man…? This wasn't Antonio's first brush with murder investigations, but he knew this case was going to need a much more experienced investigator.

He takes the folder that contained the case report and signs his name. After doing so, he writes a recommendation to who should take the case. He chose a special INTERPOL investigation branch in Singapore, some of the organization's best investigators were assigned there.

Until then, this was his case, the problem was he couldn't do a damn thing with it. He and his men gathered as much material and possible evidence as they could. The condition of the body shouldn't change too much since it was kept in a cold vacuum. Two examinations have already been done of the body. He and his men did as much as they could, but to Antonio, that wasn't good enough. He wanted to know what happened, for Miyuki's sake and for the family.

Of course, he had to follow protocol, if there was any chance of this investigation to be resolved.

He was starting to feel helpless again, God… I hate this…

Later, Archangel, Officer's quarters

Feeling tired, Murrue had given Ens. Badgiruel command and was now asleep in her bunk. …Or at least trying to.

She kept tossing and turning, struggling in vain to make herself comfortable so she can just dose off. She hadn't had any luck for the last hour and a half.

Murrue held tightly on her pendant, the only thing she had left of Dmitri, her lover, a Mobilearmor pilot who died during the Ides of March incident. One of many her best friend may have personally killed.

Murrue just stood there when Miyuki told her the truth. She felt numb, like when she first found out Dmitri was gone, she couldn't believe it, she refused to.

It hurt her enough that Dmitri was killed needlessly, but to find out that best friend may have something to do with it? In her mind, she this was all just a sick, twisted dream… no, a nightmare. She really wished it was.

"Why…" Murrue whispers to herself, tears starting to form. "Why her…Why is this happening…? Why to me… Why… Why…?"

She finally cries, unable be bear the pain anymore, quietly sobbing herself to sleep.

In the Hangar,

Miyuki hisses as she gets herself electrocuted for the nth time as she worked on the Chimera's mangled battery terminal wiring.

She curses as she rubs the grown welts on her hands. She just couldn't concentrate hard enough lately and she had a good idea why.

Miyuki couldn't get Murrue out of her head, she kept the hurt in her face when she told her secret.

The former ZAFT commander presses her head against the side of the Chimera.

"Sempai…"

-February 14th, 71CE, Two days ago-

"This is just a joke right…" Murrue forces herself to smile, "Just one of your sick jokes…? Right…"

Her eyes told Miyuki she was in shock and they're begging to tell her this indeed a cruel joke. Miyuki really wish it was.

Murrue covers her mouth with both hands. She backs away from her friend, pressing herself against the wall, and starts shaking her head. "No… No… No…"

Miyuki watched as Murrue's knees gave way and she began crying, still kept saying "no". She thought of helping her up, but a part of her told her otherwise.

"Murrue… I'm sorry…" She walks away.

Miyuki held herself, suddenly feeling a cold chill. She lightly smacks her head at the Chimera's side.

"Some friend I turn out to be…" She mutters to her self bitterly.

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In the Libyan Desert

"They've finished it off faster than I thought," ZAFT commander Andrew Waltfeld comments as tosses his binoculars to the back of the jeep. He gets the mike of the radio, "Okay boys, that'll be enough for today, pack it up."

The Blue cosmos camp was reduced to more than a pile of debris, and only took eight minutes.

Vincent's Hyperion places the Durandal in its rack, and begins walking toward the Lesseps.

"Hmph," The ex-Eurasian pilot was very dissatisfied. "Hardly what I'd call a challenge."

"We'll probably get better prey in the next few days," Pierce calls. "C'mon let's head back."

Cagalli couldn't help but watch in awe at the two mercenary pilot's performance

She also couldn't help but feel uneasy, the Blue Cosmos camp could have easily been the Dawn Dawn's base. They were better equipped at fighting them yet they fell in mere minutes. She, Sahib and the others must most definitely have keep track those two pilots.

"It seems the tiger has found two powerful fangs," Sahib says beside her calmly. He looks at the young girl in the corner of his eye "That one must definitely be a Spartan."

Cagalli reluctantly nods

After they've landed and stowed their units,

Vincent Schellezar and Master Rayer stood in front of the Desert Tiger and his young protégé on the deck of the Lesseps.

"It would be an understatement to say I'm impressed," Waltfeld begins. "You definitely are the real deal."

"If we weren't," Pierce responds calmly. "We wouldn't last long in this job."

"Of course," Andrew nods, he looks at them seriously. "You also have quite the nerve."

Andrew pulls out a handgun and fires it at Pierce. The bullet shaves through the young pilot's hair, while Martin was taken aback by this, neither Vincent nor Master moved a muscle. Everybody on the deck on the land carrier stood still for several moments.

"You're friend's unit is identical to the description ZAFT pilots gave of one unknown suit during the fiasco in East Europe," Andrew says with his hardened eyes focused on Pierce. "That certain suit has given our forces rather grievous casualties."

Waltfeld pulls the hammer, "I suspect you've also been involve in that little battle, not very many pilots can use a BuCUE as well as what has been reported. You after all, you are renowned for your skills in a BuCUE."

The Tiger then raises his eyebrow, "So, why did you bother, going here, especially since that battle has only been several days ago?"

Pierce stares calmly at tiger, then shrugs. "I'm a professional mercenary, I do what I'm paid to do. I follow where money leads me, loyally does not exist in my job. I'll fight for the Alliance in one battle, and maybe ZAFT in another. That's the ugly fact of my line of work. That's life."

"What he said," Vincent says simply. "And I don't care to who I work for so long as I have some fun."

The two pilots and Waltfeld stare down, a desert breeze from their side.

Waltfeld smirks, "Heh… Just the type of answers I'd expect from guys like you." The Zaft commander holsters his weapon, "Congratulations boys… you're hired."

"Looks like they've been hired…"

Cagalli murmurs as she watches as the Tiger and his second-in-command leave the two pilots. "Not that the Tiger wouldn't hire those guys after what they did. I wonder how much he's paying-"

She gasps as she saw the two pilots suddenly turn toward their direction, smirking. The white haired one, waves at her. Cagalli couldn't believe it, they knew they were there, possibly the whole time. She watches as the brunette haired aims and fires his index finger like a gun. Cagalli clearly knew what he was trying to say, they could have killed them if they have wanted.

Sahib shakes his head, "They are definitely going to be a serious problem."

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UNAAF 2nd Fleet ship Agares, somewhere in orbit

Une sighs with great relief when she hears that all five have accomplished their missions and that all units have pulled out safely. She sinks into her seat, a very heavy weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Around her, the bridge was ecstatic, high fives and congratulations were exchanged.

Her XO, Ens. Richards dabs his handkerchief on the captain who looks at him surprise.

"Y'know captain," He says with a smirk. "It can really tense here in bridge, if you stay long enough in here."

Une smirks and nods, "I'll thank keep that in mind, thank you ensign."

She then barks out an order, "Agares carrier group, move out, we're returning to the fleet!"

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Several hours later, up in space, in the Bridge of the Archangel

Romero Pal was idly sipping at a drink container when his console beeped at him. "Hm?" He released his grip on the container, allowing it to float free, and focused his attention on the terminal, the last time that happened was when the Lead Zeppelin's owner, Jamie Savage made a link to bid farewell, along with giving his thanks to Kira for saving him in their last battle and for the pleasure doing 'business' before the Junk Guild ship parted to its own way.

Pai rapidly types in several commands. "Captain…"

Capt. Ramius turned. "What is, Mr. Pal?"

"We're receiving a transmission, Ma'am." Instantly, Ramius and Badgiruel were at his side, and Pal points at the screen. "There's no doubt about it. This is a coded pulse from the Earth Forces' Eighth Fleet."

The Captain's expression brightens. "Can you pull it in?"

"Doing it right now. Analyzing... decrypting... there."

The message was broken up by interference, but still partially understandable. "This... Earth Forces Eighth Fleet... Archangel, respond. This is... Montgomery... and Law. Rendezvous at these coordinates."

"They're under Admiral Halberton's command!" Ramius said in relief.

The Bridge crew all began speaking at once. "The Montgomery... that's Koopman's ship, right?"

"We've made it!"

"Nothing's going to stop us now!"

Fate would beg to differ.

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Not very far away

The Nazca-classes Vesalius and Ursa Major both move in the direction of the space debris belt, in an emergency mission to search and rescue the Plants Supreme Council Chairman's daughter, Lacus Clyne.

Inside the Ursa Major, four of the twelve Swords sat inside a small room. Chris and Shiho stared at Visch and Marvin with disbelief, they had just found what had happened to their missing former commander and her intentions. Visch showed then the data of GENESIS and manifests of the troop deployment as proof of their almost unimaginable situation.

"This data are legit files taken different seats of high commands, as you can see we're gonna need more help, you guys are a start, you guys can also get more people into this."

Visch looks at them evenly, "I know this all sounds crazy, but this is really happening. Please, I need your help."

The room was silent for a moment, Marvin eyed both sides, Visch was tense and wasn't moving much. As for two test pilots for the DEEP Arms project, Chris looked taken aback and confused. Not surprising, so much information was thrust at them, they were probably still making sense of it all. Shiho's impression was a little much the same but felt different somehow, she did look surprised as Chris, but something about her eyes that bugged him. They seemed to be filled not with confusion, it look more like concern… maybe fear even…

"So…" Visch breaks the silence, "What's it gonna be?"

Chris bites her lip, "I'll take Yuki's words for now, I'm in."

"Okay…" He then turns to Shiho, "And you?"

Shiho looks down on the hesitating to speak, "I… I want to speak to her first…"

Chris looks at her, "Shiho?"

"Miyuki is piloting the 'White Phantom' right?" Shiho asks.

Visch nods, "Yeah."

The young pilot looks up to him, "I want hear her side of the story first, then I will make my decision."

Visch observes her for a moment, then nods.

Little do they know, an opportunity would be sooner than they thought.

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A/N: Woot! My first update for very long while XD. Once again, sorry to my homies who're reading my little fic. I'm currently slogging away on the next chapter, so you won't to wait to long. Character development and more OC introductions in this chapter, Knowles is gonna be a very nasty character in the coming chapter, if you don't her initial appearance then you're not gonna like her in the next ones.

Heh, heh, I never though I'll actually introduce all five G-Wing pilots here! It's actually a dare from one of my buddies, I'm not really sure how they'll turn out, maybe I'll use 'em in the side story for this fic.

Additionally on that, I'll be writing a short side fic for this AU, it's essentially a fic focusing on an Interpol investigator working on Darren's murder and the Junius Seven Disaster. Some minor characters from the main AU will have bigger roles here, including my Astray pilot D.N and crew, and ditto with my Junk Guilders. It'll be called Gundam Seed Sidestory: The Fog of War, keep an eye for it.

Well that's enough yakking for now, please R & R!