SailorStar9: Chapter 19 goes up and no review. You guys don't love me anymore. *Wails* This is Chapter 20. To all my non-reviewing readers, I love you all! Will love you more if you review! *hugs all round!*
Disclaimers: I don't own Sailor Moon and Gundam Seed since if I did own them both, the Planetary Senshi will have equal footing as Sailor Moon and Cagalli won't exist. But you don't see that happening do you?
Chapter 20: Endless Rondo
On Onogoro Island...
"That ID will get you into Area 1." the ZAFT spy handed the four pilots fake ID cards. "However, from there, a system is in place to check specific data on each individual. I wasn't able to get anything on such short notice. Well, don't overdo it. I do not want any commotion. I'd rather let the beast continue sleeping."
Inside the Morgenroete compound …
"Work Party Number 6, begin working on Deck 13." the head technician instructed. "Engine and hull crews, standby in Room 7."
"What a surprise." Neuman noted. "They've already begun work."
"Yeah, we should be thankful for that." Natarle remarked.
"Good morning." Murrue greeted the bridge crew.
"Good morning." the crew returned the greeting.
"Thanks for looking after things." Murrue saluted Natarle.
"Technicians have arrived from Morgenroete and have already begun the repairs." Natarle supplied.
"Right." Murrue took her seat. "Where's Ensign Yamato?"
"He and an escort have gone to the factory with the Strike." Natarle replied.
"I see." Murrue noted. "Thank you."
"Yes?" she looked at Natarle.
"Nothing." Natarle replied. "I believe this would be an ideal opportunity to do a thorough check on the internal systems."
"Thank you." Murrue nodded.
In the Morgenroete Main Office...
Erica Simmons has started her report, "As such, it is clear that the mobile suit's potential is far greater than imagined by those ho came up with the concept. According to the report submitted by Colonel Ledonir Kisaka..."
"Pause record." she told the computer when a call came in. "Telephone channel online."
"Yes." she answered the call. "Yes, that's right. Mommy's still working I won't be home until after you go to bed, Ryuta. Have your supper with Daddy tonight. Yes, I know. I promise, on my next day off. Mommy's hardly broken a promise to you, has she? Yes, yes. Make sure you do what your Daddy tells you. Take your bath, brush your teeth and go to bed like a good boy. Okay? Bye-bye."
"Telephone channel offline." she went back to work. "Erica Simmons. Personal file index 2125. Delta Zulu. Restart recording. According to the report submitted by Colonel Ledonir Kisaka, the power of the Earth Forces' mobile suit can be summarized in one word: Overwhelming. However, the possibility of bringing out this potential relies greatly on the abilities of the pilot. Command: Attach file 0358-722. The conclusion in this matter are based on the set of battle records acquired on Kira Yamato, pilot of GAT-X 105 Strike. It had been pointed out from early on that the operation system would have to be improved. Fundamentally, it was an unavoidable fact that the abilities of Coordinators are superior to that of Naturals. It is clear that if the performance of the interface is equal, Coordinators are better able to efficiently bring out the full potential of the machine. For Naturals to match the same effectiveness as Coordinators, they would require software that much more advanced. However, it is ironic that a Coordinator had to be relied upon to take on that job, although it was an emergency situation. In the end, the Earth Forces had to rely on the services of a Coordinator, thought to be the enemy, in order to develop weaponry to battle Coordinators. And it's the same here at ORB. Command: Hyperlink file 52, reference 'Contributions of Latent Coordinators to the Weaponry Industry to Our Nation'. The PLANT technicians who first sent mobile suits into the battlefield, believed that weapons that took control of outer space would eventually control the direction of the war. Such weapons must be more mobile than a fighter plane and possess no less than a battleship's firepower. They must also have armor stronger than that of a tank, allowing it to survive under extreme conditions. The main points of this opinion were correct. But they overlooked just one point. That mobile suit superiority is not limited to outer space. Command: Attach file 0629. ZAFT persistently pursued the Earth Forces space battleship, Archangel, that had loaded the Strike and escaped Heliopolis. As a result, the Archangel failed in its descent to Earth and had no choice but to land in ZAFT territory. Perhaps superfluous information, but that appear to be limitations in the Archangel's command personnel. Although they have been successful in eluding ZAFT's attacks, much of that is believed to be attributed to coincidence, the presence of Athena-sama and the battle achievements of Kira Yamato and the Strike. Eventually, the question of the nature and the rationality of the Archangel's top officers should be addressed. Andrew Waltfeld. Known as the Desert Tiger, he was among ZAFT's top commanders. We'll ignore whether tigers live in the desert or not. The team serving under Waltfeld attacked the Archangel with BuCUEs, mobile suits designed for ground combat. For the Strike, which was a trial product in the first place, battling in the desert proved extremely difficult. However, Kira Yamato pulled off an unbelievable stunt, changing the control program, to overcome danger. In the end, he even succeeds in defeating the brand new mobile suit LaGowe, piloted by Waltfeld himself. The Archangel proceeded to the Red Sea. However, ZAFT had been waiting,having cast a net across the sea. To counter the flying mobile suit, DINN and the underwater models ZnO and GOOhN, the Archangel adds the support fighter plane, Skygrasper, to support the Strike. With the added support of the Skygrasper, there's suddenly great flexibility and mobility in the Strike's use. Command: Note file 1350. Reference" 'Questions Regarding Utilization in Space'. At any rate, the combination of Kira Yamato and the Strike, once again shows surprising adaptability. Kira Yamato's abilities surpass those of other Coordinators. It's only a supposition, and it's not even in my field, but I'd like to bring to mind a matter that once appeared in an academic journal and gave rise to debate. It is the Superior Evolutionary Element Destined-Factor. And as such, if possible, I'd like to conduct a continuous, precise and thorough research analysis on Kira Yamato."
"Delete final item." she corrected herself, after taking a sip of her coffee.. "End recording. Erica Simmons. Attach personal password 14140725, and save file. Terminate session."
"Come in." she told the door's intercom.
"Chief Simmons, I've brought Ensign Kira Yamato." one of her aides reported. "Also, Athena-sama has also arrived with the Aquarius Golden Saint, Ushio-sama."
"Thank you." Erica replied. "I'll be right there."
In the hanger...
Erica and her team welcomed the Strike.
"What is this place?" Kira asked as Erica brought him to another section of the hanger.
"Complete repairs of the Strike are possible here." Erica told him. "Since, well, you could say this is the home of the Strike's parents. Over here. This is what I'd like you to see."
"This..." Kira was stunned at the M1 Astray units.
"There's nothing to be that surprised about." Athena chided, entering with the incognito Ushio.
"Athena-sama is right." Erica replied. "Since you did first see the Strike at Heliopolis."
"This is the true face of ORB, the so-called 'neutral nation'." Cagalli supplied.
"Cagalli." Kira looked at the ORB Princess.
"This is the M1 Astray, a machine made by Morgenroete and belonging to the ORB military." Erica introduced the mobile suits.
"What does ORB intend to do with these?" Kira asked.
"What do you mean?" Erica chuckled.
"These are here to protect ORB." Cagalli replied. "Or more specifically, Athena-sama's Sanctuary."
"You're aware, right?" she looked at an Astray. "That ORB holds on firmly to Athena-sama's ideals; not to invade another nation, not allow another nation to invade and not intervene in the conflicts of other nations. This gives us the power to guarantee that. ORB is such a nation."
"At least, it was supposed to be such a nation." she corrected. "Until my father betrayed it, that is."
"Huh?" Kira blinked.
"Oh my." Erica chided. "Are you still saying such things? How many times have I told you that it isn't true? Lord Uzumi had no idea that Heliopolis was helping the Earth Forces with mobile suit development."
"Shut up!" Cagalli snapped. "Do you seriously think such an excuse is acceptable? He was the nation's Chief Representative. If he didn't know, that in itself is a crime."
"That's why he took responsibility." Erica pointed out.
"You mean handing duties to my uncle and blurting out a bunch of nonsense?" Cagalli retorted. "But nothing has changed."
"It can't be helped." Athena scolded mildly. "Uzumi is very important to the present ORB."
"How can you say that about that coward?" Cagalli huffed.
"Remember, Cagalli." Athena chided. "Your father is not merely the nation Chief Representative, he is also my Pope; my representative on Earth."
"Lord Uzumi had given you so much love and care over the years." Erica sighed. "He will be saddened."
"In addition, I'm not surprised to see you get slapped, after the way you acted yesterday." Ushio smirked.
"Now, let's just leave this fool alone." Erica told hr guests. "Come with me."
"Track voltage stable." the head technician in the control room stated. "Systems check, numbers seven through 183, all green."
"Asagi, Juri, Mayura." Erica called to the three female pilots.
"Yes!" the three girls chorused.
"Oh, Miss Cagalli." Asagi blinked. "Athena-sama and Ushio-sama, too?"
"Hey, you're right." Juri noted.
"What?" Mayura joked. "You've returned?"
"Sorry to disappoint you." Cagalli muttered.
"Begin." Erica instructed.
"Yes!" the three girls chorused and begun to move the Astrays.
"Nothing's changed." Cagalli noted as she saw the girls struggle with the Astrays.
"But they're almost twice as fast now." Erica pointed out.
"But at this rate, they'll be defeated instantly." Cagalli remarked. "They'd be no use out there, except as a target for the enemy."
"Hey, don't be cruel!" Mayura protested.
"But it's the truth." Cagalli retorted.
"You have no idea how much effort has gone into this!" Asagi snapped.
"The enemy won't know either." Cagalli pointed out.
"At least we can pilot this, unlike you!" Juri retorted.
"How dare you." Cagalli snapped. "Let me on it."
"All right. All right." Athena cut in, playing peacemaker. "Stop it already."
"But what Miss Cagalli says is absolutely true." Erica admitted. "That's why we want to make them stronger."
"Like your Strike." she looked at Kira.
"We want your technical cooperation in developing an OS for that." Erica then revealed her intentions.
SailorStar9's rant on the episode: Following a 100% certified clip show, we get here an 80% clip show. Most of this footage is stuff that we've seen plenty of times before in flashbacks or other clip shows. There's no need to see Kira's first battle so many times, or his battles with the BuCUE and underwater suits. This episode could have provided a lot of interesting details about ORB, especially in the form of narration by Erica. However, it's all wasted in her 'report' which is information already obvious to regular viewers. However, a few things do occur here. Though there isn't much explanation to it, the term SEED is finally explained as an acronym. We also get to see the M1 Astray, which is based on the Gundam Astray units seen in the side story manga. It's a shame this potentially great episode was wasted yet again on old footage.