Chapter 25

Mu La Flaga could not be more relieved that Kira showed up when he did. Though he had not expected the young man to save him like that. Still in shock, he was grateful none the less. What stunned him more, was the fact that the Guardian was there also. If Athrun got wind of this, he was sure to get mad. Returning to attacking the Conqueror, Mu was now almost side by side with Kira, who had not been able to get the Meteor for the Freedom since it was badly damaged. They rained laser fire down on the ship. Yzak and Dearka were working together now, to break through on the port side. Concentrating their fire power on one spot to weaken it. Mu and Kira started to do the same on the starboard side. Their intention, to cause major hull breaches that would render the ship unsafe and likely result in the crew abandoning it.

As they worked, Mina moved around to the front of the ship. That was when he saw her. Athrun thought for sure he was mistaken. But his sensors were not malfunctioning. It definitely was Mina out there. He moved from the aft section, over the top of the ship, firing as he went. He couldn't be sure what she thought she was doing there. Just as Athrun reached the roof of the bridge, he realised what her intentions were. And it scared him half to death. The ship was readying it's primary weapon and Mina had positioned herself right in the line of fire. What in the world was she thinking pulling a stupid stunt like that? Did she want to die? Athrun tried hailing her via the radio. At first he got nowhere, but after several tense minutes, he finally found the right channel.

"Mina! What the hell are doing! Get out of there now!" He shouted, gaining the attention of all the other pilots.

Though they kept firing on the ship, they listened to the radio. They all knew now, where she was. And mostly, they knew why.

"This is the best way to destroy this thing and the ship!" Mina shouted back, gearing up for her final move "If we don't take this ship out it will fire on the PLANTS and nothing will be left!"

"But your in the line of fire!" He bellowed at her, so unlike Athrun "This is crazy!"

"It may be crazy Athrun, but it's the only way I can atone for what I did to everyone...and to you." She told him, sounding sincere.

"No! You don't have to do this Mina!" Athrun felt his gut clench, his heart tightened, he could not loose her, not like this.

"Yes I do! I'm the only one who knows this damn things weak spot!" As she spoke, the Guardian transformed from Mobile Suit to Bird.

"Mina! Mina no! Stop!" Athrun tried to charge her, to stop her, but he was blocked by a laser shot "Ah!"

"Stay back Athrun!" She ordered him, aiming her machines main canon at the Tesares and flying right at it.

The cry heard over the radio was like the charge of a cavalry. The ship began to power up it's primary weapon. Mina was not only in the targeting line, but she was dead center of it. Yzak, Dearka, Mu, Kira, Lacus, Murrue, Kisaka and Athrun all watched in horror, breath held as she flew directly into the weapons mouth. As the light grew from the building of power, her Gundam vanished from sight. Seconds later, came the huge explosion that rocked the ship. The shock wave knocked them all, sending them spiralling backwards. Athrun could not take his eyes off his monitor. Mina's Gundam was nowhere to be seen, the ship was cracking apart and smaller explosions were ripping the rest to shreds. They were all in shock and silent...

...except for Athrun.

His breath came in short panicked bursts, his Viridian eyes wide with horror. His cry rang out through the depths of space.

"MIIIIIINAAAAAA!"

The heartache in his voice, stabbed each of the people closest to him straight in the heart. Even the other soldiers, who barely knew him, felt the pain that bled from his cry. Athrun was gripping the controls of the Justice with a vice like grip, his shoulders trembled, his sobs could be heard faintly over the radio. Kira could feel the pain his friend felt. He had been there himself once. The Freedom came to the side of the Justice, a big metal hand placed upon the shoulder. The others retreating back towards their respective carriers. Each of the men knew, there was little they could do or say to ease Athrun's pain right now. It was best to leave it in Kira's hands. Both Murrue and Lacus were battling back tears of their own. Everyone on the battlefield, would never forget her sacrifice.

With the loss of their flagship, the Equatorial Union troops retreated in order to regroup. They were not sure what to do next, as the one who had been leading them, had been aboard the now destroyed Conqueror. It appeared they had lost the desire to fight. Perhaps they now saw it as pointless. Whatever the case the battle seemed to have come to an end. A rather spectacular end. The PLANTS were safe. No more lives were going to be lost on that day. Lacus used the International Rescue channel to speak to all the ships in the area, calling for cease fire. Stating it was not worth the loss of more lives to continue to fight a pointless battle. The captains of the remaining Equatorial Union ships, apparently agreed with her. As they recalled all the machines and withdrew from the area.

But the loss and the carnage, was still clear to see.

"Athrun?" Kira said gently, but he could only hear the soft sobs "Athrun. Come on, we should get back to the Eternal."

"Kira I..." Athrun tried to talk but his voice broke as he choked back tears.

"I know, Athrun." Kira wished he could say the right thing, but no words would ever make the pain any easier to bear.

"She just..." He sobbed more "How could she just do something like that?"

"I think, no I'm sure..." Kira corrected himself "She was doing it to save all of us and the PLANTS. She was trying to do the right thing, the only way she knew how."

"But to...sacrifice herself..." Athrun couldn't stop the hot tears that flowed from his eyes "What was she thinking?"

"I don't know the answer to that Athrun." Kira gently manoeuvred both machines to head back to the ship "But I'm sure, she felt it was the right thing to do."

"Why..." His sobs took a note of anger "Why would she be so reckless and fly straight at it like that? She must have known...what would happen!"

"She mentioned something about knowing a weakness. A way to bring down the ship." Kira sighed "I had no idea that she was going to do that, however."

"She knew a weak spot. She knew it and she used it and she..." Athrun sobbed again, more anguished this time.

"Yeah, she told me, there were times when she was unable to sleep, so she would take a walk." Kira replayed what she had told him.

But it only seemed to upset Athrun further. They got to the ship, heading in to have their machines taken care of. The very second they were out of their cockpits, Athrun took off to the wait area. Kira followed him, getting there in time to see his best friend punch the wall. He then leaned against it, his forehead on the cool surface. Cursing under his breath. Kira wanted to help, but wasn't sure what the best course to take was. The door at the far side of the room opened and Lacus appeared. She looked upset too, but her main concern were Kira and Athrun. A sad smile from Kira told her he was fine. But she could see for herself that Athrun, was not. Going to him, she placed his head upon her shoulder and let him weep.

It was, all they could do for him. Once Athrun wept till his eyes ran dry, he allowed Kira to guide him to his quarters. Once inside, he laid on the bed, turning on his side and closing his eyes tight. That moment, ran over and over in him mind. Like an old fashioned movie clip. In slow motion. It tormented him. How could he even consider going on without her? Was he simply not meant to find true happiness? Would it always be taken from him? It appeared third time was not the charm, when it came to love for Athrun Zala. Whether it was his own stupidity, or his poor choices, the path to love never ran smooth for him and just when he had found it...what he truly believed was it...it was ripped from him, to be swallowed by flames and reduced to ashes.

~~~X~~~