Chapter 13

The day had finally come. The day where the united forces of the Earth Federation and the Zetan Alliance would face Commander Hans and his legion of Talon mercenaries. Kristoff and Eric had gathered their whole crews on the bridge of the Archangel, to give their troops one final message of good luck.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today is a very important day," Kristoff began. "Today, the fate of the entire galaxy rests in our hands."

"Our enemy is strong, and he is smart," Eric said in agreement. "And he will stop at nothing to conquer every world in his path. But, as you know, we can't allow him to do that. As Admiral Bjorgman said, the entire galaxy is counting on us. Failure is not an option."

"Now, our strategy is simple," Kristoff explained. "I'll be leading the Mobile Suit squadrons in a frontal assault. We'll have support from our resident Knydaxian, Anna Frost."

"Meanwhile," Eric put in, "Captain Frost and I will bring the ships around to the rear, thus surrounding them so they can't get away. From there, we'll head out in the scout fighters and take the fight directly to them. Any questions?" The crew muttered in acknowledgement. Eric smiled. "I believe I speak for myself, Admiral Bjorgman, the Federation High Council, and the Alliance leaders when I say: it's been an honor to serve with you all."

"I second that," Elsa's voice called out.

"Me too," Buzz added.

"And me," Anna called.

"Alright people, let's do this," Kristoff stated. "Till all are one."

Eric walked up to Anna. "Before you head out, we need to get you suited up."

"I understand."

Eric led Anna to near one of the airlocks, Elsa accompanying her.

"So, what do you have for me?" Anna asked him.

By the airlock was a pink armoured suit with a helmet. The armour was very high tech and had a series of blue tubes flowing liquid iridium throughout the suit.

Anna looked at the suit in awe. "What is this thing?"

"It's a prototype suit designed for Knydaxians," Eric explained. "It flows iridum into the suit so you can go super without worrying about running out of energy."

"Wow. But what if the suit runs out of iridium?"

"It won't. There's a pure iridium power core in the suit, just like the one on the Black Raven."

"But won't it have to recharge eventually?"

"It's designed to recycle the iridium you use in your body to keep it active."

"So I could stay in my true form for as long as I want?"

Eric nodded.

She grinned. "Suit me up." Anna stepped into the armour, the suit forming around her and her poking out of the helmet.

"Sorry if the helmet's a bit tight, but you're gonna need an oxygen supply."

"It fits fine, actually," Anna said. "So how to I get it to power me up?"

"Just transform normally. It should be fine after that."

"I can't just transform at will. It takes a lot of energy. Which is why I'm glad I have this suit." She giggled.

"Alright, just step out of the airlock. Kristoff will give you the all clear when it's time to move out."

Anna walked up to Elsa, hugging her tightly. "I love you," she said.

"I love you too, baby," Elsa replied. "See you on the other side."

xXx

In the Archangel's hangar, Kristoff and Kria were getting into their Mobile Suits. "Ow!" Kristoff exclaimed as he banged his head on the cockpit door of his mobile suit, the Akatsuki.

"You got problems, sir?" Kira wondered.

"No, it's just been a while since I was actually flying one of these," Kristoff explained.

"Admiral!" Eric radioed in. "Are you and Commander Yamato ready?"

"Roger that!" Kira answered. "Let's kick some ass!"

"What my first officer just said," Kristoff accepted. "Alright, powering up." Kristoff's mobile suit came online and moved into launch position. "Kristoff Bjorgman. Akatsuki, launch!"

Kira moved his suit into launch position. "Kira Yamato. Strike Freedom, launch!" Kira and his suit were hurled out into space as well.

Kristoff heard a sudden crackle of static over the radio, followed by Anna's voice: "—llo? Can anyone hear me?"

"Anna?" he asked. "Is that you?"

"Kristoff!" Anna said. "Yeah, it's me. I'm over here, to your…I think left." Kristoff looked to his left and saw Anna in her battle suit, waving to him. "Hi!"

Kristoff smiled. "I hope you're ready for your first taste of combat, Anna."

"It's not my first taste, Kristoff. I can handle myself. By the way, I want to tell you this now: if I don't make it, tell Elsa to look in the bottom drawer of the nightstand. I hid something in there for her."

"Don't worry, Anna; we'll make it."

xXx

Meanwhile on the Minerva, Eric was in the hangar escorting Athrun to his mobile suit.

Eric looked at Athrun. "Be careful, all right?"

"I'll be fine, sir," Athrun told him. "But if I don't make it, can you do something for me?"

"Just name it."

"Message my girlfriend in the Orb Union. Her name is Cagali. Tell her that I love her."

"I will. But I want you to hold on to that thought. Keep Cagali in your mind, all right?"

"Yes sir, I will." Athrun said, getting into his mobile suit. "Shinn, Lunamaria, are you two ready to launch?"

"Just waiting on you, sir!" Shinn replied.

"Alright," Athrun accepted as he moved his suit into the launch postion. "Athrun Zala. Infinite Justice, taking off!" Athrun's crimson mobile suit launched from the hangar at full speed, powering its thrusters to full.

Shinn got into launch position next. "Shinn Asuka. Destiny, heading out!" The Destiny launched from the hangar at full speed.

Finally, Luna moved into place. "Lunamaria Hawke. Impulse, ready for launch!" The Impulse launched and joined the other suits at Kristoff's position.

"Alright team," Kristoff said. "We all know our job, let's do it well."

"Hold on!" Anna interjected. "I'm not ready just yet." She activated her suit's iridium circulation system, transforming into her true Knydaxian form. "All right," she said in a more serious voice. "Let us begin."

"Lead on, Feisty pants," Kristoff said.

"For my daughter," Anna muttered, heading out alongside Kristoff.

The Mobile Suits flew out from behind Mercury in a V formation, Anna leading the charge at full power.

On the bridge of the Axiom, Hans noticed that the attack had begun. "Mr. Reaper, contact our fleet," she said in an amused tone. "Tell them that our friends in the Federation and Alliance have arrived."

"As you wish, sir," Reaper agreed.

"Do you know where Widowmaker and Sombra are, by any chance? I haven't seen them in days."

"Sombra apparently got sick or something, sir," Reaper replied."I don't know where Widowmaker is."

"No matter; we can deal with this."

"This is Reyes," Reaper commanded over the commlink. "Light it up."

The Talon forces began launching fighters and Mobile Suits.

"Here we go, boys!" Anna cheered.

The two forces then began to clash in barrages of laser fire and energy blades. Anna flew around expertly, hurling energy blasts at the enemy Mobile Suits. Kristoff opened fire on a group of Mobile Suits, cutting several to pieces. Athrun and Kira took out several fighters together with their beam lasers.

"Give the word when you want us to move in, Kristoff!" Elsa said over the radio.

"Anytime now would be great, Elsie," Kristoff responded as he used his suit's beam saber to slice an enemy fighter in half.

"All right. Here we come!" Elsa switched over to the Minerva. "Eric! It's go time!"

"Roger that," Eric replied.

Both the Archangel and Minerva dropped out of warp space behind the enemy fleet and opened fire on them

"Gah!" Hans cried as she was shaken out of her seat.

"They're coming from behind us, sir!" Reaper reported.

"I can see that, you skull-faced buffoon! I'm not blind!"

Onboard the Archangel, Elsa watched as the battle unfolded in front of her. "Commander Lightyear, you are cleared to launch," she instructed.

"Roger that!" Buzz got into his fighter, as did the other pilots. "All right," he said to the squadron. "Alpha Team, we're going to focus on their frigates and clear a path. Beta Team, you move in and take out the command ship's defenses. Omega Team, provide cover fire in case any of the Mobile Suits get too close. Got it?"

"Yes sir!" The squadron replied.

"Good luck, commander," Elsa told him over the radio.

"To you as well, Captain." As the squadron flew into battle, Buzz uttered the slogan of the Ranger Corps: "To infinity-and beyond!"

Elsa watched as the squadron took off into the battle. As she watched, she noticed the command ship, the Axiom, the former Federation Academy. Where her daughter was. She had to save her.

"Lieutenant Dax, you have the bridge," Elsa ordered. With that, she left the bridge and headed down to the Archangel's armoury.

Meanwhile on the Axiom, Reaper scowled. "The frigates are holding, but our Mobile Suit crews are getting wasted!"

Hans then felt a familiar presence in her mind. Sadako was beginning to regain control. "Then deal with it, my friend. I have more pressing matters to attend to."

"Wait, what?" Reaper snapped. "You're just leaving me?!" Hans didn't reply; she had already left. "Lousy genderswapped bastard," Reaper growled under his breath.

Back on the Archangel, Elsa was in a suit of federation Mjõlnir armour and wielding a large assault rifle. She walked into the transporter room with a stern look on her face. "Torbjorn, prepare to beam me over to the enemy command ship."

"Are you sure that's a good idea, Captain? It's bound to be swarming with guards, and with their deflector shields up, I may not be able to get you over."

"I don't care. My daughter is on that ship. I have to save her"

"Well, all right, but if anything starts going wrong, I'm beaming you back here."

Elsa stood on the transporter pad. "Energize."

Torbjorn threw the switch, activating the transporter.

Elsa beamed into an empty corridor aboard the Axiom. She looked around for a second before making her way down the corridor, intent on finding her child.

xXx

Alex and Sapphira looked through the window of their cell, watching the battle unfold outside. "They…they actually came…." Sapphira muttered.

"Let's hope that the spider lady holds up her end of the bargain and gets us out of here," Alex remarked.

"I don't know. She doesn't seem like the type of person who would lie."

"And I am not starting now," Widowmaker's voice called out.

As Widowmaker approached the cell, Sapphira smiled. "Thanks."

"Okay, I'm deactivating the lock now," Sombra called to them.

The barrier that shielded Sapphira and Alex inside their cell dissipated, and the two were granted freedom. As Sapphira exited the cell, she stumbled a bit. "Ugh…the lack of energy is starting to get to me a little."

"You'll be fine. Come on; we have to get moving."

"Yeah, you're right. Besides, I'm just a little woozy."

In the engine core, Hans had activated the device he had created, and was about to step into the arch that would transfer his consciousness into pure energy.

"You won't get away with this!" a voice shouted in Hans' ear.

"Gahh!" Hans grabbed his temple.

The machine activated, and Hans tried to shamble towards it.

"I won't let you!" the voice went on. "Your reign of destruction is going to end, NOW!"

Hans fell to the floor, crying in pain. "You may think that, but you've lost, my daughter." He crawled over to the machine and his finger gently touched the cracking energy generated by the device.

xXx

Meanwhile, in the corridors of the ship, Sapphira and the others were trying to make their way to the engine room. "Are you sure it's this way, Sombra?" Alex asked.

"It should be," Sombra replied.

Suddenly Sapphira motioned them all to stop at a nearby corner.

"What is it, Saph?" Alex asked.

"I think I hear footsteps," Sapphira replied in a hushed tone.

"Where could she be?" a voice muttered.

"Wait a sec," Sapphira muttered. "I know that voice."

She poked her head around the corner and saw Elsa patrolling the corridors, wearing a suit of blue Federation armour. "Mom!"

Elsa turned her head, eyes widening in joy. "Sapphira? Is that you?"

"Yes!" Sapphira ran forward and hugged her mother. "Oh spirits, it's really you!"

Elsa held her daughter tightly. "I'm so glad you're safe."

"Me too, but we haven't got much time. Hans is trying to make himself a god. We've got to stop him!"

"Where are the others?" Elsa asked. "Where's Melody?"

Sapphira looked down.

"Melody's dead," Alex stated.

"W-what…?"

"It is true," Widowmaker confirmed. "I saw Hans kill the girl with Alex's biotic implants."

"He used it to snap her neck," Sapphira said.

Elsa sighed. "Excuse me for a moment." She turned on her commlink. "Eric? You there?"

"Yes, Elsa, what is it?"

"I managed to get on board Hans' ship. The good news is, I found Sapphira and the boy, Alex. The bad news is…." She hesitated for a moment. "Melody…she's dead."

"I..." Eric's voice went quiet for a moment before he spoke again. "I understand."

"I'm sorry, Eric." Elsa told him.

"It's alright. I already feared the worst a while ago. Just give him hell for me."

"I will, old friend," Elsa replied, closing the commlink.

"We've got to go, Mom," Sapphira told her. "Hans in the engine core."

When they arrived in the energy core, Hans was nowhere to be seen. All they found was Sadako's unconscious body lying on the floor.

"Sadako!" Alex cried. He rushed over to her and checked her pulse. "She's dead."

Suddenly the group heard a maniacal laughter echo throughout the room.

"Hans," Elsa growled. "Show yourself, you spineless bastard!"

Suddenly there was a blinding flash of light. The group turned and saw a white humanoid creature kneeling on the floor in the center of Hans' machine. The creature stood up and revealed itself to the group. It vaguely resembled a human form, with no distinguishing facial features save for two piercing red eyes that constantly glowed maliciously. Its body was constantly generating energy, sparks of electricity flowing across its silvery skin. "Hello again, Captain Frost," the creature spoke in a distorted voice. "I see you have come to bow before your new lord and master."

xXx

Author's note: Stay tuned for part 2!

Coming tomorrow!